經文: 「因為上帝的國，不在乎吃喝，只在乎公義、和平，並聖靈中的喜樂。」(聖經·羅馬書 14章17節)「但願使人有盼望的上帝，因信，將諸般的喜樂平安充滿你們的心，使你們藉著聖靈的能力，大有盼望。」(聖經·羅馬書 15章13節)
有位基督徒對我這樣說過：「我總是以為，如果我有了宗教信仰，似乎就不可能再做屬世的工作，因為這兩種似乎是迥然不同的事。但是，我似乎是看見了一個人揹著沈重的沙袋在開採他的葡萄園，可是自從遇見上帝，每天從早到晚都充滿了喜樂；那背上沈重的負擔不見了，與主同在的喜樂成為工作中的力量。」這是個有著特殊意義的功課。許多基督徒不明白上帝所賜的喜樂，可以成為我們工作時的喜樂。即使是個奴僕，若他心中充滿基督的愛，也能見證這因信所帶來的喜樂。
請看本文的兩節經文，上帝要藉著聖靈賜給我們平安喜樂。我們可曾好好思想過這是何等大的恩典？對許多人來說，他們一想到聖靈，就想到聖靈的責備、擔憂等沈重嚴肅的事情，或者是太神聖、高不可攀的一面。其實這些都是無知、不正確的想法，因為上帝要賞賜給祂兒女的，絕不是自責、愁苦的日子，而是喜樂、平安的日子。
要切記加拉太書五章22-23節，並仔細聆聽聖靈指著耶穌基督為我們所預備的美好果子：要結出仁愛、喜樂、和平的果子。「你們雖然沒有見過祂，卻是愛祂，如今雖不得看見，卻因信祂就有說不出來，滿有榮光的大喜樂！」(彼得前書 一8) 謙卑誠懇地切切祈求，堅定地相信聖靈會引領你進入主裡的平安與喜樂。
—《 神 的 心 意 》
(每日靈修 10月28日)
作者：慕安德烈
編輯：榮華興
(圖片版權屬「基督教論壇報」所有，在此僅供分享福音用途。)
『 Joy in GOD 』
Scripture: “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” — (Romans 14:17) “Now may the God of hope make you full of joy and peace through faith, so that all hope may be yours in the power of the Holy Spirit.” — (Romans 15:13)
A Christian man said to me, shortly after his conversion: “I always thought that if I became religious it would be impossible for me to do my worldly business. The two things seemed so contrary. I seemed to be a man trying to dig a vineyard with a bag of sand on his shoulders. But when I found the Lord, I was so filled with joy that I could do my work cheerfully from morning till night. The bag of sand was gone; the joy of the Lord was my strength for all my work.”
Truly a significant lesson. Many Christians do not understand that the joy of the Lord will keep them and fit them for their work. Even slaves, when filled with the love of Christ, could testify to the happiness that He gave.
Read the two texts at the heading of this chapter, and see how the kingdom of God is pure joy and peace through the Holy Spirit, and how God will “fill us with all joy and peace in believing,” “through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Then try to realize that the Holy Spirit will give this joy and peace of Christ in our hearts. To many the thought of the Holy Spirit is a matter of grief and self-reproach, of desire and disappointment, of something too high and holy for them. What a foolish thought, that the great gift of the Father, meant to keep us in the joy and peace of Christ, should be a matter of self-reproach and care!
Remember Galatians v. 22, and listen attentively to the voice of the Spirit each day as He points to Jesus Christ, who offers you this wonderful fruit: “My Love, My Joy, My Peace.” “On whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Pet. i. 8). Pray in all humility to the Holy Spirit, believing firmly that He will lead you into the joy of the Lord.
— God’s Best Secrets by Andrew Murray
「 28 October 」
