 Many seek wisdom, but our wisdom cannot lead us to God. Our redemption depends entirely on God. So, no one can boast (1Corinthians1:29-31). Instead, God is glorified in our dependence.
First, the redeemed absolutely depends on God. God is the source of all the good in the redeemed. Redemption is from God. Father gave us Christ and has accepted Christ’s life for our life. God is not obligated to redeem us. God could have rejected us like the fallen angel. Our redemption is God’s grace, He without expecting us to repay. Our faith in God is also from God (Ephesians2:8). God gives us wisdom to know Him. We are considered good and holy before God because of God. (1Corinthians1:29-31). We are re-born, like being raised from the dead, through the redemption (Ephesians1:19, 2:10, 5:24; 2Corinthians5:17). We are given the Holy Spirit, as promise by the Father, enabling Christ to be in us (1Corinthians1:29-31). With the Holy Spirit in us, rivers of living water will flow from us. The Holy Spirit also serves as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come (Galatians 3:13-14; Luke24:49; Ephesians 1:13; John4:14, 7:38-39; Revelation2:1; 2Corinthians1:22). We are preserved and protected by God (1Peter1:5). We are sufficient because of God (2Corinthians4:7). Not just the source of all the good, God is the medium through which we get them. Through Christ, the mediator provided by Father, we get our redemption (Hebrews7:27, 9:26), and we are re-born, becoming good (2Corinthians5:21, 1Corinthians8:6). God is not just the purchaser, He also has paid the price, the ultimate sacrifice. Not just the source and the medium to get all the good, God is the good itself. Everything good outside of us giving us joy, such as food, health etc. is in God. All the good in us, the excellency of our soul, our divine nature, our holiness, and happiness, resides in God. (2Peter1:4, Hebrews12:10). The Holy Spirit in us is God. Second, God is glorified in the work of our redemption. The more we depend on God, the more we see God and God’s glory. We see that God is full and everything, while we are empty and nothing. So, rely our redemption on God alone. Absolutely trust God. Praise and exalt God alone. Ascribe all glory to God. Summary of a sermon by Jonathan Edwards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbQQtpoIwMM  During the 2020 new year, many of us planned. Some could be like the one in James 4:13—either today or tomorrow we will go to a specific city, spend one year there, to carry on a business and be profitable. COVID-19 has turned everything upside down.
No one knows the future. Ecclesiastes 8:7. What should we do? Let us learn from James 4:13-17. First, note that the planner in James 4:13 did not consider whether God would approve the plan. We should let God be the center of our plan. Let it be God’s plan for our life, not our plan based on our own understanding. If we do so, God will direct us. Proverbs 3:5-6. Also, ask God to show us how to carry out the plan He lays out for us. Psalm 119:32. Be humble and fully trust Him. If we need wisdom, ask God, and He would give it to us. James 1:5. Second, do not presume we have a future. We do not know the first thing about tomorrow. Prov 27:1. Our life is temporary, like a morning mist that quickly vanishes. So, do not boast or brag what we are going to do tomorrow. This is arrogance. We can live and do anything, only if it is God’s will. James 4:15-16. Also, do not worry about tomorrow. Such worry robs us of today. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34. Ask God to give us what we need today. Live one day at a time and make it count. So, plan for tomorrow but live for today. Finally, if we know the good things we ought to do, do it. James 4:17. Not doing it is a sin of omission. Do not procrastinate. We are not guaranteed to have a tomorrow. So, plan how to do it and act. Action speaks louder than words. 