Believing In Jesus Is Like Changing Nationality? 信耶穌好像改換國籍？

The Chinese version is after the English one. 

中文版本在英文版本下。

What is believing in Jesus all about?

In simple terms, “believing in Jesus” is like changing your citizenship, moving from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of Heaven, and it involves transferring sovereignty over your life. When you receive a new passport, there may be no physical or environmental changes, but your identity, citizenship, rights, and responsibilities are different. Of course, this “kingdom” is not about earthly borders or powers; it’s about spiritual authority. The powers of heaven and earth interact and influence each other, but it’s not a binary division. You can’t say a particular government is of the devil, and another is of God; it’s not that simple. Human kingdoms are human kingdoms, and the spiritual kingdom is a different realm that needs to be distinguished.

Wait a moment, did you say we originally belonged to the kingdom of Satan? What’s going on?

In the Bible, in Luke 4, there’s an account of Satan tempting Jesus. When we typically read this passage, our focus is on how Jesus overcame temptation from a moral standpoint. That perspective is valid and good, but today, let’s try to look at it from a different angle. If you examine it closely, you’ll see that it’s a clash between two kings or kingdoms—one is the King of the Kingdom of Heaven, and the other is the ruler of the World’s wealth and glory. There’s a crucial message in this account. Here’s what happened:

Jesus was praying in the wilderness, and Satan came to him to tempt him. Satan took Jesus to a high mountain and in an instant showed him all the kingdoms of the World and their glory. Satan said to Jesus, “All this authority and glory I will give you, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours” (Luke 4:6-7, ESV).

Satan not only claimed to have authority over this world but even used the word “give” when talking to Jesus, indicating a clear hierarchy. So, how did Jesus respond to this?

Jesus didn’t deny Satan’s authority in this world. Yes, you’re not being deceived; the Bible does refer to Satan as “the king of this World.” Jesus, in human form, was born into this world, willingly subjected himself to human limitations, and faced the temptations of the ruler of this world. He even allowed himself to be brutally tortured and crucified, descending into Hades. He later resurrected, breaking the power of death, but that’s a different part of the story. During his 33 years on Earth, he permitted Satan to reign as king. Although Jesus had prophesied, “Now is the judgement of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out” (John 12:31, ESV), as of now (the 21st century), what Romans 8:20 has stated is still valid: all creation is still subjected to the rule of Satan, but not willingly.

At this point, you might think I’m crazy and say, “Are you saying I’m under the rule of Satan? Are you calling us all devils?”

No, you’re not a devil, but you live under Satan’s rule. What’s Satan’s rule? The Bible tells us that Satan specialises in three things: stealing, destroying, and killing, all aimed at destroying human souls. The most common means he uses to achieve these ends is deception. Here are some common patterns of his rule. Take a look and see how many you recognize in yourself:

