We say often in my house, “If wishes were fishes we would all be in the sea.” We wish a lot of things. As a Christian, I wish often that the people around me all knew Jesus. Sometimes, I even think so highly of them that I avoid thinking about their lostness. I avoid seeing that they do not have Jesus. I avoid remembering the future of all who do not have Jesus.
“I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” (Romans 9:1-3)
Yet, is it really loving to do that? Is it loving to push another person’s lostness out of mind because I like them? Is it loving to avoid thinking about it? The apostle Paul declared, “I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart… for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Paul had unceasing anguish in his heart for his people who did not know Jesus. It hurt him.
This tells me that it SHOULD hurt me that my friends and loved ones are lost. It should hurt because of their future. It should hurt because they do not know the Lover of their soul. It should hurt me because it hurts the heart of God. He does love their souls. He loves them so much that Jesus died for them.
If I am tempted to forget that my lost loved ones are lost, I remember that Jesus loves them. If I am tempted to avoid thinking about my loved neighbors or community members are lost, I remember how far God’s love was willing to go to save them.
The Father and the Son love the lost so much. The question I ask myself – do I love them the same way?
Something to think about,
Pastor John
Leave a Reply