14. Manna issue 84 - Ministry - Whom God Uses in His Ministry (Part 2) 事奉，神在事工上，使用的人(第二回)
Clay Pot—California, USA 美國加州 陶罐
Editor’s note: In the first article, published in Manna 81,
we examined two characteristics that God seeks in those who serve Him:
a surrendered heart and a rooted faith.
In this concluding part, we will look at four more characteristics
that God’s servants should develop in order to be used by God more powerfully.
編者按：嗎哪81期刊出第一回的時候，
我們檢視了，神在那些服事祂的人中，所尋找的兩種人格特質。
交託神的心，堅固的信心。
本回是完結篇，為了讓神更有力的使用，
我們會來探討，身為神的僕人的其他四種人格特質。
A MIND SET ON THINGS ABOVE 心思意念專注在天上的事
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (Col 3:2)
2你們要思念上面的事，不要思念地上的事。
(西 3：2)
The Living Bible version translates this verse as:
“Let heaven fill your thoughts;
don’t spend your time worrying about things down here.”[1]
聖經新普及譯本是這樣翻譯的：
"讓天國充滿你的心思意念；
不要花時間煩惱下面的世間事"[1]
As present-day Christians, we may be so caught up with the world
that we spend our time, money, and energy on things that do not last,
failing to take heed of Jesus’ warning:
“Heaven and earth will pass away,
but My words will by no means pass away” (Mt 24:35).
身為現代的基督徒，我們或許會被世界的事深深的糾纏，
我們用了很多時間，金錢，精力在那短暫的事上，
而沒有留意耶穌的警告：
35天地要廢去，我的話卻不能廢去。(太 24：35)
We need to take stock of our life, and focus our energies
on that which is everlasting—God’s word.
This is even more so for those of us who serve Him.
God’s servants should set their eyes and minds on the eternal promises of God.
Our daily activities should be centered on the knowledge
that there is more to life than just the “here and now.”
我們要評估自已的生活，注意自已的精力有沒有用在永恆的事上-神的話語。
對我們當中正在服事祂的人，這個原則更是如此。
神的僕人該把自已的眼目心思，集中在神永恆的應許之上。
我們日常生活該專注於，生命中有比此時此地更加更要之事的認知。
How wonderful it is when we can wake each morning,
yearning to set our thoughts on heavenly things.
No matter how busy the day ahead, we will pray to God and affirm this longing.
This is how we can start to fill our lives with eternal values,
every moment of every day.
我們每日早晨可以醒來，是多麼奇妙的事，
期盼把自已的心思專注在天國的事上。
不論前面的日子是怎麼的忙碌，要禱告神，堅固這種盼望。
這就是我們可以開始讓生活充滿永生價值觀的方式，
每一天每一刻都是如此。
Look Beyond Our Current Sufferings 超越我們目前的苦難
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1–2)
1我們既有這許多的見證人，如同雲彩圍著我們，就當放下各樣的重擔，
脫去容易纏累我們的罪，存心忍耐，奔那擺在我們前頭的路程，
2仰望為我們信心創始成終的耶穌（或作：仰望那將真道創始成終的耶穌）。
他因那擺在前面的喜樂，就輕看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦難，便坐在神寶座的右邊。
(來 12：1-2)
Jesus was able to face the cross because He had set His mind on things above,
and His eyes on the joy before Him.
He looked beyond the pain and suffering He would experience at Calvary,
focusing on the glory at the other side.
Setting His mind on things above enabled Jesus to walk through His fiery trial.
耶穌之所以可以面對十字架，是因為祂全心全意在天上的事，
祂的雙眼看到在面前的喜悅。
祂的眼光超越了在各各他山上所經歷的疼痛和苦難，
專注在另一邊的榮耀。
集中心思在天國的事上，讓耶穌可以走過火煉的試驗之路。
With our hearts set on things above, we will be able to see the sins that entangle us
and remove them from our path, so we can run unimpeded the race marked out for us.
When our life on earth ends, we are destined for only one of two places: heaven or hell.
Have we given this any thought? Are we resolved to make heaven our final resting place?
How should we go about achieving this?
若是能專注心思在天國，就能看見罪纏繞著我們，
把他們從我們的路上排除，我們就能沒有阻礙的奔路那為我們設立的道路。
當地上的生命結束的時候，就註定了只有二個地方可以去：不是天國就是地獄。
我們有沒有深入思考這個問題呢？
是否下定決心可以最後在天國安息呢？
要怎麼作才能達成這個目標呢？
Pray for Our Father’s Business, Not Our Own 為天父的事祈求，不為已求
Revelation 5:8 tells us that the prayers of the saints are collected in heaven, as golden bowls of incense.
