SCRIP-BITS

Isaiah 1:18.    Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 
 
Oh Friends, at last a decent amount of rain has fallen in my area this past evening. We haven’t seen any real showers of blessing around here for at least a couple weeks. Let’s hope it doest turn from famine to feast and consequently flood, as been happening all over North America recently. Who knows though what’s in store for any of us as individuals, or any of our residential areas? Only the Good Lord, who has planned it all out in His infinite wisdom. Thus, as His followers, we need to grin and bear whatever comes against us, knowing deep down that eventually it will all work out for the good of those who LOVE Him and are called to do His will. (Rom.8:28) But be it known Friends, that in spite of our God and Creator calling all the shots, He is not an arrogant, unreasonable Deity. Listen to our Bit: ‘Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’ Yes Friends, that sure sounds to me like an invitation to sit down and talk with the Lord about our sinful situation. The scholars put it this way: ‘The prophet’s appeal to come and reason together reveals God’s gracious invitation to all men. It literally means to be ‘reasonable’ by repenting and turning to God.’ What a wonderful God we serve my people! Everyday I encounter something new in His Word or my life that just amazes me at His goodness and LOVING-kindness towards His selfish, undeserving, disobedient, rebellious children. Hear how He corroborates our Bit later on in Isaiah: ‘I, even I, am he that blotted out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put me in remembrance: let us plead (contend, reason) together: declare thou (thy case), that thou mayest be justified.’ (Is.43:25-26) Again, another invitation to come to Him and talk about our problems, our sins, which He will blot out and not remember, once we repent and surrender our souls to Him, then henceforth try to walk the straight and narrow path He favours. And all God’s people raised a mighty shout of joy and gratitude to heaven: ‘Oh thank you Lord, for your goodness and mercy which cannot be matched by any other supposed deity!’ Ah people, what a wonderful promise our Bit contains; that if we turn to the Lord God Jehovah with sincere repentance; ‘though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’ Bruh David said it thus in Psalm 51, his prayer for cleansing: ‘Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.’ (Ps.51:7) Yes Friends, our LOVING God is faithfully promising to wash away all the sins of those who come to Him with a truly repentant heart. He will cleanse us, make us whole, and restore a right relationship with Him. Here’s an interesting take on the subject by the scholars: ‘Their sin is described as ‘scarlet’ and ‘red like crimson,’ referring to their bloodguiltiness before God. The term ‘crimson’ also means ‘worm,’ referring to the colourfast red dye of the scarlet worm. The eradication of this stain turns it snowy white and is symbolic of the life-changing grace of God, which delivers men from the guilt and condemnation of sin. Thus the prophet reminds his readers that God stands ready to cleanse and forgive all who turn to Him.’  Oh my brethren, our God is indeed a magnanimous, forgiving and merciful God, but He’s also a God of truth and justice and therefore cannot promote sin and evil, thus there are conditions to His offer. ‘If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.’ (Is.1:19-20) Yes my people, our God has placed before us a basic contract, which entails offer and acceptance. If we accept His offer, then we’ll be prosperous. If we don’t, then death and eternal damnation shall come upon us. Please, I beg of us to do the right and smart thing and accept God’s offer of salvation and eternal life made available to us through the blood sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ. As I keep saying, it’s the wisest decision we’ll ever make on this, our earthly journey. Much LOVE!…the offer of life and death are before you…which will you choose…