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Manna issue 76 - Overcoming Trials and Temptations (II) The Joy of Trials 克服試煉和引誘 (二) 試煉的喜樂

The process of refinement through difficult times. 透過困難的時候是重新熬煉的過程
Aun-Quek Chin—Singapore 新加坡 陳恩國 傳道

In their walk of faith, Christians have to handle trials and temptations. In the first part of this series, we looked at Elder
James’ guide on how to distinguish between trials and temptations. In this second part, we hone in on what the world
would consider a strange joy—the joy of trials.

在實踐信心的時候，基督徒一定要去面對試煉和引誘。
這一系列文章的第一篇，我們查考雅各長的指導，讓我們知道如何分辨試煉和引誘。
本文是第二篇，我們好好思考一下，這個有關世上認為是一種非常奇怪的喜樂 - 試煉的喜樂。

THE JOY OF TRIALS 試煉的喜樂

The epistle of James was specially
written to the twelve tribes who
were scattered abroad (Jas 1:1). From
the perspective of the church, these
twelve tribes fell into two groups—
those who believed in Christ, and
those who opposed Christ. Amongst
the twelve, only a small segment of
the Jews were believers, who were
persecuted by the anti-Christian
majority. The apostle Paul was once
one of the most zealous persecutors
who went around threatening and
imprisoning Christians. By God’s
marvellous grace, this fierce anti-
Christian became a believer of Christ.

在雅各書信當中，特別寫給12個支派，因為他們散居在國外各地。(雅 1：1)
從教會的角度來看，這些12支派可以分成二個群體 - 一些人是相信基督，另外一些人是反對基督。
在12支派之中，只有一小部分的猶太人才是信徒，他們被那些反對基督的大部分猶太人逼迫。
使徒保羅也曾經是最熱心迫害者的其中之一，他們四處行走，威脅基督徒，並且把他們下到監牢裡去。
藉由神奇妙的恩典，這個非常兇殘的基督反對者，成為一個基督的信徒。

Despite the conversion of this
influential Pharisee, believers
continued to be persecuted. The
decision to believe in Christ almost
automatically led to the loss of peace
in their lives and a multiplication of
turmoil. It would be understandable
for Christians in such circumstances
to grumble. Evildoers have no choice
but to accept their consequent
suffering. Yet anyone finding
themselves afflicted with various
trials because they chose to believe in
Christ would find little cause for joy,
and may well become resentful.

雖然有這位影響深遠的法利賽人改變了信仰，但是信徒仍然是受到很多的逼迫。
一旦決定要相信基督，幾乎立刻就自動導致你會失去和平的生活，並且在你的生活中增加了很多苦難。
若是有基督徒，要經歷如此苦難的環境，就算他們要發怨言，也是可以加以理解的。
作惡的人並沒有其他的選擇，只能為他們行為的後果，來承受折磨。
但是若有任何人，發現自已受到各種試煉和苦難的折磨，卻是因為他們選擇來相信基督，因而使他們生活中的喜樂減少，
並且甚至會變人讓許多人加以怨恨。

Thus James wrote to encourage
them and correct their erroneous
perception of trials. He told them that
it should be considered all joy, not
misfortune, to fall into various trials
(Jas 1:2). Some may conclude that
James was indulging in sophistry or
self-deception. However, this is not
self-consolation, but the spirit of faith
that will help us to overcome trials.

因此雅各寫信鼓勵他們，糾正他們對試煉錯誤認知的想法。
他告訴他們，不論什麼情況，都要以為喜樂，不只在不幸之中，或是落入各種的試煉之中。(雅 1：2)
有一些人就會這麼作結論，雅各是陷入一種詭辯和自我欺騙之中。
然而，這麼作並不是一種自我安慰，反而是一種有信心的表現，這樣會幫助我們來勝過試煉。

The apostle Peter echoed James’
definition of the spirit of faith (1 Pet
4:12–16). We should not be alarmed
by trials, but instead rejoice in them
because they allow us to have a part
with the sufferings of Christ. When
Christ comes, we will rejoice with Him.
To man, our suffering is calamity and
shame, but to God, it is a blessing and
glory. Those who reproach us for the
name of Christ (1 Pet 4:14) have no
such spirit of faith. As a result, what
they see is misfortune and suffering.
They cannot see the glorious Spirit of
God abiding with those in suffering.

使徒彼得呼應了雅各對信心表現的說法和解釋。(彼前 4：12-16)
我們千萬不要因為試煉的原故而受到驚嚇，反過來呢？要這種情況的時候感覺到有喜樂，
因為這些情況，會讓我們與基督的受苦有份。
當基督來臨的時候，我們會和祂一同喜樂。
對人來說，我們的受苦就好像是一場災難一樣，而且好像很丟臉的樣子，
但對神來說，這卻是一種祝福和榮耀。
那些因為基督的名而休辱對我們的人(彼前 4：14)，就不會有這種信仰的精神。
結果，他們只能看到不幸的發生，以及無盡的苦難。
他們不能看到神榮耀的聖靈，和那些受苦的人同在。

In summary, the two apostles
teach us the right concept of faith.
James teaches us to count it all joy
when we go through various trials
because the Spirit of the Lord rests
upon us and we partake of Christ’s
sufferings. Peter reinforces this by
contrasting the suffering of evildoers
and of Christians. The former deserve
their suffering and the shame of it
as a consequence of violating the
law. However, the latter are not
being punished, and instead will
reap eternal joy and glory for their
willingness to suffer with Christ.

