564 中翻英 (264) We present our bodies as a living sacrifice. 我們將身體獻上，當作活祭. 10/28/2023

 564 中翻英 (264)    We present our bodies as a living sacrifice.   我們將身體獻上，當作活祭.                                                                10/28/2023

十月二十八日的晨曦默思使我回憶起25年前參加的一次靈修聚會, 是在達拉斯恩友堂參加一次一週的教會外的靈修特別聚會, 由何仲柯醫師帶領,   主題    "將身體獻上，當作活祭."    對編輯者的影響非常深刻.    他說,  " 有基督信仰的人是將身體獻上當作活祭.   不像一般的牲畜祭物, 是被殺死後奉獻.   我們信徒是活活的獻上,   為主所用.   但有的會從祭壇上偷偷的溜走.   編輯者沉思默念後實有所感.   至今仍然時時警醒自己.

「所以弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們，將身體獻上，當作活祭，是圣洁的，是神所喜悅的。你們如此事奉，乃是理所當然的。」（羅   12:1 新國際版）

上面經文那些話語所指示的，不僅是為著個人，更是為著整個身體的利益。「獻上」是個人的，但事奉卻是全體的。雖然有許多信徒的身體奉獻給祂，但那結果卻是「一個」活祭。一切對神明智而理所當然的事奉，都該如此。基本上，這是「一個」事奉，然而，在這「一個」事奉里，我們都該有各人的一份。每一個肢體都應該感覺，他所獻給神那一份是有价值的。因為每一個人的奉獻，并不算為是許多個別活祭中的一個，而是整體活祭中的一份。每一個降服于神的生命，都是神所需要的，這樣的生命合起來，就能以組成一個完整而蒙神悅納的活祭。這一件事是我們所确知的。神既是悅納和滿足了，那我們豈不也應該滿足嗎？

October 28

“I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.” (Romans 12:1 NIV)

In the above scriptures, it indicates not only for the benefit of the individual, but also for the benefit of the entire church body.  "Devotion" is personal, but service is for the church collective. Although there were many believers' bodies consecrated to Him, the result was "one" living sacrifice. This is what all wise and natural service to God should be like. Basically, this is "one" service. However, in this "one" service, we should all have our own share. Every member should feel that the portion he gives to God is valuable. Because each person's offering is not counted as one of many individual sacrifices, but as a part of the overall living sacrifice. Every life that surrenders to God is needed by God. Together, such lives can form a complete living sacrifice that is acceptable to God. This is something we know for sure. Since God is pleased and satisfied, shouldn’t we also be satisfied?