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It seems apparent to me that God intended for us to “know” good and evil. It was the first lesson for Adam and Eve to encounter. Satan convinced Eve that it would be OK to eat the fruit, but Adam was not deceived and ate the fruit anyway. Two people committing the same sin, one in ignorance, one willfully. Both were without excuse.

And if any person sins through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year as [the] sin. And the priest shall reconcile the soul that errs ignorantly, when he sins by ignorance before the LORD, he shall be reconciled; and it shall be forgiven him. Ye shall have the same law for the one that sins through ignorance, [both for] the natural born among the sons of Israel and for the stranger that sojourns among them. But the person that does something consciously, [whether they are] natural born or a stranger, the same reproaches the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has made void his commandment, that person shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity [shall be] upon him. Numbers 15:27-31

The force of the difference is clear. The sins of ignorance are not as bad as those done in full knowledge, done wilfully and despite the commandments. Catholics call such sins "mortal", since they separate us from spiritual commune with the Body - just as in Moses' day. We believe that God only condemns those who REJECTS Him, as in John 3, not those who were ignorant about Him. Laws only bind those to whom it is given to.

We need to learn to judge rightly, which means judging ourselves first. “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” If we refuse to judge others, they may take it as tacit approval. I do not envy your job.

Yes, it is a fine line to walk, between justice and mercy, between strict following of the law and more pastoral interpretation. I agree that a person should be notified if they are "living in sin". It is to be done gently and so as not to close the door on someone "young in the faith". As I said before, I don't think such a person was necessarily "bound by the slavery of adultery", per sec, since in many cases, it was an unknown rule that they were unaware of.

While my "job" may have its difficulties, I am sure that anyone in my position, one who preaches the Gospel to people just beginning their walk in Christ (in the fullness of faith, for those who are Protestant converts) can testify that it is also a spiritually refreshing calling, because we SEE Christ working in people, changing and reforming them over a period of time. For some people, it is quite an amazing transformation, and this strengthens my own faith and trust in the working of the Spirit.

Regards

We could argue that for awhile. It was Adam's sin that brought sin and death into the world, not Eve. Also, how was Eve "ignorant", when she knew God's command to not eat from the tree of knowledge? My point was the sin of ignornace is not as "damning" as one done willfully. For example, read Numbers 15:

Indeed, it was Adam’s sin that condemned mankind, as he is the head of the “natural man.” But we are told that Adam was not deceived but Eve was deceived. I believe that when the serpent said unto the woman, “Ye shall not surely die,” that she believed him. Thus she thought she could eat the fruit without consequences. Perhaps you have a different take.

If ignorance is a mitigating factor, then what difference can we discern between the discipline meted out to Adam verses Eve?

The force of the difference is clear. The sins of ignorance are not as bad as those done in full knowledge, done wilfully and despite the commandments.

I have found that interpretations that are obvious in one passage of scripture and not so clear in other passages. What about a person who is willfully ignorant of God’s word?

We all walk a fine line. I understand the difficulties in your job and also the blessings. I have no prescription for someone in an adulterous marriage except for Christ who is just and the justifier of all that believe.

Seven