永恆眼光 2013年 07月 4日 讀經: 格林多後書4章16節- 5章8節 我們所顧念的，不是看得見的，而是看不見的。 —格林多後書4章18節，新譯本 全年讀經: 約伯記28-29章 宗徒大事錄13章1-25節 在上個月的眼睛檢查中，我發現自己看遠距離的事物更加清晰了。我以為這是個好消息，然而，一位朋友告訴我：「我們遠距離的視力會隨著年紀的增加而改善，而近距離的視力則會衰退。」 這份檢查報告讓我聯想到另一種遠距離視力的改善，那是發生在基督徒身上的。那些認識主已經有一段時間，或是曾經歷巨大試煉的基督徒，似乎比其他人有更好的屬天洞察力。他們的永恆眼光變得更好，而他們對眼前「世界」的目光則正在減少。 使徒保祿也有那樣的永恆眼光，他勉勵格林多的教會：「我們這至暫至輕的苦楚，要為我們成就極重無比、永遠的榮耀。……因為所見的是暫時的，所不見的是永遠的。」（格林多後書4章17-18節） 現今我們也徘徊在屬世與屬天的「眼光」中，無法聚焦。我們享受著上主賜給我們眼前的一切，但也嚮往著神學家喬納森·愛德華茲（Jonathan Edwards）所說關於我們的未來：「前往天堂，全然享受上主的同在，絕對比在地上的最佳住處更好。」定睛於祂，將會給我們帶來完美的視野。 主，我們知道這世上的生活較之永恆， 不過是片時之間，求主助我們享受 祢賜予的時間，並使用我們宣揚祢的慈愛， 直到我們見祢面的日子。 將你的眼光放在永恆的獎賞上。 16為此，我們決不膽怯，縱使我們外在的人日漸損壞，但我們內在的人卻日日更新， 16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man is corrupted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17因為我們這現時輕微的苦難，正分外無比地給我們造就永遠的光榮厚報， 17For that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation, worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory. 18因為我們並不注目那看得見的，而只注目那看不見的；那看得見的，原是暫時的；那看不見的，纔是永遠的。 18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen, are temporal; but the things which are not seen, are eternal. 1因為我們知道：如果我們這地上帳棚式的寓所拆毀了，我們必由天主獲得一所房舍，一所非人手所造，而永遠在天上的寓所。 1For we know, if our earthly house of this habitation be dissolved, that we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven. 2誠然，我們在此歎息，因為我們切望套上那屬天上的住所， 2For in this also we groan, desiring to be clothed upon with our habitation that is from heaven. 3只要我們還穿著衣服，不是赤裸的。 3Yet so that we be found clothed, not naked. 4我們在這帳棚裡的人，苦惱歎息，是由於我們不願脫去衣服，而就套上另一層，為使這有死的為生命所吸收。 4For we also, who are in this tabernacle, do groan, being burthened; because we would not be unclothed, but clothed upon, that that which is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5但那安排我們如此的，是天主，是他給我們賜下了聖神作抵押。 5Now he that maketh us for this very thing, is God, who hath given us the pledge of the Spirit. 6所以不論怎樣，我們時常放心大膽，因為我們知道，我們幾時住在這肉身內，就是與主遠離── 6Therefore having always confidence, knowing that, while we are in the body, we are absent from the Lord. 7因為我們現今只是憑信德往來，並非憑目睹── 7(For we walk by faith, and not by sight.) 8我們放心大膽，是為更情願出離肉身，與主同住。 8But we are confident, and have a good will to be absent rather from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Eternal Eyesight July 4, 2013 I received good news at my eye checkup last month—my faraway vision has improved. Well, I thought it was good news until a friend informed me: “Faraway vision can improve as we age; close-up vision may diminish.” The report made me think of another kind of improved faraway vision that I have observed in some Christians. Those who have known the Lord for a long time or who have gone through great trials seem to have a better heavenly vision than the rest of us. Their eternal eyesight has gotten better and their close-up “earthly” vision is diminishing. Because the apostle Paul had that type of eternal vision, he encouraged the church in Corinth: “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory . . . . The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:17-18). For now we struggle with our “eyesight.” There’s a tension between enjoying all that God has given us in this life, yet still believing what theologian Jonathan Edwards said about our future: “To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here.” Seeing Him will bring perfect vision. Lord, we know that our life on this earth is but a moment compared to eternity. Help us to enjoy the time we’ve been given, and use us to tell of Your love and goodness until that day when we see You. Keep your eyes fixed on the prize.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:34:29 +0000
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