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Thursday 22 August 2019

不及猶過 Errors & Omissions NOT Excepted

不及猶過(瑪22:1-14
如果「多勞多得」是謬論,而且「救恩」是天主白白的恩賜,那麼,我們不需要為自己的「永生」作出任何的努力了,對嗎?錯!所謂「過猶不及」,「過」與「不及」同樣是不對的!那個在比喻中沒有穿婚宴禮服的客人(瑪22:11),正是象徵了那些恃著「天主是愛」(若一4:8)的人,恃著天主「願意所有的人都得救」(弟前2:4)的人,「認為人的成義,是藉信德」(羅3:28),認為「惟獨信德」便足夠的人;還有像經師和法利塞人一樣,「不肯用一個指頭動一下」的人(瑪23:4)等等。雖然他們白白的蒙召,卻因為沒有穿上婚宴禮服,便喪失了被選的機會(22:14)!原來蒙召和被選是兩回事,蒙召的不一定會被選。不要以為相信主耶穌基督,不斷向祂說『主啊!主啊!』的人,便能進入天國(7:21)!我們的行為,必須與我們的蒙召相稱,在生活中實踐福音的教訓,纔會被選享受羔羊的婚宴。
那麼,將來在天上享受永生的時候,我們應穿著怎麼樣的禮服呢?
首先,為了耶穌基督而被辱罵迫害,天主子許諾我們在天上的賞報是豐富的(5:11-12);與此相似,無畏在人前承認耶穌基督是主,天主子在天上的父前也必承認我們(10:32);其次,變賣所有,施捨給窮人,必有寶藏在天上(19:21);最後,為屬於耶穌基督的最小兄弟服務,便能承受自創世以來,預備了的國度(18:525:3540)。在世上這樣做,就是造一件天上羔羊婚宴的禮服!既然是穿著到永遠的禮服,我們豈可怠慢呢?
天父啊!請多加給我們孝愛之恩,讓我們縫製一件稱身的婚宴禮服,與祢相見。亞孟。


圖片鳴謝:http://wap.xjdaily.com/xjrb/20180725/111891.html
生命恩泉



Errors & Omissions NOT Excepted (Matthew 22:1-14) If "Effort Pays" is a fallacy and Salvation is a undeserved grace, then, we don't have to put in effort to do anything for our eternal life, right? Wrong. Commission and omission are both wrong. The invited guest who did not dress in a wedding garment (Matthew 22:11) symbolizes those who take advantage of "God is love" (1 John 4:8), of God "wills everyone to be saved" (1 Timothy 2:4), of "a person is justified by faith" (Romans 3:28), of the sufficiency of "Sola Fide", and those, like the scribes and the Pharisees, who "will not lift a finger to move" (Matthew 23:4) etc. They are called but they do not dressed in wedding garment, they lose the chance to be elected (22:14)! Being called and being elected are two different things. Being called is not necessarily followed by being elected. Do not think that believing in Lord Jesus Christ, calling Him "Lord, Lord" all the time would enter the Kingdom of Heaven (7:21)! Our actions must be compatible with our call. Lead our life in the spirit of the gospel. Only then shall we be elected to partake in the Lamb's banquet.
Then, what wedding garment shall we dress when we enjoy our eternal life in heaven?
First of all, when we are insulted and persecuted for the sake of Jesus Christ, the Son of God promises us that our reward will be great in heaven. (5:11-12). Similarly, when we are not afraid to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, the Son of God shall acknowledge us before His heavenly Father (10:32). Secondly, sell what we have and give to the poor, and we shall have treasure in heaven (19:21). Lastly, when we do for one of those least brothers of his, we shall inherit the kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world. (18:5; 25:35, 40) When we do these on earth, we are making our wedding garment in heaven! Since we put on this garment for eternity, how can we be lazy?
Heavenly Father, grant us the gift of piety so that we may weave a fitting wedding garment to meet you. Amen.


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