“Come now, and 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 be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
“Pastor, if you only knew the things I have done. Why would God forgive me?”
“Maybe God will forgive them, but will He forgive me?”
“I think God does things for some people, but I am not sure He will do the same for me.”
Throughout the forty-three years I have been in ministry, I have heard these- and similar- statements many times. Many people have a somewhat confused view of God’s reaction toward them.
Really, this kind of thinking regarding God is seriously flawed. Why? It is flawed because it hints at God being partial in His dealings with people. In other words, “Maybe God loves them more than He loves me.” Well, let us reason together with God by looking at what His Word says regarding His thoughts regarding each of us:
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
All that the Father gives Me will come to me, and the one WHO comes to Me I will by no means cast out (John 6:37).
“…And WHOSOEVER will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)
Do you notice the words whoever and whosoever? Whoever and whosoever includes me! Whoever and whosoever includes you! God does not discriminate. In the Book of Acts, Peter witnessed Cornelius and his family receiving the Gospel and receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He acknowledged the fact that God does not discriminate when he said, “…Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.” (Acts 10:34)
God says, “Let us reason together.” God says, “Anyone can come to Me.” God says, “I throw no one away.” Aren’t you glad there is no discrimination with God?
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 
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