In Romans 9:3, Paul basically says that he would rather be condemned to hell by Christ in place of his unbelieving friends and relatives. Wow. I've heard of being willing to die for someone else, but this seems to take it up a notch...to be willing to be separated from Christ, to be willing to spend eternity in damnation. Is he crazy for saying this? Does this expose some sort of weak love of Christ that is overpowered by his love for fellow man? Or, is he Christ-like at this pinnacle of self-sacrifice? What Paul is "wishing" for is really what Christ did for us--He was condemned in our place.
Although the switch isn't possible, maybe this is the heart attitude that it takes to truly be an effective witness for Christ...to love others and want to spare them from condemnation so much, that you'd be willing to take the hit for them. Again with the wow. Would I honestly be willing to make that switch for the sake of an unbeliever?
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1 comment:
I don't think I would at this stage in my faith!
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