“But I didn’t mean to.” “That wasn’t my intention.” These are words often used to excuse, gloss over, or at least soften our sin.
Now it’s true that we can sin unintentionally. We are unaware of so many things. The question is…does being unaware or unintentional in our sin lessen sin’s impact or consequences? According to Leviticus chapter 4, the answer is “no.”
Leviticus chapter 4 specifically addresses unintentional sin in verses 2, 13, 22, and 27. This chapter repeatedly states that those who commit unintentional sin are still guilty. Not only are they guilty, they must follow specific steps to have that sin atoned for.
Offering a sacrifice for the atonement of unintentional sin requires an individual to:
- Become aware of their sin. (Lev.4:14, 23, 28)
- Take ownership of their sin and confess it. (Lev. 4:3-4,14-15, 28-29)
- Realize that blood must be shed if the sin is to be atoned for. (Lev. 4:4-7,15-18, 24-25, 29-30)
God does not allow us to gloss over our sin; even unintentional sin. All sin must be recognized and dealt with through the payment of a life…ours or someone else’s.
When we treat unintentional sin lightly, we treat the shed blood of Christ (The Lamb of God) lightly. When we’re made aware of our sin, may we own it, confess it, apply the blood of Christ’s sacrifice to it, and turn from it.
Bret Legg is the Teaching and Counseling Pastor at Warren Baptist Church in Augusta, GA.
I loved the explanation above . When l wanted to repent from my old sins people or preachers were often saying to me for eg the sins were nailed on the cross,you are born again all things are new .Dont worry about old sin , dont condemn yourself .
Which is not true and l think they should know the explanation done on this blog and Lev 4 to change their views and to open their eyes . Be at peace with everyone even with the old or unintentional sins committed against them a long time ago.
It’s a difficult topic. We don’t want to get buried under the guilt of countless unintentional sins….many of which we might still be unaware. Yet we don’t want to be flippant or cavalier about sin…even if it’s unintentional. That’s why we need Christ to atone for our sin (intentional and unintentional) and the Holy Spirit to make us aware of our sin and how we should deal with it. It’s a balance between God’s work already done and our work yet to do. Thanks so much for reading!