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罗马书 第11章 - 保守在祂的恩典中

被神拣选究竟意味着什么——在一个充满不信与诱惑的世界中,我们又如何保守在祂的恩典里?

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5 分钟阅读

以色列人是神所拣选的子民。这并不是他们比其他族类优秀,乃是出于神的恩典。

神起初将这恩典赐给以色列民。但因他们硬心不顺服神,神的恩典就临到那些起初未被祂所拣选的外邦人。

然而,神并没有拣选外邦人而撇弃以色列人。藉着祂的智慧,以色列人的失败实现了外邦人的救恩,从而成就神“愿意万人得救”(提摩太前书 2:4)的旨意。

当我们回想关于迦南地永远的约(创世记 17:8),以及神藉着摩西和先知应许要复兴以色列(申命记 30:1–8;利未记 26:44),我们就会想起神的恩赐是没有后悔的(罗马书 11:29)。

保罗是外邦人的使徒。他知道,等外邦人的数目添满之后,以色列全家也必得救(罗马书 11:25–26)。

因此,保罗提醒信徒要常常保守在神的恩典中,免得被神弃绝(罗马书 11:19–24)。

我们如何保守自己在神的恩典中?

不可要自高,反要惧怕

“不错!他们因为不信,所以被折下来;你因为信,所以立得住。不可自高,反要惧怕。”(罗马书 11:20)

我们不可误以为,只因为我们蒙了救恩,我们的名字就永远写在生命册上。

对于不顺服、不信的人,神也必将他们砍下来(罗马书 11:22)。

因此,我们要有一颗追求灵命成长的心。藉着祷告、读经、聚会、参与教会事工,使我们托着根—耶稣(罗马书 11:18),不断汲取属灵的养分,使信仰成长。

顺服神

“你们从前不顺服神,如今因他们的不顺服,你们倒蒙了怜悯;这样,他们也是不顺服,叫他们因着施给你们的怜悯,现在也就蒙怜恤。”(罗马书 11:30–31)

不像以色列人的悖逆,我们都应在神所指引的道路上顺服祂。

顺服意味着相信神对我们的旨意才是最美好、最合宜的,而不是凭着自己的计划与欲望来过活。

有时候,我们会长时间祷告,求神向我们显明祂的旨意。但即使经过长时间的祷告,我们仍然感受不到神的回应。遇到这种情况时,我们不应灰心,而要坚持祷告,耐心等待神的时间,同时继续遵守神的诫命,并尽我们该尽的责任。

有时候,这样的等待是对我们信心的试炼。但如果我们能够通过这场考验,我们所盼望的奖赏将会非常丰盛。

结语

认识神并被神拣选,是我们一生中最美的祝福。无论我们现在所面对的处境是顺利还是艰难,让我们都继续紧紧抓住神的应许,祷告求神保守我们在祂的恩典中。

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但以理书 第四章(英文)

但以理书 第四章(英文)

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? 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. 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. 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 .

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