A Controversy

The Controversy of the Lord

"Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, no mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land." Hosea 4:1

The Lord has a controversy with His people because there is no truth, no mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. I cannot think of a more accurate depiction of the world today.

God would not have a controversy with His people about these things if He did not hold them responsible for these things. God looks to His people to possess a knowledge of Him. Because knowing the Lord transforms us to be like Him, we would then have mercy on those who don't know Him. His mercy then compels us to present that truth to others so that they may also come to know Him. When these things are not happening, God blames His church.

Controversy: A prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention; an altercation or argument. A civil action involving a real and immediate dispute between parties with adverse interests.

Consider the terminology used. God is not indifferent or ambivalent about these things. He is angry...and rightfully so. He is bringing a legal claim against His people for failing to do what He has commanded and equipped for them to do. In legal controversies, the parties involved have "adverse interests", which sums it up in a nutshell.

The goals of many Christians have gotten out of sync with God's goals; many have developed not only different, but opposing interests to God's. Some believe that God's goal is to make them rich. Others believe God's goal is to redeem the kingdoms of the world. Still others say that God's goal is to promote peace and harmony on earth.

People are striving for things in their lives "in the name of Jesus" that God simply cares nothing about. God is looking for His truth, mercy, and knowledge to be throughout the land. God wants people to know Him, and we need to be about our Father's business.

By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away." Hosea 4:2-3

Because the Church is failing in its primary purpose, the world is overrun with every evil and the land itself is in turmoil. The unchecked sin of man is literally polluting the very earth. The Church was given to be salt, to preserve the earth, and yet decay and rot has set in because the salt has lost its savor. They have not made plain the knowledge of God, but have perverted it to suit their own interests.

Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest. Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother." Hosea 4:4-5

There we have it. The priests and the prophets are not doing their duties. Instead of preaching the truth so that people may come to the knowledge of God and be saved, that which calls itself the church is preaching smooth things. The punishment for this is judgment on the nations, which begins at the house of God first.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." Hosea 4:6

Your failure to speak the truth is not only to the detriment of others whom you have forsaken, it is to your own detriment. You won't stand up for God? You don't have enough mercy on the lost to proclaim God's truths? The result is your own destruction. Since you are ashamed to represent Him before man, Jesus will not represent you before His Father.

The Lord has a controversy with His people. Yet, the funny thing is that most hold back the truth for that same reason: to avoid controversy. They don't want to face the potential backlash of people's reaction to the truths of God. Jesus is called a rock of offense because the truth can be offensive to those who do not want to submit to it. Yet, that doesn't mean the church is free not to tell it.

Not being ashamed of Jesus Christ doesn't mean you publicly say, "I am a Christian." It means that you are available to be used by God as you are led by His Spirit to do and say what He would have you to. It means that you have reconciled in your own mind that you will share with Him in His sufferings (including persecution from the world) so that you may likewise share in His resurrection.

"Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God." II Timothy 1:8

Where do we stand before the Lord? Does He have a controversy against us? Are our goals aligned with His? Is our heart set on the things of His heart? Where are our priorities?

Turn back to the old paths which is the good way, and walk in that.