互相分享恩典
加拉太书六章1至10节
1弟兄们,若有人偶然被过犯所胜,你们属灵的人就当用温柔的心把他挽回过来;又当自己小心,恐怕也被引诱。
2你们各人的重担要互相担当,如此,就完全了基督的律法。
3人若无有,自己还以为有,就是自欺了。
4各人应当察验自己的行为;这样,他所夸的就专在自己,不在别人了,
5因为各人必担当自己的担子。
6在道理上受教的,当把一切需用的供给施教的人。
7不要自欺,神是轻慢不得的。人种的是甚么,收的也是甚么。
8顺着情欲撒种的,必从情欲收败坏;顺着圣灵撒种的,必从圣灵收永生。
9我们行善,不可丧志;若不灰心,到了时候就要收成。
10所以,有了机会就当向众人行善,向信徒一家的人更当这样。
信息分享
第1节提醒我们,必须帮助软弱跌倒的弟兄姊妹。有些突如其来的试探,会令信徒在毫无防备下,因一时冲动而做错事──可能因急躁而大发脾气,或是犯了道德上的罪。我们该怎样帮助他呢?
马丁‧路德提醒我们说:「要立即跑过去,向他伸出你的手,将他扶起来。张开慈爱的双臂来拥抱他、安慰他。」这种真情的帮助,有谁能抗拒呢?
此外,基督徒还要借着彼此担当重担或痛苦,来表现出神所赐的恩慈。这才是真正的基督徒团契相交。我们若愿意花时间去聆听其他信徒的困难,分担并帮助他面对患难,对方就必得着极大的鼓励。
基督赐予我们的恩典,还应教导我们多作反省(3节)。我们在基督以外是一无所有。神已将各样的恩典白白地赐给我们,所以我们是一无可夸。
保罗引用了一个耕作的常理来作例子(7至9节),向我们再次重申,我们当下如何生活,将来便会有怎样的结果。我们如果依从罪性的权势而活,就只会结出败坏的果子。我们如果依从圣灵的心意而活,就必蒙祝福;而且,将来更可以上天堂,永远与基督同享福乐。
当记着:我们既因得著白白的恩典,便应该无条件地与主内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.

