If Judas was called a disciple...then...

Define the word “DISCIPLE.”

Judas was one of the twelve disciples. Yes, he was called, chosen, and followed Jesus. But being part of a group of disciples is not the same as saving faith to BE a disciple. No religious activity or being labeled as a disciple of Christ—or being chosen by God to fulfill Scripture—will define the meaning of a disciple.

Judas becomes a vivid illustration of the people in Matthew 7:22–23: “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’” That’s Judas — and many, many other people in history. And then Jesus will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” What a vivid lesson to learn that right doctrine (“Lord, Lord, we know who you are; we’ve got our doctrine right, Lord, Lord”) and religious activity and miracle-working (“We’ve cast out demons; we’ve healed people”) prove nothing about saving faith and being born again. That’s the lesson of Judas. – John Piper

God sees our hearts, so Satan and the Holy Spirit cannot dwell or live simultaneously in the heart of a person. Greg Ogden clarifies,

"A disciple is one who responds in faith and obedience to the gracious call to follow Jesus Christ. Being a disciple is a lifelong process of dying to self while allowing Jesus Christ to come alive in us."

Binary reality excludes ambiguity.

You are either in or out. John 6:70-71 notes,

“Then Jesus replied, ‘Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!’ He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.”

Check Luke 22 and John 13 to verify that Satan entered Judas. In other words, God is not IN him. Judas was called and chosen as a disciple, and Jesus already knew he was a thief and a devil who would not surrender to God’s plan. Being called and chosen does not mean that you automatically are a Christian, a disciple, or will be in eternity with Jesus.

Believers in Christ can be influenced by demons but are not subjected to having the devil or demons live IN them.

Matthew 7:15-20 states, “You will know a tree by the fruit.”

So, what is the definition of being an authentically saved DISCIPLE who will be in Heaven with Jesus? Be transformed! In Luke 9:23-24, Jesus explains,

"If anyone whishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake, he is the one who will save it."

Here are some characteristics:

• First, be conformed and led by His power each moment to become who God created you to be.
• Next, surrender to God’s will. Saying a simple prayer does not save you. There is no "barcode Christianity." Instead, prove to be a disciple, not a nominal Christian in name only.
• Third, become more like Jesus in your talk and your walk.

How would you define a disciple?