felixthecat
April 5th, 2008, 01:57 PM
Any sin separates us all from God unless we sincerely repent and accept Him as our Lord and Savior.
So sin separates us from God.
In no way shape of form does the BIBLE state that “all sin is equal”. It simply states that sin separates us from God – all of us!
In fact, the BIBLE states that different sins require different punishments on this earth and by implication states that “not all sin is equal”. If “all sin is equal” than all punishments would be the same if “all sin is equal”.
All sin is NOT equal. If a person steals a car and another person murders their spouse, in a court of law, we don't offer each the same punishment for their crime. It wouldn't make sense – the crime/sin is different and requires different punishments because the sin/crime si not equal. God is very logical too!
Taking a life is worse than stealing a car and this is reflected in different punishment. In our courts we distinguish between crimes and punishment varies by the crime. It is the crime/sin that separates a person from being one who obeys laws (or God). To sin is a crime. To sin is what separates us ALL from God and God clearly delineates different punishments for different sins. Again, it is a given that ALL SIN SEPARATES us from God. “Sin is not sin” in God’s eyes – He too distinguishes one sin through another by punishment and without genuine repentance will ultimately separate you from God. Stealing a car without belief and not repenting will still separate you from God.
The converse is true as well – stealing a car, repenting and belief will restore you to God. So it is sin that separates but sins are not equal in punishment from God or for our secular courts. IMO it is humanistic teachings that want to equalize sin …perhaps for the purpose of not thinking about what the proper consequence should be to deter this kind of sin/crime. It is irresponsible to not have punishment that fits the crime to help determine further crime/sin – via proper punishment.
Take a look in the Bible and how God punishes sin/crime.
I will go right to God's Word on HIS punishments:
Adultery: Deuteronomy 22:22
[22] If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
Bestiality : Exodus 22:19
[19] Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Leviticus 20:15
“And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast”. (Both beast and human put to death)
Cross dressing:
Deuteronomy 22:5
[5] The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
Man who rapes a virgin:
Deuteronomy 22:28-29
"If a man finds a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days
Let’s take another situation
premeditated murder and
accidental manslaughter.
The death penalty was posed for one who killed with premeditation, but not for accidental manslaughter
Exodus 21:12-13
[12] He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
[13] And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
[14] But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.
[15] And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
Human trafficking?
[16] And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
[17] And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
Death of a pregnant woman :
[22] If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
Not ALL SIN IS EQUAL! SIN SEPARATES us from God! The punishment from God varies with the crime of the sin.
]Let’s look at stealing [/U]– another “sin”:
Exod.22:1
[1] If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
(I dare say the the sin of stealing has a different consequence than the sin of planned murder and both are sins. Sin separates us from God and God issued different consequences for different sins so all sin is NOT equal.
[2] If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
[3] If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
[4] If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
[5] If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
[6] If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
[7] If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
[8] If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.
[9] For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
So just by looking at a couple of sins, we see that sin SEPARATES us from God but God doesn’t see “all sin as equal”. If God saw “all sin as equal”, than the punishments would be “equal” as well. The punishments are not all equal. For the sin of murder, premeditation and accidental manslaughter or self defense is examined. In the situation of stealing – death isn’t the punishment. Restitution is the punishment to right the situation - depending on what happened.
Some will say, “That’s Old Testament stuff”. No, it’s still pertinent. The Old Testament isn’t to be disgarded but treasured. It gives us more direct insight to God on how He see the world of sin through more specifics even if it is through a theocracy – it is how HE sees sin and punishment.
Always remember:
Matt.5:17,18
[17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
[18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Jesus lived the perfect life WITHOUT SIN. He never sinned. Prior to His death, no one lived a perfect life on earth and SIN is what separated them from God after death. It is through His death, payment for our sins, past, present and future that through belief, we are able to be with Him in heaven. So separates and not all sin is equal, since the punishments for sin vary by the sin. You can be restored to God through repentence and renewed or sincere new belief in Him. He will forgive you of the sin because Christ paid your sin debt on the cross.
To also highlight how Christ views those that are saved by distinguishing by the individual, consider this:
Every believer's Christian life will be subject to evaluation by Christ. This judgment for all Church age believers will take place immediately after the Rapture of the Church at the Bema or Judgment Seat of Christ
Rom 14:10
[10] But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
1 Cor 3:10-4:5
[10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
[5] Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
2 Cor 5:10-14
10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
[11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
[12] For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
(He looks at your heart - the motivation and intent of what you are doing. Is it really to please Him or yourself to be glorified?)
[13] For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
[14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
So even believers will be judged on how they lived their life on this earth! They will be in heaven but believers that really excelled will be rewarded over other believers that didn't live their lives for Christ as well as others - and that is with Christ paying their "sin debt" - they're "saved". So yes, sin separates but also believers are also judged on how they lived their lives, motivation and intent as Christians - yes there are ALWAYS consequences for how you live your life -as a believer or a no repentent sinner. Not all sin is equal - Christ will judge fairly whether is is a believer or a non believer!
The end result of this evaluation of the believer's works will be the bestowal or denial of special rewards. So even when you are "saved" and a "sinner" you are still JUDGED to see if you have rewards to lay at His feet. Truly it should be clear that "all sin is NOT equal" and even believers are distinguished on how they sincerely serve the Lord via rewards. Believers won't be punished - except through not having rewards to lay at Christ's feet.
