How to Deal With Loved Ones Who Don't Believe

Paul’s Anguish Over Israel

9 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
I talk to many people who have anguish over relatives or close friends who don't have a relationship with God through Christ.  They pray for them, share Christ when they can in word and deed; but still have not seen their loved ones come to faith.  I think this is a similar sentiment Paul is expressing when he talks about the people of Israel.  This is the spiritual family he grew up in and where he was a spiritual leader.  But when Paul met Jesus on the road he discovered the secret to being God's chosen one was to believe in His Son by faith.  This started his purpose in life which was to reach others with this Good News.  
In Romans he was writing to the church which was made up of both Jews and Gentiles.  It seems as though he is speaking to the Jews as he is explaining that while the Jews were the chosen ones, they rejected Jesus and tried instead to come to God by observing the Law.  Then he states that just being a physical descendent of Abraham does not mean a person has saving faith.  Some Jews will come to faith in Christ and some won't.  He attributes this to God's sovereignty.  God is sovereign and God knows who will come to faith and who will not.  This doesn't nullify his desire that all people will be saved by trusting in His promises.  
This being said, we cannot jump to the conclusion that since only God knows who is being saved then why should we even try to win those who are currently lost.  Since we don't know who is or will be a believer we need to continue to share the gospel and pray for those who have not yet come to God by faith.  It's okay to anguish over loved ones who are either not in the faith or have left the faith.  It shows our love for them and our wanting them to be in heaven with us.  Let's not give up praying, hoping and using every opportunity to share the love of God in Christ Jesus.   

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