Varying Degrees of Guilt

Do you and I see sin the way that God does? Do we understand in our hearts what is truly important to our heavenly Father? Do we share the same spiritual priorities that Jesus has? These are the questions I want to explore with you.

The Story That Revealed a Truth

Remember the story Nathan told King David after the incident with Uriah? Nathan described a rich man who, instead of using one of his own animals to feed a traveler, stole the only lamb of a poor man — a lamb treated like family. When David heard the story, he was furious and declared that the man deserved death and must restore the lamb fourfold. Why such a fierce reaction? What made that sin feel so egregious?

That story helped me see that certain wrongs arouse a deeper sense of justice. It raises a question we must face honestly: are all sins really equal? Many of us instinctively say no. But then we fear that admitting differences will lead to excusing some sins. I want to show you what Scripture teaches about this tension.

Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy: Degrees of Guilt

God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude. There are degrees of guilt in his estimation as well as in that of man. But however trifling this or that wrong act may seem in the eyes of men, no sin is small in the sight of God. Man's judgment is partial, imperfect; but God estimates all things as they really are. The drunkard is despised and is told that his sin will exclude him from heaven, while pride, selfishness, and covetousness too often go unrebuked. But these are sins that are especially offensive to God.

These words (from Steps to Christ) help me hold two truths at once: God sees degrees among sins, and yet every sin is offensive to Him. Both truths are true and both matter for how we live.

Examples from Scripture

Greater Sin and Greater Responsibility

When Pilate questioned Jesus, Jesus said, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above,” and then added that “he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” This shows there are levels of culpability.

Abominations and Greater Abominations

God told Ezekiel to look at the abominations of Israel and then to look again — for there were greater abominations. Even the word “abomination” signals something especially loathsome, and Scripture reveals that some offenses are worse than others.

Sins Against Children

Jesus warns in Matthew 18 that whoever offends one of these little ones would be better cast into the sea with a millstone around his neck. Children are precious to God, and sins done to them carry heavy consequences. I can hardly listen to stories of children being mistreated; it moves me deeply because God has placed a special value on their innocence.

Rejection Where Light Was Given

Jesus told the cities that rejected him — Corazin and Bethsaida — that it would be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for them. The implication is clear: where greater light and evidence have been given, greater responsibility and judgment follow when that light is rejected.

The Parable in Luke 12: Much Given, Much Required

In Luke 12 Jesus paints a stark picture. A servant who knows his master’s will but does not act accordingly receives many stripes; the one who does not know will receive fewer. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” If you and I are given understanding, we are held to a higher standard.

Three Principles Emerging

• God does not see all sin as the same.
• God assigns greater consequences for some sins than for others.
• With greater understanding comes greater responsibility; God will hold us more accountable when we know better.

Salvation Is More Than a Transaction

Too often we reduce salvation to a payment that secures heaven and nothing more. But God’s aim is relationship and restoration. In Scripture we are told God didn’t merely bring Israel out of Egypt to a place — He brought them to Himself. He desires communion with us, change in our hearts, and conformity to His character. If He simply paid our debt without changing us, heaven would be unbearable for us because we would not be in harmony with its principles.

What Matters to God

There are things that please God more and things that offend Him more, because God is personal and has a character. Consider a few priorities Scripture highlights:

• Children — God values their protection and innocence.
• Proper worship — John 4:24: worship in spirit and in truth; God wants our hearts and our understanding.
• Order — 1 Corinthians 14: let all things be done decently and in order; God values structure and reverence.
• Heart attitudes — pride, selfishness, covetousness are especially offensive, even if they’re less visible than outward sins.

We often emphasize visible, outward sins — dress, diet, or smoking — because they are easy to judge. Meanwhile we excuse or overlook hidden sins of the heart: pride, control, anger. That’s dangerous. God sees the heart.

The Garden and the Little Things

God tested Adam and Eve with something that looked small: one forbidden tree among many good trees. The test was not about nutrition or poison; it was about loyalty. Jesus later said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” If we ignore small untruths, small abuses, small compromises, they grow.

I told the story of the early Americans and the tomato to remind us that appearances can deceive. The tree in Eden wasn’t harmful on its face; the issue was obedience. Small disobedience reveals a heart willing to stray.

Stop Inventing Your Own Moral Hierarchy

Far too often we create our own lists of what matters and what doesn’t. We say, “That’s not a salvation issue,” to excuse ourselves or others. You won’t find that phrase in Scripture. What you will find is this: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” If you know what God requires and choose otherwise, that is sin.

Don’t let partial, cultural, or convenient judgments replace the will of God. Stop comparing your fellow travelers and start looking to Jesus. There is a straight path He has cut out for us — orderly, faithful, and rooted in truth. Are you willing to follow it?

Conclusion — A Personal Appeal

I invite you to examine your heart and ask: Do I desire to please God? Am I willing to let God determine what is right and wrong in my life? We are in a relationship with our heavenly Father. Let us learn what pleases Him, surrender our will, and say, “Not my will but Thine be done.”

Thank you for reading. This message was adapted from a sermon by Gentry SDA Church. If this challenged or encouraged you, seek out the original message and continue to study Scripture with prayerful humility.

Amen.