Manna issue 83 - A Letter to Our Youths: Make Good Use of the Time 給年青人的一封信：好好善用時間
Advice on redeeming the time to
serve God.
愛惜光陰服事神的建議
Simon Chin—Perth, Australia
澳洲珀斯 陳西門傳道
Greetings of peace to our youths-in-
Christ.
願平安給我們一切基督裡的青年
When I consider the situation that
you, as youths of the True Jesus
Church, are in—the positive spiritual
environment within your local
churches, the availability of religious
education and theological courses,
and the ample opportunities to
serve the Lord—I can’t help but feel
envious. This is because, when I was
young, such opportunities were very
limited.
當我一想到，你身為真耶穌教會的青年，
所處的環境，是在當地教會一種很積極的屬靈環境中，
可以有宗教教育，神學訓練班，
及很多機會來服事主，
我忍為住覺得很羨慕。
我是是因為，當我年青的時候，
這種機會很有限。
In light of these favorable
conditions, you should make good
use of your time, while you are in
your prime. The apostle Paul wrote,
“See that you walk circumspectly, not
as fools but as wise, redeeming the
time, because the days are evil” (Eph
5:15–16).
15你們要謹慎行事，不要像愚昧人，當像智慧人。
16要愛惜光陰，因為現今的世代邪惡。
(弗 5：15-16)
The last days before the Lord Jesus’
second coming are indeed evil and full
of dangers. The Bible has told us very
clearly:
主耶穌第二次再臨之前，
末後的日子真的很邪惡，到處充滿危險。
聖經很清楚的告訴我們：
But know this, that in the last
days perilous times will come: For
men will be lovers of themselves,
lovers of money, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, unloving,
unforgiving, slanderers, without selfcontrol,
brutal, despisers of good,
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers
of pleasure rather than lovers of
God, having a form of godliness but
denying its power. And from such
people turn away!
(2 Tim 3:1–5)
3你該知道，末世必有危險的日子來到。
2因為那時人要專顧自己、貪愛錢財、自誇、狂傲、謗讟、違背父母、忘恩負義、心不聖潔、
3無親情、不解怨、好說讒言、不能自約、性情兇暴、不愛良善、
4賣主賣友、任意妄為、自高自大、愛宴樂、不愛神，
5有敬虔的外貌，卻背了敬虔的實意；這等人你要躲開。
(提後 3：1-5)
For the mystery of lawlessness
is already at work; only He who
now restrains will do so until He
is taken out of the way. And then
the lawless one will be revealed,
whom the Lord will consume with
the breath of His mouth and destroy
with the brightness of His coming.
The coming of the lawless one is
according to the working of Satan,
with all power, signs, and lying
wonders, and with all unrighteous
deception among those who perish,
because they did not receive the
love of the truth, that they might be
saved.
(2 Thess 2:7–10)
7因為那不法的隱意已經發動，只是現在有一個攔阻的，等到那攔阻的被除去，
8那時這不法的人必顯露出來。主耶穌要用口中的氣滅絕他，用降臨的榮光廢掉他。
9這不法的人來，是照撒但的運動，行各樣的異能、神蹟，和一切虛假的奇事，
10並且在那沉淪的人身上行各樣出於不義的詭詐；因他們不領受愛真理的心，使他們得救。
11故此，神就給他們一個生發錯誤的心
(帖後 2：7-10)
Remember now your Creator in the
days of your youth,
Before the difficult days come,
And the years draw near when you say,
“I have no pleasure in them.”
(Eccl 12:1)
1你趁著年幼、衰敗的日子尚未來到，就是你所說，
我毫無喜樂的那些年日未曾臨近之先，當記念造你的主。
(傳 12：1)
Alas, it is a sad fact that some of our
youths do not use their time wisely. It
has become quite normal for youths
to love the world and pursue worldly
ambitions, while their faith becomes
neglected, even to the point where
they imitate the carnal behavior of
wider society. If you act in such a
way, it will jeopardize your status as
children of God and, ultimately, your
salvation. The danger is that you can
fall into sin and be caught by the snare
of the devil, before you even realize it.
唉，令人覺得可惜的是，我們有些年青人，
沒有好好聰明的使用時間。
對青年而言，愛世界，追求世上的抱負，
已經變得十分正常的了，
而他們的信仰則受到忽略，
甚至到達一種效法多數社會肉體行為的情況。
若你的行為舉止就像這樣，
就會危害到身為神子女的身份，
到最後，甚至危害到你的成就。
所會遇到的危險，就是在你明白知道事實之前，
你會掉入罪中，落入魔鬼的陷阱。
Do take heed of the warnings from
the prophets of old:
要留意古時，眾先知給我們的警告：
How long will you slumber, O
sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to
sleep—
So shall your poverty come on you
like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.
