James 2:10-11 (NIV 84′)

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.”

If a police officer pulled you over because you were doing 67 mph in a 65 mph zone, how would you react? In my mind, but hopefully not out of my mouth, would come this: “Are you kidding me?” We tend to want our transgressions graded on some kind of curve, but God doesn’t give us that option. Have you ever broken the law? Then you are a lawbreaker. Have you ever lied? Then you are a liar. Have you ever sinned? Then you are a sinner. Does that sound harsh to you? It sure does to me…but then again, I’m not holy like God.

I grew up thinking that access to Heaven was granted to those whose good deeds outweighed their bad deeds. “I broke this law, yes…but I never broke that really bad one! Plus, I’ve done lots of good things!” You won’t find a scale waiting for you when you die, where you will pile up your good deeds on one side and your bad deeds on the other, hoping for a favorable outcome. One single sin will tip the scale eternally against you.

One other point worth noting: this verse does NOT mean that all sins are “equal.” Jesus Himself said, “…the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin” (John 19:11). In Matthew 11:20-24 Jesus said there were certain cities, Sodom included, that would “be better off on judgment day that you,” referring to cities where He had preached yet the people still rejected Him.

Remember: all it takes is one sin to condemn you in the sight of a Holy and Righteous God. All the more reason to give Him praise for sending us His Son.