讀經:提多書第三章。
默想:「祂便救了我們,並不是因我們自己所行的義,乃是照祂的憐憫,藉著重生的洗和聖靈的更新。」(多3:5)
默想一:主耶穌為什麼拯救我們?是我們為祂做了什麼嗎?不是!是因為我們可愛嗎?不是!不是因我們有什麼好,乃是因祂的憐憫及豐富的恩典(弗2:8-9)。從客觀的真理而言,若有人在基督裏,他就是新造的人(林後5:17)。救恩是神的賜與,沒有人能靠自己的行為賺取救恩。但從主觀的經歷而言,我們信了主,就要順從聖靈的引導,藉著祂持續地在我們的生命中作更新的工作。
默想二: 基督徒身處世界,但怎麽又不屬這世界?我們是天國的子民,我們作神兒女的身分不屬於這個世界。雖然我們不屬於世界,我們卻不是消極的出世者,而是積極的入世者;我們不是逃避這世界,而是要面對這世界。基督徒的使命不是要改進這世界,而是領人從世界得救出來。我們在世上有很尊貴的身分,但同時有重大的使命,就是傳福音領人歸主。
禱告:天父上帝,感謝袮豐富的憐憫。我的蒙恩根本就沒什麼可誇。求袮幫助我,讓我存感恩的心,我願善用袮賜給我的光陰,敬虔度日,珍惜每日的生活來見證袮的偉大並且傳揚袮的救恩,至終的目的是榮耀袮的名。奉耶穌基督寶貴的名禱告,阿們!
Insight: Titus 3.
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Tit 3:5)
Insight one: Why did the Lord Jesus want to save us? Is it because we have accomplished something for Him? No! Is it because we are lovable? No! It is not because we are any better, but because of His mercy and the riches of the grace (Eph 2:8-9). From an objective perspective of the truth, if someone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2Co 5:17). Salvation is God’s gift, and no one can earn the salvation by one’s own deeds. But out of a subjective experience, after we have believed in the Lord, we then should obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit and through Him, our lives will continue to renew.
Insight two: Although Christians are in this world, yet why do they not belong to this world? We are citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Our identities as children of God are not part of this world. Although we do not belong to this world, yet we proactively face the world and not passively evade this world. The Christians’ mission is not to improve this world, but to lead and save people out of this world. We have an honorable status in this world, and at the same time have borne a great mission, which is to preach the gospel and to lead people to the Lord.
Prayer: God heavenly Father, thank You for the riches of Your mercy. There is nothing to boast about my receiving of Your grace. Please help me and let me be grateful. I will make good use of the time given to me and live a godly life, cherish every moment to witness Your greatness, preach Your salvation. The ultimate purpose is to glorify Your Holy Name. I pray in the precious name of Jesus Christ, Amen!