靈命日糧 - 2005年3月26日
讀經: 羅馬書12章14-21節

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金句: 「……要愛你們的仇敵，為那逼迫你們的禱告。」（馬太福音5章44節）

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全年讀經: 撒母耳記上1-3章  

令人無法理解，主耶穌如何能為那殘酷的行刑者禱告，求上帝饒恕他們（路加福音23章34節）。我們常為自己不肯原諒他人而尋找藉口，強調祂是上帝，而我們卻是罪人。但是主耶穌呼召我們，跟從祂至聖的榜樣。
實現聖經的教導並非易事，舉例而言，我們很難真誠地向上帝祈求，饒恕我們的仇敵以及那些羞辱看輕我們的人，然而上帝明確地告訴我們：「為那逼迫你們的禱告」（馬太福音5章44節）。

當我們在禱告裏仰望上帝，聖靈能幫助我們將最困難的指示付諸行動。想想那些讓你不滿的人，如有必要，仔細地從記憶庫裏搜尋一番。當你回顧對那個人的感覺時，祈求「主啊，使我的心中洋溢憐憫，除去所有不饒恕的靈，幫助我盡力與眾人和睦」（參羅馬書12章18節）。

如果眾多的基督徒都能做到這點，我們的婚姻、家庭及教會的生活都會發生極大的改變。我們能對這個充滿恨意的世界，產生出巨大影響力。VCG


當我們不饒恕他人，
上帝的祝福被阻擋；
我們必須除去固執，
並根治驕傲的罪性。Sper


磨掉根深蒂固的苦毒，必須以上帝的恩典耕耘。
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Grace To Forgive



Read:Romans 12:14-21
Love your enemies, . . . and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. —Matthew 5:44


Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 1-3

It is difficult to understand how the Lord Jesus could pray for His brutal executioners to be forgiven (Luke 23:34). We often try to excuse our unforgiving hearts by arguing that He was God, whereas we are sinful creatures. But Jesus calls us to follow His divine example.

Putting into practice the Bible's directives isn't easy. For example, it's hard to pray sincerely for God to forgive our enemies and those who humiliate and belittle us. Yet God's Word is crystal-clear: "Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).

As we lift our eyes to the Lord in prayer, we can be Spirit-enabled to put into practice His most difficult directives. Think of someone toward whom you have harbored a bitter spirit. Ransack your memory if necessary. As you consider that your feelings for that person, pray: "Lord, flood my heart with compassion, and purge away my unforgiving spirit. Help me to 'live peaceably with all men'" (Romans 12:18).

If multitudes of Christians did that, what a transforming difference it would make in our marriages, our homes, and our churches. We could have a big influence on our hate-filled world. —Vernon Grounds


When others we will not forgive,
God's blessings are denied;
We must forsake our stubbornness
And banish sinful pride. —Sper

Ground that is filled with roots of bitterness needs to be plowed by the grace of God.