What Makes A Glorious Church?

Ephesians 5:25-27

Christ Presents the Church to Himself in Splendor

When we travel around Europe and ask for direction, people often point us to landmarks where church buildings are located. The local will tell you, “When you see the cross on top of a high tower from afar, just walk straight, or turn left or right from there, and you shall reach your destination.”

Now these church buildings may be vacant because worshippers are scarce, but they can still serve as landmarks and hence retain some values in them.

Christianity became a state religion in the Medieval Europe, and Christians were spared from persecution. Since then, church buildings mushroomed everywhere.

Even a small town would have a big church built there. Towns and cities might strive to have their own cathedrals built and people saw these as something radiant. It was very common in those days.

Building churches involve money and man-power. The economic condition in Europe by then was unfavorable, but people were very generous in giving to the building of churches. Their generosity overwhelms our hearts.

It would be very sad for one to think that the glorious church here in the sermon title refers to a magnificent church building.

There was a time when Jesus left the temple with His disciples. Disciples who came from small villages were captivated by the glamour of Herod’s Temple. With admiration, they said, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” (Mark 13:1-4)

Jesus had to disappoint them by declaring that all these beautiful stones would be thrown down. In fact, Jesus had made a declaration in his first cleansing of the temple, and he said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19-21)

Jesus was actually predicting His crucifixion on the cross and His resurrection on the third day.

Jesus’ declaration indicated a paradigm shift of the worship theology, that the resurrected Christ shall be the center of worship. The Church is the temple of God. The two scriptures expressed the theological meaning as mentioned above. Ephesians 2:13,19-22 says,

“but now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ….Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Now let’s see what makes a truly glorious church. The description of a glorious church in Ephesians 5:25-27 is as such:

 “Husband, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself a glorious church, without strain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

Firstly, Christ loves the Church and He Gave Himself Up for Her (v.25)

The nature of true love is a sacrificial giving of self in order to make complete the other. Because Christ loved the Church, He died on the cross and shed His blood to redeem the Church. Christ does not love a building for His inheritance are the sinners who are saved by His grace, and they shall form the Church, which is the Bride of Christ.

The true Church is not an office of God on earth, where people can find God there. It is not a mailing box of God for us to write letters or send our messages to Him. It is a people who are redeemed by His blood and who belong to Him. The Lord dwells among His people, and that is the Church.

We are the Church, and Christ has bought us with a heavy price. Christ is with us and His love shall manifest among us.

Secondly, He makes the Church holy, cleanses her by the washing with water through the Word (v 26)

Those who belong to the Lord do not merely enter a religion, but they enter into a redemptive relationship with Christ. Those who are saved by grace in this relationship will naturally obey the instructions of the Lord Jesus Christ out of their gratitude and love for Christ.

In the first place, they will go through the water baptism as Christ commanded, which is an outward ceremony declaring that they are joining the Body of Christ, and signifying the transformation of their inner lives.

In Jewish wedding rituals those day, a bride had to go through a cleansing ceremony before her wedding ceremony. She had to wash herself clean with water, an act which signifies that she would offer and give her new heart to her bridegroom.

“Water” can be a metaphor for the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). Usually Paul would link the concept of “cleansing/holiness” to the work of purification/sanctification of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11).

After that, those who belong to Christ shall use the Word of God as their guidelines and standards in their walk of life, so that though they live in the world, they do not belong to the world. They are separated and belong solely to Christ. This is what holiness means.

Therefore, the Church is not merely the called out, or those who have passed through the water and became the people who crossed the Red Sea. The Lord will also enable them to understand the Word of God and to observe it with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to wipe away all their defilement and to get rid of all their insensible behaviors.

“Understanding and obeying the Word of God” has nothing to do with an abstract relationship, but it has everything to do with Christian ethical behaviours and commitment that submit under the Truth of God by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The expression of this objective and practical ethics and commitment is not putting up some acts like the Pharisees and the Scribes. It is not knowledge or achievement to be boast about, but it is basically the outward sign of a new creation.

The children of God who have the blessed hope of resurrection shall “purify themselves, just as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3).

Thirdly, Present Her to Himself a Glorious Church, Without Strain or Wrinkle or Any Other Blemish, but Holy and Blameless.” (v 27)

A “glorious church” is a church that sets herself apart unto the Lord—holy.

