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Comparing the Passion of Judas to the Grace of Nathanael Comparing the testimonies of these two men we can see the impact of grace on the one, as Nathanael and the absence of grace in the other, as Judas. Which of these rejoiced in the Lord? "Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no GUILE." (John 1:47) "And after the sop SATAN ENTERED into him (Judas). Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly." (John 13:27) Judas' Religious Passion Was The Crown of Flattery Judas exhibited religious passion to carry out the ministry of Jesus, but where was his focus? It was evangelism and money. The Bible says that Judas held the bag. He also wanted to get more people converted to join Jesus' band, hoping that would increase the bag. After all he was mindful of the poor. Apostles today are challenging the Judas mind-set or religious perspective. These have reduced the Christian faith into two categories of evangelism and money. Judas went from town to town and house to house casting out demons and collecting the ministry funds. To Judas faith centered on those works which needed no grace. Satan took advantage of this zeal and need for social recognition. For Judas' faith was openly rewarded by the people, while His apostles endured the long debates between the Pharisees and Jesus. Judas viewed the kingdom of God as social order and respect while Peter and the others fed on the knowledge for faith in Jesus. Judas put the Record of Christ in mans needs of the flesh. But the Record of Christ was in the testimony of Jesus' suffering unto glory. Satan Carries Away the Heart "There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and NATHANAEL of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples." (John 21:2) While Nathanael listened to the knowledge of the Lord, Judas was musing about the possibilities of saving the lost. Satan carries away the heart with the musing of the imagination about how to assist God in accomplishing His plan. This is like the all-night fishing trip the apostles went on after Jesus rose from the dead. Having caught nothing after applying their skills (wisdom of man) it was by the voice of God that they prospered. Obedience of faith achieves more than the skills of the flesh. Many ministries today exhaust millions of dollars and time to reach the lost for Jesus. Then they ask for more money to repeat the event and this is because that first seed was taken away by the east wind. For God to turn the church around, He needs to send in a new team of apostles and this is why the church needs that calling today. Apostles today are restoring the true record for the church for that eternal crown of glory. The gospel they (wisdom of man) strewed upon the nations in the past with false knowledge only increased the derision of the hearers. Conversions were found to be only opportunities for religious zeal and a numbers game for evidence of success. Judas also tallied the numbers as tokens of Jesus' approval of the people. The excitement of the time even drew jealously from those Pharisees and Sadducees and they said this, "Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone AFTER HIM." (John 12:19) Judas was hoping for social reform while reflecting upon event theology, expecting the House of David to be restored in all its glory. Ministers today fall prey to this same spirit of deception, thinking their zeal is approved of God. They end up fighting against His grace. There is a transition here that needs to be recognized. A transition away from the Judas mentality. If ever there was a need for apostles in the church, we see it today. The Lord Does Not See As Men See "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord SEETH NOT as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7) Judas did not have the God perspective, but he nurtured the world's perspective. He wanted the whole world saved, but by his enthusiasm. This zeal was exploited by Satan. Jesus made known to His apostles that not all people will be saved. He said the very opposite of what evangelical ministries are aiming for today. Their logic is flawed by generations of building ideas of world outreach. They need to stop and reflect at Jesus' words, "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it." (Matthew 7:14) Faulty Zeal verses Patience of Grace God works by His own time table. The excitement of evangelism must be left to patience of prayer and His timing. " And he said unto them, Go ye into ALL THE WORLD, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) " After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit SUFFERED THEM NOT." (Acts 16:7) Faulty Logic Begets False Conversions: Which Gospel Saves? Many people thinking themselves to be saved by the doctrines of those denominations will struggle with grace all their life. Here is where apologetics was born, out of the doctrinal conflicts of many denominations. Can error sanctify the soul? No! Read what Paul wrote to those under his stewardship. Then read what Jesus said. "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through SANCTIFICATION of the SPIRIT and belief of the TRUTH:" (2 Thessalonians 2:13) For the Holy Ghost only testifies of Christ. The Spirit only builds with truth to affect the heart in fruit bearing. False knowledge can challenge the mind to PURSUE holiness but is powerless to effect true transformation. "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath NOTHING IN ME." (John 14:30) Satan will put the record in the flesh making another Jesus and another gospel and a truth of the moral-code or the law of the mind. But Jesus is the Record of our faith which removes the powers of Satan in the imagination to the power of faith in His covenant. Judas was building confidence with a seducing spirit, (Satan) which would direct his passions for good works which the religious passions of the world will confirm. Notice that even a sinner can confirm Christian ideals finding in Jesus words (Bible) comfort and moral challenges. The Apostle Jude said of these, that they "separate themselves sensual having not the Spirit", for they can say much about God and Jesus' love without the power of His grace. (Jude 1:19, James 3:15, Titus 1:15-16) But a true conversion brings understanding and humbleness of heart of grace not that combativeness of the apologetics. Humbleness to the apologists is for one to openly consider error. There is no building with error. In the first century those of this calibre (Apologists) contended which the apostles about what should be practiced and recognized by the church. The Judas spirit was active in them to stand to their doctrines even while fellowshipping with the apostles to correct them. (Acts 15:1) The Apostles learned that unity of the faith will not come about if they let these "ministers" of the different gospel remain infecting the saints. (3 John 1:9) Those that had the Nathanael heart conformed to the Spirit of His grace and reciprocated accordingly which is true charity. It is this Spirit that Jesus honoured openly as He did to Peter later on. There is no guile in grace! "My Father revealed this to you." And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 16:17) For only those that have this heart will see God. Blessed are the pure in heart, Jesus said. For guile is borne along with envy, emulation, variance, and strife. They preach a gospel that encourages pretence because the world cannot discern which spirit is influencing them. Even their worship is sin to God. For many believers become 'conference-groupies' that follow the latest doctrinal fade. Because the foundation of truth is absent they worship the poster-type-Jesus. They fulfil the prophesy of Daniel 12:4 “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: MANY shall run TO AND FRO, and knowledge shall be increased.” No guile: The godly are void of the drive for the peace and security of the world (aspirations). For the world will honour those that please them and even wish your company. So the righteous carry no light (false grace) of the world’s honour where they can find a boast to promote themselves. There is no breach in their faith and the just are not burdened with the testimony of death. "And in their mouth was found no GUILE: for they are without fault before the throne of God." (Revelation 14:5) "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are VIRGINS. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb." (Revelation 14:4) Be a Nathanael in your faith and join to Jesus by His Spirit of grace. The spirit of this world is a strange god and those of guile as Judas are sowing worthless seed under this spell. The Lord calls them fornicators bearing children for Baal. They are not pure virgins, which have prepared their hearts as Nathanael to embrace the Lord. Their faith belongs to only One House. Will the Lord say to you, "behold, one in whom is found no guile?" Learn More About Apostles Today and Their Purpose Learn what the challenges are and how to face them. Click Here Author: Apostle Eric vonAnderseck Second 8th Week Ministries
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