Jesus Christ. Nationally, it is for the country which will “be born in a day.” .This, then, was Paul’s great desire for his people, that as they came to know the Saviour, they might also come to know the blessed hope which is their future. Do you have this blessed as surance today? Is there a Jewish friend to whom you could witness? You are the only Christian somebody knows. Let your life be a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ no matter what your circumstances may be. E very C h r istia n should have a “ firm grasp on the truth of Israel’s place in God’s great plan of redemp tion. While the eighth chapter of Ro mans ends on a note of triumphant victory, the ninth starts with the sound of grief and sorrow. It is still Paul speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, however, a differ ent subject is before us. The Apostle never f o r g o t his brethren after the flesh. His Spirit- led discussion deals with Israel’s present position and how God, in His sovereign grace, has given them the Gospel, as well as He has to the Gen tiles. As a parenthesis, the eleventh chapter illustrates Israel’s glorious future. Listen to the heartbeat of this earnest servant as he declares his love for Israel, “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost.” His concern is personal (verse 1 ),) griev ous (verse 2 ), and intense (verse 3 ). See how Paul brings both the second and third Persons of the Trinity to witness in what he has to say. This shows the intensity of his burden. How often have we told friends, almost in passing, “Well, I ’ll be pray ing for you” ? Are we actually faith ful in this? Too frequently, “out of sight is out of mind.” Such was not true with Paul when he assured Israel of his petitions to God on their be- 6 A Concerned Apostle
Looking ovor well-stocked Biola tract racks are students from loft to right: Bill and Linda Marty, Fullerton, California; Bob Tedrow, Yuma, Arizona; Linda Stewart, El Paso, Texas; and Dave Rogers, Richmond, California. Tracts are always available (or students to carry with them for distribution. saved. To those of us who are born again comes the powerful question, “Is there someone in my household or acquaintanceship who is lost? Do I love him enough through Christ that for the sake of his salvation I would myself be willing to be lost?” This is a tremendous, although hypothetical question. The answer, however, is a gauge of true love. In a measure, it may help us to understand Paul’s love for his own people Israel. Listen to his powerful, consuming purpose, “Brethren, my heart’s de sire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to es tablish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (10 :1 -3 ). Paul commended his people for their mis placed zeal. They had sought to ob serve all of the forms, laws and rit uals, however, this was all legalistic and would not lead to true repentance and salvation. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul saw that God was going to restore His people (Rom. 1 1 :1 ), for He loves them de spite their willful disobedience and wickedness. We may well ask what Israel’s hope is today. Individually, it is eternal sal vation for all who believe in the Lord
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