Anguish for Lost Souls
For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
2 Corinthians 2:4
These are the words of the apostle Paul, from a heart of anguish coming from his love to the people in the Corinthian church. Paul had an anguished heart for lost souls. And he took Peter, James, and John along with Him, and He began to feel completely dazed and to realize His anguish of heart. (Mark 14:33 WNT) Jesus had anguish in his heart for lost souls, and that is why Jesus voluntarily went to the cross for our sins.
A heart filled with God’s unconditional love is a heart of anguish for lost souls. A heart of anguish drives us to bring Christ to lost souls and free them from Satan’s lies. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12:9 ESV) Satan has deceived many people, and we pray for the Lord to guide us to bring God’s Truth to the world.
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44 ESV) We pray for our enemies and for lost souls, and that increases our hate for sin and for Satan’s deceptions. There is no space in our hearts for hate, except for the hatred of sin. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12) We have anguish in our hearts for lost souls, and our hatred goes toward sin and Satan. We feel sad for the people that believe Satan’s lies, and many will only know the truth when Christ returns, but it will be too late.
A heart of love motivates us to bring God’s Truth to combat Satan’s deception. A heart filled with God’s love, anguish, and compassion is a heart that cares about others and a heart that reflects Christ to everyone.
Today, reflect the heart of Jesus to everyone, especially to those who don’t know Christ. Pray they find Christ and pray for guidance to bring Christ to someone today.
Prayer: Lord, fill my heart with your love as the Spirit guides me to tell others about salvation through Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.