How to Respond to This Time and Age 如何回应现今世代
Author: Sis Evon Tan
Translate: Sis Charis Ong
We are living in turbulent and unpredictable times. The world is facing an unprecedented challenge, yet, as Christians, how should our response be?
1. Be alert and prayerful, vigilant, and guard ourselves with caution
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Looking at the present situation, it is safe to say we have not fallen short of these ‘expectations’ in any way, if not surpassed. For this, the parable of the Ten Virgins from Jesus (Matthew 25:1-13) is a reminder to live our days with vigilance and guard ourselves with caution till the Lord returns. Yet, guarding oneself with caution is impossible when we rely on our strength. We must in addition pray to God and be alert. Prayers offered in weakness awakens souls that have fallen into a sleepy stupor, leading us onto a path to righteousness.
2. Keep loving one another earnestly
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sin.” (1 Peter 4:7-8)
Apostle Peter encourages brothers and sisters in Christ to love another earnestly. This is a love that goes beyond lip service and can withstand the tests of difficulties and setbacks. “Since love covers a multitude of sin” informs us the reason to love one another earnestly: love enables us to ‘unsee’ the other person’s faults and pay no attention to what was owed to us; love makes us unwilling to intentionally publicize mistakes that our brothers and sisters committed; it also gives us strength to try our best to undo those mistakes, so that they sin no further. (Galatians 6:1)
3. Hope with all your heart for the Lord’s return
“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.” (1 Peter 1:13)
Though this day and age may be filled with uncertainties, we have the hope of eternal life in Christ. We should welcome each day with hope and positivity, confident of the grace that Christ will bring on His return.
文/陈玉雯师母
我们正处在这动荡不安，变幻莫测的世代。世界面临着前所未有的巨大挑战固然如此，我们身为基督徒，应当如何回应？
一、警醒祷告，谨慎自守
“末世必有危险的日子来到。因为那时人要专顾自己、贪爱钱财、自夸、狂傲、谤渎、违背父母、忘恩负义、心不圣洁、无亲情、不解怨、好说谗言、不能自约、性情凶暴、不爱良善、卖主卖友、任意妄为、自高自大、爱宴乐、不爱上帝，有敬虔的外貌，却背了敬虔的实意。”（提后3:1-5）。
现今的光景只能说是有过之而无不及，对此，耶稣给了我们十个童女的比喻（马太福音25：1-13），提醒我们一定要警醒度日，谨慎自守，直等祂来。不过，若要谨慎自守，单靠自己的力量是不够的，我们一定要警醒祷告。只有这样，才能做到谨慎自守。在我们的软弱上祷告主，才能使我们的灵苏醒，引导我们行义路。
二、彼此切实相爱
“万物的结局近了，所以你们要谨慎自守，警醒祷告。最要紧的是彼此切实相爱，因为爱能遮掩许多的罪。”（彼前4：7-8）
使徒彼得劝勉弟兄姐妹要“切实”相爱，所谓切实相爱，就是不要徒有其名地相爱，而是要在经历任何挫折时，都依然能够持守相爱的心。“因为爱能遮掩许多的罪”，告诉了我们切实相爱的理由：爱能够使人看不见对方的罪，不留意别人对自己的亏欠；爱能够使我们不愿故意将弟兄姐妹的错失宣扬与人前；爱也能够给我们力量，去努力挽回弟兄姐妹的错失，而不至于犯更多的罪（加6：1）。
三、积极盼望主的再来
“所以要约束你们的心，谨慎自守，专心盼望耶稣基督显现的时候所 带来给你们的恩。”（彼前1：13）
这世代纵然充满未知，但我们在基督里却有永生的盼望。我们应当怀着盼望，抱着积极的心面对每一天，深信耶稣在显现的时候所带来的恩。