约翰福音8：42–47

耶稣说：“倘若神是你们的父，你们就必爱我。因为我本是出于神，也是从神而来；并不是由着自己来，乃是他差我来。 你们为什么不明白我的话呢？无非是因你们不能听我的道。 你们是出于你们的父魔鬼，你们父的私欲你们偏要行。他从起初是杀人的，不守真理，因他心里没有真理。他说谎是出于自己，因他本来是说谎的，也是说谎之人的父。 我将真理告诉你们，你们就因此不信我。 你们中间谁能指证我有罪呢？我既然将真理告诉你们，为什么不信我呢？ 出于神的必听神的话，你们不听，因为你们不是出于神。”

五月十日

说谎的人

“（魔鬼）说谎是出于自己，因他本来是说谎的，也是说谎之人的父。”— 约翰福音8：44

一个谎话是人类犯罪的开始。在伊甸园的时候，亚当和夏娃相信了撒但的谎话：“你们不一定死，……你们便如神能知道善恶。”（创世记3：4-5）。

自此以后，骗子和谎话之父的声音，便一直不断响起。撒但显然不懂得说实话；谎话是它的母语。在今天，撒但仍然不断重复说类似它在伊甸园中所讲的谎话：“神并不是真的想你得到最好的。”“你若跟从神所定的标准，你便没有任何人生乐趣的了。”“你这样做其实是不会有什么后果的。”

撒但最近对你讲过什么谎话呢？“你看一些色情刊物，其实是没有大碍的。”“如数缴纳税款是愚蠢的，看看政府怎样理财不当吧。”“你理应有一辆新车、一个新的性伴侣、一份较高的薪酬的。”

留意你在想什么。若听从谎话之父，可以成为你陷入罪中的第一步。

这些谎话包括充斥在社交媒体的阴谋论，这些也是在撒但的掌控中。它擅于利用政要人士和媒体红人来推广它的谎话，看到其他人也赞同撒但的谎话，并不应该成为我们相信它的藉口。

我们意念所在的世界，是一个战场。让我们听从这位已经赢了这场战事的主，拒绝那永远不可相信的撒但吧。

祷告

父啊，我们被谎话围绕着，每时每刻都听得到，求你帮助我们辨认和抵挡它们。惟愿我们能够抵挡那说谎话的父。奉耶稣的名祈求，阿们。

John 8:42-47

SUNDAY, MAY 10

LIAR, LIAR

“When [the devil] lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” —John 8:44

A lie led to the beginning of human sin. Back in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve accepted Satan’s lie: “You will not certainly die. . . . You will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4-5).

Ever since then, the voice of the liar, the father of lies, has carried on. Satan apparently can’t speak the truth; lying is his native language. Today Satan keeps telling us versions of the same lies he spoke in Eden: “God doesn’t really want the best for you.” “You will never have any fun if you follow the moral standard set by God.” “You really won’t suffer any consequences for doing that.”

What lies is Satan telling you lately? “It really doesn’t matter if you watch some porn.” “Paying all your taxes would be crazy, given the way the government spends money.” “You deserve a new car, a new sex partner, a higher salary.”

Pay attention to what you are thinking. Listening to the father of lies can be the first step into sinfulness.

These lies include conspiracy theories that flood social media. Satan is in charge of those too. He is quite capable of using politicians and media personalities to promote his lies. The fact that others may agree with Satan is no excuse.

Our thought world is a war zone. Listen to the one who has already won the war. Reject the one who can never be trusted.

Father, we are surrounded by lies. We hear them at every turn. Help us to recognize and reject them. May we reject the father of lies too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

雅各书5：13 – 16

你们中间有受苦的呢，他就该祷告；有喜乐的呢，他就该歌颂。 你们中间有病了的呢，他就该请教会的长老来，他们可以奉主的名用油抹他，为他祷告。 出于信心的祈祷要救那病人，主必叫他起来；他若犯了罪，也必蒙赦免。 所以你们要彼此认罪，互相代求，使你们可以得医治。义人祈祷所发的力量是大有功效的。

五月九日

承认你邪恶的意念

“所以你们要彼此认罪，互相代求，使你们可以得医治。义人祈祷所发的力量，是大有功效的。”——雅各书5:16

没有人喜欢认罪的。认罪的第一步是承认自己做错了，这令我们感到羞傀。然而认罪是必须的，纵使只是邪恶的意念也要承认。

承认邪恶的意念不是我们的习惯。我们可能认为，只要我们没有把邪恶的意念付诸行动，为什么需要认罪那么麻烦呢？我们或者会告诉自己，有怎样的意念其实并不重要啊。不过，意念真的是很重要的。七项致命的罪：嫉妒、贪婪、暴食、懒惰、愤怒、色欲和傲慢，全部都与我们的意念有关。这些致命的意念，为言语和行为上的罪提供了发芽茁长的肥沃土壤。

我们往往会认为，它们只不过是意念而已，所以不需要承认我们犯了罪。我们甚至可能认为自己的问题已经受到控制，或者很快便会受到控制的了。我们宁愿自己去处理问题，而不去认罪。

然而，我们需要去承认那些邪恶的意念，而不是单单去控制它们。如果我们有一些可以向交代我们的意念的基督徒好友，我们应该与他们谈谈。我们需要承认，不能单靠自己来战胜罪恶的，我们需要圣灵的能力，来帮助我们脱离罪和邪恶。如果我们希望更像基督，便需要圣灵来洁净我们的意念了。

祷告

神啊，认罪很困难，我们宁愿靠自己来管控我们的意念。然而求你帮助我们向你认罪。求你赐我们需要的勇气，谦卑来向你认罪悔改。阿们。

James 5:13-16

SATURDAY, MAY 9

CONFESS YOUR SINFUL THOUGHTS

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. —James 5:16

None of us likes to confess sin. The first step in confession is to acknowledge that we have done something wrong. That doesn’t make us feel very good about ourselves. But we must confess our sins, even if they are only sinful thoughts.

Confessing our sinful thoughts is not a natural practice. We might think that if we haven’t acted on sinful things we have thought about, why bother? We may tell ourselves that what we think doesn’t really matter, but it does. All seven of the deadly sins are based in our thoughts: envy, greed, gluttony, sloth, anger, lust, and pride. These deadly thoughts are the fertile soil from which sins of word and deed can sprout and grow.