(Prov 6:9–11)
9懶惰人哪，你要睡到幾時呢？你何時睡醒呢？
10再睡片時，打盹片時，抱著手躺臥片時，
11你的貧窮就必如強盜速來，你的缺乏彷彿拿兵器的人來到。
(箴 6：9-11)
The days of our lives are seventy
years;
And if by reason of strength they are
eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and
sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly
away.
Who knows the power of Your
anger?
For as the fear of You, so is Your
wrath.
So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
(Ps 90:10–12)
10我們一生的年日是七十歲，若是強壯可到八十歲；
但其中所矜誇的不過是勞苦愁煩，轉眼成空，我們便如飛而去。
11誰曉得你怒氣的權勢？誰按著你該受的敬畏曉得你的忿怒呢？
12求你指教我們怎樣數算自己的日子，好叫我們得著智慧的心。
(詩 90：10-12)
In the above passages, we are
reminded that human life is short, and
we will soon pass away; yet, human
beings desire many things—including
things detrimental to the soul. We
must re-evaluate our priorities, and
use our limited days wisely, so we
spend more time storing up for
ourselves an eternal inheritance in
heaven.
上面的經節，我們被警告，
人的生命的短暫的，我們很快就會過去；
然而人類想要很多事物 - 包話對靈魂有害的事。
我們一定要重新評估自已的優先順序，
好好聰明的利用自已有限的日子，
以便我們可以花更多時間，
來儲備自已天國永遠的福份。
How should you, as a youth,
conduct your life, so you can have a
rich reward in the heavenly kingdom?
身為青年，你應該如何規劃自已的生活，
這樣你才可以在天國得到豐富的賞賜呢？
Establish a Strong
Foundation in Faith
在信仰中建立堅固的根基
Timothy was taught the Holy
Scriptures from a young age, giving
him the wisdom that leads to salvation
through faith in Jesus Christ (2 Tim
3:15; 1:5). The word of God is Spirit
and life; it testifies of Jesus (Jn 5:39;
6:63). When we study the Bible, and
humbly pray for God to enlighten
us in the process, the Holy Spirit will
guide us to understand the beliefs
of the true church. The faith that we
build will be strong and founded upon
spiritual principles, leaving no room
for doubt. As youths, now is the ideal
time to lay down this foundation.
提摩太年青時，就學習聖經，
讓他有智慧，可經由對耶穌基督的信仰，
而得到拯救。
(提後 3：15：1：5)
神的言語，就是靈和生命；
是為了見証耶穌。
(約 5：39；6：63)
當我們查經，謙卑禱告求神幫助查經的過程中，可以有所領悟，
聖靈就會帶領我們了解真教會的信條。
我們所建立的信仰就會堅固，建立在屬靈的原則之上，
不會有任何懷疑的空間。
身為青年，現在就是打下這種好根基最合適的時機。
Offer a Life of Service 獻上服事的一生
The apostle Peter calls us living
stones, filled with the life of Jesus. We
are being built into a spiritual house, a
holy priesthood, with the capacity to
offer up spiritual sacrifices of service
which are acceptable to God (1 Pet
2:4–5).
使徒保羅稱我們為活石，
充滿了耶穌的生命。
我們的家一起被建造成一座靈宮，
聖潔的祭司，可以在事奉上，獻上靈祭，
為神所喜悅。
(彼前 2：4-5)
Paul wrote, “I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies
of God, that you present your bodies
a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
to God, which is your reasonable
service. And do not be conformed
to this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that you
may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God”
(Rom 12:1–2).
保羅寫了，
1所以弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們，將身體獻上，
當作活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的；你們如此事奉乃是理所當然的。
2不要效法這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，
叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。
(羅 12：1-2)
These words of Peter and Paul
epitomize the life of Timothy. His life
was such that he sought the things of
God, rather than his own. Together
with Paul, Timothy served the Lord
Jesus, and they took care of the
church with the same mind, working
together in the manner of father and
son (Phil 2:19–22).
