illinijag
Called to Serve
Disclaimer: This message is only to those who believe in the one and only true God, the God who provided the Saviour (Jesus Christ).
Luke 13:1-5. There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:1-5 (Living Bible). About this time he was informed that Pilate had butchered some Jews from Galilee as they were sacrificing at the Temple in Jerusalem. ``Do you think they were worse sinners than other men from Galilee?'' he asked. ``Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And don't you realize that you also will perish unless you leave your evil ways and turn to God? ``And what about the eighteen men who died when the Tower of Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? Not at all! And you, too, will perish unless you repent.''
The above passages should shed light on a common discussion of Judas in John 13 and provide a Biblical supported response to the question:
Was Judas left to a fate of destruction because he was a sinner, a greater sinner than most?
Answer:
Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
The greatest sinner a person (saved by Grace) knows is himself, for only a man knows what is in the man. It is only when we compare ourselves to others do we erroneously, through pride, elevate ourselves to be better. Such is not wise:
2 Corinthians 10:12. For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
However, when we compare ourselves righteously to the only true source of righteousness (Christ Jesus), we see the greatest sinner we know. Then we can conclude as Apostle Paul concluded:
1 Timothy 1:15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Man do not perish for the abundance of sinful acts he commit, man perish because man is a sinner. If we debate the merits of which sins brought about the condemnation of Judas, we will find no end. However, the greater question would be, why did Christ save the other eleven? In addition, if the Grace of God, through Christ, has been extended to you, you should ask:
Why did God allow such to happen?
Answer:
The Grace of God extends Mercy, by means of the Righteous Blood of Christ, to whom He will.
Romans 9:15-16. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Romans 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
God Mercy toward man will result in man’s belief in God. God gives Mercy to His Sheep (His Elect).
John 10:26-29. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Did God condemn Judas?
Answer:
As sinners (we and Judas) are condemn already.
John 3:18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Romans 8:7-9. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
If man’s natural course does not lead him to eternal destruction / condemnation, Christ death has no purpose.
Galatians 2:21. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law (adhering to a law / i.e. works of man), then Christ is dead in vain.
So what can we do?
Answer:
Seek that which is the only means of Salvation, God’s Mercy. God’s Mercy is found only in Christ Jesus. Seeking begins with the Word of God.
Again…. My only suggestion is seek God’s Word and ask (from the heart): “LORD HAVE MERCY ON MEâ€. If such is God’s will, it is not you but God working in you.
Matthew 9:13. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
1 Corinthians 15:10. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Salvation in is a 100% work of God. Our actions in salvation are only in response to the work of Grace initiated by God. If we provide anything, we have reason to boast.
Hebrews 12:2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
John 6:44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Good Day and God Bless
to all...in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
Luke 13:1-5. There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:1-5 (Living Bible). About this time he was informed that Pilate had butchered some Jews from Galilee as they were sacrificing at the Temple in Jerusalem. ``Do you think they were worse sinners than other men from Galilee?'' he asked. ``Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And don't you realize that you also will perish unless you leave your evil ways and turn to God? ``And what about the eighteen men who died when the Tower of Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? Not at all! And you, too, will perish unless you repent.''
The above passages should shed light on a common discussion of Judas in John 13 and provide a Biblical supported response to the question:
Was Judas left to a fate of destruction because he was a sinner, a greater sinner than most?
Answer:
Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
The greatest sinner a person (saved by Grace) knows is himself, for only a man knows what is in the man. It is only when we compare ourselves to others do we erroneously, through pride, elevate ourselves to be better. Such is not wise:
2 Corinthians 10:12. For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
However, when we compare ourselves righteously to the only true source of righteousness (Christ Jesus), we see the greatest sinner we know. Then we can conclude as Apostle Paul concluded:
1 Timothy 1:15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Man do not perish for the abundance of sinful acts he commit, man perish because man is a sinner. If we debate the merits of which sins brought about the condemnation of Judas, we will find no end. However, the greater question would be, why did Christ save the other eleven? In addition, if the Grace of God, through Christ, has been extended to you, you should ask:
Why did God allow such to happen?
Answer:
The Grace of God extends Mercy, by means of the Righteous Blood of Christ, to whom He will.
Romans 9:15-16. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Romans 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
God Mercy toward man will result in man’s belief in God. God gives Mercy to His Sheep (His Elect).
John 10:26-29. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Did God condemn Judas?
Answer:
As sinners (we and Judas) are condemn already.
John 3:18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Romans 8:7-9. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
If man’s natural course does not lead him to eternal destruction / condemnation, Christ death has no purpose.
Galatians 2:21. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law (adhering to a law / i.e. works of man), then Christ is dead in vain.
So what can we do?
Answer:
Seek that which is the only means of Salvation, God’s Mercy. God’s Mercy is found only in Christ Jesus. Seeking begins with the Word of God.
Again…. My only suggestion is seek God’s Word and ask (from the heart): “LORD HAVE MERCY ON MEâ€. If such is God’s will, it is not you but God working in you.
Matthew 9:13. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
1 Corinthians 15:10. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Salvation in is a 100% work of God. Our actions in salvation are only in response to the work of Grace initiated by God. If we provide anything, we have reason to boast.
Hebrews 12:2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
John 6:44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Good Day and God Bless
to all...in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.