At one time Judas was a little boy in the village of Kerioth playing with his toys around the house. Judas did not willingly become the son of perdition. He never dreamed that one day his Creator would say that it were good he never had been born.

Do we point the finger at the Pharisees and Judas? Not if we are wise! The true saints learn that anyone can be deceived and only God can prevent this from happening. We pray each day, "Lead me not into temptation."

Only God can keep us on the path that leads to life. It is a tortuous trail filled with traps and snares of all kinds. We do well to remain humble. The wicked, particularly the religious wicked, not only do not hear from God, refuse to admit their sin, and lack understanding, they also are proud and arrogant. They are filled with their own ways.

Like the chief priests and elders of Jesus' day the religiously ambitious strut about, making sure everyone is aware of their superior position. The lovers of preeminence do have ability! They managed to murder the Lord's Anointed, and that was no small accomplishment. After praying that Christ's blood would be on them and on their children they continued to emphasize their superiority. They had succeeded in bringing persecution and finally the Holocaust on their descendants. What a fine day's work!

May God forever deliver us from such!

Divisions in the churches. Separations occur in the assembly of the saints. Why is this?

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple [naive and unsuspecting]. (Romans 16:17,18)

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. (I Corinthians 1:10-12)

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (I Corinthians 3:3)

For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies [factions] among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (I Corinthians 11:18,19)

To be continued.