Romans 9 – 10
Verse 9:3 is something we can say, but I believe Paul meant it:
It may sound extreme; but I wish that I were lost, cursed, and totally separated from the Anointed—if that would change the eternal destination of my brothers and sisters, my flesh and countrymen.
Think about it, would you lay down your eternal security for the security of others? That is the selfless love that Jesus was talking about when He said love others as yourself. This again is easy to say but not so easy to follow, as said it is “extreme”.
Now as we read this verse I did a bit of “translation” searching since when you read this there are some italic text. In The Voice translation they try to convey the meaning of the original scriptures. The italic texts within this translation are points they added. So I went to other translations to get a feeling for why and what was said. In doing this the translation seems solid, since when you read it in other versions specifically the OJB has names implying they were left out since this may be the only place mentioned.
Verse 9:21 starts the “potter” analogy and stems to question predestiny:
Doesn’t the potter have the right to shape the clay in any way he chooses? Can’t he make one lump into an elegant vase, and another into a common jug? Absolutely.
We all get hung up on greatness and stardom some time in our lives. As parents we support our children and telling them they are destined for greatness. This is most often just blowing smoke up our children’s posterior and not getting them ready for reality. I consider myself a Walter Mitty type and have honestly believed I was a grand vase to be the centerpiece of a king’s palace. When in reality I am just a fancy trash container.
The point is not to bash on me or trolling for people to respond with praise, but rather to state a more realistic view of life. Honestly we all can’t be a movie star or a professional baseball player, because who would be in the stands to watch and enjoy? Paths and choices are the key to life and living with God without expectations of grandeur for yourself is key. Maybe Verse 3 ties into this a bit?
Verse 10:1 is something we all miss from time to time, if not most often:
My brothers and sisters, I pray constantly to God for the salvation of my people; it is the deep desire of my heart.
Always pray and give focus to God. Is this saying lock yourself in your prayer closest 24/7? No, but it is saying be in focus and connection with God. Acknowledge Him throughout the day and in times of decision. I know I have broken that rule recently with trying to move. Things are working perfectly and appear to be going to right way, yet I am starting to push things along and not be patient. I believe we have found the perfect place and I am trying to secure it my way and not let God work.
As I drift into my daily drama, I want to come back and focus on the word “constantly” since it’s in italics. This is one of those verses I initial read and got it confused with 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, since that says pray without ceasing. This added word is for emphasis, but is changes the tone from other translations. Granted the meaning is not lost, it just implies Paul is always where other translations imply it’s a heavy burden. I think the key here is although the translation is tad different from others; the underlying point of praying for salvation of all is the key to our prayer life.