“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

Most of us remember the famous 1850 historical novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne entitled “The Scarlett Letter.” The story recounts the punishment and shame of a woman for an adulterous affair. She was branded for life to wear the letter “A” and her lover even had one engraved on his chest. The tale even ends with the letter marking their resting place.

While Hawthorne’s tale is rather satirical, sin has plagued man since the beginning of time. Unfortunately, there are many who live with a defeatist attitude because they have not found the answer to forgiveness. If any of us can look on others who have sinned with disdain, then we are in darkness of our own sinful state. Romans 3:23 very pointedly tell us “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

The fact is we were all born into sin. Sin separates us from God and the only solution is His amazing grace of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

Jesus paid it all on Calvary’s cross one Friday afternoon and by His blood all of our sins have been washed away.  Isaiah 1:18 bids us to come to Jesus who is able to provide forgiveness and wholeness from the bondage of sin for every sinner regardless of age or rank. He alone provides cleansing and redemption back to God. It is Satan’s ploy to keep us in bondage to sin. But once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have the assurance that He has cast away our sins forever. ”As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11

As long as we live in this physical body we have to deal with sin. There are three “P”s that we can associate with sin. Sin has presence, power and a penalty in our life. The penalty of sin is death. Jesus was the substitutionary sacrifice for all mankind; His precious blood gave atonement for our sins. The presence of sin and evil is around us until we are called home to live with Jesus in a glorified body. The power of sin resides in this present age through the god of this world who is Satan; it is overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit that indwells every born again believer. The power that lives within us is far greater than that which is in the world…and one day there will be a new heaven and a new earth in which sin and death will have no part!

Therefore, as David wrote after his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah “Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities; Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” Psalms 51:9-10.  We can come to the mercy seat of God for forgiveness of sin. God is faithful and just to cleanse us from our sins when we come with a pure heart of repentance.

So, remain vigilant and watch as well as pray. Stay suited in your spiritual armor and don’t believe the lie; Satan would have us to live in bondage, believing that sin has dominion over us and we have no hope…but nothing and no one can take us out of the safety of God. ^“My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:29. 

So, if there are things that may still have you pondering God’s forgiveness; or you fear that you have “backslidden” and have no way back to God…that is utterly impossible, we are safe and secure in the arms of God; and He alone has washed us whiter than snow. Cast all your cares and concerns on Him and begin to walk in  the freedom and unconditional love that He provides now and forever!

Blessings and peace to all!