A few weeks ago, I was reading Leviticus.\u00a0 I was puzzled by the reference to\u00a0sin offerings for “unintentional” sins.\u00a0 Why the particular reference to “unintentional” sins?\u00a0 We all sin – it’s part of our human nature.\u00a0 But if the bible makes a particular reference to unintentional sins, then\u00a0it seems like there would be a reason for doing so.\u00a0 Is there some explicit or inherent distinction between unintentional and intentional sins?\u00a0 Maybe the two are subject to different\u00a0consequences.\u00a0 And if this is the case, what are the consequences for intentional sins?\u00a0 This concerns me because many who profess to be Christians live in sin – in complete disregard\u00a0of God’s call for us to be obedient.\u00a0\u00a0With great intention, we abide in sin.\u00a0 Often, Christian leaders effectively teach us that this is okay, that\u00a0we cannot be perfect,\u00a0that sanctification is work in progress, and that the blood of Jesus atones for our sins.\u00a0 All these statements are true.\u00a0\u00a0However, how do you reconcile\u00a0these statements\u00a0with Hebrews, which teaches that if we intentionally continue to sin after receiving knowledge of the truth, there is no longer a sacrifice for our sins?\u00a0 And if the process of sanctification is interpreted as providing an excuse or license for our sins, then what was the point of Jesus teaching that He came to fulfill the law, not to do away with it?\u00a0 And why does the New Testament teach so much about repentance unless it plays some role in the continued work of Jesus, in our sanctification, in our salvation?\u00a0\u00a0It’s seems like obedience and repentance remain important.\u00a0\u00a0And repentance demands that\u00a0we turn away from our sins.\u00a0 In order to repent, we must strive to be obedient to God, to do His will.\u00a0 Without the law, what do we use to gauge our behavior, whether it is sinful, whether it is within God’s will?\u00a0 If we don’t repent, if we continue to live in sin, in violation of God’s will,\u00a0contrary to\u00a0His law, if we sin intentionally, considering the teachings of Hebrews, then are we at risk of eternal suffering?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A few weeks ago, I was reading Leviticus.\u00a0 I was puzzled by the reference to\u00a0sin offerings for “unintentional” sins.\u00a0 Why the particular reference to “unintentional” sins?\u00a0 We all sin – it’s part of our human nature.\u00a0 But if the bible makes a particular reference to unintentional sins, then\u00a0it seems like there would be a reason…
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