耶誕頌歌：普世歡騰Christmas Carols: Joy to theWorld

作者:Randall Van Meggelen   譯者:駱鴻銘

https://www.ligonier.org/blog/christmas-carols-joy-world/?fbclid=IwAR28kkQ-0SA1meDA5LatG06glOaaZMiDy3tKxCt2J1QjGBoKqQ7vLWNV2oo
https://www.facebook.com/peddrluo/posts/10157116564389653

《普世歡騰》（Joy to the World）這首非常流行的耶誕頌歌是著名的英國聖詩作者以撒•瓦茲（Isaac Watts）所寫的，蒐集在1719年出版的聖詩集《大衛詩篇仿意》（Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament）裡。華茲是透過「基督應驗了救贖工作」的這個視角，將138首詩篇加以改寫，而完成了這本聖詩集。

The popular carol Joy to the World was penned by Isaac Watts in his Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament (1719). Watts paraphrased 138 psalms through the lens of their fulfillment in the redemptive work of Christ.

儘管瓦茲的本意不是要人只在將臨節（Advent）和聖誕節時才唱《普世歡騰》這首曲子，但是大部分的聖詩歌集都正確地把這首曲子列為一首將臨節的頌歌。在將臨節節期裡，我們要慶祝的有三件事：一、耶穌的道成肉身；二、祂如今透過聖靈住在我們心中，以及，三、祂在末日時要榮耀地再臨。在瓦茲的詩歌《普世歡騰》中，對這三個視角都進行了描述。

Though Watts never intended for the hymn to be sung merely during Advent and Christmas, most hymnals properly list it as an Advent carol. During Advent we celebrate the threefold advent of Christ in His incarnation, His dwelling in our hearts by His Spirit, and His glorious return at the last day. These three aspects are each portrayed in Watts’ hymn, Joy to the World.

這首有名的詩歌忠實地傳達出詩篇九十八篇響亮的信息，即耶穌是救恩、救恩完全出於耶和華。基督是得勝的戰士，「祂的右手和聖臂施行救恩」（詩九八1）。祂是世人的救主，應驗了上帝與亞伯拉罕所立的約（創十七），「記念祂向以色列家所發的慈愛，所憑的信實」（詩九八3上），並賜福給列國。「地的四極都看見我們神的救恩」（詩九八3下）。基督是先知，將祂父神的旨意啟示出來。「耶和華發明了祂的救恩」（2節）。祂是我們的君王（6節）和審判者（9節）。祂拯救我們脫離罪的刑罰、污染、權勢，最後是罪的同在。

This famous hymn is one of my favorite carols because it faithfully conveys the resounding message in Psalm 98 that Jesus saves. Salvation is completely of the Lord. Christ is our Victorious Warrior whose “right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory” (Psalm 98:1). He is our Savior who, in fulfilling His covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17), “remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel” (vs. 2) and blessed all nations. “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (vs. 3). He is the Prophet who reveals His Father’s will. “The LORD has made known His salvation”(vs. 2). He is our King (vs. 6) and Judge (vs. 9). He saves us from the penalty, pollution, power, and ultimately, the presence, of sin.

《普世歡騰》追溯整個人類歷史的救贖故事，從伊甸園的應許（創三15），一直到基督榮耀的再來。第三段歌詞說，「罪惡、憂愁全當止息，無地再長荊棘；基督未來，咒詛甚深，主臨賜福充盈」（No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found）。朗文（Tremper Longman III）對詩篇九十八篇做了正確的總結：這首詩篇用三個樂章表達出上帝的救恩；救恩也分別在基督作為救主、君王和審判者上得到了應驗：「以色列當讚美上帝在過去拯救他們」（1～3節），「全地當讚美上帝在現今作王」（4～6節），「全宇宙當讚美上帝，未來要降臨審判」（7～9節）。

Joy to the World traces the redemption story throughout history, from the promise in the garden (Genesis 3:15) to Christ’s glorious return. “No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found” (st. 3). Tremper Longman III rightly summarizes Psalm 98’s expression of God’s salvation in three movements, which are fulfilled in Christ our Savior, King, Judge: “Israel is to praise God for saving them in the past” (1 – 3). “All the earth is to praise God for being King in the present (4 – 6). “The entire universe is to praise God for coming to judge in the future” (7 – 9).”

