“我们行善,不可丧志;若不灰心,到了时候就要收成。” – 加 6:9
以弗所书2章1-9节,特别是8-9节,是圣经中最为人熟知的经文之一,但第10节却往往被人忽略了。这节经文教导我们,我们得救是本乎恩和因着信,这不仅仅是为了确保我们可以永远与神同在,也是为了让我们能够按着神在我们身上的计划去行善。
不过,事实证明,我们有时也会对行善感到厌烦。
我们之所以这样,是有几个原因的。有时我们觉得我们所做的善行起不了什么作用。有时我们又太忙于处理自己的事,以致忽略了关心别人的责任(腓立比书 2:4)。
然而,好消息是,我们若敞开心灵不断接受圣灵的敦促,衪便会继续在我们心中结出良善的果子的。圣灵会引导我们找到新的事奉岗位,并为我们开启祝福别人的机会。
对我来说,校牧这个事奉岗位所带来的喜乐,一方面是看见忙碌地预备终身在神的国中全然事奉的神学生们,仍然拨出时间来向他人行善。
祷告
主啊,我们需要你帮助我们去行善,我们无法靠自己的力量去做。求你藉着你的灵引导我们,在我们的思想、言语、和行为上,都结出荣耀你的果子。求你为我们开路预备机会去与别人分享好消息,并引领我们忠心事奉你。奉耶稣的名祈求,阿们。
以弗所书 2:1-10
1你们死在过犯罪恶之中,他叫你们活过来。
2那时你们在其中行事为人,随从今世的风俗,顺服空中掌权者的首领,就是现今在悖逆之子心中运行的邪灵。
3我们从前也都在他们中间,放纵肉体的私欲,随着肉体和心中所喜好的去行,本为可怒之子,和别人一样。
4然而,神既有丰富的怜悯,因他爱我们的大爱,
5当我们死在过犯中的时候,便叫我们与基督一同活过来。你们得救是本乎恩。
6他又叫我们与基督耶稣一同复活,一同坐在天上,
7要将他极丰富的恩典,就是他在基督耶稣里向我们所施的恩慈,显明给后来的世代看。
8你们得救是本乎恩,也因着信。这并不是出于自己,乃是神所赐的;
9也不是出于行为,免得有人自夸。
10我们原是他的工作,在基督耶稣里造成的,为要叫我们行善,就是神所预备叫我们行的。
Continue To Do Good
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Ephesians 2:1-9, especially verses 8-9, are among the best-known verses in the Bible, but verse 10 is often neglected. This verse teaches that we are saved by grace through faith not simply to spend eternity with God but so that we may do good works that God has planned for us to do.
And yet the reality is that, at times, we tire of doing good.
There are several reasons for this. Sometimes we feel that our good works aren’t making a difference. At other times we become too busy looking after our own interests, and we neglect to look to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4).
But the good news is that if we remain open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, he will continue to produce good fruit in our lives. The Spirit will lead us to new areas of service and will open new opportunities for us to bless others.
To me, one of the joys of serving as a chaplain is to watch busy students as they take time to do good to others even as they prepare for a lifetime of serving in God’s kingdom.
Prayer
Lord, we need you to help us do good. We can’t do this on our own. By your Spirit, guide us to bear fruit that honors you in all we think, say, and do. And lead us to serve you faithfully as you open doors and opportunities for us to share your blessings with others. In Jesus, Amen.