九月八日 [mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/09/0908.mp3″]
经文: 祂向我们这信的人所显的能力，是何等浩大，就是照祂在基督身上所运行的大能大力，使祂从死里复活。（以弗所书一：19～20）
有人以为悔改是藉人的自由意志就能达到，因他性情之改善就能产生。我们当如何说呢？我们若能见到死人靠他们自己的力量从坟墓中复活过来，那么我们就能期望不敬虔的罪人能因他们的自由意志转向基督。这不是圣经的教导，我们也不能从圣经中读到这样的话。所有赐生命的大能都是从圣灵而来。所有士兵和所有大祭司都无法将基督的身体留在墓穴中。死亡本身不能捆绑耶稣。同样不可抗拒的大能也显明在信徒身上，使他复活的生命有新的样式。没有任何罪孽、腐败、阴间的恶魔、或世上的罪人能停止上帝恩典的手去使人悔改。使基督从死里复活的能力是荣耀的。它反映了上帝的尊荣，使邪恶之众丧胆。因此，每一罪人悔改都要归大荣耀于上帝。这复活的能力也是永恒的大能。“基督既从死里复活，就不再死，死也不再作祂的主了。”（罗六：9）因此，我们这些从死里复活的人，不再返回死亡的工作或返回我们过去的腐败，却要活在上帝里面。“因为你们已经死了，你们的生命与基督一同藏在上帝里面。”（西三：3）“叫我们一举一动有新生的样式，像基督藉着父的荣耀，从死里复活一样。”（罗六：4）使我们的头复活的能力，也照样运行在肢体的生命中。能与基督一同复活过来，是何等大的福气啊！
Evening, September 8
Scripture: “The exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead.”(Ephesians 1:19, 20)
In the resurrection of Christ, as in our salvation, there was put forth nothing short of a divine power. What shall we say of those who think that conversion is wrought by the free will of man, and is due to his own betterness of disposition? When we shall see the dead rise from the grave by their own power, then may we expect to see ungodly sinners of their own free will turning to Christ. It is not the word preached, nor the word read in itself; all quickening power proceeds from the Holy Ghost. This power was irresistible. All the soldiers and the high priests could not keep the body of Christ in the tomb; Death himself could not hold Jesus in his bonds: even thus irresistible is the power put forth in the believer when he is raised to newness of life. No sin, no corruption, no devils in hell nor sinners upon earth, can stay the hand of God’s grace when it intends to convert a man. If God omnipotently says, “Thou shalt,” man shall not say, “I will not.” Observe that the power which raised Christ from the dead was glorious. It reflected honour upon God and wrought dismay in the hosts of evil. So there is great glory to God in the conversion of every sinner. It was everlasting power. “Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” So we, being raised from the dead, go not back to our dead works nor to our old corruptions, but we live unto God. “Because he lives we live also.” “For we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God.” “Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Lastly, in the text mark the union of the new life to Jesus. The same power which raised the Head works life in the members. What a blessing to be quickened together with Christ!