【双语灵修】不是论功行赏NO MERIT SYSTEM

罗马书 3:21-24

但如今，神的义在律法以外昭示出来，有律法和先知为证：就是神的义，因信耶稣基督加给一切信的人，并没有分别。因为世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀；如今却蒙神的恩典，因基督耶稣的救赎，就白白地称义。

11月20日

不是论功行赏

“如今却蒙神的恩典，因基督耶稣的救赎，就白白的称义。” - 罗 3:24

在我们生活中各方面，别人对我们的评价，几乎都是取决于我们的表现。

如果你是个好学生，你的成绩单必定能令你自豪。如果你的平均学分绩点够高，就可能被你首选的大学取录。如果你努力工作，又在面试中有好表现，你多数能找到一份优薪的工作，如此类推。

这就是我们这个世界的一般运作方式，但跟从基督的生活却是截然不同的。在神的国里，我们的评价是基于“另外一个人”的表现，是完全取决于基督和祂的成绩的。祂的成绩被算到我们的成绩单上，使我们可以获得祂的顺服的功劳；祂的受苦为我们的祸患付上了代价；而我们在天堂的地位，完全是基于耶稣为我们所作的工。

我们习惯了这个世界的生活方式，所以很难适应天国的行事方式。我们知道靠赖恩典是对的，但有时又觉得好像是错的—甚至是不合常理的。我们会觉得不需付代价就能够得到神的爱，好像有点荒谬，尤其是当我们觉得自己是最不配得的，就更为荒谬了。但这便是在主里的生活—这一切都是出于恩典，而我们每一个人都蒙邀请得到这恩典。

所以…欢迎你来到这个国度。在这里，“撒玛利亚人”和宗教专业人士，都同样受欢迎。我们每一个人都会完全适应这个国度的！

祷告

神啊，求你帮助我们安息在你的恩典中，而不是靠自己的努力。又教导我们去接受你无条件的爱，并且不带批评和比较，把它丰丰富富地传开去。阿们。

Romans 3:21-24

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20

NO MERIT SYSTEM

All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. —Romans 3:24

In almost every area of our lives, we are graded on how well we perform.

If you are a good student, your report card will be something you can be proud of. If your grade-point average is high enough, you can hope to get into the college of your choice when you apply. If you work hard and interview well, you’ll likely be able to find a good-paying job. And so on.

That’s generally how life works in the world we live in.

A life of following Christ, however, is much different. In the kingdom of God, we are graded on what someone else has done. It’s all about Christ and his score. His merit is applied to our transcript so that we receive credit for his obedience. Our disasters are paid for by his suffering. And our status in heaven comes only because of what Jesus has already done.

As people who are used to life in the world, we struggle with the way things work in the kingdom of God. We know that grace is right, but it can sometimes feel wrong to us— even counterintuitive. It can seem absurd that God’s love would come free of charge, especially at times when we think we deserve it least. But that’s how life in the Lord works—it’s all a gift, and we are all welcome to it!

So . . . welcome to the only kingdom where “Samaritans” and religious professionals are welcomed equally.

Every one of us will fit right in!

God, help us to rest in your grace, not on our own merits. Teach us to receive your love freely and to extend it generously without judgment or comparison. Amen.