雅各在书信的一开始就谈论受苦和试炼的问题，似乎任何一个时代的信徒都面对这个困扰，我们今天也不例外。但雅各的教导却出人意表，他说：我们能够为主受苦，是我们的荣幸，所以应当喜乐。然而，我们怎么可能在苦难中喜乐呢？秘诀在于相信神让我们受苦，必定有神的心意，而神的心意一定是为了我们的益处。但受苦有何益处呢？

首先，我们的信心经过苦难的考验，会变得坚定和成熟，以致结出更多圣灵的果子，例如忍耐和恩慈。我们必须相信，临到我们身上的任何试炼和考验，都得到神的允许，为的是使我们在灵命上得以成长和进步。

你还是很难明白苦难的意义吗？那么，请再读第5节一遍。雅各的意思是说：「求神赐你智慧，让你明白神的计划和心意。只要你向祂祈求，祂必应允赐予你。不过，切记要持定信心，不要怀疑神的爱，或怀疑神不会应允你。神是你的父，你是祂的儿女，祂当然不会不理你！」

你不明白神的心意吗？为何不求神赐你智慧去认识祂的心意呢？神是信实的，祂必然兑现祂的应许。

Day 21

CHRISTIAN FAITH IN ACTION

James 1: 1-8

1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Message

One book in the New Testament that is not often studied is the short epistle by James. Yet these five chapters have a challenging message for Christian today.

Some Christians talk about love, but cannot get along with other Christians. They need to read the book of James. Some talk about holiness, but do not live holy lives. They too need to read the epistle. Some talk about other Christians in ways that are not Christlike. They ought to read what James has written. Every Christian needs to study this little book.

James was the brother of Jesus. He became a real believer in Christ after the resurrection. He was well respected by the whole church and was a great man of prayer. We are told he had the nickname 'Camel-knees' because he spent too much time kneeling in prayer.

The first subject James deals with is the fact of suffering and trial. That sounds rather up-to-date, doesn't it? What does James say? It is a privilege to suffer for Christ's sake. But how can we benefit from suffering? By looking for God's purposes in it.

First of all, suffering will help our faith to grow and help produce more of the fruit of the Spirit. We should realise that the temptations and testings which come to us are allowed by God for our good and for our spiritual growth.

Is it hard for you to see this? Then read verse 5 again. James is saying to us 'Ask God for wisdom to enable you to see the plans and purposes of God. He will give you what you ask for, but remember to do it in strong faith. Don't doubt God's love or his willingness to answer you. God is your Father and you are his child!'

Why not ask God for his help now to enable you to see more clearly what his plan for your life is today?

返回天天天言

第21天

信而后行

粵語

國語

英語

雅各书一章1至8节

1作神和主耶稣基督仆人的雅各请散住十二个支派之人的安。

2我的弟兄们，你们落在百般试炼中，都要以为大喜乐；

3因为知道你们的信心经过试验，就生忍耐。

4但忍耐也当成功，使你们成全、完备，毫无缺欠。

5你们中间若有缺少智慧的，应当求那厚赐与众人、也不斥责人的神，主就必赐给他。

6只要凭着信心求，一点不疑惑；因为那疑惑的人，就像海中的波浪，被风吹动翻腾。

7这样的人不要想从主那里得甚么。

8心怀二意的人，在他一切所行的路上都没有定见。

信息分享

雅各书虽然篇幅短小，容易被信徒忽略，但它的信息却对今天的信徒带来极大的挑战。