15. Manna issue 65 - Whom Do I Serve 我服事誰？
The answer to this question is straightforward to us Christians:
we serve the living and true God, the Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yet, apart from serving God, many of us serve another master, whether it is mammon
(Mt 6:23; Lk 15:13)
or our own belly
(Rom 16:17–18; Jude 12–13)
—our various lusts and pleasures
(Tit 3:3).
For this reason, the question “Whom do I serve?”,
gives room for self-reflection,
and reminds us that we belong to God alone
(Act 27:23),
and should serve the Lord with all our heart,
through our worship and participation in His business.
這個問題的答案，對我們基督徒來說很直接：
我們事奉永生真神，造物主，主耶穌基督。
然而，除了事奉神之外，我們許多人還事奉另一個主人，無論那是瑪門
（太 6：23；加 15：13）
或是我們自己的肚子
（羅 16：17-18；猶 12-13）
—我們各種的慾望和享樂
（多 3：3）。
因此，“我事奉誰呢？”這個問題，
給我們自我反省的空間，
並提醒我們，我們只屬於神
（徒 27：23），
要盡心事奉主，
藉由我們的敬拜及參與祂的聖工。
Once we have ensured that we worship and serve God only,
what are the attitudes that we should have in our worship and service to Him?
The Bible uses different human relationships
to describe the relationship we have with God and our attitude towards Him.
Let us narrow our scope and look at three of them.
一旦我們確定，自已只敬拜事奉神，
我們敬拜事奉祂時，該有怎樣的態度呢？
聖經使用不同的人際關係，
來描述我們與神的關係，以及我們對祂的態度。
讓我們縮小範圍，看看其中的三個。
HE IS OUR MASTER, WE ARE THE BONDSERVANTS 祂是我們的主人，我們是奴隸
Previously we were slaves of sin, uncleanness and lawlessness.
Yet, through baptism, we have become slaves of righteousness
(Rom 6:22).
Since Jesus has purchased us with His own blood
(Act 20:28),
we belong to Him
—He is our Master and we are His servants.
The apostles had this kind of understanding
when they introduced themselves at the beginning of their epistles
as bondservants of Jesus Christ
(Rom 1:1; Jas 1:1; 2 Pet 1:1; Jude 1).
以前我們是罪的奴僕、不潔和無法無天。
然而，經由洗禮，我們已成為義的僕役
（羅 6：22）。
因為耶穌已經用自己的寶血贖回了我們，
（徒 20：28），
我們屬於祂，
—祂是我們的主人，我們是祂的僕人。
使徒有這樣的認知，
當他們於自已書信的開頭，自我介紹時，
會說作為耶穌基督的僕人
（羅 1：1；雅 1：1；2 彼前 1：1；猶 1）。
In fact, the Lord often used parables that describe the relationship between master and servant
to illustrate His expectations towards His followers.
So, what is the attitude expected from a bondservant in his service to the master?
其實主經常用比喻，來形容主僕的關係，
來舉例說明祂對自已追隨者的期望。
所以，預期中僕人事奉主人的態度該是怎麼樣的呢？
“Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh,
with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ”
(Eph 6:5).
5你們作僕人的，要懼怕戰兢，用誠實的心聽從你們肉身的主人，好像聽從基督一般。
(弗 6：5)
Obedience to the master is the fundamental quality expected from a bondservant or slave.
Obedience is also expected from children to their parents
(Eph 6:1)
and wives to their husbands
(Eph 5:22).
Yet the unique characteristic of the obedience shown in a master-slave relationship is “fear and trembling”.
A slave who has recognized his unworthiness and lowliness
will always respect his master, and rightly so!
The better we understand the majesty of our holy, glorious and almighty God
(Isa 6:1–5),
the more we will respect Him with fear and trembling.
順從主人，是僕人或奴隸應預期該具備的基本特性。
父母也期望孩子會服從，
（弗 6：1）
以及妻子對待丈夫，
（弗 5：22）。
而主奴關係表現出順從的獨特特性，就是“戰戰兢兢”。
一個奴隸可以認知自己的不配和卑微，
總會尊重他的主人，正是如此！
我們越了解自已聖潔、榮耀和全能真神的偉大
（賽 6：1-5），
我們越將恐懼戰兢的尊敬祂。
We should have a God-fearing heart when we come before God.
