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Manna issue 79 - Reconciling Imperfections in the Church 在教會中接納缺失

Let’s work together to perfect
love and holiness.

讓我們一起努力來達成愛與聖潔完美境界

Philip Shee—Jakarta, Indonesia

印尼雅加達 許腓利 執事

The apostolic church in the first
century is, rightfully, regarded as
the model we should emulate as
we develop our church today. Upon
the downpouring of the Holy Spirit
on the day of Pentecost, the early
church grew exponentially, from one
hundred and twenty believers to
three thousand in a day (Acts 2:1–4;
41). She then grew rapidly to five
thousand in a very short period of
time (Acts 4:4).

當我們今日在發展教會的時候，第一世紀的使徒教會，理所當然地，
被認為是我們應該效法的模範。
五旬節的時候，聖臨降臨，早期教會就很快速地成長，
從120個信徒成長到一天有三千的信徒。(徒 2：1-4；41)
她接著在很短的時期之內迅速地成長。(徒 4：4)

The church had been entrusted
with the complete truth as the Holy
Spirit “brought to their remembrance
all things that the Lord had said to
them” (Jn 14:26), and “guided them
into all truth” (Jn 16:13). The Holy
Spirit gave them courage to testify
boldly (Acts 4:31) and empowered
them to perform miracles as testimony
to the truth (Acts 2:43; 3:6–9; 5:14–
16). The early believers were of one
heart and soul and had all things in
common (Acts 2:44–45; 4:32–35).
Such an atmosphere in the church is
encouraging and heartwarming.

教會曾經被託負全備的真理，因為"聖靈會喚醒所有主耶穌曾經向他們所說過的話"(約 14：26)，
"指引他們了解全部的真理"。(約 16：13)
聖靈讓他們充滿勇氣大膽地作見証(徒 4：31)，
讓他們有能力實行神蹟奇事，來見証所傳的真理。(徒 2：43；3：6-9；5：14-16)
許多早期信徒同心合意，並且大家凡物公用。(徒 2：44-45；4：32-35)
教會在這樣的氣氛之下，讓人感動且另人覺得溫馨。

However, while it is good to aspire
and have the True Jesus Church (TJC)
mirror all aspects of the early church,
it is important to do so with a positive
and mature attitude. The complete
truth of salvation has indeed been
restored to the TJC, and the Holy
Spirit has already been poured down
as prophesied. Notwithstanding,
we must recognize that the spiritual
pursuit in other aspects such as love
and holiness is a journey towards
perfection that the church has
embarked upon, rather than a goal
that has easily and already been
attained. Failure to appreciate this
context may leave us disillusioned and
disappointed when we chance upon
the imperfections within the church.

雖然，渴望真耶穌教會可以像早期教會各方面一樣，是一件好事，
但很重要的事是，要用一種正面且成熟的態度來達成當年的狀態。
救贖全備的真理，是真的已經還給真耶穌教會了，而聖靈也像預言一樣，已經澆灌下來。
儘管如此，我們一定要認識到，屬靈的追求在其他方面，例如愛和聖潔，是一種教會要努力達到完美的過程，
而不該認為，那是一個很容易，並且是已經得到的目標。
若不能認清這個情況，當我們在教會裡部到一些不完美的事情時，或許會讓我們產生幻想和失望。

DISAPPOINTED WITH HYPOCRISY? 對教會的虛假很失望？

It is understandable that we feel
disappointed when we observe
hypocrisy in church. After all, Jesus
had often rebuked the Pharisees for
their pretense and inconsistencies
between their words and actions.
Paul strongly advocated that love be
without hypocrisy (Rom 12:9); Paul
and Timothy consistently conducted
themselves in simplicity and godly
sincerity among the believers (2 Cor
1:12).

