Differing Forgiveness

The foundations of the doorways shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple was filled with smoke. Then I said:
Woe is me for I am ruined because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, and becaus my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts.
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said:
"Now this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed and you sin around for." Isaiah 6:5-7

Isaiah knew he was a sinner and knew he could not be in God's presence in his present state. He had insight into his own condition. Insight is good. Even though Isaiah was a man of God he did not deem himself to be righteous, he knew he was still a sinner.

Doing church does not make me righteous, living a good life does not make us righteous. Romans tells us: all have sinned and fallen away. Paul wrote this and goes on to say what a sinner he himself is outside of Christ. Being in Christ makes us righteous. We get there by recognising our sin, confessing it and asking forgiveness.

The advantage we have over Isaiah is that we are cleansed by the blood of the lamb. Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah but could only live in hope. We have Him, willing and able to cleans us. Isaiah needed an angel with a coal to touch his mouth. I think I known which I prefer, Christ. Isaiah's experience left him isolated as a sinful man whose sins had been taken away, mine brought me in, I can call God 'Abba Father.'

As a Christian I belong, I am part of Christ, I am seated in heavenly place. Amen!

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