Walking Like Jesus 效法耶稣

[Dexu Xia]

Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people. Amos 7:8

Today's Scripture Amos 7:1-9

Today's Insights   Observing how the writers of the Bible arranged their material aids us in our understanding of Scripture. In Amos 1-6, the prophet’s messages are prefaced with “this is what the Lord says” (see 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13) or some other call to “hear” what God has to say (see 3:1; 4:1). In Amos 7, there’s a noticeable shift from “words” spoken by God Himself to “visions” God “showed” the prophet (v. 1). This pattern continues for the remainder of the book (see 8:1; 9:1). The visions of chapter 7 include a plumbline used to see if a wall was straight (vv. 7-8). It represented a standard for correctness. The standard for correct living for believers in Jesus is Christ Himself. The apostle John says, “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:6 esv).

Today's Devotion   Ben had bought pirated computer software for years, simply because it was cheaper. Even though it was illegal and broke copyright laws, he didn’t feel that it was morally wrong. After all, everyone did it, and why should he buy expensive original software? Who would check?  After hearing a talk on daily examples of living by God’s standards, however, Ben, a new believer growing in the faith, began to wonder, What does it mean to do the right thing?  Ben decided to replace all his software with original versions. It cost a lot more, but, as he explained to his friends, “God knows. And He calls us to do what’s right, right?”

In Amos 7, God reminded the Israelites that His standards were impartial and absolute and applied to all, including His favored nation. His laws and moral standards were like “a plumb line” (v. 8)—a weighted line used by builders to ensure structural integrity by showing if a wall wasn’t being built perfectly vertical.

While He may extend mercy, God can’t compromise His justice—which is why He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place as payment for our sin. The Bible shows us whether we’re walking in His way or not. By His grace, God helps those who believe in Jesus to live in a way that pleases Him and brings honor to Him—to do what’s right.

Reflect & Pray

What aspects of our lives can we apply God’s plumb line to? What would “living rightly” look like in your life?  Dear Father, You’ve called me to be holy like Your Son, Jesus. Please teach and help me to honor You in all things great and small. 

By Leslie Koh

看哪，我要在我百姓中设立准绳。（阿摩司书 7:8）

今日经文：阿摩司书 7章1-9节

 今日洞见：研究圣经作者如何安排经文，有助于我们理解圣经。在阿摩司书 1-6 章中，先知的信息以“这是耶和华说的”（见 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13）或其他呼召“聆听”神所说的话（见 3:1；4:1）开头。在阿摩司书 7 章中，出现了一个明显的转变，从神亲自所说的“话语”转变为神“指示”先知的“异象”（1 节）。这种模式贯穿全书（见 8:1；9:1）。第 7 章的异象中包括一根用来衡量墙壁是否笔直的准绳（7-8 节）。它代表着衡量正确性的标准。对于信奉耶稣的人来说，正确生活的标准就是基督自己。使徒约翰说：“人若说他住在主里面，就该照主所行的去行。”（约翰一书 2:6）

 今日灵修：班多年来一直购买盗版电脑软件，只因为盗版的更便宜。尽管这是非法的，违反了版权法，但他并不觉得这在道德上有什么错。毕竟，大家都这么做，他为什么要花大价钱买正版软件呢？谁会去查呢？然而，在听了一场关于如何按照神的标准生活日常例子的讲道后，班是一位新信徒，他正在信仰中成长，并开始思考：做正确的事意味着什么？班决定把自己使用的软件都换成正版，虽然这样做要花更多钱，但他向朋友们解释说：“上帝知道。祂呼召我们去做正确的事，对吗？”

 在阿摩司书7章中，神提醒以色列人，祂的标准是公正和无私，这标准适用于所有人，包括祂所拣选的子民。祂的律法和道德标准如同“铅垂线”（8节）建筑工人用一根带重物的线来确保建筑结构的完整性，通过它来判断墙体是否完全垂直。 虽然上帝会施恩怜悯，但轮到公义上帝绝不妥协，这就是为什么祂差遣祂的儿子耶稣为我们而死，为我们的罪付上赎价。圣经向我们显明我们是否行在祂的道中。靠着祂的恩典，上帝帮助那些信耶稣的人活出讨祂喜悦、荣耀祂的生命，行义。

  反思与祷告 我们可以在生活的哪些方面应用上帝的铅垂线？在你的生活中，“行义”意味着什么？亲爱的天父，你呼召我像你的儿子耶稣一样圣洁。求你教导和帮助我在一切大小事上都荣耀你。

作者：莱斯利·科