我們從《普世歡騰》和詩篇九十八篇可以學到，不要只是感性地渲染聖誕節，把基督看成一個無助的嬰兒，而忽略了祂到世上的使命。我們的救主基督也必須同時是我們得勝的戰士和審判官。祂成全了詩人向上帝的禱告，「憑你的公義搭救我」（詩卅一1）。祂「使萬邦證明上主公義，無限榮光，主愛奇妙莫名」（makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love）（《普世歡騰》第4節）。祂已經贏得血戰；已經讓蛇與女人為敵（創三15）。「祂的右手和聖臂施行救恩」（詩九八1），「上帝的救恩成就了祂聖潔的公義所要求的一切」(J. A. Motyer)。

We can learn from Joy to the World and Psalm 98 not to sentimentalize Christmas by merely seeing Christ as a helpless baby apart from His mission. Christ our Savior must also be our Victorious Warrior and Judge. He fulfills the psalmist’s prayer for God to “deliver me in Your righteousness” (Psalm 31:1). He “makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love” (st. 4). He has won the bloody battle. He has put enmity between the serpent and the woman (Genesis 3:15). “His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory” (Psalm 98:1). “God’s salvation accomplishes all that His holy righteousness requires” (J. A. Motyer).

《普世歡騰》和詩篇九十八篇教導我們如何回應這樣的救恩。對信徒來說，《普世歡騰》是喜樂的信息。喜樂是整個將臨節期的中心主題，也應該說是整個基督徒生活的中心主題。我們喜樂的來源是主耶穌所完成的工作，我們要永遠榮耀祂，以祂為樂。詩篇九十八篇到處都提到喜樂——「全地都要向耶和華歡樂，要發起大聲，歡呼歌頌……在君王耶和華目前歡呼……願諸山在耶和華目前一同歡呼。」

Joy to the World and Psalm 98 instruct us in our response to such a great salvation. For the believer, Joy to the World is a message of joy. Joy is a central motif of the entire Advent season, indeed of the entire Christian life. Our joy is in the finished work of the Lord, whom we glorify and enjoy forever. Psalm 98 is replete with references to joy—“Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice…Shout joyfully to the LORD, the King…Let the hills be joyful together before the LORD.”

這首廣受人喜愛的耶誕頌歌，呼應了詩篇九十八篇要人喜樂地宣揚上帝對全地的偉大作為的吩咐。正如上帝已經公開地在列國面前顯明祂的救恩、公義、掌權、審判，上帝聖約的百姓、列國和全宇宙也要一同歡呼來讚美祂。

This beloved carol echoes Psalm 98’s command to joyfully proclaim God’s great deeds to all the earth. Just as God has openly displayed His salvation, righteousness, reign, and judgment in the sight of all nations, so also God’s covenant people, all nations, and all creation, must burst forth in praise to Him.

《普世歡騰》提到詩篇九十八篇的主題，就是人生最終永恆的目的是歡樂地讚美主。「教會終極的目的不是宣教，而是敬拜。」（約翰•派博）基督的救贖工作總是帶來滿溢的讚美，人越接近上帝救贖工作的完全應驗，這個讚美就會越深化。朗文提到，信徒「要向耶和華唱新歌」（九八1），然後強化成「全地都要向耶和華歡樂，要發起大聲，歡呼歌頌」（九八4），最後到所有的被造物要讚美神。「願海和其中所充滿的澎湃；世界和住在其間的，也要發聲。……願諸山在耶和華面前一同歡呼。」（九八7～8）

Joy to the World addresses Psalm 98’s theme that our ultimate eternal purpose is to joyfully worship the Lord. “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church; worship is” (John Piper). Christ’s redemptive work always results in an outpouring of praise, a praise which deepens as it approaches the complete fulfillment of God’s redemptive work. Tremper Longman III notes that the believer “sings to the LORD a new song” (vs. 1), which intensifies to “Shout joyfully to the LORD all the earth; break forth in song” (4) to all creation praising God. “The sea roars, the rivers clap their hands, the hills are joyful” (7, 8).

我們每天的敬拜和每週的敬拜是預嚐未來在耶和華寶座前的永恆敬拜，在那裡會有「喜音環繞不休」（repeat the sounding joy）。願你在唱這首耶誕頌歌時，能安慰鼓勵你，牢記你的喜樂是在你的救主和恩主裏，祂已經賜給你值得雀躍的責任，可以不斷地宣揚祂奇妙大愛的喜音，從今時直到永遠。

Our daily and weekly worship is a foretaste of the eternal worship of the Lord before His throne, where we will for all eternity “repeat the sounding joy.” May your singing of this carol comfort and encourage you as your remember that your joy is in your Savior and Lord, who has given you the delightful duty to “repeat the sounding joy” of the “wonders of His love” now and forevermore.

