Love That Pursues: God's Relentless Affection for His People
Insights from Hosea and John's Gospel on Divine Forgiveness
Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, God’s love remains steadfast. Israel, in her unfaithfulness, turns to other gods and maintains a hypocritical relationship with God. Yet, God continues to pursue, bless, love, and patiently waits for her return.
What a God we serve! That is the same picture in John 3:16. God loves the world, whosoever, no conditions given. Compare these two beautiful passages with me.
Personal, Intimate Love
In John 3:16, God calls out to the individual, whosoever. Hosea is the picture of intimacy in marriage. God loves you personally, cherishing you as His own. It is a relationship, not a distant concept. God shows that love in Hosea by comparing His relationship with Israel to marriage. In both stories, it is God who takes the initiative. You choose to accept or reject, but God’s love for you is unwavering, and He is coming to rescue you from your sin and the pain it brings.
Forgiveness
Both John 3:16 and especially Hosea, deal with forgiveness. John 3:16 offers eternal life rather than death that was brought by sin. Hosea is an even clearer picture of forgiveness. Gomer could in no way deserve forgiveness and restoration, but that is the entire story. Hosea pursues and loves. Forgiveness and restoration are what Hosea does. Hosea in no way waits for Gomer to make the first move.
Biblical forgiveness starts with God, the forgiver. We must follow the teachings and start the forgiveness process.
The Results that are possible
If you will only believe, you can have eternal or everlasting life. In the book of Hosea, he buys back his lost lover to restore her and renew the relationship. That is what God did for Israel and what he does for us. He buys us back, ransoms us, and restores and renews us. We were His, then lost, and then He finds us.
His love not only restores and renews us but also transforms us from death to life, from rebellion to loving submission, and from waywardness to walking with God. His love is not just comforting, it is transformative, giving us hope and inspiration for a better life.
Both texts speak of our relationship as His children or His people.
God loves us, the world, His creation.
Let it sink in. God loves you. You didn’t go looking for Him; He came looking for you. You didn’t find Him. He found you. You didn’t love Him first; He loved you.
If you are not a believer, know this: God loves you, Christ has already paid for your sins, and the gift is yours to receive. Trust Christ today.