FROM THE PASTOR'S HEART
来自牧师的心声
Jesus told His followers, “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14).
耶稣告诉跟随他的人：“你是世界之光”（太5:14）。
查尔斯·斯坦利 摘自 “intouchcanada.org”
One of the most beautiful sights of Christmas is all the glittering lights. They instantly transform an ordinary setting into a wonderland that catches our attention, lifts our spirits, and builds a sense of anticipation. Although Christmas lights are only on display for a few weeks of the year, did you know that God has provided even brighter lights that are always shining, no matter what the season? Those lights are the Christians He has scattered throughout the world.
圣诞节中最美丽的景象是闪闪发光的灯。 它们立即将普通的环境变成了仙境，吸引我们注意力，振奋我们的精神并使我们充满期望。 尽管圣诞灯光只在一年中的几个星期内展示，但你知道吗？无论哪个季节，上帝都会提供更亮的灯光，它们总是闪烁着？ 这些光就是他散布在世界各地的基督徒。
Jesus told His followers, “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14). Have you ever thought of yourself that way? Perhaps you’re wondering what it means to be a light. After all, didn’t Jesus say He was the Light of the world (John 8:12)? Both statements are true, but Christ’s light originates from within Himself as the Son of God, whereas our light is merely a reflection of His life in us. As Christ’s life is displayed in our character and conduct, His light shines through us to those around us. That’s how, both as the church and as individual believers, we are the light of the world.
耶稣告诉跟随他的人：“你是世界之光”（太5:14）。 你有没有那样想过自己？ 也许您想知道成为一盏灯意味着什么。 毕竟，耶稣不是说他是世界之光吗？（约翰福音8:12），两种说法都是正确的，但是基督的光是他作为神的儿子，从他自己内部产生的，而我们的光只是他在我们里面的生命的反射。 当基督的生命表现在我们的品格和行为中时，祂的光就透过我们向周围的人发光。 这样，无论是作为教会还是单个信徒，我们都是世界之光。
To better understand this concept, consider what light does.
First of all, it dispels darkness. If you were in a pitch-black cave, and someone lit a lantern, that flame would instantly eliminate the blackness. No matter how small a light is, it always overcomes darkness.
为了更好地理解这个概念，请考虑光的作用。
首先，它消除了黑暗。 如果您在一个漆黑的洞穴中，有人点燃灯笼，那火焰将立即消除黑暗。 不管光有多小，它总能克服黑暗。
That’s what believers are like in the world. The Bible uses darkness to illustrate the sinful condition of society and mankind, and describes them as “being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart” (Eph. 4:18). Christians throughout the world dispel the darkness and are used by God to show others how to come into Christ’s light through faith in Him.
那就是世界上信徒的样子。 圣经用黑暗来说明社会和人类的罪恶状况，并将它们描述为 “他们心地昏昧，与 神所赐的生命隔绝了，都因自己无知，心里刚硬” (弗 4:18）。 全世界的基督徒驱除黑暗，并被上帝用来向其他人展示如何通过对基督的信仰而进入基督的光明。
Second, light guides the way. If you’ve ever been on a trail at night, you know how important a flashlight is. Without it, you’d stumble over obstacles and probably become lost. In a similar way, believers are flashlights for those walking in spiritual darkness, showing them the way to Christ through their godly lifestyles and their testimony.
其次，光引导路。 如果您晚上曾去过小径，那您就会知道手电筒的重要性。 没有它，您会被障碍绊倒，并可能迷路。 以类似的方式，信徒是那些在属灵黑暗中行走的人的手电筒，通过他们敬虔的生活方式和见证向他们展示通往基督的道路。
Together the body of Christ is like a city on a hill whose lights are a beacon of hope for travelers seeking refuge (Matt. 5:14). We have the only message that can save human souls and lead them to eternal life. The goal is to let our light shine in such a way that others see our good works, glorify God (v. 16), and ultimately, find salvation for themselves through faith in Jesus.