總之，這二位使徒教導我們，有關信仰正確的想法。
當我們面對各種試煉之時，雅各教我們把一切視為喜樂的事，因為主的聖靈會與我們同在，我們也一同承受基督的苦難。
彼得也再次強調這一點，他用作惡之人的受苦，來和基督的受苦作鮮明的對比。
前者他們本來就應該要承受他們的苦和休辱，因為這是他們違犯律法的後果。
然而，後者卻不會受到處罰，相反地，他得到永生的喜樂和榮耀，因為他們願意與基督一同受苦。

UNDERSTANDING THE BENEFITS OF TRIALS 了解試煉的好處

Trials Ascertain Faith 試煉可以確認信心

Every Christian knows the importance
of having faith. But how do we gain
a pure faith? Just as gold is purified
through fire, and gold medals are
won through relentless and rigorous
training, pure faith is gained through
patient endurance of various trials
(1 Pet 1:6–7).

每一個基督徒都知道，要有信心的重要性。
但是我們要如何得到一顆純粹的信心呢？
就好像是金子要用火來提煉純淨，而金牌需要透過無怨無悔，以及非常嚴格的訓練，
純粹的信心，也要透過對各種試煉的恆心忍耐，才能得到。

Great heroes of faith in both the Old
and New Testaments understood this.
Job willingly accepted and overcame
his great trial (Job 23:10) because
he knew he was being refined. The
apostles urged the believers to rejoice
during trials for these would prove
the genuineness of their faith. In fact,
faith refined through trials is even
more precious than gold.

無論在舊約或新約裡面，那些在信心上的偉人，都明白這一點。
約伯樂意接受，並且克服了他所面臨的大試煉(伯 23：10)，因為他知道，他將會被煉得更加純淨。
許多使徒都鼓勵信徒在受到試煉的時候要喜樂，因為這可以証明他們信心的純全無瑕。
事實上，信心經過試煉之後，甚至是比金子更加寶貴的。

Those who have converted to
Christianity despite severe opposition
from their family may feel that this
is sufficient evidence of the sincerity
of their faith. They may balk at the
thought of more affliction and trials.
However, the process of refining gold
is not just to ascertain its genuineness
but to purify it. Refinement is critical
because the purer the gold, the
higher its value.

那些已經改信基督教的人，雖然他們會在自已的家中遇到嚴重的逼迫，
讓他們感覺到自已信仰的真誠，成為一種很明顯的証據。
在想到會有更多的苦難和試煉的時候，他們可能會猶豫不決。
然而這個重新提煉金子的過程，不只是用來確認他們信仰的純潔無瑕，而且也可以讓信心更加純淨。
重新提煉是很重要的，因為越是純潔的金子，他的價值是更高的。

To man, our suffering is
calamity and shame, but
to God, it is a blessing and
glory.

對人來說，我們受苦可能是災難和恥辱，但對神來說，這就是祝福和榮耀。

In the refinement process, gold
is heated to its melting point and
liquefied. Impurities in the gold rise
to the surface and are removed.
The smelting is repeated so that
more deeply embedded impurities
can surface and be eliminated.
Traditionally, gold must be refined
seven times before it is considered
pure gold. The purification of silver is
the same (Ps 12:6).

在重新煉淨的過程中，金子被重新加熱，直到融點成為液體的狀態。
金子中不純潔的物質就會浮到表面上，並且加以去除。
這精煉的過程是一再被加以重覆執行，這樣才有更多深藏裡面不潔淨的物質浮出來，然後被消除。
傳統上來說，金子在被認為是純金之前，一定要被重新提煉過七次。
而銀行提煉的過程也是一樣的。(詩 12：6)

Analogously, our faith may be true,
but is it pure? Job appeared to have
very pure faith since he was more
God-fearing than anyone else around
him. But God knew that impurities
still existed in Job’s faith. Hence He
permitted the testing of Job.

類似的情況，我們的信心才可以純淨，但它真的有純淨嗎？
約伯表現出一副有非常純潔的信心，因為他是比任何在他身邊的人都更加敬畏神的人。
但是神知道，在約伯的信心之中，仍然存有不潔淨的部份。
因為，祂才允許了約伯的試煉。

God knows that our faith is true
but may be impure. The only way for
us to rid ourselves of these impurities
is through the fiery refinement
of trials. Thus God tries us till we
become perfect and without blemish.
When the Divine Refiner says, “It
is complete,” He will be the first to
rejoice at the level of our purity.

