讀經： 以弗所書四章25至32節 25所以你們要棄絕謊言，各人與鄰舍說實話，因為我們是互相為肢體。 26生氣卻不要犯罪；不可含怒到日落， 27也不可給魔鬼留地步。 28從前偷竊的，不要再偷；總要勞力，親手做正經事，就可有餘分給那缺少的人。 29污穢的言語一句不可出口，只要隨事說造就人的好話，叫聽見的人得益處。 30不要叫神的聖靈擔憂；你們原是受了他的印記，等候得贖的日子來到。 31一切苦毒、惱恨、忿怒、嚷鬧、毀謗，並一切的惡毒（或作：陰毒），都當從你們中間除掉； 32並要以恩慈相待，存憐憫的心，彼此饒恕，正如神在基督裡饒恕了你們一樣。 |
| 在新約聖經裡，有許多基督徒生活的教導，尤其是在家庭方面。然而這些教導，我們往往輕易略過，沒有認真思想如何應用在我們自己身上。 今天選讀經文裡的32節，談到理想的基督徒家庭和家庭生活：「要互相幫助，並以恩慈相待，要彼此憐恤和體諒，更要隨時無條件地互相饒恕，正如神在基督裡饒恕你們一樣。」這是一個很高的標準，然而，我們靠著基督卻可以做到。 以恩慈相待，意指無私，為別人著想，並常存感恩之心，意味著為別人多走一哩路。也意味著欣賞感激別人為我們所做的一切。有些太太們抱怨說：「我每天辛勞地為家人做飯，他們卻從沒有一句感謝的話。」關心家人的感受，將會為家庭營造一個溫暖、和諧的氣氛。 體貼意味著要體恤對方的軟弱，這是大多數家庭最缺乏的。我們很容易挑剔和批評家人，對嗎？可是，基督徒的家庭要有愛和體貼，甚至是讚賞。 要彼此寬恕和體諒。就算努力做到最好的時候，我們也少不了常常犯錯，需要別人的原諒，對嗎？在家庭裡也是如此。最小的事情都可能引至彼此關係向惡，苦毒由此而生。更多的體諒、更快的和解非常必要，就像神做在我們身上一樣。可惜，「對不起」這句話，對於我們許多人，並不容易說出口。不要忘記，當神赦免，祂便忘記，不再以我們的過犯對待我們。 一生年日有限，與家人共度的時光轉眼逝去。時光不會倒流。我們現在就要活出基督的樣式來。今天就來為此禱告，好嗎？ |
Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:25-32 25 Therefore, putting away lying, " Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. |
| In the New Testament God has given us so many instructions regarding living the Christian life, especially in our homes. It is very easy for us to pass over these commandments without thinking of how they really apply to ourselves. The Christian ideal for our homes and family life is in verse 32 of our reading. Here is one paraphrase: 'Become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tender-hearted, compassionate, understanding, and loving-hearted, forgiving one another readily and freely as God in Christ forgave you.' That is a very high standard, but it is possible through Christ. Being kind means being unselfish as well as thoughtful and thankful. It is doing something extra which isn't required. It is showing appreciation for all that is done for us. Some wives have said, 'I have never been thanked for any of the hundreds of meals I've cooked for the family.' Being kind and thoughtful helps to create a warm emotional climate in the home to which others will respond. Tender hearted means being sensitive to the weaknesses of others, a very great need in most families. It is so easy to be hard on others, isn't it? Yet in a Christian home surely we could expect love and tenderness - and even compliments! Forgiving one another. There is often so much to forgive even in the best of us, isn't there? It is true in many families. Relationships can turn sour over the smallest incident and bitterness can show its ugly head all too soon. If only we could forgive each other more often and more quickly as God does for us it would make such a difference. But saying 'I'm sorry' is sometimes very difficult for many of us. Remember when God forgives he forgets. Do we? Remember also that we don't have much time. These few years of family life together slip by so quickly. There is no 'replay' as a family, no re-run. It is now we need to act in a Christlike way. Can you make that your prayer today? |
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