约翰福音 14:15-21

你们若爱我，就必遵守我的命令。“我要求父，父就另外赐给你们一位保惠师，叫他永远与你们同在，就是真理的圣灵，乃世人不能接受的，因为不见他，也不认识他。你们却认识他，因他常与你们同在，也要在你们里面。我不撇下你们为孤儿，我必到你们这里来。还有不多的时候，世人不再看见我，你们却看见我，因为我活着，你们也要活着。到那日，你们就知道我在父里面，你们在我里面，我也在你们里面。“有了我的命令又遵守的，这人就是爱我的。爱我的必蒙我父爱他，我也要爱他，并且要向他显现。”

十诫：生命之言

Kurt Selles

八月，我们将一起探索十诫—我们从神领受的生命之言。神在这些诫命中颁布的律法，为我们如何在世界上生活奠定了基本根基。如果我们用一个词来概括这些诫命，那就是“爱”。因为，正如耶稣在《马太福音》22章37-40节中表明，诫命教导我们要“尽心、尽性、尽意爱主我们的神”，以及“爱我们身边的众人”。

作者Kurt Selles牧师在2026年7月退休前担任ReFrame Ministries的总监。该机构负责出版“每日箴言”本灵修资料。他毕业于加尔文学院暨神学院（Calvin College and Seminary），并在范德堡大学（Vanderbilt University）获得了博士学位。在加入ReFrame之前，Kurt曾在基督教改革宗世界宣教团（CRC World Missions）服侍，在台湾和中国大陆宣教19年。此后，Kurt在比森神学院（Beeson Divinity School）教授宣教学，并兼任该校全球中心的总监。Kurt和妻子薇琪（Vicki）现定居于大急流城（Grand Rapids），他们育有三个已成年的孩子。

8月31日

信靠顺服

“你们若爱我，就必遵守我的命令。” - 约翰福音 14:15

当我默想十诫时，一首古老的福音诗歌总是在我脑海中回响：《信靠顺服》。（译注：英语经典圣诗 Trust and Obey。）这首简朴的圣诗，唱出了我们为主而活的生命基石：信靠神，并以行动去顺服。因着对神的信靠，我们每日转向祂，仰赖祂的恩手扶持。如此，我们便能在基督里那永不衰残的新生命中，得着那直到永远的属天喜乐。

十诫向我们显明并揭示我们的罪—那根深蒂固的败坏，以及无法按着呼召去爱神与爱邻舍的软弱。然而，藉着圣灵对我们内心恩慈的洁净与更新，使我们踏上了一条顺服的新路。在这条新路上，神的诫命成为了我们心存感恩、顺服神而活的指引。

尽管我们在今生仍然需要不断与罪搏斗，神每天依然呼召我们要信靠并顺服祂。十诫以及其他对神律法的总结—如《弥迦书》6章8节；《罗马书》12 章；《哥林多前书》13 章；《加拉太书》5章22-25节；《以弗所书》2章8-10节等——都是这条道路上信实的指引。

正如诗歌所唱，当我们信靠顺服神时，我们可以期待在“耶稣里得喜乐”。事实上，更清晰的描述是：因那根植于神在救主耶稣基督里，向我们所显的奇妙恩典，与大爱的满足和惊叹，我们可以满有喜乐。

今天，你可以通过哪些方式，与他人分享在基督里新生命的喜乐呢？

祷告

我主我神，求你帮助我们行在你话语的光中，在凡事上信靠并顺服你，使我们的生命溢满你的喜乐。阿们。

John 14:15-21

MONDAY, AUGUST 31

TRUST AND OBEY

“If you love me, keep my commands.” —John 14:15

As I’ve been reflecting on the Ten Commandments, an old gospel song keeps running through my mind: “Trust and Obey.” This simple hymn expresses the bedrock faith and action of seeking to live for the Lord. By trusting God and, through his strength, turning to him for support each day, we find joy in the new life we are promised forever in Christ.

The Ten Commandments reveal to us and convict us of our sin, our deeply ingrained failure and inability to love God and our neighbors as we are called to do. But through the gracious cleansing and renewing of our hearts, the Holy Spirit sets us on a new path of obedience. And on this new path, God’s commands become a guide for gratefully living in obedience to God.

Though we continue to struggle with sin in this life, God still calls us daily to trust him and obey him. The Ten Commandments and other helpful summaries of God’s law—Micah 6:8; Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 2:8-10; and more—are faithful guides along the way.

When we trust and obey the Lord, as the song puts it, we can expect to be “happy in Jesus.” Actually, a clearer description is that we can be joyful through the inner contentment and wonder grounded in God’s amazing grace and love for us in the Savior, Jesus Christ.

In what ways can you share the joy of new life in Christ with others today?

Help us, Lord God, to walk in the light of your Word, trusting and obeying you in all things, so that our lives overflow with your joy. Amen.

马太福音 22:34-40

法利赛人听见耶稣堵住了撒都该人的口，他们就聚集。内中有一个人是律法师，要试探耶稣，就问他说：“夫子，律法上的诫命哪一条是最大的呢？”耶稣对他说：“你要尽心、尽性、尽意爱主你的神。这是诫命中的第一，且是最大的。其次也相仿，就是要爱人如己。这两条诫命是律法和先知一切道理的总纲。”

8月30日

真实且完美的爱

“这两条诫命是律法和先知一切（道理）的总纲。” - 马太福音 22:40

童年时，我和兄弟们常在祖母家玩《圣经》百科问答游戏。正是那一张张小小的游戏卡片，启蒙了我们对《圣经》世界与信仰事实的认知：“说出以色列十二支派的名字”、“说出十二使徒的名字”、“按顺序背诵十诫”，时至今日，我不确定自己是否还能毫不犹疑地回答出其中任何一个问题。

然而，我能够对十诫做一个基本的概括。当耶稣面对律法师的试探时，祂早已为我们做出了最完美的示范。祂总结了神所定的两条核心准则，使我们能与神、与他人保持合宜的团契关系。耶稣建基于整个旧约的根基，总括“你要尽心、尽性、尽意爱主你的神，并要爱邻舍如同自己。”（参见《马太福音》22:37-40）

若我们进一步钻研这个耶稣的总结，便会发现那个至关重要的关键字：“爱”。可悲的是，自人类堕落犯罪以来，我们本性的倾向，乃是恨神与恨人。唯有当神更新了我们的心，我们才能真正爱祂，才能生出真正爱他人的力量。而对邻舍真诚的爱，恰恰成了我们真正爱神的明证。

虽然我们对神和对人的爱并不完全，但那作为十诫根基的完全之爱，已在耶稣基督里得到完美的彰显。基督那完全的爱，绝非微不足道的点缀。在我们定意跟随祂的路上，祂那完全的爱，理应成为我们最高的生命标竿。

祷告

我们在天上的父，求你重塑我们的心，使我们能真实地爱你，并爱人如己。奉耶稣的名求，阿们。

Matthew 22:34-40

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30

TRUE AND PERFECT LOVE

“All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” —Matthew 22:40

As boys, my brothers and I often played a Bible trivia game at our grandmother’s house. The game cards helped to hone our knowledge of various facts in the Bible. “Name the twelve tribes of Israel.” “Name the twelve apostles.” “List the Ten Commandments in order.” Today, I’m not sure I could answer any of these questions without stumbling.

