Manna issue 71 - The Road to Perfection 通往完美之路
It’s possible if we rely on God. 若我們依靠神就有可能
F.F. Chong—London, UK 英國倫敦 張福華 傳道
Human nature is generally fallible
and susceptible to external influence.
Try as we might, whether we are an
ordained minister or just a believer,
achieving Christ-like perfection
sometimes seems to be an impossible
dream. Worse, we live in a world
where corruption is the norm. Waning
spiritual sobriety then exposes us to a
spectrum of allurements, making it
doubly hard for us to attain spiritual
perfection.
人類的天性通常容易犯錯，並且受到外在的影響。
若儘我們可能的去嘗試，不論我們是被按立的長執，或只是一個信徒，
要達到像基督一樣的完美，有時候看起來好像是一個不可能的夢想。
更糟的是，我們身處世界之中，敗壞本來就是必然之事。
維持屬靈的警醒，然後再把自已放在全是引誘的環境之中，
對我們而言，要持守靈命的完美是雙重的困難。
Despite such gloomy prospects,
Christ offers us the most uplifting
promises. We are told that as
Christians we can become perfect.
We are reassured that with God’s
help, the impossible will be made
possible. The road to perfection,
though long, can be completed—not
by puny human strength or will, but
by yielding completely to the Spirit
for empowerment and by following
His word. Above all else, we must
constantly long for the mercy of
our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal
life. Based on this premise, we strive
toward perfection.
雖然有此悲觀的看法，但基督卻給我們最有希望的應許。
我們知道，身為基督徒，是可以達到完美的境界。
有神的幫助，我們再次得到保証，不可能的事也會變得有可能。
通往完美的道路，雖然要走很久，是有可能達成的 -
但不是靠著人類微不足道的力量或意志，而是靠著聖靈的能力及遵守神的話，才能遠到完美。
最重要的是，我們必須要持續渴望主耶穌基督的慈愛，直到永生的來臨。
因為有這些應許，我們努力朝向完全的道路奔跑。
The Law of God is the foundation
on which we build ourselves
unto perfection. In particular,
Deuteronomy 10:12 points to
the very means to help us attain
perfection: to fear God, love Him,
walk in His ways, and serve Him with
all our heart and soul. Revisiting and
understanding the elements in this
Mosaic instruction will serve as the
signposts on our road to perfection.
神的律法就是我們可以把自已完美建立的根基。
特別是，申命記十章12節指出，能幫助我們達到完美最有效的方法：
就是要敬畏神，愛祂，走在祂的路上，全心全意來服事祂。
重新再看一次這項摩西的指示，並且好好了解其中的基本的原則，
將會是我們在通往完美境界道路上的指標。
THROUGH THE FEAR OF GOD 透過敬畏神
In the book of Proverbs, we are told
that the fear of God leads us away
from evil (Prov 3:7b). The Hebrew
word for “fear” (yare) has also
been translated as “revere” which
we generally associate with a deep
respect and awe. As humans, we are
wont to pay little heed to people we
do not respect. In contrast, we often
seek to draw near to and emulate
those whom we admire. Clearly then,
when reverence for God is a natural
part of our lives, we will gradually
move towards perfection and away
from evil because God and evil are
two opposing forces that cannot
coexist in our hearts. Loving one
means hating the other. If we allow
evil to gain a foothold in our lives,
it will erode godly reverence and
eventually destroy our spiritual life.
箴言中，我們知道敬畏神可以遠離惡事。(箴 3：7b)
希伯來文"敬畏"(yare)，也可以翻譯成"尊敬"，
這就是我們通常所熟悉，深深的尊敬及畏懼。
身為人，我們習慣不留意那些我們不尊敬的人。
相對地，我們常常尋找機會來靠近及效法那些我們敬仰的人。
那麼很明顯的就是，當敬畏神成為我們生活中自然而然的一部份時，
我們就會漸漸地向完全靠近，遠離邪惡，因為神和邪惡是對立的力量，不能同時在我們的內心存在。
愛一個就會厭惡另一個。
若我們允許惡在生活中有一席之地，
它就會腐蝕對神的尊敬，最後摧毀了我們的靈命。
To protect our hearts from evil,
we first need to understand why we
should fear God. God is our Savior.
