Yes you are. No you didn't. You're exegesis is wrong as is you're understanding of everyone else's position but your own from what I've seen. You're not a liar because you honestly believe your false assertions, misinterpretations, the misrepresentations you make about other people's statements, etc.. but I'm working on more important things right now and can't baby step you through everyone of your false assertions and show you how you've misinterpreted Dr. Gleason's statements, my statements, and further explain why your exegesis is totally false. Certainly later. In the meanwhile, you may want to read his book. That's where you'll see where you went wrong with respect to what he's communicating.
I guess I have time for a quick example. Dr. Gleason never said all sin wasn't the same in the way you misrepresented him as saying. What he alluded to and discussed in the video, and which he states much more clearly and emphatically in his book, is that all sin IS the same in that it separates us from God and leads to eternal damnation.
However, sin gradients. As the Christian Research & Apologetics Ministry states:
"We can quickly see this from Jesus' own words when he said in John 19:11, "You would have no authority over me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered me up to you has the greater sin."
Other Scriptures that verify this are also taught by Jesus when he said the following:
- "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. [SUP]22[/SUP] "Nevertheless I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you." (Matt. 11:21-22).
- "the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him, and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. [SUP]47[/SUP] “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, shall receive many lashes, [SUP]48[/SUP] but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. " (Luke 12:46-48).
Jesus clearly taught that there is a difference in the level of sins that we can commit. However, it also seems to be the case that knowledge affects the severity of sin as well:
- "For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first[SUP]. 21[/SUP] For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them." (2 Pet. 2:20-21).
Peter says that awareness of sin and intent are factors that affect whether or not sin is greater or lesser. This is supported by the Scripture that says, "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin," (James 4:17).
Etc... etc... etc...
You're completely right that a neighborhood girl telling your daughter a piece of gossip is sin and all sin separates a person from God without the appropriation of Jesus Christ leading to eternal damnation. But you're completely wrong if you think this is exactly like a serial murderer breaking into your house and raping your little daughter to death. And that is what Dr. Gleason and every other bible scholar asserts.
Now, for some reason, you can't tell the difference and assert that anyone who says there is one is wrong and then misuse scripture to "prove" that even though all you're doing is misinterpreting scripture and then misrepresenting it to "prove" something that isn't true.
And that's why we have a problem with you Kenneth. It's not your place in God's kingdom for you are saved. It's not your good heart, materially speaking. We like that. We that about you. I like that about you. Get your head to match your heart and we'll get along just fine. Now I have to go. Peace.
I see where you are trying to go with this, and I can explain this to.
The scriptures that you posted by no means shows that in the list of all sins that a person can commit some are greater than others. There is one sin that is greater than others, and that is denying Him and not following His teachings. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
This is why Jesus said to Pilate those who delivered Him have greater sin, because they denied Him for who He was.
The other scriptures were about standing before the great white judgment throne, when all the nations are judged at the end. There is worse punishment issued out for how bad one lived their life, the more evil one did the harsher the punishment. ( Not about individual sins being worse then others, it is the combination of one's full life. )
Then the scripture you gave from
2 Peter 2:20-21 is about those who became partakers in Christ, but then turned their back to the Lord and went back to living an ungodly life. Peter says it would have been better if they never knew the truth, because by not even knowing who Jesus was so that they could never follow Him they could be burnt up immediately without prolonged pain and torment for no belief in Him. But because they did know the truth, and then turned their back to Him to live an ungodly life in sin they will have prolonged punishment for purposely denying Him.
James is saying in
4:17 that if you know what is proper to do, but refuse to do it, then it is sin. Yes that is right.
This means that for instance we know it is right to get baptized because our Lord commanded it, yet some will try to teach you it is not needed or does not use water any more in baptism. Nowhere in the bible does it say water was omitted from baptism, so those who refuse to be baptized are in sin.
This also applies to if you see a person in need because of persecution, homeless, and/or hungry and you know by the bible we are suppose to help them but you refuse to help then you are in sin.
Jesus did not teach one sin worse then another, He only said one sin is greater than others. ( Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit )
He made a point that all other sins in His eye are equal and cause enmity to God. He showed this by saying hatred is murder, lust in the heart is adultery, and when He talked to the crowd in
Luke 13 on questioning Him about some they said committed worse sins then others. Jesus answer them by saying do you believe these were worse sinners then them;
Luke 13:3
I tell you,
no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
He was clearly saying if you believe your sins are worse then another, then you are wrong and will perish in the lake of fire if you don't repent of yours to.
Then you bring up a serial murderer coming into a person's house and raping and killing their daughter. They have sinned against you and your household, now what does Jesus say about that when somebody sins against you. He says this;
[h=1]
Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.[/h]He clearly says here that if you do not forgive them, there will be no forgiveness for yours, and you have to be forgiven of your sins to receive eternal life. ( Salvation ) There is never anywhere in scripture that says you have to forgive them unless they do this or that. He forgives us of all sins, and tells us we are to show that same love and mercy to others.
Matthew 9:13
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Now I know this is hard to swallow for some, but it is what the Lord request of us to do. Not put them to death, but forgive them and have mercy on their souls by ministering to them to try and bring them to repentance.
My head does match my heart which is why I think spiritually, and not worldly. Yes when I thought worldly I was the same way thinking all these people should die, and supported the death penalty. After getting into the Word of God, and studying what the Lord said compared to ministering in the prison system and seeing the corruption that goes on. I could no longer support the death penalty at all.
For our Lord said we are to show love and forgiveness to all, just like He showed to us. I was saved from death for being a sinner, why would I not want to try and help save another from their sins. That and like I always said, to the one who is being put to death; There is no love, forgiveness, mercy, or compassion toward them in that, which is what our Lord said we are to have for them.
This is why I will never waver from my stance on the death penalty, because those are the words of our Lord.
( Love, forgiveness, mercy, compassion, minister to them for repentance )