statement. The Apostle Paul writes, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and pray er to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” What a burdened heart we find here. He didn’t pray that these people would become better off finan cially nor that they would be happy and free from illness. His earnest de sire was that they might be saved! Do you and I have a burden like that for those who are lost all about us? Never has there been a time in all history when there has been so much religious zeal and fervor. This is what drives men and women to churches and other places of worship. Paul says this zeal is not according to knowledge, however, because without Jesus Christ as Saviour men are ignorant of God’s righteousness; they actually go about establishing a righteousness of their own. How is it that you and I can go on day by day in our ordinary lives and not have a similar crushing burden for those who know not the Lord? Do we really have a burden for souls who are all about us? For it is an evident fact that if we don’t have a burden for men and women we can see, we can ever earnestly pray for those who are in the distant countries of the world. The promise is, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). God’s saving grace is bestowed upon us no matter our nationality, color, language or culture. But in the light of this, Paul poses some very significant questions. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not be lieved? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). They can not find salvation. Men and women call upon their own gods, the gods they know, made with their own hands, and concocted in their own hearts. The answer is they must hear about the One in whom alone is true salvation through belief unto salvation. Now Paul presents an even greater challenge. These people in benighted lands will never hear unless someone 8
Considering the Challenge
by Dr. J. O. Percy I n considering the missionary chal lenge God has given to every believer, one of the key Scriptures is Romans, chapter ten. Read it again for yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart as to what part He would have you to take in this outreach of world-wide evangelism. The chapter opens with a remarkable
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