He saved us from this world of
corruption. He has given us all things
pertaining to life and godliness,
enabling us to be partakers of the
divine nature (2 Pet 1:3–4). Since
He has paid the heaviest of prices
and traded His life for ours, it is only
natural and necessary for us to revere
this Master of our lives. Fearing Him
is our duty (Eccl 12:13). Yet if sin
dominates us, our lives, which were
meant to be kept in Him, would be
detached from His (Col 3:1–3).
要保求內心遠離邪惡，首先要了解為什麼我們要敬畏神。
神是我們的救主。
祂救我們脫離這個世上的敗壞。
祂也已經給我們一切能維持生命和聖潔的力量，
讓我們可以分享神聖的本質。(彼後 1：3-4)
因為祂已經為了收穫付了工價，以祂自已的生命來交換我們的生命，
我們自然而然需要來敬重自已生命的主人。
敬畏祂是我們的責任。(傳 12：13)
然而若是罪主宰了我們和我們的生命，
而這些本來就是屬於神的，我們就會祂分離。
Fearing God also means that we
do not compromise God’s principles.
Only then can the fear of God reign
supreme in our lives and truly help us
to know and understand Him (Prov
1:7; 9:10). Knowing God, in turn, will
help us navigate through this life. In
this way, we build ourselves upon the
foundation of the truth to become
perfect.
敬畏神也代表了，我們不會去妥協神的原則。
只有這樣，敬畏神的力量才會成為我們生活中的主宰，
真正幫我們了認識了解祂。(箴 1：7；9：10)
認識神，回過頭來，就會幫助我們在生活中找到方向。
只有這樣，我們才把自已建立在真理的根基上，並且才會變的完美。
THROUGH LOVE FOR GOD 因著神的愛而為神付出
The word for love (aheb) is associated
with affection. Everyone enjoys
being the recipient of heart-warming
affection. It is also fairly easy to give
our affection to a person we can see.
However, to love the Lord whom
we cannot see may be difficult;
and constitutes an even greater
challenge when we cannot perceive
His presence in our lives. While we
may say we love the Lord, but at the
most critical point, it is moot unless
we can actually manifest this love.
In the Old Testament, the house of
Jacob, in their ignorance, practiced
idolatry because they could neither
see the Lord nor experience His help
in time of trials. In contrast, the saints
in persecution manifested a very
different and unique love for Jesus
whom they had never seen before (1
Pet 1:8). The depth of their love for
God was unshaken by the severity of
the trial in which they were.
愛這個字(aheb)是和情感有關係的字。
大家都喜歡成為能感受到內心溫暖愛的接受者。
對我們來說，要把我們的情感給自已看得到的人，是相當容易的。
然而，要愛我們看不到的主，或許就很困難了；
當我們在生活中無法察覺到祂的存在時，甚至就成為一種更大的挑戰。
當然我們或許會說，我們愛主，但在最重要的時刻，
除非我們可以實際表現出這個愛，不然是沒有實際意義的。
舊約中，雅各的家中，在無知的時候，作了拜偶像的事，
因為他們即不能看見神，也不能在受到試煉的時候，體驗到祂的幫助。
相反地，聖經在受迫害的時候表現非尚的不同，顯露為耶穌獨特的愛，
而耶穌他們以前重來沒有看過。(彼前 1：8)
他們為神愛的深度，不會因為身處在試煉中嚴重的程度，而有所動搖。
How can we build up such a
strong love for our Lord? The central
message of God’s word is that
whatever God does is for our good
(Ps 136), although it may be difficult
sometimes to accept His word
because it contradicts our stubborn
will. However, faith can do wonders.
Practicing His word by faith unlocks
the power contained within, filling
our heart with His love and great
understanding.
我們要如何為主，建立起如此強烈的愛呢？
神話語的中心訊息是，無論神作了什麼事，都是為了我們好。(詩 136)
有時候要接受祂的話，可能很困雖，因為那和我們愚頑的意志互相矛盾。
然而，信心就能產生奇跡。
用信心實行祂的話，就能開啟其中所隱藏的力量，
讓祂的愛和大智慧充滿我們的心。
Some find the word of God
restrictive. But those who love God
see His kind intention embedded in
His word. Similarly, a young person
often finds it difficult to perceive
the loving intention underpinning
parental control over him or her.
