Introduction
Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:33-35)
Jesus gave the commandment to love one another. The standard for disciples is very high. As I prepare the 201 course, it discusses discipleship, while the 101 course is on believers. I find the standard for disciples very high. Jesus never asked us to convert people into believers, but rather into disciples. Disciples are those who love one another. Only with the heart of loving one another can people recognize you as disciples. Following Jesus means having the likeness of Jesus. If there is no likeness of Jesus, one cannot even be considered a believer.
Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. (John 13:1)
When was the commandment to love one another given to us? It was during the Passover supper before Jesus was crucified. Jesus was about to become the sacrificial lamb to redeem our lives. This is a great love, offering oneself completely, shedding blood and sacrificing for us, rescuing us from the dominion of the devil. Before going to the cross, He set a good example.
Jesus Loves His Own
Know that our God has never abandoned us, loving His own in the world. When John wrote this Gospel, there should have been a prevailing doctrine: God is love. Later, it was found that whether it was John, Paul, or Jesus, they all loved their own. Jesus shows lovingkindness to those who love Him and keep His commandments. He shows wrath and anger to those who do not love Him. Know what kind of God our God is. If you are not in the love of Jesus Christ, you are in the hate of Jesus Christ.
From Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, understand that God’s treatment of people is different. People are divided into different classes, and it is the same with Jesus. Whether we are an esteemed disciple before God or someone without a position. Either be a disciple of Jesus Christ or not. Jesus loves His own, giving His own a commandment to love one another. Love is a very critical watershed. You can be a believer, and your prayers can be effective, but without love, it is completely useless.
Only disciples can enter the Kingdom of God. We believe in the words of Jesus, and Jesus said that only disciples count. Believers can experience God’s grace, but it does not count. The Israelites who died in the wilderness all ate the manna God provided and drank the water God gave, but it was useless; they could not enter the Promised Land.
Service is Love
After that, He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand later.” (John 13:5-7)
Why did Jesus begin to wash the disciples’ feet? Washing feet does not only represent washing feet, but represents a service like that of a servant. Although it is like a servant, service is love. Therefore, those among us must serve, and those brothers and sisters who do not serve must begin to repent. Not serving means you are not a disciple of Jesus Christ. You can receive grace among us, and I can give you more time to train among us. But you must rise up to serve. Service is grace, and service is love. If you only love your own things, then sinners also love what they love.
Mutual service in the church is a loving service. Why do many people meet us by chance, and when we see such service from brothers and sisters in the group, you will be infected? Because we are a serving church. If you do not start serving, one day you will enter the dominion of the devil; do not blame me for not reminding you. Jesus set an example for us by washing the disciples’ feet, representing that you can serve in anything. Jesus only made a demonstration, setting a very good example for us. This is a very good example.
Example of Love
For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. (John 13:15)
If the master is like this, should not the servants serve like this? Jesus, being God incarnate, served like this. Shouldn't we do the same?
If you believe in Jesus, you will imitate Jesus. Believing in Jesus but not imitating Jesus will lead to a curse. I am not exaggerating at all. Curses are for Christians. If you carefully observe and follow my way, you will be blessed; if you do not follow, you will be cursed. The laws in the Bible were written for the Israelites, which means they are written for Christians.
If we do not serve and are hard-hearted, it means we are not careful to observe and follow. The Bible says you should serve God. Does God need us to serve Him? No. God says serving this age is serving God. If you become a blessing to all nations on earth, you are serving God, and God will greatly bless you. God gives us an example: a servant cannot be greater than the master. If the master washes feet, and you say you will not serve, what qualifications do we have not to serve? The question is whether you are a disciple or an ordinary believer.
Today, there are many teachings that have almost completely wiped out the teachings of discipleship. The church is just a place to worship for a while on Sundays, listen to a sermon, and then leave. They are muddled about everything and do not serve. They live in a curse. Today, brothers and sisters must know that service is God’s command. Loving and serving one another is a command. Therefore, I see that brothers and sisters who strive to serve and are determined to be disciples of the Lord Jesus are all blessed in our church. If your eyes and mind are full of eating, drinking, and having fun, and there is no service, you cannot be blessed. We want disciples.
Reception is Love
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. (John 13:20)
Reception is love. You receive Him with love, that is love. Reception and service are love. Accepting Him, serving Him with God’s grace, releasing God’s grace, and blessing Him, that is our Mingding Destiny.
Some people say: I receive God, I love the Lord, but I do not receive those in need because they do not represent God. This is very confusing. The Lord Jesus said very clearly, He who receives whomever I send receives Me.