Those who live in this world belong to it and nothing is radiant in it. A church will only be radiant when she presents herself to the Lord, when she belongs to Him, and when she has God’s presence with her.

We remember that the glory of God left when the Israelites sinned against Him. It was only until they had repented and returned from the exile of Babylon, that Jerusalem became once again “the dwelling place of the Lord”.

Setting apart and presenting herself to the Lord makes her holy. It means to offer ourselves and to belong to God solely. And this is the foundation that makes her glorious!

Like the steadfastness of a bride towards her bridegroom, she belongs wholly and solely to him. She has to abstain herself from being possessed by other people, or being used for other purposes.

This concept is very important. Holiness does not come from one’s position, or quality, or performance, not even the outward decoration, but from whom he/she belongs to and his/her purpose of existence.

So, as a church, let us make “living for Christ” our purpose of life, or in another way, let us make Christ the center of our lives. A glorious church is a Christ-centered church. Her vision and ministries are focused on knowing Christ, imitating Christ and proclaiming Christ!

And this glorious church is also without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Some might doubt it. “There are many problems in churches on earth, and churches are far from being perfect!”

What you say is correct, that was exactly what Paul had said before when he rebuked the Corinthian church, that they were in many ways behaving like the world, and the standard of their morality was worse than the pagans (1 Corinthians 3:4; 5:1-5).

Paul reproached the Corinthian church sternly because he perceived that the Church should have a perfect standard, i.e., to be “without stain or wrinkles or any other blemish but holy and blameless.”

This standard comes from Christ. Christ is perfect and His perfection becomes ours. Hence, we are not allowed to be defiled.

Barak, King of Moab, hired Balam, a sorcerer, to curse the Israelites before they entered the land of Canaan. However, God turned his curses into blessings, and God said, “No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel.” (Numbers 23:21)

Of course, it was not some flattery words pronounced out of politeness. It was not a cover up. It was the awareness of the high priest of Israel towards their sins, his and the people of Israelites’, that he offered a sin offering, and the blood of animals was brought into the Holy of the holies to cover their sins before the mercy seat of God.

The redeemed and glorious Church is justified before God as her sin is washed away by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus. And she shall be the bride of Christ who is holy, without blemish and blameless through the sanctification works of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion:

Christ loves His Church and He sacrificed His blood as a redemption for our sin, in order that we can become holy unto Him. Christ cleanses the Church, making her without stains and wrinkles or any other blemish, but holy and blameless through the Holy Spirit and the Word. This is the glorious Church, the steadfast Bride of Christ.

The book of Revelation predicts that Christ shall return at the end of times. Babylon, the harlot, who persecuted the Church and who enticed saints to fall away from God shall be burnt, and the evil forces shall be destroyed.

A new heaven and a new earth shall appear, and the Lord Christ, the Almighty shall rule and reign, and He shall take His Bride, the Church that is glorious and holy with him. Christ shall reign with the Church!

Revelation 19:6-8:

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of might peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

What we discussed above— “what makes a glorious church” spells out the identity and nature of our Church today. Are you thrilled for being a bride, loved by Christ, purchased by Christ’s blood?

Not only that, Christ is living in us through the Holy Spirit, doing the works of sanctification, so that we would become the bride who is without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, and who might be holy and without blemish like Christ himself.

May our understanding of such identity and nature of the Church inspires us today, to obey the Word of God as we rely on the Holy Spirit, and we will keep ourselves pure, be Christ’s witness to outsiders, bringing Him glory and waiting eagerly for the time of our union with Him. Amen!

做贼要心虚

创世记二十七1－29

雅各谋夺父亲的祝福

上帝与亚伯拉罕立约，应许赐给他很多后裔，并且得土地，又大大祝福他与他的后裔。亚伯拉罕生以撒。以撒和利百加结婚，生以扫和雅各。

以撒年老了，眼睛昏花，看不见东西。一天以撒跟以扫说：『我儿啊，现在我老了，不知道什么时候会死。你现在拿你的箭囊和弓去田野为我打猎。你为我获取所喜欢的野味，给我预备美味的食物吃，我就在未死以前给你祝福。』

