災難的反思

作者：盧國禮

2010 年 1 月 29 日，香港馬頭圍道突然塌樓，人命傷亡慘重，似是罕見的意外。 當時不在樓內的人幸逃大難，人說 "有運氣"。事實上，有誰或有風水師預先可知災難的發生﹖

香港政府及香港測量師學會迅速組成義工隊，為 30 至 50 年樓齡的住戶免費驗樓，顯現出專業精神和關心社會的情操。

其實，天災橫禍，誰都想避免，但是，它每天都發生。例如﹕多年前四川(中國)和智利(南美洲)大地震，傷亡數十萬人，樓房夷為平地，慘不忍睹，人實在可作甚麼呢﹖

我們得平安有生命氣息的人，應當要思念 神的恩惠、 照管、和祂的主權心意. . . . . . 。在宇宙裏人算甚麼﹖

關於樓房維修保養的事，許多人都未加注意，貪婪的業權人，因為他們的短視和急於收益，不願作或遲延預防性或必須的維修工程。事實上，這是世界性的問題，在發達國家 如是，在發展中國家也如是。不過，在貧窮的地方，失修的情況更為嚴重，以至成為危樓，不可居住，甚或不幸塌荒，傷亡慘重。

災難的降臨使我們反思生命的意義和醒覺，自問我是否活得像個浪子﹖背叛了天上的父神，而偏行己路，不知道珍惜生命，而自取滅亡之路。

耶穌基督說，世界有災難。不只是天災， 也有多人為災害。本來， "神造萬物，各按其時成為美好；又將永生安置在人心裏，然而， 神從始至終的作為，人不能參透" (傳道書 三章11節， 和合本) 。 當神創世造人，祂看一切所造的都甚好。人類是可與神永遠同在美善環境的伊甸園過活。但人的自由決擇，受撒但的試探而犯了罪，罪便入了世界，人類皆帶著罪性而生；所以，羅馬書七章18節，和合本說﹕"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，只是行出來由不得我"。

故此，縱使我們知道或堅定立志要 "行善"，要作個 "好人"，但因為帶著罪性的問題，人往往不能自控地或明知故犯地做了一些背道(真理)而馳或違背良心的事情。因此，人根本不能自救，更不能靠自己 "行善積德" 來洗淨一切的過犯，唯有靠著神的愛子主耶穌基督降世的救贖（祂以無罪的身份，來代替我們承受罪所帶來的懲罰），才能得救。哥林多後書五章21節， 和合本 說﹕"神使那無罪的（主耶穌），替我們成為罪，好叫我們在祂裡面成為神的義。"另外，約翰福音十四 章6節又說﹕"耶穌說：我就是道路、真理、生命；若不藉著我，沒有人能到父那裡去。"

所以，人類必須知罪、認罪、悔改、求神赦免我們的罪；接受主耶穌基督為生命的救主，掌管我門得贖後的生命。神是信實的； 神必「赦免」我們的罪孽。我們若能與神和好，邁進重生得救之路，便會經歷到更豐盛的人生，阿們。

Reflections on the Disastrous Loss

by: Francis Loo

On 29th January 2010, there on Ma Tau Wai Road the building suddenly collapsed causing the death of many people. Apparently this was an accident rarely happened. At that point in time, those who were not in the building had escaped the great tragedy. Some people say: "very fortunate". In fact, were there any one or geomancers who could forebode disasters that would occur?

The Hong Kong Government and the Hong Kong Institute of Surveys immediately formed the Volunteer Groups to carry out inspections pro bono of the 30 to 50 years old buildings—showing their professionalism and concern of society.

Honestly, every one wishes to avoid disasters. But disasters occur every day. Namely, many years ago, the catastrophic earthquakes of Sze Tsuen in China, and Chillies in South America caused the death of hundreds of thousands people--apartments and houses raised to the ground--so tragic to be seen. . . . . . What humanity can do nothing in reality?

We having peace and breaths with us ought to ponder about the grace of God, His providence and His sovereign will. . . . . . What is the status of humankind in this universe?

In regard to the things of repairs and maintenance of apartments and houses, many people pay little attention. The greedy landlords, because of their short-sightedness, focusing on quick profits, would be unwilling to commit to preventive or necessary maintenance programmes or defer them. Actually, this is a world problem in both the developed or developing countries; more seriously so in the poor countries, causing dangerous premises uninhabitable. The unfortunate case will be the collapsing of buildings taking life and death.

The coming of disasters make us reflect on the meaning of life and enlightenment. I ask myself if I'm living like a prodigal son, turning my back to the Father in heaven, walk my own way, and not concerned caring of my life—choosing the way leading to death.

Jesus says that there are calamities in the world—they are not only natural disasters but also many are humanly-caused. Originally, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men； yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). When God had created the world and humans he saw everything all that he made, and it was very good. Humankind should be able to live with God in eternity in the beautiful Garden of Eden. But human's freedom of will gave way to the temptation of Satan. Hence sins entered the world and humanities were born with sins； therefore Romans 7:18 says: "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." Therefore, even though we know or determine willfully to "do well" and be a "good person", but, because of our sinful nature, oftentimes we have no self-control or we know it's wrong but to commit to things in spite of the truth or good conscience. Basically, humanities cannot self-redeem their souls. Moreover, they cannot rely on "doing good to accumulate virtue" to wash clean all transgressions, but only they can rely on the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, who became flesh to save them. (He had no sin to exchange for our sin and to suffer from our transgressions.) 2 Corinthians 5:21 says: "God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteous of God." Also, John 14:6 says: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Therefore, humanities-- being aware of their sins-- must admit them and repent and entreat God to pardon their sins； then receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior to govern their redeemed lives. God is honest； God shall forgive our transgressions. If our relationship with God will be reconciled, stepping onto the road of salvation, we will experience abundance of life all the more. Amen.