12 None Lost!

None Lost!

Some cities need a strong guard — and God’s Church needs an omnipotent Keeper. No Christian can stand alone! The whole Church would fall — if left to itself. But to the whole Church, as to every individual member, we may say, "Behold, he who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade upon your right hand. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; he shall preserve your soul." In the spirit of this testimony, Jesus says, "While I was with them in the world — I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me — I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled." (John 17:12). Mark — The Savior’s Care: "While I was with them in the world — I kept them." He kept them . . .
by his visible presence, which was a preservative to them;
by his outward ministry, which cautioned, warned, and instructed them;
by his close fellowship with them, in which he solved their doubts, explained his parables, and warmed their hearts;
and by his holy example, which taught them to be holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.

He kept them . . .
from the world, its fascinations and its frowns;
from the flesh, its lusts and its pleasures; and
from Satan, his wiles and his terrors.

He kept them in his Father’s name; that is, by his authority and power, and in his doctrine and service. To keep the sheep was the shepherd’s employment. To keep his disciples was the Savior’s care. He kept them in accordance with their position, his engagement, and his Father’s will. And now, being about to leave them, he commits them to the care and keeping of his Father. The care of Jesus was constant, tender, and uninterrupted. See — The Result of That Care: "None of them is lost." Neither death nor apostasy had thinned his flock. All that the Father had given him to save — he had kept. Yet the son of perdition was lost. He was given only as an instrument to use — not as a child to save. He was chosen only to office — not to holiness and everlasting life.

’Son’ refers to character or likeness. Judas was a son of Belial — a child of wrath — a son of perdition. He was of his father the devil, and the lusts of his father he would do. Satan was in him. Satan filled his heart. Satan claimed him. Satan wrought by him. Satan refused to give him up. His sin, or ruling lust, was covetousness. This led to hypocrisy, to treason — and ended in despair. His punishment was, that he was left without pity, or respect, or hope. He then became a suicide, and went to his own place.

Judas was a type of Antichrist, or Popery, which personified, is called "the son of perdition" (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Was Judas a professed friend of Christ? So is the Pope. Did Judas sell Christ for a trifle? So does the Pope his masses; yet he says the wafer is Christ. Did Judas betray the Son of God with a kiss? So does the Pope. Was Judas guide to those who took Jesus? So the Pope and his Church hands over Christ in his members to the civil powers, to be imprisoned, punished, and put to death. The Pope is Abaddon, or Apollyon, the destroyer — in opposition to Jesus who is the Savior (Revelation 9:11). The Scripture must be fulfilled, in keeping some, that is, all God’s chosen; and in the destruction of others, as of the son of perdition, whose conduct, character, and doom, were predicted long before, in the 109th Psalm. He deserved to suffer. He prepared himself for his sentence. He was doomed to his own place.

Jesus prepares a place for all his people in his Father’s house, and will fetch them, and introduce them to it. Satan prepares a place for obstinate sinners in Hell, who here prepare themselves for it, and will therefore be doomed to it.

Observe, we cannot stand without special keeping. We need to be watched every moment, and to be kept as the apple of the eye. Only while God keeps us — are we safe. May we realize our dependence, and ever look to the strong for strength.

Some will destroy themselves. Every one who loves to sin, and lives in sin, is a self-destroyer. He may not commit suicide so far as the body is concerned — but he destroys his own soul.

Sons of perdition may be in the Church! Judas was, and many besides him have been. They may be baptized; they may preach the gospel; they may sit at the Lord’s table; they may be esteemed by the Lord’s people — and yet they may be the children of wrath, sons of perdition, as Judas was! Baptism changes no one’s nature. The Lord’s supper never saved a soul. Preaching is no evidence of saving grace. How far we may go — and yet not go far enough — not take the first step in the way of life!

Nothing happens by ’chance’. All is foreseen or fore-appointed! The Scriptures have revealed, they have predicted — and they are most true. Not one jot or tittle of God’s Word can fail. How solemn, and what a warning for the lost sinner — every threatening will be fulfilled! How pleasing, what an encouragement to the saint — every promise shall be made good! This subject refutes the favorite opinion of some, who say, "If the Church did her duty — then the whole world would be saved." Was Judas saved? Who failed in duty to leave him to perish? Did not Jesus do his duty? Did not the eleven apostles do theirs? Yet Judas was the son of perdition, and perished in his sin. Let us not be wise above what is written. Let us not ascribe the work of the Holy Spirit to man. Let us not unduly blame those who have gone before us. They had their work to do. They did it, and are gone home. To their own Master they stand or fall. We have our work to do. Let us do it, for we shall be rewarded according to that which we do.

Let us make sure that we are not only in the Church — but in Christ. Let us take heed and beware of covetousness. No sin sooner hardens the heart. No sin is more offensive to God; therefore it is called "idolatry." No sin is more dangerous in a professor of religion. It is a sin to which a certain class of professors is peculiarly liable. It has ruined thousands — millions; and will no doubt ruin millions more!

Judas, because covetous — was called "a thief." A covetous man is seldom honest.

Judas, though an apostle — was called "a devil;" because a professor under the power of sin, is more like a devil than any one beside, for Satan transforms himself into an angel of light on purpose to deceive. Judas was not suspected by the other apostles; let us not, therefore, be satisfied that we are right — because the Lord’s people have a good opinion of us.

Merciful Lord, preserve us from self-deception, keep us from the power of Satan, do not allow any iniquity to have dominion over us. Let us be numbered with your chosen, and walk with you in white, in glory everlasting!