DCLM Higher Everyday 23 December 2024 — Paul’s Burden And Passion
DCLM Higher Everyday 23 December 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Paul’s Burden And Passion
Topic: Paul’s Burden And Passion
Text: Romans 9:1-6
1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
6Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Key Verse: “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (Romans 9:3).
Message
In the December 2021 cross-country race at Burlada,Navarre, Spain, a Kenyan champion named Abel Mutai who was far ahead of others, pulled up ten meters before the finishing line mistakenly thinking that he had crossed. Then a Spanish runner, Ivan Fernández, caught up with him and guided him to first place instead of grabbing the opportunity to win a gold medal. When Fernández was asked why he did forfeit the chance to win the medal, he replied “what will be the merit of my victory, what would be honour of the medal, and what would my mom think of that?”
Also Read: Open Heaven 22 December 2024 – Crucified With Christ
Believers are in a race, a pilgrimage; and heaven is the goal, but they have responsibility of bringing others to God, in spite of the burden of the race. The text shows the burden of Paul for the salvation of the Jews, his countrymen through his willingness to be damned for them to receive the love of God. Youths should have such a burden and be ready to go to any length to prevent the loss of souls around them.
Quote: Prevent the loss of souls
Challenge: Heartfelt concern for the lost is a necessity.
Prayer for today: Oh God, give me a deeper burden for the lost, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