神知道我們真的有信心，但是或許沒有那麼純潔。
能夠讓我們擺脫這些不純潔的雜質，唯一的方法就是透過在試煉中，烈火般的一再熬煉。
所以神試煉我們，直到我們變得完全，沒有瑕疵。
當這個天上的精煉者說"完成了"的時候，祂會是第一個對於我們所達到純潔的程度，內心最高興的神。

Trials Produce Patience 試煉中生出忍耐

The testing of faith produces
patience (Jas 1:3) but this is no
ordinary patience. Undeniably,
those who are patient by nature can
generally endure more than those
who are born impatient. However,
this inborn endurance is still unlikely
to stand the test of a more prolonged
or intense affliction. In contrast, the
patience produced by the testing
of faith is durable, unyielding, noncompromising
and indefatigable. It
is manifested by a refusal to give up.
Trials of increasing intensity cannot
erode such patience. A believer with
such patience perseveres till the very
end and he is perfect (Jas 1:4).

你們的信心經過試驗，就生忍耐。(雅 1：3)，但這卻不是一般的忍耐。
無可否認的，那些有耐心的人，本質上就比那些天生就沒有耐心的人更會忍耐。
然而，就算有天生的耐心，仍然不可能作到承受一些時間更長，或者壓力更高的苦難。
反過來說，因為信心經過試驗而產生的耐心，就可以更持久，不會輕易讓步，不妥協，並且不屈不撓。
而且會以拒絕放棄來証實他的耐心。
就算試煉的強度不斷增加，也不能造成這種耐心的被侵蝕。
有這種耐心的信徒，會堅持不懈直到到達最後的目標，並且他可以變的完全。(雅 1：4)

Acquiring this level of perseverance
is critical. A race partially run earns
the runner nothing. Similarly, all prior
effort, time and suffering are wasted
if the believer throws in the towel
midway through the trial. There
would be no subsequent benefit
for his life or faith. Trials are thus
necessary to ensure that we gain that
extraordinary perseverance which is
sustained to the very end.

能夠擁有這種程度的堅持，是很重要的。
一場只跑一半的比賽，並不能帶給跑者任何獎勵。
同樣地，若是信徒在試煉的半途中，就丟出毛巾要放棄比賽，那麼所有之前的努力，時間，和受苦的過程，都變得白費苦工。
接下來對他的生活，或是個人的信仰，都沒有任何後續所帶來的好處。
因此，試煉是有必要的，為的就是確保我們可以得到那種超凡的毅力，而這種力量可以支撐我們走到最後的目標。

A reason we may not have been
able to build up such perseverance,
despite our best intentions, is our
unwillingness to undergo trials under
normal circumstances. When we
encounter problems, we complain.
Whenever we meet with obstacles,
we give up. Jesus once spoke of such
people:

雖然我們內在有強烈的動機，但我們或許過去沒有辨法把這種毅力建立起來的原因，就是我們不願意在平常的生活環境中去承受試煉。
當我們遇到問題的時候，我們會發怨言。
不論什麼時候我們遇到了障礙，立刻就放棄。
耶穌曾經這樣形容這種人：

But he who received the seed on
stony places, this is he who hears
the word and immediately receives
it with joy; yet he has no root in
himself, but endures only for a
while. For when tribulation or
persecution arises because of the
word, immediately he stumbles.
(Mt 13:20–21)

20撒在石頭地上的，就是人聽了道，當下歡喜領受，
21只因心裡沒有根，不過是暫時的，及至為道遭了患難，或是受了逼迫，立刻就跌倒了。
(太 13：20-21)

Some people immediately accept
the word of God with joy, knowing
that this word can save their souls.
But when tribulation or persecution
appear, these believers fall away.
They only delight in the beginning
and the end of their journey of
faith, and would rather not face any
tests along the way. It seems easier
for them to give up on their faith,
thinking these trials will disappear.
A true and genuine faith can only
develop through tests. In short, “no
pain, no gain.”

有些人立刻就很高興的接受了神的話，知道神些話會拯救他們的靈魂。
但是當痛苦和逼迫來臨的時候，這些信徒就跌倒了。
他們只有一開始很高興，並且對於他們信仰最終旅程的目標歡喜接受，但是其中一路走來，卻不願意去面對任何試驗。
對他們來說，放棄自已的信仰，對且認為這些試煉會消失，似乎是比較容易接受的事。
一個真誠純淨的信心，只有透過試驗才會建立起來。
總而言之，"天下沒有不勞而獲的事。"

Enduring Trials Leads to Blessing 忍受試煉最後會得到祝福

Elder James declared that the man
who endures temptation is blessed
(Jas 1:12). However, the Greek word
for “temptation” (peirasmon) in the
original text means “trials” (cf. Jas
1:2). In other words, the man who
endures trials is blessed.

