Judas By Another Name
by Carol Hall
(also printed in Treasures in the Darkness
Website: God's Rose
Without a Cross, There Could Be No Crown
Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens me.”
Do you remember Judas? The one who betrayed Jesus with a kiss? The one who sold information about Jesus for money and led the soldiers to where Jesus was praying? Is there a Judas by another name in your life? I have many in mine. Some are found in previous relationships, family members, friends, co-workers … there’s one in every crowd really. But, I’ve learned to praise God for Judas. What?! That’s right. Without Judas, Jesus’ purpose may have been delayed. It was necessary in God’s plan for Judas to betray Jesus so His purpose could be fulfilled. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him. He was not surprised. Remember?
If it weren’t for the Judases in our lives, we wouldn’t fulfill our purposes or reach our potential either. Do you think you would? Not! If everything in our lives were smooth and everyone loved us, we would become so spoiled and complacent that no one could live with us or around us. We would never rise to a higher level, because we’d be satisfied on the SAME level forever. We would grow stagnate and stink in the nostrils of God. Do you recognize now that it’s the Judases that cause change in your life? It’s up to you and me, friend, whether we allow those changes to make us better or bitter.
Has anyone ever told you he/she would love you forever and then betrayed you with a kiss? I’ve been there, too. It hurts worse than anything you’ve ever experienced before, doesn’t it? But, without that person or that experience, you and I may not be the individuals we are today. Were you once a Judas? There is hope! Take my hand, friend. Let’s walk out of this valley together. I know it hurts, but praise God anyway! Lift your hands high, and become better, not bitter. Now, take a deep breath and stand tall in the face of adversity. For greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. Right?! Now, be strong because we’re going to view and uncover Judas by another name.
Has anyone ever used you for personal gain? Has anyone ever lied to you or about you? Stolen from you? Gossiped about you after you shared information with them that you wanted prayer over? Is there a family member who has turned his/her back on you? Do you have a son or daughter who’s run away from home and yet wants his/her inheritance just like the prodigal son did? Are you one of the above? God still loves us when we run away from Him, so love those children and pray for their safe return. If you will ask Him, He will also help you find your way home.
Are you being treated unfairly at work? Have you been looked over for that promotion? Does your best friend also have a best friend whom he/she is talking to about private matters you’ve shared in confidence? If you’ve answered “yes” to just one of these scenarios, then you know Judas has many names. Judas brings change into our lives and brings us to new levels. So, praise God and pray for those who despitefully use you and say all manner of evil against you,
because Jesus also had many Judases in His life who did the same things to Him. What did Jesus
do? He loved them. He didn’t get even. He didn’t sink down to their level. No. He rose (AROSE) above them and those circumstances. God is always there when we call. So, praise God IN all things, not FOR all things.
Friend, in some instances, God may allow people to remain a thorn in your side to see how YOU are going to handle the experience. He may also allow them to remain so you will grow to another level. We should never expect our lives to be easy, because this world is NOT our home. If God allowed us to become comfortable, we would want to stay here.
Do you feel alone, rejected, abandoned? Have you asked God to bring restoration into your life? When the restoration process begins, God will begin stripping off all the layers of hurt, pain, anger, deceit—SIN from our lives that has made us unrecognizable. These layers must be stripped away to bring us back to our natural beauty in Christ. Are you ready, friend? Restoration is not painless. You may feel as though you are in a place lower than the valley as relationships, family members, friends, and acquaintances are one by one removed from your life. But you aren’t alone. It’s all part of the stripping process that must take place during the restoration process. But remember to praise God for the Judases in your life every step of the way. God will restore you with newer and better relationships.
Now that you have recognized the Judases in your life, you may be asking … What do I do now? You can always call 9-1-1. Not by way of the phone, but by way of the throne. Jeremiah 33:3 is our 9-1-1 to God. It says, “Call me. And I will answer you. I will show you great and mighty things that you did not know.” Go ahead. Call the Father. He’s waiting and watching for His prodigal child to come home. And remember to PRAISE THE LORD even in the darkness, because God will reveal your hidden treasure if you don’t give up!!!
OTHER ARTICLES:
Can You See The Big Blue Elephant? Or Do You Choose Not To?
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