In this episode we continue studying the book of Leviticus. In this episode, laws for sin offerings are given.

The sin offering addressed sins committed in ignorance or unintentionally,

A sacrifice was required when they became aware of the sin. Blood had to be shed to atone for the guilt, they were guilty of sin although they did not know they were sinning.

We note that scripture says without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin, sin cannot be forgiven, unless blood is shed.

Life is in the blood and death is in sin. So if blood is shed life can be given to the one who is dead because of sin.

We note that all of mankind was dead in sins and trespasses. And only one person had life in himself and that was Christ.

God received, Christ's human life, as a sacrifice for our sin, now our sins are forgiven. He raised him from the dead, and he is willing to raise us from the dead if we abide in Christ.

We note that God’s grace covered them during their time of ignorance. But when they became aware of their sin they had to bring a sacrifice, to receive forgivenness and avoid judgment.

Strong’s says, ignorance means to stray, mislead, to mistake, to err, to transgress, to make to wander, to sin through ignorance.

We often sin through ignorance, we mistakenly sin, because we don’t know the word of God or His character. God is Love.

This is what happened to Paul, who said, he ignorantly persecuted the church. But God had mercy on him because he did it in ignorance.

Acts chapter 8 verse 3 says, Paul persecuted members of the church to the death and put many in prison.

He ignorantly believed he was defending God and was protecting the one true religion.

But he was in error. He tells a little bit of his testimony to Timothy in 1 Timothy chapter 1 verses 12 through 17.

Here’s the text:

1Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

1Timothy 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

1Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

1Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

1Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

1Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We note that in this chapter God addressed the sin of the Priest, the individual, and the Congregation as a whole, as well as the ruler of the people.

Sometimes we are all guilty of sin but don’t know it.

But we have a high priest, named Jesus Christ, who was also the lamb of God, who said He came to save man’s life not destroy them, atonement has been made for us and God has mercy on us.

Now we are becoming aware of our sin and aware of his gracious gift of atonement provided by Jesus Christ.

And as Paul noted in Acts 17:30, that God for a while winks at ignorance, for a while he overlooks it. But now commands all men every where to repent.

We must repent because Jesus came the first time as a meek and mild mannered man, ready to die for the sins of the world.

But when he returns the second time, he won’t be so meek and mild, he’s coming to subdue his enemies and we don’t want to be caught on the wrong side because of ignorance.

He said, if he returns and his servants aren’t ready, they will be counted with unbelievers.

Here’s the text:

Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

Luke 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Luke 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

Luke 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Luke 12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Luke 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

Luke 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

We must be prepared to meet Christ whether by death or when he appears with all his angels to separate the good from the evil and establish God’s kingdom on earth.