2019-01-15


恢復我們的關係Restoring Our Relationship

[每日靈修] 1/15/2019,  駱鴻銘編譯

未重生的人總是被描述為處於疏離和敵意的狀態。這是使「和好」成為必要的光景。只有當兩方或多方之間存在疏遠狀態時,才需要和好。失和是我們與上帝關係的天然墮落狀態。

我們如何是上帝的敵人呢? 愛德華茲(Jonathan Edwards)提供了有關這個問題的深刻見解。他列舉了上帝與人之間的幾點緊張關係:

1.從本質上講,我們把上帝看得很低。我們認為祂不配得我們的愛或敬畏。
2. 我們寧可與上帝保持距離。我們沒有天然的傾向,想要在禱告中尋求祂的同在。
3. 我們的意志反對上帝的律法。我們不是祂主權統治的忠誠臣民。
4. 在我們的感情中,我們是反對上帝的敵人。我們的靈魂懷著反對上帝的惡意種子。我們很容易就會褻瀆祂,並憤怒地反對他。
5. 我們在生活實踐上是仇敵。我們行事為人的方式與祂相反。

活在神的面光中(在神面前禱告):
請根據愛德華茲在上帝與人之間的五點緊張關係,檢查你的屬靈狀況。

進一步研讀:
弗二12 那時,你們與基督無關,在以色列國民以外,在所應許的諸約上是局外人,並且活在世上沒有指望,沒有神。
弗二1416 因他使我們和睦(原文作因他是我們的和睦),將兩下合而為一,拆毀了中間隔斷的牆; 而且以自己的身體廢掉冤仇,就是那記在律法上的規條,為要將兩下藉著自己造成一個新人,如此便成就了和睦。既在十字架上滅了冤仇,便藉這十字架使兩下歸為一體,與神和好了,
羅五10 因為我們作仇敵的時候,且藉著神兒子的死,得與神和好;既已和好,就更要因他的生得救了。


Restoring Our Relationship

Unregenerate man is consistently described as being in a state of alienation and enmity. This is the condition that makes reconciliation necessary. Reconciliation is necessary only when a state of estrangement exists between two or more parties. Estrangement is the natural fallen state of our relationship to God.

How are we enemies of God? Jonathan Edwards provides an insightful summary of the problem. He lists several points of tension between God and man:

1. By nature, we have a low esteem of God. We count Him unworthy of our love or fear.

2. We prefer to keep a distance from God. We have no natural inclination to seek His presence in prayer.

3. Our wills are opposed to the law of God. We are not loyal subjects of His sovereign rule.

4. We are enemies against God in our affections. Our souls have a seed of malice against God. We are quick to blaspheme and to rage against Him.

5. We are enemies in practice. We walk in a way that is contrary to Him.

Coram Deo
Examine your spiritual condition in light of Edwards’s five points of tension between God and man.

Passages for Further Study
Ephesians 2:12
Ephesians 2:14-16
Romans 5:10