Introduction:
In today’s world, there is a clear moral hierarchy that people often apply to sin. We categorize actions like murder, abuse, and theft as “worse” than lying, envy, or gossip. While society may distinguish between levels of wrongdoing, God does not. In Romans 3:23 (NLT), Paul writes, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” This means that in God’s eyes, every sin—no matter how big or small we perceive it—separates us from His holiness.
1. Human Tendencies: Ranking Sins and Judging Others
We tend to think of certain sins as more heinous, placing people like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and child molesters in a category of their own, as though they are far removed from the rest of humanity. We might say, “Well, I’ve never murdered anyone!” But this thinking blinds us to the truth that, as far as God is concerned, all sin is rebellion against Him. Whether it’s theft, dishonesty, hatred, or violence, sin is sin.
In today’s societal context, this also extends to how some Christians treat the LGBTQ+ community, specifically homosexuals. Many people—even within the church—say, “At least I’m not a freaky, sick homosexual.” They believe that because they are not engaging in what they view as “worse” sins, they are more righteous. This self-righteous attitude is just as sinful as the behaviors they condemn. Paul addresses this kind of judgment in Romans 2:1 (NLT): “You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.”
This self-elevation is prevalent in many denominations, including Holiness churches, UPCI, and even Southern Baptists. It’s a widespread issue where people use other sins as a way to make themselves feel more holy or righteous. However, this mindset is deeply rooted in pride and is contrary to the teachings of Christ.
2. Paul’s Teachings: All Have Sinned and Fall Short
Paul’s life illustrates this profound truth. Once a persecutor of Christians, he came to understand the radical grace of God. In his letters, Paul reminds believers that no one is righteous on their own merit. He states in Romans 3:10 (NLT), “As the Scriptures say, ‘No one is righteous—not even one.'” Paul’s transformation is a powerful reminder that all sins, big or small, separate us from God.
In society, we may elevate ourselves by thinking, “At least I’m not as bad as those people.” But Paul reminds us that our personal sense of righteousness does not make us any better than others. In fact, Paul condemns such thinking in Romans 2:3 (NLT): “Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?” Whether we are guilty of lying, hatred, or even more violent acts, none of us can meet God’s standard.
3. Pharisaic Thinking: The Danger of Self-Righteousness
This self-righteousness is the same sin that Jesus called out in the Pharisees. They followed the letter of the law but missed the heart of it. In their pride, they elevated themselves above others, just as we might do today when we compare ourselves to those who commit more obvious sins. Jesus rebuked them sharply in Matthew 23:27 (NLT): “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.”
The Pharisees couldn’t see that their prideful judgment of others was, in itself, a grievous sin. They condemned those they deemed unworthy while failing to acknowledge their own wickedness. In today’s world, we often fall into the same trap, thinking ourselves “better” than others, but this mindset only distances us from the transformative power of Christ’s forgiveness.
4. God’s Perspective: No Sin Is Lesser in His Eyes
Jesus’ teachings reveal a far more radical view of sin than what we are often comfortable with. In the Sermon on the Mount, He equates anger with murder, showing us that sin starts in the heart. In Matthew 5:21-22 (NLT), Jesus said, “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!” Here, Christ shows us that it’s not just our actions but our very thoughts and attitudes that condemn us.
This means that even if we have never committed the “big sins” of murder or theft, we are still guilty of harboring sinful thoughts like hatred, envy, and pride. James 2:10 (NLT) reinforces this truth: “For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.” The Bible clearly teaches that no one sin is greater than another in God’s eyes—all sin leads to death without the saving grace of Christ.
5. Denying Christ: The Ultimate Sin
One of the gravest sins we can commit is denying Christ’s sufficiency for our salvation. When we try to justify ourselves through our own moral superiority or good works, we deny the power of His sacrifice on the cross. Jesus declared in John 14:6 (NLT), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Without full surrender to Christ and His finished work, we remain condemned, no matter how good we think we are.
The Pharisees rejected Jesus because they believed they didn’t need Him; they relied on their own righteousness. But Romans 5:8 (NLT) assures us: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Our salvation doesn’t come from comparing ourselves to others or thinking we are less sinful—it comes from humbly acknowledging that we are sinners in need of grace.
6. The Gift of the Holy Spirit: The Path to Transformation
Once we surrender to Christ and believe in His sufficiency, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live righteously. Ephesians 1:13 (NLT) tells us, “And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” The Holy Spirit transforms us from within, giving us the power to overcome our sinful nature and live a life pleasing to God.
This transformation isn’t something we can accomplish on our own. Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) lists the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These virtues come not from human effort but from the supernatural work of the Spirit in our lives.
Conclusion:
The message of the gospel is clear: none of us are good—not even one. All sin is rebellion against God, and it is only through faith in Christ that we can be made righteous. As we reflect on our own lives, we must abandon the false belief that some sins are less serious than others. We are all guilty and in need of God’s grace. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be transformed and set free from the chains of sin, but this only comes through true repentance and belief in Christ’s sufficiency.
