4. Manna issue 88 - Keep Yourself in the Love of God 保守自已在主愛中
Simon Chin—Perth, Australia 澳大利亞伯斯 Simon Chin
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith,
praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God,
looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
(Jude 20–21)
20親愛的弟兄阿，你們卻要在至聖的真道上造就自己，在聖靈裡禱告，
21保守自己常在神的愛中，仰望我們主耶穌基督的憐憫，直到永生。
(猶 20-21)
Our life of faith begins when we come to know God
and accept that Jesus Christ is our only Savior,
by whose death and blood shed on the cross our sins are forgiven.
After repentance and baptism in Jesus’ name,
our life should transform from one of bad habits, sinful character and carnal lusts
to a life that is godly, sober and righteous
(Tit 2:11–13).
當我們認識神的時候，我們的信仰生活就開始了，
並接受耶穌基督是我們唯一的救主，
藉著祂的死與十字架流下的寶血，我們的罪孽得到赦免。
奉主耶穌的聖名悔改受洗之後，
我們的生活方式應該改變，從壞習慣，有罪惡的性格和肉體的慾望，
轉變而過著敬虔，清醒和公義的生活。
(多 2：11-13)
However, after accepting baptism and the saving grace of our Lord Jesus,
many of us lose sight of what a life of faith means, and our zeal declines.
We become lax in fearing God, keeping His commandments,
and submitting to Him as Ruler of our lives.
Instead, we rely on our own accomplishments, abilities,
wealth, careers, status and interpersonal relationships,
to live not by faith—as the Lord Jesus recommends—but by sight.
We may feel it is safe to relax and become more casual in our faith.
But what are the dangers of a casual faith?
但是，在接受了洗禮和主耶穌的救贖恩典之後，
我們中的許多人忽略了信仰生活的意義，而減少熱心。
我們鬆懈了敬畏神，遵守祂誡命，並沒有順服祂成為我們生命的主宰。
相反，我們依靠自己的成就，能力，
財富，職業，地位和人際關係，
並沒有以主耶穌所建議的那樣，靠信心生活，而是憑著眼見。
我們可能會感到放鬆很安全，在信仰上變得更加隨便。
但是，信仰隨便的態度有什麼危險呢？
THE DANGER OF DEPARTING 離開的危險
During Jesus’ ministry on earth,
there were some Jews who initially believed in Him,
but could not understand how the truth would set them free:
耶穌在世上事奉期間，
有些猶太人最初相信祂，
但卻無法理解真理將如何使他們自由：
They answered Him,
“We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone.
How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
(Jn 8:33)
33他們回答說：我們是亞伯拉罕的後裔，從來沒有作過誰的奴僕。你怎麼說你們必得自由呢？
(約 8：33)
They could not let go of their existing status as God’s elect,
and rejected Jesus’ teaching that they needed to abide in His word.
Later, when Jesus proclaimed,
“[B]efore Abraham was, I AM,”
they even took up stones to throw at Him
(Jn 8:31–58).
This shows that Jesus’ word had no place in them
(Jn 8:37).
他們不能放棄自已身為神選民的現有身份，
並拒絕了耶穌的教導，也就是他們需要遵守祂的話。
後來，當耶穌宣佈，
“ 58耶穌說：還沒有亞伯拉罕就有了我。”
59於是他們拿石頭要打他
（約 8：31–58）。
這表明他們內心容不下耶穌的話
（約 8:37）。
Like these Jews, who believed at first but eventually sought to stone Jesus,
there are believers in the church today who deny our Lord.
Although purchased with the blood of Christ,
they cut themselves off and depart from the fold.
They no longer fear God or submit to His sovereignty.
This is a sad outcome, for the grace of justification and sanctification unto eternal life
is no longer available to them:
就像這些猶太人一樣，
他們最初相信，但最後卻試圖用石頭打死耶穌，
今天教會裡有一些信徒，他們會否認我們的主。
雖是用基督寶血贖回的，
但他們隔絕自己，離開主的羊欄。
他們不再敬畏神，或仍順從神的主權。
這是一個可悲的結局，
其因信稱義成聖進入永生的恩典，不再對他們存在：
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,
and have tasted the heavenly gift,
and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance,
since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God,
and put Him to an open shame.
