“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” – Rom. 10:1
While we Christians have a lot of faults and problems, none are so obvious as our lack of compassion. We look with amazement and admiration at the great works of Paul, and wonder how one man could accomplish so much. The answer, in part, is that he cared. He cared enough to face every challenge, fight through every obstacle, follow every command, and endure any hardship for the sake of getting the gospel to others. His zeal pushed him above and beyond what most people were willing to do. His all-consuming passion drove him daily. When he spoke of his desire to see others saved there was evidence that he was telling the truth. The record reveals that he was being honest. Are we?
Far too often we don’t want to face the facts about ourselves. Knowing we ought to care it is hard to confess that we don’t. It is delightful to read about those who were greatly used of God, but it often leaves me feeling miserable. Reading about their sacrifices, amount of time in prayer, and their tears makes me feel ashamed. Where are the tears today? If we cared as much as we claim why aren’t we weeping? Do we ever?
I’m not saying we should spend every moment of every day weeping. Our emotions must be balanced. If we couldn’t stop crying it would cripple us. We would be so miserable that neither we nor those around us would be at peace. There’s “a time to weep, and a time to laugh” ( Ecc. 3:4). It would be near insanity if all we did was one or the other. So, how much are we suppose to care? We should indeed weep over others, but that doesn’t mean we are to spend everyday crying. The bottom line is this – we ought to care enough to go and to tell others of God’s saving grace. We should care enough to seek them, speak the truth, and show them love. If we are faithfully discharging our duties there will be times of tears. Our contact with them will cause us to cry for them. It will also bring rejoicing. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” – Psa. 126:5 – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
