Commentary on Isaiah 55:6-7
The salvational aspect of the Gospel message about Jesus Christ is unmistakable. Repentance is tied to our faith, or it should be. Repentance is turning from sin, from wickedness, from living in a manner not approved of by God. As human beings we make mistakes which is expected and allowed for. However, if we insist our ways are better than God’s ways when the Holy Spirit identifies a difference, then we are not mistaken prodigals but rebellious prodigals. In both cases God is waiting for us to turn from our sinful ways but in the rebellious situation we bear the brunt of our rebellion based on our choices rather than apologizing for our mistakes.
"People of Advent - Isaiah the Prophet" by Lawrence OP is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.
Isaiah 55:6 (NASB)
This seems like it is at once simple and alarming too. Alarming because it suggests God is not always there, but He is. Simple because it fully supports and declares that prayer works. "Call upon Him" is simply an endorsement for prayer. Not only that, but it is a declaration of an imperative. We should seek God, absolutely. We should pray to God, absolutely.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
Isaiah 55:7 (NASB)
Repentance. Turning from sin is something we should not just pursue for ourselves but support for other people. Should we point fingers and condemn? I'm not going to tell anyone they should or should not do something they feel led to do. Ministers for centuries have felt led to preach that message, and in many cases, that call to repentance has worked. I do not feel led to tell anyone they are "going to Hell." Is Hell a real place? Yes. Is it someplace that people can go? Yes. Do I have any control over who does and does not go there? No, I do not, but Jesus does, which is a very good piece of news. Jesus has a heart of love. Jesus has given us His words we are commanded to follow. If the question of who is or is not going to Hell and whether or not we are in or out of that group concerns us, then there is only one answer to that. We must study God's word, what He said He likes and doesn't like, and make appropriate changes in our lives where the Holy Spirit leads us. I am absolutely qualified to make these decisions for myself. I will only tell you what my opinion is about you if you invite me to enter your life and speak about it in that fashion. I'm not currently given any other option. Your mileage may vary, though. You do you, and I'll do me.