Intentional Sin - Leviticus 4

In Leviticus 4 there are provisions made for sins committed "unintentionally." We might note that there are no offerings provided for "intentional" sins. It seems to go without saying that God does not expect His people to sin intentionally nor does He make a provision for them to do so.

Is this idea propagated in the New Testament? Yes, it is.

Romans 6:1-4 (NKJV)
^"1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ² Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? ³ Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Although all of our sins are covered in Christ, past, present, and future; it is expected that we not continue in a life of sin. We have been saved from death to live a new life, a life in Christ, a life characterized by His righteousness and His example. 

Beloved you are free from sin. Live no longer in it.  

Without Blemish - Lev 3

Growing older, I have noticed something very strange. Where my skin used to be clear, there are now marks and blemishes. I have moles I did not have before, and other assorted spots, marks, and scars. A funny thing has happened to my face too. Wrinkles have appeared and my hair has turned gray and is falling out at an increasing pace. Now I will admit to my share of vanity, but these are the sorts of things I have never thought too much about. I supposed ladies did that, thereby keeping the cosmetics and beauty industry a booming business. But perhaps we all might admit, if we could be spotless, without blemish, no age spots, scars, moles, marks, disfigurements, etc. we probably would choose to be so.

In Lev. 3, the Lord required that the peace offering be made from the herd without blemish. That would have been a very special offering the people of that day, a fellowship offering to God, an offering in which they could eat some of the meat, having burned some and given some to the priests.

What then, do we have to offer God given that none of us are without blemish? We are all spotted, marked, and scarred in some way. Sin and its deadly effects have taken their toll on each of us, not just by outward marks, but by inward marks on the soul. In such a condition what do we have to offer God? Is there any hope?

Yes, there is, for a spotless offering has been made on our behalf, and being part of that family, we are able to have peace with God. What was that offering? It was Jesus Christ. He was the spotless lamb of God who was given to make peace and we are those who by faith receive the blessing of His sacrifice.

 May the peace of God guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.