Direction, Week 6 - Day 1: The Heart Behind the Mission

Direction, Week 6 Day 1: The Heart Behind the Mission Devotional Paul’s heart was breaking for his people. In Romans 9, he expresses such deep love for his fellow Jews that he would be willing to be cut off from Christ if it meant their salvation. This wasn’t just religious duty — it was passionate love. When we engage our culture today, our motivation matters. Are we driven by a desire to win arguments, or by genuine love for souls? The difference is everything. God didn’t save us because we were better than anyone else. He saved us because we were sinners in desperate need of grace, just like every person we encounter. This reality should humble us and fill us with compassion. Your coworker who mocks your faith, your neighbor who lives differently, your family member who rejects the gospel — they are all people for whom Christ died. When love drives our engagement, it changes everything about how we approach difficult conversations and hostile environments. Bible Verse “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.” — Romans 9:1–3 (ESV) Reflection Question When you think about the people in your life who oppose Christianity, do you feel more anger or genuine love and concern for their souls? Quote “We must live with a love that passionately desires for sinners to be saved by the grace of Jesus Christ. We don’t seek to win arguments for the sake of being right. We seek to win arguments for the sake of the souls of other people who matter to God.” Prayer Lord, give me Paul’s heart for the lost around me. Help me see every person as someone You love and died for, not as an enemy to defeat.