Morning Thoughts - by Elder Philip Conley

Morning Thoughts

Romans 10:1, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."

This morning, there are many that send forth religious tracts about a "Roman road to salvation." The 10th chapter is quoted heavily, as it uses the words saved, salvation, save, etc. more than any other chapter in the book. However, they miss the mark that the Apostle starts with in the very first verse. Unless one fully understands how the chapter starts, they will never understand where it ends. These folks that put forth such material are the very ones that Paul was praying for then, and that we should be praying for now. It is indeed unfortunate that they cannot see that this verse is talking about them (and at times perhaps some of us).

The more that I study this verse, the more applications I see in it. The first application is probably the most common among our people. Paul had a sincere desire towards his brethren (natural Israel) that they would receive the gospel of Christ. Many times in the book of Acts Paul gets mad, rejects them, and then tries a few chapters later to preach to them again. Even though he was ordained as the apostle to the uncircumcision, he still had a strong desire towards the circumcision. Indeed, natural Israel is still missing out today on the salvation of the knowledge of a risen Saviour and His atoning blood. This salvation would keep them from being in the bondage that they are in in their minds.

The next application is that of spiritual Israel. Indeed, there are more folks in spiritual Israel that are in some form of blindness than those that the Lord has enabled to see the truth and walk in it. This was the case when He and the apostles walked the earth, and it remains the case today. Just as a side note, I get very discouraged hearing people talk about the church dying out, "We've got to do something to save her, or she'll die on us." She has ALWAYS been small in number (from our natural perspective), but she has always and will always be exceedingly rich (from our spiritual perspective).

And, there are many in spiritual Israel that are also under a bondage of service that they cannot and should not bear. It is indeed a bondage to think of all the souls burning in hell due to your laziness to get out there and save them. It is a bondage to think that a life of goodness can be thwarted in our final hours by a few steps of ungodliness or weakness. It is a bondage to think of loved ones burning in hell simply because they did not get baptized or pray a prayer (even though they exhibited the fruit of the Spirit while they walked).

It is Paul's and our desire that they might be saved, and that they might rest with us in this desolate and weary land. This salvation is indeed a blessing that most do not have. It is a salvation to know that our Lord cares for us when we stumble. He cares for us when walk aright. He will never leave us nor forsake us, because we are covered with the blood of Christ. However, there is another application that I have found. There are portions of spiritual Israel who once had this salvation and have now lost it. Eternal salvation is one that cannot be lost regardless of the circumstance. However, our pride and selfishness can deprive us of blessings that we once enjoyed and knowledge that we once possessed.

I fear that we too often pray for a saving knowledge for our brethren in the flesh (that we feel to be good people) and also for spiritual Israel (of other orders). But, do we pray for those who were once among our ranks and have strayed? I am guilty as charged, and while we do reject them after two admonitions, we should still pray that the Lord might grant them sight to see the things that they once saw. This morning, my heart's prayer and desire is Paul's, that Israel might be saved.

In Hope,

Bro Philip