Are You Prepared? 你准备好了吗？
Author: Rev Ng Eng Keng
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded,
set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Christians are not in the dark about things that will happen. In fact, we have the clearest picture of the Judgement Day because it was mentioned many times throughout the Bible. The verse above reminds us to be prepared in two ways:
1. Be of a sober mind
We are reminded to be vigilant and on guard. If we are unaware when the enemy attacks or when we are being deceived, then we cannot be said to be of a sober mind. This verse indicates that believers ought to remain clear-minded so that we can be alert and watch out for the enemy. In fact, the enemy has always had his eyes on us, just as it is written in 1 Peter 5:8:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Should Christians possess a sober mind, then we shall not be anxious about the changes in our surroundings, because we are ready to respond when problems arise!
2. Be set on hope
This is the second area that we need to be prepared in. Apostle Paul exhorted the believers to be set in the waiting of the second coming of the Lord (revelation). This attitude of being set in waiting for the Lord can help us look past the problems and sufferings of this world. At the same time, Christians are to hope in the grace that the Lord has prepared for us. This ‘hope’ is great power that enables us to press on in our journey, and to face all adversities and challenges along the way.
Dear brothers and sisters, are you prepared? Let us wait for the Lord’s second coming with a sober mind and unwavering hope.
文:黄永庆牧师
“所以要准备好你们的心，警醒谨慎，
专心盼望耶稣基督显现的时候所要带给你们的恩典。”
基督徒对将来要发生的事情不是暗然不知的。其实我们是最清楚末日的情况，因为圣经有很多的记载。在这段经文中提醒我们要作好两方面的准备：
⑴ 警醒谨慎
这里的意思包含“警醒防备”的意思。若有敌人来袭仍未知道，甚至受到欺骗还不察觉，那就不算得是“警醒谨慎”。这句话表示信徒应当心思清醒，谨慎且机警的提防敌人！其实我们的敌人都一直在监视着我们，彼前五8岂不是这么说：
『你们要谨守、警醒。你们的仇敌魔鬼，好像吼叫的狮子走来走去，寻找可以吞吃的人』
基督徒若有一颗“警醒谨慎”的心，我们就不会担心周围环境的改变。因为我们已经做好准备，一旦问题临到，我们就可以马上回应！
⑵ 专心盼望
我们心里需要有第二方面准备，就是“专心盼望”。彼得劝勉信徒，以“专心”等候主的再来（显现），这样的“专心”等候主的态度，可以使我们忘记并轻看今天在世上的一切问题与苦难。同时，也以“盼望”的态度来等候神为我们预备的恩典。在这里“盼望”成为我们一股非常强大的动力，因着这个信念，使到我们能够继续、不间断的往前走，并勇敢的面对眼前的各种挑战！