• Lying:
  • When your friend seems upset with you today, what’s the immediate thought that comes to your mind? Do you instantly think, “I knew it, no one genuinely cares about me. No one is obliged to do so. I just mentioned I bought a new car, and now they’re jealous. Look at how fragile human friendships are!” Why doesn’t your mind offer a second voice, one that says, “Maybe my friend is having a bad day, and I should check in on them”? You’ve been hurt before. You’ve given your heart genuinely but received no reciprocation, maybe even faced rejection. Why do you doubt there’s no genuine care in the world? Because you’ve been hurt, you’ve shielded your heart, and you’re afraid of more hurt. People seldom ask questions on the other side: By closing off my heart, can I really avoid being hurt, or do I continue to carry past hurts to new situations? There are not many people who consider seeking healing of wounds, setting healthy boundaries, and learning deeper communication skills after being hurt. What’s the reason? Psychologists would say that a lack of security established during your 0-6 years of life may be affecting your ability to navigate relationships now. So, you tell yourself, “This is just the way the world is. I have to protect myself, or I’ll continue getting hurt.” However, you may not realise that by guarding your heart too tightly, you’re also closing it off, preventing the potential for genuine connection and healing. Satan’s rule is apparent when you believe these lies.
• Stealing:
  • What are the easiest things that can be stolen in life? Wealth and time. When I ask my teenage students, “What do you typically do after school?” Most of them say “using my phone and relaxing”. Everybody knows that life is short and time is scarce. Yet sometimes we are not really even “relaxing”, we just let time flow away without any purpose. On the other hand, we claim that we don’t have enough time to do what we really want to do. However, we seem to accept it with no problem and believe that “life is like that”. We’ve been stolen from, and are accustomed to feeling powerless. You might argue, “Life is harsh enough. We don’t need to fill every minute with meaning.” That’s a valid point. But the truth is, we are defined by what we spend our time doing. Ironically, the time most spent may not actually comply with what we truly need. We are fed up with too much stress. Some will find themselves behind the screen of their mobile phones, have fun in some way, and forget about the pressures of reality. We prefer to unconsciously let time slip away, let problems pile up, feel overwhelmed by challenges of different aspects, and not find the motivation to change, grow and flourish. We do a lot of things we “like” and “want”, but don’t feel content. It’s hard to experience true fulfilment. We think that we are spending our time freely but actually we easily get lost in daily habits, which we sometimes follow blindly. 
• Destroying:
  • Satan delights in destroying what you’ve worked hard to build or things you cherish- from a simple project to a cherished friendship, from a family to an entire society. Repeated destruction on Satan’s part can make you feel that life is hopeless and there’s no way out (another lie). Traumatic events can shatter a person’s psyche, causing you to see your soul in a distorted way. You might feel useless, ashamed, unlovable, or even incapable of survival. When you see your environment crumbling day by day and you can’t find your role and purpose, you might start to believe that the world is going in a hopeless direction. You might feel like you have no reason to strive. How many people in this world are just going through the motions without a soul, even though they’re still alive. Satan’s rule is evident when you see the world around you deteriorating, in which you feel helpless and abandoned. He wants you to feel trapped in a cycle of destruction, without knowing that in God, there is faith, there is righteousness, as well as hope, a way out, and unfailing love. 
• Killing:
  • Satan is happiest when people die, especially in pain and separated from God. Can people avoid death? No, they can’t. Because in this kingdom, everyone must die. People who live under the power of death surely experience loss to different extents. All your efforts in this life can vanish in an instant. Moreover, the pain and fear you experience in this world can kill your soul, even before your physical death. You might lose your peace, feel disconnected from God, and be left with a massive void, which you then try to fill with your own methods, creating more destructive cycles.

This is how Satan rules over people. We often hear about original sin, how everyone is sinful, born with a sin nature. This doesn’t mean you’ve committed heinous crimes or harmed others; it’s about your identity. You were born into this world’s kingdom, as a citizen with a “sin nature,” bound by the World’s regulations. This naturally leads you to choose negative, apathetic, and despairing responses to the people and circumstances around you. You struggle to experience qualities like love, joy, and peace, which belong to God’s Kingdom. This is the problem that sin brings.

So, what is believing in Jesus all about? When you believe in Jesus, you transition from the rule of Satan to the rule of the Kingdom of Heaven.

So, what are the rules of the Kingdom of Heaven?

In the World, it’s survival of the fittest,, and you must strive to be on top. In the kingdom of heaven, God’s power is often revealed in human weakness. When we admit our weaknesses before the Lord, He makes us strong.

In the World, everything is about equal exchange, and there’s no such thing as a free lunch. In the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus died for us while we were still sinners.

In the World, there’s pride in exalting oneself and looking down on others. In the Kingdom of Heaven, the proud are brought low, and the humble are lifted up.

In the World, people value wealth and pleasing others. In the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus, the King, was born in a manger.

In the World, success often requires stepping on others. In the Kingdom of Heaven, greatness comes through service.

In the World, resources are scarce and unevenly distributed. In the Kingdom of Heaven, a boy’s five loaves and two fish can feed thousands.

In the World, people often numb themselves to cope. In the Kingdom of Heaven, there’s peace that surpasses human understanding.

In the World, past wounds can affect your future negatively. In the Kingdom, those wounds can lead us to God and become a blessing to others.

That’s the law of the Kingdom of Heaven. But God won’t force His laws on you. If you’re willing, if you accept, His love will come upon you, and His Kingdom will be established in you.

