(Leviticus 5)
Some sins are intentional while some others are unintentional. But whether a sin is intentional or not, it must be admitted at time, confessed, forgiven, the sinner is purified and an offering for the forgiveness is made to the Lord.
Let me give you a few examples of unintentional sin; you are driving on against traffic on a one-way road, but you didn’t know it is an offence because you are a new driver, or a learner, when you are caught by a traffic controller, you MUST admit first that you committed an offence, and plead for forgiveness, that doesn’t mean you will not be fined.
Good! An intentional sin is when you know that you are not to steal or rape and you do and you are caught, you must admit guilt, confess the sin and plead for forgiveness, that doesn’t mean you will not be jailed or punished, but you will be forgiven.
Let’s go to the Bible:
Verse one of Leviticus 5: “If you are called to testify about something you have seen or that you know about, it is sinful to refuse to testify, and you will be punished for your sin.”
If you work in a place and you see people doing things that are wrong, maybe you didn’t even partake in the act, but when there is an investigation in the office and you are questioned and they get to know that you knew all along that these acts were being committed in the office and you failed to talk, you will also be found guilty. The present system of the world crime, calls it “an accomplice”, in politics you may even be charged with treason.
Also when you make a commitment, you promise to do something, and you fail to do it, when you realize what you have done, you must admit your guilt.
It’s the same with God. Then when you have sinned, any time you sin, you must admit your sin, (Read Leviticus 5: 2)
In Leviticus, this is how the Bible puts it;
“Or suppose you make a foolish vow of any kind, whether its purpose is for good or for bad. When you realize its foolishness, you must admit your guilt. When you become aware of your guilt in any of these ways, you must confess your sin” Leviticus 5: 4-5
“Then you must ask for forgiveness of sin from God, after which you will be purified”
So at every point in time, a sinner MUST realize his/her sin and admit guilt, then ask for forgiveness. Even unintentional sins must be forgiven after you have discovered you sinned.
Leviticus 5: 17 “supposing you sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands. Even if you are unaware of what you have done, you are guilty and will be punished for your sin.
It is also good to give a sacrifice to the Lord for your forgiveness of sin.
The Old Testament has not been discarded, but some of its cultural doctrines were abolished by Jesus who brought better and a cleaner doctrine that hates dirtiness and uncleanliness, shedding of blood, be it that of man or animal, where you can make sacrifice without sprinkling blood or making animal sacrifices, your offerings in many ways, are like those animal sacrifices of the Old Testament.
Now the money that would be used in purchasing those animals for sacrifices can be given as an offering to God, through the church. While praying on your offering, you can offer a simple prayer like… “Thank you Lord for this offering, please accept it as an offering- sacrifice for the forgiveness of my sins”, which you have already confessed (don’t forget this), and you will be forgiven and purified.
The offering is given to the church’s priest (man of God, pastor) just like in the OT, the animals for sacrifices were brought to the priest to use in performing the sacrifice to God.
The OT priests are like our present day pastors, bishops, and men of God. They have the spiritual jurisdiction to pray to God and seek for the forgiveness and deliverance of a sinner. But you must first admit your guilt, confess it, and ask for the forgiveness of sin. (Please read Leviticus 5).
God bless you.
CITY Pastor
For more information contact: citypastor@ackcity.net

Notice: Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotation are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation

Source: http://citofgod..com/2015/04/understanding-what-sin-is-and-how-to-be.html