Mar 17
22
Judas and Simon Peter
What was the difference between the sin of Judas and the sin of Simon
Peter? What they did to our Lord seemed similar yet Simon was forgiven
and converted, while Judas hanged himself and was damned. Every believer
has worried at some point that they could turn out to be a Judas. Here
is the difference.
Judas betrayed the Lord while Peter denied Him. There is a difference.
Judas sold the Lord. Judas turned Him over to others for money. Judas
did not care what happened to the Lord but was only interested in his
own gain. He betrayed the Lord.
Many have done just as Judas did. They have taken the world, a job,
home, family, and any number of things in exchange for Christ. In
forsaking the Lord they are telling the world, “I don’t care about Jesus
Christ, you can have Him. Just give me the money … give me my family . .
. give me the world . .. you can have Jesus.” No less than Judas, they
have betrayed Him and will end up like him.
Peter denied the Lord. In a moment of cowardice, in order to save his
own skin, he denied that he knew the Lord. His denial was bad enough and
brought him bitter sorrow and great shame, but because of his previous
pride, the Lord had to show him his weakness, inability and
self-righteousness.
Now every believer has denied the Lord many times. There have been times
when we have kept silence to avoid a confrontation over the truth. We
have sinned and acted foolishly, talking and acting like an unbeliever
and not a disciple of Christ. But later, like Simon, we were very
sorrowful and bitter, then upon hearing the gospel again, we cast
ourselves upon His mercy. All have denied Him, but no true believer
would sell out the Lord. No lover of the Lord Jesus Christ would take
any amount of money in exchange for their soul, for eternal life, for
Christ and His people.
Is it so with you? Would you take anything for Christ?
Paul Mahan.