神的旨意──你认识吗？
罗马书八章28至30节
28我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。
29因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法他儿子的模样，使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。
30预先所定下的人又召他们来；所召来的人又称他们为义；所称为义的人又叫他们得荣耀。
信息分享
当逆境临到，我们很难看见它会带给我们任何好处。而神的旨意在此显明，请读第29节，神定意要我们变成祂儿子的形像。我们是否明白这点，或是只是停留在第28节的上半句，却漠视它的下半句？第28节提出神的旨意，但是，要到第29节才把神的旨意说出来。
我们要紧记两点：首先，这几节经文没有应许我们，成了基督徒后，我们便会生活顺遂、事事如意。反之，神会让我们经历各种考验，为的是建立我们，使我们更像基督。
其次，第28节并非如某些人所言的「基督徒宿命论」──比如，「我们的儿子跌断了脚，但不要紧，万事都互相效力。」这绝非经文的意思。「万事互相效力」──效力做甚么？就是要使我们效法神儿子的形像。这跟我们一般的理解不同，对吗？
我们有哪些地方像耶稣呢？当有人做了一些伤害我们的事，或用话语中伤我们，我们还会对他流露基督的爱吗？当失望的事情接踵而来，我们是否仍然信靠神，相信祂会借此叫我们得益，变得更像基督？这就是神的旨意。我们能够信靠祂的话，相信祂能借着各样境况来成就祂的旨意吗？
牢记的经文：「就变成主的形状。」（林后三18）
GOD'S REAL PURPOSE - DO YOU KNOW IT?
Romans 8: 28-30
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified
Message
When adverse circumstances arise, it is hard to see how any good can come from them. Here is where God's purpose comes in. Read verse 29. God's plan is that we might be conformed to the likeness of his Son. Do we realize this or do we stop at the first half of verse 28? Do we ignore the second half? God's purpose is mentioned in verse 28 but it is spelled out for us in verse 29.
There are two points to remember. First, these verses do not promise only happiness and good things to Christians. God allows testing but He wants to use those tests to develop in us more of Christ's character.
Secondly, verse 28 does not mean what has been called “Christian fatalism”. “Our son broke his leg but never mind, all things work together for good.” That is NOT what is meant here. “In all things God works,” doing what? He is seeking to produce more of the likeness of His Son in us. That's a bit different, isn't it?
How much like Jesus are we really? When someone hurts us or speaks against us, how much of Christ's love do we show? When disappointments come, can we still trust in God to turn it to our good and to make us more like Christ? That is what He wants to do. Can we believe His word and trust Him in every situation to work out His will and purpose?
A VERSE TO REMEMBER: “Being transformed into his likeness.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)