However, one grown into maturity
understands that deep love is the
underlying reason for parental
guardianship. Thus, for us who
know God, abiding in His word is
the most concrete expression of love
for the Lord. If we do so without
any hesitation, but with sincere
submission to His will, we will find
that His yoke is easy (Mt 11:30). In
short, when we resolve to love God,
we are actually working towards
perfection.
有些人覺得神的話讓人很拘束。
但那些愛神的人，會清楚知道在祂話語中，所隱含慈善的意念。
同樣地，年輕人常很難來察覺，在父母嚴格管教之下，所隱含其中慈愛的本意。
然而，一個人一旦成人了，就明白父母嚴格管教之下的原因，是因為有深深的愛。
因此，我們這些認識神的人，時常與祂的話同在，
就是一種我們愛神方式中，最具體的表達方式。
若我們沒有遲疑這麼作了，對祂的話也真誠的順服，
我們就會發弄，他的擔子是輕省的。(太 11：30)
總之，當我們決心愛神，事實上我就在逐漸變得完美。
BY WALKING IN HIS WAY 走在祂的路上。
God’s way is the best way. This is not
a mere theory or slogan. It is a way
of life and the only way to be blessed
in the Lord (Ps 1:1–2; 128:1b). But
as always, it is much easier said than
done. Sometimes, we may even find
it suffocating to walk in God’s way
because our obstinate human nature
with its natural tendency to sin
wages a constant campaign to turn
us against God.
神的路才是最好的道路。
這不僅是理論或是口號。
這是生命的道路，只有這個路才會在主裡受祝福。(詩 1：1-2；128：1b)
但是就像以前常常發生的事情一樣，說總是比作容易。
有時候，我們或許甚至會發現，走在神的路上令人感覺呼吸困難，
因為我們頑固的人性，與生具來就自然會來犯罪，興起一連患的對抗行為，讓我們與神為敵。
So how can we wholeheartedly walk
in God’s way? Prophet and apostle
alike give us the same answer—we
must reorder our lives completely and
purge ourselves from all corruption
(Jas 1:21; 1 Pet 2:1). There are two
ways that purging can be done. First,
we can initiate it ourselves. James
4:7–10 provides us with useful and
very practical pointers – cleansing
our hands (i.e., abandoning our past
vile habits and conduct); purifying
our hearts (i.e., turning our minds
back to God); humbling ourselves
(i.e., acknowledging that we cannot
overcome our weaknesses on our
own and thus relying on Him). Then,
when we have purged ourselves of
hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,
out of our clean heart and steadfast
spirit (Ps 51:10) will flow sincerity and
uprightness, incessant thanksgiving
to God for all that He gives and
words of grace to everyone in all
circumstances.
那麼我們要如何能夠全心全意走在主的路上呢？
先知和使徒都一樣給了我們相同的答案 -
我們比較完全重新再組織自已的生活，潔淨自已免於其他一切敗壞的事物。(雅 1：21；彼前 2：1)
有二種潔淨自已的方式可以作。
首先，我們可以自已開始潔淨自已。
雅各書四章7-10節提供我們有用及非常實際的指標 - 潔淨自已的雙手
(這就是說，放棄過去邪惡的壞習慣和行為)；
潔淨內心(這就是說，把我們的心思意念重新轉向神)；
謙卑自已(這是，承認我們靠著自已的能力，不能克服自已的弱點，因此需要依靠祂)。
然後，當我們已經清除了自已的虛偽，嫉妒，和全部邪惡的話語，
從我們清潔的內心及不變的想法中，會流露出真誠，正直，及對神不停的感謝，
因為他賞賜的一切和恩典的話語，讓每個人在個樣的環境之中都受用。
Second, on occasions that our
Lord recognizes the need for us to
be purged before we do, He puts
us through trials. Trials enable us to
grow to know the Lord and ourselves
better. Pushed to the end of our road,
we realize that God is the only One
we can rely on. In the midst of our
suffering, we are compelled to take a
careful and honest look at ourselves.
When we do that, we shall be able
to identify the many blemishes that
continue to separate us from our Holy
God. Once identified, we humbly
ask for His mercy and forgiveness,
as well as the strength to overcome
these weaknesses. This is not unlike
emerging from the great tribulation
with our robes washed clean in His
blood (Rev 7:14). We become perfect
in the eyes of God by the grace of His
forgiveness. This is most precious of
all.
