Never Too Far 不会离太远
Dexu Xia
When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. Luke 22:32
Raj had trusted Jesus as Savior in his youth, but soon afterward, he drifted from the faith and led a life apart from God. Then one day, he made the decision to renew his relationship with Jesus and go back to church—only to be scolded by a woman who berated him for being absent for all these years. The scolding added to Raj’s sense of shame and guilt for his years of drifting. Am I beyond hope? he wondered. Then he recalled how Christ had restored Simon Peter (John 21:15–17) even though he’d denied Him (Luke 22:34, 60–61).
Whatever scolding Peter might have expected, all he received was forgiveness and restoration. Jesus didn’t even mention Peter’s denial but instead gave him a chance to reaffirm his love for Christ and take care of His followers (John 21:15–17). Jesus’ words before Peter disowned Him were being fulfilled: “When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32).
Raj asked God for that same forgiveness and restoration, and today he’s not only walking closely with Jesus but serving in a church and supporting other believers as well. No matter how far we’ve strayed from God, He’s always ready not only to forgive us and welcome us back but also to restore us so we can love, serve, and glorify Him. We’re never too far from God: His loving arms are wide open.
By: Leslie Koh
What fears might you have about turning back to God? How can knowing His heart of forgiveness help you to return to Him?
Father, thank You for Your endless mercy and patience with me. Thank You that I can trust in Your everlasting love.
你回头以后，要坚固你的弟兄。—路加福音22章32节
瑞杰年少时就接受耶稣为救主，但不久他就信心冷淡，过着远离上帝的生活。某一天，他下定决心要重建自己与耶稣的关系并回到教会，不料却惨遭一位姐妹的责备，训斥他离开教会这么多年。这些责备，加深了瑞杰这几年因远离上帝而产生的羞愧和罪恶感。他心想：我无可救药了吗？但他想起彼得的故事，就算彼得曾经不认主（路加福音22章34、60-61节），基督仍然重建他的信心（约翰福音21章15-17节）。
彼得可能以为自己会受到耶稣严厉的责备，但最后耶稣却饶恕了他，并重建了他的信心。耶稣复活以后与门徒见面时，并没有提起彼得先前不认主的事，还给了彼得机会肯定他对耶稣的爱，并让彼得看顾祂的羊（约翰福音21章15-17节）。这应验了耶稣在彼得三次不认主之前所说的话：“你回头以后，要坚固你的弟兄。”（路加福音22章32节）
瑞杰恳求上帝也如此挽回并饶恕他。如今他不仅与耶稣亲密同行，还在教会服事并扶持其他信徒。不论我们离上帝有多远，祂都乐意饶恕我们，欢迎我们回到祂身边，并会复兴我们，使我们能爱祂、服事祂和荣耀祂。我们永远不会离上帝太远，祂慈爱的膀臂向你我敞开，随时等待我们回转！
作者： 许文荣
当你想要重新回到上帝身边时，你会害怕些什么？
在你明白祂愿意饶恕之后，如何帮助你回转归向祂？
天父，感谢祢以无尽的怜悯与耐心恩待我。
感谢祢使我能信靠祢永恒的爱。