Acts 1:20 For it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his dwelling place be desolate, and let no one live in it; and let another take his office.

 

While in prayer and study in the Upper Room, the First Church believers discovered the Prophecies about Judas. As we discussed yesterday, they had come to the awareness that they were seeing the Prophecies of old play out right before their eyes.

 

Judas was one of the Twelve Disciples of Christ. He was a believer in Christ and Jesus gave him the responsibility of handling their money. I find that to be ironic given that Judas was not only tempted by money but succumbed to the pressure of the money which, in the end, literally took his life and his salvation.

 

Many people today do not believe you can lose your salvation, but that is not true. These people will tell you that Judas was not really saved; yes he was. Judas did a horrible thing and he tried to rectify it by taking the thirty pieces of silver back to the chief priests and throwing it down on the floor. He said to them, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” Judas knew he had sinned and he felt horrible about it, but he admitted his sin to the chief priests, not Jesus.

 

If he had gone to Jesus and repented of his sin, he would have been forgiven and restored immediately but he didn’t do that. His lack of obedience cost him both his life and his salvation. He chose to turn from Jesus. He chose to take the money from the chief priests. The choices he made cost him everything and he will pay for it for all of eternity.

 

The same is true for every believer today. How many men and women of God have chosen money over Jesus? How many have used their relationship with Christ for personal gain? I dare say thousands have done this and they will pay just as Judas did.

 

The guilt Judas experienced could have been alleviated if he had just gone to Jesus and repented. Judas knew Jesus personally. He could have easily spoken to Him and confessed his sin but he did not have the courage to do so.

 

Repentance is the key to Salvation. Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2) John wrote: If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) God is faithful to keep His Word. Jesus is sitting at the Right Hand of the Father ready to make intercession for us. All we have to do is confess our sins and repent. That means to turn from our sins; stop doing it. Repent of the sin and ask God to deliver you from that sin. He will grant you this prayer because it is in His Will for you to be forgiven, healed, and delivered from all unrighteousness. His Will for you is Victory over sin. Deliverance from habitual sin is a HUGE Benefit of being a born-again believer in Christ. God is able if you are willing and if you sincerely seek to be delivered.

 

Confess and repent. Then God will……….turn the tide……….in your life.

 

Thank you Jesus,         Doreen

 

www.bettsministries.org