不敵擋我們就是幫助我們
（路9‧49－50）
38 約翰對耶穌說：「夫子，我們看見一個人奉你的名趕鬼，我們就禁止他，因為他不跟從我們。」 39耶穌說：「不要禁止他；因為沒有人奉我名行異能，反倒輕易毀謗我。 40不敵擋我們的，就是幫助我們的。 41凡因你們是屬基督，給你們一杯水喝的，我實在告訴你們，他不能不得賞賜。」
弟兄姊妹平安，今天我們分享的這段故事很有趣，記載在馬可福音的九章38至40節。只有三句經文，但它包含著深刻的道理和處事原則。讓我們一起來聽聽這個故事。
門徒們看見一個不是他們團隊的人，卻用耶穌名趕鬼。他們對這人說：“我們禁止了他，因為他不跟從我們。”然而，耶穌的反應卻令人意外，他說：“不要阻止他，因為沒有人能用我名行異能，反倒詆毀我的”在這短短的對話中，我們可以思考許多深刻的含義和道理。
首先，每個人都有自主權，每個人都有自己的想法和選擇。因此，當我們尊重他人的選擇時，不要急於批評他們。也許我們不同意，也許我們不認同，但我們必須尊重別人的選擇。只要在法律允許的範圍內，每個人所做出的選擇都需要自己承擔後果。法國哲學家伏爾泰曾說過一句著名的話：“我不同意你的觀點，但我誓死捍衛你說話的權利。”這正是民主的珍貴之處。我們可能持有不同的觀點，但不能剝奪他人說話的權利，這也是尊重他人的重要體現。在我們的生活中，我們應該保持開放的心態，不斷學習，也許我們不完全理解別人的想法，但要記住每個人都有自己的主權和觀點。
用在基督徒的生活中更重要了，上帝的真理不受任何一個人的限制，沒有一個教會，沒有任何一個基督徒擁有真理的壟斷權。為什麼有些時候社會批評基督教會非常專橫獨裁呢？這是因為有些基督徒會形成封閉的圈子，認為只有在他們的圈子內的人才是正統的，而不在圈子內的人則被視為異端或違反真理的人。在這些圈子裡，人們被歸為同胞或陌生人。教會確實應該過分別為聖的生活，但這應建立在每個人的生活習慣之上，而不應該僅僅是畫圈子來區分人。耶穌沒有將人分為圈子內和圈子外，他所說的是生活應當分別為聖，但他不斷地愛著所有的人，特別是那些被社會摒棄的人，如妓女、小偷、稅吏、乞丐和殘疾人。這是上帝的愛，所以教會不應該繼續畫圈子，將人分開。
任何基督徒都不應該有這樣的態度，認為自己擁有絕對的真理。真理遠遠超出我們所能理解的範疇，我們不可能擁有上帝的全部知識，我們只有片段的理解。因此，在傳播真理時，我們應該謹慎，不要自以為是地認為自己掌握了真理。此外，我們如何知道自己所走的路是絕對正確的呢？難道沒有其他路徑可以通向同一終點嗎？只要人在基督面前，任何路都是可能的。每個教會的做法都不同，有些你可能不認同，但這並不代表它們是錯誤的。許多時候，我們可能走在不同的路上，但最終我們會聚集在一起。
就如使徒行傳中所記載，保羅和巴拿巴曾因吵架而分道揚鑣，馬可福音的作者馬可也曾受到保羅的批評。然而，到了晚年，保羅重新肯定了馬可在福音事奉上的價值，我們經常看到，即使教會分裂、甚或有爭執，上帝也在其中有美意。最終，我們會看到上帝的美意成就，並實現他的計劃。他的旨意不會被任何人阻擋，我們不應自以為是地認為只有我們擁有真理。
這是極為重要的一點，耶穌對我們有極大的容忍。基督徒最令人厭惡的事情之一就是不斷批評、指責他人，似乎他們擁有專有的真理。基督徒應該以寬容尊重的態度對待所有人，尊重每個人擁有自我意識和自我思想的權利。我們盡力分享真理，同時也要尊重每個人自己選擇相信的真理。因為我們不是上帝，上帝在我們身上行奇妙的工作，透過我們實現他的計劃，這是我們無法完全理解和掌握的。聖靈的工作沒有固定的方式，以不同的方式讓人信服，最終帶領他們走向上帝。這是上帝的奧秘。我們能做的就是盡力宣揚耶穌基督和他的救恩，不要急於批評其他人，即使你不認同他們的行為。
我曾讀過一個非常有趣的寓言，講述一位財主家族傳下來的一枚戒指。傳說中，這枚戒指擁有魔力，戴上後能使人變得親切可愛，受到眾人喜愛。這枚戒指被視為一個極寶貴的寶物，然而，在要將其傳承下去時，出現了一個問題。財主有三個兒子，但只有一枚戒指。他無法決定該把戒指傳給誰，於是暗中製造了另外兩枚假戒指。當傳承戒指時，三兄弟都知情，很明顯地，每個人都知道其中兩枚是假的。於是，在兄弟間產生了爭執和不和的情況下，他們求助於當地一個聰明的法官。
