All Sins are Equal

[parousia70]

So if a person joined your church, but told a few white lies you would accept them as a christian, for none are sinless. What would you in your heart believe if someone joined your church and committed a few murders, whilst claiming to be saved?

My opinion on their salvation status is irrelevant.

God knows. If the Murderer in His heart has repented, and aked for forgiveness, I am confident he is forgiven. But that's between him and God. My opinion has no bearing on the outcome.
Do you doubt God's ability to forgive certain Sins?

 

[Paul fisher]

My opinion on their salvation status is irrelevant.

God knows. If the Murderer in His heart has repented, and aked for forgiveness, I am confident he is forgiven.
Do you doubt God's ability to forgive certain Sins?

If your opinion is irrelevant, I think it is safe to assume you would differentiate in real life between a few fibs and murder.
I actually agree with you, a christian's judgement is not based on obedience to the law. However, discernment is needed when we make that statement. God can forgive any sin. However, you do not seriously believe, a person who claims to be saved but commits murder every week is really saved do you(if you are honest) But you would readily accept someone as a christian who committed certain other sins.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

So if a christian told a fib, in God's sight that is equally the same as committing murder?

The notion that all sin is equal is a regular position among some Evangelicals. In present time often it is used for folks addressing gays etc.

I got to say even I said something similar only a few years ago. Saying the same thing that others have said in the thread such as "all sin is potentially deadly", little foxes spoil the vine. The Bible does not formally make distinctions like mortal vs. venial in Catholicism, sin is generally called sin, and I noted that people tend to be aghast at other people's sins, while being OK with their favorite ones. We are all sinners, imperfect and need God's forgiveness etc.


But there are problems with that point of view as my friend points out and even I realized later, as far as the fruit produced by sin, and some of the fine points of how sin is handled contextually in the Bible. The more you get into context and what kind of message God is trying to say in that as far as His Will for Humanity the more this kind of position falls apart.

 

[Paul fisher]

and I noted that people tend to be aghast at other people's sins, while being OK with their favorite ones. etc.


.

Its much easier to criticise others isn't it, than hold yourself accountable. It kinda deflects from your own shortcomings

 

[parousia70]

If your opinion is irrelevant, I think it is safe to assume you would differentiate in real life between a few fibs and murder.
I actually agree with you, a christian's judgement is not based on obedience to the law. However, discernment is needed when we make that statement. God can forgive any sin. However, you do not seriously believe, a person who claims to be saved but commits murder every week is really saved do you(if you are honest) But you would readily accept someone as a christian who committed certain other sins.

Of course not. But that wasnt the question was it?
We know by the fruits.

Same goes for the Christian who lies every week, doesn't it?

What makes you think I would accept the claims of Christianhood from someone who consistently demonstrates they are a habitual, unrepentant liar?

Would you?

I would most certainly accept the claims of Christianhood from the Mass Murderer who has repented, turned his life over to Christ and murders no more over the claims of the Habitual, unrepentant liar.

Wouldn't you?