當我們看到教會的人很虛假的時候，是可以理解我們會覺得失望。
畢竟，耶穌時常斥責法利賽人，因為他們很會假裝，在言行之間不太一致。
保羅也很堅定地相信說，愛要沒有虛假(羅 12：9)；
而保羅和提摩太在信徒之間，也持續他們自已簡單和虔誠的行為。(林後 1：12)

Remembering these exemplars,
we may become disillusioned when
we observe people in church who
appear insincere in their dealings. We
may have observed double standards
being practiced, overheard some
patronizing conversations among
brethren, or experienced some
broken promises. Over time, we start
to doubt our brethren and before
long, we may end up dismissing the
entire institution of the church as
hypocritical. To reconcile the internal
conflict in our minds, we convince
ourselves that it is better to practice
our faith alone, apart from the church.

記住這些模範，當我們看到教會的人，他們在行為上有不誠實的時候，可能會產生幻滅。
我們或許也看到有人實行二種標準，在弟兄姐妹之中偶爾聽到那些自視甚高之人所說的話，或是遇到有人沒有信守承諾。
隨著時間的流逝，我們開始懷疑弟兄姐妹，不用太久，我們最後會因為虛偽的原故，而不理會整個教會制度。
為了融合腦中的衝突，我們安慰自已，最好是獨自保守自已的信仰，遠離教會。

Viewing the above encounters
in context is critical in shaping our
reactions. We must understand that
while the church is an institution of
God, she continues to be made up
of people who are far from perfect;
people who are at different stages of
their journey of faith. Even members
who are supposedly strong, such as
leaders and ministers, have moments
of weakness. It was no different in the
apostolic church that we are seeking
to model.

在型塑我們反應的時候，好好檢視上面所遇到的情況是很重要的。
我們一定要知道，因為教會是神的一個組織，她一直是由許多人所組成的，所以很難是完美的；
因為每個人在他們自已信仰的旅程上，都處在不同的階段。
即使是被認為很剛強的信徒，例如，領道者，負積人，也有軟弱的時候。
在我們效法使徒教會這個模範時，也沒有任何不同。

In Antioch, Paul confronted Peter
because the latter had not been
straightforward about the truth
of the gospel. Peter was originally
eating with the Gentiles but chose to
withdraw and separate himself from
them when certain men from James
visited. He reacted in this manner
because he was afraid that these
visiting Jewish believers might not
accept the Gentiles. Peter certainly
did not share their views, yet his
actions were inconsistent. He seemed
to be keen to please man rather than
upholding what was right. This was
very serious as even Barnabas and
the rest of the Jews were affected and
played the hypocrite with him (Gal
2:11–14).

在安提阿，保羅當面質疑彼得，因為他在福音的真理上，並沒有行得正。
彼得一開始和外邦人一起吃飯，當某些從雅各那邊的人來到之後，
他就選擇退到一邊去，讓他和外邦人分開。
他會用這種態度反應，是因為他害怕這些到訪的猶太人信徒，或許沒有辨法接受外邦人。
彼得的看法當然和他們不一樣，然而，他的行動卻前後不一。
他似乎很急切地想要取悅人，而不是去支持正確的事。
這是非常嚴重的事情，因為甚至巴拿巴，和其他的猶太人都受到影響，
和他一起虛偽的假裝。(加 2：11-14)

As a leader, Peter’s weakness in this
instance could have dealt a heavy
blow to the Gentiles in the church,
or to other co-workers who looked
up to him. This was the same Peter
who denied Jesus three times despite
having professed that he was ready to
go to prison and even to die with Christ
(Lk 22:33, 56–62). Notwithstanding
these incidents, most will agree that,
on balance, Peter’s inconsistency
and lapses were merely a reflection
of his momentary human weakness
rather than conclusive evidence of his
character as an incorrigible hypocrite.
More importantly, although he
was a pillar of the church (Gal 2:9),
Peter’s momentary weakness was
not used to evaluate the integrity of
the entire institution of the apostolic
church. Therefore, let us not allow our
encounter with individual hypocrisy
in church lead us to write off the
integrity of the entire church.

