Title Don't Beg for Love
John (64) Do not beg for love (John 10:7-10)
< The Good Shepherd >
One of the most essential conditions for leadership is perseverance. Patience is not passive obedience or present obedience subject to future setbacks. Patience is self-control and willingness to learn slowly. As such, the shepherd must persevere so as not to get too far ahead of the flock and not disappoint them. To be hasty about the weak is to lack leadership. If he runs too far ahead of the weak flock, he loses influence.
At that time, when I looked back, it was none other than my nephew. My nephew swung the door open and looked at me with fearful eyes. I said, “Ouch!” I did. The nephew was terrified, but how terrified must he have been at his uncle's incomprehensible sight I brought my frightened nephew, hugged him, and said a prayer of blessing to him in easy-to-follow words. It was then that peace rested on his nephew's face.
A spiritual uncle must think of a spiritual nephew. The level of the flock is in that low place, and the shepherd should not go out to that high place without thinking about it. The shepherd must go down to the lower place, hold the sheep by the hand, and lead them to the higher place, keeping pace with each other. Individual spiritual life is better the deeper you go, but in a community gathering place, you need to restrain yourself for the sake of the community and the weak.
Why is it necessary to refrain from excessive expression of gifts during Sunday day worship? In order not to become a stumbling block to those who believe for the first time, those who come out for the first time, and those who are weak. Why do you refrain from praying in tongues at times like evangelism meetings and keep quiet even if you pray in tongues? This is in order not to create an excessive sense of separation for those who are new to Christianity. The good shepherd must know how to go to that high place, but also know how to descend to that low place.
<Don't beg for love>
As the Good Shepherd, the Lord is the “gate of the sheep” (verse 7). There are two doors in particular. The first is the door of salvation, and the second is the door of blessing (verse 9). There are also two purposes for the Lord to come into this world (verse 10). The first purpose is “to give life.” This means salvation. The second purpose is “to have it more abundantly.” This speaks of the blessings of life. What the Lord ultimately wants is a life of abundant blessings and a glorious resurrection. Even a little hardship right now is just a process that leads to blessings. The saints are those whose victory has already been reserved.
After all, there are some things you need to be a good shepherd. It is to reveal the riches of the Lord in any case. There are many times in life when we face difficulties. Still, do not waver in your faith and peace. Under no circumstances beg for cheap sympathy. When the shepherd shakes, the flock becomes more anxious.
Don't beg from anyone. In particular, the shepherd must not show weakness in begging in front of the sheep. The question of how the sheep meet the shepherd's needs is secondary. The sheep want to see a shepherd who lives proudly despite difficulties. show me that Until death, do not lose your holy pride and do not lose your heavenly smile. The shepherd's image of a proud shepherd even in the midst of difficulties brings deep emotion and stability to the sheep. In the end, God sees it and fills it with the necessary things nicely.
All saved saints are little shepherds. Now, as the shepherd of the small village, put on a happy face, walk proudly with your shoulders open, and let your horses overflow with happiness. Enter your home, church, and society in that way. Don't beg for love. Live proudly as a being who is already greatly loved by God. So see yourself, feel the power of faith, and make you want to believe in the Lord. Be happy little shepherds who taste the real riches of the Lord by manifesting the riches of the Lord in body and mind like this anytime, anywhere.