God confronts His people
“For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on Your name, who arouses himself to take hold of You.” -Isaiah 64:6-7
The Lord Jesus through the prophet Isaiah destroys our pride for us. He carefully depicts our efforts and righteousness as worse than useless. They are disgusting and reprehensible to him. These efforts are worth less than nothing because we all have in our iniquities been blown away, like a withering leaf, from the path of glory.
Meditate on this for awhile. You cannot stand before God and say, “But I did…” In fact, if you try to bring your efforts before the throne of God, you should tremble with fear for He will quickly rid himself of such trash and rubbish. Realize this and repent. Flee to the Righteous One. Allow Him to cleanse and purify your heart. Plead only His merits and righteousness and God will welcome you with a smile.
God’s people confess their sins
Christian:
-Have I been deceived into thinking I have a right standing before God because I have ‘done well’?
-Have I been led astray from the simplicity of the gospel of Jesus?
-Have I celebrated my imperfection and the righteousness of Jesus applied to my life?
Skeptics-Agnostics
-Have I ever contiplated that Jesus just maybe the only way to stand before God without fear? Jesus Christ willingly laid down His life as a sacrifice for sinners so that He might share His bounty with them!
God graciously forgives His people
Out of the anguish of his [Jesus] soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. -Isaiah 53:11
Jesus looked at a redeemed human race and was glad to bear the anguish of the Father’s infinite wrath for them. He bore the iniquity of many and made them righteous. If you have repented of the belief that your efforts could withstand God’s judgment and have fled to Christ for forgiveness and salvation, it is my joy to announce this good news to you: “ALL YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN!”
Congregation: THANKS BE TO GOD!