【問得好】上帝愛惡人嗎?

 

上期文章談論到上帝絕對有能力刑罰惡人﹐但很多人會問為甚麼祂不立刻審判他們呢?原來聖經也提到上帝也會等候惡人﹑犯大罪的人﹑甚至是敵擋祂的人悔改﹐並且願意愛及拯救他們。讓我們來看看聖經的解答。

QA上帝長久等候人悔改

很多人讀舊約聖經時﹐都不約而同有一個感受﹐就是舊約中的上帝是嚴厲的﹑甚至是兇惡的。尤其是讀到上帝吩咐以色列人去殺敵人的記載﹐例如上帝叫約書亞吩咐以色列人說:「又將城(耶利哥城)中所有的,不拘男女老少,牛羊和驢,都用刀殺盡。」(約書亞6:21)又如上帝叫先知撒母耳吩咐掃羅王說:「現在你要去擊打亞瑪力人,滅盡他們所有的,不可憐惜他們,將男女、孩童、吃奶的,並牛、羊、駱駝,和驢盡行殺死。」(撒母耳記上15:3)表面上看來﹐上帝好像是冷酷無情﹐但當我們了解其中背景後﹐才知道其實上帝已經等候那些人悔改等了很長的時間。以迦南人為例﹐上帝早就在創世記預言說:「耶和華對亞伯蘭說:『你要的確知道,你的後裔(以色列人)必寄居別人的地,又服事那地的人;那地的人要苦待他們四百年。並且他們所要服事的那國,我要懲罰,後來他們必帶著許多財物從那裡出來......到了第四代,他們必回到此地,因為亞摩利人的罪孽還沒有滿盈。』」(創世記15:13-16)歷史告訴我們上帝已經等候那些人超過幾百年了﹐到了他們的罪孽滿盈才刑罰他們﹐這正說明上帝愛他們。

上帝多次饒恕

上帝除了給惡人時間悔改﹐也會給惡人多次悔改的機會。以祂的百姓以色列人為例﹐他們如聖經所說:?這些人雖看見我(上帝)的榮耀和我在埃及與曠野所行的神蹟,仍然試探我這十次,不聽從我的話。?(民數記14:22) 以色列百姓被上帝選擇去見證祂﹐他們清楚認識上帝的大能與威嚴﹐但他們仍以惡去回應祂多次﹐向祂發怨言及不聽祂的話﹐然而上帝多次沒有立刻把他們消滅﹐反給他機會悔改﹐直到最後才施行刑罰。來到新約的教導﹐聖經記載﹐有一次?彼得進前來,對耶穌說:『主啊,我弟兄得罪我,我當饒恕他幾次呢?到七次可以嗎?』耶穌說:『我對你說,不是到七次,乃是到七十個七次。』?(馬太福音18:21-22) 同樣說明上帝給得罪祂的人多次機會悔改來表明愛他們。

上帝不想惡人死亡

舊約以西結書18:21-32記載上帝這樣說:「惡人若回頭離開所做的一切罪惡,謹守我一切的律例,行正直與合理的事,他必定存活,不致死亡。他所犯的一切罪過都不被記念,因所行的義,他必存活。主耶和華說:惡人死亡,豈是我喜悅的嗎?不是喜悅他回頭離開所行的道存活嗎?......你們要將所犯的一切罪過盡行拋棄,自做一個新心和新靈。以色列家啊,你們何必死亡呢?主耶和華說:我不喜悅那死人之死,所以你們當回頭而存活。」以西結書33:11 又說:?主耶和華說:我指著我的永生起誓,我斷不喜悅惡人死亡,惟喜悅惡人轉離所行的道而活。? 我們讀到這些經文後應被上帝的愛感動﹐因為祂不喜悅惡人之死!主耶穌道成肉身到世間來就是為了人的罪被釘死﹐祂臨死前一刻﹐剛遇上兩個死囚同樣被釘﹐其中之一最後悔改並對主說:「耶穌啊,你得國降臨的時候,求你記念我!」主耶穌的回答是:「我實在告訴你,今日你要同我在樂園裡了。」(馬太福音23:42-43)主這個願意赦免﹑拯救惡人的回應力證上帝對他們的愛!

上帝叫人警戒惡人

上帝曾提醒先知說:「人子啊,我照樣立你作以色列家守望的人。所以你要聽我口中的話,替我警戒他們。我對惡人說:『惡人哪,你必要死!』你以西結若不開口警戒惡人,使他離開所行的道,這惡人必死在罪孽之中,我卻要向你討他喪命的罪。」)(以西結書33:7-8)這一番的說話叫人驚訝上帝的愛﹐人若有機會及責任去警戒惡人而不開口﹐上帝竟要追討那人的罪﹐這不是更顯明上帝愛惡人嗎!故此﹐我們大家也來呼籲:惡人啊!快快悔改﹐離開你們所行的惡道﹐若不悔改就要面對上帝最終的審判﹐故此不要死在罪孽中!你們轉回,轉回吧!離開惡道,何必死亡呢!這是上帝的心意。

上帝教導人以善勝惡

主耶穌曾在山上教導門徒說:?只是我告訴你們,要愛你們的仇敵,為那逼迫你們的禱告。這樣就可以作你們天父的兒子;因為祂叫日頭照好人,也照歹人;降雨給義人,也給不義的人。?(馬太福音5:44-45)上帝的愛與人的愛不一樣﹐人的愛是對方對自己好﹐自己就對對方好; 對方對自己不好時﹐往往是以不好去回應。上帝是不要我們作出個人報復的﹐祂要我們以善勝惡﹐主耶穌就是我們的榜樣﹐當祂被釘十架後﹐第一句話是:?父啊!赦免他們,因為他們所做的,他們不曉得。」(路加福音23:34)祂在痛苦中仍為釘祂十字架的人代求﹐實踐了愛仇敵的愛。

末世暴力加增

主耶穌預言末世日子暴力事件越來越多﹐國要攻打國﹐民要攻打民﹐地上像昔日洪水來臨前挪亞日子一樣滿了強暴﹐一切正告訴我們主耶穌快要再來審判萬民。親愛的朋友﹐聖經說:?世人都犯了罪。?(羅馬書3:23) 誰未曾行過惡呢?

其實人人都要悔改﹐只不過惡人在人的眼中好像顯得特別不好﹐他們也許應受更重的刑罰﹐但是我們若不認那創造我們﹑賜我們生命的主為主﹐我們的罪也不比他們輕﹐都要悔改。主耶穌說:?天國近了﹐你們應當悔改!?讓我們都來到主前認罪悔改﹑接受救主﹑跟隨基督﹐從祂領受一個新的生命﹔活出一個以善勝惡的生命。

 

      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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