The Church Can Not Reform Its Way Out Of Prostitution and Divorce by God

The Minor Prophets Speak to Today

The Church Can Not Reform Its Way Out Of Prostitution

 

Hosea 2:14-20

I Will Win Her Back

Then She Will Finally Know Me As Lord

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Just as works will not save an individual, self reformation will not reunite a church with God.

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1.     WE DON'T WANT GOD TO BUY US BACK. WE WANT TO EARN OUR RESTORATION:

One of the most overlooked acts of Hosea was buying his wife back out of prostitution and slavery. We often don't like this part of the parable of Hosea's life. We, God's bride, don't really expect the same to happen to us. In fact we don't want it to happen that way. We want God to return to Lordship of our congregation as a reward for us praying and instituting reform. In other words, we - organizationally - want to earn His lordship. We want to earn our return to faithfulness. We still think if we do enough of the right things, if we persuade enough people, if we get it right, God will bless us. This is pure paganism. Earning favor with God or the gods.

2.     BUT GOD'S WAY IS CLEAR.

God's message to unfaithful Israel, God's example left for us in these days of grace, is clear. Read the following from Hosea chapter 2 and you will not miss it:

 “But then I will win her back once again.
 I will lead her into the desert
    and speak tenderly to her there.
I will return her vineyards to her
    and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope.
She will give herself to me there,
    as she did long ago when she was young,
    when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt.
 When that day comes,” says the Lord,
    “you will call me ‘my husband’
    instead of ‘my master.’
 I will make you my wife forever,
    showing you righteousness and justice,
    unfailing love and compassion.
 I will be faithful to you and make you mine,
    and you will finally know me as the Lord.

I will show love
    to those I called ‘Not loved.’
And to those I called ‘Not my people,’
    I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’
And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’”

  
I Will Win Her Back

Then She Will Finally Know Me As Lord

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HOW COULD WE WANT

ANYTHING LESS 

Photo Credits:

Come Away With Me by xospislovexo @photobucket.com
Loving Couple by SHuysamen @photobucket.com