雅各長老說，忍受試探的人是有福的。(雅 1：12)
然而，在這個 "試探"  (peirasmon) 希臘原文裡，代表的意思是"試煉" ( cf. 雅 1：2)
換句話說，可以忍受"試煉"的人是有福的。

No one wants to suffer for nothing.
The willingness to endure suffering
is dependent on whether a blessing
awaits us at the end of the affliction,
and whether the blessing is valuable
enough to make the suffering
worthwhile. James assures us that
the reward for enduring the trials of
faith is no ordinary blessing; what
awaits us is the crown of life.

沒有人會希望白白受苦。
會忍受痛苦過程的意願，完全取決於，是不是在這痛苦的終點站最後有祝福等著我們，
又或者是，是不是這個祝福很寶貴很值錢，相比起來讓人感覺雖然有受苦，但是很值得。
雅各向我們保証，忍受信仰試煉的獎賞，不是普通程度的祝福；而等待我們的將會是生命的冠冕。

What is the crown of life? The
crown symbolizes glory. So wherein
lies the glory of life? There are many
self-made men and women whose
success has brought glory to their
family and to themselves. But how
long does such glory last? And will
their wealth eventually be a source of
worry?

什麼是生命的冠冕呢？
這個冠晚象徵了榮耀。
那麼這個生命的榮耀又怎麼出現的呢？
有許多白手起家的男士和女士，他們的成功就帶給他們的家族及自已很大的榮耀。
但是這些榮耀可以持續多久呢？
到最後，他們的財富會不會成為他們煩惱的來源呢？

The Scriptures tell us that Judas
betrayed the Lord, and Demas
deserted Him because of their love
of the world. While they may have
gained temporary wealth, they
earned the scorn and condemnation
of generations of Christians. On the
other hand, mention Peter or Paul to a
believer, and the response is generally
that of profound respect. Although
the two apostles had suffered much
physically, they have gained true
and great glory. They have received
honor from both believers and the
Lord for their sacrifices.

聖經告訴我們，猶大背叛耶穌，因為底馬貪愛現今的世界，就離棄祂。
雖然他們或許可以得到暫時的財富，但是卻賺到從那世代以來，許多基督徒的輕視和譴責。
另外一方面，聖經對信徒提及彼得或保羅的時候，一般信徒在回答他們的時候，都是帶著很深敬意在和他們說話。
雖然這兩位使徒已經承受了許多肉體上的痛苦，他們卻得到真正偉大的榮耀。
不但許多信徒，甚至是為他們犧牲的主耶穌，都給他們二個人很大的榮耀。

If we understand the glory of the crown of life and the blessings
we will receive, then we will not fear when we undergo
sufferings and trials.

若是我們明白了，將來會領受生命冠冕的榮耀和祝福，
那麼當我們正在經歷痛苦和試煉的時候，就不會害怕。

One of the messages in Revelation
was addressed to the church in
Smyrna. The Smyrna Christians had
undergone so much tribulation for so
long that they had begun to weaken
and fear had crept in. At this point,
the Lord comforted them, “Do not
fear any of those things which you
are about to suffer” (Rev 2:10a).
However, this could be considered
cold comfort because the Lord went
on to warn them that some of them
would be imprisoned, and worse,
their tribulation would last ten days.
In other words, their suffering was
not going to end any time soon!

啟示錄裡面有一個向示每拿教會說的訊息。
示每拿教會的基督徒因為經歷很多很久的苦難，所以他們開始變得軟弱，而害怕思想開始侵蝕他們的內心。
在這個時候，主耶穌安慰他們，"10你將要受的苦你不用怕。"(啟 2：10a)
然而，這只是起不了解什麼作用的安慰，因為主耶穌繼續警告他們，
他們之中有一些可能會被下到監獄裡去，更糟的是，他們所受的苦難會持續十天之久。
換句話說，他們現在所受的苦，可能不會馬上就可以結束！

The perception of the passage of
time is subjective. Time appears to
fly when we are enjoying ourselves
or rejoicing, but in affliction, time
slows to a crawl. For the believers
in Smyrna, who had been trying to
patiently endure persecution for the
Lord’s sake, who could blame them
for wondering why God had to
prolong their suffering for another
ten days?

這一段對時間的認知是主觀的。
當我們自已在享樂的時候，或感到很快樂的時候，時間就感覺過得很快，
但是當我們在苦難中的時候，感覺上時間就像是在地上慢慢爬行。
因為許多示每拿的信徒，為了主的原故，已經忍受了很久的逼迫，
誰都不可以只因為看到，神一定有什麼原因要這樣說，要延長他們十天受苦的日子，而再度對他們責難呢？

Additionally, the Lord urged them
to be faithful until death. What is the
point of enduring and continuing to
endure if the outcome is still death?
Any ordinary person would be in
total despair at this point. Yet, the
believers in Smyrna were greatly
comforted because they highly
valued the promised reward—they
would be given the crown of life.

