Lost Salvation?
Did Judas lose his salvation?
John 17:12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Reading this verse, which is the high priestly prayer of the Lord Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, it would seem that Judas initially had salvation, yet lost it when he betrayed Jesus. If true that he genuinely lost salvation, what confidence can any believer have that they are indeed saved? Though I don’t hand over the Lord for crucifixion, do I not still betray Him daily? The first question that needs to be answered here is whether or not Judas had a genuine salvation. Only after this can I determine the foundation for the confidence I’m called to have in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:11-12).
Who was Judas? I mean, he was one of the original 12 disciples; he kept the finances for Jesus’ ministry. Basically, he was a prominent figure, and by all human accounts, a “model” Christian. The Lord, however, is not fooled by our appearances, for He sees our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). Those who play a good game, but never actually believe in their hearts are in for a rude awakening to eternal judgment one day (Matthew 7:21-23). This is not the basis for our salvation. Even though Judas was playing this game of being one of Jesus’ closest friends, inwardly, where it mattered, he was described as the “son of destruction”, or the “son of perdition.” This is the same term used to reference the antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Since God is omnipotent, He either directly effects, or allows all events that pass. Since God is omniscient, He knows not only when every event will pass, but also the outcome. The Lord knew who Judas was from the beginning, even before Judas was born, yet he was chosen for his position on earth that the Scriptures might be fulfilled (Psalm 41:7). Jesus knew Judas was never a genuine believer; otherwise, Jesus would not have referred to him as the son of perdition. Also, this is evident in the dialogue Jesus shares with him at the Last Supper, indicating He knew (John 13:27) the plans of Judas and when they would happen. Judas didn’t likely even know the full ramifications of what he was doing! The disciples and the other townspeople were likely fooled by the guise of Judas, but conduct alone will never purchase one salvation. Judas was never one of the Lord’s children (1 John 2:18-19).
John 17:12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Reading this verse, which is the high priestly prayer of the Lord Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, it would seem that Judas initially had salvation, yet lost it when he betrayed Jesus. If true that he genuinely lost salvation, what confidence can any believer have that they are indeed saved? Though I don’t hand over the Lord for crucifixion, do I not still betray Him daily? The first question that needs to be answered here is whether or not Judas had a genuine salvation. Only after this can I determine the foundation for the confidence I’m called to have in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:11-12).
Who was Judas? I mean, he was one of the original 12 disciples; he kept the finances for Jesus’ ministry. Basically, he was a prominent figure, and by all human accounts, a “model” Christian. The Lord, however, is not fooled by our appearances, for He sees our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). Those who play a good game, but never actually believe in their hearts are in for a rude awakening to eternal judgment one day (Matthew 7:21-23). This is not the basis for our salvation. Even though Judas was playing this game of being one of Jesus’ closest friends, inwardly, where it mattered, he was described as the “son of destruction”, or the “son of perdition.” This is the same term used to reference the antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Since God is omnipotent, He either directly effects, or allows all events that pass. Since God is omniscient, He knows not only when every event will pass, but also the outcome. The Lord knew who Judas was from the beginning, even before Judas was born, yet he was chosen for his position on earth that the Scriptures might be fulfilled (Psalm 41:7). Jesus knew Judas was never a genuine believer; otherwise, Jesus would not have referred to him as the son of perdition. Also, this is evident in the dialogue Jesus shares with him at the Last Supper, indicating He knew (John 13:27) the plans of Judas and when they would happen. Judas didn’t likely even know the full ramifications of what he was doing! The disciples and the other townspeople were likely fooled by the guise of Judas, but conduct alone will never purchase one salvation. Judas was never one of the Lord’s children (1 John 2:18-19).
posted by Frank Bob at 8:21 AM
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