6月17日

標　　題：阿爸，父

經　　節：你們既為兒子，神就差祂兒子的靈進入你們的心，呼叫：「阿爸！父！」（加拉太書四章6節）

父親這個詞在每個人的心中有不同的形像。對某些人來說，它帶來一幅慈愛、歡樂、尊敬與接納的畫面。不幸地，有些人想到父親，則想到恐懼、拒絕與失望。這就是為什麼不要由生身父親的體驗，來認識你們的天父，乃要從聖經中來認識祂。不容置疑地，你的生身父親是不完美的，甚至他曾深深地傷害你。在你整個基督徒生命中，不要以個人的經驗來解釋聖經，而要以聖經的亮光，來瞭解你個人的經驗。聖經上清晰地告訴我們，神是父親的榜樣。

你的天父願意為你的救贖付上任何代價（羅馬書八：32）。你天上的父親總是先預備妥當，好供應你的需求（路加福音十一：11∼13）。你天上的父親非常愛你，祂願意訓練你，使你能夠達到屬靈的成熟（箴言三：11∼12；希伯來書十二：5∼10）。即使你悖逆、拒絕祂的愛，祂仍然為你的好處著想（羅馬書五：8）。祂並不是根據你對祂的愛，有條件地愛你（約翰一書四：19）。祂使你成為祂的後嗣，為你在天上預備了一個家（羅馬書八：15∼17）。

這是聖經上所記載父親的形像。如果你從未如此經驗過，它可以成為你現在的經歷。祂就是那位收納你為兒女，並以你從未經歷過的大愛來愛你的天父。由祂──你的天父──身上支取力量，得到安慰吧！

Abba, Father

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" (Galatians 4:6)

The word father conjures up different images for everyone. To some it brings the picture of love, laughter, respect, and acceptance. Unfortunately, others associate the term father with fear, rejection, and disappointment. That is why it is so important not to take your understanding of your heavenly Father from your experience. Take it from Scripture. You undoubtedly had an imperfect earthly father, perhaps even one who brought you harm. But, as in all of your Christian life, the key is not to understand the Bible based on your experience, but to understand your experience in light of the Bible. God is your model of a father in the truest sense of the word.

Your heavenly Father was willing to pay any price in order to save you (Rom. 8:32). Your heavenly Father is always ready to meet your needs (Luke 11:11–13)._Your heavenly Father loves you so much that He is willing to discipline you to bring you to Christian maturity (Prov. 3:11–12; Heb. 12:5–10). Even when you rebel against Him and reject His love, your Father continues to do what is best for you (Rom. 5:8). He does not make His love for you conditional upon your love for Him. He loves you even when you are not loving Him (1 John 4:19). He has made you His heirs and reserves a home for you in heaven (Rom. 8:15–17).

This is what a father is like biblically. If this has not been your experience, it can be now. There is One who has adopted you and who wants to love you in a way you have never experienced. Take comfort and strength from Him—your heavenly Father.