August 30, 2011 — by Albert Lee
提摩太后书4章7-8节 2 Timothy 4:7-8
当跑的路我已经跑尽了；所信的道我已经守住了。从此以后，有公义的冠冕为我存留。 I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness.
读经: 加拉太书2章15-21节 Scripture Reading: Galatians 2:15-21
参加铁人三项比赛的选手，需要游泳3.8公里、骑单车180公里，以及跑步41.8公里。这不是一个人人都能完成的比赛。然而，狄克霍特（Dick Hoyt）参加了，而且带着他身体有残障的儿子瑞克（Rick）一同完成。当狄克游泳时，他便拉着瑞克所坐的小船。骑车时，他就把瑞克放在与单车相连的车斗内。跑步时，他就推着轮椅上的瑞克一同跑。瑞克全靠父亲才能完成比赛。没有他父亲，瑞克根本无法做到。
他们的故事与基督徒的生活有相似之处。就像瑞克依靠着他父亲，我们也靠着基督来跑完我们当跑的路。
虽然我们尽力活出蒙上帝喜悦的生命，但无论我们的动机和决心有多好，我们也是常常跌倒，而且无法达到目标。单靠我们自己的力量，根本不可能做到。我们何等需要主的帮助！而主已经供应。保罗以深刻见解来宣扬：「现在活着的不再是我，乃是基督在我里面活着；并且我如今在肉身活着，是因信上帝的儿子而活。」（加拉太书2章20节）
我们无法靠自己来跑完这路程，我们必须倚靠活在我们里面的耶稣。
在我心中充满渴慕，
甚愿完全像主；
我常揣摩这奇妙事：
主在我心居住。 Whittle
信心使我们在软弱时，能从上帝得着力量。
The Ironman Triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run. It is not an easy feat for anyone to accomplish. But Dick Hoyt participated in the race and completed it with his physically disabled son Rick. When Dick swam, he pulled Rick in a small boat. When Dick cycled, Rick was in a seat-pod on the bike. When Dick ran, he pushed Rick along in a wheelchair. Rick was dependent on his dad in order to finish the race. He couldn’t do it without him.
We see a parallel between their story and our own Christian life. Just as Rick was dependent on his dad, we are dependent on Christ to complete our Christian race.
As we strive to live a God-pleasing life, we realize that in spite of our best intentions and determination, we often stumble and fall short. By our strength alone, it is impossible. Oh, how we need the Lord’s help! And it has been provided. Paul declares it with these insightful words, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God” (Gal. 2:20).
We cannot finish the Christian race on our own. We have to do so by depending on Jesus living in us.
With longing all my heart is filled
That like Him I may be,
As on the wondrous thought I dwell,
That Christ liveth in me. — Whittle
Faith connects our weakness to God’s strength.
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