June 13th. Day 13 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.

Today’s reason — A Heart for the Lost.

This reason to rehearse the gospel Daily immediately convicted me. I do have a heart for the lost, but the passion behind that heart and the desire to have harder, deeper conversations about the gospel ebbs and flows. A few friends come to mind when I think about those who truly have a heart for the lost. I want to be better about sharing my faith. I want to do better when living it out.

All the more reason to rehearse the gospel daily, and about this reason, Vincent says this...

“The more I rehearse and exult in gospel truths, the more there develops within me a corresponding burden for non-Christians to enter into such blessings. This is also what seems to happen to the Apostle Paul while writing the book of Romans.

He goes on to say...

“In Romans 5 Paul exults in his righteous standing before God. {Romans 5:1-11} In chapter 6 he speaks of the freedom from sin which Christ has accomplished in the lives of believers, {Romans 6:1-2, 6} a freedom which Paul later confesses had not yet become fully realized in his own daily practice (chapter 7). {Romans 7:19} Nonetheless, coming into chapter 8, he recounts the fact that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. {Romans 8:1} With increasing flourish, he rehearses numerous gospel themes throughout the length of chapter 8, and he climaxes the chapter with a triumphant exclamation regarding the endless love of God which enables Christians to conquer overwhelmingly in all things.” {Romans 8:35-39}

This is a longer one today, so hang with me. Vincent goes on to say…

“What effect do such gospel meditations have upon Paul? What emotions do they produce in him besides the obvious joy he feels while reciting them? Paul bares his soul at the very beginning of chapter 9: ‘I have great sorrow,’ he says, ‘and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ, for the sake of my brethren, my kinsman according to the flesh.’” {Romans 9:1-4}

At this point Vincent has covered 4 (and a little more) chapters of Romans with this one reason, but there is still more...

“Coming down from the heights of gospel meditation, Paul’s heart is devastated by a burden for his fellow Jews to experience the saving power of the gospel. His burden existed long before he started writing, but it is undoubtedly intensified by his rehearsal of gospel truth in Romans 5-8, a rehearsal which inevitably leads his thoughts toward the plight of those outside of Christ.”

In conclusion, he says this...

“Hence, if I wish to have a ‘Romans 9’ kind of burden for non-Christians, I should become practiced at celebrating the gospel as Paul does in Romans 5-8. Over time, my joy in the gospel will become increasingly tinged with grief, and this grief stained joy will lend a God inspired passion to my ministry of evangelizing the lost.”

Wow! Such conviction with today’s reading. I’m going to need to plant myself in Romans a little longer this morning.

Could we agree in prayer right now for an increased passion and desire for the lost...

Father, break our hearts for what breaks yours. More than anything else, give us a burden for those who do not yet know you personally and intimately. God, give us opportunities to share your love through the message of the gospel with others every single day. As we rehearse it to ourselves, may we be quicker and more ready to graciously give it to others. I’m Jesus’ Name, Amen