Old Testament Scripture Reading: ( Hosea 14:9 KJV)
Hos 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
New Testament Scripture Reading: (Colossians 3:12 – 17 NASB)
Col 3:12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
Col 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Col 3:14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Col 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) The motivation of God that covers the vast multitude of sins perpetrated against Himself by all mankind is summarized within this final verse of the book of the Prophet Hosea in which the Holy Spirit states that true wisdom learns to see that “the ways of the LORD are RIGHT”; and those who are known as the “just” (i.e. the saved / the righteous) shall walk in them, unlike the lost who continue to disregard the perfect counsel of God.
2) If we are the chosen / called / saved by God, then we have been internally equipped to apply Christ-likeness, (which is the fruit of our new life in Christ) (and is the external projection of the new status granted to us by God, paid for with the blood of Jesus) which must become the “measuring stick” of our actions toward one another as we challenge ourselves against the norms of our fallen human flesh.
3) Our personal and corporate worship of God through our remembrance celebration (we call communion) as well as our practice of intentionally choosing to emulate Jesus’ forgiving practices toward one another through forbearance of others of transgressions, insensitivities, thanklessness, complacence, selfishness, etc. must become the norm of our new goal in life and be increasing day by day.