[今日經文 Today’s Reading: 使徒行傳 Acts 21-23]
13 於是保羅回答：「你們為甚麼這樣痛哭，使我心碎呢？我為主耶穌的名，不但被人捆綁，就是死在耶路撒冷也是願意的。」… 23:11 當夜，主站在保羅旁邊，說：「放心吧！你怎樣在耶路撒冷為我作見證，也必怎樣在羅馬為我作見證。」
13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”…23:11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
使徒行傳 Acts 21:13;23:11
當門徒和先知亞迦布因逼迫警告保羅不要去耶路撒冷時，保羅大膽地回答說：“我為主耶穌的名，不但被人捆綁，就是死在耶路撒冷也是願意的。”
時候到了，美國的基督徒要為主耶穌的名受迫害、失業，甚至坐牢做好準備。我們已經聽說過基督教麵包師和攝影師因為堅信上帝對婚姻的設計而失去了生意。許多教師和學校輔導員被禁言，並被要求遵守學區強加的不符合聖經的規定。教會或許想體現對鄰舍的愛，“只”分享福音，而太快地妥協或屈服於當今的逼迫。但神的話說要“用愛心說誠實話”，這才是給人真正的祝福！保羅和早期教會的門徒從未試圖躲在任何掩護下；當逼迫臨到時，他們就更加放膽講論。保羅能做到這一點，是因為主親自站在他身邊，鼓勵他鼓起勇氣。 （使徒行傳 23:11）
我們在今天在美國與當時保羅面臨相同的問題，但我們如何回應？“我們是否準備好為主耶穌的名不僅被監禁，甚至為主耶穌的名而死？”
禱告：親愛的主，求你先幫助我們認識到我們已經在逼迫之下，然後即使在逼迫之下也能鼓起勇氣為祢做見證。願祢喚醒祢的教會堅定立場並準備好面對迫害。奉耶穌的名，阿們！
When the disciples and the prophet Agabus warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem because of certain persecution, Paul answered boldly, “I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
The time has come for Christians in America to be ready to be persecuted, to lose their jobs, and even to be imprisoned for the name of the Lord Jesus. We have already heard of Christian bakers and photographers losing their businesses because of their conviction regarding God’s design for marriage. Many teachers and school counselors have been silenced and are required to abide by unbiblical rules imposed by school districts. Too often and too quickly churches compromise or bow down to persecution saying they want to exemplify love towards their neighbors and will “only” share the gospel. But God’s Word says to “speak the truth in love” which is actually what brings true blessing to people! Paul and the early church disciples never tried to hide under any cover; when persecution came, they spoke with even more boldness. Paul was able to do this because the Lord Himself stood by him and encouraged him to take courage. (Acts 23:11)
The question for us in America is the same as the one Paul faced: “Are we ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus?” What would be our response?
Prayer: Dear Lord, please first help us to realize that we are already under persecution and then to have courage to speak for You even under persecution. May You wake up Your Church to stand firm and to be ready to face persecution. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
