"I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel." Romans 9:2-4a
Paul, the missionary to the Gentile people, carried a great burden for the salvation of his own Jewish people. So great was his desire for their salvation that he was willing if possible to 'be cursed and cut off from Christ' himself in order that they might be saved. Wow!!! He was willing to give up his own salvation if in doing so he could help them to be saved! How deep is your burden for the people of our country and community? When Jesus saw the lost he felt deep compassion for them (Matthew 9:36) and He actually did give up his life for them. As a follower of Jesus, Paul shared Jesus' deep compassion. May God help us also care deeply for the lost who are around us.
Father, I confess that my concern for lost people is something less than what Paul felt but I pray that You would deepen it by filling me with the compassion of Jesus.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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Good Morning Pastor Mark,
ReplyDeleteI always wondered what Paul meant when he would give up his salvation for the his fellow Jews could be saved. The burden for souls is just that "a burden". The more I pray for the souls of mankind the more my heart hurts. I thank God for his forever presence of the Holy Spriit because indeed we could not fight for the souls of mankind without His power. Every person that live or have ever lived our Heavenly Father loves them and its not desire that any of them perish. I pray that our heart will be like His heart toward a lost and dying world. Love in Christ Francie