1月9日 不要信靠自己的力量
不要信靠自己的力量
“因我们还软弱的时候，基督就按所定的日期为罪人死。”（罗5:6）
既然基督徒的力量唯独在乎主，而不在自己，那么基督之外的人，显然只是贫穷、软弱、无能为力的受造物，在关乎灵魂得救的事上，他根本无法自救。如果一棵活着的树若失去了主根供应的汁液就无法生长，那么一个已经烂掉、没有根基的残桩，又怎能凭自己复苏呢？换言之，如果一个已蒙恩典浸润的基督徒尚且要时刻倚靠神的大能，那么一个身处神恩典之外、死在过犯罪恶之中的人，就更不可能凭自己生发力量了。未重生，即意味着无力作为。正如经上所记：“因我们还软弱的时候，基督就按所定的日期为罪人死”（罗5:6）。
所谓的“人本主义”哲学，长期以来一直在迎合人的骄傲。它夸耀人天然的力量与智慧，用“今生大有作为、来世坐享天堂”的虚假应许来诱惑世人。然而，神亲自驱散了这些修筑“巴别塔”的人，并宣告了祂在永恒里的至高主权。愿那些信靠本性力量的骄傲之子永远蒙羞，他们竟妄想凭自己天然能力的“一砖一瓦”，就砌出一条通往天堂的路！你这仍在天然光景中的人，若真想得着那使人得救的智慧，就当先在自己眼中成为愚拙人。你要弃绝那属肉体的智慧，它不能参透属灵的事物，要转而向那“厚赐与众人、也不斥责人”的神祈求真智慧（雅1:5）。
这同样也是对基督徒的提醒。既然深知你的力量全然在乎神而非自己，那么即便在神最赐福、最重用你的时候，也要保持谦卑。请记住，当你穿上最华美的礼服时，想一想那是谁做成的，又是谁付上的代价！神的恩宠既非你双手所造，也非你自身价值所值。既然不是你付出得来的东西，你又怎能夸口呢？如果你窃取神的大能，将其记在自己的名下，神很快就会来核查账目，收回那本就属于祂的一切。
麦琴（麦克谦）读经计划进度
家庭敬拜：创9-10章，太9章，
个人灵修：拉9章，徒9章
JANUARY 9, FRIDAY
DON’T TRUST IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH
“When we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).
Is the Christian’s strength in the Lord, and not in himself? Surely then, the person outside of Christ must be a poor, impotent creature, helpless to do anything to effect his own salvation. If a living tree cannot grow without sap from the taproot, how can a rotten stump, which has no root, revive itself of its own accord? In other words, if a Christian imbued with God’s grace must continually rely on His strength, then surely the one outside of God’s grace, dead in trespasses and sin, can never produce such strength in himself. To be unregenerate is to be impotent. “When we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).
The philosophy called humanism has long been a suitor to man’s pride. It boasts in his natural strength and wisdom, and woos him with promises of great accomplishments now, and heaven later. God Himself has scattered such Babel-builders and proclaimed His preeminence for eternity. Confounded forever be such sons of pride, who trust in the power of nature as though man with his own brick and mortar of natural abilities were able to make a way to heaven! You who are yet in your natural state, would you become wise to salvation? Then first become fools in your own eyes. Renounce this carnal wisdom which cannot perceive spiritual things, and beg wisdom of God, who gives without rebuke (James 1:5).
Here is a word for Christians. Knowing your strength lies wholly in God and not in yourself, remain humble—even when God is blessing and using you most. Remember, when you have your best suit on, who made it and who paid for it! God’s favor is neither the work of your own hands nor the price of your own worth. How can you boast of what you did not buy? If you embezzle God’s strength and credit it to your own account, He will soon call an audit and take back what was His all along.