The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into
the world. – John 1:9
Flashes, pulses, sparkles and gleams. One imagines that journeying into
the midnight zone of the sea is like descending into an unexplored abyss
bathed in darkness. Yet researchers have been surprised that the
absolute darkness beyond 1000 meters of the surface is punctuated with
light. Latest studies have in fact found that 90% of deep-sea marine
animals can produce bioluminescence. They have the inherent ability
to shine in absolute darkness.
John Wesley’s unique understanding of salvation is predicated on the
fact that without grace that has been given to freely to everyone,
18 no one has the power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God.
This happens because Jesus’ work of salvation is applied to all people,
Christians and non-Christians alike. Describing this as prevenient
grace, he claims that “Everyone has some measure of that light, some
faint glimmering ray, which sooner or later, more or less, enlightens
every man that cometh into the world.”19 This light in our life is God’s
first step to redeem humanity.20
那光是真光,照亮一切生在世上的人。《约翰福音》1:9
闪光,脉冲,火花和微光。我们可以想象,航行进入午夜的
海域就像沉入一个笼罩在黑暗中的未知深渊。然而,研究人
员感到惊讶的是,完全的黑暗若超过 1000 米其表面会被光
刺穿。最新研究发现,90%的深海海洋动物可以产生生物发
光。他们具有在完全的黑暗中发光的固有能力。
约翰.卫斯理对救恩的独特理解是基于这样一个事实,即如
果没有自由地给每个人恩典,没有人有能力做讨上帝喜悦和
接受的善行。这是因为耶稣的救恩适于所有人,基督徒和非
基督徒。他称这为预设的恩典,他声称:“每个人都有一定
程度的光,一些微微闪烁的光,或早或迟、或多或少地启迪
每一个生在这个世界的人。” 我们生命中的这个光是上帝
拯救人类的第一步。
Reflection 反思
Think back upon your life. Was there a time when God’s grace was
working in your life, before you were even aware of it?
回想你的生命中的某时某刻,是否曾不知不觉经历上帝的恩典?
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