“He Will Punish Their Sins” (Hosea 9:9)

"They are deeply corrupted, As in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity; He will punish their sins." (vs9)

Heed the warning and avoid the doom:

When God says, “He will punish their sins”, woe unto you. We can't outsmart or whip God, so it's best to join Him in repentance and faith.  He has the keys of hell, and only His truth counts, for He is all-wise, the Judge, and the King. In Matthew 28, after rising from the dead, Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go you therefore and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (vs18-20).  We live or die according to His will only.

Therefore, repent, “for He will punish their sins”.  This word is God's word!  If we repent, it will be well with us.  If we don't, then we'll be punished.  Five of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 were told to repent or horrible things would happen.  They were also told that everyone who overcomes... everyone who obeys... would be rewarded. Jesus said, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from it's place – unless you repent... to him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Rev 2:4-7).

Secondly, it's better to have pardon than hatred from God, “for He will punish their sins”.  He'll forgive, or He'll damn, but one is pleasurable, though we suffer now.  The other is eternally ruinous, though we may laugh in the temporary pleasure of sin. Hebrews 11:24-26 says, “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward”.  Choose mercy instead of hatred and God's love instead of punishment.

Thirdly, as assuredly as He punishes the wicked, He helps all who want obedience.  He doesn't say, “Come see Me after you're clean”, but in pity, He cleanses us, so we can enjoy favor. He says, “Come unto Me all you that labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). Likewise,  Christ wept over the lost showing His willingness, and He died to show His power, taking holiness so seriously that He died, rose again, and comes to you in the gospel in order to cleanse. Acts 3:26 says, “To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities”. Christ told the man in Mark 5, when all seemed hopeless, “Do not be afraid; only believe” (vs36).