Is every sin equal in the eyes of God? John Frame answers in his new systematic—with just the kind of simple, straightforward, biblical reasoning I’ve come to expect from him:
It might seem that since all sin is of the heart, every sin is equally heinous. But Scripture does indicate that some sins are worse than others…. Some [sins] have more harmful consequences than others in this life, and so they offend God more deeply. Scripture distinguishes “greater” from “lesser” sins (Ezek. 8:6, 13ff.; Matt. 5:19; 23:23; John 19:11). The law of Moses distinguishes between “unintentional” sins (Lev. 4:2, 13, 22; 5:17) and sins committed with a “high hand” (Num. 15:27–30). In the NT, Paul tells us that some sins should lead to excommunication (1 Cor. 6), but others need not (Rom. 14:1–4). James indicates that those who teach “will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1). So a sin committed by a teacher could be more serious than the same sin committed by someone who is not a teacher. ¶ [Only] one sin is “unpardonable’ (Matt. 12:31–32; Heb 6:4–6; 10:26–27; 1 John 5:16–17).