“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26).
Fleshly minded people just will not come to realize the catastrophic impact sin has on our relationship with God: “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). Sin is what Satan uses to keep mankind separated from God. But the God we serve is willing to forgive sin through His grace that teaches us to deny the world’s philosophy (Titus 2:11-12). Some know God’s grace as His willingness to forgive our sin, but do we also know God’s grace as His willingness to provide a way for us to overcome sin? Although God’s desire for us is to be holy and blameless, we must make the choice to remain in His grace by staying free from sin. We must be willing to respond to His grace.
Numbers 15 reveals God showing us two types of sin. He shows us willful sin and then He also brings to light the idea of sin done in ignorance. David spoke of sin in these categories in Psalm 19:12-13. He voiced his frustration at his inability to mold his life according to God’s pattern. He also asks for forgiveness and strength to avoid habitual patterns of the willful rejection of God’s way: “Also keep back your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me; then I will be blameless, and I shall be acquitted of great transgression (Psalm 19:13). God desires us to be faithful to His plan for our lives and learn more about Him so we will not be ignorant to what will keep us from His proven path to victory. He has allowed us to know Him and choose His way of life by revealing the anguish of His wrath.
The church prays for everyone to follow God’s pattern of life. God has provided His truth so we can know where we stand in our relationship with Him. He has also revealed to us sin and how it works in our lives to keep us from being faithful to truth (James 4:17). We can know the right thing to do by receiving Jesus’ teachings (John 8:32). Being ignorant to God’s way is no longer an acceptable excuse: “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30). God is willing to forgive our sins when we are willing to accept His grace. Our willingness to accept God’s offer is shown by our choice to stay with Him on that narrow path illuminated by the glory of His Resurrected Son.
— Cub Orcutt