You Cannot Lose Your Salvation, But You Can Fake It Like Judas
John 13:1-5 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Sometimes, we like to think that everyone would love Jesus if only He did more for them. Maybe, if he showed up in their life, spoke to them, or did a miracle in front of them they would believe in Him.
Nope. The example of Judas Iscariot shows that is not the case. For three years, Judas heard Jesus pray and preach, saw Jesus perform miracles, and was perfectly and continually loved, served, and cared for by Jesus Christ. In response, Judas betrayed Jesus, sold Him out for thirty pieces of silver, hung himself, and went to hell.
From the tragic tale of Judas’ we learn six things:
- Sometimes you bear no responsibility for a person who betrays you, wrecks their life, and shipwrecks their faith. Jesus bears no blame for Judas’ demise.
- Sitting under good Bible teaching is not enough, you have to believe it. Judas spent three years learning directly from Jesus and believed none of it.
- The church has wheat and weeds. In every church and ministry, there are believers and unbelievers, and it’s nearly impossible to accurately figure out which is which, so you leave that job up to Jesus.
- Your heart follows your wallet. Long before Judas was railing against Jesus, he was robbing from Jesus. If you want to change your heart, it is a good idea to start with your wallet, since—as Jesus says—your heart will wind up wherever your treasure takes it.
- You cannot lose your salvation, but you can fake it. Judas sat in Bible studies, went on mission trips, and sang worship songs, but it was all merely fakery.
- The most important day of your life is the last day. Right up until the end, Judas’ life seemed to be “working”. Financially he was okay, physically he was healthy, spiritually he was in a great ministry, relationally he was with Jesus’ disciples, and the overall external picture of life was good. Then it all went bad when his private life became public. It just goes to show that the most important day of your life is the last day, and you must be prepared for that day.
Which lesson from Judas’ life is a helpful warning to you?