December 9, 2020

WHITE LIKE SNOW

Isaiah 1:16-20

Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean. Put away the evils from your souls before My eyes. Cease from your evils. Learn to do good. Seek judgment and redeem the wronged. Defend the orphan and justify the widow. Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “although your sins are like crimson, I shall make them white like snow, and although they are as scarlet, I shall make them white like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good things of the land. But if you are unwilling and disobedient, you shall be devoured by the sword,” for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Command with a promise

We are told that we must make the effort to cleanse ourselves, put away evil from all aspects of our lives, stop doing evil, do good, seek out justice for those who have been wronged, and defend those who cannot defend themselves. As Christians, we know that we are no longer bound by the Law because Jesus fulfilled the Law. We also know that there is nothing that we can do to earn, or even deserve, the mercy, grace, and love of God. He gives it to us freely. So why do all these things that really manifest the Lord? We do them out of our gratefulness to our Lord, out of our love for Him. We also know that by living for Him, His way, we will more deeply experience the promises that came with these commands. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!