sin

John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except, it were given thee from above: therefore, he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. I checked the Greek meaning of the word greater and it said: Irregular comparative of G3173; larger (literally or figuratively, specifically in age): - elder, greater (-est), more.

So, seeing that, it should be taken that Judas' sin is greater than the sin of Pilot. Or, it could mean his sin is older. It still points to the fact that Judas' sin was of greater magnitude than Pilots'. If this is true, wouldn't that totally blow the "a sin is a sin" theory? Everyone's always lumped sins as just that, with none being worse than the others, but we see that Jesus said Judas' sin was worse.

Going back to the word "therefore" in the passage under discussion Jesus is saying, "You are a magistrate. Your power, as such, is given you by God. You are not, indeed, guilty for accusing me, or malignantly arraigning me; but you have power entrusted to you over my life; and the Jews, who knew this, and who knew that the power of a magistrate was given to him by God, have the greater sin for seeking my condemnation before a tribunal appointed by God, and for endeavoring to obtain so solemn a sanction to their own malignant and wicked purposes. They have endeavored to avail themselves of the civil power, the sacred appointment of God, and on this account their sin is greater." This does not mean that their sin was greater than that of Pilate, though that was true; but their sin was greater on account of the fact that they perseveringly and malignantly endeavored to obtain the sanction of the magistrate to their wicked proceedings. Nor does it mean, because God had purposed his death (Acts 2:23), and given power to Pilate, that therefore their sin was greater, for God's purpose in the case made it neither more nor less. It did not change the nature of their free acts. This passage teaches no such doctrine, but that their sin was aggravated by malignantly endeavoring to obtain the sanction of a magistrate who was invested with authority that God gave him. By this Pilate ought to have been convinced, and was convinced, of their wickedness, and hence he sought more and more to release him. "He that delivered me..." The singular here is put for the plural, including Judas, the high-priests, and the Sanhedrin.

Quite apart from the above passage John does tell us in 1 John 3:4 that sin is transgression of the law. So any sin is breaking God's law, however, Jesus taught some sins have greater degrees of punishment (Luke 12:47,48). Any sin can cause a person to be lost but the preceding passage indicates that sins that are committed in ignorance may have fewer consequences. But that makes little difference to us because who wants even the least punishment there is in hell for it is eternal.

Is cussing wrong? Where does it specifically say in the bible that cussing is a sin?

Cussing is wrong. God stated from the beginning that using His name in a casual or flippant way is sinful. Exodus 20:7 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.

Here are some verses that imply that cussing would not be appropriate for a Christian.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Colossians 3:8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.

Ephesians 5:3-4 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
As Christians we should not use any language that the world views as cussing.

What are the seven deadly sins?

Some centuries ago, because of the realization of the impact of sin upon the lives of individuals, religious leaders felt that people needed to be warned of this danger. A list of sins was composed, the list being designated as The Seven Deadly Sins. These are pride, envy, anger, sloth, greed/avarice, gluttony, and lust. As can be seen from the list, all areas of life are covered. It might be added that this list is similar to that found in Proverbs 6:16-19 that gives seven things that are an abomination to the Lord. "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

What must be recognized is that not only will these things bring heartache and pain into one’s life, but also into the lives of those whom one may influence. Therefore sin in general, not just the "seven deadly sins," must be dealt with so that one’s life is in harmony with God.

What constitutes forgiveness in the eyes of God?

I think perhaps the best passage to answer this question is Matthew 18:21-35. This is the parable of the unforgiving servant. Let me paraphrase it for you.

A wealthy king was once settling his accounts. He came across a man who owed him millions and millions of dollars. He called the man and commanded that he be imprisoned and his family sold into slavery. The man fell at the king's feet and begged for mercy and time to repay the debt. The king was moved by compassion and forgave the debt entirely. The forgiven man left the king's presence and went and found a man who owed him only a small debt. He demanded immediate payment, and when it was not made, he threw the man in jail. The forgiving king heard of this man's actions and was outraged. He reinstated the debt and the punishment of the unforgiving man.

The king in this parable is God. The man with the huge debt is you or me. Because of our sins, we owe God a debt that we can never pay. But his mercy causes him to forgive us that debt. However, our king expects the same mercy and compassion from us toward our fellows. No wrong that we have been done can compare to the debt we owe God.

