耶 穌 說 、 父 啊 、 赦 免 他 們 ． 因 為 他 們 所 作 的 、 他 們 不 曉 得 。" 路加: 23:34
如今,我們所作的,說的,我們曉得嗎? 安心，因為耶穌還是說，"父啊，赦免他們。"
他們是誰? 是你? 是我? 是特選的人? 是懺悔的人? ...還是出賣耶穌的,謀殺耶穌的,不信耶穌的,也有份?
Amen
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Garden of Gethesmane
I would like to share something just learned that reveals more the love of Jesus Christ. The word "Gethesmane" in Hebrew means "olive press." In order to extract the precious oil from the olives, it needs to be crushed and pressed to release the essence.
According to Jewish custom, there are three pressings that produce oil for different purposes: The first press is for lighting, the second medicine and third for soap. Our Lord is like the virgin olive, perfect and blameless, harvested at the garden of olive, he being the first fruit of God's love, and first crushed to bring light to our dark world. He is then led to the scourging post where His back was lashed open to bring us healing. Finally, Jesus was nailed to the cross so that all our sins are washed clean.
Throughout the Bible, grain, wine and oil are often mentioned together, each need to be crushed and processed tortuously in order to produce benefit for us. They demonstrate God's great love for us that we are not forgiven temporarily by mere decree, but redeemed completely and made righteous forever by the giving of Himself, is pleased to crush His own arm, and paid every legal demand justice required.
On the cross, Jesus was crushed completely, pressed dry and abandoned by God. He took our every sin upon His bloodied frame and became the condemned serpent. The resurrected life that flowed out is like new oil out of Gethesmane, full of His love that lights our way, heals our body and spirit, and washes clean our soul. He is the tree of life, the fruit of love, given in grace...let us receive in faith and praise. Amen
James
According to Jewish custom, there are three pressings that produce oil for different purposes: The first press is for lighting, the second medicine and third for soap. Our Lord is like the virgin olive, perfect and blameless, harvested at the garden of olive, he being the first fruit of God's love, and first crushed to bring light to our dark world. He is then led to the scourging post where His back was lashed open to bring us healing. Finally, Jesus was nailed to the cross so that all our sins are washed clean.
Throughout the Bible, grain, wine and oil are often mentioned together, each need to be crushed and processed tortuously in order to produce benefit for us. They demonstrate God's great love for us that we are not forgiven temporarily by mere decree, but redeemed completely and made righteous forever by the giving of Himself, is pleased to crush His own arm, and paid every legal demand justice required.
On the cross, Jesus was crushed completely, pressed dry and abandoned by God. He took our every sin upon His bloodied frame and became the condemned serpent. The resurrected life that flowed out is like new oil out of Gethesmane, full of His love that lights our way, heals our body and spirit, and washes clean our soul. He is the tree of life, the fruit of love, given in grace...let us receive in faith and praise. Amen
James
Thursday, March 18, 2010
彼拉多惡不可赦? / 零分基督徒
Hi...
Your response about Pilate included a copied text about two-types of Christian (see below).
雖然作者提了兩種 基督徒 (六十分, 一百分), 他只針對第一種的做警告, 動機如何他解釋的很清楚. 但是他與(我相信)大部份信徒會對那做很多，但總覺不夠的給予同情, 而甚至有一點欽佩他那謙卑努力的精神. 如有忠告，大致就是提醒他神的喜悅而不要太自責. (我不認同, 因一個虧欠的心帶來的不安，會讓信者離神更遠.)
從我對恩典的理解, 這是世俗的看法，而不是神的旨意. 在祂的眼裏, 只要是算分數的都不及格,不管做的再多或為誰而做. 因耶穌在十字架上已經替我們做了全部了, 我們做什麼都數零分. 只要有 "夠或不夠" 的意念就屬要賺取值得神恩典祝福的動機.
神要我們結果的重點不在果子, 而是從結果上來連接著我們的心, 我們的信. 一顆完全死於耶穌新生命的心自然就會結聖果. 被愛充滿的越多就越如耶穌, 因祂活在我們的心, 改造了我們的心. 真心的感受到那無瑕疵的全愛，就不再憂心做多做少, 夠或不夠, 因他心中只有耶穌毫無自我, 就充滿而流出耶穌的淚耶穌的血, 造福他人, 榮耀神.