身為領導者，彼得在這次事件中的軟弱，可能會給教會中外邦的信徒，
或者其他向彼得看齊的同工，有很嚴重不好的影響。
這就是同一個彼得，他三次不認耶穌，雖然曾經宣稱，他已經準備好要去坐牢，並且甚至要和基督同死。(路 22：33，56-62)
儘管如此，總而言之大部份人都會同意，彼得的前後不一致及過失的這些事件，
只不過是他人類暫時軟弱的反應，而不是他性格上虛偽積習難改的一種決定性的証據。
更重要的是，雖然他是教會的柱石(加 2：9)，
彼得的暫時軟弱並不會被用來衡量整個使徒教會組識的可信度。
所以，我們不要因為偶爾遭遇到教會裡單一個人的虛假行為，
而導致我們塗抹了整個教會的可信度。

HURT BY JUDGEMENT? 因為論斷有受傷？

We may occasionally hear unhappy
believers lament that the church
has no love. Such sentiments often
arise when we feel that some of our
unconventional choices are frowned
upon by others in church. These
may range from views we hold, to
habits we have, the way we dress,
the hairstyle we done, or the values
we uphold. Feeling victimized, we
distance ourselves from the church.
This may gradually deteriorate into
complete disengagement as we
convince ourselves that no one in
church understands us and no one
bothers to do so.

我們或許偶爾會聽到，一些不高興的信徒哀嘆道，教會裡面沒有愛。
會產生這些情緒性的發言，是因為我們覺得，
教會裡面其他人，會不贊成我們一些打破慣例的選擇方案。
這些事情的範圍，從我們的看法，習慣，說話的方式，
我們留的髮型，或是我們所抱持的價值觀。
覺得受到迫害，我們就自已遠離教會。
漸漸地這可能會惡化成完全沒有往來，
因為我們自已會認為，在教會裡沒有人會了解我們，也沒有人會自找麻煩來了解我們。

Such a situation may be exacerbated
by the presence of others who share
the same sentiments. Instead of
helping one another break free from
this dangerous downward spiral,
we end up entrenching each other
in bitterness. As we fan the fire of
discontentment by piling our negative
experiences on one another, we feel
vindicated. But before long, our
bitterness multiplies and becomes a
collective conviction that the church
is prejudiced, cold, and devoid of the
love she espouses.

若有其他人有同樣情緒，這樣的情況就會因為這些其他人的存在，而變本加厲。 
不但沒有互相幫助，來擺脫這種向下危險的旋渦，
反而最後互相挖洞讓彼此陷在痛苦之中。
當我們互相堆疊自已負面的經歷在別人身上，並加速情緒不滿的火焰越發狂熱之時，我們覺得很無辜。
但不久之後，我們的痛苦會數倍增加，並且集結成一種定論，
認為教會有偏見，冷寞，並且缺乏她自已所信奉的愛。

Paul’s recognition that love is the
greatest over faith and hope (1 Cor
13:13), and encouragement for the
church to “pursue love” (1 Cor 14:1)
suggest that even the early church
was not yet perfect in love. There
were “spots in their love feasts” (Jude
12). Other apostles also continued
to reinforce the lessons in love. John
encouraged the church to love in
“deed and in truth” (1 Jn 3:18).
Peter, after writing many topics to
the believers located in various places,
reminded them, “above all things
have fervent love for one another”
(1 Pet 4:8). The key to rise above
our bitterness is to recognize that the
lesson in love cannot be mastered
overnight. It is a lifelong pursuit for
individuals and also the church as a
whole. Hence, it should not surprise
us to see imperfect manifestation of
love in church.

