12月31日

【提前3:16】大哉！敬虔的奥秘，无人不以为然，就是：　神在肉身显现，被圣灵称义，被天使看见，被传于外邦，被世人信服，被接在荣耀里。

今天是一年中的最后一天，是你生命中重要的一天。今天带来了一个结束，今天我们向旧的一年死去。再一次的，我们度过了又一年；再一次的，我们又围绕太阳转了一圈。虽然我们可能想要改变我们过去的这一年，可是我们什么也改变不了。时光不可能返回，过去的必须留在过去，或许那是最好的方式。

今天这一天生动的提醒我们这一年过去了，在如此重要的一天里，我们怎么能不反思呢？我们必须反思。在今年的365天里，我们哪怕有一天是完全按着神的旨意而活吗？我们哪怕有一天是听从神的呼唤，去活出完全圣洁和顺服的生命吗？我们哪怕有一天可以骄傲的说，“今天我做到了主要求的一切”？我们哪怕有一天——一小时——可以让自己保持纯洁吗？我们哪怕有一天可以活出神所愿意的、我们作为基督徒的呼召吗？当我们反思的时候，我们必须伴随着深深的羞耻和罪疚说，“主啊，甚至连一天都没有。我们甚至无法在连续的24小时里为你而活。”

“……被圣灵称义……”，如果这句话是在说我们，那不会让我们感到奇怪。我们需要被称义，我们需要被赦免；但是耶稣需要吗？为什么早期的基督徒们在唱诗和认信的时候会说，耶稣被圣灵称义呢？他为什么需要被赦免呢？他曾经犯了什么罪呢？你已经知道答案了。他是神的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的。他是那位无罪的替我们成为罪，他是那位来替代我们的，他接受了我们的罪，在这过程中他让自己经历十字架上耻辱的死亡。然而，耶稣这位承担了一切罪孽的，却在他大能的复活中被称义。这一位，耶稣，被赦免。因此，你也被赦免。

这是你生命中重要的一天，今天带来了一个结束，但不只是这一年的结束；今天带来了罪疚和羞耻的结束。耶稣，他带走了你的罪，他被赦免。如果神的灵让耶稣从死里大能的复活，并藉此称他为义，那么这对你的罪咎和羞耻有什么意义呢？你的罪咎、羞耻、你的罪，都离你远去了，就像东离西那么远。过去的留在过去，因为现在我们已经被赦免了。这就是最好的方式。

祷告：啊，帮助我们离弃所有罪，崭新圣洁征程已开启！赦免过去一年所有罪，祝福新年真喜乐永随！阿们。（CW71）

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16 (NIV84)

Today, the last day of the year, is an important day in your life. Today brings an end. Today we die to the old year. Once again, we have traveled through another year. Once again, we have made the heavenly circuit around the sun. As much as we might want to change our year, we cannot change anything. No return is possible. The past must remain in the past. Perhaps it is best that way.

On such an important day—a day that so vividly reminds us of the past year—how can we not reflect? We must reflect. Out of the 365 days this year, did we live even one day according to God’s will? Was there even one day when we heard God’s call to perfect holiness and obedience? Was there even one day when we could proudly say, “Today we did all that the Lord required?” Was there even one day—one hour—when we kept ourselves pure? Was there even one day when we lived out our calling as Christians as God wills? As we reflect, with deep shame and guilt we must say, “Lord, there was not even one day. We could not put together even 24 consecutive hours for you.”

“. . . was vindicated by the Spirit . . . ” If that phrase were about us, it wouldn’t be as surprising. We need to be vindicated. We need to be forgiven, but does Jesus? Why did the early Christians sing and confess that Jesus was vindicated by the Spirit? Why did he need forgiveness? What crime had he committed? You already know the answer. He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one who became sin for us. He is the one who became our substitute, accepted our sin, and in the process assured himself of an ugly death on the cross. Yet, Jesus, who was the sin-bearer of all sin, was vindicated in his powerful resurrection. This one, Jesus, was forgiven. Therefore, you are too.

This is an important day in your life. Today brings an end, but not just to the year. Today brings an end to guilt and shame. Jesus, who took your sins, is forgiven. If the Spirit of God vindicated Jesus by raising him powerfully from the dead, what does that say about your guilt and shame? Your guilt, shame, and sins are gone as far as the east is from the west. The past remains in the past because in the present we are forgiven. It is best that way.

Prayer：Oh, help us to forsake all sin,
A new and holier course begin!
Forgive the old year’s sins, and bless
The new year with true happiness. Amen. (CW 71)