What was the difference between Peter and Judas? The latter was, after all, an apostle—just like Peter. Judas saw Christ’s miracles, participated in His ministry, and appeared to believe. Peter continued on as an apostle. But Judas was doomed. Why?
Turning away
And what about the demons? What are we missing here?
You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe– and tremble! James 2:19
Has it ever bothered you that some people will initially appear to respond to a witness about who Christ is and what He came to do for sinners, yet happily remain in their lifestyle? How about those who abandon their faith—deconstructionists etc? Some contend that once a person accepts Christ, they remain saved, even if they later renounce their faith.
And yet we find the following in Scripture:
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 1 John 2:19 (see also 1 John 3:7-9, 2 Pet 1:10, Heb 3:12)
The difference
What’s the difference between believing and believing in Christ? How was Judas different to Peter? John Piper offers some thoughts in “A Peculiar Glory.” I suggest downloading and studying it for yourself. But, in summary, Judas coveted money—covetousness causes blindness to glory.
Piper notes the parable of the man who finds a treasure and joyfully sells all that he has to possess it. Of Judas he writes,
It is either money or Christ. “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
So Judas saw the same Jesus whom Peter saw, but he did not see him as compellingly glorious, beautiful, and all-satisfying. He was not blind to the human being. He was blind to the infinite value of divine glory.
He further notes that the reason for Judas’ blindness wasn’t that he was a helpless satanic pawn, but that he joined Satan in hating Christ’s glory. The blindness was rooted in rebellion.
“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” John 3:19-20
It is either [insert an idol here] or Christ. Do we love our own lives more than Christ? We will be given more than we relinquish in this life.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom 8:18
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor 2:9
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 2 Cor 4:17
Maranatha!