Home昔日真理報2015年 真理報文章2015 年 5 月【事事關心】這時代的光和鹽

【事事關心】這時代的光和鹽

 

華裔加拿大公民現今在三個主要城市(溫哥華、卡加裡、多倫多) 已經成為最顯著的 "少數" 族裔,而且因為有穩健的經濟實力﹐已在社會上形成有相當影響力的一個族群。華人基督徒若能把握時機,與其他華人﹐甚至不同的族裔一起作為社會良心,一定可以在加拿大歷史上做出光輝的貢獻, 在加國二十一世紀歷史上寫下捍衛( 維護) 聖經倫理教導之重要一頁。

需要華裔基督徒關注的幾件事﹐都在於如何在公眾領域活出信仰的立場。基督徒﹐尤其是其領袖人物﹐應該要支持一些勇敢站在前線的基督徒組織,支援他們打那些事關重大的爭戰,因為在背後其實存在著屬靈的角力。

首先,總部在安省多倫多的 Institute for Canadian Values ﹐正在帶領關注 NDP (新民主黨) 國會議員發起要求稅務局取消一些教會的慈善團體資格,因為那些教會被認為是歧視同性戀人士的。華人教會領袖需要留意,不要以為現在火沒有燒到自己的門口,就永遠不用理會這件事,以為自己沒有歧視心態就一定不會惹上麻煩, 因為同性戀中一些 "搞事分子" 不單不同情基督徒的立場,更正在改變包括基督徒子弟的思維, 藉著同情他們的教師工會和主流傳媒去推動 "新性觀念",在公眾領域例如公立學校和電視節目中塑造年輕一代的道德思維,去接納一些違反和否定聖經教導的倫理觀念。

其實在過往一年,在西岸BC省的聖三一大學 (TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY) 也因為其信仰道德立場而受到歧視,並且被三個省的律師公會拒絕接納其將來的法律系畢業生的專業資格。 雖然新蘇格蘭省(NOVA SCOITIA)的高等法院最近判決該省律師公會的拒絕是違法,但該省律師公會仍然決定到首都的聯邦最高法院去上訴,再加上和卑詩(BC)、安省(Ontario)的律師公會的堅決拒絕,該大學今年要面對三場重要的法庭訴訟。

在這些事項之上,還有一些包括主要銀行的商業機構發起對好像聖三一大學同樣立場的基督教組織予以制裁,以致 Institute for Canadian Values 呼籲基督徒團體要聯成一線去抵抗這樣的對基督徒 的歧視行為。事實上,現今基督徒團體已經失去了不少其他人和宗教團體可享有的公民權利。其他宗教人士的信仰立場可以受到社會大眾所尊重和維護,然而,基督徒卻不能享有同樣的表達自由。例如,越來越多的案例是有些市政府不願意租借其管理的社區建築物讓基督徒組織作集合之租用。

第二方面, 現今華裔加國公民可以在學校教育這議題上為社會作出貢獻。

環顧周圍,白人為主的教會大部分已經在性倫理這議題上妥協或投降了,如今在這時代能夠抵抗同性戀運動的加拿大教會只剩下有移民背景的族裔教會,而華人教會仍然是當中的主要一份子。 所以筆者盼望華人基督徒領袖願意肩負重任,帶領眾信徒認識和以行動去回應現今教會所面對的處境。 我們現在要打的仗並非隻是關於法律問題,背後其實是屬靈的角力,若基督徒現今不努力參戰,將來面對的是更多教會內部的爭執及分歧,因為下一代的倫理觀念將來與父母一代的觀念距離更遠。

若現今不積極行動去回應上述的形勢和教會處境,恐怕將來後悔莫及。因此,教會領袖應該不再停在考慮、猶疑階段,宜加入陣線一同起來行動。


過往一年其實也可看到有些值得鼓舞的發展。例如 去年夏天和秋天在溫哥華,有些家長向溫哥華學校教育局要求, 不要在未得到家長認可之前,急於推行 "新性教育" 課程, 雖然該教育局一意孤行,不接納家長的訴求,卻迫使家長組織起來,建立了 Parents' Heart「親子情」,為眾多家長建立了一個陣營。

剛剛上月,為數約4千的多倫多地區的家長們在省政府門前示威,要求安省省長不可於今年 9 月推行 "新性教育" 課程。參與的基督徒團體包括了 Institute for Canadian Values 和華裔基督徒團體,電視鏡頭之前出現的幾乎都是華人和亞洲族裔的家長。

筆者建議基督徒和教會領袖先從網頁了解在屬靈戰爭前線的基督徒組織,以致知道怎樣支持他們的事工。 以下是筆者認為值得支持的幾個組織 :

Parents' Heart「親子情」: www.parentsheart.ca

Institute for Canadian Values : http://canadianvalues.ca

Association for Reformed Political Action : http://arpacanada.ca

盼望華人基督徒能把握時機,與其他華人和族裔人士一起成為社會良心,履行作為加拿大公民的義務,在加國產生光輝的貢獻。

 

      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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