During my time overseas with Gateways Beyond I received some
incredible teachings on the book of Romans. I have recently felt prodded to
remind myself of those and dig back into this powerful testament of Paul’s.
It doesn't take a bible scholar to see that Romans 9, 10,
and 11 are directly related to Israel and her calling. But like any portion of
the scriptures, there is depth and wisdom available that even the most well-learned
scholar has never reached.
I have said it before, but I am not so impressed with fancy
words or “eureka” revelations. I love raw sincerity, honesty, and passion.
Venturing into the ninth chapter of Romans, the gut-wrenching is off to a quick
start.
I am telling the truth in Christ, I
am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have
great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself
were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen
according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as
sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple
service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ
according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Self-preservation has now rushed to the surface and demands
that I think about these things reasonably. Cut off from Christ? Yet I am unable to breeze past Paul’s extreme anguish and compassion- His life
bears too much evidence of the brokenness of his heart.
It isn’t uncommon to hear a message on evangelism or
compassion for the lost. However these aren’t the verses usually referenced at a
Sunday morning church service or Wednesday night youth meeting. I don’t mean
for that statement to be a stab at the church, but an invitation to journey deep, to the uncomfortable.
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Today is Passover, and I believe it is the most important
time of the year. If you’ve never had the privilege of learning about this celebration,
I highly recommend you do. It’s not just about what God did when He brought the
Israelites out of Egypt, or what Jesus did on the cross, it’s a sneak peak at
what He wants to do in us today, and in the generations to come. I look forward to celebrating the Passover Seder tonight.
I also highly recommend you read this article.
Chag Sameach!
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