Is All Sin The Same?

Is one sin more severe than another or are they all the same? That is a good question. Some say one is greater than another while others say sin is sin. God being holy, hates sin.

He would rather that we avoid it and keep our eyes on Him. During the time of Moses God told the Israelites the following.

Set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the Lord who makes you holy. Leviticus 20:7-8

What do we know about sin? First and foremost, all sin is detestable to the Lord and all sin is punishable. Are there levels of sin or are they all the same? Let’s take a closer look.

In Leviticus, various sins received different levels of punishment. If a person committed murder one would think their punishment would be more severe than a lesser offense. But look at this.

Anyone who dishonors father or mother must be put to death. Such a person is guilty of a capital offense. Leviticus 20:9

So those who committed a capital offense, God wanted to be punished by death. Those sins mainly consisted of sexual sins and the sacrificing to and worshiping of other gods.

But the death penalty went beyond sexual immorality and spiritual prostitution. When God gave the nation of Israel His commandments He expected them to be followed. Even this one;

You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. Exodus 31:15

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Not All Sin was Treated the Same

Leviticus 18 contains a list of detestable sins. God removed the inhabitants of the promised land because of their detestable acts. He warned the Israelites from doing those same acts.

Whoever commits any of these detestable sins will be cut off from the community of Israel. Leviticus 18:29

Punishments for other sins could mean the removal of a person from the community. It could be until sundown or up to several days. In other words, not all sin was treated the same.

Today, however, Jesus replaced or should I say, fulfilled the Old Testament law. The Apostle Paul told how that law benefits us.

The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. Galatians 3:24

The King James Version uses the word “schoolmaster.” One of the most important things we can learn from this schoolmaster is how seriously God takes the matter of sin.

It also teaches us that the law can only tell us how to act. It can’t give us a relationship with God. This same law contains no forgiveness, it only reminded them of their sin. And we’ve all sinned.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23-24

God gave us that promise and we can take it into eternity. Yes, we are still sinners and yes we will still sin. But when we trust in the Lord, He frees us from the PENALTY of sin.

Trust in the Lord

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

That verse means we must live for the Lord and seek His guidance daily. When living for God, we need not be concerned if all sin is the same.

Instead, we turn our sights on living a righteous life. Our focus also turns from sin to faith and hope, and from self to Christ our Redeemer. Because He is the source of our trust in God

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. 1 Peter 1:21

Our verse for today says to set yourselves apart to be holy. What does it mean to be holy? It means to set yourself apart to God. Peter told us what that looks like.

You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

Is Sin and the Penalty of Sin the Same?

As long as we live in our present bodies sin abides within us. Jesus, however, died and rose again to cleanse us of all our unrighteousness. He asks that we live for Him and obey His Word.

Those who enter eternity without Christ will suffer the Penalty of sin. Too many people think their good lives and good works will get them into heaven. But it won’t! Jesus is the only way in.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Jesus became the only sacrifice that could cleanse any of us from our sin. Accept what He did on the cross so your sins will be cleansed and your name will be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Is all sin the same? It really doesn’t matter. You see, the last word on the subject is written toward the end of the Book of Revelation. And it all comes down to whether your name is in the book or not.

Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty — but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Revelation 21:27

Lord, we know that we all sin. But we also know that is not the same as the penalty of sin. Thank you for saving us from that penalty through the blood of Jesus.

Make a Commitment Today

If you don’t know Christ as your Savior, please don’t go into eternity without Him. Take the time right now to ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life. Then commit yourself to live your life for the Lord.

If you just prayed and asked Jesus into your heart (life), email me so I can be praying for you. robin@mac4320

Check out these related posts about sin.