信心是條件嗎？Faithas a Condition?

作者: shane lems    譯者/校對者: Maria Marta/誠之  

http://reformedreader.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/faith-as-a-condition/

嚴格說來，信心是人得救的條件嗎？換句話說，有關救恩的工作，耶穌在十字架上的死，只完成了99%，然後剩下的1%要靠你的相信來完成嗎？再換句話說，耶穌的死只是讓救恩的實現成為可能嗎？或者祂實在地的完成了救恩的工作呢？ 關於這點，約翰歐文（John Owen）有精闢的論述：

「基督不是為了『如果他們相信』這個條件而死的；祂是為所有上帝的選民而死的，以至於「他們得以相信」，並因為信而得到永恆的生命。信心本身是基督之死所產生的主要功效和所結的主要的果子之一……聖經沒有一處說，我們也無法從理性上加以肯定，就是倘若我們相信，會讓原本不是的東西成為是的——由行動來產生目的；不，聖經是說，基督為我們而死，好讓我們會相信。的確，上帝賜給人救恩是有條件的，信心就是這個條件；但是，信心卻是由上帝所提供的，上帝保證它絕對會實現。」[註] 

我特別喜歡約翰歐文所說的那句「信心本身是基督之死所產生的主要功效和所結的主要的果子之一」------得救的信心是「由上帝所提供，上帝保證它絕對會實現」。當耶穌死在十字架上時， 祂實在地為屬祂的人完成了救恩的工作。所以我們必須相信以至於得救，但倘若我們有真的信心，這種信心乃是上帝所賜，是透過基督的死，靠著聖靈那至高主權的工作賜給我們的。

[註]  摘自約翰歐文所著 《基督之死吞滅了死亡》一书（John Owen, The Death of Death in the Death of Christ (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1999), 123. ）

Faith as a Condition?

Is faith, strictly speaking, a condition of salvation?  In other words, did Jesus die on the cross, doing 99%, and now leaves it up to us to believe, doing the last 1%?  In still other words, did Jesus’ death make salvation possible, or did he actually accomplish redemption?  John Owen puts it so well:

“Christ did not die for any upon condition, ‘if they do believe;’ but he died for all God’s elect, ‘that they should believe,’ and believing have eternal life.  Faith itself is among the principle effects and fruits of the death of Christ….  It is nowhere said in Scripture, nor can it reasonably be affirmed, that if we believe, Christ died for us, as though our believing should make that to be which otherwise was not – the act create the object; but Christ died for us that we might believe.  Salvation, indeed, is bestowed conditionally; but faith, which is the condition, is absolutely procured.”

I especially love the line above where Owen says that faith is one of the greatest effects and fruits of Christ’s death – saving faith is “absolutely procured.”  Jesus actually accomplished salvation for his people when he died on the cross.  So we must believe to be saved, but if we have true faith, it is a gift given by God through the death of Christ by the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit.

John Owen, The Death of Death in the Death of Christ (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1999), 123.

重新發現律法Rediscovering the Law

[每日靈修] 12/4/2018,  駱鴻銘編譯

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/rediscovering-law/?fbclid=IwAR1m8B-ioJF-uvumK_3JAgDdlfXXY8DrlzvvDteBBDaMU3INExl8bl-tqE0

https://www.facebook.com/peddrluo/posts/10157128888939653

以色列的改革是通過重新發現律法來實現的，這使得一個腐敗的國家短暫地認識到他們的破產。身為一個年輕人，約西亞王開始了改革的過程，一種靈性上的清洗，從國家的宗教生活中潔淨異教徒的元素。

幾年之後，希勒家找到了摩西所賜的耶和華的律法書。一位文士將這卷書帶給約西亞王，並將它讀給他聽。結果十分戲劇化：「王聽見律法書上的話，便撕裂衣服」（王下廿二11）。

