THE PASSIONATE SOUL WINNER (3).

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*THE PASSIONATE SOUL WINNER (3).*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Rom.9:3:

*For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Paul chose the strongest language to express the anguish in his soul.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Yesterday, we saw how our emotions may often be the best lead we need to actualize potential spiritual desires and wishes. We saw how emotions often impact the spiritual.

Paul's language was very strong as he wished to experience eternal wrath so that his people could be saved.

A reason for Paul's strong wish could be his unrelenting, the unforgettable stigma and anguish he saw when he persecuted the Church.

Though his sufferings as Paul was not the punishment for the wrongs he did. This was because his sufferings were suffering associated with the faith. Just like Paul , we have been forgiven, but forgiveness may not erase the empathy we have for people we had offended even when done ignorantly, as was the case for Paul, 1 Tim 1:13.

These memories of agony and sufferings of the people he imprisoned must have been one of his unforgettable moments that caused him great heaviness.

He said in Rom 10:2 *That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.*

Paul, as Saul wrecked great havoc.

He was the instigator of Stephen' s stoning.

Acts 8:1-4 says  *"And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.*

*And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.*

*As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.*

*Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.*

The agony of Stephen and the gory scene of his death while those who stoned him *"......laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul."* ( the same who became Paul) was still with Paul.

He knew that but for God's graciousness on his way to Damascus in Acts 9, he not only would still be among those unbelieving Jews but would still be leading others in persecuting those who had acknowledged Christ.

The feeling of agony faced by the people he persecuted made him know that persecution imprisonment and unjustified torture are terrible affliction on people who did not deserve them.

Paul's zeal to curse himself to save the lost came from a grieved but remorseful heart.

He had created burdens by his persecutions. Besides the early church, families were scattered.

He now saw it as a burden to be carried. No wonder he wrote in Gal 6:2 *Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.*

Oftentimes, pain is the best teacher.

Though pain might have taken away the lives of victims, it does leave an indelible mark on a changed heart.

Though not everyone who afflict others share their victims' pains but Paul proved here that no man's spirit could have the passions he had for the lost soul except through the Spirit other than his spirit. This Spirit is the Spirit of God.

What are you doing to lead someone to Christ?

*Remorse corner.*

The thought of eternal damnation awaiting the lost soul that is not found is agonizing, but more troubling is not leading them to the saving knowledge of Christ.

*Call to Word action.*

We may not be complete in Christ if we fail to bring a soul to Him.

John 15:5 *I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:......."*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Paul is teaching that a passionate soul winner is a die-hard Christian.

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me to be a passionate soul winner, in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.