Leviticus 5 explains the guilt offerings which were made when one became aware of unintentional sin. These were times when you found yourself in a situation and realized, after the fact, that you had blown it. There were still consequences, including restitution plus 20% to the person you wronged if there was monetary damage.
Today, we tend to consider intent very heavily. There are even crimes that include the clarifier "with intent," "with intent to harm," or "with intent to kill." And there are those who are absolved of criminal action because the prosecution is unable to prove that there was intent.
But God's Law says that even when we harm unintentionally, there are still consequences. We don't get a pass because we weren't paying attention, were looking at our phone, or hadn't gotten a good night's sleep. As followers of God, we are responsible for our behavior, even when we act without intending harm. Even when we speak without thinking. Even when we are blind to our own bias or error.
We've become a society that sees apologies as weakness or vulnerability. When we admit we've wronged someone, we aren't telling them something they don't know. We're agreeing that it was wrong, acknowledging that we caused pain, and - hopefully - offering to make amends in whatever way we can.
The cost of the guilt offering differed based on the offenders resources. Those with the means, gave a lamb or a goat. Those without these resources could give two doves or pigeons. Notice that doves and pigeons weren't something they "owned" but rather something they would have to capture. Something that would require effort. More than just the words, "I'm sorry."
How do you make amends when you've harmed someone? Jesus paid the debt for our sin against God, but how can we demonstrate our gratitude for that grace?
Today, we tend to consider intent very heavily. There are even crimes that include the clarifier "with intent," "with intent to harm," or "with intent to kill." And there are those who are absolved of criminal action because the prosecution is unable to prove that there was intent.
But God's Law says that even when we harm unintentionally, there are still consequences. We don't get a pass because we weren't paying attention, were looking at our phone, or hadn't gotten a good night's sleep. As followers of God, we are responsible for our behavior, even when we act without intending harm. Even when we speak without thinking. Even when we are blind to our own bias or error.
We've become a society that sees apologies as weakness or vulnerability. When we admit we've wronged someone, we aren't telling them something they don't know. We're agreeing that it was wrong, acknowledging that we caused pain, and - hopefully - offering to make amends in whatever way we can.
The cost of the guilt offering differed based on the offenders resources. Those with the means, gave a lamb or a goat. Those without these resources could give two doves or pigeons. Notice that doves and pigeons weren't something they "owned" but rather something they would have to capture. Something that would require effort. More than just the words, "I'm sorry."
How do you make amends when you've harmed someone? Jesus paid the debt for our sin against God, but how can we demonstrate our gratitude for that grace?
RSS Feed