五旬節聖潔會通訊 – 第六期

按人的本性，行善是否可能？曾寶玲牧師告訴我們，詩篇一一二篇竟然把「恩惠」、「憐憫」、「公義」這些神的屬性用來形容人，原因只有一個，就是人能行善不是靠自己，而是因為他能夠效法神。敬畏神的人因喜愛神的話語，在人生各種際遇實踐神話語的教導，他的生命見證如一面鏡子反照神的恩惠、憐憫和公義。在人生旅程中，義人也會遭遇逆境，面對生命中黑暗的日子，但義人有神話語的光照，因此他必然找到出路，經歷出死入生的拯救。

曾牧師的話恰與梁靄庭牧師「以善勝惡」的座右銘相呼應。梁牧師指出，基督徒決不可「以惡報惡，以辱罵還辱罵」，因為「以惡報惡」是出於血氣的反應，結局必然是報復。基督在十字架上受盡人的羞辱，但祂的口中沒有半句惡言惡語；基督不但拒絕報復，更為加害祂的人祈求神的赦罪。基督徒就是基督的學生和門徒，因此對受了惡言惡語對待時，不但不可以「以辱罵還辱罵」，還要為他們祝福，這樣才會體會到在基督裏的得勝。

神的話語不但有力量，更是我們行事為人不可缺少的指引。但願我們都從神的話語中得著生命長進的力量，體會到遵行神話語所經歷的無盡恩福。阿們。

Are human beings capable of doing good deeds by nature? In her sermon, Rev. Flora Tsang told us that the three words: “gracious”, “compassionate” and “righteous” that represent God’s attributes were used on people in Psalm 112. By such usage, the psalmist suggested human beings are not doing good on their own but they can if they follow God. People who fear God love the words of God and they will put God’s words into practice in their daily lives. The lives of these people are like mirrors that reflect God’s grace, compassion and righteousness. Throughout a life journey, tough circumstances are inevitable. Amid darkness, those who fear God would see light from God’s words and would be led to see the way out.

The message shared by Rev. Tsang echoes Rev. Doris Leung’s motto “overcome evil by good”. To “repay evil with evil or insult with insult” will never be a Christian way of handling things. “Repay evil with evil” will only result in retaliations. Ruthlessly tortured at the cross, Jesus Christ did not say anything in revenge. Not only that, He prayed for God’s forgiveness on those who ill-treated Him. Christians are the disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. We should seriously ponder on the proper responses in case we are insulted. Blessing those who ill-treat us might be the key for us to experience the victory in Christ.

God’s words are full of strength, giving us the essential guidance for our everyday lives. May all of us keep growing spiritually and experiencing the munificence from following God’s teachings.