“惟独从上头来的智慧，先是清洁，后是和平，温良柔顺，满有怜悯，多结善果，没有偏见，没有假冒。” – 雅 3:17
五年前，RCM与一间位于芝加哥郊区的教会一起举行了联合崇拜。有一对属RCM的夫妇聚会前四十五分钟便到了教会，因为他们不想迟到，以免被人误会他们这个群体的人是惯于迟到的。所以他们早早到达，坐在车里，边读圣经，边喝咖啡，但没有播放音乐。
不久，有一辆警车来到现场，因为他们接到一个报告，说在教会停车埸发生了骚乱。警员解开开枪套、按着枪把，告诉那辆车的司机他停泊在私人车位。其后警员便开始搜车，当他们差不多搜完时，那间教会的会友便开始来参加崇拜了。警员找不到任何非法的证据便离开了 － 其实这只不过是一对黑人夫妇到一间位于白人聚居区的教会参加崇拜而已。
有关种族问题，我其实还有很多情况要反省，可能你也如此。在我们的内心中、社会上和制度里，有哪需要被审查的地方呢？在我们每一个人和所服事的社区中，真的需要那从上头来的智慧把我们塑造成为更加“爱和平，温良…..公正，”和不再那么担心惧怕的群体。惟愿我们有谦卑和力量，去接受神的智慧塑造我们、使祂的旨意行在地上如同行在天上。
祷告
主啊，愿你的智慧住在我们中间，除去我们的惧怕，并赐我们怜悯、和睦和良善的果子。奉耶稣名求，阿们。
雅各书 3:13-18
13你们中间谁是有智慧、有见识的呢？他就当在智慧的温柔上显出他的善行来。
14你们心里若怀着苦毒的嫉妒和纷争，就不可自夸，也不可说谎话抵挡真道。
15这样的智慧不是从上头来的，乃是属地的，属情欲的，属鬼魔的。
16在何处有嫉妒、纷争，就在何处有扰乱和各样的坏事。
17唯独从上头来的智慧，先是清洁，后是和平、温良、柔顺、满有怜悯、多结善果、没有偏见、没有假冒；
18并且使人和平的，是用和平所栽种的义果。
Wisdom From Heaven
“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” – James 3:17
Five years ago the congregation of Roseland Christian Ministries gathered to worship with a partner church in a suburb of Chicago. A couple from Roseland arrived 45 minutes early at the partner church. The driver was nervous that if they were late, they would perpetuate a negative racial stereotype. So they arrived early, sat in their car, read the Bible, and drank coffee, with no music playing.
Before long, police squad cars showed up. They had received a call reporting a disturbance in the parking lot. The police unclipped their holstered guns and told the driver of the car that he was on private property. Soon the car was searched. Members from the host church began to arrive for worship as the officers finished searching the car. The police departed since nothing illegal was happening—just a black couple going to church in a white neighborhood.
I have a long way to go when it comes to issues about race; maybe you do too. What are the places in our hearts, society, and structures that need to be examined? In each of us and in the communities we serve, the wisdom from heaven is needed to form us into more “peace-loving, considerate . . . impartial,” and less fearful people. May we have the humility and strength to allow God’s wisdom to shape us and do his will on earth as it is done in heaven.
Prayer
Lord, may your wisdom dwell in us, take away fear, and give us fruits of mercy, peace, and goodness. In Jesus, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