基督的身体合在一起，就像一座小山上的城市，光明的灯塔为寻求庇护的旅行者提供了希望的灯塔（太5:14）。 我们拥有唯一的信息可以拯救人类的灵魂，并将他们带入永生。 目的是让我们的光芒照耀，使其他人看到我们的善行，荣耀上帝（第16节），并最终通过对耶稣的信仰为自己找到救赎。
Third, light exposes what is hidden. Although we’d like everyone to be attracted to Christ through our witness, the reality is that many don’t want anything to do with Him. In fact, some people are very antagonistic toward Christians because a righteous lifestyle exposes their own sinfulness. Jesus said those who won’t come to the Light hate it because it exposes their deeds as evil (John 3:19-20). If you’ve ever turned on a bedroom light and seen someone pull the covers over their eyes to avoid the brightness, you’ve seen an illustration of what can happen when unrepentant sinners are presented with the gospel.
第三，光将隐藏的东西暴露出来。 尽管我们希望每个人都可以通过我们的见证被基督吸引，但现实是许多人不希望与耶稣有任何关系。 实际上，有些人对基督徒非常敌对，因为公义的生活方式暴露了自己的罪恶。 耶稣说那些不会来就光的人讨厌它，因为光把他们的行为暴露为邪恶（约翰福音3：19-20）。 如果您曾经打开卧室的灯，并且看到有人将遮盖物遮盖住眼睛以避开亮度，那么您已经看到了一个例子，说明了向未悔改的罪人展示福音时会发生什么。
Fourth, light is meant to be seen, not covered up. It makes no sense to light a lamp and then cover it with a basket, since its purpose is to illuminate the room (Matt. 5:15). Yet, this is sometimes what Christians do. They shine brightly when they’re gathered with fellow believers at church, but during the rest of the week, they try to keep their Christianity private. As a result, their light is covered up with the values, language, and practices of the world around them. Instead of displaying the light of Christ in their lives, they begin to blend in with the darkness around them
第四，光应该被看到，而不是被遮盖。 先点亮一盏灯再用篮子盖上它是没有意义的，因为它的目的是照亮整个房间（太5:15）。 然而，有时候基督徒就是这么做的。 当他们在教堂与其他信徒聚会时，它们会闪闪发光，但是在剩下的一周中，他们会尽量保持基督教的私密性。 结果，他们的光芒被周围世界的价值观，语言和实践所掩盖。 他们没有在生活中展示基督的光，而是开始与周围的黑暗融为一体
Being the light of the world isn’t optional for believers. If Christ dwells in you, you are light even if you cover it up in order to avoid rejection or ridicule. You may think your life is small and inconsequential, but God has placed you exactly where He wants you in this world to reflect Christ and influence those around you. Even if you feel you aren’t making a difference, remember you can’t always see the impact you’re having. God can use you in unseen ways as long as you’re seeking to walk obediently and faithfully before Him.
对于信徒来说，成为世界的光明不是可以选择的。 如果基督住在你里面，你就是光，即使你掩盖了它以避免被拒绝或嘲笑。 你可能认为自己的生活渺小而无关紧要，但上帝已准确地将你放置在祂所希望你在的这个世界上，为了彰显基督，并影响你周围的人。 即使你觉得自己改变什么，请记住，你并不能总是看到自己的影响。 只要你寻求服从和忠实地走在上帝面前，上帝就会以看不见的方式使用您。
This Christmas season, let the holiday lights remind you of your responsibility to let your light shine before men. As you allow Jesus’ life to radiate throughout your words and actions, God will accomplish His will through you. He’s the only one who can open a hard heart and transform a sinner into a saint. And never think that your light is too small to make a difference. The power to transform lives is not dependent on the strength of your light, but on Christ’s ability to use you for His glory. So let your light shine and watch what He will do.
在这个圣诞节季节，让节日灯光提醒你有责任让你的灯在人面前发光。 当你让耶稣的生命散布在你的言行中时，上帝就会通过你实现他的旨意。 他是唯一一个能开诚布公地将罪人变成圣徒的人。 永远不要认为你的光线太小而无法有所作为。 改变生命的能力不取决于你光的强度，而取决于基督使用你荣耀自己的能力。 因此，让你的光芒照耀着，看着基督会做什么。
一
献给您的虔诚祷告，
Charles F. Stanley
查尔斯·斯坦利
P.S. I’d like to wish you a very Merry Christmas this year as you celebrate our Savior’s birth. May the joy of the season fill your heart as His light shines through you, and may His perfect peace guard your heart in Christ Jesus all year long.
附言 在你庆祝救世主诞辰之际，我祝你今年圣诞快乐。 愿当他的光芒照耀你时，使你充满节日的喜悦，并愿他完美的安宁终年在基督里守护你的心。
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