Returning to God: The Simple Path to Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: The Straight Path to Salvation

The path to salvation is not a complex maze but a straightforward journey back to God. It is a call to return to the Lord with the simplicity of a child’s faith, trusting in Jesus Christ. Many people, however, complicate this journey by seeking their own paths, influenced by the complexities of life and personal desires. The simplicity of salvation is a reminder that God offers a direct road to Him, free from the burdens we often place upon ourselves. Embracing this simplicity requires humility and a willingness to let go of our own ways in favor of God’s clear and loving guidance. [03:23]

Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you have complicated your relationship with God? How can you simplify your approach to faith today?

Day 2: The Relentless Love of God

God’s love is persistent and unwavering, employing both gentle and severe methods to draw us back to Him. When gentle persuasion fails, He may use afflictions or losses to awaken us to our need for Him. These actions are not acts of cruelty but expressions of divine love, aiming to bring us to salvation. God’s relentless love is a testament to His desire for us to return to Him, even when we resist. Understanding this love requires recognizing that God’s methods, though sometimes harsh, are always rooted in mercy and a desire for our ultimate good. [02:35]

Hebrews 12:6 (ESV): "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."

Reflection: Can you identify a recent challenge or loss in your life that might be God’s way of drawing you closer to Him? How can you respond to this with faith and trust?

Day 3: The Pitfalls of Superficial Faith

Many individuals show early promise in their faith but quickly fade away, like the morning cloud or early dew. This superficial faith is often swayed by external influences rather than genuine internal transformation. True faith requires deep roots and a personal conviction that withstands the trials and temptations of life. It is a call to move beyond surface-level commitments and to cultivate a faith that is resilient and enduring. This involves a conscious effort to nurture one’s spiritual life through prayer, study, and community, ensuring that faith is not just a fleeting emotion but a steadfast foundation. [09:00]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are they helping you develop deep roots in your faith, or are they more superficial? What changes can you make to deepen your spiritual life?

Day 4: The Mercy in God’s Methods

God uses various methods, including the sharpness of His word and the hewing of the prophets, to bring us to repentance. These methods, though sometimes harsh, are acts of mercy designed to lead us to true faith and salvation. God’s mercy is evident in His willingness to use whatever means necessary to awaken us from spiritual slumber and guide us back to Him. Recognizing the mercy in God’s methods involves understanding that His actions are always for our benefit, even when they challenge us. It is a call to trust in God’s wisdom and to embrace the opportunities for growth and transformation that He provides. [21:35]

Jeremiah 23:29 (ESV): "Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"

Reflection: Think of a time when God’s word or a difficult experience challenged you. How did it lead to growth or change in your life? How can you remain open to God’s transformative work today?

Day 5: The Clarity of God’s Justice

God’s judgments are clear and righteous, as evident as the light. His dealings with us are always just, and His call to return to Him is an invitation to embrace the simplicity and joy of salvation through Jesus Christ. Understanding God’s justice involves recognizing that His actions are always fair and motivated by love. It is a call to trust in God’s righteous judgment and to respond to His invitation with faith and obedience. Embracing God’s justice means acknowledging our own shortcomings and relying on His grace to guide us on the path of righteousness. [37:54]

Psalm 97:2 (ESV): "Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne."

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God’s justice in your life? How can you align your actions with His righteous standards today?

Sermon Summary

In the passage from Hosea 6:4-5, we are reminded of the simplicity and clarity of the path to salvation. The call is straightforward: "Come, let us return unto the Lord." This return is not a complex journey but a direct path back to the Father, akin to the prodigal son’s resolve to return home. Yet, despite the simplicity of this call, many complicate the journey, seeking winding paths and thorny mazes instead of the straight road offered by God. The Lord, in His infinite wisdom and love, uses various methods to draw us back to Him, even when we resist His gentle calls. When love and gentle persuasion fail, He may resort to more severe measures, akin to a tempest driving a ship to safety.

