Ignorance and Sin by W. N. G.

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 26, 1883

Ignorance and Sin

By W. N. G.

“THROUGH ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.” Sin is sin, even though the one committing it be ignorant; and atonement must be made or the sin remaineth. The Mosaic law in this regard is recorded in Leviticus 4 and Numbers 15. Although it was possible for one to sin and be ignorant of it, yet when the sin became known to him he was deemed guilty; hence the necessity of his making the required offering in order to be forgiven.

This principle seems to be recognized by Jesus in John 9:41: “If ye were blind ye should have no sin; but now ye say, We see, therefore your sin remaineth.” Also in John 15:22: “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin; but now they have no cloak for their sin.”

But some maintain that it is better to be ignorant than to have the responsibility increased by enlightenment. It should be remembered, however, that although ignorant, they are by nature in sin, and cannot by any means be saved in that condition.

They can only be saved through faith in Christ and obedience to the law of God. To this end it is necessary that they be instructed, and as a result sin is made apparent. It is impossible to give man the instruction necessary to his salvation without his sin being made manifest.

Ignorance never saves anybody; but it may cause their ruin. Ignorance is not a blessing, but a misfortune, although knowledge always brings increased responsibility. The Lord says by the prophet Hosea, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hos. 4:6. W. N. G.