彼得和保羅的對話，集中出現在提摩太的生活中。
他的生活只尋求有關神的事，不關心自已的事。
提摩太和保羅在一起，服事主耶穌，
他們有同樣的心志一起去照顧教會，
用著父親和兒子的心態一起工作。
(腓 2：19-22)
As youths, you can learn much
from Timothy, and set an example to
the believers in your speech, conduct,
love, spirit, faith, purity, and life of
service (1 Tim 4:12).
身為年青人，你可以從提摩太的身上，學到很多東西，
在你的言語，行為，愛心，屬靈，信心，清潔和服事生活中，
都成為信徒的榜樣。
(提前 4：12)
Fear the Lord and Keep His
Commandments
敬畏神，遵守祂的誡命
Fearing the Lord shows that we
recognize Him as a merciful and
loving God, and at the same time,
acknowledge that He is righteous and
will execute judgment on the last day.
敬畏神所表示的是，
我們認為神是憐憫又慈愛，
同時認知到，祂是公義的，
在末日的時候，會執行審判。
Then those who feared the Lord
spoke to one another,
And the Lord listened and heard
them;
So a book of remembrance was
written before Him
For those who fear the Lord
And who meditate on His name.
“They shall be Mine,” says the Lord
of hosts,
“On the day that I make them My
jewels.
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who
serves him.” (Mal 3:16–17)
16那時，敬畏耶和華的彼此談論，耶和華側耳而聽，
且有紀念冊在他面前，記錄那敬畏耶和華、思念他名的人。
17萬軍之耶和華說：在我所定的日子，他們必屬我，
特特歸我。我必憐恤他們，如同人憐恤服事自己的兒子。
(瑪 3：16-17)
Let us hear the conclusion of the
whole matter:
Fear God and keep His
commandments,
For this is man’s all.
For God will bring every work into
judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.
(Eccl 12:13–14)
13這些事都已聽見了，總意就是：敬畏神，謹守他的誡命，
這是人所當盡的本分（或譯：這是眾人的本分）。
14因為人所做的事，連一切隱藏的事，無論是善是惡，神都必審問。
(傳 12：13-14)
The fear of the Lord must be
cultivated from a young age.
敬畏神一定要從小培養
Joseph is a good example. He was
seventeen when his brothers sold him
to Egypt. He worked faithfully as a
slave in Potiphar’s house, but then his
mistress tried to seduce him. Joseph’s
reaction to this was, “How then can
I do this great wickedness, and sin
against God?” (Gen 39:9). From this,
we can see that Joseph had been
instilled with the fear of God from a
young age. Joseph’s firm foundation
enabled him to avoid temptation and
remain holy (Prov 3:7). Later, when
he was promoted to be the prime
minister of Egypt, Joseph forgave
his brothers when they came to him
seeking food during a famine (Gen
45:4–8). He provided for them and
had no thought of revenge, for he
knew that it was God who had paved
Joseph’s way to save his people (Gen
50:19–21).
約瑟是一個好榜樣。
他17歲的時候，
被弟兄賣到埃及去。
他成為奴隸在波提乏的家中忠中工作，
但是主母想要引誘他。
約瑟對這件事的反應是，說
9我怎能作這大惡，得罪神呢？
(創 39：9)
從這一點來看，我們可以看到，
約瑟從小的時候，就被灌輸了敬畏神的想法。
約瑟穩固的基礎，讓他可以免去試探，保持聖潔。
(箴 3：7)
後來，當他被提拔為埃及的宰相，
當弟兄們在餓荒時，來找他買糧的時候，
他原諒了他們。
(創 45：4-8)
他為他們作好安排，一點也沒有報復的心思，
因為他知道，是神為約瑟鋪好所要走的路，
為的是能救自已的族人。
(創 50：19-21)
In fearing God, we need to keep His
commandments and love Him with all
our heart, soul, mind and strength.
We should also love one another (Mk
12:29–31) as God has loved us. When
we fear God, we will depart from
evil and forgive our enemies as God
has forgiven us. In this way, we will
remain safely within God’s grace until
we reach eternal life.
在敬畏神這一方面，我們要遵守神的誡命，
盡心，盡力，盡意來愛主。
我們也應該要愛別人，
(可 12：29-31)
就像神愛我們一樣。
只有我們敬畏神，就會遠離罪惡，
像神原諒我們一樣，讓我們能原諒自已的仇敵。
只有這個方式，
我們才會安穩的留在神的恩典中，
直到我們得到永生。
Be a Faithful Worker 成為忠心的工人
Be diligent to present yourself
approved to God, a worker who
does not need to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth.
