REASONING WITH GOD

ISAIAH 1:1

A. A WONDERFUL CONDESCENSION
  1. The invitation is given:
    1. Not by a glorious being, such as the angels, but the Sovereign of the universe.
    2. The condescension by God is another token of His divine love for fallen humanity.
  2. It is given:
    1. Not to a loyal subject of God.
    2. But to a rebel, a traitor against heaven.
  3. Notice the description:
    1. It includes those whose sins are glaring and very manifest.
    2. It is an invitation to them whose iniquities are especially productive of great evil and misery.
    3. It has reference to them that have sinned against great privileges - Matt. 11:20-24
B. THE SUBJECT FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
  1. The problem of sin: "Thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities" - Isa. 43:24; Mal. 2:17
  2. The need for cooperation by the sinner with his redeemer:
    1. Do not play the hypocrite and hide behind the form of religion.
    2. That was the great and unforgivable sin of the Pharisees and the scribes - Matt. 23:25-29
    3. Put away the evil of your doing; cease to do evil - Isa. 55:7
    4. Learn to do well - Matt. 11:28-30
  3. The assured results:
    1. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow."
    2. "Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
    3. Read these Bible references prayerfully - Isa. 44:22; Ps. 51:7; Rev. 7:14; Zech. 13:1; Rev. 1:5; 1 John 1:7-9
C. LET US DEVOTE A LITTLE TIME TO THE CONSIDERATION OF GOD'S WONDERFUL APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM OF SIN
  1. He appeals to the powers of reason:
    1. That is one reason God has equipped man with the faculty of reason.
    2. It is the gift that differentiates between man and beast.
  2. Let it be noted in this connection that Satan is fully aware of the powers of reason and he will do all at his command to destroy or to weaken this God-given power:
    1. When he gets control of men, he makes sure that their minds are blinded first - 2 Cor. 4:4
    2. That was what happened to the prodigal son - Luke 15:11-32
    3. That is the work of demons, to destroy the powers of reason - Mark 5:1-17
    4. He knows that God appeals not to human emotions, important as they may be, but He appeals to reason.
    5. Read prayerfully Eph. 1:18; Acts 26:18; 2 Cor. 4:4; John 12:40
  3. God wants us to see the terribleness of sin:
    1. Belshazzar saw his sin - Dan. 5:1-7
    2. Felix saw his - Acts 24:25
    3. Peter saw his sinfulness - Luke 5:8
  4. It is when we see the terribleness of sin that true repentance will come to our hearts: Mark 14:7-72
  5. The appeal in our opening text shows very clearly the attitude of God toward sinners:
    1. He does not want to see them die in sin - Ezek. 18:23, 32
    2. He gave all and the best He had to deliver us from the power of sin - John 3:16
    3. What more can a reasonable God do to save us from ourselves and sin?


Design © John Bryant 2011