Looking Like Christ 像基督

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Dexu Xia

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Jul 31, 2025, 11:37:31 AM7/31/25

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Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:14

Today's Scripture Matthew 5:1-10

Today's Insights The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is Jesus’ great kingdom sermon, describing what makes life in His kingdom different from life in this fallen world. While the world is marked by selfishness, self-promotion, and self-gratification, the kingdom of God is characterized by selflessness and self-sacrifice. Beginning with the Beatitudes (5:3-12), that tone is set immediately—with the remaining exposition explaining how those big ideas are lived out. For example, the statement, “Blessed are the merciful” (v. 7) echoes forth with the instructions Christ gives on loving our enemies (vv. 43-48). Additionally “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (v. 6) finds connection in Matthew 6:33, where we’re challenged to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” As we read the Sermon on the Mount, the Holy Spirit can help us see connections that point back to the principles set forth in the Beatitudes and lead us to better reflect the ways of Christ.

Today's Devotional As a child of the 1950s and ’60s, I grew up in the era when “America’s pastime” was baseball. I couldn’t wait to go to the park and play ball, and one of my greatest thrills was when I received my baseball jersey emblazoned with our team’s name—GIANTS! Though the number 9 on the back distinguished me from the others, the common uniform identified us as being on the same team.

In Matthew 5:3-10, known as the Beatitudes, Jesus identifies those who belong to the kingdom of heaven as those who “wear the jersey” of Christlikeness. The kingdom of heaven is comprised of those who assume the posture and character of their king. According to Jesus, “blessed” persons aren’t characterized by external appearance, health, or possessions. Rather, it’s the inside or heart of a person that counts. “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (v. 3)—the humble—those who are spiritually needy and know it. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (v. 6)—those whose soul’s yearning is to please and honor God. “Blessed are the peacemakers” (v. 9)—those who join Jesus in the pursuit of harmony. As the Spirit helps us, we can put on the garment of Christlikeness, which identifies us as believers in Jesus and members of His team. As such, we’re blessed indeed!

Reflect & Pray According to the Beatitudes, how “well-dressed” are you? What aspect of Christlikeness are you praying for?

Heavenly Father, thank You for my status as a citizen in the kingdom of heaven. Please give me grace each day by the Spirit to look like Christ.

By Arthur JAckson

“总要披戴主耶稣基督，不要为肉体安排，去放纵私欲。”（罗马书 13:14）

今日经文：马太福音 5章1-10节

今日心得： 登山宝训（马太福音 5-7 章）是耶稣关于天国的伟大讲道，描述了神国度的生活与堕落世界的生活有何不同。这个世界充斥着自私、自我抬高和自我满足，而神的国度则以无私和自我牺牲为特征。登山宝训从八福篇（5:3-12）开始，这就立即奠定了神国度的基调，其余的讲解则解释了如何将这些伟大的理念付诸实践。例如，“怜悯人的人有福了”（7 节）这句话与基督关于爱仇敌的教导相呼应（43-48 节）。此外，“饥渴慕义的人有福了”（第6节）这句话与马太福音6:33相呼应，经文鼓励我们“先求他的国和他的义”。当我们研读登山宝训时，圣灵会帮助我们看到与登山宝训中所阐述的八福原则之间的联系，并引导我们更好地效法基督的行事方式。

今日灵修 作为一个20世纪50和60年代的孩子，我成长的时代正是，“美国式的娱乐”就是棒球。我迫不及待地想去公园打球，而最让我兴奋的莫过于收到印有我们球队名称，巨人队的球衣！虽然背后的9号让我与其他人有所区别，但共同的制服却表明我们属于同一支球队。

在马太福音5章3-10节中（即登山宝训），耶稣将那些属于天国的人称为“穿上基督样式的战袍”的人。天国由那些拥有君王姿态和品格的人组成。耶稣认为，“有福”的人并非由外表、健康或财产来定义，一个人内心或心灵的模样才是最重要的。“虚心的人有福了”（3节），谦卑的人，就是那些灵里需要帮助并意识到这一点的人。“饥渴慕义的人有福了”（6节），是指那些心灵渴望取悦和荣耀上帝的人。“使人和睦的人有福了”（9节），即那些与耶稣一同追求和谐的人。在圣灵的帮助之下，我们可以穿上基督样式的战袍，这表明我们是耶稣的信徒，是祂团队的一员。因此，我们确实有福了！

反思与祷告 根据八福，你的“衣着得体”程度如何？你祈求在哪方面更像基督？ 天父，感谢祢赐予我天国子民的身份。求祢每天藉着圣灵赐予我恩典，使我更像基督。