双语灵修（葛培理牧师）：12月13日 不爱世界

12月13日

不爱世界

不要爱世界，和世界上的事。

约翰一书2:15

世俗化常被许多基督徒严重误解。日常生活中有些事物本身并不是罪，但如果滥用则会导致罪。滥用的字面意思是对合法之物的“过度使用”或“极端使用”，从而使其变成罪。享乐在适度使用时是合法的，但过度使用就不合法了。抱负（或“野心”）是真正品格的重要组成部分，但它必须专注于合法的目标，并以适当的方式加以实践。

我们日常的职业、阅读、穿着、交谊和其他类似的生活层面都是合法和必要的，但很容易变得不合法、不必要和有害。对生活必需品的考虑是绝对必要的，但这很容易沦为焦虑。

赚钱是日常生活所需，但赚钱很容易落入贪财，随后财富的迷惑就会侵入并破坏我们的灵性生活。

世俗化并不局限于任何特定的社会阶层、生活方式或处境。世俗化是一种精神、一种氛围、一种影响，渗透于人类社会的方方面面，需要不断努力加以防范。圣经说：“不要爱世界，和世界上的事。”圣经也劝诫说：“这世界，和其上的情欲，都要过去；惟独遵行神旨意的，是永远常存。”（约翰一书2:17）

我们必须为基督站立得稳。这并不代表我们在社会上是势利小人或有优越感，否则我们会陷入属灵骄傲的危险（这比世俗化更糟糕）。但如今，有太多自称基督徒的人与世界携手同行，以至于很难分辨基督徒和罪人之间的区别。我们的生活必须清楚地表明我们属谁，我们服事谁！

今日祷告：

天父，求祢使我们圣洁，清楚地将我们从世界中分别出来。让我们不贪爱世界。帮助我们爱祢胜过一切；奉耶稣的名，阿们。

December 13

WHEN WORRY BECOMES WORLDLY

Love not the world,neither the things that are in the world 1 John 2:15

Worldliness has been vastly misunderstood by many Christians.There are certain elements of daily life which are not sinful in themselves but that lead to sin if they are abused.Abuse literally means“overuse”or“extreme use”of things lawful which then become sin.Pleasure is lawful in its use,but unlawful in its overuse.Ambition is an essential part of true character,but it must be fixed on lawful objects and exercised in proper proportion.

Our daily occupation,reading,dress,friendships,and other similar phases of life are all legitimate and necessary but can easily become illegitimate,unnecessary,and harmful.Thought about the necessities of life is absolutely essential,but this can easily degenerate into anxiety.

The making of money is necessary for daily living,but money making is apt to degenerate into money-loving,and then the deceitfulness of riches enters in and spoils our spiritual lives.

Worldliness is not confined to any particular rank,walk,or circumstance of life.But worldliness is a spirit,an atmosphere,an influence,permeating the whole of life in human society,and it needs to be guarded against constantly and strenuously.The Bible says,“Love not the world,neither the things that are in the world.”It also warns that“the world passeth away,and the lust thereof;but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever”(1 John 2:17).

We must make an out-and stand for Christ.It does not mean that in society we are snobs or have a superiority complex,lest we be in danger of spiritual pride(which would be far worse than worldliness).But today there are so many professing Christians who are walking hand in hand with the world that it is difficult to tell the difference between the Christian and the sinner.Our lives must make it plain whose we are and whom we serve!

Pray for the Day:

Father,make us holy.Clearly distinguish us from the world.Let us not love the things that are in the world.Help us to love You most,more than everything else;in Jesus’Name,Amen.