As Jesus Loves Us, We Must Love One Another
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35)
Why did Jesus say, I do not know you? Those people said, Did we not cast out demons and preach the gospel in Your name? Why do You not know us? The Lord said, When I was hungry, you did not give Me food; when I was in prison, you did not visit Me; when I was naked, you did not clothe Me. What does it mean? If a Christian only has faith without love, they are not a disciple of the Lord Jesus, and the Lord Jesus does not know you.
Some people explain that it is because you cast out demons that He does not know you. This is nonsense. Because Jesus said, These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons. This is what God has promised. A Christian must strive to enter into the love of the Lord Jesus.
Your starting point is belief. If there is no faith, you cannot enter into love at all. Therefore, today, brothers and sisters must pay close attention. The faith of Jesus Christ is a complete system. The faith of Jesus Christ is definitely not to be taken out of context. You say, I believe. I want to ask, what is your faith? If there is no element of love in your faith, you are at most a believer. Only disciples come before God. Only disciples have the likeness of Jesus Christ. Therefore, in our core value system, there will be imitating Jesus and imitating Paul.
Once during a Bible study, one of us had a swollen foot because his toenail had grown into his big toe, and his entire foot was swollen. At that time, our church was quite desolate. HF was in a room, praying with this person. This person was a manual worker, and his feet were quite smelly and had not been washed. HF directly held his leg in his arms and prayed with him.
Another time, one of us had a tendon under his foot that was shorter than the others. I held his stinky foot like that and prayed for him for several hours. Whether you have that loving heart in your heart determines whether you are a disciple. I think in my entire service, this is the most difficult to do. I spent a long time overcoming my psychological obstacles because it was very likely that it was athlete's foot. I was thinking about whether someone would create seamless gloves in the future, so that you cannot tell that you are wearing gloves. But what is the problem? A heart that loves one another will lead you out of this confusion. If you want to serve God, you should serve according to the standards of Jesus' disciples.
I think is it really that difficult to love one another? Actually, it is not that difficult. The grace that Jesus gave us far exceeds these things. We are far from imitating Jesus. This is the key to distinguishing disciples from non-disciples. Why did Jesus say, I do not know these people? Because there is no love in these people. They only have faith, no love. Their faith is also in vain. Remember, even faith that has performed miracles is in vain. Therefore, you must know that faith is the foundation. Climbing to the top of the mountain is the Father's love.
Disciples Understood After Jesus Christ's Resurrection
People can only understand these things after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus answered and said to him, What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand later. (John 13:7) This means that the Holy Spirit will guide us after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The reason for understanding later is because God's Spirit is working through what I do, not what I do. It is God's Spirit working in me. I am at most a vessel of God. From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.” (John 13:19)
“Where I go, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.” (John 13:36) When Jesus rose from the dead and the matter was accomplished, we will understand the teachings of Jesus Christ, and we will also be able to understand that He is the Christ and that He is love. Only after the resurrection of Jesus Christ can you walk this path, and can you follow. If there is no such path, you will not be able to walk.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, you must understand that Jesus Christ has been resurrected for nearly two thousand years. These things happened four days before the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What is He trying to tell us here? This is to tell us: after I rise from the dead, you must walk my path, you must imitate my example, and as I love you, you should also love one another. Therefore, today, you will see God doing a cleansing work in the church. Those who really have no love in them cannot continue to walk in the church.
If You Do Not Understand After the Holy Spirit Has Come, You Are Provoking God’s Wrath
Don’t forget that Jesus washed Judas' feet too. It is not surprising that there was Judas among the thirteen people whose feet were washed. So, don't think that if there is a Judas among us, I will not wash. I will wash him anyway. So, I think when Jesus is resurrected, we will understand.
If the Holy Spirit has come upon us today and we still do not understand God's will, then you are hardening your heart. I was shocked that if it were not for me, the cost-bearing servant, the person whose stinky feet I once held might not even be in this world. She suffered from anxiety and kept suspecting that someone was going to kill her. I drove away the demon of anxiety from her. I served from noon to night for three consecutive days. You ask me how I did it? I did it regardless of the cost.
In fact, there is no way for me to finish my work no matter how I do it. I still squeezed out two or three hours to serve. Later, I brought my work home and worked until three or four in the morning. That is how I did it, and I am living quite well. I really hope that everyone will imitate and inherit my service. I think that after the Holy Spirit descends, the disciples begin to understand. If we still do not understand after the Holy Spirit descends, are we not provoking God's wrath with our hardened hearts?