I can, however, give a basic summary of the Ten Commandments. When tested by a teacher of the law, Jesus did that for us. He summarized God’s two main principles for living in a right relationship with the Lord and with others. Drawing on the foundation of the entire Old Testament, Jesus said, in effect, “You shall love God with your entire being, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (see Matthew 22:37-40).

If we distill Jesus’ summary a step further, we also find the essential keyword: love.

Tragically, since the fall into sin, our natural inclination is to hate God and others. Only when God has renewed our hearts can we truly love him. We can also begin truly loving others. And when we truly love others, we demonstrate that we truly love God.

Though our love for God and others will never be perfect, the perfect love on which the Ten Commandments are based is perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ. There’s nothing trivial about Christ’s perfect love. His perfect love should be our highest aim as we seek to follow him.

Our Father in heaven, remold our hearts to love you truly and to love others as we love ourselves. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

腓立比书 4:4-9

你们要靠主常常喜乐，我再说，你们要喜乐！ 当叫众人知道你们谦让的心。主已经近了。 应当一无挂虑，只要凡事藉着祷告、祈求和感谢，将你们所要的告诉神。 神所赐出人意外的平安，必在基督耶稣里保守你们的心怀意念。 弟兄们，我还有未尽的话，凡是真实的、可敬的、公义的、清洁的、可爱的、有美名的，若有什么德行，若有什么称赞，这些事你们都要思念。 你们在我身上所学习的、所领受的、所听见的、所看见的，这些事你们都要去行，赐平安的神就必与你们同在。

8月29日

重整的渴望

“若有什么德行，若有什么称赞，这些事你们都要思念。” - 腓立比书 4:8

有些人声称，我们只需短短21天就能建立一个好习惯。另一些人则认为，养成一个好习惯需要更长的时间—在66天到254天之间。那么，凭着善意志的努力和自律，我们能否让自己养成遵守“十诫”的习惯呢？

不。只有当我们承认自己需要藉着基督罪得赦免，并当圣灵将那崭新的、永恒的生命吹入我们里面时，我们才能开启为主而活的全新旅程。虽然绝非我们发起并成就这“义”，我们却有责任去活出与那神圣呼召相称的人生。

在今天的经文中，使徒保罗为我们如何活出基督徒的生命，提供了一些有益的指导。他说：“应当一无挂虑，只要凡事藉着祷告、祈求，和感谢，将你们所要的告诉神。神那出人意外的平安必在基督耶稣里保守你们的心怀意念。”（《腓立比书》4:6-7。）

保罗还敦促我们，凡是真实的、可敬的、公义的、清洁的、可爱的、有美名的，若有什么德行，若有什么称赞，这些事我们都要思念。如此，当我们日复一日地“靠圣灵行事”（《加拉太书》5:25），我们就能养成讨神喜悦的圣洁习惯。

当我们专注于讨神喜悦的事，并靠着圣灵努力以感恩之心顺服祂，我们对祂以及对他人的爱，便会与日俱增。

祷告

圣灵啊，感谢你赐下救赎之爱。求你在耶稣里更新我们的心怀意念，使我们专心讨你喜悦，并去爱他人。阿们。

Philippians 4:4-9

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

REORDERED DESIRES

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. —Philippians 4:8

Some people claim that we can establish a good habit in as little as 21 days. Others say it takes much longer—between 66 and 254 days—to form a good habit. By sheer effort and discipline, can we will ourselves into a habit of keeping the Ten Commandments?

No. We can only begin on a new path of living for the Lord when we recognize that we need our sins forgiven through Christ and as the Holy Spirit breathes new, eternal life into us. Then, although initiating and achieving righteousness is not up to us, we are responsible to live as God calls us to do.

In our reading for today the apostle Paul offers some helpful instructions for focusing our minds on practical Christian living. “In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,” he says. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Paul also urges that we focus on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Then, day by day, as we “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25), we can form holy habits that please God.

When we concentrate on what’s pleasing to God while striving, in the Spirit, to obey him in gratitude, we become more loving toward him and others.

Holy Spirit, thank you for the gift of redeeming love. Renew our hearts and desires in Jesus to focus on pleasing you and loving others. Amen.

罗马书 7:7-12

这样，我们可说什么呢？律法是罪吗？断乎不是。只是非因律法，我就不知何为罪。非律法说“不可起贪心”，我就不知何为贪心。 然而罪趁着机会，就藉着诫命叫诸般的贪心在我里头发动，因为没有律法罪是死的。 我以前没有律法是活着的，但是诫命来到，罪又活了，我就死了。那本来叫人活的诫命，反倒叫我死；因为罪趁着机会，就藉着诫命引诱我，并且杀了我。这样看来，律法是圣洁的，诫命也是圣洁、公义、良善的。

8月28日

内心的诫命

“非律法说‘不可起贪心’，我就不知何为贪心。” - 罗马书 7:7

大多数人都认同，我们最近讨论的这些诫命——关于促进公义、诚实、尊重他人及其财产等等，为社会群体生活提供了清晰且实用的界限。类似的准则在世界各地的各类社会中都能找到。

我们甚至可能像古代以色列许多属神的子民那样，认为遵守这些诫命是可能的。然而，律法并不能满足神对我们内心的要求。使徒保罗与自己内心的黑暗搏斗时，痛苦地意识到了这一点。尽管他曾经以为自己能努力遵守这些诫命，但当他读到“不可起贪心”时，他的心被刺痛了。神命令我们不仅要通过行为，更要发自内心去彰显爱。按照这个标准，我们都在“爱人”这件事上亏欠了神。

感谢神，我们的内心的顽疾是可以医治的。保罗在《罗马书》5章8节说：“唯有基督在我们还作罪人的时候为我们死。”唯有耶稣才能完全满足律法中，关于完美顺服与爱的要求。既然我们因着耶稣为我们所做的牺牲而蒙赦免，圣灵便赐给我们一颗新心，使我们转而爱神，并爱邻舍。

我们在基督里的新生命，使我们超越了流于表面的外在顺服。藉着全然信靠耶稣，我们那颗躁动不安的心，唯独在祂里面得着了真正的安息与满足，从而赋予了我们真诚去爱他人的生命能力。

祷告

主耶稣，感谢你拯救了我们。求你的灵充满我们的心，使我们能像你爱我们那样去爱别人。阿们。

Romans 7:7-12

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28

THE HEART COMMAND

I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” —Romans 7:7

Most people agree that the commandments we have been discussing lately—about promoting justice, honesty, respect for others and their property, and more—offer clear, practical boundaries for living together in society. Guidelines like these are found in all kinds of societies around the world.

