《今日靈修默想》:「所以,親愛的,我們有了這些應許,就應該潔淨自己,除去身體和心靈上的一切污穢,存著敬畏神的心,達到成聖的地步。」(林後7:1 新譯本)
默想一:基督徒與世人最大的不同是什麼?基督徒因信主而享有被分別出來的應許—神作我們的父,我們作神的兒女。我們因這獨特的關係、地位和身分,我們在世上必須過分別為聖的生活。聖潔的生活就是我們積極地表達我們對神的認識,祂透過耶穌基督,將我們從罪人中分别出來歸向祂,現在仍藉著聖靈不斷地更新我們,使我們過成聖的生活。
默想二:神要我們成為聖潔的目的是什麼?是要使用我們作祂的見證,而被神使用的先决條件是:「人若自潔,脫離卑賤的事,就必作貴重的器皿,成為聖潔,合乎主用,預備行各樣的善事。」(提後2:21)
禱告:天父上帝,祢是聖潔的神。當袮呼召我時,袮就是要我在一切所行的事上也要聖潔。求袮不斷地塑造我,直到基督成形在我心。我知道自己不能,但我相信「靠著那加給我力量的,凡事都能做」(腓4:13)。奉主耶穌的聖名禱告,阿們!
《Today’s spiritual meditation》: “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” (2Co 7:1 )
Meditation one: What is the utmost difference between a Christian and a worldly person? Christians have the promise to be sanctified through the faith in the Lord – God is our father, we are the children of God. Because of this unique relationship, status, and identity, we must live a holy life in this world. Live a holy life is a definite expression that we know our God, who, through Jesus Christ, has sanctified us from sinners and brought us back to Him. He renews us continuously through the Holy Spirit in order to make us live a holy life.
Meditation two: What is God’s purpose for making us holy? It is to use us as a testimony for Him, and the prerequisite for being used by God is: “Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” (2Ti 2:21)
Prayer: God, Heavenly Father, You are the Holy God. When You called me, You demanded me to be holy in all my deeds. Please mold me constantly until Christ shapes in my heart. I know I am not capable, but I believe that “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Php 4:13). I pray in the holy name of Jesus, Amen!