第二，有時候，在我們自已發現之前，主就認為我們有需要被潔淨，所以他就讓我們經歷試煉。
試煉讓我們可以成長，可以認識主，可以讓我們變得更好。
一路上被迫走到了我們路的盡頭，我們知道，神才是唯一我們可以依靠的。
在我們受苦當中，我們被迫去小心檢視自已，誠實的面對自已。
當我們這麼作的時候，我們就應該能夠發現許多瑕疵，而這些瑕疵卻一直讓我們和聖潔的神分離。
一旦發現了，就謙卑祈求祂的憐憫和繞恕，並且也祈求神加添力量來克服這些弱點。
這和啟示錄所描述，那些從大患難中出來的人，穿著以耶穌寶血洗淨的白袍，是沒有什麼不同的。
我們因為祂赦罪的恩典，在神眼中變得完全。
這才是世上一切事情之中，最為珍貴的。
Walking in God’s way requires great
trust. Although we acknowledge the
need for purging, there are times we
are not quite able to see why we
have to suffer. We are not the first
and certainly will not be the last to
struggle and doubt (Ps 73:2–4; 77:1–
3; Hab 1:1–3). Indeed, adversities
are particularly unbearable when
the solution we long for is not
forthcoming although we have
asked for wisdom from the Lord. This
seriously tests our determination to
follow the Lord’s way. Through these
times, we must cling on to God’s
promises that He knows what we are
going through and that He intends
it for our good. Paul is a sterling
exemplar to us in such a situation (cf.
2 Cor 12:7–10).
走在神的路上，需要有極大的信賴。
雖然我們承認有需要被潔淨，但有很多時候，我們實在是不能明白，為什麼我們一定要受苦。
我們即不會是第一個人，也一定不會是最後一個人，有這種掙扎和質疑的。(詩 73：2-4；77：1-3；哈 1：1-3)
甚至，當苦難似乎是令人難以忍受，而我們期盼的解決方案卻又遙遙無期，雖然我們已經求主給智慧了。
這種情況真是很嚴格的測試我們跟從主路走的決心。
遇到這些測試的時候，我們一定要緊緊依靠神的應許，相信祂知道我們所經歷的事，並且祂的本意是為了我們好。
保羅就是在這種情況之中，對我們而言最好的典範。(cf. 林後 12：7-10)
THROUGH WHOLEHEARTED SERVICE TO GOD 對神全心全意的服事
Serving God is a grace that none is
worthy to receive. Those who have
come to this realization humbly
declare that God granted them the
great privilege to serve Him out of
His mercy (Rom 12:1; 2 Cor 4:1;
Eph 3:8). Serving God goes beyond
the physical aspect of executing the
assigned tasks. Our characters are
revealed in the course of rendering
service to God. Pride and jealousy
– the dark aspects of human nature
– easily surface when the heart and
motivation to serve are not right
before God.
服事神是一種恩典，而這種恩典是沒有人配得的。
那些明白這一點的人，會謙卑的說，神因為祂的慈愛，所以給了他們最大的特權，就是可以服事祂。(羅 12：1；林後 4：1；弗 3：8)
服事神本身，不像是執行指定的任務 只有物質方面的意義而已，而是超越物質之上。
我們的本性，在服事神的事上一路走過來，就會顯明出來。
驕傲和嫉妒 - 人性的黑暗面 - 當服事的內心和感動在神面前並不純正的時候，就很容易浮現出來。
How should we serve God? Besides
putting in our best effort, serving
God wholeheartedly must include the
willingness to correct ourselves before
God and others. This is particularly
important for those who occupy
leadership positions in the church as
they are under the scrutiny of the
whole church. Since every human
errs prior to reaching perfection, it
becomes a stiff challenge for us to
recognize when we have erred, and
be willing to humbly confess our
errors and imperfections. Though
extremely hurtful to the ego, it is
nevertheless a requisite step to be
taken if we are to spiritually benefit
and grow.
