“For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” – Romans 9:3
Can you hear Paul’s desperation for his people to know Jesus as Lord and Savior? He was willing to trade his own salvation if it meant that the Jewish people would trust in Jesus the Messiah. Are you that desperate for the lost people in your life???
Paul understood that the default destination of every person on earth is an eternity of separation from God’s love and presence in Hell and he couldn’t bear it. He was absolutely desperate for people to hear the Gospel and believe in Jesus. He devoted his life to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. He particularly ached for those who were zealous for God yet didn’t know Him because they rejected Jesus. Do you?
Are you desperate for your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors to know Jesus? Are you willing to risk embarrassment, rejection, or safety for people to hear about Jesus who don’t know Him? Are you devoting time, talent, and treasure to the salvation of lost people? Like Paul, would you trade your own salvation for the widespread awakening of entire ethnic peoples?
Pray about this verse. Meditate on this verse. Ask God to give you a burden like Paul’s. Beg Him to make you ache for people like Paul ached. Then act on that burden. Share the good news of Jesus generously. Get involved in evangelistic efforts in your community and missions around the world. Pray for those far from God, particularly those zealous for Him but ignorant of the truth about Jesus. #FollowJesus