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 expect 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.