From Sin to Holiness

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

If you recognize you’re a sinner, why not take the next step to be washed clean?

Today’s devotional reading: Isaiah 1:21-26

Have you ever heard it said, “God doesn’t like ugly”? We must not mistake God’s mercy for toleration of sin. If the Lord tolerated sin, that would make Him complicit with sin. In other words, toleration of sin would take away God’s glory and righteousness.

God is without sin; He is pure and perfect. When the Lord looks at sin, He views it as gold or silver that has tarnished (Is. 1:21). To the Lord, we are as an unclean thing, our righteousness tarnished like filthy rags (Is. 64:6). Ask yourself, would you ever use a filthy cloth to clean your dishes?

When you entered into your relationship, or if you’re looking to enter into a relationship, you sought, or are searching for, someone who would not keep up a bunch of mess. The ideal companion would be good and faithful, right? God desires to be in an intimate relationship with mankind. Do you think He desires to be in a relationship with one who will be messy, unfaithful, and wicked?

God desires to be in a relationship with one who is holy like He is holy. Now, the cloth, that is the sinner, can’t wash itself out, can it? However, God can wash out and wring out the filthy cloth that is the sinner. The Lord can turn that which is unrighteous into righteousness, should one desire to be washed by Him.