从迷惘到信靠
定点的重要
经文
雅各书一12-25
12忍受试探的人是有福的，因为他经过试验以后，必得生命的冠冕，这是主应许给那些爱他之人的。
13人被试探，不可说：我是被神试探；因为神不能被恶试探，他也不试探人。
14但各人被试探，乃是被自己的私欲牵引诱惑的。
15私欲既怀了胎，就生出罪来；罪既长成，就生出死来。
16我亲爱的弟兄们，不要看错了。
17各样美善的恩赐和各样全备的赏赐都是从上头来的，从众光之父那里降下来的；在他并没有改变，也没有转动的影儿。
18他按自己的旨意，用真道生了我们，叫我们在他所造的万物中好像初熟的果子。
19我亲爱的弟兄们，这是你们所知道的，但你们各人要快快的听，慢慢的说，慢慢的动怒，
20因为人的怒气并不成就神的义。
21所以你们要脱去一切的污秽和盈余的邪恶，存温柔的心领受那所栽种的道，就是能救你们灵魂的道。
22只是你们要行道，不要单单听道，自己欺哄自己。
23因为听道而不行道的，就像人对着镜子看自己本来的面目，
24看见，走后，随即忘了他的相貌如何。
25惟有详细察看那全备、使人自由之律法的，并且时常如此，这人既不是听了就忘，乃是实在行出来，就在他所行的事上必然得福。
信息分享
过去几天，我们曾经提到如果想要从迷惘走向信靠，其中一件必须做的事是建立一个处境来思考问题，而这个处境必须是建立在神的本性和品格里面。
航行的艺术很大程度上倚靠定点的存在。定点可以是一颗星、一个灯塔或者一个海角。定点本身是甚么并不重要，重要的是它必须稳固和坚实。有了确定的定点，航行者便能够找到方向，找到自己的路。他们不能从云找到自己的方向，因为云会移动，它是蒸气，会改变，而且会消失。由于有了定点，航行才能进行，而借着不断地根据这些定点的指引，海员们才能够在世界各地航行。
生命的航程也是这样，我们必须有确定方向的定点。神的属性就是定点。祂的爱、信实、公义、纯洁、圣洁和能力等等都是神本性确立的部分。我们越专注于它们，越明白它们，在生命的海洋中便越能够安全和可靠地航行。宇宙中很多事物都会改变，但神的属性和本性却不会改变。祂以前是谁，现在也是谁；祂现在是谁，以前也是谁。祂以前是谁，现在是谁，将来也是谁──没有终结。
「祂以前是谁，现在也是谁」
进深研究
来十三1-8；诗一零二27；玛三6；来一12
1. 我们信心的基础是甚么？
2. 诗人的见证是甚么？
祈祷
天父，求您帮助我掌握今天这些令人兴奋的真理。由于您的本性不会改变，您的世界也永不会失败。我衷心的感谢您。阿们。
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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