完全靠主？

什麼是恩典？祂本身就夠了嗎？我們常常說:“完全靠主”。但這是什麼意思？是不是讓我們以主賜給我們的恩典領受正義？那為什麼需要恩典？不就是因為我們不能靠自己的意志克服罪而稱義。如果誰能夠克服自身罪惡的本性，那麼耶穌就不需為這一些人死了。但是如果相信完全都依靠耶穌，那就不要看自己。因為只要是恩典賜的，我們就不會失去稱義的一切權柄與祝福，不管我們如何敗壞。 

但為何許多人覺得，如果只分享恩典，人就更會要犯罪，好像拿到了一張做壞事的執照，本來是義人因了恩典就變惡人？這不是神比人對人自己更有信心嗎？也不就表示人對神施給我們祂這麼偉大和完美的犧牲禮物是多麼沒有信仰嗎？難道愛與恩典是沒有力量，而我們非靠法律的管教才不行惡嗎？

除了耶穌沒有人能受到誘惑試探而沒有罪念。也許有人可以一生沒有罪行，但沒有人能夠克服罪性。我們只能靠我們的信仰或耶穌的血稱義。但多少人有亞伯拉罕的信心呢？真信不就是完全的的依賴上帝嗎？不是沒有罪，而是毫無懷疑。做不到這樣，我們只能依靠耶穌的血。他是我們永久的大祭司，只要我們相信他的正義就是我們的正義，我們就站在不動搖的磐石。

如果我們真的要像法利賽人，遵守所有的法律，我們必須超越他們的正義行為才能稱聖。但就算我們做得到，這也是空的，因為律法沒有愛，我們做的也就不屬於愛。愛只能活在恩典，恩典就是神愛的化身。如果我們不認為神的恩典單單足以讓我們稱義得勝（也得聖得榮），而還要自己做事克罪，那就是我們不信神的愛，和耶穌的血，能完全改造我們，憎恨罪且不想犯罪，愛人如愛己。

為什麼有人覺的信心軟弱？是不是因為他不認為我們白白值得恩典，而需要去賺取祂? 一個人只要覺得他應該或必須做什麼事，這就是根據律法的意念，而不是出於被神愛的感動和感激。這樣子教導人也是一樣的。因為上帝的恩典是包容性的，不是排除性的。祂不想要，也不需要我們為祂做任何事情。祂只要我們相信和依靠祂。只要我們做的有一分是覺得必須的，我們總是不確定做的夠不夠達到神的訓誡標準，活的值不值神的聖潔榮耀，而站在不穩定的信仰。 因為這樣就是是看自己，靠自己。如果一個人相信他做得足夠，那麼他也要小心驕傲矇住他的心。

神的使命與道路是有的，但祂想看到的是我們的心完全的屬於祂，依靠祂，信賴祂。祂的愛與恩典是無條件的，我們的領取也必須是無條件的。這樣，我們必更順服，也更有力走祂的路，背祂的十字架。耶穌已經替我們遵守了法律的每 一筆每一劃，也替我們受了全罪的每一鞭懲罰。如今我們不要再有罪惡的意識，因祂的血已經洗清一切污穢。如我們還看自己跟別人有罪，便是輕看了祂愛的犧牲。恩典不是奶，而是神最深奧的意念。法律在前，為恩典鋪路。摩西給予法律，就是死亡的職事。但恩典與真理跟著耶穌一起來，賜給我們永遠的生命，活在神的愛中。 讓我們不要往回走死亡的路。阿們

The limitation of many paths

In light of the recent trend in Jesus Christ as only one of many paths to enlightenment or reaching God, and what Txxx brought up in the meeting of the brothers about people of different faith seemingly receiving revelation from God, I have put in some thoughts on how such an approach actually excludes and distances people from their maker instead of making the way to the divine more reachable.

