8月24日 和好是不可缺少的
和好是不可缺少的
“耶和华说：你们来，我们彼此辩论。”（赛1:18）
今日的乱象显而易见：许多寻求平安的人指望着神能赦免他们，却对祂的尊荣毫不在意，对祂和祂的独生子耶稣也全然无知。他们想要神与他们和好，自己却继续与神和神的话语公然为敌。这样的人犹如站在被告席上的盗贼，苦苦哀求法官无论采用什么手段，不论正当与否、合法与否，只要能饶他一命即可；只要能逃脱罪罚，其他又有什么关系呢？这人会顾念法官的公义尊荣吗？因此，千万不要自欺，因为神绝不会为了与你和好，而让祂自己的公义与圣洁属性彼此冲突。
真正的和好必带出与神相交的渴慕。假设神向你坦言：“我是你的朋友，我已命定你永远不会下地狱。我手中握着释放你的文书，因此你绝不会因亏欠我而被捕。但至于相交，你就不必指望了。我与你的恩怨到此为止，你永远不能更深地认识我。”如果你听见天父这样说，你对这样的平安还能有多大喜乐呢？即使那煎熬的烈火被熄灭，若身处没有神同在的死寂黑暗中，地狱般的痛苦依然如影随形。
押沙龙在面见父王与被处死之间，看不见任何折中之策。他说：“求你准我见王的面；我若有罪，任凭王杀我就是了。”（撒下14:32）他这番话等同于发誓：“若我不配享受我父亲的爱与同在，我就不愿苟活。”相反，不敬虔的心只顾在黑暗中摸索一份免受刑罚的平安，却完全不渴慕与神相交。这样的人犹如叛徒，只要君王能免他一死，他愿意满口答应任何条件。只要你手中还握着反叛的刀剑，神就不会与你相交。“耶和华说：你们来，我们彼此辩论。”（赛1:18）
麦琴（麦克谦）读经计划进度
家庭敬拜：撒上16章，罗14章，
个人灵修：哀1章，路21章
AUGUST 24, MONDAY
RECONCILIATION IS ESSENTIAL
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 1:18).
It is plain to see today that many who pursue peace expect God to pardon them, although they care nothing for His honor and remain totally ignorant of Him and of His Son Jesus. They want God to make peace with them while they make war with Him and His Word. Like a thief at the bar, this kind of person implores the judge to spare his life by whatever means, right or wrong, legal or illegal. What difference does it make as long as he is pardoned? Does this man consider the honor of the judge? Well, do not be deceived, because God will not make war among His own attributes to make peace with you.
Reconciliation must seek to have fellowship with God. Suppose God should confide, “I am your friend—I have commanded that you will never go to hell. And My hand holds your discharge so you can never be arrested for indebtedness to Me. But as for fellowship, do not expect any. I am through with you now and you will never know Me better.” If you heard the Father say this, how excited would you be about your peace? Even if the tormenting fires were put out, the anguish of a hell would remain in the dismal darkness without God’s presence.
Absalom saw no middle ground between seeing his father’s face and being killed. “Let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me” (2 Samuel 14:32). “If I am not worthy to enjoy my father’s love and presence,” he pledged, “I do not want to live.” On the other hand, an ungodly heart gropes for peace without any longing after fellowship with God. Like the traitor, he is ready to promise the king anything, if only he will save him from execution. God will not talk with you as long as your sword is in your hand. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 1:18).