“Wrong Choices May Imperil Our Freedom 錯誤的選擇可危害我們的自由“(2 Timothy 提摩太後書 2:1-2)
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
所以,我兒啊,你應當在基督耶穌的恩典裡剛強起來,又應當把你在許多見證人面前從我這裡聽見的,交託給那些又忠心又能夠教導別人的人。
Right choices are critically important in the realm of religion. Some Christians go their own way where their heart is and come back to the praying company only when adversity drives them in. Viewing God-blessed freedom in Christ with such casual indifference is ominous. The Christian gospel is a message of freedom through saving grace wherewith Jesus Christ has made us free. Thus we must stand fast in such liberty. What should we do with our freedom? It may be good for us to check our spiritual condition occasionally by simple compatibility test, such as where we go when we are free to go, what we think of when we are able to think of what we will instead of what we must, etc. Our answers may tell us more than we can comfortably accept.
在宗教信仰的領域裡,正確的選擇是極其重要的。有些基督徒隨心所欲地我行我素,而只在逆境驅使下才回到禱告的夥伴當中,帶著如此構成原因的漠不關心,去看神在基督裡賜福的自由是惡兆的。基督福音是藉著拯救的恩典而得自由的信息,基督以這恩典釋放了我們。因此,我們必須在如此自由中堅穩站立。我們理應如何面對自己的自由呢?每隔一段時間,以簡單的相容性測驗去檢視我們的屬靈境況,對我們來說會是好的,例如我們可以隨意往來的時候,會去那裡;我們能思索自己意願的,而不是必須的事時,我們會想到甚麽等等。我們的答案可能告訴自己一些非我們能欣然接受的事。
Prayer: Gracious and Loving Father, there is nothing that can make us as strong as saying ‘we are God’s children in Jesus Christ’ and ‘we have God’s love and favour even though we do not deserve it.’ This strength in grace is essential for our strong Christian life and true freedom in Christ. Thank you that you bring your strength to us as we seek you and rely on you instead of our own strength and wrong choices which may imperil our freedom. Amen.
禱告:有恩惠、仁愛的父啊!没有甚麽比「我們在耶穌基督裡是神的孩子」和「我們擁有神的愛和恩典,即使我們是不配得的」更能使我們堅强,这就是從恩典而來的力量。這恩典的力量對於我們剛强的基督徒生命,並在基督裡真正的自由非常重要。感謝你,當我們尋求你,倚靠你而不依靠自己的力量,並那可危害我們自由、錯誤的選擇的時候,你就把你的能力賜給我們。阿們。