Have you ever unintentionally broken the law?
My answer to this question is “Yes to both the law of the government and the law of God.”
Whether intentionally (guilty mind) or unintentionally (non-guilty mind), breaking the law equals to breaking the peace with another individual or with the public at large.
All criminal offences require a guilty mind (mens rea) plus a guilty act (actus reus) to establish criminal liability. For some traffic offences, however, a guilty mind is not required. These are termed as “absolute offence”, e.g. fixed penalty tickets.
In Commonwealth countries/courts, the standard of proof for criminal offences is “beyond reasonable doubt” and for minor traffic offences “on the balance of probability”. In all cases, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Conviction is subject to punishment by a fine or imprisonment, and is recorded in the offender’s criminal record.
By contrast, the law of God has a much higher standard, whereby an evil desire (guilty mind) will amount to adultery (Matthew 5:27-30), or failing to do the good when one ought to do is guilty of sin (James 4:17). Unrepentant sinners are subject to trial and judgement by the Lord Jesus Christ, but Repented sins will not be remembered by God (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrew 8:12 & 10:17).
Breaking peace with people equates to breaking peace with God. Conviction records on the earth are recordable in the book of life unless cleansed by the blood of the Lamb of God through repentance before death.
No one can deceive God by claiming their sins unintentional. God knows it all! God is merciful and gracious. He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit ( Psalm 34:18).
The Lord Jesus Christ whose first coming some 2,000 years ago was to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 4:17). On His second coming to the world, the Lord will judge the living and the dead, bringing justice and righteousness. He returns as the King of kings to destroy the wicked and establish His kingdom (Revelation 19:11&16).
“Repent—for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Roman 3:23).”
en yan hua fang 