Txxx crystallized his skepticism about Christianity's exclusive claim of the narrow and straight path to heaven with the accounts of three people: One a Buddhist, another a Christian and the other not of any particular faith. The common denominator underpinning these individuals of different age, gender and faith is that they seem to know when they will die, and prepared for it in a similar way. The conclusion was that to have such revelation it must have been a communication with God (or at least the spiritual world); but such that they do not share the same faith it must be then that God is available to us in at least more than one way.

With such view, the key to salvation or enlightenment is not dependent on which faith one subscribes to, but on ourselves to choose one and walk it. The emphasis then is not on the path, but the diligent journey one makes in terms of all the familiar doctrines of doing good and refraining from evil, and faithfully following the guidance of the general spirit shared by all credible religions of today. How well one walks and how far one reaches in this spiritual journey determines how close he or she is to enlightenment and building up of spiritual credit for heavenly rewards. I am not an expert on this new age religion, but I don't think I am far off with this assessment.

Essentially, the focus is on our own self-effort with religion as a guiding principle or spiritual map. There is true wisdom in this belief and I am certain it is born out of truth as it was in the Old Testament covenant of the Ten Commandants. Just as the new covenant of grace does not abolish the law but to fulfill it, neither does it discredit anyone sincerely and humbly searching for God in pure faith. A familiar argument against Christ as the only way to salvation is to bring up a native growing up on an island never hearing the gospel. After all, the majority of people in the world and through out history never heard of Jesus Christ. Is God not their God, and are they forever condemned to live in hell?

I believe, just as in the days of Abraham, who was not always truthful, there are people of great and pure faith in the one true God, who walks in such close relationship with Him. Noah found favor (grace) with God, Enoch walked with God, and Jabez's prayer was answered by Him. I believe through out the ages until even today, there are people outside of the Christian circle who are close to God in faith -- for He has given each of us an inner voice, a general conscience to know Him. We don't need to hear of Him, He whispers to us...but often is drowned by the cacophony of the world and flesh. And it is true that many non-religious people are even more righteous than an average Christian.

However, of the fortunate few who walks close to God, billions are left in the wilderness. If only the virtuous and faithful can be with God, most of us are doomed. And that is not where God's heart lies. And even the virtuous can never be sure if they are good enough, or if tomorrow they will not be stricken by the serpent. If it is up to our self-effort to reach salvation we are left in a constant flux of pride, uncertainty or shame; arrogance, doubt or despair. The system of this world is Self-effort, where an endless process of disqualification weed out the unworthy, leaving only people with rare talent, prowess and beauty meriting of praise and reward; and it seems God judges us the same if by law and faith, that few is worthy.

(On the surface, it seems an open religion is inclusive by letting in all people; but it is in the journey that many are left behind through degrees of work, understanding and enlightenment. Christianity may first appear to be exclusive by presenting the one and only door; but to open it all one has to do is knock in faith, and no more is required for entry and stay. Hallelujah!)

But a loving God even loves the least lovable. The rejected, the sickly, the filthy, the hateful...thieves, cheaters and murderers. And that is our merciful Father in heaven. "He so loved the world that He sent His one and only son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." What better news can we have but to know that God gave of Himself to save us, and by His shed blood, death and resurrection we are forgiven, healed and have life everlasting? Jesus Christ became the serpent on our behalf, and was hung on the tree of judgment to suffer the punishment we deserve. Just as important, it is now by His faith, not ours, we enter the inner sanctum of God, which veil was torn when he cried, "It is accomplished!' so we can be near Him. No longer do we need to ask, "Am I virtuous enough?" or "Do I have enough faith?" for all we need is to believe that Christ is faithful and pleasing to God, and so we are.

