有趣的是，整本圣经中，神对罪的态度非常一致，祂的邀请也始终如一。祂绝不宽容罪，可是，却随时准备好赦免那些谦卑在祂面前、承认自己的罪、寻求祂宽恕的人。

事实是，不管圣经如何指斥人的罪，它也同时指出解决的方法。例如，圣经若用「罪债」来形容人的罪，神说，只要人肯接受，基督已为我们偿还了罪债。又例如，若说犯罪就是违反律法，那么基督已代替我们接受了刑罚。每次提到罪，记着我们在基督里，就有赦罪之途。

在以赛亚书这段经文中，神发出一个非常慷慨的邀请。本章的头几节经文清楚描写以色列人的罪。第2节描述神是父亲，祂养大儿女，但儿女却悖逆祂，令祂非常伤心。第3 节指出，即使是牲畜也认得主人，但以色列人却不认识祂。罪已完全蒙蔽了他们。

神却邀请这个充满罪污的国家来与祂辩论，并向他们作出了一个宝贵的应许。罪已在他们身上留下极深的污渍，但神的应许操词明确。罪已涂上了炫目的记号，红如丹颜，深如朱红。神说甚么呢？祂形容祂的赦罪如雪、如洗净的羊毛。白雪落下，遮盖一切──不论是一条道路，还是一堆垃圾，全都被遮盖了。但若神的应许仅止于此，有人会觉得还不足够。

神继续应许，祂会处理罪本身，把罪污彻底洗净。并不是因为基督的工作把罪掩盖了，我们因而被神悦纳；而是神的儿子，基督的宝血洗净了我们一切的不义。这岂不是既奇妙又全备的救恩吗？何不现在就再次衷心感谢神，为着这有一天将带领我们进天家，永远与祂同在的全备的救恩计划！

It is interesting that throughout the Bible God’s attitude toward sin is always the same. God’s invitations are just as consistent. He never condones sin but He is always ready to forgive those who come humbly to Him, acknowledging their sin and seeking forgiveness.

It is also true that no matter how sin is described in the Bible; the remedy is also stated in similar terms. For example if sin is spoken of as a debt, God says that debt is paid in Christ for those who will accept it. If it is described as the breaking of the law, Christ has paid the penalty for us. Each time sin is described, remember the remedy is there in Christ.

Here in Isaiah God issues a very gracious invitation. In the first verses of the chapter, Israel’s sin is clearly pictured. In verse 2 God is a father who has brought up children but they have proved rebellious and a sad disappointment. In verse 3 even animals acknowledge the hand which feeds them, but Israel does not. Sin has taken over completely.

But God invites this sinning nation to come and talk the matter over and makes a wonderful promise. Here sin has left a deep stain but the words used in God’s promise are so reassuring. Sin has left a glaring mark which is as red as scarlet and as dark as crimson. What does God say? He likens forgiveness to snow or the washing of wool. Snow covers whatever it falls on - whether it is a road or a garbage heap, it covers it all. But if God had left the promise there, some might think it was insufficient. God goes on. He will deal with the sin itself with a washing that cleanses it all away. It is not only covered by the work of Christ and we therefore are accepted before God. But the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Isn’t that a remarkable, complete salvation? Why not take time now to thank God again for this total plan of salvation which one day will lead us on into heaven to be with Him forever?