our daily bread
Dexu Xia
Dysfunctional
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
The word dysfunctional is often used to describe individuals, families, relationships, organizations, and even governments. While functional means it’s in proper working order, dysfunctional is the opposite—it’s broken, not working properly, unable to do what it was designed to do.
In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul begins by describing a spiritually dysfunctional humanity (1:18–32). We are all part of that rebellious company: “All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. . . . For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (3:12, 23).
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
The good news is that “all are justified freely by [God’s] grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus . . . to be received by faith” (vv. 24–25). When we invite Christ into our lives and accept God’s offer of forgiveness and new life, we are on the path to becoming the person He created us to be. We don’t immediately become perfect, but we no longer have to remain broken and dysfunctional.
Through the Holy Spirit we receive daily strength to honor God in what we say and do and to “put off [our] old self . . . to be made new in the attitude of [our] minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:22–24).
Lord, in our dysfunctional lives we turn to You for restoration and strength. Thank You for Your amazing grace and love!
Drawing close to Christ helps us to live as He designed us.
功能失调
因为世人都犯了罪，亏缺了上帝的荣耀。-罗马书3章23节
我们的身体器官、家庭婚姻、人际关系，还有社会上的组织和政府，都有其特定的功能。功能正常表示正处于妥善运作的秩序中，而功能失调则代表系统损坏、未能妥善运作或是未能发挥预设的功能。
在使徒保罗写给罗马人的书信中，一开始就说到人类的灵性沦丧，如同功能失调（1章18-32节）。所有人都被圈在悖逆之中，正如保罗说：“都是偏离正路，一同变为无用。没有行善的，连一个也没有！……因为世人都犯了罪，亏缺了上帝的荣耀。”（3章12、23节）
然而，所幸的是，我们“如今却蒙上帝的恩典，因基督耶稣的救赎，就白白地称义。……藉着人的信”（24-25节）。当我们邀请基督进入我们的生命中，接受上帝赐予的赦罪之恩，以及祂所赐的新生命，我们就慢慢地成为祂起初造我们的样式。虽然我们不会立刻臻于完美，但却不再需要继续停滞在功能失调的状态。
我们每天都能透过圣灵得着力量，以言行荣耀上帝，并能“脱去[我们]从前行为上的旧人，……又要将[我们的]心志改换一新，并且穿上新人，这新人是照着上帝的形像造的，有真理的仁义和圣洁”（以弗所书4章22-24节） 。
主啊，当我们的生活功能失调时，求祢复兴我们，
加添力量给我们。感谢祢奇妙的恩典与慈爱！
亲近基督能帮助我们活出应有的样式。