(Heb 6:4–6)
4論到那些已經蒙了光照、嘗過天恩的滋味、又於聖靈有分，
5並嘗過神善道的滋味、覺悟來世權能的人，
6若是離棄道理，就不能叫他們從新懊悔了。
因為他們把神的兒子重釘十字架，明明的羞辱他。
（來6：4–6）
How can we avoid this outcome and keep ourselves in God’s love?
我們要如何才能避免這樣的結果，保守自已在神的愛中呢？
TRIALS AND SUFFERING 試煉和苦難
Often, we are in danger of departing from God’s grace when we meet trials and tests,
and we struggle to trust in God.
If we do not fear the Lord with a reverent heart,
it will be difficult for us to accept trials or overcome suffering.
通常，當我們遇到試煉和考驗的時候，
就有面臨脫離神恩典的危險，
我們努力依靠神。
如果我們沒有懷敬虔的心敬畏主，
我們將很難接受試煉，或勝過苦難。
During his ministry, Paul suffered from a thorn in his flesh.
It was only by submitting to God and remaining faithful
that he was able to overcome the pain
that would stay with him for the rest of his life.
He prayed three times to God to remove the thorn,
but the Lord told him,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness”
(2 Cor 12:9).
This led him to declare:
傳道期間，保羅的肉體有一根刺而受苦。
他唯有順服神並保持忠心，
他才能夠克服這痛苦，
而這痛苦會跟隨他一生。
他三次向神禱告，求神移去這根刺，
但主告訴他，
“9我的恩典夠你用的，因為我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。”
（林後 12：9）。
這導致他大聲說：
Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs,
in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Cor 12:9b–10)
9所以，我更喜歡誇自己的軟弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。
10我為基督的緣故，就以軟弱、凌辱、急難、逼迫、困苦為可喜樂的；
因我甚麼時候軟弱，甚麼時候就剛強了。
(林後 12：9b-10)
This was how Paul remained faithful,
submitting to God’s divine sovereignty,
and keeping himself in the love of Christ
—the One who lived and died for him
(Gal 2:20).
這就是保羅保持忠心的方式，
順從神的神聖統治，
並保守自己在基督的愛中
-因為神就那人，為他而活，為他而死
(加 2:20）
A LIFE OF FAITH 信心的生活
While undergoing trials and suffering could potentially make us depart from Christ,
the reality is that we need to persevere even when life is going well.
How can we maintain a life of faith
that enables us to endure to the end and receive the salvation of our souls?
雖然遇到試煉和苦難，有可能使我們遠離基督，
現實是，即使生活順遂，我們也要堅持不懈。
我們要怎樣，才能維持信仰生活，
使我們能夠忍耐到底，並得到我們靈魂的救贖呢？
Seek and Know God through the Scriptures 讀聖經尋求神，認識神
While the Ethiopian eunuch traveled home from worshipping at the temple in Jerusalem,
he was reading the prophecy of Isaiah
(Acts 8:26–39).
He invited Philip to board his chariot and explain the passage:
埃提阿伯太監，上到耶路撒冷聖殿朝拜神，正在回家的時候，
他正在閱讀以賽亞先知書
（徒 8：26-39）。
他邀請腓利登上戰車，並解說這段話的意思：
“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth.”
(Acts 8:32b–33)
32他像羊被牽到宰殺之地，又像羊羔在剪毛的人手下無聲；他也是這樣不開口。
33他卑微的時候，人不按公義審判他（原文是他的審判被奪去）；
誰能述說他的世代，因為他的生命從地上奪去。
(徒 8：32b-33)
Starting from this Scripture,
Philip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch.
As they rode on, they came across a natural spring and the eunuch requested baptism.
Philip replied,
“If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
The eunuch answered,
“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God”
(Acts 8:37).
He had searched the Scriptures and found Jesus;
his faith was established on the word of God.
Such faith will endure.
從這段經文開始，
腓利（Philip）向埃提阿伯太監宣揚耶穌。
當他們車子繼續前進，他們遇到了一個天然的泉水，太監要求洗禮。
37腓利說：你若是一心相信，就可以。他回答說：我信耶穌基督是神的兒子。
（徒 8:37）
他查考聖經，找到了耶穌；
他的信仰是建立在神的話語上。
這樣的信念就會持久。
While we search the Scriptures,
we need to pray for the Holy Spirit to fill us with spiritual wisdom
(Jn 16:13; 1 Cor 2:13).
