Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 11/17/2006

Question
Hello,
 I have a few questions.  Firstly I was just wondering why certain followers always seemed to place degrees of severity on sins.  For example, several people I have talked to have informed me that murder would me a much worse sin to commit than say stealing or swearing.  However I recall reading that all sin is equal in the eyes of the lord.  Thus leading me to believe that any sin you commit is equaly offensive, however equally forgiveable.  I just feel like some christians are placing human judgement on how bad certain sins are.  I mean, everyone is always lecturing young adults about the sins of drinking and drugs and sex, but no one ever lectures you on the downfalls of swearing or the pitfal of not keeping the saboth holy.  Maybe I am wrong though.  While I commit sin regularly, I do not place priority on them.

Alot of people who go to my college act in such a manor.  They focus soley on the "popular" sins and disreguard the fact that they live in sin even if they do not drink or have sex.  Its almost as if they use the "lack" of several sins to make up for the other ones they commit.  

Oh well, Its not my place to say who is in the wrong I suppose.  Dont get me wrong, I have respect for those who can obstain from peer pressure, and stay true to their beliefs, so long as it is for Jesus, and not for their own image as a Christian.  I guess that is what I am getting at.  While I am always happy to see people enthusiastic about their faith, it often times pushes other people away from it.  Eccentric and forceful on-campus groups only succed in secluding themselves from the rest of the student body.

Every year, a man from a local church comes to campus and "preaches" to the students.  I have only seen him in person 2 times.  He is the most extreem example i can think of.  He brings posters and lists of all the groups of people condemned to hell.  He will literally spend all day talking about how those who do not believe in Jesus will go to hell.  And while this may in fact be the case, he is not relaying the bigger message, which is all who believe in Jesus will go to Heaven.  

Needless to say, the students do not react well to this.  Girls will kiss eachother in front of him, and everyone will poke fun at him.  While I have respect that he can stand up there and do that, I feel that he is pushing these people away from the Lord.

Am I in the wrong?  Do I see things incorrectly?  If so, please steer me in the right direction.

Thank you For your time.
-Matthew  

Answer
Hi Matthew,

Thanks for this great question.  I am sorry for my tardy response, but I will try to be a help now.  There are several thoughts that I have to share regarding your questions.

1.  All sin is equal in that everyone has sinned and that sin ( whether it be sex or drugs, or self righteousness, or anything else) must be punished.  

Romans 3:10
10 As it is written,  There is none righteous, no, not one:
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

1 John 1:8

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2.  Because everyone has sinned, everyone deserves the punishment for sin which is death...both physical death ( your body dies and rots in the ground...we all look forward to that and spiritual death which is eternity in Hell.

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Revelation 21:8
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Note that all one has to do is to tell a lie, and he deserves to go to Hell.  It takes one murder to be called a murderer and one lie to be called a liar.

3.  The only hope that anyone has is that Jesus lived a perfect life, and took the punishment that we deserved on the cross.

Romans 5:8
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

4.  The problem is that some have not made that one time decision to quit trusting in their own efforts and trust in Jesus as their only hope for salvation by asking Him to save them.

Romans 10:9-10,13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

5.  I would guess ( although I do not know) that this preacher is trying to get people to make that decision to trust Jesus.  The first thing that needs to happen is that people need to know that they are in trouble... they are condemned and hell bound!  Often pastors preach on common sins to show people their guilt in order to get them to seek a solution.  Remember, it is not belief about Jesus... it is trusting IN Jesus as one's only hope for salvation.  Many people consider themselves to be a Christian in that they are not Wicans or atheists.  Many who call themselves Christians are still trusting in works or ritual in order to merit, and thus their sins have not been paid for... they are still hell bound!  

6.  You are correct to say that it is great news to proclaim that all born again believers are bound for heaven.... but born again believers already know that and their eternity is secure.  Unbelievers must be warned... they have no idea what lies in store for them.  You are right sometimes preachers do not warn in the most tactful ways... perhaps this particular preacher could do it better... the matter is important and someone needs to say something as thousands of souls drop into an eternal Hell unwarned every day!

I'm sorry... I guess I got to preaching a bit.  Are their different degrees of judgment for sins in Hell... yes... but the real deal is that all sin leads to Hell, that is why we must all trust Christ alone.  I hope that this helps you understand this guy a bit better.  I do agree that sometimes some well meaning guys make us look a bit foolish...but I hope you better understand the reason for our passion now.  If you have further questions, please post a follow up.  

If you have a chance, would you please help me by rating this answer?  Thanks!

In Christ
Pastor Don