We tend to think that since they are only thoughts, they don’t need to be confessed. We might even think that we have our problem under control— or soon will. We would much rather manage our problems than confess our sins.

But we need to confess our sinful thoughts, not just manage them. And if we are fortunate enough to have good Christian friends with whom we can confess our thoughts, we should talk with them. We need to admit that we cannot conquer sin on our own. We need the power of God’s Spirit to free us from sin and evil. If we wish to be like Christ, we need God’s Spirit to cleanse our thoughts.

O God, confession is hard. We would rather be in charge of our thoughts. But help us to confess to you. Give us the courage and humility we need to confess our sins. Amen.

箴言3：21-26

我儿，要谨守真智慧和谋略，不可使他离开你的眼目。 这样，他必做你的生命，颈项的美饰。 你就坦然行路，不致碰脚。 你躺下，必不惧怕；你躺卧，睡得香甜。 忽然来的惊恐，不要害怕；恶人遭毁灭，也不要恐惧。 因为耶和华是你所倚靠的，他必保守你的脚不陷入网罗。

五月八日

睡前祷告

“你躺下，必不惧怕。你躺卧，睡得香甜。” 箴言3:24

你有没有试过在半夜被一个奇怪的梦惊醒呢？很多人都有过。就是在睡着时，我们的潜意识仍然是活跃的。

此外，圣灵在我们里面作工，甚至在我们没有意识时也是如此。

所以，我们睡觉之前需要与神交谈，睡前的祷告是重要的。在躺下睡觉之前，我们可以对神说什么呢？我们应该感谢祂在日间保护我们，虽然我们不是常常感受到祂的保护。我们应该感谢神保守我们不犯罪，也没有伤害自己或其他人。

我们也应该为第二天作好准备。我们可以信得过明天是在神的手中，可以把我们的忧虑卸给祂，因为知道神已经看到有什么事情等待着我们，并且已为我们的好处作了妥善的安排。

如果有令你难以入睡的挂虑，你可以把它们带到神的面前。你或许看不到有什么出路，其实神已经藉着耶稣基督为你提供了一条最终的出路了。

睡前祷告应该从小就开始实行了。我记得我妈妈和爸爸曾教导我诵念一段晚祷，现在我也以它来教导我的孙儿女们。

祷告

耶稣慈悲牧人垂听，夜里保护主小羊；睡眠时候求主亲近，守我平安到天亮。今天蒙主恩典，赐我衣食无缺少；感谢救主这般爱我，求主垂听我晚祷。阿们。

Proverbs 3:21-26

FRIDAY, MAY 8

BEDTIME PRAYERS

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. —Proverbs 3:24

Have you ever had a strange dream that woke you up in the middle of the night? Many of us have. Our subconscious is active even when we are asleep.

In addition, the Holy Spirit is at work in us, even when we are not conscious of it.

This is one reason why we need to talk to God before we sleep. Bedtime prayers are important. What can we say to God before we go to sleep? We should thank him for his protection during the day, even if we are not always aware of it. We should thank him for keeping us from sin and from causing harm to ourself or others.

We should also prepare for the next day. We can trust that tomorrow is in God’s hands. We can cast our worries on him, knowing that God has already seen what awaits us and has arranged things for our good.

If you have concerns that could keep you awake, lay them before God. You might not see a way out, but God has already provided the ultimate way through Jesus Christ.

The practice of bedtime prayer can and should begin at a young age. I remember my mother and father teaching me an evening prayer. And I teach this one to my grandchildren:

Jesus, tender shepherd, hear me. Bless your little lamb tonight. Through the darkness be near me; keep me safe till morning light. All this day your hand has led me, and I thank you for your care. You have clothed and warmed and fed me. Listen to my evening prayer. Amen.

诗篇4

大卫的诗，交于伶长。用丝弦的乐器。

显我为义的神啊，我呼吁的时候，求你应允我。我在困苦中，你曾使我宽广；现在求你怜恤我，听我的祷告。 你们这上流人哪，你们将我的尊荣变为羞辱，要到几时呢？你们喜爱虚妄，寻找虚假，要到几时呢？（细拉） 你们要知道，耶和华已经分别虔诚人归他自己，我求告耶和华，他必听我。 你们应当畏惧，不可犯罪；在床上的时候要心里思想，并要肃静。（细拉） 当献上公义的祭，又当倚靠耶和华。 有许多人说：“谁能指示我们什么好处？”耶和华啊，求你仰起脸来，光照我们！ 你使我心里快乐，胜过那丰收五谷、新酒的人。 我必安然躺下睡觉，因为独有你耶和华使我安然居住。

五月七日

安然睡觉

“我必安然躺下睡觉，因为独有你耶和华使我安然居住。”——诗篇4:8

我们会睡觉，但圣灵和魔鬼却不会；所以，我们没有知觉的状态也可以成为一个属灵的战场。

鲁益师建议在睡前祈祷时，我们可以采取以下几个步骤。第一，求神让我们看见自己当天犯了什么罪，包括在意念、言语、和行为上所犯的罪。承认那些罪，并祈求神赦免你，也赦免那些我们甚至可能没有想起的罪。

第二，把你的担忧和焦虑的思念舍给神，放开令你难以入睡的忧虑，把它们交托给神。这篇诗篇的另一个译本这样说：“你叫我安心躺下，又保守我全然平安。”我们不但不会受到暴力或肉身上的伤害，我们更不会受到魔鬼的攻击。我们不单在醒时得到慈爱的神的看顾，我们在睡觉时也是如此。

最后，祈求神在你睡觉时和醒着时保护你。惟有神才能赐我们真正的安息。安息就是沙龙（shalom）／平安。在神所赐的平安中，一切都是稳妥的，一切都是和谐的。这就是耶稣留给门徒的平安，而所有跟随耶稣的人都是祂的门徒。就让我们求主赐这平安给我们吧。无论是在醒时或睡着时，常常都可以得到这平安。

祷告

神啊，感谢你，就是在我们睡着时，你仍然看顾我们。你赐给我们的平安，不是这个世界所能给与我们的。在你里面，我们找到永恒和平静的安息。奉耶稣的名祈求，阿们。

Psalm 4

THURSDAY, MAY 7

REST IN PEACE

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. —Psalm 4:8

We sleep, but the Holy Spirit and the demons do not. So even our subconscious can be a battleground of spirituality.

