Joy and Sorrow- An Eternal Perspective

Paul ends Chapter 8 with the love of God that holds on to us and gives us joy in persecution knowing the glory that he has reserved for us in heaven with him

However, Paul is not without sorrow but his sorrow is not in his own present sufferings but in the eternal sufferings coming to the unbelieving Israelites

Just as Paul has great joy in the anticipation of eternal glory for those who trust Christ, he also has great heartache in the knowledge of eternal damnation for all who reject Christ

This is the eternal perspective that we must have as God’s people- we are people with our eyes on eternity

Heart of Christ (1-2)

This is the truth in Christ

Now that Paul has come into Christ he has accepted the truth of the gospel and rejected the ways of the pharisees

The Holy Ghost is impressing these truths of eternity on his heart

This is a continual sorrow

Just as Christ was in great heaviness while he hung on the cross to forgive and save those who hung him there, so is Paul burdened for those who persecute him

It is easy to be burdened to preach the gospel and reach the lost from afar, but it takes the heart of Christ in a believer to remain while suffering persecution and rejection

Have an eternal perspective of love towards those who reject you and the gospel

Heart of a father (3-4)

The same heart as Moses who brought Israel out of Egypt

Exodus 32:32 Blot me out if you do not forgive their sins

These were Paul’s brethren and kinsmen, and he felt responsible to bring them on to glory

He can clearly see all that God has done for his people and stands as a frustrated father whose children do not receive the instruction given

They had the adoption- they were God’s chosen people and they prostituted themselves to other gods

They had seen the glory of God

They had received the Word of God

Have an eternal perspective to use our relationships and position to continue calling people to Christ

Heart of a child (5-6)

Paul ends his list with the fulfillment of all God’s plans for Israel, the coming of Christ

Paul is not bound to his people according to the flesh but to Christ according to the Spirit

With the coming of Christ a new spiritual family was started that is not according to the flesh

Not all Israel is Israel

Jesus is now the one that we all must bow down to and worship

He was before the fathers but came after to redeem all of mankind (John 8:58)

Because of his death, burial and resurrection he is now over all, God blessed for ever. Amen

Have an eternal perspective to see Christ lifted up as the God of all and live in service to him as a child of God not a child according to the flesh