GOD's Love

The Book of Hosea tackles about a man whom God allowed to suffer pain by having a woman named Gomer who is adulterous and prostitute. The Lord however did not make this happen so as to make Hosea bear hurt but rather to create a picture of how the Lord demonstrates an unreasonable, tough and unconditional love.

1. Unreasonable Love (Hosea 1: 2-3) – God’s love doesn’t make sense and has no logic. Even the sinners, he loves. He gives it to whoever person of whatever situation he may be. God doesn’t set any requirements for someone to receive His great love. He just loves us with no reason at all.
This is paralleled to Hosea’s love for Gomer. His wife didn’t have to be a good one before he offered his love. Despite Gomer’s promiscuous way of living, she still receives the love that only Hosea can give her.

2. Tough Love (Hosea 2: 19-20) – God’s love is ceaseless and resilient. It withstands great strains without tearing. He lets one go away if it is desired. But, He has his own way to bring his child back home:
a. withhold happiness
b. withhold blessings
c. remove hypocrisy
d. remind one of His Love
e. renew covenant
God would never allow one to step out of His grip and not doing anything to make him return. Hosea, likewise, let his wife go her way. Until it came a point when she was about to be sold as slave, it was only Hosea who saved him out of love.

3. Unconditional Love (Hosea 3:1-3) – Hosea was the one who raised the highest bid to buy Gomer as slave, but, Hosea didn’t look at what Gomer had done to him. He still welcomed her home not as slave but as wife. This is how the Lord look at us, He considers no sin, rather, he looks at how sincere we are asking for forgiveness and He offers a wide open arms to welcome us back. God knows no person and situation. He just loves unconditionally.

God loves like no one in this world can. He demonstrated it through sending his one and only son as atonement for our sins. He alone loves with no reason, and tough and unconditional. This is why God is love… that we only can understand true love if we know how to love like God can.

Acknowledgment: Sermon by Ptra. Cecil Mendoza, Jan. 24, 10, Jesus For All Ministries, KKFI Seminar Hall, Manila.