Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
Why should we pray for Israel?
One of the main reasons we need to pray for Israel is because they are God’s Chosen People. God calls Israel the “apple of His eye” which is a term of endearment (Deuteronomy 32:10, Zechariah 2:8). God adds a blessing to those nations and people who bless Israel and a curse on those who curse Israel (Genesis 12:2-3).
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. (Romans 10:2)
Zeal without knowledge is dangerous. Fire on the stove is good. Fire in the house will destroy a house. Fire in the house is like zeal without knowledge and is dangerous. Zeal must be tempered with knowledge. Zeal channelised through knowledge will produce great benefits.
This is why so many religious people; even many sincere Christians go astray. They have plenty of zeal but little knowledge. And since they have little knowledge of God’s word, even well meaning Christians face defeat.
The Jews were very zealous about their religion, but that wasn't enough. It's not enough just to believe; people have to believe the truth. Even those who are sincere can be sincerely wrong. Lord Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32).
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. (Romans 10:3)
One form of righteousness that Apostle Paul described here is one's own righteousness (Philippians 3:9). In contrast, God's righteousness is perfect. Also, God's righteousness is not something that we do but something that we receive as a gift through faith in Christ Jesus.
But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). (Romans 10:6-7)
Apostle Paul was saying that failure to understand justification by grace produces an attitude that, in effect, denies Christ's substitutionary work for us.
Those who still believe that their performance is essential for salvation are denying that Christ is in Heaven, making intercession for man. (Romans 8:34). That dethrones Christ from His present position. It is like denying that Christ has ascended into Heaven for us.
Likewise, a belief that we have to bear the punishment for our sins is like denying that Christ's death was sufficient by itself. If we are to be punished for our sins, then Christ might as well not have died for us.
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13)
The sinner need not perform difficult works in order to be saved. All he has to do is trust Christ. The very Word on the lips of the religious Jews was the Word of faith. The very law that they read and recited pointed to Christ.
This verse is not saying that anyone who just says the words, "Jesus is Lord," and believes that He rose from the dead is born again.
The Greek word "HOMOLOGEO," translated "confess" here, means more than just saying words. It literally means "to assent, i.e. covenant, acknowledge" (Strong's Concordance).
Lord Jesus said in Luke 6:46, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”So this means it has to be more than just words. It has to involve a person’s actions.
Confession is scriptural, but it is a result of faith in the heart. Only when people have already believed with their hearts will confession release the power of God. Confession without sincere belief in the heart is dead works (Hebrews 9:14).
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: (Romans 10:14-15)
So there are three areas of responsibility for salvation:
- individuals have to believe,
- Ministers have to preach,
- and others have to send.
satan works on all three of these areas to stop people from receiving God's gift of salvation. Today, sharing the gospel has become so easy, just click ‘share’ to send the gospel and yet many people will not do it. But I thank God, there are still a remnant who heed the voice of the Holy Spirit.
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15)
By sharing the gospel you are actually preaching the gospel. When people understand that sharing the Gospel is just as important a part of salvation as others accepting the message, then they will rejoice with Isaiah about the beauty of those who share this good news.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
The Lord doesn't fail to speak; we fail to hear. Therefore, we can keep our faith in the present tense if we will open our spiritual ears to hear what God's Word is saying.
The four reasons why the church must send out people into the harvest
(1) the command from above—“go Ye into all the world ”(Mark 16:15);
(2) the cry from beneath—“send Him to my father’s house” (Luke 16:27);
(3) the call from without—“come over and help us” (Acts 16:9); and
(4) the constraint from within—“the love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Corinthians 5:14).
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