Isaiah 1:18 “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.”
The results of the election, which had been a daily news item for years and consumed around two billion dollars, was pushed from the headlines this past week by the revelation that one of our contemporary war heroes and current CIA director, Gen. David Petraus, had an extra-marital affair and resigned his post. Even as we celebrate Veterans Day in our society we are reminded that those who gave of themselves in military service for our good were human beings with the same failings and temptations that all humans have. It makes their self-sacrifice all the more honorable knowing that it was made by flesh and blood people and not some romanticized ideal. There are many things in life that cause people to be less than they might be or should be. Sex has derailed many otherwise respectable people and so has booze and greed and the desire for vengeance. For most of us our sins will not be front page news but that doesn’t make them any less real or any less destructive. Our pettiness and selfishness and cutting, demeaning words hurt and destroy on a more intimate scale every bit as much in their own way. And so the verse above rings through the ages from the culture and individuals of the 8th century B.C. to the culture and individuals of today. It is the good news of the gospel that God takes our sin seriously and is willing to take it from us. It is the cross of Christ that calls to us “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Come now. How will you reason together with God this week?
Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church 