The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the word of salvation and know Jesus Christ,
whom we have believed.
The mystery of God’s word, revealed by the Holy Spirit,
grants us wisdom for salvation through faith
(2 Tim 3:15),
and it is shown to those who search the Scriptures and seek God with a pure heart
(Jer 29:13).
Those who find Christ Jesus shall know Him,
and be motivated by His love to live and die for Him
(Rom 14:7–8).
當我們查考聖經時，
需要禱告祈求聖靈充滿，使我們有屬靈的智慧
（約 16:13；林前 2:13）
聖靈幫助我們明白救恩的道理，認識我們相信的耶穌基督。
聖靈啟示了神話語的奧秘，通過信仰賞賜我們得救的智慧
（提後 3:15），
並向那些以純潔的心尋求神，查考聖經的人啟示
（耶 29:13）。
那些尋求基督耶穌的人，將會認識他，
並被他的愛所激勵，為祂而活，為祂而死
（羅 14：7-8）。
Through the revelation of the Holy Spirit,
the apostle Paul learned the hidden wisdom of God
—how Christ’s death on the cross redeems men from sin and grants salvation grace
(1 Cor 2:4–10).
Knowing Christ deeply is how Paul remained steadfast when facing trials:
通過聖靈的啟示，
使徒保羅明白了神隱藏的智慧
—就是基督在十字架上的死，如何拯救人類脫離罪惡，並賜下救恩
（林前 2：4-10）。
深刻地認識基督，是保羅遇到考驗時，如何保持堅定不移：
For this reason I also suffer these things;
nevertheless I am not ashamed,
for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep
what I have committed to Him until that Day.
(2 Tim 1:12)
12為這緣故，我也受這些苦難。
然而我不以為恥；
因為知道我所信的是誰，
也深信他能保全我所交付他的（或作：他所交託我的），直到那日。
(提後 1：12)
Fear God and Keep His Commandments 敬畏神，遵守戒命
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.
(Eccl 12:13b–14)
13敬畏神，謹守他的誡命，這是人所當盡的本分（或譯：這是眾人的本分）。
14因為人所做的事，連一切隱藏的事，無論是善是惡，神都必審問。
(傳 12：13b-14)
This was King Solomon’s conclusion in the Book of Ecclesiastes,
written after a lifelong quest for wisdom.
Jesus is the Judge,
who will appear on the last day with His angels to execute His righteous judgment,
and recompense each individual for what he has done.
The righteous shall rise to everlasting life,
and the wicked to everlasting punishment.
這是所羅門王在傳道書中的結論，
畢生追求智慧之後，所寫下的書信。
耶穌是審判官，
將在末日與天使一同出現，執行祂公義的審判，
並依造每個人所做的事情，給予報應。
義人必復活得永生，
惡人要遭受永遠的刑罰。
However, some believers forget this and live as though they will not face judgment
—they lack the fear of God and go on to commit sins of sexual immorality and covetousness,
yielding to the lust of their flesh and love of this world.
When this happens, they are unable to continue in the saving grace of Christ Jesus;
they have despised His divine mercy and submitted to sin,
making them enemies of the cross.
但是，有些信徒忘記了這一點，過著好像不會面對審判的生活
-他們缺乏對神的敬畏，並繼續犯下姦淫和貪婪的罪行，
屈服於他們的肉慾和愛世界的心。
發生這種情況時，他們無法繼續保守在基督耶穌的救贖恩典中；
他們輕視了祂天國的慈悲，順服罪惡，
使他們成為十字架的敵人。
Joseph is a good example of one who feared God throughout his life.
In Egypt, when his master’s wife attempted to seduce him,
he rejected her advances, saying,
“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
(Gen 39:9b).
Out of fear of the Lord, Joseph fled from her,
leaving behind his garment that was later used to falsely accuse him of impropriety.
When he was imprisoned, Joseph found favor with the jailer and interpreted the dream of Pharaoh’s cupbearer.
It was only after two years that the cupbearer remembered Joseph
and recommended that he interpret Pharaoh’s dreams.
