Ignorance of the Law...Is Forgiven!

As a child, I recall using the word "ignorant" to describe someone. It was meant to describe them as disgusting. In my ignorance, I didn't even know the meaning of the word. Obviously, that's not what it means. Webster's 1936 defines the word as meaning "destitute of knowledge; uninstructed; uninformed". The ignorant person has either chosen to be uninformed or has not had the benefit of a proper education in the matter. Here's hoping the latter is more the case, as it was with my ignorance.

Hebrews 9:7 refers to sins "committed in ignorance":

Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.

God, through the author of Hebrews is here referring to the Day of Atonement. The priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle a sacrifice of blood on the mercy seat on behalf of himself and God's people, Israel. Those sins were not for God's people (there is never an option to sin for the people of God) and carried with them consequences suitable to meet the trespass. The Day of Atonement was not intended to absolve the people of sins committed with intent, in defiance of the law of God; this was atonement for sins committed in ignorance, because one was unaware. Of something.

How was I supposed to know? Watch any sort of video where law enforcement is attempting to do their job, and sooner or later, someone will ask that very question. (The response used to be, "Ignorance of the law is no excuse." In this day, where litigation is simply next level, I'm not sure that holds water.) But a breach of the law, is still a breach of the law. And God's law is no exception. If it's wrong, it's wrong. Just because you've never read the entirety of Arizona's driving laws doesn't make an infraction right. Just because you weren't instructed in said laws doesn't make the trespass disappear. They must be atoned for. Likewise, maybe you're driving with a screaming toddler in the back seat, the guy behind you has been on your bumper for the past three miles, and you're pretty sure that noise from under the hood is getting louder. Distractions, right? Seconds later, lights in the rearview, your heart races, and you find you were completely ignorant to the drop in speed limit through that tiny little town. One, a law you didn't know; the other, an infraction you unknowingly committed. Sins committed in ignorance. 

That is incredibly good news! --at least, the atonement of those sins. And the atonement spoken of in Hebrews 9, even more so! The ignorance of the Israelites was atoned for on the day the priest entered the room behind the veil. My ignorance today is atoned for by the High priest who tore the veil and gained access to the presence of God for those who would join with Him! To know my stupidity, my mortality and its shortcomings will not be held against me is the good news of the Good News! 

That's not just a free piece of literature. The forgiveness purchased at the cross --for our sins, intentional and ignorant --required death, the blood of a perfect Sacrifice. The God of the universe made a way, is the way of atonement. As such, He does not slip into the background waiting to be acknowledged as the escape from perdition for the next broken individual: He is an infinite God, worthy of our utmost reverence and our whole-hearted worship; a personal God who adopts us into His family; a hands-on God, working to make us more like Jesus; and an organized God who establishes rules for our behavior to both protect us and to honor Him. He atones and disciplines. So, those intentional sins, those sins not committed in ignorance? Well, it's expected --Yes, there are expectations; it's not a handout --it's expected we would not commit sin intentionally. We are not bystanders and neither is God. We are present, we and He. We are part of His body. As such we uphold His image. And when we fail (because we all have those moments) we confess those intentional sins immediately (1 John 1:9) and trust the ones committed in ignorance to the blood of our most gracious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!