9月16日靈修禱文|DEVOTION

1 Timothy 5:21

If we have prejudice about people and use so-called "tinted glasses" to see people, this not only influences our judgment of things, but also creates a barrier between people.  Those who care for or counsel others should even avoid prejudged prejudices.  Paul reminded Timothy that exhorting other people is not about skills, but it is about being an example of believers in words, deeds, love, faith and cleanliness.  One's behavior should conform with words, and one should convince people by virtue. Zilu, a student of Confucius once said "Those who is righteous, act without orders.  Those who is sinful, resist dispite orders.".  It means that "if the leader himself is righteous, the people will consciously do it even if he doesn't give orders.  But if the leader is not righteous, the people will not obey even if he gives orders.".  In the presence of God and Jesus Christ, and under the witness by the angels, Paul’s advice to Timothy has similar moral lessons to the wisdom of the Chinese predecessors, and the two have similarities coincidently.  However, Paul's exhortation has even higher spiritual meaning.

Dear Lord! We are willing to act with wisdom, work with full enthusiasm, and demand ourselves to behave properly while encouraging others. However all these are not relied on ourselves, but the Holy Spirit.  Lord, we pray for your mercy on how to glorify your Holy name.

Rev. Eddie Chu

提摩太前書 5:21

我們若對人心存成見，用了所謂「有色眼鏡」看人，這樣不謹影響自己判斷事物，更會造成人與人之間的隔膜。關懷或輔導他人的，更切忌一些先入為主的偏見。保羅叮囑提摩太，勸勉别人不在乎技巧，更要在言語、行為、愛心、信心和清潔上作信徒的榜樣，言行一致，以德服人。孔子的學生子路說：「其身正，不令而行；其身不正，雖令不從。」意思是「領導自己身正，即使不下達命令，群衆也會自覺去做；領導自身不正，即使下達了命令，群衆也不會服從。」在上帝並基督耶穌面前，並且有天使見證下，保羅給提摩太的勸勉，與中國前人的智慧有相近的道德教訓，兩者有異曲同工之妙，不過，保羅叮嚀有更高的屬靈意義。

主啊！我們願意行事帶著智慧，作工充滿熱誠，勉勵他人的時候也同時要求自己行事端正，但這一切都不是靠著自己，而是倚靠聖靈。求主憐憫，怎樣榮耀你的聖名。

朱裕文 牧師