In one teaching you say Christians are not bound to follow the Mosaic Law, but later when you taught that any sins committed in ignorance are still counted as an offense to God, you cited Leviticus to prove your point. I'm confused...do we follow the instructions of the Law or not?
While the Christian is not bound by the Law of Moses (as we explained), this does not mean that the Law and related Scripture are meaningless for a Christian. As Paul said:
2Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
Christians are commanded to read and learn from all Scripture, but learning from the Law of Moses is not the same thing as being bound to keep the Law of Moses. For example, the Christian is not bound to pay tithes as prescribed by the Law, but by studying the Law concerning tithing we come to learn important truths concerning giving to the work of God, (e.g., that the Lord provides for His priests and ministers through the giving of those who receive the service of those ministers).
Studying the lessons of the Law found in the Old Testament reinforces New Testament principles and gives context for God's expectations. For example, in the New Testament we learn that a pastor or teacher is worthy of double honor and should receive support from those they shepherd, as Paul taught:
1Tim. 5:17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
1Tim. 5:18 For the Scripture says, “ YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “ The laborer is worthy of his wages.
The context for why this principle is true can be found in the Old Testament law where God explained His desire that His ministers receive support from those they serve. So the study of God's Law in the Old Testament is valuable and instructive and necessary, but we are not expected to follow it as one bound by it. As Paul himself says:
Rom. 6:14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace
Regarding the specific question of sinning in ignorance, we were teaching how a person may sin without specific knowledge they were sinning. Even though they may be ignorant of their sin, it is still an offense to God and requires atonement. Jesus' atoning work covers all sins, including sins we commit in ignorance.
Like all sin, any sins committed in ignorance may result in earthly consequences, but our eternal judgment have been paid already by Christ. This is why the Bible says clearly:
Rom. 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
As Christians, we do not have condemnation from God for our sins because we have faith in Jesus Christ and His death on our behalf. All Christians stand before God without condemnation because Jesus paid the entire price for our sin, and this fact doesn't change because some sins are committed purposefully or accidentally.
Sin is sin, and Christ's payment was sufficient to cover all sins. We may suffer earthly consequences for our sin, as all men do, but we will not see an eternal penalty for our sin.