We might even think, like many of God’s people in ancient Israel did, that keeping these commands is possible. But the law doesn’t satisfy God’s requirements for our hearts. The apostle Paul painfully realized this when he wrestled with the darkness in his own heart. Though he thought he had been able to keep these commandments through his actions, he was cut to the heart when he read, “You shall not covet.” God commands that we show love not only through our actions but also with our hearts. By this standard, we are all guilty of failing to love others.

Thankfully, our heart problem can be solved. “While we were still sinners,” Paul writes in Romans 5:8, “Christ died for us.” Jesus is the only one who could ever satisfy the demands of God’s law for perfect obedience and love. And since we are forgiven through Jesus’ sacrifice for our sake, the Holy Spirit gives us new hearts directed toward loving God and our neighbors.

Our new life in Christ moves us beyond mere outward obedience. By trusting Jesus, our restless hearts find true satisfaction in him alone, so that we can truly love others.

Jesus, thank you for rescuing us. By your Spirit, fill our hearts so that we can love others as you have loved us. Amen.

出埃及记 20:17；腓立比书4:11-13

“不可贪恋人的房屋，也不可贪恋人的妻子、仆婢、牛驴并他一切所有的。”我并不是因缺乏说这话，我无论在什么景况都可以知足，这是我已经学会了。我知道怎样处卑贱，也知道怎样处丰富，或饱足或饥饿，或有余或缺乏，随事随在，我都得了秘诀。我靠着那加给我力量的，凡事都能做。

8月27日

良药解毒

“我无论在什么景况都可以知足，这是我已经学会了。” - 腓立比书 4:11

被响尾蛇咬伤后，正确的解毒剂能迅速中和在体内蔓延的毒液，使伤者免于死亡，重获健康。从属灵层面来看，贪婪之罪就是这种源头毒素，一旦侵入，便会无休止地诱发我们生命中其余的罪恶。

第十诫禁止我们贪恋邻舍的一切。当我们贪图属于他人的东西时，内心会对那些事物产生极深的渴望，而他人就成了阻碍我们满足欲望的绊脚石。贪婪与嫉妒交织在一起，这些罪使我们的灵魂躁动不安，让心中充满苦毒与怨恨的毒素，从而使我们的生命枯萎。

然而，《圣经》提供了一剂强效的属灵解药。保罗在监狱中写信给腓立比教会，当时他被剥夺了一切，包括自由。他给出了一个简单直接的处方：学会对神已经恩慈赐予的一切心存知足。在最基本的层面上，“知足”意味着信靠神，相信祂深知什么对我们最好，并且必定供应我们所需要的。深层的知足还会引导我们，为神恩慈赐予他人的一切而欢喜。

知足，绝非一剂立竿见影的特效药。它是一场漫长、有时甚至伴随着撕裂之痛的生命蜕变。在这场旷日持久的医治里，我们不断向着那个贪婪的老我死去，并在那为我们钉死的基督里，被重新塑造为知足的新人。

祷告

主啊，求你赦免我们的贪婪。求你帮助我们仰望你，以寻求一切美善之事，并为你在他人身上所施予的一切而欢欣。阿们。

Exodus 20:17; Philippians 4:11-13

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27

THE RIGHT ANTIDOTE

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. —Philippians 4:11

If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, the right antidote can neutralize or block the venom that begins spreading into your body. The antidote can prevent death or even sickness.

Spiritually speaking, the sin of coveting can also introduce a poison that can lead to committing other sins in our lives.

The tenth commandment forbids us from coveting anything that belongs to our neighbor. When we covet what belongs to others, we develop a deep longing for what they have, and these other persons become little more than an obstacle to the fulfillment of our desires. Coveting becomes intertwined with envy, and these sins diminish us too, by making our spirits restless and filling our hearts with the toxins of bitterness and resentment.

But the Bible offers a powerful spiritual antidote. Paul wrote to the Philippians from prison, where everything had been taken from him, including his freedom. And he offers his own straightforward prescription: learn to live in contentment with what God has already graciously provided. At the most basic level, contentment means trusting that God knows what’s best for us and will always provide what we need. Deep contentment also leads us to rejoice in what God has graciously given to others.

Contentment is not a quickacting antidote. It comes gradually through the long, sometimes painful process of dying to ourselves and being made new in Christ, who died for us.

Lord, forgive our coveting. Help us to look to you for all good things and to rejoice in all you have given others. Amen.

以弗所书 4:14-16

使我们不再做小孩子，中了人的诡计和欺骗的法术，被一切异教之风摇动飘来飘去，就随从各样的异端，唯用爱心说诚实话，凡事长进，连于元首基督。全身都靠他联络得合式，百节各按各职，照着各体的功用彼此相助，便叫身体渐渐增长，在爱中建立自己。

8月26日

力求平衡

“惟用爱心说诚实话，凡事长进，连于元首基督。” - 以弗所书 4:15

有时，艰难的谈话是不可避免的。也许你需要与家人、邻舍或同事讨论一个很棘手的困境。你可能正对此感到畏缩，但你深知必须面对。在艰难的谈话中，最挑战的部分，莫过于在诚实直言与心存怜悯之间，取得恰到好处的平衡。说话若不诚实、不合真理，就有导致误解的风险；而说话若缺乏怜悯，则有破坏关系的危险。

使徒保罗为我们提供了纯正而深邃的属灵智慧，帮助我们跨越这些艰难的对话。为教会生活奠定了耶稣基督那磐石般的根基之后，保罗在《以弗所书》第4章中，为信徒如何成熟地过合一的生活，提出了实际的建议。根据保罗的教导，尽管基督赐予教会一些会众有教导和领导的恩赐，但祂呼召每一位成员都要在生命中迈向成熟，并竭力保守教会的合一。保罗说，这样我们便不会被“异教之风”摇动，或被“诡诈的法术”迷惑。相反，当我们在爱中说诚实话（用爱心说真理）时，我们就会在凡事上长进，连于元首基督。

在圣灵的引导与赐福下，唯有在真理与爱心之间持守平衡，基督的身体才能真正的增长，迈向成熟。因此，无论是轻松的闲谈还是艰难的对话，真理与爱心都应当成为我们所有言语的指标。

祷告

主啊，无论我们身处何地，你都以真理和爱心向我们说话。求你帮助我们在任何境遇中，都能以真理和爱心与他人对话。阿们。

Ephesians 4:14-16

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26

STRIKING A BALANCE

Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. —Ephesians 4:15

Sometimes hard conversations are necessary. Perhaps you need to discuss a painfully difficult situation with a family member, a neighbor, or a colleague. Maybe you are dreading it, but you know you must do it. The hardest part of a difficult conversation is to strike the right balance between speaking honestly and speaking with compassion. Speaking without honesty and truth risks misunderstanding, and speaking without compassion risks destroying the relationship.

