Are you willing to set aside your needs or wants for your family? Are you willing to sacrifice your desires to provide for loved ones? Would you give your life for a friend? Do you wish you could give up your eternal life with God so you could save your kindred?
Many of us are willing to make sacrifices for our families. Parents especially are willing to sacrifice for their children. Some will ensure their children have enough to eat before they serve themselves. Some will buy new clothes for their children rather than themselves.
We all have heard stories of people who have run into a burning building or dove onto a grenade to save others. Having spent twenty years in the Marine Corps, I can attest to the brotherhood within military units. The smaller the unit, the closer the group is. They become like a tight nit family. They pick on one another, maybe argue with one another, maybe even fight one another, but an outsider is not allowed to do so. They will band together tighter than woven silk.
The Apostle Paul felt the same way about his fellow Israelites. He saw a preponderance of them who would not accept Jesus as their Messiah. He wished that he was separated from Christ so that they might be saved. Alas, that is not how it works. Each of them must make their own decision.
We may have family members or close friends we wish would accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We may wish we could convince them to do so. We may even wish we could give our salvation to them. However, we can’t. What we can do is continue to live the life Jesus desires for us. We can continue to be a positive example for them. We can make comments as the opportunity arises in hope of convincing them…and we should.
I pray we all desire to convince others to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I pray we live lives that provide a positive example. I pray each one of us will continue to tell others about Jesus. Be concerned about the salvation for others. Be a positive example. Speak up about Christ. Look and listen for opportunities.
Romans 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh.
Marty Pressey 