Accursed From Christ

Romans 9:3 "For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:"

If you live in America, you are very blessed. Christianity in America is often chided for it's relaxed, lazy attitude and lukewarmness. Often this is a credible criticism. Persecution does bring out our true beliefs more than ease and comfort ever could.

Believers around the world live in constant danger. Entire countries persecute them for their belief in God. Their lives, the lives of their families, could all be forfeit just for choosing to follow Christ. Yet they still follow. Beat, mocked, cursed, hated, reviled, they still follow.

The question is, would I give up my cozy station here in America and willingly trade places for my Christian brethren in a persecuted place? A hard question.

Now magnify that by infinity - would I trade my eternally secure position in Christ for a unsaved, unrepentant sinner? If you would die for a friend, Christ calls that great love. But if you would give up eternal life for an enemy...

Obviously, this is not our choice to make. However, the question should drive us to examine our heart and attitude toward the lost. Is this the kind of burning passion I have toward seeing them come to Christ?