如此, 讓我們只仰慕著耶穌而不再衡量自己或他人, 因為只有祂認識我們的心. 而心果不在於我們的認真努力, 乃是在信. 然這信仰的能源並不在我們的盡心、盡性、盡力、盡意愛神, 而是隨時被感動耶穌在十字架上，最真情流露出神對祂兒女盡心、
James
------------------------------
Your response about Pilate included a copied text about two-types of Christian (see below).
雖然作者提了兩種 基督徒 (六十分, 一百分), 他只針對第一種的做警告, 動機如何他解釋的很清楚. 但是他與(我相信)大部份信徒會對那做很多，但總覺不夠的給予同情, 而甚至有一點欽佩他那謙卑努力的精神. 如有忠告，大致就是提醒他神的喜悅而不要太自責. (我不認同, 因一個虧欠的心帶來的不安，會讓信者離神更遠.)
從我對恩典的理解, 這是世俗的看法，而不是神的旨意. 在祂的眼裏, 只要是算分數的都不及格,不管做的再多或為誰而做. 因耶穌在十字架上已經替我們做了全部了, 我們做什麼都數零分. 只要有 "夠或不夠" 的意念就屬要賺取值得神恩典祝福的動機.
神要我們結果的重點不在果子, 而是從結果上來連接著我們的心, 我們的信. 一顆完全死於耶穌新生命的心自然就會結聖果. 被愛充滿的越多就越如耶穌, 因祂活在我們的心, 改造了我們的心. 真心的感受到那無瑕疵的全愛，就不再憂心做多做少, 夠或不夠, 因他心中只有耶穌毫無自我, 就充滿而流出耶穌的淚耶穌的血, 造福他人, 榮耀神.
如此, 讓我們只仰慕著耶穌而不再衡量自己或他人, 因為只有祂認識我們的心. 而心果不在於我們的認真努力, 乃是在信. 然這信仰的能源並不在我們的盡心、盡性、盡力、盡意愛神, 而是隨時被感動耶穌在十字架上，最真情流露出神對祂兒女盡心、
James
------------------------------
在繼續講彼拉多之前，我要先提兩種人。
不管是觀察自己，還是觀察別人，我們都很容易發現這兩種情形：
1. 六十分基督徒（明明做得很不夠，卻以為自己已經非常盡本分了）
這種人，明明就做得很差、很多責任都沒認真盡、事情都沒認真做，偏偏卻自我形象良好，標準非常低， 動輒就認為自己做事就算沒一百分起碼也有九十分， 認為自己已經非常盡本分，只是別人要求太高而已。
對他們而言，六十分就算不是完美，也是非常足以令人滿意。
在他們心中，別人眼中的六十分，已經是他們自己眼中一百分的感覺。
他們永遠是樂天派，天天都過得很快樂，反正永遠都覺得自己做得很夠很好。
而事實上，抱持這種心態的基督徒，他們真正的行為常常更慘，常常是連六十分都沒有，只有二三十分而已。
2. 一百分基督徒（明明已經做得很好，但卻一直有做不好的罪惡感）
這種人剛好和第一種相反，這類基督徒是完美主義者，做事絕對很認真很努力，標準也絕對用很高的標準來要求。
即使已經做到別人眼中的九十幾分了，事實上，可能也確實做到上帝眼中的九十幾分了，但是，他們不僅不滿意， 而且還非常有罪惡感，覺得自己沒做到一百分，就是不夠好， 會讓上帝生氣。
對這些人而言，別人眼中的九十分，卻是他們自己眼中的不及格。
他們永遠都是悲觀派，天天都活在恐懼裡，永遠都怕自己因為差那一分，就惹上帝生氣，甚至被上帝丟掉。
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
彼拉多惡不可赦?