When we need help with hard conversations, the apostle Paul provides some sound spiritual wisdom. After laying out the rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ in the life of the church, Paul provides practical advice in Ephesians 4 for living together in maturity and unity. According to Paul, though Christ has given some members in the church gifts for teaching and leadership, he calls every member to grow in maturity and to strive for unity in the church. Then we will not be blown around “by every wind of teaching” and “deceitful scheming,” he says. Instead, we will grow mature as we speak the truth in love.

With the Holy Spirit’s guidance and blessing, when we keep truth and love in balance, we can expect that growth and maturity will take place in the body of Christ. Truth and love should guide all of our conversations, whether they are easy or difficult.

Lord, you speak to us with truth and love wherever we are. Help us also to speak with others in all situations with truth and love. Amen.

约翰福音 8:42-45

耶稣说：“倘若神是你们的父，你们就必爱我。因为我本是出于神，也是从神而来；并不是由着自己来，乃是他差我来。你们为什么不明白我的话呢？无非是因你们不能听我的道。你们是出于你们的父魔鬼，你们父的私欲你们偏要行。他从起初是杀人的，不守真理，因他心里没有真理。他说谎是出于自己，因他本来是说谎的，也是说谎之人的父。我将真理告诉你们，你们就因此不信我。

8月25日

弥天大谎

“蛇对女人说：‘你们不一定死……’” - 创世记 3:4

有时，基于礼貌或顾及他人的感受，我们可能会听到、甚至说出一些“善意的谎言”。虽然并不提倡，但这类谎言跟那些出于冷酷的私利、为谋取个人好处，甚至怀着恶意去伤害他人的谎言，本质上有很大区别。在人类历史上，所有的谎言中，最公然、最恶毒的谎言，莫过于魔鬼在伊甸园里诱惑亚当和夏娃时所说的那句话（《创世记》3章）。

那时，撒但化身为蛇，针对神“不可吃园中那棵树上果子”的命令，以及严重后果，撒下了弥天大谎。魔鬼企图以此破坏神对受造物的完美旨意，并永远摧毁祂所造的人类。撒但对神自身的真实性（Truthfulness）撒了谎，它的虚假暗示唤醒了我们始祖内心的嫉妒与欲望。自那天起，那场欺骗的余震便在我们的世界里不断回荡，延绵出无尽的敌对、苦难与死亡。耶稣的降临，正是为了将我们从这场宿命般的毁灭中拯救出来，祂一针见血地指出撒但是“谎言之父”。

如何胜过这世上谎言的致命伤害呢？我们应当承认神绝不撒谎（《希伯来书》6:18），而且祂憎恶谎言。我们要转向耶稣，祂是真光，是生命的真理（《约翰福音》14:6），求祂帮助我们辨明真理，并在所到之处，向我们的邻舍传递真理。如此，我们便成为了神救赎计划的同工，将祂的真实与慈爱化为生命，分享给这个世界。

祷告

众光之父，愿我们的言语始终浸润在爱与怜悯之中，好彰显你的真理。奉耶稣的名祷告。阿们。

John 8:42-45

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25

A BLATANT LIE

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said. . . . —Genesis 3:4

Sometimes we might hear or even tell little lies in attempts to be polite or to spare someone’s feelings. Though not recommended, those kinds of lies are far different from lies that are told out of callous self-interest for personal gain or even malice to harm others. Of all the lies told in history, the most blatant, malicious lie of all took place when the devil tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3).

There Satan, appearing as a serpent, lied about the consequences of disobeying God’s command not to eat the fruit of one of the trees in the garden. In this way the devil aimed to thwart God’s design for his creation and to mar his human creatures forever. Satan lied about God’s own truthfulness. His false insinuation awakened a jealousy and desire in our first parents, and the results have reverberated across our world ever since that day, causing hostility, suffering, and death. Jesus came to save us from the certain destruction we would face, and he called Satan out as “the father of lies.”

How do we overcome the deadly shadow of lies in our world? We do so by acknowledging that God never lies (Hebrews 6:18) and that he hates lying. And we turn to Jesus, the true light and living truth (John 14:6), asking him to help us recognize the truth and to share it with our neighbors everywhere. Doing so, we begin to participate in God’s redemption plan by sharing his truthfulness and love with all people.

Father of light, may our words embody your truth in genuine love and mercy always. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

出埃及记 20:16；箴言 14:21-27

“不可作假见证陷害人。藐视邻舍的，这人有罪；怜悯贫穷的，这人有福。谋恶的，岂非走入迷途吗？谋善的，必得慈爱和诚实。诸般勤劳都有益处，嘴上多言乃致穷乏。智慧人的财为自己的冠冕，愚妄人的愚昧终是愚昧。作真见证的救人性命，吐出谎言的施行诡诈。敬畏耶和华的大有倚靠，他的儿女也有避难所。敬畏耶和华就是生命的泉源，可以使人离开死亡的网罗。

8月24日

真理与公义

“不可作假见证陷害人。” - 出埃及记 20:16

律政剧之所以往往能呈现出引人入胜、扣人心弦的故事，是因为法庭上聚焦了人类社会共同生活的两个最核心的支柱——真理与公义。而这两个核心概念，恰恰构成了《圣经》第九诫“不可作假见证陷害人”的基础原则。

在解决争端时，古代以色列既没有警察部队，也没有犯罪实验室来提供物证，他们必须完全依靠证人的证词来断定是非。在涉及谋杀等生死攸关的重案中，情况尤其如此：唯有凭借至少两名证人的证言，罪案的真相方能水落石出。如此，公义才能彰显—既保护了无辜者，也追究了作恶者的责任。而一旦发现证人作假，那人必承受最严厉的惩罚（《申命记》19:19）。

没有诚实，遑论社会的公义。当人被谎言耳濡目染，整个社区和邻舍的生活便会陷入动荡混乱。令人悲哀的是，由于当今社会谎言与虚假信息横行，人们已很难信任某些言论。我们必须认定，诚实正直是至关重要，神绝不撒谎，当我们立志去爱祂，并爱邻舍时，也当效法祂的诚实。

祷告

主啊，你用言语的大能创造了天地。求你帮助我们，使我们总能以诚实的话语来荣耀你并尊重他人。阿们。

Exodus 20:16; Proverbs 14:21-27

MONDAY, AUGUST 24

TRUTH AND JUSTICE

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” —Exodus 20:16

Courtroom dramas can make for interesting and engaging stories. Why? Because often in a court of law, two of the most basic concerns for living together in society come into sharp focus: truth and justice. These two main concepts are the foundational principles behind the ninth commandment: “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”

In settling a dispute between two parties, the ancient people of Israel had neither a police force nor crime labs to produce evidence. They had to rely on the testimony of witnesses to resolve legal disputes. This was especially true in highstakes cases involving murder. Only on the testimony of at least two witnesses could the truth of a crime be discovered. Then justice could be served to protect the innocent and hold the guilty accountable. And if a witness was found to be a liar, that person received the harshest of penalties (Deuteronomy 19:19).

