我感謝那給我力量的我們主基督耶穌，因祂以我有忠心，派我服事祂。
～提前1:12～
保羅在此發出由衷的感謝，感謝的對象是主基督耶穌，感謝的內容是力量。這裡一方面是賜力量的主，一方面是接受力量的使徒，因為這兩者有非常親密的關係，這關係使賜力量與接受力量兩者之間暢通無阻。說明主耶穌不僅僅拯救他，還與他同在─ 有主的同在才能加添力量，使他在傳道的路上，越來越有力量，不會跌倒、放棄、打倒。
一個能接收力量的人首先要知道他需要力量；自以為剛強的人無法認識自己的需要，也不會尋求主賜力量。我們肉體的軟弱是一個現實，我們在屬靈爭戰中都是軟弱的，連傳道人也會軟弱，因此我們需要主賜力量。
保羅蒙主賜力量，也得蒙主稱讚與差派。在受盡鞭打羞辱磨難的背後，保羅至死忠心，一直事奉主，持守信心與愛心。這忠心不是人在外表看到的，而是主耶穌看他有忠心。
在目前新冠疫情蔓延、大法官又通過性別重新定義等，我們的信仰也面臨前所未有的挑戰，讓我們持守信心，忠心到底，繼續事奉主，並求主加力量，使我們能繼續蒙主差派、使用，事奉下去。
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy,
appointing me to his service. ～1Timothy 1:12～
Paul expresses his sincere thanks here. The object of thanks is the Lord Jesus Christ, and the content of his gratitude is strength. Here on one side is the Lord who gives strength; the other side is the disciple who has received strength. Because the two have a very close relationship, the power can flow freely from the strength-giving to the strength-receiving side. It shows us that the Lord Jesus not only saved him, but was also with him -- the presence of the Lord can give strength, so that he will become stronger in the ministry instead of falling down, giving up, and being knocked down.
A person who can receive power must first know that he needs power; a person who thinks himself strong cannot recognize his own needs, nor will he seek the Lord's help. Our weakness is a reality. We are all weak in spiritual battles; even ministers/pastors are weak. So we really need the strength from the Lord.
Paul was given strength by the Lord and was praised for his faithfulness and was sent by the Lord. Behind the scourge of humiliation and suffering, Paul remained faithful to death and served the Lord with faith and love. This faithfulness was not necessarily seen by people from the outside, but the Lord Jesus recognized his faithfulness.
With the spread of COVID19 and the re-definition by the justices about gender, our faith is facing unprecedented challenges. Let us stand firm in our faith, stay faithful to the end, continue to serve the Lord, and ask the Lord to strengthen us, thank the Lord Jesus for His strength given us! Let us continue to be faithful in our calling and serve the Lord.
～Rev. Benguang Du 都本光牧師～
Comentarios