Unintentional Sin
Throughout the Old Testament, we find instructions regarding sacrifice. There are many kinds of sacrifice. Some were for thanksgiving others for fellowship. Probably the most well known sacrifice, however, is the sacrifices for sins.
There are many places in scripture that reference these sacrifices and in many of them, there is a constant qualifier.
“If anyone commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the Lord, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation, a ram without blemish out of the flock, valued in silver shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering.
Leviticus 5:15
“But if you sin unintentionally, and do not observe all these commandments that the Lord has spoken to Moses, all that the Lord has commanded you by Moses, from the day that the Lord gave commandment, and onward throughout your generations, then if it was done unintentionally without the knowledge of the congregation, all the congregation shall offer one bull from the herd for a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the Lord, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the rule, and one male goat for a sin offering.
Numbers15:22-24
One could be forgiven for thinking the distinction of “unintentional sins” is to differentiate it from the sacrifice for intentional sin. However, it may surprise some to realize God gave no provision in the law he gave to Moses for those who arrogantly continue to do what they know is wrong.
But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the Lord, and that person shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken his commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him.”
Numbers 15:30-31
The Perfect Sacrifice
These sacrifices never redeemed anyone. They were instead a type used to teach people before Christ was revealed to trust in his sacrificial work. The people offering these sacrifices were saved by Christ through faith just as we all are.
But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Hebrews 10:3-4
Is the lesson of these sacrifices that Christ’s sacrifice can not redeem people who have ever knowingly sinned? No, his sacrifice is sufficient for all the sins of those who believe. However, there is a lesson here for those who believe they can use the blood of Christ to validate unrepentant sin.
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
Romans 2:4-5
Saving faith is faith that leads to repentance. Grace is given to those who enter into Christ’s death and resurrection with him (Romans 6). Christ didn’t die so we could continue in our sins without the consequences. He died to free us from our sins!
This is why church discipline (which some would even call unloving) is actually the most loving thing a community can do for someone who is unrepentant in their sins. To keep fellowship with a person who sins without remorse is to give them the false impression that their lip service to the sacrifice Christ offered for his people sanctifies their sins, when in truth it sanctifies the person who believes.
When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 5:4-5
Only by casting this man out of fellowship was in possible for the Corinthians to contribute to his repentance.
Not By Works
Many may be thinking now that this means a person must attain some level of moral perfection in order to be saved. Only absolute perfection can save someone from the judgement of a holy God. This is why we trust fully in the righteousness of Christ rather than our own works. However, if we are going to trust in that righteousness we declare it to be what is best.
Ultimately, we all act based on what we believe is best. When we sin, it shows that we either didn’t know the will of God or that we believe our way to be better than his. If it is because we truly reject God’s way as inferior, we are not trusting in him and his righteousness any longer.
As with all sin, the solution is to repent! Christ is able to save even the most stubborn person who humbly comes to the one who is faithful even when we have not been and is able to save. If you know that you are living your life for sin than know that sin is still your master. Christ is the only one able to set you free from this slavery. Your master is evil and his wages are death, but Christ took what we deserved upon himself to free us to serve the God of the universe, who alone is truly good.
