7月24日
标 题：生命有所不同
经 节：我的弟兄们，你们中间若有失迷真道的，有人使他回转，这人该知道：叫一个罪人从迷路上转回便是救一个灵魂不死，并且遮盖许多的罪。（雅各书五章19～20节）
基督徒生命中有个最大的阻碍，是其他基督徒生命的罪。有些基督徒认为，其他人犯罪不干自己的事。他们认为，如果对在罪中的人有反应，就是论断人。这个世界劝阻我们要自扫门前雪，这种静止不动拦阻人们成为有效的代祷者。
身为基督徒，我们知道罪带来死亡（罗马书六：23）。罪破坏人际关系、毁灭婚姻、喜乐和平安。当我们看到有人由真理向错误游荡，应该如何反应？当耶稣看到有人犯罪，祂心碎了。当祂看到人们拒绝真理，祂为所有居民哭泣（马太福音廿三：37～39）。祂热切地为门徒们祷告，在被试探时能够坚强（约翰福音十七章）。祂警告那些灵性将要失败的人。耶稣甚至愿意为世人死来拯救他们，因为祂知道罪恶会掠夺生命的一切。当周围的人因罪的缘故走岔路，耶稣从没有不管他们，祂总是主动地帮助他们回转向神。
“自扫门前雪”的想法会省掉你很多麻烦，然而，这个想法没办法帮助你的弟兄姊妹回转向神。如果你真的明白那些沉溺罪恶死亡的后果，你会像耶稣一样伤心哭泣。为你的朋友热切祷告，如此会护卫你的动机，预备你成为他的帮助。当神要你向朋友揭露他们的罪行时，要儆醒。用温柔的心挽回他，又当自己小心，免得自己也被引诱。
The Difference Your Life Can Make
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the
truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from
the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
(James 5:19-20)
One of the Christian’s greatest deterrents from sin
is the life of another Christian. Some Christians maintain that it is none of
their business if another chooses to sin. They are convinced that they are
being judgmental if they respond to someone in sin. The world persuades them
not to get involved, but this inaction prevents them from being an effective
intercessor.
As Christians we are aware that sin brings death
(Rom. 6:23). Sin kills relationships, dismantles marriages, stifles joy, and
destroys peace. When we see someone wander from the truth into error, how
should we respond? When Jesus saw sin it broke His heart. He wept over entire
cities as He saw them rejecting the truth (Matt. 23:37–39). He prayed fervently
for His disciples to be strong when they were tempted (John 17). He warned
those who were heading toward spiritual failure (Matt. 26:20–25, 34). Jesus was
even willing to die to save people from their sins because He knew the
devastation that sin causes. Jesus never stood idle as those around Him were
led astray by their sin. He always took an active role in turning them back to
God.
“Minding your own business” will save you some
discomfort, but it will not help a brother or sister who needs to return to the
Lord. If you are truly aware of the grave consequences for those who continue
in sin, you will be moved to weep even as Jesus wept. Pray fervently for your
friend. That will safeguard your motives and prepare you to minister to him. Be
alert, in the event that God asks you to confront your friend. If you do so, be
loving and gentle lest you, too, be tempted (Gal. 6:1).
