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The Greatest Sin
John 19:11 - "Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
As evangelicals in the US, most of us are very fond of saying that "all sins are equal in God's sight". The question, however, is whether that is actually true. I submit that based on this passage and others it is not. First of all take this passage, referring to "greater sin". Michael Patton from Reclaiming the Mind Ministries did a post on this a while back. Some reasons NOT to think all sins are equal:
"2. Certain sins in the law are distinguished in a particular context as an abomination to God, implying that others are not as severe (e.g. Lev. 18:22; Deut. 7:25, Deut. 23:18, Isa. 41:24).
3. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is set apart as a more severe sin than blasphemy of the Son (Matt. 12:31)
4. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists particular sins in such a way as to single them out because of their depraved nature, separating them from others.
5. There are degrees of punishment in Hell depending on the severity of the offense (Lk. 12:47-48).
6. Christ often evaluates the sin of the Pharisees as greater than the sins of others. You strain out a gnat while you swallow a camel (Matt. 23:24). If all sins are equal, Christ’s rebuke does not make any sense. (See also Lk. 20:46-47)
7. Similarly, Christ also talked about the “weightier things of the law” (Matt. 23:23). If all sins are equal, there is no law (or violation of that law) that is “weightier than others.” They are all the same weight.
8. Unforgiveness is continually referred to as a particularly heinous sin (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:23-35)." [1]
So why is it that we say that all sins are equal? I think that we are being a little fuzzy in our thinking. Romans 3:23 tells us that ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We are all sinful. It does not follow, however, that all sins are equal. He continues:
"If you disagree with this, just think--really think—about what you are saying about God. You are saying to an unbelieving world that your God is just as angry about the act of going 56 in a 55 as he is about the act of one who rapes and murders a six-year-old girl. Do you really want to go there? Do you really think this position is sufficiently supported to justify such a belief? Can you really defend it? If the Bible teaches it, fine: we go with the Bible and not with our emotions or palatability decoder. But I don’t believe that a viable case can be made for letting our theology argue for such a belief. I can’t think of many more things in Evangelical pop-theology that is more wrong, more damaging, or more misrepresentative of God’s character and the nature of sin." [2]
So other than that one random verse, what does this big discussion have to do with our passage for today? I think that having this understanding of sin can cloud some very big and very real issues relating to Jesus. In another related post, Patton deals with the biggest, greatest, worst sin of all: unbelief. The reason we land in hell isn't that one little white lie we told - it's because we have set ourselves against God. We have rebelled and refused Him. This act of unbelief and rebellion is THE sin that will define us, lest we repent and believe. Read:
"It is important to understand that hell not is filled with people who are crying out for God’s mercy, constantly hoping for a second chance. People are in hell because they have the same disposition toward God that they had while they were walking the earth. They do not suddenly, upon entrance into Hell, change their nature and become sanctified. They still hate God. People are in hell for all eternity, not because they [ran a red light], but because their fists are still clenched toward God. They are not calling on His mercy. They are not pleading for a second chance. They are in hell for all eternity because that is where they would rather be. It is their nature. As C.S. Lewis once said, “The doors of hell are locked from the inside.” [3]
Granted, this is perhaps overstating a bit: the Bible is clear that hell also is punishment that is inflicted by God withdrawing His favorable presence from unbelievers, but you get the point. The important issue is belief or unbelief. If you reject the very God of the universe, you have committed the GREATEST sin.
And that is our passage for today: Jesus Christ crucified. It is told for us to read and believe. That is THE decision of life: do I believe, or do I not? Will I lay down my own plans and my life for this dying man, or will I do it my way? Will I rest in the power of His resurrection, or will I try to make my own way? Make a choice, but be aware: that decision will define you eternally. Jesus sacrifices His very self for the world and asks "Believe" of us. Believe and let your sins be covered by His blood.
