October 26, 2010 A Deep Passion

Deep Passion
Read Romans 9

Romans 9:1-4 I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel.

WOW! Is Paul passionate for his people, or what? I can’t understand such a deep love! What? Offer my soul to God to trade Heaven for Hell so a group of people would be saved? I couldn’t do that.
But Paul expresses this! God has placed in Paul a deep, deep passion for the Jews who have not yet proclaimed faith in Jesus. That’s why Paul is able to endure many hardships—shipwrecks, beatings, jail, deprivation and ill-health—for the sake of his own people to know the Gospel. He desperately wants all to know Jesus as Lord of their lives.
Where did that passion come from? I think each of Christ’s apostles developed this passion for God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They had the opportunity to become intimate with Jesus. Jesus showed them his love by going to the cross and coming back from the grave. They saw the reality in the flesh of our Lord’s triumph over death!
So the apostles understood more completely than any of us can how real and true and perfect God’s love is for us. That’s why they were willing and able to give their lives entirely for the Gospel.
Can we be like this? Only when we come to know Jesus in a deeply intimate way. Study the Word. Pray and listen.
Then go and do. Jesus will become real to you, too.


Pause and Consider: where you are most passionate. It’s easy to get involved in the things related to that passion, isn’t it?