牧者心聲

耶穌在馬太福音二十二章 1-14 節說了一個難解的寓言：天國的邀請好比王為兒子設婚宴，原先受邀的人推搪拒絕，甚至虐殺傳訊的僕人，象徵以色列人拒絕神的呼召，殺害先知；於是王派人到街上邀請各類的人赴宴，包括好人和惡人都招聚，表明福音臨到外邦與罪人。令人費解的是，有些受邀的人最終被拒絕了，因為他們沒有披上「婚宴禮服」，「因為獲邀的人多，選上的人少」（14 節，環譯本），從字面看，這個王何等無理，哪有人會在街上常穿婚宴禮服，等候那無法預期的邀請呢？

聖經學者解釋，主耶穌以穿「婚宴禮服」來象徵人若真的接受救恩、接受從神而來的愛，他就要接受和追求這份愛與恩典帶來的生命改變。換言之，接受救恩，同時是將生命向主降服，在身分和生命的實質上都成為一個新人，在生命的轉化更新中，盛載上主的愛和豐盛恩惠，為耶穌基督的福音作出有血有肉的見證。

弟兄姊妹，我們祈求主將得救的人數天天、多多加給教會，使榮耀歸予父神。但要留心，我們要傳揚整全福音而不是廉價恩典。真的接受救恩者，也須接受教會的教導培育和群體的陪伴形塑，才能活出健康和結果子的靈命。

在人際關係、關顧和教導的接觸中，我們不難發現，隨著資訊科技發展，人的耐性和專注力普遍減低。著重官能刺激，期望短時間被動接收信息，而不願多運用理性、精研細讀和默頌思想，成為了好些人的陷阱。當我們帶著警覺去管理資訊科技和人工智能的運用，這些科技也可以為信仰群體所用。教會在信徒培育和訓練上，需要對科技多加掌握和謹慎善用。與此同時，我們當記念保羅的勸勉，信徒要「做成你們得救的工夫。因為你們立志行事都是神在你們心裡運行」（腓二 12-13，和合本）。救恩全是恩典，但在成聖的歷程中，信徒要積極回應與耐性配合。無論是初信主、剛受洗，抑或跟隨主多年的，願我們都不忘「成聖須用功夫」。

因此，弟兄姊妹，我們要熱心佈道，也要提醒慕道和初信的朋友接受整全的福音，勉勵他們按著教會設定的成長階梯，追求生命更新、靈命進深。求主興起更多成熟的信徒參與信培服事，並且與時並進，而每一位肢體也在神的家裡學習「跟從」，不只是求自己喜好，以致教與學的都一同成長，結出榮神益人的果子。

In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus told a parable that is not easy to understand: the invitation to the kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. Those who were originally invited made excuses and refused to come. Some even mistreated and killed the messengers, symbolizing how the people of Israel rejected God’s call and killed the prophets. The king then sent his servants into the streets to invite all kinds of people to the banquet, both the good and the bad, signifying that the gospel would come to the gentiles and to sinners. What is perplexing is that some of those invited were ultimately rejected because they did not wear “wedding clothes,” for “many are invited, but few are chosen” (v.14). Literally speaking, this king seems utterly unreasonable. Who would wear wedding clothes in the streets and wait for an unpredictable invitation?

Biblical scholars explain that the Lord Jesus used the image of wearing “wedding clothes” to symbolize that if a person truly receives salvation and accepts the love that comes from God, he must also accept and pursue the life transformation brought about by that love and grace. In other words, to receive salvation is at the same time to surrender one’s life to the Lord, becoming a new person both in identity and in the essence of life. In the transformation and renewal of life, one carries the LORD’s love and abundant grace, offering a living and embodied testimony to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Brothers and sisters, we pray that the Lord will add to the church daily, numerously those who are being saved, so that glory may be given to God the Father. Yet, we must be careful to proclaim the holistic gospel rather than cheap grace. Those who truly receive salvation must also accept the church’s teaching, nurturing, and communal formation, so that they may live out a healthy and fruitful spiritual life.

In our interactions in interpersonal relationships, pastoral care and teaching, it is not difficult to notice that with the rapid development of information technology, people’s patience and attention span have generally declined. Many place greater emphasis on sensory stimulation, expecting to receive information passively within a short time, while being less willing to engage in careful reasoning, close study, and meditative reflection. This has become a trap for some. When we remain vigilant in managing our use of information technology and artificial intelligence, these tools can also serve the community of faith. The church must therefore learn to grasp and wisely use technology in the nurturing and training of believers. At the same time, we should remember Paul’s exhortation that believers should “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12–13). Salvation is entirely by grace. However, in the process of sanctification, believers must respond actively and cooperate patiently. Whether newly converted, recently baptized, or having followed the Lord for many years, may we never forget that “growth in holiness requires diligent effort.”

Therefore, brothers and sisters, let us be zealous in evangelism, and also remind seekers and new believers to receive the holistic gospel. Encourage them to follow the growth pathway established by the church and pursue renewal of life and deeper spiritual maturity. May the Lord raise up more mature believers to participate in discipleship ministry, keeping pace with the times. May every member in God’s household learn to “follow” and not merely seek personal preferences, so that those who teach and those who learn may grow together and bear fruit that glorifies God and blesses others.