WILL YOU HEAR?
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 50:4-9
Psalm 69:8-10,21-22,31,33-34
Matthew 26:14-25
You are blessed if you choose blessing, and you are cursed if you choose a curse. Pretty harsh, right? No one is cursed who desires liberation, and no one is saved who has started down the path of destruction. While some maintain their blessings and others claim they do not care, there are some in between (the undecided lot), who go wherever the wind blows. When it favours them, they do what is right. If evil pays, they swing in its direction. What is clear from this is that no one will be lost who has not chosen it. The places, people and things you are drawn to matter. I say all this to describe the fate of Judas Iscariot—was he destined to be lost? He is no more destined than any of us.
God’s plan is for all of us to be His children for all eternity.
Ephesians 1:4- “Just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight.”
Romans 8:29 - “For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.”
Philippians 2:15 - “So that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world.”
2 Timothy 1:9 - “He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.”
John 15:16 - “You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.”
Did not Judas know all this? Of course, he did. Couldn't Jesus have prevented him from making a wrong choice? No, Judas had freewill and freely he chose the love of money over the Love of his Lord and Master. Sometimes, people caution us when we are going wrong, but we are as stubborn as goats, refusing to listen. When the stubborn ear fails to listen, it will fall when the head is chopped off.
For the love of money is the root of all evil; through the desire of which, some have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. - 1 Timothy 6:10
If you are reading this word, Jesus is telling you to be careful about what preoccupies your mind before you end up like Judas. Whatever preoccupies your mind has become your god.
Be truthful with yourself and your struggles with sin.
Identify what preoccupies your mind and swallows your time.
Detach from addictive situations and do not allow them to control you.
Make time to read a portion of Scripture and pray daily.
Have trusted friends who can caution you when you are going astray.
Stay away from bad company, which corrupts your good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Celebrate your little wins of living in holiness.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Eternal Father, I submit my mind, soul and body to You. I no longer wish to serve any idol or be mastered by anything. I dispose myself to be used by You. Amen.
Eternal Father, my ears are open to hear You. Remove every obstacle in my mind, in my heart and my body, anything that stands in the way of my total submission to Your righteous will. I belong to You and Yours, I will always be through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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