“他们就都被圣灵充满，按着圣灵所赐的口才说起别国的话来。”
使徒行传 2:4
我们在使徒行传中读到，早期教会是被圣灵充满的。他们没有教堂建筑，没有圣经，没有汽车，没有飞机，没有火车，没有电视，没有收音机。然而，他们为基督彻底改变了世界 。他们发动了一场属灵革命，动摇了罗马帝国的根基。他们年轻、充满活力、精力充沛、满有能力，每天都为基督而活。为了基督信仰他们甘愿遭受逼迫，甚至死亡的威胁。他们成功的秘诀是什么呢？ ——即使面对反对和死亡？ 毫无疑问，只有一个原因，就因为他们饥渴慕义。遇到他们的人都不禁被他们优秀的品格、生命的圣洁和仁爱所感动。
在当今世界，某些错误的哲学和宗教如此盛行的原因是，在某些方面，那些本应活出基督生命的人没有活出见证。我们未能达到耶稣所设立的标准和要求。如果我们愿意为基督而活，我们必须愿意将万事当作“有损的”。连那些假宗教的追随者都甘愿奉献、委身、为他们的信仰牺牲自己，我们岂不更当如此吗？
大多数不信的世人看到宗教团体内部的纷争时，会大惑不解。我们看到的教会不是充满活力、不断发展、满有能力、以基督为中心，而是分裂、争斗、狭隘、贪婪、嫉妒和属灵涣散 —— 而世界正处于灾难的边缘。
今天所有基督徒最需要做的是学习每天尽心尽意、重新委身基督的秘诀。
今日祷告：
天父，我们的心饥渴慕义。我们重新委身于基督，将自己奉献于你；奉耶稣的名，阿门。
July 18
THE CHURCH THAT SHOOK THE WORLD
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit… Acts 2:4, RSV
We read in the book of Acts that the early Church was filled with the Holy Spirit. They had no church buildings, no Bibles, no automobiles, no planes, no trains, no television, no radio. Yet they turned their world “upside down” for Christ. They instituted a spiritual revolution that shook the very foundations of the Roman Empire. They were young, vigorous, virile, and powerful. They lived their lives daily for Christ. They suffered persecution and even death gladly for their faith in Christ. What was the secret of their success-even in the face of opposition and death? One reason beyond doubt is that they hungered and thirst after righteousness. And those with whom they came in contact could not help but be impressed by the quality and purity of their lives and their love.
The reason certain false philosophies and religions are making such inroads in the world today is that somewhere along the line the people who were supposed to live Christian lives failed. We have failed to meet the standards and requirements that Jesus set forth. If we would live for Christ, we must be willing to count all else as “nothing but refuse.” We must be as dedicated, as committed, and as willing to sacrifice all as some followers of false religions are.
The great masses of the unbelieving world are confused as they gaze upon the strife within and among religious bodies. Instead of a dynamic, growing, powerful, Christ-centered Church, we see division, strife, pettiness, greed, jealousy, and spiritual laziness-while the world is standing on the brink of disaster.
The great need in Christendom today is for Christians to learn the secret of daily, wholehearted recommitment to Christ.
Pray for the Day:
Father, our hearts long for righteousness. We recommit ourselves to Christ. We give ourselves to You; in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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