There are certain things which God may overlook; for a time for the greater purposes. Hosea 4:14 may be such a passage.
That entire book; in fact on the surface seems like a conflicting situation on whether to destroy Ephriam (chapter 11; verses 8-9).
The principle of forgiveness is on a personal level as well with the Prophet himself who is told by God to marry a harlot and not only that to buy her back after she has gone back to her old ways. Such passages demonstrate perhaps most clearly of any O.T. scriptures God's grace. There are lilkely undertones of interaction among the Godhead and the idea of Christ's intercession when God the Father cannot look onto any sin. We need only look at other characters who ended up not only mentioned but commended as being "heroes" of the faith such as Rahab (always followed by "the harlot".) In this example; there is no clear "statement of faith" but there IS evidence of saving faith. The same could be said of the book of Esther where God isn't mentioned at all; or Ruth where there is little mention.
The concept of God loving the world and ultimately only some being saved in the end has the opposing views that God wants to save everyone but doesn't vs. God "giving His life as a ransom for many" ( Matt. 20:28). Again; assuming we aren't universalists; then we all would agree that the efficacy of His sacrifice is only valid for those who come to faith in Him. Nonetheless; just as we are challenged facing the eternal consequences of sin for the unregenerate; we also are amazed that He would save any sinners; not to mention have them rule and reign with Him.
The world is often fixated on external manifestations of sin that are shocking while overlooking their own hearts which are the source of all bad fruit as seen in Matthew 7:16-20 (although the entire chapter is good reading on the subject). This is why; sadly we often see behaviors manifest when self restraint is reduced.
There are certain things which God may overlook; for a time for the greater purposes. Hosea 4:14 may be such a passage.
That entire book; in fact on the surface seems like a conflicting situation on whether to destroy Ephriam (chapter 11; verses 8-9).
The principle of forgiveness is on a personal level as well with the Prophet himself who is told by God to marry a harlot and not only that to buy her back after she has gone back to her old ways. Such passages demonstrate perhaps most clearly of any O.T. scriptures God's grace. There are lilkely undertones of interaction among the Godhead and the idea of Christ's intercession when God the Father cannot look onto any sin. We need only look at other characters who ended up not only mentioned but commended as being "heroes" of the faith such as Rahab (always followed by "the harlot".) In this example; there is no clear "statement of faith" but there IS evidence of saving faith. The same could be said of the book of Esther where God isn't mentioned at all; or Ruth where there is little mention.
The concept of God loving the world and ultimately only some being saved in the end has the opposing views that God wants to save everyone but doesn't vs. God "giving His life as a ransom for many" ( Matt. 20:28). Again; assuming we aren't universalists; then we all would agree that the efficacy of His sacrifice is only valid for those who come to faith in Him. Nonetheless; just as we are challenged facing the eternal consequences of sin for the unregenerate; we also are amazed that He would save any sinners; not to mention have them rule and reign with Him.
The world is often fixated on external manifestations of sin that are shocking while overlooking their own hearts which are the source of all bad fruit as seen in Matthew 7:16-20 (although the entire chapter is good reading on the subject). This is why; sadly we often see behaviors manifest when self restraint is reduced.
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