ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (JANUARY 05, 2012)

By Grace: Sin Is Conquered
Isaiah 1:10-20

"'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)
The LORD says to His shameless people, "...let us reason together." But, no. They will not come and learn from Him. They prefer to go through the motions of religious practice, thinking that will make them worthy. Meanwhile, their hearts are far from Him. Instead of seeking justice, encouraging the oppressed, defending the cause of the fatherless, and pleading the case of the widow
(v. 17), they've focused on false worship that has sickened the LORD.
These verses ring true in today's world. Many who call themselves "Christians" refuse to believe the Bible, preferring instead to follow the outward trappings of religion. But God says, "Come now, and let us reason together." They who will not come to the LORD "forfeit the grace that could have been theirs" (Jonah 2:8). Only the grace of Jesus can make scarlet sins as white as snow. Notice the Hebrew parallelism in verse 18. Sin is scarlet and crimson; righteousness is like snow or wool. The parallel contrast emphasizes that salvation is by grace alone.
INSIGHT
God's grace is not just the heavy artillery in the war against sin. It's the only artillery - the only solution to the sin problem.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Genesis 3-4
Psalm 2
Matthew 3-4
Isaiah 1:10-20
10 Hear the word of the LORD,
you rulers of Sodom;
listen to the law of our God,
you people of Gomorrah!
11 "The multitude of your sacrifices—
what are they to me?" says the LORD.
"I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure
in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
12 When you come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts?
13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
I cannot bear your evil assemblies.
14 Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts
my soul hates.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even if you offer many prayers,
I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood;
16 wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds
out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong,
17 learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.[a]
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
18 "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.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the best from the land;
20 but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword."
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Footnotes:
a. Isaiah 1:17 Or / rebuke the oppressor