1 John2:3-4. In conclusion, though our future is totally uncertain, still plan with God in the center. Make it God’s plan for our life. But do not presume we have tomorrow because we may die tonight. We can live only if God permits. Do not worry about tomorrow. If there are good things we ought to do, do it. Make each day count. Summarized from a sermon by Rick Warren at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-5eRVIfqhU 面对难以预料的未来的信心 在2020年头，许多人制定了各种计划。 有些可能像雅各书 4:13中描述的--今天或明天，我们将去这个城市，在那里度过一年，开展业务并获利。 新冠肺炎使一切都颠倒了。 没有人知道未来 （传道书8：7）。 该怎么办？让我们从雅各书4：13-17中学习。 首先，雅各书4:13中的计划者没有考虑上帝是否会批准该计划。 我们计划的中间应该是上帝。 让它成为上帝对我们生命的计划，而不是我们的计划基于我们的理解。 如果我们这样做，上帝会指导我们 （箴言3：5-6）。 也请上帝展示我们如何行祂为我们安排的路 （诗篇119：32）。 要谦虚并完全相信上帝。 如果我们需要智慧，请求上帝, 祂会把智慧给我们 （雅各书1：5）。 第二，不要以为我们有未来。 我们不知道未来会怎样 （箴27：1）。 我们的生命是暂时的，就像晨雾很快消失一样。 所以不要吹牛或夸口我们明天要做什么。这是自大。我们可以生活和做任何事情都是神的旨意 （雅各书4：15-16）。 另外，不要为明天担心。 担忧未来使我们失去了现在。 每一天都有它的麻烦 （马太福音6:34）。 求上帝賜給我們今天我们需要的。 可以为明天计划，但专注于为今天而活。 最后, 如果我们知道我们应该做的善事，那就去做 （雅各书4:17）。 不这样做是一种罪。 不要拖延。 我们不能保证有明天。 所以计划如何做, 然后去做。行动胜于雄辩 （约翰一书2：3-4）。 总之，尽管我们的前途未卜，我们仍应该以上帝为中心进行计划。 让它成为上帝对我们生命的计划。 但不要以为我们有明天，因为我们今晚可能会死去。 如果上帝不允许, 我们根本不能生存。 不要为明天而担心。 若有应该做的好事，那就去做。 每一天好好的生活。  Often, we do not understand why God let certain things happen. We are not the first to have such confusion. Let’s look at how Christ confused Mary and Joseph.
At 12, a year before adulthood in their culture, Jesus went with Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem for Passover. When the event was over, His parents left for home with a large group. But Jesus stayed behind discussing with teachers in the temple. Luke 2:41-52. A day later, when Mary and Joseph found out Jesus was not with them, they went back to Jerusalem to look for Him. After three days of searching, they found Him. Mary was not pleased, asking why He treated them like this. In response, Christ questioned why they did not know He had to be in His Father’s house! V49. During this event, Jesus called God, not Joseph, His Father. In Old Testament time, God was rarely referred to as Father. Basically, Jesus told them His relationship with God was much more important, and He did not have to obey them. Mary and Joseph were disturbed by how Christ treated them. They did not understand what He was talking about. V48-50. James Elliot was speared to death while trying to evangelize Ecuador Indians. Shouldn’t God protect him? Later, his wife Elisabeth explained: God’s plan is beyond us, and we should accept it as is. Often, we are confused, not understanding things God does in our lives. We do not understand why we are in huge storms. Accept them. Hold onto His love for us. Christ, the almighty God, came on earth to serve us till death. Contemplate what we know about Him and treasure our experience of Him. V51. Gradually, through grace, we will grow in our understanding of Him. Meanwhile, keep trusting and serving Him. Summarized from a Tim Keller’s sermon. https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/jesus-at-his-father-s-feast-5439/ 接受我们的困惑。相信上帝 我们时常不明白为什么上帝让某些事情发生。我们不是第一个有这种困惑的人。让我们看看基督如何困扰马利亚和约瑟。 耶稣十二岁那年，祂与马利亚和约瑟一起去耶路撒冷过逾越节。在他们的文化里, 十三岁已届成年。 活动结束后，当马利亚，约瑟和一大群人离开时，祂留下来与当时圣殿里的老师讨论 （路加福音 2：41-52）。 一天后，当马利亚和约瑟发现耶稣不见了，他们便返回耶路撒冷去寻找祂。经过了三天的搜寻，他们找到了耶稣。马利亚不高兴，问祂为什么要这样对待他们。但祂反问为何他们不知道祂必须在祂父亲的家里！ V49。 在这件事中，耶稣称上帝（不是约瑟）为祂的父亲。在旧约时代，上帝是很少被称为父。基本上，耶稣告诉他们，祂与上帝的关系重要得多，祂也不必服从他们。 这次基督的行为使马利亚和约瑟感到不安。他们不明白祂在说什么。 V48-50。 詹姆斯·艾略特（James Elliot）在厄瓜多尔 (Ecuador)对印第安人传福音时被刺死。上帝不应该保护他吗？后来，他的妻子伊丽莎白解释说：“上帝的计划超越了我们，所以应该接受。” 今天，我们继续时常对上帝感到困惑，不明白上帝在我们生活中所做的事。我们不了解为什么我们会面对巨大的风暴。 接受吧。坚持祂对我们的爱。全能的神, 基督, 来到世上为我们服事直至死亡。思考我们对祂的了解以及珍惜我们对祂的经历。 V51。通过恩典，我们将逐步了解祂。在这其间，继续信任祂和为祂服事。  Money solves lots of problems, and we need it to live. How important is money/possession in our life? Are we controlled by it?
