【双语灵修】一个极深远的改变A PROFOUND TRANSFORMATION

哥林多后书 5:11-18

我们既知道主是可畏的，所以劝人；但我们在神面前是显明的，盼望在你们的良心里也是显明的。我们不是向你们再举荐自己，乃是叫你们因我们有可夸之处，好对那凭外貌不凭内心夸口的人有言可答。我们若果癫狂，是为神；若果谨守，是为你们。原来基督的爱激励我们，因我们

想：一人既替众人死，众人就都死了；并且他替众人死，是叫那些活着的人不再为自己活，乃为替他们死而复活的主活。所以，我们从今以后，不凭着外貌认人了。虽然凭着外貌认过基督，如今却不再这样认他了。若有人在基督里，他就是新造的人，旧事已过，都变成新的了。一切都是出于神，他藉着基督使我们与他和好，又将劝人与他和好的职分赐给我们。

5月2日

一个极深远的改变

“若有人在基督里，他就是新造的人，旧事已过，都变成新的了。” - 林后 5:17

你或许曾经听过耶稣一些“我是”的有力的宣称：“我就是生命的粮”；“我是世界的光”；“我是好牧人”（约翰福音 6:35; 8:12; 10:11, 14）。耶稣度过了一个有影响力和有目标的人生，因为衪晓得衪的身份。衪坚定不移地清楚知道，衪是神的儿子，神差遣衪来拯救世人。

在这个月，当我们探索我们的身份时，我们将会循着神创造我们的模式来看看某些形容我们是谁的方式。我们可以视此为在《圣经》中寻找宝藏，来发掘我们在基督耶稣里的新身份。

我们往往紧抓某些关于身份的错误观念。我们把注意力放在例如体育技能、学业成绩或事业成就上；我们或许突出我们是如何诙谐、有名气、或健硕；我们甚至标榜我们是多么出色的父母。然而，当所有掌声淡下来后又会怎样呢？我们能否仍然把握到我们是谁呢？

使徒保罗解释说，当一个人相信耶稣时，他们会经历到一个深远的改变。信徒在基督里被造成为一个新的人，从某些角度来看，他们就像毛虫蜕变为蝴蝶那样。这样我们基本上改变了我们思想和做事的方式。我们的身份不再被转瞬即逝的观念所限，它乃是基于我们与基督的关系。

祷告

主啊，感谢你创造我们，按耶稣的形象重造我们。求你帮助我们明白，你创造我们成为怎样的人。又求你赐我们勇气，活出我们在基督里的身份。奉耶稣的名求，阿们。

2 Corinthians 5:11-18

FRIDAY, MAY 2

A PROFOUND TRANSFORMATION

“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

Maybe you have heard some of the profound “I am” statements of Jesus: “I am the bread of life”; “I am the light of the world”; “I am the good shepherd” (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:11, 14). Jesus lived an effective, purposeful life because he knew his identity. With unwavering clarity, he knew he was the Son of God sent to redeem the world.

As we explore the meaning of our identity this month, we’ll find a number of ways to describe ourselves in light of the ways God has created us. We can think of it as a treasure hunt through the Scriptures to uncover our new identity in Christ Jesus.

So often we cling to false notions about identity. We focus on things like athletic prowess, academic achievements, or career success. Or we highlight how funny, famous, or fit we are. Or even how good a parent we are. But what happens when the applause fades? Do we maintain a firm grasp of who we are?

The apostle Paul explains that when a person comes to faith in Jesus, they undergo a profound transformation. In some ways like a caterpillar emerging as a butterfly, believers transform to become a new creation in Christ. This fundamentally alters the way we think and act. Our identity is no longer defined by fleeting ideas but, rather, by our relationship with Christ.

Lord, thank you for making and remaking us in the image of Jesus. Help us to understand who you have made us to be. Give us the courage to live out our identity in Christ. Amen.