Settled

Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭20‬

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

These verses together give a compelling picture of the two options before us. God, in His grace, has designed for us to experience life, goodness in Him. He’s made a way for that to be possible, even though we are sinners. He’s made a way for our sins. Though they’re like scarlet to be washed as white as snow, though they’re red like crimson, He will make them become like wool by His grace. The other option is to refuse to confess our sins, to refuse to repent of sin, to rebel against God, to live in sin. Like most of the old testament, Isaiah is written towards Israel as a nation. But all Scripture is for our learning and there is much that we in the body of Christ can learn from Isaiah much that we should avoid and much that we should apply in our everyday lives. Trusting God's Word, acknowledging their sin, admitting their guilt, renouncing their idolatry, repenting of their evil ways and turning from their ungodliness had to precede God's purifying and cleansing for Israel and likewise as Christians we have to admit our guilt, renounce our idolatry, repent and recognise that we are sinners who need a Saviour so that by faith in His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection we may be cleansed of our wicked ways, forgiven of our sin, washed in His precious blood, declared righteous in the eyes of our heavenly Father and live a life that is holy unto the Lord. The picture God paints of forgiveness in verse 18 is striking and profound.  At first glance, we might only notice the imagery of colors.  Sin, scarlet red, being made white as snow, crimson like wool.  While these are beautiful words that evoke magnificent images in our minds, I want us to dig a little deeper. The description here is not of crimson stains being covered over with white snow.  Rather, the language describes crimson dye being purified and changed into something as white as snow.  This is a subtle yet important distinction.  Often we think of Christ’s blood flowing over us, covering our sins.  But Christ’s blood doesn’t paint over our sin, He takes it away, removing it’s stains. The change is a purifying that happens from the inside out, making us into something new and totally different. Nothing stains quite as sin. It not only leaves a stain in our heart but a residue in our minds. But God's grace is shown in that he doesn't just forgive our sins, He doesn't just forget our sins, Hecbanishes them. They are gone. The stain is removed, the guilt is taken away. We are clean by His grace!!!

Father thank You for this day and the strength to walk into it. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s portion today. Lord thank You for the way that You have used Your people as an example to us of the importance of purifying our heart and learning all that You want to teach us as we journey through life. Lord we pray that we may shun evil and renounce those things that dishonour Your name and live Godly lives. Lord use my friend to be a example of Your amazing grace to all today. Daddy we love you amen. Be a  blessing. Love ya !