八月二十五日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/08/0825.mp3″]
经文: 你若是一心相信就可以。(使徒行传八:37)
这些话可以回答关于你所提出的与基督教教义有关的问题。你或许会:“我害怕受洗。要承认我与基督同死并同葬是如此严肃的事。我不敢自在地到主的桌前,我害怕若不分辨是主的身体,就是吃喝自己的罪。”(参阅林前十一:29)。耶稣赐你自由,不必害怕。若有陌生人来到你家,他将站在门口或在走廊上等待。但是你的孩子在家中感到自由自在。上帝的儿女也是如此。儿女可以闯入之处,陌生人不一定能涉足。当圣灵赐你作儿女的灵时,你可以无所畏惧地进入基督徒的领域中。在基督徒的内在特权上,同样的规则也适用。你以为与不可言喻的欢乐同乐,不能充满荣耀。你以为能蒙准进入基督的门内坐在祂的圣桌之下就已满足了。要知道你能享受的特权不会比最伟大的圣徒少。上帝对祂的儿女不会偏爱。当耶稣进入人心以后,祂签署了在主内有喜乐的通条。在耶稣为王之庭院内不需带上捆锁之链。上帝许可我们得以进入完全特权的步骤可能是逐渐的,但却是肯定的。你可以说:“我愿能享受上帝的应许,遵命而行。”“你若是一心相信就可以。”
Evening, August 25
Scripture: “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.”(Acts 8:37)
These words may answer your scruples, devout reader, concerning the ordinances. Perhaps you say, “I should be afraid to be baptized; it is such a solemn thing to avow myself to be dead with Christ, and buried with him. I should not feel at liberty to come to the Master’s table; I should be afraid of eating and drinking damnation unto myself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” Ah! poor trembler, Jesus has given you liberty, be not afraid. If a stranger came to your house, he would stand at the door, or wait in the hall; he would not dream of intruding unbidden into your parlour-he is not at home: but your child makes himself very free about the house; and so is it with the child of God. A stranger may not intrude where a child may venture. When the Holy Ghost has given you to feel the spirit of adoption, you may come to Christian ordinances without fear. The same rule holds good of the Christian’s inward privileges. You think, poor seeker, that you are not allowed to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; if you are permitted to get inside Christ’s door, or sit at the bottom of his table, you will be well content. Ah! but you shall not have less privileges than the very greatest. God makes no difference in his love to his children. A child is a child to him; he will not make him a hired servant; but he shall feast upon the fatted calf, and shall have the music and the dancing as much as if he had never gone astray. When Jesus comes into the heart, he issues a general licence to be glad in the Lord. No chains are worn in the court of King Jesus. Our admission into full privileges may be gradual, but it is sure. Perhaps our reader is saying, “I wish I could enjoy the promises, and walk at liberty in my Lord’s commands.” “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” Loose the chains of thy neck, O captive daughter, for Jesus makes thee free.