可預期的情況
WHAT TO EXPECT
作者：加里斯-艾爾金 GARRIS ELKINS
原文來源：以利亞名單
日期：2022.10.16
翻譯：Kate
轉載/轉寄 請註明出處：國度禱告網

我經常在想，我們今天表達的信心與生活在第一世紀的門徒所表達的信心會有什麼不同。對於初代門徒來說，有一個共同的主題--迫害。就在耶穌被逮捕之前，祂花了幾個小時與祂的門徒一起預備即將到來的事情。主談到了跟隨祂的現實意義，以及世界對他們宣稱的關於祂的真理的反應。約翰福音第14-17章詳述了那段親密的教導時間。

耶穌對祂的門徒談到了對祂的信心的獨特性。"耶穌說我就是道路、真理、生命；若不藉著我，沒有人能到父那裡去。"（約翰福音14:6）沒有其他的名能提供救贖。沒有任何好的工作或宗教系統可以拯救。只有耶穌。

一個表達耶穌獨一性的信心生活會引起那些生活在靈性黑暗中的人的反應。"世人若恨你們，你們知道，在恨你們以前，已經恨我了"（約翰福音15:18）

迫害將是展示可見的、有聲有色的信心的一部分。"......他們若逼迫了我，也要逼迫你們；若遵守了我的話，也要遵守你們的話。但他們因我的名要向你們行這一切的事，因為他們不認識那差我來的。"（約翰福音15:20-21）。這種迫害將是 "因我的名 "而起。

一些迫害將來自宗教人士，他們會試圖壓制那些奉耶穌的名講真理的人的聲音。"我已將這些事告訴你們，使你們不至於跌倒。人要把你們趕出會堂，並且時候將到，凡殺你們的就以為是事奉神。"（約翰福音16:1-2）。

耶穌告訴祂的門徒，在過去的三年裡，聖靈一直與他們同在，但很快祂將住在他們裡面。他們將帶著世界會拒絕和迫害的真理。"他既來了，就要叫世人為罪、為義、為審判，自己責備自己。為罪，是因他們不信我。"（約翰福音16:8-9）。無論耶穌的追隨者走到哪裡，他們的同在都會激怒那些使人受騙的惡魔之靈。邪靈會有反應是由於住在信徒體內的聖靈的同在而產生的。

主就門徒們可以預期的事情發表了最後聲明："我將這些事告訴你們，是要叫你們在我裡面有平安。在世上，你們有苦難；但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。"（約翰福音16:33）。對於那些跟隨祂並宣揚祂的名字的人來說，平安總是同在的，無論他們受到什麼樣的迫害。迫害與平安是信心生活的一部分。說完這些話後，耶穌禱告並被逮捕。 

WHAT TO EXPECT
GARRIS ELKINS, MEDFORD, OR

I have often wondered how we express our faith today would differ from the faith expressed by the disciples who lived in the first century. For those disciples, there was a common theme – persecution. Just before Jesus was arrested, He spent several hours with His disciples preparing them for what was to come. The Lord spoke of the reality of what it meant to follow Him and the reaction of the world to the truth they declared about Him. Chapters 14-17 of John detail that intimate time of teaching.

Jesus spoke to His disciples about the exclusivity of faith in Him. "...I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). No other name offers salvation. No good work or system of religion can save. Only Jesus.

A life of faith expressing the exclusiveness of Jesus would create a reaction from those who live in spiritual darkness. "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you" (John 15:18).

Persecution would be part of demonstrating a visible and vocal faith. "...If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they followed My word, they will follow yours also. But all these things they will do to you on account of My name because they do not know the One who sent Me" (John 15:20-21). This persecution would be on "account of My name."

Some of the persecution would come from religious people who would try to silence the voice of those who speak the truth in the name of Jesus. "These things I have spoken to you so that you will not be led into sin. They will ban you from the synagogue, yet an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering a service to God" (John 16:1-2).

Jesus told His disciples that the Spirit had been with them for the last three years, but soon He would live inside them. They would carry the very truth the world would reject and persecute. "And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment: regarding sin, because they do not believe in Me" (John 16:8-9). Wherever a follower of Jesus would go, their mere presence would rile up the demonic spirits that held people captive to deception. This reaction would come because of the presence of the Spirit living within a Believer.

The Lord issued a final word on what the disciples could expect. "These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Peace is always present for those who follow Him and declare His name, no matter what kind of persecution comes their way. Persecution and peace are part of a life of faith. After saying these things, Jesus prayed and was arrested.