最棒的基督徒生命22

選擇

要瞭解並追求神在基督裡的崇高呼召，我們必須瞭解神不斷給我們選擇，那些充滿宿命論想法的人很難領會，更不喜歡。但事實就是如此，而且這真的是每一位基督徒生命中很大的一塊。這即是何以主將生命樹放在園子中，並不是為了絆倒亞當和夏娃，好讓他們犯罪，而是若沒有不順服的自由，就沒有真正的順服。若沒有不敬拜的自由，就沒有真實的敬拜。我們在主裡成長的每一步都需要做出正確的選擇。

在希伯書十一章25-26節告訴我們，摩西『選擇』和神的百姓同受苦害，『也不願暫時享受罪中之樂』。摩西有一個選擇，在聖經中我們看見他有許多的選擇，引領摩西進入他呼召的最重要選擇，可能是因為他『過去』看燃燒的荊棘。有多少人錯過主的呼召，是因為他們不願意將每日議程與例行公事放到一邊，過去看神在做的某件事呢？

重點是，此道路是出於志願，隨著我們成長，我們需要不斷做出更艱難的選擇。神所賜給我們的聖靈不會替我們來選擇，祂是『幫助者』不是『執行者』。行走在此崇高呼召的道路上，意味著在信心、智慧、瞭解、責任和權柄中成長。這是為了與主一同掌權所做的訓練。

在讀到使徒行傳時，我們看到使徒們並不是有人拉著手領他們，他們乃是有權柄做出決定。我們不斷從他們身上讀到的經文像是『我已決定…』。小孩子需要有人拉著手領他們，而在基督裡不成熟的人做每件事都要有話語。但隨著我們成熟，此變得越來越不需要。

『使徒』這個字意思是『受差的』，使徒是以權柄被差派出去，因為他們夠智慧、夠成熟來做出好的決定。當他們所做出或將做出的決定會帶領他們去到主不要他們去的地方時，主會給他們異夢或異象修正，但一般而言，要去哪裡是由他們來做決定。

因此，當我們在主裡成熟，我們會被給予更多責任，沒有責任就沒有真正的權柄。儘管我們有主同在，但祂要我們長大成熟，遠超過聽命行事。祂要我們擁有祂的心思、祂的意念，以致於我們所做的決定亦是祂會做的決定，而且是祂藉由我們做成的。

當我們在主裡面成長，我們必須學會當祂沒有給予我們明確指示，反而給我們選擇時，是何等大的殊榮，因為祂信任我們。祂想要我們在信心和智慧裡成長，並且認得祂的聲音。

 (摘自喬納 word for the week, Week22, 2015)

 

Choices- The Greatest Christian Life, Part 22
Week 22, 2015
Rick Joyner

To understand and pursue the high calling of God in Christ, we must understand that we will constantly be given choices. Those who are given to fatalism will have a hard time comprehending this, much less liking it, but it is true and is actually very much a part of every Christian life. This is why the Lord put the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden. It was not to trip up Adam and Eve so they would sin, but there could be no true obedience unless there was freedom to disobey. There can be no true worship unless there is freedom not to worship. Every step of our growth in the Lord requires making the right choice.

We are told in Hebrews 11:25-26 that Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God “considering the reproach of Christ greater than all of the treasures of Egypt.” Moses had a choice. We see in the story that he had many choices. Possibly the most important choice leading Moses to his calling was to “turn aside” to see the burning bush. How many miss their calling in the Lord because they are not willing to turn aside from their daily agendas and routines to see something of God?

The point is, this walk is voluntary and requires continual choices that get more difficult as we grow. The Holy Spirit who has been given to us will not do it for us. He is “the Helper,” not “the Doer.” Walking the path to the high calling means growing in faith, wisdom, understanding, responsibility, and authority. This is training for reigning.

Reading the Book of Acts, we see that the apostles were not led around by the hand, but they had authority to make choices. We repeatedly read phrases from them like, “I have decided…” Little children must be led by the hand, and the immature in Christ want a word for everything they do. But as we mature, this becomes less necessary.

The word “apostle” means “sent one.” Apostles were sent out with authority because they were wise enough and mature enough to make good decisions. When they made one, or were about to make one, that would lead them to a place He did not want them to go, He would give them a dream or vision to correct this. But in general, they made the decisions about where to go.

Therefore, as we mature in the Lord, we are given more responsibility. There can be no true authority without responsibility. Even though we have Him with us, He wants us to mature beyond just getting orders from Him. He wants us to have His heart and His mind so that what we decide is what He would decide, and is done through us.

As we grow in Him, we must learn to recognize the great privilege it is when He does not give us specific instructions, but gives us a choice because He trusts us. He is seeking to have us grow in faith and wisdom, as much as knowing His voice.