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Is one sin greater than another

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Salty, May 16, 2010.

  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    If Tom commits a murder, our society has decided that there is no stature of limitations.

    If John steals a $1 candy bar from Wal-Mart, the store looks the other way and will not prosecute (its not worth the time or money)

    However, does God see a difference between these two sins? Another words, if Tom and John had never sinned previously (I know what you are going to say - but for the purpose of this discussion...) would both be destined to Hell for only that one sin they individually committed?
    If so, than God does not discriminate based on the type of sin. Therefore man has put a higher standard on sin.

    Thoughts?
     
  2. luke1616

    luke1616 New Member

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    A person's sin, no matter what it is, is counted as a transgressor of the law. All sin is the same in God's eyes, forgiveness of all through Jesus. Then there is the unforgivable sin.
     
  3. Jedi Knight

    Jedi Knight Well-Known Member
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    Jesus did say to Pilot....the one who delivered me over has the greater sin.
     
  4. luke1616

    luke1616 New Member

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    Didn't see that one lol. Where is it at?
     
  5. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    Any sin is sufficient to condemn, but not all sins are equal in destruction.

    Compare a nuclear bomb to a bullet. A bullet can kill you, but a nuclear bomb can cause much more damage.
     
  6. Jedi Knight

    Jedi Knight Well-Known Member
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    John 19:11 Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
     
  7. Crucified in Christ

    Crucified in Christ New Member

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    The Scriptures make it clear that to break one part of the law is to break the whole of the law; in this sense, all sins cause us to fall short of the glory of God for with any sin we have broken the entirety of God's law.

    Having stated that, I do not believe that God is blind to the different levels of harm caused by different crimes. Notice that God's law does not proscribe death for someone who would have stolen something of low monetary value, but would require it for the murderer. In this sense, I think that we can see God definitely differentiates among the severity of individual sins.
     
  8. FR7 Baptist

    FR7 Baptist Active Member

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    Yes, some sins are worse than others, but all (including original sin) will lead one to eternal damnation save for the grace of God.
     
  9. luke1616

    luke1616 New Member

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    Yes, on the punishment end, but being saved, it means nothing.
     
  10. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Of course some sins carry greater judgment/consequences than others.

    Jesus said we should not murder. Then He added that if we hate someone, we have murdered them in our heart.

    Which is "greater"? Actually killing someone or just wishing they'd die? Of course they are BOTH sins, but one will carry consequences far beyond the other.

    Some sins are open before judgment, others revealed later. But even one sin condemns to hell. Even just being a sinner by nature condemns to hell. That's why we need grace alone.
     
  11. Cutter

    Cutter New Member

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    The consequences on earth would be different but I think Salty is talking about the consequences and judgment that will result from these sins before a Holy God.
     
  12. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    Our sinning doesn't commit us to death...our Sin commits us to death.

    Our sinning is an aftereffect of Sin that separates us from God.
     
  13. thegospelgeek

    thegospelgeek New Member

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  14. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Actually, I started this thread beacuse in my "Red Letter Christians" thread got off subject a bit by talking about greater sins.
     
  15. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    Your thread is an excellent subject. Obviously some sins have greater consequences here on earth than others. In eternity, hell is hell. What irks me about lists of sins from most to least is that the lists are created by mortal men that usually create the lists for an agenda of their own, or to put their own pet sins at the bottom of the list.

    For example, if I were creating the list, I would put bigots, racists, anarchists, arrogance, pride, divisivness, the local church gossip, slanderers, hate mongers, and other such trash right up there with the murderers, drunkards, and adulterers. Murder is an outward result of the inward sins listed. People who harbor such feelings in their heart towards their brother or their fellow man, have no love, and therefore, cannot love the Lord. This extends right into the heart of our churches. It is very revealing of character to watch a person visit a church who is say different, less fortunate, or not up to the average economic class of the congregation. Watch the varioius members, how they welcome and greet them. Just a few minutes of watching that tells me more than knowing where someone failed here and there. If love is in the church member, he or she will make haste to make the visitor feel welcome.

    God knows our hearts regardless of what games we have played to hide our true nature. The person that has never murdered, or been drunk, or committed adultery ( I doubt that), but has thrived on gossip, pride and whatever else their entire life is basically worthless to the ministry of the Lord. There are going to be a lot of "I never knew yous" on that final day.
     
  16. Zenas

    Zenas Active Member

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    John mentions a sin leading to death and a sin not leading to death and distinguishes between them, so yes there are at least two levels of sin.

    Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees they would receive the greater condemnation, so this shows there are levels of punishment in hell.
     
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