You can click HERE to read the passage.
Wow! Talk about having a heart for people to know Christ. Paul is saying that he is willing to give up his own salvation if only his Jewish kinsmen would believe and be saved. And this is incredibly remarkable when you recall how much knowing Christ means to Paul. In Philippians 3:8-10 Paul says, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him…. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His suffering….
Knowing Jesus was EVERYTHING to Paul – and yet he was willing to give it up if the Jewish people would turn from their sin and find Life in Christ.
Reading and pondering this passage make me realize how little I care for the salvation of others. I am selfish in my salvation. I don’t pray for people to turn to Christ like I should. I don’t cry over people going to hell. I don’t plead with friends and family to turn from their wickedness and embrace Christ.
“Lord, would You change me and more and more give me a heart for people like Paul had for the Jews. I confess my apathy towards evangelism. I confess my indifference for people who die without Christ. I confess that my heart is cold. I need your Spirit to bring the passionate heat of revival to my passiveness and listlessness when it comes to sharing the gospel.”
Next Week’s Passage: Romans 9:6-32
Memory Verses: Romans 8:1-23