The Obvious Sinner Is Not Worse Than Others

1 Timothy 5:24-25  (24) The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. (25) In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

Sin is sin, however, some are obvious and others are hidden. The obvious sinner is quickly judged and condemned in the court of public opinion. The non-obvious sinner is treated as a saint and may end up believing that he or she is a saint and does not need salvation. However, the obvious sinner is not worse than other sinners, both known and unknown.

The text of consideration today has been misunderstood. Some have misinterpreted this text to mean that some sins are more serious than others. Sins that go straight to judgment ahead of the sinner are thought to be much more serious. Sins that follow the sinner are considered less serious. Yet, this is not the message in the text!

The sin problem is not about the type of deed committed by the sinner. The problem with sin is that God has set a standard that we are unable to reach because of sin. The problem of sin is that it is rebellion against God. So it is not about what is done, but that the deed demonstrates a failure to reach standards and a rebellion against God. That is why all sins are considered the same!

Paul writing to Timothy tells him that the church has two general types of sinners. Sinners who are open obvious sinners and Secretive looking-righteous sinners. The open obvious sinner seems to be already judged and condemned, while the other one seems innocent of any guilt.

Paul tells Timothy that a church will have all types of people but a sinner is a sinner and a righteous person is a righteous person. No sinner is worse than the other. All sinners need God’s salvation. The obvious sinner is not worse than others!

May God guide us to confess our sins and seek repentance. May God help us from the attitude that we are better than others, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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