Sin

[MK]

Today I was passing by a church that has one of those cute little marquees out front, that they post different catchy little messages on each week. Today's message (I can't remember exactly how it went) went something like, 'The most serious sin is that people don't take it seriously enough.' Well, that just got me thinking, and I just had to see what you all think:

So, do you feel there are different degrees of sins-- some sins are worse than others, or is sin a sin is a sin, no matter how slight? And just how serious is sin anyway?

Also, do you think God judges everyone on a case by case basis, or do you think He judges everyone the same way, by the same set rule?

Now to be fair I'll stick myself out there and tell you what I think. A long time ago, I used to think there were different degrees of sin-- some worse than others, and that God granted mercy according to the situation. But recently my pastor's lessons at church have had to do with this very topic, and he explained that sins are still sins, no matter how slight, and are subject to the same punishment (death/separation from God), according to the Bible. I then realized that the pastor had a point there, and I have since changed my way of thinking. Unfortunately, I haven't changed the fact that I am Human, and therefore still very much a sinner. However, I also have the opinion that God is just and merciful, and has granted me the same amount of Grace for my sins as He has to the next penitent sinner for his/her sins, as different as those sins may be.

But those are just my beliefs. How do you believe?

[Jeff]

I believe that a sin is a sin. Its the media and society that weights them differently. I believe all people sin. I don't think one person gets cut more slack than another for the 'works' that he/she does. I think forgiveness and salvation are through Christ and Christ alone. I would even go as far to say that I think there are zillions of people who are alot nicer than me, but I question whether those who have not placed their trust in Christ will be forgiven for their sins.

I know I use the word I alot but I think I have set a record with this post.:D

[AnnW]

I believe a sin is a sin is a sin. But, I have to admit I do like the Catholic method a venial and mortal sin! ;) I do struggle with the issue of in the eyes of God it is just as bad to tell as lie as it is to commit a murder. I believe we are all sinners and only by Grace are we saved. I think we are all judged by the same rules.

[Linda/NE]

I guess I'm the odd ball out. I do believe that some sins are worse than others. I believe some sins pull us farther away from God and Christ, but I don't think there are any sins that God will not forgive, if a person is truly sorry.

I've found it interesting in my off-line life that the people who insist that sins are equally weighted are some of the first people to base a situation on whose actions were worse than another persons' actions.

I think God does base his forgiveness in somewhat of an individual basis. God knows what is truly in an individual's heart so he knows when someone is truly sorry and when they aren't.

I guess we won't know for sure though until the final judgement will we?

[Lynda-WA]

I'm with Linda/NE. IMHO God knows why we do things and that counts. I don't think he'll held my telling the kids that Santa is coming in the same light at Ted Bundy's crimes. I don't think he'll hold a child's crimes to the same level as an adults. If a toddler punches another child, I don't think that's as bad as an adult punching a child.

He knows if we are sorry so even Ted Bundy could be saved if he truely was sorry. Not just sorry he was caught.

So I don't think he'll judge everyone the same. I also don't think he'll judge people unfairly.

I also think that I non-christian will be saved. For example, a newborn baby that dies at birth, or an aborted child. I think the Dali Lami is going to Heaven. And the Shaman of some tribe that tried to always be a better person.