C. S. Lewis recommended the following steps in prayer before we go to sleep. First, ask God to show you what sins you might have committed during the day. Those sins include thoughts, words, and actions. Confess those sins and ask God to forgive you for them, as well as other sins that might not even come to mind.

Second, surrender your concerns and anxious thoughts to God. Let go of worries that might keep you awake. Give them up to God. As another translation of this psalm puts it, “You let me lie down in peace, and keep me perfectly safe.” We can be safe not only from violence or physical turmoil but also from the attacks of the devil. We live under the care of the loving God not only when we are awake but also when we are asleep.

Finally, ask God to protect you while you sleep and when you are awake. God alone provides us with true rest. Rest is shalom/peace. In God’s shalom all is well. All is in harmony. This is the peace that Jesus leaves with his disciples, and all who follow Jesus are his disciples. Ask the Lord for this peace. It is available always, whether you are awake or asleep.

Thank you, God, that even while we sleep, you care for us. You give us the peace that the world cannot give. And in you we find eternal, peaceful rest. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

雅各书1：12 – 18

忍受试探的人是有福的！因为他经过试验以后，必得生命的冠冕，这是主应许给那些爱他之人的。 人被试探，不可说“我是被神试探”，因为神不能被恶试探，他也不试探人。 但各人被试探，乃是被自己的私欲牵引、诱惑的。 私欲既怀了胎，就生出罪来；罪既长成，就生出死来。 我亲爱的弟兄们，不要看错了。 各样美善的恩赐和各样全备的赏赐都是从上头来的，从众光之父那里降下来的，在他并没有改变，也没有转动的影儿。 他按自己的旨意，用真道生了我们，叫我们在他所造的万物中好像初熟的果子。

五月六日

私欲

“各人被试探，乃是被自己的私欲牵引诱惑的。”——雅各书1:14

试探是我们心里的意念。看到喜欢的人或东西时，我们便想据为己有，虽然我们明知这种想法是错的。

人总会有欲念的，其实，我们对人最初的印象是身不由己的。举例说，我是一个异性恋男子，当我见到一位美丽的女士时，我对她的第一个印象是：“哗，她真是个尤物！”这是自然的反应。若要停止有这种感受，恐怕要弄瞎我的眼睛才行呢。

然而，在起初有这种感受后，我便要为自己的意念负责任了，那些意念有可能会发展为试探和邪恶。例如，如果这样想：“哗，假如能够亲近她，就是梦想成真了。”就不单是起初的印象那么简单了，这是邪恶的意念导至犯罪。耶稣说：“凡看见妇女就动淫念的，这人心里己经与他犯奸淫了”（马太福音5：28）。我们很容易便会这样做，这就是犯了罪。

每一天我们都会见到可以成为我们的试探的东西或人物，看见一辆汽车、或一栋房屋、或一个人、或任何你渴望得到的东西，你都可能会受到试探。然而，当我们从直觉的第一印象，进展到存心去满足自己的错误欲望时，我们就是犯了罪。这时我们不可以把责任推到神身上，神创造美丽的事物，但欲望是我们的，控制我们的欲望是我们的责任。

祷告

神啊，求你叫我们不遇见试探、拯救我们脱离凶恶、和赦免我们的罪。求你藉着你的灵在我们里面作工，来帮助我们控制我们的心思意念。奉耶稣的名祈求。阿们。

James 1:12-18

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6

DESIRES

Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. —James 1:14

Temptations are thoughts. We see things or people that appeal to us, and we want them for ourselves, even though we know that would be wrong.

Humans will always have sensations of desire, and we really can’t be responsible for those initial impressions. For example, I am a heterosexual male. When I see a beautiful woman, my first impression is “Wow, she is really a knockout!” That is a natural response. To stop having such a sensation would probably require that I be struck blind.

After that initial impression, though, I am responsible for my thoughts. Those thoughts may lead toward temptation and evil. To think, “Wow, it would be a dream come true to get together with her,” for example, is not just an initial impression. That would be an evil thought leading to sin. Jesus said that “anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). That is very easy to do. And it is sin.

Every day, we see things or persons that can tempt us. It can happen when you see a car, or a house, or a person, or pretty much anything you might desire. But when we move from an instinctive first impression to a conscious thought of wrongful desire, we sin. And God is not to blame for that. God makes beautiful things, but the desire is ours— and ours to control.

O God, keep us from temptation, deliver us from evil, and forgive us our sins. By your Spirit’s work in us, help us to control our thoughts, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

罗马书12：1–2

所以弟兄们，我以神的慈悲劝你们，将身体献上，当做活祭，是圣洁的，是神所喜悦的，你们如此侍奉乃是理所当然的。 不要效法这个世界，只要心意更新而变化，叫你们察验何为神的善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意。

五月五日

更新的意念

“不要效法这个世界，只要心意更新而变化。”——罗马书12:12

留意这段经文描述的明显对比。我们可以效法这个世界的“模式”—就是世人的行为、标准和传统。但我们也可以跟从神的旨意，方法就是使我们的心意在基督里得到更新和改变，好让我们能看到怎样按神的旨意过生活。

我们的世界被由黑暗之君魔鬼带领着的邪恶势力影响了。这个世界的模式、行为、标准和传统，都在促进自私自利、夸胜、滥用权力和轻蔑人的行为。我们天天都可以在传播媒体中见到这种现象，要抗拒它是相当困难的，特别是这个现像看来似乎是正常的，就更困难了。

神要拯救我们离开这些毁灭我们的意念和模式，每一个人靠着圣灵的能力，都需要寻求神的更新。

使徒保罗说：“要心意更新而变化。”这句话精要地说明基督徒一生的呼召，它指出我们怎样才能更像我们的救主。我们需要撇下我们昔日邪恶的意念，以更新和圣洁的意念取代。我们可以舍弃世界的情欲，并且抓紧神的慈爱。我们可以放下炫耀自我的习惯，改而追求基督自我牺牲的爱。

我们需要抵抗和拒绝这个邪恶世界的传统和模式；我们的意念需要去辨明什么是神真正的旨意，并且以它为过生活的标准。

祷告

亲爱的主，我们需要被你改造。求你更新我们的意念、成为更像基督的意念，好让我们能够按你的旨意过生活。阿们。

Romans 12:1-2

TUESDAY, MAY 5

A RENEWED MIND

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. —Romans 12:2

Notice the big contrast in this text. We can follow the “pattern”— or the behaviors, standards, and customs—of the world. Or we can follow the will of God. And the way to do that is to be transformed by the renewing of our mind in Christ so that we can see how to live by God’s will.

