2018-09-09


接受我們的使命EmbracingOur Mission

[每日靈修] 9/9/2018,  駱鴻銘編譯

一個不關心真理的教會是一個拒絕其使命的社群。說「我對教義或神學不感興趣」的人,就不是「屬真理」的人。這等人錯過了耶穌的聲音。

要使教會成為教會,她必須在她君王面前俯伏,並接受祂賜給她的使命。是的,我們渴望進行文化改革、恢復公共道德。但這是次要的,次於我們對真理的見證,也必須依賴我們對真理的見證。教義很重要,因為它關注的核心是認識真理,不認識真理就不會有敬虔。使我們得自由、改變我們行為、定義我們是基督門徒的,是真理,而不是其他。

世人看不見或無法理解上帝的城。這是一個隱藏的城,一個隱蔽的國度。它被虛假所掩蓋,被企圖掩蓋真相的人所遮蔽。事實是,就在此刻,耶穌是萬王之王。這個世界如今是在祂的統管之下。我們是基督國度的公民。這個確信是我們無法妥協的,也是無法退縮的。上帝的國是由那些相信上帝所說的話,並且當上帝吩咐時,會服從的人所組成的。

活在神的面光中(在神面前禱告):
你是神國的一部分嗎?你相信上帝所說的話,而且當祂發出命令時,你會遵行嗎?

進一步研讀:
馬太福音廿八18-20 耶穌進前來,對他們說:「天上地下所有的權柄都賜給我了。所以,你們要去,使萬民作我的門徒,奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗。凡我所吩咐你們的,都教訓他們遵守,我就常與你們同在,直到世界的末了。」
路加福音九60 耶穌說:「任憑死人埋葬他們的死人,你只管去傳揚神國的道。
約十八37 彼拉多就對他說:「這樣,你是王嗎?」耶穌回答說:「你說我是王。我為此而生,也為此來到世間,特為給真理作見證。凡屬真理的人就聽我的話。」


Embracing Our Mission

A church that cares not for truth is a community that rejects its very mission. The person who says, “I’m not interested in doctrine or theology,” is not “of the truth.” He or she has missed the voice of Jesus.

For the church to be the church, she must bow before her King and embrace the mission He has given to her. Yes, we desire a cultural reformation and a restoration of public morality. But that is secondary to and dependent on our mission to bear witness to the truth. Doctrine is important because its central concern is for an understanding of truth, without which there can be no godliness. It is the truth that sets us free, reforms our behavior, and defines us as disciples of Christ.

The world does not see or understand the city of God. It is a hidden city, a concealed kingdom. It is veiled by falsehood, by he who seeks to obscure the truth. The truth is that at this moment Jesus is the King of kings. This world is under His dominion. We are citizens in His realm. We must not negotiate or retreat from that affirmation. The kingdom of God comprises those people who believe what God says and obey when God commands.

Coram Deo
Are you part of God’s kingdom? Do you believe what God says and obey when He commands?

Passages for Further Study
Matthew 28:18–20  Luke 9:60


認識我們的朝聖之旅UnderstandingOur Pilgrimage

[每日靈修] 9/8/2018, 駱鴻銘編譯

安憩在自由女神像的影子下被稱為艾利斯島Ellis Island的一小塊地產已經成為美國歷史的象徵。移民一旦抵達這個國家,就聚集在那裏。他們出於種種原因、從世界各地而來。他們都望著自由女神尋找盼望——儘管她的微笑有點虛偽,因為她是在國會通過限制移民法案兩年後豎立起來的。

我有兩個祖先抵達了艾利斯島。一個來自愛爾蘭,為了躲避馬鈴薯饑荒。他離開一個滿地泥濘、以茅草為房頂的家。另一個來自南斯拉夫,他在那裏是克羅地亞貴族的一員。

兩人擁有一個共同的目標。他們都為了尋求一個更美的國家而離鄉背井。他們是朝聖者,在異鄉的寄居客。和亞伯拉罕一樣,他們出去尋找一座城。然而與亞伯拉罕不同,我的先祖尋找的是人的城。

每個基督徒都被稱為朝聖者(天路客)。我們是地上的朝聖客和寄居者。我們的家在上帝的城。我們的社區是教會,是對無形上帝國度的有形見證。這是我們的社區——一個信仰的社區。

活在神的面光中(在神面前禱告):
你是生活在這個世界的朝聖者,還是定居在此世的永久居民?

進一步研讀:
來十一13 這些人都是存著信心死的,並沒有得著所應許的;卻從遠處望見,且歡喜迎接,又承認自己在世上是客旅,是寄居的。
彼前二11 親愛的弟兄啊,你們是客旅,是寄居的。我勸你們要禁戒肉體的私慾;這私慾是與靈魂爭戰的。
詩一一九54 我在世寄居,素來以你的律例為詩歌。


Understanding Our Pilgrimage

Resting within the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, the small piece of real estate known as Ellis Island has become a symbol of American history. There, immigrants assembled on arrival to this nation. They came from many places for many different reasons. They all looked to Lady Liberty for hope—this despite her somewhat hypocritical smile, inasmuch as she was erected two years after Congress passed a law limiting immigration.

Two of my ancestors arrived at Ellis Island. One came from Ireland to escape the potato famine. He left a thatched-roof home with a mud floor. The other one came from Yugoslavia, where he was a member of the aristocracy of Croatia.

The two shared a common goal. They both left their homelands seeking a better country. They were pilgrims, sojourners in a foreign land. Like Abraham, they went out seeking a city. Yet unlike Abraham, my ancestors sought the city of man.

Every Christian is called to be a pilgrim. We are pilgrims and sojourners on the earth. Our home is in the city of God. Our community is the church, the visible testimony to the invisible kingdom of God. It is our community—a community of faith.

Coram Deo
Are you living like a pilgrim in this world or have you settled in as a permanent resident?

Passages for Further Study
Hebrews 11:13  1 Peter 2:11  Psalm 119:54