Pastor Ed Bowen was saved on March 24, 1957 at a revival meeting at Horse Branch Church in Turbeville, S.C. at the age of 23. Brother Bowen has been married to his wife, Margaret, for over 54 years. After being ordained in 1960, Pastor Bowen went on to preach in various places until he became pastor of Cherryvale Baptist. Having been there for over 43 years, in 2000, he had to slow down a bit due to prostate cancer.Though unable to do what he used to do, Pastor Ed has just changed venues. For over ten years now, he has been encouraging people via email. He has graciously agreed to be a contributing author to this website. This series of posts entitled, “Heart To Heart” are the fruit of his times with our Lord Jesus! If they mean as much to you as they do me, then EMAIL him and let him know about it!
(Isaiah 1:18) “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (KJV)
This great invitation shows that God has a desire for peace to be made between two parties in conflict. He is willing to forgive and eager to set things right between them. God is the one who has been sinned against, but He takes the initiative in bringing peace.
He anticipates the greatness of the sins in reference to time for they are said to be “red like crimson”. This is seen in the fact that it takes a long time in the dying vat to dye cloth that color.
He understands the failure of man to whiten his own heart. Crimson and scarlet cannot be removed by men, but God can blot them out. He can erase them and make the heart as cloth, once scarlet, as white as snow and as cloth once crimson, as lamb’s wool. (which means, as wool never dyed.) The despair of soul one’s sin has caused, He will over-rule and bring blessing… despite the cursedness of the sins.
The invitation is a gracious one. Come just as you are! His promise is to forgive and cleanse. It is for the person who is lost and far away from the Lord or the person who has strayed as a lost sheep from the fold.
Pastor Ed Bowen
Conclusion
I am glad that God forgives! We would be in a real dilemma if God did not provide a means of salvation from sin! Thanks Pastor Bowen for the encouraging devotion!
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Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament |
By Warren Wiersbe / David C. Cook
No matter how you have studied the Bible in the past, you are in for an exciting time as you let Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe lead you chapter by chapter through the New Testament. These outlines will help you understand the “big picture”of the New Testament.
