THE PASSIONATE SOUL WINNER (8)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*THE PASSIONATE SOUL WINNER (8).*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Rom 9:3; Exd 32:32

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

Exodus 32:32 *Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Moses loved the Israelites in much the same way that Paul loved them many generations and centuries later.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

A passionate soul winner is a trail blazer. By their passions, they pioneer tracks for others to follow.

The heart behind Moses's statement in Exd 32:32 was the same as Paul's in Rom 9:3.

At the scene of the golden calf, Aaron headed Israel's idolatry against God by fashioning a calf image.

*".....Moses' anger waxed hot...."* against Aaron and the people, Exd 32:19.

Aaron pleaded with Moses to pacify God's anger, telling Moses it was the people who persuaded him to make them gods, Exd 32: 22-25.

After the children of Levi had slain the rebellious of other tribes, Moses went to plead with God, Exd 32:26-31.

God had told Moses to leave Him alone with the children of Israel so that His *"....wrath may wax hot against them,....."* God had said He would consume them but would make Moses a great nation, Exd 32:10. In other words, He would make a new generation through Moses's descendants.

Moses told God to 'scold' or punish him for the sins of the Israelites.

Moses, like Paul, thought highly of others than themselves.

Paul gave God a wish of forfeiting his salvation for Israel's salvation. God told Moses, He was willing to choose his lineage over the Israelites.

Paul chose to forfeit his salvation for Israel.

Moses chose to intercede for Israel so that they would not lose God's choice over them. Both would rather lose than for Israel to lose.

Paul's faithfulness for Israel was put to test by his wish to accurse himself.

Moses' love for the ungrateful and disobedient children of Israel made him to tell God to rather blot his name out of the book of life than change His mind on His choice of Israel as His chosen nation.

Paul's wish centuries later in Rom 9:3 was proof that Paul loved them as Moses had loved them.

God saved Moses and retained Israel as His chosen people just as He saved Paul and retained Israel in His plan of redemption.

Rather than forfeit Israel's redemption, God instead destroyed whosoever had sinned against Him, and He blotted them out of His book, Exd 32:33.

God started a new generation in Israel's journey to the promised land with only Caleb and Joshua, Numb 14:30.

Moses, though, did not make the promised land but was in the Mount of Transfiguration in the land of Canaan, Matt 17:1-8.

Neither Paul nor Moses nor Israel was lost.

Everyone of them was gained by God.

Whether or not God was willing to have Moses' descendants as His new heritage, Moses by his response assured God that he truly had the heart for the people he was given the mandate to deliver from captivity.

Moses and Paul stood out as shepherds who smelled the odour of their sheep.

It was either the souls of the lost would live and be saved, or they as soul lovers perished.

They proved God that He was right to choose them. They were not only soul guides, they were soul winners who secured the lives of the Lord's sheep.

Whether or not God granted Moses the privilege of having a new generation from him or whether or not God granted Paul his wish to forfeit his salvation for Israel did not matter.

What mattered and prevailed ultimately was that God gained both Moses and Paul and the people of Israel whom He raised as the Commonwealth of Israel under whose umbrella all who believe are Kingdom citizens.

The power of the gospel upon the lost may depend on how keenly we are aware of their need to connect with God.

When we are keenly aware of this, we will be effective and efficient, passionate soul winners.

*Remorse corner.*

Moses and Paul smelled like the Lord's sheep under them because they were not isolated from them. 'The sheep's wool stuck on their clothes'.

*Call to Word action.*

Moses' appeal to God and Paul's wish for them were proof that they maintained their mentorship at the expense of being their followers.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

If God ever tested you or your faith is ever tested to either have you in Heaven but others in Hell, what would be your response?

Let your response be like Moses' and/or Paul's who loved more, as God loves.

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me to prove a reliable soul winner in the face of perishing souls. Use me as a vessel in Your hands to save them in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.