Friday, February 14, 2025
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation… For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. Romans 10:1; 13-15
Is Salvation Your Hearts Desire?
Paul had not been to the church in Rome but as a fellow believer he wrote to them out of concern. The believers at the church were still trying to earn their righteousness by following the old law, the law that Jesus had come to abolish. They rejected faith in Jesus over submission to the law instead of submission to God through faith in Jesus. Paul begins chapter 10 expressing that their salvation was his prayer and his heart’s desire. Why have the Israelites not confessed the Lordship of Jesus and believed in the resurrection? It's not because they had not heard or didn’t understand. He tells them how they only need to confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that God raised him from the dead they will be saved. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved – Jews and Gentiles alike. Salvation is for everyone.
Before they can believe, they need to hear the Gospel, so the Gospel must be shared, and before the Gospel can be shared, someone must go – or be sent. Paul was fervent in everything he believed in. He fervently loved Jesus and wanted to share his good news with as many people as he could as fast as could happen. He knew the urgency of the times. He understood the call and the command upon the church from Jesus to go and make disciples.
Paul’s example for us is that we should all have a heart’s desire like him – we should be praying for those that are not saved to be saved, especially the people we know personally. Do you know someone who is not saved? A friend, co-worker, or family member? Do you treat them with the love of Christ and pray for their salvation or do you avoid them, staying as far away as possible and not engaging in conversation with them? Do you truly desire for them to come to salvation in Christ? Even to the point of sharing the Gospel with them if that what God lays on your heart?
As Christians we have been entrusted with the most important job to share the most glorious truth humanity can ever hear. Paul says that we can either be the one sent to tell the Gospel or enable others to go and share truth. But we are not permitted to do nothing. Maybe you are not the person that needs to share the Gospel with that difficult person in your life, but you are the person who should be praying for their salvation.
Who can you pray for to come to salvation?
Who can you share the Gospel with?
Who can you support so they can share the Gospel?
