Spiritual Thought for the Week 2008/11/30

Spiritual Thought for the Week
The past Sunday was the last Sunday in the church calendar year. It was called Christ the king Sunday. It helps us to reflect on what we have learned from attending worship week after week throughout the whole year. Have we grasped the blessing as promised us in the Bible-- to reign with Him?
“If we endure, we will also reign with Him” (II Timothy 2:12)
Men from ancient times had tried hard and wanted to be kings. They press on to their quest. They fight against a lot of hardship. They strive with all their might. Eventually many failed bitterly. A few got what they wanted by paying a high price. Some would even pay what ever the cost through unjust means. The glory of being a king is the envy of everybody though not everybody is entitled to that privilege. Even if one manages to be king, how long can his glory last?
In the Bible, we realize that all believers have the promise and possibility to be kings. All the redeemed have the right and reign as kings. (Revelation 5:10, 20:6). There are some requirements and qualifications though which apply to those who actually reign and assume power. Like the loyalty and faithfulness of the servant as in Luke 19:17; or the ability to drink Christ’s cup and receive Christ’s baptism as in Mark 10:37,38; or the ones who were the only victors as in Revelation 2:20, 3:21.
Paul in today’s passage says, if we endure, we will also reign with Him. Endure means we persevere in all trials and tribulations. We carry out God’s will until the very end. This is not easy. But this is the condition we must meet. We have to trust God and get help from Him. Otherwise we can never endure to the end.
Since beginning of Christian tradition, many believers can endure pain, hardship, danger, persecution. They wouldn’t say one word of complain. They did not feel self pity. They wouldn’t run from trial. They welcome the cross. They would rather be put in jail, be mocked or beaten to bleed than to betray their Lord. Just like what is described in Hebrews. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskin and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. (Hebrew 11:36-40) These are the people who will reign with Christ the king.

本周默想分享
上主日是教会年历最後一个主日称为基督为王主日，提醒我们在教会里崇拜生活又过了一年，我们在灵命长进上有甚麽体会？我们有没有把握圣经的应许，与基督一同作王呢？
"我们若能忍耐，也必和他一同作王。"（提後2：12）
古时人想作王，不知要费多少心血，经历多少艰辛，作多少努力。而且不容易成功，常是极大的危险，还多是不义的企图和妄想。然而作王的荣耀，却是人人都羡慕，但不是每个人可得的，而且世上的王能作多久呢？
在圣经中我们都看到，对於每个信徒来说，都有作王的应许和可能，一切被救赎的人都有作王的的权利（启5：10，20：6）。不过实际作王，掌权，却还有一定的条件和资格的。就如主有关神国的比喻，根据仆人的忠心和工作，而决定他们掌权的範围（路19：17）。坐在主的左右边的，必须能喝主所喝的杯，受主所受的洗（可10：37，38）。在启示录的七封信中，也讲到唯有得胜的，才能与主同坐宝座和得权柄治服列国（启2：20，3：21）。
这里保罗说，我们若能忍耐，也必和他一同作王。忍耐是指我们在一切苦难中有心忍受，遵行神的旨意到底，这并不容易。然而是作王所必须的条件，要靠主追求，才能达到此目的。
自古以来，多少圣徒宁愿忍受极多的痛苦，艰难，危险，磨练，而始终不发怨言，不会自怜，不愿逃避，而是欢迎十字架，宁受监禁之苦，甚至受羞辱，被践踏到全身流血为止。正像希伯来书上所说的，他们忍受戏弄，鞭打，捆锁，监禁等各种的磨炼。披着绵羊，山羊的皮各处奔跑，受穷乏，患难，苦害，在旷野，山岭，山洞，地穴，漂流无定，本是世界不配有的人（来11：36-40）。这些人就是将来要与主一同作王的人。