I know that this is a rather weird question to ask in an article, but I do believe you would find the answers different among
honest people.  While most “Christians” known to be of a conservative mindset would agree that sin is the transgression of
God’s law (I John 3:4), you will find responses different in many of their thoughts towards sin.  This article will be a little
different than most I write.  The goal is to get each of us to think a little more than some like to about a subject we should all
consider daily.  Sin, what do you think about it?

      Consider for a moment some things you have seen and heard in your lifetime that you knew were sinful.  Were you
disgusted by them as you should be (Psalms 26:5; 139:21-22, and Romans 12:9)?  Consider a scenario as an illustration to
help us draw some thoughtful conclusions.  

      First, let us consider a story about a school teacher.  This male teacher is nearing sixty years in age.  He has been teaching
for nearly thirty-five years and is planning to retire in the next two years.  This third grade teacher is one of the most respected
in his school district.  The children, parents, and administrators love him greatly.  Some students from years ago still stay in
touch with this teacher.  He has impacted so many students and has helped many to know the world of science, which is the
subject this teacher loves to teach the most.  

      This third grade teacher comes into a situation of interest.  You see, he commonly spent early mornings and late evenings
helping his advanced students learn and apply science.  This is one of the reasons many love him.  He truly puts the students
first.  Well, one day a girl’s mother could not reach her daughter at the school.  She was supposed to be having a tutoring
session with our good teacher.  After hours of searching with no results, the mother contacted the police department and
reported her daughter missing.  The first place they looked was this teacher’s apartment.   Yes, he lived in a small apartment
because he had never married since he always put the children first (one reason he was finally ready to retire since he had
realized how much of life he had missed).  You’re starting to think that the school teacher has the girl in his apartment doing vile
things with her, right?  After all, this is an article about sin.  Sorry, this is not the conclusion.  She is not in his apartment.  

      After hours of searching, the girl is finally found.  Again, you have some conclusions in mind that are very sinful, right?  
Well, it turns out that she had come home and fallen asleep in her room, under a blanket and stuffed animals, where no one
noticed her in their searches.  You see, our minds just jump to conclusions, don’t they.  Well, this little girl has turned out to be
just fine.

      As for our model teacher, after the assumptions about him and his fear of what had happened to this little girl, he finally
decided to retire with great honors in his record.  There was even a surprise party thrown for him.  No one had really seen or
realized how small his apartment was, but they were able to get the party started there at least.  Imagine his surprise when he
came to his little apartment and found twenty faculty members there with cake and gifts.  The students from his current class
decided to surprise him with a video they produced and shot of some of the science projects they made with the knowledge he
inspired them with.  It was then, that the man was seen for how much he had done in the lives of children.  You see, it was then
that a fellow teacher opened the man’s video cabinet to load the tape when over fifty video tapes of thirty-five years of this
teacher’s sexual activities with his students were found.  What do you think of this model teacher now?  Are you disgusted?  
Do you think he should be taken out and shot?

      What standard teaches you that this man is wrong?  Is it your emotions?  On what basis are you allowed to have your
emotions as a standard in another’s judgment (Proverbs 28:26 and Jeremiah 17:9)?  Is it our social system that guides your
judgment here?  Would this be the same social system that passes out condoms to children in public schools?  That is called
hypocrisy, is it not?  Do you want to be a hypocrite (Romans 2:1-3)?  Is it the word of God which certainly teaches against
such monstrous activities (Matthew 18:1-6, Romans 1:18-32, I Corinthians 6:9-10, and Hebrews 13:4), that you draw your
conclusion on the above scenario.  That should be, as Christians, our standard of judgment on all things (Psalms 119:159-160
and James 2:12).  

      Why is it that we can find so much disgust for a child molester, but not towards any and all types of other sinners?  Do we
realize that all unrighteousness is sin (I John 5:17)?  Those that forsake assembling with the saints are just as disgusting as a
child molester (or do you now believe in different “degrees of sin”).  Do we realize that the child molester has every chance of
redemption that all of us have (I Timothy 1:15)?  Do you think it is God’s will that child molesters perish (Ephesians 2:1-5, I
Timothy 2:4, and II Peter 3:9)?  You see, you are disgusted by this teacher presented above.  Helping him to obey the Gospel
was likely the furthest thing from your mind.  Each of us have been [hopefully past tense for us all – I Peter 4:1-3] just as
disgusting in the sight of God, when we have sinned, as this teacher was to you (Psalms 5:4-5, Proverbs 6:16-19, and
Hebrews 1:8-9).  God does not have a bad, worse, and worst list any more than He has a good, better, and best list.   We’ll
be judged on whether or not we have done the will of the Lord or not (Matthew 7:21-23; 25:31-46).  


      Do you get the point yet?  We need to realize that all sin is equal as are all sinners.  We may feel, as did Paul, that we have
done horrible things and are worse than others, but the Scriptures do not say so.  The liar is going to perish along the side of the
murderer (Revelation 21:8).  The drunkard and the adulterer will perish along side of the one who is envious of others
(Galatians 5:19-21).  The list could go on, but the point is still the same.   There is no difference in the seriousness of sin.  All
are equally damning (Romans 6:23).  Brethren, we tend to want to look at those outside of Christ through glasses that are a
little blurry.  The unjust should be an abomination to us (Proverbs 29:27).  The truth is, no one of the world is a good person
(Galatians 1:4, James 4:4, and I John 3:8-10), which is why we should teach them (Acts 3:19).  So, what do you think about
sin?
Volume VIII    ~    Issue XXX   ~   April 20th, 2008
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).  There is
more to cover than is here.  Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
What Do You Think About Sin?
By: Brian A. Yeager
Conclusion