這位法官仔細檢視了三枚戒指很長一段時間後，對他們說他無法判定哪一枚是真的。然而，他提出了一個智慧的建議，讓兄弟們目瞪口呆。法官說：「如果這枚戒指是真的，它應該能讓人變得親切可愛，而且不用多久，所有人都會認出哪一枚是真的。因為這枚戒指是能使人變得親切可愛的，如果你們戴上後果然如此，這枚戒指就是真的。」
這個寓言故事非常有智慧，讓我們思考，戒指是否真的能使人變得親切可愛？或者每個人都有選擇，每天都能活出親切可愛的生活呢？基督徒應該像戴上這枚戒指一樣，每天都用基督的愛對待周圍的人，不輕易批評，而是包容、忍耐，並在適當的時候分享真理。我們傳揚福音時常常會遇到拒絕的人，這是一種痛苦，但不要失去希望，因為上帝有祂的時間和計劃。讓我們恆心禱告，為他們的得救祈求，同時以基督的耐心和包容等待上帝的時間，去與他們分享真理。
儘管這個故事只有短短的幾句話，但值得我們深思。無論是在我們的個人生活中還是作為基督徒，我們都應該擁有堅定守護真理信仰的決心，同時尊重別人做出決定的權利。讓我們在禱告中記念他人的得救，隨時準備與他們分享真理。
感謝各位的聆聽，我們明天將會閱讀第九章的最後一部分，關於使人跌倒的懲罰。
Brothers and sisters, peace be with you. Today, we shared a very interesting story recorded in Mark 9:38-40. It's only three verses, but it contains profound truths and principles for handling situations. Let's listen to this story together.
The disciples saw someone who was not part of their group casting out demons in Jesus' name. They told him, "We tried to stop him because he isn't one of us." However, Jesus' response was surprising. He said, "Don't stop him! No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me." In this short dialogue, we can ponder many deep meanings and truths.
Firstly, everyone has autonomy, everyone has their own thoughts and choices. Therefore, when we respect others' choices, we shouldn't be quick to criticize them. We may disagree, we may not approve, but we must respect others' choices. Within the bounds of the law, everyone must bear the consequences of their choices. The French philosopher Voltaire famously said, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." This is the preciousness of democracy. We may hold different views, but we shouldn't deprive others of the right to speak, which is also an important manifestation of respecting others. In our lives, we should keep an open mind, keep learning, perhaps we don't fully understand others' thoughts, but remember everyone has their own sovereignty and perspective.
