6 不只在他們注意的時候這樣做,想討他們的喜歡,而是作為基督的奴僕,要從心裏來遵行上帝的旨意。 7 你們要甘心樂意地盡奴僕的本份,像是在服事主,不是服事人。 8 要知道,無論是奴僕或是自由人,主都要照各人的好行為報答他。 9 作主人的,你們也要好好地對待奴僕,不要威嚇他們。要知道,你們和你們的奴僕同有一位在天上的主人;他要用同樣的標準來對待每一個人。 10 最後,你們要倚靠主的大能力作堅強的人。 11 你們要穿戴上帝所賜的全副軍裝,好使你們能站穩,來抵禦魔鬼的詭計。 12 因為我們不是對抗有血有肉的人,而是對天界的邪靈,就是這黑暗世代的執政者、掌權者,和宇宙間邪惡的勢力作戰。 13 因此, 14 所以,你們要準備好。要以真理作腰帶,以正義作護胸甲,
Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
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雖然我們在世上活著,遭受到許多人的攻擊、衝突、逼迫、……等等,但是保羅要我們看到:『我們不是對抗有血有肉的人,而是對天界的邪靈,就是這黑暗世代的執政者、掌權者,和宇宙間邪惡的勢力作戰。』
這樣說來,這世界的確是有兩個勢力在爭戰。一個是屬基督的勢力,另一個是屬撒旦的勢力。屬基督的勢力是順服在上帝主權之下的,屬撒旦的勢力是抵擋上帝主權的。這是屬靈之爭戰,卻表現在人的行為之上。
另外有一點我們要注意的是,這兩個陣營沒有中間路線,不是屬基督就是屬魔鬼,同樣不屬魔鬼就是屬基督。我們必須在這上面表態,不管你願不願意,或是有沒有,只要你沒有決定要跟隨耶穌基督,就是屬魔鬼。因此,決志與認信是非常重要!
既然我們選定要跟隨耶穌基督,這場屬靈戰爭是不可避免,所以『你們要以上帝所賜的武器裝備自己,好在險惡的日子裏能夠抵抗敵人的攻擊,戰鬥到底,始終守住陣地。』
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