此外，主鼓勵他們要保持忠心，直到最後死去。
忍耐，一直忍耐的意義到底是什麼呢？若忍耐到最後的結果依然會死呢？
任何普通人都會在這個時候變得完全的絕望。
然而，示每拿教會的信徒反而受到大大的安慰，因為他們把應許的賞賜看為更加寶貴 - 
他們將來會得到生命的冠冕。

The church in Smyrna also drew
comfort from the example of their
predecessors, the apostles. These
saints persevered because they knew
that after the temporary suffering,
they would enjoy eternal glory. They
remembered the parable that Jesus
had told concerning the rich man
and Lazarus. They were comforted
that, one day, they too would be in
the bosom of Abraham. For those
who persevere in their faithful labor,
death is not a frightening abyss, but
a blessed rest, for their works follow
them (Rev 14:13).

示每拿教會也從他們的前人，就是從使徒身上的模範，得到一些安慰。
這些聖徒可以堅持下去的原因，是因為他們知道，在這短暫的受苦之後，他們將會得享永遠的榮耀。
他們記得耶穌告訴他們的比喻，關於財主和拉撒路的故事。
他們也因此而受到了安慰，因為有一天，他們也可以在亞伯拉罕的懷抱中。
對那些在信仰與勞苦之中，也堅持下去的人，死亡不是一個可怕的地獄，
而死亡是另一種受祝福的安息，因為他們一生的作工的果效都跟隨著他們。(啟 14：13)

If we understand the glory of the
crown of life and the blessings we will
receive, then we will not fear when
we undergo sufferings and trials. Fear
arises from our suspicion that Jesus
has forsaken us. We weaken because
it seems that He no longer abides
with us and even allows our enemies
to trample on us. We wonder why He
allows us to suffer such agony and
humiliation if He loves us.

若是我們清楚明白知道，生命冠冕的榮耀和我們將會得到的許多祝福，
當我們經歷了苦難和試煉之時，就不會心中害怕。
只有當我們懷疑耶穌是不是已經放棄我們之時，害怕之心才會出現。
我們變得軟弱，因為看起來，祂不再和我們同在一起，甚至好像祂允許我們的敵人來踐踏我們。
我們會想，若是祂愛我們，為什麼祂會允許我們來受到這樣的苦楚和羞辱。

We often hear and declare that
God our heavenly Father abides
with us. But when we see His grace
upon other people, while He seems
impervious to our affliction, we may
erroneously conclude that He only
values certain people. In these cases,
our omniscient God has additional
comfort for us, proclaimed through
the prophet Isaiah.

我們常常會聽到，甚至也會說，神，我們的天父和我們同在。
但是當我們看到祂給別人恩典的時候，雖然祂看起來似乎對我們的苦難無動於衷，
我們或許也會錯誤的下結論說，祂只看顧某些人而已。
這些的例子當中，我們無所不知的真神會給我們特別人的安慰，
這些樣的安慰已經經過以賽亞先知事先告訴我們了。

Zion—which is the children of
God—once concluded that the Lord
had forsaken her because He had
permitted the destruction of the
temple and Jerusalem (Isa 49:14). But
God’s answer was emphatic. Even if
the near-impossible could happen—a
mother forgetting to nurse her
child—He would never forget the
Israelites because they were His most
precious treasure (Isa 49:15–16). We
are not just held, but inscribed on the
palms of His hands. Jesus will never
forsake us because He truly loves us.
His birth, suffering and death were
all for our sakes. We can only love
because He first loved us.

鍚安 - 它是神的兒子 - 曾經這麼作結論，
因為神允許聖殿和耶路撒冷被毀壞，所以神已經放棄他們了。(賽 49：14)
但是神的回答卻是嚴肅的。
即使是最不可能發生的事情 - 母親會忘了餵養自已的小孩 - 
因為以色列人他們是祂最珍貴的寶貝，祂將永不會忘記以色列人。(賽 49：15-16)
我們不僅僅是被祂握在手中，而且也被刻畫在祂的手掌上。
耶穌永遠不會放棄我們，因為祂真的愛我們。
祂的出生，受苦，最後為我們死去，都是為了我們的原故。
我們現在可以有愛，只因為他首先愛我們。

When God allows us to suffer
trials, it is as if He is no longer
holding our hands. But letting go
is not desertion. Even though He is
not holding on to us, His eyes still
intently and unceasingly watch over
us. Parents know this well. They start
off holding the hands of the toddler
who is learning to walk, but they
eventually let go so that the child
can be independent. And although
they are not holding the toddler,
their eyes are intently fixed on them.
The moment the child stumbles, the
parents immediately reach out to
offer support.