保羅的見解，愛是最重要的，超過信心和盼望(林前 13：13)，
所以鼓勵教會"在愛上面追求長進"(林前 14：1)，其中就暗示了，其實早期教會在愛的事上還沒有完全。
"在用愛餐的事上，有些缺點。"(猶 12)
其他的使徒也不斷強調愛的學習。
約翰鼓舞教會，"總要在行為和誠實上，確實相愛。"(約壹 3：18)
彼得在許多經卷寫過許多主題給信徒之後，又提醒他們，"最要緊的是彼此切實相愛"(彼前 4：8)
要脫離痛苦的主要方法，就要認識到，學習愛的課程不可能一夜之間就很熟練的。
對個人而言是需要終身去追求的，就教會而言也是如此。
因此，對我們而說，看見教會裡面，有呈現愛不完美的情況時，不需要驚訝。

However, if we look around us
objectively, we would agree that we
do see a fair amount of love and
kindness among brethren and also
among workers. Is it not love that
takes not just one, but many of our
missionaries and volunteer workers
repeatedly to developing countries
across the world? Is it not love that
motivates our ministers and believers
to tirelessly visit the sick and those in
need? Is it not love that inspires our
youths to care for their students in the
religious education classes? Is it not
love that keeps our ministers awake
as they pray in tears for backsliding
believers? The list is endless.

然而，若我們客觀看看四周，我們會同意，有看過一些在弟兄姐妹與聖工人員互相之間的愛及善意。
難道不是愛的原故，才可以一再付出嗎？而事實上不是我們許多聖工人員及義工不斷地到世界各處的發展中國家去幫助嗎？
難道不是愛的原故，感動了傳道工人與信徒，讓他們不倦地探訪生病及有需要的朋友嗎？
難道不是愛的原故，鼓舞了年輕人在宗教教育課程的時候，好好來照他們的學生嗎？
難道不是愛的原故，當負責人為了那些暗箭傷人的信徒流淚禱告時，才讓他們保持警醒嗎？
這樣的列舉方式是可以一直持續下去的。

Undeniably, there are pockets of
lapses in love. But to generalize and
conclude that the church is devoid of
love by focusing solely on the lapses
and turning a blind eye to the many
other positives appears to be an unfair
judgment in itself. Such selective
retention of negative observations
will only increase our bitterness. This
is neither helpful to the situation nor
good for our spiritual wellbeing.

無可否認地，愛的事上有一些缺失。
但是總的來說，並就此對教會下了缺乏愛的結論 並只集中放大檢視所有的缺失，
且忽略許多正面的事情，看起這樣的論斷是有些不公平的。
這樣選擇性停留在某些負面情況的觀察角度，只會增加我們的痛苦。
這樣即沒有辨法改善現況，對我們的靈性也不好。

Keeping track of such negative
examples is likely to make us feel even
more justified in our disappointment
with the church which, in turn,
may lead to the unintended
consequence of righteousness in our
own eyes. Unknowingly, we may
become stumbling blocks when we
inadvertently influence others with
our negative sentiments. Further
posting our unhappiness on social
media may result in an unfair,
negative impression of the church
created among our uninformed, nonbelieving
friends reading our posts.

在我們對教會失望的同時，留意這些負面的事例，有可能會讓我們感覺更自義，
接著就會引導我們在自已眼中，雖是非故意性的自義，但卻會形成自義的後果。
不知不覺中，當我們疏忽而用負面情緒影響到別人的時候，我們可能就變成絆倒人的石頭。
不只如此，在社群媒體上張貼不滿的文章，可能在我們有一些不清楚情況，且不是信徒的朋友讀到訊息的時候，
導致他們對教會產生一種不公平且負面的印象。

Very broadly, such a lack of
discretion was also displayed by the
Corinthian church when they raised
their complaints against each other
before unbelievers, earning a rebuke
from Paul (1 Cor 6:1–8). If our love
indeed surpasses others, why would
we do something that could harm the
church, which comprises many other
innocent members trying their best
to be good Christians? The Book of
Proverbs provides a wise teaching for
us in this regard, "The wise woman
builds her house, but the foolish
pulls it down with her hands" (Prov
14:1). If we indeed have love and see
ourselves as part of the church, the
household of God, our reaction to
any shortcomings we observe should
not be one of condemnation from
the outside. Rather, it is much more
productive to take the lead to love
from the inside.

