We need to understand that Christ died for our sins, and sin is defined as the transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4, Authorized Version). In that sense, all of God’s spiritual commandments are of equal importance, as Christ died for each and every one of our sins.
James 2:10-11 explains that we are transgressing the law if we fail or miss the mark in one point–even though we might think that particular prohibition that we violate might not be as important as other injunctions. But even though we might feel that not committing adultery is more important than not committing murder (perhaps by having an abortion or killing in war), James says that the violation of either one makes us a transgressor of the law and declares us guilty of all. The wages for each and every sin is the second death (Romans 6:23).
At the same time, each sin, which is truly repented of, will be forgiven (1 John 1:7, 9). Notice Paul’s catalogue of sins in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Paul says that all these sins were washed away in baptism (verse 11).
This does not mean that in God’s eyes, some sins are not more serious than others. Of course, we understand that the unpardonable sin, which cannot be forgiven, is the most serious of all sins, as it brings about the second death in the lake of fire. It is the sin which makes repentance impossible, because the sinner has irrevocably decided, after having understood the truth, that he or she does not want to repent.
Certain sins could more easily than others lead to an attitude of defiance of God and perhaps even to a complete rejection of God and His way of life. The Bible says that the love of money–or covetousness–is a root of ALL evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Scripture also contains many warnings about the devastating effect that pride can have for a person, and we read that God absolutely hates pride (compare Proverbs 16:5; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).
In Proverbs 6:16-17, we find an entire list of specific sins that God hates. Amongst others, He hates lies. That sin is also mentioned in Revelation 21:8; and 22:15, together with impermissible sexual conduct, murder, idolatry, sorcery, unbelief and cowardliness. Since God hates all sin, it is interesting that these categories are specifically mentioned in the book of Revelation, in the context of those people who have committed the unpardonable sin.
Many times, sins may be caused by the person’s attitude. One can sin unintentionally or ignorantly, as well as deliberately, with premeditation, defiantly, rebelliously, presumptuously or willfully. Depending on the person’s state of mind, it may be more difficult to repent of certain conduct or thought patterns.
There are sins–although they will be forgiven upon true repentance–which are more grievous and weigh more heavily in God’s eyes than other sins. This can also be seen by the fact that violations of certain Old Testament laws carried more severe penalties than others (compare Exodus 21:16, 22-25, 28-31, 35-36).
In Luke 12:47-48, a distinction is made between sins committed in ignorance, and those which are performed knowingly. Both are still sins, but the “punishment” for the ignorant person is less severe than for the person who knows that what he does is wrong. In fact, we read in Acts 17:30 that the times of ignorance God has “overlooked.” But God requires repentance once the ignorant person begins to understand the truth (same verse; Acts 3:13-21; Luke 23:34).
We all lived in ignorance, but we are now called to live as obedient children, knowing that Christ has forgiven us our sins by shedding His blood for us (1 Peter 1:13-19). Paul said that even though he was a blasphemer, persecutor and an insolent or violently arrogant man, he obtained mercy and forgiveness because he acted “ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13).
The Pharisees thought that they were not living in ignorance or in blindness, and since they were unwilling to repent, Christ told them that their sin remained (John 9:40-41). God does not forgive us, unless we repent. Paul makes clear that even hateful conduct, as well as envy and malice, when repented of, will be forgiven (Titus 3:3-5), but if converted Christians refuse to repent of hateful attitudes, God’s Holy Spirit will be ultimately taken away from them (1 John 3:15).
Regarding sins which are committed with knowledge, but perhaps under temptation or because of weakness, these too can be forgiven, upon repentance, but they are more serious in God’s eyes and might also sometimes be more difficult to repent of.
In the Old Testament, a person had to be executed who had been correctly convicted of having committed premeditated murder. Exodus 21:14 states: “But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar (signifying God’s protection), that he may die.” The Authorized Version says, “If a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour…” Compare also Deuteronomy 17:12-13.
In describing civil penalties for a person who sinned ignorantly (Numbers 15:27-29 in the Authorized Version; the New King James Bible says, “unintentionally”), and for one who acted presumptuously or “proudly,” Numbers 15:30-31 states: “But the person who does anything presumptuously [Margin: defiantly, lit., with a high hand], whether he is a native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach upon [Margin: blasphemes] the LORD, and he shall be cut off [Margin: put to death] from his people. Because he has despised the word of the LORD…”
We find another example of presumptuous, rebellious conduct in Deuteronomy 1:43: “So I spoke to you; yet you would not listen, but rebelled against the command of the LORD, and presumptuously [Margin: willfully] went up into the mountain.” As a consequence, God allowed their defeat in war.