Here’s a simple prayer:

Almighty God,

Today, I’ve heard that Your Kingdom is an unseen yet very real realm. I pray that You open the eyes of my heart so I can see and experience what Your Kingdom is like. May Your laws truly manifest themselves in me, dispelling many lies and enabling me to live a life free from the rule of sin and deception. Grant me the peace, freedom, and love found in Your Kingdom. Free me from the constraints of sin and lies. When the adversary constantly threatens me, saying “I must seize more and gain an advantage to survive”, may I remember that You provide, and those who trust in You will be satisfied. When the adversary accuses me, telling me that I’m not good enough, not worthy of love, and incapable of loving others, may I recall that Your love covers a multitude of sins, and those who have sinned can experience even more of Your love. In Your Kingdom, we receive forgiveness and have the capacity to forgive others. Lord, when the adversary comes to deceive me and destroy my soul, may You strengthen and guide me so that I can avoid slipping and falling. If You are real, may I come to know that You are real, not just appearing in religious texts and stories but residing deep within me, providing wisdom, overflowing love, and the power of life. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

信耶穌好像改換國籍？                    

信耶穌到底是什麼回事？

簡單來說，「信耶穌」就是更換國籍，由撒旦的國，遷移至天國，是生命主權的移交。拿了新護照，你不會產生生理上或生活環境上的變化，但身份、國度、權利與義務不同了。當然，這所謂的「國度」，不是地上的國界或權勢，而是屬靈的權勢。天上和地下的權勢，互有交涉，互有影響，但不是二分法，不能說某個政權就是魔鬼的，某個政權就是屬天主的，不，不是這樣。人的國就是人的國，屬靈的國是另一個層面的東西，要區分清楚。

且慢，你剛才說，我們原本屬於撒旦的國？什麼回事？

《聖經》路加福音第4章，記載過撒旦引誘耶穌一事，平時我們讀這段聖經，會從道德的角度，把注意力放在耶穌如何勝過試探，這個角度是對的、好的，但今天我們嘗試從側面看一看。細看之下，其實是兩個國度的王在交鋒，一個是天國的王，一個是掌管萬國榮華的王，中間透露了很重要的訊息。是咁的：

耶穌在曠野祈禱(曠野就是無嘢)，撒旦來找他，引誘他。撒旦領耶穌走到高山上，瞬間把天下的萬國指給耶穌看，對他說：「這一切權柄、榮華，我都可以給你，因為這都全交給我了，我願意給誰就給誰。你若在我面前下拜，這都要歸你(思高版聖經若望福音譯作：我就把這一切都賜給你)。」撒旦不但表明自己有掌管這個世界的權柄，甚至用「賜」字向耶穌說話，有明顯的階級之分。

你猜耶穌怎樣回應牠？

A. 誰說你掌權？你吹少陣。

B. 你大我嗎？賜給我？就憑你？

C. 好吧，快給我榮華富貴！我不想上十字架！

答案是什麼？答案是D——以上皆不是。耶穌用聖經答牠，說：「你要朝拜天主，你的天主，惟獨奉侍祂。」

耶穌沒有否認撒旦在這世界上的權柄，是的，沒有騙你，《聖經》的確稱撒旦是「這世界的王」。耶穌以人的形式生在人間，甘願受著人間種種的限制，也遇到世界的王的試探，甚至容讓牠殘暴折磨至死，降在陰間。他後來復活、衝破了死亡的權勢，這是後話，但他在世的33年間，是容許撒旦作王。雖然，耶穌曾預言「這世界的王要被趕出去」(約翰福音12章31節)，但直到目前為止(21世紀)，羅馬書8章20節所說的仍然適用：受造之物正屈伏於撒旦之下，但那並不是我們自願的。

說到這裡，你覺得我瘋了，你說：「我好人好者，你話我在給撒旦統治緊？你即是說我們是魔鬼嗎？」

不是，不是，你不是魔鬼，而是活在撒旦的律則底下。

什麼是撒旦的律則？《聖經》說，撒旦專做三件事：偷竊、毀壞、殺害，目的是摧毀人的靈魂，而達到以上目的最常用的手段是撒謊。以下是牠常見的統治模式，你看看自己中了多少：