母亲利百加也听见了以撒跟以扫的对话。以扫到田野去打猎时候，利百加就对雅各说：『我听见你的父亲吩咐你的哥哥去打猎，回来就预备美味的食物给父亲吃，然后父亲就在耶和华神的面前给你的哥哥祝福。你现在要听我的话。你快到羊群那里，给我牵两只肥嫩的小山羊来。我要照你父亲所喜欢的，给他预备美味的食物，让你拿去给你父亲吃，好让他在未死之前给你祝福。』

雅各对母亲说：『但是哥哥以扫浑身是毛，而我却是个皮肤光滑的人。万一父亲摸着我，就知道是我欺骗他，那我就被咒诅，而不是祝福了。』

利百加说：『我儿啊，愿你所招的咒诅归在我的身上。你只管听我的话，去把羊牵来给我。』

雅各就把羊牵来交给利百加。利百加就预备美味的食物，又把以扫家里最好的衣服拿来给雅各穿上。她又用小山羊的皮，包在雅各的手上和他颈上光滑的地方。然后，她把所预备美味的食物和饼，放在雅各的手里。

雅各来到他父亲以撒那里说：『父亲啊，我是以扫。你吩咐我作的，我已经照样做了。请你坐起来，吃我的猎物，好给我祝福。』

以撒问他，你怎么这样快就猎到野味回来？』

雅各说：『因为耶和华神给我找到好机会。』

以撒说：『我儿啊，你上前来，让我摸摸你，看看你是不是以扫。』

雅各就走进以撒身边，以撒摸着说：『声音是雅各的声音，手却是以扫的手。』

以撒再问：『你真是以扫吗？』

他回答：『我是。』

以扫说：『把食物给我吃，我就给你祝福。』

雅各把食物给他，他就吃了，又拿酒给他，他也也喝了。

以撒对雅各说：『我儿啊，你上前来，和我亲嘴。』

雅各就上前和父亲亲嘴。以撒一闻到他衣服的香气，就给他祝福，说：『看哪，我儿子的香气，好像蒙耶和华赐福的田地所发出的香气一样。愿神赐给你天上的甘露，地上的土地沃土，以及大量五谷和美酒。愿万民服事你，愿万族向你下拜。愿你作你兄弟的主人，愿你母亲的子孙向你下拜。咒诅你的，愿他受咒诅；给你祝福的，愿他蒙福。』

以撒给雅各祝福完了。雅各刚刚从以撒那里出来后，以扫就打猎回来了。以扫也预备了美味的食物，拿来给他父亲，对他说：『请父亲起来，吃你儿子的猎物，好给我祝福。』

以撒就大吃一惊，说：『刚才去打猎又拿猎物给我的是谁呢？在你之前，我已经吃了，又给他祝福了。他将来必定蒙福。』

以扫听了父亲的话就非常痛心，放声大哭。他说：『我父啊，求你也给我祝福。』

以撒说：『你弟弟已经前来，用诡计把你的祝福夺取了。』

以扫说：『雅各欺骗了我两次。从前他夺去我的长子名分，现在他又夺去我的祝福。』

以扫一再哀求以撒给他祝福。以撒回答：『我已经立他作你的主人，又把他所有的兄弟给了他做仆人，并且把五谷和美酒供给他了。我儿啊，我还可以为你做什么呢？』

以扫：『我父啊，求你也给我祝福。』

以扫就放声大哭，以撒回答他说：『你住的地方必远离地上的沃土，远离天上的甘露。你必依靠刀剑生活，你必服事你的弟弟；到你自由的时候，你必从你的颈项上挣脱的他的厄。』

要诚实面对自己

以撒无视上帝所说『大的要服事小的』。他一意孤行要祝福大儿子，因为他偏心比较爱以扫。他喜欢以扫是因为喜欢吃他打猎得来的野味。讽刺的是，他的味觉不灵，吃到家里养的羊羔，还以为是野味！

利百加是整件事的策划者。她催逼和命令雅各按着她的吩咐赶快行事。那么雅各本身就没错了吗？

雅各提出他的顾虑，恐怕自己皮光肉滑，被爸爸认出来，到时得不到『祝福』，反而被父亲咒诅。雅各不认为这种欺骗行为是错，他只是怕被拆穿！这促使利百加更加思虑周密，甚至拿了以扫的衣服给雅各穿上，好散发出以扫的体味。雅各除了是受益者之外，也是出计谋的帮凶。

