12月28日

標　　題：為神所稱許

經　　節：因為蒙悅納的，不是自己稱許的，乃是主所稱許的。（哥林多後書十章18節）

對每個人來說，希望自己的行為得到稱許，是很普通的事。孩提時期，我們渴望得到父母的肯定。長大了，我們在乎朋友，同事及上司的看法。有時候，別人對我們的觀點，可能會變得過於重要，甚至成為我們衡量自我價值的方式。

保羅說，他從來不曾努力去得到人的稱許。有些批評保羅的人，想以評論左右保羅的言行，他們讚美他們自己的言行。這些人尋找眾人的稱許，結果他們得到自己所追求的。

耶穌說，那些尋求別人稱許的人，[已經得了他們的賞賜]（馬太福音六：2-5）。保羅也領悟到，得人的讚賞並不困難，但得神的稱許卻需要更大的成就。耶穌由天父那兒得到的稱許：[做得好]，也成為保羅的目標（提摩太后書二：3-5）。保羅知道自滿並不難，他也曾滿意自己的生活，直到他領悟自己所引以為榮的公義，在神的國度中只不過是一堆糞土罷了（腓立比書三：8）。在保羅變成基督徒以後，他瞭解：神對他行為的評估，比他對自己的看法更重要。

你最看重誰的意見？你是否滿意並享受周遭人的稱許？你是否很滿意自己目前的生活方式？由神來的稱許是最重要的。把生命奉獻給神的愉悅，應是你過公義生活的動機。

Commended by God

For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. (2 Corinthians 10:18)

It is common for all of us to seek approval for our actions. As children, we longed for the affirmation of our parents. As we grew older, we also valued the opinions of our friends, colleagues, and employers. At times, the esteem of others can claim such importance that it becomes our way to measure our worth as a person. Paul said that he was not striving to obtain the approval of people. Some of his critics thought their criticisms could determine what he did. Yet these same people were praising themselves for their own opinions and behavior. They were seeking the approval of others, and they were receiving it.

Jesus said that those who seek to gain the approval of others “have their own reward” (Matt. 6:2–5). Paul, too, realized that achieving the praise of others is not difficult, but earning God’s approval is a far greater accomplishment. The affirmation “Well done!” that Jesus received from the Father became Paul’s goal as well (2 Tim. 2:3–5). Paul knew that self-approval is not hard to attain. Paul himself had once been pleased with his own life, until he came to realize that the righteousness he was so proud of was mere rubbish in the kingdom of God (Phil. 3:8). After his conversion, Paul understood that God’s evaluation of his actions was what mattered, not his own opinion of himself.

Whose opinion matters most to you? Have you become complacent, enjoying the approval of those around you? Have you become satisfied with your estimation of the way you are living? The commendation that matters most is the one that comes from God. The pleasure that your life gives to God should be your motivation to live righteously.