July - 30
WHEN THE OBSTACLE IS ME
“Let your light shine . . . that [others] may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
As we near the end of this month of looking at our relationship with God, there’s one more aspect to consider. At times, faith and religious practice can become mainly about personal preferences; when that happens, we become unbiblically self-centered.
Let’s note again the words of Isaiah 59:2: “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Our sin separates us from God.
There’s another kind of separation to be concerned about too. It’s possible that my sins may separate others from God, that somehow my actions may hide God’s face from them. God’s Word tells us often that our behavior can deeply influence others and their relationship with God. That makes reflecting on the cleanness of our spiritual “life blood” especially important.
Our Scripture for today gives this a positive spin. Though our sin does affect other people, so does our godly living. When we honestly admit our sin, ask for forgiveness, and move on to live a life that helps bring goodness into the world, people will see a realistic Christianity. They will see a God “of the people” and “for the people.” And they will know that Jesus is for those who are sincerely looking for God.
What light will people see in my life and yours today?
PRAYER
Dear God, I know my behavior and integrity can make a difference in how someone else sees you. Help me through my life to point others to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
在这个月里，我们一直在思想我们与神的关系，这个月快要过去了，我们还有一件事要思考。有时，信仰和宗教生活变成一种个人喜好，我们变得自我中心，完全违反了圣经的原则。
让我们再看清楚以赛亚书59:2的话：「你们的罪孽使你们与神隔绝。你们的罪恶使他掩面不听你们。」是我们的罪使我们与神隔绝了。
我们还要小心避免另一种隔绝，我的罪也可能导致其他人与神隔绝，因为我的行为妨碍他们看见神的面。神的话告诉我们，我们的表现，往往大大影响其他人和他们与神的关系，所以我们便应特别留意省察，看看维持我们属灵「生命的血」是否洁净。
今天的经文让我们看到积极的一面。我们的罪固然影响别人，但我们的敬虔生活也一样能起作用。当我们诚心认罪祈求赦免，又借着我们的生活方式向世人彰显良善时，别人便能够看到基督教信仰是实际可行的。他们看到一位「属于人」和「为人着想」的神，他们亦知道，耶稣必帮助那些真心寻求神的人。
今天，在你和我的生命中，别人究竟看到甚么亮光呢？
祷告
亲爱的神，我知道我的表现和为人是否正直，能影响别人对的看法，求祢帮助我，透过我的生命引领人归向。奉耶稣的名求，阿们。