Expert: Marilyn - 6/22/2008

Question
Hi Madam...
I belong to Hindu religion, yet I see me always eager to study various aspects of Christianity as I hold Bible as the most precious scriptures among all. What I wish to know from you that whether there are different definitions of "Sin" according to Bible? In other words, am I able to judge a specific sin is less, or other one is strong?

Answer
Hello Indraraj;

The essential definition of sin is rebellion against the will of God.  The result of sin is separation from God.  Separation now, while alive on earth, and eternal separation after death.  Since God's standards for behavior are perfect, the smallest sin is sufficient to separate a human being from his Creator.

The Ten Commandments are the benchmark for God's expectations.  Jesus said, "All the commandments and the prophets are fulfilled in this command:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself," (my paraphrase) Matthew 22:34-40.  If a person loves God, he will obey God.  And if he loves his neighbor, he will not sin against him.

If a person has lived his life separate from God and if he's basically doing alright--he has a house, food to eat and he's not desperately lonely--most human beings can get used to being separated from God and not notice they're missing anything.  Even Christians can get used to it, though they might spend a few seconds a day wondering why life lacks sparkle and zest.  Jesus addresses this in a parable in Luke 8.  God can, and often does, try to remedy the situation.  Unfortunately, for many people, the only "remedy" they'll notice is when trouble beyond their ability to fix comes.  That's when people finally come to their senses and seek God.  He's good and loving, so He often helps such people.  And some stop ignoring Him and begin living for Him and walking with Him.  Others return to their old habits.  But since we were created to be companions of God, given free will and a universe to explore, understand and use, we're not living up to our full potential or living life to its fullest when we're separated from Him.

To illustrate my point, imagine you've married a gorgeous, intelligent young woman (or man if you're a woman).  You have a few wonderful days together, then something happens and now you have to speak to her through a wall.  Occasionally you might get glimpses of her through a gap in a doorway or a window, but usually you never see her.  After awhile the two of you might get used to not seeing one another, then later, you might stop trying to talk through the wall and then you might even forget for whole days at a time that she's just on the other side of that wall.  After awhile, you might wonder why your life feels lacking, why your heart is dull and listless.  What kind of a relationship is that?  But this is what sin does to our connection with God, it creates a wall, a barrier that separates us from Him.  

Regarding varying degrees of sin:

II Peter 2:21 speaks of false teachers.  Since these are not only in rebellion against God, but are also using their positions as teachers to lead others away from God, Peter says of them, "It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command."  

In Luke 12:35-48 a parable of good servants and stupid servants, wise and faithful managers and stupid managers, Jesus says, "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.  But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.  From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, must more will be asked," verses 47 & 48.  

Hebrews 10:26 & 27, 29, "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire...How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the Blood of the Covenant that sanctified him...?"

These texts seems to indicate that an ignorant person will suffer less than the knowledgeable person.  Hebrews makes clear that a person who willfully sins after having been redeemed has chosen to reject his salvation.  But I ask you, if you are separated from God in hell, will it really matter if you are punished 20% less than your neighbor?

In Matthew 11 Jesus is upset because in some towns where He has done many miracles, the people still do not believe.  He says, "Woe to you, Korazin!  Woe to you, Bethsaida!  If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.  And you, Capernum, will you be lifted up to the skies?  No, you will go down to the depths.  If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.  But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you," verses 21-24.

In Matthew 5 Jesus says, "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven," verse 20.  But, then in the next paragraph He discusses murder.  He says, "Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment," verse 21 & 22.  

I John 3:14 & 15 adds clarity, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.  Anyone who does not love remains in death.  Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life..."

The point is, hateful anger with no physical action is just as bad or worse than a physical act of murder with no hatred involved.  But I point out, Jesus already said that if one expects to get to heaven, his righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees who made it their lifelong goal to obey God's law to perfection.  

The only way a person can do better than a Pharisee is if the person is not judged on his own record, but is instead judged on the record of a better person who takes his place and stands in his stead.  This is what Jesus did on the cross when He died to pay for sin, He took my place as a sinner, took my punishment, and gave to me His perfection--that is the only way I can be more obedient than a Pharisee.  When I accepted Jesus as my Lord, He removed the wall separating me from God.  Now I may freely approach Him at any time.

Jesus didn't like the Pharisees.  He called them hypocrites and hated how they loved the law more than God and loved looking righteous more than being merciful.  Jesus vents His opinion of the Pharisees in Matthew 23.

In Matthew 5:27 & 28 Jesus keeps up the theme that the inner thoughts are just as important as actions, "You have heard that it was said, "Do not commit adultery," but I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

However, not every thought that pops into a person's head originates with that person.  The apostle Paul wrote, "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is not at work in those who are disobedient," Ephesians 2:2.  When Peter spouts off in Matthew 16 and Jesus says, "Out of My sight, satan!"  Peter just blurted out the first thing that came to his mind, Jesus correctly identifies where the thought originated--from the "ruler of the kingdom of the air," that is, satan.  Therefore, it stands to reason that when Jesus speaks of one's thoughts being as important or more important than deeds, He refers to thoughts considered and mulled.  He won't hold us accountable for thoughts the enemy drops into our minds.  Bad thoughts need to be cast out immediately before they can take root and if they're cast out immediately, the person has not sinned.  

Persons may submit to God's transforming power and be made more and more righteous all the time.  Christians are all at different points in the process, some are transformed gradually, but certainly, others make steps forward, then fall back, others stall out, still others seem to be transformed instantly.  

God is faithful and just to forgive when I confess my sins to Him, I John 1:9, so if I sin, I can return to right standing with Him at any time.  

God does have a scale of badness regarding sin, same as He has a scale regarding obedience and reward.  But, whether or not you or I make it to heaven isn't ultimately dependent on our own performance, it is dependent on Jesus' perfect performance when He is Lord of our lives.  Yet, out of Love for God, I strive to live righteous and holy, submitting to God to change me into a better person, more like Him.  When I fail, I confess my sins to Him because I know they separate me and I do not want that.

Sincerely,

Marilyn