August 30, 2006-不還嘴

Today's ODB tells of a history in the early days of Christ.

In AD 64, someone set fire to Rome which led two-thirds of the city lay in smoldering ruins. A rumor spread that the emperor Nero had set the fire because he wanted to rebuild the city and name it after himself. Needing a scapegoat to get himself off the proverbial hot-seat, he chose to blame a defenseless and unpopular minority—Christians. He then initiated such intense persecution that he’s been referred to as the first Antichrist. It’s believed that both Peter and Paul were martyred during this time. The persecution against the Christians, which were small in szie, continued for some time with little opposition. However, instead of weakening the new faith, it was strengthened. History tells us that within a few hundred years Christianity became so influential that Emperor Constantine made it the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Although we may not face opposition or persecution like that in our days, we are still called to be diligent in our faith, persistent in putting our belief into actions, even under unfair situations. Our Savior left us a good example.

21你們就是為此蒙召，因基督也為你們受過苦，給你們留下榜樣，叫你們跟隨他的腳蹤行。22“他從來沒有犯過罪，口裡也找不到詭詐。”23他被罵的時候不還嘴，受苦的時候也不說恐嚇的話；只把自己交託給那公義的審判者。24他在木頭上親身擔當了我們的罪，使我們既然不活在罪中，就可以為義而活。因他受的鞭傷，你們就得了醫治。25你們從前好像迷路的羊，但現在已經回到你們靈魂的牧人和監督那裡了。