Our Share of Salvation

“I wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers.”  Romans 9:3

I have friends I love who are lost.  I think about them, talk with them, and pray for them but must honestly admit that I’m not sure I would swap my salvation for theirs.  Though I know such can’t be so, and the Apostle Paul was aware of the same, his love for the Jewish people—his people—was so intense that he was willing to do just that.  If his damnation meant their freedom, he would have taken the deal. “I wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers”(Rom 9:3).

Wow.  That is strong love.  That is a huge heart.  That is a deep understanding of the treasure of salvation by God and the terror of separation from God.  Paul knew God has a divine plan and sovereign purpose in His dealings with man—the entire chapter is filled with the profound truth of this rich doctrine— but he started the discussion by expressing his honest desire for those he loved to know the Lord. “I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit(Rom 9:1).

Paul was sad that most Jews weren’t saved, and the thought didn’t just cross his mind occasionally; it was on his heart continually.  “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart”(Rom 9:2).  Knowing that others didn’t know Jesus motivated Paul to pass along the Gospel in every way possible and to pray with passion.  “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved”(Rom 10:1).  And he meant it, so much that if he could have, he would have unselfishly given away his own life in Christ to gain theirs.

I want to love like that.  I want to pray with the same fervency and urgency. And I want a heart willing to sacrifice so others will know Jesus.

We can’t swap our salvation, but we sure can share it. 

And we should—every way we can.