This is the right footing in starting our relationship with Him.
It also forms the basis for a growing relationship.
我們來到神面前，應該有一顆敬畏神的心。
這是開始我們與祂建立關係的正確立足點。
它也建構了成長性關係的基礎。
Many Christians today emphasize on an equal love relationship with God.
The danger of which is, without godly fear,
one would easily end up being disobedient.
This usually begins with complaining about God’s ways of doing things and eventually rejecting God’s authority.
Moreover, godly fear will enable us to be submissive until the end,
even if we face situations beyond our understanding that may create doubts in us.
The willingness of Jesus to submit to the will of the Father best illustrates the importance of godly fear.
The author of Hebrews quoted that it is this godly fear which enabled Jesus’ prayer to be heard
(Heb 5:7).
今日許多基督徒強調與神平等愛的關係。
其中危害在於，若沒有虔誠敬畏神，
個人很容易走到最後變成不順從。
這通常一開始是抱怨神做事的方式，最終拒絕神的掌控。
此外，虔誠敬畏神會使我們順服到底，
即使我們面臨超出自已理解的情況，而可能會於我們心中產生疑惑。
耶穌甘心樂意意順服天父的旨意，正是最能說明虔誠敬畏神的重要性。
希伯來書的作者引用說，正是這種虔誠敬畏神的態度，使耶穌的禱告得以垂聽
（來 5：7）。
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
(Phil 2:12–13)
12這樣看來，我親愛的弟兄，你們既是常順服的，
不但我在你們那裡，就是我如今不在你們那裡，更是順服的，
就當恐懼戰兢做成你們得救的工夫。
13因為你們立志行事都是神在你們心裡運行，為要成就他的美意。
(腓 2：12-13)
“Fear and trembling” is the attitude we should maintain in our journey of faith,
for it rectifies our hearts and gives us no room for pride or arrogance,
knowing that it is God who is working in us.
“恐懼戰兢”是我們在信仰道路上，應該保持的態度，
因為它會糾正我們的內心，讓我們不會有產生驕傲或無知的空間，
因為知道，是神在我們內心裡面工作。
HE IS OUR FATHER, WE ARE HIS FIRSTBORN 祂是我們的父親，我們是祂的長子
God created man in His own image and Adam had the status of God’s child.
Although Adam later fell short of the glory of God,
our sonship is restored today through the Lord’s salvation grace.
In the eyes of God, we are precious and beloved as a firstborn in a family
(Heb 12:23),
and as such we have the promise of a heavenly inheritance.
神按照自己的形象造人，而且亞當具有神兒子的身份。
雖然亞當後來虧欠了神的榮耀，
我們的兒子名份，今日通過主救贖的恩典得以恢復。
在神的眼中，我們是珍貴蒙愛，如家中的長子
（來 12：23），
因此，我們有繼承天國產業的應許。
With privilege come responsibilities, in that we,
as firstborn sons, must be about our Father’s business
(Lk 2:49).
Contrary to what is being practiced in many modern-day families,
where parents serve their children even when they are able to take care of themselves,
God expects us to serve Him.
For this reason, He told Pharaoh,
“So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me”
(Ex 4:22–23).
能力更大責任更重，因此我們，
作為長子，必須關心我們天父的事務
（加 2：49）。
與許多現代家庭的做法相反，
有很多父母會孝順子女，即使孩子自已已經能夠照顧自己了，
神希望我們事奉祂。
為此，祂告訴法老，
“23我對你說過：容我的兒子去，好事奉我。”
（出 4：22-23）。
As we serve our heavenly Father, what should be our attitude?
當我們事奉天父時，我們的態度應該如何呢？
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
‘Honor your father and your mother,’
which is the first commandment with promise”
(Eph 6:1–2).
1你們作兒女的，要在主裡聽從父母，這是理所當然的。
2要孝敬父母，使你得福，在世長壽。這是第一條帶應許的誡命。
(弗 6：1-2)
Again the Bible mentions obedience.
However, in a father-son relationship, honor or respect is introduced and emphasized.
For this reason, we should consider
whether we are bringing honor or disrepute to the holy name of our heavenly Father as we serve Him.
