Honestly, when I read your objections, I don’t think we’re disagreeing all that much. If you read my post again, you will see where I ask the question, “How much cancer is acceptable?” You will also see that I make the point that there can never be any cause for arrogance or pride.

But this does not change the fact. “Bigger” sins produce a greater sense of separation and alienation from God than “smaller” ones. John writes in his gospel about sins that do and do not lead to death. I don’t pretend to understand what all of that is about in detail, but it very much supports what I’m getting at, which is the simple notion that sins are not the same. If there are sins that do and do not lead to death, then that’s the fact: they’re not all the same.

Scripture of course can be parsed in ten-thousand ways to qualify this, but I believe my post has very clearly made my point. Nothing you said really nullifies my basic point. It is a nuanced and reasonable explanation, really, of the paradox that — at the same time — sins are alike (all sin divides and separates) and yet different (they do not all do so to the same degree).

Thanks again for your feedback, pal. Consider is a sign of my love for you that I responded in detail, since I usually avoid Biblical back and forth on my blog! Great to hear from you, in any case, agree or not, and you’re my brother forever my friend.

I am going to respond to this as an adulterer and a victim of adultery. Now, as a Pastor and one who works with adulterers and victims there are very few subjects I’ve studied more. I want what you say to be true, because then I could be ‘better than the next guy’. But I’m not. It’s like saying that I’m safe as long as I’m behind Charles Manson in line. But if Billy Graham is in front of me I’m screwed.

What you’re referring to in this post is not unequal sin, it’s the consequences of sin. God does not have a sin meter at His side to weigh the different levels of sin. He’s pointing out that we are all sinners.

Romans 3:19-20 (NLT)
19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

Sin is sin is sin. The consequences of sin vary though. I’ve worked with plenty of couples that have committed adulterous acts in their mind and still done serious damage to their marriage. The ones who physically follow through with another person definitely deal with greater consequences. The point is though, both are sinners and in need of redemption. Their sin is the same. Their consequences here on earth are different.

The passage in Matthew that you are referring to is in direct response to those who think they are righteous. It’s easy for the one who committed the act of adultery to say, “I have sinned” and conversely, equally as easy for the righteous to think they are off the hook. Jesus calls out this sort of thinking over and over.

You don’t have to read very far into the gospels to see that Jesus’ most difficult audience was the righteous teachers of the law who most definitely thought that there were levels of sin. When you think this way David, where does it end? Is lying worse than stealing? Or is it the other way around? So if I look at a Victoria secrets magazine and pleasure myself, but love my wife and kids, I’m only committing a tiny sin and probably still cool? Both of the Oak trees are Oak trees and need to be uprooted. Only one has deeper roots, deeper consequences.

Since you used the message version of the Bible to get your point across, I will use the same version. Look just a few verses earlier in Matthew.

Matthew 5:21 (message)
“You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder.

To us as humans, equal sin sounds ludicrous. It’s almost as ludicrous as God putting on flesh and handing His sinless life over to a Roman cross. Our God plays by different rules.

Hope you don’t mind me responding. I feel bad because I should have said good things about your other posts! Forgive me. I love you man. Your still one of my heroes

Your brother in Christ, dan

Counselors are quacks, they just lead inevitably to the requirement for more counselling. I dont suspect any mal intent, but in my experience across a range of specialties, this is all I see.

A counsellor will continue to recommend more counselling or psychotherapy until you end up drugged, medicated, and determined to have as many disorders as they can write to your name.

There are people with real psychological disorders, I do not discount that; but these people will take the results of real studies and find that because you forgot your jacket a few times in the past couple years you are a victimi of a disorder.

Do not trust them. Do not beleive what they say. Fact check yourself. The whole industry is completely out of control.