在查 email 的時候看到(下面)形容彼拉多的下場, 非常的悲慘. 被解說成他判死耶穌的報應, 好像罪有應得, 如果不是這樣子就沒有公義. 我覺得這想法有一點不符合恩典福音的精神. 耶穌受難重點不在祂被 "害死" 而是祂願意和選擇放下生命, 替我們而受罪的懲罰. 這罪的死刑也是由罪的血手執出; 不是猶大, 該亞法或彼拉多, 就是你, 是我, 是每一個充滿罪惡的人. 如 "害" 耶穌就受永遠翻不了身的悲慘後果, 那耶穌的死是為了什麼?
耶穌在十字架上説, "父啊, 赦免他們, 因為他們不知道他們做什麼." 被害的無罪羔羊都赦免了他們, 為什麼同罪的我們不能? 只有罪人才可以蒙受恩典, 難道彼拉多不值得這誰也賺取不到的禮物嗎? 我們有那一點比他好? 在他的立場上確定我們的選擇絕對是公義的嗎?
彼拉多的故事不是神的懲罰, 因他的罪也被洗清了. 他的悲哀就是沒有感受到神無條件的愛, 赦免他的恩典. 讓我們在人生最黑暗的時候, 相信解救的晨曦必來, 公義的陽光必帶著醫治在祂聖潔的翅膀上! 阿門
James
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
判耶穌死刑的人是本丟·彼拉多（Pontius Pilate又譯為般雀·比拉多），他於西元26至36年間擔任羅馬帝國派駐猶太行省的總督。
彼拉多在此之前也是知道耶穌之名的，他的獨子彼羅一條 腿癱瘓且枯乾，又染上怪病臥床不起，所有的醫生都沒辦法，後來卻被耶穌用神力治好了。
從世間角度上說，耶穌之死，一是死於叛徒猶大的出賣； 二是死於當時因嫉恨發狂的猶太祭司和長老們，以及被他們影響，煽動的希律和民眾們；三是死於彼拉多因私心、膽怯和懦弱而對邪惡的順從。彼拉多在這件事上是絕對有罪的，彼拉多也因此留下了永 久的污名。
那麼彼拉多又遭到了什麼樣的報應呢？當彼拉多宣判完耶穌的死刑，他那曾被耶穌治好絕症救了 性命的獨子彼羅，就仆倒在地，當即死了，彼拉多不久就發燒病倒了，昏迷很久而不省人事。然而這只是報應的開始。
不久，希律王違背諾言，在羅馬皇帝面前排斥彼拉多而推 薦自己的親信，委派到耶路撒冷。彼拉多被召回羅馬敘職，在羅馬國會上因為有人做假證陷 害他，因此受到審判和處分，被判流放高盧，彼拉多的升官夢徹徹底底的破滅了。這一來彼拉多名譽掃地，眾叛親離。他在羅馬的田產，也充了公，最後竟然落得身無分文，過 著奴僕一樣的生活。到了流放地後，所有人都譏諷他，即使是小孩子都避開他。
羅馬皇帝的忿怒並未平息，不久又下令賜死他。彼拉多在聽到消息後，在絕望與瘋狂中自焚身亡。他的屍體連同巨石一同捆綁丟入河裡，雖然綁著石頭，卻 沉不下去，依舊在河面上漂浮，讓魚群吞噬。
耶穌在十字架上説, "父啊, 赦免他們, 因為他們不知道他們做什麼." 被害的無罪羔羊都赦免了他們, 為什麼同罪的我們不能? 只有罪人才可以蒙受恩典, 難道彼拉多不值得這誰也賺取不到的禮物嗎? 我們有那一點比他好? 在他的立場上確定我們的選擇絕對是公義的嗎?
