Caring For The Lost

“I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.” – Romans 11:1-2

Paul’s words in Romans 10:1 reveal the depth of his heart: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” This is not a casual statement—it is the cry of a man who would even give up his own salvation if it meant his countrymen could be reconciled to God (Romans 9:3). That kind of humility is born out of love, the same love that drove John the Baptist to say, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” True humility lowers self so that others might be lifted toward Christ. Galatians 2:20 reminds us that the believer’s life is no longer their own, but Christ living in them, shaping their desires toward the salvation of the lost. This is caring humility—love that is willing to sacrifice for another’s eternal good.

Jesus Himself modeled this humility perfectly. He declared, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). While soldiers and first responders may literally lay down their lives, the believer is called to daily lay down pride, comfort, and selfish ambition in untiring service to others. Philippians 2:5–8 shows us Christ’s example: though equal with God, He humbled Himself, taking the form of a servant, and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. Paul lived this same devotion, enduring beatings, stonings, and persecution from the very people he longed to see saved (2 Corinthians 11:24–25). His humility was not weakness, but strength rooted in love.

This humility also shaped how Paul spoke to his fellow Jews. He acknowledged their zeal for God, but warned that zeal without truth leads to stumbling (Romans 10:2). Peter described Christ as the cornerstone—precious to those who believe, but a stone of offense to those who reject Him (1 Peter 2:6–8). Paul knew this firsthand, having once persecuted the church with great zeal (Galatians 1:13–14). Pride and stubbornness blinded him, but surrender to Christ transformed him into a servant of love. The call to us is clear: let our zeal be anchored in truth, and let our humility be driven by love. When we die to ourselves, we stop fighting one another and start serving one another. Today, choose to humble yourself in love—whether through prayer, service, or forgiveness—so that others may see Christ and be drawn to Him. This is caring humility, and it is the path of true discipleship.