THE GREATEST SIN

If I were to ask you to categorize the greatest sins one could commit, which of the many transgressions perpetrated by mankind would one find at the top of your list? Would you record murder, adultery, abortion or perhaps homosexuality as the vilest sin of which an individual may be guilty? I suppose it is fair to say this writer would receive a plethora of answers correspondent to the number of those responding to the survey.

To the casual reader Jesus Christ Himself seemed to suggest that there are sins of which mankind may be guilty that are more severe than others. For example, in John chapter 19 Pilate reprimanded Jesus for, in fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7, refusing to respond to his questions thereby prompting Pilate to remind the One who had created him that he had power not only to crucify the Savior but to release Him. Note the quick reply of Jesus found in verse 11 of that same chapter: "Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except if were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin."

The greater sin? Let us examine this, shall we? Could not one reasonably conclude that taking the life of another human being is of far greater consequence - thus a greater sin - than that of little Johnny in the second grade stealing a #2 pencil from an unmindful classmate? And would it not be just as logical to judge one guilty of adultery as more vile than a Saturday morning golfer who cheats a stroke or two in order to pad his scorecard while enjoying a scenic 18 holes on the links?

The state of North Carolina would agree with such human reasoning. For instance, during this writer's tenure as a state trooper one's failure to wear the provided seat safety belt while operating a motor vehicle in the Tarheel state was merely an infraction resulting in the driver losing $75.00 of his hard-earned cash. However, a motorist guilty of driving while impaired after consuming a sufficient amount of alcohol and/or drugs should anticipate being arrested and could, upon conviction for DWI, spend several eventful days and nights in the county jail.

Hearkening back to the response Jesus gave Pilate wherein "the greater sin" was mentioned, this writer does not believe that Jesus was thereby categorizing sins as small or great. To state clearly or imply otherwise that one sin is more severe than another would contradict the plain teaching of James 2:10 which declares, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." No, I believe that Jesus was simply stating that the one who had delivered Him to Pilate had rejected more of the light of truth to which Pilate had not been subjected and therefore had the greater sin.

To bring this closer to home there have been two occasions during the past six months wherein this writer has received emails from a friend inquiring whether those involved in the practice of bigotry toward blacks are eligible for Heaven after death. The first email included a video of young white teens in a pickup truck repeatedly driving over a black man simply because he was black until not a gasp of life remained in his broken body. The latter email revealed a sign in the front yard at an undisclosed location which stated simply, "No Blacks Allowed."

Any good, decent and honorable person would immediately detest and unequivocally reject such activities as set forth in the two corresponding emails. Such acts of racism have no place in civilized society and should be condemned by all, especially those who name the name of Christ.

With that said, let me hasten to add that if in the sending of the aforementioned emails the sender was implying that racism is indeed the unpardonable sin I am thrilled to report that even the grievous actions of the most bigoted members of society are within the scope of God's forgiveness. Yes, to be sure, a person who harbors hatred toward individuals of a different race or nationality may indeed go to Heaven. However, they will never step over the barrier of the pearly gates to forever walk the streets of gold without God first implanting within them a new heart.

In his first letter to the Corinthian believers the Apostle Paul with pen of inspiration wrote these words:

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (vss. 9-12).

The operative word Paul used in this passage is the word "were" - "...such WERE some of you..." Man is born with a sin nature; hence he is born a sinner. Within every man's bosom lies a sin nature capable of committing any sin or crime that could be imagined. But thank God the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin and makes us ready for Heaven!

Conversely, those who would never dream of participating in such wickedness as described in the verses above are no better off than those who do and are, incidentally, no more deserving of Heaven. In truth, the Bible plainly states in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Similarly, Romans 3:10 confirms, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one."

Furthermore, remaining in the Book of Romans we read, "Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (5:12). Verse 19 of chapter 5 echoes what we have just read: "For as by one man's [Adam] disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one [Christ] shall many be made righteous."

Our natural, human inclination is to label one sin as more severe or deserving of a harsher judgment than some others we may name. Usually it is the sin we commit that doesn't quite seem so bad in our eyes. But God looks upon all sin equally - wicked, vile, putrid sin against a holy God.

Were it not for the mercy and grace of a loving God all of humanity would suffer eternally the flaming fires of Hell and justifiably so. One need not hold to racists views to go to Hell. All one need do to enter the hopeless regions of the damned is reject the Lord Jesus Christ and spurn His tender offer of forgiveness. It matters not that one lives a clean, pure and moral life for Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

Thank God there is a remedy for man's sin. Romans 5:8 reads, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." While the sin of the reader may not be as egregious in your sight as that of your neighbors, the same Hell that awaits him looms for you if you do not repent of your sin and receive Jesus Christ as your only Hope of Heaven. Be saved today, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" reads Romans 10:13. God help you not to trust in your good works, but rather trust in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. God bless and thanks for reading. David.