If we wish to set our minds on things above, we need to examine our prayers: What and who are we praying for?
How much time do we spend in prayer?
Are our prayers set on God’s work, or are they set on our material desires?
It may not be wrong to pray for our physical needs,
but God looks for those who seek His kingdom first.
啟示錄五章8節告訴我們，聖徒的祈禱會在天國集中起來，就如充滿香料的金碗。
若我們盼望集中心思在天國的事上，就要查驗自已是怎麼禱告的：我們為什麼事在禱告，又是為誰在祈禱？
花了多少時間在禱告的事上呢？
我們的禱告，是為了聖工嗎？或是為了物質的慾望禱告呢？
為了自已肉體的需要禱告，不一定有問題，
但神所尋找是那些會先求神國的人。
A brother recently lost his job during the recession.
Being his family’s source of income, he prayed desperately for a new job.
But during one prayer, God asked him,
“What is your priority? Are you seeking Me, or a job?”
The brother felt ashamed. He realized that, for many years,
he had pursued after a good career and financial security,
only attending church out of routine; Sabbath was not a delight.
He had taken God for granted and had never truly sought Him.
But God promises, “[Y]ou will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer 29:13).
And if you seek God’s kingdom first, He will meet all your needs (Mt 6:33).
So, in that prayer, the brother surrendered his heart and soul to the Lord.
最近的不景氣，有弟兄失業了。
因為是他家中經濟的支柱，他拼命為了找到新工作禱告。
但有一次禱告時，神問他，"你會先選什麼呢？會先選擇尋求神，或是想要先找到工作？"
這位弟兄覺得很丟臉。他才明白，
這麼多年來，都一直在追求好工作，希望能有生計的保障，
去教會聚會就好像是習慣；安息日一點也不快樂。
他認為神作的一切都是理所當然的，也未曾真的想要尋神。
但神卻應許，
13你們尋求我，若專心尋求我，就必尋見。
(耶 29：13)
33你們要先求他的國和他的義，這些東西都要加給你們了。
(太 6：33)
就是那次禱告，這位弟兄全心全意交託神。
Soon after, the brother attended a national adult theological seminar
for the first time, and he sought the Lord.
He was filled with the Holy Spirit in his prayers,
and he was assured that God would take care of him.
He then interceded for truth-seekers in church,
brothers and sisters afflicted with illness,
and those who had not attended church for a while.
He had never prayed like this before—in the past,
he had only prayed for his own needs.
During that seminar, he realized that God was in full control of his future—
he did not need to set his mind on praying for a job;
he would now set his mind on praying for the matters of God.
不久之後，他第一次參加全國成人神訓班，找到了神。
禱告的時候，聖靈非常充滿，
他就非常放心，相信神會看顧他。
接著他為教會的慕道者，生病的弟兄姐妹，那來教會聚會的人代禱。
他從來沒有像這樣禱告，以前他只為自已的需要禱告。
在那次神訓班的時候，他才明白，神完完全全掌控他的未來-
禱告的時候，沒有必要為了找工作操心；
所以現在，他會為了聖工而專心禱告。
The earliest words of Jesus recorded by the Bible are: “Why do you seek Me?
Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Lk 2:49).
Not many would have figured out their life’s purpose at the age of twelve.
But when Jesus took His final breath, He said, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30).
Jesus had a clear purpose in life: His Father’s business, which He fulfilled on the cross.
Let us imitate His single-mindedness and set our minds on things above.
耶穌最早被記錄下來的話語是：
49耶穌說：為甚麼找我呢？豈不知我應當以我父的事為念麼（或作：豈不知我應當在我父的家裡麼）？
(路 2：49)
並沒有很多人，能在12歲的時候，可以明白自已生命的原由。
然而，自從耶穌嚥下最後一口氣之後，祂說："成了"。(約 19：30)
耶穌生命中，有很清楚的目標：為了天父的事而忙，最後祂在十字上完成了。
我們要好好效法祂的單純的心思意念，專心為天上的事而努力。
A PERSISTENT SPIRIT 堅持不懈的心志
And let us not grow weary while doing good,
for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Gal 6:9)
9我們行善，不可喪志；若不灰心，到了時候就要收成。
(加 6：9)
It is easy to become discouraged when serving God.
Sometimes, we even shorten our prayers
because our mind is trying to solve a seemingly insurmountable problem.
We fail to look towards the almighty power and mercy of the Lord.
