Don't Hang Yourself... Hang Around

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.

-Matthew 27:3-5

Consider for a moment the similarity between Peter and Judas.  Peter denied Christ, Judas betrayed him, but both of them were guilty of basically the same offense.  Peter did it to avoid embarrassment and possible persecution, and Judas did it for money.  Both men did despicable wrong against their Savior.

Now consider what makes them so different from each other.  When Judas saw that he had made a horrible mistake, he committed suicide.  The End.  Peter, on the other hand, had a talk with Jesus about it and received forgiveness, restored fellowship with the Lord, and the chance to preach at Pentecost.

There comes a time in every young person's life when you feel like you've really blown it.  At some point after you mess up, you ask yourself, "What was I thinking?!"  No doubt both Peter and Judas thought the same thing.  Now you have two options.  You can go out and ruin the rest of your life (Judas) or you can hang on long enough to get it straightened out with the Lord (Peter).

If you've had a "Peter moment," hang on a second!  Jesus is there for you, ready to help you out of that sin.  Just be humble enough to repent, submit and move on with life.  Even though Peter's denial must have hurt Jesus deeply, He looked past Peter's faults and saw Pentecost.  When we screw up, He doesn't say, "Look what you did!"  He says, "Serve Me!"

Judas didn't have to hang himself.  He could have talked it out with the Lord like Peter did in John 21.  Just think, we could have a book of Judas!  He could have lived the dream that Peter did!  But no... 

When the time comes that you feel like you've made the biggest mistake of your life, do what Peter did. Repent, submit, obey, press on, and move on.  You don't have to live a defeated Christian life just because of one mess up.  God has a future planned out for you.  Get back up, get it straight and keep on serving the Lord!

Light from the Lamp July/August 2009 Bible Study

July / August 2009
“Leaving Out With No Regrets”

Scripture Text
Philippians 2:16- Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

The Apostle Paul declares his desire to remain faithful to the Word of God until the day he sees the Lord Jesus Christ face to face. Is this how you feel? My desire is to have this same goal as Paul in finishing the course with no regrets. Notice what Paul says in Acts 20:24, But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Paul also wrote this personal charge to the young preacher Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:6-8, For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. The end of Paul’s earthly journey was about to end. The order was made to execute this preacher. He was considered to be a threat by the religious crowd. I believe Paul had no regrets of any kind even up to his last breath. I often wonder if Paul was asked if he had any last words before the executioner carried out the sentence. If he did, I am sure he gave his testimony and told those guards about the Lord Jesus Christ.

How can a person be able to rejoice in the day of Christ? In our text, that day is when Christians are rewarded for their stewardship (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). We all must be a light to this world shining for the Lord Jesus Christ. We must take every opportunity that God gives and serve Him faithfully. We must fully trust His Word and seek only His wisdom. The human side of us (the flesh) gives out and fails. We cannot serve the Lord by the means of our flesh. The only way to serve the Lord is to live and walk in the Spirit. Consider these two verses. Galatians 5:16- This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:25- If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit assures us that we are being led in the right direction. God will never lead His children astray! In serving the Lord, there are times of failure, discouragement and rejection. During these times, some people develop the attitude of regret and often abandon the Lord’s work. We must have a close relationship with the Lord and be faithful to His calling in our life.

The only regret a person should have is the life of sin they lived before salvation. After all, it is regret that is felt in their heart that brought them to a place of repentance. Once they receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, that old life is cleansed by the blood and a new life begins. Their new life in Jesus should have no regrets because they are now a new creature according to 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. New believers are under serious attack from Satan because of this change. He will bring up their former life and the sinful deeds which held them in bondage and introduce doubt. If this can be accomplished then it is more likely a person will draw back and will get away from the Lord. Does it break your heart to see one of God’s people fall away because of the devil? If it doesn’t, then you need a check up yourself! In spite of all the attacks upon God’s children, I can truly say it has been worth every mile of the trip. I confess that some days are harder than others and at times I’m not sure I can take another step. God reminds me through His Word that I’m not in control of things. I have no regrets of trusting Him as my Lord and Saviour nor do I wish to turn my back upon His divine will for my life. How do you feel about your life today? Do you have any regrets? If you have regrets, then its time to call on God and get the matter settled once and for all.

When the race is complete and God’s people reach Heaven, we will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:10 , For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. My friend, keep running the race! Stay faithful to the Word! Live your life before others that will glorify God. Jesus is coming soon my friends. I admonish you all to keep on serving the Lord with all purity and sincerity. Let us all hear these words one glorious day: Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord (Matthew 25:23).

Until Next Time,
Pastor Craig Westbrook