February 22 Unintentional Sin

If a member of the community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands, he is guilty. When he is made aware of the sin he committed, he must bring as his offering for the sin he committed a female goat without defect.

Wouldn't it be great if it were that easy? Just go find a goat, or whatever a goat is worth, and take it to church, and the air is clear. But it is not that easy.

We can rejoice that our sin debt was paid on the cross, but our sin today often times breaks fellowship, not just with God, but with others. That's the purpose and importance of confession, mending that broken fellowship. We say to God, "I am so sorry that I violated our relationship, that I went my own way and offended you. I see it now from your perspective, and what I did was wrong. I am so sorry for dishonoring you, and I thank you for what you did to redeem me."

Then there is the matter of making it right with the human that we offended...and this is where the whole goat purchasing thing is often times easier. Making it right with another human is harder because it requires a meek and humble spirit, a placing ourselves and our feelings at their mercy. As long as our offence exists unattended, our fellowship is broken or damaged. Oh the other person may say the right things or some of the right things, but the bridge of offence remains until we cross it with our confession.

It is true also that our confession may not always bring restoration. Sometimes the other person chooses to hold on to that offence. But when we have done our part in repairing the broken bridge, we must find rest in God's love, regardless of how painful the loss of fellowship with the other person is.

And I must say that sometimes when we lose a relationship, it is as painful as losing a person to death. There is that empty space where laughing used to live, where meaningful conversations and hope hung sunlight in the air.

Smith ends his meditation with these words, "Maybe it was God's idea...to instill a pervasive awareness that every thought and action has spiritual consequences." I would add, especially the way we respond to the Holy Spirit's nudging us across the bridge toward reconciliation, whether we feel like it or not.