Isaiah 1:18-19

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. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.”

In this, one of the first verses in the Book of Isaiah (otherwise full of hard-hitting, prophetic verses that the Israelites needed to hear), Isaiah quotes God promising forgiveness. Though our sins might be as plain and as staining as scarlet blood on our hands, that stain can yet be cleansed by forgiveness.

But that promise is not automatically given to all. It is given pending our personal willingness to follow God’s will. The “if you are willing and obedient” part is the key line here; in order to accept God’s promise of forgiveness, we must promise similarly to God that we are ready for forgiveness and the obedience to His will that it entails.

God does not force Himself in where He is not wanted; we have free will. We can choose to accept God or not–it’s a personal decision, and cannot be forced by another person or an institution. But if we want salvation, if we want to be cleansed from the sins that we’ve committed, God stands ready to forgive us. We just have to make that promise of obedience.

Obedience to God Is Not Burdensome

Now, living obedient to God’s will is not easy, but it’s not a total drag, either. I can say that I’m living a much happier and more fulfilling life these days, because I FEEL the forgiveness in my heart and I FEEL my relationship with God growing stronger. It is like having the very best, closest friend in the world, multiplied ten times over.

And yet, it is also like having an awesome Parent who has a few “house rules.” Following those “house rules” yields harmony; breaking one or more of those rules leads to distress. It may be difficult to follow these rules at times, but I know the reward if I do.

God wants to forgive each of us, wants to reconnect with us–that’s why Isaiah writes of God saying “Come now, let us reason together.” That’s the beauty of His promise: He’s done the hard work for us, with the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, as the atonement for our sins. All that remains now is to accept that gift, and fulfill that promise.