How Much Will I Give Up so that Others May Have Him?

The apostle Paul makes a most remarkable statement in his letter to the Romans when, after writing eight chapters in which he explores the unfathomable depth and the immeasurable expanse of the grace and glory of God, he suddenly says Romans 9:3: “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” This statement comes in the context of Paul’s expression of terrible grief over the fact that Israel has rejected her Messiah (vv 1-2). He writes with a broken heart and a sincere desire to see his own people saved. The statement certainly draws back the curtain enough to give us a glimpse of his heart of love and compassion toward his fellow-Israelites. It also reveals him as a true patriot. He loves his fellow-Israelites and would sacrifice not merely his life for their salvation but, if he could, forfeit his own salvation toward that end. The word “accursed” here is the word “anathema” and it means “to be devoted to eternal destruction in hell.”

Now let’s quickly dispatch any notion that this wish expressed by the apostle was possible in reality. Paul knew that there were no circumstances under which his salvation, once received, could be forfeited; not even by his own choice. Hodge suggests, and I agree, that this language is to be understood as originating in “strong and indistinct emotions rather than in definite ideas”, thus conveying the way in which Paul felt his whole being swallowed up in the salvation of his people. Paul’s thought then could be expressed in this way: “If it would be of any help to them (although it wouldn’t be) I would wish myself to no longer have a part with Christ (though I know that is not possible).” It is not to be overlooked that thousands of years previous to Paul another leader in Israel, Moses, uttered a similar thought (Ex 32.32).

What we have here then is the honest sincere (v.1) heart expression of a servant of Christ who was, irrefutably, a consummate church planter. How many are there in America today who would be possessed of such love, compassion and pure patriotism as to say, “If it would be of any help to them, I would wish myself to no longer have a part with Christ in order to see people across this land … in the next community … across town, come to Christ.”

What are the things that hinder that level of commitment in our lives today? Is it unreasonable to expect such a high order of love, compassion and patriotism among American believers today? What IS the threshold beyond which much of American Christianity, churches, leaders and even church planters are unwilling to pass? What are the things that we will NOT forfeit (things which it WOULD be possible to do) in order to see people across this land … in the next community … across town, come to Christ. If we can identify them, perhaps we can begin to encourage one another and others in addressing them.

What say you all?