Looking At Judas

Looking at Judas Iscariot I sometimes see myself.

Judas turned his back on Jesus in search of personal gain., choosing to put self and money first.

He even went so far as to betray Jesus by telling the Pharisees where to catch Him so they could arrest Him.

 

I may not try to get Jesus arrested, but every time I turn my attention to the world and it’s shiny objects, making them more important than my faith walk, I betray Him.

Every time I choose to spend time watching t.v. but decide I’m too tired or don’t have time to read my bible, I betray Jesus.

Every time I say I don’t have tithe money but go out to eat or shopping, I steal from Jesus.

Every time I do it my way instead of submitting to His will, I choose self over Jesus.

 

The answer is simple, really

Give Jesus the attention He deserves.

Give Him the first of my time and money, not the leftovers.

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Galatians 1:10

In the book of Galatians, the apostle Paul is talking to the believers in the churches of Galatia.

The teachers there were teaching things contrary to the gospel. Paul wrote them to try to correct some of the errors they were learning and practicing.

He also wanted them to know he wasn’t concerned about being popular; he was concerned about the truth.

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. ~Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

 

Following Paul’s example in this verse, I see that now that I am a Christian, my focus is to be only on pleasing God, not man. This includes not pleasing me.

It’s not about pleasing self or others, it’s only about pleasing God. Every time. Every situation. Every circumstance. No matter what.

This means setting aside my own life’s agenda and focusing on His will for my life. This is sometimes painful, but always necessary.

If I am still trying to please myself or other people around me instead of putting Christ first, then I am not really His servant; I am the servant of myself and/or those around me. It is who I place my honor and allegiance in that determines whose servant I am.

We cannot serve two masters. If we try to we will love one and hate/despise the other. This is not how it is supposed to be.

We are to choose Christ and Christ alone. We are to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him.

It’s a daily choice. Who will I serve today? My Savior or myself?

 

For further reading:
You cannot serve two masters Matthew 6:24
Pick up your cross Matthew 16:24
Don’t stray from the truth Galatians 1:6-10