Romans 9:1-5

Romans 9:1-5 NIV
 ¹ I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— ² I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, ⁴ the people of Israel.

I read this knowing what awaits someone who does not have Christ and I know that Paul did not make this declaration in ignorance.  That being, eternal separation from God in hell, burning fire and torment.  Paul wished that he could go to hell so that the nation of Israel would not.  Yet I am at times too embarrassed, too shy, have too great a fear of rejection, too busy or just don't care to share with those around me here in America.

Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. ⁵ Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

The Israelites had it all and yet most still rejected Christ.  It makes me wonder how many people in my Church and my Christian friends are just playing church.  It makes me sit here an examine my own heart.

I read ahead today.  The next section is easy for me to understand and I accept its truth on faith.  However trying to explain it is going to be hard for me.  Also, I am not sure if I want to break it down to smaller sections or cover it all at once.  The idea to work on the larger section as a whole and then publish once complete just came to mind.  I just don't know.

God Bless.