“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
(Isaiah 1:18, ESV)
Ivory Snow had a commercial slogan that said it was 99 and 44/100 percent pure. This was from an independent study to show that it was purer than the competitor’s soaps. In this passage of Isaiah, we see that while people’s sin of apostasy was loathsome there would come a time when the Lord would purify them from the depths of their sin. How pure would the Lord make them? Unlike the manufacturers of Ivory Snow, who could only achieve a 99 and 44/100 percent level of purity, the Lord would make those of true faith (v16-17, 19), 100 percent pure from the defilement of sin, as pure as the whiteness of snow.
How would a person experience this level of purity? This level of 100 percent pure, as pure as the whiteness of snow is only possible in Christ. Every child of God experiences this purity through the shed blood of Christ. John explained this truth, writing the following.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7, ESV)
Therefore, the shed blood of Christ cleanses every true believer from all sin. This purification is not partial. It is perfect, complete, and pure. The believer’s sins are cleansed 100 percent by the grace of God in Christ.
Unfortunately, many still struggle with accepting Christ’s forgiveness. Some feel that their sins were so heinous that God could not forgive them. These do not understand the purity, love, and greatness of Christ’s sacrifice for sin. They must trust in Christ. He is God’s remedy for sin.
However, there is even something more sinister at hand. Many believers live their lives haunted by their past transgressions. They allow the memories of a sin to affect their present lives even though they have truly received Christ’s forgiveness years ago. Some feel unworthy of God’s blessing due to that sin. Many feel that God cannot use them in the church because of that sin. Many have carried feelings of guilt because of that sin. Others carry guilt by blaming their past sins for present difficulties in their lives. They live defeated rather than victorious in their Christian life. These people need to experience the depth of Christ’s love demonstrated by His complete sacrifice for their sin.
Remember, the shed blood of Christ made you as pure as snow. You are not 99 and 44/100 percent pure. Christ has made you as pure as the whitest snow, 100 percent pure. By His grace, God has given you the garments of Christ’s righteousness, having cleansed you from all your sin. You are whiter than the purest snow. As a believer in Christ, you must realize that no matter how deplorable you find your past sins, His shed blood has cleansed you completely. You are 100 percent pure, as white as snow.
Renewing the Heart 