Home昔日真理報2018年 真理報文章2018 年 12 月【事事關心】從聖誕節論加國事

【事事關心】從聖誕節論加國事

 

p20

 韋邱佩芳(Daisy Wai)已當選安省議員


12 月對於很多基督徒來說是十分高興的一個月,因為聖誕節不單教會有慶祝節目,不少人期待自己會從家人或親友中收到禮物。那些能夠一家人放假去遠遊的人,更懷著興奮的心情度過。若於聖誕節期間討論一些社會上發生、令人不愉快的事,肯定不會受人歡迎,但筆者盼望這篇文章所談論的加拿大國情,能夠成為各位讀者今年結束時,在眾信徒的禱告中求神彰顯祂的帶領,叫大家知道怎樣面對和回應當今的社會局面。

筆者回顧 30 多年前移民到加國初時,眾多電視台和電台仍然重視聖誕節,雖然沒有直接的基督教信息或提及信仰這議題的節目,我仍然可於節期間聽到自己熟悉的聖誕節歌曲,就算不是基督徒的朋友也樂於與你說一聲 "Merry Christmas!" 然而,時移勢易,現今不少人不敢冒犯政治正確的時勢,面對不認識的人,就改說 "Happy holiday "﹐以避免有些人給你找麻煩,好像大部份的公司和機構那樣。

事實上,隨著很多人藉著人權、法律和政治管制,打擊基督教的傳揚,導致敵對教會的局面越來越在加國顯現。最近一個例子就是 亞省 (Alberta) 教育部長強迫該省的教會學校,不能因為宗教信仰緣故而禁止同性戀者在其學校內組織活動,否則省政府將會吊銷財政資助。這教育部長的政治打壓迫使那些學校連同家長一起採取法律行動,聘請基督徒律師 John Carpay 進行法庭訴訟。

由此可見,不少信徒已經明白: 有信仰的人需要鼓起勇氣,對壓迫信仰的行為不能不發出正義聲音,雖然可能要為此付出不少的代價!這代價不單是金錢方面,更可能是基督徒在世人眼中的形象。不過,基督徒要反省,在這樣關鍵性的危機時刻,究竟我們看重的是世人的稱讚或好評,還是重視上帝稱讚我們勇於作光和鹽、不怕指出世俗力量的錯誤行為?

在現今西方國家都散播著一種虛偽的包容局面﹐不少傳媒、政府、學術界人士都自稱是重視包容精神 (all inclusive) , 要包容與你意見不同的人。但是,若基督徒發表一些基於聖經教導的言論﹐或堅持他們的信仰立場而不能讓其管理的教會學校違反其信仰立場的活動時,這些自認包容一切異見的人卻自打嘴巴,用盡一切辦法去打擊和禁止基督徒的言論自由和公民權利!關於這個議題,讀者可以上網 www.Jccf.ca 詳細了解這訴訟案件。

值得高興的是,過往幾年在安省(Ontario) 大多倫多地區多了一些基督徒參政,今年更多了一位華裔、從香港來的基督徒成為省議員 (MPP) ——韋邱佩芳(Daisy Wai)。 這位基督徒女士的丈夫曾經多年致力於宣教事工,也許他們夫妻都深感加國過往三、四十年內,敵對基督教信仰的勢力與日俱增而毅然參政。在韋邱佩芳的上任致詞中,她毫不畏忌地道出心聲:過往十多年自由黨政府所推出的教育政策使她擔憂,迫使她的女兒放棄在外邊的工作而逗留在自己的家中教育子女。這種趨勢迫使 Daisy 面對退休的前景也不惜放下自己的穩固生意,無懼走上政壇。這位基督徒獲得超過 51% 票數,以 2 萬 2 千票擊敗拿到 1 萬 2 千票的對手,於就職前就公開呼籲華人要融入加國,鼓勵華人社區不要自我分割而獨處一角,積極關心加國事情。

筆者或可做如此推斷:引發她下定決心參政,乃因現今的兒童 (包括她的孫兒一代) 所面對的危機,即過往幾年安省教育部猛推的那種違反生物學的性別課程。這些脫離生物學、絕不客觀的課程今天卻被那些自認 "先進的" 自由派人士高舉為合乎人道的 "社會公義"!可悲的是加國許多人敢怒而不敢言,不敢公開指出其錯謬。幸而現今開始看到一些端倪,一些基督徒盡自己的力量去抗衡這些攔阻或破壞教會根據聖經的教導,不惜放下自己的事業,與志同道合的信徒在社會中打美好的仗,為的是要停止教會繼續處於捱打的劣勢。

求神興起更多基督徒參與公職,透過民間組織成為社會的光,或藉著民主選舉進入社會管治階層。願這些參與的基督徒都懂得求上帝的幫助,好像聖經詩篇35篇的那樣的祈求:"耶和華阿﹐與我相爭的﹐求你與他們相爭;與我相戰的﹐求你與他們相戰!拿著大小的盾牌﹐起來幫助我。"(詩篇35:1-2)

 

      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