"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. 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."
Isaiah 1:18-20
Part 3
Yesterday:
“Come now.”
God’s invitation to come to Him.
“And let us reason together, saith the LORD.”
We need to listen to what He says about our sin. The Word of God lays out His case against sinful man. But it also gives us His remedy for our sin, His Son, Jesus.
Today:
“Reason together”:
Often young Christians are so zealous to give the Gospel out that they may try to force-feed it to the one they are witnessing, much like a mother bird feeding her babies. In time, they begin to realize that although their motive is pure, their witnessing results may not yield the desired fruit. Patience in our witness, giving the Holy Spirit time to work, is always needed as we plant the seed and water it. It takes time.
Paul understood the good sense in “reasoning” sinners through the Word. This was one of his methods of witnessing that he seems to have used often.
“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures” (Acts 17:2).
“And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks” (Acts 18:4).
“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25).
Paul’s witnessing method lay the evidence for the Gospel before men and women in an intelligent way. He taught them from the scriptures so that they might understand it clearly. Then by faith, they could trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ for salvation. This was done under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.[1] How reasonable is the Gospel of Jesus, in this sacred book!
But, on the other hand,
“What madness it is to reject and resist a God of infinite wisdom, infinite love, infinite grace, and infinite power! True reason will drive any honest man to the most humble adoration and submission towards God.” [2]
God laid out His case against Israel. She had a decision to make. Will she continue on her path of sin away from her God, or will she humbly return to Him? Tomorrow we will discuss what God said about the color of sin. Please come back and let’s reason together in the Word.
Quote: “The cross is the centerpiece of the gospel message. It is truly the intersection of love and justice, judgment and grace, exactitude, and mercy. The demands of the law call for perfection. But the law itself cannot transform the human heart. What this really means is that perfection cannot get us into heaven, but our faith in the Perfect One can. His justice comes hand in hand with love. And neither ever violates the other”[3] (Ravi Zacharias).
[1] My father taught me this.
[2]Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] Zacharias’ quote is from The Logic of God: 52 Christian Essentials for the Heart and Mind. Downloaded: Monday, October 19, 2020. From: https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/66379139-the-logic-of-god-52-christian-essentials-for-the-heart-and-mind.