KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 17:12 KJV” While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.”

The Lord explained from our key scripture that He had kept all that the Father had given to Him, except the Son of perdition. This was Judas, who betrayed the Lord Jesus, and later hanged himself. A few questions arise out of this portion of scripture. Some questions that arise are;

1. Did God plan that Judas should betray the Lord Jesus and later hang himself?

2. If this is so, would God judge him for his actions?

3. If this is also the case as said above, then evil workers are determined before time, and would it be right for God to judge evil workers? These are a few questions that have bothered many and some have even concluded that men should not worry about a righteous God to judge the entire world.

May we consider the first premise upon which the subsequent arguments are developed or determined? It says God has ordained for Judas to betray the Lord Jesus. Please let’s get this fact clear, God has a foreknowledge of all things, yet He does not determine the actions of men. God has given each person a free will. What does God say about the actions and choices of men? Deut 30:19 KJV “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you, life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” In that same passage He says in verse 15 that ” See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;” It is the prerogative of men to choose which way to go. God has always known the actions of everyone as well as the ultimate destination of everyone, but He does not influence the actions of men. He may only come to change the course of action of an individual or a group of people when another human intercedes for Him to interfere. In the light of this Judas, was very responsible for His actions.

Dear reader, never blame God for your actions. This same scenario is applicable to Adam and Eve’s fall. God knew about the turn of events, but He did not cause it to happen the way it did.

THOUGHT: GOD KNOWS ALL THINGS, BUT HE DOES NOT DETERMINE THE ACTIONS OF MEN.

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 2:6 KJV” Who will render to every man according to his deeds To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:”

Rom 2:9 KJV” Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;”