MAKE YOUR ELECTION SURE

John 6:63-64 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

Ah the infinite knowledge of GOD, how wonderful, how high, and how holy it is. To imagine that our God knows every person on this earth, to imagine that he knows each person completely. He knows how many hairs are on each head, he knows the thoughts and the intents of the heart. He knows their needs, he knows their wants and he knows their every desire.

Now to take this understanding and add: He has known these things from the very beginning. God has not learned anything over the past 6000 years. God has not increased in knowledge or understanding. What he knows today, he has known for eternity. To think that a billion years ago God knew that you would be sitting here, not only would He know that you would be in the service today, but he even knew what you would be thinking. He even knew what the condition of your heart would be today. Mind boggling isn't it? But that is our GOD, his thoughts are not our thoughts.

Now consider the words of John: "For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him".

The Bible teaches that Christ has from the beginning known they who would not believe, and those who would betray him. Do not make the mistake in limiting this verse to Judas Iscariot, for it does not only apply to him, but to THEY. The Lord knows the heart and destiny of all men, there is nothing hid from him.

He has known from the beginning those who would never trust him, and those who would betray him. And by the same token, he has known his sheep. He has always known those who would trust him and remain faithful to him. He knows those who shall be saved and shall inherit his kingdom. And he knows those who shall die in their sins.

HOW DID CHRIST TREAT JUDAS?

Now I want you to consider Christ's actions toward this man, whom he knew would betray him, who he knew would commit suicide and die in his sin.

Christ called him, as he called the other eleven. – John 6:70

Christ took the time to teach him the gospel as he taught them all personally [Mark 4:10-11].

He gave Judas and the other eleven the same authority to preach, to heal the sick, to cleanse the lepers, to raise the dead, and to cast out devils. – Matthew 10:5-8

Christ offered Judas a throne in his Kingdom [Matthew 19:28]. He washed his feet, fed him the Lord's supper, accepted his kiss and called him friend.

Do you know that when Christ offered salvation to "whosoever" would believe upon him, he was offering it to Judas also. When Jesus told the multitude "Whosoever comes to me I'll in no wise cast them out" he was speaking to Judas also. Even though he knew that Judas would not accept it.

How can this be? The Bible teaches us this:

"... God, ... is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe". – 1 Timothy 4:10

What does this mean? What does it mean that God is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe? It is certain that those who do not believe shall not be saved, for all unbelievers shall have their part in hell. Then how is it?

It is plain: Christ is the universal Savior because His atoning sacrifice was once and for all. As John wrote: "And he is the propitiation for our [the believer's] sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world". – 1 John 2:2

Christ has made a way of salvation for all men, and his offer of salvation is to all men. He didn't leave out any certain class. Yet he is effectually the Savior to only those who believe. That is: only those who place their trust in Christ shall receive the benefits of his salvation.

An example: Imagine that there were twenty people with a terrible life threatening disease in a room. I come in with twenty bottles of antibiotics that will defeat the disease, and I say "I have come to save you all". And one by one I call each patient to me and explain to them the drug and urge them to drink quickly before it is too late. Yet out of the twenty that are sick ten do not trust me and refuse to take the medicine, I cannot force them to drink it, I cannot go against their will, and thus they soon die. Though I came to save the life of all twenty, having enough of the cure for each, I was only effectually able to save ten.

Now let's add a twist to the story and make it a bit more complicated. I have the same twenty patients in the same deathly condition, but this time I know the future. I know that ten of these men will not take the medicine if I bring it.

What should I do? Should I only bring ten bottles of medicine for those who I know shall take it? Or shall I bring twenty so I can offer it to every man, even though I know that ten shall reject it?

The sensible thing would be to bring twenty; this is why. If you only brought ten bottles to the room, and administered it to the patients you knew would take it, the others could say: "You do not care for us! You do not love us! You have brought salvation for these men, but did not even offer it to us! You want us to die!".

But if I offer the gift to each, urging them just the same to take it, there could be no argument of injustice. And in a sense this is the work of Christ. He tells us that "Many are called, but few are chosen". The Gospel is to be preached to all men, all men are to be compelled to trust in the Gospel, and warned of the danger of not. The Holy Spirit strives with the hearts of men, convicting them that the Gospel is true. And then it is promised to all: whosoever believes and is baptized shall be saved. And thus the Lord is shown to be a lover of all men. No man can complain that a Savior was not provided for them, for Christ is a Savior for all men, but only effectually to the house hold of faith.

