¿Cuál es la diferencia entre confiar en Dios y creerlo?
Ayer en la iglesia cantamos la canción “Confía y obedece”. Eso me llevó a escribir esta entrada de blog. ¿Es lo mismo confiar y obedecer que creer y obedecer? Cuando creemos a Dios, estamos persuadidos o convencidos de que lo que Él dijo es verdad. Josué y Caleb creyeron a Dios cuando les prometió dar […]
PAKINGGAN ANG PANAWAGAN
Kahapon sa simbahan, kinanta naming ang kantang “Trust and Obey.” Nagresulta iyan sa blog na ito. Ang magtiwala at sumunod ay kapareho ba ng manampalataya at sumunod? Nang manampalataya tayo sa Diyos, tayo ay nakumbinse na ang Kaniyang sinabi ay totoo. Nanampalataya si Josue at Caleb sa Diyos nang Kaniyang ipangakong ibibigay sa Israel ang […]
Uganda: The Peaceful Christ
In June, GES had the opportunity to do a short-term mission trip in Uganda at an orphanage for children with special needs. My main purpose in going was to teach the staff of the orphanage Free Grace issues. I know many of our readers are heavily invested in what GES does overseas, so I wanted […]
Qual è la differenza tra fidarsi di Dio e credere in Lui?
Ieri in chiesa abbiamo cantato la canzone “Trust and Obey” (Fidati e obbedisci, n.d.t.). Di qui l’idea per questo blog. Fidarsi ed obbedire sono la stessa cosa che credere ed obbedire? Quando crediamo in Dio, siamo persuasi o convinti che ciò che ha detto sia vero. Giosuè e Caleb credettero a Dio quando promise di […]
Is It Bad If the Message of God’s Grace Causes People to Doubt Their Salvation?
Over the years I’ve heard that some of my writings have caused some people who believe 1 Cor 15:3-4 to doubt their salvation. Before I get into the details, let’s first consider whether it is good or bad for someone to doubt their salvation. If a person is not convinced that he is saved once […]
听从呼召
1988 年，一个名叫尼古拉斯·温顿的人走进英国广播公司（BBC）的演播室，在观众席上坐了下来。这位其貌不扬的股票经纪人，戴着可乐瓶颜色的眼镜、穿着简单西装，他并不知道这个脱口秀节目《这就是生活（That’s Life ）》即将播出的一个节目环节是专门为他准备的。几十年来，温顿一直保守着一个秘密，但他的秘密被发现了。这个看似普通的人其实是一个英雄，他组织并执行了第二次世界大战中最伟大的人道主义壮举之一。 在纳粹入侵捷克斯洛伐克之前，温顿将 669 名犹太儿童从捷克斯洛伐克转移到英国的家中。他组织了这些儿童的文件、运输和重新安置的工作，使他们免于一死。遗憾的是，他们的父母大多死于集中营。 五十年后，温顿的所作所为才被公之于众。英国广播公司（BBC）的脱口秀节目承认了他的工作。数十名孩子（现已成年）来到现场向他的救命之恩表示敬意和感谢。节目播出后，温顿被伊丽莎白女王封为爵士，获得了白狮勋章（捷克斯洛伐克的最高荣誉），并被媒体誉为“英国的辛德勒”。赞誉、荣誉和光环一直伴随着他，直到 2015 年去世，享年 106 岁。 温顿的经历是“奖赏学说”的一个例证。《圣经》教导说，在今生忠心事奉主的信徒，终有一天会在基督的审判台前因他们的努力而得到奖赏（《林后》5：10；《罗》14：10）。像温顿一样，我们也有机会做救人性命的工作。然而，我们从服侍主中获得的奖赏远远胜过爵位或勋章，因为我们所寻求的奖赏具有永恒的价值，比世人的掌声更长久（《林前》9：24-27）。 然而，温顿的故事还有另一个因素，它给我们敲响了警钟。后来有人透露，在温顿为孩子们寻找住房的过程中，温顿曾向罗斯福总统求助。遗憾的是，罗斯福没有理会温顿的请求。温顿后来估计，如果当时总统能回应当时的请求，将会有2000 多名儿童获救。 在《彼后》1:10，使徒告诉他的读者，就像这位美国总统一样，他们正在被呼召。所有重生的人都被呼召作门徒。所有信徒都被邀请与主一同服侍，与祂搭档，一起仰望祂永恒的国度。我们可以通过分享救恩的信息、带领他人做门徒以及把主的品格加入道我们的信仰中（《彼后》1:5-8）来参与祂的工作。 赞恩·霍奇斯评论道： “……所有基督徒都得到了上帝亲自发出的ʻ王室ʼ呼召，ʻ祂召（我们）进入祂自己的国度和荣耀ʼ（《帖前》2:12）。而这荣耀中极其重要的一部分就是与基督共同掌权的特权（《提后》2：12；《启》2：26-27；3：21）。但并非所有基督徒都被选中共同掌权……彼得希望他的读者在生活方式中恰当地证明他们是ʻ王室ʼ的子民，他们注定要在即将到来的神的国度中获得崇高的荣耀”（霍奇斯，《彼得后书：在救主再来的光照下避免错误（Shunning Error in Light of the Savior’s Return）》，第 30-31 页）。 听从这一呼召的信徒被应许“丰盛地进入永恒的国度”（《彼后》1：11）。就像温顿获得进入英国广播公司（BBC）演播室的丰盛之门一样，在今生忠心事奉主的信徒也将获得进入祂的国度的丰盛之门。这并不是对进入天国的简单描述。任何相信耶稣赐予永生的人都会进入天国（《约》3：16；5：24；6：40）。彼得正在讨论的是我们将得到的入场方式。就像温顿因他的服侍而在多方面得到的荣耀一样，一些信徒也会因为他们的服侍而带着满满的荣耀进入天国。这种进入要求我们听从门徒的呼召，忠心地服侍主和他人（《彼后》1：5-11）。
The Dead Believer
By Kathryn Wright Introduction Many words and expressions fall under the category of “Christianese.” The way believers talk and the stock phrases we use to describe Biblical truth are often so rote that they become like a second language. Often, however, these sayings are rooted, not in Biblical terminology, but in our traditions. This is […]
Seek and You Will Find
By Ken Yates Introduction From time to time, I hear someone teach the strange idea that unbelievers cannot seek God. Now, left solely to mankind’s devices, that would certainly be the case. But God loves and reaches out to the whole world. Because of His initiative, unbelievers can indeed seek Him. Acts 17:27 is one […]
Toe Trouble on Aisle Four!
By Brad Doskocil Being a patient in the hospital is a helpless feeling. As I write this, I am in the hospital being treated for numerous injuries. The most severe injury is an infection in my right foot and the fourth toe of my right foot. As a patient, I am dependent on the attending […]
Why Am I a 0-Point Calvinist?
By Bob Wilkin Recently, I recorded a seven-minute YouTube video with the same title. It is available to view on the Grace Evangelical Society YouTube channel. When I graduated from DTS in 1982, I called myself a Calvinist. I considered myself a three-pointer. I’ve come to realize that all five points are a unit. You […]