當神允許我們受到試煉，那種情況就好像是祂不再握著我們的手。
但是神收手，並不是遺棄了我們。
即使是祂的手現在沒有握著我們，祂慈愛的雙眼仍然一心一意，並且永不止息的看顧我們。
父母最能體會這種情形。
他們一開始，會抓著正在學步小嬰孩的雙手，但是到最後，他們會把雙手放掉，這麼一來，小孩才能獨立。
而且雖然他們沒有繼續抓著學步小孩的手，他們的雙眼會無時無廳都專注在小孩子身上。
一旦這個小孩子跌倒了，父母會立刻伸出手來給他們幫助。

Likewise, our heavenly Father
allows us to walk independently.
This is a trial for us to learn to grow
to maturity. But God continually
watches over us. However, we
occasionally look elsewhere. Like
Peter, we fear because we only see
the dark clouds and raging waves.
At such moments, we ought to turn
our eyes back to Jesus, and He will
stretch out His hand to help us (Mt
14:28–31).

同樣的道理，我們的天父允許自行獨立行走。
對我們而言，這也是一個讓我們學習長大變得成熟的試煉。
但是神還是一樣會繼續看顧我們。
然而我們常常會看到其他的方向去。
就像彼得，我們害怕，因為只看黑暗雲霧圍繞著我們，四周都是兇猛的波浪。
在這樣的時候，我們已經把自已的眼睛轉向耶穌，並且祂會伸出祂的手來幫助我們。(太 14：28-31)

A Promised Crown After the Trials 試煉之後得到應許的冠冕

A farmer braves the elements to sow,
then waits patiently for the harvest.
He does this willingly because he
knows that the coming harvest will
be worth it. Confidence in God’s
promised blessing allows us to endure
trials. However, many Christians in
the midst of trials and sufferings
start to doubt the veracity of these
promises. They start wondering
whether the gospel truly leads to
salvation and whether the church
really has the right interpretation of
doctrine.

農夫雖然在惡劣的天氣下播種，然後就可以耐心等候收成的季節來臨。
他是在很樂意的情況之下，這麼作的，因為他知道，再一次成穫的時候，一切努力都會值得的。
對神的應許的祝福有信心，會讓我們可以忍受試煉。
然而，有許多基督徒，當他們在試煉和苦難當中的時候，就會開始懷疑這些應許的真實性。
他們會開始想，是不是真的福音可以讓人得救呢？或是教會真的到底有沒有權柄來解釋教條呢？

Why are we so sure His promises
will all be fulfilled? For the answer,
we can turn to Paul. Once the
feared persecutor who put scores of
Christians to death, Paul converted
to Christianity, giving up everything
to take on trials and sufferings (2
Cor 11:23–27). He did this without
a second thought because he knew
that all the promises of God were
true (2 Cor 1:20).

為什麼我們能這麼肯定，祂的應許全部會實現嗎？
若要尋求解答，我們可以看看保羅。
曾經他是一個讓人恐懼逼迫信徒的人，他害許多基督要面對死亡，
後來保羅改信了基督教，放棄了世上的一切，來面對試煉和苦難。(林後 11：23-27)
他作這些事的時候，並沒有其他的想法，因為他知道，神所有的應許都是真實的。(林後 1：20)

Paul tells us we can be assured
of God’s promises because of the
Holy Spirit and the truth. Two thousand
years ago, the promised
Holy Spirit came upon the apostolic
church, and upon receiving the Holy
Spirit the believers spoke in tongues
and preached what the Lord Jesus
told them to preach. Two-thousand
years later, in our era, the same Holy
Spirit descends upon us as well. By
the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Jn
16:13), the truth that had been lost
has re-emerged in the true church.
What the true church preaches today
is indeed what the apostles preached.
There are many in Christendom
today who do not believe that
receiving the Holy Spirit is essential
for salvation, or that it is evidenced
by tongue speaking. Unfortunately,
this erroneous teaching has also crept
into the true church today, leading
some to downplay the role of the
Holy Spirit. We must not compromise
on this essential tenet of our faith.

保羅告訴我們，我們相信神的應許，因為我們有真理和聖靈同在。
兩千年之前，應許的聖靈降臨在使徒時代的教會，
一領受了聖靈，許多信徒都說靈言，並且傳講主耶穌告訴他們要去傳揚的福音。
兩千年之後，就是我們現在的時代，同樣的聖靈也降在我們身上。
藉著聖靈的帶領，(約 16：13)，過去已經遺失的真理，如今再一次出現在真教會裡面。
今日真教會所傳揚的福音，也就是當時許多使徒所傳揚的真理。
今日的基督教界裡面，有許多教派，他們並不相信，領受聖靈對於得救而言是至關重要的事，也不相信說靈言就是得聖靈的憑據。
很不幸地是，這樣錯誤的教導，也開始偷偷爬進了今日的真教會裡面，讓某些人不重視聖靈的角色。
我們在這些信仰重要的教義上，一定不能妥協。

The Holy Spirit received today in
the True Jesus Church, evidenced
by speaking in tongues, reaffirms
that He is the same promised Holy
Spirit that God poured down on the
apostles. He is an irrefutable witness,
testifying to the resurrection of Jesus,
and confirming that what is preached
in the true church is the truth. He is
the Spirit who seals us and acts as the
guarantee that all the promises of
the Lord are true and will be fulfilled.
Therefore, we must persevere to the
very end.

