六月六日 [mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/06/0606.mp3″]
经文: 他们是以色列人么？我也是。（哥林多后书十一：22）
在此我们所作的个人声明是需要证据的。许多人自称属于以色列的上帝，却没有权利得此称谓。我们若想满有信心宣称：“我也是一个以色列人”，就让我们先在上帝的面前鉴察自己的心，然后才如此说。我们若能从心中说出：“我完全依靠耶稣，我只依靠祂，我单纯地依靠祂，我永远信靠祂。”那我们才能证明自己是跟随祂的。上帝的众圣徒所拥有的地位，可能是以色列中最小的一个，“比众圣徒中最小的还小”（弗三：8），然而，因为上帝的仁慈是属于众圣徒的，我们也可以恳求，说：“他们是以色列人么？我也是。因此，上帝的应许是给我的，祂的恩典也是我的，荣耀也将属我。”当上帝的百姓正为自己属祂而欢欣时，我若能说：“我也是！”将是何等的福气啊！当他谈论被饶恕、称义和被所爱的主接纳时，我也能欢欣地回应：“靠着上帝的恩典，我也能！”可是这一宣告是有条件和义务的。我们必须要与上帝的百姓分担一切，无论在黑暗中或在光明中。当我们听到他们因作基督徒而遭受轻蔑与讥讽时，我们必要勇敢地站出来，并且说：“我也是”。当我们看到他们为基督工作，将他们的时间、才干、整个心都给了耶稣时，我们也能说：“我也能！”让我们像那些宣称有此特权的人一般，愿意接受附带在此特权上的一切责任。
Evening, June 6
Scripture: “Are they Israelites? so am I.”(2 Corinthians 11:22)
We have here A PERSONAL CLAIM , and one that needs proof. The apostle knew that his claim was indisputable, but there are many persons who have no right to the title who yet claim to belong to the Israel of God. If we are with confidence declaring, “So am I also an Israelite,” let us only say it after having searched our heart as in the presence of God. But if we can give proof that we are following Jesus, if we can from the heart say, “I trust him wholly, trust him only, trust him simply, trust him now, and trust him ever,” then the position which the saints of God hold belongs to us－all their enjoyments are our possessions; we may be the very least in Israel, “less than the least of all saints,” yet since the mercies of God belong to the saints AS SAINTS , and not as advanced saints, or well-taught saints, we may put in our plea, and say, “Are they Israelites? so am I; therefore the promises are mine, grace is mine, glory will be mine.” The claim, rightfully made, is one which will yield untold comfort. When God’s people are rejoicing that they are his, what a happiness if they can say, “SO AM I !” When they speak of being pardoned, and justified, and accepted in the Beloved, how joyful to respond, “Through the grace of God, SO AM I .” But this claim not only has its enjoyments and privileges, but also its conditions and duties. We must share with God’s people in cloud as well as in sunshine. When we hear them spoken of with contempt and ridicule for being Christians, we must come boldly forward and say, “So am I.” When we see them working for Christ, giving their time, their talent, their whole heart to Jesus, we must be able to say, “So do I.” O let us prove our gratitude by our devotion, and live as those who, having claimed a privilege, are willing to take the responsibility connected with it.
