Manna issue 77 Openly Faithful 公開承認信仰
Are we open about our faith?我們是否公開承認信仰呢？
Caleb Lee—Singapore 李加勒─新加坡
Translation - Yuen Huang
The story of Daniel is familiar to many
of us who have heard it from young.
But as we grow older, we begin to
appreciate this story in the light of
our experiences, and our respect for
Daniel grows. We see that he was
openly faithful and upheld his Jewish
faith, despite being in a Gentile land.
This can be seen in Daniel 6:1–4:
我們年少時曾聽過但以理，
他的事蹟對於我們來說很熟悉。
但是，隨著我們年齡的增長，我們越來越欣賞與尊重但以理。
儘管在外邦人的土地上，我們看到但以理仍公開承認並堅持自己的猶太信仰。
在但以理書6：1-4可以看出：
It pleased Darius to set over the
kingdom one hundred and twenty
satraps, to be over the whole
kingdom; and over these, three
governors, of whom Daniel was
one, that the satraps might give
account to them, so that the king
would suffer no loss. Then this
Daniel distinguished himself above
the governors and satraps, because
an excellent spirit was in him; and
the king gave thought to setting
him over the whole realm. So the
governors and satraps sought to
find some charge against Daniel
concerning the kingdom; but they
could find no charge or fault,
because he was faithful; nor was
there any error or fault found in
him.
(但6：1-4)大利烏隨心所願，立一百二十個總督，治理通國。
又在他們以上立總長三人（但以理在其中），使總督在他們三人面前回覆事務，免得王受虧損。
因這但以理有美好的靈性，所以顯然超乎其餘的總長和總督，王又想立他治理通國。
那時，總長和總督尋找但以理誤國的把柄，為要參他；只是找不著他的錯誤過失，因他忠心辦事，毫無錯誤過失。
Daniel was one of three governors
who oversaw 120 satraps, and was
eventually promoted above his
fellow governors. He became the
second most powerful person in
the kingdom, answerable only to
the king. But despite this privileged
position, Daniel did not hide his
Jewish identity. In fact, it was because
of his faithfulness to God that King
Darius willingly placed Daniel to take
charge of the entire kingdom.
三個總長中，但以理是其中之一，他們管理120個總督， 最終官位高於另外兩位總長。
他成為國中一人之下，萬人之上的的人，只對國王負責。
儘管擁有如此的地位，但以理並沒有掩飾自己的猶太人身份。
實際上，這是因為他忠於神，神使大利烏王心甘情願地讓但以理管理整個王國。
From the start of his exile in
Babylon, Daniel was open about his
faith. When he was first brought to
the court of Nebuchadnezzar, he told
the chief of the eunuchs that he was
a Jew and hence would not defile
himself with the king’s food (Dan
1:8). Later, when he was summoned
to interpret the king’s dream, Daniel
gave all glory and honor to God
(Dan 2). And when he was called
before the last Babylonian king,
Belshazzar, Daniel again declared the
sovereignty of the Most High God
(Dan 5:18). The Persian king, Darius,
understood Daniel’s faith in God.
When Daniel was cast into the lion’s
den, Darius encouraged him with the
words: “Your God, whom you serve
continually, He will deliver you”
(Dan 6:16). Time and again, Daniel
declared his faith in the one true God
to everyone around him.
從放逐到巴比倫開始，但以理公開承認信仰。
當他第一次被帶進尼布甲尼撒的王宮中，他告訴太監長，他是猶太人，所以不以王的膳玷污自己(但1：8)。
之後國王召他前來講解國王的夢，但以理將榮耀和尊貴全歸給神(但2)。
而最後一位巴比倫王伯沙撒召他前來，但以理再一次宣告至高的神(但5:18)的主權。
波斯國王大利烏，瞭解但以理對神的信仰。
但以理被扔在獅子的巢穴，大利烏王鼓勵他說：“你所常事奉的 神，他必救你。”(但6:16)。
但以理向身邊的人，不斷地宣揚他所相信的獨一真神。
(但1：8)但以理卻立志不以王的膳和王所飲的酒玷污自己，所以求太監長容他不玷污自己。
(但5：18)王啊，至高的 神曾將國位、大權、榮耀、威嚴賜與你父尼布甲尼撒；
(但6：16)王下令，人就把但以理帶來，扔在獅子坑中。王對但以理說：「你所常事奉的 神，他必救你。」
As children of God—living, working
or studying in society—the question
for us today is: Are we as open about
our faith as Daniel was?
