“Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”
Matthew 26:14-16
We were asked a pretty tough question this past Sunday morning that went something like this: “What would it take for you to walk away from your relationship with Jesus?” In other words we ask the question that Judas asked: “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” Don’t be so quick to answer. You say: “I would never do that!” Peter said he would never deny him and yet we all know the results of that commitment.
Peter denied him, Judas betrayed him and most of the disciples scattered when he was arrested. It is easy to talk big when you have not been challenged face-to-face as some of the Apostles were. I would like to believe I am a better man than Judas but I find an admonition in scripture that reminds me to be careful when it comes to these things. It is in Galatians chapter six and verse one: “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
Did you see the audience? It is to “Brothers and sisters…”. That would be you and me. But, it goes even further when it says: “…you who live by the Spirit…” It sure sounds to me like he is not only addressing believers but in fact he is addressing mature believers. Even this audience receives the warning: “…But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” We need to remind ourselves that we are never beyond temptation, especially if and when we find ourselves ministering to one who has struggled with a particular sin. It is often at that point that, if we are not careful, pride can creep in and cause us to believe we are better than the one who stumbled and are able, in our own strength, to withstand what they were not able to resist.
We are not left comfortless and the strength of the Holy Spirit is there to help us in those times of temptation. But His help is quenched when we think more highly of ourselves and our own strength than we ought to think and rely on that rather than Him!
Instead of being quick to respond to the question of: “What would it take for you to walk away from your relationship with Jesus” stop and think for a moment of how much you need the Holy Spirit to keep you in that place of abiding in Christ and in stead of boasting pray that you would continue to abide in Him.
1 comment:
Oh yes, "we need the Holy Spirit to keep us abiding in Christ." May we may learn to walk humbly before You and those around us, that we would truly never boast in anything except the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ and what He's done to enable us to be victorious in those times of temptation. Always remind us from whence we came. Help us to draw strength from You if we are ever faced with something that causes us to consider walking away from our relationship with You. We want nothing to separate us from Your great love. In Jesus name, Amen
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