Trust in the Lord that he saves, heals and provides. In Christ we have the living proof of His grace and promise. Abraham had the same trust even without knowing Christ. The first mention of "love" and "worship" appeared in the account of God asking Abraham to sacrifice Issac. It referred to "...your son, your only son, whom you love...," foreshadowing His own sacrifice; but Abraham never expressed doubt in the plan of God, although I can only imaging the anguish he must have felt about to lose his son. He trusted the Lord and presented his son in worship, which is his heart given to the Lord, and the Lord was pleased. And Jesus spoke to him, "Abraham, Abraham, do not touch the lad, for I will offer myself in his place." Whenever a name is mentioned twice, it is Jesus calling in tender endearment. And now that we have Jesus, we don't have to wonder anymore if we need to have the faith of Abraham to enter the gates of heaven. Does He want to keep us out of His kingdom, or is it His deepest desire to bring us under His wings to protect and nurture us? Can there be any doubt left in one's heart when we behold his shattered body nailed on the cross the immensity of His love? He was spared not one ounce of pain, rejection nor deprivation for all his children upon the frail and very human form for He loves you so...and loves me so. Amen

Today, why do we still cling to the notion of earning our way to salvation when Christ Himself have already done the work more perfectly than we can ever hope to accomplish? When Christ said, "Just believe..." why do so many reject it as too simplistic and not fair to the ones "living right?" Isn't it rooted in self-glorification and wanting to earn one's way to the heavenly rewards? But to do so rejects the grace of God, for grace is unearned, unmerited favor from God, and not a bit of credit we can boast in. For those who believes that there are many paths to God, think of the fellow humanity who do not have the opportunity or will to walk those paths as well as the few, how they can be saved? If you are on the path to a merciful God, then it is not so hard to believe that this kindhearted heavenly father will offer Himself as the one and true redemption for every single person that ever walked on this earth -- no qualification required.

And if that is not so hard to believe, then look to Jesus Christ -- for all one can ask of and expect in a loving God, a caring creator, a doting father, can be found on His person and brief walk in human life. For if one thinks about it a little deeper, there is no other way for God to be both just and loving to save His rebellious children from the jaws of death. But since God is a spirit, it must be in spirit that we accept this gift of life, which is all it takes -- just believe.

In Christ,

James

Shadow in the mirror

Dear brothers and sisters:

These thoughts stem from tonight's study on John 13, and the need to keep on confessing sins even in the cleansing by the blood of Jesus on the cross.

There is no shortage of spirited discussions when the subject is about God's words and the Christian walk. Fortunately, one shared living principle is that Christ suffered and died to redeem us from the wages of sin; and the common goal we have is to know the heart of our Lord and to seek His perfect glory. This is important to keep in mind even as we do not agree on every point of the Christian belief.

It can be awkward, and even upsetting to argue over aspects of our faith, much of it I am certain are minor ceremonial, administrative or stylistic variations that do not require serious examination. However, when it comes to the doctrine of grace that is the central theme of the New Testament (and I argue, the entire Bible and the plan of God), and how it works in tandem with laws and commandments to bring us closer to our divine Father, I feel we should not spare time nor effort to reach absolute clarity.

Things would have been so much simpler if we were still living in the pre-Christ era. However we choose to live our lives, we get our just deserts in the end. The key to heaven or hell is held in our own grubby little hands, The law given is the bright mirror we cannot escape. It mercilessly seeks out our every imperfection. The rare ones who consider themselves sanctified through perfect obedience can breathe a sigh of relief, and be smug about their grand accomplishment, while those mired in sin and failure remain hopeless, defeated and angry. There is either a prize or punishment meted out for our every behavior -- choosing life or death at every turn and feeling proud or condemned with each round of self-judgment.

Simple but hopelessly impossible...for no rational and humble person can ever be sure if he has done enough good or keep far enough away from sin. But that is the demand of the just God according to His perfect standard. The law cannot save us, it only condemns. It was given to disqualify and the purpose to bring us to the ends of ourselves.

Thankfully our ever-merciful LORD intercedes on our behalf to redeem us from judgment. Only He can fulfill the law; on the cross, the perfect lamb took our rebellion and gave us His obedience. By His death the blood of the Jesus qualifies all, and His mercy embraces us. His ever gracious heart wants only our resting upon His breast like John on the Passover night, and gazing upon His glorious countenance Like Mary in the house of Martha. It is by the sacrificial offering of Jesus Christ that the just wrath of God towards our sins is exhausted upon His beaten and bloodied body. What remains is only our choosing to believe that Christ alone has done everything for us, and prepared a place of shalom peace and rest on earth and in heaven -- to be claimed when we seek His kingdom and speak of and in His name.

