“'Come now, and let us reason together,' says the LORD. 'Though your sins are as scarlet,they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. If you consent and obey,you will eat the best of the land;'"
Isa 1:18-19
There is nothing simpler than the "if/then" proposition. God instructed the prophet Isaiah to inform the people of Israel of His discontent with their behavior. God had given them everything and had made them a chosen people. Despite this, they continued to rebel through idolatry, vain worship and immoral living. The utter nonsensical nature of this is made unmistakably clear when he says, "The ox knows its master, the donkey its owners manger but Israel does not know, my people do not understand" (1:3). Despite all of this, God condescends to appeal to their simple logic. He offers them a deal based on obedience.
Beloved, God is still offering that same deal. The majority of the Bible is talking to or about those who believe. As Israel once held the sole designation of God's people, now it is all who call upon the name of Christ. Doing so, however, does not exempt one from the same bad decisions and misbehavior of our progenitors. In fact, because of the freedom we experience in Christ, the argument could be made that we are more likely to be out of step with the Father.
For us, He has given His son. Through him He has given truth and salvation. It is important that we do not deviate from the path in our daily living. We must be on guard against our former destructive habits, sinful ways and attraction to that which is not godly. After all, does our Father not provide for our every need? Has he not gifted us with His Holy Spirit? Has the Lord not gone to prepare a place for us? Is God not available to us through prayer and present with us always? Is there anything in this life or the next that can exceed what God so generously gives?
Come now and let us reason together.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
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