A Heart for the Lost
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Jun 26, 2023
- 2 min read
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 9:1-5)
Paul had such a burden that he wished he could be separated from Christ if it meant it could save his Jewish brethren. This intense and profound statement revealed the passion of his heart! We can see how much Paul's heart was consumed with the lost souls of his fellow Israelites. He understood they were God's chosen people, and that the Gospel message was originally meant for them. Paul knew the Jews had a special place in God's plan of salvation, and he wanted them all to be saved. As Christians, we should have the same burden for the lost as Paul did. We are called to share the Gospel message with those who are lost and in need of a Savior. We must reach out to all people, regardless of their nationality or background. We need to have a heart like Paul's, a heart that is intensely consumed with a burden for the lost. So how can we cultivate this burden for the lost?
First, we must pray for the lost. We pray God would open their hearts and minds to receive the Gospel message. We must also pray for ourselves, asking God to give us the courage and boldness to share the gospel with others.
Second, we must share the Gospel with those around us. We must step out of our comfort zones and connect with those around us. We must be vulnerable and share our own stories of how we came to know Christ.
Last, we remember that salvation is not up to us. We cannot save anyone, only God can. Our job is to obey God and share the Gospel message and leave the results up to God. We must trust in Him and have faith that He will work in the hearts of those we share the Gospel with.
Practical Application
Continue to share the Gospel and believe your loved ones will be saved.