The Lord knows all the while who will not believe. He knows who will believe for a while but in a time of trial will fall away. He knows those who will profess him and yet betray him, and he knows those who by continual faith shall persevere, and these are his elect, his jewels, and the true citizens of that heavenly Kingdom.

ARE YOU CALLED OR CHOSEN?

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

It clear that God already knows who is his, He already knows who are his elect; the Bible says; "The Lord knoweth them that are his";

This thing is already absolutely certain in his mind because it is his purpose. Yet it can only be certain to us by evidence. As the Apostle Peter told us: "make your calling and election sure" – 2 Peter 1:10

What shall we examine? By what shall we judge? Can we feel confident that we are one of the elect because we say that we "Believe"? No, for the devils also say they believe, they believe so much that they tremble.

Is a profession of faith enough? Is being religious enough? Is being accepted by other Christians as genuine enough? Was it enough for Judas? Did he not have the same? And yet he was of the devil.

If Judas would had examined his life he would had seen that his faith was fit for hell. His character was marred by bad fruits. Let's read a passage from John concerning Judas, and let's examine his fruits:

John 12:3-6 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

FIRST JUDAS WAS A THIEF AND A LIAR

The Bible says he was a thief. No doubt he was a thief before he joined with Christ, and he remained a thief after he became his disciple.

This man was also a liar, proven by him pretending to care for the poor to gain money.

He was also greedy, and greed was the root that was in his heart that brought forth these wicked fruits we just mentioned.

Now how can one think that he shall be saved while harboring such sins? The Kingdom of Heaven bars all thieves, liars, and the covetous from entering its doors. Yet men are doing the same today, they refuse to repent of their sins, but rather they continue in them, and then they harbor the hope of gaining eternal life! Truly they are nothing more than a modern day Judas, who have deceived themselves.

Let this be a lesson to us: Do not trust in your profession, your baptism, doctrine or church membership, for they will not save you. Judas was with the right church, he was taught the right doctrine, he had the right baptism, and Jesus was his personal teacher, and yet it had been better if he had never been born!

Satan has deceived multitudes of souls, who suppose that if they have believed in Christ all is sure to be well with them at the last, even though their faith bears no evidence. When their "faith" is examined and tested, as the Apostles said to do, what is it worth? For a multitude of people, Nothing at all.

The faith of God's elect "is after godliness" (Titus 1:1).

It is a faith which purifieth the heart (Acts 15:9).

They deceive themselves who suppose they are daily drawing nearer to Heaven while they are following the road which leads only to Hell. He who thinks to come into the kingdom of God without repenting of their sins, makes God out to be an unholy God. Saving faith is only proved as it bears the blossoms of godliness and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Galatians 5:19-24 ... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:

SECONDLY JUDAS DIDN'T HAVE CHARITY.

James 2:15-17 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Though Judas professed that he cared for the poor, obviously he did not really care. For if he did he would not have stolen the money collected for their benefit. And this is another sure fruit of wickedness.

A converted heart operates by love. Love is a motivating power that produces action. The works of Charity do not save a man, but works of Charity prove that one has charity, a 'love' that doesn't produce works is not true Charity. And without Charity we have the faith of devils, and are nothing.

The Bible says of the elect that they were: "created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." – Ephesians 2:10

If we do not have a faith that "Worketh By Love" then we have the faith of Judas.

THIRDLY JUDAS WAS IN BONDAGE TO SATAN.

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

The Bible says that Satan entered in to Judas. Judas was a man under bondage to Satan. Sin controlled him. This is again certain proof that this man did not have saving faith.

Salvation includes deliverance from the power of sin. Apart from God we are all bond slaves of iniquity. But when salvation comes to a person it delivers the man from the power of sin. He learns that it is evil, and he regards it as such. He loathes it so much that he repents that he has ever been in love with it and turns his back upon it.

And here is the chief reason why men reject the gospel! As Christ said "They loved darkness". If salvation is deliverance from sin, then many men do not want it! They love their sins and rejoice to do evil. And it is their love for wickedness that leads them to reject the only means of salvation.

