Paul’s Wish to Be Accursed for the Salvation of Others

The Driving Force of Love

Tim: You know what’s interesting about love? Love is a driving force, isn’t it? Think about what people do when they love. Love will drive people to do all manner of things. It will drive people to lay down their lives. Right? Won’t people give their lives if they love? They will.

We as Christians are supposed to love the brethren and be willing to lay down our lives. Jesus loved, and He laid down His life. Love is an incredibly strong force. Let me say this: love is strong.

Paul’s Love for the Lost

Tim: When I think of love for the lost, I think of the Apostle Paul. Somebody read the first three verses of Romans 9.

“I am speaking the truth in Christ. I am not lying. My conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.”

Tim: Do you know what love does? It causes you to bear unceasing anguish in your heart. Did you hear that? Read it again, brother.

“That I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.”

Tim: Great sorrow. Unceasing anguish. Do you know why someone bears that in their heart? Because they love.

Paul’s Wish to Be Accursed: What It Means

Tim: “For I could wish that I myself were accursed.” What does accursed mean? It means to be under the curse of God, to be cut off from Christ. Why? “For the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen.”

How can this help us as soul winners? Does this inspire you to reach the lost?

Paul’s Burden and Our Potential

Tim: Paul’s burden is biographical, and it inspires us. When I read about a Hudson Taylor, a George Müller, a Carey, a Judson, or a Spurgeon, I’m struck by what they endured.

James says Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. Why does James tell us this? Because we often think of Elijah, Elisha, and Paul as superhuman. But they’re not. They’re made of the same stuff as us, saved by the blood of Christ, with the same weaknesses and frailties.

When I read Paul’s words, it encourages me. It makes me realize a burden like his is possible for someone like me through the Spirit of God.

Paul’s Wish Reflects Christ’s Heart

Tim: Isn’t there something about Paul’s burden that makes you take notice? Paul says he would be cut off from Christ for the sake of others. If that isn’t an expression of Christ’s heart, I don’t know what is.

Christ bore the wrath of God for His brethren. Paul’s words reflect the same love, showing us that a sinner saved by grace can have this level of love for the lost.

Do We Share Paul’s Burden?

Tim: Do I ever feel that? The closest I’ve come is for my children. But Paul’s burden proves that through the Spirit, it’s possible to love the lost that much.

Why is that important? Because James says, “You do not have because you do not ask.” If you don’t think such a burden is possible, you won’t ask for it. But when I see Paul’s heart, I realize it’s within reach.

The Impact of Paul’s Burden

Tim: What would this city look like if just 20 people had Paul’s heart? Or even one? Paul entered cities like Thessalonica, Philippi, and Corinth, and they weren’t the same after he left.

A heart like Paul’s compels action. If you’re willing to be accursed, you won’t stay idle.

Romanticized Evangelism Versus True Sacrifice

Tim: It’s amazing how young people talk about going to the mission field. But is it a true burden, or is it romanticized?

William Carey stared at maps and thought of lost souls. Paul Washer talks about sleepless nights, burdened for nations. That’s Spirit-wrought love—not romanticism.

True love endures hardship. It’s one thing to watch a documentary on Papua New Guinea from your air-conditioned house. It’s another to endure swarms of mosquitoes or face being stoned, as Paul did.

Practical Evangelism: Go and Proclaim

Tim: Jesus said, “Go and make disciples.” That doesn’t mean you have to go overseas. It means you go somewhere. You proclaim His excellencies wherever you are—in school, at work, or in your community.

Mona Leiter leaves tracts everywhere she goes. Why can’t we all do the same? If one soul comes to Christ, it’s worth it.

Conclusion: One Soul in Glory

Tim: If you lived your whole life and only harvested one soul, what a thing! Could you imagine every time you see that person in glory? The Lord used me to save him!