God wants us to forgive those who wrong us, and that means showing the same mercy, compassion, and patience that he has shown us.

Can a saved person live a sinless life? Whatever your answer maybe please send me scripture to support your stand.

No person, saved or unsaved, can live a sinless life? 1 John was written to Christians. In I John 1:10 he wrote: "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." Paul said in ROM. 3:23,"...all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." To the Christian who has sinned John wrote, (1 John 1:9) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The is the law of pardon to the Christian who sins.
See also Acts 8:13 then Acts 8:20-24. Simon was baptized into Christ thus becoming a Christian. He sinned. Peter told this Christian who had sinned, not to be rebaptized, but to pray for forgiveness."

Please explain "Born in sin"

The idea that one is born in sin is based on the erroneous doctrine of the total depravity of man. This false teaching claims that the sins of Adam, along with every child’s predecessors, are passed on to a child when it is born. (Some also teach that a child can commit sin in the womb.) This teaching is based on the misinterpretation of several verses. The following are some examples.

1) Psalm 14:2-3 – "The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They were all gone aside, they are altogether become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no not one." "Children" here is not a reference to children literally but to man in general. It speaks of man’s sinfulness; not that man is born in sin.

2) Psalm 51:5 – "Behold I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." This verse acknowledges sin, but David did not commit it, nor does this verse teach he brought it with him into the world.

3) Ephesians 2:3 – "…and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." "By nature" does not mean "by inheritance." To speak of someone as "the child of" means that person displays the characteristics being discussed and is not a reference to children.

4) Psalm 58:3 – "The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies." This indicates that sin was committed after birth, but it cannot refer to infants, infants cannot talk. On the other hand, there are numerous verses that show that infants are not born in sin, including the following. 1) Genesis 8:21 – "…I will not again curse the ground for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth…." 2) Ezekiel 18:20 – "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him." 3) Matthew 18:3 – "And (Jesus) said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye become converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." On this last verse it must be said that it would be a strange thing indeed for the Lord to tell people they needed to repent and then tell them they need to become like sinners! In addition to these verses, God’s plan of salvation would exclude the doctrine of inherited sin.

1) Infants cannot believe, John 8:32, for they cannot understand what is being communicated to them.

2) Infants cannot repent, Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38, for they have nothing of which to repent if we believe our Lord in Matthew 18:3.

3) Infants cannot confess their faith, Romans 10:10, Matthew 10:32-33, for they cannot speak.

4) Someone could immerse an infant (this is the meaning of the Greek word translated baptize), in water, Acts 8:38-39, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12. However, all they would be doing would be get the child wet (and probably upset), because the child would not have been convicted in its heart, Acts 2:37, and would have no understanding of what was being done to it. The Bible does not teach nor support the doctrine of being born in sin.

Can one who sins, knowing at the time he sins that it is wrong, be forgiven of those sins and be saved?

The questioner probably has in mind Heb. 10:26 which reads, "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries." Some take this verse to say that one who sins willfully cannot be forgiven. "Sin willfully" literally means to be habitually engaged in sin, that is, one keeps on committing a sin. So, this is not referring to the person who commits one deliberate sin. Also, in the context of the verses that precede this one, the passage has reference to those who would totally turn their back on Christ, those who become apostate to the faith. This is the person who deliberately returns to the life outside of Christ, and in the case of the danger addressed in the letter to the Hebrews, returning to a life in Judaism. For these people, those who turn their back on Christ and reject the salvation offered in Him, there is no other sacrifice that God will give in order for these people to find salvation. Now, back to the person who sins. The Christian who sins is to do as Peter instructed Simon in Acts 8:22, repent and pray. The repentance might involve making some kind of restitution or asking an individual’s forgiveness, but repentance and prayer are what are expected of this individual. I might also add that this individual is definitely in danger if they do not repent and ask God’s forgiveness. To remain unrepentant means one will face that sin in judgement. However, we must understand that one willful act of sin does not forever shut the doors of heaven, otherwise all of us would be lost. We must consider the consequences of our actions and seek to ever remain faithful to God’s will, asking His forgiveness when we fail.