In his sermon “The Inequity of Sin,” delivered on December 14, 2025, Cole Tuck challenges the popular but unbiblical notion that “all sin is equal in God’s eyes.” While acknowledging that this idea can feel comforting or protective, Cole demonstrates through numerous Scriptures that the Bible consistently portrays sins as varying in severity—some warrant greater punishment, receive special condemnation, or carry weightier consequences.
From Old Testament penalties to Jesus’ own words ranking commands and sins, Scripture reveals greater and lesser transgressions. Yet, Cole balances this with a crucial truth: all sin, regardless of degree, separates us from God, makes us sinners in need of forgiveness, and can only be cleansed through the blood of Jesus. The sermon calls believers to anchor their views in Scripture alone, rejecting well-intentioned but unfounded sayings, and to recognize the gravity of every sin that required Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
Talking Points
- The Myth of Equal Sin
- The phrase “all sin is equal” is commonly repeated but nowhere found in Scripture.
- It can feel comforting (no “big” sins to worry about) or protective (defending those struggling), but it contradicts the Bible.
- Biblical Evidence: Sins Are Not Equal
- Old Testament: Different punishments (death penalty for some sins like child sacrifice; restitution or sacrifices for others).
- New Testament examples:
- Greater punishment for knowing vs. ignorant sin (Luke 12:47-48).
- Worse judgment for some cities than Sodom (Matthew 11:24).
- “How much worse” punishment for rejecting Christ (Hebrews 10:28-29).
- Sexual immorality uniquely sins against one’s own body (1 Corinthians 6:18).
- Neglecting family is “worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).
- Sins “leading to death” vs. those that do not (1 John 5:16-17).
- Unforgivable blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32).
- Jesus explicitly calls one sin “greater” (John 19:11).
- Commands Also Vary in Weight
- Jesus identifies the greatest commandments (love God, love neighbor) as superior (Mark 12:28-34).
- “Weightier matters” of the law: justice, mercy, faithfulness over minor tithing details (Matthew 23:23-24).
- What All Sins Have in Common
- Every sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2).
- Breaking even one point of the law makes us guilty of all (James 2:10-11).
- Only the blood of Jesus can forgive any sin—no good works suffice (Acts 4:12).
- Practical Application
- Test every religious saying against Scripture—don’t accept ideas from social media, preachers, or tradition without biblical backing.
- Recognizing degrees of sin should motivate holiness without minimizing any transgression, since all required Christ’s death.