雅各这种不知错的自私和虚伪也是我们很多人的软弱。我们很容易把矛头指向那些犯错，跌倒的人，指责他人就大义凛凛。我们没想过自己也会犯上同样的错。其实我们可能是怕被别人发现才不敢去犯错。如果四下无人，不会被发现的时候，我们是否还选择不犯错吗？我们可能在做错事後，没有人揭发而继续逍遥法外，也不当这是犯错。

然而，耶稣在福音书里说，神是看人的动机和心思意念。思想上犯罪，行为未行出来，也是错了。基督徒应该提醒自己许多隐而未见的罪，包括眼目的情欲，贿赂和欺骗行为等等。我们不能以为没有被发现，没有被拆穿，就是没有错。神必然审判！

还有，我们应当怜悯那些犯错的弟兄，给他们机会悔改，因为在同样的情况下，我们可能也会犯上同样的错误。我们之没有犯错，可能只是因为环境不许可，没有机会，或者因为没被人发现而已。我们必须诚实面对自己的软弱，却要同情理解他人的软弱。我们必须严以律己，宽以待人。

打开心灵的眼睛

以撒年事已高，身体各个感官效能退化了。他喜欢吃野味，但是分辨不出那碗并不是野味。他的触觉也不错，探察到雅各身上的毛发，却分辨不出那是假的。他的嗅觉也很好，闻到雅各身上发出的『以扫体味』。他的听觉也非常灵敏，听出那不是以扫而是雅各的声音。

然而，他的致命伤是『眼目昏花』，看不清楚眼前的事物。这令他各个感官接收，产生矛盾的信息，促使他错误判断。以撒的失败提醒我们：综合所有的感官，『视觉』拥有中心位置。

许多人的『心灵眼睛』昏花；『心灵的视觉』蒙蔽了，没有正确的属灵看见。他们终日依靠自己的各种感官，思想，却产生出错误的决定和判断而远离上帝。我们来求神打开我们的心眼，给我们看见异象，就好像摩西年老时，心灵里『眼目没有昏花』 （申三十四7）。

一个拥有从上头而来『眼光』的人，能够驾驭各个感官以及所接收的信息，让自己正确无误的行走在上帝的道路上，蒙上帝喜悦。他也懂得选择上帝那上好的福分和不被世俗的谎言所迷惑。你愿意拥有从上帝而来的『眼光』吗？

基督徒应当警醒祷告，保持警惕。我们的心思若只是专注于自己所欲求的，很容易陷入罪中，受罪的辖制。我们每天当刻意安排时间，安静下来阅读圣经，思考神的话。或是聆听诗歌，观想大自然的荣美。上帝要使你看见神的国的美好，就更加爱慕神，专注做神的工。

不能凭己意来套取上帝的祝福

利百加早知道上帝拣选雅各，她不应该策划欺骗行为去为雅各争取祝福。她和雅各应该等候，上帝必然会成就他的应许。我们不能以『不正当的手段』去达到『正当的目的』，纵然那是上帝的计划和祝福！

利百加和雅各用欺骗的手段来替神实现他的计划是错的。他们二人终于尝到恶果，经历家庭悲剧。

事後利百加担心以扫和雅各就此自相残杀，就吩咐雅各逃难到老远的娘家，哈兰。雅各一去就是二十年。他在哈兰喜欢上拉结，就逗留在哈兰，忘记了家乡的妈妈。

利百家从此和雅各不再见面。她失去了两个儿子。这倒应验了利百加的忧虑，就是『一日丧你们二人』（45节）。利百加失去雅各，也失去了以扫的尊敬。这是利百加始料不及的后果。

雅各必须离家逃亡，失去天伦之乐，而且被拉班欺骗，吃苦二十年。雅各为自己欺诈的行为付出了重大的代价。等到一天他终于回到老家，发现原来以扫已经是富甲一方的族长。显然以扫的日子比雅各过得更加写意。

其实上帝也没有亏待以扫。上帝拣选雅各而没有拣选以扫，很大程度是指到日后以色列成为神的选民。以色列人有这个福音认识神，做神圣洁的子民，而弥赛亚耶稣从以色列而出。

今天你正在苦苦经营什么呢？可能是在成就上帝的应许，或是在成就一件『美事』。然而，我们必须时刻提醒自己，行事为人必须符合上帝的法则和旨意。一切欺骗行为和不公义的途径其实是拦阻我们进入上帝的应许之地。

