p. 773 | Little Sins

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 24, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 49.

Little Sins.

THE idea has obtained that there are degrees of sin all the way from murder, for instance, down to nothing; that certain actions, though not really proper, are not worthy the notice of God. If some case is mentioned, the reply will be, "O, that's nothing, such little sins are not worth minding." The careless reader is here requested to pause and point out one place in the Bible that speaks of "little sins"—"sins not worth minding," or anything like it. When degrees of comparison are used, sin is always called great, grievous, etc. David says, "O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great." Ps. 25:11. The Bible throughout holds up sin in its true deformity. No one ever prayed in the Spirit to have his sins pardoned because they were small. It is true that there are degrees of sin, yet no sin is really small. Any act which is a transgression of the law, however small it may appear to men, is sufficient to condemn the transgressor to death, unless he obtains pardon.

For instance, it is supposed to be very innocent to tell a clever falsehood for the sake of playing a trick on another. This is not lying; O, no! it is only sport. It is thought to be quite harmless to joke, tell stories, play all manner of games, and have all the fun and sport possible. It is supposed to be nobody's business how much the mind is occupied with foolish thoughts. It is even looked upon as commendable to get the best end of a bargain by shrewdness and misrepresentation. There are a thousand such things as these that are looked upon as of no importance. But the just demands of an abused law will stare transgressors in the face by and by.

Scripture testimony will now be produced, and if this meets the eye of any careless one, let him remember that the following passages of Scripture, and others of like import, will stand in array against the sinner at the great Judgment day. Many things that are supposed to be of no importance are particularly mentioned in the Bible.