When someone gives us an invitation, it causes us to think of warmth and welcome. We all have fond memories of time spent with family and friends when we were invited into their homes for a special visit. Although such occasions bring us much joy, there can be no invitation greater than one from our Heavenly Father or our Lord Jesus Christ found in the Bible and many such invitations are given to us throughout the Scriptures.
When someone gives us an invitation, it causes us to think of warmth and welcome. We all have fond memories of time spent with family and friends when we were invited into their homes for a special visit. Although such occasions bring us much joy, there can be no invitation greater than one from our Heavenly Father or our Lord Jesus Christ found in the Bible and many such invitations are given to us throughout the Scriptures.
In the Old Testament, we find that God charged the prophet, Isaiah, to issue the call or invitation to the nation of Israel to repentance and to Himself. Time and again God called and time and again God’s chosen people, Israel, refused to hear Him and respond. The people were guilty of gross immorality and idolatry, but God still invited them to come to Him, promising to forgive their sin.
We read these words from the blessed Lord in Isaiah 1:18, “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.” The great truth is our Lord offers us this same invitation many times.
Now, let’s look at this invitation more closely. First, the Lord says, “Come now.” The Lord invites the weary and the lost to come to Him. He calls us to bring Him our sin and our self, but He includes a very powerful word, “Now.” We must come to Him now; tomorrow may be too late. God’s time is always “now” time. II Corinthians 6:2b tells us, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” We have no promise of tomorrow.
The second thing we notice is that God is a reasonable God and He says, “Let us reason together.” Just think of it, my friend, the Lord calls us to Himself to reason with Him.
In John 14:6, we find that the only way we can come to God is through the Lord Jesus Christ. There we read, “Jesus saith unto Him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” God forgives us of our sins through His Son, Jesus Christ. Praise His holy name! Jesus lovingly took our sin debt upon Himself so He could save all those who come to Him in simple child-like faith.
Next, we notice His promise, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Scarlet is a bright red color. Red in the Bible sometimes speaks of deep sin and was associated with a woman referred to as Rahab the harlot--a woman who found the forgiveness of God. It is a joy to know that no matter how deep our sin is, God is able to wash it away in the cleansing blood of Jesus.
Finally, His promise is emphasized, “Though they (our sins) be red like crimson, they shall be (white) as wool.” God’s answer for our sin is always the same--repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. My what a grand invitation!
Randy Zinn is pastor of Russell Missionary Baptist Church, Russell, Ark. He and his wife are former residents of Okmulgee.