世人一生人奋斗，可能只顾利字当头，不择手段。我们是神的儿女，我们信靠神就当坚持走正路，坚持以正当的手段来争取成功。你现在有什么目标？你所使用的方法是神准许的吗？

今天就放下你自以为『明智』，却是不讨上帝喜悦的做事方式吧！当你回头，等候神，选择走在上帝的道路时，你会发觉突然很多扇门为你打开，成功之路反而比你想象来得更快捷和踏实。

别这样就走了

创世记二十五19－34

雅各和以扫相争

亚伯拉罕生以撒，以撒生雅各。他们三人被喻为以色列的列祖。

以撒四十岁迎娶利百加过门，但是二十年婚姻生活过后，两夫妻还是膝下无儿。上帝曾经应许亚伯拉罕必有后裔遍满全地，如同天上的星星，海边的沙那么多（二十二7），那不是成泡影了吗？

以撒主动的向上帝祈求，上帝就使利百加有身孕。利百加怀孕后，当然喜出望外。然而，胎儿在她的腹里彼此碰撞，叫她痛苦连天。当时利百加不知道什么原因。她就去求问耶和华。

耶和华上帝解释说，她腹中怀的是双胞胎，而胎儿还未出生，就已经在腹中相争。这预示将来两个孩子出生后，必然继续彼此相争。上帝还预言说：『两国在你肚里，两族从你腹中要分出来；将来这族必强过那族，大的要服事小的。』

上帝主权的拣选

雅各的一生总括在相争和欺骗。他一生人就要抓住很多东西！这是一般现代人的写照。

雅各和以扫在母腹里就彼此相争，这是第一回合，预示将来二人的关系。接着他们俩的交锋是在利百加临产的时候。这次雅各输了，因为他只能抓住哥哥以扫的脚跟出生（26节）。这叫他沦为次子，失去长子的福分。

两个孩子渐渐长大。以扫善于打猎，喜欢生活在田野。雅各为人安静，常常住在帐篷里。以撒爱以扫，因为他常吃以扫的野味。利百加却爱雅各。父母亲对孩子的偏心，也造成将来家庭悲剧的发生。

古代长子拥有承受父亲成为族长和家庭领袖的地位，而且长子将得到双分的家产。长子在传统华人家庭里也是拥有显著的地位。然而，雅各仅仅因为跟在以扫脚跟后出生而输了。他会甘心吗？

雅各是不甘心的，往后他一直处心积虑，不惜用诈骗手段为自己争取长子的名分。他因此经历人生颠沛流离。雅各为了要得到所爱的东西，宁愿忍受艰苦，等待和不择手段，也要得到手。

我们看见上帝真的保守和祝福雅各，叫他成为以色列人的先祖，纵然雅各在许多事上工于心计和欺骗使诈。雅各的人品不好，为何上帝仍然拣选他呢？上帝不是老早就认同长子是特别蒙福的吗？那为何又拣选次子呢？

其实上帝的拣选完全是出于他自己的意愿（罗九10－18）这是表示上帝的主权。这不是说上帝做事不讲道理，乃是说上帝不一定根据人认为合理的标准行事。

我们今天能够认识和接受耶稣的救恩，难道不是因为上帝拣选了我们吗？上帝从万民当中拣选我们，不是因为我们比任何人都配得恩典。我们可能比起许多人更加不配，但是上帝拣选我们。这证明上帝的恩典是白白赐给我们，不是我们以什么东西去换取到的。

因此我们应当在众人面前懂得谦卑，懂得怜恤他人的软弱（林前一29）。我们都是罪人，同样是不配的人。在神的面前人人平等。我们杜绝世俗的种族主义或民族主义。我们都是天国的子民。我们爱护世上每个人，给予他们人权和尊严。

既然恩典是白白的赐给我们，我们更应该懂得去感恩和献上自己为上帝使用。白白得来的救恩不代表是廉价恩典，反而是更加昂贵的恩典，因为它不是我们的能力所能够赚取回来的。你是否特别地珍惜这份恩典呢？你是否为着这份救恩向神感恩呢？

