經文 :「你們要恆切禱告，在此儆醒感恩，也要為我們禱告，求上帝給我們開傳道的門，能以講基督的奧秘，叫我按著所該說的話將這奧祕發明出來。」— [聖經·歌羅西書 4章2-4節]
「這道理就是歷世歷代所隱藏的奧祕，但如今向祂的聖徒顯明了；上帝願意叫他們知道，這奧祕在外邦人中有何等豐盛的榮耀，就是基督在你們心裡成了有榮耀的盼望。」(歌羅西書 1章26-27節)
在保羅看來，福音的重點信息就是「內住的耶穌」，他談到「這奧祕在外邦人中有何等豐盛的榮耀，就是基督在你們心裡成了有榮耀的盼望。」雖然他已經傳道多年，但他仍然請信徒為他禱告，好解開福音的奧祕，知道如何更有效地把福音的奧祕傳得更全備更廣闊。
教會中常聽到這樣的抱怨，就是有不少人剛開始為耶穌作見證都很熱心很喜樂，但持續不了多久就覺得裡面乾枯，沒有喜樂與服事的動力。關鍵在於弟兄姐妹們有沒有過著「耶穌內住」的生活，有沒有「主聖靈常常同在」的經歷，若沒有，他們如何能恆心持續地向他人傳講「屬靈生活的祕訣」？又如何活出這樣「有主同在」的喜樂生活？
幾年前有位宣教士應邀到國外的宣教工場做培訓工作，在離開前他照例在一個禱告會中對信徒有一番的勉勵，他談到「與主同住」的「內在生活」，是基督徒靈命的根基；信徒們大受激勵，覺得以前都不明白這全備的福音，可以這樣貼近人心並與實際生活相關，如今他們願意接受這真理，且學習相信、活出這真理。
數年前馬克林博士說，似乎教會現在不再強調傳講「耶穌內住」的信息，我們討論保羅傳福音的策略，但我們豈可忽略保羅所傳福音的中心思想：「耶穌住在我裡面，成了有福的盼望。」保羅覺得他迫切需要眾人為他禱告，好使他解開福音的奧祕，將全備的福音傳講得更徹底明白。無論身為傳道人或代禱勇士，豈不當像保羅那樣，竭力活出「耶穌內住」的經歷，引導基督徒們過著「有主同在」的喜樂生活？「人若愛我，就必遵守我的道，我父也必愛他，並且我們要到他那裡去，與他同住。」(約翰福音 14章23節)，或許這正是今日教會所最需要的真理 :「耶穌住在我裡面，成了榮耀的盼望。」
—《 神 的 心 意 》
[每日靈修 7月27日]
作者：慕安德烈
編輯：榮華興
『Paul’s Missionary Message of JESUS』
Scripture: “Continue in prayer . . . withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ . . . that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” — [Colossians 4:2-4]
“The mystery now made manifest to His saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” — (Colossians 1:26-27)
To Paul’s mind, the very centre and substance of his Gospel was the indwelling Christ. He spoke of the “riches of the glory of this mystery – Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Though he had been so many years a preacher of this Gospel, he still asked for prayer, that he might make known that mystery aright.
The complaint is often made in regard to native Churches, that after a time there appears to be no further growth, and very little of the joy and power for bearing witness to Christ Jesus. The question comes whether the Church at home is living in the experience of this indwelling Christ, so that the sons and daughters whom she sends out know the secret, and make it the substance of their teaching and preaching.
Some years ago one of our ministers went to the foreign mission field to do deputation work. Before he left there was a little gathering for prayer, at which he asked what his message should be. The thought was expressed that in speaking to Christians it was desirable that a message of a full salvation should be pressed home, and the hearts roused to believe in, and to accept of, an indwelling Christ. On his return he told with what deep interest the presentation of this truth had been received, many saying that they had never before understood this aright.
Dr. Maclaren said years ago that it seemed as if the Church had lost the truth of the indwelling Christ. We speak of Paul’s missionary methods, but is there not a greater need of Paul’s missionary message, as it culminates in the one word: “Christ in you, the hope of glory”? Paul felt the need of much prayer to enable him to give the message aright. Is there not a call to all missionary intercessors, and to our beloved missionaries themselves, to make it a matter of first importance to obtain the power, and from a living experience to lead Christians into the enjoyment of their rightful heritage? “If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will make our abode with him.” And it may be the Church at home will also share in the blessing, the restoration to its right place, of this truth: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
— God’s Best Secrets by Andrew Murray
「 27 July 」
