Who Decides The Levels Of Sin?

Today I write a personal post that is right now, tugging at my heart strings. I pray it encourages and frees you.

Death is becoming more real to me as I get older. Just in this past 2 weeks, I have had news of the passing of 2 of my extended family members. I didn’t know them well and had only met each of them once as they lived overseas but it has really affected me. I was really sad about the news of one but was heartbroken at the news of the second. I am wrestling with the difference.

Being a Believer can be challenging at times of death. We pray for all of our family everyday but ultimately, it is up to each individual to choose Jesus for themselves. I am sure you do the same. How do you bring comfort to a grieving family when the deceased person was so hated? How do you let them know of Jesus’ love for them when they are relieved that the person has died but they remain so angry? How do you say, “Well we have all sinned and if you don’t receive Jesus, you will go to hell too”?

One of these people died – surrounded by family. The other died – in a prison hospital – all alone. He was despised by his immediate family and probably by his friends also. What he did in his life, was not good and he did hurt other people.

The thing that has really upset me was that from my understanding, he hated himself so much so he wouldn’t let anyone come and see him. He died alone. Many would say he deserved it but let me suggest maybe a different line of thought.

Who decided that his sin was worse than yours or mine?

People did. People decided to play God.

You and I do it everyday.

As I began processing the deep ache in my heart, the Lord showed me that when we judge others, we are essentially saying that our sin is not as bad as the other person’s sin. We categorise sin. You see, there would be people that would be really happy that this person died thinking that it will somehow alleviate their pain. Having suffered in the same way as these people (the victims), I can see how they could think that. But I have news for them – IT DOESN’T.

God does not have levels of sin …. as far as I can tell in the Word. Even one sin, any type of disobedience to Him, keeps us out of Heaven. That’s why we need Jesus. However, there are levels of consequence.

This is played out in the law of the land. If we steal, murder, kidnap, abuse, there are severe consequences. If we lie, slander, or gossip – there is no gaol sentence for these things but there are still consequences with some level of pain attached.

“… since ALL have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God.”   Romans 3:23 (AMP)

ALL! Not some. ALL. That means you, me and everyone else on the entire planet.

I say this to myself first:

WE MUST SEE SIN FOR WHAT IT IS.

Sin is sooooooo bad that God Himself, in the form of Jesus, had to come to earth to save us from it.

I used to think that God was a big old, grumpy man who sat with a big, fat, whacking stick on His golden throne. “Why do I have to follow all these rules? Who does God think He is? How can I do all that He is asking when I fail so often?” I would think to myself. I used to literally look up when I knew I had done something wrong to see if the ‘big stick’ was going to whack me upside the head.

Why does God tell you not to sin? BECAUSE IT HURTS YOU and separates you from Him! That’s the bottom line.

Sin leads you into Satan’s territory.
Sin keeps you separated from God.
SIN HURTS YOU!

God is trying to stop you from walking into the enemy’s plan of pain for your life. That’s why He warns us not to sin.

Who ultimately alleviates pain and cleans us from the sin done to us by others and the sin we do to ourselves?  Jesus. I can assure you, is the ONLY answer. He died to take the effect and pain of sin away from your life.

Whatever you are going through today, no matter what anyone may have done to you, no matter what choices you made that brought you to this point – there is always hope.

PLEASE, don’t judge other people and think that their ‘level’ of sin is worse than your own. You may not have murdered someone but have you ever hated a person? The Bible says that “You must not hate your brother in your heart;” (Leviticus 19:17 AMP). The Bible also says that “Everyone who hates (works against) his brother [in Christ] is [at heart] a murderer [by God’s standards]; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15 AMP). Jesus is basically equating murder with hating someone in your heart – both sins equally separate you from God but the consequences are very different. Ouch! I have been guilty of hate. Have you?

Matthew 7 TELLS us, it doesn’t suggest it or say ‘if you feel like it’, it tells us not to judge or you too will be judged. Had I judged these same people who judged me? Yes, that’s why I needed to confess my own sin and forgive them so that Jesus would forgive me (Matthew 6:14-15).

Spend Time With Jesus Today.

May I strongly encourage you to take time today to sit with Jesus and ask Him to reveal to you any sin that you are judging others for. Is it for their actions, for words spoken about or to you, or it could be as serious as theft, murder, or abuse. No matter what it is – you have no right to judge them. Neither do I. That’s God’s job. I know it’s hard but forgive them so that your Father in Heaven will forgive you. Pray blessings on them (Luke 6:28). This will bring freedom to your life and allow Christ to work in theirs.

All sin is the same in God’s eyes and ALL sin can equally be forgiven by the blood of Jesus. All it takes is telling Jesus what you did, ask Him to forgive you and receive this precious gift of forgiveness. That’s it. There maybe consequences that you have to deal with but you will be back in relationship with God.

If you need prayer and encouragement, please write in the comments below or send me an email here.

It’s hard but it’s worth it. Believe me.

As always, I pray many blessings upon you.

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