很明顯地，哥林多教會也出現了缺乏警慎的情況，
他們信徒彼此互相抱怨，結果讓保羅罵了他們一頓(林前 6：1-8)。
若我們真的比別人有更多的愛，我們怎麼可能會作一些會傷害教會的事情呢？
而且還傷害到教會裡面其他無知的信徒，而他們正努力的想要成為一個好的基督徒呢？
在這件事上，箴言提供了我們一個有智慧的教導，
"智慧婦人建立家室；愚妄婦人親手拆毀。"(箴 14：1)
若我們有愛，而且把自已當成神的家教會的一份子，我們對所看到一切缺點的反應，就不該是像外面會有的批評一樣。
反而是，會用更有幫助及互相造就的方式，率先從內部開始愛起。

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy
and beloved, put on tender mercies,
kindness, humility, meekness,
longsuffering; bearing with one
another, forgiving one another, if
anyone has a complaint against
another, even as Christ forgave you,
so you must do. But above all these
things put on love, which is the bond
of perfection. And let the peace of
God rule in your hearts, to which
you were called in one body; and be
thankful.
(Col 3:12–15)

12所以，你們既是神的選民，聖潔蒙愛的人，就要存（原文作穿；下同）憐憫、恩慈、謙虛、溫柔、忍耐的心。
13倘若這人與那人有嫌隙，總要彼此包容，彼此饒恕；主怎樣饒恕了你們，你們也要怎樣饒恕人。
14在這一切之外，要存著愛心，愛心就是聯絡全德的。
15又要叫基督的平安在你們心裡作主；你們也為此蒙召，歸為一體；且要存感謝的心。
(西 3：12-15)

Based on this Pauline instruction,
consider our reaction to the observed
lapses of love in church. Is our
reaction a manifestation of mercy,
kindness, humility, meekness, and
long suffering? Are we bearing with
others and have we forgiven them?
Have we let the peace of God rule
in our hearts, or have we given our
hearts over to anger, bitterness or
coldness?

根據保羅的指教，在教會裡面要把自已當成是在愛的實行上還不足的人。
我們的行為是否能表現出憐憫、恩慈、謙虛、溫柔、忍耐的心呢?
我們是否可以彼此包容，彼此饒恕呢？
我們是否讓神的平安在心裡作主，或是我們的內心是被忿怒，苦毒和冷寞所主宰呢？

DISGRUNTLED BY INJUSTICE? 因不公而心懷不滿？

There are times when the church has
to exercise her authority to discipline
erring workers or members who
have crossed the line of fundamental
requirements in the Bible. Some
workers may be removed from
office and others may even be excommunicated.
At such unfortunate
times, we often encounter members
who may feel the church has either
been overly harsh or has dealt without
sufficient justice. Such sentiments may
be colored by personal relationships
with the individuals; we may find it
difficult to believe that our dear friends
are capable of all that wrongdoing.
After all, we have seen the good
side of these individuals. Such initial
reactions of disbelief or perhaps even
indignation are understandable.

有些時候，當教會要運用她的權柄來懲戒犯罪的工人或信徒的時候，
因為他們了聖經裡面基本要求的界線。
有些人會被移除職位，另一些人甚至會被驅逐。
在這樣不幸的時刻，我們常會遇到一些信徒，
他們或許覺得教會不是太過於嚴厲，就是處理的有些不公平。
這些情緒或許因為個人關係的原故，而加深了色彩，
我們可能發現，很難相信，自已親愛的許多朋友卻可以作各種的壞事。
畢竟，我們只看到這些人好的一面。
這些不信會開始的反應，或者甚至憤怒的行為，是可以理解的。