身為神的兒女 - 活在世上，在社會工作或者上學 -
我們今天的問題是：我們是否像但以理一樣公開承認我們的信仰？
WHAT IS AN OPEN FAITH?什麼是公開承認信仰？
A Faith that Matches Actions一個與行為相稱的信仰
There can be many reasons why we
are not so bold in declaring our faith.
It could be our conduct that is holding
us back. We realize that our behavior
is not becoming of a Christian, and if
we reveal our identity, we will bring
God’s name into disrepute.
有很多理由，讓我們不再放膽宣揚我們的信仰。
這可能是因為我們的品德使我們退怯。
我們意識到，我們的行為沒有基督徒的樣式，
如果我們說出我們的身份，神的名將受蒙羞。
In life, there will always be
unpleasant people around. They may
avoid hard work or responsibility. They
may gossip, or only offer negative or
snide remarks. Or they may be selfish
and self-serving, caring only for their
own success. At work or at school, we
hope to avoid these types of people.
But have we considered whether we
fall under such categories? What kind
of reputation do we have amongst
our colleagues or fellow students?
在生活周遭總會有令人不愉快的人。
他們可能逃避艱辛的工作和責任。
他們可能會說八卦，或僅僅提供負面的評論。
或者，他們可能自私自利，只在乎他們自己的成功。
在工作或在學校中，我們希望能遠離這樣的人。
但我們可曾想過，我們是否屬於這樣的人？
我們在同事們或同學們之中，是什麼樣的評價呢？
Daniel was in a foreign land serving
Gentile rulers, and this was not by
choice. But it was clear to all that he
had an excellent spirit in him (Dan
1:3). Daniel did not let his behavior
contradict his identity. If we are to be
openly faithful, we must also align our
actions with our identity as Christians.
但以理不得以在異鄉服侍外邦的統治者。
但是顯而易見地，他心中擁有美好的靈性(但1：3)。
但以理的行為合乎他的身分。
如果我們要公開承認信仰，我們也必須言行一致，符合作為基督徒的身份。
(但1:3)王吩咐太監長亞施毘拿，從以色列人的宗室和貴冑中帶進幾個人來，
A Faith that Does Not Change with Circumstance 一個不隨環境改變的信仰
No matter how his circumstances
changed, Daniel remained true to
God. Daniel served under different
kings, during a period where power
passed from one empire to the next,
and yet his conduct was exemplary
throughout. His reputation for having
an excellent spirit followed him.
不管環境如何改變，但以理仍忠於神。
但以理曾服侍不同的國王，經歷改朝換代，但他的行為始終成為佳範。
因為有美好的靈性隨著他，他得到好名聲。
If we stay at a workplace long
enough, we will see how a change
in management can affect the staff.
Employees may use underhand tactics
and compromise their values to try to
curry favor with the incoming boss
and to secure their position under the
new regime. As Christians, would we
do the same?
如果我們在工作場所待得夠久，我們可以看到管理層的改變會影響員工。
員工可以使用見不得人的手段或妥協價值觀，試圖寵絡新進老闆，並確保新體制下的職位。
作為基督徒，我們同樣如此行嗎？
Nebuchadnezzar was a proud king,
while Belshazzar was foolish. Darius,
on the other hand, greatly favored
Daniel from the start. But under these
three kings, Daniel did not alter his
behavior in order to garner favor;
he remained openly faithful to God.
And it goes without saying that his
faithfulness continued under the reign
of the final king he served, Cyrus the
Persian (Dan 6:28).
