1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
If anyone ever had any question as to how much Paul cared about his fellow race, the Jews, this passage should set those assumptions quiet. If Paul could have been "cut off from Christ" for the sake of his fellow man, he would have done so.
I don't know of many for which I would give up my place in Christ. Paul claimed that the Holy Spirit testified of the fact that he would have done so for his countrymen.
How ironic that Paul was willing to give up everything he had in Christ for the Jews who hated him so. They assumed that Paul was speaking directly against their heritage and religion. In their mind, Paul was a heretic who was trying to abolish their entire way of life. Quite the contrary, Paul was trying to give them life, and "life more abundantly."
Lord, give me a heart for people like Paul had a heart for people.
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