is all sin the same

[Jodi_99]

i have always been told that all sin is seen the same in God's eyes. Can this be found anywhere in the Bible?

 

[Centrifuge04]

I'm not sure but i do know that all sin is the same.
No sin is bigger than another

 

[Mother Vashti]

I disagree.
While I do believe that offending God (that is, "sinning") in any degree is offending Him too much, I've never held the idea that all sin is equal.

 

[Vag4]

As far as I've been tought all sin are the same. Only one sin can't be forgiven, and that is the sin agains the Holy Spirit/Ghost.

I am not a Christian and I do not believe in sin. However, that being said, I can't imagine that anyone could believe all sin in the same in the eyes of God. I mean, do you honestly think that taking God's name in vain is just as bad as murdering someone? And some Christians say atheists are immoral...

I think you misunderstood the whole sin in christian meanings. All sin lead to Satan, to hell. Why would God make a difference in wages of sin if the penalty is the same?

 

[Caelum]

7. We furthermore teach that sin came into the world by the fall of the first man, as described [sic] Gen. 3. By this Fall not only he himself, but also his natural offspring have lost the original knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, and thus all men are sinners already by birth, dead in sins, inclined to all evil, and subject to the wrath of God, Rom. 5:12, 18; Eph. 2:1-3. We teach also that men are unable, through any efforts of their own or by the aid of "culture and science," to reconcile themselves to God and thus conquer death and damnation.

With this said, the acknowledgement that we are born sinners, before we are even capable of committing any one act, be it in accordance or against God's Will. So at this point, how can one sin be of greater severity than another? God views us as sinners, therefore how much more does murder "startle" Him than saying His name in vain?

Neight <3

 

[Caelum]

Why? Because some sins (like taking the name of God in vain) don't affect anyone but God and the individual committing the sin. Other sins, like murdering, affect another individual as well. Is God so selfish as to judge both acts equally? So...

Let's say there's three people. Persons one and two have spent their whole lives helping people, and are good Christians. They are best friends and care deeply for each other. Person three is a heartless criminal who has killed many people in the past. So person three tries to rob persons one and two and in the process fatally shoots person one. Person two screams out, "God******! You killed him, how could you be so cruel?" so person three fatally shoots person two as well. Just then, a police officer arrives and fatally shoots person three. All three people died instantly. According to your concept of sin, person one would go to heaven. Person two and three would both suffer the same punishment and go to hell.

Hello , I see you're pretty new to CF, welcome I'm fairly new myself (compared to most/a lot)...however I thought i'd remind you to read the forum rules for each forum. Two of which are of importance here is that only Christians/Staff Members may reply to Questions posted in "Questions about Christianity"..and second that this is not a Debate Forum...there are plenty of Forums on this Site that allow all subborn-headed Christians/Atheists/Agnostics/ETC, battle it out till their hearts content, this just simply isn't the place....not trying to play daddy, just thought i'd let ya know incase you didn't see the rules forum...if you are curious about a Christian perspective concerning the original question, go ahead and ask away, if you wish to debate it, elsewhere is more appropriate Welome again

 

[Rafael]

Sin is the same in one sense, that it can lead to death - even one, such as Adam's that causes all men to be born into death. Other than that sense, it is obvious that not all sins are not alike or will be judged the same. The Bible speaks of sin that does not lead to death, and also of those that suffering "greater condemnation" for their sins.

Mt 23:14 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

Ro 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

1Jo 5:16 If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it.
1Jo 5:17 Every wrong is sin, but not all sin leads to death.

 

[Emmy]

Every wrong is sin,but not all wrongs/sins lead to death.That is a good and straightforward answer.May I point out one important aspect though;To use the Lord`s/God`s name in vain is not only wrong,it is desecrating our Great God.When Athiests do so,it is a case of "forgive them,for they do not know whay they are doing."But for a follower of Christ(and we are sons of our Father in Heaven) it is most insulting and demeaning.Sincere greetings from Emmy,a sister in Christ.

 

[prestonw]

i have always been told that all sin is seen the same in God's eyes. Can this be found anywhere in the Bible?

This is a valid question. The interesting thing about Christianity is the through Jesus, all sins are forgiven. This means no matter what sins you may have committed, be it turning away from God for a period for time or having sex out of marriage, you will be forgiven and granted eternal life. But, this doesn't mean you will not be held accountable for your actions at Judgement. At this time, you will be judged based on your works, not your sins (which are forgiven). So, that murderer who turned to Jesus will be held accountable for his actions, just as the unfaithful husband will be held accountable for his infidelity. The positive actions you do will also be taken in account, giving to charity, turning people to Christ, etc.

