Ignorance is not an excuse

Leviticus 4:27-28 (KJV)
And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty; [28] Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.

When we offend someone, the offense causes some damage, some breach. Even if we did it ignorantly, innocently, with all good intentions, an offense is an offense. There are some people who are offended wrongly. One time, I wanted to help a man get out of his problem of always cursing. So every time he curses in front of me, I reminded him that it is wrong to do that. One day he just got fed up with me and cursed me in front of people.

In the case of our God, it is impossible for us to offend Him wrongly. When God is offended, it is an offense indeed. So here we have God's prescription for the Old Covenant people. If they sin willfully they should have an atonement for that and even if the sin was through ignorance they should have an atonement for that too once it is discovered.

Applying that to our generation, we should have the same confession of sins, the same repentance actions, the same restitutions, the same feelings of remorse, the same words of asking for restoration both for the sin with full knowledge and sin through ignorance. Christ atoned for both on our behalf.