Justice in society is impossible without truth-telling. When all that people ever hear is lies, their life together as citizens and neighbors is reduced to uncertainty and chaos. Sadly, because of rampant lying and disinformation in our societies today, it’s difficult to trust anything some people say. We need to see the utter importance of telling the truth.

God never lies. Nor should we, as we seek to love him and our neighbors.

With the power of your words, Lord, you created the heavens and the earth. Help us to honor you and others with truthful words always. Amen.

帖撒罗尼迦前书 4:9-12

论到弟兄们相爱，不用人写信给你们，因为你们自己蒙了神的教训，叫你们彼此相爱。你们向马其顿全地的众弟兄固然是这样行，但我劝弟兄们要更加勉励。又要立志做安静人，办自己的事，亲手做工，正如我们从前所吩咐你们的，叫你们可以向外人行事端正，自己也就没有什么缺乏了。

8月23日

亲手作工

“又要立志作安静人，办自己的事，亲手做工……” - 帖撒罗尼迦前书 4:11

你是否注意到，十诫中的大多数诫命都是以否定句式开头的，即“不可……”。在第六至第十条诫命中，这些否定的命令为我们如何待人，划定了清晰、具体的界限。例如，若没有“不可偷盗”这条诫命，我们便无法与邻舍和睦同居。偷窃与欺诈，不仅在摧毁信任，更是在树立仇敌。

保罗在写给帖撒罗尼迦基督徒的信中，为尊重他人的财产提供了切实可行的建议：“亲手做工”。这是否意味着《圣经》只认可体力劳动作为生计呢？并非如此。我们可以通过各种正当的工作来荣耀神并爱邻舍。保罗在这段经文中所表达的是：工作本身是美好的。工作是一份恩赐，也是一种资源，反映了我们的造物主，祂正以各样的创意信实地作工。当我们运用神所赐的恩赐和才干勤奋工作时，我们便能赢得他人的尊重，并避免过度依赖他人。

自人类堕落犯罪以来，偷窃便一直存在。今日，对他人权益与财物的巧取豪夺，似乎比以往任何时候都更加猖獗。相对之下，若我们能以感恩和知足的心，来使用神所赐予的一切，就能向世人展示如何按照神的心意过团契生活。这也能帮助我们与人分享神所赐予我们的一切。

祷告

主啊，我们所拥有的一切都是你所赐的礼物。求你帮助我们运用你所赐的恩赐与才干，去彰显你的爱，并传递你赐给我们的丰盛祝福。阿们。

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23

WORKING WITH OUR HANDS

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands. . . . . —1 Thessalonians 4:11

Have you noticed that most of the Ten Commandments begin with a negative order, saying, “You shall not . . .”? In commandments six through ten, the negative orders set clear, concrete boundaries for how we are to treat people. Without the command “You shall not steal,” for instance, it would be impossible to live together with our neighbors. Stealing and deceit destroy trust and create enemies.

In his letter to the Christians at Thessalonica, Paul offers solid advice for respecting the property of others: “Work with your hands.” Does this mean the Bible only approves of livelihoods involving manual labor? No, we can glorify God and love others with all kinds of honorable work we can do. What Paul suggests in this passage is that work itself is good. Work is a gift and a resource, and it reflects our Maker, who works faithfully with all kinds of creativity. When we work diligently, using the gifts and talents that God gives us, we earn others’ respect and avoid being overly dependent.

Theft has been with us since human beings fell into sin. But today it can seem as if taking advantage of others and their possessions is more rampant than ever. In contrast, by using what God gives us in gratitude and contentment, we can show others how to live in community as God has designed us to do. And this can help us share with others what God has given us.

Lord, all that we have is a gift from you. Help us to use our gifts and talents to share your love and your blessings to us with others. Amen.

以弗所书 4:17-28

所以我说，且在主里确实地说：你们行事不要再像外邦人，存虚妄的心行事。他们心地昏昧，与神所赐的生命隔绝了，都因自己无知，心里刚硬；良心既然丧尽，就放纵私欲，贪行种种的污秽。你们学了基督，却不是这样。如果你们听过他的道，领了他的教，学了他的真理，就要脱去你们从前行为上的旧人，这旧人是因私欲的迷惑渐渐变坏的；又要将你们的心志改换一新，并且穿上新人，这新人是照着神的形象造的，有真理的仁义和圣洁。所以你们要弃绝谎言，各人与邻舍说实话，因为我们是互相为肢体。生气却不要犯罪，不可含怒到日落，也不可给魔鬼留地步。从前偷窃的，不要再偷，总要劳力，亲手做正经事，就可有余，分给那缺少的人。

8月22日

尊重财产

“从前偷窃的，不要再偷；总要劳力，亲手做正经事，就可有（余）分给那缺少的人。” - 以弗所书 4:28

你能猜到，放眼世界，哪一种罪行最为普遍吗？

如果你猜的是偷窃，那就对了—顺手牵羊、入室盗窃、盗用身份、信用卡欺诈、偷税漏税、挪用公款、贪污受贿、偷窃车辆、剽窃抄袭等等。窃取他人财物的方式如此之多，难于一一列举。

在第八诫—“不可偷盗”（《出埃及记》20:15），我们可以看到神憎恶偷窃。为什么神如此严厉地谴责剥夺、侵占他人财产的行为呢？

问题的根源在于，当我们夺取神赐予他人的东西时，哪怕数量微小，我们也是在贬低他们。这种行为，是将他人及其财物，降格为我们想要利用或据为己有的“资源”。此外，当我们强夺他人的财物时，实际上也剥夺了他们作为“上帝管家”的职分，让他们失去了为神所赐的东西向祂感恩、以及造福他人的机会。归根结底，偷窃不仅仅是财产和财物的转移，更是对人类神圣身份的极其轻慢，因为我们是“照着神的形象造的，有真理的仁义和圣洁”。（参《以弗所书》4:24）

第八诫提醒我们，在为自己的需要而仰望神时，也彰显了对他人的爱。

祷告

主神啊，我们所拥有的一切都是从你而来的托付。求你帮助我们忠心地照管、使用，并保护你所赐予我们的一切。阿们。

Ephesians 4:17-28

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22

RESPECTING PROPERTY

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. —Ephesians 4:28

Can you guess what the most common crime is in any country?

If you guess that stealing is the most common crime, that’s right—shoplifting, burglary, identity theft, credit card fraud, tax evasion, embezzlement, graft, car theft, plagiarism, and more. There are so many ways to steal from others that it can be tricky to list them all.

In the eighth commandment —“You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15)—we can see that God loathes theft.

Why does God condemn the taking of others’ property, possessions, and more?

The root problem is that when we take what God has given to others, even in small amounts, we demean them. We do so by reducing others and their possessions to “resources” that we want to use or just keep for ourselves. Moreover, when we take from others, we rob them of the opportunity to be stewards of what God has given them to show gratitude to him and to bless others. Ultimately, theft isn’t just a shifting of property and possessions; it shows contempt for the fact that we are “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

The eighth commandment reminds us that in trusting God for our own needs, we also display our love for others.

