4月4日

標　　題： 常與主相交

經　　節： 我們將所看見、所聽見的傳給你們，使你們與我們相交。我們乃是與父並祂兒子耶穌基督相交的。我們將這些話寫給你們，使你們的喜樂充足。（約翰一書一章3∼4節）

使徒約翰從未停止讚歎自己與主的相交關係，他享受這份生命改造的關係。對他來說真是難以置信，在歷史某一段特別的時間，創造宇宙的真神居然選擇與他一個平凡的漁夫相交！他欣喜若狂，誠摯地想要分享自己的喜樂，好叫其他人也能享有相同的喜樂。那些與基督有個別關係的信徒，他們彼此之間有特別的情誼，也同為神的善良及仁慈而歡喜。

你身邊的人極度渴望由你最近與基督相遇的經驗，得到激勵。有些人已經失去真實經歷神同在的盼望，他們不需要你的哲理或神學推論，也不需要聽你告訴他們該怎麼做。他們需要聽的，是一個剛與活著的基督相交、且改變個人生命者的分享。當你親身經歷神，你也會像使徒約翰一樣難以自己，忍不住沖出去把遇見神的驚奇經驗，分享給其他人。你的責任不是去說服他人基督的存在，而是去見證主對你說的話及為你做的事。在世人注目的焦點下，再也沒有比親身經歷耶穌者的見證，更能打動人、說服人。

Fresh Encounters with Christ

That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:3-4)

John the apostle never ceased to marvel at the life-changing relationship he enjoyed with his Lord. It overwhelmed him to know that, at a particular time in history, the God of the universe chose to have fellowship with him, a simple fisherman. John was so overjoyed that he earnestly wanted to share his joy with others so they, too, might experience the same joy. A special fellowship or “bonding” developed between those who had personally encountered Christ as they rejoiced together at God’s goodness to them.

Those around you desperately need to be encouraged by your latest encounter with Christ. Some have lost hope that they can experience the reality of God’s presence in their lives. They don’t need your philosophies or theological speculations. They don’t need to hear your opinions on what they should do. They need to hear from someone who has just come from a personal, life-changing encounter with the living Christ. When you have had such an experience you will be like the apostle John, hardly able to contain yourself as you rush out to tell others of your amazing encounter with God. Your responsibility will not be to convince others of the reality of God, but simply to bear witness to what your Lord has said and done for you. The change in your life will be your greatest testimony of your relationship to Christ. There is nothing more appealing or convincing to a watching world than to hear the testimony of someone who has just been with Jesus.