約西亞被上帝的忿怒所驚醒。他意識到上帝一直在向以色列民族傾倒忿怒。他進一步認識到，這種對國家的神聖審判是罪的直接結果。

以色列國家性的改革中，最明顯的立即變化顯明在真敬拜的恢復，這種敬拜清除了偶像崇拜，並且根植於對上帝的品格和祂律法的正確理解。

在我們的土地上，我們有必要重新發現上帝的律法和上帝的道。是的，它必須在公眾領域得到復興——但更重要的是，它必須在上帝的家中得到復興。

活在神的面光中（在神面前禱告）：

更新你對上帝聖言的個人承諾。從今天開始！

進一步研讀：

代下卅五3 又對那歸耶和華為聖、教訓以色列人的利未人說：「你們將聖約櫃安放在以色列王大衛兒子所羅門建造的殿裡，不必再用肩扛抬。現在要事奉耶和華你們的神，服事他的民以色列。

代下卅四3 他作王第八年，尚且年幼，就尋求他祖大衛的神。到了十二年才潔淨猶大和耶路撒冷，除掉邱壇、木偶、雕刻的像，和鑄造的像。

(Psa 119:92) 我若不是喜愛你的律法，早就在苦難中滅絕了！

Rediscovering the Law

Israel’s reformation came via a rediscovery of the law, which created a brief awakening to the bankruptcy of a corrupt nation. As a young man, King Josiah began the process of reformation with a spiritual purge, a cleansing of pagan elements from the religious life of the nation.

A few years later, Hilkiah found the book of the law of the Lord given by Moses. A scribe brought the book to King Josiah and read it to him. The result was dramatic: “Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes” (2 Kings 22:11).

Josiah was awakened to the greatness of the wrath of God. He realized that God had been pouring out that wrath on the nation of Israel. He further understood that this divine judgment on the nation was a direct result of sin.

The most apparent immediate change in the national reform of Israel was seen in the restoration of true worship, a worship purged of idolatry and rooted in a sound understanding of the character of God and of His law.

We need a new discovery of the law of God and the Word of God in our land. Yes, it needs to be rediscovered in the public square—but even more importantly it must be rediscovered in the house of God.

Coram Deo

Renew your personal commitment to the Word of God. Start today!

Passages for Further Study

2 Chronicles 35:3

2 Chronicles 34:3

Psalm 119:92

進入奧秘的聯合中Entering into Mystical Union

[每日靈修] 12/3/2018,  駱鴻銘編譯

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/entering-mystical-union/?fbclid=IwAR0pOfINJyraJJHEREmaex3JisOVo-hZLiRfLmPkng98JPwd_DF61CF3VwM

https://www.facebook.com/peddrluo/posts/10157126504599653

https://plus.google.com/u/0/105106813742373627205/posts/VxW44hNagiu

基督徒生活是在與基督奧秘聯合的背景下產生的。這個聯合的起源來自永恆。我們的救恩是從世界的創造而來的，建基在上帝主權揀選的恩典上。保羅在以弗所書一3～6中指出了這一點。

我們的救贖建立在我們所愛的那位身上。從永恆起，上帝就將選民視為已經在基督裏。我們的奧秘聯合在時間當中生效之前，它已經在上帝心中成為現實。

正如基督在兩千年前從永恆中進入時間裏一樣，我們永恆的聯合也是通過聖靈的工作進入時間當中。在永恆中，在上帝思想中始終存在的東西，在重生者的心中，也成為一個受時間限制的現實。結果是，在基督裏，藉著聖靈，我們將會在我們的死亡之際，以及從那裏開始直到永恆，看見天父。我們是天父的兒女，就像創造一開始一樣。

我們的救恩是靠著基督，並且是在基督裏發生的。藉著祂的公義，我們得算為義。通過祂的贖罪，我們的罪得到了赦免。

活在神的面光中（在神面前禱告）：

為你的救恩、祂的公義和祂為你作成的贖罪而感謝上帝。

進一步研讀：

弗一3～6 願頌讚歸與我們主耶穌基督的父神！祂在基督裏曾賜給我們天上各樣屬靈的福氣： 就如神從創立世界以前，在基督裏揀選了我們，使我們在祂面前成為聖潔，無有瑕疵； 又因愛我們，就按著自己意旨所喜悅的，預定我們藉著耶穌基督得兒子的名分， 使祂榮耀的恩典得著稱讚；這恩典是祂在愛子裏所賜給我們的。

Entering into Mystical Union

The Christian life is lived in the context of mystical union with Christ. This union finds its initial origin in eternity. Our salvation is from the foundation of the world, resting in the grace of God’s sovereign election. Paul indicates this in Ephesians 1:3–6.

