Home昔日真理報2019年 真理報文章2019 年 3 月【讀經隨想】熬我、煉我,去蕪存菁

【讀經隨想】熬我、煉我,去蕪存菁

 

「人若自潔,脫離卑賤的事,就必作貴重的器皿,成為聖潔,合乎主用,預備行各樣的善事。」(提摩太後書二:21)

近日我和一位材料科學的專家聊天,提到材料的提煉工序,就是要把材料中的雜質愈煉愈少,一份純淨的材料才能大有用處。譬如以鋼鐵為例,鐵礦石在高爐中,經高溫加碳以除氧,冶煉得到生鐵。由於生鐵中含碳量偏高,並含相當多的硫、磷......等雜質,故性能欠佳,硬而脆、韌性差、不易加工、焊接。然而在古代,生鐵經過打鐵趁熱下的千錘百煉,已能用作馬蹄鐵、鐵釘、鐵鍋、鐵具......等生活用品。當然用久了、遇潮了,就會生鏽。現今此生鐵水都直接送入煉鋼爐中經過進一步高溫冶煉,降低含碳量,去除生鐵中雜質、氣泡,成為具有良好韌性、塑性和焊接性的鋼板、鋼條、鋼管,它的用途便大增了,在各種建築、基礎設施、工具、汔車、機械、電器及武器中,鋼都是主要的成份。總之,熔爐冶煉的目的,就是要把純鐵從鐵的氧化物和其它雜質中提取出來,供作各類器物的合用材料。

由此聊起神屢屢提到要我們成為聖潔(因為祂是聖潔的)。聖潔是什麼?字面意思就是神聖純潔、乾淨、無瑕無疵。可以想像「成為聖潔」的這個過程豈不如同那精煉材料、去蕪存菁般的艱辛嗎?不斷用火熬煉,以至煉成純銀、24k 金和精鋼等,然後才能製成精緻、貴重的物品。箴言十七:3 說:「鼎為煉銀、爐為煉金﹐惟有耶和華熬煉人心。」神太認識我們人內裡的雜質有多少,若不煉淨、純化,豈能行得出善事?又豈能合乎主用?

「我也知道,在我裡頭,就是我肉體之中,沒有良善;因為立志為善由得我,只是行出來是由不得我。」(羅八:18)從材料到人心,看似遙遠的話題,卻帶出了人的本質的探討。聖經上稱:「人心比萬物都詭詐,壞到極處,誰能識透呢?」(耶十七:9)我們的心中多雜念、多罪性,老我充滿雜質,多污點,就像剛採挖出土的鐵礦石般,充滿各種的雜質和混合物。未經熔煉,豈能純淨堪大用?!

「你們要脫去從前的行為,脫去舊我;這舊我是因私慾的迷惑而漸漸敗壞的。」(弗四:22)「一切苦毒、惱恨、忿怒、嚷鬧、毀謗,並一切惡毒,都當從你們中間除掉;......」(弗四:31)這是保羅勸勉聖徒要脫離信主之前生活在罪中的舊我狀態:麻木無知、放縱情慾、污穢貪婪......等等。怎麼除去老我裡面的眾多不討神喜悅、不合主用的雜質呢?若不經神的管教、試煉,豈能去除掉老我內裡的雜質?

「我兒,不可輕看主的管教,受責備的時候也不要灰心;因為主所愛的,衪必管教,祂又鞭打所收納的每一個兒子。」(希十二:5-6)「肉身的父親照著自己的意思管教我們,只有短暫的日子;唯有神管教我們,是為著我們的好處,使我們在祂的聖潔上有分。」(希十二:10)使徒保羅要我們知道:神愛的人,祂才管教。神的管教,是靈命長大所不可少的。天父的管教不同於地上父母的管教,不是暫時的,也不是隨己意的。神知道我們的心思意念,在需要時才施予管教,訓練我們成為像衪一樣聖潔的兒女。一個真正與神有親密關係的人,一有不好的念頭時,神就會管教他。這個管教可能來自後果、痛苦或試煉的形式,但目的都是塑造我們配得上神兒女的身分啊!

「但是一切管教,在當時似乎不覺得快樂,反覺得痛苦;後來卻為那些經過這種操練的人,結出平安的果子來,就是義。」(希十二:11)我們是否認可訓練人成為一個能見証基督的人,也像礦石必須經過熔煉才能製作更多更好的貴重物品來,是相仿的過程呢?當人與神的關係正常親密,一面臨管教,他馬上順服,一兩次後,他就學乖了。他內心深知神愛他,管教是為了去除他身上的雜質、心中的雜念,讓他這個人的心愈來愈純淨,愈來愈有神聖潔兒女的形象,也就愈來愈有平安在心中。故云「平安須自義中求」!偏就有些犟驢,如那無知的騾馬,要用嚼環轡頭勒住牠﹐勒得滿嘴都是血,還是不服。這些犟驢正是用腳踢刺,自討苦吃。對一個不順服神的人而言,他的人生就像以色列人在曠野,停滯不前,原地打轉四十年。

其實我們從管教就可以看出關係的親疏,神的兒女才受神的管教,我們若逃避這管教,也就失去神兒女的地位了。所以,「管教」和「愛」是連在一起的關係,「管教」是為了去除我們生命中的雜質,達成一個去蕪存菁、成為聖潔的過裎,以便合乎主用,預備行各樣的善事。讓我們真知道這一切的熬煉,都與主的愛、主的聖潔發生關連,為要榮耀主的名!

親愛的天父: 您是恩慈、至高的神,我讚美您!感謝您,按著您恩慈的計劃,祝福我並使用我。您允許我經歷後果、痛苦或試煉等種種的艱難,都為要使我看見我需要您,也預備我的心來聆聽您、順服您,使我的生命脫離卑賤、去蕪存菁,好成就您對我一生美好的計劃。主啊!我稱頌您,因為當我選擇信靠、順服您時,您便使用這些事,為我成就永遠的榮耀。奉耶穌基督的名感恩禱告,阿們!

 

      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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