Love For Souls

Love for Souls *Romans 9:1–5*

“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.”

Among the approximately seven billion people living on earth, about seventeen million are Jewish—only about 0.2% of the world’s population. Yet nearly 200 Nobel Prize winners have come from the Jewish people. That accounts for more than 20% of all Nobel laureates, and over 40% of Nobel Prize winners in Economics. It certainly appears that the Jewish people are a remarkable nation.

However, the Bible teaches that the true uniqueness of the Jewish people is not found in worldly achievements but in spiritual privilege. “They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises… and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ” (Romans 9:4–5).

Despite these extraordinary privileges, Israel failed to fully worship and follow God. Instead of serving as a channel in God’s redemptive history, they became filled with spiritual pride, despised the Gentiles, and cut off fellowship with them. When the promised Messiah—the central figure of salvation history—came, they rejected Him and ultimately crucified Him.

Scripture declares that Christ, who came in the flesh, is “God over all, blessed forever.” In rejecting Him, they rejected God who came in human form.

Because of this, many Christians throughout history have developed hostility toward the Jewish people, leading to anti-Semitic attitudes and even persecution. Sadly, this history has also become an obstacle preventing many Jewish people from accepting Jesus today.

On the other hand, there is Christian Zionism, which takes the opposite extreme—supporting Jewish people unconditionally, regardless of whether they accept Christ, and treating them as if they are automatically saved simply because they are God’s chosen people.

So what attitude should we have?

Through the Apostle Paul’s heart revealed in today’s passage, we want to learn how we should respond—not only toward Jewish people, but toward all who do not yet acknowledge Jesus as Savior.

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## 1. Great Sorrow and Unceasing Anguish

Paul says,

“I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.”

Just before this, in Romans 8, Paul declared with confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Yet now he confesses “great sorrow” and “unceasing anguish.”

This is not inconsistency. The more deeply we experience God’s love, the more we grieve for those who do not know that love.

When was the last time you felt genuine sorrow for a lost soul?

If we feel no burden or pain for the lost, could it be that our gratitude for God’s saving grace has grown cold?

When individuals or churches lose their amazement at God’s grace, they also lose concern for the salvation of souls. Then minor matters become major conflicts. There are stories of churches dividing over where to place a piano, or which foot should be washed first in a foot-washing ceremony.

When we lose discernment about what matters most, these things happen.

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## 2. The Heart of Christ — The Shepherd’s Heart

In Philippians 1:8–11, Paul prays with “the affection of Christ Jesus.” He prays that their love would abound more and more in knowledge and discernment so that they may approve what is excellent.

Love enriched with knowledge and discernment—that is the heart of Jesus. That is the shepherd’s heart.

When we have Christ’s heart, we discern what truly matters. When we lose that heart, form becomes more important than souls, and secondary matters become central.

If we are indifferent to the salvation of souls, it may be evidence that the heart of Christ has grown faint within us.

Therefore we must pray:

“Lord, give us the heart of Christ. Give us the heart of a shepherd.”

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## 3. The Calling of a Priest

Paul speaks of “unceasing anguish.” This was not a passing emotion but a lifelong burden for souls.

Scripture calls us “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). A priest stands between God and people—bringing people to God and bringing people’s needs before God in prayer. This calling is not temporary but lifelong.

Last Tuesday, at a clinic I regularly visit, I met a woman in her late seventies. She had directed a church choir for decades and once had a passionate faith. But now she is physically, mentally, and spiritually weakened.