To Really Love, One Must Obtain the Holy Spirit
I dare not boast of anything, I only boast of God's love – how vast, how wide, how deep it is! He chose me, allowing me to serve Him. That is grace. Do not think I have anything to boast about; in reality, I have nothing to boast about at all. It is merely the work of the Holy Spirit in me that grants me the opportunity to serve God, and to serve in the manner of Jesus Christ.
I truly thank God. What have I seen over these five years? I see batches of brothers and sisters rising up to emulate the service of Jesus Christ. I am truly thankful to God for allowing me to emulate the service of Jesus Christ. Some people, having received the love of Jesus Christ, are moved by God's love and rise up to serve. Later, I discovered that those who do not serve lack love in their hearts. Without love in their hearts, they cannot be disciples of Jesus Christ, and Jesus will not recognise you. I encourage you to rise up and serve.
And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant (1 Corinthians 13:1-4).
does not behave indecently, does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not keep a record of wrongs, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end (1 Corinthians 13:5-8).
Lacking love is a serious problem—not keeping a record of wrongs, not rejoicing in unrighteousness, but rejoicing in the truth. Yet, some people are dedicated to keeping records of wrongs!
Without Love in the Heart, One is Easily Offended
Many people are easily offended. Once offended, they begin to record your wrongs. Without love in their hearts, they are bound to be offended. Remember, we must begin to rise up and offend all who can be offended. If you want to pastor, then pastor God's disciples, pastor the disciples of Jesus Christ. Do not pastor those who pretend to be Christians, for once you have finished pastoring them, you cannot offend them; offend them once, and they will bite you—they are wolves in sheep's clothing.
Therefore, we must begin to know how to examine whether a person is a disciple or not, by looking at whether they have love in them. If they have love and a heart for service, I tell you they are disciples of Jesus Christ. Indeed, we give people time, allowing them to transform from an unbeliever into a believer, and transforming the believer into a disciple—this is our work.
Some people, during this process, become picky due to their lack of love. At times, I truly feel angry about this. Pastor, I cannot feel your love! Pastor: That is none of my concern! If you do not have a heart to love others, what can you feel? Nothing! Thus, many people do not serve, nor do they understand the hardship of those who serve. Those who serve alongside me can all experience love.
Emulate Jesus, Love Those Who Belong to Jesus
Everyone can experience love. Why? Because after they have served, they realise that serving is such a difficult thing, that this person is so mixed up. Once you have served, you understand how difficult it is for the pastor.
If you have love in your heart, you must also know that love is for those who belong to you and those who belong to Jesus. Jesus loves those who belong to Him; do not love the wrong people. Falling into a tiger enclosure to kiss a tiger—try kissing a tiger, and your face will be gone. Therefore, do not make a mistake. We must become very shrewd. I encourage you to become very shrewd in your service—to what extent?
Seeing this person, oh, this is Judas. I am very clear about who is Judas; a slight test will make it clear. Those who are offended and overthrown by a few words—I know I must be careful of these people. I am constantly wary of some people, because they lack love in them and cannot receive it. They are doing the things of Judas.
Why does Peter say here:
“Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times” (John 13:37-38).
Why? Because fleshly love, carnal love, cannot persevere to the end. That is, Peter at this time is carnal. Those who are carnal can say: Pastor, I will not leave you. Yet, they leave a week later. Is it strange? Jesus said this, meaning that carnal love is of no use; saying it is the same as saying nothing. Therefore, brothers and sisters must know today that it is not by the flesh that one can remain in the church; it is of no use. Let us run together on this heavenly road, jointly be disciples of the Lord Jesus, love one another, and then run the heavenly road together, building God's kingdom—that is what is useful.
When did Peter change later? When the Holy Spirit descended upon him. That is, only when the Holy Spirit is poured out, when the Father's love is poured out, is it useful. Do not think that you can rely on yourself. I tell you, I am also very surprised that I have become such a person today. How did I manage to hold someone's smelly feet and pray for them? I believe you will also be surprised that those we serve have become like they are today. When I was young, I never thought I would become like this today; I believe you also did not think you would become like this today.
It is the Holy Spirit working in our lives, and then we become more and more like Jesus. Do you know what a glorious grace this is? That is my Mingding Destiny. I am becoming increasingly clear that I was born for this, I came into this world for this, and then I live out God's glory, sharing God's love. Carnal love is truly useless. If a person often acts in a carnal way, it is very dangerous. Peter had no ability to love because the Holy Spirit was not poured out on him. Although he very much wanted to love, he later denied the Lord three times.
