罗马书 9:17-24
因为经上有话向法老说：我将你兴起来，特要在你身上彰显我的权能，并要使我的名传遍天下。如此看来，神要怜悯谁就怜悯谁，要叫谁刚硬就叫谁刚硬。这样，你必对我说：他为甚么还指责人呢？有谁抗拒他的旨意呢？
你这个人哪，你是谁，竟敢向神强嘴呢？受造之物岂能对造他的说：你为甚么这样造我呢？窑匠难道没有权柄从一团泥里拿一块做成贵重的器皿，又拿一块做成卑贱的器皿吗？倘若神要显明他的忿怒，彰显他的权能，就多多忍耐宽容那可怒预备遭毁灭的器皿，又要将他丰盛的荣耀彰显在那蒙怜悯早预备得荣耀的器皿上。这器皿就是我们被神所召的，不但是从犹太人中，也是从外邦人中。这有甚么不可呢？
人与神之间的关系有一个 “程度,” “水平” 或 “种类” 的分别 - 在这段经文里, 是特别指创造者与创造物的关系, 而这种关系是不可以 “割除” 掉的。神有完全的 “权柄” 将我们从同一团泥土,将我们造成什么样的东西来! 不能过问.他能将一部分的泥土做成装饰品,一部分的泥土做成皇宫里贵重的器皿，又能拿另一块做成卑贱的器皿;我们完全没有权力问或选择。可是,神就是这样的忍耐宽容,对待那些他所忍耐宽容愤怒的。所以, 他必定会更怜悯那些他捡选为他彰显荣耀的器皿。
神在世界的主权和在创造的过程里,清楚的显现在他捡选埃及法老王例子上。 的确,他是神所捡选来发出他怒气的器皿,就是:神透过以色列国战胜了法老王, 彰显了他的大能与他在外邦人的名誉。所以,就像诗歌说: “凭你意行,主! 凭你意行,主! 您是窑匠,我们是泥土。”我们今天的功课是: 要有个顺服的心态,让神在我们生命里做工,让他的荣耀从我们的身上发起,好像他透过法老王, 彰显他的荣耀一样,使他的名传遍整个世界。
凭你意行，主！
凭你意行，主！凭你意行！
因主是陶人，我是泥土，
陶我与造我，照主旨意，
我在此等待，虔恭侯主。
凭你意行，主！凭你意行！
鉴察试炼我，就在今天，
我将我洗净，洁白如雪，
今谦卑跪下，在主脚前。
凭你意行，主！凭你意行！
悲伤与疲惫，求主帮助，
权柄众权柄，全属我主，
抚摩并医治，皆赖救主。
凭你意行，主！凭你意行！
管理我动作，凭主指引，
圣灵充满我，显明主恩，
惟望主耶稣，常住我心。
Romans 9:17-24
For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth.” So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?”
No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.
The prerogative of God in creation and over this world is shown by the example of His choice of Pharaoh of Egypt, even though he was chosen as a vessel of wrath, that is, to be the instrument to show His power through the Israel’s victory over Pharaoh and to show His fame (name) throughout the earth. Thus, as the song goes, “Have Thine own way Lord, have Thine own way, you are the potter, I am the clay.” The lesson here today is: It calls for a surrendered life, to allow God to have His way in and through us, and to show His glory through us, just as He has shown His glory through Pharaoh, and broadcast the fame of His Name in all the earth.
Song: Have Thine Own Way (Adelaide A. Pollard)
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
No comments:
Post a Comment