Seize the Moment – Day 524
Ignorance is No Excuse!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, August 23.
Have you ever heard someone say, “ignorance is no excuse”?
The law is an objective standard by which our actions are measured. If a police officer pulls you over for speeding and you say you didn’t know that the speed limit on I-70 went from 70 to 55 in the Indianapolis area, the police officer would still hold you accountable to the law.
Leviticus 4 teaches about the sin offering, specifically for sins that were committed unintentionally by the people. Listen for this truth in Leviticus 4:2, 13, 22, and 27:
If a person sins unintentionally in any of the things which the Lord has commanded not to be done … Now if the whole congregation of Israel commits error and the matter escapes the notice of the assembly, … When a leader sins and unintentionally does any one of all the things which the Lord his God has commanded not to be done, … Now if anyone of the common people sins unintentionally in doing any of the things which the Lord has commanded not to be done. [italics added]
Unintentional sin is a real issue. Sometimes we sin without intent. We simply fall short in our thoughts, speech, activities, and relationships. Sometimes these unintentional sins are not even things we do, but things we don’t do.
While it is true that ignorance is no excuse, praise God that even when we don’t know to ask for forgiveness of a particular sin, Jesus’ blood “cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). This is God’s truth and grace!
Seize the moment and seek God daily. Be at peace with God and with yourself because you are forgiven and set free from sin to live for God!