Categories of Sin

The Old Testament categorizes sin. Two of those categories are “un-intentional” and “defiant” sin.

The commonality between the two types of sin is guilt. Whether the sin is un-intentional or defiant the party is guilty and the sin has to be accounted for. The un-intentional sin can be remedied by sacrificing an animal (Lev. 4)

The defiant or intentional sin is classified as “blasphemy” for which no animal sacrifice will suffice (Numbers 15). God requires the blood of the perpetrator. Make no mistake… God can forgive blasphemy if he wants but the perp is completely at the mercy of God.

So that’s the Old Testament… what about the New Testament? Let me suggest the example of Judas Iscariot. He knew who Jesus Christ was. He had seen his power and his miraculous abilities and yet he defiantly blasphemed against God by being complicit in the murder of Jesus Christ. He was sorrowful and went to the priests for absolution but received none because there was none so he killed himself.

What about Peter? He denied knowing Jesus even though he had been warned by Jesus that this particular temptation would occur. It seems defiant but God had other plans for Peter and he was forgiven. Keep in mind that both Judas and Peter were still under the old Law when they committed their sins.

How about Ananias and Sapphira? They lived under the new Law but defiantly “lied to the Holy Spirit”, which was blasphemy as defined above, and were killed by God for it.

I find it interesting that as Jesus hung on the cross he told his Father… “forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing”

They seemed like they knew what they were doing but Jesus asks God the Father to categorize their sin as “un-intentional” because despite the miraculous proof they thought they were just killing a human being who they thought was guilty of blasphemy… not the actual son of God.

What does this mean for us today? We all know people and family members who were baptized believers but have blasphemed by denying Jesus Christ.

Hopefully at some point they will return to Jesus Christ and hopefully Jesus Christ seated by the right hand side of God will whisper in his ear… “forgive them because they didn’t know what they were doing.”

I hope that’s the case but their blood may be required for their denial. Knowing that, let’s take “defiant” and “willful” sin seriously and never put ourselves in that dangerous situation and watch for those who are headed in that dangerous direction.