The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q83. Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?
A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous
in the sight of God than others.[1]
[1] Ezekiel 8:6, 13, 15; 1 John 5:16; Psalm 78:17, 32, 56.
Most of us will have no doubt that all sins are hateful, abominable and offensive to God, but many of us are surprised when told that all our sins are not equally heinous or hateful in God’s sight. Yet, this is taught in the Scriptures, for the Lord Jesus upbraided “the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not” (Mt 11:20). He suggested that their condemnation on the day of Judgement would be more severe than for Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom (Mt 11:22, 24; see also Luke 12:47–48). In other words, we may expect degrees of punishment in hell, which suggest to us that some sins are more heinous than others in God’s sight.
Our catechism answer instructs us that some sins, in their own nature, are more
heinous than others. For example, sins which are committed more immediately
against God, or the first table of His Law, are more heinous in their own
nature, than sins committed more immediately against man, or any precept of the
second table. Thus blasphemy against God is more heinous, in its own nature,
than speaking evil of our neighbour (1 Sam 2:25). Similarly, there appears to
be a rough order of severity in the second table of the Law, by which we may
know, for example, that murder is more heinous than adultery and adultery is
more heinous than theft (Prov 6:30, 32).
Some sins are grievous not by their own nature, but by reason of several
aggravations. For example, the same sins committed by those in authority, such
as pastors and parents, are more heinous than when committed by children and
ordinary members of the church (1 Kgs 14:16). Also, the sins of all who name
the name of Christ are more heinous than the sins of the wicked and ungodly in
the same kind, because the name of God is thereby more blasphemed, and the
wicked are hereby more hardened in their sins (Rom 2:23–24).
Similarly, sins receive their aggravation also from the nature and quality of
the offence. Thus a sin is more grievous (1) If the offence is clearly against
the express letter of the law, in which case it is sin with the greatest
boldness and presumption (Rom 1:32); (2) If it breaks forth in words and actions, reflecting a more public
dishonour on God, and do greater injury to men, than if they were latent only
in the thoughts; (3) If it is against conviction of conscience; and (4) If done
deliberately, obstinately, and with delight, thus demonstrating a defiance to
the Almighty God (Zec 7:11–12).