Title: Three lives that bring blessings
Gospel of John (69) Three kinds of life that brings blessings (John 11:45-54)
1. A life of sacrifice
Many Jews believed in the Lord because of the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead (verse 45), but the Jewish leaders conspired to kill Him (verses 46-53). Why would you want to kill the Lord? The biggest reason was envy and jealousy. Why is there no luck? The biggest reason is that they do not want to learn from seeing and learn from those who are blessed, and are jealous and jealous. Why can't I be a leader? Because they do not try to learn from the leader, they are jealous and jealous.
Saints pray sometimes. "God! Be the head and not the tail!” But while it is important to pray to be the head, it is more important to be the person who deserves the blessing of the head. The prayer of a ‘became person’ is the prayer that causes history. In order to receive the blessing of the head, what we desperately need above all is the 'sacrificing life'.
In order for the church to grow, the fortress should say, “If you believe in Jesus, you will receive a star” rather than saying, “Believe in Jesus and make sacrifices!” However, 9 out of 10 officers who believe in Jesus cannot measure stars. In the end, those who failed to receive stars because of their wrong belief in blessings suddenly become false believers. How sad is that? Do not believe in blessings without sacrifice. And pray. "God! Make me a 'deathman' rather than a 'killer'! Before speaking of power, let me speak of the cross, and before asking for blessings, make sacrifices first!”
2. A life of gratitude
The life that came to the Lord after the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection was not a glory but a threat of death. That's life. Life is not always bright and not always dark. Life is constantly alternating between light and dark, and furthermore, there is light and dark at the same time. Where there is light, there is also shadow at the same time, and when the light is clear, it becomes clear as a shadow. Therefore, realize that you are not the only ones living unhappy, and be grateful for your contribution.
When I see the world through the lens of gratitude, waking up in the morning is impressive, and going to bed at night is also impressive. When I see a single flower blooming along the way, I feel a thrill of excitement. Also, if you give thanks for life itself, you will be moved even when spring comes, you will be moved even when summer comes, you will be moved when autumn comes, and you will be moved even when winter comes. When God speaks in the languages of different seasons such as spring, summer, autumn, and winter, it is a truly mature life if you feel the hand of the Lord's love in the midst of such seasonal changes.
Even if life is difficult, if we look back on the past through the lens of gratitude, we realize that life itself is a grace and a miracle, and we see God quietly making a good path by our side. Every moment of the saint's life is a gift from God. God will control that life with the hand of love and lead it to the most wonderful way.
3. Knowing the Time
At that time, when people tried to kill the Lord, the Lord took refuge for a while and went to a secluded place (verse 54). Did the Lord do it because he was afraid? no. Because it's not yet time to go back. Martyrdom must be done at the most appropriate time so that God's will can be fully accomplished. True courage is knowing how to go forward when you need to go forward and retreat when you need to retreat.
‘Positive faith’ is not ‘faith that only moves forward’. The true meaning of positive faith is that we are not proud when we move forward and not discouraged when we retreat. You also need moments of retreat in your life. If everyone tries to move forward, the problem is amplified in a conflict situation. If a couple is conflicted about a problem, how will that problem be resolved if each other moves forward? Then you need the courage and wisdom to step back in order to advance to a higher level at the next opportunity.
It is an important task to become a 'became a saint' rather than a 'I am a saint', so when you have to back down, take a step back. One well-received retreat is sometimes worth more than seven advances. If you accept the retreat well with faith, you will have a peaceful mind, and that peace of mind will be converted into a holy energy that you want to move forward and eventually act as a source of ascending to the most blessed position.