Title: Three Blessed Hearts
Contents
The Gospel of John (74) The Blessed Three Hearts (John 12:25-30)
< Two elements of a successful life >
Now, when you see a pioneer like Paul, push him like Barnabas. Then he will surely do a great holy thing. Barnabas believed in the potential of young Saul and supported him, drawing a big picture for the kingdom of God. So I decided to put Paul in front of me and pray in the shadows and serve with joy. It was Barnabas who laid the foundation of the church by killing himself, hiding himself, and putting others forward. How precious are you?
Pray and dedicate yourself in the shadows like Barnabas. Such a person is a true saint who follows the life of Jesus, who lived a life of service. Now, the Korean church desperately needs disciples like Barnabas. At this time, like Barnabas, become a grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies, and save the church and family, and become a leading soldier to save the nation and nation.
The Lord told us to hate our own life (verse 25). It means living a God-centered life. If we live God-centeredly, it may be a loss for a while, but it is a gain in the end. The blessed life lies in the 'life of quiet death' rather than the 'living hot life'. Now confess this. "God! I can't do anything on my own.”
After speaking of the 'principle of life when he dies,' he says, "Follow me!" with the Greeks who requested an interview in mind (verse 26). The way to follow the Lord is the way of the cross. The way of the cross entailed great suffering even for the Lord, so we prayed to get rid of it, but we seek the original goal, “the glory of God” (verses 27-28). So wherever you go and whatever you do, do not forget that the purpose of all your work and life is to the glory of God.
< Three Blessed Hearts >
Today's reality is like Pilate's court. The environment constantly asks these questions. “Is that Jesus? Are you Barabbas?” If you choose the Lord's way at that time, you may be framed like Jesus, your pride will be crushed, and you may face a tragic end. Still, follow that path. Because if you die on the cross, there is a way to live. In particular, if you practice the life of the cross, you will receive the three blessed hearts necessary for becoming one.
First, get a humble heart. We can become one with humility, but we cannot become one with pride. A man visited a mental hospital, and there were only three unarmed people managing about 100 psychopaths. It is said that the reason only three people can manage 100 people is because psychopaths cannot become one. The psychopath knows only himself and knows he is the best in the world.
Second, you gain a meek heart. Meekness is self-control for the sake of overall purpose and virtue, without exercising one's power or words. The meek person does not say all he can do and does not go all the way, but thinks of the whole and controls himself. Where there are meek people, the work of unity appears.
Third, acquire a long-suffering heart. In order to receive the blessing of unity, you need to know how to wait for the other person to mature. Neighbors asked when they saw a female butler living relatively well with her fiery husband. “How do you live with a husband like that?” she said “It’s like having one more youngest son.” It is a patient heart. Psychologically, a man is said to be four years old in front of a woman. If you think that there is only one more four-year-old and wait patiently for the inexperienced person to mature, then unity will be achieved.
How great is the life of carrying the cross? Now pray like this. "God! We are weak and lacking like a donkey, but thank you for giving us work to give us joy and for giving us the strength and ability to endure and overcome in the place of blessing even in the midst of hardship. God! We want valuable blessings rather than worthless blessings. Now, through the devotion of the cross, help us to prepare for true blessings.”