True Value
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 6521 |
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September 03, 2017 |
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 Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee
"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5).
Our lives are to be led to prepare for the eternal life in heaven. As Hebrews 9:27 says, "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment…" every single person will eventually die and be at the crossroads between Heaven and hell. Then, in this life, what should you cherish most and what do you have to seek after?
1. You Have to Love God above All Else.
Jesus' heart was filled only with God. He lived only to fulfill God's providence. He did not seek any glory, honor and authority that He could have enjoyed as one Person of God the Trinity. When He was despised while taking the cross, He only wanted to fulfill the will of God, because He loved the Father God so much.
The God I met was such a good God. Everyone turned their faces from me when I was sick, and I had no hope of avoiding death. But God still came to me and revived me. The 7 years of suffering in the very pits of life were brutal, yet I felt the love of God even more greatly for saving me from that suffering and pain. Furthermore, I realized I would have had no choice but to fall into hell as a sinner, but God saved my soul.
I came to learn what kinds of sufferings Jesus had to go through to save me. I wept so much because of that love. Can you give your life for someone else? For the person you love the most, if you had to be flogged until your whole body is torn apart and if you had to be nailed through your hands and feet and die on a cross shedding all your blood, would you do it without hesitation? Also, is there anybody in this world who would do such a thing for you?
Even when we did not know God, God and the Lord did such a thing for us. When I realized this love, I couldn't but love God. I loved God more than my family and even my own life. So, I unconditionally obeyed God's will, and I tried to do anything that was pleasing to Him.
If you love God the foremost of all, you will also love and trust the shepherd who delivers the heart of God to you and teaches you the truth. Also, to become joy to God and to become the strength to the shepherd, you'll cast away sins and give up the worldly things. When you go to work or study, you wouldn't do it for yourself but you'd think about the ways to give glory to God by acquiring more experience and greater skill.
Then, God will also guide you to the best way. When you love God above anything and all else, you will be able to make your life, which is given only once, the most valuable one.
2. You Have to Love the Souls.
Our Lord wants to give only good things to the souls even if it means He has to sacrifice His life. He was interceding for the souls even at the moment He was dying on the cross. Those who have this attitude of the Lord would love and serve the souls more than their own bodies.
Philippians 1:23-24 says, "But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake." Paul preached the gospel despite countless persecutions, and eventually he was placed in confinement in Rome. He didn't consider confinement hard, nor was he afraid of death. But rather he wanted to be with the Lord immediately. But, he was living each day's life for the souls entrusted to him.
I
t's the same with me. I yearn to be with the Lord. I don't have any desire for anything in this world. But I live each day of my life the best I can for the souls that the Lord entrusted to me. Once, God showed me Hell. Then He gave me the duty to spread the gospel all over the world so that more souls would be won. Also, He is telling me to change the souls with the truth and fill up the city of New Jerusalem. This is the reason why I am living on this earth.
When they are changed day after day with love for God and when they are healed of diseases and receive blessings by faith, these things glorify God. And, seeing them give glory to God through these things has given me the strength to continue to go on each day of my life.
You will also try harder to preach the gospel the more you feel the Lord's heart for the souls. You will take care of and pray for those souls who have weak faith. If there are brothers and sisters who are going through trials, you could pray for them or even offer fasting for them. When you see those who are in need, you could help them.
As you practice love, God is very pleased with you and gives you tremendous blessings. Saving the souls who were dying and giving strength to and helping the souls who were too weary to stand upright, these things are truly something valuable. I ask you to practice what is good, which is to save lives through prayers, charitable work, and evangelism.
3. God Wants You to Enjoy Eternal Happiness in Heaven.
Those who have the attitude of Christ Jesus, above all, will prosper in all things and be in good health just as their souls prosper. They'll be blessed whether they come in or go out, and they'll become the head and not the tail as written in Deuteronomy 28. What men build up might fall down any time but the blessing given by God is firm and it will not be shaken.
Finally, when we reach the eternal kingdom of heaven, God will give us beautiful dwelling places and true happiness according to the extent that we have the attitude of Christ Jesus. God will give us glory and rewards according to what we've sown. God delivers His love to anyone, as you try your best to love God and serve the souls and sacrifice yourself for them within your measure of faith.
To the extent that we believe the Lord and keep His commandments, He gives us abundant grace and the strength to be able to finish this race of faith. I urge you to hold on to this love of God and choose the truth without wavering.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, if you realize true value in life and love God and your neighbors as yourself, you can have the attitude of Christ Jesus.
I want you to say, "The Almighty God is my Father and I can do it; I can do it thanks to the Lord; I am more than able to do it because my shepherd will never let go of me until the end of the world!" I ask you to follow the pleasing will of God each day. I pray in the name of the Lord by doing so you will dwell in great glory in Heaven.
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