This is even more important in the lives of Christians. God's truth is not limited by any individual, no church, no Christian has a monopoly on the truth. Why is it that sometimes society criticizes the church for being authoritarian? This is because some Christians form closed circles, thinking that only those within their circle are orthodox, while those outside the circle are considered heretics or against the truth. In these circles, people are categorized as either brethren or strangers. The church should indeed strive for a holy life, but this should be built upon individual lifestyle habits, not merely drawing circles to differentiate people. Jesus didn't divide people into insiders and outsiders; what he said was that life should be lived as holy, yet he constantly loved all people, especially those marginalized by society, such as prostitutes, thieves, tax collectors, beggars, and the disabled. This is the love of God, so the church should not continue drawing circles to separate people.
No Christian should have an attitude that they possess absolute truth. Truth far exceeds what we can understand; we cannot possess all of God's knowledge, we only have fragmented understanding. Therefore, when spreading truth, we should be cautious, not presumptuously thinking that we have grasped the truth. Furthermore, how do we know if the path we are taking is absolutely correct? Aren't there other paths that can lead to the same destination? As long as people are before Christ, any path is possible. The practices of each church are different, some you may not agree with, but that doesn't mean they are wrong. Many times, we may walk different paths, but ultimately we will come together.
As recorded in Acts, Paul and Barnabas once parted ways due to a disagreement, and Mark, the author of the Gospel of Mark, was criticized by Paul. However, in his later years, Paul reaffirmed the value of Mark's service in spreading the Gospel. We often see that even if the church splits or there are disputes, God still has a purpose in it. Ultimately, we will see God's purpose fulfilled, and his plan realized. His will cannot be obstructed by anyone, and we shouldn't presume that only we possess the truth.
This is extremely important. Jesus has great tolerance for us. One of the most detestable things for Christians is constantly criticizing and condemning others, as if they have exclusive access to the truth. Christians should treat everyone with tolerance and respect, recognizing everyone's right to self-awareness and independent thinking. We do our best to share the truth, while also respecting everyone's right to choose what they believe. Because we are not God, God works marvelously through us, realizing his plan, which we cannot fully understand and grasp. The work of the Holy Spirit is not fixed; it convinces people in various ways, ultimately leading them to God. This is the mystery of God. All we can do is do our best to proclaim Jesus Christ and his salvation, not hastily criticizing others, even if you disagree with their actions.
I once read a very interesting fable about a ring passed down in a wealthy family. Legend had it that this ring had magical powers; wearing it would make people kind and beloved by all. This ring was considered an extremely precious treasure. However, when it came time to pass it down, a problem arose. The wealthy man had three sons, but only one ring. He couldn't decide who to pass it on to, so he secretly made two other rings that looked alike. When passing down the ring, all three brothers were aware, and obviously, everyone knew that two of them were fake. So, amidst the disputes and discord among the brothers, they sought the judgment of a wise local judge.
After carefully examining the three rings for a long time, the judge told them that he couldn't determine which one was real. However, he proposed a wise solution that left the brothers dumbfounded. The judge said, "If this ring is genuine, it should make people kind and beloved. And before long, everyone will know which one is real. Because this ring has the power to make people kind and beloved, if you wear it and it has such an effect, then this ring is indeed genuine."
This fable is very wise, prompting us to consider: Can a ring really make people kind and beloved? Or does
everyone have a choice to live a kind and beloved life every day? Christians should live as if they are wearing this ring every day, displaying Christ's love to those around them, not quick to criticize, but to be inclusive, patient, and share the truth at the right time. When spreading the gospel, we often encounter rejection, which is painful, but don't lose hope, because God has his time and plan. Let us persist in prayer, praying for their salvation, and at the same time, wait with Christ's patience and tolerance for God's time to share the truth with them.
Although this story is only a few sentences long, it is worth pondering. Whether in our personal lives or as Christians, we should have a firm determination to guard the truth of our faith while respecting others' right to make decisions. Let us remember others' salvation in prayer, and be prepared to share the truth with them.
Thank you for listening, tomorrow we will read the last part of Chapter 9, about the punishment that causes people to stumble.
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