 It is in the Beloved that our redemption is found. From eternity, God considers the elect to be in Christ. Before our mystical union is effected with us in time, it is already a present reality in the mind of God.

 Just as Christ invaded time from eternity two thousand years ago, so our eternal union intrudes in time through the work of the Spirit. What has always existed in the mind of God in eternity becomes a time-bound reality in the heart of the regenerate. The result is that, in Christ, through the Spirit, we will behold the Father at our death and from there to eternity. We are sons and daughters of the Father, as it was in the beginning.

Our salvation is by Christ and in Christ. By His righteousness we are made just. By His atonement our sins are forgiven.

 Coram Deo

Thank God for your salvation, His righteousness, and His atonement for your sins.

 Passages for Further Study

Ephesians 1:3–6

爬出泥潭Climbing out of the Mire

[每日靈修] 12/2/2018,  駱鴻銘編譯

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/climbing-out-mire/?fbclid=IwAR2UarmnWg6FzwVVleUKEmBE4-PIjtsna0SWZUkUDfClt-DBPF_lmXu0PT8

https://www.facebook.com/peddrluo/posts/10157123925664653

我們的靈魂無法自行爬出罪惡的泥潭，因為它們已經死了。救恩不會臨到那些喊叫這話的人：「向我指明通往天堂的道路」，而是會臨到那些哭喊這話的人：「請帶我到那裏，因為我自己到不了。」

為了避免我們將罪人的禱告僅僅視為是技巧，我們必須謹記，基督使死人復活是為了要叫他們可以行走。我們不會口中念念有詞地重覆一些神奇的字詞，然後等死。基督信仰也關乎靈命成長。這是工作，是成聖的艱苦勞動。重生是神單方面的作為，完全是上帝的工作。成聖，也就是我們成為聖潔的過程，則是神與人的協作，上帝和我們一起工作。

對上帝來說，祂那部分很容易。祂不需要走捷徑，因為祂從不疲倦。但是，我們卻必須不斷與想要抄捷徑的誘惑作鬥爭。任何技巧都無法使我們成為聖潔。然而，魔鬼的任何技巧都無法阻擋基督使我們成為具有祂形象的人。所來召的人，祂就使他們成聖。

我們的成聖需要上帝的靈，而因為祂已經如此安排祂的世界，成聖必須有紀律地、重複使用恩典的管道。每天五分鐘的聖經研讀聞起來像技巧。但缺乏這個動作，肯定會失敗。我們必須浸泡在上帝的話語中。然後，正如耶穌所應許的那樣，我們會認識真理，而真理將使我們得自由。然後我們就會成為祂的門徒（約八31～32）。

活在神的面光中（在神面前禱告）：

請記住，上帝正在你身上動工。祂從不厭倦。為這個正在進行的工程感謝上帝。

進一步研讀：

約八31～32 耶穌對信祂的猶太人說：「你們若常常遵守我的道，就真是我的門徒； 你們必曉得真理，真理必叫你們得以自由。」

約八36 所以天父的兒子若叫你們自由，你們就真自由了。

詩四十2 他從禍坑裏，從淤泥中，把我拉上來，使我的腳立在磐石上，使我腳步穩當。

 Climbing out of the Mire

Our souls cannot climb out of the mire of sin because they are dead. Salvation comes not to those who cry out, “Show me the way to heaven,” but to those who cry, “Take me there for I cannot.”

Lest we see the sinner’s prayer as mere technique, we must remember that Christ raises the dead that they might walk. We do not mumble the magic words and then wait to die. Christianity is about spiritual growth as well. It is about work, the hard work of sanctification. Regeneration is monergistic, God’s work alone. Sanctification, the process by which we are made holy, is synergistic, God’s work with us.

 God’s part is easy for Him. He needs no shortcuts because He never tires. We, though, must ever fight the temptation to seek the shortcut. No technique will make us holy. No technique of the Devil’s, though, can stop the process of Christ making us into His image. Those whom He calls He sanctifies.

 Our sanctification requires the Spirit of God and, because He has so ordered His world, sanctification requires the disciplined and repeated use of the means of grace. Five minutes a day of Bible study smells like technique. Arid, it is sure to fail. We must immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Then, as Jesus promised, we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. Then we will be His disciples (John 8:31–32).

 Coram Deo

Remember, God is at work in you. He never tires. Give thanks for the process that is underway.

