“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.  For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”  Romans 9:1-5 (KJV)     

Do we ever think much about sacrifice?  I must admit I do not.  Sacrifice hurts.  Paul, however, did think of sacrifice, but probably not as a sacrifice, but as love for his Saviour and for his people.  Jesus also gave Himself, a sacrifice, for the glory of His Father, and His love for us.

Who is willing to suffer being accursed from Christ – suffering the torments of eternal hell – for our “Brethren”, our kinsmen according to the flesh?

That kind of love is in Christ.

-Tim A. Blankenship