The Lord's methods, though sometimes harsh, are always rooted in love and mercy. He may use afflictions, losses, or even the sharpness of His word to awaken us from our spiritual slumber. These are not acts of cruelty but of divine love, aiming to bring us back to the path of salvation. The disappointments of love are evident when we see those who show early promise in their faith but quickly fade away, like the morning cloud or early dew. These individuals may be quick to make promises but slow to fulfill them, often swayed by external influences rather than a genuine internal transformation.

The devices of mercy are God's way of hewing us, shaping us through the prophets and His word, to bring us to a place of true repentance and faith. Even when we resist, God’s justice remains clear and righteous. His judgments are as evident as the light, and His dealings with us are always just. The call to return to the Lord is not just a call to avoid judgment but an invitation to embrace the simplicity and joy of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is a call to leave behind the complexities and deceptions of our ways and to embrace the straightforward path of faith and obedience.

Key Takeaways

1. The Simplicity of Salvation: The path to salvation is straightforward and clear, akin to a child’s understanding. It requires a simple faith in Jesus Christ and a willingness to return to God. Despite its simplicity, many complicate this journey, seeking their own paths instead of the direct road God offers. [03:23]
2. God’s Persistent Love: God’s love is relentless, employing both gentle and severe methods to draw us back to Him. When gentle persuasion fails, He may use afflictions or losses to awaken us to our need for Him. These are acts of divine love, not cruelty, aiming to bring us to salvation. [02:35]
3. The Disappointments of Superficial Faith: Many show early promise in their faith but quickly fade away, like the morning cloud. This superficial faith is often swayed by external influences rather than genuine internal transformation. True faith requires deep roots and a personal conviction. [09:00]
4. The Devices of Mercy: God uses various methods, including the sharpness of His word and the hewing of the prophets, to bring us to repentance. These methods, though sometimes harsh, are acts of mercy designed to lead us to true faith and salvation. [21:35]
5. The Clarity of God’s Justice: God’s judgments are clear and righteous, as evident as the light. His dealings with us are always just, and His call to return to Him is an invitation to embrace the simplicity and joy of salvation through Jesus Christ. [37:54]
** [37:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Hosea 6:4-5
[00:31] - The Simplicity of Salvation
[01:03] - The Call to Return to the Lord
[01:47] - The Complexity of Human Ways
[02:18] - God’s Relentless Love
[03:23] - The Straightforward Path of Faith
[04:29] - The Disappointments of Superficial Faith
[06:23] - The Devices of Mercy
[09:00] - The Nature of Stony Ground Hearers
[12:22] - The Endless Work of Ministry
[18:22] - The Danger of Temporary Excitement
[21:35] - The Hewing of the Prophets
[31:37] - The Need for Spiritual Conviction
[37:54] - The Clarity of God’s Justice
[43:04] - The Invitation to Return to the Lord

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does the passage in Hosea 6:4-5 reveal about the nature of Ephraim and Judah's faithfulness? How is it described? [00:13]
According to the sermon, what are some of the methods God uses to bring people back to Him when they stray? [02:18]
How does the sermon describe the reaction of people who initially show promise in their faith but then fall away? [09:00]

Interpretation Questions

What does the sermon suggest about the simplicity of the path to salvation, and why do people tend to complicate it? [01:33]
How does the sermon explain the role of God's love and mercy in using both gentle and severe methods to draw people back to Him? [02:35]
In what ways does the sermon illustrate the concept of superficial faith, and what are the consequences of such faith? [09:00]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you might have complicated your spiritual journey. What steps can you take to embrace the simplicity of returning to God? [01:33]
Have you experienced a situation where God used a challenging circumstance to draw you closer to Him? How did you respond, and what did you learn from it? [02:35]
Consider your current faith journey. Are there areas where you might be showing superficial faith? How can you deepen your roots and strengthen your personal conviction? [09:00]
How can you recognize and respond to God's "devices of mercy" in your life, even when they seem harsh or difficult? [21:35]
In what ways can you ensure that your faith is not swayed by external influences but is instead grounded in genuine internal transformation? [09:00]
How can you actively embrace the straightforward path of faith and obedience in your daily life? What practical steps can you take this week? [03:23]
Reflect on the clarity of God's justice as described in the sermon. How does this understanding impact your view of God's dealings with you and your response to His call? [37:54]

