於2022-06-15發佈

 

你是誰?
雷克-喬納 Rick Joyner
翻譯:Kate 2022.6.14
轉載/轉寄 請註明出處:國度禱告網

惟有你們是被揀選的族類,是有君尊的祭司,是聖潔的國度,是屬神的子民,要叫你們宣揚那召你們出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德。
你們從前算不得子民,現在卻作了神的子民;從前未曾蒙憐恤,現在卻蒙了憐恤。(彼得前書2:9-10)。

最早被稱為"邪教"( cult)的群體是第一世紀的基督徒。在當時,被這樣稱呼並不被認為是一種貶義,因為"邪教"這個詞是由"文化"( culture)一詞演變而來。基督徒與其他人如此不同,以至於他們被認為是當時各國中的一種完全不同的文化。當然,"邪教 "這個詞有不同的含義,我們今天不希望把它應用到我們身上,但即便如此,基督徒也應該與其他所有人有明顯區別。

在上面引用的經文中,我們首先被宣佈為 "揀選的族類"。你有沒有想過,一旦你成為基督徒,你就成了另一個種族的一員?我們不再是白色、黑色、紅色、猶太人或外邦人。身為基督徒,我們被呼召成為地上一個不同的族類,不是通過我們膚色,而是通過生活和品格來區分。我們的生活和品格應該在基督裡是如此不同和有能力,以至於我們因此而脫穎而出。

少數民族更難不首先想到自己是一個紅色或黑色的男人或女人,等等。只要有種族歧視的歷史,那些被歧視的人就會以比多數人更強烈的方式把他們的種族身份推到他們身上。即便如此,如果我們的身份不是首先作為一個基督徒,我們還有很多事情要做。如果我們對團契的吸引力不是首先對其他基督徒,而不是對那些與我們只是種族認同的人,那就表明我們把肉體的身份放在靈裡的身份之上。

這並不是說不應該圍繞一個人的自然種族或文化有一些身份和團契。然而,如果我們的身份不是首先作為一個基督徒,那麼就有問題了。這可能是今天大多數基督徒的問題,因為我們沒有看到自己是獨立的種族,我們被稱為 "揀選的族類"。

彼得前書2:9中給我們的第二個身份是"有君尊的祭司"。宗教改革所強調的偉大真理之一就是新約所明確的所有信徒的祭司身份。有多少基督徒甚至每天都在思考他們的祭司呼召和職責,或者根本沒有思考?在那些知道關於我們祭司身份的這一教義真理的人中,有多少人真正在這個我們都有的呼召中發揮作用?

我們不僅是聖職,而且是"皇家"聖職。基督徒是地上真正的王族。我們是萬王之王的兒子和女兒。我們應該以這種王室成員的尊嚴、優雅和正直來進行我們的生活。我們也應該明白,祭司的身份首先是為了服侍主,但也要用代禱和事奉來服侍所有國家、種族和文化。如果我們的身份真的是以主為先,那麼作為祭司的這一職責在我們心目中就應該高於任何其他世俗的職責或職業。

彼得給信徒的最後描述是,我們是聖潔的民族。這段文字中翻譯為 "聖潔"的希臘語是hagios(hag'-ee-os),其定義是"神聖的、純潔的、道德上無瑕疵的",以及"宗教的、儀式上的、神聖的"。最近的研究表明,那些自認為重生的基督徒和非基督徒之間不再有道德上的差異,而就在五十年前,這種差異是驚人而深刻的。發生了什麼?這是主自己在馬太福音24:12中關於末世的預言的實現,"因為不法的事增多,多數人的愛心要冷淡了"。

有明顯的證據表明,事實上大多數基督徒的愛已經變冷了,他們不再能從他們的品格,或對上帝或彼此的愛中區分出來。即便如此,也沒有任何地方說那些愛已變冷的人不能再被點燃。這也正在發生。目前正在發生的偉大復興之一是被拋棄和冷淡的基督徒的復甦。

聖言也很清楚,在末日來臨之前,將有一個純潔無瑕的教會。這是恢復教會的預言性事工的主要目的之一。就像施洗約翰第一次來時為新郎做準備一樣,將有一個先知的事工,呼喚神的子民悔改,為祂的第二次到來做準備。這些使者將是火的火焰,不是為了譴責,而是為了拯救和重新點燃我們在 "被揀選的族類,有君尊的祭司 "心中的初戀激情,當祂到來時,他們實際上將成為地上獨立的 "聖潔的民族"。 


Who Are You?
Rick Joyner

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies
of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God;
you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (I Peter 2:9-10).

