“Come now, let us reason together,” 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.” Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)
During the past few weeks, we have had the pleasure of presenting God’s word at venues containing both churched and un-churched people. It has been especially exciting to see men and boys accept Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. We praise God for the work the Holy Spirit does in preparing hearts to receive His Word.
Salvation involves being delivered from the eternal consequences of sin. It requires that we identify and accept the sacrifices made on Calvary’s Cross by the God-man Jesus. The perfect sacrifice was given to save us from ourselves, our sin, our generational curse, and our Godless world.
Imagine a drowning person who is pulled from the ocean. It’s not just about being saved from drowning; it’s also about the new opportunity to live a life committed to significance not just success. Isaiah’s words create a powerful picture of a white garment with a scarlet stain. Only the blood of Christ can take that red, crimson stain and make it white as snow.
Think about it! No sin is so big and no stain is so deep that it cannot be cleansed by God’s saving grace. When we come to God in true humility and regret, we are completely redeemed, washed white as snow.
One of the largest department stores in our nation took on a commercial venture that proved to be disastrously unsuccessful. It was a doll in the form of the baby Jesus. It was advertised as being unbreakable, washable, and cuddly. It was packaged in straw with a satin crib and plastic surroundings, and appropriate biblical texts added here and there to make the scene complete.
It did not sell. The manager of one of the stores in the department chain panicked. He carried out a last-ditch promotion to get rid of those dolls. He brandished a huge sign outside his store that read:
Jesus Christ –
Marked Down 50%
Get Him While You CANC. Swindoll, Growing Deep in the Christian Life
Salvation is not something that you do; it’s something that only God can do. Legalists and some religions say you can take care of your sins by doing acts of kindness or good works. God says, “Come to me; I will make your dirty sins as white as snow.” Jack Odell said, “Salvation is moving from living death to deathless life.”
What about you my friend? Have you accepted the free gift of salvation? If you have accepted the gift of eternal life, live like someone who has been saved from drowning. Take that glorious new opportunity at life and live it for Christ.
Personal Application:
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. You cannot change the past, you cannot predict the future, but you can live today with victory and power knowing that you are a child of the risen Lord who loves and comforts you in all your circumstances. Praise God!
Jim Grassi, D. Min.