1月25日 神成全祂的圣徒
神成全祂的圣徒
“西门，西门，撒但想要得着你们，好筛你们像筛麦子一样。”（路22:31）这是耶稣对彼得说的话。那时，魔鬼知道门徒们正处在软弱之中。
在一支蒙召投身实战的军队里，兵器常被击损或折断：有人头盔被砸凹，有人宝剑弯曲变形，有人枪械损坏，因此必须不断补充装备。同样，在一次试探中，你盼望的头盔可能被击碎，你的爱心也可能被践踏。你需要随时靠近那属灵的军械库，尽快修补损耗，因为撒但最常在你毫无防备时发动攻击。
“西门，西门，撒但想要得着你们，好筛你们像筛麦子一样。”（路22:31）这是耶稣对彼得说的话。那时，魔鬼知道门徒们正处在软弱之中。他们的元帅基督即将被带离营地，他们彼此心怀不满，争论谁在天国里为大，而那本该由圣灵赐下、能使信心坚固的供应尚未临到。因此，基督差遣他们回到耶路撒冷，同心等候，直到祂差派圣灵降临（徒1:4）。这个例子教导我们：当我们里面的美德软弱无力时，应当向谁求取新的供应。
撒但被称为“那古蛇”，绝非无缘无故。牠本性诡诈，且愈发狡猾，本性暴怒，且愈加狂躁。牠就像一头公牛，被挑衅得越久，就越发疯狂。想到牠时日无多，我们这些必须与牠争战的人，岂不更当全副武装进入战场吗？
神一切工作的终极目的，是要在德行与安慰上成全祂的圣徒。祂是我们灵魂智慧的看顾者。当祂藉着苦难修剪、修整我们的生命时，是为了洁净我们，使我们结出更多更好的果子（约 15:2）。同样的患难，在恶人干旱的心田中结出苦果，却能在圣徒肥沃的土壤里孕育出圣灵甜美的果子。
神为何定意要如此成全祂的圣徒？祂是为要给祂的儿子预备一位毫无玷污的新妇，并成就祂宏伟的救赎计划！
麦琴（麦克谦）读经计划进度
家庭敬拜：创26章，太25章，
个人灵修：斯2章，徒25章
JANUARY 25, SUNDAY
GOD PERFECTS HIS SAINTS
“Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to … sift you,” Jesus said to Peter (Luke 22:31). The devil knew the disciples were weak at this time.
In an army called to active duty, weapons are frequently battered and broken. One man has his helmet dented, another his sword bent, a third his pistol broken. So replacements are often necessary. In one temptation you may have your helmet of hope crushed or your charity trampled upon. You need an armorer’s shop near at hand to make up your losses as quickly as possible, for Satan is most likely to attack when you are least prepared to repel his charge.
“Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to … sift you,” Jesus said to Peter (Luke 22:331). The devil knew the disciples were weak at this time. Christ, their captain, was about to be taken from the head of their regiment. They were discontented among themselves, arguing about who would have the best seat in heaven. And their supply of stronger faith, which the Spirit was to bring, had not yet come. Therefore, Christ sent them to Jerusalem to wait together until He could dispatch His Spirit to them (Acts 1:4). This example shows us, in the weakness of our graces, whom to ask for a fresh supply.
He is called “the old serpent,” and for good reason: subtle by nature, yet ever more cunning; wrathful by nature, yet ever more enraged. Like a bull, the longer he is baited, the madder he grows. And considering what little time he has left, we who are to fight with him must enter the arena well equipped.
The end of all God’s working is to perfect His saints in their virtues and comforts. He is the wise caretaker of our souls. When He uses afflictions to lop and prune our spirits, it is only to purge so we can bring forth more and better fruit (John 15:2). The same tribulation which yields bitter results in the arid soul of the wicked is used to produce the sweet fruit of the Spirit in the fertile soil of the saint.
Why is God so intent on perfecting His saints? To prepare a spotless bride for His Son, and complete His grand design!