Passages for Further Study

John 8:31–32

John 8:36

Psalm 40:2

成為新娘的一部分Becoming Part of the Bride

[每日靈修] 12/1/2018,  駱鴻銘編譯

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/becoming-part-bride/?fbclid=IwAR2QdKKlB-bbBs55JFjI2JrFx4KfyU24DP7p85dzvjoQhPEIY1u9AQCgy98

https://www.facebook.com/peddrluo/posts/10157123925464653

當基督買贖祂的新娘時，祂買的新娘是一個「損壞的商品」。祂的新娘被明顯的雜質玷污了。她身上覆蓋著斑點，而且充滿了皺紋。然而祂所買贖的，祂也是使她成為聖潔：

你們作丈夫的，要愛你們的妻子，正如基督愛教會，為教會捨己。要用水藉著道把教會洗淨，成為聖潔，可以獻給自己，作個榮耀的教會，毫無玷污、皺紋等類的病，乃是聖潔沒有瑕疵的。（弗五25～27）

啟示錄展望了基督為祂的新娘所預備的婚禮盛宴：

天使吩咐我說：「你要寫上：凡被請赴羔羊之婚筵的有福了！」又對我說：「這是上帝真實的話。」（啟十九9）

每次我們慶祝主的晚餐，我們不僅慶祝新郎支付的贖買價格，而且象徵性地慶祝每個信徒蒙召要參加的羔羊婚宴。

活在神的面光中（在神面前禱告）：

感謝你的新郎所償付的買價。

進一步研讀：

弗五25～27 你們作丈夫的，要愛你們的妻子，正如基督愛教會，為教會捨己。要用水藉著道把教會洗淨，成為聖潔， 可以獻給自己，作個榮耀的教會，毫無玷污、皺紋等類的病，乃是聖潔沒有瑕疵的。

林前十一23～25 我當日傳給你們的，原是從主領受的，就是主耶穌被賣的那一夜，拿起餅來， 祝謝了，就擘開，說：「這是我的身體，為你們捨（有古卷：擘開）的，你們應當如此行，為的是記念我。」飯後，也照樣拿起杯來，說：「這杯是用我的血所立的新約，你們每逢喝的時候，要如此行，為的是記念我。」

Becoming Part of the Bride

When Christ purchased His bride, He bought a bride who was “damaged merchandise.” His bride was sullied by manifest impurities. She was covered by spots and marred by wrinkles. Yet what He purchased He also sanctifies:

 Christ prepares His bride for His wedding feast envisioned in Revelation:

 Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” (19:9, NIV)

Every time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we celebrate not only the redeeming purchase price paid by the Bridegroom but symbolically the marriage feast of the Lamb to which every believer is called.

 Coram Deo

Give thanks for the purchase price paid by your Bridegroom.

 Passages for Further Study

Ephesians 5:25–27

1 Corinthians 11:23–25

結出聖靈果子Bearing Spiritual Fruit

[每日靈修] 11/30/2018,  駱鴻銘編譯

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/bearing-spiritual-fruit/?fbclid=IwAR0JfjK18Q0fwpMfRceuzchBmCuKZeJdfwJW5XUxP4EV9HOhNs6AspzLZ2Q

https://www.facebook.com/peddrluo/posts/10157118683034653

靠著恩典，上帝把基督的義賜予所有信靠祂的人。凡相信的、凡信靠祂的人，基督的功勞都被算在他們的帳上。

這是否排除了信徒要在生活中行善？絕非如此。我們的稱義永遠是為了好行為。雖然我們的善行不會產生出任何功德——無論是在我們的回轉之前所完成的、還是之後所完成的——善行都是真實信心的必要果實。

「必要的果子？」是的，必要的。善行不是我們獲得稱義的必要條件。它們永遠不是我們稱義的基礎。它們只在更有限的意義上是必要的。它們是真正信心必然的推論。如果一個人聲稱擁有信心但卻沒有產生任何順服的果子，則證明信心的宣稱是虛假的主張。真正的信心不可避免地必然會結出果實。沒有果子表明沒有信心。

我們不是靠信心的果子稱義，而是靠基督功德的果子而得以稱義。我們只是靠信心領受祂的功勞，但只有真正的信心才能得到祂的功勞。凡真正的信心都會產生真正的果實

活在神的面光中（在神面前禱告）：

虔誠地查驗你的信心和屬靈的果子。

進一步研讀：

加五22～25 聖靈所結的果子，就是仁愛、喜樂、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信實、 溫柔、節制。這樣的事沒有律法禁止。凡屬基督耶穌的人，是已經把肉體連肉體的邪情私慾同釘在十字架上了。我們若是靠聖靈得生，就當靠聖靈行事。

Bearing Spiritual Fruit

By grace, God offers the righteousness of Christ to all who put their trust in Him. For all who believe, all who have faith in Him, the merit of Christ is reckoned to their account.

