五月十七日

就該自己照主所行的去行。（約壹2：6）

為什麼基督徒們當效法基督呢?他們應當為他們自己的緣故那樣行。若他們要他們的靈性健全的話——若他們要逃避罪的病痛，要在恩典上增長壯大，就當以耶穌為他們的模範。為他們自己的快樂的緣故，若他們要安然吃喝，重新得力；若他們要與耶穌有一種聖潔而快樂的交通；若他們要不被這世界的憂慮和困難所纏繞，就該自己照他所行的去行。除了在你的心中戴著耶穌的形象使之管制你一切的動作之外，無論什麼都不能幫助你迅速地走向天堂。你靠著聖靈的能力，行走在耶穌的腳步中，那時你就是最快樂、最容易被人認出你是神的兒子來了。彼得遠遠地跟著是最危險也是最不安的事。其次，為信仰的緣故，要努力像耶穌。我們的信行不符致被仇敵攻擊，但是受仇敵的損害遠不及受朋友的損害來得大！誰使主的手受傷更多呢?乃是假師傅所用的虛偽的刀劍。偽裝的人，像穿著羊皮進到圈中的狼，比圈外的獅子更能殘害羊群。任何武器都不及猶大的親嘴來得鋒利。假師傅所給福音的危害比冷酷的批評或不信的人更加厲害。但，尤其是為基督的緣故，要效法他的榜樣。基督徒啊！你愛你的救主嗎?你寶貴他的名嗎?你事事貴重他嗎?你願意看見這世界的國成了他的國嗎?你願意他得榮耀嗎?你是否切心要引領許多靈魂歸向他呢?如果是，要效法耶穌，要作“被眾人所知道、所念誦的……基督的信”。

May 17

"So to walk even as He walked." -- 1 John 2:6

Why should Christians imitate Christ? They should do it for their own sakes. If they desire to be in a healthy state of soul--if they would escape the sickness of sin, and enjoy the vigour of growing grace, let Jesus be their model. For their own happiness' sake, if they would drink wine on the lees, well refined; if they would enjoy holy and happy communion with Jesus; if they would be lifted up above the cares and troubles of this world, let them walk even as He walked. There is nothing which can so assist you to walk towards heaven with good speed, as wearing the image of Jesus on your heart to rule all its motions. It is when, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are enabled to walk with Jesus in His very footsteps, that you are most happy, and most known to be the sons of God. Peter afar off is both unsafe and uneasy. Next, for religion's sake, strive to be like Jesus. Ah! poor religion, thou hast been sorely shot at by cruel foes, but thou hast not been wounded one-half so dangerously by thy foes as by thy friends. Who made those wounds in the fair hand of Godliness? The professor who used the dagger of hypocrisy. The man who with pretences, enters the fold, being nought but a wolf in sheep's clothing, worries the flock more than the lion outside. There is no weapon half so deadly as a Judas-kiss. Inconsistent professors injure the gospel more than the sneering critic or the infidel. But, especially for Christ's own sake, imitate His example. Christian, lovest thou thy Saviour? Is His name precious to thee? Is His cause dear to thee? Wouldst thou see the kingdoms of the world become His? Is it thy desire that He should be glorified? Art thou longing that souls should be won to Him? If so, imitate Jesus; be an "epistle of Christ, known and read of all men."