9月12日
標 題：神的設計
經 節：因為祂預先所知道的人，就預先定下效法祂兒子的模樣，使祂兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。預先所定下的人又召他們來；所召來的人又稱他們為義；所稱為義的人又叫他們得榮耀。（羅馬書八章29～30節）
你的生命是神偉大計畫的一部分。在創世的起頭，神已經認識你，並且對你的生命有個計畫。甚至在你出生之前，祂已經知道你每一件事（耶利米書一：5）。神已經預定你會像祂的兒子。因此，你的生命是有個終極目標；基督是神為你的生命成長所設立的榜樣。你要與天父創建一種關係，如同耶穌與天父之間的關係一樣親密（約翰福音十七：21）。每一件祂容許發生在你身上的事，都是為了使你更像基督。
當神邀請你在這個過程中添加祂，就是神的呼召！祂的呼召非常個人化，是特別對著你的。在歷史上的一個特殊時刻，全能神親自向你說話，邀請你成為祂的孩子，這是多麼美妙的事啊！
因為你的罪，你永遠不可能過無可指責的生活。然而，神赦免你的罪、開釋你，宣告你是公義的。所有你在屬靈上欠祂的債已被豁免，從此到永恆，你可以自由地享受神及事奉神。在聖經時代，神百姓的榮耀是神的同在。因為神的豐盛現在已經進駐你的心裡，你也一樣被尊榮，有一天你將會與祂同在（歌羅西書一：27，二：9）。祂邀請你在生命中順服祂的旨意，使你有祂的形像，好添加祂（腓立比書二：12）。
God’s Design
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be
conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many
brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called,
these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
(Romans 8:29-30)
Your life is a part of God’s grand design. God has
known about you and had a plan for your life since before time began. He knew
everything about you before you were even born (Jer. 1:5). God predetermined
that you would become like His Son. Your life, therefore, has a destiny. Christ
is the model upon which the Father is developing your life. You are meant to
have a relationship with the Father that is as intimate as the relationship
between Jesus and the Father (John 17:21). Every event He allows into your life
is designed to make you more like Christ.
God’s call came when He invited you to join Him in
the process! His call was extremely personal, designed specifically for your
response. How wonderful to realize that at a particular moment in history,
almighty God spoke personally to you and invited you to become His child!
Because of your sin, you could never live
blamelessly. But God forgave your sin and justified you, declaring you
righteous. All the spiritual debt you carried with Him was forgiven, and you
were freed to enjoy God and to serve Him for the rest of eternity. In Biblical
times, the glory of God’s people was His presence. You, too, are glorified
because the fullness of God now dwells within you, and you will one day be with
Him (Col. 1:27; 2:9). He invites you to join Him in working out His will in
your life—conforming you to His image (Phil. 2:12).
