二○二○年八月二十九日/三十日 Click here for English version 疫情下的福音人生
譚廣海牧師
新冠肺炎疫症一直在世界各地蔓延,至今已有三季。若問各人現今最期待的禮物是甚麼?答案很可能會是:「期盼各國醫療專家能夠盡快成功研製疫苗,有效驗出病毒散播的方式,避免一波又一波的疫情爆發!」我想,這期待若能達成,理當是一則喜訊,甚至可視之為「給予世人的福音」。 Pastor's Sharing
Gospel Life under the Pandemic
Rev Samuel Tam
The coronavirus has now been spreading worldwide for months. If asked what gift everyone would very much want at this time, the answer would probably be that the medical professionals all over the world could successfully develop a vaccine and find out how the virus is spread in order to prevent further outbreaks! If these can be done, it will be very good indeed. It will be "good news" for the world. The Lord Jesus Christ has proclaimed: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). The troubles associated with the pandemic have somewhat cast the world into utter darkness. People see no way out! What can a believer, with the gospel in his life, do under such circumstances? It is good that for us, much though that we find our hands tied in the face of the pandemic and ourselves fragile, helpless, our knowledge and talents exhausted, we are convinced that nothing shall separate those who belong to God from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35). What is God's will for the others? As the prophet Isaiah has proclaimed, God wants us to bring the good news, to proclaim peace and salvation (Isaiah 52:7a). In the process of spreading the gospel, we will come across many whose hearts are hardened - who ignore the salvation of the Lord and are determined that they do not need help from any faith. Still, we need to ascertain God's lordship. Our response: Our God reigns! Listen! Our watchmen lift up our voices; together we shout for joy (Isaiah 52: 7-8). There are many instances in the Bible in which adamant hearts have turned to God. The obstinate Pharaoh in Egypt used to think he had the answer and needed nothing else. But he gave way to the will of God to save the Israelites through the ten plagues (Exodus 3:18-20; 7:16; 11:1-3). Peter, who never ate anything impure or unclean, said after being sent to preach the gospel to gentile Cornelius: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right" (Acts 10:34-35). Later, Peter also said: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Dear brothers and sisters, the sovereign Lord Jesus Christ will give us the will and ability to accomplish His plan for sharing the gospel. It is because "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven" (John 3:27). May God do His wondrous works in our hearts and help us become like those whose feet are beautiful as we bring good news (Romans 10:15)! |
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