9月27日靈修禱文|DEVOTION

John 16:33

Christian faith and other religions are extremely different in nature. The heavenly King Lord Jesus tells us clearly that we will have tribulation on earth. However, the earthly religions claim that they can help people to get prosperous and avoid tribulation. Even among Christians there are wrong teachings, saying "because God loves us, he wants us to lead a healthy, wealthy and successful life; so long as we pray vehemently, our life can/should be without tribulation." This kind of teaching is really attractive, as man by nature would like to lead a smooth and prosperous life; no one would like to befriend with tribulation. But the Son of God came to this world to tell us that the world is full of tribulation because everyone sins. Before we can solve the problem of tribulation, we have to first solve the problem of sin. Because of Lord Jesus' redemption on the cross, we can no longer suffer due to our own sin. Nevertheless, we get his invitation at the same time, that are we willing to suffer for this world which is full of tribulation for the sake of gospel? This is a calling from heaven. It is also a blessing for us, who are created and tiny only. Thank the Lord!

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for humbling yourself to come to this world that was full of sin and tribulation. You gave new meaning and value to tribulation with your life. Sometimes, you reveal everlasting truth with tribulation; sometimes, sculpt our spiritual life with it; manifest corrupt human nature with it; chasten the lost sheep with it; call to your stiff-necked people with it .... Thank for Lord Jesus' promise, that no matter what we are experiencing in this world, as long as we live in you, we can take heart and can have peace, as our Lord has overcome the world. Amen!

Rev. Jun Cai

约翰福音16:33

基督里的信仰和世界上的宗教有着本质的区别，真的是天壤之别。天国的君王主耶稣非常清楚地告诉我们，我们在地上的生活一定会有苦难，然而出于世人心中的宗教宣称能够帮助人趋吉避凶远离苦难，甚至在基督徒的圈子里也有错误的教导，“因为神爱我们，所以祂喜悦我们过健康富足成功的生活，只要我们大力地祷告呼求，我们的生活就可以/应该没有苦难。”这样的教导的确很有吸引力，因为人的本性都喜欢过安逸顺遂的生活，没有人喜欢与苦难作朋友的。但是神的儿子来到世界告诉我们，因为世人都犯了罪，所以这个世界充满苦难，要解决人间苦难的问题，需要先解决人心罪的问题。因为主耶稣的十架代赎，我们可以不再因为自己犯罪而受苦了，但是我们同时收到主耶稣的邀请，为了福音的缘故，为了这个充满苦难的世界，我们是否愿意与主一同受苦？这是来自天上的呼召也是受造渺小之人的福气，感谢主！

亲爱的主耶稣，感谢您屈尊降卑来到这个充满罪恶和苦难的世界，您以生命的代价赋予苦难新的内涵和价值。您有时藉着苦难启示永恒的真理，您有时藉着苦难雕琢属天的生命，您有时藉着苦难显露败坏的人性，您有时藉着苦难管教走迷的羊群，您有时藉着苦难呼唤硬着颈项的百姓……感谢主耶稣的应许，无论我们在这个世界上正经历什么，只要我们活在主耶稣基督里，我们就有平安我们就可以放心，因为我们的主早已得胜身边的世界。阿们！

蔡軍 牧師