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What About Small Sins

Why does the least sin deserve death and hell forver? James taught, “Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it” (James 2:10). But isn’t that a little overboard?

In his book Follow Me, David Platt described the seriousness of sin. He argued that the penalty for our sin is not determined by our measure of it. “Instead,” he wrote, “the penalty for sin is determined by the magnitude of the one who is sinned against.”

If you slapped your friend in the face, what would he or she do? Your friend would probably be confused and might even slap you back. But that would probably be the end of it. However, what if you slapped a police officer? What would happen? You might be charged with assault or be thrown in jail. It’s the same act (slapping) but a different consequence.

Now, what if you walked up and slapped the King of Saudi Arabia? Would he simply turn the other cheek? I doubt it. You’d better start pleading for your head!

Apply this concept to sin against a holy, eternal, and sovereign God. Even a “small” sin bears eternal punishment. It’s not about the smallness of sin; it’s about the greatness and holiness of God. Our view of sin is far too human.