By: Eric Comer
Late last summer, our youngest grandson, Silas had a great time playing in the dirt. Needless to say, the dirt got the better part of him. Mom and Dad were away, and Grammy and Papa had the responsibility of cleaning him up. Grammy had him in the tub, and Papa was doing his part (watching TV). I heard my wife say, “Papa, come look at this water.” I came in, and Silas was having the time of his life in the murky water. He had a washcloth in one hand and was splashing about. The water was clearly doing its job. Papa wanted to get in on the fun, so I tried to get his washcloth from him, but he was not willing to give it up. I grabbed my washcloth from the rod and threw it in. We played for a bit, and then I left. A few minutes later, I heard, “Oh no, I don’t know which cloth is which.” I said, “Mine is the blue one.” I heard back, “They’re both blue!” I said, “Mine is not as wet; it hasn’t been in the water as long.” We both laughed, and it was over.
The next morning, as I was showering, I was reminded of the previous evening. I thought about how God views and evaluates sin. So, I did some digging, and here’s what I discovered.
We’ve all heard these statements or something similar. “Sin is sin,” or “All sins are equal, so your sin is just as bad as my sin.” Although they may have a ring of truth, they may not be entirely biblical or completely unbiblical. To argue over who is “less right” or “more wrong” only fuels our self-righteousness.
Consider these verses:
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom 3:23 (ESV)
“For the wages of sin is death,” Rom 6:23a (ESV)
So we can agree that all sin is equal in the sense that it is a rebellion against God and separates us from Him.
I think we can also agree that certain sins are “more wrong” and should carry different penalties. For example, I would rather be robbed than murdered. Although they’re both illegal, they are certainly not the same.
Ponder this, In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus draws our attention to two “big” sins God particularly hates:
Murder:
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” Matt 5:21-22 (ESV)
Adultery:
“You have heard it said, You shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matt 5:27-28 (ESV)
Also in Matt 15:19 we are warned “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” (ESV) So, if we think “it,” we are guilty of “it.” It’s not the type of sin but the act of sinning that makes us guilty before God.
Likewise the Old Testament spends considerable time instructing us how to deal with those sins we act on and their negative impact on those around us. We learn that, some sins are so similar it’s like comparing a Nissan Sentra to a Toyota Corolla, while other sins are so different it’s like comparing an Austin Mini to a Mack truck. The fact is, they all have wheels, and that causes separation from God. God sees all sin the same. It doesn’t matter what “colour” it is or how “wet” it is. He knows that this earth is a murky tub of sin.
If Kai and Silas were both having a bath, one may have been dirtier than the other going in, but they both would have been just as clean coming out. That’s how God’s grace works. Once God forgives us, we are forgiven completely. As well, Heb. 8:12 states, “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” (ESV).
Our challenge, is to not let our morals and self-righteousness be our saving grace or our condemnation of others, but realize we are all sinners saved by grace. And once we are saved, in God’s eyes we are justified (just as if I’ve never sinned).
Help us God to see things as you do.
