Good morning. Is there someone you agonize over? I am speaking specifically of someone that you love and yet fear for their eternal destination. Most, if not all of us have someone that would meet that description.
This is nothing new.
Consider the anguish of the apostle Paul when he spoke of his great sorrow for his fellow Jews. We read this in Romans 9:1-5
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 kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Paul grieved for his fellow Jews who had refused to accept the fact that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah of God. They should have known better. The prophets spoke at length of the Messiah, and Jesus fulfilled every prophecy. The genealogies of the Jews were well preserved, and again, Jesus fits perfectly into that expectation. When Jesus was with them in the flesh His words were accompanied by miracles that could only have come through the power of God. How could they reject Him?
But many did reject Jesus, and the result of that rejection was and is eternal. For that truth, Paul grieved. He said that if he could have done so he would have taken their place in hell, that is how complete was his love for them.
Does that sound familiar?
But the apostle Paul didn’t give up. He prayed for them, he never missed an opportunity to share his faith with them, and he never wavered in his love for them. It took time, but many of those stubborn people who had rejected the Lord came around and eventually accepted Him.
Our thought for today is this: never give up. The holiday season is officially upon us, and it may give us an opportunity to once again show those whom we love and fear for, that faith in Jesus Christ is a wonderful decision filled with blessings.
Live Christ and share His love with patience and with passion. To God be the glory for it is He who provides the increase!
Vern