八福
在神的右邊
經文
希伯來書六1-12
1所以,我們應當離開基督道理的開端,竭力進到完全的地步,不必再立根基,就如那懊悔死行,信靠神、
2各樣洗禮、按手之禮、死人復活,以及永遠審判各等教訓。
3神若許我們,我們必如此行。
4論到那些已經蒙了光照、嘗過天恩的滋味、又於聖靈有分,
5並嘗過神善道的滋味、覺悟來世權能的人,
6若是離棄道理,就不能叫他們從新懊悔了。因為他們把神的兒子重釘十字架,明明的羞辱他。
7就如一塊田地,吃過屢次下的雨水,生長菜蔬,合乎耕種的人用,就從神得福;
8若長荊棘和蒺藜,必被廢棄,近於咒詛,結局就是焚燒。
9親愛的弟兄們,我們雖是這樣說,卻深信你們的行為強過這些,而且近乎得救。
10因為神並非不公義,竟忘記你們所作的工和你們為他名所顯的愛心,就是先前伺候聖徒,如今還是伺候。
11我們願你們各人都顯出這樣的殷勤,使你們有滿足的指望,一直到底。
12並且不懈怠,總要效法那些憑信心和忍耐承受應許的人。
信息分享
我們已經明白到,只有在學懂與基督建立密切的關係,留在神的國度裡,我們才能夠經歷真正的歡欣和喜樂。雖然耶穌的教導清楚表明快樂是公義的副產品(公義的意思是變得越來越像基督),但是仍有數以千計的基督徒對這真理只說不做。快樂仍然是他們的目標,公義只是他們的渴望。
讓我再向你闡釋另一個要點,當你與任何沒有經歷過真正快樂的基督徒坐下談話時,你就會發現,他們的內心從來不曾清楚明白耶穌所說的這重要原則:「飢渴慕義的人有福了!因為他們必得飽足。」在透過基督徒輔導尋求幫助的人當中,十之其九都有這種情況。他們尋求輔導時,被問及想體驗甚麼時說:「我想有好的感覺,」或者是「我想感到快樂。」
我並不是批評或譴責這些人,因為我知道自己心裡也有同樣的傾向。每當我因為某些事情掙扎或感到受傷害時,我當時的渴望是除去負面的感覺,恢復我失去的快樂。但是我們嘗試尋找快樂,就好像希望能第一時間熟睡一樣──只要你有意識和熱切地希望能夠把它緊緊抓住,它就不會出現。所以,唯一的辦法是:無論在甚麼境況中,做你需要做的一切去榮耀基督。這樣快樂必定會飄揚──這是肯定的。
「榮耀基督,快樂就會飄揚」
進深研究
腓三1-11;林後十三11;弗四13;西一28
1. 保羅渴望甚麼?
2. 保羅的目標是甚麼?
祈禱
天父,感謝您成為我的愛人、我的救贖主。父啊,您是我心靈的主宰,求您幫助我學習以榮耀基督為人生的目標。奉耶穌的名祈求,阿們。
The Beatitudes
At God's right hand
Bible reading:
Hebrews 6:1-12
1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a] and of faith in God,
2 instruction about cleansing rites,[b] the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And God permitting, we will do so.
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age
6 and who have fallen[c] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.
8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation.
10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.
12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Message
Quietly we are coming to see that it is only as we learn to dwell at God's right hand in fellowship with Christ that we can experience true happiness and joy. Despite the clear teaching of Jesus that happiness is a by-product of righteousness (becoming more and more like Christ), there are still thousands of Christians paying no more than lip service to this truth. Happiness is their goal, righteousness merely their desire.
I am speaking generally when I make this next point, but sit down with any Christian who does not experience true happiness and you will find, deep within that person's heart, that they have never come to a clear understanding of this important principle uttered by Jesus: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." The same condition can be noted in nine out of ten people who seek help through Christian counselling Ask them what they want to experience as they go through counselling, and they say, "I want to feel good", or "I want to feel happy."
I imply no criticism or condemnation of these people, for I know that the same tendency exists in my own heart. Whenever I am struggling or hurting over some issue, my immediate desire is to get rid of the negative feelings and recover my lost happiness. But to try to find happiness is like trying to fall asleep. As long as you consciously and zealously try to grasp it, it fails to come. There is only one way: it is to do whatever you have to do in the situation to glorify Christ. Then happiness inevitably bubbles upward - as it must.
"Glorify Christ and happiness will bubble upward"
Prayer
Father, I am so grateful that, as my Lover and my Redeemer, You corner my soul. Don't let me wriggle and apologise and slip past You. Help me to take my medicine, however bitter to the taste of self it may be. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Further study
Philippians 3:1-11
2 Corinthians 13:11
Ephesians 4:13
Colossians 1:28
1. What was Paul's desire?
2. What was Paul's goal?
本文英文版權屬 CWR 所有,承蒙允准刊載。
背景音樂版權屬 讚美之泉音樂事工 所有,承蒙允准使用。