1. 說謊。當你的朋友今天對你黑面加躁底，你即時想到的是什麼？你心裡立刻響起一把聲音：「我早說了，沒有人會真心對你好。你只不過向他透露你剛買樓上車了，他就妒忌你了，你看，人的所謂友誼多麼脆弱！」為什麼你腦裡沒有第二把聲音，告訴你：「今天他心情不好了，我要去關心他一下！」看，我說出來，你覺像笑話。因為，你曾經受過傷害。你曾經付出過真心，但得不到回報，甚至遭受踐踏。為什麼一次受傷後你便覺得這世界便沒有對你真心的人？因為你覺得，若果不好好保護自己，自己便會繼續受傷害。為什麼你不懂得反駁自己：你封閉了自己的心，難道就不用承受傷害了嗎？還是在任由過往的傷害在延續呢？為什麼你沒有想過應怎樣料理好傷口，學習定立健康的界線，和正面的溝通技巧？為何你不是在想這些問題呢？心理學家說，你0至6歲的時候建立的安全感不足夠，以致影響你現在處理人際關係也感到無能為力。於是，你告訴自己：這個世界，只能是這樣。我也只能無奈地接受這一切。其實，很可能，你的朋友不過剛剛見到疑似情敵而黑面或躁底，完全與你無關。

短短的一個念頭，你數得出內裡包含幾多個謊言嗎？

你敢說，你真的完全不被撒旦所訂的律則所管治？若仔細考究，你會發現每個人多少都有些層層積疊的扭曲了的觀念，造成嚴密的系統，在人的心裡運作著，而你不自知。

2. 偷竊。人生最好偷的是什麼？財富和時間。教書的時候，每當我問學生：「你通常放學之後會做什麼呢？」同學通常都不好意思誠實回答。除了「肉體上」在上課、上班的時間，他們每天用得最多的時間在嗎裡？大家都心照不宣吧。其實，又何止中學生如此呢？機敏的你可能會說：「碌手機和hea，也可以是有益身心的活動啊，你憑什麼說那是撒旦偷我的時間?」你懂得這樣問，很好啊，最怕你已太久沒有用腦去思考過，根本沒能力問出這樣「高質」的問題。為什麼會太久沒有用腦思考過? 因為你被偷了太多時間呀。為什麼你會被偷了時間還甘心樂意、還不知不覺？很多時，不是因為真的不打機會死、或者Hea 住太令人太滿足，而是因為現實世界太多壓力，想起也覺無力。理想？可能你覺得這不是你字典裡會有的詞彙，也許你曾經有過想做的事，但不知從何時開始，你習慣了被無力感支配，你覺得能順應環境、學會變成平庸才算是成熟。然後你覺得躲在手機屏幕背後，就可以找回自己，可以有點樂趣地活著。你寧願無意識地讓時間分分秒秒地流逝，任由日積月累的問題繼續堆積，讓自己心底裡慨嘆諸事不順，而不願意切切實實的作出改變。旁觀者一聽，應該不難聽出這又是一大謊言。我不是說，人人都要很努力把自己的時間搾乾榨淨才活得有意義，而是處於上述狀態的人，實在很難活得豐盛。你聽得出，這些都是謊言嗎？如果你真心覺得這是真相，不是謊言，你來找我，我想聽你的故事。

3. 毀壞。撒旦喜歡把你辛苦建立的、或者一些你很珍惜的東西毀壞。小至一份 project ，甚者如上述的一份友誼，大至一個家庭，甚至一個社會。毀壞得多了，便令你覺得，人生是絕望的，沒有什麼出路。(看，又是謊言。) 創傷性的事件，可以把人的心靈毀壞，當你看見自己的心靈扭曲了，情緒失控了，你覺得自己無用、羞恥、無人愛、甚至連生存也很無力，面對這些境況，你有時盲目地樂觀，告訴自己沒事的沒事的，但卻無助於事情的發展；有時，你看世界很悲，覺得只能在人間煉獄裡不斷輪迴，心死了又死。你看見身邊的環境在一天一天的崩壞，你找不到自己存在的角色和意義，再找不到努力的理由。你不知道，在神裡面有倚靠、有公義、有盼望、有出路、有不死的愛。有多少人，每一天就很努力地行屍走肉，雖生猶死。

