12月12日 性格

使他们合而为一,像我们合而为一。(约十七22)

性格就是指我们与别人不同的特质,是独特的,难以估量的,就连我们自己也往往不尽了解。海上的小岛,往往是大山顶尖。性格就如小岛,至于底下的奥秘,我们一无所知,因此便无法衡量自己。我们自以为自知,但最终才知道只有一位明白我们,就是造我们的神。

性格是属灵生命的特质,正如个性是天然生命的特质。我们只能以性格,而断不能以个别性和独立性来说明主的身份。“我与父原为一。”性格是可以融合的,只有当你与别人融合,才显出你真正身份。当爱或是神的灵激动一个人,他就会改变,不再坚持自己分隔的个别性。主从不按个性,也就是人与人隔离的身份说话,他只提到性格--“使他们合而为一,像我们合而为一”。你若把自己的主权放弃给神,你性格的真本质就立刻向神呼应。耶稣基督把人的性格释放了,而人的个性也随之改变。改变的元素是爱,就是个人对主耶稣的忠诚。爱是人格的倾出,与另一个人格相通契合。

祈祷◆噢,主啊,这是你的日子,我祈求你以你那极大的恩福施恩给我。能够靠近你是何等的奇妙!

December 12 Personality

“That they may be one, even as we are one.” John 17:22

Personality is that peculiar, incalculable thing that is meant when we speak of ourselves as distinct from everyone else. Our personality is always too big for us to grasp. An island in the sea may be but the top of a great mountain. Personality is like an island, we know nothing about the great depths underneath, consequently we cannot estimate ourselves. We begin by thinking that we can, but we come to realize that there is only one Being Who understands us, and that is our Creator.

Personality is the characteristic of the spiritual man as individuality is the characteristic of the natural man. Our Lord can never be defined in terms of individuality and independence, but only in terms of personality, “I and My Father are one.” Personality merges, and you only reach your real identity when you are merged with another person. When love, or the Spirit of God strikes a man, he is transformed, he no longer insists upon his separate individuality. Our Lord never spoke in terms of individuality, of a man's “elbows” or his isolated position, but in terms of personality – “that they may be one, even as We are one.” If you give up your right to yourself to God, the real true nature of your personality answers to God straight away. Jesus Christ emancipates the personality, and the individuality is transfigured; the transfiguring element is love, personal devotion to Jesus. Love is the outpouring of one personality in fellowship with another personality.