Thursday 28th Oct 2021
Title: That Whoever Believes in Him May Have Eternal Life (John 3:15)
By Choong Yoon Tong

In the three synoptic gospels, a man asked Jesus: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to inherit eternal life?” The three gospels narrate Jesus answer as to abide in the Law and be charitable (Mt 19; Mk 10; Lk 10, 18). This gives a false impression that salvation is through works of the Law. In order to counter any possible misconception by readers, Jesus, in John’s gospel, employs the word “believe” no less than ninety-six times as the basic requirement for eternal life. The word “believe” is translated from the Greek word πιστεύω, which is defined as “to have faith”. Believing thus requires faith for one to trust his whole self onto who Jesus is and what He reveals.

Apostle John emphasizes that belief is not just a mental knowledge but engenders commitment to receive Christ into one’s life (Jn 1:12, 17:23). One has to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed Messiah, destined to save the world. Jesus is the Son of God, who co-existed with God before the foundation of the world. God has sent Him to fulfil all the promises God made to His people, as the Word to reveal who the Father is (Jn 1:18). Believing implies one has to trust Christ’s every word, that He is the truth, the resurrection and the life, and He is the only way to God the Father. He is the bread of life, the light of the world and the Good Shepherd that protects and guides the flock. The lost sheep recognises His voice and follow Him and abide in His commands (Jn 14:21). Yet His command is simple, Christ merely requires all to believe in Him, abide in His word and commands, and to love Him and love one another.

The man went away dejected as he lacked the faith in Jesus to surrender his old baggage and walk close with Christ. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to me and given me the faith to believe in You. Yes, Jesus, You are my Lord and my God. You love me and live within me. I love You and praise You for giving me life, life eternal and life abundant.

每日灵粮
2021年10月28日，星期四
题目：信祂的人都得永生
经文：约翰福音3: 15
作者：钟荣堂执事
翻译：吴淑娉姐妹

在3本对观福音书（马太、马可、路加福音）中，有人问耶稣：＂夫子，我该做什么事才能得永生？ ＂这3部福音书记载到耶稣的回答都是：＂遵守诫命及行善＂（马太19章，马可10章，路加10 ， 18章），这可能令人误会，以为遵守诫命便可得永生。为免读者产生任何误解，耶稣在约翰福音中，一共用了96次＂相信＂这词语作为获得永生的基本要求。＂相信＂一词是从希腊文πιστεύω翻译而来，定义是＂要有信心＂，因此＂相信＂的意思是要有信心，并将自己的一生交上，相信耶稣是谁及祂所显示的一切。

使徒约翰强调，所谓＂相信＂，不仅是一种理性上的知识，而是要邀请耶稣进入你的生命（约翰1： 12 ， 17 ： 23 ）。一个人必须相信：耶稣是基督、是受膏的弥赛亚、祂是要来拯救这世界。耶稣是上帝的儿子，在世界未创造之前已经与上帝同在。祂受上帝的差遣，道成肉身，实现上帝对祂的子民的各项应许，并将上帝表明出来。（约翰1：18）＂信耶稣＂的意思是相信祂所说的每一句话，信祂是真理、复活和生命。祂是通往父神唯一的道路，既是生命的粮、世界之光，也是一个会保护、带领羊群的好牧羊人，迷途的羔羊都认得祂的声音、愿意跟从祂、遵守祂的命令（约翰14 ： 21 ），祂的命令很简单——耶稣基督要我们相信祂，活在祂的话语及诫命里，爱祂，及彼此相爱。

那人就忧忧愁愁的走了，因为他不相信耶稣，以致无法放下身上的包袱，不能与耶稣亲密同行。没有信，就不能取悦上帝。

祷告

主耶稣，感谢祢向我揭示祢自己，让我有信心相信祢。是的，耶稣，祢是我的主和我的上帝，祢爱我，住在我里面；我爱你，赞美你，因为祢不但赐我生命，而且是丰盛的生命，永恒的生命。