Scripture Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8 & Romans 8: 12-17
God called His prophet, Isaiah to declare judgment for the present but hope for the future. In Isaiah’s vision, he witnessed God’s majesty, seated on a throne with His robe filling the temple. Isaiah experienced God’s holiness.
Seraphs are citizens of God’s heaven who are linked to heavenly messengers or angels. The word appears only here in the Old Testament as members of God’s court and basically means the fiery ones. Here, Isaiah seems to indicate that seraphs with wings were present at meetings of God’s council, they sang praise to God. The seraphim proclaim, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.” This emphasizes God’s holiness and glory.
In verse 3, Isaiah responds to this vision with a deep sense of unworthiness, saying, “For I am ruined; for I am a man of unclean lips.” Isaiah’s language, which had expressed grief over the fate of the nation, now turns to pointing out his own sinfulness and problems. Confronted by holiness, he recognised and confessed his own sinfulness before God’s holiness.
A seraph touched Isaiah’s lips with a burning coal from the altar, symbolizing purification from sin. This act signifies that God’s holiness not only reveals sin but also has the power to purify. The heat and holiness joined to cleanse the sin from the prophet’s lips and prepared him to use those lips as God’s messenger. God accepted the prophet’s confession and took away his guilt and sins. Isaiah was a sinner with unclean lips, but God made him a prophet to speak His word.
Following his cleansing, Isaiah hears God’s call, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah responds, “Here am I; send me!” This highlights the response of a purified and willing servant to God’s call.
In Romans 8, Paul contrasts living by the sinful nature, leading to death, with living by the Spirit, which brings life and peace. We are called to live by the Spirit, rejecting the old sinful nature.
Believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We have an obligation not to belong to the sinful nature, which means putting to death the misdeeds of the body. Rather, our obligation is toward the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit indwells those who believe in the Lord, and the believer’s spirit is regenerated by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Today’s text testifies life in the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome sin and live righteous lives, affirming their new identity in Christ.
Believers are also described as being adopted into God’s family, no longer slaves to fear but sons and daughters of God. This adoption brings intimacy and assurance. In accordance with God’s word, we are adopted into God’s family and called as children of God. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons and daughters of God.
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Through the Spirit, believers cry out “Abba, Father,” indicating a close, personal relationship with God. This term “Abba” reflects trust, intimacy, and reliance, like a child’s relationship with a loving parent.
As children of God, believers are also heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. This means sharing in Christ’s sufferings and glory. The promise of future glory provides hope and motivation to live faithfully.
Romans 8 emphasizes the transformation of identity from slaves of sin to children of God and the change that comes with this new identity, encouraging believers to live in the light of their future inheritance.
Both Isaiah and Paul highlight a transformative encounter with God. Isaiah experiences God’s overwhelming holiness, leading to a recognition of his sin and subsequent cleansing. Similarly, Paul describes the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, leading to a new identity and way of life for believers.
Isaiah’s immediate response to God’s call after being cleansed can be compared to the Christian’s call to live according to the Spirit and to be active in God’s mission, as children who share in Christ’s work.
Just like Isaiah’s cleansing and commissioning, adoption into God’s family represents a significant change in status. This new identity comes with responsibilities and a call to embody God’s holiness in our lives.
Today’s text invites us to the assurance that comes from being part of God’s family, empowered by the Spirit, and the hope of sharing in Christ’s glory, encouraging us to live with confidence and purpose.
An encounter with God transforms individuals, calls them to His service, and integrates them into His family with a new identity and mission. May we experience God’s holiness and mercy in our lives and live as God’s family.
If we need to repent, may we confess our sins to God and ask Him to erase them from his record, and pray to God, confessing how great, holy, and majestic He is. If we have refused to listen to Him and obey His word, may we ask God to forgive us for the times.
There may be strangeness and fear as the new believer enters a new relationship with God as a child of God and deepens that relationship. However, the emptiness that comes from the emptying out of spaces that were once filled with sin, dependence, addiction, etc. and the strangeness that comes from a changed life in Christ will be filled in time with the Holy Spirit and works of righteousness.
The most compelling reason of all to live lives of holiness is because we have been adopted into God’s family. A life lived in the presence of the Holy Spirit will be a life that manifests holiness, righteousness, and sanctification. The best way to live the holy life that Paul outlines in Romans is to have a deep relationship with God.
The love of God, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit will be with us throughout our lives. The relational Trinity will commune with us, and we will build and develop relationships within our faith community and the wider communities, guided by the Holy Spirit.
God is at work even in severe human rejection. As Walter Brueggemann says, “There are no easy healings. There are no ready turnings.” There is no easy gospel. There is no cheap grace.” Though fear and anxiety may arise in our lives, we can find comfort in our intimate relationship with God as His children. We will be cared for by our God to the end.
As adopted members of the family of God, how would we evaluate our contributions to relationships with God and others? In Christ, we are obligated to be led by the Spirit. In Christ, we are children of God and coheirs with Christ. In Christ, we will be saved and are certain of our eternal glorification.
God calls us to be a part of his mission and wants us to volunteer to go where he wants to send us. May we listen to God’s call and volunteer to go on mission for Him.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
(Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials)