8月30日 我们对基督的效忠
我们对基督的效忠
“因为我深信无论是死，是生，是天使，是掌权的，是有能的……都不能叫我们与神的爱隔绝；这爱是在我们的主基督耶稣里的。”（罗8:38-39）
“谁能使我们与基督的爱隔绝呢？”（罗8:35）使徒保罗继续向死亡、魔鬼及其一切爪牙发出挑战，要牠们尽管上前，对那些在神的堡垒中武装起来的信徒施展最恶毒的攻击。最终，他带着圣洁的确据凯旋，深信无论这些仇敌做什么，都绝不能伤害基督徒丝毫：“因为我深信无论是死，是生，是天使，是掌权的，是有能的……都不能叫我们与神的爱隔绝；这爱是在我们的主基督耶稣里的。”（罗8:38-39）总而言之，基督徒将自己一切效忠的旌旗都系于基督身上，并将所有的信心都寄托于祂。弟兄们，我若在这个主题上倾注大量笔墨，那是因为它是整座福音宝库中最丰饶的一脉矿藏。
是什么能将基督的满足应用在良心上呢？良心是一把极难开启的锁。即使钥匙完全匹配，软弱的手也无法将它在锁孔中转动。因此，当单单一个普通人拿着安慰的钥匙时，良心拒绝敞开；它的疑虑和惧怕绝不会消散，直到神的灵亲自做工。
良心是神设立的官长；虽然天上的债务已被完全偿清，但这官长绝不会让灵魂自由离去，除非神的灵赐下授权并带来神的凭据。“祂使人安静，谁能扰乱呢？祂掩面，谁能见祂呢？”（伯34:29）如今，请跟随我，看我如何证明：若脱离了福音和圣灵的工作，就绝不能寻见良心丰盛的平安。
唯有福音将神的灵显明为保惠师。圣灵的安慰乃是安息在耶稣基督所成就的代赎与满足之上。当基督流出宝血，为罪人与神和好付清了全部赎价之后，祂便升上高天，恳求天父差遣保惠师降临。
麦琴（麦克谦）读经计划进度
家庭敬拜：撒上23章，林前4章，
个人灵修：结2章，约3章
AUGUST 30, SUNDAY
OUR ALLEGIANCE TO CHRIST
“I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers…shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35). The apostle continues to challenge death and devils, with all their attendants, to step forward and do the worst they can against believers armed in God’s breastwork. Finally he leaves the battle, filled with the holy confidence that none of them—no matter what they do—can ever hurt Christians: “I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers… shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39). In a word, the Christian fastens all his flags of allegiance to Christ and places all his confidence in Him. If I have spent much time on this subject, my brothers, it is because it is the richest vein in the whole mine of Gospel treasure.
What applies satisfaction to the conscience? Conscience is a lock which is not easily opened. Even if the key fits, a weak hand cannot make it turn in the lock. Thus when a mere man holds the key of comfort, conscience refuses to open; its doubts and fears will not be resolved until there is a work of God’s Spirit.
Conscience is God’s officer; and although the debt is paid in full from heaven, this official will not let the soul go free until the Spirit of God authorizes and brings a divine warrant. “When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him?” (Job 34:29). Now follow me as I demonstrate why an abundant peace of conscience cannot be found apart from the Gospel and the working of the Holy Spirit.
Only the Gospel presents God’s Spirit as the Comforter. The comfort of the Holy Spirit rests in the satisfaction of Jesus Christ. After He had shed His blood and paid the full price of the sinner’s peace with God, He returned to heaven and asked His Father to send the Comforter.