Our world is influenced by evil powers, led by the devil, the prince of darkness. The patterns, behaviors, standards, and customs of this world promote selfishness, boasting, abuse of power, and disdain for others. We see it every day in the media. And it can be difficult to resist, especially when it seems normal.

God wants to rescue us from destructive thoughts and patterns. Each person—empowered by the Holy Spirit—needs to seek God to be transformed.

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” writes the apostle Paul. This is a good shorthand description of the Christian’s lifelong calling. It describes how to become more like the Savior. We need to shed our old, evil thoughts and put on new, holy ones. We can leave behind the desires of the world and grasp the love of God. We can put away self-promoting customs and embrace the self-sacrificing love of Christ.

We need to resist and reject the customs and patterns of the sinful world. Our minds need to discern what the true will of God is and to live by it.

Dear Lord, we need to be transformed. Renew our minds to be like the mind of Christ so that we may live by your will. Amen.

创世记6：5 - 8

耶和华见人在地上罪恶很大，终日所思想的尽都是恶。 耶和华就后悔造人在地上，心中忧伤。 耶和华说：“我要将所造的人和走兽并昆虫，以及空中的飞鸟，都从地上除灭，因为我造他们后悔了。” 唯有挪亚在耶和华眼前蒙恩。

五月四日

抗拒邪恶的意念

“耶和华见人在地上罪恶很大，终日所思想的尽都是恶。”——创世记6:5

哗！那个年代的人一定是罪大恶极的了，看看经文中那些涵盖一切的字眼：在地上的人、尽都是、终日。这一切都令神极为痛心。

有些人，甚至整个社会，都可能变得非常邪恶。邪恶都是从人心中的意念衍生出来的。在接着的故事中，神降下洪水来毁灭当时所有被邪恶和暴力玷污之物。

在今天，若有基督的灵在我们里面作工，我们理应不会陷入“终日……尽都是恶”的危机中的，对吗？不过，我们不要自欺了。如果我们经常让心里的想法在邪恶面前降服，我们仍然会变得相当邪恶的。这些恶念虽不会令我们失去基督的拯救大能，它们却能容让魔鬼利用我们去行恶。恶念也会导致我们远离神，和祂为我们计划的美事。

因此，让我们来鉴察一下自己心里的意念。我们需要监管它们，需要辨别哪些意念是良善的？哪些是邪恶的？若有邪恶的意念，我们便需要抗拒。

耶稣把我们从洪水的审判中救赎出来了，然而抗拒邪恶的挣扎，将仍然会继续下去，直至祂再来的日子。靠着主的力量和圣灵的能力，我们便能够远离邪恶和追求良善的了。

祷告

神啊，感谢你拯救我们脱离彻底的毁灭，求你继续帮助我们，在基督我们的主和救主里，更新我们的心意。阿们。

Genesis 6:5-8

MONDAY, MAY 4

RESIST EVIL THOUGHTS

Every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. —Genesis 6:5

Wow! The people in those days must have been really, really bad. Look at all those totalizing terms: every, only, all the time. And all of this troubled God deeply.

Some people, and even some societies, can go very bad. Notice where it starts—in the thoughts of their hearts. In the story that follows, God sends a flood to destroy everything corrupted by the evil and violence of that time.

Today, if the Spirit of Christ is working in us, that should mean we are not at risk of being “only evil all the time,” right? Well, let’s not kid ourselves. We can still be quite bad if we regularly let the thoughts of our hearts yield to evil. Such thoughts will not remove us from the saving power of Christ, but they will allow the devil to use us for evil purposes. Evil thoughts will also set us apart from the will of God and from the good that he has in mind for us.

So let’s watch the thoughts of our hearts. We need to monitor them. We need to recognize which thoughts are good and which ones are evil. We need to resist the evil ones.

Jesus redeems us from the flood of judgment, but the struggle against evil will continue until he returns. In the Lord’s strength and by the power of his Spirit, we can turn from evil and seek to do what is good.

O God, thank you for redeeming us from absolute destruction. Please continue to help us by renewing our minds in Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

马太福音6：25–34

所以我告诉你们，不要为生命忧虑吃什么喝什么，为身体忧虑穿什么。生命不胜于饮食吗？身体不胜于衣裳吗？ 你们看那天上的飞鸟，也不种也不收，也不积蓄在仓里，你们的天父尚且养活它，你们不比飞鸟贵重得多吗？ 你们哪一个能用思虑使寿数多加一刻呢[a]？ 何必为衣裳忧虑呢？你想野地里的百合花怎么长起来，它也不劳苦，也不纺线， 然而我告诉你们：就是所罗门极荣华的时候，他所穿戴的还不如这花一朵呢！ 你们这小信的人哪！野地里的草今天还在，明天就丢在炉里，神还给它这样的装饰，何况你们呢？ 所以，不要忧虑说吃什么、喝什么、穿什么。 这都是外邦人所求的。你们需用的这一切东西，你们的天父是知道的。 你们要先求他的国和他的义，这些东西都要加给你们了。 所以，不要为明天忧虑，因为明天自有明天的忧虑。一天的难处一天当就够了。

五月三日

求神的国

“你们要先求他的国和他的义，这些东西都要加给你们了。”—马太福音6：33

你少时有没有玩过捉迷藏呢？我玩过，现在我也会和孙儿女们玩。（当他们藏在长椅上的被子下面时，我很容易便找到他们。）

在今天的经文中，耶稣谈到求神的国和祂的义，这是我们的首要任务，也是我们生命主要的目标。当我们这样做时，我们一切所需的，都自然会有着落了。这里的意思不是说，祝我们好运找到藏起来的东西，而是耶稣在劝喻我们要寻求神的旨意，把祂的目标放在我们生命中的首位，以致我们能够按祂对我们的呼召过生活。

