Home昔日真理報2016年 真理報文章2016 年 6 月【開卷有益】 完全的愛勝過恐懼

【開卷有益】 完全的愛勝過恐懼

 

book世上果真有「天不怕,地不怕」的人嗎?只要誠實地環顧身邊的朋友,會讓人驚訝的發現:無論如何膽大包天,總有怯懦的時刻,驚恐或多或少存在於每個人心裡,在這個世代,所有人都活在恐懼之中。

阿爾伯特省一場山火,不單讓災民驚惶失措,恐慌的情緒也漫延至全加拿大,甚至全世界各地,聽聞的人無不忐忑難安。

令人害怕的事情著實太多,小時候怕黑、怕考試、怕父母師長責罵;長大之後,也沒有變得稍為勇敢一些,害怕的事反而更多、更嚴峻。怕找不到工作,怕患病,怕失去親人,怕婚姻失敗,怕經濟不景,怕遭遇意外,甚至害怕天災橫禍突然而來,原本擁有的健康、財產和生命瞬間毀於一旦。

一大堆令人擔心和憂慮的問題包圍著我們,籠罩著我們的情緒,並且在不知不覺的情況下,影響著我們日常生活的許多決定。因為我們害怕誤交損友,我們會小心翼翼地結交朋友;害怕婚姻破裂;所以謹慎選擇終生伴侶;害怕經濟陷入困境,所以要等到有足夠的能力,才置業安居或生兒育女;害怕失業,所以誠惶誠恐地自我增值,來應付工作與日俱增的要求;更加恐怕頑疾纏身,於是加倍注意飲食、經常運動,期望鍛鍊強健的體魄。然而,即使我們花盡氣力,建立穩固的安全保障,仍然無法驅除心中的惶恐與不安。

在國際的舞台上,我們也看見因為恐懼,而作出種種防禦措施。因為恐怕敵對國家威脅本國的安全,因此各國加強戒備、增加武裝、積極發展核能的勢力。於是牽引出更多軍事、經濟、外交事務等令人害怕的問題。惡性循環之下,恐懼只會帶來更深的恐懼,無休無止地侵蝕人的心靈。

世界知名的靈修作家盧雲(Henri Nouwen)雖然逝世差不多二十年,但其影響力至今猶在。他篤信耶穌基督的教導,深信愛裡沒有懼怕。他其中一本著作《愛勝過恐懼》(Lifesigns—Intimacy, Fecundity and Ecstasy in Christian Perspective),對現今恐慌的世代,無疑是一帖令人心得安慰的處方。

我們之所以恐懼,是因為問題的根源來自錯誤的擔憂,好比物質的擁有、名聲、影響力和權力的掌控,全部都是以自己作為出發點,害怕失去,害怕變得一無所有,於是容易焦慮、緊張而又擔心。然而,這些東西都不是從上帝那裡來的。

這個世界雖然充斥著恐懼,但上帝卻多次多番向人發出呼籲:「不要怕!」這把安定人心的聲音響徹了整個人類歷史,遠古的亞伯拉罕和約書亞,新約時代的馬利亞、牧羊人、門徒和一群婦女在慌張不知所措的處境裡,也曾聽見這個強而有力的安慰信息,向世人宣告一個全新的生命:與上帝同在一起,住在愛裡的生命,就把懼怕除去了。

耶穌曾說:「你們要住在我裡面,我也常在你們裡面。」(Make your home in me as I make mine in you.)祂就是要給我們一個真正像「家」的地方,在祂那裡裡,我們無須害怕,不用憂慮,不用神經緊張,不用背負壓力,可以自由釋放,可以放下武裝。我們可以大哭、大笑、吃飯、睡覺、玩樂、閱讀、聽音樂。家是讓我們可以休息,並且得到醫治的地方。

可是,這世代有許多人正經歷無家可歸的痛苦。沒有歸屬感,沒有一個地方讓人覺得安全、被接受、被愛和受保護。即使在家裡,也是充滿矛盾和衝突,互相敵視,人與人之間關係疏離,彼此防範,怒氣一觸即發,難怪這麼多人終日活在惶恐之中!

耶穌向世人發出邀請:「不要怕,我為你們預備了一個永久的家鄉。」在祂裡面,不用害怕失去世上短暫的財富、聲譽和權力。因為在很早很早以前,我們還是一無所有、一文不值的時候,上帝已經先愛我們了。這起初之愛就是說:早在他人愛我之前,上帝先愛了我;早在他人接納我之前,上帝先接納了我;早在我受他人保護之前,上帝已保守了我。

因此,我毋須再刻意介懷名利得失,也不苦苦計較擁有的多少。上帝為所有人提供了一個免於恐懼的地方:缺乏得著豐富的供應,傷痛得著慰藉,彼此能坦承自己的軟弱和過失,經歷饒恕和憐恤的醫治。

只有來自上帝完全的愛,才能把懼怕除去。你願意從恐懼之處遷移到上帝愛的國度裡去嗎?

 

      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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