2.4. PRACTICAL RESTORATION - SIN OFFERING (Leviticus 4:1 to 5:13, 6:24-30)

Provision is made by God for those servants who through unintentional sin, have broken conscious relationship with Him. Such sin may have been committed by weakness or waywardness - being occupied with questionable things that draw away from spiritual ardour, and so blunting spiritual sensitivity, and increasing vulnerability to sinful actions that are committed unconsciously by us. In Christ, God has provided restoration for us, pictured in the Levitical ritual - which presents a number of practical truths.

Sadly, the list of sinners committing unintentional sin in Leviticus 4, is embracive of the highest and the lowest of those who serve God.

	The priests (Leviticus 4:1-12 ).
	The whole congregation (Leviticus 4:13-21 ), that is, sin against God's commandments as an entire assembly.
	A ruler (Leviticus 4:22-26 ).
	Any one person (Leviticus 4:27-35 ).

1 John 1:8 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

The apostolic teaching refers to the indwelling principle of sin, even the possibility of committing unintentional acts of sin. Paul warned against a false sense of security.

1 Corinthians 10:12 "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."

There is no special class of persons beyond the possibility of falling while in the fleshly body - but the fallen can take courage and tread humbly the path of restoration.

The value of the sacrifice selected for the sin offering depended upon the seriousness of the offence, and this in turn, was measured by the status and spiritual responsibility of the guilty party. Sin by one of God's own ministers, the priest (Leviticus 4:1-12 ) required that he bring a bull. When an anointed minister falls into sin it has far reaching consequences, therefore the sacrifice under Levitical law had to be the most expensive of the sin offerings:

Leviticus 4:3 "... a young bull without blemish ..."

Christ gave Himself for us - there could be no greater or lesser sacrifice - but the picture presented in the more costly requirement under the law, indicates that restoration was costly then and is still so now. The demands upon a leader in the process of restoration will be more public and painful and will require evidence of change of life in Godly conduct. Of the Pharisees and Saducees sinning, leaders of John the Baptist's day, he commanded them,

Matthew 3:8 "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,"

They were required to have a change of mind that bore fruit in a changed life.

God commanded that when the whole assembled of people sinned (Leviticus 4:13-21 ),

Leviticus 4:14 "... then the assembly shall offer a young bull for the sin ..."

Again the most costly of offering because of the devastating effect of such sin. When a whole congregation acts in disobedience to God's Word, no matter how unintentional, without restoration it could cease to be God's channel of blessing to the world. Christ the Lord condemns departure from Biblical faith - and the tolerating of immoral leaders and teachers, or that of members of the congregation.

Revelation 2:14 "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality."

The church in Pergamos was warned that failing to repent for permitting such sin in their midst, the Lord said He would

Revelation 2:16 "... fight against them with the sword of My mouth."

Individually we must readily repent of congregational sin even when that sin be unintentional - for it will not be condoned or tolerated by the Lord Jesus, the Head of the church.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Would those holding leadership positions be somehow kept from the possibility of unintentional sin (Leviticus 4:2-3 )?

2. How do you think it is shown by the sacrifice expected, that privileged office brings greater responsibility (Leviticus 4:3 )?

3. Is it possible for a whole congregation to act in disobedience to God's word, no matter how unintentional (Leviticus 13-21 )?