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Table of Contents - 11

 

© 1995 by Rick Jones
Reproduced by Permission

Degrees of Sin?

The Catechism indoctrinates Catholics with the notion that there are varying degrees of sin:

"Sins are rightly evaluated according to their gravity." Pg. 454, #1854

First are venial sins:

"One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the standard prescribed by the moral law, or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave manner, but without full knowledge or without complete consent." Pg. 456, #1862

Then there are mortal sins:

"Mortal sin... results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace. If it is not redeemed by repentance and God's forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ' s kingdom and the eternal death of hell..." Pg. 456, #1861 (See also Pg. 264, #1014, Pg. 269, #1033, Pg. 270, #1035 and Pg. 270, #1037.)

With the threat of "the eternal death of hell" hanging over your head, several important questions need answers, like:

  • What specifically constitutes a mortal sin?
  • How much repentance does it take to get one forgiven?
  • How do I know when one is forgiven?
  • Why is the Bible silent on the subject?

Tragically, the Catechism does not provide answers to any of these questions.

What does the Bible Teach?

When we turn to God's Holy Word, we get a totally different picture:

"Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4

Since we have all broken a command of God, the Bible declares that we are all sinners.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

Because of sin we all deserve to die and suffer the punishment of hell:

"The wages of sin is death..." Romans 6:23

God's Word makes no distinction as to the gravity of certain sins. It simply states that the wages of sin is death.

But God in His great grace and love, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to pay the price for all sin once and for all:

"But this man (Jesus), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" Hebrews 10:12

True salvation is only available through Jesus Christ because only He could shed sinless blood to pay the penalty for all sin:

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" Colossians 1:14

"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Matthew 26:28

While God does expect His children to confess their sins to Him, once sins are confessed and forgiven, God makes a wonderful promise:

"And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." Hebrews 10:17

Jesus is Demoted again

Here again, honor is stolen from Jesus Christ. Because of the Lord's selfless act of love on the cross, He alone deserves credit for remitting the sins of all mankind.

Catholicism, though, demotes the Lord and robs Him of the honor and glory that He alone deserves, by declaring that lowly sinners can help pay for varying degrees of sins through their good works.

Conclusion

Again you must choose. Will you remain in bondage to Catholicism by believing that some sins are worse than others and that continual good works are needed to pay for these various degrees of sin?

Or will you trust God's Word, that Jesus died to pay the price for all sin, once and for all?

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;" 1 Corinthians 15:3