Leviticus 4 - It's What You Know

One of the great complexities of faith we encounter is what happens when we sin unintentionally?  As sinners we are prone to sin - even after receiving forgiveness for the sins we have committed in the past we continue to sin even if we are unaware. God offers a plan. 

First of all, God's laws were to be kept before the people to contrast their ways with God's and so that they may be aware if their sin. Once the person, priest or community became aware of their sin, they were to bring an offering to God for the remission of sin. The offering became needed once a person became aware. 

While the blood offerings pointed to the Deliverer to come, Jesus being the offering that all mankind must trust on for the salvation of their souls. He died long after the Old Testament population became aware of their sin. The offering of the animals became a marker in time of their confession and humility before God. Jesus came long before I became aware if my sin, but not before God was aware of my need for a blood offering to exchange for my life. The penalty for sin has always been death. Not the kind of death the animals died, but eternal death -separation from God Himself. Hell. 

Unintentional sin is evidence of how deeply sin is rooted in our being. We don't choose it - it is deep within us just looking for a way to manifest itself. We are utterly hopeless and unable to save ourselves from our sinful state. Unless God himself prescribed the remedy, we would all be destined for eternal separation. Intentional sin is outward rebellion against God. We know to choose rightly, but we do not choose the path of righteousness. Intentional sin is shameful and unintentional sin is pervasive; both are deserving of death. 

Someone is out there right now making a case- I feel it. They are saying, but God did not require a sacrifice for sin unless you were made aware if the sin. Isn't it true that Satan has deceived the unbelievers causing them not to see their sin?  Yes, but God has made creation an even greater force than Satan himself. We are not without ability to see the contrast of our need compared with God's glory. Romans 1:20-21 tell us, "for since the creation of the world God's invisible power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God not gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their hearts were darkened". 

So the application for us as stewards is that we are responsible for what we know. We who are aware if God's plan of salvation are responsible for sharing it with those who are unaware that they have a hope if Heaven. We are responsible for applying God's word to our lives and living our life in light of the word. We are responsible for the talents, skills, health and financial provision God has given us to use them wisely and for God's glory. We have been given much and we need to apply ourselves for the glory of God so that we can enjoy the treasure of Heaven. 

Consider all you know today and give God glory. 

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him.