【弗4:1】我为主被囚的劝你们，既然蒙召，行事为人就当与蒙召的恩相称。【Eph4:1】As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

保罗的被囚显明了神更伟大的智慧，人的锁链不能捆绑神的道，反而使福音兴旺；Paul’s imprisonment shows God’s greater wisdom. Chains can’t tie up God’s word; they’ve only made the gospel spread further.保罗劝勉信徒不要因他所受的患难丧胆，因为这正是他们的荣耀。He told believers not to lose heart over his troubles, because they were their glory. “既然蒙召”，意味着我们得了神的恩典，蒙召是一份使命，To be “called” means we’ve received God’s grace — and with that call comes a mission.保罗因福音被囚，他没有自怜，也没有退缩，而是活出蒙召的恩典，把锁链变为福音传播的管道。Paul was jailed for the gospel; he didn’t feel sorry for himself or pull back but lived out the grace of his calling, turning his chains into a channel for the gospel.他教会我们：蒙召的恩典，是要在生活、在试炼、在软弱中活出来的。He teaches us that grace must be lived out in everyday life, in trials, and in weakness.

保罗的生命启示我，锁链不能拦阻神的计划，反而成就祂更高深的旨意。Paul’s life tells me chains can’t block God’s plan. They actually bring His deeper purpose to pass.他的锁链成了讲台，使福音进入御营全军，甚至传到帝国权势的中心。His chains became a pulpit, taking the gospel into the Praetorian Guard and even to the centre of imperial power.他的受苦也使弟兄姊妹被激励，更加放胆传道，这一切反倒成为勇气与信心的泉源。His suffering also stirred other believers to speak God’s word more boldly; all this became a wellspring of courage and faith.保罗的锁链不再只是历史的故事，它成为今日信徒的镜子。若主许可苦难临到，都是叫福音兴旺。Paul’s chains aren’t just history; they’re a mirror for us today. If the Lord allows suffering, it’s to advance the gospel.

回想我自己的生命，我也被同样的恩召所吸引。神在我里面放下一个异象：为祂的福音而活，可是在试炼中，我常常跌倒、软弱，甚至生气、退后，跟神求死。Looking at my own life, I feel the same call. God’s put a vision in me to live for His gospel, yet in trials I often fall, get weak, even angry, wanting to quit.然而，祂的恩典够我用。But His grace is enough.一次次在牧者的带领和神话语的光照中，我被提醒：不要定睛在困难有多大，而要仰望神的伟大。Again and again, through pastors’ guidance and God’s word, I’m reminded to look not at the size of the problem but at how great God is.我愿意效法他的脚踪， 正如保罗所说，既然蒙召，就要活出与恩典相称的样式。I want to follow His steps. Since I’m called, I want to live in a way worthy of that grace.

保罗说，“祂是爱我，为我舍己，”所以主为他死，他为主活。 Paul said, “He loved me and gave Himself for me.” Because the Lord died for him, he lived for the Lord.他明白了，他蒙召的目的和方向，从此苦难、锁链都不能拦阻他向标杆-基督直奔。He understood his calling’s purpose and goal. From then on neither suffering nor chains could stop him running straight for Christ.这句话也成为我心中深深的印记。若不是祂在十字架上为我舍命，我这一生根本没有盼望。That’s written on my heart too. If He hadn’t given His life for me, I’d have no hope.如今，祂既为我舍了生命，我怎么能够为自己活。为己无所求，为主求一切——这是那些属灵人的心志，也是我愿意追随的脚踪。Now that He has, how can I live for myself? Seek nothing for self, seek all for the Lord — that’s the heart of the spiritual, and the footsteps I want to follow.即使前方的道路仍旧有苦难与试炼，我愿意凭信心说：“主啊，我在这里，请差遣我。” Even if the road ahead still has suffering, by faith I say, “Lord, here I am; send me.”

（郭牧师Pastor Guo）