With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them. They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
Romans 9:1-5
How much time do you give to thinking about the people around you – your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers – and their relationship with Christ?
The Holy Spirit confirmed his conviction that Paul was willing to be “cut off from Christ” so that his own brothers – his race- the descendants of Abraham – could experience the Salvation of God.
Paul recognized the state of his own people to the point of being willing to exchange his own salvation if that was possible.
Consider this quote from Chip Ingram:
“Have you ever had that experience of looking over the cubicles at work or driving by the cars backed up on the highway and asking yourself, out loud, “How many of these people know about Christ? How many have been turned off by religion?” How many times have you honestly asked, with the Spirit of God prompting your heart, “Do I really care about others? Does the way I use my time indicate I care?”
Chip Ingram
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