Dear friends, I woke up this morning with a burden in my heart for the Body of Christ and as I began reading the Word of the Lord. I am convinced that the Lord is calling His Church to repentance. Though I do not consider myself to be a prophet, I was led to several passages on spiritual apostasy, spiritual idolatry, spiritual adultery and spiritual harlotry. I believe that the Lord is calling us (including myself) to repentance.
In the book of Hosea chapters 4 and 5, the charge of infidelity (adultery, idolatry, and harlotry) was laid upon the children of Israel and the consequent judgment was revealed. Like Israel, I believe that we, the Church—the Body and Bride of Christ—are just as guilty as the children of Israel and that we need to repent. I know what you may be asking, “How does that relate to the church?” The Body of Christ has committed all of these transgression because we have set our affections upon the material things of this world, have turn away from God and have now sought after the god of fame, money and luxury (hence Mammon).
In Hosea 6:1-3 (NASB), we find God’s call to repentance and the appropriate response to His rebuke. Hosea writes: “Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, that we may live before Him. “So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.” It is my prayer that we as a church would take to heart God’s call to repentance. God loves us and desires to fellowship with us. James 4:8-10 says “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves, and He will lift you up.”
Beloved, the name Hosea means “salvation,” and is closely related to the name Joshua, which is identical with the name of our Savior, Jesus. If you recall the word of Joshua to the children of Israel in Joshua 24:14-15 (NKJV): “Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt [referring to the world]. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
I must agree with the prophet Amos, whose name comes from a Hebrew verb meaning “to carry a burden,” by his own confession was “no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet” (7:14). But God in His infinite knowledge, wisdom and power saw fit to use Amos to speak to a backsliding nation called Israel. Amos confronted the children Israel for their sin of idolatry, adultery and harlotry. As a contemporary with Hosea, Amos asked a profound question that I must ask the church today. “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Hosea 3:3, NKJV).
Lord, I repent of the sin of spiritual adultery, spiritual idolatry, and spiritual harlotry. Thank you Lord for the blood of Christ, which is able to cleanse us of all unrighteousness! Child of God, seek the Lord while He may be found! Our God is faithful to fulfill His promises! God is indeed the Awesome God and matchless in His infinite wisdom and power! Faithful is our God, so rejoice today!
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