 

[Serapha]

I apologize, Caelum, I was not aware. Usually when I try to post in a place where I apparently shouldn't be posting, it will automatically not let me post there. I will no longer post in this section.

Hi there!



Welcome to the forums...


You can post questions here and interact with the responders (no debate, please)... but you shouldn't be replying to other questions.


But you are welcome to post any questions you have...


~serapha~

 

[Serapha]

i have always been told that all sin is seen the same in God's eyes. Can this be found anywhere in the Bible?

Hi there!



Welcome to the forums...


Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

That passage indicates that the result of sin is death (spiritual separation from God's love)... that is singular "sin"... without differentiation on the type of sin.


~serapha~

 

[pressingon]

Well said, raphe, Serapha...

To add to what's already been said, never forget that there is a difference between our view of sin and God's view of sin. All sin separates us from God equally -- He is holy and perfect, and cannot tolerate the presence of sin. As such, the one who tells "little white lies" and the one who murders are equally separated from God by their sin (experiencing spiritual death), both requiring the atoning blood of Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation.

The consequences of those sins on earth differ, of course, which is what is referred to in the passages regarding sin that does not lead to death (physical). Obviously, liars are not treated the same as murderers.

Hope this is helpful....

 

[Triscuit]

Any sin, whether it be a little lie or murder, it is all the same. There is no extent in God's eyes, just sin, and no sin. There is no in-between.

 

[Jodi_99]

thanks to everyone who replied. it helped. part of the reason i was wondering is because one of my friends does things that i would consider immoral, but thats only from my stand point, i obviously have no authority to decide whats not right for her to do. She is very open with the things that she does do and many people judge her for it. I'm not saying its right, but i did want to know if it was more wrong than anything anyone else does. Thanks again

 

[pressingon]

thanks to everyone who replied. it helped. part of the reason i was wondering is because one of my friends does things that i would consider immoral, but thats only from my stand point, i obviously have no authority to decide whats not right for her to do. She is very open with the things that she does do and many people judge her for it. I'm not saying its right, but i did want to know if it was more wrong than anything anyone else does. Thanks again

Although it's not for you to judge her, we as Christians are called to stand for what is right and speak against what is wrong. By all means, you, as a friend, should be ministering to her in an attempt to steer her towards behavior that is in line with the will of God. Sinful behavior is certainly not God's will.

If she's saved, it's even more important for you to steer her towards truth, as the example she sets presents a false witness as to what Christianity is about. Hypocritical Christians (those who don't live as Christ would have them to, yet profess to faith) are a major excuse unsaved give for continuing in sin.

 

[HeatherJay]

Some excellent answers to your OP already, but one other thing to consider is the way in which different sins affect us. For example, sins 'of the flesh' (sexual sins, sins of addiction, etc) can have a much more negative effect on our spirit than, let's say, telling a little white lie. I'm not saying that lying is less of a sin in the eyes of God, I'm saying that those fleshly sins can damage our spirits in such negative ways that it's much harder, sometimes, to find our way back onto the right path. They pull more strongly at us and are much more dangerous to us as Christians (in regards to temptation) than other sins might. It's for that reason (among others, of course) that those sins should be avoided.

Just a thought. Welcome to CF.

Love, Heather

 

[Jodi_99]

Although it's not for you to judge her, we as Christians are called to stand for what is right and speak against what is wrong. By all means, you, as a friend, should be ministering to her in an attempt to steer her towards behavior that is in line with the will of God. Sinful behavior is certainly not God's will.

If she's saved, it's even more important for you to steer her towards truth, as the example she sets presents a false witness as to what Christianity is about. Hypocritical Christians (those who don't live as Christ would have them to, yet profess to faith) are a major excuse unsaved give for continuing in sin.

i agree with what you are saying.. but i wonder, if i should be trying to help her with her sinful behavior, what about everyone elses.. including my own? to me, a few of the things she portakes in are worse than what i would do, but in the same sense there are things i do that i consider worse than what she does. (once again these are based on what i beleive) how do i know that i have the right to tell her what she is doing wrong when if all sin the same i am doing different things that are equally wrong even though it isn't the common beleif?

even knowing that i do things wrong too, i have sublty tried to steer her towards what is right in this particular situation, if i were to come right out and say that she shouldn't be sleeping with three guys in one night, i beleive she would totally push me away or simply say she doesn't care. i have seen her do it with other people and i dont beleive totally losing her friendship is going to help her get on the right path ifyaknowwuttamean. I'm waiting for a time that i will be able to help her without being totally pushed away by her. i wouldn't want to offend her even tho she needs it.