尼布甲尼撒王是一個驕傲的國王，而愚蠢的是伯沙撒王。
另一方面，大利烏王從一開始就大大賞識但以理。
但是，在這三個國王的統治下，但以理並沒有因為爭取利益，而改變自己的行為;
他仍然公開忠於神。
而且毫無疑問，他的忠心持續到最後他服侍的波斯古列王(但6:28)。
(但6:28)如此，這但以理，當大利烏王在位的時候和波斯王古列在位的時候，大享亨通。
A Faith that Has Integrity
一個具有誠信的信仰
Daniel held a powerful position as
governor, reporting directly to the
king. We know how power can
corrupt, and absolute power corrupts
absolutely. Yet, this did not happen
to Daniel. Those in positions of
authority must make tough decisions,
sometimes having to choose an
outcome that is for the greater
good. This delicate balancing act can
easily lead to corruption, where the
powerful elite take advantage of their
privilege and reap the benefits, while
the majority suffer.
但以理身為總長掌握強大的權力地位，直接向國王匯報。
我們知道權力可以如何腐敗，至高的權力導致絕對的腐敗。
然而，在但以理身上沒有看到。
那些處於統治地位的人必須作出艱難的決定，有時為了更大的利益不得不選擇。
這種權衡的行為，很容易導致腐敗，其中有權力的精英們利用自己的特權從中獲益，而絕大多數人受害。
Though Daniel wielded great power,
he remained faithful to God and to his
office, and no fault could be found in
him (Dan 6:1–5). Neither did he take
advantage of his privileged position
when others plotted against him and
he faced the threat of execution for
practicing his religion (Dan 6:1–16).
It would have been easier, and more
politically savvy, for Daniel to hide his
faith and act as one of the Gentiles,
but he did not do so. Today, we may
not face such direct life-threatening
pressure to conform to society. Yet do
we have the integrity to declare our
faith openly, and manifest the actions
of a Christian?
雖然但以理執掌巨大的權力，他仍然忠於神和他的職位，他毫無過失(但6:1–5)。
他沒有利用他職位的優勢，當有人暗算反對他，面對處決的威脅，於實踐他的宗教(但6:1–16)。
對於但以理來說，作為外邦人掩飾自己的信仰更簡單，更在政治上精明，但他沒有這樣做。
今天，我們也許不會直接面臨危及生命的壓力，去融入社會。
然而，我們要公開宣揚我們的信仰，並表現出一位基督徒的樣式？
(但6:6-16)於是，總長和總督紛紛聚集來見王，說：「願大利烏王萬歲！
國中的總長、欽差、總督、謀士，和巡撫彼此商議，要立一條堅定的禁令（或譯：求王下旨要立一條……），三十日內，不拘何人，若在王以外，或向神或向人求甚麼，就必扔在獅子坑中。
王啊，現在求你立這禁令，加蓋玉璽，使禁令決不更改；照瑪代和波斯人的例是不可更改的。」
於是大利烏王立這禁令，加蓋玉璽。
但以理知道這禁令蓋了玉璽，就到自己家裡（他樓上的窗戶開向耶路撒冷），一日三次，雙膝跪在他 神面前，禱告感謝，與素常一樣。
那些人就紛紛聚集，見但以理在他 神面前祈禱懇求。
他們便進到王前，提王的禁令，說：「王啊，三十日內不拘何人，若在王以外，或向神或向人求甚麼，必被扔在獅子坑中。王不是在這禁令上蓋了玉璽麼？」王回答說：「實有這事，照瑪代和波斯人的例是不可更改的。」
他們對王說：「王啊，那被擄之猶大人中的但以理不理你，也不遵你蓋了玉璽的禁令，他竟一日三次祈禱。」
王聽見這話，就甚愁煩，一心要救但以理，籌劃解救他，直到日落的時候。
那些人就紛紛聚集來見王，說：「王啊，當知道瑪代人和波斯人有例，凡王所立的禁令和律例都不可更改。」
王下令，人就把但以理帶來，扔在獅子坑中。王對但以理說：「你所常事奉的 神，他必救你。」
A Faith that Is Resilient Against Attack一個勇敢抵檔攻擊的信仰
Another reason why we find it difficult
to be open about our faith is that we
fear it will be used against us. This
also happened to Daniel:
另一個難以公開承認我們的信仰的理由是，我們害怕人會用信仰來針對我們。
這也在但以理身上發生過：
So the governors and satraps
sought to find some charge against
Daniel concerning the kingdom;
but they could find no charge or
fault, because he was faithful; nor
was there any error or fault found
in him. Then these men said, “We
shall not find any charge against
this Daniel unless we find it against
him concerning the law of his God.”
