KISS OF DEATH

By Rick Mathes

We can argue endlessly about predestination and free will and many do to this day. My conclusion is that in the Lord’s divine providence, to please Himself, he became the magnet and we were created the metal. The elect have irresistibly drawn their decisions to him ever since.

I marvel at those who willfully resist His grace while all the time professing faith in the words and works of Christ. From my observation, they compose a large part of the attendance in our entertainment centers we too often call churches. Many are blatantly sinning but have found a comfortable fellowship of carnal Christians like themselves, of like sins. “What is right to me is right” is their unifying banter; devils with masks parading around in counterfeit sanctity with all of the demons in Hell howling in laughter and clapping in approval.

Such was the infection of the First Church the moment Jesus welcomed His chameleon apostle Judas Iscariot. For purposes known only to Him initially and then revealed in His last hours, Judas was setting himself up for the “kiss of death.”

I can almost feel you recoiling at the thought of Judas betraying Christ with a kiss, a kiss! An emblem of love and devotion; such is the unfathomable depths of evil a soul such as Judas’ could fall to, beyond comprehension.

How long have you proclaimed that you are a Christian and in the fellowship of believers: a year, 5 years, 10 years or more?

How many times have you presented yourself as a devoted follower of Christ in Church services, Bible studies, prayer breakfasts and the like?

How many true believers have been fooled by your acting abilities and blindsided from seeing through to the real you?

Judas had only 11 peers but he spent all his time in good church standing to boldly betray Jesus with “the kiss of death” as you have for neglecting to repent of your sins that killed God’s Son. You need to repent, submit and obey. How do I know you so well? I know me!

You are giving our Lord the kiss of your death, death in the eternal flames of Hell. He gives life but you have chosen death. You will forever be reminded that Jesus loved you, up to the last moment and Satan took a permitted grip on you. You let him. The kiss of death is from the acid mouth of the Devil unless you stop, stand still, turn around and come back to Him.

Kiss the Son lest He be angry!

(With the kiss of life.)