Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 3 月【開卷有益】 上帝有甚麼好?

【開卷有益】 上帝有甚麼好?

 

Book「上帝有甚麼好?」這個問題是讚歎?是質疑?還是無奈?每一個正在經歷失意、痛苦、死亡、貧困、不公的人不期然從心底裡發出這樣的吶喊!

有人在極度創傷之中思索到底有沒有上帝?有人看見疫症肆虐、天災瀕仍,無辜市民受傷受害,心生疑惑:上帝是否滿懷慈愛?好人惡運連連、惡人順景亨通,不禁要問:上帝是否公義?

楊腓力(Phillip Yancey)是美國當代知名基督教作家,多年以來潛心研究思考人類傷痛苦難的問題,也敢於向上帝尋求解答。寫成了一系列探討痛苦的書,從1977年出版《痛苦的疑惑》(Where is God When It Hurts?)第一本著作開始,直到如今,他的書籍大部份環繞這個主題。

他以暢銷作家的身份受邀到世界各地巡迴演講,分享他在這方面鑽研所得,足跡遍及美國本土多個城市,甚至遠達英國、中國、印度、中東和南非,有機會與當地人接觸、交談,體驗每個群體所經歷的傷害、壓迫、恐懼、不安、怨憤和破碎。他以記者獨有的敏銳觸覺,選取了十個不同的場景,從他們悲慘的際遇之中,發現上帝的蹤跡,寫成了《恩典現場──在破碎世界中尋索上帝》(What Good is God? -- In Search of a Faith that Matters)。

當校園槍撃事件、恐怖活動、海嘯、地震、禽流感疫症在世界各地蔓延開來的時候,很多人忍不住要問:上帝在哪裡?上帝的慈愛往哪裡去了?為甚麼我們眼前看到的只是一個百孔千瘡、危機四伏的世界。

2007 年維州理工學院校園大屠殺發生之後一個星期,楊腓力親臨這所美侖美奐的學院,可是整個校園卻瀰漫著罕有的沉靜與凝重,學生、教師、職工和家長還未從驚愕之中恢復過來。三十二名大學生和教職員被一名精神有問題的韓裔美國學生槍殺,最後槍手舉槍自盡。突然而來的慘劇,使人措手不及,不懂得如何回應。

在中國,不少城市飽受地震、水災蹂躪,很多老百姓至今仍活在貧困、傷痛之中;也有一些處於弱勢的地下教會每天擔驚受怕,誠惶誠恐地在療傷。同樣,中東波斯灣地區的基督徒冒著被捕與迫害、生命受到威脅的情勢下暗中聚會。難以想像的是二千年前,基督信仰就在這裡發源,如今竟成為世上穋斯林對抗基督教最頑強的地方。

還有印度孟買 2008 年 11 月遭巴基斯坦恐怖分子襲擊市區十個要點,全城陷入驚恐之下。民權領袖曼德拉逝世,使得南非再度引起世界的關注,這個國家長期處於種族仇視、敵對和壓迫之下,對黑人造成無法彌補的創傷。

除了天災人禍的地區之外,楊腓力也走訪了許多邊緣群體,會晤專職性工作者、酗酒和嗜毒成癖人士,聆聽他們一個又一個辛酸淒戚的故事。親臨現場,耳聞目睹充斥於現實世界的災難,總會質疑上帝:「這到底是為了甚麼?」

在聖經裡,我們無從獲得確切的答案。可是在耶穌的舉動之中,卻看到他如何回應眼前的悲劇:高樓倒塌,壓死十八個路人;寡婦痛失獨子;羅馬軍人的僕人生病垂危,他從沒有議論滔滔解釋苦難的因由,卻以憐恤、安慰、醫治來與受苦的人站在同一陣線。猶太人有句俗語說:有彌賽亞的地方,就沒有不幸。耶穌來了之後,這句話可改成:有不幸的地方,就有彌賽亞。

生命傷痛時,上帝在哪裡?上帝就在祂的子民中間。上帝揀選了祂的信徒,作為世間的代表,以耶穌作為榜樣:在苦難之處,表現關心憐憫;在懷疑之處,傳達希望;在仇恨之處,散發饒恕。

今天,上帝呼召跟隨耶穌基督的人,在這個疲憊、破碎的世界散播上帝的恩典,給貧窮的、饑餓的、哀慟的和受逼迫的人。讓他們在滿目瘡痍的災難現場,發現上帝原來與他們一同受苦,而且賜下安慰,在意想不到的地方,上帝的恩典仍然發出耀眼的光茫。

上帝有甚麼好?就要看基督徒做得有多好!

 

      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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