p. 3 | Clinging to Sin by G. B. T.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 7, 1916

Clinging to Sin

By G. B. T.

THE terrible consequence of clinging to sin is illustrated in the life of Judas. The name of Judas is a hissing and a byword because of his dark treachery and deliberate, wilful hypocrisy. The stigma of the words, “Judas, . . . who also betrayed him,” will never be effaced so long as time lasts. But why this dark stain? Judas was once an innocent child in the arms of his mother, who hoped he would grow up to be a man honored and beloved. He grew up as other boys. He played in the street, and his innocent laughter was mingled with theirs. He was endowed with many natural abilities which would enable him to fill a place of usefulness and service to his fellow man. He had a commanding appearance. The rainbow of promise glowed in the sky for him. He came within the reach and influence of the Master, and for three years sat under the instruction of the greatest Teacher the world has ever known. He was taught by Him who spake as man never spake. He filled a position of trust and honor among the chosen twelve. He was treasurer; he carried the bag.

But all this time he wore a mask. He appeared to be what he was not. As he sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to his instruction, he was not insensible to the power and influence of the Spirit. But his heart did not fully respond. He hardened his heart by clinging to sin. He refused to yield up that which he knew was wrong. He was covetous. He loved money. He fell, and the bag held him down.

“When Judas joined the disciples, he was not insensible to the beauty of the character of Christ. He felt the influence of that divine power which was drawing souls to the Saviour. He who came not to break the bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax, would not repulse this soul while even one desire was reaching toward the light. The Saviour read the heart of Judas; he knew the depths of iniquity to which, unless delivered by the grace of God, Judas would sink. In connecting this man with himself, he placed him where he might, day by day, be brought in contact with the outflowing of his own unselfish love. If he would open his heart to Christ, divine grace would banish the demon of selfishness, and even Judas might become a subject of the kingdom of God.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 294.

Judas had admirable traits of character, which might have been used to bless and help others. The Saviour knew his covetous disposition, and longed to help him. But Judas was unyielding.

“Instead of walking in the light, Judas chose to retain his defects. Evil desires, revengeful passions, dark and sullen thoughts, were cherished, until Satan had full control of the man. Judas became a representative of the enemy of Christ. “When he came into association with Jesus, he had some precious traits of character, that might have been made a blessing to the church. If he had been willing to wear the yoke of Christ, he might have been among the chief of the apostles; but he hardened his heart when his defects were pointed out, and in pride and rebellion chose his own selfish ambitions, and thus unfitted himself for the work that God would have given him to do.”—Id., p. 295.

What a warning! His sins made him a complete failure. The same evangelists who tell of his ordination have left on record the statement that he was a betrayer. Luke speaks of him as a traitor. John goes even farther, recording the words of Jesus that he was a devil. John 6:70. A terrible biography this! and all because he clung to sin.

I have read that at Schuylerville, N. Y., on the ground where General Burgoyne surrendered in Revolutionary times, there stands a monument, beautiful and expensive. In a niche on one side is a figure of General Schuyler; on the other the figure of another general. On the third side in a similar niche is another general. The fourth niche is vacant. It is said that Benedict Arnold might have filled that niche had he not been a traitor.

The history of Judas is much like this. He might have been honored of God and approved through all eternity if he had only yielded his heart wholly to God; if by prayer, faith, and consecration he had gained the victory over his mean, covetous disposition. Instead he fills a niche in the monument of infamy for all time to come. He might have been true and faithful; but instead he stands convicted, by his words and by the clinking silver, as a betrayer of innocent blood, and must come forth to meet the fate of the impenitent at last.

He had every chance to be a better man. Jesus longed for his salvation. He was with the Saviour at the Last Supper. He came and mingled with the disciples even after he had bargained with the priests and scribes to betray the Master for a price. The Saviour washed his feet. Even at this late hour he might have confessed his sins, and yielded himself unreservedly to the Saviour, but he made a different choice. He turned from the prompting of the Spirit. He clung to his sins. Then he went out, and “it was night”—night outside, and night in his heart.

We read that after Judas received the sop, Satan entered into him. The figure is a strong one. It suggests that up to a certain time the deceiver had been as it were hovering over him, and by his insinuations causing him to fall beneath his power, perhaps occasionally. But now Judas reached the place where he surrendered himself wholly to Satan’s control. Then followed the betrayal, the traitor’s kiss, and later, despair and suicide.

Suppose instead of a hypocritical kiss Judas had thrown himself on the mercy of Jesus, had told him how he had sold him for a paltry sum, but that he repented now in sorrow, and asked forgiveness for every sin. How different the story would have been! He who came to save, who is able to reach to the uttermost depths and lift up lost souls, would have saved his disciple even then. But Judas did not do this. He clung to his sin, and lost all.

The experience of Judas contains a terrible warning for all, showing the danger of allowing any evil thing in the heart to control the life. Our only safety lies in breaking with sin, and welcoming into the heart the principles of righteousness. G. B. T.