hosea

i've been thinking a lot about our relationship with god tonight. i had a class on the book of hosea, a prophet in the bible, and i'm struck with the fact that our relationship with god is so much like a marriage. what an amazing concept, god took us, filthy as we were and cleaned us up to be a spotless bride (eph. 5:25-28), but each time we sin we commit spiritual adultery against god. a picture of grace unimaginable that he would take us back time and again. i am congnizent of the fact that we, as believers are cleansed from all our sin, but we still pain god, i think. if nothing else we terribly hinder that most precious relationship. what an incredible pain, what anguish, and how willingly i run toward sin sometimes.
i'm reading a lot in the 3rd and 4th chapters of hebrews as well, and really struggling with the idea that so many who "think" they're "in" just because they said some prayer, sometime may be sorely mistaken. a sobering thought to be sure.
i guess i come away from some of my thoughts today with two questions:
am i sure that i'm saved (not that i doubt, but i think we need to really examine our lives, it's something to think about, the bible has some pretty stern warnings)
secondly, if i'm saved, does my life look like it (it's no longer good enough to "just be good enough", if i'm serious about this, my life should be headed for a higher level)
at the end of the day i will stand in full view of god and he will judge, that is a very sobering thought

maybe my thoughts from today can encourage you to think, examine, and search. are you where you need to be with god?