Is There Such Thing as Big Sins and Little Sins?

In the world we live in today it feels that there is sin that is seen as “big sins”. The “sins” that when someone starts talking about them in a prayer circle you start listening more intently, because it sounds like it turned from prayer time to gossip time. The problem with this hierarchy we have placed on sin is first, it is not Biblical. James 2:10 says, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it”. James goes on to say that we can not pick and choose what sins to commit and which ones we stay away from.

The second reason we must stay away from saying some sins are big, and some are small, is because of what that says about “small sins”. I think as Christians we make justifications for ourselves and we look around and say, “Oh, I struggle with jealousy, but at least I am not killing any one”. The problem with this line of thinking is this is not rooted in our goal as Christians. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul shows a quick look at what our goal should be as Christians, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”. We are called as Christians to live for the Lord with everything we have, and through that live righteously for Him. Therefore, no matter the “size” of the we are to live free from sin. The goal of our lives as Christians, should be to live every day for the Lord in everything you do.

So, are there big sins, and small sins? No, not in the eyes of eternity, Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. It only takes one sin to separate us from God. However, because of Christ’s sacrifice we can be saved and made new. With this newness we are called to live righteously for the Lord, and in that free from sin, both big and small.