(Dan 6:4–5)
那時，總長和總督尋找但以理誤國的把柄，為要參他；只是找不著他的錯誤過失，因他忠心辦事，毫無錯誤過失。
那些人便說：「我們要找參這但以理的把柄，除非在他 神的律法中就尋不著。」
(但6:4-5)
Daniel was upright in all he did,
so his enemies had no choice but to
use his religion against him. These
governors and satraps convinced the
king to sign a decree that, for a period
of thirty days, anyone who petitioned
a god or man, apart from the king,
would be cast into the lion’s den (Dan
6:6–9). How did Daniel respond to
such an underhand attack?
但以理所做的一切是正直的，所以他的敵人只好用他的信仰攻擊他。
這些總長和總督說服國王立禁令，三十天以內，除了國王，不論求神或人，將被扔進獅子的坑（但6：6-9）。
但以理是如何回應這樣惡劣的攻擊？
(但6:6-9)於是，總長和總督紛紛聚集來見王，說：「願大利烏王萬歲！
國中的總長、欽差、總督、謀士，和巡撫彼此商議，要立一條堅定的禁令（或譯：求王下旨要立一條……）
，三十日內，不拘何人，若在王以外，或向神或向人求甚麼，就必扔在獅子坑中。
王啊，現在求你立這禁令，加蓋玉璽，使禁令決不更改；照瑪代和波斯人的例是不可更改的。」
於是大利烏王立這禁令，加蓋玉璽。
Now when Daniel knew that the
writing was signed, he went home.
And in his upper room, with his
windows open toward Jerusalem, he
knelt down on his knees three times
that day, and prayed and gave thanks
before his God, as was his custom
since early days. Then these men
assembled and found Daniel praying
and making supplication before his
God. (Dan 6:10–11)
但以理知道這禁令蓋了玉璽，就到自己家裡（他樓上的窗戶開向耶路撒冷），一日三次，雙膝跪在他 神面前，禱告感謝，與素常一樣。
那些人就紛紛聚集，見但以理在他 神面前祈禱懇求。
(但6:10-11)
Daniel’s strategy against attack was,
counter-intuitively, to be defiantly
open in his worship of God, praying
to Him for strength.
但以理抵禦攻擊策略與直覺相反，他公開明確的敬拜神，向神求力量。
We may never face such a dilemma,
but how would we react if we did?
Perhaps we would decide to worship
God in our heart and in spirit, and just
pray silently. Perhaps we would justify
our actions, saying that God will
understand; after all, our lives would
be at risk if we continue to openly
worship Him. Moreover, is this not
what Jesus meant when He said that
we should be as wise as serpents?
Was it wise for Daniel to disobey the
king’s decree, being fully aware of the
consequences? Why, then, did Daniel
do as he did?
我們也許永遠不會面臨這樣的困境，但如果我們遇到了，我們將如何反應？
也許我們會決定用我們的心和靈敬拜神，只是默默祈禱。
也許我們會證明我們的行動，對自己說神理解;
畢竟，如果我們繼續公開地拜他，我們的生命將處於危險之中。
而且，這是耶穌的意思，耶穌說我們應靈巧像蛇？
但以理違抗國王的旨意是不是明智的，他是否完全了解後果？
那麼，為什麼但以理如此做？
Daniel probably realized that, no
matter what he did to protect himself,
his enemies would not stop until they
had entrapped him. This decree was
targeted at him alone; what was to
stop them from devising yet more
treacherous plots? They could arrange
for another decree, declaring that the
nation could only eat pork—which
was forbidden by Mosaic Law—for
thirty days. To avoid this cat-andmouse
chase, Daniel openly faced
the challenge and trusted in God. He
continued practicing his faith for all to
see, in spite of the consequences.
