提要
把基督教掛在嘴上是相當輕鬆愉快的。你可談愛、討論神學、聖誕節時救濟窮人、向一般信徒大談信仰之道,並得著許多「阿們」的回應──這至少比參加其他的社區俱樂部好多了。「基督教」俱樂部帶給人許多的自滿和自義,你的入會費就是正確的言論。
然而,正確的生活,而不是言論,才是真正的基督教。特別在這廿一世紀,人們談的已經夠多了,是起而行的時候了!耶穌當時這麼想,現在毫無疑問的也仍然這麼認為。
耶穌說,聽祂的話和遵行祂的話之間,存在一種很特別的關係。祂用一個強而有力的比喻,來說明祂的重點。只聽、只談論,而不去行的人,就像一個人把房子蓋在沒有根基的土地上。不管他花了多少時間、勞力,也不論他多麼專注於建築的事工,這棟房子終必倒塌。甚至為主而起造的建築也不例外,如果根基不穩,房屋必隨之搖擺,最後化為一堆廢墟。
相反的,一個聽了耶穌的教訓又付諸行動的人,就像蓋了一棟不會毀壞的房屋。無論受到多大的攻擊,房屋總能屹立不搖。為什麼?因為「遵行」主的話,就是奠定了堅固的根基。在這根基上建房屋所花費的力氣可能並不多,也不少於在沙地上的工事,唯一不同的是,蓋在磐石上的房屋將存留到永遠。
我們嘴裡所說的並不能取悅上帝。如果祂願意,祂可以叫石頭發出讚美聲來。所以省省那些空談吧!只要把你的意志交給祂,從你的座位上起來,照著主的話去行!
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Overview
Verbal Christianity can be quite enjoyable. You talk about love, discuss theology, give to the poor at Christmas, get lots of “amens!” When speaking about faith to the converted – in fact, it beats most other service clubs all-hollow. Mainly because a “Christian” club brings an abundance of self-satisfying righteousness as part of the territory. Your club dues are paid in right talking.
Right walking, rather than talking, is, of course, what Christianity is about. Especially in the 90’s. There are enough talking heads out there; it’s time for walking feet. Jesus thought so, then. No doubt, He still thinks so today.
Here said there was a distinct relationship between hearing (and “parroting”, I’d expect) His sayings, and doing them. In fact, He used a powerful simile to make the point. The person who is a hearer and a talker without being a doer, is like someone building a house on an unstable foundation. Regardless of the dedication, the diligence and the time spent in construction, the house will collapse. It doesn’t even matter if the house was dedicated to the Lord’s work. If the foundation is shaky, the house will be shaky, and ultimately will be no more.
Conversely, the person who not only hears, but also puts Jesus’ worlds into practice, builds an indestructible house. Regardless of the forces that come against it, the house will stand. Why? Because “doing” the word makes for an unshakable foundation. Perhaps no more or less effort will be out into the construction than the house built on sand, but the house on the Rock will stand forever.
In the final analysis, our talk doesn’t impress God. He can make the rocks cry out if He wants to – so spare yourself and him all the talk; rather give Him your will. Get out of that pew, and do!
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