好消息是，神和祂的国是容易找到的，我们可以在基督的一生中找得到，也在听从并努力遵行神的话的信徒当中找得到。他们的目标是像耶稣那样，以公平和怜悯待人来过公义的生活。

耶稣的教导事工可以用下面的经文作为总结：“神的国近了，你们当悔改、信福音！”（马可福音1：15）。神的国可以在耶稣里找得到，耶稣说：“来跟从我。”（马可福音1：17），主耶稣教导我们，祂是前往神和神的国那里的唯一道路。（约翰福音14： 6）

如果我们没有明确的目的地，我们只会到处流荡。就如耶稣所说的，基督徒知道他们最终的目的地是神和祂的国。在我们藉着圣灵的能力，去跟从神的教导时，这就是我们必须追寻的目标。

祷告

亲爱的神，惟愿我们的思想和意愿都是以你为目标。惟愿你的灵帮助我们，在我们一切所想、所说、和所行的，都先求你的国。阿们。

Matthew 6:25-34

SUNDAY, MAY 3

SEEK THE KINGDOM

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” —Matthew 6:33

Did you play hide-and-seek as a child? I did, and I play it now with my grandchildren. (They are easy to find when they’re under a blanket on the couch.)

In our text for today Jesus talks about seeking God’s kingdom and his righteousness as our first priority, our main goal in life. And when we do that, all of the things we need will be taken care of. The point here is not to wish us good luck in finding something well hidden. Rather, Jesus urges us to pursue God’s will, placing his purposes first in our lives so that we may live as he calls us to.

The good news is that God and his kingdom can be easily found. We can find God and his kingdom in the life of Christ and among believers who listen to God’s Word and strive to live by it. They aim to live righteously by acting justly and with mercy for all people, as Jesus did.

Jesus’ teaching ministry can be summed up with these words: “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). God’s kingdom is found in Jesus, who said, “Follow me” (Mark 1:17), and taught that he is the only way to God and his kingdom (John 14:6).

If we don’t have a specific destination, we will just wander. Christians know, as Jesus showed, that their ultimate destination is God and his kingdom. This is what we must aim for as we follow Jesus’ teachings by the power of his Spirit.

Dear God, may the aim of our thoughts and desires be toward you. May your Spirit help us to seek your kingdom first in all we think, say, and do. Amen.

马可福音12：28 - 34

有一个文士来，听见他们辩论，晓得耶稣回答得好，就问他说：“诫命中哪是第一要紧的呢？” 耶稣回答说：“第一要紧的就是说：‘以色列啊，你要听，主我们神是独一的主。 你要尽心、尽性、尽意、尽力爱主你的神。’ 其次就是说：‘要爱人如己。’再没有比这两条诫命更大的了。” 那文士对耶稣说：“夫子说神是一位，实在不错！除了他以外，再没有别的神。 并且尽心、尽智、尽力爱他，又爱人如己，就比一切燔祭和各样祭祀好得多。” 耶稣见他回答得有智慧，就对他说：“你离神的国不远了。”从此以后，没有人敢再问他什么。

五月二日

尽意

“你要尽心、尽性、尽意、尽力爱主你的神。”—《马可福音》12：30

在回答关于哪一条诫命最重要这个问题时，耶稣引用了旧约圣经《申命记》第6章的经文。祂强调爱神牵涉到我们整个人、我们的每一部份。耶稣这话让我们留意到，希伯来文化视“心”（heart）为我们整个人的中心，是我们的意念、我们的意志和我们的情感所在。意念是我们整个人的基本部份。

意念是我们整个人的核心。我们每天的生活都源于自己的思想和意愿，这些都在我们的言语和行为上反映出来。可是，我们大部份的思想和意愿，都是我们或其他人察觉不到的。所以，如果我们想遵行这条最重要的诫命的话，需要留意自己的思想和意愿，需要留意自己的意念。

我们使用意念来分辨对与错，我们可以定下计划，想办法达到目标。我们的意念反映出我们的为人和性情。怪不得耶稣提醒我们，用尽我们的意念去爱神是多么重要。

然而我发觉甚少会去察验自己的意念—看看它是否在专注爱神，抑或是专注在一堆丑恶的想法和意愿上。你是否也有同感呢？

在这个月，让我们集中注意力，尽用我们的意念来事奉神吧。让我们思想神会怎样更新我们，叫我们按祂的呼召，像耶稣那样过生活。

祷告

神啊，求你帮助我们留意我们在想什么。惟愿我们的思想和意愿，都配得上你呼召我们做你的儿女的身份。奉基督的名祈求，阿们。

Mark 12:28-34

SATURDAY, MAY 2

WITH ALL OUR MIND

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” —Mark 12:30

As Jesus answers a question about the greatest commandment, he quotes from Deuteronomy 6 in the Old Testament. He emphasizes that loving God involves our whole being—every part of us. In this way Jesus draws attention to the Hebrew teaching of the heart as the center of our being, the seat of our mind, our will, and our emotions. Our mind is a fundamental part of our whole being.

Our mind is at the core of our self. Our everyday living flows from our thoughts and desires, and these are reflected in our words and deeds—all that we do and say. Most of our thoughts and desires go unnoticed by us and others, however. So if we want to obey the greatest commandment, we need to pay attention to our thoughts and desires. We need to pay attention to our mind.

With our mind we can tell the difference between right and wrong. We can make plans and figure out how to reach our goals. Our mind reflects our character and disposition. No wonder Jesus reminds us how important it is to love God with all our mind.

Yet I find that I rarely examine my mind to see if it is focused on loving God or on a swamp of ugly thoughts and desires. Is that true of you too?

This month let’s focus on serving God with all our mind. Let’s consider how God can transform us to live as he calls us to live—like Jesus.

O God, help us to think about what we think about. May our thoughts and desires be worthy of the children you call us to be, in Christ. Amen.

