【双语灵修】为主发光“WE ARE GOD’S LIGHT IN THIS PLACE”

以弗所书 5:8-16

从前你们是暗昧的，但如今在主里面是光明的，行事为人就当像光明的子女——光明所结的果子就是一切良善、公义、诚实——总要察验何为主所喜悦的事。那暗昧无益的事不要与人同行，倒要责备行这事的人，因为他们暗中所行的，就是提起来也是可耻的。凡事受了责备，就被光显明出来，因为一切能显明的就是光。所以主说：「你这睡着的人，当醒过来，从死里复活，基督就要光照你了！」你们要谨慎行事，不要像愚昧人，当像智慧人。要爱惜光阴，因为现今的世代邪恶。

2月15日

「从前你们是暗昧的，但如今在主里面是光明的，行事为人就当像光明的子女——光明所结的果子就是一切良善、公义、诚实。」 -弗 5:8-9

有几年，我们在菲律宾马尼拉在一栋五层的公寓里，租了一间位于四楼的房子。公寓的管理员杰森是耶稣的信徒，有时他会在他的教会带领成人主日学。因为我是神学院的老师，所以他有时会请我帮忙备课。

在我们居住的期间，楼上的住户跟我们发生了一些纠纷。虽然我都不记得是什么问题了，但我却忘不了杰森在我征求他意见时的回答。他说：「我们必须小心处理这件事。我们在这个地方就是上帝的光，千万不要和对方针锋相对。」在他的建议下，我们与邻居进行了友好的交谈，并解决了矛盾。

杰森所说的「我们在这里是上帝的光」，让我想起了保罗在今天的经文中所说的话。我还想起耶稣说：「你们是世上的光……你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父。」（太 5:14-16）。认识到我们是神在这个世上的代表，会改变我们的生活和与人的关系。作为「光明之子」，我们要将神的光照进我们周围黑暗的世界中。

今天，你会如何向他人发出基督的亮光呢？

祷告

主啊，求祢保守我们远离罪恶，让我们发出祢的亮光，照亮这黑暗的世界——为他人作见证，并荣耀祢的名。奉耶稣的名求，阿们。

“WE ARE GOD’S LIGHT IN THIS PLACE”

You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth). . . .      —Ephesians 5:8-9

For a few years we rented a small fourth-floor apartment in a five-story tenement in Manila, the Philippines. Jason, the building manager, was a follower of Jesus. He led adult Sunday school classes in his church at times, and because I was a seminary teacher he would sometimes ask me for help in planning his lessons.

During our stay there, we had a problem with the occupants above us. I don’t even remember what the problem was, but I can’t forget Jason’s response when I asked for his advice. He said, “We have to be careful how we handle this. We are God’s light in this place. Let’s not be confrontational.” With that advice, we were able to talk cordially with our neighbor and resolve the matter.

Jason’s words “We are God’s light in this place” remind me of Paul’s words in our Bible passage today. I am also reminded that Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). Knowing that we are God’s agents in this world can transform our lives and our relationships. Living “as children of light,” we can shine God’s light into the darkness in the world around us.

How will you shine the light of Christ to others today?

Lord, keep us from sin and make your light in us shine brightly in this dark world—for your glory and as a witness to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.