Readings for today: Hosea 6-9
I attended a Bible study when I first became a Christian at a local church. The leader challenged us with a powerful question that I’ve never stopped thinking about. Would you love God if you didn’t receive anything from Him? Would you seek God if He had never promised you a thing? Would you follow God if there was no guarantee of reward? Basically, his argument was that God is worthy of our worship and devotion and love simply because He’s God. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else.
Sadly, God’s people treated their relationship with God like a transaction. They loved God but only for the benefits. They obeyed God but only if there was a reward. “Come on! Let’s return to the Lord!” But only if He heals us and bandages our wounds. “Let us acknowledge Him!” But only if He restores and allows us Into His presence. “Let us seek the Lord!” But only if He comes to our rescue. This kind of repentance is superficial at best and false at worst and it elicits God’s contempt and judgment. “What am I going to do with you, O Ephraim? What am I going to do with you, O Judah? For your faithfulness is as fleeting as the morning mist; it disappears as quickly as dawn’s dew.” (Hosea 6:4 NET)
If we aren’t careful, we can make the same mistake. We can treat our relationship with God like a transaction. I can’t tell you the number of times I talk to people about Christ only to have them respond with something like, “I will believe in God but only if He will do this or that for me.” “I will follow God but only if He fulfills this or that desire for me.” “I will worship God but only if He blesses me.” This kind of conditional, transactional approach to faith is not faith at all. It is contractual not covenantal. It diminishes God by treating Him as if we are somehow His equal. God is God. He is worthy of our worship simply because He is. Does He bless us? Thankfully, yes. Does He fulfill His promises to us? Absolutely. Is He a good Father who gives good things to His children? Without a doubt. But these are gifts of grace not anything we deserve or earn through our own effort.
Readings for tomorrow: Hosea 10-14