Unintentional

There have been times when I did something stupid without much thought given to the consequences. I have made stupid choices that thankfully didn’t harm me or anyone else. There is a difference when I calculate these dumb choices and make them anyway versus wandering along and goof up. There is a marked difference between something being unintentional and premeditated.

The Lord made provisions for the community when unintentionally they disobeyed a law or a regulation. He also made provisions for individuals who sinned unintentionally. Check this out…

27 ‘“But if just one person sins unintentionally, that person must bring a year-old female goat for a sin offering. 28 The priest is to make atonement before the Lord for the one who erred by sinning unintentionally, and when atonement has been made, that person will be forgiven. 29 One and the same law applies to everyone who sins unintentionally, whether a native-born Israelite or a foreigner residing among you.

30 ‘“But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or foreigner, utters blasphemy against the Lord and must be cut off from the people of Israel. 31 Because they have despised the Lord’s word and broken his commands, they must surely be cut off; their guilt remains on them.”’ (Numbers 15:27-31 NIV)

Unintentional sin still needed atonement.

Unintentional sin still needed forgiven.

Unintentional sin is still sin.

Premeditated sin and defiant sin would not be forgiven.

When I read through the different laws of the Old Testament, many of them are quite complicated and I’m pretty sure I would have been a complete failure under the law. I’m thankful for grace and mercy ushered in by Jesus, The One and Only Son of God. His sacrifice became the last sacrifice needed for sin. His sacrifice covers my unintentional sin as well as my stupid premeditated sin.

I really want to honor the Lord with my life. It hurts my heart to know that I’ve hurt Him with my sin. His grace is relentless in pursuit of my heart. It seems to me that the Old Testament was about behavior modification and the New Testament is about heart modification. If the Lord has my heart, my behavior follows. This is a lot easier to say than do. There is a constant battle for my heart. The enemy knows that if he can get to my heart, then he has me. The Lord speaks often about heart change because that is the center of who I am. I want the Lord to intentionally rule and reign in my heart because my behavior follows my heart.

Pressing On!

Dwayne