PODCAST
Calling Those in Bondage
August 8th, 2013
Hosea 4:10-19
Have you attended a recovery meeting with those who were battling an addiction? As you listen to their stories, you soon realize that once they began experimenting with certain behavior they could never “have enough” (v. 10). They keep returning to the evil in hopes of finding life–yet, it leads to death. The addictive force is so deceitful that it even “take[s] away their understanding” (v. 10), and they don’t realize they are being destroyed.
As challenging and difficult the book of Hosea may be to understand, one thing is clear: no matter how grievous the sin or unfaithful the person, God keeps calling His children back. What would it look like to be a church who continued to call people back who have been “unfaithful to God” and now find themselves trapped in addiction?
More and more churches are opening their doors to recovery meetings. Christian counselors and pastors journey with people on very “broken roads” so that they can find healing and freedom in Christ Jesus. It is a weary journey to “call people back to Him” who are enslaved to addictions, but by the grace of God He will give us the strength to do so.
Author: Corey MacPherson
Tags: Redemption
August 8th, 2013 at 8:35 am
“The addictive force is so deceitful that it even “take[s] away their understanding” (v. 10), and they don’t realize they are being destroyed.”
The life of Hosea and Gomer tells us that in our leaving our husband (Jesus) for prostituting ourselves (with the world) leaves us on the auction block for Him (Jesus) to purchase us back after we are “truly humbled” (usually after being enslaved and destroyed by hitting rock bottom).
Gomer had to have been really humbled by the fact that the man she loved sold her for money and grain (just like a slave or livestock) back to the husband she left for him.
Hebrews 6:4-6 tells us that it is impossible for us to return to Him after tasting that free gift of salvation; and, Luke 18:27 tells “with God” all is possible. Thus, we have to “want” to return and believe He will take us back (as Mark 9:23 states).
Hebrews 13:5 tells us that He will never forsake us. However, also notice, that we are to keep ourselves free from the love of money and other stuff. Thus, we “leave” Him with all sorts of worldly addictions (not just drugs, alcohol, etc.)