We often hear people say things like, "there are no big sins and little sins," or "one sin is not bigger than the other; all sin is the same." While that has a nice, warm and fuzzy feeling to it, it is not true. This type of rhetoric is frequently used by people attempting to justify themselves or someone they know. It has been used repeatedly in defense of Bishop Eddie Long. I don't know if he is guilty or not, but if he is, what he has done is especially egregious.
How many times have I read bloggers saying that what Bishop Eddie Long has allegedly done is no different than lying? Again, make no mistake about it, I am NOT saying that Bishop Long is guilty; I pray for he and his family everyday. I pray that if he is innocent that God vindicates him, and if he is not innocent that God judges him as He sees fit, not according to the secular, anti-Christian and gay activists that are bent on his demise.
I want to dispel this idea for the honest mind. The scripture is clear, not all sin is viewed the same by God. Not only is all sin not equally offensive to God, but not all sin is equally judged by God. This assertion is empty without proof, so I will begin with a plain text and go from there.
"Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin." John 19:10-11 KJV
Very clearly Jesus said that Pilate committed a lesser sin than the ones who had brought Jesus to him; they committed the greater sin. The inequality of sin could not be more succinctly affirmed than this. I cannot imagine how this language could possibly be explained away.
"Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men." Matthew 12:31 KJV
The fact that a specific sin will not be forgiven, while all others will be forgiven, demonstrates the inequality of sin. If all sin were equal, then all sin would be forgivable. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a greater sin than all other forms of blasphemy.
Abominations were and are especially grievous to God. "Six things doth the LORD hate; yea, seven are an abomination to him (Proverbs 6:16)." This text is not saying that these seven sins are the only ones God hates, but that God has a special hatred for these 7 sins.
"If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death." 1 John 5:16-17 KJV
The Apostle John says that there are some sins that are not unto death, and other sins that are unto death; there are sins that should be prayed for and sins that should not be prayed for. Where is the equality in that?
Not only does God view some sins with more disgust than others, He also judges some sins more harshly than He does others. This is readily manifest by the fact that not all sins in the Old Testament were punishable by death. Obviously the sins punishable by death were considered greater sins than the ones not punishable by death. Not only is this an Old Testament law concept, it is also a New Testament concept taught by Jesus.
"And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." Luke 12:47-48 KJV
There are cases where many stripes are deserved and cases where few stripes are deserved. Obviously not an equality of judgment.
"Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." Matthew 11:21-24 KJV
It will me "more tolerable" in the day of judgement for Tyre, Sidon and Sodom than for Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Whatever the day of judgement refers to is immaterial; the point made is that God will judge certain cities more severely than others.
I cannot conclude this blog without also saying that however great the sin is, God has a greater grace!
