Even though he was one who moved very closely with the Lord Jesus Christ on earth and was named as one of the twelve disciples of Christ, there was no guarantee of Christformation in him. How do we know this? Being where Christ is, did not guarantee Christformation in him.
Matthew 26:23-24 (New International Version)
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 that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
Judas Iscariot even took part in the Lord's supper and was so close to Christ our Lord and yet he had missed Christformation in himself. Reason being, whom he has chosen to obey and make the master of his life made the difference. Judas had chosen to obey the overwhelming power of the sinful nature of the Devil in him.He had refused to obey Christ who was standing infront of him, in person.
If we were born into this world just to obey the sinful nature of the Devil in us and not be freed from it's bondage at all, it would have been better if we were not born at all. Judas was one clear example of such a person. Many are predestined to be that way. What is life without having the chance to meet our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. But, here is a man who met the Lord Jesus Christ in person daily and yet missed Christformation in himself.
Is this possible? Is it possible to just forfeit every Christformation in us, even though we claim to be one of His people He had chosen for His eternal purpose. The sad answer is "yes". You can forfeit Christformation in you if you stubbornly continue to please the sinful nature of the Devil in you and have decided that the things and pleasures of this world are more important to you than gaining Christ.
Judas' motive of being with Christ has been wrong all the while and it showed up in the end.
Matthew 27:3-5 (New International Version)
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."
"What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."
So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
So we often think that being sorry and remorseful over our sins will wipe away our sins.Yes, if there is no condemnation following it. In this case,Judas who wanted to see the Lord Jesus Christ stand condemned before men, was condemned in himself. Judas betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ for financial gains. He hanged himself.
He wouldn't have hanged himself if he didn't feel condemned.
John 13:18-30 (New International Version)
"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'
"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."
His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."
Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"
Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
The Lord Jesus said, He knew those whom he has chosen for Christformation in them.But, Judas He knew who he was,but he wasn't afraid of him,even though Judas had good relations with the Romans who ruled Israel. His trust was in His almighty God( To be continued )
