Where is our love and compassion for the lost sinners in our generation? The apostle said, “I could wish myself accursed from Christ for my brethren in the flesh.” Moses said, ” Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written” (Exodus 32:32).
I find too much difficulty in these passages to explain them. What I do find in them is very clear, and that is the love of these men for the lost of their generation. We who believe on Christ have been chosen of God based on His sovereign love (Deut. 7:7-8; Eph. 1:3-6). We are sinners, having no merit of God’s grace, yet we have been made righteous, reconciled, and redeemed by the faith and blood of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:19-21; Heb.9:12). We were dead in sins could not and would not come to Christ, but by grace we have been called, quickened, and kept by the Holy Ghost (Eph. 2:1; 1 Peter 1:3-5). So how can we who are sinners saved by the free grace and free love of God ever fail to show compassion for those of our fallen race?
May God the Holy Ghost move our hearts to show mercy towards them who are merciless to us. Let us show love where hatred abounds. True love and mercy are not just providing physical needs, but it is manifest by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ without compromise.
Yes, give to the needs of their bodies. Provide what they have need of and seek to imitate the compassion of Christ. But it is only by the means of preaching the gospel that sinners are saved. Nobody will be saved by our acts of kindness, but only by the preaching of the gospel (1 Cor.1:17-21: Rom.10:13-17).
Remember, believer, that our Lord has sheep that He must call. And all of these sheep will come and believe on Him (John 10:16). But how will our Lord accomplish His Sovereign decree? Only by the love of faithful preachers declaring the truth of the sovereign grace of God in Jesus Christ. Therefore, in love let us obey our Lord’s command; “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
-Fred Evans