忍耐到底的必得胜

第一回合以扫争赢了，他比雅各先出生而得到长子的名分。这可能是因为他孔有武力，因此他长大後，成为田野间优秀的猎人。然而，一次的成功不代表永远的成功。

以扫是一位没有心思又冲动的粗人。雅各却是工于心计，深思熟虑，把握机会的人。以扫能够猎杀山珍海味，却不能为自己预备食物。他能够忍受山野的危险和困难，却不能忍受饥饿。

有一次，雅各正在煮红豆汤的时候，以扫从田野回来，疲乏得很。以扫对雅各说：『求把这红豆汤给我喝吧，因为我疲乏得很。』因此，以扫的名字又叫以东。

雅各说：『你要先把你的长子名分卖给我。』

以扫说：『我快要死了，这长子名分对我有什么益处呢？』

雅各说：『你先向我起誓吧。』

以扫就向他起了誓，把自己的长子名分卖给雅各。

于是，雅各把饼和红豆汤给了以扫。以扫吃了，喝了，就起来走了。以扫就这样轻看了他的长子名分。

以扫觉得很疲乏，需要吃喝，就为自己找借口说，我快要死了，长子名分有何用呢！他真的快饿死了吗？以扫不能控制自己的『需要』，反而被『需要』所控制，而且被那『假装满足他需要的人』所控制。

从这角度看，以扫的不蒙神拣选，也是他咎由自取的。当然雅各也是在趁火打劫！以扫的失败叫我们看见忍耐的重要性。

经文说，两个孩子渐渐长大（27节）。以扫真的长大了吗？

一个长大成熟，有心思的人是懂得忍耐和等待的人。这种人会为将来的益处，愿意忍受目前受的苦楚。那些不成熟的人却是无限放大目前的问题，而宁愿放弃原则，放弃上帝的福分，去满足一时的罪中之乐。

能够忍耐的人也是有自信心的人，他不会因着别人一句批评的话就大发雷霆。一个成功的人也必然是一个可以忍耐的人，因为他的成功是来自他比其他人都有耐心和毅力，走得更远，没有中途放弃。

今天你正面对什么苦楚呢？你是否夸大了你的问题？

不要这么快就大发脾气，或是呼喊说，我要放弃了！却是要抓住上帝的应许，坚持继续往前走，很快的，黑暗会过去而黎明即将到临。

不要出卖长子的名分

难道以扫不知道长子的名份和福气是非常珍贵的吗？为何他宁愿为了一碗红豆汤就出卖长子的名份呢？圣经还说：『以扫吃了，喝了，就起来走了！』（34节）。

以扫走得真潇洒，一点都不为自己的决定感到惋惜！他就这样地走了，他的福气从此也这样地走了，一去不回！不怪得叙述者跑出来说，以扫轻视他长子的名分。

今天充斥着向上帝祈福的人，但是有多少人是懂得珍惜上帝的恩典和福气呢？上帝赐给我们许多的恩典，给了我美满家庭、爱人在旁、求学机会、事业以及身家财产……等。但愿这些福气的来到，不是令我们远离上帝，却是叫我们更加亲近上帝。

很可惜的，往往那些处于贫乏和简朴的群体反而更加爱主，更加热心服事上帝……唉！那些珍惜上帝恩典的人，必然会感恩和奉献给上帝。这些人必然因此被上帝大大的使用和得到更大的福气。

我们不能为了世界暂时的享受而放弃信仰，放弃敬拜神，服事神的机会，因为这是贪慕世俗（希十二16－23）。相反的，我们应该先求上帝的国和他的义。一个人不能够事奉耶稣，也同时事奉金钱。

每次我们领受圣餐，吃主的饼，喝主的杯，就是领受了基督的身体和宝血。这是提醒我们基督与我们立的新约。我们在基督里成为神的后嗣。我们要珍惜自己基督徒—神的儿女的身份。我们要每天跟从主，服事他，在生命里成就主的旨意。

我们不要吃了饼，喝了葡萄酒，就起来走了，当作行礼如仪；没有反省自己与神的关系；没有认真为罪忏悔，求神赦免；没有立志做主的工……。这是轻看基督的救恩，轻看我们是神的儿女的身份。

若是这样，上帝的同在，上帝的福气也会就这样地走了。我们在生活里将无力抵挡魔鬼的攻击，无法站稳信仰立场，为主发光，见证福音拯救的大能。

听完这篇道后，你有感动，愿意回应吗？或者你是听完、起来、就这样地走了…… 

That Demands A Verdict

1 Kings 3:16-28

Solomon Judged with Wisdom

The previous text (3:1-15) talks about King Solomon asking God for wisdom in order that he could possess good discernment in judging cases and ruling the nation. Subsequent to this was the story of two women who fought over a living child.

