新舊兩約連結-每日靈糧 七月十六日 因著主的恩典和信實永不改變，我們憑信心過活，來經歷神， 絕不可憑自己的才能成就，而自傲！ （大衛上行之詩。）耶和華啊，我的心不狂傲，我的眼不高大；重大和測不透的事，我也不敢行。我的心平穩安靜，好像斷過奶的孩子在他母親的懷中；我的心在我裡面真像斷過奶的孩子。以色列啊，你當仰望耶和華，從今時直到永遠！（詩篇 131:1 ～3） 13 你們為主的緣故，要順服人的一切制度，或是在上的君王，14 或是君王所派罰惡賞善的臣宰。15 因為神的旨意原是要你們行善，可以堵住那糊塗無知人的口。16 你們雖是自由的，卻不可藉著自由遮蓋惡毒，（或作：陰毒）總要作神的僕人。17 務要尊敬眾人，親愛教中的弟兄，敬畏神，尊敬君王。18 你們作僕人的，凡事要存敬畏的心順服主人；不但順服那善良溫和的，就是那乖僻的也要順服。19 倘若人為叫良心對得住神，就忍受冤屈的苦楚，這是可喜愛的。 20 你們若因犯罪受責打，能忍耐，有什麼可誇的呢？但你們若因行善受苦，能忍耐，這在神看是可喜愛的。21 你們蒙召原是為此；因基督也為你們受過苦，給你們留下榜樣，叫你們跟隨他的腳蹤行。22 他並沒有犯罪，口裡也沒有詭詐。 23 他被罵不還口；受害不說威嚇的話，只將自己交託那按公義審判人的主。(彼得前書 2:13~23) July 16: Jack-in-the-Box Pride 1 Peter 2:13–25; Psalm 130:1–131:3 It’s dangerous to become too confident in the maturity of our own faith. Our pride is like the spring of a jack-in-the-box: Just when we think it’s broken or that we’ve gotten the lid on tight, it springs back to life. It rears its ugly head, bobbing around like a circus fool. It’s so easy to get caught up in our own achievements—even when it comes to faith. We can grow in knowledge and then look down on others who still need to grow. The psalmist of Psa 131 presents the solution with a sure, succinct declaration. He fully submits to God’s order. He doesn’t wrestle with the things that don’t make sense—he is able to place these in God’s hand. His inner peace comes from total trust in God: “My heart is not haughty nor my eyes arrogant, And I do not concern myself with things too great and difficult for me. Rather I have soothed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother, like the weaned child is my soul with me” (Psa 131:1–2). Maturity of faith is found in childlike trust—trust that sees ourselves as small and God as mighty. Peter also speaks about peace that is a result of having faith that submits to God. Submission allows us to act wisely in a situation, all “for the sake of the Lord” (1 Pet 2:13). Doing good will silence the ignorant (1 Pet 2:15), and if we do good while enduring the mistreatment of others, God will show us His favor (1 Pet 2:20). Ultimately, it’s Christ who serves as the example of submission. Even while suffering and enduring abuse, Jesus “did not commit sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth” (1 Pet 2:22). Instead, He “entrusted himself to the one who judges justly” (1 Pet 2:23). Jesus’ act of redemption should be the focus of all our actions. While pride is rebellion against Him, forgiveness and grace through Christ are enough to drive us to the end of ourselves and send us into the haven of God’s love. His sacrifice eliminates the need to be prideful and self-seeking. It quiets our souls. How are you turning to Christ’s sacrifice in moments of pride? REBECCA KRUYSWIJK Barry, J. D., & Kruyswijk, R. (2012). Connect the Testaments: A Daily Devotional. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:59:38 +0000
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