A Person Without Love in Their Heart is Filled with the Spirit of Satan
Judas had no love in him, and his inside was filled with Satan. Because God is love, if you do not have love inside you, what do you have? If you want to ask me what the best grace is: sharing God's love will allow you to live out God's splendour in your life.
This Judas, after Jesus washed his feet, what was he thinking? He was thinking about how to betray Jesus. His thoughts are transparent in Christ; Jesus knows what he is thinking. Therefore, Jesus said: “One of you will betray me” (cf. John 13:21). This put great pressure on the twelve disciples: Is it me? Seems like it's not me, don't look at me! They were very curious about who it was: Lord, who is it? Jesus answered: “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish” (John 13:25-26).
Then Jesus dipped a piece of bread and gave it to Judas, and Judas ate it. My goodness, what great courage—daring to admit on the spot: It is I. But the eleven disciples sat there looking at Judas: We have worked together for three years, he doesn't seem like it, he was just buying bread and serving Jesus, how could he be the one betraying Jesus?
As a result, something happened in the spiritual realm. If the Lord Jesus reminds you not to do this, if the Lord Jesus dips a piece of bread and says if you eat this bread you are the one who will betray me, what do you do? Quickly do not eat it, repent. If you take it and eat it, you acknowledge that you are the one who will betray Jesus.
Satan entered Judas' heart; at this time, Judas basically had no way back. That is, once a person bites Satan's bait, there is basically no way back. No matter what, do not bite Satan's bait. Think about how many chances a fish has to escape after it bites the hook. If a fish bites the hook and swallows it, it cannot escape at all. If it is not hooked, it might still bite the hook; can it escape once it is hooked? That is why I desperately want to train brothers and sisters to be shrewd people.
Why be shrewd? So you will know never to bite Satan's bait in the future; Satan's bait is deadly. Therefore, brothers and sisters, it is a serious problem if people are not shrewd. I desperately want you to understand how cunning Satan's operations are. You must always understand what the deceiver's tricks are. I do not want you to become experts in deceit, but I will be happy if deceivers cannot deceive you. If you are never deceived by deceivers in your life, then you are amazing. Deceivers operate in the spirit when they deceive people.
At this time, Satan entered Judas' heart, and Judas decided on something that caused Judas to hang himself on a tree and die. He died very tragically, and his intestines spilled all over the ground. The Bible says that his intestines spilled all over the ground, his stomach burst open, very tragic. Once he bit Satan's bait, his fate was completely sealed, with no way back. Why did Jesus dip a piece of bread for Judas at this time? Many people think God was too cruel to arrange a Judas for Jesus. Do you say this was an arrangement? Was it Judas' choice or an arrangement? It was Judas' choice, wasn't it? At this time, Jesus gave him a chance to repent; Jesus hoped he would repent when he washed his feet.
You say if Judas repented, how would Jesus' plan be accomplished? God would find someone else; surely there would be someone else. Do you think that God would not be able to find Judas? The place where Jerusalem is that big, wouldn't the priests be able to find Jesus? Therefore, brothers and sisters, we cannot rewrite the story of two thousand years ago today, but do not think that God will not accomplish His salvation if He cannot find someone later. Judas was not a sacrificial pawn; it was the result of his choice, because he was carnal. Carnal people not only deny the Lord three times, but are also very dangerous. If you are pastoring in the church, I will teach you a lesson: you must kill the flesh of people, kill those carnal lusts of those you are pastoring, and deal with them no matter what.
Our church’s shepherding has one characteristic: I never let the group leaders fear the group members, the district pastors fear the group leaders, nor do I fear the district pastors. There must be obedience in the church, and also a heart of reverence. This culture must be completely established in the church. When the church establishes such a culture, do you know what will happen? This church will be built up. If the church leader fears the group members, the area pastors fear the group leaders, the pastor fears the area pastors, this church is a place where evil spirits are rampant. If you can become the blessing of this generation, you must, by all means, break the flesh. The fear that arises in breaking the flesh, in itself, is not aligned with God’s will. Serving with fear is not aligned with God’s will.
I think this Judas was a carnal person, and he became the one who betrayed Jesus, and also became a sinner for eternity. Those who preach Jesus, preach that Judas betrayed Jesus. Do you want to be Judas? To be Judas is very simple, just be a person who is carnal. A carnal person cannot accomplish anything; only a spiritual person can see through all things, and no one can see through him. I think this is a very strict command that Jesus gave us before His resurrection and before He was glorified. This strict command is to love one another. Therefore, no matter how big the church becomes in the future, everyone must become people who love one another and become disciples of the Lord.