Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Come Holy Spirit Set Us Free
Isaiah 6:1-11
Robin T. Varughese
Epiphany MTC, NY
..The seraph touched my mouth with [the live coal] and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted.” - Isaiah 6: 7
Leading a Christian life has increasingly become difficult in a society that continues to decay into atheism and disbelief. The true struggle of leading a Christian life lies in the pursuit of denying the flesh and dedicating oneself as pure and holy before God.  We try reforming ourselves by our own will, power and strength, not realizing our negligence and refusal of presenting ourselves before God is the primary problem.
    In Isaiah 6: 1-11, we read of the account of Isaiah’s commissioning by God to being the prophet of his time. We know of Isaiah’s prophetic messages, much of which proclaim the coming of the Messiah that are fulfilled within the Gospels, and the numerous visions and proclamations for his time that were crucial for the future of Israel. Isaiah’s extensive history was rooted in humble beginnings as seen in this chapter. Isaiah acknowledged the sin and death of the flesh, especially before the Throne of God, and cried out in reverence before God. It was only when Isaiah humbled himself before God that the seraph approached him and purified him with a live coal to redeem him of his sins and allow him to speak before God’s presence.
    Often times we are reminded of our past, the failures we’ve experienced and our shortcomings, and are overcome with so much guilt that we start to believe the lie that we cannot approach God with our problems and worries. Thoughts race in our heads, “He can’t possibly forgive me this time”, “I’m not worthy to be before God”. These lies constantly plague and hinder us from presenting ourselves before God. The moment we present our worries, our guilt, and our shortcomings before God is when God meets us where we stand, knowing full well of all these setbacks, and blots our sin. “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16). The cross was enough for us to be able to have a close relationship with God once more, and we must be reminded that nothing can separate us ever again from His presence and when we seek Him with humility and reverence, we will ultimately be set free.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we come to You, with reverent and humble hearts, and lay before You all our faults, failures, and seek Your forgiveness. Purify us and sanctify us. Father, in Your Precious Name we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Through Christ, we can freely approach the Throne of Grace with humility, and are set free from the bondages of sin. 

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