彼拉多的故事不是神的懲罰, 因他的罪也被洗清了. 他的悲哀就是沒有感受到神無條件的愛, 赦免他的恩典. 讓我們在人生最黑暗的時候, 相信解救的晨曦必來, 公義的陽光必帶著醫治在祂聖潔的翅膀上! 阿門
James
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
判耶穌死刑的人是本丟·彼拉多（Pontius Pilate又譯為般雀·比拉多），他於西元26至36年間擔任羅馬帝國派駐猶太行省的總督。
彼拉多在此之前也是知道耶穌之名的，他的獨子彼羅一條 腿癱瘓且枯乾，又染上怪病臥床不起，所有的醫生都沒辦法，後來卻被耶穌用神力治好了。
從世間角度上說，耶穌之死，一是死於叛徒猶大的出賣； 二是死於當時因嫉恨發狂的猶太祭司和長老們，以及被他們影響，煽動的希律和民眾們；三是死於彼拉多因私心、膽怯和懦弱而對邪惡的順從。彼拉多在這件事上是絕對有罪的，彼拉多也因此留下了永 久的污名。
那麼彼拉多又遭到了什麼樣的報應呢？當彼拉多宣判完耶穌的死刑，他那曾被耶穌治好絕症救了 性命的獨子彼羅，就仆倒在地，當即死了，彼拉多不久就發燒病倒了，昏迷很久而不省人事。然而這只是報應的開始。
不久，希律王違背諾言，在羅馬皇帝面前排斥彼拉多而推 薦自己的親信，委派到耶路撒冷。彼拉多被召回羅馬敘職，在羅馬國會上因為有人做假證陷 害他，因此受到審判和處分，被判流放高盧，彼拉多的升官夢徹徹底底的破滅了。這一來彼拉多名譽掃地，眾叛親離。他在羅馬的田產，也充了公，最後竟然落得身無分文，過 著奴僕一樣的生活。到了流放地後，所有人都譏諷他，即使是小孩子都避開他。
羅馬皇帝的忿怒並未平息，不久又下令賜死他。彼拉多在聽到消息後，在絕望與瘋狂中自焚身亡。他的屍體連同巨石一同捆綁丟入河裡，雖然綁著石頭，卻 沉不下去，依舊在河面上漂浮，讓魚群吞噬。
Friday, February 12, 2010
Friday night testimony
Not sure what the ultimate purpose of a testimony is. Is it to glorify God for coming to our aid, healing us and manifest in near-miraculous interventions?
Is it a witness to His power and love when we experience it in our lives? If so, what about all those times when our prayer seems unanswered? Do we have testimonies in moments of unfulfilled expectations?
I suppose every moment, good or bad, can be a testimony of our heart and our faith. On how He is alive in us no matter the circumstances. That we are grateful in moments of favor, but also with praise when in trial.
Some of the most powerful testimonies of our faith (and His faith) is during the darkest hours, and how we cling to his faithfulness not to forsake us, but will lift us up. That in moments of great loss He will restore to us sevenfolds.
Tonight I don't want to talk about all the goodness God had bestowed upon my life, although there have been so much. The greatest personal miracle in my life has already been demonstrated in His forgiving love, lifting the lamp searching the distance for my return, and unconditionally accepting this great sinner back into his bosom as a righteous son.
And that is the subject of my testimony tonight -- sin.
Brothers and sisters in my fellowship all know that I don't like to talk about sin -- especially the verb form in thoughts and behavior because it had already been judged and punished on the cross and on the body of Jesus Christ. All I seem to talk about is God's infinite grace, and how it can transform a sinner completely from the inside, from the heart.
But without the reality of sin there is no need for grace.
Even before I came back to the Lord, sin (and the concepts of good and evil) has always been heavy on my mind. Unlike many new believers who testify that they previously thought of themselves as pretty decent people, I was fully aware of my sinful nature.
Even without God personally guiding my life, there was an instinctual struggle between my desire of the flesh and yearning for purity and holiness. I detested so much of my finding enjoyment in many worldly pleasures, and a voice haunts me whenever I resolve to be good and do right.
Truly as Paul said in Romans 7:19, "For the good that I will [to do], I do not do; but the evil I will not [to do], that I practice." That was me, a walking contradiction. And it was because this self-perceived weakness and sinfulness that I kept hiding from His bright light -- as Adam did when He did not obey God's words.
Thought I always felt the presence of God, I escaped to philosophy to find justification and meaning for my life, and the ever-present contradiction. I struggled through intellectual pursuit to make sense of my existence. As a few of the brothers are studying now on the "meaning of a Christian life" from the book, and trying to find purpose beyond just a rat race.
