O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of GOD more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:4-6)
GOD here cries out to His people about their condition of rebellion and sIn. Even their seeming to turn to Him is temporary and fleeting, because it is superficial, brought on by the circumstances around them and not the Word of the Lord. The sorrow they are experiencing is the sorrow of men, of getting caught and not the Godly sorrow which worketh repentance. And verse 6 above is the central theme and problem with Israel and with us.
We too, like these make an effort at religion but without the power and knowledge of GOD. We give a token effort and call it 'sacrifice' but without mercy or love; and give the forms and practices of 'worship' but GOD doesn't hear us because we don't know Him. Without a relationship with GOD through Jesus Christ, all our righteousness is filthy rags and we are men most miserable. We must repent and receive Jesus Christ by faith and then we may truly, through the presence of the Holy Spirit, live for Christ and do the good works He has called us to. Good works not to earn salvation, but because we already have it.
I pray that today will be the day you understand your need for Jesus Christ and admit your sIn, repent and receive Him that you might have an eternal and abundant life; not just in the next, but here and now.
If you already possess the gift of GOD in Jesus Christ, tell someone else about His love, grace and mercy.
In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet
We too, like these make an effort at religion but without the power and knowledge of GOD. We give a token effort and call it 'sacrifice' but without mercy or love; and give the forms and practices of 'worship' but GOD doesn't hear us because we don't know Him. Without a relationship with GOD through Jesus Christ, all our righteousness is filthy rags and we are men most miserable. We must repent and receive Jesus Christ by faith and then we may truly, through the presence of the Holy Spirit, live for Christ and do the good works He has called us to. Good works not to earn salvation, but because we already have it.
I pray that today will be the day you understand your need for Jesus Christ and admit your sIn, repent and receive Him that you might have an eternal and abundant life; not just in the next, but here and now.
If you already possess the gift of GOD in Jesus Christ, tell someone else about His love, grace and mercy.
In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet
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