
有人說在教會裡最好是“人人好”(台語)
意味著要在教會中要重視良好的人際關係
以如此的行為作為良善的標準
雖然可以在教會中做到面面俱全
但卻容易使福音的美意失焦
因為神的拯救並非以行為作為標準
而是以神的旨意與恩典作為標準
常常有人勸我說:
牧師,關於那個人你應該要如何如何...對待他之類的
因為他的脾氣與個性就是如此如此...幾十年都沒改變過
你就不要再跟他過不去了
牧師,關於這個人他慕道很久了很喜歡來教會
不要跟他談太多福音(過去常常會因此而反感),他能來教會就感謝主了
我心裡想著如果福音對他的生命沒有任何的果效
而是良好的人際關係使他喜歡來教會
那麼就算是他洗禮了要如何算是一個基督徒呢
我如何知道他所信的是誰呢
是與他交好的信徒或是能夠拯救他生命的耶穌基督呢
如同保羅所說:
我為這福音奉派作傳道的,作使徒,作師傅。為這緣故,我也受這些苦難。
我堅持是因為我深深愛著他的生命與靈魂
並期盼他的一生能夠按著真道而行
而非因著與某人的關係良好而喜歡來教會
也非因著與某人的關係不佳而遠離了教會
若果我們知道所信的是誰
請記得不要讓自己取代了祂的位置
因為人與神的關係遠重要於人與人的關係
提摩太後書
1:9 神救了我們,以聖召召我們,不是按我們的行為,乃是按他的旨意和恩典;這恩典是萬古之先,在基督耶穌裡賜給我們的,
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
1:10 但如今藉著我們救主基督耶穌的顯現才表明出來了。他已經把死廢去,藉著福音,將不能壞的生命彰顯出來。
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
1:11 我為這福音奉派作傳道的,作使徒,作師傅。
Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
1:12 為這緣故,我也受這些苦難。然而我不以為恥;因為知道我所信的是誰,也深信他能保全我所交付他的(或譯:他所交託我的),直到那日。
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. believed: or, trusted
1:13 你從我聽的那純正話語的規模,要用在基督耶穌裡的信心和愛心,常常守著。
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
1:14 從前所交託你的善道,你要靠著那住在我們裡面的聖靈牢牢地守著。
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
1:15 凡在亞細亞的人都離棄我,這是你知道的,其中有腓吉路和黑摩其尼。
This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
1:16 願主憐憫阿尼色弗一家的人;因他屢次使我暢快,不以我的鎖鍊為恥,
The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
1:17 反倒在羅馬的時候,殷勤地找我,並且找著了。
But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me .
1:18 願主使他在那日得主的憐憫。他在以弗所怎樣多多地服事我,是你明明知道的。
The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.