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良好的比较,还是错误的比较?

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人与生俱来的本性使我们常常拿自己与他人比较。

无论是与朋友,家人,还是与网络上的人相比,我们总是不自觉地进行比较。

有人认为,比较有其积极的一面,因为它能让我们发现自己的弱点,并激励我们改进。然而,许多时候,比较源于我们的骄傲,最终使我们感到不满,甚至对他人和对神心生怨恨。

我们可以通过 《路加福音》 18:9-14中法利赛人与税吏的比喻来学习何为良好的比较与错误的比较。在这个比喻中,我们可以观察到每个角色所作的比较。

错误的比较

法利赛人拿自己与税吏相比,

用自己的善行衡量税吏的不足。他确实做了许多善事!毕竟,并不是每个人都能自愿每周禁食两次。

然而,正因为如此,他变得自以为是,轻视他人(路加福音 18:11)。

良好的比较

另一方面,税吏拿自己与神相比。就像在强光下,连最细微的尘埃都无所遁形一样,把自己放在神的标准下,他清楚地看见了自己的罪。

因此,他谦卑下来,真诚地悔改(路加福音 18:13)。

我们应该如何比较

我们不应拿自己与他人比较。因为当我们这样做时,潜在的动机往往是希望借此让自己感觉更好,抬高自己。然而,耶稣在《马太福音》23:12中警示:“凡自高的,必降为卑。” 这种比较最终会让我们被贬低。

保罗也提醒我们,这种比较是不明智的(哥林多后书 10:12)。

我们的比较应以神的标准为基准。就像把一件白色衣物放在强光下检查是否洁白无瑕一样。

这可能会让人感到不适,因为这样的比较不会带来自信或骄傲的感觉。相反,就像税吏一样,我们可能会因察觉到自己众多的罪孽,而感到不配面对神,甚至心生沮丧。

然而,这种不舒服的感觉正是我们学习谦卑的过程。而我们如何应对这个过程,将决定我们作为基督徒的成长。

我们可以选择昂首挺胸,自我夸耀,认为自己比大多数人做了更多善事;

或者,我们可以低头悔改,满怀痛悔地向神呼求,寻求祂的赦免。

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Daniel Chapter 4 - Let the Most High God Reign in Your Life

Daniel Chapter 4 - Let the Most High God Reign in Your Life

The story in Daniel Chapter 4 is perhaps not unfamiliar to many of us. King Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of the great Babylonian empire, the king of kings, being turned into a beast, how spectacular is that? It's not until we read through this chapter for ourselves that we realise something even more spectacular: this whole chapter is told by King Nebuchadnezzar himself. Daniel Chapter 4 is King Nebuchadnezzar's own personal testimony! Isn't King Nebuchadnezzar the infamous evil king? How is it that in this chapter he gives praise to the almighty God? 1) Most High Rules Over the Kingdom of Man Perhaps the first thing that should catch our attention from today's chapter is the repeated phrase in verses 17 and 32. The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He wills. This phrase can even be said to be the theme of the whole Book of Daniel. This book is mostly set in the time of exile, when there seemingly was no longer any king over the people of God. Yet, in the Book of Daniel we see that though there was no earthly king ruling over Israel, God made it clear to these foreign kings that He is the almighty God. He was still the one who was truly the King. The outcome of this is that the evil king Nebuchadnezzar, probably the greatest and most powerful man during his time, writes this testimony for all peoples, nations, and languages to hear (Daniel 4:1-3). Imagine being a subject in the Babylonian empire, and receiving this declaration from king Nebuchadnezzar praising and glorifying the God of Israel. Though God's people sin against Him and are punished by being taken into exile, the name of God is still magnified. God is not put to shame. Today through baptism we have entered into the Kingdom of God. Yet, it is key for us to consider whether God truly is the King of our lives. It's natural to make many plans for our future, out of a desire to lead our dream lives. But for us Christians, the sovereignty and authority of God is something that we must be well-aware of and fully willing to submit to. If God doesn't let me get that job, are we able to accept it? If God closes the path towards our dreams, are we will to say "Let Thy will be done"? If God takes away all that we have, are we able to be like Job and say "Blessed be the name of the Lord"? If all this is causing us to struggle, remember this: God loves us. He knows what's best for us, He knows what we need. He has already given His life for us, and given us His precious Spirit to dwell within us. Having faith in God's love towards us gives us strength to submit to our King with full assurance that this is the best path for us, this is the way to blessing and to eternal life. 2) Praising God Since our God is the highest and rules over the kingdom of man, what then should our response ought to be? Nebuchadnezzar begins and ends his testimony by praising and glorifying God. Giving praises to God is something that we have been often taught but perhaps we have not given enough thought to or taken seriously enough. Yet, throughout the Bible, it's clear that praises are a key part of our worship to God (just read the Book of Psalms). What might we praise God for? Like Nebuchadnezzar, we can praise God for His greatness and His almightiness. Just consider the stars, or the intricacies of the human body. We can praise God for His love and wisdom as seen in His creation as well as in His word. The more we study into the holy scriptures, the more we are filled with awe at how complete, connected, and wonderful these life-giving words are. We can also glorify God for His salvation which He has so freely given to us. Imagine how different our lives might be today if not for His grace and mercy! It's when we decide to finally take the importance of praising God seriously and intentionally set aside some time in our daily prayers to praise God, that we truly experience the blessing that comes along with it. We go through life being filled with joy and gratitude, knowing that we have such a great and powerful Heavenly Father who loves us. In fact, it was when Nebuchadnezzar took the glory for Himself rather than giving all glory to God, that the infamous transformation into a beast took place. 3) Pride This brings us nicely to the final point of reflection for this devotional. Pride - when we take glory for ourselves rather than giving glory to God. Nebuchadnezzar's testimony serves as a stark warning for us. Even just a sentence or thought of pride can greatly displease God. How often have we unknowingly taken credit for ourselves for any achievements we have, or for any divine work that we do? Being puffed up with pride and not keeping to one's proper domain is precisely the sin of satan (1 Tim 3:6, Jude 6-7). If we are filled with pride, what difference is there between us and satan? In fact, while satan exalted himself, God on the contrary lowered Himself, coming in the likeness of man and humbling Himself even to the point of death (Phil 2:5-8). Whose example do we want to follow, that of God or of satan? Let us take warning from the story of Nebuchadnezzar and carefully consider who's example we want to follow. Indeed, God opposes the proud while giving grace to the humble. He blesses the meek, that they might inherit the earth.

关于本会

我们是真耶稣教会,一间建立在耶稣与使徒们的教导上的全球性非宗派教会。藉由圣灵创立,我们的使命是把全备的救恩真理传向地极/世界尽头。

关于本会

We have four places of worship, and we gather for Sabbath and night worship services. We welcome you to join us for any of our in-person services!

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