服事神的時候，很容易灰心。
有時，甚至我們會減少禱告，
因為自已的心思會想要理出看起來難以解決的問題。
我們忘了要朝著神的全能和慈愛而看。
God delights in those who persevere and are not easily discouraged from doing good.
The Bible records some examples of promising individuals who gave up before completing their duty.
In his letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul mentions Demas,
who deserted him out of love for the world (2 Tim 4:10).
Another disciple, John Mark, who left Paul and Barnabas while they were on a missionary trip,
also failed to fulfill his duty at that time (Acts 15:37–39).
神喜悅那些堅持行善，不易灰心的人。
聖經裡記錄了一些例子，本來這些人很值得期待，
但後來完成他們本份之前，卻放棄了。
保羅在提摩太書裡，提到了底馬貪愛現今的世界而離棄了他。
另一個門徒，馬可約翰，當他們一起出去宣道旅行的時候，
離開了保羅和巴拿八，而且那時候也不能完成他的職份。
As long as a worker does not grow weary in doing good, then God will use him.
We need to seek Him with persistence and determination in prayer.
只要工人在行善時，不因而軟弱，那神就會使用。
我們在禱告中，要有耐心和決心來尋求祂。
Be Strengthened by God 神加添力量
God does not seek those with immense power, talent or wealth—
He seeks those whose heart and faith are set on Him, and who never give up.
What God puts upon you will never outweigh the strength He has put within you.
We need to trust Him in this.
神並不找尋那些很有權勢，能力，金錢的人-
祂想找的人，是那些心思專注於神，全心信靠，永不放棄的人。
神所交託給你的，永不會超過祂施加給你的力量。
這裡我們要信靠祂。
Why did God use Paul so mightily?
What was the secret to Paul’s effectiveness?
Surely, it was because nothing could discourage him.
In the midst of suffering, Paul writes:
為何神大大的運用保羅的能力呢？
保羅能夠工作成果卓著的秘密為何？
當然了，這是因為沒有任何事可以阻礙他。
身處苦難的時候，保羅寫下：
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed;
we are perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed—
always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2 Cor 4:8–10)
8我們四面受敵，卻不被困住；心裡作難，卻不至失望；
9遭逼迫，卻不被丟棄；打倒了，卻不至死亡。
10身上常帶著耶穌的死，使耶穌的生也顯明在我們身上。
(林後 4：8-10)
Even when he did not know why he was suffering, Paul persisted.
He remained resolute when faced with challenges
because he carried Jesus’ death in his own body—
he always remembered Jesus’ suffering—
which impacted Paul’s own life and servitude.
This sensitivity towards Christ meant Paul could manifest Jesus in his life.
甚至他不知為何會受苦，但保羅堅持下去。
面對許多衝擊的時候，他保持堅定，
因為在他身上代表耶穌的犧牲 -
他無時無刻都記著耶穌的苦難 -
強烈的影響保羅的生活及服事的方式。
他對基督的感情代表了，保羅可以在生活中展現耶穌。
What does it take to discourage us today?
Perhaps even a single negative word can cause us to give up serving the Lord.
If this is so, we need to ask God to help us maintain a tender
and compassionate heart when we face criticism.
This can be difficult if we like to seek the praise and approval of others.
There will be disagreements, and even resistance,
when we work together for the Lord.
And there will be times when we need to be steered back onto the correct path by our co-workers.
So we must persevere in our work with an understanding heart towards others,
and never stop cultivating the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our life.
今日我們遇到什麼才會灰心呢？
或許甚至一點簡單的負面批評，就會導致我們放棄服事神。
若真是這樣，在遇見批評時，要求神幫助我們保持溫柔同情心。
這樣或許很困難，若我們就愛得到別人的讚美和認同。
當我們一起在為主工作的時候，
總會有意見不合的時候，甚至會有抵抗的行為。
而且有時候，我們需要有同工可以引導自已走回正確的道路。
所以我們要堅持在聖工上，對別人要有體諒，
在生活中，永不停止培養聖靈的果子。
We should never be brought to our knees by anything, except prayer.
God does not seek extraordinary people—
He seeks ordinary people who have the extraordinary capacity to spend time in supplication.
An ordinary person can be filled with the Holy Spirit
and become useful to God despite any difficulties,
as long as he is persistent in prayer.
