Unconditional obedience is the trademark of mature faith.

无条件的顺服是成熟信心的标志。

In Matthew 13 Jesus speaks of people who hear the gospel and initially respond with joy, only to turn away when persecution arises. Tragically, that’s a common occurrence today that is caused by preachers who promise health, wealth, prosperity, and special miracles to all who believe. People who embrace such error are not prepared for the cost of discipleship (cf. Matt. 16:24; John 15:20).

在马太福音13章，耶稣谈到那些听到福音的人，起初满心欢喜领受，及至逼迫临到便转身离开了。悲剧的是，由于讲道的人向凡相信的人许诺会有健康、财富、成功以及特殊的神迹，导致这也成为今日一个常见现象。拥抱此类谬误的人还没准备好付上门徒的代价（参太16：24；约15：20）。

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego understood what it meant to serve God unconditionally. They knew He could move in their defense if it pleased Him to do so, but their faith was not dependent on miracles or any other special benefits they might receive from Him. They stood on convictions and deferred to His will even when doing so brought the threat of a fiery death. Their attitude was that of Christ Himself as He faced the agony of the cross and prayed, “Father . . . not as I will, but as Thou wilt’” (Matt. 26:39).

沙得拉，米煞和亚伯尼歌懂得无条件地事奉神意味着什么。他们知道，如果神乐意，祂能进入他们的防御，但他们的信心并不依赖于神迹或是他们可能从神接受的其他特殊好处。他们立足于信念并尊重神的旨意，即使这么做会带来惨死的危胁。他们的态度正是基督本人的态度，当基督面对十字架的痛苦，他祷告：“父啊……不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思”（太26：39）。

Their response to King Nebuchadnezzar’s ultimatum may sound arrogant or disrespectful, but they were simply acknowledging that they had nothing to say in their own defense. They had served him faithfully as far as they could, but serving his gods and bowing down to his image was out of the question. God forbids any form of idolatry, and they would not be coerced or intimidated into disobeying Him.

他们对尼布甲尼撒王最后通谍的回应，听起来可能很傲慢或不尊重，但他们只知道为着自身的防御，他们无话可说。他们已尽其所能地忠心事奉尼布甲尼撒王，然而事奉他的神并向他的塑像下拜却不在讨论之列。神禁止任何形式的偶像崇拜，他们不会因受胁迫或恫吓转而违背神。

Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, your faith in God isn’t measured by whether or not He rescues you from a difficult situation, but by your willingness to trust and obey Him unconditionally.

如同沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌一样，你对神的信心不是用神是否将你从困境中解救出来去衡量，而是用你是否愿意无条件地信靠并顺服神衡量。

Express your love to the Lord and your desire to serve Him faithfully despite the circumstances.

向主表达你的爱，以及无论环境如何，你都想要忠心事奉祂。

Read Matthew 13:1-23. What response does each soil represent?

阅读马太福音13：1-23.每种土壤代表怎样的回应？