No more is our righteousness based on our thoughts and behavior, but His only. "In Christ" means if He is perfect, we are perfect; if He is glorious, we are glorious. God sees us righteous because the glory of Christ is in us and surrounds us. How can we be in water and not be wet? How can we touch grace and not be cleansed? Can we keep ourselves clean? No! But when we are baptized (having bathed), all we need is to have our feet washed by Christ (understanding of redemption through blood) we are clean once and for all times! In Hebrew, the term "money" is actually made up of the words "silver" and "blood." Silver symbolizes redemption, so our saviour literally paid for our redemption (forgiveness) with His blood. Christ dies once and it is sufficient to save every person in the past and in the future. Similarly, His blood continuously washes our sins away yesterday, today and tomorrow, for He is outside time. John in Revelation saw the freshly slain lamb...Christ is our ever suffering servant, faithfully washing us clean once and countless times.

Why then do we need to elevate our thoughts and behaviors to such importance that it is the most mentioned exhortation to self-examine and repent lest we fall short of the glory of God and forfeit our rewards in heaven? Our sins are endless and, if we are to confess each trespass great and small, we will be spending so much time doing just that and getting more dejected and powerless by the minute. For it is an already foregone conclusion (otherwise one is not a born again and repentant Christian) that we are full of sin and can't help from sinning. And we will not keep from sinning by acknowledging/confessing it, but only through the love of Christ we see and feel more and more that we are transformed from the heart that sin no more has dominion over us. For where sin abounds, grace abounds much more!

Instead of writing the laws on the stone tablets of our brains (left and right hemispheres), God wants to write it on our hearts through loving Christ, which means we don't have to think about it anymore, but it becomes a natural part of our being where we wouldn't even know how to sin for the holy spirit so fills our entire being. If we acknowledge that only Christ alone can cleanse us and transform us, why even go through the motion of self-examination? Shouldn't we have faith enough that once we invite Him into our hearts, and our eyes are fixed upon His glory, that he can and will do the work to turn us away from sin? Grace has shattered the cold and impersonal mirror that is the law, and replaced it with the warmth of God's smiling face. Don't pick up the pieces of shards of broken glass that only cuts and distorts and ultimately is only a shadow...for to dust we return, but behold the perfect, real and eternal glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, and never look away.

For an unbeliever, the stone (law) should not be rolled away, for it reveals only the stink of dead flesh; however, once reborn, we are alive and radiant, but trapped if the law is constantly on our minds. Before Lazarus can come forth, the stone must first be rolled away. Trust that Jesus has transformed us, and not be like Martha who is busy caring of this world, but does not see the power of Christ to work miracles although she confesses it. 

I agree that if one is not aware of and despise his dark nature, he will not turn to the light. But like redemption, repentance, if genuine, once is sufficient. After all, Christ meant it as a changing of mind (in Hebrew, turn to grace), and not to beat ourselves up every time we trip. "Justification by faith" as Martin Luther proclaimed in the Reformation age, is to release us from the dogmatic formality of Catholic confessions and the practice of "indulgence" or buying redemption with money. Today, isn't it our belief that Christ alone is our justification and propitiation? If there is anything to gain by confessing our sins, to earn (buy) forgiveness or future rewards, then Christ is not given full glory. Instead, our sensitivity to sin should only be a natural extension of the spiritual growth gained by hearing the words of God and experiencing the full measure of His love in everything about Him.