Looking back, I found that with all the fancy intellectual arguments and logic, no matter which branch of philosophy, whether on premise of man is good or evil, pragmatic or idealistic, altruistic or selfish, self-aggrandizing or denying..., they all fall short on account of two factors: the limitation of self and death.
What produces meaning is relationships or identity, and what validates meaning is continuity. There is purpose in our worldly relationships, but the ultimate meaning of our existence must come from a relationship with a greater being that is also intimate. What validates our existence as valuable and purposeful is an eternal life.
Without these two important gateways to break through, our search for meaning ultimately results in self-deception or the acceptance of total hopelessness.
On the cross, Jesus gave us both a relationship with Him and eternal life. In Him is our meaning for existing; for Him is the reason we live on this earth. There is now unshakable purpose to life when it is no longer about us, but about Christ; no longer about this life, but the one forever in heaven.
By His grace I am no longer a prisoner of sin, but of His righteousness. And my sinful nature no longer has power over me because the blood of Christ has washed me clean.
I want to share this quote by Jack Welch. Jack is the former CEO of GE, who made the company into a business giant with record profits. He wrote many books about how to be successful in both business and management. He helped a lot of people with both his wisdom and money. In his latest book, "Winning," there was a question asked of him, "Do you think you will go to heaven?" It was an unusual question, and he answered in the book this way, "As for heaven, who knows? I am sure not perfect. But if there are any points given out for caring about people and giving life all you've got, then I suppose I have a shot."
What do you think of this statement? How many feels what he says is nice, and makes sense?
Keep in mind, Jack Welch is a catholic.
By any measure, Mr. Wesch is someone who accomplished so much and worthy of admiration. But even he is not sure if will get into heaven. How many of you feel the same way about your place in heaven?
Ask anyone at a street corner, doens't matter if it is a believer or unbeliever, the answer to that question is most like similar -- to be a good person, do good things, and help others.
For a unbeliever, it is understandable; but for brothers and sisters in Christ, the true gospel of grace must be made crystal clear that our eternal life with Christ is already accomplished on the cross two thousand years ago by His death, burial and resurrection. All our sins have been washed away, and we will never be judged again for our behaviors but our faith in Him who is ever faithful. The only sin that truly matters now is the sin of unbelief. Our sinful nature has no chance when our hearts are filled with the grace of God and the holy spirit.
As for me, two years ago, we could be considered very successful in our investments. We bought many properties, and the cash flow was enough to support a very comfortable life. My outside seems very bright, but the soul inside was living in darkness.
Today, the financial storm has hit us very hard, and there seems to be no end in sight. We have to supplement a lot of the negatives in properties that dropped substantially in value and income. It is a very dark time, but my soul is joyful and sings of God's glory. Why? Because I have the greatest treasure one can have -- a relationship with Jesus Christ and an eternal life in heaven. I hope you feel the same way as a fellow believer, not matter your circumstance, your health or age.
This life is but an illusion, keep our eyes on the cross and know that our place in heaven is assured.
wisdom,
made whole
Is it a witness to His power and love when we experience it in our lives? If so, what about all those times when our prayer seems unanswered? Do we have testimonies in moments of unfulfilled expectations?
I suppose every moment, good or bad, can be a testimony of our heart and our faith. On how He is alive in us no matter the circumstances. That we are grateful in moments of favor, but also with praise when in trial.
Some of the most powerful testimonies of our faith (and His faith) is during the darkest hours, and how we cling to his faithfulness not to forsake us, but will lift us up. That in moments of great loss He will restore to us sevenfolds.
Tonight I don't want to talk about all the goodness God had bestowed upon my life, although there have been so much. The greatest personal miracle in my life has already been demonstrated in His forgiving love, lifting the lamp searching the distance for my return, and unconditionally accepting this great sinner back into his bosom as a righteous son.
And that is the subject of my testimony tonight -- sin.
Brothers and sisters in my fellowship all know that I don't like to talk about sin -- especially the verb form in thoughts and behavior because it had already been judged and punished on the cross and on the body of Jesus Christ. All I seem to talk about is God's infinite grace, and how it can transform a sinner completely from the inside, from the heart.