Sermon Clips

Very simple is the way of Salvation very plain is the road home the chapter begins with it come and let us return unto the Lord by going away from the Lord we have lost our privileges have become wounded and have lost ourselves to find all these things again we must go back to the Lord from whom we have wandered. [00:35:10]

The Lord God when he is resolved to save sees it needful to use peculiar methods with these who will not be satisfied to receive the Kingdom of Heaven as a little child because they will not come when they are bidden the Lord adds blows to his words because they will not come when they are gently drawn they shall be roughly driven. [00:20:01]

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved is a command which is plain as a pike star the gospel precept is such as a child can understand and its commandment is not Grievous alas men will not follow this path of peace and even Those whom God ordains eternally to save are for many a day most rebellious against his easy plan. [00:03:23]

The disappointments of love what shall I do unto thee for your goodness is as a morning cloud and as the early duw it goeth away secondly it mentions the devices of Mercy therefore have I hewed them by the prophets I have slain them by the words of my mouth when we have thought of these two things we shall be led very briefly to notice the Declaration of Justice. [00:06:20]

We have a number of persons about about us of whose conversion we have been very hopeful we know those who for years have presented cheering signs of a gracious work within them and yet hitherto they have occasioned us grave disappointment they bud but they never fruit long have they disappointed us and our fear is that they will disappoint us even to the end. [00:07:27]

These people give very Speedy promise we have hardly begun with them but we feel sanguin of success theirs is the religion of haste but it never speeds they are as the morning Cloud we have not to wait until evening but like The Mists on the Hills they are visible before the break of day some people are up early yet do nothing such are these. [00:07:52]

Many are affected by a strong tendency to imitate those about them we all imitate one another more or less but evidently many are not born to set examples but to follow examples these easily promise but as easily forget the love of approbation acts upon many with great force especially will young people follow each other and follow leaders if they are praised for it. [00:15:58]

True faith is the personal conviction of one who has repented and believed on his own account no man can be carried to Heaven by the stream of outside influence there must be a work within you must be born again no doubt we have many who disappoint our hopes because they are moving in the right way but they are not going there from a force within. [00:16:48]

To many men whom God has predestinated unto eternal life it has happened that after they have long resisted the drawings of divine grace the Lord has dealt with them in quite another fashion though with the same end and design in this case according to the text he hewed them by the prophets but I have seen the Lord Hue men with cutting providences. [00:21:37]

The Lord was hewing him with personal sickness and it was of no use for him to attempt to stand out against him all the hewing has been by bereavements his wife who was the Delight of his eyes suddenly sickened and died a little child followed the darling of the household was laid upon its mother's coffin when the second stroke came the man cried oh God I cannot bear this. [00:22:54]

The faithful preacher lops away many a goodly bow and as the man's natural state is made be he cries why is all this what sharp preaching is this I've have known hearers exclaim I will never hear that man again he makes me miserable why not hear him again do you want him to flatter you I have no such commission oh my hearers do you think that I come here on the Sabbath day with an anxious heart aiming at your gratification. [00:28:45]

Consider the path of wisdom leave all I have said if you please but listen to The Voice which saith come let us return unto the Lord why should you be smitten anymore you will Revolt more and more why should you be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding whose mouth must be held in with bit and Bridal why should you be like dumb driven cattle listen to the voice of wisdom and be reconciled to God by the death of his son. [00:42:34]

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