Responding to Christ's Invitation

The only acceptable response to Christ’s offer of the Kingdom is to receive it, value it, and pursue it!

对于基督国度的邀请，唯一可接受的回应就是接受它、珍惜它、并追求它。

Many people who think they're kingdom citizens will someday be shocked to discover they aren't. In Matthew 7:21 Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven." Some people think highly of the kingdom but never receive the King. They call Jesus "Lord" but don't do His will. Lip service won't do. You must receive the King and His kingdom (John 1:12).

许多自认是天国臣民的人，有一天会惊讶地发现他们并不是。在马太福音7：21，耶稣说：“凡称呼我‘主啊，主啊’的人不能都进天国；唯独遵行我天父旨意的人才能进去。”有些人非常看重天国，却从不接受它的王。他们称呼耶稣“主”，却不遵行祂的旨意。嘴皮上的服侍不算数，你必须接受王与王的国度（约翰福音1：12）。

You must also value the kingdom. In Matthew 13:44 Jesus says, "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure." In verses 45-46 He compares it to a pearl that was so valuable, a merchant sold all he had to purchase it. That's the value of the kingdom. It's worth any sacrifice you have to make.

你还必须珍惜天国。在马太福音13：44，耶稣说：“天国好象宝贝。”在45-46节，他将天国比作一颗极贵重的珍珠，以至商人变卖了他一切所有的去买这颗珠子。这就是天国的价值。它值得你作出一切牺牲。

Finally, you must continually pursue the kingdom. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." In context He was discussing the basic necessities of life such as food and clothing, reminding His disciples that their Heavenly Father knew their needs and would supply them if they simply maintained the proper priorities. Unbelievers characteristically worry about meeting their own needs (v. 32), but believers are to be characterized by trusting in God and pursuing His kingdom.

最后，你必须持续不断地追求天国。在马太福音6：33，耶稣说：“你们要先求他的国和他的义，这些东西都要加给你们了。”字面上他在谈论生命的基本需要，如吃的穿的，其实他提醒门徒，他们天上的父知道他们的需要，也会供应他们，只要他们保持正确的优先秩序。不信的人典型的忧虑就是如何满足自己的需要（32节），但信的人要以信靠神并追求祂的国度为特征。

Christ offers His kingdom to everyone (Matt. 28:19). The only acceptable response is to receive it, value it, and pursue it. Is that your response? Have you received the kingdom? Is it precious to you? I trust it is. If so, rejoice and serve your King well today. Make His kingdom your top priority. If not, turn from your sin and submit your life to Christ, who loves you and longs to receive you into His eternal kingdom.

基督向每个人发出国度的邀请（太28：19）。唯一能接受的回应就是接受它、珍惜它、并追求它。这是你的回应吗？你接受这国度了吗？它对你宝贵吗？我相信它是。若是这样，今天就请欢喜快乐并好好侍奉你的君王，让祂的国度成为你的首选。若还没有，请转离你的罪，将你的生命归于基督，祂爱你，祂渴望接受你进入祂永恒的国度。

• Thank God for the heavenly citizenship you hold (Phil. 3:20-21).

• Ask Him to help you keep His priorities uppermost in your life.

• 为你拥有天上臣民的身份感谢神（腓3：20）。

• 求神帮助你将祂的优先秩序置于你生命至高处。

Read Revelation 21 and 22. As you do, think of what eternity with Christ will be like. What aspects of eternity do you especially look forward to?

阅读启示录21和22章。在你阅读时，思想和基督共度的永恒将会怎样？对于永恒，你特别盼望哪些方面？