The other equally important concern is whether we are bringing honor to Him or to ourselves.
The importance of both aspects is best illustrated in the Lord’s Prayer.
Jesus taught us to begin with
“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name”
and to end it with
“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen”
(Mt 6:9–13).
聖經再次提到順服。
然而，在父子的關係中，引入並強調了尊重或敬愛。
為此，我們應該想想，
當我們事奉天父時，是帶來榮耀，還是差辱了祂的聖名。
另一個同樣重要的問題是，我們是榮耀神，還是榮耀自己。
這兩方面的重要性，主禱文中都有最好的說明。
耶穌教導我們一開始就是，
“9我們在天上的父：願人都尊你的名為聖。”，
並且結束是
“13因為國度、權柄、榮耀，全是你的，直到永遠。阿們！”
（太 6：9-13）。
HE IS OUR HUSBAND, TO WHOM WE HAVE BEEN BETROTHED 祂是我們的丈夫，我們已經許配給祂了
No other human relationship is more intimate than that between a husband and a wife.
Paul used this to describe the mystery concerning Christ and the church.
沒有其他人際關係，能比丈夫和妻子之間的關係更親密。
保羅用這種關係，來描述關於基督與教會的奧秘。
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
(Eph 5:31–32)
31為這個緣故，人要離開父母，與妻子連合，二人成為一體。
32這是極大的奧祕，但我是指著基督和教會說的。
(弗 5：31-32)
Husband and wife can never be separated
because they have become one.
Likewise Christ and the church are one and thus inseparable.
The love of Christ is the foundation of this oneness.
What hinders this perfect unification is our lack of unreserved love towards Him.
夫妻永遠不能分開，
因為他們已經合而一體。
同樣，基督與教會是一體的，因此不可分開。
基督的愛是合為一體的基礎。
阻礙這種完美聯合的事物，就是我們對祂沒有毫無保留的愛。
“I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love,
and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck.
I stooped and fed them”
(Hos 11:4).
4我用慈繩（慈：原文是人的）愛索牽引他們；我待他們如人放鬆牛的兩腮夾板，把糧食放在他們面前。
(何 11：4)
“Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases”
(Song 2:7b).
7不要驚動、不要叫醒我所親愛的，等他自己情願（不要叫醒……情願：或譯不要激動愛情，等他自發）。
(歌 2：7b)
Does He still need to ask us,
“Do you love me?”
(Jn 21:15–17),
before we respond to His unreserved love for us?
在我們回應祂給我們毫無保留的愛之前，
難道他還需要問我們，
“你愛我嗎？”
（約 21：15-17），
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your strength”
(Deut 6:4-5).
4以色列阿，你要聽！耶和華─我們神是獨一的主。
5你要盡心、盡性、盡力愛耶和華─你的神。
(申 6：4-5)
“For love is as strong as death” (Song 8:6).
6因為愛情如死之堅強，嫉恨如陰間之殘忍；
(歌 8：6)
In our service to God, we should not only focus on the outward act of obedience,
for such actions can come from someone with a heart of reluctance and a mouth of murmurings.
Instead, we should say,
“I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me”
(Song 7:10).
How beautiful and different will our service be,
if it is motivated by true love for God!
我們事奉神，不應該只注重外表的順從，
因為這樣的行為，有可能來自一個心不甘願、滿嘴怨言的人。
相反，我們應該說，
“10我屬我的良人，他也戀慕我。”
（歌 7：10）。
如果這是出於對神的真愛，
我們的事奉將會有多麼美好，並且與眾不同呢！
WHOM DO I SERVE? DO IT TO THE LEAST AMONG YOU 我服事誰？做在我這弟兄中一個最小的身上
When we say we serve God, it does not mean that He needs anything from us,
for He is our Creator and provider
(Acts 17:24–25).
So even before we think about what we can do to serve Him,
we should firstly glorify and thank Him through our daily lives and worship.
當我們說我們事奉上帝時，並不意味著他需要我們的任何東西，
因為他是我們的創造者和供應者
（使徒行傳 17：24-25）。
因此，甚至在我們思考我們可以做什麼來侍奉他之前，
我們應該首先通過我們的日常生活和敬拜來榮耀和感謝他。
So what can we do to serve God although He does not need anything from us?