4. 殺害。撒旦最開心見人死亡，最好是很痛苦地死，懷著對上帝的恨意而死，死了永遠與神相隔。人可以不死嗎？不可以。因為在這個國度，人必有一死。伏在死亡的權勢底下的人，所有你今生的努力，都會轉眼成空。不止如此，人在世上經歷的傷痛和恐懼，可以令人的心靈死亡，不用等到死前一刻，你已經可以失去平安，與神隔絕，留下偌大的空洞，然後用自己的方法去填塞，引發更多的惡性循環……

這就是撒旦統治人的方式。我們常常聽說人有罪，每個人都有罪，有原罪。這並不是說你做了什麼作奸犯科、傷天害理的東西，而是你的身份問題，你生在這個世界的國度裡，你就是這國的人，帶著「罪性」，受著這個世界的法規轄制著，令你對你身邊的人和事，很自然會選擇了負面的、冷漠的、絕望的、甚至傷害別人、傷害自己的回應方法，無法享有仁愛、喜樂、平安等等屬於神的品質，這就是罪帶來的問題。

那，信耶穌是什麼回事？當你信主後，你便由這世界的王的轄制，轉移至天國的法則底下去了。

那，天國的法則是怎樣的？

在世界裡，弱肉強食，成王敗寇，你一定要叻；在天國裡，神的能力往往在人的軟弱上彰顯，我們何時在主面前承認自己的軟弱，主何時就幫助我們。

在世界裡，凡事等價交換，沒有免費午餐；在天國裡，主耶穌在我們還作罪人時為我們死。

在世界裡，見高拜，見低踩；在天國裡，驕傲的下降，卑微的升高。

在世界裡，人靠衣裝，靠討好人；在天國裡，君王以睡在馬槽為記號。

在世界裡，一將功成萬骨枯，權力集中在社會頂端，下層為上層犧牲；在天國裡，萬有的主為門徒洗腳。

在世界裡，識時務者為俊傑；在天國裡，敬畏上主是智慧的開端。

在世界裡，資源患寡患不均；在天國裡，一個小男孩獻上的五餅二魚交給主，便可餵飽五千人。

在世界裡，麻木是最佳的防衛；在天國裡，有出人意外的平安。

在世界裡，過往的傷痕拖累我們往後的人生；在天國，傷痕把我們引向上帝，並且成為他人的祝福。

在世界裡，我們孤獨的來到，又孤獨的離開世界；在天國裡，我們在母腹中已被蔭庇，行路必有亮光，試煉必得恩助。

在世界裡，死亡便是終局，一切虛空；在天國裡，離世有如回家，是永生的開始。

這些就是天國的律則。但上帝不會強迫你接受祂的律則，你願意，你接受，祂的愛就會降臨在你身上，祂的國就會實現在你身上。

以下一篇簡單的禱文，讓我們一同默唸：

傳說中的上帝：

今天我聞說祢的國是一個看不見，但卻非常實在的國度，求祢開我的心眼，讓我能看得見，經驗得到，祢的國是何樣。

願祢的法則真真實實地實現在我身上，驅除許多的謊言，讓我真真正正的活好一次，能擁有在天國裡所享的平安、自由，不再受罪和謊言的轄制。

當那惡者不斷恐嚇我：要搶多的、要佔優的，才能生存。但主祢說，生活不在乎家道豐盛，且祢必供應，倚靠祢的人必得飽足。

當那惡者不斷控告我，說我有多不好，不值得被愛、也不會懂得愛人，但主祢說，祢的愛足以掩蓋許多的罪，那些罪多的人，經歷的愛反而更多。在上主的國度裡，我們得蒙主的饒恕，同時我們也有能力去饒恕別人。

主啊，每當那惡者要來對我說謊，要摧毀我的靈魂，求主祢扶正我、引導我，免我滑腳。

如果祢是真的，求祢讓我能知道，祢是真的，讓祢不只出現在宗教書和故事書的傳說之中，而是在我心深處，給我明辨的智慧、滿溢的愛和生命的力量。

奉耶穌基督的名求。阿們。