God used the prophecy of Hosea to show how He feels when His people
prostitute with other gods. When we serve other gods, God feels the same
way that a person feels whose spouse is unfaithful. God is jealous for
His own. It is inconceivable to think that God will be unconcerned when
His people are unfaithful to Him. His great love for us forbids this to
be. Anything that we put ahead of God 'hurts' Him.
The entire story of the prophet Hosea is an accurate description or depiction of the amazing wonder of God's grace. It is not a tale of sin that goes unpunished, but rather, of a love that is unfailing, though stern. Grace forgives sin, but never overlooks it. When sin is punished in a person under grace, the aim is not to alienate him from God, but rather, to bring him to repentance, so he is not condemned with the world.
"But when we [fall short and] are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined [by undergoing His correction] so that we will not be condemned [to eternal punishment] along with the world." 1 Corinthians 11:32 (AMP)
"For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them and go away; I will take them away, and no one shall rescue. I will return again to My place till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me." Hosea 5:14-15
Come, and let us return to the LORD; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight. Hosea 6:1-2
The goal of God's discipline is never to destroy us, but to restore us to Himself. This is what many people in the grace revolution movement have not understood about God's dealings with His people when they transgress His commands. God's loving hand is never withheld in correction for those He loves, though it may be severe.
It is amazing to know that even when we stray from God, He still loves and cares for us. When we serve any other than God, it is important that we know that whatever we give to an idol, we have received from God, yet, He does not withhold His blessing from us, even though He will chastise us as a loving Father that He is.
Toni
The entire story of the prophet Hosea is an accurate description or depiction of the amazing wonder of God's grace. It is not a tale of sin that goes unpunished, but rather, of a love that is unfailing, though stern. Grace forgives sin, but never overlooks it. When sin is punished in a person under grace, the aim is not to alienate him from God, but rather, to bring him to repentance, so he is not condemned with the world.
"But when we [fall short and] are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined [by undergoing His correction] so that we will not be condemned [to eternal punishment] along with the world." 1 Corinthians 11:32 (AMP)
"For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them and go away; I will take them away, and no one shall rescue. I will return again to My place till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me." Hosea 5:14-15
Come, and let us return to the LORD; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight. Hosea 6:1-2
The goal of God's discipline is never to destroy us, but to restore us to Himself. This is what many people in the grace revolution movement have not understood about God's dealings with His people when they transgress His commands. God's loving hand is never withheld in correction for those He loves, though it may be severe.
It is amazing to know that even when we stray from God, He still loves and cares for us. When we serve any other than God, it is important that we know that whatever we give to an idol, we have received from God, yet, He does not withhold His blessing from us, even though He will chastise us as a loving Father that He is.
Toni
