7月5日 公义的外袍
公义的外袍
“我以公义为衣服，以公平为外袍和冠冕”（伯29:14）。
世上的冠冕和王室珠宝，都比不上纯全的价值。因为那在你里面的真理，会使你的心渐渐效法神自己的形像。在神本性的纯一与圣洁上，没有什么比这更能使你像祂了。亚哈随鲁王曾问哈曼，王所喜悦尊荣的人当怎样待他。哈曼以为王指的就是自己，于是野心勃勃地求了至高的尊荣。但神若把纯全赐给你，祂乃是用自己的衣袍来披戴你的灵魂。“我以公义为衣服，以公平为外袍和冠冕”（伯29:14）。这件公义的衣袍，使你成了比亚历山大更伟大的征服者：亚历山大所征服的，不过是人的世界；你所胜过的，却是情欲与魔鬼的世界。
是否曾注视过一只青蛙，并为神将你造为人，而不是那丑陋的受造物而感恩？那么，你岂不更当感恩：因为祂已经把你从从前那假冒为善的光景中，改变成了一个纯全的基督徒？初代教会护教家拉克坦修（Lactantius）曾这样问：“一个人若宁可死，也不愿有野兽的面貌和形状，纵使他仍保有人的灵魂，那么，一个空有人形却怀着兽心的人，又是何等可悲？”假冒为善之人，正处在最糟的光景里：他披着圣徒的伪装，心里却藏着野兽般的私欲。
正如我们前面已经指出的，纯全并不能保证你永不跌倒、永不疑惑；但你与基督所立的血约，必保守你不至最终背道。只是，因为你手中的恩典存粮实在不多，你便很容易质疑自己是否稳妥：“这双软弱的腿，真能撑到旅程的终点吗？这一点点的钱币，就是我心中那一丁点恩典，真足够支付通往天家所需的一切盘费，胜过重重试探，捱过信心中那些代价高昂的试炼吗？”
麦琴（麦克谦）读经计划进度
家庭敬拜：书7章，诗137-138章，
个人灵修：耶1章，太15章
JULY 5, SUNDAY
ROBES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
“I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem” (Job 29:14).
Crowns and royal jewels cannot be compared with sincerity in value because truth in you will make a heart after God’s own likeness. Nothing can make you more like Him in the simplicity and purity of His nature. When Haman was asked what should be done to that man whom the king delighted to honor, he assumed the king referred to himself and flew as high as ambition would take him. When God gives you sincerity He clothes your soul with His own robes. “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem” (Job 29:14). This robe of righteousness makes you a greater conqueror than Alexander, who overcame a world of men. But you have defeated a world of lust and devils.
Have you ever looked at a frog and felt thankful God created you a man instead of such an ugly creature? How much more grateful should you be that He has changed you from the hypocrite you once were by nature into an upright Christian? Lactantius asked, “If a man would choose death rather than have the face and shape of a beast—though he might keep the soul of man—how much more miserable is it for the shape of a man to carry the heart of a beast?” The hypocrite is in the worst shape of all, for he carries a beastly heart in the disguise of a saint.
As we have noted before, sincerity shall not always keep you from stumbling or doubting—but your blood covenant with Christ will preserve you from final apostasy. Because the supply of grace in your hand is small, it is easy to question your security. “Can these weak legs really bring me to my journey’s end? Can these few pennies—the little grace in my heart—possible pay all the charges to heaven, the many temptations and expensive trials of faith?”