However, it is important to make
a clear distinction between personal
relationships and spiritual obligations
to defend the truth and the sanctity
of the church. The Bible has many
examples of such dilemmas. When
Moses saw that the people were
unrestrained over the incident of the
golden calf, he had to take the very
painful decision to make a distinction.
He asked those on the Lord's side
to go over to him before unleashing
the Lord's wrath on the unrepentant,
resulting in the death of three
thousand. This preserved the people
of God, all of whom would otherwise
have been destroyed. Moses was
clearly not “trigger happy” as his
pain could be seen from his plea with
God to forgive the rest (Ex 32:21–35).
Likewise, over the rebellion led by
Korah, Moses was initially saddened
and fell on his face (Num 16:1–4). But
when Korah and his gang remained
defiant and even influenced the entire
congregation, God instructed Moses
and Aaron to separate from them
in order for the Lord to consume all
of them. Upon the intercession of
Moses and Aaron, God gave the
congregation another chance by
instructing them to get away from the
tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.
Had they not done so, they would
have perished with them and the two
hundred and fifty who stood by them
(Num 16:19–35).

然而，很重要的是，要分清楚個人情感關係和屬靈的義務，教會要保護真理和聖潔。
聖經裡面有許多這種困難的情況的例子。
當摩西看見，百姓在金牛犢的事上不受約束的時候，
他需要作出非常沉痛的決定，來作出區別。
他要那些站在主這邊的人，走到他那邊去，然後才放神的憤怒釋放出來，施加在那些不悔改的人，結果就死了三千人。
這個行為保守了神的百姓，其他全部作不一樣選擇的人就被毀滅了。
摩西很明顯地不是作出讓人高興的事，因為我們可以看到，在他求神繞過其他百姓的時候，他是很痛苦的。(出 32：21-35)
同樣的情況，可拉黨所引起的叛變，摩西一開始就很傷心，並且俯伏在地。(民 16：1-4)
但是當可拉和同伙一直挑?又影響到整個會眾的時候，神指示摩西和亞倫要遠離他們，讓神可以消滅全體會眾。
因為摩西和亞倫的代求，神給全會眾另一個機會，叫他們遠離可拉、大坍、亞比蘭的營區. 
若他們沒有照著作，就會和他們，以及那二百五十站在他們旁邊的人，一同滅亡。

The church is the pillar and ground
of the truth (1 Tim 3:15); she has
been entrusted with the responsibility
of preserving and propagating the
truth. Hence there can be no room
for heretics within to spread false
teachings to confuse members and
draw them away from the grace of
God. For this reason, Paul named
Hymenaeus and Alexander whom
he had “delivered to Satan that they
may learn not to blaspheme” (1 Tim
1:18–20), warned believers to “shun
Hymenaeus and Philetus on account
of their cancerous message” (2 Tim
2:15–18) and also to “withdraw
from people who do not consent to
wholesome words, the words of our
Lord Jesus and to the doctrine which
accords with godliness” (1 Tim 6:3–5).

教會是真理的柱石和地基(提前 3：15)；
她被託負了保存及傳播真理的責任。
因此其中並沒有異端存在的空間，讓他們可以散佈錯誤的教導來混亂信徒，並且把他們從神的恩典中拉出來。
因為這個原因，保羅特別點名許米乃和亞力山大，他已經把他們交給撒但，使他們受責罰就不再謗瀆了(提前 1：18-20)，
他警告信徒，"要遠避許米乃和腓理徒，因為他們的話如同毒瘡"(提後 2：15-18)，
"也要遠離那些不服從我們主耶穌基督純正的話與那合乎敬虔的道理的人。"(提前 6：3-5)

The sanctity of the church also
cannot be compromised by allowing
unholy or immoral workers to
remain in service. Paul even went to
the extent of telling us not to keep
company, and not even to eat with
a brother who is sexually immoral,
covetous, or an idolator, a reviler, a
drunkard or an extortioner. He further
tells us to purge the evil person from
amongst us (1 Cor 5:9–13). Paul's
stand was due to his concern for the
wider church as he recognized that "a
little leaven leavens the whole lump"
(1 Cor 5:6–7). This is also aligned
with John's teaching that we “should
not even pray for those who have
committed sins leading to death” (1
Jn 5:16).

