2019-02-21


接受我們的使命Embracing Our Mission

[每日靈修] 2/18/2019,  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,我們渴望改造文化、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。真相是:就在此刻,耶穌是萬王之王。這個世界如今是在祂的統治之下;我們是基督國度的公民。這個確信是我們無法妥協的,也是無可退縮的。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):
你是神國的一份子嗎?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