Living for Jesus 为耶稣而活
Dexu Xia
[Jesus] died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 1 Thessalonians 5:10
Today's Scripture I Thessalonians 5:12-23
Today's Insights In addition to Paul’s warning in 1 Thessalonians to reject false teaching (5:20-22), the New Testament warns elsewhere against untrustworthy leaders in harsh terms. Jesus warned, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15). False teachers teach what is contrary to the “sound instruction” of Christ and “are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy [and] strife” (1 Timothy 6:3-5; see Romans 16:17-18). They “pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4). We can recognize good teachers by their “fruit” (Matthew 7:16-20). They teach the pure doctrine of Christ and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The evidence of a loving relationship with Jesus is apparent in their lives. The Spirit can give us discernment to recognize false teaching and live for Christ in the light of the Truth.
Today's Devotional In 2023, Kenyan police intervened to end what’s being called the “Shakahola Massacre”—in which hundreds died after following a cult leader’s directions to starve themselves to meet Jesus. The leader had allegedly promised he too would leave earth in this way after his followers did. After his arrest, he denied ever teaching this.
The tragedy is a troubling example of how dangerous it is to blindly trust those claiming to be spiritual leaders. Cult members were so deceived that they resisted those who came to save them from starvation. One survivor described getting “addicted” to the leader’s teachings.
Jesus Christ is the true leader of those who trust in Him. He loved us so much He was willing to die for us to have life (1 Thessalonians 5:10). He calls us to live for Him, “awake and sober” (v. 6) and to test any teaching of others against His teaching (vv. 20-22).
We respond to Christ’s love not by harming ourselves or others but by “encourag[ing] . . . and build[ing] each other up” (v. 11). By living “in peace with each other” (v. 13) and striving “to do what is good for each other and for everyone else” (v. 15). Through daily reliance on and trust in Christ’s Spirit (v. 19), we can live a life of love as we eagerly await Christ’s coming (v. 23).
Reflect & Pray When have you seen damage done through false teaching? How can Christ’s example of love help us recognize untrustworthy leaders?
Loving God, please help me never replace Jesus in my heart with any other leader and help me live for You alone. By Monica La Rose
“ [耶稣]为我们而死，叫我们无论醒着还是睡着，都与他同活。”（帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:10）
今日经文：帖撒罗尼迦前书 5章12-23 节
今日洞见：除了保罗在帖撒罗尼迦前书中警告人们要拒绝假教导（5:20-22）之外，新约圣经在其他地方也以严厉的措辞警告人们提防不可信的领袖。耶稣警告说：“你们要防备假先知。他们到你们这里来，外面披着羊皮，里面却是残暴的狼。”（马太福音 7:15）假教师的教导与基督“纯正的教训”相悖，“他们自高自大，一无所知，专好问难，争辩言辞，从此就生出嫉妒、分争、毁谤、妄议、并那坏了心术、失丧真理之人的争竞。”（提摩太前书 6:3-5；参见罗马书 16:17-18）他们“把我们神的恩典变作放纵情欲的机会，并且不认独一的主宰、我们的主耶稣基督”（犹大书 1:4）。我们可以藉着他们的“果子”（马太福音 7:16-20）来辨别谁是好教师。好教师教导基督纯正的教义，并结出圣灵的果子（加拉太书 5:22-23）。在他们的生命中明显地展现他们与耶稣之间充满爱的关系。圣灵会赐给我们分辨力，使我们能够辨别出假教师错误的教导，并选择顺从纯正的教义为基督而活。
今日灵修：2023年，肯尼亚警方介入，制止了所谓的“沙卡霍拉大屠杀”。数百人遵照邪教头目的指示绝食，以求与耶稣相遇，最终惨遭杀害。据称，该头目曾承诺，他的信徒死后，他也会以这种方式离开人世。被捕后，他否认自己曾经如此教导过会众。
这场悲剧令人不安地警示我们，盲目相信那些自称属灵领袖的人是多么危险。这个邪教集团的成员被蒙蔽得如此之深，以至于他们拒绝了前来营救他们，使他们不致被饿死的人。一位幸存者形容自己“沉迷”于教主的教导。
耶稣基督才是信靠祂之人的真正领袖。祂如此深爱我们，甚至甘愿为我们舍命，使我们得着生命（帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:10）。祂呼召我们为祂而活，“警醒自守”（6节），并用祂的教导检验他人教导的真伪（20-22节）。
我们回应基督的爱，不是伤害自己或他人，而是“彼此劝诫……互相建立”（11节）。我们要“彼此和睦”（13节），努力“行善，也要为众人做有益的事”（15节）。藉着每日倚靠和相信基督的灵（19节），我们就能活出爱的生命，并热切盼望基督的再来（23节）。
反思与祷告：你是否见过因假教导而造成的伤害？基督爱的榜样如何帮助我们识别不可信的领袖？ 慈爱的神，求你帮助我，永远不要以任何其他的领袖取代我心中的主耶稣，并帮助我单单为你而活。——莫妮卡·拉罗斯