Is it I?

(Matthew 10:38)  “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

My thoughts are extremely somber this morning. I suppose I take so much for granted. There is a fine line between taking things for granted and being sincerely thankful. Take salvation as the pinnacle in a believers life; a person was once blind and dead in their trespasses and sins and then they by the grace of God find life. Some think that they chose God, but this would be impossible; prior to salvation we are all DEAD in out trespasses and our sins. Salvation is a gift from God! It is a Spiritual gift! He gives us life and only then can we live and see spiritual things.

It has always been about God’s choice; “God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." (1Corinthians 1:28-31)   

Consider the twelve disciples how they left what they were doing and immediately followed the Lord. Now who in his right mind would drop a net in the middle of the day without any explanation to his employer or family and follow the Lord? That in itself on the surface seems rather rude! “Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” (Mark 1:16-18) 

There were other fishermen in the boat and yet the Lord chose Andrew and Simon, it was His choice! What about Judas Iscariot did God also chose Him? We know He did; “For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!" (Luke 22:22): - Someone needed to betray the Lord and He knew it before hand; it was part of God’s script! “When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." Judas, who would betray him, answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said so."” (Matthew 26:20-25) 

Why would a man aware of the fact that he was about to betray the Lord ask the question, “is it I?” Was he so blinded by sin that he was unaware of what he was about to do, did he really believe he was acting in the Lord’s best interest in his mind’s eye. Had deception blinded him so badly? We know that he was motivated by money, which proves he was in it for his bellies sake, the same pattern we see with the warning Paul gives us about the enemies of the cross; “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (Philippians 3:18-21)

I must then conclude that Judas was never a citizen of heaven and so too is it today with many who claim to be and are not! When I look at the destruction at play in my life and the evil intent my mind still looks to conjure up for the sake of satisfying my own “body of death”, I must ask the question, “is it I Lord?” I do not sit at my desk with over confidence this morning but there is seriousness to “my standing” before my great heavenly Father. Please continue to work with me and help me put off what should no longer remain and help me to find grace to put on the Lord Jesus. How I need you my great God and King. O how I need you!

Signing off

Tyrone