LEVITICUS 4:1-3
A man was driving when he accidentally entered the wrong traffic lane. A picture of his license plate was taken, and a ticket was mailed to him. He was upset that despite his unintended transgression, he would still have to pay a fine.
Even an unintentional violation of God’s commands was viewed very seriously by ancient Jews. Unintentional transgressions were acknowledged in the Old Testament and atoned for with the proper sacrifices.
Intentional action is necessary for unintentional sin. Sincere ignorance of our sin does not lessen our guilt or its consequences. In fact, unintentional sins could cause the most damage.
Old Testament sacrifices served as more than just a warning that unintentional wrongs have repercussions. They were offered in the hope that God, in His grace, would make up for any wrongs we committed without realising it. He accomplished this by having Jesus die in our place. The grace of God is much more abundant than we can possibly conceive!
🙏🏼”We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us…”
(Book of Common Prayer, 1662)
