WHEN THE HEART SLANDERS GOD
A Sunday Message
IGNORANCE CAUSES THE HEART TO ABANDON
This is a painful passage of Scripture.
In the context of an appalling event where many of the Lord’s disciples turned back and never followed Him anymore (John 6:66), He spoke about one of the remaining twelve to be a “devil”. John wrote that this is the very one who “was going to betray” Jesus.
Sometimes, when everything seems bleak and failing, God reveals a marvelous reality that strengthens the faith of those who understand what is truly happening. This event serves as an example.
Many left Jesus not because He failed them, but because they failed to know Him. The crowd followed Jesus because they hoped for a continual supply of provisions when they saw the miracles, but the moment He declared that He is the “Bread from Heaven” that they truly need, they were disappointed (John 6:25-66).
Without true knowledge of God, the heart is not able to maintain a solid and genuine confidence.
A taste of divine goodness and abundant provisions never assure an enduring devotion towards God. When the blessings cease, the admiration ends.
PETER REMAINED BECAUSE HE KNOWS CHRIST
When Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” (John 6:67), it was never a question out of ignorance, for He already knew what was in man (John 2:25). He was asking them to reveal the true disposition of their faith. It was a test. And tests are given to expose the truth.
Disappointing circumstances are actually tests of faith. For those who know and trust God, sufferings serve only to develop their endurance. Those who are ignorant of God will give up.
Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance. (Romans 5:2-3)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (James 1:2-3)
The response of Peter uncovers where his confidence rests. He said,
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69)
Peter’s answer exposes important truths about the Christian conviction and shows why a believer remains with Christ despite powerful allurements to abandon the faith. His response reveals a proper knowledge of Christ.
He declared that Jesus possesses the “words of eternal life” and identified Him in reference to God by saying, “you are the Holy One of God”.
The life that comes from God can only be found in Jesus. He is the source of it. His words reveal the truth about it. Whoever believes Him will have eternal life.
Peter knew that there is nowhere else to go but to remain with Christ. No financial security, economic stability, social status, secular knowledge, social prominence, and worldly pursuits can ever match the wonders of God’s glory and the gift of grace that He provides.
Can you find anything in this world more important than this? Can you find anything more desirable than Him? Is there anything in life valuable enough to provide a sensible reason for abandoning Christ, the very source of life from God?
Apparently, anyone who does not truly know Jesus Christ will find many.
FAITH IS THE FOUNDATION OF TRUE KNOWLEDGE
Peter says, “we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
A true understanding of God comes from faith. We know because we believe. The Apostle recognized the fullness of Christ because he believed Him.
The crowds did not and so they never knew Him. An unbelieving heart will always lead to a falling away from God.
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12)
Ignorance of God is the bedrock of unbelief. Unbelief is the very root of distrust and those who do not have confidence in God displease Him.
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
God in His anger swore that those who will not trust Him will never enter His rest.
And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:18-19)
WHEN GOD'S HOLY NAME IS SLANDERED
Why is God so displeased with unbelief? Every time we lose our confidence in God and begin to doubt His words, wisdom, and will, we are actually declaring that God cannot be trusted.
It is an affirmation that His words are not true, and God is not trustworthy. In other words, whenever we doubt and distrust Him, we are making Him a liar.
If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that He has borne concerning His Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself.
Whoever does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning His Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. (1 John 5:9-11)
Every act of unbelief and lack of confidence in God is a serious act of slander against His holy and righteous Name. To distrust God’s revelation and disbelieve His testimony about His Son is the greatest slander.
The word “devil” (diábolos) means to falsely accuse and to slander.
Every time God is accused of deceiving, lying, and making wrong decisions, He is being slandered. Satan is called the devil because he will try everything to paint a caricature of God that cannot be trusted and believed.
Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him. (John 6:70-71)
Judas is a “devil” not only because of the abhorrent influence of Satan in his life but because his very life is a slander against the trustworthiness of God. His hidden unbelief, only masked by a superficial spirituality, is an evil statement that God does not deserve to be trusted.
The fact that this is someone so close to God’s Son, lived with Christ, witness the power of the Spirit, saw the miracles, and preached the gospel of the kingdom in villages made this act of slander more appalling.
Few will believe when a demon discredits God, but someone who lived with Him, ate with Him, preached with Him, appointed by Him to be an apostle can become a powerful defamation against the Christ.
Remember always, unbelief can sometimes be unrecognized under the veil of religiosity and participation in the community of believers.
A heart filled with doubts and distrust against God can only be known to the bearer and our Lord. This is why God furnishes a test of faith. Those who trust God will remain steadfast and their endurance will serve as a witness to God’s trustworthiness.
GOD ORDAINED JUDAS TO BE AN APOSTLE
Why choose Judas to be an apostle?
Never ever doubt the perfect wisdom and absolute sovereignty of the Living God. He never commits a mistake and never does anything wrong.
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. (Psalm 18:30)
God appointed Judas to remain with Jesus for several years to display the perfection of His Son.
The presence of someone who is utterly selfish, materialistic, a thief, a liar and betrayer in the life of Jesus will serve as an affirmation of Christ’s sinlessness and a witness to the world of the moral excellency of the Savior.
Every day, Jesus is tested and tried in the presence of Judas until the traitor betrays Him leading to His crucifixion.
Judas was ordained to reveal to the world the utter evil of sin and the brilliant glory of God’s holiness.
Imagine the capability of the human heart to taste the love of God and live so close to heaven’s Prince in the flesh and yet still desire the pieces of silver enough to betray the Redeemer.
This is the horror of sin. This is what blinds men from knowing the glory of God. This is the root of unbelief.
This is why the Son of God had to leave His heavenly throne, be betrayed by a close friend, and die on the cross. This is the kind of sin He is atoning for. An atonement for those who will believe in Him.
In believing God’s promises of salvation through Christ, we testify about His trustworthiness. In saving us through faith, He vindicates His faithfulness.
Let us stay faithful to our Lord, who remains trustworthy and true.
Pastor Jay-R Remorosa