互相分享恩典
加拉太書六章1至10節
1弟兄們,若有人偶然被過犯所勝,你們屬靈的人就當用溫柔的心把他挽回過來;又當自己小心,恐怕也被引誘。
2你們各人的重擔要互相擔當,如此,就完全了基督的律法。
3人若無有,自己還以為有,就是自欺了。
4各人應當察驗自己的行為;這樣,他所誇的就專在自己,不在別人了,
5因為各人必擔當自己的擔子。
6在道理上受教的,當把一切需用的供給施教的人。
7不要自欺,神是輕慢不得的。人種的是甚麼,收的也是甚麼。
8順著情慾撒種的,必從情慾收敗壞;順著聖靈撒種的,必從聖靈收永生。
9我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成。
10所以,有了機會就當向眾人行善,向信徒一家的人更當這樣。
信息分享
第1節提醒我們,必須幫助軟弱跌倒的弟兄姊妹。有些突如其來的試探,會令信徒在毫無防備下,因一時衝動而做錯事──可能因急躁而大發脾氣,或是犯了道德上的罪。我們該怎樣幫助他呢?
馬丁‧路德提醒我們說:「要立即跑過去,向他伸出你的手,將他扶起來。張開慈愛的雙臂來擁抱他、安慰他。」這種真情的幫助,有誰能抗拒呢?
此外,基督徒還要藉著彼此擔當重擔或痛苦,來表現出神所賜的恩慈。這才是真正的基督徒團契相交。我們若願意花時間去聆聽其他信徒的困難,分擔並幫助他面對患難,對方就必得著極大的鼓勵。
基督賜予我們的恩典,還應教導我們多作反省(3節)。我們在基督以外是一無所有。神已將各樣的恩典白白地賜給我們,所以我們是一無可誇。
保羅引用了一個耕作的常理來作例子(7至9節),向我們再次重申,我們當下如何生活,將來便會有怎樣的結果。我們如果依從罪性的權勢而活,就只會結出敗壞的果子。我們如果依從聖靈的心意而活,就必蒙祝福;而且,將來更可以上天堂,永遠與基督同享福樂。
當記著:我們既因得著白白的恩典,便應該無條件地與主內的弟兄姊妹一同分享。
CHRISTIAN GRACE IN ACTION
Galatians 6:1-10
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For each one shall bear his own load.
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Message
In verse 1 we are reminded of the help needed by a brother who has failed. Sudden temptation has proved too strong to resist. It may be because of a quick temper or a moral lapse. He has done something wrong on a sudden impulse. How can we help him?
Martin Luther said, 'Run to him and reach out your hand. Raise him up again. Comfort him and embrace him with motherly arms.' Who could resist that kind of help?
Christian grace should also be seen in sharing other people's burdens or hurts. This is true Christian fellowship. We can be a tremendous encouragement to fellow believers if we take time to listen, to share and to help.
Grace also teaches us something about ourselves (v.3). Outside of Christ we have nothing, we are nothing. Grace reminds us that we are in debt to God for everything and we cannot boast about our achievements.
Paul uses an agricultural illustration (v. 7-9) to emphasize again that however we live will come back on us in later life. If we live under the power of our sinful nature, that will be how we finish. But if we live according to the desires of the Spirit of God, we will enjoy blessing and as a further bonus will enter heaven to share with Christ forever.
REMEMBER: Because of Christian grace, our brothers and sisters in Christ have a special claim on us.