The intention of the author is that he wanted to prove that Solomon indeed had received the wisdom from God was obvious (v28).

It was a complicated case for interrogation, as nobody had eye witnesses nor material evidences to prove who was supposed to be the real mother of the living baby. There was no DNA test, no CCTV at that time, so how then should the judge make his verdict?

The woman who first filed the legal proceedings against the other was the plaintiff, but she could be the mother of the dead baby who was guilty of cheating!

The Transcendent and Redemptive Power of Love

There were two women and two babies living in the same house. As the night loomed over, death engulfed one of the two babies and the spirit of deception came upon one of these two women.

It happened when the woman fell asleep. She laid on her baby and the baby died. She was a reckless mother. She was aggrieved but she proceeded to exchange her dead baby with the living baby of the other woman.

Morning dawned and revealed the ugly deed done secretly at night.

The other woman awoke to discover a dead baby in her embrace when she tried to feed it. However, it was not her child! Immediately they argued over it.

This other woman said, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine”

But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.”

We are now watching a tragic show of human relations filled by deception and power struggles, with two women trying to justify the dead or the living son to be either “yours’ or “mine”.

In fact, every one of us does somehow encounter predicaments and conflicts whereby we are unable to make proper discernment. We simply have to live in absurd or ambiguous situations. It is like a drama played out in our workplaces or our national political arena.

Who is right and who is wrong? Which one is fake news?

Since they could not settle between themselves, they brought their case before King Solomon. The king did not judge who is right and who is wrong, nor did he intervene in their fight. He knew too well that it was an absurd undeterminable case.

He simply rephrased their words, “This one says, “My son is alive and your son is dead,” while that one says, “No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.” (v23)

The way the king dealt with their case was much more absurd than the case itself. He gave an order, “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.” (v25)

The king intended to create a room for the truth to be revealed in the midst of their fight.

The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two! (v 26)

Then the king gave his verdict, “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him. She is his mother.” (v 27)

The first woman loved her son so much that she was even willing to give up her right for justice in order to keep her child alive.

We come to realize that “love” has transcending and redemptive power. Sacrifice made out of love will not be in vain, but it shall supersede the absurdity and power struggles of the world. In the end, truth shall be revealed and broken lives shall be made whole.

When the first woman laid down her rights to fight for justice out of her “love” for her child, her motherhood love was revealed, and thus truth was also revealed. Doesn’t God love us like this too?

God loves us, and that was the reason He created the heavens and the earth for us to live with His blessed presence. Then, man was separated from God after he had sinned against Him. Thus, God sent us His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, and the Son gave up His life to be crucified on the cross so that He could save us sinners and reconcile us to God.

Today we might encounter certain difficulties in life. We are hard pressed and we are upset, and our situations seem to be so unreasonable and absurd.

Sometimes, conflicts found in our church may end up like absurd and endless nonsenses. Often, our first reaction is to fight back, and we even seek to take revenge until all parties are badly injured, where good and bad are destroyed alike.

However, we can choose to be merciful and loving, and we can forbear and give precedence to one another out of our thoughtfulness for them. We can wait patiently for the truth to be revealed, that all deceptions and evil practices will be exposed eventually.

If there is strife found in our family or in the Church, which is our spiritual home, and all of us hold adamantly to our own stands with no one compromising, the Parents might say, “It is alright. We just cut this family into halves”. How then shall we respond?

If you were to say, “Lord, don’t cut it into halves. Give the child to him. I am willing to forgo my right!”, then you are showing that you are the true child of our Heavenly Father.

All of us are sinners. It is very easy for us to be self-deceived in thinking that we are righteous while our counterparts are the ones who are unrighteous. Consequently, everyone will see himself/herself being victimized. By then, who is the victimizer?

If we know the seamy side of humanity, we will definitely be taken aback and say, “Who has the right to assert his/her absolute righteousness before God?” That is why Christ warned us not to judge others or take revenge casually.

Do not give up if you have chosen to be tolerant and merciful to others, because God will open the door to bring you justice and your “son” will surely be given back to you. Moreover, the reason for many conflicts is absurd and unnecessary.

