牧者心聲
述說神施恩予我家的故事
譚廣海牧師
2023 年 3 月 18 日 / 19 日
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每當談到家庭的事，我們總會覺得這是一本難念的經，當中也涉及許多難言之隱。我們是否覺得，家中「醜事」既會傳至千里，所以就要隱藏起來，不宜外揚，免得影響家譽？也要避免淪為親友鄰舍茶餘飯後的話題，損害大家日後的交往？
誠然，醜事若是因罪惡行為導致，例如失德違法帶來的刑事責任、嗜賭嗜毒所引起的纏身債務、婚姻離異引發的情緒問題，我們就很難對外言說。然而，若以為「踢埋一邊、埋在床下底」，家人就可相安無事，那恐怕只會積累更大的殺傷力，以致日後一發不可收拾！
我們若要避免這種危機，就該慎重思想：「基督耶穌對我們處理個人及家庭之事，有何教導、指引及應許？」聖經曾多次記載神施恩予家庭的故事。昔日耶穌進入耶利哥城的時候，稅吏撒該爬上無花果樹要看祂，主抬頭對他說：「撒該，快下來！今天我必住在你家裡。」撒該就連忙下來，歡歡喜喜接待耶穌。在得聽主的教導後，他毫無避諱地公開說：「我把所有的一半給窮人；我若訛詐了誰，就還他四倍。」藉此表達悔改與跟隨基督的信心。耶穌為這些實際的行動回應說：「今天救恩到了這家。」（路十九 1-10）
在另一公開場合中，有一位父親將從小就被鬼附的孩子帶到主耶穌面前求助，當他聽到主說「在信的人，凡事都能」的時候，就在眾目睽睽下，把自己對孩子問題感到無助乏力的真相坦露出來，向主懇求說：「我信！但我信不足，求主幫助。」（可九 14-27）
這些事例說明了神樂意藉著個人的信靠行動，施恩賜福予他們的家庭。有些事情縱然是不宜外揚、難以啟齒的問題，但只要神定意在其中成就救贖恩典，我們都可用喜樂的心，在公開的場景中接受主的幫助。曾有一位在患病時決志、卻來不及接受洗禮的長者離世，在旁陪伴和目睹長者決志的家庭成員，邀請教會用基督教禮儀為他舉行追思禮拜，在禮拜中，我們看到神向出席的人賜下安慰及扶助，隨後多年，我們甚至還能聽到在這家庭的親屬中，仍有信靠耶穌、生命蒙福的故事。
「當信主耶穌，你和你一家都必得救⋯⋯他和全家，因為信了神，都很喜樂」（徒十六 31-34）。親愛的弟兄姊妹，願我們都能在這應許上實踐主道，並明辨神恩，在往後的日子能更多述說神施恩予自己家庭的故事。
The mention of family matters invariably conjures up a feeling of difficulty as it can involve a host of untold stories and issues. Do we feel that "bad news” at home travels far and so we had better sweep it under the carpet and avoid making it known to others lest the reputation of the family be jeopardized? Shall we also prevent the news from becoming a talking point among friends and relatives that may affect our relationship with them in future?
Admittedly, if the bad news arises from evil behavior such as criminal liability from immorality or illegal acts, debts resulting from addiction to gambling or drugs, emotional problems induced by divorce or other matrimonial issues, it will be very difficult for us to make it public. However, if we think that "sweeping it under the carpet" will keep the family at peace, I am afraid matters will accumulate and cause greater damage and even get out of control in future!
To prevent such crises, we should think with prudence, "What teachings, guidance and promises had Christ Jesus given us about handling our personal and family matters?" The Bible has numerous accounts of God bestowing His grace to families. When Jesus entered the city of Jericho, a tax collector by the name of Zacchaeus climbed up a fig tree as he wanted to see Him. The Lord looked up and said: "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." Zacchaeus came down at once and gladly welcomed Jesus. Having heard the Lord’s teachings, he said publicly without fear: "Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." By this, Zacchaeus showed his repentance and faith in following Christ. In response to such concrete actions, Jesus said: "Today salvation has come to this house." (Luke 19:1-10).
On another public occasion, a father brought to the Lord Jesus a child who had been possessed by a spirit from young. When he heard the Lord say "Everything is possible for one who believes," he revealed in public his helplessness towards his child's problem and implored the Lord: "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:14-27)
These examples illustrate that God is willing to bestow His grace and bless a family through an individual's act of faith in Him. Although it may be inappropriate for some matters to be made known to others or that they are unspeakable, as long as God's will is to accomplish His redemptive grace through it, we can publicly receive the Lord's help with a joyful heart. There was a senior who accepted Christ when he was sick but he passed away before he was baptized. Family members who witnessed the conversion invited the church to conduct a Christian memorial service for him. We could see that in the service, God sent condolences and help to the attendees. In the years that followed, we continued to hear stories about faith in Jesus and blessed lives among the relatives of this family.
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved – you and your household… he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God – he and his whole household" (Acts 16:31-34). Dear brothers and sisters, let us practice the word of God on this promise. Let us discern the grace of God and, in the days to come, recount and share God's grace for our families more.
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