The very first group of people to be called a "cult" were the first century Christians. At that time, it was not considered to be a derogatory comment to be called this because the word "cult" was derived from the word "culture." Christians were so different from other people that they were perceived to be an entirely different culture in the midst of the nations at the time. Of course, the word "cult" has a different meaning that we would not want applied to us today, but even so, Christians should be strikingly distinguishable from all other people.

In the Scripture quoted above, we are first declared to be "a chosen race." Have you ever considered that once you became a Christian you became part of another race of people? We are no longer white, black, red, Jew, or Gentile. As Christians we are called to be a different race within the earth that is distinguishable, not by the color of our skin, but by our lives and character. Our lives and character should be so different and powerful in Christlikeness that we stand out because of them.

It is more difficult for minorities not to think of themselves first as a red or black man or woman, etc. Wherever there has been a history of racial prejudice, those discriminated against have their racial identity thrust upon them in a much stronger way than majorities. Even so, if our identity is not first as a Christian, we have much maturing to do. If our attraction to fellowship is not first toward other Christians above those with whom we are just racially identified, it is an indication that we are placing our identity in the flesh above our identity in the spirit.

This is not to imply that there should not be some identity and fellowship around one's natural race or culture. However, if our identity is not first as a Christian then something is awry. This is probably something that is askew with most Christians today because we fail to see ourselves as the separate race that we are called to be, the "chosen race."

The second identity that we are given in I Peter 2:9 is "a royal priesthood." One of the great truths highlighted by the Reformation was the priesthood of all believers that the New Covenant makes clear. How many Christians even think in terms of their priestly calling and duties on a daily basis, or at all? Of those who know this doctrinal truth concerning our priesthood, how many are actually functioning in this calling, which we all have?

Not only are we a priesthood, we are a "royal" priesthood. Christians are the true royalty in the earth. We are sons and daughters of the King of kings. We should conduct our lives with the dignity, grace, and integrity of such royalty. We should also understand that a priesthood is first for the purpose of serving the Lord, but also serving all nations, races, and cultures with intercession and ministry. If our identity is truly with the Lord first, this duty as priests should be foremost in our minds above any other earthly duties or professions.

The final description that Peter gives to believers is that we are a holy nation. The Greek word translated "holy" in this text is hagios (hag'-ee-os), which is defined as "sacred, pure, morally blameless," as well as "religious, ceremonially, consecrated." Recent studies indicate that there is no longer a moral difference between those who consider themselves born again Christians and non-Christians, when just fifty years ago the difference was striking and profound. What has happened? It is the fulfillment of the Lord's own prophecy concerning the last days in Matthew 24:12, "And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold."

There is clear evidence that in fact most Christians' love has grown cold, and they are no longer distinguishable by their character, or their love for God or one another. Even so, nowhere does it say that those whose love has grown cold cannot be reignited. This too is happening. One of the great revivals that is taking place at this time is the recovery of backslidden and lukewarm Christians.

The Word is also clear that before the end comes there is going to be a church that is pure and spotless. This is one of the primary purposes for restoring prophetic ministry to the church. Just as John the Baptist pre-pared for the Bridegroom the first time he came, there will be a prophetic ministry that will call God's people to repentance in preparation for His second coming. These messengers will be flames of fire, not to condemn, but to save and reignite the passion of our first love in the hearts of the "chosen race, the royal priesthood," that will actually be a separate, "holy nation" on the earth when He comes.