彼得前书2：4-10

主乃活石，固然是被人所弃的，却是被神所拣选、所宝贵的。 你们来到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成为灵宫，做圣洁的祭司，藉着耶稣基督奉献神所悦纳的灵祭。 因为经上说：“看哪，我把所拣选、所宝贵的房角石安放在锡安，信靠他的人必不至于羞愧。” 所以，他在你们信的人就为宝贵；在那不信的人有话说：“匠人所弃的石头，已做了房角的头块石头”， 又说：“做了绊脚的石头、跌人的磐石。” 他们既不顺从，就在道理上绊跌[a]；他们这样绊跌也是预定的。 唯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，现在却做了神的子民；从前未曾蒙怜恤，现在却蒙了怜恤。

五月一日

皇室成员，不是“皇室失败者”

“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 … 。”—— 彼得前书2:9

我们往往是自己最严厉的批判者。我发觉我对自己的看法总是消极的。“Kent，你究竟有什么想法？”“你不断这样做 … ”“现在他们会认为你是一个混蛋。”诸如此类。

事实上，我们往往有足够理由去痛骂自己的，我们总是弄得一团糟，而且天天都是这样。

我们需要回到《圣经》来提醒自己，神是怎样看我们的。《彼得前书》这段美丽的经文，能帮助我们看到我们是多么蒙福和蒙爱的。我们已蒙神拣选成为祂家里的人，意思是说我们是“皇室成员”。我们是神和宇宙之主国度里的公主和王子。我们更有祭司的身份，这表示我们已经成为圣洁、无瑕疵，以及委身给那位全然圣洁无瑕的神了。我们并且蒙召去赞美这位“召我们出黑暗入奇妙光明”的奇妙的神。

哗！我们并不是彻底的失败者啊！宇宙中没有任何生物比我们有更美好的前景的了。当然啦，目前我们仍然未能看到最终的成果。然而彼得在这里描述的，是神看到的事实，这也是我们需要看到的事实。

每当你受到试探生出消极的想法时，试试这样对自己说：“不错，我弄得一团糟了。但我是蒙神拣选，成为祂圣洁的皇室家庭的一份子，我并且蒙召去忠心事奉宇宙的君王。”这就是神对你的看法。

祷告

主啊，感谢你，因你在你的儿子—我们的救主耶稣基督里改造了我们。感谢你呼召我们来活在你荣耀的光中。求你帮助我们像你看我们那样看自己。奉耶稣的名祈求，阿们。

1 Peter 2:4-10

FRIDAY, MAY 1

ROYALTY, NOT “ROYAL SCREW-UPS”

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession. . . .

—1 Peter 2:9

We are often our own worst critics. I find that many of my inner thoughts tend to be negative about myself. “Kent, what were you thinking?” “You keep doing that. . . .” “Now they are going to think you’re a jerk.” And so on.

The truth is, we often have good reasons for chewing ourselves out. We mess up. Daily.

That’s why we need to go to the Bible and remind ourselves what God thinks of us. This beautiful text in 1 Peter helps us see how blessed and loved we are. We are chosen by God to become part of his family. This means we are royalty. We are princesses and princes in the kingdom of God, the Lord of the cosmos. We are also a priesthood, meaning we are made holy, pure, and dedicated to the One who is totally holy and pure. And we are called to praise this amazing God who has called us “out of darkness and into his wonderful light.”

Wow! We are not total screwups! No other creatures in the universe have more going for them than we do. Oh, sure, we don’t see the final product yet. But what Peter describes is the reality that God sees, and this is the reality we need to see.

When you are tempted to be negative, try talking to yourself this way: “Yes, I messed up. But I am chosen by God to be part of his family—holy, royal, and called to serve the King of the cosmos faithfully.” This is how God sees you.

Lord, thank you for remaking us in your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for calling us to live in your glorious light. Help us to think of ourselves as you do. In Jesus, Amen.

彼得前书 2:4-10

主乃活石，固然是被人所弃的，却是被神所拣选、所宝贵的。 你们来到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成为灵宫，做圣洁的祭司，藉着耶稣基督奉献神所悦纳的灵祭。 因为经上说：“看哪，我把所拣选、所宝贵的房角石安放在锡安，信靠他的人必不至于羞愧。” 所以，他在你们信的人就为宝贵；在那不信的人有话说：“匠人所弃的石头，已做了房角的头块石头”， 又说：“做了绊脚的石头、跌人的磐石。”

他们既不顺从，就在道理上绊跌；他们这样绊跌也是预定的。 唯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，现在却做了神的子民；从前未曾蒙怜恤，现在却蒙了怜恤。

4月30日

神的宏大工程

“唯有你们是被拣选的族类……是圣洁的国度，是属神的子民……” - 彼得前书 2:9

当神忙于预备新创造时，祂正在进行一项特别的工程。祂正在建立一个被拣选的族类，一个圣洁的国度，就是彼得在今天的经文中所说的“属神的子民”（special possession）。

彼得对神子民的这些称呼是借用自旧约圣经。它们最初是用来描述古以色列人，表明他们作为神选民的特殊地位。现在，这些标签被赋予给所有“在基督里”聚集的人，即神从各族、各国、各方呼召归向祂自己的人，那些正在等候神新创造的基督信徒。

所有信靠基督为主、为救主的人都是这群体的一部分，他们聚集自世界各地，贯穿历世历代。我们这些生命“在基督里”的人，是神正在聚集的这广大群众的活路标，是即将到来的新创造的重要组成部分。

今天，试着透过《圣经》这面镜子来照镜：如果你是基督的信徒，你注视着的就是一个新造的人—一个在基督里正在被更新的人。你注视着的是神—就在此刻，正在建造的那个宏大新创造的一个活路标。而且，在某种意义上，你正在注视着一个全球性的、跨越时间的、深受眷爱的群体—就是神的圣洁子民。这一切都证明了：旧事已过，都变成新的了！

祷告

噢，神啊，能够“在基督里”，并作为你圣洁子民的一部分，在你的新创造中，盼望与你同住的生命，这是多么喜乐的礼物。我们赞美并尊崇你，因你将一切都更新了，也包括我们在内。阿们。

1 Peter 2:4-10

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

GOD’S BIG PROJECT

You are a chosen people . . . a holy nation, God’s special possession. . . . —1 Peter 2:9

While God is busy preparing the new creation, he is working on a special project. He is building a chosen people, a holy nation, the “special possession” that Peter talks about in our text for today.

Peter’s labels for God’s people are borrowed from the Old Testament. They were first used to describe ancient Israel, to signify their special status as God’s chosen nation. Now those labels are given to the collection of all who are “in Christ,” people from every nation and language that God calls to himself, believers in Christ who are waiting for God’s new creation.

