The Effects of Sin

I have recently begun a study on the book of Isaiah with some friends at church.  We post about the things we read and learn here:  Dog-eared Mommies . I wanted to share my post with you:

My heart races as I think about the implications of sin that I've just read about in Isaiah.  One question from our study says:

"Sin has its effects: with what picture does Isaiah describe these effects on the people of Israel in 1:5-6?" 

"5 Why will you still be struck down?

Why will you continue to rebel?

The whole head is sick,

and the whole heart faint.

6 From the sole of the foot even to the head,

there is no soundness in it,

but bruises and sores

and raw wounds;

they are not pressed out or bound up

or softened with oil."

Isaiah describes to us a body that cannot be beaten anymore, one that lies tattered from the sole of the foot to the top of the head.  One whose vital organs of the brain and the heart are failing.  I read it as he if he is saying, one more hit and you will be completely dead.

I imagine this as an invalid on life support.  The doctor has just come in and told the family there really is no more that he can do.  The heart is failing, the brain is failing, the whole body has lost function.  This body needs a miracle to survive.  The family grieves and prays and hopes, but prepares for the worst.

Sin has all but killed the people of Israel.  A miracle is needed for the life of God's people.

How powerful and depressing is this picture in showing the effects of sin against God!  I praise God that a Miracle does come and am thankful to know the rest of the story.

 "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered. 

  Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long. 

  For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

 I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

 Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him. 

  You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah"

Psalm 32: 1-11 

 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21

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