It may be that we have been staying together for a long period of time, and we can easily spot each other’s weaknesses and these have caused us conflicts. We think that those who stay far away from us are perfect but it only turns out to be our personal prejudice and pride.

We ought to choose to love one another when we live under the same roof as a family. For love enables us to overcome the absurdity, predicament and injustice in the world. It allows the truth to be revealed eventually and it brings forth reconciliation. Do you believe it?

We need to realize that the church is a big family which encompasses brothers and sisters coming from all walks of life and we are different in personalities and characters. We need to be tolerant to love those who are unlovable and to be willing to give up some of our personal rights. By doing so, we will be in line with God’s will and the church will be strengthened and grow from strength to strength!

The Ends Cannot Justify the Means

Both the women mentioned here were prostitutes, and it implied that they were morally impaired.  However, as prostitutes, they were willing to give birth and raise their children, and this showed that they possessed the honorable nature of motherhood, which was worthy to be praised.

But the story line went like a path winding along mountain ridges, and the hidden despicable secrets found in that woman’s heart overtook her noble sentiment of motherly love. It drove her to do something that was utterly devoid of conscience.

That woman who deceived made her mistakes again and again blatantly when she went through her trial in court. Her conscience was seared the moment she agreed to have the baby cut into halves and refused to grant the wish of the other’s. Her attitude was rather to have the baby dead than to have him lived. She had fallen away further and further from God!

We cannot but ask this question: How would she face the child guiltlessly in future even if she had successfully taken him over? After all, she was not the real mother of the baby. Would she be able to feel at ease and to live without regrets with the child whom she had stolen through deception?

The child was neither a toy nor a pet, and his happiness needed to be respected. He was not to be used as a means to fulfill his parent’s wishes or to meet their personal desires!

The action of that woman, from the way she loved her own baby to the way she snatched the baby from the first woman to made it hers, had proven a fact that when one loves or upholds something dearly for one’s own self , it may cause him or her to make wrong decision.

For example, those who are involved in ministry might have their motive to serve others and to shepherd God’s flock at the beginning, but as times go on, their good intention is gone. The desire of humanity to receive glory, honor, and praises may cause them to forget their initial motivation.

Moreover, people often turn out to be self-righteous, exclusive and deceptive, and they will arrogate their rights to power and credit because they want to monopolize “the son they love and cherish”. 

No matter what, we all have our own “beloved and cherished child” in our respective fields. It could be our business interest, career position, ministry position, or some dreams and specialties that are yet to be realized. What are the ways and approaches we have chosen in order to get them or to keep them for ourselves?

We often make big mistakes because we allow our ends to determine our means. For example, both the French Revolution and the Chinese Cultural Revolution were led by people who had noble goals and passion. But ultimately, they resolved to shed blood by using violent approaches and they killed lives in order to fulfill their idealism.

Religious passion is good but it is often misused to justify some coercive means, and to make reasonable oppression of freedom an exchange for superficial piety.

In a mean way, some people said this, “It is alright to sacrifice a few thousands innocent lives and cause some environmental damages in order to have economic growth and political stability for 30 years.”

This is wrong because the ends cannot justify the means! Sacrificing innocent lives is unjust.

The noble motive of getting the “beloved and cherished son” has to be done with noble means. Things we get by unscrupulous means will cause us regrets! For example, church growth is a noble goal, but we have to work hard to achieve it biblically and not unscrupulously.

Let’s pause here and reflect. What is our most beloved and cherished “child”? How do we strive to get it? Do we harbor jealousy, bitterness or anxiety when we fail to get our beloved and cherished “child”?

The solution will be to hold on to the truth and insist on getting our beloved and cherished “child” through means that are pleasing to God. Do not give up our principles of faith and do not resolve to ungodly, unethical and unbiblical means.

Furthermore, we can channel our heart’s desire to loving and trusting Christ. We need to know that Christ is the Lord and Savior of our lives. He promises to take care of us, to bless us with abundant lives, and He shall save us to the very end. Christ’s grace is sufficient for us in any adversaries.

Do not allow any “child” we love and cherish to become our idol and replace Christ in our lives. When we trust God as such and rely on Christ, we will be able to be set free from the bondages of sin. Our lives will shine brightly inside out, possessing freedom and joy as our life qualities.