双语灵修（葛培理牧师）：9月11日 救恩无价

9月11日

救恩无价

被棍打了三次，被石头打了一次，遇着船坏三次，一昼一夜在深海里。又屡次行远路，遭江河的危险，盗贼的危险，同族的危险，外邦人的危险，城里的危险，旷野的危险，海中的危险，假弟兄的危险。受劳碌，受困苦，多次不得睡，又饥又渴，多次不得食，受寒冷，赤身露体。除了这外面的事，还有为众教会挂心的事，天天压在我身上。有谁软弱，我不软弱呢；有谁跌倒，我不焦急呢。我若必须自夸，就夸那关乎我软弱的事便了。

哥林多后书11:25-30

对保罗来说，基督徒生活充满着苦难，许多跟随主的人也是如此。他们中有许多因信仰被杀害。所以，当基督一次又一次地说跟随祂的人必须“舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我”的时候，乃是在表明：真正跟随祂并不容易。使徒保罗警告说：“凡立志在基督耶稣里敬虔度日的，也都要受逼迫”（提摩太后书3:12）。祂不提供廉价的恩典，也不提供安逸的生活。正如有人所说：“救恩是免费的，但并不廉价。”

施达德（Charles T.Studd）是英国著名的运动员，剑桥十一校板球队队长。一个世纪前，他将自己的巨额财富捐献给需要帮助的人，并带领“剑桥七人组”来到中国。他的口号是“如果耶稣基督是神，并为我而死，那么我为祂做出的任何牺牲都是值得的。”

在本世纪初，比尔·博登放弃了美国最富有家族之一的财富，到中国宣教。但20多岁的他只到达埃及，就死于伤寒。临终前他说：“没有保留，没有退缩，没有遗憾！”

今日祷告：

天父，我愿将我的一切都献给祢，因我知道耶稣配得；祷告奉耶稣的名，阿们。

September 11

SALVATION IS FREE,NOT CHEAP

Three times I was beaten with rods,once I was stoned,three times I was shipwrecked,I spent a night and a day in the open sea,I have been constantly on the move.I have been in danger from rivers,in danger from bandits,in danger from my own countrymen,in danger from Gentiles;in danger in the city,in danger in the country,in danger at sea;and in danger from false brothers.I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep;I Have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;I have been cold and naked besides everything else,I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.Who is weak,and I do not feel weak?Who is led into sin,and I do not inwardly burn?If I must boast,I will boast of the things that show my weakness.2 Corinthians 11:25-30,NIV

For Paul the Christian life was one of suffering.The same could be said of a multitude of Christ’s followers,many of whom were killed for their faith.So when Christ said time after time that one must“deny himself and take up his cross and follow me,”He was indicating that it is not easy to be His true follower.The apostle Paul warned,“Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”(2 Timothy 3:12 NIV).He offers no cheap grace,no easy life.As someone has said,“Salvation is free but not cheap.”

Charles T.Studd was a famous sportsman in England,captain of the Cambridge XI cricket team.A century ago he gave away his vast wealth to needy causes and led the“Cambridge Seven”to China.His slogan was“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me,then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.”

During the first decade of this century,Bill Borden left one of America’s greatest family fortunes to be a missionary in China.He only got as far as Egypt where,still in his twenties,he died of typhoid fever.Before his death he said,“No reserves,no retreats,no regrets!”

Pray for the Day:

Father,I want to give my all to You,because I know that Jesus is worth it;in Jesus’Name,Amen.