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Ignorance is Bliss. This has been my motto
for many years. Usually people love to gossip about others and I
would prefer to be ignorant of their personal issues especially
if I do not need to know. Often times it serves no useful
purpose for me to be informed so ignorance was bliss. However,
this is not true when it comes to sin.
I have read the Bible through many times
but I must admit each and every time I read about unintentional
sin in the Old Testament I realize I have never heard a sermon
on it. We all agree that sin does not change from the Old
Testament to the New Testament. However, the way in which we are
forgiven for our sins is different in the Old Testament and the
New Testament. Although the New Testament does not talk about
unintentional sin, unintentional sin must be forgiven because
God is holy and sin is always sin.
Here is what the Old Testament says about
unintentional sin. In Leviticus 4, Moses writes about the
different people who commit unintentional sin and the sacrifice
that needs to be made for each of them.
Leviticus 4:2(a)-3…if a person
sins unintentionally against any of the commandments of the LORD
in anything which ought not to be done, and does any of them 3.
If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people then
let him offer…
Leviticus 4:13-14(a) Now if the
whole congregation of Israel sins unintentionally, and the thing
is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done
something against any of the commandments of the LORD in
anything which should not be done, and are guilty;
14. When the sin which they have
committed becomes known, then the assembly shall offer…
Leviticus 4:22-23(a)
‘When a ruler has sinned, and done something
unintentionally against any of the commandments of the LORD his
God in anything which should not be done, and is guilty,
23. Or if his sin which he has
committed comes to his knowledge, he shall bring…
Leviticus 4: 27-28(a) ‘If anyone
of the common people sins unintentionally by doing something
against any of the commandments of the LORD in anything which
ought not to be done, and is guilty, 28.
Or if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge,
then he shall bring…
All these verses talk about a sin
offering for unintentional sin. In the next chapter of
Leviticus, God talks about a trespass offering for unintentional
sin regarding the holy things of the Lord. A trespass offering
is done when someone does something against the holy things of
the Lord.
Leviticus
5:14-15(a) 14. Then the LORD spoke to
Moses, saying: 15. “If a person commits
a trespass, and sins unintentionally in regard to the holy
things of the LORD, then he shall bring to the LORD as his
trespass offering…
Leviticus 5:17-18(a),19.
“If a person sins, and commits any of these things which are
forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD, though he
does not know it, yet he is guilty and shall bear his iniquity.
18. And he shall bring…
19.
It is a trespass offering; he has certainly trespassed against
the LORD.”
In our society today, unintentional sin is
prevalent. We have forgotten or neglected the word of God which
is our guide in identifying sin. Personally my life was and
probably still is filled with unintentional sin. I look back on
things which God has asked me to do and realize that although I
was not deliberately or on purpose not doing those things, I
committed unintentional sin. I have asked for forgiveness
because sin is sin.
Here are two examples in my life where I
repented of unintentional sin.
I did not always observe the Sabbath as
God’s day of rest. (4th Commandment). As a child,
this was not part of our family practice. After my husband and I
were married for a few years, we felt the conviction of the Holy
Spirit to observe the Sabbath. Our church did not practice this
nor did anyone that we knew do this. We did not realize that we
had a scriptural reference for this but knew in “spirit and in
truth”. Of course we knew the Ten Commandments, but somehow no
one seemed to care that the 4th commandment was not
being followed or that we needed to do this. Of course, later we
took the time to evaluate and find the truth that was plainly
and clearly outlined in the word of God. It is one of the Ten
Commandments and one of God’s moral laws.
Jesus defined it by helping the sick on
the Sabbath. He extended mercy to his disciples and did not
rebuke them for picking food and eating it on that day. However,
they did not go to the market to buy food or products.
When we decided to observe the Sabbath, I
already knew that I was missing the first day of the sales in
most of the stores where I shopped. I must admit I love saving
money for my family. Even today, we have adjusted our stand on
the Sabbath by not just buying products or services on the
Sabbath we also do not do household chores. Trust me when I felt
we should not buy things on that day, we figured why not stay
home and take the time to clean everything in the house. This
was not causing others to work but as we realized we were
working which was not what God intended for that day. Daily we
learn what God expects of us. Also, we know that it does not
just apply to that day but for everyday of our life we are to do
what God tells us to do. However, the 4th commandment
is specific and applies to everyone. So, we repented of
unintentional sin.
Another
example of unintentional sin in our life was disobedience to the
3rd commandment. I allowed people on television to
use God’s name without regard to His reputation. This practice
now hurts my ears and I immediately turn the station. Believe it
or not religious leaders on television do this on occasions and
old mystery shows (Matlock, Murder She Wrote, and PBS Mystery)
that I used to watch. When God opened my eyes to this problem,
He also opened my ears to hear. God has given me an ear to hear
and I am grateful that I can be obedient to His word but more
importantly I am given the honor and privilege of showing my
love to my God through my obedience to His command.
I would
never allow anyone to call my husband any foul name so why would
I allow anyone to use God’s name for any reason. His name should
be glorified and magnified in all the earth. God is first and my
husband is second but my ability to tolerate others using God’s
name for anything they please was an unintentional sin in my
life.
These are just two examples today. In ten
years, I pray that God continually show me my sin and that I
continually ask for His forgiveness for unintentional sin. My
new motto is knowledge is bliss because an increase in the
knowledge of God is always bliss. |
