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John and Judas—A Contrast, November 6
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he
walked.
1 John 2:6
.
In the life of the disciple John true sanctification is exemplified. During the
years of his close association with Christ, he was often warned and cautioned by
the Saviour; and these reproofs he accepted. As the character of the Divine One
was manifested to him, John saw his own deficiencies, and was humbled by the
revelation.... The power and tenderness, the majesty and meekness, the strength
and patience, that he saw in the daily life of the Son of God, filled his soul with
admiration. He yielded his resentful, ambitious temper to the molding power of
Christ, and divine love wrought in him a transformation of character.
In striking contrast to the sanctification worked out in the life of John is the
experience of his fellow disciple, Judas.... John warred earnestly against his
faults; but Judas violated his conscience and yielded to temptation, fastening
upon himself more securely his habits of evil....
John and Judas are representatives of those who profess to be Christ’s fol-
lowers. Both these disciples had the same opportunities to study and follow the
divine Pattern. Both were closely associated with Jesus and were privileged to
listen to His teaching. Each possessed serious defects of character; and each had
access to the divine grace that transforms character. But while one in humility
was learning of Jesus, the other revealed that he was not a doer of the word, but a
hearer only. One, daily dying to self and overcoming sin, was sanctified through
the truth; the other, resisting the transforming power of grace and indulging
selfish desires, was brought into bondage to Satan.
Such transformation of character as is seen in the life of John is ever the
result of communion with Christ. There may be marked defects in the character
of an individual, yet when he becomes a true disciple of Christ, the power of
divine grace transforms and sanctifies him. Beholding as in a glass the glory
of the Lord, he is changed from glory to glory, until he is like Him whom he
adores
[317]
9
Ibid., 557-559
.
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