 Does this exclude good works in the life of the believer? By no means. Our justification is always unto good works. Though no merit ever proceeds from our works, either those done before our conversion or those done afterward, good works are a necessary fruit of true faith.

 “Necessary fruit?” Yes, necessary. Good works are not necessary for us to earn our justification. They are never the ground of our justification. They are necessary in a more restricted sense. They are necessary corollaries to true faith. If a person claims to have faith yet brings forth no fruit of obedience whatsoever, it is proof positive that the claim to faith is a false claim. True faith inevitably and necessarily bears fruit. The absence of fruit indicates the absence of faith.

 We are not justified by the fruit of our faith. We are justified by the fruit of Christ’s merit. We receive His merit only by faith, but it is only by true faith that we receive His merit. And all true faith yields true fruit.

 Coram Deo

Prayerfully examine your faith and spiritual fruit.

Passages for Further Study

Galatians 5:22–25

打開我們的耳朵聽Opening Our Ears to Hear

[每日靈修] 11/29/2018,  駱鴻銘編譯

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/opening-our-ears-hear/?fbclid=IwAR2-mDLdQt6chfoE40DabQ4brEd9vlaMAOg-6QfPiXzDJoE1WLol7PRqDS8

https://www.facebook.com/peddrluo/posts/10157116153854653

上帝對以賽亞說：「你去告訴這百姓說：『你們聽是要聽見，卻不明白；看是要看見，卻不曉得。』要使這百姓心蒙脂油，耳朵發沉，眼睛昏迷；恐怕眼睛看見，耳朵聽見，心裏明白，回轉過來，便得醫治。」（賽六9～10）。

保羅在羅馬書第一章中闡述了這種審判：「他們既然故意不認識神，神就任憑他們存邪僻的心，行那些不合理的事；」（第28節）。

可以降臨在我們身上的最嚴厲的懲罰是把我們交給罪或遺棄給罪。這預告了上帝在最後審判中的判決：「不義的，叫他仍舊不義；污穢的，叫他仍舊污穢」（啟廿二11）。

每當上帝的話語被宣告出來時，它就會改變所有聽見這話的人。聽見上帝的話的人，沒有人會不受影響的。對那些積極傾聽的人來說，恩典就會增長。對於那些拒絕它或對它無動於衷的人來說，老繭會被添加到他們的靈魂裏，沉澱的鈣質會加添到他們的耳朵中。眼睛變得越來越黯淡，耳朵越來越重，天國的奧秘也越來越晦澀。有耳可聽的，就應當聽。

活在神的面光中（在神面前禱告）：

求上帝打開你的耳朵聽祂的聲音；清除你屬靈的眼睛，讓你用心去理解。

進一步研讀：

賽六9～10 他說：「你去告訴這百姓說：你們聽是要聽見，卻不明白；看是要看見，卻不曉得。 要使這百姓心蒙脂油，耳朵發沉，眼睛昏迷；恐怕眼睛看見，耳朵聽見，心裡明白，回轉過來，便得醫治。」

羅一28 他們既然故意不認識神，神就任憑他們存邪僻的心，行那些不合理的事；

Opening Our Ears to Hear

God said to Isaiah: “Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed” (Isa. 6:9–10, NIV).

This type of judgment is articulated by Paul in Romans 1: “Since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done” (v. 28, NIV).

The worst punishment that can befall us is to be given over or abandoned to our sin by God. This anticipates God’s verdict at the final judgment: “Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile” (Rev. 22:11, NIV).

Every time God’s Word is proclaimed it changes all of those within its hearing. No one ever remains unaffected by God’s Word. To those who hear it positively, there is growth in grace. To those who reject it or are indifferent to it, calluses are added to their souls and calcium to their hearts. The eye becomes dimmer and dimmer, the ear heavier and heavier, and the mystery of the kingdom more and more obscure. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Coram Deo

Ask God to open your ears to hear His voice, to clear your spiritual eyes, and to let you understand with your heart.

Passages for Further Study

Isaiah 6:9–10

Romans 1:28