“我们这许多人,在基督里成为一身,互相联络作肢体。” - 罗 12:5
许多年前,我就曾听人说:“我信圣徒沟通。”在任何人际关系中,顺畅的沟通是必需的,然而,我们在基督里的联系,远远超过彼此之间的顺畅的沟通。
我们在使徒信经中告白:“我信圣徒相通”时,我们的意思是,藉着耶稣的宝血,我们不单属于祂,我们也是彼此相属的。因着耶稣的血,我们在祂里面的关系,甚至超越我们与自己家人的血缘关系。
我们之间的彼此相通,并不是一个客观事实那么简单。保罗进一步解释说,彼此相属有一个至关重要的功用。我们每一个人都从圣灵那里领受恩赐,我们的恩赐虽然不同,但它们的目的都是一样的:彼此建立,共同服侍主和为了大家的益处。善用我们的恩赐,能带领我们通过各种不同的途径来彼此造就,彰显上帝的爱,也向我们周围的人彰显这爱。
我们得到的恩赐或许包括讲道(说预言-向人传讲上帝的话)、教导、治理、服事、施舍、或很多其他的才干。耶稣吩咐我们,要存着感恩的心和爱心去建立祂的身体,好叫我们每一个人都能在圣徒相通上有份。
祷告
主耶稣,我们彼此相属,就像我们属于你一样。求你帮助我们忠心使用我们的恩赐,去共建你的身体,与每一个人分享你的爱。阿们。
罗马书 12:3-21
3我凭着所赐我的恩对你们各人说:不要看自己过于所当看的,要照着神所分给各人信心的大小,看得合乎中道。
4正如我们一个身子上有好些肢体,肢体也不都是一样的用处;
5我们这许多人在基督里成为一身,互相联络做肢体,也是如此。
6按我们所得的恩赐,各有不同。或说预言,就当照着信心的程度说预言;
7或做执事,就当专一执事;或做教导的,就当专一教导;
8或做劝化的,就当专一劝化;施舍的,就当诚实;治理的,就当殷勤;怜悯人的,就当甘心。
9爱人不可虚假;恶要厌恶,善要亲近。
10爱弟兄,要彼此亲热;恭敬人,要彼此推让。
11殷勤不可懒惰;要心里火热,常常服侍主。
12在指望中要喜乐,在患难中要忍耐,祷告要恒切。
13圣徒缺乏要帮补,客要一味地款待。
14逼迫你们的,要给他们祝福;只要祝福,不可咒诅。
15与喜乐的人要同乐,与哀哭的人要同哭。
16要彼此同心;不要志气高大,倒要俯就卑微的人 ;不要自以为聪明。
17不要以恶报恶。众人以为美的事,要留心去做。
18若是能行,总要尽力与众人和睦。
19亲爱的弟兄,不要自己申冤,宁可让步,听凭主怒 ;因为经上记着:“主说:申冤在我,我必报应。”
20所以,“你的仇敌若饿了,就给他吃;若渴了,就给他喝。因为你这样行,就是把炭火堆在他的头上。”
21你不可为恶所胜,反要以善胜恶。
The Communion Of Saints
“In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” - Romans 12:5
Many years ago I heard someone say, “I believe in the communication of the saints.” While good communication is essential in all kinds of relationships, our connectedness in Christ goes beyond communicating well with each another.
When we say, with the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in . . . the communion of saints,” we are saying that through Jesus’ blood we not only belong to him but also to each other. Our blood relationship in Jesus transcends even the real blood we share with our own family members.
And our communion with each other is more than just a statement of fact. Paul goes on to explain that belonging to one another has a crucial function. Each of us has been given gifts by the Holy Spirit. Though our gifts vary, the purpose for them is the same: to build one another up in service to the Lord and for the benefit of all. Using our gifts leads to all kinds of ways in which we can show God’s love to one another and to all the people around us.
The gifts we have may include preaching (prophesying—bringing God’s Word to people), teaching, leading, serving, giving, or a number of other abilities. Jesus wants us to use these gifts with thanksgiving and love to strengthen his body so that all can join in the communion of saints.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, just as we belong to you, we belong to each other. Help us to use our gifts faithfully to build up your body and share your love with everyone. Amen.