Unrelenting Love

   “I’ll love you forever.”  How many times have we said these words to our spouse and our children?  I’m certain that we truly mean what we say but are we capable of fulfilling this promise?  As Christians we are called to love but a love that never ends, one that bears all hurts and betrayals is very difficult for us.  Only with God can we have a love such as this.

  The Old Testament book of Hosea tells us of the love God has for His chosen people.  God told Hosea to go and marry the prostitute Gomer.  Hosea did as God asked and he loved Gomer regardless of her past.  Again and again Gomer went back to her sinful ways, committing adultery even with Hosea’s friends.  Despite her betrayals and the shame she brought to him Hosea continued to love and forgive her.

   This is the love that God has for His people.  Just as Gomer sinned again and again but was forgiven so too the Israelites turned from God many times yet were forgiven.  As Christians we have been adopted into God’s chosen people.  We are no different than Gomer or the Israelites; we sin and betray God’s love over and over.   And still he forgives and loves us.

   This is unrelenting love.  This is the love that never ends and always forgives.  In spite of all hurt and betrayal it remains strong.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3: 16).