讀經:約翰三書

默想:「親愛的兄弟啊,不要效法惡,只要效法善。行善的屬於神,行惡的未曾見過神。」(約叁11)

默想一:聖經怎麼說「行善的屬於神」?因為神是一切善的源頭 (太19:17)。 我們是神的兒女,就要活出神的美善。「我們原是祂的工作(神的傑作),在基督耶稣裡造成的,為要叫我們行善,就是神所預備叫我們行的」(弗2:10) 。基督教不是勸人為善的宗教。基督徒的行善,不需要被勸才行,乃因有基督的生命而自然地流露出善行來。基督徒不是靠行善得救,也不能用功德換救恩,乃是因信得救。

默想二:今天的人為什麼看不見神?因世界的神弄瞎了他們的心眼(林後4:4)。許多人行事為人與神的真道悖逆。他們說是認識神,行事卻與神相違背;滿口真理,卻背棄真理。真正認識神的人,就必敬畏神,願效法神的美善,遠離神所憎惡的事。

禱告:天父上帝,袮是至善至潔的神。求袮教導我,在每次面對善惡的選擇時,只順服聖靈的引導。求袮幫助我,讓我的善行不是出於勉強,乃是出於甘心。凡我所做的每一件事,都要效法主的榜樣。奉耶穌基督的名禱告,阿們!

Bible Reading: 3 John.

Insight:  “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” (3Jh 1:11)

Insight one: Why does the Bible say that “who does what is good is from God”? This is because God is the fountain of all good works (Mat 19:17). We are the children of God so we live out the good works of God. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2:10) Christianity is not a religion that persuades people to do what is good. The good works of Christians do not need to be persuaded, but because of the life of Christ, they reveal their good works naturally. Christians are not saved by doing good works, nor can they be saved by deeds. They are saved through their faith.

Insight two: Why can’t today’s people see God? It is because the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.(2Co 4:4) Many people act and behave against God’s truth. They say that they know God, but they transgress the truth of God; although their sayings are filled with truth, yet their deeds break the truth. Those who truly know God must fear God, follow the goodness of God, and stay away from the thing that is an abomination in the sight of God.

Prayer: God heavenly Father, You are the God of perfection. Ask You to teach me to obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit whenever I face the choice of good and evil. Please help me, so that my good works are not because I must, but because I am willing. Everything I do will follow the example of the Lord. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

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