"Hardness appears in Judas Iscariot, who, after being a chosen Apostle, and a preacher of the kingdom of heaven, turns out at last a thief and a traitor. So long as the world stands this unhappy man will be lasting proof of the depth of human corruption. That any one could follow Christ as a disciple for three years, see all His miracles, hear all His teaching, receive at His hand repeated kindnesses, be counted an Apostle, and yet prove rotten at heart in the end, all this at first sight appears incredible and impossible! Yet the case of Judas shows plainly that the thing can be. Few things, perhaps, are so little realized as the extent of the fall of man.
Let us thank God if we know anything of faith, and can say, with all our sense of weakness and infirmity, "I believe." Let us pray that our faith may be real, true, genuine, and sincere, and not a mere temporary impression, like the morning cloud and the early dew. Not least, let us watch and pray against love of the world. It ruined one who basked in the full sunshine of privileges, and heard Christ Himself teaching every day. Then "let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (1 Cor. x. 12.) -JC Ryle
Most of time in my own heart, I am sure of my conversion. I know I am now in the light, and was rescued by a loving Savior from the darkness of this sinful realm, where Satan rules.
But there are moments when I question my salvation, because I still struggle, and even flirt with sin. But then I realize Christ saves, and when He saves a soul, it is His forever. And I also look at the saints of God in His Word; those like David, Peter, Samson, Lot, Jacob, and others, who struggled like I do, and yet were God's own.
[Rembrandt, The Blinding of Samson]
It's His love, through His grace alone, my friends, that saves a sinner from God's judgment. And when that takes place, nothing can separate us from this awesome saving eternal love of God, which is found only in Christ our Lord. The bottom line is faith of course, but on the other side of that bottom is love. Do you have an authentic love for Jesus Christ; The Christ who rose from the dead, and is revealed to us in the Bible?
5 comments:
That is a good question. We do well to take it seriously, and think before answering.
Paul wrote: "I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!" 1 Cor. 16:21-22
Don;
You said, "When He saves a soul, it is His forever".
What do you think about Judas Iscariot, was he and his soul saved and belong to the Lord?
No, Judas was the son of perdition. He would have been better off never being born.
"Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a DEVIL.” He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him." John 6:69-71
Thanks Don!
I'm glad that you said that, I was thinking of the same.
Post a Comment