從迷惘到信靠
定點的重要
經文
雅各書一12-25
12忍受試探的人是有福的，因為他經過試驗以後，必得生命的冠冕，這是主應許給那些愛他之人的。
13人被試探，不可說：我是被神試探；因為神不能被惡試探，他也不試探人。
14但各人被試探，乃是被自己的私慾牽引誘惑的。
15私慾既懷了胎，就生出罪來；罪既長成，就生出死來。
16我親愛的弟兄們，不要看錯了。
17各樣美善的恩賜和各樣全備的賞賜都是從上頭來的，從眾光之父那裡降下來的；在他並沒有改變，也沒有轉動的影兒。
18他按自己的旨意，用真道生了我們，叫我們在他所造的萬物中好像初熟的果子。
19我親愛的弟兄們，這是你們所知道的，但你們各人要快快的聽，慢慢的說，慢慢的動怒，
20因為人的怒氣並不成就神的義。
21所以你們要脫去一切的污穢和盈餘的邪惡，存溫柔的心領受那所栽種的道，就是能救你們靈魂的道。
22只是你們要行道，不要單單聽道，自己欺哄自己。
23因為聽道而不行道的，就像人對著鏡子看自己本來的面目，
24看見，走後，隨即忘了他的相貌如何。
25惟有詳細察看那全備、使人自由之律法的，並且時常如此，這人既不是聽了就忘，乃是實在行出來，就在他所行的事上必然得福。
信息分享
過去幾天，我們曾經提到如果想要從迷惘走向信靠，其中一件必須做的事是建立一個處境來思考問題，而這個處境必須是建立在神的本性和品格裡面。
航行的藝術很大程度上倚靠定點的存在。定點可以是一顆星、一個燈塔或者一個海角。定點本身是甚麼並不重要，重要的是它必須穩固和堅實。有了確定的定點，航行者便能夠找到方向，找到自己的路。他們不能從雲找到自己的方向，因為雲會移動，它是蒸氣，會改變，而且會消失。由於有了定點，航行才能進行，而藉著不斷地根據這些定點的指引，海員們才能夠在世界各地航行。
生命的航程也是這樣，我們必須有確定方向的定點。神的屬性就是定點。祂的愛、信實、公義、純潔、聖潔和能力等等都是神本性確立的部分。我們越專注於它們，越明白它們，在生命的海洋中便越能夠安全和可靠地航行。宇宙中很多事物都會改變，但神的屬性和本性卻不會改變。祂以前是誰，現在也是誰；祂現在是誰，以前也是誰。祂以前是誰，現在是誰，將來也是誰──沒有終結。
「祂以前是誰，現在也是誰」
進深研究
來十三1-8；詩一零二27；瑪三6；來一12
1. 我們信心的基礎是甚麼？
2. 詩人的見證是甚麼？
祈禱
天父，求您幫助我掌握今天這些令人興奮的真理。由於您的本性不會改變，您的世界也永不會失敗。我衷心的感謝您。阿們。
From Confusion to Confidence
The importance of fixed points
Bible reading:
James 1:12-25
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. Listening and Doing
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Message
Over these past few days we have been saying that one of the things we must do if we are to move is to establish a context in which to think through our problems - and that context, we said, must be the nature and character of God.
The art of navigation depends to a large extent on the existence of fixed points. The fixed point can be a star, a lighthouse, or a headland; it does not really matter what it is providing it is fixed and solid. Granted the certitude of a fixed point, the navigator can take his bearing and steer his course. He cannot take his bearing from a cloud: it moves - it is vaporous and changing and, in the course of time, disappears. Navigation is possible because of the existence of fixed points, and by constant reference to these points, seamen make their way around the world.
The voyage of life is like that - one must have fixed points from which to take a bearing. The attributes of God are fixed points. His love, faithfulness, justice, purity, holiness and power - to name but a few - are established parts of God's nature. And the more we focus on them and the more we understand them, the more safely and reliably we will make our way across the sea of life. Many things in this universe are subject to change - but not the attributes and nature of God. What He was, He is, and what He is, He was. And what He was and is He ever will be - world without end.
"What He was, He is"
Prayer
O Father, help me to grasp the exciting truth that is implied in the thought before me today, namely, that because Your nature cannot change, Your Word will never fail. I am eternally grateful. Amen.
Further study
Hebrews 13:1-8
Psalm 102:27
Malachi 3:6
Hebrews 1:12
1. What is the foundation of our faith?
2. What was the psalmist's testimony?
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