Which category would you be in?
I find it interesting that for unintentional sin under the Mosaic law, there was forgiveness through the ritual sacrifices, but if you intentionally and defiantly sinned in anything, it was considered blaspheming the Lord and you were to be cut off. In other words, there was no forgiveness for that intentional sin.
Think about your life even as I think about mine. Which category of sin do you find yourself in most often? Too many times, I have sinned willfully. In the Mosiac community, I would have been completely cut off or maybe even killed. In the next few verses, we read of the man who was gathering wood on the Sabbath day - that would be intentional sin. He was stoned for it. Now think to the New Testament and some of the things Jesus was doing. Can you understand why the Pharisees were so upset with his actions in breaking the Sabbath?
All I know is that with the sacrificial death of Christ and His mighty resurrection, I am able to receive forgiveness for all my sin, unintentional and intentional. And His Spirit is working to sanctify me and make me more like Christ each day. I hate sin and I pray for God to make me hate sin even more. I praise Him for His love and forgiveness that does not cut me off from community, but restores my soul and reconciles me to Himself.
Created about 2 years ago
