There is no degree to sin. Whether a person has only sinned once, or if they have spent a lifetime steeped in disobedience to God, all of the Law of God has been broken. (James 2:10-11)
The Apostle Paul was a Pharisee, and a strict adherent to the Law of God as given through Moses. (Philippians 3:4-6) Nevertheless, he considered himself to be the chief of sinners because he persecuted Christians before he was saved.(1Corinthians 15:9, Galatians 1:13, 1Timothy 1:12-17)
We all have sinned. (Romans 3:10-18) The penalty for sin is death, but God provided His only Son to pay that penalty for us. (Romans 6:23) Consequently, Paul instructed Titus to lead the Cretan believers as follows:
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient,
deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in
malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the
kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of
righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the
washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on
us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been
justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal
life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things,
so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to
doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus
3:1-8 NIV) [1]
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