Israel’s Unsaved Condition
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” —Romans 10:1
After the almost-relentless teaching of Paul to drive the truth of sovereign election into us, by the remaining corruptions of our flesh we might be tempted to say (and sadly so many people do), “Alright already, I believe! God is sovereign in the election of man unto salvation;” and then we will stop right there at sovereign election and forsake the truth concerning man’s responsibility. We will continue to justify our own selves because of our corruption saying, “Okay, if God is sovereign, then it’s not up to me…,” and then we do nothing at all.
Yet, the apostle does not do that. He expresses a deep, overwhelming passion in his compassion for the unsaved Israelites. He pleaded with God for Jewish salvation.
The apostle opens this portion of text with an address: “Brethren.” This rather conveys an overwhelming tenderness, first for his saved brothers who are Israelites according to the flesh; yet, it is not to the exclusion of Gentile believers. This is very similar to the address of Peter prior to preaching the gospel on the Day of Pentecost, “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you” (Acts 2:29). In fact, this is similar to the response of the Jews to Peter’s preaching, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). As if to say, with tremendous tenderness and affection, “Brethren, I have something of urgency and importance to tell you!”
Desire. Paul had a deep and passionate longing for Israel to be saved; and his desire was such that it could not be quenched short of complete satisfaction.
Prayer. Paul’s desire wasn’t passive or helpless. He prayed with great pleadings and supplications. Because we believe in the sovereign election of God to save whomever He will, and because we do not know who the elect are among the lost, we should be praying passionately for souls.
Our passionate pleas actually recognize God’s sovereignty in salvation because we are praying in such a way to declare that we can do nothing apart from the gracious and efficacious power of God. This is one of the reasons that we “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We pray at every opportunity with importunity because, through prayer, God has graciously allowed us to “connect” with His work to save souls.
As it pertains to the sovereign election of God and the responsibility of man, if our theology does not give us a passion and compassion for lost souls, it’s not good theology; it’s not true theology, nor is it Biblical theology.
We should also recognize that, not only is it fallen man’s responsibility to repent and believe the truth, but it is also the responsibility of the saved to proclaim the truth and obey it. Therefore, if you are saved by God’s amazing grace, you have a responsibility to pray for the lost.
See also:
“We pray at every opportunity with importunity because, through prayer, God has graciously allowed us to “connect” with His work to save souls.”
I love this brother Jon! I read somewhere recently something to the effect that God who also predestined our very prayers, uses them to accomplish His purposes. Mind boggling! The effect that has on me personally is to plead all the more on behalf of lost souls.
Thank you for this!
Evening blessings to you and Lisa!
Thank you, sister, for you comment and encouraging words.
Blessings also to you and Robert!
Pastor Jon,
The realization that we can do nothing to save ourselves or make ourselves right before a holy God is what makes me want to pray for those who are not saved. Knowing the mercy He has shown to me makes me want to ask for others to have the same. Christ came for sinners, to seek and save that which is lost, and I think this desire in us to pray for the lost grows as our gratitude for salvation and mercy grows.
Many blessings to you today, Pastor Jon!