Title Don't try to be too good
John (78) Do not try too hard (John 13:12-20)
<Strive to occupy the high ground>
After washing the disciples' feet, Jesus said, “As Lord and Teacher, I have washed your feet, so you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (verse 14). Many people focus only on the “wash one another's feet” part of this verse, but one more point to focus on is “I will be both the Lord and the Teacher”. The important thing is that Jesus became Lord and Teacher and washed the feet of his disciples.
Jesus doesn't just want to wash our feet, but he wants us to serve as a teacher and wash our feet on a higher level. After all, the phrase “become a servant!” does not mean “lower your position!” but “lower your attitude!” When a servant serves like a servant, it is normal, but when the master serves like a servant, it is a great thing. For the purpose of serving, do not hesitate to become rich and dignitaries. After gaining political and economic strength, when you serve and guide society righteously, your personal blessings will be extended to those of the community.
In our country, we received the 'blessing of church revival', but not the 'blessing of the righteous rich'. Because they thought being rich was worldly. But trying to get rich to the glory of God is a sacred thing, not a worldly thing. Whatever is entrusted to the glory of God is the priesthood. When politicians govern for the glory of God, politics is also a priesthood, and when a student studies for the glory of God, studies are also priesthood. In that sense, all believers must become priests.
Pray for righteous riches. If your purpose is to use it for the glory of God, do your best to make money as if making money is your whole life. So, become a righteous rich man who can be dedicated as a tree that is more useful to God, and become a saint who does not borrow even if he lends. So, say "I'm satisfied!" and try not to sit still in the valley and take over the highlands.
We should not take it for granted that we should always be last and always poor because we misunderstand that we should be humbled. Try hard, work hard, try hard to be a head, get rich, try to be a boss. Make a normal effort and sweat to pursue such a high position. But once you reach the top, lower your attitude and heart even more. Don't just serve like that, but serve as the Lord, or as a teacher, or as a priest.
<Don't try to be too good at it>
Do your best to buy. But don't dream of perfection, get too hung up on results and fruits, and try not to be too good. Because of that attitude, the Lord did not lose his peace under any circumstances. Although the Lord already knew of Judas Iscariot's betrayal, he still said, "How did I raise him? How much grace has he received over the past three years?” He said, calmly accepting the reality without lamenting about the situation. And he calmly accepted the betrayal of Judas Iscariot as the fulfillment of prophecy (verses 17-18).
Even if the Lord, the Son of God, was ministering, one of the 12 people betrayed him like that. How much more will there be no difficulties when we do God's work? Of course there are difficulties. Now, when doing God's work, no matter what difficulties you face, never become discouraged. Accept that reality calmly.
Even if you work hard for God's work, 1/12th of it can be punctured. Therefore, even if you encounter disappointments in your life of faith, never lose heart. Don't try to be better than the Lord, let go of the thought of being more perfect than you. If you let go of such thoughts, you will feel a strange power filling your mind from that moment on. Now, no matter what you encounter, never give up and entrust everything to God who works together for good.