THE JUDAS PRINCIPAL
- ADDICTION AND DENIAL -
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"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." - Proverbs 28:13
By Synthia Esther
Matthew 26:23-25, Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to the man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." Then Judas, the one who would betray him said, "Surely not I rabbi," Jesus answered, "Yes it is you."
Judas was addicted to money, and all it could afford him. We are made aware of his vice following the incident of Mary pouring expensive perfume called nard onto Jesus's feet, wiping His feet with her hair. Judas objected stating, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it - John 12:1-7.
Was Judas, one of twelve disciples, a lesson to Christians that there could be people with character and integrity issues even amoung the leadership (Acts 20:30-31)? One has only to go to our website: WWW.XXXHISWAY.COM, to read our reports of those in Christian leadership who live a double life of sin. We are not to look unto men for salvation, but Christ alone. For men may fail you, but our Lord and Savior never will. Nor does His word fail to guide us in wisdom and understanding, for it is like Him, forever constant, Holy and pure.
AN ADDICT NOT ONLY BETRAYS OTHER'S...HE BETRAYS HIMSELF
Motivated by greed, addicted to financial gain, Judas sold Jesus out for thirty silver coins (Matthew 26:14-16). People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1st Timothy 6:9-10). When Judas, who had betrayed Him saw that Jesus was condemned to death he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priest and the elders proclaiming, "I have sinned for I have betrayed innocent blood" (Matthew 27:6-10).
This money was now blood money, and against the law to put into the treasury. The blood money reference to law, many theologians claim, comes from the application of Biblical scripture in Deuteronomy 23:18, "You must not bring the earnings of a female prostitute or of a male prostitute into the house of the Lord your God to pay any vow, because the Lord your God detests them both."
Judas not only betrayed Christ, he betrayed himself as well. His stinken thinkin was so fixated on thirty pieces of silver, he gave no thought concerning his actions nor the dire consequences that could ensue. His betrayal of Jesus with a kiss seemed sweet and innocent. Yet in the end his dark and evil addiction caused death, as he went away and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5). There are many who underestimate the effect of sin. Make no mistake, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
What we focus on we become. Are you watching pornography? Dr. Charles Stanley of "In Touch Ministries" states, "Your feet take you where your eyes have already been."
We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The mans who says, "I know Him," but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. - 1st John 2:3-6
HOW DID JESUS WALK AND LIVE?
In obedience to the will of His Heavenly Father - God. Listen to Jesus's words concerning following God's will, which ultimately lead Him to His death on Calvary's cross, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." - Luke 22: 42. Jesus gives us instruction to do the same. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of holy angels." - Luke 9: 23-26. We as Christians are to "surrender" our life in obedience to God, His word, and ways.
SANCTIFICATION - PROCESSED PROTECTION
For God so loved the world He gave His only begotton Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life - John 3:16. Jesus Christ died on Calvary's Cross to redeem all of humanity from their sins. This is God's salvation plan. As a Christian, you were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God - 1st Corinthians 6:11. You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body - 1st Corinthians 6:19-21.
You were taught with reqard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness - Ephesians 4:22-24.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and aprove what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will - Romans 12:1-2.
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature - Romans 13:13-14.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body - 1 Corinthians 6:18.
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt amyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death - James 1:13-15.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?" - 1st Corinthians 4:20-21
FATE?
If you have happened upon this website by mere accident (we prefer to call it God's fate), for with the creator of the universe there are no accidents, we want you to know: "You Are Loved!" Jesus loves you! - John 3:16 We love you, and are praying for your very heart, mind, and soul. Jesus Christ is the answer to all your problems in life. He truly is the bondage breaker. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.
Copyright - 2008-2009, Synthia Esther. All Rights Reserved.
