A Legacy of Faith /信仰传承

[Dexu Xia]

A Legacy of Faith

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice. 2 Timothy 1:5

Long before the decisive moment when Billy Graham came to faith in Christ at age sixteen, his parents’ devotion to Jesus was evident. They’d both come to faith while growing up within a family of believers. After their marriage, Billy’s parents continued that legacy by lovingly nurturing their children, including praying and reading Scripture and attending church faithfully with them. The solid foundation Graham’s parents laid for Billy was part of the soil God used to bring him to faith and, eventually, to his calling as a bold evangelist.

The apostle Paul’s young protégé Timothy also benefited from a strong spiritual foundation. Paul wrote, “Your sincere faith . . . first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice” (2 Timothy 1:5). This legacy helped prepare and steer Timothy’s heart toward faith in Christ.

Now Paul urged Timothy to carry on this faith tradition (v. 5), to “fan into flame the gift of God” within him through the Holy Spirit, who “gives us power” (vv. 6–7). Because of the power of the Spirit, Timothy could fearlessly live for the gospel (v. 8). A strong spiritual legacy doesn’t guarantee we’ll come to faith, but the example and mentoring of others can help prepare the way. And after we receive Jesus as Savior, the Spirit will guide us in service, in living for Him, and even in nurturing the faith of others.

Reflect & Pray

Who or what did God use to help to lay the foundation for your faith? How can you help to do this in someone’s life today?

God, thank You for the believers who helped shape my faith. Help me to rely on Christ’s Spirit for the strength to boldly witness for You. 

信仰传承

想到你心里无伪之信，这信是先在你外祖母罗以和你母亲友妮基心里的，我深信也在你的心里。-提摩太后书1章5节

葛理翰（Billy Graham）在十六岁决志相信基督，但早在这个决定性的时刻前，他的父母已经为他立下敬虔基督徒的榜样。他父母都生长于基督化的家庭，自小就相信基督。他们结婚后，也继续将信仰传承给孩子们，陪着孩子们祈祷、读圣经，按时带孩子们参加教会聚会。他们为葛理翰的信仰奠定坚实的基础，上帝也藉此坚定葛理翰的信心，最后还呼召他成为勇敢的福音布道家。

使徒保罗有位年轻的门徒提摩太，也因为坚定的信仰根基而受益。保罗写道：“你心里无伪之信，……这信是先在你外祖母罗以和你母亲友妮基心里的”（提摩太后书1章5节）。她们所传承的信仰预备了提摩太的心，并引导他信靠基督。

保罗敦促提摩太要持守信仰的传承（5节），藉由能使人刚强的圣灵，将属灵的恩赐“如火挑旺起来”（6-7节），并因圣灵的大能，无惧地为福音而活（8节）。美好信仰的传承并不能保证我们一定会信主，但这些信心的榜样和典范却能预备、引导人心。我们接受耶稣为救主之后，圣灵会引导我们服事上帝、为祂而活，甚至将信仰继续传承下去。

主啊，感谢祢，让许多信徒奠定了我信仰的根基。
求祢使我懂得倚靠圣灵的能力，勇敢地为祢作见证！

上帝藉着谁奠定你信仰的根基？
今天你也能帮助别人在信仰上扎根吗？