双语灵修（葛培理牧师）：12月6日 宣扬赞美

12月6日

宣扬赞美

惟有你们是被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属神的子民，要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德。你们从前算不得子民，现在却作了神的子民；从前未曾蒙怜恤，现在却蒙了怜恤。亲爱的弟兄阿，你们是客旅，是寄居的；我劝你们……。

彼得前书2:9-11

外星人很少受“欢迎”，人们往往只是以一种调侃的态度来接受。身为异乡人，我们的公民身份不在世上，而是在天上，我们跟随主的人，经常被当成“另类”和陌生人对待。

我们的生命不属这个世界，“我们却是天上的国民”（腓立比书3:20）。我们的主要兴趣也不在这个世界。耶稣说：“要积攒财宝在天上……因为你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在那里”（马太福音6：20-21）。我们的盼望不在这个世界。圣经说：“我们……等候救主，就是主耶稣基督……。祂要按着那能叫万有归服自己的大能，将我们这卑贱的身体改变形状，和祂自己荣耀的身体相似”（腓立比书3：20-21）。

因此，在任何意义上，对世界来说，我们都是一个谜。就像一大群左撇子中的少数右撇子一样，我们对他们的现状构成了威胁，我们阻碍了他们的样式，我们被贴上了“扫兴鬼”、“煞风景”和“假正经”的标签。就像耶稣的仇敌一样，世人仍然轻蔑地问道：“你不也是他的门徒吗？”（约翰福音18：25）。我们不应该让逼迫分散我们的注意力而偏离我们的目标——荣耀上帝（传扬称颂神的荣美）。

今日祷告：

天父，无论是被欢喜迎接，还是遭受拒绝，我们都要忠心传扬和赞美我们荣耀的主和救主耶稣基督；奉耶稣的名，阿们。

December 6

OUR PURPOSE–HIS PRAISE

But ye are a chosen generation,a royal priesthood,a holy nation,a peculiar people;that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:which in time past were not a people,but are now the people of God:which had not obtained mercy,but now have obtained mercy.Dearly beloved,I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims…1 Peter 2:9-11

Aliens are rarely shown the“welcome mat.”They are often accepted only with a tongue-in-cheek attitude.Being aliens,with our citizenship not in the world but in heaven,we as Christ’s followers will frequently be treated as“peculiar people”and as strangers.

Our life is not of this world.“Our conversation is in heaven”(Philippians 3:20).Our interests,primarily,are not in this world.Jesus said:“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…for where your treasure is,there will your heart be also”(Matthew 6:20-21).Our hope is not in this world.The Bible says,“We look for the Savior,the Lord Jesus Christ:who shall change our vile body,that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body,according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself”(Philippians 3:20-21).

Hence,in every sense we are an enigma to the world.Like a few right-handed persons among a host of left-handed persons,we comprise a threat to their status quo.We cramp their style.We are labeled as“wet blankets,”as kill-joys,and as prudes.Like the enemies of Jesus,the world still inquires contemptuously,“Art not thou also one of his disciples?”(John 18:25).We are not to let persecution distract us from our purpose-“to show forth”His praises!

Pray for the Day:

Father,whether we’re received with welcome and joy or rejected,let us be faithful to proclaim the praises of our glorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ;in Jesus’Name,Amen.