有效的呼召

耶穌所提出的第三個改革宗教義是有效的呼召：也就是說，上帝對祂子民的呼召伴隨着這樣的力量，以至於祂所呼召的人必然會來到祂面前，相信基督並接受基督以獲得救贖。耶穌這樣表達這一點：“我的羊聽我的聲音，我也認識他們，他們也跟着我。”（27節）。羊的標誌是它們都聽從牧羊人並跟隨牧羊人。

在清教徒時代，許多傳道人習慣利用這兩個特徵，稱它們為基督羊的標記。在羊群很多的時候，需要給羊做標記以區分它們。在我們這個時代，至少在牛身上，這是通過品牌來完成的。對於綿羊來說，這通常是通過在耳朵上切一個小標記來完成的。 “嗯，”清教徒說，“基督的每隻羊都有雙重印記——在耳朵上和腳上。他耳朵上的標記是他聽到了基督。他腳上的印記就是他跟着祂。”

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).

當然，這是真的。它使得我們會發問：“我們聽到了嗎？我們是跟着嗎？”

在典型的周日早上來到教堂的人中有多少人真正聽到或曾經聽到過基督的聲音？他們聽到傳教士的聲音；他們聽到唱詩班成員的聲音。但他們聽到基督了嗎？如果他們這樣做了，為什麼他們對他們所聽到的內容如此挑剔？為什麼他們後來的評論更多地是關於主的僕人而不是主？那些屬於基督的人聽基督。他們跟着祂。但有多少來教會的人是真正跟隨的呢？大多數人似乎都是優秀的領導者——為了自己的事業——但他們卻是糟糕的跟隨者。他們對聖經和基督的子民提出了很好的批評，但他們是可憐的門徒。他們製造受人尊敬的狼，因為它們蹂躪羊群，但它們沒有羊的特徵，如果它們了解這些特徵是什麼，甚至會蔑視羊。

不要推測你與基督的關係。除非你聽到祂的聲音並跟隨他，否則你就不是祂的。耶穌說：“你們若愛我，就必遵守我的命令”（約14:15）。他說：“聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽。”（啟 2:7）。