The Greatest Sin
John 19:11 - "Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
As evangelicals in the US, most of us are very fond of saying that "all sins are equal in God's sight". The question, however, is whether that is actually true. I submit that based on this passage and others it is not. First of all take this passage, referring to "greater sin". Michael Patton from Reclaiming the Mind Ministries did a post on this a while back. Some reasons NOT to think all sins are equal:
"2. Certain sins in the law are distinguished in a particular context as an abomination to God, implying that others are not as severe (e.g. Lev. 18:22; Deut. 7:25, Deut. 23:18, Isa. 41:24).
3. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is set apart as a more severe sin than blasphemy of the Son (Matt. 12:31)
4. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists particular sins in such a way as to single them out because of their depraved nature, separating them from others.
5. There are degrees of punishment in Hell depending on the severity of the offense (Lk. 12:47-48).
6. Christ often evaluates the sin of the Pharisees as greater than the sins of others. You strain out a gnat while you swallow a camel (Matt. 23:24). If all sins are equal, Christ’s rebuke does not make any sense. (See also Lk. 20:46-47)
7. Similarly, Christ also talked about the “weightier things of the law” (Matt. 23:23). If all sins are equal, there is no law (or violation of that law) that is “weightier than others.” They are all the same weight.
8. Unforgiveness is continually referred to as a particularly heinous sin (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:23-35)." [1]
So why is it that we say that all sins are equal? I think that we are being a little fuzzy in our thinking. Romans 3:23 tells us that ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We are all sinful. It does not follow, however, that all sins are equal. He continues:
"If you disagree with this, just think--really think—about what you are saying about God. You are saying to an unbelieving world that your God is just as angry about the act of going 56 in a 55 as he is about the act of one who rapes and murders a six-year-old girl. Do you really want to go there? Do you really think this position is sufficiently supported to justify such a belief? Can you really defend it? If the Bible teaches it, fine: we go with the Bible and not with our emotions or palatability decoder. But I don’t believe that a viable case can be made for letting our theology argue for such a belief. I can’t think of many more things in Evangelical pop-theology that is more wrong, more damaging, or more misrepresentative of God’s character and the nature of sin." [2]
So other than that one random verse, what does this big discussion have to do with our passage for today? I think that having this understanding of sin can cloud some very big and very real issues relating to Jesus. In another related post, Patton deals with the biggest, greatest, worst sin of all: unbelief. The reason we land in hell isn't that one little white lie we told - it's because we have set ourselves against God. We have rebelled and refused Him. This act of unbelief and rebellion is THE sin that will define us, lest we repent and believe. Read:
"It is important to understand that hell not is filled with people who are crying out for God’s mercy, constantly hoping for a second chance. People are in hell because they have the same disposition toward God that they had while they were walking the earth. They do not suddenly, upon entrance into Hell, change their nature and become sanctified. They still hate God. People are in hell for all eternity, not because they [ran a red light], but because their fists are still clenched toward God. They are not calling on His mercy. They are not pleading for a second chance. They are in hell for all eternity because that is where they would rather be. It is their nature. As C.S. Lewis once said, “The doors of hell are locked from the inside.” [3]
Granted, this is perhaps overstating a bit: the Bible is clear that hell also is punishment that is inflicted by God withdrawing His favorable presence from unbelievers, but you get the point. The important issue is belief or unbelief. If you reject the very God of the universe, you have committed the GREATEST sin.
And that is our passage for today: Jesus Christ crucified. It is told for us to read and believe. That is THE decision of life: do I believe, or do I not? Will I lay down my own plans and my life for this dying man, or will I do it my way? Will I rest in the power of His resurrection, or will I try to make my own way? Make a choice, but be aware: that decision will define you eternally. Jesus sacrifices His very self for the world and asks "Believe" of us. Believe and let your sins be covered by His blood.
[1] http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2009/09/all-sins-are-equal-in-gods-sight-and-other-stupid-statements
[2] Ibid.
[3] http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/04/will-one-white-lie-send-you-to-hell-for-all-eternity
[2] Ibid.
[3] http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/04/will-one-white-lie-send-you-to-hell-for-all-eternity
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