Repentance

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 | Psalm 50 | Matthew 23:1-12

BETTER DEAD THAN RED

“Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.” - Isaiah 1:18

You’ve heard of “white lies.” Actually, there is no such thing as a colored lie. There are no black, green, orange, or white lies. However, the Lord does refer to colored sins - at least the color scarlet or crimson red. As a scarlet red stain is sometimes the most difficult to remove, so certain sins are the most difficult to forget and to forgive especially when we are the ones in need of forgiveness. Even after we have repented and been forgiven, we may still feel guilty and ashamed.

We must soak in the water of God’s word (Ephesians 5:26) if the stain of scarlet sin is to be removed. During these weeks, we have a special opportunity to soak in Scripture. Jesus used the Bible to prevent the stain of sin; He overcame the temptations of Satan by repeatedly quoting the Old Testament (see Matthew 4:1). During Lent especially, we should abide in God’s word (John 8:31). If we do, Scriptural truth (see John 17:17) and Biblical discipleship will, by the grace of God, set us free (John 8:32) from the persistent guilt of scarlet red sin.

Prayer: Father, may I repent so quickly and live so deeply in Your word that my guilt will be washed away.