我們永遠不應該因為任何事而跪下來，除了禱告之外。
神並不需要超常的異人 -
祂要的是平常人，但具備好特別人的能力，願花時間來祈求。
常人可以因著聖靈充滿，雖有許多困難，但成為神有用的人，
只要他有一持堅持禱告下去。
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE 無私的愛
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God;
and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 Jn 4:7–8)
7親愛的弟兄阿，我們應當彼此相愛，因為愛是從神來的。
凡有愛心的，都是由神而生，並且認識神。
8沒有愛心的，就不認識神，因為神就是愛。
(約壹 4：7-8)
There are some people in this world who yearn for love,
who go through the week without experiencing even the slightest human touch.
When we embrace each other as brothers and sisters,
we are showing love, without judgment or criticism.
It is a beautiful experience to enter a church filled with God’s love,
where brethren interact with each other as family members.
世上有些人渴望得到愛，
他們一周一周而過，但一點也沒有體驗和人的接觸。
當我們如同弟兄姐妹擁抱在一起的時候，
我們展現了愛，不帶有審判和批評。
當進到一間充滿神愛的教會時，是一種很美好的體驗，
你會遇到信徒如同家人一般的互動。
When we are busy with many duties at church,
we may fail to show even simple gestures of love in our interactions with fellow members.
We may lead countless Bible studies, and be able to recite many verses from the Bible.
We may know how to defend our faith and win people to Christ.
But if we do not have love, then we are like “a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal” (1 Cor 13:1).
當我們在教會裡，因許多責任而忙碌的時候，
或許我們在和其他信徒互動的時候，甚至會沒有展現出最簡單愛的表現。
或許我們帶領了無數次的查經，可以記住許多聖經經節。
或許我們懂得如何為信仰而戰，帶領人歸入基督。
但若我們沒有愛，我們就像是，
我就成了鳴的鑼，響的鈸一般。(林前 13：1)
True Compassion is Vital 真正的同理心是重要的
Let us ask ourselves:
Do I really love my brothers and sisters?
Do I really love those who have strayed?
Can I love people like Christ did and look beyond their weaknesses?
讓我們自問：
我真的愛弟兄姐妹嗎？
我真的愛那些走偏的人嗎？
我能有基督一樣的行為愛人嗎？可以忽略別人的軟弱？
To have sympathy for someone is to feel sorry that he is hurt;
to have empathy is to actually feel his pain.
But the Bible goes one step further: we are to have compassion,
defined as the desire to alleviate that person’s pain.
This means praying with them, comforting them, supporting them and spending time with them.
In short, we go the extra mile to help them.
If we study the life of Christ, we can see that He was filled with compassion.
He was regularly moved to heal, to comfort and to teach the masses.
He even went all the way to the cross to save sinners.
對別人有同情心，就是對他所受的傷害感到悲傷；
要能感同身受，就是能夠真的感到他的苦痛。
但是聖經卻更進一步，我們要有同情心，
最好的解釋就是，可以緩和那人的痛苦。
這代表了，為他們禱告，安慰他們，幫助他們，花時間陪他們。
總之，我們要多走出一些距離來幫助他們。
若我們查考基督的生活，就能看到祂滿是同情。
祂定期出去醫人，安慰人，教導一般普羅大眾。
祂甚至花了很大的力氣，走上十字奇救罪人。
The latter part of Matthew 25 states that on the last day,
we will be judged by how we have treated the hungry, the thirsty, the sick and the needy.
It is easy to blame people for the circumstances they find themselves in and to tell them:
“If you didn’t do this or that, then you would have food to eat.”
Likewise, it is easy to say to those in spiritual need:
“You don’t have enough faith; you don’t have enough love; you must have sinned.”
But does this really help them?
Instead, we should try to stand with them and share their pain.
We need to love each other in the family of God.
And we need to bring others into this love—
the sheep who are without a shepherd, those who are hurting and spiritually dying.
馬太福音25章後半部記載了末日，
我們會因著自已如何待那些飢餓，口渴，生病，缺乏的人，而受審判。
很容易，我們會怪別人因為所身處的情況，並告誡他們：
"並你沒有作這件那件事，那你就會得享美食"。
同樣的，很容易我們會向那些屬靈軟弱的人說：
"若你沒有堅強的信心；若你沒有充足的愛心；你就有罪了。"
但這麼作了，真的會幫到他們？
反過來，我們該試著陪著他們，一起分擔痛苦。
在神的家中，我們要彼此相愛。
要把別人帶進這種神的愛中-
把那些受傷，靈性軟弱沒有牧人的羊群帶回來。
If we have unconditional love for others,
then God will use us powerfully.
He wants us to venture out and take His message to the world.
He wants us to take up our cross.
