“So the priest shall make atonement for the person who sins unintentionally, when he sins unintentionally before the LORD, to make atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.”

Numbers 15:28 (NKJV)

Ignorance of the law is never an excuse…or so I’ve been told. While on vacation in North Carolina, I unknowingly violated one of their traffic laws. As I saw the blue lights approaching me, I pulled over to let him pass, thinking he was after someone else. But then he pulled behind me, making it clear that I was his target! My ignorance of the law did not make me innocent, although it was an unintentional sin.

In God’s Law, atonement was provided for unintentional sins. When you became aware of your sin, you had to bring the proper offering. For an individual, this was a female goat. It was sacrificed as a sin offering, and God would forgive you of your sin. However, under the old covenant there was no atonement for presumptuous sins. The person who sinned intentionally would be cut off from his people because he despised the word of the LORD. Ouch!

Thankfully, we live under the new covenant where there is only one unpardonable sin: the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I believe this is resisting the Holy Spirit’s testimony of Jesus Christ until He finally leaves you alone, saying, “Your will be done.” But we should never take sin lightly–especially deliberate sin. It carries a high price tag.

Thanks for reading. I’m glad you’re here. 😊

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