Jim Gallagher

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

If it were possible to travel back to the time of Isaiah, I think we would be surprised by how religious the people were. At the temple in Jerusalem, sacrifices were being offered and the priests were busy about the work of the Lord. The hilltops throughout the land were laden with altars, and homes were filled with religious images. Prayer was perhaps at an all time high, and religious music filled the air waves. To an outside observer, it might seem that all was right in Israel. The problem was, although the people were passionately religious, they were not in a relationship with God. Isaiah wrote to explain the problem was with sin, and that religious activity is not the cure.

Many years have passed since Isaiah walked the streets of Jerusalem. Fashions have come and gone, technology, travel, and commerce, have made great strides, causing the world to look a lot different today than it did then. Even though much has changed, some things remain the same; we are still a people laden with sin and religious activity will not solve the problem. The message Isaiah delivered to Israel is the same message God declares today.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

Notice, God declares we are sinners. Earlier, Isaiah referred to us as being “laden with sin,” meaning we are overloaded by our sins. Perhaps that provokes images of a person strung out on drugs, or caught up in one vice or another. Keep in mind, Isaiah is writing to people who are listening to praise music and offering sacrifices. The reality we all must face is that we have sinned and no action of ours can remove our sin. That truth makes the reality of God’s invitation to us all the more amazing. He declares sinners can come to Him and have their sins washed away. All the guilt and penalty of sin can be removed by the simple act of coming to Him. Paul explains how this is possible.

Colossians 2:14
“Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

What an amazing offer! All your sins can be washed away through the simple act of receiving Christ. No longer do you have to live with the guilt and shame of sin, nor do you need to keep striving with one attempt after another to find peace in religious actions. You can come to Christ and be forgiven.

It is my hope and prayer that you will take Him up on His offer.

Pastor Jim