“For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (Romans 9:3).
TEXT —Romans 9:1-5
Message
In relationships, you discern the depth of your partner’s commitment through how far they can concede prized possessions or cherished careers to sustain the bond. Can they forego things dear to them, their families, professions, talents, hard-earned money, etc. to save the partnership from falling apart? Can one member of the threatened union afford to suffer loss, all in the bid to give a new lease of life to an association on the brink?
For Apostle Paul, there was no end he would not go to have his kinsmen, the unbelieving Jews of the First Century, saved from the wrath of heaven. Himself, the product of the great love and compassion of the Lord, who had died in his stead for his sins, He now declared solemnly that he was ready to sacrifice his life also for the Jews who rejected and killed Christ, the Saviour. The apostle had tasted of the measureless mercy of God. He desired to spare no effort to get his compatriots into this orbit of grace so they would not perish in their sins. It was not an idle wish.
The Lord expects all who follow Him to have the same Pauline approach to winning souls into the kingdom. The apostle recognised a pattern and stuck to it. He saw how Christ made the supreme sacrifice to save him and humanity. Faithful Christians must also go the extra mile, including laying down their necks, to make the lost come to Christ and escape the impending eternal punishment. This does not mean we should deliberately seek death to bring people to Christ – the supreme price was already paid by Jesus Christ. But if persecution, trials, and danger come, we should never be wanting there.
It follows then that if those who need to receive the message of hope from the Christian do not get it and they end up in hell because we refused to sacrifice for them, the believer shall not be guiltless. The Lord will hold the negligent believer responsible. Before it is too late, those who have enjoyed the immense benefits of Christ’s sacrificial redemption should move fast and put in all it requires to reach the dying souls.
Thought for the day
Fruitful evangelism is always a product of sacrifice.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
3 comments
Good day, I wanted to know when the iOS application will be ready for download?
Thank you Lord for today’s daily manna, and the message therein. Almighty God, please help me to remain committed to demonstrating my love for you by telling others about the gospel of Christ, even at the expense of my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Good day, I wanted to know when the iOS application will be ready for download?
Thank you Lord for today’s daily manna, and the message therein. Almighty God, please help me to remain committed to demonstrating my love for you by telling others about the gospel of Christ, even at the expense of my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
May the name of the be praised for the spiritual meal every morning to keep us standing in the faith . God bless you.