6月15日

標 題：敬虔的影響力

經節：耶和華對挪亞說：「你和你的全家都要進入方舟；因為在這世代中，我見你在我面前是義人。」（創世記七章1節）

挪亞的孩子們面對一個重要的決定。他們在一個眾人都漠視神的世界中，邪惡的行為是很普遍的事。如果挪亞的兒子們像社會其他人一樣過著邪惡生活，除了他們的父親以外，沒有人會定罪他們。處在一個罪惡及邪惡滿布的世界，他們很幸運能作挪亞的孩子。當他們的父親邀請他們順服神的話，在未來一百年建一條方舟的時候，挪亞的兒子必須選擇信任自己的父親，還是相信周遭人們的話。他們選擇添加父親的行列。挪亞在自己家中聖潔的影響，是多麼美好的見證！閃、含、雅弗真是幸運！儘管他們周圍每個人都是如此行，他們的父親不願意與世界妥協自己的正直。

你的生活也會影響周圍其他的人，你的選擇深深影響你自己的配偶與兒女。不僅如此，你的同工、你的鄰居和你的朋友們，都會被你的生活影響。當世人同流合污的時候，你的生活則是赤裸裸地呈現在眾人面前，成為正直的榜樣。你的生活會使你周圍的人確信要跟隨神的智慧，不要小看自己對神的順服，它會為周遭的人們帶來正面的影響。

A Godly Influence

Then the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. (Genesis 7:1)

The children of Noah faced a significant decision. They lived in a world where everyone blatantly disregarded God. Wickedness was the norm. No one would have condemned Noah's sons for living evil lives like the rest of society—no one except their father. In a world rampant with ungodly attitudes and every form of wicked behavior, they were fortunate to be Noah's sons. When their father invited them to spend the next hundred years building an ark in obedience to a word from God, Noah's sons had to choose whether to believe those around them or to trust their father. They chose to join their father. What a wonderful testimony of Noah's godly influence in his home! How fortunate for Shem, Ham, and Japheth that their father refused to compromise his integrity, even though everyone else in his society had done so.

Your life has an influence on those around you as well. Your spouse and your children are profoundly affected by your choices. Your coworkers, your neighbors, and your friends will all be impacted by your life. As the world tries to persuade people to follow its standard, your life should stand in stark contrast as an example of a righteous person. Your life should convince those around you of the wisdom of following God. Do not underestimate the positive effect that your obedience will have upon those close to you.