But mark my words: This salvation from bad habits, unclean desires, and carnal passions is the main point in salvation. For Christ has come to "Save his people from their sin", and those who are Christ's are no longer the slaves to sin. Those who remain in bondage to sin have the faith of Judas.

FOURTHLY JUDAS LOVED MONEY MORE THAN THE LORD

1st Corinthians 8:1-3 ¶ Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

When Mary showed her great love for Christ by pouring out the expensive ointment upon him, her act of worship was rebuked by Judas. Why? Because Judas didn't see Jesus as worthy of such an expensive show act of worship. Judas didn't know anything about loving Jesus with all of his heart. He didn't think of Jesus Christ as the pearl of a great price, and he was a stranger to true worship. And this was enough to show him that he was not saved.

The redeemed of the Lord have a burning love in their hearts for Christ, in fact he is their greatest love. They love Him more than mother or father, more than wife or husband, more than son or daughter. Oh how can one be saved by Christ and not love him? How can one love him and not worship him? How can we be one of the elect if we do not love God with all of our heart, all of our soul, and with all of our strength. I am afraid that those professed Christians who love the things of this world more than Christ have the faith of Judas.

THE QUESTION THEN IS: WHAT FAITH AM I?

Now we turn our attention from Judas and we now examine ourselves. If you have saving faith, then your faith must be wholly in Christ. Does your salvation rest wholly upon Christ? He who hangs anywhere but upon the cross, hangs upon that which will deceive him.We are not saved unless Christ is all in all in our soul, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and ending, the first and last. Do you trust only in Christ for your salvation?

Have you received the indwelling of the Spirit?

If you are saved this evening, you are the subject of a work within you. For it is God which worketh in you. Do you have a work of the Holy Ghost in your soul? Do you feel something more than human nature can attain unto? Have you received a change from above? Do you love what you once hated? Do you hate now what you once loved? Is there a holy desire to be pleasing to GOD and to be conformed to his image? If there is no change, if there is no working inside of you, then there can be no indwelling of the Spirit, and without the indwelling of the Spirit we are not saved [Romans 8:9]. Is there a Spiritual work taking place inside of you?

Have you repented of your sins?

1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Let us judge by this: if you are saved, you have turned your back on sin. You have stopped loving sin; you do not sin wilfully nor do you practice sin, but if you do sin it is because of weakness. And when you stumble it is grievous to you, and you cannot be content until you earnestly seek after God for cleansing and holiness. Have you been freed from sins dominion?

IS IT YOUR GOAL TO LIVE WITHOUT SIN?

To those who trust in Christ he says: "Go and sin no more" John 5:14

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. – 1 John 3:3

If it is not your purpose to live without sin, then you do not have true religion. If you are setting here today planning on sinning, then how dare you think of yourself as one of the elect?

It should be our constant purpose to live wholly to God, and obey all his commandments.

FINALLY DO YOU LOVE GOD

" if any man love God, the same is known of him." – 1st Corinthians 8:1-3

Friends please do not rest in your knowledge of Scriptures and of religion, Judas had all of that, but yet he was lost. It is better for a man to be known by GOD, that is to be acknowledged and approved of by God, than to understand many of the secrets of God.

You see, a man may know much about God, and yet be one to whom God will one day say: Depart from me, I know you not! But if any man love God, that man is beloved of God, and shall be owned and acknowledged by him.

Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you respect him? Do you desire to be like him? Do you long to be with him?

Do you think of him often? Do you desire to please him? And to serve him? Do you enjoy communion with him?

And now we shall cut to the quick of it, Do you obey Him?

Remember it was Christ who said: "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me... He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings" – John 14:21, 24

Is obedience to God grievous to you? Do you have pleasure in your continuance in sin? Then do not be deceived, your religion is vain. You have the faith of Judas. Yet there is hope for you. Other Saints of God had begun with the wrong faith, and was later recovered from the snare of the devil, and so it may be with you; but there can be no recovery without sincere repentance. So what I say to you, I say to all like you, except you repent you shall perish.

Now, if these good things that we have mentioned be the course of your life then you are saved.

If the answer is no to these things then you cannot have the assurance of Salvation. But today is the day to make this thing sure. The steps have been laid out before you. Stop trusting in anything or anyone but Christ. Be willing to turn from sin to him, and submit yourself to baptism. Trusting that Christ by his Divine Spirit will come into your heart and make you a new creation. And may God Bless you and keep you.