Many of Christ’s parables are about wealth because our attitude towards it is a window into our hearts. Let’s look at Christ’s viewpoint on possessions via the parable in Luke12:13-21. The person there kept storing up stuffs, thinking they would give him security and happiness. V18. Christ called him a fool (V20), which is very rare. If he died that day, he couldn’t enjoy any of the stuffs. The physical world is temporary and is not all there is. Christ had no possession on earth. Yet, He is worshipped by more than anyone today. Instead of storing up things for ourselves, focus on investing in God’s kingdom and His words, which last forever. V21. Be rich through Christ. Christ gave up His heavenly riches to become poor on earth. His sacrifice draws us to God. Through Christ, we become rich and good in God’s eyes. 2Cor 5:21,8:9. Focus on people. Luke 16:9 talks about a shrewd manager putting money into people, something that last. But don’t be good to others so as to claim a place in paradise. Remember that our goodness is far from God’s standards. Don’t focus on gathering possessions for ourselves. We need to save. But also remember to be generous. Generosity can show our faith in God. Don’t trust earthly things more than God. “Let me have this car.” “Help me succeed in this deal.” “Make this woman love me.” “Get me this house.” “Make me beautiful.” “Build up my muscles.” Don’t look to earthly things to give us genuine security and happiness. Only God could. Generosity also shows our hope for the future. Don’t place our hope in earthly things. Instead, have hope in God’s planned future. Generosity shows our love for others. Don’t focus on loving ourselves. Love our neighbors as ourselves. However must remember that we are good before God only via Christ, not through our behavior. Anyway, earthly possessions are temporary. Focus on God’s kingdom and His words. Focus on others. Summarized from a Tim Keller’s sermon. https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/how-money-makes-us-fools-6521/ 金钱可能让我们变得愚蠢 金钱可以解决很多问题。我们需要金钱来生活。在我们生活中的财产/金钱有多重要？金钱控制了我们吗？ 基督的许多比喻都涉及财富，因为我们对钱财的态度可以间接性地看进我们的心。 让我们看看基督在路加福音12：13-21比喻中对财产的看法。在经文描述中的那个人不停地储蓄东西，认为财富会带给他安全和幸福 （路加福音12：18）。基督称他为傻瓜（路加福音12：20），这是非常罕见的。因那个人如在当天去世，他便无法享受任何他储蓄的东西。物质世界是暂时的。基督死在世上时没有金钱财产。然而今天，他比任何人都更被受崇拜。 因此，我们不应集中精力为存储钱财，而是应该专注天国和祂永恒的话语 （路加福音12：21）。 我们通过基督变得富有。基督放弃了天上的财富，成为地上的穷人。他的牺牲将我们吸引到上帝面前。通过他，我们在上帝的眼中变得丰富而美好 （哥林多后书5：21, 8：9）。 也应关注别人。 路加福音16：9谈到一个精明的经理人把钱投资在人上面，因这是持久的。但不要对别人好是为了在天国占有一席之地。我们的善良远远不能达到上帝的标准。 在基督中的丰富是上帝免费的礼物，不要专注于为自己收集钱财。 我们需要储蓄, 但请记住也要慷慨. 慷慨可以表明我们对上帝的信任。 不要信任属世的事比信任上帝更多。 “让我拥有这辆车。”“帮助我成功完成这笔交易。”“让这个女人爱我。”“让我得到这个房子。”“ 让我更美丽，更强壮。” 属世的事物不能给我们真正的安全和快乐. 只有上帝才能。 慷慨也表明了我们对未来的希望。不要把希望放在属世的事物上。相反，应该对上帝的计划和未来充满希望。 慷慨表明了我们的爱。不要专注爱自己。爱你的邻居如同爱自己。 但请牢记我们的慷慨，我们的善行，不能使我们在神面前变得富有。 只有通过基督我们才能。 地上的财产是暂时的。专注天国和祂永恒的话语。关注别人。  God told Abraham (i) to get out of his home land, without telling him where to go; (ii) He would make him a great nation, without telling him where this nation would be (at his death, Abraham’s only land was his burial ground); (iii) all people would be blessed through him, without telling him how he could have a child at his old age; and (iv) to sacrifice his child, without telling him why. Gen12&22.
