DEGREES OF SIN

JAMES 2:8–13

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it

(James 2:10).

James 2:10 has often been distorted in its meaning almost beyond recognition, and has been misused to support much sin and error. There are those who say, “Well, it breaking the law at one point is the same as breaking all of it, I may as well break more of it.” Or they may say, “All sins are equal in God’s sight. It is just as wrong to have an evil thought as to commit murder.”

Consider, however, the law God gave to His people before Christ came. A variety of punishments were spelled out, showing that some sins are worse than others. Someone may object that this only applied to social and political matters, and that in God’s eyes all these sins were equally bad. In fact, however, even regarding approaching God at the tabernacle, some sins were worse than others (see Ex. 19:12–13; Lev. 7:20; 11:39–40, 43).

Sins can be aggravated in many ways. If a man says, “Well, I’ve committed adultery in my heart, so I may as well go ahead and commit adultery physically,” our reply should be, “You’ve already committed one sin, and now you want to add another, worse one to it.” Inward lust is sin, but to give that lust free reign in outward acts is not only another sin but a worse one.

Other ways sins are aggravated include these: when they are done after warnings; when they involve premeditation and malice; when they are committed against God’s authorities, or against the weak and helpless; when they are committed by people in places of authority, who thereby lead others to sin; when the sinful act involves breaking several of God’s commandments.

James’s point is not that all sin is equal but that all sin is sin. Every sin, no matter how small, breaks God’s Law and incurs His displeasure. But some sins are worse than others.

The false notion that all sins are equal goes along with another false idea: To err is human and to forgive is divine. People use the excuse “we’re only human” to justify their sin. Well, Jesus was human, and He did not sin. Moreover, the idea that to forgive is divine usually means that God is somehow obligated by His very nature to forgive us, whether we repent or not. People who think this way will have a great surprise on judgment day.

CORAM DEO

2 Thessalonians

Contemplate some of the ways that sins can be aggravated. Can you think of some instance from your own experience of such aggravated sins? What are some other factors that make some sins worse than others? Ask God for grace to see the severity of your sin and the strength to not compound it.

For further study: Matt. 6:14–15; 18:21–35 • Rom. 9:14–21

friday

november