Unintentional Sin

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Today’s Readings: Leviticus 4-7; Hebrews 3

Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. Hebrews 3:5–6, ESV

The author of the book of Hebrews (we are uncertain who he or she may be) addresses his audience as “holy brothers (and sisters).” Consider how significant it is that we can be called holy. Do you think you qualify to be called holy? Maybe you do. Most days I do not because I am aware of personal thoughts, attitudes, and actions that fall short of God’s glory. Moreover, there are probably many more ways that I miss the mark and I don’t even realize it.

In Leviticus God spoke to Moses about “unintentional” sin. These were violations of God’s law that the people committed “by mistake” or without even thinking about it. There are a couple of things we should understand about these unintentional sins.

First, they were transgressions and the people who committed them were guilty. These sins required atonement, which means it did not matter whether or not they were committed consciously, the person was still culpable. That’s actually how the law works. There was a reason it was written in stone. It is fixed and it applies only in the most rigid way. There are no loopholes or exceptions. Ignorance is no excuse and innocence should not be assumed. We are all aware of ways that we fall short of God’s glory. What we are unaware of is how far short we fall and how often we fall!

Thankfully, God is merciful and has made a way for us to be forgiven of our many sins, both known and unknown! In Leviticus that involved an elaborate system of sacrifices and offerings, each one calibrated to atone for the people’s transgressions, assuage their guilt, and restore fellowship with God. God gave those instructions to Moses, who faithfully carried out all of His commands. He was a faithful servant in God’s house, Hebrews says, which at that time was the temporary tabernacle. “But Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son” (Hebrews 3:6). Jesus gives us a better hope! He has made that old system obsolete and now “we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.”

That’s the second thing we should understand about those unintentional sins: You are more likely to commit them when you are unintentional. In other words, if you are not focused on obeying God it is easier for you to disobey God. That’s why Hebrews says that we should “hold fast” to our confidence in Christ. The real problem with Israel was not that they committed careless sins (we all do sometimes!), but that they cared less about following God. That’s what God said about that generation: “They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways” (verse 10). Again, your heart is the heart of the issue. If you have a heart to know the Lord, then you will follow Christ and keep yourself in the love of God.

I exhort you today, Friends, hold fast to the hope that we have in Jesus Christ! Don’t let your heart be hardened. Abide in Him and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. I hope you have a great day!