Lord, God, all that we have is a trust from you. Help us to faithfully take care of and use what you have given us and to protect what you have given to others. Amen.

出埃及记 20:15；约书亚记 7:16-26

“不可偷盗。于是，约书亚清早起来，使以色列人按着支派近前来，取出来的是犹大支派；使犹大支派近前来，就取了谢拉的宗族；使谢拉的宗族，按着家室人丁，一个一个地近前来，取出来的是撒底；使撒底的家室，按着人丁，一个一个地近前来，就取出犹大支派的人谢拉的曾孙、撒底的孙子、迦米的儿子亚干。约书亚对亚干说：“我儿，我劝你将荣耀归给耶和华以色列的神，在他面前认罪，将你所做的事告诉我，不要向我隐瞒。”亚干回答约书亚说：“我实在得罪了耶和华以色列的神！我所做的事如此如此：我在所夺的财物中看见一件美好的示拿衣服，二百舍客勒银子，一条金子重五十舍客勒，我就贪爱这些物件，便拿去了。现今藏在我帐篷内的地里，银子在衣服底下。”约书亚就打发人跑到亚干的帐篷里，那件衣服果然藏在他帐篷内，银子在底下。他们就从帐篷里取出来，拿到约书亚和以色列众人那里，放在耶和华面前。约书亚和以色列众人把谢拉的曾孙亚干和那银子、那件衣服、那条金子，并亚干的儿女、牛、驴、羊、帐篷，以及他所有的，都带到亚割谷去。约书亚说：“你为什么连累我们呢？今日耶和华必叫你受连累。”于是以色列众人用石头打死他，将石头扔在其上，又用火焚烧他所有的。众人在亚干身上堆成一大堆石头，直存到今日。于是耶和华转意，不发他的烈怒。因此那地方名叫亚割谷，直到今日。

8月21日

侵犯财产的罪

“不可偷盗。” - 出埃及记 20:15

《约书亚记》第7章中关于亚干的故事令人深感不安。在攻打耶利哥城的战役中，亚干暗中偷了一件华丽的示拿衣服和一些金银。为了掩人耳目，他将这些赃物埋在了自家的帐棚底下。亚干的过犯残酷地突显了一个真理：违背第八诫—‘不可偷盗’，所付出的代价是极其惨痛的。

亚干欺哄了耶和华，因为神曾严厉吩咐以色列人，在耶利哥战役中绝不可私拿任何当灭的物。然而，亚干并非第一个欺哄神的人。早在伊甸园里，我们的始祖违背神的命令，摘下分别善恶树上的果子时，就已经开始了欺哄神的行为（《创世记》3章）。亚当、夏娃以及许多人在偷窃属神之物时，显明了他们的不诚实，以及对神必供应他们一切的需用，应许缺乏信心。神憎恶我们的不诚实，也憎恶我们未能信靠祂那确实的供应。亚干的罪不仅让他和全家遭受了最严厉的结局，更导致以色列全会众一同蒙受苦难。而亚当和夏娃偷窃的后果则更为可怕，影响了他们所有的后裔，包括我们每一个人。然而，即使他们犯罪之后，我们仍然看见神对罪人的恩慈。就在犯罪现场，神应许了一位救主，要除灭那诱惑他们犯罪的魔鬼（《创世记》3:15）；而耶稣基督所成就的工，为一切信靠祂的人，赐予赦罪之恩。

祷告

主啊，我们所拥有的一切都源于你。求你帮助我们信靠你必供应我们一切的需用，更求你满足我们内心深处、对你儿子耶稣基督的无限渴求。阿们。

Exodus 20:15; Joshua 7:16-26

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21

PROPERTY CRIME

“You shall not steal.” —Exodus 20:15

The story of Achan in Joshua 7 is very disturbing. During the battle for Jericho, Achan steals an ornate robe along with a hoard of silver and gold. Knowing he has committed a serious sin, Achan buries the stolen goods under his tent. Achan’s wrongdoing highlights the truth that the cost of breaking the eighth commandment —“You shall not steal”—can be enormous.

Achan cheated God, who had commanded the Israelites to take no plunder for themselves at the battle of Jericho.

But Achan wasn’t the first person to cheat God. That started when our first parents took fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). In stealing from God, Adam, Eve, and many others revealed their dishonesty and a lack of trust in God’s promises to provide for all their needs. God hates our dishonesty and our failure to trust in his assured provision. In Achan’s case, not only did he and his family suffer the most drastic consequences, but the whole nation of Israel suffered also. The consequences of Adam and Eve’s theft were even more dire, affecting all of their descendants, including each of us. Yet even in their sin, we see God’s goodness toward the guilty. Right at the scene of their crime, God promises a Savior to crush the devil who tempted them to sin (Genesis 3:15), and Jesus’ finished work provides forgiveness for all who believe in him.

Lord, all that we have comes from you. Help us to trust in you to provide for all our needs and, above all, our need for your Son, Jesus. Amen.

以弗所书 5:21-33

又当存敬畏基督的心，彼此顺服。你们做妻子的，当顺服自己的丈夫，如同顺服主；因为丈夫是妻子的头，如同基督是教会的头，他又是教会全体的救主。教会怎样顺服基督，妻子也要怎样凡事顺服丈夫。你们做丈夫的，要爱你们的妻子，正如基督爱教会，为教会舍己，要用水藉着道把教会洗净，成为圣洁，可以献给自己，做个荣耀的教会，毫无玷污、皱纹等类的病，乃是圣洁没有瑕疵的。丈夫也当照样爱妻子，如同爱自己的身子，爱妻子便是爱自己了。从来没有人恨恶自己的身子，总是保养顾惜，正像基督待教会一样，因我们是他身上的肢体。为这个缘故，人要离开父母，与妻子联合，二人成为一体。这是极大的奥秘，但我是指着基督和教会说的。然而你们各人都当爱妻子，如同爱自己一样；妻子也当敬重她的丈夫。

8月20日

极大的奥秘

“这是极大的奥秘，但我是指着基督和教会说的。” - 以弗所书 5:32

在工作日的傍晚，我和妻子Vicki通常会坐在客厅里我们最喜欢的位子上，她织着毛衣，我读著书。偶尔，我会从书页上方瞥她一眼，心中常会涌起一阵感激与惊叹—感激这四十载有余的婚姻生活，也惊叹于我们两个人的生命竟能如此紧密地交织在一起。

保罗在《以弗所书》第5章论述家庭关系时，谈到了婚姻。他从不同角度指出了丈夫与妻子的呼召，并强调夫妻双方都应当“存敬畏基督的心”彼此顺服。根据保罗的教导，夫妻在肉体与属灵上的联合，指向了一个更为深邃的奥秘：即基督与祂的新妇—教会—之间的联合。

进入婚姻并非理解基督与教会关系之奥秘的必要条件。保罗虽然未结婚，但藉着与耶稣的亲密连接，以及圣灵在他心中的奇妙运行，他亲身见证了基督那牺牲的爱、宝贵的恩典、属灵的滋养，以及最核心的—那无条件的接纳与赦免。

耶稣对祂的新妇—教会的爱，涵盖了地上各国、各族、各方的人民。主的爱以哪些方式激励我们，在祂遍布全球的身体（教会）中，彼此关怀并同工呢？

祷告

耶稣啊，你对我们，以及对你的新妇—教会的爱，是何等奇妙！求你帮助我们在婚姻中，也在教会里，彼此映照出你的爱。阿们。

Ephesians 5:21-33

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20

A GREAT MYSTERY

This is a profound mystery–but I am talking about Christ and the church. —Ephesians 5:32

On weekday evenings, my wife, Vicki, and I can usually be found in our favorite seats in our living room, with Vicki knitting while I read. Occasionally I’ll glance at her from over my book, and often I am filled with a rush of gratitude and wonder—grateful for over 42 years of marriage and awed by how intimately our two lives are intertwined.

