讀經:馬太福音19章。

默想經文:「在人這是不能的,在神凡事都能!」(太19:26)

默想一:作好人好事就可以得永生嗎?不能!那從小就去教會又熟悉聖經總算得救吧?不見得!這是耶穌對當時富有的少年官的答覆。保羅說:「我們得救是本乎恩,也因著信。這並不是出於自己,乃是神所賜的;也不是出於行為,免得有人自誇」(弗2:8-9)。世人眼中的好人壞人在神的光中都是罪人,都是需要主寶血來潔淨的人。

默想二:為什麼聖經說財主進天國很難?耶穌不反對基督徒致富,只是要謹慎,免得財富變成我們的神,成為永生的絆腳石。主忠告我們:「你的財寶在哪裡,你的心也在那裡。」(太6:21)若進神的國那麼不容易,那誰可以呢?就是那「靠著那加給我力量的神,凡事都能做。」(腓4:13)。

禱告:感謝神,因祢不僅讓我看到靠自己的努力不能得救,也讓我看見福音本是神的大能,要救一切相信的人。求祢教導我如何專心仰賴祢,不可靠自己的小聰明,在一切所行的事上都認定祢。我相信袮的引導是最完美。奉耶穌基督的聖名禱告。阿們!

Bible Reading: Matthew 19:26

Insight:  “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Mat 19:26)

Insight one: Can a good person with good deeds surely receive eternal life? No! What about going to church from an early age and being familiar with the Bible will be considered as being saved? Not necessarily! This was Jesus’ reply to the wealthy young man at the time. Paul said, ” For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. ” (Eph 2:8-9). The good and the bad in the eyes of the world will all become sinners in the light of God. All of them need to be cleansed through the blood of the Lord.

Insight two: Why does the Bible say that it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven? Jesus did not object to Christians getting rich, but to be careful lest wealth becomes our god and a stumbling block to eternal life. The Lord advises us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mat 6:21). If it is not easy to enter the kingdom of God, then who can? The answer is “by God that strengthens me, all things can be done” (Php 4:13).

Prayer: Thank God, for You not only letting me see that I cannot be saved by my own efforts, but also seeing that the gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. Teach me how to trust in You with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, and in all my ways submit to You. I believe that Your guidance is the most perfect. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

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