Romans 10:1

New International Version (NIV)

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved

For meditation

Every time Cynthia thinks about it, her heart sinks. “Is she resting in the bosom of the Lord or in a place of torment”, she queries herself. The thought that her mother, a lifelong member and class leader of the local Methodist congregation, could possibly be in hell haunts Cynthia every time she remembers her mother’s agonizing words before passing on. “What is this journey I am undertaking that is so dark all around”, her mother is quoted as saying. This is what scares Cynthia, and it evokes the memory of the fate of Lazarus and the rich man after death (Lk. 16:19-31). Remember how Lazarus got what I call, “a limousine ride” from angels into Abraham’s bosom (22), and the rich man’s situation, described only with a tersely comment, “In Hades, where he was in torment … (23)”? Cynthia’s agony is why she wasn’t forceful and candid in her witness to her mother.

1. That’s a disturbing thought for anybody to live with; but how many Christians suffer through such lingering guilt after a loved one dies?
2. When it comes to witnessing to family members and close friends, how many of us don’t get cold feet? But is salvation a subject to trifle with?
3. Think about the time and effort we invest in the future of our loved ones here on earth. All good and commendable; but why are we not more passionate and persistent about their eternal situation? Can we live with a sick parent and not seek a physician for them? What disease is worse than sin? Why then do we hesitate to minister Jesus to them while they have breath? (Heb. 9:27)
4. Don’t most of us suffer from the dilemma tugged in the question: “How can I question the salvation of a loved one, and for that matter, anybody in the church who may even be steeped in ministry?” “How can I look in their face and tell them they need Christ in their life?”
5. But, can I suggest three helpful things we can do here? First, can we ask the Lord for discernment concerning the situation of our loved ones (Jn. 3:1-3; Acts 14:9-10)? Can we be burdened with their lost condition (Rm. 10:1) as to fast and pray for them? And finally, can we ask the Lord for opportunity (Eph. 5:16; 6:19) and wisdom (James 1:5) to talk about the biblical view of salvation (Jn. 3:3; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7)?

I pray the Spirit of God guides us in this matter of family evangelism and outreach to our friends and neighbors.

So: May we have a heart for lost souls and a determination and boldness in the Spirit to witness Christ to those in our Jerusalem; and may we move on with encouraged passion to our “Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).”

No one should live with the guilt of failure to witness to a loved one when they die, but to be comforted with a joyful expectation of eternal reunion with them when Christ comes for us (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

Shalom