4 月 4 日 预苦期第四周 星期五

 (张慕洁牧师 神恩堂)

经文-罗马书 8：28-39

28 我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。 29 因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法他儿子的模样，使他儿子在许多弟兄中做长子； 30 预先所定下的人又召他们来，所召来的人又称他们为义，所称为义的人又叫他们得荣耀。31 既是这样，还有什么说的呢？神若帮助我们，谁能敌挡我们呢？ 32 神既不爱惜自己的儿子，为我们众人舍了，岂不也把万物和他一同白白地赐给我们吗？ 33 谁能控告神所拣选的人呢？有神称他们为

义了。[a] 34 谁能定他们的罪呢？有基督耶稣已经死了，而且从死里复活，现今在神的右边，也替我们祈求。[b] 35 谁能使我们与基督的爱隔绝呢？难道是患难吗？是困苦吗？是逼迫吗？是饥饿吗？是赤身露体吗？是危险吗？是刀剑吗？ 36 如经上所记：“我们为你的缘故终日被杀，人看我们如将宰的羊。” 37 然而，靠着爱我们的主，在这一切的事上已经得胜有余了。 38 因为我深信：无论是死，是生，是天使，是掌权的，是有能的，是现在的事，是将来的事， 39 是高处的，是低处的，是别的受造之物，都不能叫我们与神的爱隔绝；这爱是在我们的主基督耶稣里的。

经文反思

今天这段经文常被引用，但我们是否真正明白其中的应许？特别是 28 节，许多人以日常生活的琐事中定义“得益处”，以为是物质祝福，反而局限了福音的丰富性。神赐我们的益处是线性的，不受环境限制，而我们却常常画地为牢，在属世的追求上贪得无厌，常常既要、又要、还要，却在追求基督的事上经常设限。保罗提醒我们，真正的益处是基督耶稣。愿我们在“像基督”这件事上存着神圣的不满足，渴望更多得着祂的生命与活像他。

祷告

荣耀的天父，我们的好处不在你以外，求你夺回我们的心，使我们不再被世界的事物牵引，单单渴慕你。愿你的爱扩张我们的眼界，让我们不再画地为牢，而是勇敢追求你，为你的荣耀而活。奉耶稣基督的名祈求，阿们.

实践

今天安静在神面前，回顾自己的心态：我是否在物质或生活追求上过于执着？是否在属灵成长上设限？求神调整我的优先次序，使我更渴慕祂的国与义。

今天在祷告时，求神扩展我的属灵眼界，并主动鼓励一位身旁的弟兄姊妹或家人，让他不只关注当下环境，而是以信心仰望神更荣耀的计划。

4 April The Friday in the Fourth Week of Lent

(Rev Barnabas Zhang Immanuel Methodist Church)

Scripture – Romans 8:28-39

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection on the Scriptures

This passage is often quoted, but do we truly understand the promises within it? Especially verse 28, where many define "benefits" in the mundane matters of daily life, thinking it refers to material blessings, which limits the richness of the gospel. The benefits God gives us are linear and not constrained by circumstances, yet we often box ourselves in, endlessly pursuing worldly desires. We tend to want more and more but often place limits on our pursuit of Christ. Paul reminds us that the true benefit is Christ Jesus. May we have a holy discontent in the matter of becoming "like Christ," desiring more of His life and to live like Him.

Prayer

Glorious Heavenly Father, our true benefits are found only in You. Please take back our hearts, that we may no longer be pulled by the things of this world, but solely long for You. May Your love expand our vision, so we no longer limit ourselves, but boldly pursue You and live for Your glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen!

Application

Take time today to be still before God and reflect on your mindset: Am I overly fixated on material or earthly pursuits? Have I placed limits on my spiritual growth? Ask God to adjust my priorities, so I may thirst more for His kingdom and righteousness.

In your prayers today, ask God to expand your spiritual vision, and actively encourage a brother or sister, or a family member, to look beyond their current circumstances and trust in God's more glorious plans with faith.