“Christ Is Far More Than Our Example But Is Also Our Example 基督是遠多於我們的典範，卻也是我們的典範“（Ephesians 以弗所書 5:1-2）
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
因此，你們既然是蒙愛的兒女，就應當效法神。要憑著愛心行事，好像基督愛我們，為我們捨己，當作馨香的供品和祭物獻給神。
This is a call to practical action, going beyond our inner life with God in Christ. When we act according to our nature as God’s children, we will imitate Him in Christ who is far more than our example but is also our example. As Christ has loved us and given Himself for us, we are to display the same kind of self-giving love to others. When we do imitate Christ, we become His representatives, especially before those who have shut God out of their life. God often calls us to lay down our life little by little for others, not necessarily like that of Lord Jesus but it is laying down our lives nonetheless.
這是要實際行動的呼召，要超過我們在基督裡與神內在的生命。當我們按著自己作為神兒女的本性而行時，我們在基督裡必模仿祂，祂是遠多於我們的典範，卻也是我們的典範。就如基督已經愛我們，並把自己賜給我們，我們要向別人展現同樣捨己的愛。當我們真的仿效基督時，我們便成為祂的代表，特別是在那些已把神拒絶於自己生命之門外的人面前。神往往呼召我們，一點一點地放下自己的生命，無須像主耶穌的放下。雖然如此，這都是放下自己的生命。
Prayer: Abba Father, the idea of following Christ’s example is simple, i.e. being holy as you are holy. We cannot content ourselves comparing us among others. Thank you that as in all things, Lord Jesus is our example. We are not saved by His example but by Him; once we are saved, His example is meaningful to us. May we offer a pleasing sacrifice like that of Lord Jesus as we give ourselves to others in love. Amen.
禱告: 阿爸父啊，效法基督榜樣的觀念是顯而易見的，即是要聖潔，因為你是聖潔的。我們不能夠把自己與眾人比較，來使自己滿足。感謝你就如在一切事上，主耶穌是我們的典範。我們不是靠著祂的典範，而是靠著祂得蒙拯救；一旦我們蒙了拯救，祂的典範對我們來說就有意義了。當我們在愛裡為別人捨己時，願我們獻上如主耶穌獻的討喜悅的祭牲。阿們。