Each time, Abraham believed God. Gen15:6. He trusted and anchored in God’s words, not his abilities, possessions, relatives, friends, or looks. But Abraham did struggle in his faith. For example, he asked God how he could be sure of His words. Gen15:8. God told Abraham to get a few animals. At once Abraham knew God intending to sign a contract with him. Gen 15:9-10. In their culture, to seal a deal, parties got an animal, cut it into pieces, grouped them into two columns, and walked between the columns, showing symbolically the party breaking the deal to be cut into pieces. Jeremiah 34:18-20. In this case, it was different. A blazing torch passed between the two columns. The torch signified God, as in Mount Sinai and the pillars of fire in the desert. The process represented God making a deal with Abraham. V17-18. But only God walked between the columns, all by Himself, without Abraham. Basically God told Abraham that He would take his place; if Abraham didn’t stick to the agreement, God would be cut into pieces. God’s action enabled Abraham to live a life of faith. God didn’t say He helps those who help themselves! Because of His own promise, God took the curse. For our sins, Christ was ripped into pieces, and was cut off from God the Father. Mark 15:33 and Isaiah 53:8. We worry, disobey, and don’t believe God. We think if we trust all the way, we will miss out. Like Abraham, John the Baptist also had doubts. John asked Christ whether He was the one. We could do the same. We could ask God, “How can we know you would follow through? How can we know we wouldn’t let you down?” Then, listen to His response. Irrespective of what we do, Christ already paid the price, by Himself. May we believe Him and anchor in His words. May God be our shield and our reward. Gen15:1. Adapted from a Tim Keller sermon. https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/abraham-and-the-torch-5860/ 亚伯拉罕的怀疑和信任 上帝告诉亚伯拉罕（i）离开他的家乡，却没有告诉他要去哪里; （ii）上帝会令他成为一个伟大的国家，而不告诉他这个国家将在哪里（在他去世时，亚伯拉罕唯一的土地是他的墓地）; （iii）所有人都会通过他而得到祝福，却没有告诉一个年纪老迈的他还可以有孩子; 和（iv）以他的孩子为祭品，然而不告诉亚伯拉罕为什么 (创世纪 12：22)。 亚伯拉罕每次都相信上帝 (创世纪 15：6)。他坚持地信靠上帝的话语，不是他自己的能力，财产，亲戚，朋友或外表。 但亚伯拉罕确实在信仰上经历过挣扎。例如他问上帝他怎么能确定上帝的话 (创世纪 15：8)。上帝便告诉亚伯拉罕找一些动物来。亚伯拉罕立刻知道上帝打算与他签订合同 (创世纪 15：9-10)。在他们那时的文化中，为了达成协议，各方找一些动物, 将动物切成段块，然后分成两堆，最后在它们中间走过。这代表着如一方违了契约，他便像这动物一样，切成段块（耶利米书 34：18-20）。 但这次跟以往不同了。上帝在两堆之间飘来一支燃烧着的火炬。火炬代表着上帝，好像在西奈山和沙漠中的火柱一样。这个过程代表着上帝与亚伯拉罕达成协议(创世纪17-18)，但只有神走在两堆之间, 而亚伯拉罕不用走过。 基本上，上帝告诉亚伯拉罕，祂会取代亚伯拉罕的位置; 如果亚伯拉罕不遵守协议，上帝就会被切成段块。上帝的行动感动了亚伯拉罕的心，让他从此以后对神充满了信心。 上帝没有说上帝只帮助那些自己帮自己的人！ 上帝因为祂自己的承诺接受了诅咒。为着我们的罪，基督被撕成段块，与父神隔绝 （马可福音15:33 和 以赛亚书53：8）。 我们担忧，不服从，和不相信上帝。我们认为如果完全信任上帝的话，那么我们便会错过很多东西。 像亚伯拉罕一样，施洗约翰也有疑虑。约翰问基督祂是否那个人。我们也可以这样做。我们可以问神，“我们怎么知道你会坚持到底？我们怎能知道我们不会让你失望？” 然后，听听他的回应。 无论我们如何反应，基督将自己已成为代价。愿我们坚定地相信基督与祂的话语。愿上帝成为我们的盾牌和荣耀 (创世纪 15：1)。  Three global religions consider Abraham as the father of their faith. Because of a call from God, he lived a life against his family, society, and culture. Let’s learn about it in Gen 11:27-12:9.
