以弗所書4:17-32

 

4:17 所以我說，且在主裡確實地說，你們行事不要再像外邦人存虛妄的心行事。
4:18 他們心地昏昧，與上帝所賜的生命隔絕了，都因自己無知，心裡剛硬；
4:19 良心既然喪盡，就放縱私慾，貪行種種的污穢。
4:20 你們學了基督，卻不是這樣。
4:21 如果你們聽過他的道，領了他的教，學了他的真理，
4:22 就要脫去你們從前行為上的舊人，這舊人是因私慾的迷惑漸漸變壞的；
4:23 又要將你們的心志改換一新，
4:24 並且穿上新人；這新人是照著上帝的形像造的，有真理的仁義和聖潔。
4:25 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。
4:26 生氣卻不要犯罪；不可含怒到日落，
4:27 也不可給魔鬼留地步。
4:28 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。
4:29 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。
4:30 不要叫上帝的聖靈擔憂；你們原是受了他的印記，等候得贖的日子來到。
4:31 一切苦毒、惱恨、忿怒、嚷鬧、毀謗，並一切的惡毒（或譯：陰毒），都當從你們中間除掉；
4:32 並要以恩慈相待，存憐憫的心，彼此饒恕，正如上帝在基督裡饒恕了你們一樣。

 

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

 

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    在基督的信仰中強調：「棄舊換新」！

 

    怎樣是「棄舊換新」？就是要放棄舊的生命模式，活出基督徒的生命樣式。也就是從「自我中心」變成「基督中心」！

 

    當然要真正活出「基督中心」的生命是要透過聖靈的更新，而更新的方法是藉由上帝的話語。主耶穌是透過話語，讓我們一點點、一日日都有所變化，最後將我們的心志改換一新！

 

    也因此，我們不只是口頭接受耶穌基督為救主，更是要經歷聖靈在我們生命中應用主耶穌的救恩，使我們活出新人的樣式，來榮耀上帝！