教會的聖潔也不可以妥協，讓那些不聖潔，或不道德的工人，可以持續服事。
保羅甚至強調到一種程度，告訴我們不要和他們同伴，甚至不要和一個行淫亂的，或貪婪的，或拜偶像的，或辱罵的，或醉酒的，或勒索的，這樣的人不可與他相交，同席吃飯。
他更告訴我們要從我們之中，清除邪惡的人。(林前 5：9-13)
保羅的立場，是因為他對廣義教會的關心，因為他認為"豈不知一點麵酵能使全團發起來麼。"(林前 5：6-7)
這也和約翰的教導是相符合的，我們"甚至不應該為那些已經犯了致死罪的人禱告"。(約壹 5：16)

The church, being God's institution,
is a place of order. Paul pointed out
to the Corinthians, that "God is not
the author of confusion, or disorder"
(1 Cor 14:33) and instructed them to
"let all things be done decently and
in order" (1 Cor 14:40). This was
particularly apt for the Corinthian
church as the members were full
of themselves, each believing
themselves to be superior to others.
They were individualistic, divisive and
not submissive to the church as an
institution.

教會是神的組織，是一個有秩序的地方。
保羅對著哥林多教會指出，因為神不是叫人混亂，或是沒有秩序"。(林前 14：40)
並且指示他們，"凡事都要規規矩矩的按著次序行。"(林前 14：40)
這種情況特別適合哥林多教會，因為許多信徒心中只有自已，大家都認為自已可以管理別人。
他們都是抱持著個人主義，並且分裂不順服教會是一個組織。

It is clear from Paul's first epistle to
the Corinthians that the church is not
the place for insubordinate mavericks
to promote their individualism
and create disorder and chaos.
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to
"withdraw from every brother who
walks disorderly and not according
to the tradition which he received
from us" (2 Thess 3:6). Paul had
also instructed Titus to "reject a
divisive man after the first and second
admonition" (Tit 3:10). Hence, if
there are workers or members who
operate as insubordinate mavericks
with no regard for the wider church
as an institution, even after repeated
admonition, then we may have little
choice except to exercise church
discipline (Mt 18:15–17).

很清楚地的從保羅第一封給哥林多的書信中可以看到，
教會不是一個對那些不順服又標新立異的人，讓他們提倡個人主義的地方，甚至產生騷動和混亂。
保羅寫信給帖撒羅尼迦教會，"凡有弟兄不按規矩而行，不遵守從我們所受的教訓，就當遠離他。"(帖後 3：6)
保羅也指示提多，"分門結黨的人，警戒過一兩次，就要棄絕他。"(多 3：10)
因此，若有聖工人員，或是信徒，言行就像一個不順服標新立異的人，並且不管整體教會是同一個組織，
甚至之接受一再重覆警告之後仍不變，那麼我們或許就不有其他選擇，除了去執行教會的紀律這個方法了。

In all the above examples, the
key is to recognize the full context
of Christian love. While forgiveness
and forbearance is clearly a key
component (Col 3:12–14), we must
also recognize that love "does not
rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the
truth" (1 Cor 13:6). There is clear
biblical basis for church discipline. For
us to conclude that exercising church
discipline demonstrates a lack of
love or justice is probably, in itself, a
harsh judgment we have made on the
church. Exercising church discipline is a
very sad and painful experience which
no one enjoys. In fact it is much easier
for leaders in the church to play "Mr.
Nice Guy." However, doing so would
be irresponsible, unjust, and unloving
as we subject the wider church to
potential harm, while not necessarily
helping the errant to repent.

