Judas Iscariot is remembered by most as the disciple of Jesus Christ who betrayed him. However, the relationship Judas extended beyond that of a disciple; Jesus had many disciples—12 of whom were principal, whom he sent out—who later came to be known as apostles. Judas was one of them.

The literal meaning of the word “apostle” is “one who is sent off.” In the Gospels, when Jesus sent out the 12, he gave them power to cast out unclean spirits and to heal all manner of sickness and disease. They were commanded to bear witness with signs and wonders and to preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 10:2 designates them apostles at that point: “Now the names of the twelve apostles are these… Concluding the list is Judas Iscariot, who later would betray Jesus.

Judas was sent off with the other 11, and they were given the power to cast out devils in His name. Since “Satan cannot cast out Satan,” this gives evidence to the fact that one who is called and chosen, given grace and power, and even given the title of apostle, can still turn from his calling and fall from grace.

John wrote that we love God because he first loved us. Jesus will save anyone who sincerely calls upon him in truth without exception; it is written, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

However, it is a falsehood that God’s unconditional love locks everyone in without any conditions after salvation is received; in fact, there is more accountability. Before salvation, we are held captive by the devil without power over sin. We cannot do that which is good without Christ; it is not in us.

Therefore, Christ came and shed his blood for our redemption. He then rose from the dead to grant us power over sin. This is the unconditional love of God: he loved us first while we were yet in our sins. We must respond and love Him in return.

Once we receive the free gift of salvation, our relationship with God has changed. No longer are we afar off from God, separated by a partition and in need of unconditional love. We are made near, and Christ is in us. With Him in us, we now have power over sin and the grace to love Him back through obedience to His commandments. Love is then conditioned upon obeying his word. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous.”

Salvation does not create less accountability for sinful actions committed knowingly, nor does it bestow guaranteed entrance into heaven without responding to God’s grace. Those possessing greater knowledge face more accountability and harsher judgment if they choose the path of disobedience.

Jesus said many things about answering his call: “If a man loves me, he will keep my words.” “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings.” “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven.” After salvation is granted, there are responsibilities that must be met.

The children of Israel were saved from bondage by passing through the Red Sea. However, after being saved, the promise of entering the promised land was conditional. Six tribes were appointed to stand on Mount Gerizim to bless, and six to stand on Mount Ebal to curse, dependent upon the choice they made. Many who left Egypt later perished in the wilderness; they lost the promise of possessing the land, and it was transferred to others.

The book of Hebrews, chapters 3-4, and 1st Corinthians, chapter 10, state that the things that happened to the children of Israel in the desert are written for our admonition and are examples to us that, after being saved, we should not tempt God by continuing in sin after the same manner as they did and perish in the wilderness. Once saved, we must journey through the wilderness in obedience to the faith until the promise is fulfilled.

God makes offers to all and is consistent in his judgment. Even Pharaoh was given the opportunity to obey. Each opportunity he was given was refused, and with every refusal, his heart became harder. God already knew the heart of Pharaoh, yet he gave him the opportunity to yield and obey his commands before destroying him.

God also knew the heart of Judas, and not only did he grant him the opportunity of eternal glory, but he also gave him an apostleship. God knows who will love Him and who will not; He will not turn anyone away. Salvation is a free gift to all who call upon his name—even those who he knows will later turn back to sin and walk no more with Him (John 6:66—antichrists).

If we commit ourselves in obedience to his word, we are not to fear; it is the Father’s good pleasure to give us his kingdom. Jesus will never leave or forsake you; he will continue with anyone as far and as long as they continue with him, and he knows beforehand those who will endure to the end and inherit the kingdom.

True love is reciprocal. God’s love will not fail if you love him back for the love he freely bestowed on you, but do not think the cross voids the judgment of God; it places it upon Christ.

Nonetheless, the judgment of the Lord spoken of by Ezekiel remains on all—whether saved or unsaved—if the way of righteousness is not followed to the end:

“But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. (Ezekiel 18:24-26)

God states it twice to affirm it Himself; it is a thing established, and God never changes and never will.