So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God, only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
What is missing? I am my own worst critic! I constantly am asking myself have I left anything out? I get to minister to hundreds of soldiers each week, I give a gospel presentation and seek to know how many of them know for sure that Jesus Christ is their savior. I see that a number claim to be a child of God, and yet almost never do I see any real relationship with the Lord.
If so many claim Christ is theirs. Why then are our local churches not full? I think I may have stumbled upon one reason. Not many Christians are willing to invest themselves heavily into another persons life.
Again, this morning we will look at the simple definitions of key words from our verse.
Affectionately desirous.
Affectionately = Inclined, disposed. Having affection or warm regard, loving. Motivated by affection,tender care.
The reason we do not see many strong, mature Christians is due to the lack of God's people not investing themselves with their whole heart into a personal relationship with God and then extending that relationship to others. We are not willing to expose our self to the possibility of being hurt.
We need to incline, and dispose our self toward others, having warm regard, and great affection, and loving others more than ourselves.
Desirous= To long or hope for : exhibit or feel desire for
When did we stop feeling for others? When did we quit caring? When did we decide to turn our backs when so many needs our help. We lost our longing, and no longer hope for others. We do not feel anything about someone else! we do not share in the emotions or circumstances that others go through.
The apostle then makes a statement that sounds so very good!, it is almost sounds altruistic.
I wish we could feel this statement as deeply as the Apostle did He makes a deep heart statement that spells out his commitment level to see others come into a relationship with and grow daily in that relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Not the Gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
We carry the Gospel of God to a lost world. We get to witness the saving power of God! We get to make a difference of eternity in lost people lives. But we stop there and forget to take it to the next level.
Every soul should be dear to us, because souls are important to God! We need to be ready to invest our own soul into relationship with others so they become caring soul winners too!
What are you willing to give!
Remember; "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son!
When you point to someone to the Saviour, and he gets saved, then it is your responsibility to ground him in the Word, and things of God.
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