(2 Tim 2:15)
15你當竭力在神面前得蒙喜悅，作無愧的工人，按著正意分解真理的道。
(提後 2：15)
But in a great house there are not
only vessels of gold and silver,
but also of wood and clay, some
for honor and some for dishonor.
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself
from the latter, he will be a vessel
for honor, sanctified and useful for
the Master, prepared for every good
work. Flee also youthful lusts; but
pursue righteousness, faith, love,
peace with those who call on the
Lord out of a pure heart.
(2 Tim 2:20–22)
20在大戶人家，不但有金器銀器，也有木器瓦器；有作為貴重的，有作為卑賤的。
21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。
22你要逃避少年的私慾，同那清心禱告主的人追求公義、信德、仁愛、和平。
(提後 2：20-22)
It is essential for you, as youths
today, to heed Paul’s exhortation to
be useful and faithful workers. To
achieve this, there are two things you
must do: first is to handle the word
of truth correctly; second is to clean
yourselves from youthful lusts and
aim for righteousness, faith, love,
and peace. We who are baptized into
Christ are His workmanship, created
to do good works (Eph 2:10).
身為現代的年青人，這對你而言是很重要的，
就是要留意保羅的勸告，成為一個有用忠心的工人。
要達到這一點，有二件事你一定要作：
第一就是正確對待真理的道；
第二就是潔淨自已，免除年少的慾望，
專心追求公義，信心，愛心，及和平。
我們這些受洗進入基督的人，就是神的工藝品，
是為了作好事而被創造出來的。
Jesus said to His disciples, “I must
work the works of Him who sent Me
while it is day; the night is coming when
no one can work. As long as I am in
the world, I am the light of the world”
(Jn 9:4–5). “A little while longer the
light is with you. Walk while you have
the light, lest darkness overtake you;
he who walks in darkness does not
know where he is going. While you
have the light, believe in the light, that
you may become sons of light” (Jn
12:35–36a). Today the light of Jesus
is with us. Therefore, we must walk
while we have the light; the night will
come when no one can work.
耶穌告訴門徒，
4趁著白日，我們必須做那差我來者的工；黑夜將到，就沒有人能做工了。
5我在世上的時候，是世上的光。
(約 9：4-5)
35耶穌對他們說：光在你們中間還有不多的時候，
應當趁著有光行走，免得黑暗臨到你們；
那在黑暗裡行走的，不知道往何處去。
36你們應當趁著有光，信從這光，使你們成為光明之子。
(約 12：35-36a)
今日耶穌的光和我們同在。
所以我們一定要趁著有光的時候行走；
黑夜將到，那時就沒人可以工作。
And do this, knowing the time, that
now it is high time to awake out of
sleep; for now our salvation is nearer
than when we first believed. The
night is far spent, the day is at hand.
Therefore let us cast off the works
of darkness, and let us put on the
armor of light. Let us walk properly,
as in the day, not in revelry and
drunkenness, not in lewdness and
lust, not in strife and envy. But put
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make
no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its
lusts. (Rom 13:11–14)
11再者，你們曉得現今就是該趁早睡醒的時候；因為我們得救，現今比初信的時候更近了。
12黑夜已深，白晝將近；我們就當脫去暗昧的行為，帶上光明的兵器。
13行事為人要端正，好像行在白晝。不可荒宴醉酒，不可好色邪蕩，不可爭競嫉妒；
14總要披戴主耶穌基督，不要為肉體安排，去放縱私慾。
(羅 13：11-14)
The end is at hand. Everyone
should use their time wisely to secure
their own salvation (Phil 2:12–13).
Finally, as youths of the True Jesus
Church, you should take up the Lord’s
commission to preach the gospel of
salvation to the world. This is making
good use of your time, and will help
you to stay focused on your faith. Do
not let this glittering world lure you
away from God.
世界的末了已經近了。
每個人都要聰明的使用自已的時間，
以確保自已可以得救。
(腓 2：12-13)
最後，身為真耶穌教會的青年，
你應該背負起神給你的託負，
向世界宣揚神得救的福音。
這才是好好利用你的時間，
才能幫助你在信仰上保持專注。
不要讓這個榮華的世界，
把你從神的身邊引誘離開。
May the Lord bless you, so that you
can be future pillars of the church.
願神祝福你，
以便你可以成為教會未來的棟樑
Simon Chin 陳西門
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入翻譯
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