I remarked that one should refrain from compromising the gift through selfish motives. Just as delicate medicine becomes compromised in an impure container, the saving grace of the Spirit cannot thrive in a soul tainted by self-interest. Balaam was sent to curse Israel by a dual delegation from the king of Moab. Balaam replied to Balak’s envoys, "If Balak were to offer me his silver and gold in abundance, I could not act contrary to the command of the Lord, whether it be a minor or significant matter in my sight." While he remained selfless, he experienced clear visions and prophesied effectively. However, once he deviated from this state, he shifted from a seer and prophet to a promoter of moral decay, ultimately facing the same fate as those he led astray.
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One of the twelve apostles chosen by the Son of God Himself, who shared in the common grace to evangelize the kingdom of God, perform healings, and raise the dead—how did this messenger of the kingdom for others forfeit it for himself? How did this healer become afflicted and remain unhealed? How did the one who raised others from the dead find himself without hope of resurrection? How did malevolence become so toxic within him, while grace remained so restorative and life-affirming? We can identify no other toxin that corrupted the apostolic life of Judas, leading to the irrevocable destruction of his humanity, except for the poison introduced by the greed of theft.
I cautioned, "Do not undermine the gift through selfish desires. Just as precious medicine can be spoiled in an impure container, so too the redemptive power of grace cannot thrive in a soul tainted by self-serving motives. Balaam was summoned by a dual delegation from the king of Moab to curse Israel: ‘Balaam answered and said unto the princes of Balak, If Balak shall give me his full temple of gold and silver, I cannot transgress the word of the Lord God, whether to do that which is small or great in my mind’ (Num. 22:18). As long as he maintained this selflessness, he experienced clear visions and prophesied faithfully. However, once he fell into corruption, this seer and prophet turned into a teacher of moral decay, ultimately facing the same fate as the wicked.
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One of the twelve chosen by the Son of God Himself, who clearly shared in the same grace to proclaim the kingdom of God, to heal, and to resurrect - how did this herald of the kingdom for others forfeit it for himself? How did this healer become afflicted and unhealed? How did this one who brought resurrection meet death without the promise of revival? How did malice become so toxic and fatal within him, while grace was so restorative and life-giving? We can identify no other poison that could taint the Apostolic life of Judas and bring about the irrevocable destruction of human existence other than the greed for ill-gotten gain.
THEOSIS