有效的呼召

耶稣所提出的第三个改革宗教义是有效的呼召：也就是说，上帝对祂子民的呼召伴随着这样的力量，以至于祂所呼召的人必然会来到祂面前，相信基督并接受基督以获得救赎。耶稣这样表达这一点：“我的羊听我的声音，我也认识他们，他们也跟着我。”（27节）。羊的标志是它们都听从牧羊人并跟随牧羊人。

在清教徒时代，许多传道人习惯利用这两个特征，称它们为基督羊的标记。在羊群很多的时候，需要给羊做标记以区分它们。在我们这个时代，至少在牛身上，这是通过品牌来完成的。对于绵羊来说，这通常是通过在耳朵上切一个小标记来完成的。 “嗯，”清教徒说，“基督的每只羊都有双重印记——在耳朵上和脚上。他耳朵上的标记是他听到了基督。他脚上的印记就是他跟着祂。”

This is true, of course. It leads us to ask, “Do we hear? Do we follow?”

How many of those who come to church on a typical Sunday morning really hear the voice of Christ or have ever heard it? They hear the voice of the preacher; they hear the voices of the members of the choir. But do they hear Christ? If they do, why are they so critical of what they hear? Why are their comments afterward so much more about the Lord’s servant than the Lord? Those who are Christ’s hear Christ. And they follow him. But how many who come to church are really following? Most seem to make good leaders—in their own cause—but they are poor followers. They make good critics—of the Bible and of Christ’s people—but they are poor disciples. They make respectable wolves, for they ravage the flock, but they do not have the traits of the sheep and would even be contemptuous of them if they had an understanding of what those traits are.

Do not presume on your relationship to Christ. You are not his unless you hear his voice and follow him. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). He said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 2:7).

当然，这是真的。它使得我们会发问：“我们听到了吗？我们是跟着吗？”

在典型的周日早上来到教堂的人中有多少人真正听到或曾经听到过基督的声音？他们听到传教士的声音；他们听到唱诗班成员的声音。但他们听到基督了吗？如果他们这样做了，为什么他们对他们所听到的内容如此挑剔？为什么他们后来的评论更多地是关于主的仆人而不是主？那些属于基督的人听基督。他们跟着祂。但有多少来教会的人是真正跟随的呢？大多数人似乎都是优秀的领导者——为了自己的事业——但他们却是糟糕的跟随者。他们对圣经和基督的子民提出了很好的批评，但他们是可怜的门徒。他们制造受人尊敬的狼，因为它们蹂躏羊群，但它们没有羊的特征，如果它们了解这些特征是什么，甚至会蔑视羊。

不要推测你与基督的关系。除非你听到祂的声音并跟随他，否则你就不是祂的。耶稣说：“你们若爱我，就必遵守我的命令”（约14:15）。他说：“圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听。”（启 2:7）。