THE SIN OF IGNORANCE by H. F. Phelps

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 5, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 30.

THE SIN OF IGNORANCE.

By H. F. Phelps

I WOULD like to call the attention of the reader to a lesson, in the Jewish typical system, which is of very great importance. There are sins of presumption, and willfulness, and there are sins committed under great temptation. There was also a sin-offering. A victim was chosen, without blemish, and with this an atonement was made for the transgressor.

There is also a sin of ignorance. Perhaps some may not fully realize this fact as it really is. A person may be living up to all the light he has, and yet live in actual sin, although ignorantly. But is a sin of ignorance to be repented of? Yes, as verily as any other sin, after it has come to one's knowledge. It must be confessed, repented of, and forgiven. A person may die, living up to his very best light, and his sin of ignorance will be forgiven. But if light comes in any way, showing that he has been in sin, not by temptation, or willfully, but through ignorance, then that light must not be ignored, else the sin will appear in the Judgment; and one unforgiven sin will sink a person into perdition. Nor must it again be repeated, for after light has come, it can no longer be a sin of ignorance. And while there were peace-offerings, and trespass-offerings, and sin-offerings, there was also an offering for a sin of ignorance. All these offerings were lessons, to show to all the value of the atonement through Christ.

From a consideration of the fourth chapter of Leviticus, which gives an account of the offering for the sin of ignorance, we may learn much that is of importance to us, and learn more fully the value of the promise, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Thus we shall be able to value more fully the gift of the precious blood of Christ.

Now please turn with me to Lev. 4: 2, 3, 13, 22, and 27. We learn that there is no difference in persons, but "If a soul shall sin through ignorance, against any of the commandments of the Lord," whether a person in the sacred office of priest or minister, or in the high position as a ruler of the people; whether the whole congregation, or one of the common people sinned, it was all the same, an offering was required just as soon as light came. The individual was no longer ignorant concerning the sin. By reading verses 13, 22, and 27, we find that those who did anything against any of the commandments of God, even ignorantly, were really and truly "guilty." And verses 20, 26, and 31, tell us plainly that an atonement was made for those who complied with the requirements in these cases provided.

Now let us make a practical application. At the present time the world of religionists seem to wink at a sin of ignorance. There are those who contend that whatever is is right. But not so in God's word, not so in the Judgment. Sin is sin, and every stain must be washed away, even a sin of ignorance, as these lessons show. There are many who seem to think that Christ saves, and will save, and they do not need to even turn from a sin of ignorance, or make any change in their lives even when light comes. Some continue to confess Christ by word, but in works they are just the same as ever they

were; no change whatever. So it must be, even though the word of God teaches the contrary, that the way to salvation is very wide indeed; so that sin is not sin at all! And even if the light of God's truth shines full in the face of such persons, pointing out the fact that they have been doing something "against the commandments of the Lord," an excuse is ever ready. They hide behind a shadow. "My peculiar circumstances," or "God has blessed me in the past," is a shadow large enough to hide many a soul. But will it hide in the day of God?

In all ages of the world men have been judged by the light that God gave them, and according to that light they will be judged. It was not enough in the time of Christ to be of the children of Abraham. New light leads to the correcting of past errors—sins of ignorance. It is wise to give a dozen errors for one truth. A man may be saved if he dies in that error before light shines, but to cling to that error after the truth appears, is but to add the sin of presumption to that of ignorance. A man is justified only in living up to all the light he has; and when new light shines it will not do for a man to complacently fold his hands and say, "God has blessed me in the past," and with this blessing turn from the light.

We are in an age of progression. The great work of reformation is not yet finished, and will not be completed till the last vestige of sin and the curse is removed. Who knows that they have all the light? Indeed, who can say there is no more light for us? Far better it is for us, when light does come, to humbly and gratefully accept of it, and repent of our sins of ignorance. It is but acknowledging that we are wiser to-day than yesterday. Now, "we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous;" but if we cling to our errors, will his blood avail us? Most emphatically, No! Who will heed the lesson? H. F. PHELPS.