S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The book of Leviticus required different offerings based on whether a sin was intentional or unintentional. Does this mean God views unintentional sins differently?Not exactly. It is clear that God...

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January 22 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Paul Bayne Supporter Business Owner, Husband and Father of Four Kids & Blogger

Mankind is under the curse of the law. Every sin, whether it be intentional or unintentional, is punishable by God with death and hell. You cannot help but sin, because your sin nature compels you to do so. Being unsaved a good portion of my life, I sinned even when I didn't know it, because of the curse within me. 

Now, since God saved me and declared me righteous in His sight through the singular work of Christ on the cross, my slate is wiped clean. His mercies are new every morning, and I stand accepted and holy in His presence. Not by anything I have done for I could not have done anything to save myself, but because Christ took the cup in my place and drank it dry. When I sin, Christ's atoning work is there to wash me clean. I don't have to sacrifice or do anything to make myself acceptable anymore for Christ alone accomplished this task. Do I cry over my sin? Yes. Am I constantly broken over my flesh? Yes. Do I ask for forgiveness? Yes. But only out of a spirit of remorse and appreciation.

If you are saved by Christ's work alone (you will understand if you have been truly saved), then intentional or unintentional sin makes no difference and has no bearing on your relationship with Him...UNLESS, you are habitually sinning and refuse to go to Him for help, then you are hurting that beautiful relationship and God will punish you accordingly.

January 24 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Faith Cross Supporter Pastor/Line Supervisor at a car parts factory

Everyone who has responded to this answer has had many good things to say and to point out. Recently I have been noting that the Bible usually speaks of both transgressions and iniquities. Where as we tend to combine it all together as sin, there is definitely a difference between the two. 

To my understanding, transgressions are an outward act of the flesh when we sin against ourselves or another person. Iniquity is different in that they are inward sins which have become so common to our way of thinking that often we are not even aware that these ways are sin. 

We all have certain "ways" that we act or think, and to us they may seem right. But as Proverbs 16:25 says, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Often our ways have been passed down to us through the family line. We do not recognise them as sin because this is the way that the family all acts or thinks, it has actually become part of our DNA and inherited sin. It is often because of our iniquities, and the way that we think, that we transgress because of this thinking. 

However, whether the sin is a transgression or an iniquity, Jesus Christ paid for it all. Isaiah 53:5 says, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." He was wounded and bled outwardly for the sins that we commit outwardly, (transgressions) and He bled inwardly, was bruised, for our inward sins. (iniquities)

We need to pray and ask God to reveal our "ways" to us so that we can see for ourselves which of our ways are not His ways. Hebrews 4:12 has already been quoted by another responder, but is a great verse to show that God's word has the power to bring to light and cut away those things that are part of our thinking and intentions and even to the level of our DNA which is formed in our marrow.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

January 29 2014 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Nathan Toronga Supporter Christian Elder.

I suppose we need to somehow define 'sin'.

Yes, God views unintentional and intentional sins differently. However, both types result in death (Romans 6:23), but God will pardon unintentional sins if we repent (Acts 17:30).

If we keep on sinning willfully after we have come to a knowledge of the truth, God will not pardon such sin. Hebrews 10:26-27.

Which brings us to the crucial question: what is sin? 1 John 3:4 KJV states, '..for sin is the transgression of the law'. So Paul, at Hebrews 10:26-27, is saying that if we deliberately keep on transgressing the law, after we have come to a knowledge of the truth, then no sacrifice for sin remains. We are doomed for destruction.

Our God is just: He overlooks times of ignorance, but calls on all men everywhere to repent.

Bless.

February 10 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report