【特稿】退一步海闊天空

 

退一步海闊天空,這不僅僅是民間的一句俗語,也是檢驗我們修養品質的分水嶺。因為,當我們在生活中、事業中、思想意識中,雙方產生矛盾時,是進一步爭取自己的利益抑或顧全大局而退一步謙讓容忍?

我們都知道《讓人三尺又何妨?》的故事。清朝時,在安徽桐城有個著名的家族,父子兩代為相,權勢顯赫,這就是張英、張廷玉父子。康熙年間,張英在朝廷當文華殿大學士、禮部尚書。張英的老家人與鄰居吳家在宅基地的問題上發生了爭執,因兩家宅地都是祖上基業,時間又久遠,對於宅界劃分誰也不肯相讓。雙方將官司打到縣衙,又因雙方都是官位顯赫、名門望族,縣官也不敢輕易了斷。於是張家人千里傳書到京城求救。

張英收書後賦詩一首寄回老家,便是這首膾炙人口的打油詩:"千里來書只為牆,讓他三尺又何妨?萬里長城今猶在,不見當年秦始皇。" 家人閱罷,明白其中意思,主動讓出三尺空地。吳家見狀,深受感動,也主動讓出三尺房基地,這樣就形成了一個  6尺寬的巷子。兩家禮讓之舉和張家不仗勢壓人的做法傳為美談。

張英的言行蘊含著中華傳統海納百川、兼收並蓄的博大精神,更體現出為官者應有的品格胸襟、崇德重禮的精神。故事指出,做官先做人,做人先修身,這便是一代儒臣的風範、"六尺巷" 雖不足 200 米,但是其中的文化內涵卻遠非四、五分鐘的距離所能承載的。幾百年後的今天,當一些人說長論短、追名逐利、爭權奪勢,在虛假的寒暄中,掩藏勾心斗角和爾虞我詐的時候,"六尺巷"帶來的是觸及靈魂、發人深省的人生思索,是在世事紛爭中歸於寧靜與平和的精神淨化。

在《聰訓齋語》中的《立品篇》中專門有一節說 "能容讓",其中寫道:"欲行忍讓之道,先須從小事做起。" 中華民族有著根深蒂固的家國思想、家國情懷,"六尺巷" 的故事彰顯了儒家修身、齊家、仁者愛人的博大內涵,更在為官修德方面,留下了最好的文化傳承。

同理,做基督徒也是要在做人上用心。基督教中國化,就是讓我們炎黃子孫基督徒不要忘記五千年的中華民族文化,中國基督徒應該成為世界信徒的文化典範。

聖經中最注重的就是:"如今常存的有信、有望、有愛、這三樣,其中最大的是愛。"(哥林多前書13:13)有愛心,才能容人,才會有退一步海闊天空的胸襟。"倘若這人與那人有嫌隙,總要彼此包容、彼此饒恕。主怎樣饒恕了你們,你們也要怎樣饒恕人。"(歌羅西書3:13)聖經中有這樣的一段故事:

"......各人都回家去了,耶穌卻往橄欖山去。清早又回到殿裡,眾百姓都到祂那裡去,祂就坐下教訓他們。文士和法利賽人帶著一個行淫時被拿的婦人來,叫她站在當中,就對耶穌說,夫子、這婦人是正行淫之時被拿的。摩西在律法上所吩咐我們把這樣的婦人用石頭打死。你說該把她怎麼樣呢?他們說這話乃試探耶穌,要得著告祂的把柄。耶穌卻彎著腰用指頭在地上畫字,他們還是不住地問祂,耶穌就直起腰來對他們說:'你們中間誰是沒有罪的,誰就可以先拿石頭打他。' 於是又彎著腰用指頭在地上畫字。他們聽見這話,就從老到少一個一個的都出去了,只剩下耶穌一人,還有那婦人仍然站在當中。耶穌就直起腰來對她說:'婦人,那些人在哪裡呢?沒有人定你的罪麼?' 她說:'主阿,沒有。' 耶穌說:'我也不定你的罪,去吧,從此不要再犯罪了。'"(約翰福音8:1-11)

人們為什麼看得到別人眼睛裡的刺,卻看不到自己眼睛裡的樑木呢?當眾人要用石頭打死婦人時,主耶穌說:"你們中間誰是沒有罪的?" 眾人聽到這一句話,"從老到少一個一個地都出去了" 這個故事生動地表明,退一步海闊天空,既寬容了別人,也饒恕了自己。

我們在現實生活中也是如此,人生的最佳狀態是淡定從容。看似無為,實則有為,才是實現人生價值的最美形式。人的一生,象一朵輕雲,一縷清風,在不經意間走過人生四季。我們需要春天的和風,夏天的細雨,更需要秋天的收獲。人生不能無止境地追求,不能咄咄逼人,就像"藺相如與廉頗的故事"裡的老將廉頗那樣,把自己和他人逼入死角。

退一步海闊天空,做人無疑應該堅守內心深處的信仰原則,不能因為屈服於壓力或貪圖物質利益就輕易妥協,甚至出賣自己的良心。然而,在個人的名利或物質利益受到損害而與他人發生矛盾時,如果能大度大量地退讓一步,則不僅不是懦弱,反而是一種大忍之心的體現。

有一則故事:在一條河面上有一條獨木橋,有兩個人同時走上橋,在橋中間相遇,第一個人說:你走回去吧,我趕時間。另一個就說:我都走到一半了,還回去?你趕時間就讓我先過去,否則我不讓你,你也過不去!第一個不肯,結果就你不讓我我不讓你,最後在推撞之中,一起掉進水裡。這種兩敗俱傷的例子,我們見得還少嗎?

"凡事謙虛、溫柔、忍耐,用愛心互相寬容,用和平彼此聯絡,竭力保守聖靈所賜合而為一的心。"(以弗所書4:2-3)總之,退一步真是海闊天空。

(於澳洲阿德萊德,Adelaide)

 

      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

Go to top