|
 Read
carefully Numbers 15:22-31 if you wish to understand how God
regarded "unwitting" sin-- by the congregation, or by
the individual, under law. The K.J. version reads, "by
ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation,"
"and if any soul sin through ignorance." In each case,
"ignorant" (unintentional, unwitting) sin was still
sin and could separate one from God. If not, it is difficult to
understand why "sin offering," "atonement,"
and "forgiveness" are essential.
The
meaning or definition of "unwitting sin" is
established by contrast. Verse 30, "But the soul that doeth
aught "with a high hand" ("presumptuously"-K.J.)...
"shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon
him." "Because he hath despised the word of Jehovah,
and hath broken His commandment" (v.31). One might desire
to serve God, and be doing everything within his knowledge and
ability to obey Him, and yet "sin unwittingly." By
regular "sin offerings" made, not for a known specific
sin, but for the "unwitting" contingencies, the person
(1) recognized his sinfulness, (2) the damning nature of such
sins, and (3) his need for the mercies of God.
It
seems to me there is no less a need for this attitude today.
Repeated questions on this subject may be spin-off from the
"grace" controversy but may also indicate the
heart-felt concern of humble Christians, wanting to serve God
acceptably and yet aware of their imperfect knowledge and/or
weakness of the flesh. I believe Paul had "all truth,"
but he did not always do as well as he knew to do (Rom. 7:14-25;
Phil. 3:12-f). He did not hesitate to call his unwilling
(unintentional)
| |
misdeeds "sin;" and he certainly recognized his need for mercy
through Jesus Christ, our sin offering. "Willful sin"
is distinguished from the sins of people who continue to regard
Christ as their sacrifice (Heb. 10:26-f). In such passages we
seem to have a counterpart to the lesson of Numbers 15.
"Walking
in the light" and "confessing our sins" of 1 Jn.
1:7-9 are both present active — indicating continual process.
They depict a manner of life or attitude by which we "pray
without ceasing" (1 Thes. 5:17). Those walking in the light
are imperfect creatures, "in fellowship" with God only
through His mercy, and the forgiveness of sin made possible by
the blood of His Son.
Confusion
has arisen on this matter because some have said
"unwitting" misdeeds would not be regarded as sin —
and that is error; while others have accepted the fanciful
theory of Christ's perfect life imputed to us, so that God sees
that life instead of ours — another error. We need not assume
either absolute perfection on the part of a saint; or a
conscious particular sin and confession; to satisfy the demands
of 1 Jn. 1:8-f. We have an Advocate with the Father... and He is
the propitiation for our sins.
There
is nothing in this to excuse sin; nothing to negate our need to
recognize our sins, confess them, and ask His forgiveness. In
fact, our need for continual trust, in a continual sin-offering
(Heb. 9:14) who "ever liveth to make intercession"
(Heb. 7; 25), is greatly emphasized.
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