So sin separates us from God.
In no way shape of form does the BIBLE state that “all sin is equal”. It simply states that sin separates us from God – all of us!
In fact, the BIBLE states that different sins require different punishments on this earth and by implication states that “not all sin is equal”. If “all sin is equal” than all punishments would be the same if “all sin is equal”.
All sin is NOT equal. If a person steals a car and another person murders their spouse, in a court of law, we don't offer each the same punishment for their crime. It wouldn't make sense – the crime/sin is different and requires different punishments because the sin/crime si not equal. God is very logical too!
Taking a life is worse than stealing a car and this is reflected in different punishment. In our courts we distinguish between crimes and punishment varies by the crime. It is the crime/sin that separates a person from being one who obeys laws (or God). To sin is a crime. To sin is what separates us ALL from God and God clearly delineates different punishments for different sins. Again, it is a given that ALL SIN SEPARATES us from God. “Sin is not sin” in God’s eyes – He too distinguishes one sin through another by punishment and without genuine repentance will ultimately separate you from God. Stealing a car without belief and not repenting will still separate you from God.
The converse is true as well – stealing a car, repenting and belief will restore you to God. So it is sin that separates but sins are not equal in punishment from God or for our secular courts. IMO it is humanistic teachings that want to equalize sin …perhaps for the purpose of not thinking about what the proper consequence should be to deter this kind of sin/crime. It is irresponsible to not have punishment that fits the crime to help determine further crime/sin – via proper punishment.
Take a look in the Bible and how God punishes sin/crime.
I will go right to God's Word on HIS punishments:
Adultery: Deuteronomy 22:22
[22] If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
Bestiality : Exodus 22:19
[19] Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Leviticus 20:15
“And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast”. (Both beast and human put to death)
Cross dressing:
Deuteronomy 22:5
[5] The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
Man who rapes a virgin:
Deuteronomy 22:28-29
"If a man finds a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days
Let’s take another situation
premeditated murder and
accidental manslaughter.
The death penalty was posed for one who killed with premeditation, but not for accidental manslaughter
Exodus 21:12-13
[12] He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
[13] And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
[14] But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.
[15] And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
Human trafficking?
[16] And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
[17] And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
Death of a pregnant woman :
[22] If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
Not ALL SIN IS EQUAL! SIN SEPARATES us from God! The punishment from God varies with the crime of the sin.
]Let’s look at stealing [/U]– another “sin”:
Exod.22:1
[1] If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
(I dare say the the sin of stealing has a different consequence than the sin of planned murder and both are sins. Sin separates us from God and God issued different consequences for different sins so all sin is NOT equal.
[2] If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
[3] If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
[4] If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
[5] If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
[6] If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
[7] If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
[8] If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.
[9] For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
So just by looking at a couple of sins, we see that sin SEPARATES us from God but God doesn’t see “all sin as equal”. If God saw “all sin as equal”, than the punishments would be “equal” as well. The punishments are not all equal. For the sin of murder, premeditation and accidental manslaughter or self defense is examined. In the situation of stealing – death isn’t the punishment. Restitution is the punishment to right the situation - depending on what happened.
Some will say, “That’s Old Testament stuff”. No, it’s still pertinent. The Old Testament isn’t to be disgarded but treasured. It gives us more direct insight to God on how He see the world of sin through more specifics even if it is through a theocracy – it is how HE sees sin and punishment.
Always remember:
Matt.5:17,18
[17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
[18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Jesus lived the perfect life WITHOUT SIN. He never sinned. Prior to His death, no one lived a perfect life on earth and SIN is what separated them from God after death. It is through His death, payment for our sins, past, present and future that through belief, we are able to be with Him in heaven. So separates and not all sin is equal, since the punishments for sin vary by the sin. You can be restored to God through repentence and renewed or sincere new belief in Him. He will forgive you of the sin because Christ paid your sin debt on the cross.
To also highlight how Christ views those that are saved by distinguishing by the individual, consider this:
Every believer's Christian life will be subject to evaluation by Christ. This judgment for all Church age believers will take place immediately after the Rapture of the Church at the Bema or Judgment Seat of Christ
Rom 14:10
[10] But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
1 Cor 3:10-4:5
[10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
[5] Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
2 Cor 5:10-14
10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
[11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
[12] For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
(He looks at your heart - the motivation and intent of what you are doing. Is it really to please Him or yourself to be glorified?)
[13] For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
[14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
So even believers will be judged on how they lived their life on this earth! They will be in heaven but believers that really excelled will be rewarded over other believers that didn't live their lives for Christ as well as others - and that is with Christ paying their "sin debt" - they're "saved". So yes, sin separates but also believers are also judged on how they lived their lives, motivation and intent as Christians - yes there are ALWAYS consequences for how you live your life -as a believer or a no repentent sinner. Not all sin is equal - Christ will judge fairly whether is is a believer or a non believer!
The end result of this evaluation of the believer's works will be the bestowal or denial of special rewards. So even when you are "saved" and a "sinner" you are still JUDGED to see if you have rewards to lay at His feet. Truly it should be clear that "all sin is NOT equal" and even believers are distinguished on how they sincerely serve the Lord via rewards. Believers won't be punished - except through not having rewards to lay at Christ's feet.