QT 28/07/2024 Sun. 2Cor 5. Reconciling ministry. 复合的事奉。
QT 28/07/2024 Sun. 2Cor 5
READ http://www.esvbible.org/2cor5
Be VERY conscious that we will leave our "earthly tent" (2Cor 5:1) one day, and appear before "the judgment seat of Christ" to receive our dues (2Cor 5:10).
During this life, our ministry on earth must primarily focus on the ministry of reconciliation: Reconciling people to God (2Cor 5:18).
Paul used the metaphor of dwellings/houses to illustrate the Temporary Residence (TR) we have in our body. This is just a "TR", not even a "PR" (Permanent Residence), let alone earthly citizenship. However, during this TR, God is watching you, whether or not "we make it our aim to please him" (2Cor 5:9).
REFLECTION: Do we analyse things from the angle of "Does it please me?" Or are we asking, "Does it please God?"
APPLICATION: Let the desire to please God POWER UP ALL that we think and do. Don't let the desire to please our own desires and egos take the centre stage. This is not a reflex action or passive behaviour. It takes conscious effort to focus and please God.
Think of yourselves as "Ambassadors" (2Cor 5:20). As ambassadors, we represent Christ. Are we sloppy and messed up, or full of dynamic orderliness?
We represent God for a purpose (2Cor 5:20): To appeal to the world for it to reconcile to God through Christ.
Whenever we present the gospel, it is actually an appeal by God to the prospect, the people (through us) that they should be reconciled to God through the gospel. This is such a high calling! Live it out!
星期日 2024年7月28日 今日读经：哥林多后书5章. 复合的事奉。
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/2Co/5/
要清楚地知道我们有一天会离开我们“地上的帐棚”(林后5:1),并出现“在基督的审判台前”，接受报应(林后5:10)。
在这生命的期间，我们在地上的事工必须专注在和好的职分上:使人与神和好(林后5:18)。
保罗用了居所/房屋的比喻来刻画我们在肉体里暂时的居所(TR, temporary residence)。这只不过是“TR”,连“PR”(永久居留)都不是，更何况是地上的公民权。然而，在这暂时的居留的期间，神在看着你，看看我们是否“立定志向讨主喜悦”(林后5:9)。
反思：我们分析事情的角度是“这讨我喜悦吗？或是我们会这样问，“这样做讨不讨神的喜悦？”
应用：让讨神喜悦的欲望激发我们的所思所行。不要让我们想满足自己欲望和满足自我的渴望成了焦点。这不是反射动作或是被动的行为。要专注和讨神喜悦需要有意识地付出努力。
视自己为“使者”(林后5:20)。身为使者，我们代表基督。我们是否草率、乱七八糟，又或者是富有活力的有秩序？
我们代表神是有目地的(林后5:20)：呼吁世界借着基督与神和好。
每当我们传福音，那其实是神向对方和人们的呼吁(借着我们)，以致他们可以借着福音与神和好。这是多么崇高的呼召啊！把它活出来吧！
