Read: Luke 9:57-62

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

上帝爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的，不至灭亡，反得永生。-约翰福音3章16节

For many years I spoke to my distant cousin about our need of a Savior. When he visited me recently and I once again urged him to receive Christ, his immediate response was: “I would like to accept Jesus and join the church, but not yet. I live among people of other faiths. Unless I relocate, I will not be able to practice my faith well.” He cited persecution, ridicule, and pressure from his peers as excuses to postpone his decision.

多年来我一直跟一位远房表哥传福音，谈到人人都需要救恩。最近他来拜访我时，我又再次劝他接受基督做他个人的救主，但他随即回答我：「我是很想信耶稣、上教会，不过不是现在。我身边的人都信别的宗教，除非我搬到别的地方，否则我是没办法好好地实践我的信仰的。」此外，他还以身边的同伴可能会对他威逼、嘲讽和施压，做为他迟迟不肯做决定的藉口。

His fears were legitimate, but I assured him that whatever happened, God would not abandon him. I encouraged my cousin not to delay but to trust God for care and protection. He gave up his defenses, acknowledged his need of Christ’s forgiveness, and trusted Him as his personal Savior.

他的担忧听起来十分合理，但我向他保证，无论发生任何事，上帝都不会弃他不顾。我也鼓励他别再拖延，要相信上帝必看顾和保护。最后他终于卸下防卫，承认自己需要基督的赦免，并接受基督做他个人的救主。

When Jesus invited people to follow Him, they too offered excuses—all about being busy with the cares of this world (Luke 9:59-62). The Lord’s answer to them (vv. 60-62) urges us not to let excuses deprive us of the most important thing in life: the salvation of our souls.

当耶稣邀请人们来跟从祂时，他们也用许多的藉口推辞，说自己俗务缠身（路加福音9章59-62节）。而主的回答（60-62节）也是在催促我们，别让藉口剥夺了我们生命中最重要的一件事，就是灵魂的得救。

Do you hear God calling you to commit your life to Him? Do not delay. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).

你是否听见上帝正在呼唤你将生命献给祂？莫迟延。「看哪，现在正是悦纳的时候；现在正是拯救的日子」（哥林多后书6章2节） 。

Come to the Savior, make no delay—here in His Word He’s shown us the way; here in our midst He’s standing today, tenderly saying, “Come!” George F. Root

来归向救主，不要耽误，圣经已指明得救之路；祂正在我们中间呼召，发出柔声说：「来！」

Today is the day of salvation.

今日就是拯救的日子。

整理：于姊妹