RRNI-Are There Degrees of Punishment?

Are There Degrees of Punishment?

By Roy Beasley

"The soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezk. 18:20). Note: the suffix eth in Old English (KJV) means to keep on sinning.

But, what is sin? Forget Webster. Let's go to the Bible for the answer. John 3:4: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law. for sin is the transgression of the law." This is God's definition of sin.

This, however, leads to another question: Does God regard all sin as the same? Does all sin receive the same punishment? Let's see what the Bible teaches.

In Luke, chapter 12, Jesus, teaching His disciples about the necessity of preparedness, used the illustration of servants who watch and are always prepared because they do not know when the master shall return. Peter didn't quite understand and so Jesus explained that a servant who is always ready is faithful and wise and will be rewarded. On the other hand, if he does wickedly, he will be punished. In verses 47-48, Jesus concluded:

"And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required, and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."

What does this say about sin? It says that sin will be punished. However, all sin is not the same in God's sight. Some sins carry a greater punishment than others.

The Bible tells us that "None are righteous, no not one," (Rom. 3:10) and that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). But, it is evident that some people are more wicked than others. Some sin with their eyes wide open; and some sin in ignorance. Some sin continually with no effort to do right and some try hard to live acceptable lives in the sight of God but slip up from time to time. All deserve punishment because God's law is broken, but shall they suffer the same punishment?

In Genesis 13:13, the Bible describes the men of Sodom as "...wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly." The word exceedingly is an adverb, referring to manner. The men of Sodom were more wicked than all others. In chapter 12, Abram told a lie. He said that his wife, Sara, was his sister. She was his half-sister but she was also his wife. This was wrong. It was a sin and he suffered for it. But it was nothing in comparison with the wickedness of the men of Sodom.

What of those who die never knowing God's will? God is just and will do the right thing. They have sinned but it was in ignorance. God's law was broken and this requires punishment. However, their punishment will not be as great as those who knew it and refused to accept it. God knows the heart of every individual and will judge accordingly. Let us seek to know God's will and live in such a way as to avoid any punishment.