在上面全部的例子中，最重要的是要認清基督徒愛的整個情況。
雖然繞恕和忍耐很清楚是一個主要的元素(西 3：12-14)，
我們也必需要認清，愛是"不喜歡不義，只喜歡真理"。(林前 13：6)
聖經裡面有很清楚的基礎有關教會中紀律的原則。
對我們來說，要作結論來說"維持教會的紀律，顯示出一種缺乏愛的表現，
或是公義就其本身而言，就或許是一種我們已經對教會存在本身很嚴厲的審判。
維持教會的紀律是一種非常另人傷心，又痛苦的經馬，而且沒有人會喜歡這麼作。
事實上，教會的領導者要裝成"好好先生"，是更加容易的。
然而若這麼作就是不負責任，不公義，是一種沒有愛的行為，
因為我們把整體教會置於一種很容易受傷的情境之中，
而且未必可以幫助犯錯的人重新悔改。

FINAL REFLECTIONS 最後的反思

It is not uncommon to see people
distance themselves from institutions
they belong to and criticize the
institution from the outside. In the
secular world, we often hear working
people remark, "the firm doesn't care"
or "the management doesn't care"
when these people are actually part
of the firm or even the management
themselves. When asked who the firm
is or who the management is, they
are often dumbfounded. On further
query, the issue causing unhappiness
can often be narrowed down to a few
individuals with whom they have a
personal issue.

看到有人會遠離原本自已所屬的團體，並且站在外頭批評這個團體，是很不尋常的。
在世俗的世界中，我們常聽到同事談論，"公司不關心"或"管理階層不關心"。
而這些人事實上是公司的份子，甚至自已也是管理層。
當詢問他們誰是代表公司，或誰是代表管理階層時，他們通常目瞪口呆。
再問下去，發生不愉快原因的事情，可能常常被縮小到某些少數人，
因為他們有個人問題。

The tendency to generalize from
the individual to the institution
is probably also reflective of our
dissatisfaction with the church. We
may unwittingly conclude that the
church is hypocritical, unloving, or
unjust as a result of some church
developments we disagree with,
or some members we are unhappy
with. But have we considered that
we are very much part of the church
herself? Running away and criticizing
from outside will neither resolve our
situation nor improve the church. The
optimal way is for us to pursue love,
justice, and truth together with the
church at large, since we share this
common journey.

容易把問題從個人歸類到組織，也或許反應了我們對教會的不滿。
我們或許不經意地會下結論，教會是虛偽的，沒有愛，不公義，
因為有些教會的發展我們不能認同，或是教會有些人我們不喜歡。
但我們有沒有想過，我們自已就是屬於教會的一部份？
脫離教會，從外面來批評教會，即不會解決我們的問題，也不會改善教會。
對我們來說，最好的方法就是一起和教會整體追求愛，公義，和真理「
因為我們大家都要走過同樣的信仰旅程。

There is no need to be a troubled
sheep away from the fold. There
are still many other lovely sheep
who are kind, meek, and full of
love within the fold. There are still
many shepherds who love and
care for the sheep within the fold.
These same shepherds continue to
pray and hope that the wandering
sheep away from the fold will
be able to iron out the turmoil in
their hearts and break free from
their negative spiral of bitterness.
With love and longsuffering, the
shepherds will continue to call,
praying that these sheep will return in
peace to the fold.

沒有必要遠離羊圈成為有問題的羊。
仍有許多其他可愛的羊，他們很仁慈，謙卑，充滿愛住在羊圈中。
仍有許多牧人，他們憐惜照顧住在羊圈裡的羊。
這同一群牧人，一直不斷為那些迷失的羊禱告，盼望他們可以撫平心中的苦楚，
脫離負面痛苦的旋渦。
有愛，並且願意長久忍耐，許多牧人都願意持續呼召，
並禱告這些羊可以平安回到羊圈來。

小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com