In his discussion of household relationships in Ephesians 5, Paul addresses marriage. Noting the calls of husbands and wives from different angles, he points out that both spouses are to submit to each other “out of reverence for Christ.” According to Paul, the physical and spiritual union of husband and wife points to an even more profound mystery: the union between Christ and his bride, the church.

Being married isn't necessary for being able to understand some of the mystery in Christ’s relationship with the church. Paul wasn’t married, and yet through his relationship with Jesus and his experience of the Holy Spirit’s work in his heart, he could attest to Jesus’ sacrificial love, his cherishing favor, his spiritual nourishment, and, above all, his unconditional acceptance and forgiveness.

Jesus’ love for his bride, the church, embraces people of every language and nation under heaven.

In what ways can the Lord’s love inspire us to care for and work with each other in his body, the church worldwide?

Jesus, how amazing is your love for us—and for your bride, your church! Help us to mirror your love to each other in marriage and in the church. Amen.

马太福音 5:27-30

“你们听见有话说：‘不可奸淫。’只是我告诉你们，凡看见妇女就动淫念的，这人心里已经与她犯奸淫了。若是你的右眼叫你跌倒，就剜出来丢掉！宁可失去百体中的一体，不叫全身丢在地狱里。若是右手叫你跌倒，就砍下来丢掉！宁可失去百体中的一体，不叫全身下入地狱。

8月19日

保守我们的眼目

“若是你的右眼叫你跌倒，就剜出来丢掉。” - 马太福音 5:29

许多年前，我就读的那所基督教大学禁止跳舞。为了规避这项规定，学生们有时会在宿舍地下室举行所谓的“足部联欢”（foot functions）。今天，我们或许会对此类古怪的禁令一笑置之，但在这禁令背后，是对基督徒纯洁性的一项严峻挑战——私欲（lust）——的深切忧虑。

《圣经》深知私欲的破坏力，因此明确警告不要有淫念和放荡的行为，因为这些行为不仅贬损、伤害他人，更危及犯罪者自身的灵魂。例如，耶稣在“登山宝训”中宣告：凡看见他人的身体就动了淫念的，倒不如剜出自己的眼睛。耶稣在此极可能使用了夸张的手法来强调其危险性，祂警告说，性方面的不洁思想是对诫命“不可奸淫”（《出埃及记》20:14）的违背。因此，基督徒蒙召要拥有纯洁的心灵与纯净的思想。

当今时代放纵且弥漫的性道德风气，在便捷、私密的色情资讯助推下，给今日的基督徒带来了巨大的挑战。我们该如何保守自己的心不受这恶势力的影响？我们需要采纳使徒保罗对他的年轻朋友提摩太的建议：“你要逃避少年的私欲，同那清心祷告主的人追求公义、信德、仁爱、和平。”（《提摩太后书》2:22）。并且，在必要时寻求专业的帮助。

祷告

耶稣啊，求你帮助我们以纯洁的心灵和心思，将我们及他人的身体视作你的圣殿，来守护它的圣洁。阿们。

Matthew 5:27-30

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19

PROTECTING OUR EYES

“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away.” —Matthew 5:29

Many years ago, the Christian college I attended did not allow dancing. To skirt this rule, “foot functions” were sometimes held in dormitory basements. Today we may smile at such a quaint restriction, but behind it was concern about a serious challenge to Christian purity: lust.

Recognizing the destructive power of lust, the Bible clearly warns against lustful thinking and behavior that degrades or harms others, as well as endangering the souls of the guilty. Jesus, for instance, in his Sermon on the Mount, declares that anyone who looks at another’s body with lustful desires would be better off gouging out their own eye. Likely using exaggeration here to highlight the danger, Jesus warns that sexually impure thinking is a violation of the commandment “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). Followers of Christ are therefore called to have pure hearts and pure minds.

The permissive and pervasive sexual ethos of our age, jetfueled by easy, private access to pornography, presents a huge challenge for Christians today. How do we guard our hearts from this evil influence? We need to take the apostle Paul’s advice to his young friend Timothy: “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). And, if needed, reach out for professional help.

Jesus, help us by purity of heart and thought to honor our bodies and those of others as your holy temples. Amen.

出埃及记 20:14；创世记 2:4-25

“不可奸淫。 创造天地的来历，在耶和华神造天地的日子，乃是这样： 野地还没有草木，田间的菜蔬还没有长起来，因为耶和华神还没有降雨在地上，也没有人耕地。 但有雾气从地上腾，滋润遍地。 耶和华神用地上的尘土造人，将生气吹在他鼻孔里，他就成了有灵的活人，名叫亚当。 耶和华神在东方的伊甸立了一个园子，把所造的人安置在那里。 耶和华神使各样的树从地里长出来，可以悦人的眼目，其上的果子好做食物。园子当中又有生命树和分别善恶的树。有河从伊甸流出来，滋润那园子，从那里分为四道。第一道名叫比逊，就是环绕哈腓拉全地的。在那里有金子，并且那地的金子是好的，在那里又有珍珠和红玛瑙。第二道河名叫基训，就是环绕古实全地的。第三道河名叫底格里斯，流在亚述的东边。第四道河就是幼发拉底河。耶和华神将那人安置在伊甸园，使他修理看守。耶和华神吩咐他说：“园中各样树上的果子，你可以随意吃；只是分别善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因为你吃的日子必定死。”耶和华神说：“那人独居不好，我要为他造一个配偶帮助他。”耶和华神用土所造成的野地各样走兽和空中各样飞鸟都带到那人面前，看他叫什么。那人怎样叫各样的活物，那就是它的名字。那人便给一切牲畜和空中飞鸟、野地走兽都起了名，只是那人没有遇见配偶帮助他。耶和华神使他沉睡，他就睡了。于是取下他的一条肋骨，又把肉合起来。耶和华神就用那人身上所取的肋骨造成一个女人，领她到那人跟前。那人说：“这是我骨中的骨、肉中的肉！可以称她为女人，因为她是从男人身上取出来的。”因此，人要离开父母，与妻子联合，二人成为一体。当时夫妻二人赤身露体，并不羞耻。

8月18日

拯救婚姻

“因此，人要离开父母，与妻子连合，二人成为一体。” - 创世记 2:24

如果说原子是所谓的物质“基石”，那么原子又是由什么组成的呢？科学家已经确认质子、中子和电子是构成原子的微粒，而更基础的微粒则是夸克和轻子。

如果说家庭是所谓的社会“基石”，而在某些方面与此类同的说法，家庭是由什么构成的呢？家庭里不仅有父母和儿女，还环绕着祖父母、叔伯姑姨等至亲，而婚姻则是家庭单位的根基。

《创世记》第2章叙述了创造的故事，告诉我们神创造了人类，而男、女是为彼此而造的。在第24节，我们也看到神设立了婚姻。虽然没有一段婚姻是完美的，但从普遍意义和理想状态而言，婚姻是一种肉体与属灵的关系，丈夫与妻子承诺一生彼此相爱、尊重并珍爱。对于家庭和社会而言，婚姻是来自神的一份珍贵且持久的礼物。

神应许赐福婚姻，祂也严厉警告不可违背夫妻之间神圣的联合。第七条诫命宣告：“不可奸淫”—这指的是所有会贬损或毁坏婚姻这份礼物的事物。基督徒应当竭尽所能，为了家庭和社会的缘故，去维护并捍卫婚姻的美好与圣洁。

祷告

我主我神，感谢你赐下婚姻。求你帮助我们竭尽所能，保守并护卫这份脆弱的礼物，免受一切企图破坏它的势力所侵害。奉耶稣的名求，阿们。

Exodus 20:14; Genesis 2:4-25

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18

SAVING MARRIAGE

A man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. —Genesis 2:24

If atoms are the so-called “building blocks” of matter, what are atoms made of? Scientists have identified protons, neutrons, and electrons as particles that make up atoms, and even more fundamental particles are quarks and leptons.

In some ways similarly, if families are the so-called “building blocks” of society, what is the family made of? Well, there are parents, children, aunts, uncles, and grandparents—and marriage is the foundation of the family unit.

Genesis 2 recounts the creation story, informing us that God made us human beings and that male and female are made for each other. In verse 24 we see also that God established marriage. While no marriage is perfect, marriage in general, and at its best, is a physical and spiritual relationship in which a husband and wife promise to love, honor, and cherish one another throughout their lives. For the family and for society, marriage is a precious, lasting gift from God.

God promises to bless marriages, and he strictly warns against violating the sacred union between husband and wife. The seventh commandment states: “You shall not commit adultery”—and this refers to all things that would demean or disfigure the gift of marriage. Christians should do all they can to preserve and protect the beauty and holiness of marriage for the sake of families and societies.

Lord God, thank you for marriage. Help us to do all we can to preserve and protect this fragile gift from everything that seeks to destroy it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

路加福音 10:25-37

有一个律法师起来试探耶稣，说：“夫子，我该做什么才可以承受永生？”耶稣对他说：“律法上写的是什么？你念的是怎样呢？”他回答说：“你要尽心、尽性、尽力、尽意爱主你的神，又要爱邻舍如同自己。”耶稣说：“你回答的是。你这样行，就必得永生。”那人要显明自己有理，就对耶稣说：“谁是我的邻舍呢？”耶稣回答说：“有一个人从耶路撒冷下耶利哥去，落在强盗手中。他们剥去他的衣裳，把他打个半死，就丢下他走了。偶然有一个祭司从这条路下来，看见他，就从那边过去了。又有一个利未人来到这地方，看见他，也照样从那边过去了。唯有一个撒马利亚人行路来到那里，看见他，就动了慈心，上前用油和酒倒在他的伤处，包裹好了，扶他骑上自己的牲口，带到店里去照应他。第二天拿出二钱银子来，交给店主说：‘你且照应他，此外所费用的，我回来必还你。’你想，这三个人哪一个是落在强盗手中的邻舍呢？”他说：“是怜悯他的。”耶稣说：“你去照样行吧。”

8月17日

同一枚硬币的两面

“我岂是看守我兄弟的吗？” - 创世记 4:9

有时我们会意识到，两件事物虽然看起来截然不同，实则紧密相连，甚至浑然一体—我们常形容它们如同“同一枚硬币的两面”。

神的诫命“不可杀人”便是如此。当祂吩咐我们不可伤害或杀害任何人时，同时也在呼召我们去关爱并保护邻舍的生命。尽管我们可能认为这是两件不同的事，但它们其实是紧密相关的。

在耶稣所讲的好撒马利亚人的比喻中，两位犹太宗教领袖对一个在荒僻路边被打得半死的人视而不见。出于恐惧、冷漠，或是觉得此时施以援手并不合时宜或不方便，他们从那流血的人身边走过了。随后，一个撒马利亚人—在当时是被犹太人所藐视的群体，路过此地，他停下来救助了那人。他包裹了那人的伤口，并带他去旅店照料。

“不可杀人”这条诫命的另一面，是要求我们爱邻舍，正如这则比喻中的撒玛利亚人所行的一样。《圣经》中充满了对爱护与捍卫生命的呼吁和榜样：赒济饥饿的人、收留卑微弱势的人、款待客旅、保护弱者免受权势欺凌、确保公义彰显在所有人身上，甚至要爱我们的仇敌。

若果我们未能爱护并关怀身边的人，我们就是在违背第六诫。

祷告

主耶稣，正如你向众人—甚至向你的仇敌—彰显了慈爱，求你帮助我们去爱护并关怀我们身边的每一个人。奉你的名求，阿们。

Luke 10:25-37

MONDAY, AUGUST 17

TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN

“Am I my brother’s keeper?” —Genesis 4:9

Sometimes we recognize that two things are closely related or even the same, although they appear to be different— and we describe them by saying they are like two sides of the same coin.

God’s command “You shall not murder” is an example of this. While he orders that we may not harm or kill anyone, God is also calling us to care for and protect our neighbor’s life. Although we might think these are two different things, they are very closely related.

In Jesus’ parable of the good Samaritan, two Jewish religious leaders ignore a man who has been left beaten and half dead on a deserted road. Out of fear, indifference, or a sense that it’s not timely or convenient to help, they pass by the bleeding man. Then a Samaritan, someone despised by the Jews in that day, comes along, and he stops to help the man. He binds up the man’s wounds and takes him to an inn to be cared for.

The flip side of the command “You shall not kill” involves loving our neighbor, just as the Samaritan in this parable did. The Bible is full of calls to and examples of loving and protecting life: feeding the hungry, housing the vulnerable, welcoming strangers, shielding the weak from the powerful, ensuring justice for all, and even loving our enemies.

If we fail to love and care for the people around us, we are breaking the sixth commandment.

Lord Jesus, just as you have shown love to all, even your enemies, help us to love and care for all the people around us. In your name, Amen.