我們應該如何服事神呢？
除了投入我們最好的精力之外，全心服事神一定要包含，在神和別人面前，願意去糾正自已。
對那些坐在領導位置的人，這是特別重要的事，因為他們需要面對全教會的檢視。
然而每個人在達到完美之前，都會犯罪，對我們來說，要意識到自已已經犯錯了，
並且願意謙卑下來，承認自已的錯誤和不完美，就成為一種嚴厲的挑戰。
雖然這樣很傷害自尊，然而，若我們想要靈性得到造就，可以成長，這就是要採用的必要步驟。
Most importantly, serving God is
preparing ourselves to see the face of
our Master, Jesus Christ (Lk 12:40).
We tend to slack in the pursuit of
perfection when accountability is not
demanded. Knowing that we shall
be called to account for our service
to Him will make us give the highest
priority to preparing ourselves
according to His will (cf. Lk 12:46–
48). Accountability in service impels
us to right ourselves from wrongs
and do all things for God and God
alone.
最重要的是，服事神也是準備自已，來見主人，耶穌基督，的面。(路 12：40)
當沒有必要負責的時候，我們就很容易疏忽了。
意識到，自已應該要傳喚，並為自已服事祂的事負責時，就會讓我們能跟據祂的旨意，以最優先的心態來準備自已。(cf. 路 12：46-48)
在服事主的事上負責任，會強迫我們自已改邪歸正，為主作一切的事，並單單只為主一人(神)而已。
CONCLUSION 結論
To strive towards perfection is a
lifelong endeavor encompassing
every conceivable facet of our
existence. Although perfection may
appear to be a goal beyond human
reach, it becomes attainable if we
abide in Christ, rely on the power
of the Spirit and earnestly cultivate
ourselves.
要努力朝向完美的情況，是一生之久所需要的努力，包含了我們存在的每一個面向。
雖然要達到完美，對一個人來說，可能是一個很難達到的目標，
若我們與基督同在，就變成可以達成了，
依靠聖靈的能力，認真迫切的靈修自已。
We must make a conscientious
effort to fear Him, knowing that He
is our Savior. The wisdom to keep
ourselves from falling into temptation
comes from knowing His word and
having a heart of reverence for Him.
我們一定要認真小心的來敬畏祂，
並且知道，祂是我們的救主。
讓我們自已不會掉落引誘的智慧，
來自於認識祂的話語，並且在內心存心尊敬祂。
God’s love for us is revealed in His
word. Being able to understand His
word thoroughly puts us in good stead
to perfect ourselves in pleasing and
loving Him in return. Unquestionably,
pleasing Him by walking in His way
will be challenging, especially when
things do not go our way and may
even seem to work against us. In such
situations, absolute trust in God is
imperative. Afflictions should not turn
us away from God, but should instead
guide us to examine ourselves and
consequently to change our ways. If
we have examined ourselves but still
cannot at the moment understand
why we are being afflicted, let us
still count it all as joy for His grace is
sufficient always.
神對我們的愛，顯明在祂的話中。
能夠全部了解祂的話，讓我們能得到益處來潔淨自已，讓神喜悅，並且以愛來回報祂。
毫無疑問地，以走在祂的道路上來取悅祂，將會有許多挑戰，
特別是事情沒辨法順著我們意的時候，甚至或許會跟我們唱反調。
在這樣的情況下，絕對相信神是必要的。
困苦不會讓我們來離開神，但相反的，會讓我們來檢視自已，接著改變自已的路。
若我們已經自我反省，但是仍然不能在當下了解，為什麼我們會受苦，
讓我們仍然把一切視作一種喜稅，因為他的恩典總是夠用。
It is important to remember that
fearing and loving God are not
options on a checklist to be picked;
they are inseparable. Our hearts are
right before God when we keep His
commandments not only because
we fear punishment, but because we
love and respect Him deeply. Righting
our hearts before God will also make
our service to Him acceptable. This
in turn prepares us for the coming
of Christ, enabling us to confidently
and joyfully give an account of our
service to Him.
很重要的是要記住，敬畏神和愛神並不是名單上的選項，讓你去勾選；
他們是同時不可分開的。
我們的內心就在神面前清清楚楚的，當我們遵守祂的誡命，不只因為我們害怕神的處罰，反而是我們深深愛祂，而且非常敬重祂，
在神面前內心保持正真，也會讓我們對祂的服事得到悅納。
這樣反過來，就是在幫助我們準備基督的再臨，
讓我們能夠有信心，很快樂地把自已的服事祂的一切作為，向神清楚的報告。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)