今日的真耶穌教會可以得到聖靈，很明顯的証據，就是會說靈言，
再次証實了，祂就是相同應許的聖靈，以前神降在使徒身上的聖靈。
祂就是一個讓人不能加以反駁的見証者，証實耶穌的復活，並且確認，真耶穌教會所傳的道理，就是真理。
祂就是聖靈，給我們每個人身上蓋上屬神的印記，並且作為一種保証，保証主所有的應許都是真實的，將來一定會成就。
所以，我們一定要堅持下去，直到最後的時刻。

There is another reason—more
theological in nature—underlying
our confidence in God’s promises. In
Hebrews 6:13, it is recorded that God
swore a promise by Himself. A person
who makes an oath and swears
by himself is not credible because
humans are fickle and unreliable. But
God, by definition, is the Being with
infinite and ultimate authority, power
and accountability. His swearing by
Himself is the greatest guarantee of
His promise.

有另外一個理由 - 就是可以在人的性情上更加與神相似 - 
潛在的意思就是，我們對神的應許是不是有信心。
在希伯來書六章13節提到，聖經裡面記載了，神以他自已的名，起誓許下了一個應許。
一個人若是用自已來立下誓約或是發誓，其實是不可靠的，因為人本身就變來變去，非常不可靠。
但是神，很明顯地，是一個有無限及最終權柄，有力量，能讓人信賴的存在。
祂用自已的名來發誓，就是祂應許的最大保証。

The crown of life is
promised to those who love
God (Jas 1:12). In the midst
of trials, will we continue to
love the Lord?

那些愛神的人，主應許他們得到生命的冠冕。(雅 1：12)
在試煉中的時候，我們會繼續愛主嗎？

Persevere in Love 在愛中堅持下去

The crown of life is promised to
those who love God (Jas 1:12). In
the midst of trials, will we continue
to love the Lord? If the affliction is
not too intense, many are still able to
continue to love the Lord. Job’s wife
is one example. She was stoic when
Job lost his possessions. She remained
calm even when all her children were
killed. But when sores plagued Job’s
body, her restraint broke. She told
Job, “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9b).
She thought it futile to continue
holding on to faith and loving a God
who permitted a relentless barrage
of trials to afflict them. Her lack of
perseverance prevented her from
gaining what the Lord had promised.

那些愛神的人，主應許他們得到生命的冠冕。(雅 1：12)
在試煉中的時候，我們會繼續愛主嗎？
若是痛苦的壓力並沒有很大，許多人或許仍然可以繼續來愛主。
約伯的妻子就是一個例子。
當約伯失去所有財產的時候，她是一個清心寡慾的人。
即使當她全部的小孩都遇害了，她仍然維持平靜。
但是當約伯的生體長了毒瘡的時候，她失去了忍耐的自制力。
她這麼向約伯說，"你棄掉神，死了罷！"(伯 2：9b)
她認為，繼續維持這個信仰是沒有用的，因為繼續愛神，但神卻允許一片殘酷且密集的試煉來攻擊他們。
她缺乏了毅力，讓她不能得到主已經應許的賞賜。

The Lord’s promise is to those who
are steadfast in their love for Him
even through the most severe trials.
To some, it is too difficult, perhaps
even unfair, to be put through
unceasing suffering. It is incessant
tribulation that will differentiate
those who truly fear and love the
Lord from the fair-weather believer.
The former love the Lord regardless
of circumstances, while the latter
want to receive blessings but are
unwilling to suffer with Him.

主的應許，只會給那些能夠不斷愛祂的人，即使當他們遇到最嚴厲的試煉。
對某些人來說，這實在是很困難，或許也感覺到很不公平，為什麼自已會被放在看似無窮無盡的痛苦之中。
在這種無盡的苦難，可以分辨那些是真的敬畏神，愛神，並且區分那些只能在活在順境裡的信徒。
前者愛主是無論在什麼樣的環境之中，雖然後者想要到得祝福，但是卻不願意和祂一起受苦。

John chapter 20 tells us of the
events after Jesus’ crucifixion and
burial. When Mary Magdalene went
to the tomb and found it empty, she
quickly informed the disciples. The
apostles ran over to take a look; the
linen cloths that bound Jesus were
there but the body was indeed gone.

約翰福音20章告訴我們，有關耶穌釘十架和埋葬之後的事情。
當瑪麗亞來到耶穌的墓前，並且發現裡面是空的時候，她就馬上通知許多門徒。
使徒也趕快跑過來看明白；
那些包住耶穌的麻布依然在那裡，但是耶穌的身體是真的不見了。

No matter what sufferings
assault our faith, we should
not leave or stop loving the
Lord. Instead, cling to the
promises of the Lord Jesus
to those who love Him.

