Home昔日真理報2019年 真理報文章2019 年 10 月【事事關心】事關重大的一次大選

【事事關心】事關重大的一次大選

 

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自左至右上:保守黨黨領袖希爾﹑自由黨領袖特魯多﹑新民主黨領袖辛格
下排從左至右,綠黨領袖﹑人民黨領袖貝爾涅﹑以及魁北克黨團領袖布蘭謝
 

加拿大人現今所面對的光景,就好像先知尼希米在耶路撒冷時所面對的局面:一個曾經是敬畏耶和華的地方,現今的外邦居民普遍都是敬拜偶像而非聆聽和遵行祂的教導和律法的人。尼希米要面對眾多不敬畏以色列人所認識的神,並且受到當中一些人的威脅和攔阻他的工作,因為他努力要在這歷史聖城復興以色列的宗教信仰。

加拿大有類似的經歷。過往四百多年,它曾經是敬畏上帝和愛耶穌基督的國家,原因在於政府官員多數是敬畏上帝的基督徒,但最近 30 多年卻急劇地成為一個藐視聖經教導和基督的國家,而且政策和法律越來越敵對教會的發展和福音的自由傳播。你理解箇中原因嗎?

一個主要原因是過往半個多世紀,加國的基督徒被錯誤的 "政教分離" 觀念攔阻,不像以前本國祖先們那樣積極參與政府的選舉,以至被推出來選舉的人大部份不再是基督徒,不再敬重聖經教導,這些非信徒固然只會重視持其他思維和信仰者的利益而漠視基督徒的價值觀了。當越來越多坐上權位的人都不是基督徒之時,這些政客就自自然然地放膽改變本國的法律和政策,後果是: 這些改變不單對整個國家並非好事 (例如大麻合法化),更對教會的發展和基督徒的信仰帶來很多衝擊,例如下文提到在公眾地方傳道的事件。

筆者嘗試列出一些比較嚴峻和重要的、基督徒要面對的社會議題:

- 基督徒在公眾領域的言論自由被壓縮;

- 傳媒機構越來越傾向藐視基督教立場;

- 大麻合法化使更多國民低估它的禍害;

- 若現任自由黨政府繼續執政,將會修改法律使其他毒品全面合法;

- 不斷增加稅項,例如炭稅,卻漠視對經濟和民生的打擊;

- 移民不再被要求或期望要敬重現有的個人和社會的道德和價值觀。

對基督徒來說,過往三年半聯邦自由黨的政績清晰顯示,以上的議題的走勢越來越惡劣!所以,於此呼籲居住在加國的基督徒不可不嚴肅地考慮即將來臨的聯邦選舉,如何於這個月的 21 號作明智的選擇,投下神聖的一票。

論到以上第一點,筆者最近曾揭露在安省的大多倫多地區的一件事:一位基督教傳道人  David Lynn 向警察投訴在街上傳道時被有些同性戀份子衝撞,卻因為對方向警方投訴,反被警察認為他是在街上 "向對方挑釁,自討苦吃",現在等候法庭審判他 !

這事件引申到上述的第二點。在所有的主流電視台新聞節目中,筆者還未看到或聽到對此事之任何報導,雖然我每天都花很多時間留意他們的新聞報導。也許他們是為了 "保持中立" ?還是因為同性戀社區的聲勢日益龐大,不再是弱勢社群而避免陷入被糾纏的漩渦?讀者們,若你留心主流傳媒的新聞報導的比重和其中幾句簡短評語,你不難發覺他們不少都或多或少藐視基督教人士所發表的立場!

正如吸食大麻的普遍化將會在年輕一代產生嚴重的後果,自由黨若繼續成為聯邦政府的執政黨將會帶領加國陷於更嚴峻的財政和經濟處境,因為該黨認為每年 200 億財政赤字不會使國家向貧窮進發;更危險的是大麻和毒品普及化使更多人—特別是年輕一代—的精神健康受到綑綁,不能有積極的人生目標和足夠的精神能力應付繁忙的日常工作。

加國基督徒應該重視國家的屬靈復興,不只是悲觀地認為這社會是無可救藥,就讓它自生自滅。當然,我們祈求神帶領這國家的復興,但我們也須要在行動上藉著參與政府選舉。盼望基督徒履行作光和鹽的角色,推舉或投票給那些贊同聖經指引的標準的人士,以至國家回歸到合乎上帝心意或標準的路途上。固然,並非一次選舉就永遠解決所有社會問題,然而,基督徒若因需要持續的付出而放棄任何參與,則不要以後只懂得埋怨這國家每況愈下、一朝政府不如一朝;大家只應該責備太多人(包括基督徒)沒有付上公民應該盡的責任或不認真考慮人選吧!

願信徒都從詩篇33:12得到思想的啟蒙和動力去改變其世界觀:"以耶和華為神的,那國是有福的。祂所揀選為自己產業的,那民是有福的。" 

 

      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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