Betray | Definition of Betray by Merriam-Webster
This is not designed to doubt forgiveness at all, it is designed to consider just how bad betrayal truly is!
Of course betrayal is bad! But doesn't
all sin, when it is finished, bring forth death? Are not
all sinners deserving of death? Is it not our repentance, and faith in Christ Jesus save us? Is Judas in Hell? (I am not saying I know, your post has just inspired some questions and studies of my own).
James 1:1212 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for
God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But
every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
For want of money, Judas betrayed our saviour. Jesus said "woe" to him that betrayed the son of man, and it would be better if he had not been born. Jesus
didn't say "he will burn in hell for eternity". (And Jesus was quite elaborate, and specific about Hell in his teachings). Also, I find it quite intriguing that Judas' name has not been blotted out of our bibles.
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
In studying about the book of life (a very interesting topic), I also noticed that the names in said book have been included from the foundation of the world. This intrigues me, when I think of Jesus' parable about the rich man in Hell and the beggar in Heaven. (Luke 16:19-31) Last year when I studied this particular passage, I wept because in that story, we never learn the name of the rich man in Hell. His name has been
blotted out of the book of life. As earnestly as that man called unto Abraham, there was a great gulf that divided Heaven from Hell, and it was impossible for him to cross. Jesus loves all sinners, including Judas, I think. He broke bread with him as he was knowingly being betrayed. Judas' role had to be so that scripture might be fulfilled.
Let us look at this: the greatest betrayal in the bible:
Matthew 17: 22 ¶ And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them,
The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: 23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
Matthew 20: 17 ¶ And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Matthew 26: 1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
Matthew 26: 20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Matthew 26:47 ¶ And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Matthew 27: 3 ¶ Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. 7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
IF a believer betrays another,there is little time to become forgiven if at all
I stick by my previous sentiments that we should try to find forgiveness in our hearts for those who sin against us (as hard as that can be in many cases), as we will be forgiven by God accordingly. Thankfully, true and lasting forgiveness comes from "God only."
Mark 2: 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy,
Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies?
who can forgive sins but God only? 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them,
Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11
I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Thanks for the post. It really got the gears turning this morning! God bless!