All who believe in Christ as Lord and Savior are a part of that crowd, gathered from across the globe and throughout the ages. We whose lives are “in Christ” are living signposts of the great multitude that God is gathering, an important part of the coming new creation.

Look in the mirror today with this biblical lens: If you are a believer in Christ, you are gazing at a new creation—someone who is being made new in Christ. You are gazing at a living signpost of the big new creation that God is—even now— building. And you are somehow gazing into a global, timeless, and much-loved gathering— God’s holy people. All of this is proof that the old has gone, and the new has come!

What a joyous gift, O God, to be “in Christ” and looking forward to life with you as part of your holy people in your new creation. We praise and honor you for making all things new, including us. Amen.

启示录 6:9-11

4月29日

等候新创造

“圣洁真实的主啊，你不审判住在地上的人，给我们伸流血的冤，要到几时呢？” - 启示录 6:10

这些日子你在等候什么吗？是一个计划已久的假期，或者是一个重要的生日？又或者是你在等候手术后的康复，或是等待一段关系的修复。

在今天的经文中，我们看到一群正在等候的圣徒。这是神赐给使徒约翰，并让他写在《启示录》中的一系列奇妙异象的一部分。这段经文中，圣徒因为忠于对耶稣的信仰而被杀，他们想知道还要等多久公义才能彰显，主何时为他们伸冤，以及神的国何时才能完全降临。

这是一个所有“在基督里”的人都会以某种形式提出的问题。我们的信心何时才能变成眼见？神那始于基督复活的、重塑万有的工作，何时才能完成？地上的苦难何时才会结束？喜乐何时才能真正成为永恒？

答案是：“再等片时”。虽然没有提供具体的日期，但主应许这事必然成就。我们所有“在基督里”的人，总有一天能够在神的新创造中享受丰盛的生命。在此期间，我们这些新造的人—所有“在基督里”的人，都被扶持、被爱护、被保守，以迎接主正在预备的那个宏大的新创造的到来。

祷告

主啊，我们切切渴望你的国度完全降临，但我们会耐心等候。当我们努力在信心中等候，信靠你并彼此相爱时，求你帮助我们忠心地事奉你。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。

Revelation 6:9-11

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

AWAITING THE NEW CREATION

“How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” —Revelation 6:10

Are you waiting for anything these days? Maybe a longplanned vacation or an important birthday? Or maybe you’re waiting for healing after a surgery, or for a relationship to be restored.

In our text for today we see a gathering of waiting saints. This is part of the amazing sequence of visions God gave to the apostle John to write down as the book of Revelation. The saints in this passage have been killed for their faith in Jesus, and they want to know how long they will have to wait for justice, for the Lord’s vengeance, and for the completion of God’s kingdom to come.

It’s a question that all of us who are “in Christ” ask in one form or another. When will our faith be made sight? When will God’s remaking of creation, which began at Christ’s resurrection, be complete? When will suffering on this earth be over? When will joy become truly everlasting?

“Wait just a little longer” is the answer. No calendar date is provided, but the Lord promises that it will happen. All of us who are “in Christ” will be able to enjoy full life in God’s new creation someday. In the meantime, we new creations, all of us who are “in Christ,” are held, loved, and kept for the arrival of that big new creation the Lord is working on.

Lord, we are eager for your kingdom to come in its fullness. But we will wait, and as we try to do that in faith, with trust in you and love for one another, help us to serve you faithfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

罗马书 16:13

又问在主蒙拣选的鲁孚和他母亲安，他的母亲就是我的母亲。

4月28日

鲁孚和他的母亲，新造的人

“又问在主蒙拣选的鲁孚和他母亲安，他的母亲就是我的母亲。” - 罗马书 16:13

今天，让我们再看一组保罗在《罗马书》16章提到的人：鲁孚和他的母亲。首先是鲁孚：保罗对鲁孚的评语是他是“在主里蒙拣选的”。我们不确定保罗为什么特意这样形容鲁孚，因为“在主里蒙拣选”其实正是描述每一个信耶稣的人。难道是罗马的基督徒群体对鲁孚对基督的委身存有一些怀疑吗？如果是这样，保罗在此提到他，就是为了平息疑虑。无论如何，鲁孚是“在基督里”的。

接下来，鲁孚的母亲被特别提到，因为她待保罗就像母亲一样。看起来，通过照顾保罗这位难得享受家庭温暖的旅行宣教士，她以各种方式显明了自己是“在基督里”的。当像保罗这样的人在旅途中受到款待、照顾和欢迎时，他们就会记住像鲁孚母亲这样的人。

鲁孚的母亲让我想起耶稣，祂的款待和接纳总是那么美好，始终如一且真诚。例如，想像耶稣给大群人提供食物的情景（《马可福音》6:30-44; 8:1-13）。想像祂充满恩典地再次呼召彼得来事奉（《约翰福音》21:15-19；参阅4月12日灵修）。试想耶稣的灵正住在鲁孚母亲的心里，这位新造的人，她的关怀和仁慈指向了神在新创造中的工作，引导她变得更像耶稣。

祷告

主啊，求你活在我们里面。我们想要看见基督的复活在我们里面动工。我们想要看见表明我们同样是新造之人的记号。主啊，求你赐给我们真正的喜乐与平安。阿们。

Romans 16:13

TUESDAY, APRIL 28

RUFUS AND HIS MOTHER, NEW CREATIONS

Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. —Romans 16:13

Today let’s look at one more set of people whom Paul mentions in Romans 16: Rufus and his mother.

First, Rufus: Paul’s comment about Rufus is that he is “chosen in the Lord.” We’re not sure why Paul says that about Rufus, because the phrase “chosen in the Lord” describes every believer in Jesus. Could there have been some doubt within the Christian community in Rome about Rufus’s commitment to Christ? If so, Paul means to quell any sense of doubt by including Rufus here. In any case, Rufus is “in Christ.”

Next, Rufus’s mother is noted as being like a mother to Paul. In various ways, it seems, she revealed that she was “in Christ” through her care for Paul, a traveling missionary who rarely experienced the comforts of home. When people like Paul received hospitality, care, and welcome while traveling, they remembered people like Rufus’s mother.