The penalty for persons who act arrogantly or proudly, while despising the Word of God, is always severe. David prayed to God that He would “keep back [His] servant from presumptuous sins” (Psalm 19:13). Still, David sinned greatly and despised God’s Word (2 Samuel 12:9), when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband, Uriah. When he recognized and repented of his sin, God forgave him (verse 13), but the physical penalty inflicted on him was very severe (verses 10-12, 14).
In fact, David had sinned so greatly in God’s eyes that He later pointed out again David’s misconduct, in 1 Kings 15:5.
And so, attitude, the extent of knowledge and understanding, as well as circumstances, play an important role how God looks at sin. Christ said to Pilate in John 19:11: “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” In addition, Israel’s sin with the golden calf is described by Moses as a “great sin” (Exodus 32:30).
As we mentioned, accountability and the extent of punishment is conditioned upon the level, extent and degree of sinful conduct. We read in James 3:1 that teachers or ministers–or those who claim those positions for themselves, thinking that they are qualified to teach and preach to others–will receive “stricter judgment” or, as the Authorized Version puts it–“greater condemnation.”
In Matthew 23:14; Mark 12:38-40; and Luke 20:47, Christ warned the Pharisees and scribes of the consequences of their doing, as they pretended to be righteous, but engaged in serious unrighteous conduct. As a consequence, He announced that they would receive “greater condemnation.”
At the same time, Christ made clear that some would have repented if certain events had taken place in their life time, and that they would therefore be in a better position, “in the day of judgment,” than others who should and could have repented, but refused to do so (Matthew 11:20-24).
As we pointed out, sin is the transgression of the law. But again, this does not mean that all commandments are of equal status. There are injunctions within the law which are weightier or more important than others. It is
true that we must strive to obey ALL of God’s laws, but the Bible makes it clear that we must not try to “major in the minors,” while neglecting the majors.
For instance, even though tithing is clearly still a commandment that must be obeyed by true Christians today, Christ emphasized that there are “weightier matters of the law,” namely justice, mercy, faith, and the love of God (compare Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42). He said that while we must tithe, we must not leave undone the weightier matters of the law.
Christ made it very clear that He did not come to do away with even “the least” of the commandments of God (Matthew 5:17-19), and that the one who teaches contrariwise will be called the “least” in the Kingdom of God. But He also explained that there is no commandment “greater” than the injunction to love God and to love our neighbor (Mark 12:28-31).
We read that this IS the love of God that we keep His commandments (1 John 5:3). It IS important to be “faithful in what is least,” because this shows God that such a person will also be faithful “in much”–and vice versa (Luke 16:10). But we are also told that godly love is the greatest of all of the characteristics of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13), and that no one has “greater love” than he who lays down his life for his friends (John 15:13).
All these passages show that in God’s eyes, there are commandments within the law which are greater than others. Recognizing this, we are admonished, when dealing with sinful conduct of others, to act with mercy–mercy being one of the weightier matters of the law. We read in James 2:12:13: “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” We are to treat others mercifully, as God deals mercifully with us and our sins–even when we are sometimes plagued by guilt for sins which have long been forgiven (compare 1 John 3:21).
No sin and no commandment of God is unimportant. Christ died for our sins–whether small or big. But we must realize that in God’s eyes, there are distinctions regarding the weight of our sins and His laws. Let us strive, foremost, to attain to the weightier matters of the law, desiring the greater spiritual gifts (compare 1 Corinthians 12:31). We must especially concentrate on avoiding to sin against those weightier matters, and it would be extremely dangerous to do so defiantly and presumptuously.
Above all, when we sin, we must not delay repentance. Let us not wait too long before confessing our sin to God and asking Him for His mercy and forgiveness. We must never harden our hearts, reject the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives, reach the point of no return, and commit the unpardonable sin–that type of “sin leading to [eternal] death” (1 John 5:16; compare Matthew 12:31-32; Hebrews 10:26-39; 6:4-8).
Lead Writer: Norbert Link
