Hosea 4:1-9; 5:13-15
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, Feb. 13

Sin is not a word often used in our society today. Many consider it too harsh of a word as well as an outdated concept. Individuals have gone to great lengths to convince others that their behavior is okay. In the name of "tolerance" and "not judging others" we are asked not only to accept alternative lifestyles but also to approve of them.

Yet as Christians we do not have the luxury to adopt the thought process of the world. The Bible is very clear that right and wrong both exist. When one misses the mark of God's standard, the Bible calls it sin.

God does not overlook sin. Because His love stems from His holiness and righteousness, His love is strong. He holds us accountable for our actions. God's love is tough.

Since God holds us accountable for our actions, how much does sin cost? Hosea, in his ministry to the nation of Israel, addresses this very issue.

 

The Reality of Sin, Hosea 4:1-3

"Listen to the word of the Lord, O sons of Israel, for the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land. Because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land. There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery" (Hosea 4:1-2 NASB).

 

The Jewish people had stopped listening to the word of God, so Hosea called them back to hear the voice of God. Hosea's message presented the evidence God had against Israel. This proof pointed out the failures of the nation which included a lack of faithfulness, kindness, and knowledge of God.

In addition to this faltering of their hearts, the Jews had also violated the very core commandments of their nation. Hosea identified five of the Ten Commandments which the people had broken. He wanted the country to see the reality of their sin.

Just as in the day of Hosea, many people today have stopped listening to the word of God. A call must go out in our land that God has a case against those who ignore him. When today's lifestyles are compared to the Ten Commandments, we find gross violation. God wants His people to stop rationalizing their shortcomings so they can see the reality of their sin against Him.

 

Think About It ... When you compare your life to God's word, how do you measure up? Are there sins you have been rationalizing away rather than seeking the forgiveness and power of God for changing?

 

Sin's Consequences, Hosea 4:4-9

"So I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds" (Hosea 4:9 NASB).

 

Hosea's message did not stop with the reality of sin; he also showed God's people the consequences of their misdeeds. Their sin initiated God's action of dealing with the sin; God wanted their attention.

Consequences are designed to get our attention. Whether a person acknowledges their sin or not, sin still has consequences. At times these consequences happen quickly and at other times they evolve more slowly. But regardless of the timing of the consequences, they always happen. The Bible warns us that our sins will find us out (Numbers 3:23).

Sometimes even we, as God's people, fall into the mentality that God is some sort of a grandfatherly figure who winks at and puts up with our sin. But Scripture supports no such attitude, instead calling sin an abomination. Sin's presence in our lives, even in the smallest form, divides and separates us from fellowship with our God.

Mankind lives in torment because of sin, and burns in hell for eternity when they die in it. And God's one and only perfect and precious Son was slaughtered to pay our penalty for it. God certainly does not wink at our sin.

 

Think About It ... Does God still judge those who violate His law without repentance? Read Romans 1:18, 2:1-2; Hebrews 13:8.

 

Searching For Healing, Hosea 5:13-15

"In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me" (Hosea 5:15).

 

God's design is that the consequences of sin should cause a person to reconsider their relationship with God. Hosea heralded this message. He believed that in their affliction, the Jewish people would earnestly seek the face of God.

Consequences from sin should cause a person to repent as well as cause them to see their need for forgiveness. God's purpose in allowing His people to experience sin's consequences is not to take out His wrath upon us, but to bring us back to Himself and to protect us from further sin (Hebrews 12:4-13).

Forgiveness, ultimately, comes only from God as we acknowledge our failure and seek his forgiveness. The ultimate consequence for our sins is spiritual death. Yet Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins. He was our substitute.

If we place our faith in Christ and His work on the cross, our sins are forgiven. This begins the process of God working in our lives to conform us to the image of Christ.

 

Biblical Truth: Doing things that violate God's commands is sin; and sin, even though it is forgiven, still has temporal consequences.