Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 17.12

John 17:12b. “I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.” The Psalmist wrote: 109:4. “In return for my love they act as my accusers; but I am in prayer. Thus they have repaid me evil for good and hatred for my love.” Psalms 109:8 “Let his days be few; let another take his office.” Ps. 109:4 was fulfilled as Jesus was in prayer and verse 8 was fulfilled in Judas’ betrayal and death. Judas was not kept in the name of love, even though he had heard all that Jesus taught. The name the Father gave to Jesus to manifest, the name of love, was not manifested to Judas. Judas didn’t believe and receive Jesus’ words. He heard them, but they were stolen by the devil. This Scripture was also fulfilled. Matthew 11:27 “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” Judas perished because Jesus didn’t reveal the Father to him, and the Father didn’t reveal the Son to him. Judas, like the Pharisees, Scribes, Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the Jews and the Romans were sons of perdition, sons of destruction, all serving God’s purposes so that we might know the love of God and be saved. Here’s how the Holy Spirit explained these things to the disciples after Jesus’ resurrection. Acts 4:24-28 “And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, [now we see the Scriptures fulfilled in Judas not being guarded and kept in His name] ‘WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS? THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.’ For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.” What do we say to these things? What can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus? Nothing! He loves us. It is His name. We are kept in His name if we walk in love. This verse gives us a sober warning. God will work out His will and purposes in every person ever created in fulfillment of the Scriptures. Matthew 26:24 “The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” Jesus fulfilled the Scripture. As He lives and loves in us, He is also fulfilling Scripture. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com