ESOCS Devotional 10 September
TEXT: Romans 10: 1-15 KJV
MEMORY VERSE: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” Romans 10:1 KJV
A sincere heart (desire) is one that is genuine, honest and truthful. The desire of such a heart towards someone is usually something beneficial. For instance, elder Gaius in 3 John verse 2, said, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” There are so many good things a sincere heart may desire for someone –long life, good health, wealth, good and happy home, good children, happy life, etc. All these are good, but will be better, if the fellow who has all these is saved, that is, is in the Lord, and will be, to the end.
From our memory verse, Apostle John’s (sincere) heart desire and prayer to God for Israel was beyond the good things of life such as listed above. He desired that they might be saved; he went ahead to commit it to God in prayer. This tells us that the best gift one can give to someone is the gospel of salvation – Christ our Saviour. Our Lord Jesus Christ took the best gift (message of salvation) to Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5, 9). God demonstrated His sincere heart desire for mankind by giving His son, Jesus Christ, as ransom for their sins (John 3:16). So, the best honest gift to someone is the gospel of salvation. Christ is that salvation – Saviour. But how do we package and deliver this sincere heart desire (message of salvation) to others effectively?
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
First, we must include more than being a good example by explaining the content, the what and the how of the gospel. Modelling the Christian life is important, but we will need to connect the mind of the unbeliever and the message of the gospel. Second, there should not be a debate between those who favour lifestyle evangelism (which says that one’s living proclaims the gospel) and confrontational evangelism (which means declaring the message). Both should be used together in preaching the gospel. Third, we must commit to God, in prayer, those we preach this gospel to just like Apostle John did. God is the one who converts souls. Fourth, we must not judge/condemn the unbeliever; we were once like them until we knew the truth. Finally, friendly approach is very important. Christ was friend to the unbelievers of His time, and He still is. But, we must be careful so that they don’t draw us back to their state.
We should have a sincere heart desire for people in our immediate community, workplace, school, peer group, even in our local church. Sincere heart desire is both physical and spiritual. Administer any or both as led by the spirit of God. It is a good attitude every Christian should possess.
CHALLENGES
- Identify the factors that hinder you from having a sincere heart desire for others.
PRAYER POINT:
- Ask God to give you the spirit to reach out to others who need to be saved.
FURTHER READING:Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 10:18-21; Acts 2:14-41
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ESOCS Devotional 10 September
