Sovereign Grace Church

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

(PHILIPPIANS 3:13-15)

Don’t let me put confidence in spiritual gifts. Judas was a preacher, held an office in the church; a very high position, he was an apostle and yet perished at last. If these things never made Judas a saint, neither will they make me one. If they never gave him inward holiness, neither will they give it to me. All the gifts Judas had only rendered his damnation greater. Oh, to think that I could go from the pulpit to hell is dreadful. Oh, I must have the GIVER! Lord, don’t let me be a Judas in my heart. Don’t let me love money! Judas loved money; his and everyone else’s. The love of money will blind my eyes from seeing Christ, stop my ears from hearing him and bind my feet from following him. It will cause me to harden my conscience, betray friendships, forsake fellowship, and neglect the salvation of my precious soul. Oh, Lord, give me grace to be content with such things as are needful for this present life, knowing that I must soon leave all and go to my long home. Lord, don’t let me be a Judas in my heart. Don’t let me betray the Savior. Don’t let me say with Judas, “What will you give me and I will deliver him unto you?” “What will you give me for the time I spend in private prayer to Him? My time of seeking Him in His word? What will you give me for my love to Him? My desire for Him? My public profession of Him? My time of fellowship with His people? What will you give me and I will deliver HIM TO YOU?” Oh, Lord, I am such a wretch, I will prove like Judas at last if you don’t love me, pray for me, and keep me from being a Judas IN MY HEART.