“Who am I?” (III)
Many people (including Christians) are accustomed to affirming their identities and their values based on their achievements, others’ opinion or validation of them, or their possessions. This is quite natural. However, by relying on these measures to prove our worth, we cannot get lasting peace; we will even feel like a roller coaster, going up and down, sometimes happy and, at other times, sad. How then should believers think of themselves? Jesus showed us a different way to this issue.
When the Devil tempted Jesus, he tried to give Jesus the values and affirmations of his identity in the three ways we discussed earlier. Satan tempted Jesus in this way: “Tell these stones to become bread” (Matthew 4:3), to prove to others what you can do; “Throw yourself down, for ... He will command his angels to lift you up in their hands” (Matthew 4:6), so you can be praised by others; “All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me” (Matthew 4:9), so you can show people all that you possess.
We all know that Jesus used the Word of God to refute Satan’s temptations. However, we must ask, where did Jesus receive affirmation of his identity? How did he know who he was? The answer could be found before Jesus was tempted. After Jesus was baptised, there was a voice from heaven saying: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) This is the key! Jesus is the beloved Son of God. From the Heavenly Father’s love and his complete and unconditional acceptance of his son, Jesus was affirmed of his identity, and he no longer had to rely on achievement, fame, or possession to prove himself to others.
Brothers and sisters, do you know that we are all the beloved sons and daughters of God? Jesus said to his followers: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (John 15:9). Yes, we all are the beloved sons and daughters of God (1 John 3:1). I urge you all to cherish your precious identity and to meditate often on this truth.
Whenever others ask “Who are you?”, I hope you clearly know who you are.
「我是誰？」(三)
很多人（包括基督徒在內）都習慣以自己的成就、人們對自己的看法，或自己所擁有的，來肯定自己的身份及價值，這是頗為自然的。但是，當我們以這些來衡量自己時，我們則無法得到持久的平安；我們甚至會像過山車般，時上時落，時喜時悲。那麼，信主的人應怎樣看自己呢？耶穌向我們展示了一種不同的方式，來讓我們思考這個問題。
當魔鬼試探耶穌時，牠試圖以我們曾談及的三種方式，使耶穌獲得祂身份的價值和肯定。撒但這樣引誘耶穌：「吩咐這些石頭變成食物」（太4:3），以此來證明你所能做的；「跳下去，因爲…主…的使者用手托著你」（太4:6），好叫你獲得別人的稱許；「你若俯伏拜我，我就把這一切都賜給你」（太4:9），你便可向人展示你擁有一切。
我們都知道，耶穌以神的話語駁斥撒但一切的試探。不過，我們必須要問，到底耶穌是從何獲得自己身份的肯定？祂怎知道自己是誰？這答案在耶穌受試探前可找到。當耶穌受洗後，隨即天上有聲音說：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的。」（太3:17）這就是關鍵！耶穌是神的愛子。從天父的愛和完全的接納，耶穌得到身份的肯定，所以祂再不用倚靠成就、名譽和擁有去證明自己了。
弟兄姊妹，你知道我們都是神所愛的兒女嗎？耶穌向跟隨祂的人說：「我愛你們，正如父愛我一樣；你們要常在我的愛裡。」（約15:9）是的，我們都是神所愛的兒女（約壹3:1）。請你珍惜這寶貴的身份，並時常默想這真理。
當有機會別人再問「你是誰？」的時候，我希望你清楚知道自己的身份。