Gen 1-11 described human’s spiritual decay. But one ray of hope, a single family, still passed on the knowledge of God. It was the family of Seth (Gen 4:25), from whom came Noah and Terah, the father of Abraham. At that time, the culture was polytheism. Even Terah worshiped other gods. Joshua 24:2. Fortunately, his son, Abraham, followed God. But Abraham’s wife, Sarai, was barren. So, this ray was flickering out, spiritually and physically. Then God called Abraham. It was a call of grace because Abraham didn’t deserve the call. Abraham wasn’t qualified. The call changed him. The call was radical. God told Abraham to get out of his country, his people and his father’s household—out of his security, his comfort zone! 12:1. Abraham had no idea where to go. God just told him to go “to the land I will show you.” 12:1. Note that at that time, there was no Google map. By faith, Abraham went, not knowing where. Hebrews 11:8. God promised Abraham that he would be a great nation, and all peoples on earth would be blessed through him. But till death, he still didn’t see it. For his entire life, Abraham lived between God’s promises and the reality. He might be more comfortable just staying back in his father’s land. But he listened to God. Through thousands of years, all the promises gradually are coming true. Like Abraham, by faith we follow God. Our life is between God’s promise and the reality. We may be more comfortable just living our old life. But all of God’s promises to us gradually will come true. God promised that through Christ (who left His Father’s house, came on earth to suffer and die for us), we would be welcomed back to the Father’s house, with all the glory and blessing. God’s call probably would not fit into our agenda. God’s call probably would challenge major aspects of our lives. God’s call probably would take us out of our temporary comfort zone. But trusting God’s call provides real security, and gives us entirely new lives with radical new purposes. Trusting God would bring us to the ultimate promised-land. Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/real-security-and-the-call-of-god-5229/ 上帝对亚伯拉罕的千年承诺 三个全球性的宗教认为亚伯拉罕是他们信仰之父。由于上帝的呼召，他过着与家庭，社会和文化相抗衡的生活。让我们在（创世纪11：27-12：9）中了解它。 创世纪1-11描述了人类的灵性衰退。如一缕丝的希望，一个家庭，仍然传递着对上帝的认识。这是塞特的家族（创世纪4:25）。 诺亚和特拉便是从这而来。 特拉是亚伯拉罕的父亲。那时，文化是多神教。甚至特拉都崇拜其他的神灵 （约书亚记 24：2）。幸好，他的儿子亚伯拉罕跟随上帝。但亚伯拉罕的妻子撒莱却不能生育。所以，这条光线在灵性和身体上都在灭绝中。 在这时, 上帝呼召了亚伯拉罕。这是一种恩典的召唤，因为亚伯拉罕不配得到这个呼召。他不够资格。这个呼召改变了亚伯拉罕的一生。 这也是一个激进的使命。上帝告诉亚伯拉罕离开他熟悉的本土，人民和他父亲的家庭 - 离开他的安全，他的舒适区！（创世纪12：1） 亚伯拉罕不知道该往哪里去。上帝只是告诉他要“到我要指示你的地方” （创世纪12：1）。请注意，当时没有谷歌地图。凭着信心，亚伯拉罕去了，也不知道应去哪里 （希伯来书11：8）。 上帝应许亚伯拉罕他将成为一个伟大的国家，地球上所有的民族都将通过他而得到祝福。但直到死亡，亚伯拉罕仍然没有看到。 他一生都生活在上帝的应许与现实之间。如他居住父亲的土地上，他的生活可能会更容易更安逸。但他听从上帝的话。 经过几千年，所有的承诺逐渐成真。 像亚伯拉罕一样，凭着信心，我们跟随上帝。我们的生命在上帝的应许与现实之间。如过着我们以往的生活, 我们可能会更加舒适。但上帝对我们的承诺将会逐渐成真。 这承诺是基督带给我们的应许。 基督离开了天父的家，来到世上为我们受苦受难,使我们可以回到天父家里, 得到所有的荣耀和祝福。 上帝的呼召或许不融合我们的计划。上帝的呼召可能影响和挑战我们大部分的生活. 上帝的呼召或许会逐渐将我们从暂时的舒适区带出来. 但相信上帝提供真正的安全，给我们全新的生活, 并带来全新的目的。 相信上帝会将我们带到最终的承诺之地。  It took courage for Ruth to leave the land of her birth. Let’s learn from her in the Book of Ruth.
