“Come, let’s return to the Lord. For he has torn us, and he will heal us; he has wounded us, and he will bind up our wounds. He will revive us after two days, and on the third day he will raise us up so we can live in his presence. Let’s strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land….For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:1-3, 6 CSB https://bible.com/bible/1713/hos.6.1-6.CSB

The Lord Jesus fulfilled this verse when He rose from the dead on the third day after being wounded and torn for our sins, having taken them upon Himself at the cross. Having canceled the punishment of our sins at the cross because of His sacrifice for us, He has risen from the dead to restore the relationship with Him and the Father through the Spirit that we were created to always have when God spoke humanity into existence. God Almighty created us for Himself to love Him and know Him, to be our joy and our delight. The One True God is not interested in many religious ceremonies that do nothing to transform our hearts into more loving children. Religion is only useful if it brings us closer to God in adoration, praise, love, worship, and obedience as a sign of our great affection for Him. We need means to know God and grow in our relationship with Him, but He alone is the end. Knowing God and loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is our purpose, provides our meaning, and is the passion that motivates us toward Him. Is this how we truly feel about God? Do we desire Him? Is loving God by taking action in the world for others to know and love Him the work we most want to engage in because our delight in Him is so great and our understanding that without Him, life is so broken, shallow, and purposeless? God is good and has done so much for us by bringing us into a relationship with Himself. The invitation to love Him forever is before us: written in His word, demonstrated by His life, and communicated through His church. Let us make loving God and obeying His commands our life.