《静夜亮光》一月十二日 [mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/01/0112.mp3″]
经文: 我还有话为上帝说。（约伯记三十六：2）
我们不应该存心向人显露自己的长处或自己的热诚。但是，常常企图隐藏上帝为了别人的好处所给予我们的，也是一种罪。基督徒不是山谷中的村庄而是建造在山上的城；不是斗底的灯而是灯台上的光，要照亮别人（参阅太五：14～15）。适当的退隐可能是美好的，自我隐藏也是谦虚的表现，但是将我们里面的基督隐藏起来却永远是错误的。珍贵的真理藏守不宣，是得罪了别人，也抵触了上帝。倘若你天生紧张并且个性内向，小心，勿在这恐惧的趋向中陷得太深，免得你对教会失去作用。基督并不以你为耻，你也当因祂的名定意忽视自己的感觉。将基督向你说的话告诉别人。即使你不能如号角般大声宣告，也可以用安静细微的声音述说。即使教会的讲坛不是你发表言论之处，即使报章杂志不会刊登你的文章，你仍然与彼得和约翰共呜，说：「金银我都没有，只把我所有的给你。」（徒三：6）。即使你不能在高处宣讲，也可以在井旁和撒玛利亚的妇人谈道。即使你不能在教堂、在大城市、在大庭广众之中赞美耶稣，仍可以在内室，在乡间、在自己的小家庭内赞美祂。让甜美溪流般的见证，从内心隐藏的泉源涌流，让每一位路过者可以饮取。不要隐藏你的才能。为上帝说话能令我们精神振奋、令众圣徒欢乐，也对于人有益，更能尊崇我们的救主。
| Evening, January 12 |
| Scripture: “I have yet to speak on God’s behalf.”(Job 36:2) |
| We ought not to court publicity for our virtue, or notoriety for our zeal; but, at the same time, it is a sin to be always seeking to hide that which God has bestowed upon us for the good of others. A Christian is not to be a village in a valley, but “a city set upon a hill;” he is not to be a candle under a bushel, but a candle in a candlestick, giving light to all. Retirement may be lovely in its season, and to hide one’s self is doubtless modest, but the hiding of Christ in us can never be justified, and the keeping back of truth which is precious to ourselves is a sin against others and an offence against God. If you are of a nervous temperament and of retiring disposition, take care that you do not too much indulge this trembling propensity, lest you should be useless to the church. Seek in the name of him who was not ashamed of you to do some little violence to your feelings, and tell to others what Christ has told to you. If thou canst not speak with trumpet tongue, use the still small voice. If the pulpit must not be thy tribune, if the press may not carry on its wings thy words, yet say with Peter and John, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee.” By Sychar’s well talk to the Samaritan woman, if thou canst not on the mountain preach a sermon; utter the praises of Jesus in the house, if not in the temple; in the field, if not upon the exchange; in the midst of thine own household, if thou canst not in the midst of the great family of man. From the hidden springs within let sweetly flowing rivulets of testimony flow forth, giving drink to every passer-by. Hide not thy talent; trade with it; and thou shalt bring in good interest to thy Lord and Master. To speak for God will be refreshing to ourselves, cheering to saints, useful to sinners, and honouring to the Saviour. Dumb children are an affliction to their parents. Lord, unloose all thy children’s tongue. |