This can be perplexing, for if he was chosen by God to betray Jesus, was he really guilty? If he was preordained was he at fault?
Here is a problem we all face. If things are preordained, why am I guilty or why am I blessed or why am I suffering? Can I be a follower of Jesus and yet not be?
Judas example shows us that we can be Gods followers yet not be. By choosing from the beginning an apostle who was destined for apostasy and destruction, and by including him in his closest relations, and by giving him power over unclean spirits and over diseases, Jesus shows us that religious associations and religious practices and miracle-working are no sure evidence of being born again. And born again we must be to become a true follower of Jesus.
Secondly Judas had a choice: that of begging God's forgiveness after his spectacular sin. He did not. He preferred death through suicide rather than face God.
What we learn from Judas is that
A. Gods word is never broken. The scriptures talked about Gods plan, and it had to be done.
B. Inspire of our worst sin we have the choice of repenting
C. Religious associations and religious practices and miracle-working are no sure evidence of being born again.
D. And lastly predestination and human responsibility go hand in hand. If sin and sinfulness is predestined, repentance is our choice. Judas had that choice, as do we all.
We all have a Judas in us. We all have betrayed Jesus in our lives. Yet we all have the right to His saving grace. That's the miracle of Christ.
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