Home昔日真理報2018年 真理報文章2018 年 3 月【小基督大世界】生死攸關的節日

【小基督大世界】生死攸關的節日

 

有一天走在上班的路上,看到路邊的草地上冒出小小紫色的小花苞,雖然氣溫有時依舊在冰點以下,但看到這花苞,根據以往的經驗,我知道春天來了,心裡也跟著雀躍起來。

每年春天,大概在三月底或四月初,基督徒都會開心地慶祝「復活節」,但在慶祝「復活節」前,會先紀念「受難節」。對基督徒來說「受難」與「復活」是分不開的。聖經很清楚地指出:「若沒有死人復活的事,基督也就沒有復活了。若基督沒有復活,我們所傳的便是枉然,你們所信的也是枉然!」(哥林多前書十五章13-14節)

為何基督的「受難」與「復活」連在一起?基督徒為何要「紀念」與「慶祝」這兩個節日?「基督的死和復活」 與「我的死活」有何關係?上帝為何要讓耶穌基督被釘死在十字架上,這樣殘酷的死來表明祂的大愛,來拯救人?祂是上帝,無所不能,為何不用其它的方式呢?一連串的問題,我沒有答案,但我知道上帝這樣做,是祂自己的決定,說白一點,祂決定要這樣做,就這樣做了,是出於祂的恩典。上帝的本質之一是愛,祂用祂無條件的愛,來拯救世人。雖說是「無條件」的愛,但這恩典其實是在「有條件的無條件」下完成的!因為人若不以信心接受,是無法得到這代贖的救恩的!

人人都有罪,罪的工價就是死!上帝因著愛人,也為成全祂公義的要求,所以差派獨生愛子「耶穌基督」來到世上成為人的樣式,以無罪之身,代有罪之人而死。因著耶穌基督的代死,接受這救恩者被看為死了,因罪所該付的工價被耶穌基督代付了,所以不再有罪,如同與基督同被釘十字架,基督已償還接受這救恩者所該付的罪價。聖經清楚明白指出「因為知道我們的舊人和祂(耶穌基督)同釘十字架,使罪身滅絕,叫我們不再作罪的奴僕,因為已死的人是脫離了罪。」(羅馬書六章6-7節)

我們的肉體不可能與「歷史人物」耶穌基督一起被釘十字架,所以人要如何接受這代贖的救恩呢?有四個重要元素:要因著「上帝的恩典」,藉著「相信」「耶穌基督的救恩」,罪人被算為義人(「被稱義」)。「神的義」與「人的不義」無法並存,但人藉著接受耶穌代贖的救恩,就被「算為」有義(「被稱義」)。這義是外來的,是「被主動」加上的義。

耶穌基督不僅在十字架上為擔當世人的罪孽被釘死了,祂死後三天從死裡復活,證明祂的確是神,祂已經戰勝了死亡,也砍斷了人因為罪導致身心靈與上帝分離,走向永遠沉淪的綑綁。祂復活後在世上停留四十日向祂的門徒顯現,向他們作見證,堅固他們的信心,然後回到上帝那裡。十天後,在五旬節差派聖靈來到世上,住在願意「藉著信」,接受這救恩的人裡面。上帝的靈充滿全地,也住在信祂的人裡面,人因著信,與住在他/她裡面的聖靈合一。順服住在人裡面的聖靈的感動與引導,人就不會輕易犯罪。人都是罪人,本身沒有義,藉著接受耶穌基督代贖的救恩,「被動地」被加上義,這義是「基督的義」,不是我們自己的。人有耶穌基督的義,才有「被更新」的機會。所以聖經說:「凡住在祂裏面的,就不犯罪;凡犯罪的,是未曾看見祂,也未曾認識祂。」(約翰一書三章6節)。

人活在世上,雖無法一下子完全達到「不犯罪」的境界,但因著聖靈的引導與督促,我們的舊人會漸漸地死去,新人會漸漸甦醒活過來。有時我們信主後,因著軟弱,不小心又犯罪了,心裡會很懊悔,甚至絕望,這種絕望是 「健康的絕望」,引導我們認識自己的無能為力,轉而全心依靠帶領我們的上帝。

基督的「死」與「復活」是不可分的。沒有死,就沒有復活!人因為罪,與上帝分離,但基督的代死,是以祂的死,換我的活!有新生命的我,因著披上耶穌基督的義,我們才有能力抵擋罪的引誘,與公義的上帝自由相交,恢復和好的關係。

您知道耶穌基督不是一個死去的宗教領袖,祂還在死後三天復活了!祂的死與復活和我們的死活息息相關,是攸關我們一生的!

「受難節」與「復活節」將至,希望這兩個連在一起的節日,從今年起,對你我來說,不再只是一個與自己不相干的宗教節日,而是對我們極為重要,與我們的生命有深深連結的節日!

 

      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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