10月12日

標 題：敬虔與迫害

經 節：不但如此，凡立志在基督耶穌裡敬虔度日的也都要受逼迫。（提摩太后書三章12節）

活出敬虔的生命並不能夠使你免受苦難。保羅說，你的生活愈是沒有瑕疵，你愈有可能受逼迫。根據保羅所說：「只是作惡的和迷惑人的，必越久越惡，他欺哄人，也被人欺哄。」（提摩太后書三：13）當這個世界愈來愈沉溺于罪惡，世人會愈來愈無法忍受敬虔。黑暗不能忍受光；當你的生命愈加顯出神同在的同時，你心裡要有數，自己將面對黑暗的反對勢力。你那像基督的性情會冒犯那些悖逆神主權的人。

你可能最近才悔改，向著順服神邁開新的一步。也許因為祂才剛嘉許你的順服，你正期待能馬上經歷神的祝福。然而，你反而遇見反對勢力。那些迫害甚至可能是從其他基督徒的誤解而來。也許你順服神，而你的行動還是受指責，沒有人稱讚你。

如果你是真誠地跟隨主，不要灰心。保羅警告那些想敬虔度日的人，會遭受逼迫。當這些事發生在你的身上時，不要驚訝。這個世界將神的兒子釘在十字架上，它當然也會敵視任何活在聖靈大能下的人。迫害可能是你基督徒生活的最佳明證。耶穌曾經警告，世人憎恨祂──世人的救主。所以，祂的門徒被誤解或錯待，是不可避免的（約翰福音十五：18）。

Godliness and Persecution

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

Living a godly life will not insulate you from hardship. Paul said that the more blameless your life, the more likely you will be persecuted. According to Paul, “evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse” (2 Tim. 3:13). As the world increasingly embraces sin, worldly people are becoming increasingly intolerant of godliness. Darkness cannot tolerate light; the more your life illuminates the presence of Christ, the more you should expect opposition from the forces of darkness. Your Christlike nature will be offensive to those in rebellion against Christ’s Lordship.

You may have recently repented of your sin and taken a new step of obedience to God. Perhaps you expected to experience God’s blessing immediately as He demonstrated His approval of your obedience. Instead, you were met with opposition. The persecution may have come even from other Christians who misunderstood your motives. Perhaps you obeyed God, and still your actions were met with criticism instead of praise.

If you are sincerely following the Lord’s direction, don’t be discouraged. Paul warned that those who seek to live godly lives will suffer persecution. Do not be surprised when this happens to you. If the world crucified the Son of God, surely the world will be hostile to anyone who lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Persecution may be the best evidence that your life is like that of Christ. Jesus warned that the world hated Him, the Savior, and so it would certainly misunderstand and mistreat His disciples (John 15:18).