Upon reading the Scriptures, it becomes clear that there are varying degrees of punishment depending on what kind of sin we commit.

While all sin eventually leads to death, the Scriptures clearly distinguishes between lesser and greater sins.

In some cases, people think, “Since I already lusted after the person, I might as well finish the action – all sin is the same, right?” Well not necessarily. By following through with the action, you’d be committing another, more serious violation of your previous sin.

When Jesus explains the sin of lust during the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:28), He doesn’t say that it is as bad as committing adultery, but rather, He points out that even if you refrained from the actual act of adultery, it does not mean that you have been totally obedient to the commandment.

Jesus here expands on the implications and consequences of acting out our sin. Take for example murder In God’s eyes, is a far worse sin than hating someone, even though they are both sins, there are degrees to sin, and some sins (like murder) are far worse than others.

When it comes to our eternal salvation, all sins are the same in that every sin leads to eternal condemnation (Romans 6:23); while this might be terrifying, we must note that there is no sin too “big” that God can’t forgive because Christ paid the penalty for our sins (1 John 2:2).

So to conclude our understanding:

Are all sins equal to God? Yes and no.

Are all sins equal in severity? No.

Do all sins lead to the same death penalty? Yes.

Are all sins forgivable? Yes.

Here are some scriptures that show there is a distinction between the various kinds of sins:

Each individual sin will have a proper consequence to that sin. 

Hebrews 2:2 (NKJV)

For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,

There is a distinction in God’s justice as He metes out the punishment for the crime. 

Under the Mosaic Law, we see how each punishment fits the crime;

Exodus 21:24 (NKJV)

eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

As you can see, each punishment corresponds to a particular crime. It is not an eye for a tooth or a tooth for an eye. Sins are punished consistently in accordance to their nature.

In the Mosaic Law, some sins were punishable by death, while others were not.

Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, speaks of God’s judgment for each according to the deeds committed in the flesh.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

If it’s according to each, that would indicate an individual judgment in which there would be some variation.

In conclusion, while the Scriptures acknowledge that all sin ultimately leads to separation from God, it also distinguishes between the severity of different sins. This is evident in the varying degrees of consequences and judgments described for different transgressions. Jesus’ teachings, such as those in the Sermon on the Mount, highlight that sin is not just about actions, but also about intentions and thoughts. However, the degree of sin’s severity in human actions does vary.

Ultimately, the message of the gospel is one of redemption and forgiveness through Christ, who paid the penalty for all sins, regardless of their severity. This underscores the importance of seeking forgiveness and striving towards righteousness, while understanding that God’s justice is perfectly balanced with His mercy.