TIME FOR A SERIOUS CONVERSATION

“’Come, let us discuss this,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool.’” (Isaiah 1:18 HCSB)

There is the conversation that demands to be had—not chit-chat, no joking, nothing superficial or beating around the bush.  Such conversations are meant to be direct and pointed—a serious conversation requiring a serious tone.

It might be a conversation a businessman has with an employee who is not getting the job done.  It could be a conversation a father has with a son who has been running with the wrong crowd.  It is the kind of conversation a brother has with another brother who sees him shirking his responsibilities to his family.  It is when a pastor confronts a church member about unrepentant, public sin.  You could think of other examples—some you have initiated, others where you have been on the receiving end—maybe some that need to happen today.

Such conversations are not fun—for anybody.  They are not meant to be.  But, they must be had at times.  The subject matter can be painful, but nothing ever gets better until the “elephant in the room” ceases to be ignored and is acknowledged.

Sin, plain, persistent and pervasive was the subject God confronts through the words of His prophet Isaiah.  The Lord tells His children that it is time for a serious conversation.  He will not look the other way.

There is nothing cryptic about God’s confrontational conversation.  He is very specific about their rebellious nature.  The consequences of their wicked ways are set out, the expectations for change are listed, but the possibility of restored blessings are held out as well.

“’If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.  But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isa.1:19-20 HCSB)

That is the choice before us.  God has summoned us to have a serious conversation.

Dear reader, what is going on in your life, spiritually right now?  Are you entertaining sin and embracing ungodly acts?  Do you find yourself more absorbed with the pleasures of this world than concerned about the world to come?  You are slipping spiritually.  You know it.  What will you do about it?

Church, at the risk of seeming to be a party-pooper, it is time for a serious conversation.  I am concerned about the state of the church in America, and particularly alarmed about our church.  Church membership seems to mean virtually nothing any more.  We have raised a generation of young people that are walking away from the church, perhaps never to return.  The trends in baptisms, giving, attendance, and involvement in service are all down, with the rate of decline seeming to be speeding up.  What is most alarming is that few appear to care.  Do you?  What will we do about it?

Then, there is our sin-sick nation!  Our spiritual health is in critical condition.  When God, the Great Physician call us into His office, the conversation is blunt, “You can change, or you are going to die.”  That’s what He said to the Jews centuries ago.  Today, the Holy Spirit is saying it to America.  Will we shrug it off?  Will we make the hard choices to change our ways?

It’s time we had a serious conversation.  I’m going to have one with God—right now.  Will you join me?