以弗所書6:10-20

6:10 我還有末了的話：你們要靠著主，倚賴他的大能大力作剛強的人。
6:11 要穿戴上帝所賜的全副軍裝，就能抵擋魔鬼的詭計。
6:12 因我們並不是與屬血氣的爭戰（原文是摔跤；下同），乃是與那些執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的，以及天空屬靈氣的惡魔爭戰。
6:13 所以，要拿起上帝所賜的全副軍裝，好在磨難的日子抵擋仇敵，並且成就了一切，還能站立得住。
6:14 所以要站穩了，用真理當作帶子束腰，用公義當作護心鏡遮胸，
6:15 又用平安的福音當作預備走路的鞋穿在腳上。
6:16 此外，又拿著信德當作盾牌，可以滅盡那惡者一切的火箭；
6:17 並戴上救恩的頭盔，拿著聖靈的寶劍，就是上帝的道；
6:18 靠著聖靈，隨時多方禱告祈求；並要在此警醒不倦，為眾聖徒祈求，
6:19 也為我祈求，使我得著口才，能以放膽開口講明福音的奧祕，
6:20 （我為這福音的奧祕作了帶鎖鍊的使者，）並使我照著當盡的本分放膽講論。

 

 ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² 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. ¹³ 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. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

 

*******

 

    基督徒的一生是充滿戰鬥的，正如以色列人進入迦南地，也就是上帝所賜的應許之地，是必須征戰的，不是垂手可得的！然而上帝保證我們征戰必定勝利，因為基督已經得勝了！

 

 

 

以弗所書6:1-9

 

6:1 你們作兒女的，要在主裡聽從父母，這是理所當然的。
6:2 「要孝敬父母，使你得福，在世長壽。」這是第一條帶應許的誡命。
6:3 【併於上節】
6:4 你們作父親的，不要惹兒女的氣，只要照著主的教訓和警戒養育他們。
6:5 你們作僕人的，要懼怕戰兢，用誠實的心聽從你們肉身的主人，好像聽從基督一般。
6:6 不要只在眼前事奉，像是討人喜歡的，要像基督的僕人，從心裡遵行上帝的旨意。
6:7 甘心事奉，好像服事主，不像服事人。
6:8 因為曉得各人所行的善事，不論是為奴的，是自主的，都必按所行的得主的賞賜。
6:9 你們作主人的，待僕人也是一理，不要威嚇他們。因為知道，他們和你們同有一位主在天上；他並不偏待人。

 

 ¹Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[a]

⁴ Fathers,^[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. ⁶ Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, ⁸ because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

⁹ 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.

 

*******

 

    基督徒是有盼望的，而且前途是美好的！因為我們不僅得耶穌基督的拯救，而且將來必蒙上帝大大賜福！正如保羅在這裡所說：「因為曉得各人所行的善事，不論是為奴的，是自主的，都必按所行的得主的賞賜。」

 

    基督信仰和其他信仰最大的不同也在這裡，是用成全的方式，不是用強逼或恐嚇的方式，是因為我們知道主有豐盛的慈愛，樂意賞賜人美物。也因此，我們要相信主必賞賜。

 

    也因為上帝實在是愛我們，願我們享受一切的美好在基督裡，直到永遠！

 

 

 

以弗所書5:1-20

 

5:1 所以，你們該效法上帝，好像蒙慈愛的兒女一樣。
5:2 也要憑愛心行事，正如基督愛我們，為我們捨了自己，當作馨香的供物和祭物，獻與上帝。
5:3 至於淫亂並一切污穢，或是貪婪，在你們中間連提都不可，方合聖徒的體統。
5:4 淫詞、妄語，和戲笑的話都不相宜；總要說感謝的話。
5:5 因為你們確實地知道，無論是淫亂的，是污穢的，是有貪心的，在基督和上帝的國裡都是無分的。有貪心的，就與拜偶像的一樣。
5:6 不要被人虛浮的話欺哄；因這些事，上帝的忿怒必臨到那悖逆之子。
5:7 所以，你們不要與他們同夥。
5:8 從前你們是暗昧的，但如今在主裡面是光明的，行事為人就當像光明的子女。
5:9 光明所結的果子就是一切良善、公義、誠實。
5:10 總要察驗何為主所喜悅的事。
5:11 那暗昧無益的事，不要與人同行，倒要責備行這事的人；
5:12 因為他們暗中所行的，就是提起來也是可恥的。
5:13 凡事受了責備，就被光顯明出來，因為一切能顯明的就是光。
5:14 所以主說：你這睡著的人當醒過來，從死裡復活！基督就要光照你了。
5:15 你們要謹慎行事，不要像愚昧人，當像智慧人。
5:16 要愛惜光陰，因為現今的世代邪惡。
5:17 不要作糊塗人，要明白主的旨意如何。
5:18 不要醉酒，酒能使人放蕩；乃要被聖靈充滿。
5:19 當用詩章、頌詞、靈歌彼此對說，口唱心和地讚美主。
5:20 凡事要奉我們主耶穌基督的名常常感謝父上帝。

 

 ¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[a] 6} Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

*******

 

    基督徒是被主耶穌所拯救的人，必須要有新生的樣式，要脫離過去被罪惡綑綁的生活方式，正如保羅再次宣告：「所以主說：你這睡著的人當醒過來，從死裡復活！基督就要光照你了。」

 

    也因為這樣基督徒要有不同的生活方式：要愛惜光陰，因為現今的世代邪惡。 不要作糊塗人，要明白主的旨意如何。不要醉酒，酒能使人放蕩；乃要被聖靈充滿。

 

    然我們這樣做不是要得主的恩典和賜福，反過來是我們已經得了主的恩典和賜福所以要活出榮耀上帝的生活！不僅如此，還讓我們盼望主耶穌應許的上帝國之榮耀，因為我們相信主的應許避不落空，雖然先在還在等候中，就如同已經享受到一樣。

 

 

 

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.

 

*******

 

    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！