但以理可能已經意識到，無論他做什麼來保護自己，他的敵人也不會停止，直到他們已經俘獲了他。
這項法令只針對他一人;
什麼更詭譎的禁令還能阻止他們？
他們可以安排的另一項禁令，宣布三十天內全國只能吃豬肉，這在摩西律法是禁止的。
為了避免這種貓捉老鼠的追逐，但以理公開面對挑戰並相信神。
儘管後果不如意，他繼續實踐他的信仰是有目共睹的。
A Faith that Leads Others to Know
God一個引導他人認識神的信仰
It may be that having a faith puts
us at a disadvantage, or that we face
prejudice and intimidation because of
it. But from Daniel’s example, we see
that it is better to openly declare our
faith. While some will use our faith as
a reason to attack us, others will see
our righteousness and may be led to
know God.
這可能是因為有一個信仰使我們處於劣勢，或者說我們因為信仰面對偏見和恐嚇。
但是從但以理的例子，我們可以看到，更佳的方式是公開承認我們的信仰。
雖然有些人會用你的信仰作為理由來攻擊我們，別人會看到我們的公義，可引導人認識神。
King Darius, who had carelessly
signed the decree, was distraught
when he realized that Daniel would
be punished. He was “greatly
displeased with himself, and set his
heart on Daniel to deliver him” (Dan
6:14b). When he was informed that it
was not possible to retract the decree,
he tried to comfort Daniel: “Your
God, whom you serve continually, He
will deliver you” (Dan 6:16b). While
Daniel was in the lion’s den, Darius
could not sleep; he spent the night
fasting. So worried was he that early
next morning, he hurried to the den,
to see if Daniel had been spared (Dan
6:18–20).
不慎立下禁令的大利烏王，當他心慌意亂的時候，他意識到但以理將受到懲罰。
他是“就甚愁煩，一心要救但以理，籌劃解救他，。” (但6:14b)。
當王被告知，這是不可能收回的禁令，他安慰但以理“你所常事奉的 神，他必救你。”(但6:16b)
當但以理在獅子坑時，大利烏王無法入睡;他終夜禁食。
非常擔心的王第二天一早，他急忙往獅子坑那裡，看看但以理是否還活著(但6:18–20)。
(但6:14)王聽見這話，就甚愁煩，一心要救但以理，籌劃解救他，直到日落的時候。
(但6:16)王下令，人就把但以理帶來，扔在獅子坑中。王對但以理說：「你所常事奉的 神，他必救你。」
(但6:18–20)王回宮，終夜禁食，無人拿樂器到他面前，並且睡不著覺。
次日黎明，王就起來，急忙往獅子坑那裡去。
臨近坑邊，哀聲呼叫但以理，對但以理說：「永生 神的僕人但以理啊，你所常事奉的 神能救你脫離獅子嗎？」
It is clear that Daniel’s religious
openness had made an impact on the
king; Darius twice declared the power
and mercy of the living God (Dan
6:16, 20). Though he did not have
complete faith in these declarations,
he could clearly witness God’s power
in Daniel’s deliverance.
很顯然，但以理公開信仰影響了國王;
大利烏王兩次宣告永生的神(但6:16, 20)的能力與憐憫。
雖然他並沒有完全相信這些宣言，在拯救但以理事上，他可以清楚地看到 神的能力。
(但6:16)王下令，人就把但以理帶來，扔在獅子坑中。王對但以理說：「你所常事奉的 神，他必救你。」
(但6:20)臨近坑邊，哀聲呼叫但以理，對但以理說：「永生 神的僕人但以理啊，你所常事奉的 神能救你脫離獅子嗎？」
Today, if we do not declare our faith
in God, then others will not have
the opportunity to see the power of
God. Surely, such a positive outcome
outweighs any disadvantage we may
face when we are honest about our
faith.
