5月21日

標　　題：明顯的不同

經　　節：他們見彼得、約翰的膽量，又看出他們原是沒有學問的小民，就希奇，認明他們是跟過耶穌的。（使徒行傳四章13節）

被神改變的生命，是絕對沒有失誤的！當耶穌選擇門徒時，他們心裡又敬畏、又自負虛榮。雅各和約翰想用詭計勝過其他使徒，能夠擁有僅次於耶穌的地位（馬可福音十：37）。使徒一次又一次顯示出，他們並不真的瞭解耶穌是誰（約翰福音六：7∼9；馬可福音六：49）。即使在跟隨耶穌三年之後，彼得仍然害怕，甚至在一個年輕的使女面前，否認與耶穌同夥的關係（馬太福音廿六：69∼75）。任何知道這些使徒底細的人，都瞭解他們毫無本事去建立世界王國。然而，當他們與耶穌在一起之後，事情有所改觀。聖靈改變他們，賜給他們新的膽量與智慧。現在他們可以行神跡、放膽講道和說服群眾，甚至他們的敵人也由他們為耶穌作的見證中，注意到他們生命的改變。

有時候，我們渴望有人看到我們變得更聖潔、更委身、更聖靈充滿。但對那些真正被基督改變生命的人來說，無須經由他人來辨認其不同之處，因為他們的改變是非常明顯的。

不要過分批評自我，老是定睛在自己的身上，察看自己的小改變。當你每日與基督同行，讓別人見證你生命的改變，而不是你自己。如果你必須向某人證明神真的已經改變你，事實是你還沒被改變。當你的生命因為與基督的關係而改變時，你周圍的人自然會認出你的不同。

A Noticeable Difference

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

There is no mistaking a life transformed by God! The disciples had been vain and fearful when Jesus enlisted them. James and John sought to outmaneuver their fellow disciples in order to gain the places of greatest honor next to Jesus (Mark 10:37). Over and over the disciples’ actions showed that they did not truly understand who Jesus was (John 6:7–9; Mark 6:49). Even after three years with Jesus, Peter was afraid to confess Christ before a young servant girl (Matt. 26:69–75). Anyone who knew these men would realize they were not the kind of people on which you build a worldwide kingdom. Yet something happened to them as they were with Jesus. The Holy Spirit transformed them, giving them new boldness and wisdom. Now they could perform miracles and preach fearlessly and persuasively to multitudes. Even their enemies noticed in their changed lives the same power they had witnessed in Jesus.

Sometimes we desperately want others to believe that we have changed, that we are more godly, more devoted, more Spirit-controlled. It is not necessary, however, for those who have been truly transformed by Christ to convince others of the difference; the change will be obvious.

Don’t become too introspective, always focusing on yourself and the small changes you see happening over time. As you walk with Jesus daily, let the witness of the changes taking place in you come from others and not from you. If you have to prove to someone that God has really changed you, He has not. Those around you will surely notice when your life has been transformed by your relationship with Jesus.