LEVELS OF SUFFERING IN HELL

Recently, there has been much debate over the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriage, and as a result, there have been many posts on Facebook, either celebrating the decision, or viewing the decision as another sign that the return of Jesus is imminent.  Those who favor the decision have been emboldened to confront opponents by either mocking them, or suggesting that they were not perfect; that they too sin, and consequently, they have no right to judge.  I agree.  We all fail to live according to the Law as presented in the Scriptures.  However, three things must be considered:  1] born again Christians, while trying to be obedient, fail because we are not yet Christ-like (Rom. 7:15-25; 1 Jn. 1:8-10; 3:1-2); 2] there is a difference between deliberately disobeying God, and failing to obey due to our weakness; and 3] some sins are more egregious than others.  That is why Jesus spoke of varying degrees of punishment.  Here are a few examples:

Matthew 10:15 - "Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

Matthew 11:20-24 - "Then began He to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:  Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee."

Mark 6:11 - "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

Luke 10:10-15 - "But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.  But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.  Woe unto thee, Chorazin!  Woe unto thee, Bethsaida!  For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.  But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell."

Still, I have good news!  All manner of sin is forgivable except

 rejecting the conviction of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is Lord!