I WILL LOVE THEM FREELY

September 6

Hosea 14:4 

 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: 

for mine anger is turned away from him. 

The Lord loves His people naturally, as parents love their children;

freely, without any cause whatever in them.

He looks for nothing in them to move Him to love; nor will He allow any thing in them to prevent His love.

He loves them as vessels of mercy; disciples of Jesus; as bearing His image, His name, and His nature.

His love to them is infinite, fruitful, and unchangeable.

He will love them, though they deserve hatred, merit wrath, and may be justly sentenced to perdition.

Beloved, let us never look to ourselves to find out the cause of God’s love; it is in Him, not in us; but let us believe Him when He says, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.”

Let us plead with Him, encouraged by the words of Jesus, “The Father Himself loveth you.”

Let us rejoice before Him, and praise Him for distinguishing grace.

If He will love us, who shall forbid Him?

If He will love us, who shall dispute with Him?

If He loves us, as His word testifies He does, who shall estimate the honour, the advantage, or the happiness, which will eternally flow from His love?

All glory to free grace, and unmerited love.

O Jesus, full of truth and grace,

More full of grace than I of sin;

Yet once again I seek Thy face;

Open the ark and take me in;

And freely my backsliding heal,

And love the faithless sinner still.

James Smith