An unintentional sin is done unconsciously. It is omitting to do what we ought to have done or doing what we ought not to have done without intent. It is when our deeds run counter to God’s will though none premeditated. Sin is sin whether or not our deeds manifest in word, thought, deed or in any other means contrary to God’s will. Lack of intent does not mean we have not fallen foul of what is right before God.
In ordinary life, we say ignorance of the law excuses no one. This is because an offence is proved not only by intent but the state of affairs. Generally some offences are absolute or inexcusable examples include running a red light or parking wrongfully. Sin is therefore anything which runs counter to God’s pleasure or his divine principle. Hosea 4:6 says my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. It is not possible for any man to be without sin.
So, 1 John 1:8-9 say if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have no sin because we are ignorant of our sins of commission or omission or without intent, we equate ourselves to God and that is blasphemy. Romans 3:10 says there is none righteous except God. Also, Romans 3: 23 says we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Biblical examples of unintentional sin
Numbers 15: 22-24 say if you err, and do not observe all these commandments which the Lord has spoken to Moses, all that the Lord has commanded you by Moses, from the day that the Lord gave commandment, and onward throughout your generations, then if it was done unwittingly without the knowledge of the congregation, all the congregation shall offer one young bull for a burnt offering, a pleasing odor to the Lord, with its cereal offering and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and on male goat for a sin offering. So, sin without knowledge must be atoned and cannot be ignored.
Many of us rely on worldly criteria to opine that there is no sin if our conduct is not injurious to man. In response, James 2: 10 says for whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said do not commit adultery said also do not kill. If you do not commit adultery but to kill, you have become a transgressor of the law. We cannot choose and pick from the law which to obey and not to obey. It is also not humanly possible to obey all God’s laws hence we have God’s grace to cover our sins if we submit in confession to God in truth and in faith.
Paul described his unintentional sin as his weakness or thorn in the flesh. 2 Corinthians 12: 7 says, and to keep me from being elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. So, Paul’s thorn was Satan’s harassment to stop him from being too elated by the abundance of revelations. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12: 8-9 three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. I will all the more gladly boast of my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Do we seek God’s face in our weaknesses?
The blood sacrifice (Christ Jesus)
In Numbers 15: 24 unintentional sin was to be placated by animal blood sacrifice. Now, Jesus Christ has rather sacrificed his blood for us forever. Hebrews 10: 14 says for by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. John 1: 29 said of Jesus, behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This encompasses both intentional and unintentional sins. Also, 1 Corinthians 5: 7 says for Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed.
This is explained in 1 Peter 1: 18-19 saying, you know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. This explains why we are prone to ancestral curses dating back to generations before us if they were not confessed. Revelation 5: 12 says worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing. We become conquerors with Christ the Lamb over evil when we confess our sin for pardon.
One law and one Christ for sin
There is only one law for all natives and strangers. Numbers 15: 29 says you shall have one law for him who does anything unwittingly, for him who is a native among the people of Israel, and for the stranger who sojourns among them. God’s law of confession is for any sin including unintentional sin and for everyone. In Numbers 15: 26 even strangers who sojourned among the people of Israel were forgiven after the offering. Today all of us are equally forgiven as strangers in the kingdom because of Jesus.
Galatians 3:28 says there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, because you are all one in Christ Jesus. So, one law applies to all. Galatians 4: 4-5 also say but when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. In Numbers 15: 25 the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of Israel, and they shall be forgiven; because it was an error, and they have brought their offering, an offering by fire to the Lord, and their sin offering before the Lord, for their error.
Christ Jesus is our high priest to undertake the offering for us. Hebrews 5: 6, 10; 6: 20; 7: 17 say thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek. We must confess all sins even if done in error or by accident. Upon confession, we will be reunited with Christ as one body walking in his love and fragrance of his holiness in God. Ephesians 5: 2 says, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. God demands a clean heart as a sweet offering.
God’s grace through Christ Jesus
Sin which is not confessed remains punishable. We are not saved by good works but by grace no matter who we are. Ephesians 2: 4-5 says but God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). Ephesians 2: 8 also says for by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God. Pray with us now for God’s pardon by grace in Christ Jesus.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for your word of life and truth. As our high priest and God’s sacrificial lamb for us by whose blood we eternally receive atonement for our sins, heal us of all our sins and save our souls today. Humble our hearts to obey your word of life and truth in your holy name, Amen!!