Naomi moved to Moab with her husband and two sons because of famine in Israel. They might have turned away from God for safety and comfort. Even their two sons had Canaanite’s names, and married Moabites, bitter enemies of the Israelites. (“No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord, not even in the tenth generation.” Deut. 23:3) Subsequently, Naomi’s husband and the two sons died. In those days, widows had difficulty surviving, unless they had money or sons. Naomi had neither. When Naomi heard that there was food in Israel, she and one of her daughters-in-law, Ruth, returned to Israel. Typically, immigrants leave their place of birth hoping for a more comfortable life. But not Ruth. In Israel, Ruth had no family connections and status. Further, Israelites saw Moabites as horrible, wicked people. She could be raped and killed. We could see the danger when Ruth picked leftover grain in an Israel field. The owner knew she had been good to Naomi. He suggested Ruth to stay in his field, and said, “I have told the men not to lay a hand on you.” Ruth 2:9. Ruth left Moab because she loved Naomi (Ruth 4:15) and she believed in God. In Bible, calling God the Lord or Yahweh implied believing God as the almighty. In Ruth 1:16-17, Ruth said to Naomi, “Your people will be my people and your God my God…. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” We could only postulate that Ruth’s faith came from seeing God in Naomi’s life. Because of Naomi, Ruth took refuge in God. Ruth 2:12. In turn, Ruth redeemed Naomi from a life of bitterness. And Christ was a descendent of Ruth. Christ was also an immigrant, the ultimate one. He gave up His life to move to earth, where He suffered terribly. To redeem us from a life of hell, He died. God, the Father, raised Him from the dead, making His name above all names. Learn from Christ and Ruth. Don’t focus on what the world considers as a good life. Surrender ourselves. Follow Christ. God would be with us and give us a great life. Adapted from a Tim Keller sermon http://www.gospelinlife.com/free-sermon-resource http://www.gospelinlife.com/an-immigrant-s-courage-6527 一位移民的勇氣 路得離開她出生的土地需要巨大的勇氣。讓我們从路得记中向她學習。 由於以色列粮食飢荒，拿俄米，丈夫和兩個兒子一起搬到了摩押。為了安全和舒適，他們可能已經遠離了上帝。甚至他們的兩個兒子也改了迦南人的名字, 及與以色列人的仇敵摩押人結婚。 （“亞捫人，摩押人或他們的後裔都不可能参加主的集會，甚至在他们的第十代也不能。”申23：3） 后来，拿俄米的丈夫和兩個兒子都死了。在那些日子裡，除非寡婦有錢或兒子，她们是難以存活。而拿俄米两者都沒有。 當拿俄米聽說以色列食物充足時，她和她的一個媳婦名路得回到了以色列。 通常移民離開他們的出生地，是希望過更舒適的生活。但不是路得。在以色列，路得沒有家庭聯繫和地位。此外，以色列人認為摩押人是可怕及邪惡的人。她可能會遭到強姦和殺害。 我們可以看到她在以色列油田採摘剩餘穀物時的危險。老闆知道路得对拿俄米很好。 他建議路得留在他的田地裡, 並說：“我已经告訴我的男员工不要把手放在你身上。”（路得記2：9） 路得離開摩押是因為她愛拿俄米（路得記4:15），及因為她相信上帝。在聖經中，稱上帝為主為耶和華暗示相信上帝是萬能的。在路得書1：16-17中，路得對拿俄米說：“你的國就是我的國，你的上帝就是我的上帝。你在那裏死，我也在那裏死，也葬在那裏。除非死能使你我相離！不然，願耶和華重重地降罰與我.” 我們只能假設路得的信仰是來自於在拿俄米的生命中看見上帝。由於拿俄米，上帝成为路得的避難所 （路加福音2:12）。 反過來，路得將拿俄米從痛苦的生活中救贖出來。基督是路得的后代。 基督也是一個移民，一個至极的移民。他放棄了自己的生命，来到了世上，在这裡遭受极大的痛苦。為了救贖我們脫離地獄的生活，他死了。上帝，天父，將祂從死裡復活，使祂的名字高於一切的名字。 向基督和路得學習。不要專注於世界認為是好的生活。 屈服自己。跟隨基督。 上帝会和我们在一起，给于我们一个美好的生活。 |