But we need to do all these with love.
Even if we give all our possessions to the poor
and are burned alive for preaching the gospel,
if we do not love, then these sacrifices will come to nothing (1 Cor 13:3).
若我們對別人付出無私的愛，
那神就會大大感動好好運用我們。
祂要我們勇敢一點走出去，把祂的訊息傳向全世界。
祂要我們背起自已的十字架。
但我們要用愛來完成一切的事。
甚至我們若因傳福音，
要把自已的財產施予窮人，或活生生被火焚燒，
若我們沒有愛，那一切的犧牲付出就變得不值得了。
(林前 13：3)
HOLINESS 聖潔
Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully. (Ps 24:3–4)
3誰能登耶和華的山？誰能站在他的聖所？
4就是手潔心清、不向虛妄、起誓不懷詭詐的人。
(詩 24：3-4)
This passage beautifully illustrates that a holy life starts with cleansing.
Each morning, we should ask the Lord to convict us of our sins.
If we confess our wrongs, as the Bible says,
God “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn 1:9).
When the Holy Spirit fills us, we naturally want to draw closer to God—to become holy.
And this is the expected state for all servants of God.
這條經節完美詮釋了，要有聖潔的生活，要先自我潔淨。
每天早晨，應該要禱告神，向神認罪。
如聖經所言，若有悔改，
"神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。"
(約壹 1：9)
這就是神希望每一個聖工人員，所要具有的狀態。
Holiness was an important component for the Old Testament priests who served before the Lord.
Aaron and his sons had to wash their hands and feet with water from the bronze basin
before they entered the tabernacle or burned a sacrifice on the altar (Ex 30:17–21).
This teaches us that we must cleanse ourselves before we come before the Lord—
clean hands symbolize a clear conscience.
We must confess our sins in prayer and ask for forgiveness each time we come to church,
especially if we are a servant of the Lord.
聖潔是舊約祭司，在神面前服事，所要具有的條件。
亞倫和他的子孫，在進入聖所之前，或在祭壇上獻祭之前，
要在銅盆裡，用水清洗手腳。
(出 30：17-21)
這裡教導我們，在我們來到神面前之前，要先潔淨自已-
乾淨的雙手代表了一顆清潔的良心。
禱告中要認罪，每次到教會要悔改，
特別若我們是神的聖工人員。
The above psalm also speaks of the need to have a clean heart in our service,
doing all things with pure motives.
Looking at it from another angle:
“Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord deceitfully” (Jer 48:10a).
When we are praised for the work we do for God,
we need to be careful not to let pride taint our once-pure motives.
We should seek to please God over man, and never worry about who gets the credit for the work we complete.
With such an attitude, we will be able to do more for the Lord.
上面詩篇也說到，服事要有一個清潔的心，
帶著純潔的動機在所有的事上。
若從另一個角度來看：
10（懶惰為耶和華行事的，必受咒詛；）
另譯
10 為主工作行事詭詐的人必受咒詛
(耶 48：10a)
當我們為主工作受到稱讚，
就要小心，免得自已曾經純潔的動機，受到污染而驕傲。
我們要尋求神的喜悅，而不是人的讚美，
不要憂慮誰會因為工作完成而得到稱讚。
有這種心態，才能為主多作工。
CONCLUSION 結語
In these two articles, we have looked at characteristics God seeks in His servants:
a surrendered heart, a rooted faith, a mind set on things above,
a persistent spirit, unconditional love, and holiness.
But this is not an exhaustive list;
learning how to serve the Lord and allowing Him to work through us is a life-long process.
這二篇文章裡，我們探討神所尋求的工人，有些什麼特質：
全心交託，穩固的信心，專心尋求天國的事，
有耐心，無私的愛，聖潔。
但這並不是要作個詳細資訊列表；
學會如何服事神，讓祂用我們來作工，是我們一生的過程。
As servants of God, let us honestly evaluate our faith:
Do we set our mind on things above?
Do we love without conditions?
Let our prayer to Him be:
“Dear Father, we want to be used by You.
Please fill us with Your love.
Fill and transform us with Your Spirit,
so that we can serve You better through Your power.
Amen.”
身為神的僕人，要誠實衡量自已的信心：
我們有沒有專注在天國的事上？
我們可以無私愛人？
讓我們向祂這樣禱告：
"親愛的天父，我們願意為你所用。
請用愛充滿我們。
用聖靈加添力量，改變我們，
這樣，我們才能因著你的力量，更好為你服事。
[1] The Living Bible copyright c 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc.,
Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
All rights reserved.
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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