Romans 10 begins with the Apostle Paul making a confession. He writes about what is in his heart. Paul’s desire is recorded in Romans 10:1 as follows, “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.”
Of course, the chapter has more content than this first verse. He goes on to write about how the Israelites have a zeal for God but that it was not based in knowledge. Many of us can find ourselves in this same scenario today. Having a passion for God without knowledge of God comes from not taking the time to learn truth—the written word of God.
If we aren’t intentional in our learning of God, we will find ourselves claiming to love and serve a God whom we know nothing about. 2 Timohy 2:15 tells us to present ourselves to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” Indeed, it is shameful for God’s people to not know God out of willful ignorance. It is also detrimental just as Hosea 4:6 states: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge ...”
Paul continues and tells us that the Israelites made the mistake of leaning on their own righteousness instead of the righteousness of God. They counted on the law to keep them in right standing with God, which no man has been able to do with the exception of Christ. And though many of us do not attempt to keep the law to remain in the good graces of God, it’s important for us to remember that nothing else outside of Christ will keep us in his graces. It is and will never be our good works, our sacrifices, or anything of the sort that will keeps us in good standing with God. It is only the sacrifice of his Son Jesus and our belief in him that we are saved.
Paul confirms this in the next couple of verses when he states it is by the declaration of our mouth and the belief in our hearts that we are saved. Verses 14 and 15 inform us that our belief comes first by hearing but that we cannot hear if no one preaches, and that the one who preaches cannot preach unless he is sent.
So, Paul wondered, did the Israelites hear? Was anyone sent to tell them the Good News message? Did they know about God’s salvation plan that was created before the foundation of the world? This is a rhetorical question that Paul answered by way of a few Old Testament scriptures.
Paul reasoned that Psalm 19:4 states that “their voice has gone out into all the world” and that Isaiah 65:2 states that “all day long God has held out his hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” Paul knew that scripture confirmed that the Israelites were not without excuse. The message was preached, and the preacher was sent, but they did not accept it.
Therefore, Paul’s heart ached for his people. His heart’s desire was that they would put their faith in God through Jesus Christ so that they might be saved. That was Paul’s prayer. It was a prayer for others. A selfless prayer. A prayer based in genuine love.
What’s your heart’s desire?
Usually, our heart’s desire is centered around something that is self-beneficial. We petition God more frequently on our own behalf more so than anyone else. Society tells us to put ourselves first and this way of thinking sometimes finds its way into the hearts of believers; thus, it also finds its way into our prayer life.
While there is nothing wrong with praying for yourself and the well-being of your closest family and friends, if we have the heart of Christ, then our heart’s desire should be what he desires. And he desires that all might be saved. For the greatest command is to love God, and the second is to love our neighbors as ourselves—neither one of these commandments have anything to do with self.
Admittedly, loving our neighbor as ourselves can be a challenging command to follow. But scripture tells us that with God all things are possible. And because loving others is according to his will, if we do not currently have a heart to love others as ourselves, I think it is appropriate that we pray for a heart shift. So, if you are willing, please join me in a word of prayer:
Heavenly Father, firstly we thank you for allowing us to see another day. We are grateful for your Son Jesus and for the opportunity to read another portion of your word. Lord, your servant Paul’s desire was that the Israelites might be saved. We know that it is also your desire that all men might be saved.
We are asking you to create in us a clean heart. Forgive us of our sins and place in us the desires of your heart so that we might fulfill your will in the earth. Give us hearts full of love for you and others so that we might obey your commands. We thank you for giving ear to our prayers and we look forward to receiving a heart transformation in the very near future. We ask these things in Jesus’s name. Amen.
I pray that this message has encouraged you. If it’s the Lord’s will, I’ll see you next week. Until then, take care.
Quin Arrington is a Christian wife, mother, and author with books available at www.amazon.com/author/quinarrington.
Thank you for your time. God bless!
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