DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHEN SORROW IS NOT ENOUGH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – WHEN SORROW IS NOT ENOUGH

"The Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, 'I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.'  And they said, 'What is that to us?  You see it!" Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself."  (Matthew 27:3-5)

It is a sad story of what might have been.  Judas might have followed Jesus to the end.  Judas might have curbed his greed for 30 pieces of silver.  Judas might have disciplined his own evil nature and refused to be a part of this wicked plot.  Instead, he joined the wrong crowd and betrayed the Lord Jesus.

Did Judas go to heaven?  Only God knows.  There are some clues that his conscience was stricken.  He was remorseful.  He confessed that he had sinned.  He forsook the money he had received for his evil act.  And yet, are these things enough?  

The troubling fact is that he hanged himself, which is murder of one's self, and God condemns murder.  There is no record that he asked God for forgiveness.  He certainly had opportunity.  We have to leave Judas' eternal fate to a just and righteous God.

There are many people who are troubled in their conscience.  They may have genuine remorse for their sin.  They may even try to make restitution or amends for their sin.   But are these enough?

There is a way to soothe a troubled conscience, and it does not include suicide. The way is to have a cleansed conscience is to confess our sin to God and then receiving His forgiveness.  I am so glad for His promise, that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us.  That is the pathway to freedom!

Love,  Dad