9月21日 傳道者的預選

耶和華從我出胎造就我作他的僕人。（賽四十九5）

我們一清楚在耶穌基督裡被神選召，第一件發生的事就是偏見、狹隘的思想、愛國主義的破滅，變成神的僕人，為完成他的計劃。整個人類原是為榮耀神、永遠享受神而被造的。罪惡把人類帶入歧途，但卻不能改變神原意的一絲一毫。我們重生得救時，就立時進入神對人類偉大的用心裡去；我是為神而被造的，神創造了我。明白神的選召，是世上最快樂不過的體會，我們必須信賴神偉大的創造計劃。神要作在我們身上的第一件事，就是要把對世界的關注，灌注到一顆心的通道裡去。他把愛，就是自己的本性，引進我們裡面，而全能神的本性，就集中在約翰福音三章16節：“神愛世人……”。

我們要保持心靈向神創造的本意敞開，不要把自己的意念攙雜在裡面。若非如此，不管我們多痛苦，神也要把我們的意圖壓碎。傳道者的任務就是作神的僕人，讓神得著榮耀。若我們明白在主的救恩裡成為完全適合神用的人，就明白主耶穌的要求何以這樣決絕。他要求他的僕人絕對的正直，因為他已把神的本性放在他們裡面。

祈禱◆噢，主啊，為著我所負責的這些人，我懇求你帶領我與你的計劃活潑相連。為著今天所擁有的一切機會，求你重新膏立我。讓我看見你救恩的作為。

September 21 Missionary Predestinations

“And now, saith the Lord, that formed me from the womb to be His servant.” Isaiah 49:5

The first thing that happens after we have realized our election to God in Christ Jesus is the destruction of our prejudices and our parochial notions and our patriotisms; we are turned into servants of God's own purpose. The whole human race was created to glorify God and enjoy Him for ever. Sin has switched the human race on to another tack, but it has not altered God's purpose in the tiniest degree; and when we are born again we are brought into the realization of God's great purpose for the human race, viz., I am created for God, He made me. This realization of the election of God is the most joyful realization on earth, and we have to learn to rely on the tremendous creative purpose of God. The first thing God will do with us is to “force through the channels of a single heart” the interests of the whole world. The love of God, the very nature of God, is introduced into us, and the nature of Almighty God is focused in John 3:16 – “God so loved the world. . .”

We have to maintain our soul open to the fact of God's creative purpose, and not muddle it with our own intentions. If we do, God will have to crush our intentions on one side however much it may hurt. The purpose for which the missionary is created is that he may be God's servant, one in whom God is glorified. When once we realize that through the salvation of Jesus Christ we are made perfectly fit for God, we shall understand why Jesus Christ is so ruthless in His demands. He demands absolute rectitude from His servants, because He has put into them the very nature of God.

Beware lest you forget God’s purpose for your life.