 

[Serapha]

i agree with what you are saying.. but i wonder, if i should be trying to help her with her sinful behavior, what about everyone elses.. including my own? to me, a few of the things she portakes in are worse than what i would do, but in the same sense there are things i do that i consider worse than what she does. (once again these are based on what i beleive) how do i know that i have the right to tell her what she is doing wrong when if all sin the same i am doing different things that are equally wrong even though it isn't the common beleif?

even knowing that i do things wrong too, i have sublty tried to steer her towards what is right in this particular situation, if i were to come right out and say that she shouldn't be sleeping with three guys in one night, i beleive she would totally push me away or simply say she doesn't care. i have seen her do it with other people and i dont beleive totally losing her friendship is going to help her get on the right path ifyaknowwuttamean. I'm waiting for a time that i will be able to help her without being totally pushed away by her. i wouldn't want to offend her even tho she needs it.

Hi there!



You're 15 years old.... your friend must be about the same age.... and to be sexually active with many men in one night is dangerous for her.

I recommend that you talk to a moderator and get this posting removed, then bring your friend here to post "joint" questions concerning sexuality and the single Christian.


There's never going to be a good time for you to tell your friend that sleeping with three men in one night is a bad thing... and it might be better for your friendship to have complete strangers tell her that if she is a Christian, she is doing wrong, and under any circumstances where she is as sexually active as you describe.... she is playing roulette, and sooner or later, she's going to lose.

~serapha~

 

[Crispie]

Yes and No. 1 sin of any kind=hell unless you are saved. But each sin has a different consequince. When David lost his child, it was a result of his previous sins. You could say the worst sins are the ones that have the greatest consequinces.


Also, you should show your friend her sinful ways and how bad they really are, this is also mentioned in the bible. Personally Im not that big into complete strangers telling my friend what is right and wrong over family members that are christian. It may be more appropriate to privately discuss this with a local pastor or christian family/friends..

 

[pressingon]

i agree with what you are saying.. but i wonder, if i should be trying to help her with her sinful behavior, what about everyone elses.. including my own? to me, a few of the things she portakes in are worse than what i would do, but in the same sense there are things i do that i consider worse than what she does. (once again these are based on what i beleive) how do i know that i have the right to tell her what she is doing wrong when if all sin the same i am doing different things that are equally wrong even though it isn't the common beleif?

I wouldn't say you have a "right" to tell her what she's doing wrong.... but you do have a responsibility as a friend and fellow Christian (if she is a Christian, that's not crystal clear to me). Get over the fact that you're not perfect... we're all sinners! God has put a burden on your heart for your friend, one that is not to be ignored. Any doubts you may have about helping her are most likely NOT from God.

even knowing that i do things wrong too, i have sublty tried to steer her towards what is right in this particular situation, if i were to come right out and say that she shouldn't be sleeping with three guys in one night, i beleive she would totally push me away or simply say she doesn't care. i have seen her do it with other people and i dont beleive totally losing her friendship is going to help her get on the right path ifyaknowwuttamean. I'm waiting for a time that i will be able to help her without being totally pushed away by her. i wouldn't want to offend her even tho she needs it.

You're absolutely right that you need to be careful how to help. Sometimes, with best intentions, we try to go things on our own to help people we care about, and actually end up doing more hurt than good. Above all, pray for your friend... pray for God's guidance as to how to help... ask Him to show you what to do. God answers prayer!

All that aside... in my opinion, your friend sounds like she has problems that may be too big for you alone to help her with (i.e. -- require counseling or professional help). I would hope that she understands the risks of her behavior already, which implies there is a bigger issue or problem driving her behavior. I don't know what that may be, but she definitely needs you to be there for her. Continue to be her friend, showing her that you care about her and love her for who she is. And again... pray, pray, and pray some more... continually looking for God's will as to how to help! When it's time to say or do something, you will know, as God's Spirit will envelope you and guide you. Believe me (I've been there), when God wants to use you, He will, and you'll probably look back and ask yourself if it was really you doing what you did or saying what you said. All we have to do is be willing... God's power is truly amazing!

I'll be praying for you and your friend. May God bless you and guide you!