If a person loves cleanliness, she (mostly women because they were not made from dirt!) does not need to be constantly reminded to make sure to wipe dirt off her person for she naturally cannot stand it. Similarly, a Christian full of the love of Christ naturally disdains sin and even in sin has the faith and comfort that Christ has washed it clean, is the strength to fight it, and her standing in Christ will never be compromised. Isn't this where we can truly find peace and rest, and not having a yardstick to constantly measure ourselves -- but especially measuring others -- of living up to and/or falling short of a phantom standard. Jesus Christ is our gold standard, and we can never live up to it, so stop trying and expecting. Instead, let his spirit lead us completely. We are then perfect even imperfect, and the Lord is glorified in our falling short.

Let us be alive in Christ, and be dead to the bondage of law.

James

Love letter rom the Father

Dear Lxxx:

Thank you so much for sharing this love letter from our Heavenly Father. Everyday we need to feel anew the great love He has for us so our love for Him grows and flows out of our hearts. We love Him for He first loved us is such an important revelation, as well as the understanding that he who is forgiven much, loves much.

Loving the LORD is the essence of law, but being loved by the LORD is pure grace; how we love Him is not nearly as precious as why we love Him, and the good fruits of faith, peace, joy and obedience naturally spring forth when we are immersed in the sweet sweet nectar that is His complete and sacrificial love.

How great is your love for us, LORD? It can only be measured by how much you love your son Jesus Christ. He was with you in the beginning, and is with you in the end; He is your beloved son, in whom you are well pleased. Yet it pleases you to crush Him in judgment and punishment in order to save us from the wages of sin, and hang Him on the tree to die for us, receiving all the pain and suffering to spare us from Hell's fury. Great is sacrifice of self, but greater is the offering of your only begotten child, without blemish, to be the propitiation for a sinner like me. How great is that love for us the price you paid to take away our pain and dry our tears? What more can we do to deserve salvation but to receive with grateful hearts and open arms all you have given us, and can't help but to love you back with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind and all our strength! Amen

James


將不同經文組合成一封信，說來很容易，但其實並不簡單，這封信是天父寫給所有兒女的情書，讀的時候，你會感受到前所未有的震撼力，雖然對大部份的經文都不陌生。天父真的很愛你,即使你未曾出生,祂已愛了你
為你寫下祂對你的情書,請細心看每一個字,求父在當中向你說話.
天父給你的信

我的孩子：
你或許不認識我，我卻認識你的一切。詩 139:1
你坐下，你起來，我都曉得，詩139:2
我也深知你一切所行的;詩139:3
就是你的頭髮也都被數過了。太10:29-31
你是照著我的的形像所造的，創1:27
你生活、動作、存留，都在乎我，徒17:28
你也是我所生的。徒17:28
甚至在你尚未成形以先，我已曉得你，耶1:4-5
在創立世界之前，我已揀選了你。弗1:4
你不是個錯誤，你所有的年日都寫在我的冊上，詩139:15-16
我定準你的年歲和所住的疆界，徒17:26
你的受造，是極其奇妙可畏！詩139:14
我在你母腹中塑造你， 詩139:13
領你由母腹中出來。詩71:6
我被不認識我的人所誤傳，約8:41-44
我並非冷漠而憤怒的，乃是完全的愛。約壹4:16
我願在你身上揮霍我的愛，
只因為你是我的孩子，我是你的父親。約壹3:1
我能給予你的，遠超過地上的父親所能給予你的，太 7:11
因為我是完全的父。太5:48
你所領受各樣美善的恩賜，都是從我來的，雅 1:17
因為我是你的供應者，我必供應你需的一切。太6:31-33
我向你所懷的意念是要叫你末後有指望，耶29:11
因為我以永遠的愛愛你。耶31:3
我向你的意念其數比海沙更多，詩139:17-18
我因你歡欣喜樂，番 3:17
我決不停止施恩與你，耶32:40
因你是我的珍貴的產業。出19:5
我全心全意栽培你於此地，耶32:41
我要將偉大奧秘的事指示你，耶 33:3
如果你一心一意尋找我，就必尋見。申4:29
以我為樂，我就把你心裡所求的賜給你，詩37:4
因為是我在你心裏動工，使你心裡能立志行事。Philippians 腓 2:13
我能為你成就一切，遠超過你所求所想的。Ephesians 弗 3:20
我是你最佳的鼓勵者，2 Thessalonians 帖後2:16-17
也是在一切患難中安慰你的父親。2 Corinthians 林後1:3-4
你傷心的時候，我靠近你，Psalm 詩34:18
如同牧人懷抱羊羔，我懷抱你在我胸前，Isaiah 賽 40:11
有一天，我要擦去你一切的眼淚並帶走你在世上的一切苦楚。啟 21:3-4
我是你的父，我愛你如同我愛我的兒子─耶穌一樣，約17:23
因為在耶穌裡，就顯明我對你的愛，約 17:26
祂是神本體的真像，來 1:3
祂來是表明我要幫助你，不是敵對你，羅 8:31
並告訴你：我不追究你的過犯。林後5:18-19
耶穌受死，使你可與我和好，林後5:18-19
祂的死，是我愛你最極致的表達.約壹4:10
我為你捨棄了我所愛的一切，使我或許能得著你的愛。羅8:31-32
你若接受了這份禮物.我的兒子耶穌，你就接受了我。約壹2:23
無論任何事都不能叫我的愛與你隔絕。羅8:38-39
回家吧！讓我為你預備一個天上所見過最大的宴席，路15:7
我一直是父親，也永遠是父親，弗 3:14-15
問題是…，你願意成為我的孩子嗎？約1:12-13
我在等著你。路15:11-32

