Loving Forgiveness

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”- Isaiah 1:18 NLT

                  This first chapter of Isaiah deals with rebellious and unfaithful Judah and Jerusalem. Even though the Lord cared for them as a father would his own child, they rebelled against Him. Verse 18 is one of the last ones dealing with Judah. It’s a verse that is familiar to many believers because it describes what happens to our sins when we seek God’s forgiveness. 

                  Crimson is the color of a deep-red permanent dye. It is virtually impossible to remove the color from clothing, which is why God used that color to illustrate the permanence of sin. It would be the same with the bloodstained hands of a murderer. The stain would be pretty close to impossible to wash off ones hands. Only God can wash a crimson stain away as if it had never existed in the first place. In spite of Israel’s disobedience, God still loved them and provided a way of escape from their sinful lives. This is a reoccurring theme throughout the Old Testament.

                  The one important thought you can take from this portion of scripture is that one need not go thru life permanently soiled. We are assured in scripture that if we are willingly obedient to our Lord, Christ will forgive and remove our most indelible stains. There are times when we must go thru discipline for wrongs we have done, but we can rest assured that it is done out of love and compassion for us. Consequences must play out, but forgiveness is readily available once repentance takes place. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries.