我们是天上的国民

腓立比书3:18-20

基督徒是天上的国民

人们常有一种心理倾向：要作为社群的一部分。这基本上并不是错。跟社群认同，可以增加安全感，可以集体行动，作出许多个人力量作不到的事，特别是抵抗敌人入侵的时候。这种社群的身份认同，还可以提升到国族的认同。

然而，基督徒因着相信福音，接受耶稣作为救主，就加入了神国的社群，成为神的子民。作为神的子民，基督徒必须明白神子民身份的意义。

神的子民在世应该分别为圣

不是我们拣选神，是神拣选了我们（约15:16）。这是因祂的先见预定和奇妙的大爱，把我们从世界中分别出来，归于祂自己。首先，作为神的子民，就是要跟世界一般人分别出来。这不单指只是敬拜三一真神，也是指到神子民行事为人的伦理准则，以及人生价值观是与众不同的。

神拣选了以色列人，正是要他们跟别人不一样。“这是独居的民，不列在万民中”（民23:9）。圣经论到基督徒，这样说：『惟有你们是被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属神的子民，要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德。』（彼前2:9）

神拣选了我们成为他的子民，我们就当与世人有分别。神的儿女们，不能老是作随风草，在世随风逐浪，跟随着世上的小学起舞。相反的，我们应当熟悉圣经真理，并且坚持信仰立场。

面对各种消费主义、潮流文化、民族主义和种族主义，我们当采取批判性思考。基督徒不可能是种族主义者，因为我们在神面前都是蒙恩的罪人，都是平等的。我们得救是出于基督白白的恩典，不是因着我们的种族和成就。

在社会不公义，危害人生命和自由的恶事上，我们要说“不”。然而，在该说“不”的时候说“不”，需要有分辨是非的智慧，和刚强无畏的勇气。求神怜悯，赐给我们智慧和勇气在邪恶横行的时候成为中流砥柱。

基督以重价买赎罪人，使他们分别出来

神不但预定拣选了我们，他还付了极重的代价，买我们归祂。圣经说：“祂〔基督耶稣〕为我们舍了自己，要赎我们脱离一切罪恶，又洁净我们，特作自己的子民。”（多2:14）

我们本来是深陷在罪恶的淤泥里，基督耶稣用祂自己的宝血，把我们救赎了出来。圣经说：『你们得赎，脱去你们祖宗所传流虚妄的行为，不是凭着能坏的金银等物，乃是凭着基督的宝血，如同无瑕疵无玷污的羔羊之血。』（彼前1:18-19）

神既然付出祂的独生子为重价，买赎了我们，又洁净了我们，当然我们就不属于自己，也不能再为罪恶所有所用，而是作神的子民。我们的主权是属于主的。

我们也可以想到古时战争的背景：战败的一方面，所有的子女，都被战胜者掳去，成了对方的奴隶。我们在罪中的情况正是如此，是战败被魔鬼掳去，作了罪的奴隶，不能自由作自己所要作的，是服事魔鬼。

因此，主耶稣基督在十字架上，为我们受死，而又复活了，“祂升上高天的时候，掳掠了仇敌”（弗4:8），释放了我们，使我们不再作罪的奴隶。

这样，我们属于新的国度，但不是作奴隶，而是成了自由的国民。知道自己是属于谁的，就容易决定该听谁的命令，讨谁的喜悦。

神子民得赎的目的

得救赎的人，既是“从黑暗中归向光明，从撒但权下归向神”（徒26:18），就有新的生活向度和目标：

『原来基督的爱激励我们；因我们想一人既替众人死，众人就都死了；并且祂替众人死，是叫那些活着的人，不再为自己活，乃为替他们死而复活的主活。』（林后5:14-15）

正如主耶稣基督到世上来，是要凡事遵行天父的旨意，凡祂所行的，都是善的，基督徒也正是如此：“我们原是祂的工作，在基督耶稣里造成的，为要叫我们行善，就是神所预备叫我们行的”（弗2:10）。

行善不是做善事。行善就是做神的圣工，成就神的旨意。行善不是得救的因，我们是因信称义，不是因为行善得救。行善是得救的果。神是善的，属神的人，不能有另外一种的果子。

我们生活在世界上，不是没有目标的，不像世人是“在黑暗里行走的，不知道往何处去”（约12:35）；而是要遵行主的旨意，为主发光。

天国的子民殖民地上

保罗在腓立书3:19-21说：『他们的结局就是沉沦，他们的神就是自己的肚腹，他们以自己的羞辱为荣耀，专以地上的事为念。我们却是天上的国民，并且等候救主，就是主耶稣基督从天上降临。他要按着那能叫万有归服自己的大能，将我们这卑贱的身体改变形状，和他自己的荣耀的身体相似。』

在这里保罗抨击自我放纵的信徒。他们自称为基督徒，却不照着基督作仆人和自我牺牲的样式生活。他们只顾满足自己属地的欲望，不理他人的需要。在基督里得自由不等于可以自私自利，相反应当争取每个服事别人的机会，尽自己所能做到最好。

基督徒都是天上的国民，目前在地上等候基督再来。我们的身份认同是天国，不是地上的国。我们也效忠地上的国家，并且履行公民的责任：守法和缴税。

然而，我们必须抗拒国族主义、民族主义和种族主义。所有这些主义很容易被政治野心家利用来煽动本族与外族，本国与外国之间的仇恨、暴力和侵略战争。譬如发生在二战时前的德国和日本。

还有，熟悉历史的人就知道，其实遭受剥削和杀戮最多的是来自本族人，不是来自外人。基督徒要特别警惕，越受上述的主义所影响，就越淡化了自己天国公民的身份。基督徒要向所有不公义的歧视行为或战争行为，说“不”！

于此相反，我们现在的工作却是以天国的价值和真理殖民地上，使到世人也能够与神和好，大地彰显神的公义，转化成神原本创造的美善。我们要在地上做光明之子以及和平之子。

在这过程中，撒但一定起来攻击我们，因为撒但的目标就是要毁坏这世界，使人远离神进入灭亡。我们正在跟撒但打一场属灵战争！圣经告诉我们，光明和黑暗没有相通相交的可能（林后6:14-18），但光明能胜过黑暗。靠着圣灵的大能，我们要勇往直前，继续打击邪恶，把基督应许的丰盛的生命带给世上受罪恶压制的人。

今天基督徒群体虽是天国的公民，却身处卑微，无权，感到很无力，甚至有人殉道失去生命。其实人生在世，谁人无死？圣经告诉我们，人人终必有一死，而且死后有审判。

我们不要惧怕魔鬼的攻击，因为我们是有盼望的。主耶稣的大能，将会叫我们复活得荣耀，和他自己的荣耀相似；这是我们作为天国的公民享有的权利。所以我们不要被今生忧虑、威逼利诱所缠绕而出卖了天国公民的身份，以致在基督回来时愧见主面。

我们一同来祷告：『主啊！愿你的国降临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同在天上。』

革命不是请客吃饭

出埃及记5:1-6:13

摩西和亚伦去向法老说：『让我们和以色列百姓离开这里，去到旷野献祭给耶和华我们的神。』这意味着，百姓以耶和华取代法老，作为事奉的对象。法老大发雷霆，不单止不答应摩西的要求，反而变本加厉地压迫以色列人。

法老下令不可以像往常一样给以色列百姓草好做砖，百姓必须自己去检草作为材料，还要如数将砖交上（五6-8）。当百姓无法如数交上砖来，百姓的领袖就被督工责打，而且法老王指控他们懒惰做工。

百姓的日子过得真是苦不堪言，又投诉无门。他们就反过来埋怨摩西，因为是他的出现，引发这个无妄之灾（五20-21）。摩西没想到情况会变得更遭！他就向上帝投诉，埋怨上帝没有拯救百姓（五22-23）。

我们也有经历过摩西的苦境，因为顺服神而受到打击或迫害，遭遇比以前更加差。人会因此感到沮丧，觉得自己不应该做些吃力不讨好的事；或以为自己是一生人注定是一个失败的人；或认为某些事情，是不可能成就的，索性放弃吧！

摩西和亚伦的经历告诉我们，上帝动工的时候，人仍然会经历痛苦、挫折和艰难。这不是因为上帝不眷顾人。我们在邪恶的世界行善、为神做工和争取公义，一定会受苦的。况且上帝有自己计划和时间行事。为了子民的好处，上帝必须忍心，一步一步的带领子民与法老搏斗，直到十灾过后才终于出埃及。上帝要以色列百姓看见他施展大能，彻底击败法老和埃及的众守护神。

以色列人在埃及定居了四百年。他们已经遗忘了耶和华神。他们这代人不认识耶和华神。现在耶和华神将要取代法老作为以色列人的主。以色列百姓要从被奴役到得自由、从事奉法老到事奉耶和华。他们必须经历思维转变和价值观翻转。这是成就更高目标的一场革命！革命不是请客吃饭那么轻松，乃是历尽艰辛，方能彻底胜利。

今天基督徒在地上，必须身体力行的传扬福音，叫人认识基督的救恩，同时也跟奴役人们的各种邪恶的力量（法老）进行抗争，包括战胜肉体软弱和老我的束缚，以及消灭社会制度上的不公义。在这过程中基督徒会经历困难，被修理和磨炼。客观环境也会经过震荡和整合，方能走上正轨。所以我们要有心理准备去作出牺牲和面对失败。

今天你经历什么挫败和艰难呢？不要沮丧和放弃，继续奋斗，传扬神的话，做神的工，不计后果和代价的专心顺服神。跟随基督不是“请客吃饭”，乃是与生命中“邪恶、艰难、压迫”抗争到底。一位卓越的工人是不介意一时的成败的。经济萧条和瘟疫预计会持续打击我们一段日子，我们仍要坚定不移的服事上帝，在在世上活出信仰。

Coping with Social Distancing

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

Let not your faith be shaken in sufferings

In most parts of the world, “social distancing” is practised in various degrees during the Covid-19 Pandemic to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. An extended period of keeping a distance with our loved ones is an unbearable suffering for many people.

Acts 17 tells us that Paul and Silas brought many to the Lord in Thessalonica, and they encountered a strong resistance from the Jews. The Jews gathered a mob of protesters and the whole city was in riot.

The mob rushed into Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas but it turned out to be in vain. Then, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials and accused them for defying Caesar’s decrees.

Paul and Silas left the city of Thessalonica at night under the escort of some other brothers. Paul, Silas, and Timothy missed the church of Thessalonians very much after their departure; hence, they wrote them a letter. The undertone of the letter was an intense longing to meet each other as if they were forced to be separated from their loved ones in their suffering.

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:3,

“But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.… So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best … We sent Timothy… so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.”

The trouble that Paul and his team faced was not a plague. Instead Paul was considered a “plague” to the Jews in various cities, who persecuted him all the way. They said Paul was “a troublemaker.” (Acts 24:5) Paul and the church of Thessalonians suffered from separation because they encountered persecution for their faith.

We Are Able to Persevere “Distancing” Hardship with Mutual Support

Paul and his team were forced to be separated from the Thessalonian church. To them, they suffered the pain of being “orphaned”. (1 Thess 2:17) They missed the Thessalonian church and they worried that the faith of the believers would be shaken by persecution. After all, Thessalonian church was a few months old church.

At last, Paul could not stand it anymore and hence, he sent Timothy to visit the church, so that the believers there would be encouraged and strengthened.

Some people follow God with an intention of breaking away from the sufferings of this world. However, God never promises that we will be exempted from our sufferings. However, God will give us power and strength so that we can grow amidst our sufferings.

We should learn to submit to Christ when we go through trials and troubles. The plan God has for the believers is for them to go through trials and persecutions, through which their spirituality will be built up, and their patience be enhanced, enabling them to be more helpful to those who undergo the same difficulties.

Followers of God will face troubles along the way inevitably, e.g., the pandemic that takes place now.

Our sufferings may not necessarily come as a consequence of our sin or lack of faith, instead, they may come as a result of our faithfulness to God. Hardship suffered by believers could serve as a mark of effective Christian living just as Paul and Silas experienced!

Timothy brought some good news back from Thessalonica. In fact, the local church was missing and longing to meet up with Paul and his co-workers as much as how Paul and his co-workers were desiring to meet them. Their love and concern brought forth comfort and support both to Paul and Thessalonian church in their adversities.

Timothy also mentioned about the steadfastness of those brothers and sisters in Thessalonica. Their faith stayed intact and was not shaken! Thus, Paul was greatly comforted, and he rejoiced on hearing this.

1 Thessalonians 3:7-9,

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now, we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?”

The brothers and sisters in Thessalonian church knew that Paul had gone through all these sufferings, and they had personally witnessed the riot that took place in Thessalonica. Therefore, they fully understood the sufferings that one would have gone through for believing in Jesus, and they indeed kept their faith in their sufferings!

This made Paul and his co-workers come to realize the fact that they were not facing their hardships all by themselves. Though they were orphaned by their separation from the church, the hearts of the people in the church were joined with them, and they faced their hardships together.

As long as Paul and all the brothers and sisters stand firmly upon their faith in an extreme difficult environment, they have indeed “really lived” by then. (1 Thessalonians 3:8)

Paul and the congregation of Thessalonian church supported one another as they missed each other and remained steadfast in faith. They strove to grow in faith and love as they looked forward to the impending return of the Lord.

The Covid-19 has caused many to be trapped in their predicaments this year. Churches and Christian organizations face the same hardship and challenge too. The Lord Jesus prewarned us that there will be an increase and intensity of various disasters in the world before His Second Coming. For examples, there will be wars, earthquakes, hungers, plagues, and persecution of faith. (Luke 21:7-19)

The admonishment of our Lord is for us to “stand up and lift up our heads,” (Luke 21:28), and he also reminded us to be “careful, or our hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on us suddenly like a trap.” (Luke 21:34)

Let us also encourage one another by missing one another, and caring for another; and stand firmly in faith, in the midst of “distancing” hardships and pandemic threats.

Mutual encouragement with the word of God so as to grow in hope and holiness

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13,

“Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.  May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”

Paul was concerned about the brothers and sisters there and he longed to have reunion with them. He even longed to teach them the word of God so that they could grow in faith. Nevertheless, he was unable to travel to Thessalonians at that time, and he had to put down words of encouragement in his letter to them.

Paul reminded them to avoid sexual immorality and not in passionate lust, for the will of God is for them to be holy (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). They were to be watchful in their lives, and they should encourage those who were discouraged and lend their support to the weak, etc. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-15), and be prepared for the Second Coming of the Lord.

It was Paul’s desire that the brothers and sisters were able to live in accordance to the will of God. “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

Another wish was that all men’s hearts be strengthened and preserved by the Lord until His return, that all would be “blameless and holy in the presence of their God and Father” when the Lord come again. (1 Thessalonians 3:13)

Those who were still alive would be included in the Kingdom where Christ reigned. Believers of all ages, inclusive of the believers of Thessalonica, would be with Him in the Kingdom of Christ.

We have hope in Christ. Because of this hope of overcoming and glorification, we can persevere throughout our hardships and move on determinedly. We will not shrink away as we serve the Lord.

Paul in his “orphaned” stage, was eager to be in reunion with the church of Thessalonica. He was hoping to be able to teach them personally once again. It shows how he valued his fellowship with the saints which was built on the word of God!

Conclusion

Though the pandemic has forced us to keep a distance from one another nowadays, we can still meet online with the facility provided by technology. Though we cannot meet in person, we should not stop fellow-shipping with one another in the Lord.

We are to encourage one another with the word of God in our continuous fellowship, and we can love God and people with one heart, follow Him faithfully and lead a victorious life.

May we support one another, admonish one another, and share good testimonies of our faith and love when we face all kinds of troubles and “distancing”. Though there are temporal or permanent separation, let our hearts remain connected, and we will rejoice with the Lord when He returns if we were to follow Him in unity now.

浴血葡萄园

列王纪上二十一1-26

亚哈王谋夺拿伯的葡萄园

耶斯列人拿伯在耶斯列有一个葡萄园，靠近撒玛利亚王亚哈的宫。拿伯每天打开门，看见王宫的金碧辉煌，心中不为所动。他一心守着先人留下的葡萄园。然而，亚哈每天看见拿伯的葡萄园就想霸占它。

亚哈对拿伯说：『将你的葡萄园给我作菜园，因为是靠近我的宫；我就把更好的葡萄园换给你，或是你要银子，我就按着价银给你。』

拿伯对亚哈说:『我敬畏耶和华，万不敢将我先人留下的产业给你。』

拿伯是一位敬畏上帝，遵守律法的人。他珍惜祖传的产业，拒绝变卖祖先的产业。亚哈使用威逼利诱手段也无法使他就范。拿伯不服从权贵的指示，因此惹上杀身之祸。

亚哈就闷闷不乐的回宫，躺在床上，转脸向内，也不吃饭。他的失落形态好像孩子得不到心爱的玩具。

王后耶洗别不是以色列人，乃是敬拜偶像的西顿人。她问亚哈说：『你为什么心里这样忧闷，不吃饭呢？』

耶洗别扮演一个妈妈呵护孩子。亚哈就告诉王后，拿伯不肯出让他所喜欢的葡萄园，因此很忧闷。

以色列人是与耶和华神立约的子民。以色列人必须敬畏神，而子民之间是平等关系，并且按律法要彼此照顾而不是剥削他人，纵然王室权贵身份也不例外。亚哈犯了第十诫，‘不可贪恋他人所拥有的东西’。

王后是迦南人，习惯迦南人的社会制度：王室可以鱼肉人民。她对亚哈王的挣扎大感不解，就向亚哈说：『你现在是治理以色列国不是？只管起来，心里畅快地吃饭，我必将拿伯的葡萄园给你。』

耶洗别就以亚哈的名义，发出密函给拿伯同城居住的长老们。信上写着说：『你们当宣告禁食，叫拿伯坐在民间的高位上。又叫两个匪徒坐在拿伯对面，作见证告他说，‘你毁谤神和王了。’随后就把他拉出去用石头打死。』

耶洗别使用一个似乎很‘敬虔’的手段来做恶事。那时定人的罪必须有两个见证人。控诉拿伯亵渎上帝的罪就可以将他用石头打死。这种‘以父之名’来迫害义人，真是恐怖！今天野心家也是用堂皇的名义（为国家、为民族、为信仰）来做坏事，叫一般老百姓无法分辨真伪而支持他们。

那些与拿伯同城的长老们收到耶洗别的信，就按照信中所讲的做了。他们违反了十诫的‘不可做假见证陷害人’和‘不可杀人’的恶行。耶洗别听见拿伯被石头打死了，就对亚哈说：『你起来得拿伯不肯为价银给你的葡萄园吧！现在他已经死了。』

亚哈听见拿伯死了，就起来，下去夺取了拿伯的葡萄园。

恶人压迫、残害了无辜人，会有报应吗？

17-26节记载上帝差派先知以利亚去谴责亚哈王的罪行，并且向亚哈一家人发出严厉的审判。

耶和华说：‘狗在何处舔拿伯的血，也必在何处舔亚哈的血’；‘我必使灾祸临到你，将你除尽，凡属你的男丁，无论困住的、自由的，都从以色列中剪除’；‘狗必吃耶洗别的肉，凡属於亚哈的人，死在城中的必被狗吃，死在田野的，必被空中的鸟吃。’

上帝很严厉的报应亚哈的恶行。亚哈，耶洗别，以及整个家族的人必须以命偿命的报应。上帝很看重社会不公义，恶人迫害义人的罪行。基督徒应当警惕自己切勿参与迫害人的勾当。

为何只看到自己没有的？

亚哈王拥有无数财富，包括各地的葡萄园，为何他还贪恋拿伯的葡萄园呢？ 这里反映人性原始的贪婪，叫人不满足于自己拥有的东西，却贪恋别人的东西。孩子喜欢抢其他孩子的玩具，就是出于这个劣根性。很讽刺的，亚哈的行为也显示孩子般的无赖。

王宫和葡萄园只是一墙之隔；贪婪和知足，也是一念之差。你每天打开门，你看到什么？看到自己的东西或是邻居的东西？你是拿伯或是亚哈呢？ 

为你已经拥有的向神感恩，不要为你所没有的烦恼。其实你比起很多人都幸福多了。我们来数算神赐给我们许多的恩典，包括我们的家人、教会服侍、国家和社会的安宁、身体健康、事业和其他方面……。

魔鬼在世上反创造的工作

耶洗别是来自西顿的公主。‘耶洗别、西顿’在圣经的隐喻代表邪恶和魔性。耶洗别扮演魔鬼的化身，很乐意去满足人类的欲望。她为亚哈出主意，践踏上帝的律法。她使用当时外邦人的做法，权贵欺压无权者。她施展毒辣计谋把拿伯害死，抢夺了他的葡萄园。

亚哈王一心想得到那葡萄园，原来是要把它改成菜园。葡萄园在圣经里的寓意都是正面的，指到上帝美好的创造与同在的福气，譬如以色列就是上帝栽种的葡萄园。把葡萄园改成菜园乃是反上帝创造，抵挡上帝的邪恶行为。相对而言，拿伯却是很珍惜祖传的葡萄园。这是上帝的恩赐。

今天魔鬼还在透过社会的权贵集团去残害人民，夺取他们的生命财产！上帝在做创造和拯救的工作，给人丰盛的生命。魔鬼一直在抵挡上帝，摧毁上帝的创造——反创造。上帝从空虚混沌中创造出美好的，各从其类的宇宙万物。魔鬼来，却是要杀、要偷、要抢和毁坏，叫上帝的创造回到空虚混沌。

今天上帝也是给了我们很多‘葡萄园’。我们必须好好的看守它们，经营它们。国家是我们的葡萄园。我们要履行好公民的责任，参与打造一个安居乐业、自由民主、廉洁有效率的政府。教会是那葡萄园，我们要好好看守它，并且殷勤的服侍，不容让魔鬼破坏它，分裂它。家庭和美满婚姻是那葡萄园，我们要按着神对婚姻和组织家庭的美意，歇力经营它。工作或事业也是那葡萄园，我们应当积极工作，做出最好的成绩。

…还有其他许许多多生命中的葡萄园。

上帝给了我们许多恩赐和‘葡萄园’，吩咐我们做个良善又忠心的管家。我们应当不屈服在魔鬼的威逼利诱而出卖自己的‘葡萄园’，使我们的‘葡萄园’变质或崩塌。相反的，我们要做个负责任和忠心的‘拿伯’，寸地不让的看守和经营我们的葡萄园，叫我们一生都蒙福和荣耀上帝的名。

看守你弟兄的葡萄园

拿伯自己一个人看守候葡萄园是力量不逮，终于死于非命！邪恶践踏良善，社会秩序崩溃，地上流着无辜人的血。与拿伯同一座城的地方长老，以及拿伯的弟兄们去了哪里呢？

他们没有为拿伯争取公义，一同对抗邪恶，反而是参与了迫害拿伯。他们或是妒忌拿伯拥有产业和‘坐在高位’；或是惧怕王的迫害而选择与王狼狈为奸，致死拿伯。其他知道真相的人认为还是少管闲事，选择明哲保身或闷声发大财。

很多时候人屈服于权贵的压迫而选择妥协或成了共谋，是因为自己拥有很多财富和高端的身份地位。他们若不与权贵合作就会招致损失惨重。他们的社会成本很高！普通的老百姓拥有的不多，因此很容易出来为公义发声，不平则鸣。

既然人性在强权之前是那么的脆弱，我们就应当将希望放在一个健全的社会和政治制度，而不是放在某个‘圣王’身上。

长老们和拿伯的兄弟们应该出手维护拿伯，发声谴责耶洗别的奸计，伸张公义。这样拿伯就不会遭毒手，也不会失去他的葡萄园。很遗憾的，他们被强权驯化了！今天基督徒在强权和真理之间，会选择站在那一方呢？

Edmund Burke的名言：『邪恶之所以横行于世，皆因为善良的人无动于衷』 – The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

二战後，纳粹集中营的幸存者马丁・内莫勒牧师面对那段历史，说出了发人深省的传世名言：起初他们（纳粹）追杀共产主义者的时候，我没有说话，因为我不是共产主义者；接着他们追杀犹太人的时候，我没有说话，因为我不是犹太人；后来他们追杀工会成员的时候，我没有说话，因为我不是工会成员；此后他们追杀天主教徒的时候，我没有说话，因为我是新教教徒；最后他们奔我而来，那时已经没有人能为我说话了。

除了亚哈和耶洗别，其实还有许多人是有份参与留拿伯血的罪行，包括哪些向邪恶保持沉默的人。这样的人制造空间给邪恶越滚越大，而且是free rider，做享其他人牺牲头颅争取回来的公义和自由的社会。

今天上帝也是要求人与人之间，国与国之间应当秉行公义公平。先知阿摩西说：『我厌恶你们的节气，也不喜悦你们的严肃会。你们虽然向我献燔祭和素祭，我却不悦纳，也不顾你们用肥畜的平安祭。要使你们的歌唱的声音远离我，因为我不听你们弹琴的响声。唯愿公平如大水滚滚，使公义如江河滔滔。』（阿摩司书五21-24）

我们眼看四周，看见不公义的事，有发声谴责恶人，以及出力争取公义吗？今天我们看见一位弟兄的‘葡萄园’面临倒塌时，有出手帮助他看守葡萄园吗？当教会里某一个弟兄受到无里的打压，你会站出来说一句公道话？当他行差踏错时，你会提醒他一句，扶他一把吗？最后，你愿意容让你的弟兄，很你一起看守你的葡萄园吗？

在今天错综复杂的国际关系中，多数国家的政策是以本国的利益为优先，而不是以公义或人道为基础。基督徒应该多了解国际间发生的争端，然后以圣经真理的原则去判断对与错。这样我们就不会跌入魔鬼的迷惑，不知觉地支持或参与了邪恶的暴行，还以为自己是正义的。

现在是个人主义横行的社会，多数人不欢迎别人插手自己的事，特别是信仰的范围。但是圣经所论及的上帝，乃是子民的上帝，不是个人的上帝。教会是信仰群体，弟兄姐妹应该撇弃世俗的个人主义。我们一起来彼此照应，一同守候我们的葡萄园！

Joining the Kingdom Revolution

Exodus 5:1-6:13

Pharaoh Intensified His Oppression on the Israelites

Moses received God calling in Midian, to deliver Israelites from slavery. He then went back to Egypt and gathered all the Israelites as well as the elders of the people.

Moses did some miracles before their very eyes which caused them to believe that God was concerned about them and had seen their misery, and He wanted to lead them out of Egypt (4: 29-31).

After that, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says, “Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.”

This meant that the people of Israelites had replaced Pharaoh with God, and they regarded God to be the One they served. But Pharaoh did not know the LORD, and he paid no attention to Moses’ message.

Pharaoh reacted angrily. Not only did he refuse Moses’ request, but he made the workload of the Israelites heavier, and he intensified his oppression over them. He gave an order not to supply the Israelites with straws for making bricks, and the Israelites had to go and gather their straws, and he required them to make the same number of bricks as before (5: 6-8).

When the people could not make the same number of bricks as requested, they were beaten by their overseers. Moreover, Pharaoh accused them of being lazy.

The people were under great oppression and they had no way to channel their frustration. Hence, they turned against Moses and grumbled against him. They concluded that it was Moses who brought them this unnecessary disaster (5: 20-21).

Moses was extremely puzzled by this unexpected failure. He did not understand why the situation turned worse.  Moses hoped that his effort would produce an immediate result. He never thought that it would become worse!

Therefore, he complained to God just as how the people complained to him. Moses complained to the LORD, why didn’t He rescue His people (5: 22-23).

Pharaoh had his whole set of reasons for accusing the people, and he considered them lazy because they wanted to offer their sacrifices to God.  The people accused Moses as a busy body who invited great troubles on them. Moses accused God for not rescuing the Israelites; and for calling him to accomplish something which he failed before and never wanted to do again.

Men will still Experience Setbacks even When God is At Work

The experience of Moses was likened to someone who intended to do good initially but ended up doing something that was not helpful at all. He received no compliment, but was blamed by the people he served.

We may also encounter similar situations. We are attacked or persecuted because we have submitted to God. Our situation becomes worse than before.

We may be feeling discouraged and think that we should not have involved in these unrewarding things; or we may think that we are destined to be a failure; or we may conclude that the task is mission impossible, so just abandon the task.

The experience of Moses and Aaron reveals that God’s people will still go through moments of pain, failure, and hardship even when God is at work. It is not that God does not care for His people. It is part and parcel of journeying with God.

As we follow God’s way and do good works; as we serve God and fight for justice in this evil world, we will suffer opposition and persecution. Some might even be martyrs for the sake of the gospel.

We are prone to complain to God, “Why don’t you deliver me out of this suffering?”

Yes, God will deliver his people out of suffering or persecution. Praise the Lord! But God also allows some to suffer casualties for a higher purpose. God has His timing in His plan and work. He would wait and only rescue them when they reached a certain level of difficulty.

In the process of waiting and suffering, in the case of the Israelites’ sufferings, they would eventually witness God’s power and might in destroying Pharaoh and all the Egyptian patron gods completely (the Ten Plagues).

The LORD Himself would replace Pharaoh and be the Lord of Israel. The Israelites were to be delivered from their slavery and they would serve the LORD instead of Pharaoh. In this respect, they had to experience a paradigm shift and an overturn of their value system. This was a revolution!

Revolution is not about holding a banquet, but it is materialized through the traumatic and painstaking sacrifices of the people. When Israelites suffered in the hand of Pharaoh, God also suffered with them. (eg: pains in intelligence warfare)

God delivering the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt is a type that foretold the plan of God to deliver all mankind later. In the New Testament times, God saves everyone from sins through Jesus Christ who died on the cross and who was resurrected three day after His crucifixion.

God also adopts the believers to be His people, and He has become our God. He shall guide the believers into a new life which is governed by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Christians who are saved by the grace of God must be thankful for the gift of life we have received, and we should love Jesus Christ and follow in His footsteps to serve God and others on earth as the Spirit leads us.

With the help of the Spirit, we are to fight against all sorts of evil forces (Pharaoh) that enslave people, and these include overcoming the weakness of our flesh and the bondage of our old self, as well as to eliminate the injustice found in social systems.

In this respect, Christians also shall encounter difficulties, objections and need to make sacrifices in this process. Let us be prepared to be an army of God. Do not let sufferings, difficulties and failures become our stumbling blocks that hinder us from moving on.

Submit under God’s Sovereignty

How did God respond to Moses? God did not give a clear explanation to Moses, but He re-emphasized two things:

Firstly, Moses had to know that God was in control.

God repeated five times and He stated again and again that, “……I am the LORD” (6:2-8).

God wanted us to shift our focus from our “current difficulties and past failures” and to fix our eyes on Him, to know Him and to trust Him.

Secondly, we must believe that God is faithful, and His promises will surely be fulfilled.

God said seven times and He emphasized that, “I will……”  (6:6-8)

Cast your burdens on God when you feel lonely and discouraged, for He shall take care of you. In times when you encounter failure after failure, and things are getting worse, you can still trust in God and know His power. By doing so, you will be able to enjoy peace and joy and have the strength to overcome your current difficulties.

The Israelites eventually left Egypt successfully. In the same way, we shall be protected by God and exit our “Egypt” successfully.

What defeat and hardship have you encountered today? Do not be frustrated and do not give up, but instead, strive continuously in proclaiming the Word of God and doing His work, and serve God with an undivided attention, paying whatever price we have to pay.

An excellent worker will not be mindful of his temporal failures. The economic depression and the pandemic shall continue to beat us down for some time. Yet let us be unwavering in worshiping and serving God. Let us continue to live out our faith in this world.

Do not expect that there will always be the comfort of a “banquet” when we walk daily with the Lord. Yet we shall surely have victory if we rely on the Lord for, he is in control in all circumstances.

God still Uses Us even though We are Vulnerable

As we know, despite the setbacks, God was still working. So, he again sent Moses and Aaron to meet Pharaoh to ask him to let the people go so that they could leave Egypt.

Though the people were weak in their faith, God’s providence was still there with them.  Moses had questioned and complained against God over his frustration, but God still used him.

We are all weak and of little faith. Our faith is shaken whenever we see our circumstances getting worse. Nevertheless, God is unchanging. He is faithful and He is compassionate with our weaknesses. He still would like to use us despite our weaknesses. It is through our weaknesses that God’s power is revealed.

Were Moses and Aaron scared to meet Pharaoh again? Wouldn’t they worry that the consequence could be worsened?

Of course, they were worried and fearful, but they went anyway, because they submitted to God’s instructions. They were willing to pledge their life and possession and to trust God to keep them intact!

We should be like Moses and Aaron, who were persistent and unyielding. Do not be surprised, discouraged or fearful when people reject you and refuse to believe in your faith and struggle.

Let us take our stand. Let us step out boldly and not shrink away, so that we may become witnesses of God amid our difficult times, and that we may be faithful to Him and serve Him wholeheartedly.

Do not give up easily. For example, do not be discouraged when someone criticizes you or wrongs you, or when you are hit by the Covid-19 or you fail in your undertakings.

Moving in God’s plan is not “feasting at a banquet”, but it is resisting “evil, hardships, persecution” in life until the very end. Christians who follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ must take up their own crosses.

Are you willing to be used by God again? God is saying to you this day, “Know that I am the LORD, and I will exert my powerful arms to rescue you from the evil slavery ….”

So Near Yet So Far

2 Kings 1:1-17

God’s Judgment on King Ahaziah

Ahaziah was the son of Ahab and Jezebel. He succeeded Ahab as king. His character was like his parents, who forsook the LORD and drew near to Baal. This narrative highlighted Ahaziah’s tragic end because of his rebellion and resistance to God.

Ahaziah fell from the lattice of his upper room and injured himself. Hence, he sent messengers, saying to them, “Go and consult Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.”

The messengers of the king went and sought the help of Baal, but God sent Elijah to stop them from doing so. Elijah came to the king’s messengers on the road. He prophesized to the messengers and charged against Ahaziah, and said, “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? “Therefore, this is what the Lord says: You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!”

The messengers then returned to the king, and the king asked them and said, “Why have you come back?”

“A man came to meet us,” they replied. “And he said to us, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and tell him, “This is what the Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore, you will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!”’”

The king asked them, “What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this?”

They replied, “He had a garment of hair and had a leather belt around his waist.”

The king said, “That was Elijah the Tishbite.”

Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down!’”

Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men. God had proven the creditability of Elijah.

Then the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. The captain said to him, “Man of God, this is what the king says, ‘Come down at once!’”

 “If I am a man of God,” Elijah replied, “may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.

The king was still stubborn, and he sent a third captain with his fifty men to Elijah.

This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. “Man of God,” he begged, “please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!”

The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.”

So, Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.

 Elijah told the king, “This is what the Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel for you to consult that you have sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Because you have done this, you will never leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!”

So Ahaziah died, according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken.

God is Much More Powerful than the Resisting Forces

The scriptures repeat the spatial terms, “Come down. Got up”.

The king fell from the lattice of his upper room. It seemed to predict that his “kingship, power and life” had also fallen! The king was carried by his servants and put on his sickbed, and the prophet said the king would not be able to get down from it. The king had lost the ability of “getting up and coming down”.

In contrast, the prophet got up actively to stop the king’s messengers. The getting up of the prophet was a contrast to the falling of the king. It displayed the power of God that crushed the power of the king!

The fifty men threatened the prophet to “come down” twice, but the prophet refused to do so. Instead, he sent the fire to “come down” and burnt them alive.

So, there is a contrast between the king’s “getting up and coming down” and the prophet’s “getting up and not coming down”. The later overturned the former, which showed that God’s power was far more overwhelming than the resisting forces.

Today, God is fulfilling His will on earth and His Kingdom is coming upon it.  The devil, the king of the world, is attacking God’s people with persecution and temptations. We ought to stand with God firmly and to rely on Him to resist the evil forces.

Let’s be diligent in evangelism and to spread the Gospel on earth. The word of God comes with power to transform people and environment; that those who are under the bondages of sin shall be delivered; and those social practices that corrupt the minds and hearts of men shall be reformed; and those powers that persecute believers and restrain their freedom shall be broken!

Why Forgo the Near to Embrace the Far?

The scriptures use a series of ironies to make clear that Ahaziah was not only impotent but foolish. The spatial terms perform as spiritual metaphors: the king resided in the land of Israel but instead of seeking the God of Israel, he sent his messengers to Ekron in the land of the Philistines and sought the help of the pagan god – Baal Zebub. The king was wrong to forgo what was hear him and sought after something afar. He would not be able to receive help!

The result was, the king did receive his prophecy, not from Baal but from the LORD. Baal was silent but the LORD spoke out. Nevertheless, the king paid no attention to God’s voice. He wanted to capture the prophet.

The king actually identified the man of God to be Elijah while the soldiers were kept in the dark. Though the king recognized Elijah, he sent someone to capture him instead. It revealed how foolish he was. By right he should repent and seek help from Elijah!

The king fell from his window, his “throne, spirituality and life” fell from him as well! His fault was found in his resistance to God. He had departed from God, relied on his own strength instead of God’s, and replaced God with evil forces.

Have you fell from certain area of your life this day? Who are you seeking help from? Whose strength do you rely on so that you can stand? Do not seek help from afar but nearby!

Many times, helps are just beside us and God is working in our midst but we miss them out. For example, we neglect our own church by not actively drawing our spiritual resources from it; we ignore the importance of church meetings, serving, daily quiet time, and instead we spend our times in worldly pleasures; we don’t see the good things happening in our church, but admire what other churches are doing; we lose sight of the love and care given by those who are near to us….some Christians seek help not from God, but from other powerful people or idols; not through God’s way but using the worldly ways.

Let us turn back to God. He is here waiting for us to return to his bosom!

Humble Ourselves and Seek God’s Help

The king sent three teams of soldiers to capture the prophet.

For the first round, Elijah was sitting on the top of a hill, and the soldiers saw him from afar and they shouted to him, “Man of God, the king says, “Come down!” (v 9) Their attitude was as foolish and arrogant as the king who resisted God.

The response of the prophet was refusing to listen to the instruction of the king, and he said, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” (v 10) Then fire really came down from heaven and consumed the soldiers. It showed a rebellious kingship which was defeated by God.

The second time, another group of soldiers came and they were ruder than the first group of soldiers, and they called out from afar and said, “Man of God, this is what the king says, “Come down at once!” (v11) The response of the prophet was more intense. It was not just fire, but fire of God falling from heaven and consuming them (v12).

It was the second time the soldiers were burnt to death, and it showed that the kingship of Ahaziah was completely defeated by God.

The third group of soldiers came and the captain of the fifty was a humble man with heart of reverence. He dared not ask the prophet to come down, but instead, he came before the prophet and knelt before him and sought his mercy and help. They identified themselves as servants of the prophet, as though they were on the same side of the prophet (v13-14).

The event turned around at this point of time. The soldiers succeeded this round with their lives being kept secured, for the prophet came down willingly by himself. His action spoke of God’s grace that came upon this group of soldiers, which was unlike the fire of judgment that fell upon the previous two groups.

The prophet went to see the king, and he repeated the same prophecy he spoke before. The king was silent about this. The king was suppressed by the word of God. At the end, the king died, and it testified that the words of God were fulfilled ultimately, and it also highlighted the miserable end of rebelling against God.

How shall we react when we fall and fail under certain situations? Let us not be like Ahaziah, whose attitude was foolish and arrogant, and who refused to seek God but relied  on his own power and forces that were not of God.

He thought he could settle his problem this way. In fact, he was seeking help from afar rather than from the One who was near to him. He resisted God and what he did displeased God.

All powers on earth are weak and fragile before God. We should imitate the third captain of the fifty men, to come before God in humility, and acknowledge our weaknesses and mistakes, and seek His mercy and help.

The salvation of God will surely come upon us, and He shall enable us to be strengthened and stand up again after our fall.

Let us examine our attitude: Do we hear respectfully and maintain a humble spirit when we face reproach from the man of God, or when we serve as a team with our church members?

The exhortation of Paul said that, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

When the fire of God comes down, it brings forth either revival or judgment. It all depends on our attitude towards God and others, whether we are humble or arrogant.