Our great commission?

Each time the brothers gather on the first Sundays I am stirred by the subject at hand. This morning, we finished up on "The Purpose Driven Life," discussing the commissions a believer is asked to perform by Christ. Mainly, the topic centered on spreading the Gospel and bringing back to the LORD His lost sheep.

I have always been impressed by the genuine love and caring -- often at great personal peril and sacrifice -- exhibited by Christians throughout the ages, how dedicated they are to the missionary work. And the torch continues to be carried on in the churches today that love Christ.

I have also heard in some circles that in accepting Christ Jesus into our hearts we are guarantees salvation; but it is our work (or fruit) from that point forward that determines our ultimate reward upon final judgment.

I feel that such belief when applied to our great calling leads to much stress and deviation from the "rest" Christ sacrificed His life to redeem for us. From the brief group discussion (and other similar conversations), there is a common theme of believers who find themselves struggling with their strength, faith, priority, knowledge and individual gift to do God's work up to a standard they deem worthy of a true disciple.

What I am offering may be controversial, but I believe that when Jesus was brutally beaten, nailed to the cross and died of a most painful death, he paid in full ALL the blessings our heavenly Father has in store for us. Nothing more can we earn by our effort and performance. A lowly person like me who has done nothing of significance has the same standing in Christ as giants of the faith like Paul and Peter, not through the same influence and fruitfulness for which I have none, but by the strength of a simple faith that Christ is my savior. For it is only faith and complete dependence on Him that pleases God, and He is assured that fruits born of faith is the sweetest.

God gave each one of us different gifts and burdens; the only measure of equal is our hearts. One who does the most work is not placed in front of the line of blessing and healing...nor the most eloquent of words, angelic of voice, and so on. When one worships Him, and offers himself or herself to the LORD in the name of Christ, God's embrace is complete and boundless. For that is the only way we acknowledge His sacrifice for us, that not one ounce of our effort is worthy but only He is.

Instead of earning more blessings, the Holy Spirit living in us bears fruits in our being joy, peace and love that are the most fragrant offerings we have for Him. And it is in our love and gratitude that we naturally and insistently want to please Him no matter the obstacle and circumstance. We may keep and compare records over fear or vanity, but God does not but only sees our hearts; so focus on Jesus Christ and His finished work for us on the cross, and not on how much work we need to do for Him.

For the more His love is revealed to us, and how our love for Him is stirred, the more willingness and strength we have to offer our time, effort and resources to follow His great commission!

James