Rufus’s mother reminds me of Jesus, whose hospitality and welcome were beautifully consistent and authentic. Picture Jesus providing food for large crowds, for example (Mark 6:30-44; 8:1-13). Picture him graciously calling Peter to serve again (John 21:15-19; April 12). Think about Jesus’ Spirit living in the heart of Rufus’s mother, a new creation whose care and kindness pointed to God’s work in the new creation, leading her to become like Jesus.

Live in us too, Lord. We want to see Christ’s resurrection at work in us. We want to see signs that we too are new creations. Give us that joy and peace, Lord. Amen.

罗马书 16:12

又问为主劳苦的土非拿氏和土富撒氏安。问可亲爱为主多受劳苦的彼息氏安。

4月27日

土非拿氏、土富撒氏和彼息氏

“又问为主劳苦的土非拿氏和土富撒氏安。问可亲爱为主多受劳苦的彼息氏安。” - 罗马书 16:12

过去几天，我们查看了保罗在《罗马书》16章中向助手、同工和其他圣徒的问候，并重点介绍了几位。这些人都是“在基督里”的，因此正如保罗在我们本月的主题经文《哥林多后书》5:17中所说，他们都是新造的人。

在今天的经文中，保罗特别提到了三位为耶稣基督的事业辛勤做工的妇女。保罗没有告诉我们有关她们工作的细节，只提到她们欣然接受事奉耶稣。也许你认识这样的人，我也认识。在我作教会领袖顾问的工作中，我常看到理事会主席介入充满挑战的对话，会见愤怒的教会成员，并在紧张的理事会会议中提供冷静的领导。许多人告诉我，当他们初次被呼召担任此职时，从未想过自己能应付这样的局面。但他们就在那里，竭尽全力处理艰难的事，装备来自神的智慧、谦卑和坚韧。

让我们为这些人感谢神，也为我们认识的所有其他新造的人感谢神；他们的生命和辛勤工作是他们“在基督里”的记号，并指向那未来的新创造。

祷告

主啊，感谢你赐下那些“在基督里”有智慧的教会领袖，他们为教会所做的工作显明了你正活在他们里面。藉着你圣灵的大能，求你在平顺或充满挑战的时刻都加添力量给他们。阿们。

Romans 16:12

MONDAY, APRIL 27

TRYPHENA, TRYPHOSA, AND PERSIS

Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. . . . [And] Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. —Romans 16:12

For the past few days we’ve looked through Paul’s greetings to helpers, coworkers, and other saints here in Romans 16, highlighting just a few of them. These people are all “in Christ,” and they are therefore new creations, as Paul puts it in our theme verse, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

In our text for today Paul highlights three women who are hard workers in the cause of Jesus Christ. Paul doesn’t tell us anything about their work, just that they embraced it as part of their service for Jesus.

Maybe you know people like that. I do. In my work as a consultant for church leaders, I have often seen council chairpersons step into challenging conversations, meet with angry church members, and provide calm leadership in tense council meetings. Many of them have told me they never would have thought they could manage situations like those when they were first called into office. But there they are, doing hard things, to the best of their ability, equipped with wisdom, humility, and persistence from God.

Let’s thank God for these people, and for all of the other new creations we know whose lives and hard work are signs that they are “in Christ,” pointing ahead to the new creation.

Lord, thank you for wise church leaders who are “in Christ” and whose work for the church reveals that you are living within them. By the power of your Spirit, strengthen them for calm times and challenging times. Amen.

罗马书 16:7

又问我亲属与我一同坐监的安多尼古和犹尼亚安，他们在使徒中是有名望的，也是比我先在基督里。

4月26日

安多尼古和犹尼亚：新造的人

“又问我亲属与我一同坐监的安多尼古和犹尼亚安；他们在使徒中是有名望的，也是比我先在基督里。” - 罗马书16:7

塑造了我们本月灵修主题的经文（《哥林多后书》5:17）中，有一个重要且简短的句语，在《罗马书》16章7节这里再次出现，那就是：“在基督里”。

这是使徒保罗最喜欢用的句语，用来描述那些已经信靠主耶稣、在祂里面蒙救赎，并且正在被转化为基督样式的人--他们是“在基督里”。基督是他们的家，是他们的安息之所，是他们的生命源头。

今天，我们通常称这些人是基督徒。但保罗说他们是“在基督里”的人。安多尼古和犹尼亚，连同保罗在《罗马书》16章提到的所有其他人，都是“在基督里”新造的人。而且，据保罗所说，他们比保罗自己更早成为“在基督里”的信徒。此外，他们“在基督里”的品格引导他们跟随基督，与保罗一同坐监。他们为主所做的服事如此卓越，以至于保罗形容他们在“使徒中是有名望的”。

这两个人是如何成为“在基督里”的呢？是神吸引他们信靠耶稣—那位唯一的救主。神对他们的爱，把他们变成了爱神的人。主把他们变成了新造的人，而他们的转变暗示着一件大事：（这是）神的新创造！

如果神也在你身上成就了这事，请与我一同感谢神！

祷告

神啊，感谢你在所有“在基督里”的人身上所做的工作—从教会早期直到如今。我们都是你新造的人！阿们。

Romans 16:7

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

ANDRONICUS AND JULIUS, NEW CREATIONS

Andronicus and Julius, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me . . . are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. —Romans 16:7

The text that has shaped our month’s devotions (2 Corinthians 5:17) has an important, little phrase that shows up again here, in Romans 16:7: “in Christ.”

This phrase is one of the apostle Paul’s favorite descriptions of people who have come to believe in the Lord Jesus, are redeemed in him, and are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. They are “in Christ.” Christ is their home, their resting place, their source of life.

Today it is more common to say that these people are Christians. Paul said that they are “in Christ.”

Andronicus and Julius are new creations “in Christ,” along with all of the other people Paul mentions in Romans 16. And, according to Paul, they were believers “in Christ” before Paul himself was. In addition, their “in Christ” character led them to follow Christ into imprisonment alongside Paul. Their service for the Lord was so remarkable that Paul described them as “outstanding among the apostles.”

How did these two people become “in Christ”? God drew them into faith in Jesus, the one and only Savior. God’s love for them turned them into people who loved God. The Lord made them into new creations. And their transformation hints at something big: God’s new creation!

Thank God with me if he has done that for you too!

Thank you, God, for your work in all who are “in Christ,” from the early days of the church to the present. We are all your new creations! Amen.