Is it true that God will determine if our sins deserve judgment?

on Aug 12, 2026

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Is it true that God will determine if our sins deserve judgment? Or will all sin be judged at some point? How can we know if a sin is so bad to send us to Hell? How can a lie possibly be as bad as murder? – H.H.

A: Sin is more than overt acts that cause difficulties. Sin is an offense to God. All of mankind has rebelled against God, causing a worldwide conflagration that affects the entire universe. “They rebelled against Me and were not willing to listen to Me; they did not cast away the detestable things of their eyes” (Ezekiel 20:8, NASB 1995).

Yet God “made Him [Christ] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV). In that awful hour of darkness on the cross, in a mysterious and glorious way, Christ bore our penalty; He died in our place. He bore the guilt and shame for the sins of those who will believe in Him.

Some people say that God will excuse sin, or that He is too loving to judge sin. Others think God will say that sin is a psychological blunder we cannot help. But God does not excuse sin. He holds us morally responsible. Without repentance, He is going to judge sin.

God’s law is written into the souls of men; it’s written on the human conscience. There are people who are habitual liars; they can’t distinguish between the truth and a lie. The Bible says that “lying lips are an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 12:22, NKJV).

All over the world, people have tried to keep the law of conscience, the Ten Commandments, or the Sermon on the Mount, but they have failed. The Bible concludes that the whole world is found guilty before God, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)