With Jesus but still lost

General Faith
1

I was reading John 13 today and something really hit me.

Judas walked with God in flesh. He ate from the same plate as Jesus. He saw the miracles. He heard every word. He was that close to God.

But he was still lost. Why? Because he chose money. He betrayed the Son of Man for 30 pieces of silver. He chose _vanity_ — something temporary — over Jesus, who is eternal.

He didn’t realize that what Jesus was giving him was worth more than all the money in the world. Jesus was offering him life, forgiveness, friendship with God. But Judas wanted cash instead.

And this made me think about us today.

Many people hear the gospel. They go to church. They are close to Christian things. But like Judas, some are still rejecting it. Some take it lightly.

But the gospel is not something to take lightly. It’s not _vanity_. It’s truth. It’s life. Everything else in this world — money, fame, fear — that is vanity. It will pass away.

But with Jesus, we can never go wrong. If we choose Him, we choose life.

Mark 8:36* says: _“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? That was Judas

So I ask myself, and I ask you too: What are we choosing today? Are we choosing vanity? Are we choosing vanity things? Or Jesus?

I’ve seen people in my lifetime leave the diamond. Leave the gold. And choose stones. Choose a rock. Let’s not do that.

Let’s not be close to Jesus but still have our hearts far from Him.*

Don’t be near Jesus but still lost. Choose Him fully.

Kk

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I think you hit on an unfortunate topic that many do not want to think about. Remember, the Bible is full of people who “claim” Jesus name, but are far from Him. This is why Jesus makes one of the scariest statements I think there could ever be.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23

These are those that Jesus told us about. Those that are rocky and thorny ground.

" And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature." Luke 8:13-14

Sadly, many go to church, they watch the show, they sing and dance, and even say Praise Jesus. But then it’s over. Doors open, hands shaken, back to life they go. BBQ, or Sports, or both, Kids, sports. Shopping, TV, Showering, and bed. UP on Monday to deal with “life,” (work, school, whatever.)

Prayer? Reading God’s Word? Blessing others? Asking God what He wants us to accomplish on this day? Then, before you know it, Sunday is here again. Is this really being a Child of God? Or is it more like a checklist to claim your obligation is met? Is it though?

Peter

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Couldn’t agree more, well said Peter.

J.

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I think this is an important point, but also one that can feel a bit heavy if we’re not careful.

What stands out to me is that it’s not just about being around faith or familiar with it, but about what’s actually happening in the heart over time.

At the same time, I don’t always see it as a single clear decision people make once, but more like something we keep choosing in small ways day by day.

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@PeterC

We should all examine ourselves: are we really walking with God? Does Jesus know us?

Kk

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ARE YOU IN THE WORD OF TRUTH DAILY
TO COUNTER THE LYING WORDS OF THE WORLD?

If your answer is “No” (I’m too busy, I’ll do it later, etc, etc), then you are in trouble! Your progressive sanctification will be impacted (negatively). It is like riding a bicycle. What happens if you stop pedaling? You have an accident. This same principle is true spiritually if you are failing to eat the Word of Truth EVERY DAY!!! There will be NO growth in your spiritual life! (Read and ponder 1 Pe 2:2+) And don’t say you are too busy, because if that is really true, than the truth is you are way too busy with the world system and you need to cut back some of that secular busyness or you will end up with spiritual barrenness!
PA

J.

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Absolutely. This can be a scary thing for some to do. It should not be, but it is for some.
Peter

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Actually Peter.

There is an explicit imperative to examine ourselves in that sense, and it appears in 2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV).

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

  1. Greek Syntax (Key Verbs)
    πειράζετε (peirazete) - “examine”
    δοκιμάζετε (dokimazete) - “test/prove”

Both verbs are:

Present Active Imperative, 2nd person plural
2. What that means grammatically
Imperative mood - this is a command, not a suggestion
Present tense - typically carries a customary / ongoing force
“keep on examining yourselves” / “be regularly testing yourselves”

So grammatically, Paul is not calling for a one-time introspection, but a pattern of self-assessment within the Christian life.

“unless indeed you fail the test”
This phrase is parallel to “if you are in the faith” in 2Co_13:5. Paul has asserted in several ways (i.e., first class conditional sentence in 2Co_13:5 and the use of dokimazô) that he believes his readers are believers, but not all of them. There is a contingent of false teachers who do not know Christ (see SPECIAL TOPIC: APOSTASY (APHISTÇMI) at 1Co_6:9). This clause relates to them.
This clause does not relate to sinful believers because Paul addresses them in 2Co_12:20-21**. They need to repent, but the false teachers need Christ (cf Matthew 7).**
Paul used this very same term in 1Co_9:27 as the reason why he struggled to keep himself under God’s control. Paul did not want to be “disqualified” or rejected. Believers are challenged to check up on themselves (cf. Php_2:12).
2Co_13:6 Paul is asserting that he and his helpers have passed the test (i.e., not counterfeits, adokimos, cf. 2Co_13:7), especially in relation to the church at Corinth. If they have the indwelling Christ, then Paul’s ministry was effective.
Utley

Examine yourselves (ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετε)
Yourselves is emphatic. Instead of putting Christ to the test, test yourselves. Rev., try, is better than examine. Examination does not necessarily imply a practical test. It may be merely from curiosity. Trial implies a definite intent to ascertain their spiritual condition.
The faith
See on Act_6:7. In a believing attitude toward Christ.
Prove (δοκιμάζετε)
As the result of trying.
Or know ye not, etc.
Assuming that you thus prove yourselves, does not this test show you that Christ is in you as the result of your faith in him?
Reprobates (ἀδόκιμοι)
An unfortunate translation. A reprobate is one abandoned to perdition. The word is kindred to the verb prove (δοκιμάζετε), and means disapproved on trial. See on Rom_1:28.
Vincent

For some, not all? Got it. And I really like your profile pic brother.

J.

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What’s wrong with heavy? Heavy is substance.

10

@Fallen
One possible response to your question,

might be:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

Just thinking…
KP

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