Compassion for the Lost
Romans 9:1-3: "I am speaking the truth in Christ - I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit - that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsman according to the flesh."
Paul reveals his heart for his people, the Jews, the ones with whom he has lived and worked and worshipped for much of his life. God called Paul on the road to Damascus. Where once Paul had been the great persecutor of the church, the Lord revealed his glory to Paul, and Paul was never the same. This transformation led to Paul becoming one of the greatest evangelists and writers for the Christian faith.
Paul was not looking for the Lord. He thought he knew him. Paul genuinely believed that in persecuting the church, he was acting as a faithful Jew. It took that great conversion by the Lord to change Paul's heart and mind. That is now Paul's great desire for his people - that God would change their hearts and minds. Just as Paul would never have been won by persuasive speech, he knows his people will never come to Jesus with just words. They need the Holy Spirit's work to convict them and to reveal the Lordship of Christ.
It is to that end that Paul prays fervently. His love moves him to want to take their place so that they can be healed and free to know Jesus. Is this our love for those who are outside of the faith? Do we share in Paul's zeal to see all people brought to the Lord? Paul's love for his people led him to teach, write, build churches, and to even suffer great persecution.
What does love for God and people lead you to do?
Oh Lord, search our hearts, ignite our love for you and for the lost. Give us the fervency of Paul to proclaim your message to all people so that you may be known and glorified.
Paul reveals his heart for his people, the Jews, the ones with whom he has lived and worked and worshipped for much of his life. God called Paul on the road to Damascus. Where once Paul had been the great persecutor of the church, the Lord revealed his glory to Paul, and Paul was never the same. This transformation led to Paul becoming one of the greatest evangelists and writers for the Christian faith.
Paul was not looking for the Lord. He thought he knew him. Paul genuinely believed that in persecuting the church, he was acting as a faithful Jew. It took that great conversion by the Lord to change Paul's heart and mind. That is now Paul's great desire for his people - that God would change their hearts and minds. Just as Paul would never have been won by persuasive speech, he knows his people will never come to Jesus with just words. They need the Holy Spirit's work to convict them and to reveal the Lordship of Christ.
It is to that end that Paul prays fervently. His love moves him to want to take their place so that they can be healed and free to know Jesus. Is this our love for those who are outside of the faith? Do we share in Paul's zeal to see all people brought to the Lord? Paul's love for his people led him to teach, write, build churches, and to even suffer great persecution.
What does love for God and people lead you to do?
Oh Lord, search our hearts, ignite our love for you and for the lost. Give us the fervency of Paul to proclaim your message to all people so that you may be known and glorified.
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