不論有什麼苦難在攻擊我們的信仰，我們不應該離開神，或停止愛神。
相反地，要緊緊靠近主耶穌的應許，因為祂應許要給愛祂的人。

There seemed to be nothing more for
them to see, so the disciples went off
to their own homes. But Mary stayed
behind and looked into the tomb (Jn
20:11).

在那裡似乎沒有什麼東西可以讓他們看，所以許多門徒都離開了，回到自已的家鄉。
但是瑪麗亞站在後頭，並且往墓裡面查看。(約 20：11)

During Jesus’ ministry, there were
many Jews who did not believe
that Jesus was the Messiah. Some
believed in Jesus but left after a while;
others followed a little longer but still
left when He died. However, Mary
stayed. And although it was empty,
she still wanted to look into the tomb.
Why did Mary remain? Why stare
into an empty tomb? Mary was not
just staring vacantly. The tomb was
empty but her love for the Lord was
intact, and the Lord knew of Mary’s
love for Him.
在耶穌在傳福音的時候，有許多猶太人，他們並不相信耶穌是彌賽亞。
有一些人曾經相信過耶穌，但是後來卻離開了；
或許另有一些人可以跟隨久一點，但祂死了之後，他們仍然也離開了。
而且，雖然墓裡是空的，她仍然想要看看墓裡面。
為什麼瑪麗亞繼續留下來呢？
為什麼她們一直往空的墓裡查看呢？
瑪麗亞並不是茫茫然的隨意往裡面查看。
雖然墳墓裡面是空的，但是她愛主的心卻是原封不動，並且主知道，瑪麗亞對祂的愛。

The love of others for the Lord
waxed and waned, but Mary’s love
for Jesus remained strong. She wept
as she stooped and looked into
the tomb because she truly loved
the Lord. Her effort in looking was
rewarded when the resurrected Lord
appeared to her. It was not to Peter,
who had been given the keys to the
kingdom of heaven, nor John, the
disciple whom He loved, nor His
mother Mary. The first person to
whom Jesus revealed Himself after
resurrection was Mary Magdalene
because of her immense love for
Him—a love which was unchanged
and unforsaken despite her great
agony at His death.

其他人對主的愛，就像臘一樣溶化或者逐漸消退，但是瑪麗亞愛耶穌的心卻是仍然強烈。
當她彎下腰來往墓裡面查看的時候，她哭了，因為她真的愛主。
當時她作了查看的努力時，在復活的主向她顯現的時候，就得到了獎賞。
這個人不是使徒彼得，雖然他已經有了天國的鑰匙，也不是約翰，是神所愛的門徒，也不是耶穌的母親瑪麗亞。
第一個耶穌在復活之後，第一個顯現的人是抹大拉的瑪麗亞，因為她對耶穌深沉的愛 - 
是一種不會改變，不會放棄的愛，雖然她對祂的死去，也有很大的憂傷。

Some claim to love Jesus, but
are selective about which of His
commands they want to obey. If our
love were as unwavering as Mary
Magdalene’s, we would obey all of
His commandments, and doubt none
(Jn 14:21). Then, when our Lord Jesus
comes again, we shall be like Mary,
filled with joy and pleasant surprise.
But if we are fickle or lukewarm in
our love, we will be like Judas, filled
with fear and shame.

有些人宣稱自已愛耶穌，但是卻對他的誡命作了選擇性的接受去遵守。
若是我們的愛，就像抹大拉的瑪麗亞一樣，不會像風浪一樣有所動搖，我們就會遵守祂所有的誡命，不會有任何的懷疑。(約 14：21)
然後，當我們的主耶穌再臨的時候，我們應該就像是瑪麗亞一樣，心中充滿了喜樂和愉快的驚喜。
但是，若我們的對神的愛變來變去，或是不夠熱心，我們將會像猶大一樣，最後充滿了畏懼和恥辱。

CONCLUSION—GAINING THE BENEFITS OF TRIALS 結論 - 得到試煉的好處

Let us learn from the examples of
Job, Mary Magdalene and Paul. We
ought to understand the Father’s
heart and trust His will. Refinement
through various trials rids us of
impure thoughts, and helps us
become like Christ. We are then truly
God’s children who can share in His
glory. No matter what sufferings
assault our faith, we should not leave
or stop loving the Lord. Instead, cling
to the promises of the Lord Jesus to
those who love Him. His promises are
true because He is the true God. Let
our love towards Him be true.

讓我們像約伯，抹大拉的瑪麗亞和保羅的例子來學習。
我們應該要了解父親的內心，並且要相信祂的旨意是好的。
經過各種試煉的一再經煉之後，可以除掉我們自已不純潔的思想，幫助我們可以變得像基督一樣。
那到時候，我們才可以真的變成神的孩子，才真的可以同享祂的榮耀。
不論我們遇到什麼樣子的苦難在攻擊我們的信仰，我們不應該離開神，或是停止我們愛主的心。
相反地，全心依靠主耶穌給那些愛祂之人的應許。
祂的應許是真實的，因為祂是真神。
也願我們愛祂的心變得更加真實。

小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com