Isaiah 64:5 – Sin and Salvation
Verses 5 through 7 are a confession of sin of the people of God. God does not overlook sin. God does not indulge sin. And when it is found in believers, His beloved children, they are put under discipline. You must learn that sin brings misery so that you will flee to the One Who will save you from sin, our Lord Jesus Christ.
These are the words and the hearts of the remnant of Israel. Sadly, the godly sin too. Even though you’re in Christ, you’re still stumbling and falling by times. It’s a good sign when believers who have stumbled come to see and mourn their sin.
God is angry with the sin of His people. There is fatherly displeasure. There is a determination by your Father in heaven, to make you, His people, to hate sin, to hate its consequences, and to love Him and live for Him more and more. That is the nature of this anger. The anger of God for you, believer, is ultimately an anger at what sin is doing to you. God’s aspect toward you is love.
There are a couple different translations of the last phrase of this verse. Either translation expresses what is taught elsewhere in Scripture. One translation is “in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.” What are “those?” What else have we been looking at all along from chapter 63, verse 7 and on through here, besides the confession of sin by the people of God? Isn’t it God’s goodness that we’ve seen over and over again? His mercy, His grace, His kindness, His love? The people of God are pointed, not at their sin, but at God’s goodness. The sin has been going on long, but the goodness of God continues. He came to save his people from their sin. In Jesus Christ, you’re accepted not because of who you are; and you are loved, not because you are lovely. The whole basis for everything lies in the eternal purpose of God and the unending, ever continuing love of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We will still be sinning, some less and less, thankfully. But even as we confess our sin and grieve over and fight against our sin, we can still push ahead in holiness, in Christ-likeness, because although our sin has continued long, God’s salvation continues ever!
Question
- Why is God angry with the sin of His people?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks that God’s salvation continues longer than our sin.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.