【双语灵修】我是盐I AM SALT
马太福音 5:13-16
“你们是世上的盐。盐若失了味，怎能叫它再咸呢？以后无用，不过丢在外面，被人践踏了。你们是世上的光。城造在山上，是不能隐藏的。人点灯，不放在斗底下，是放在灯台上，就照亮一家的人。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。
5月22日
我是盐
“‘你们是世上的盐。盐若失了味，怎能叫它再咸呢？’” - 太 5:13
我妻子很喜欢咸的小吃，包括她至爱的椒盐卷饼、爆米花和洋芋片。在小吃、蔬菜和其他食物中放些盐，往往令它们更具吸引力，因为盐能加添味道。耶稣用这个比喻去阐明信徒在世上的独特角色。衪言下之意，是要我们像盐一样去在周边发挥类似的积极影响。
试想想盐有助溶解冰雪的作用，作为基督的跟随者，我们也可以去溶化这个世界常有的冷漠无情。那充满我们又从我们溢流出去的神之爱，是有能力去软化刚硬的心，溶解冷淡了的关系和化解分歧的。
再想想，盐能增加食物的味道，它往往能令食物更美味更可口。有基督在我们里面，我们也同样能为生活增添乐趣。我们的出现，可以把喜乐和热情注入我们的家庭、学校、工作场所和社区中。我们可以使聚会和环境变得更愉悦、积极和好客。
再者，盐更有防腐的功用。在还未有冷藏的日子，保存会腐坏食物的主要方法是用盐。同样，我们也可以扭转罪恶对世界的侵蚀。作为耶稣的跟随者，我们可以把神的医治和再生的力量带到任何环境中。
祷告
主耶稣，为着你的荣耀和这个世界的复原，求你使用我们，把有帮助的改变带到我们周边人的生命中。奉你的名祈求，阿们。
Matthew 5:13-16
THURSDAY, MAY 22
I AM SALT
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” — Matthew 5:13
My wife is fond of salty snacks. Pretzels, popcorn, and potato chips are among her favorites. It’s often appealing to add salt to snacks, vegetables, and other things we eat because it enhances the flavor. When Jesus used this metaphor, he was illustrating the believer’s distinctive role in the world. He implied that we are to add a similarly positive influence on our surroundings, in a way like salt can.
Think of how salt can melt snow and ice. As Christ-followers, we can help to thaw the cold indifference that this world often portrays. God’s love, which fills us and overflows from us, has the power to soften hardened hearts, thaw frozen relationships, and dissolve disagreements.
Think too of how salt enhances the flavor of foods, often making them more tasty and palatable. Christ’s presence within us can similarly add taste to life. Our presence can inject joy and zest into our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. We can help make gatherings and settings more pleasant, positive, and welcoming.
In addition, salt serves as a preservative. Before we had refrigeration, salt was the primary method of preserving perishable foods. Similarly, we can help to turn back the corrosive effects of sin in the world. As followers of Jesus, we can bring God’s healing, regenerative power to bear on all kinds of situations.
Lord Jesus, use us to bring helpful change in the lives of the people around us, for your glory and for the restoration of this world. Amen.