今天，如果我們不聲明我們對神的信心，那麼其他人將不會有機會看到神的大能。
當然，當我們誠實地面對我們的信心，我們可能面臨不利，勝過這樣一個積極的結果。
For Daniel, the positive effects did not
end there. God’s name was glorified
amongst all the Gentiles.
對於但以理來說，正面的影響並未就此結束。
神的名在一切外邦人中得榮耀。
Then King Darius wrote:於是大利烏王寫道：
To all peoples, nations, and
languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
I make a decree that in every
dominion of my kingdom men must
tremble and fear before the God of
Daniel.
For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall
not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to
the end.
He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the
power of the lions.
(Dan 6:25–27)
那時，大利烏王傳旨，曉諭住在全地各方、各國、各族的人說：「願你們大享平安！
現在我降旨曉諭我所統轄的全國人民，要在但以理的 神面前，戰兢恐懼。因為他是永遠長存的活 神，他的國永不敗壞；他的權柄永存無極！
他護庇人，搭救人，在天上地下施行神蹟奇事，救了但以理脫離獅子的口。」
(但6:25–27)
By this proclamation, citizens
throughout the Empire of Persia and
Mede came to know the living God.
This was a result of Daniel’s open faith
and worship of the Lord.
通過這一宣言，國民在整個波斯和瑪代的帝國才知道永生的神。
這是但以理公開信仰，敬拜神的結果。
CONCLUSION結論
Let us return to the question: Are we
as open about our faith in God as
Daniel was? In the New Testament,
Jesus said:
讓我們回到問題：我們是否像但以理一樣，公開承認我們對神的信心嗎？
在新約中，耶穌說：
“You are the light of the world. A
city that is set on a hill cannot be
hidden. Nor do they light a lamp
and put it under a basket, but on a
lampstand, and it gives light to all
who are in the house. Let your light
so shine before men, that they may
see your good works and glorify your
Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:14–16)
你們是世上的光。城造在山上是不能隱藏的。
人點燈，不放在斗底下，是放在燈臺上，就照亮一家的人。
你們的光也當這樣照在人前，叫他們看見你們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父。」
(太5:14–16)
As Christians in the world, we
cannot hide our identity. We are the
light of this world and, just as no one
would put a lamp under a basket,
we must not hide our light. The light
that we should shine before men is
our good works and our Christian
conduct, so that men may see and
glorify our Father in heaven. This is
what Daniel did.
在世上作為基督徒，我們不能隱藏我們的身份。
我們是世上的光，如同人不把燈放在斗底下，我們不能隱藏我們的光。
我們要在人前發光，使我們的好行為和基督徒的品德讓人看見，便將榮耀歸給我們在天上的父。
這正是但以理所做的。
As we mature and experience the
realities of living as a Christian, we can
appreciate what Daniel went through,
and the integrity with which he
practiced his faith. Can we continue
to carry out God’s will and openly
manifest our faith no matter how
our circumstances change? Do we
have the strength to remain openly
faithful when it does not appear to
benefit us, or when much is at stake?
Daniel did so, and was delivered by
God. God’s deliverance may not come
in the way we hope, or even in this
lifetime. But let us maintain an open
and obedient faith in God, knowing
that His salvation goes beyond this
physical life.
隨著我們成熟和體驗作為基督徒的實際生活，我們可以欣賞但以理所經歷的，並與他完全實行他的信仰。
我們可以繼續完成神的旨意，公開顯明我們的信仰不論我們的環境如何變化？
我們是否有力量來持續公開信實，當信仰沒有使我們受益，或者充滿了危險？
但以理已如此行，並交託神。
神的拯救可能無法以我們希望的方式到來，甚至這一輩子都不會見到。
但是，讓我們堅持公開和遵從對神的信仰，知道祂的救恩超越物質生活。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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