“‘无论何事，你们愿意人怎样待你们，你们也要怎样待人，因为这就是律法和先知的道理。’” – 太 7:12
今天的经文，出自弥迦书6章和耶稣在马太福音7章所说的话，在这里我们找到一些对我们有益的准则，这些准则是神的律法的纲要。它们帮助我们专注在神吩咐我们要遵守的最首要之事。
我们通常称耶稣在马太福音7章的教导为“黄金法则”。它提醒我们，我们愿意人怎样待我们，我们也要怎样待人。在这里，与衪很多其他的教导一样，耶稣所阐述的原则是我们应当持守的原则，却不是世人惯常的做法。在我们的世界，相比按我们希望被别人对待的方式来主动待人，我们普遍按别人待我们的方式来被动回敬他们（从功利或回报的角度来看）。
弥迦先知对神的子民说话时，那些有钱财有权柄的人正在装模作样地履行宗教责任，但他们的心却远离了主。神希望他们能甘心乐意怜悯贫穷和软弱的人，并且常常以公义待他们的邻舍。但那些拥有财富和权柄的人，反而去霸凌欺哄贫穷和软弱的人。
这些都是很好的提醒。如果我们对自己足够诚实的话，我们必定会承认，在日常生活中，我们也时常会忽略了行公义和施怜悯的责任。
我们可以怎样改变这种情况呢？
祷告
主神啊，求你帮助我，在今天一切所行的事上彰显公义和怜悯。又求你帮助我去扶持需要勉励的人、鼓舞气馁的人，祝福贫困的人。奉耶稣名祈求，阿们。
弥迦书 6:6-8
6我朝见耶和华，在至高神面前跪拜，当献上什么呢？岂可献一岁的牛犊为燔祭吗？
7耶和华岂喜悦千千的公羊，或是万万的油河吗？我岂可为自己的罪过献我的长子吗？为心中的罪恶献我身所生的吗？
8世人哪！耶和华已指示你何为善。他向你所要的是什么呢？只要你行公义，好怜悯，存谦卑的心，与你的神同行。
The Lord Has Shown Us What Is Good
“In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
In our reading today from Micah 6 and in the quotation from Jesus in Matthew 7, we find helpful guidelines that summarize the teachings of God’s law. These help us to focus on the main things God calls us to live by.
Jesus’ statement in Matthew 7 is often called the “golden rule.” It reminds us to treat others as we would like to be treated. Here, as in many of his teachings, Jesus presents a principle of what should be rather than what is. In our world, doing to others as they have done to us (in terms of favors or payback) is far more common than treating others as we would like them to treat us.
The prophet Micah spoke to God’s people in a time when the wealthy and powerful were just going through the motions of religious duty while their hearts were far from the Lord. God’s desire was that they would love to extend mercy to people who were poor and weak, and to act justly toward their neighbors always. Instead, the wealthy and powerful were crushing the poor and weak.
These are good reminders. If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that there can be times when we, too, neglect to show justice and mercy in our day-to-day living.
How can we turn that around?
Prayer
Lord and God, help me to show justice and mercy in the things I do today. Help me to build up people who need encouragement and to bless those who are downcast and disadvantaged. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
