"Think about it. Imagine the horrors hell must have in store if the Bible is true. You're just going to allow that to happen and not care about saving anyone but yourself? If you're right, then you're an uncaring, unemotional and purely selfish (expletive) that has no right to talk about subjects such as love and caring."
If we have great heaviness and sorrow in our heart for the lost, we'll warn them of the reality of hell (see 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 comment) and how to avoid it. See John 4:1 comment for witnessing tips.
9:32 For those who are trusting in good works, see Ephesians 2:8,9 and Titus 3:5.
CHAPTER 10 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.
5 For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which does those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep?
(that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what said it? The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.
1 0 For with the heart man believes to righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.
1 1 For the scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich to all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
QUESTIONS & OBJECTIONS QUESTIONS & OBJECTIONS 10:3 "Why are there so many different religions?"
It has been well said that "religion" is man's way of trying to deal with his guilt.
Different religions have different ways of attempting to rid their adherants of sin and its consequences. They fast, pray, deny themselves legitimate pleasures, or chasten themselves, often to a point of inflicting pain.
They do this because they have a concept of what they think God (or "the gods") is like, so they seek to establish their own righteousness, being "ignorant of God's righteousness."
The Good News of the Christian faith is that no one need suffer the pains of religious works. Christ's blood can cleanse our conscience from the "dead works" of religion
(Hebrews 9:14). Jesus took our punishment upon Himself, and He is the only One who can save us from sin and death. See Acts 4:12 and John 14:6.
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our report?
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses says, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20 But Isaiah is very bold, and says, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest to them that asked not after me.
21 But to Israel he says, All day long I have stretched forth my hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people.
10:1 The heart of a person who is close to God must be consumed with prayer for the salvation of the world. The theme will permeate his prayers.
10:9 We must confess and forsake our sins to receive God's mercy: Here is a model prayer of repentance, from Psalm 51:
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness: according to the multitude of Your tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have
I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight. I believe that Jesus suffered and died in my place. I believe that He rose from the dead. I put my trust in Him this day as my Lord and my Savior. I will read Your Word daily and obey what I read. In Jesus' name I pray.
10:12 Here are God's promises to those who call upon Him: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1
John 1:9). "He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because