Based on the principle
“if we did it to one of the least of these, we did it to our Lord”
(Mt 25:40),
we serve God by serving our brethren.
By the will of God, David served his own generation
(Acts 13:36).
Similarly, the will of God is for us to serve one another through love
(Gal 5:13).
那麼，雖然神不需要我們任何的東西，但我們可以做什麼來事奉神呢？
依據原則，
“40這些事你們既做在我這弟兄中一個最小的身上，就是做在我身上了。”
(太 25：40),
我們通過服事自已的弟兄姐妹，來事奉神。
因著神的旨意，大衛事奉他世代的人民
（徒 13：36）。
同樣的，神給我們的旨意，就是要我們彼此相愛服事
（加 5：13）。
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,
as good stewards of God’s varied grace”
(1 Pet 4:10).
10各人要照所得的恩賜彼此服事，作神百般恩賜的好管家。
(彼前 4：10)
MAINTAINING A LIFE-LONG SERVICE 保守一生服事
In our life of service, we will inevitably face setbacks that will discourage us
even to the point of giving up,
for serving our brethren means that we are serving imperfect men.
In addition, we are imperfect as well.
在我們的事奉生活中，不可避免會遇到挫折，這些挫折會讓我們灰心，
甚至到了放棄的地步，
因為服事自已的弟兄姐妹，是代表我們在服事不完美的人。
此外，我們自已也不完美。
Although Moses was indeed a faithful servant
(Heb 3:5)
in God’s entire household,
he could not bear it when the meat-craving people wept and complained to him
(Num 11:1–15).
Subsequently, Moses turned to the Lord who chose seventy men to help him manage the people,
opening a way so he could continue serving.
雖然摩西確實是一個忠心的僕人
（來 3：5）
在神的全家中，
想吃肉的人哭著向他訴苦，而他就因此受不了，
（民 11：1-15）。
隨後，摩西轉向耶和華求助，耶和華就揀選了七十個人幫助他管理人民，
開闢一條道路，讓他可以繼續服事。
While we humbly serve the Lord, we must also be prepared to face trials and sufferings.
In fact, Paul told the saints in Philippi that it is a grace and special privilege,
not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for His sake
(Phil 1:29–30).
我們謙卑事奉主的同時，也要預備好面對試探和苦難。
事實上，保羅告訴腓立比的聖徒，這是一種恩典和特權，
不僅要相信基督，還要為祂受苦
（腓 1：29-30）。
Paul’s secret
to maintaining his life-long, diligent and fervent service to the Lord
can be summed up in the following actions:
“rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer”
(Rom 12:11–12).
保羅維持終身殷勤事奉主
所保持的秘訣，
可以總結為以下的行為：
“12在指望中要喜樂，在患難中要忍耐，禱告要恆切。”
（羅 12：11-12）。
Therefore, following Paul’s footsteps,
let us always remember that we can take joy in serving our Lord.
We can find joy in serving God together with our fellow brethren
and have the confidence that He will accomplish His own good work.
When putting this into practice,
it means that we remain focused on our ultimate heavenly objective,
and always remember that our Master and our prize await us above
(cf. Phil 1:3–5, 3:1, 3, 1:6, 1:18, 16, 3:20–21, 3:12–14).
因此，跟隨保羅的腳步，
讓我們永遠記住，事奉主時，能得到喜樂。
與弟兄姐妹一起服事神，我們能得到喜樂，
並有相信，祂必成就祂自己的善工。
若將此信念付諸實踐時，
這代表了，我們仍然專注於我們自已最終的天堂目標，
永遠記住，我們的救主和我們的獎賞在天上等著我們
（參見，腓 1：3-5，3：1，3，1：6，1：18，16，3：20-21，3：12-14）。
Finally, when we should require it,
indeed, the joy of the Lord is our strength
(Neh 8:10)!
最後，當我們需要它時，
是的，主的喜樂就是我們的力量
（尼 8：10）！
May we all imitate the many servants of the living God,
to serve God continually, day and night,
for God who sits on the throne is dwelling among us
(Rev 7:5)!
願我們都效法永生神的許多僕人，
晝夜不停地事奉神，
因為坐在寶座上的神，就住在我們中間
（啟 7：5）！
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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