But without the reality of sin there is no need for grace.
Even before I came back to the Lord, sin (and the concepts of good and evil) has always been heavy on my mind. Unlike many new believers who testify that they previously thought of themselves as pretty decent people, I was fully aware of my sinful nature.
Even without God personally guiding my life, there was an instinctual struggle between my desire of the flesh and yearning for purity and holiness. I detested so much of my finding enjoyment in many worldly pleasures, and a voice haunts me whenever I resolve to be good and do right.
Truly as Paul said in Romans 7:19, "For the good that I will [to do], I do not do; but the evil I will not [to do], that I practice." That was me, a walking contradiction. And it was because this self-perceived weakness and sinfulness that I kept hiding from His bright light -- as Adam did when He did not obey God's words.
Thought I always felt the presence of God, I escaped to philosophy to find justification and meaning for my life, and the ever-present contradiction. I struggled through intellectual pursuit to make sense of my existence. As a few of the brothers are studying now on the "meaning of a Christian life" from the book, and trying to find purpose beyond just a rat race.
Looking back, I found that with all the fancy intellectual arguments and logic, no matter which branch of philosophy, whether on premise of man is good or evil, pragmatic or idealistic, altruistic or selfish, self-aggrandizing or denying..., they all fall short on account of two factors: the limitation of self and death.
What produces meaning is relationships or identity, and what validates meaning is continuity. There is purpose in our worldly relationships, but the ultimate meaning of our existence must come from a relationship with a greater being that is also intimate. What validates our existence as valuable and purposeful is an eternal life.
Without these two important gateways to break through, our search for meaning ultimately results in self-deception or the acceptance of total hopelessness.
On the cross, Jesus gave us both a relationship with Him and eternal life. In Him is our meaning for existing; for Him is the reason we live on this earth. There is now unshakable purpose to life when it is no longer about us, but about Christ; no longer about this life, but the one forever in heaven.
By His grace I am no longer a prisoner of sin, but of His righteousness. And my sinful nature no longer has power over me because the blood of Christ has washed me clean.
I want to share this quote by Jack Welch. Jack is the former CEO of GE, who made the company into a business giant with record profits. He wrote many books about how to be successful in both business and management. He helped a lot of people with both his wisdom and money. In his latest book, "Winning," there was a question asked of him, "Do you think you will go to heaven?" It was an unusual question, and he answered in the book this way, "As for heaven, who knows? I am sure not perfect. But if there are any points given out for caring about people and giving life all you've got, then I suppose I have a shot."
What do you think of this statement? How many feels what he says is nice, and makes sense?
Keep in mind, Jack Welch is a catholic.
By any measure, Mr. Wesch is someone who accomplished so much and worthy of admiration. But even he is not sure if will get into heaven. How many of you feel the same way about your place in heaven?
Ask anyone at a street corner, doens't matter if it is a believer or unbeliever, the answer to that question is most like similar -- to be a good person, do good things, and help others.
For a unbeliever, it is understandable; but for brothers and sisters in Christ, the true gospel of grace must be made crystal clear that our eternal life with Christ is already accomplished on the cross two thousand years ago by His death, burial and resurrection. All our sins have been washed away, and we will never be judged again for our behaviors but our faith in Him who is ever faithful. The only sin that truly matters now is the sin of unbelief. Our sinful nature has no chance when our hearts are filled with the grace of God and the holy spirit.
As for me, two years ago, we could be considered very successful in our investments. We bought many properties, and the cash flow was enough to support a very comfortable life. My outside seems very bright, but the soul inside was living in darkness.
Today, the financial storm has hit us very hard, and there seems to be no end in sight. We have to supplement a lot of the negatives in properties that dropped substantially in value and income. It is a very dark time, but my soul is joyful and sings of God's glory. Why? Because I have the greatest treasure one can have -- a relationship with Jesus Christ and an eternal life in heaven. I hope you feel the same way as a fellow believer, not matter your circumstance, your health or age.
This life is but an illusion, keep our eyes on the cross and know that our place in heaven is assured.
wisdom,
made whole
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