【特稿】致父親的信(5)

 

親愛的爸爸:願主耶穌的平安歸於您!

Letter除了苦難之外,還有一個與之相關的問題,也曾使兒困惑了很長時間,就是 "義人受苦" 的問題。因為我們中國人相信 "善有善報",而上帝也應許 "恆心為義的,必得生命。"(《箴言》十一章19節)然而在現實中,我們卻常常看見好人受罪,義人遭難。這確實令人沮喪,使人信心動搖,懷疑上天的良善和上帝的公義。後來,還是藉著《聖經》中上帝話語的光照,兒終於明白了一些,現試著為您稍作解說。

首先,"義人" 由誰定義?按著我們人的標準,當然有 "義人" 和 "不義的人",有道德高尚的人和人格鄙下的人。但是,《聖經》告訴我們,在上帝眼中 "沒有義人,連一個都沒有,"(《詩篇》十四篇3節)因為上帝稱那些認識祂,愛祂並遵行祂一切律例誡命的人為 "義";連我們心思意念中的不虔、不敬、不誠和不潔,上帝也視為 "不義"。按這個標準,沒有一個人可以站在上帝面前稱自己為 "義人",抱怨自己不該受那些 "不義之人" 才該受的痛苦。

其次,我們行事為人,當然應該追求公義、正直、良善的美德,遠離惡道、愚昧和虛謊;然而,沒有人能夠在這兩方面恪守其心,持之以恆。保羅說:"我知道在我裡頭,也就是我肉體之內,沒有良善。因為立志行善由得我,只是行出來卻由不得我。故此,我所願意的善,我反不做;我所不願意的惡,我倒去做。...... 我真是苦啊!"(《羅馬書》七章18,19,24節)既然無法恆久為義,專一行善,人的"義"就打了折扣,所謂"義人"就仍處在苦罪之中。

再次,即使《聖經》中記載的那些在上帝眼中看而為義的人,如 "信心之父" 亞伯拉罕,以及 "完全正直,敬畏上帝,遠離惡事" 的義人約伯,也由於環境的變遷和靈界的爭戰而屢遭苦難。甚至於至高上帝的兒子,聖潔的耶穌基督,雖無任何的罪與不義,也照樣曾經在世上 "多受痛苦,常經憂患。"(《以賽亞書》五十三章3節)

總之,人類要在這個世界上脫離苦難,是個永遠也無法能及的夢想。人自從失去了樂園,全地因為罪惡而被咒詛,人就被剝奪了原初上帝所賦予的管理看守的特權與自由,從此服在自然規律的權勢下,成為受自然轄制的奴仆。而且人類越是不甘於自然律的控制,試圖奮起反抗,希望以人勝天,就反而越受到大自然的嚴厲懲罰。今天我們人類所遭受的苦難,幾乎樣樣都與之有關。

其實,爸,問為什麼有苦難,問為什麼義人遭難,真的意義不大。對於您為什麼具體地遭此患難,您不明白,兒也不能明白,醫生們也無法解釋。這對您,是個隱藏著的奧秘,只有上帝知道。因此,兒寧願存著這樣一個信心--兒也深望爸存著同樣的信心--那就是,通過您遭受的患難,上帝要施行拯救,要在您的身上顯出祂的恩典和榮耀。

在患難中,上帝向您顯現,使您認識了祂,接受了祂的兒子耶穌基督;在患難中,上帝的赦免和救贖藉著主耶穌臨到了您和您的家;在患難中,上帝讓您看見了生命的脆弱和短暫,領悟到人的肉體生命並不能最終由自己把握,人不能不關心那扇生命之門後面,究竟會有些什麼?通過您對生命的感悟,上帝將永生之道啟示在您的心裡,讓您曉得了一個您過去所不曾知道的真理:人的肉體生命過去之後,是靈魂的永存。上帝是永恆生命的本體,耶穌是將人短暫的肉體生命與上帝永恆的生命聯在一起的紐帶,而且是唯一的紐帶。

耶穌說:"我就是道路,真理,生命,若不藉著著我,沒有人能到父(上帝)那裡去。"(《約翰福音》十四章6節)藉著耶穌,人有了新的生命,這生命不會隨著肉體生命的死亡而消逝;相反,它會因著與生命源頭的連接而存到永永遠遠。這生命就是永生。

永生,也不僅僅是您未來的歸宿,而且還成為您今生的盼望和力量所在。因為堅信那好得無比的明天,並時時熱切地盼望著它的來臨,您便覺得每一個今天都過得有意義有價值。沒有了對明天不確定的憂慮,您就會有力量在一切患難中忍耐再忍耐。真正的 "想開了" 並不是對 "不確定的未來" 抱以無所謂的態度,因為那不是信心,而是一種無奈;真正的 "想開了" 是建立在對未來百分之百的確信--相信那現在擁有的與那將要到來的完全無法相比。您如果覺得當前的美好固然值得留戀,但將來的完美更加值得期待;那麼,對於必須放下當前一切所產生的遺憾,就不會對您造成難以承受的壓力,平安和喜樂,就成為您必然會有的感受和心情。

爸,您現在所能做的和所要做的,不是對著患難冥思苦想,也不是對著自己不停地發問。您應做的兒以為是以下三樣:一是能誠實、勇敢、坦然地面對您的患難;二是建立起堅固的信心、喜樂的態度和由衷的盼望;三是藉著這信心、態度和盼望,去積極地尋求和配合醫治,並且以極大的忍耐去承受醫治有可能造成的一些痛苦和不便。您要用禱告,求上帝幫助您做到這三樣,求耶穌堅固您的身體和心靈。我們作兒女的,也要通過照顧,安慰和支援,擔當您的患難,並藉著禱告祈求,心中有力量有盼望,伴您"經過流淚谷,叫這谷變為泉源之地,並有秋雨之福蓋滿這谷。"(《詩篇》八十四篇6節)


禱告:親愛的天父上帝,感謝你將永生啟示在我父親的心裡。求你堅固他的信心,讓他在患難中仰望你,抓住你寶貴信實的應許。親愛的主耶穌,求你的平安、喜樂、安慰和幫助,日日與我父親同在,夜夜伴他入眠。阿門!

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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