This turn of events brought Joseph to the height of power within the Egyptian government,
second only to Pharaoh himself.
約瑟是一個好榜樣，一生敬畏神。
在埃及，當主人的妻子試圖引誘他的時候，
他拒絕了她的進逼，說：
“我怎能作這大惡，得罪神呢？”
（創 39：9b）。
出於敬畏耶和華，約瑟逃離了她，
留下了他的衣服，後來被用來誣告他行為不當。
當他被囚禁時，約瑟得到獄卒的疼愛，並為法老的酒政解夢。
僅在兩年後，酒政想起了約瑟。
並建議用他來為法老解夢。
這一連串的事件，使約瑟進入埃及政府內部的最高權力，
僅次於法老本人。
Up until this point, Joseph had suffered many misfortunes,
beginning with his brothers selling him as a slave to Egypt.
Yet, he did not take revenge on his brothers when he was in the position to do so.
His fear of the Lord remained.
He knew that the Lord had sent him to Egypt to preserve life and a posterity for his brothers,
so they would not perish in the famine
(Gen 45:3–8).
到此時為止，約瑟遇到了許多不幸，
一開始，他的兄弟們把他賣作埃及的奴隸。
然而，當他有能力報仇的時候，並沒有對他的眾兄弟這麼作。
他仍保有對主的敬畏。
他知道，神差遣他去埃及，為要保全他們眾兄弟的生命和後代，
這樣他們才不會在飢荒中滅亡
（創 45：3-8）。
After their father, Jacob, died,
the brothers were afraid that Joseph would take revenge for the evil they had done to him.
But Joseph said:
在他們父親雅各死後，
眾兄弟很擔心，約瑟會因為他們之前的惡行而報仇。
但是約瑟夫說：
“Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?
But as for you, you meant evil against me;
but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day,
to save many people alive.
Now therefore, do not be afraid;
I will provide for you and your little ones.”
And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
(Gen 50:19–21)
19約瑟對他們說：不要害怕，我豈能代替神呢？
20從前你們的意思是要害我，但神的意思原是好的，要保全許多人的性命，成就今日的光景。
21現在你們不要害怕，我必養活你們和你們的婦人孩子。於是約瑟用親愛的話安慰他們。
(創 50：19-21)
Joseph had the favor of God
because he feared Him and did not succumb to vengeance and the desires of the flesh.
He departed from evil
(Prov 3:7).
For believers who lack the fear of God,
they find themselves unable to forgive those who have wronged or spoken unkindly to them.
In some cases, the hurt can cause them to lose faith in Jesus.
They may even entertain thoughts of repaying evil with evil.
To harbor such hatred is akin to murder
(1 Jn 3:15),
and can lead them to practice unrighteousness.
Such believers doubt that God will judge righteously, and defend their cause,
and may even depart from the faith.
約瑟得到神的恩惠，
因為他敬畏神，不屈服於復仇和肉體的慾望。
他脫離了邪惡
（箴 3：7）
對於缺乏敬畏神之心的信徒，
他們發現，自己不能原諒那些錯怪他們，或對他們言詞不友善。
在某些情況下，傷害可能會使他們對耶穌失去信心。
他們甚至可能會想要以惡報惡。
若懷有這種仇恨的心態，就好像謀殺人一樣
（約壹 3:15）
並可能導致他們有不義的行為。
這種信徒會懷疑神有公正的審判，並為他們的案子辯護，
而且甚至可能離開信仰。
But for those who fear God, Elder Peter’s words are instructive:
但是對於那些敬畏神的人，長老彼得的話很有啟發性：
For this is commendable,
if because of conscience toward God one endures grief,
suffering wrongfully.
For what credit is it if,
when you are beaten for your faults,
you take it patiently?
But when you do good and suffer,
if you take it patiently,
this is commendable before God.
For to this you were called,
because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example,
that you should follow His steps.
(1 Pet 2:19–21)
19倘若人為叫良心對得住神，就忍受冤屈的苦楚，這是可喜愛的。
20你們若因犯罪受責打，能忍耐，有甚麼可誇的呢？但你們若因行善受苦，能忍耐，這在神看是可喜愛的。
21你們蒙召原是為此；因基督也為你們受過苦，給你們留下榜樣，叫你們跟隨他的腳蹤行。
(彼前 ：19-21)
Furthermore, if we leave all judgment to the righteous and faithful God,
we would pursue good in all circumstances:
再者，如果我們將一切審判，留給公義忠實的神，
我們將在任何情況下，都追求良善：
Repay no one evil for evil.
Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves,
but rather give place to wrath;
for it is written,
“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Rom 12:17–21)
17不要以惡報惡；眾人以為美的事要留心去做。
18若是能行，總要盡力與眾人和睦。
19親愛的弟兄，不要自己伸冤，寧可讓步，聽憑主怒（或作：讓人發怒）；因為經上記著：主說：伸冤在我；我必報應。
20所以，你的仇敵若餓了，就給他吃，若渴了，就給他喝；因為你這樣行就是把炭火堆在他的頭上。
21你不可為惡所勝，反要以善勝惡。
(羅 12：17-21)
Honor God and Submit to His Sovereignty 榮耀神，順服祂的權柄
[T]here is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him;
and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.”
(1 Cor 8:6)
6然而我們只有一位神，就是父，萬物都本於他；
我們也歸於他─並有一位主，就是耶穌基督─萬物都是藉著他有的；我們也是藉著他有的。
(林前 8：6)
Jesus, whom we serve with all our heart, is the Lord of life.
He is the way, the truth and the life
(Jn 14:6)
—the God who is Sovereign over all creation.
我們全心全意服事的耶穌，是生命之主。
他是道路，真理和生命
（約 14：6）
-神是超乎一切受造之物的主宰。
If we are to be victorious, we must fear God and submit to His sovereignty.
In Revelation, Elder John recounts his vision of those
who were victorious over the beast.
They were standing on the sea of glass mingled with fire,
holding harps and singing:
如果我們要得到勝利，就必須敬畏神，並服從祂的權柄。
在啟示錄中，約翰長老在異象中，講述了那些能勝過野獸的人。
他們站在冒著火的玻璃海上，
彈豎琴和唱聖歌：
“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints!
Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy,
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”
(Rev 15:3b–4)
3主神─全能者阿，你的作為大哉！奇哉！萬世（或作：國）之王阿，你的道途義哉！誠哉！
4主阿，誰敢不敬畏你，不將榮耀歸與你的名呢？因為獨有你是聖的。
萬民都要來在你面前敬拜，因你公義的作為已經顯出來了。
(啟 15：3b-4)
These victorious saints had the peace of Christ Jesus ruling in their hearts,
having yielded to God’s sovereignty.
這些勝利的聖徒，他們內心有基督耶穌帶領而得到平安，
順服神的權柄。
Peter and Paul led lives of faith and submission,
despite imprisonment and persecution during their ministry
(Acts 12:4, 16:24–25).
They endured hunger and thirst, and were misunderstood,
falsely accused and reproached by fellow brethren
(2 Cor 12:10).
Eventually, they were martyred for the word of God.
But they were victorious, and kept their faith till the end.
彼得和保羅過著信仰和服從的生活，
儘管傳福音的期間，受到監禁和逼迫
（徒 12：4，16：24-25）。
他們忍受了飢渴，受到誤解，
被許多同胞不實的指控和責備
（林後 12:10）
最終，他們為神的道理而殉難。
但是他們得到了勝利，將自己的信仰一直堅持到最後。
Knowing that his death was imminent,
Paul submitted fully to God’s path for him, writing:
知道他的死即將來到，
保羅完全順服神的旨意，寫下了：
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day,
and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
(2 Tim 4:6–8)
6我現在被澆奠，我離世的時候到了。
7那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了。
8從此以後，有公義的冠冕為我存留，就是按著公義審判的主到了那日要賜給我的；不但賜給我，也賜給凡愛慕他顯現的人。
(提後 4：6-8)
When Agabus prophesied how chains and imprisonment awaited Paul in Jerusalem,
the brethren pleaded with Paul not to embark on his onward journey.
Paul replied:
當亞迦布（Agabus）預言，保羅在耶路撒冷如何受到鎖鍊和監禁時，
許多弟兄懇求保羅不要繼續往前的旅程。
保羅回答：
“What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart?
For I am ready not only to be bound,
but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
(Acts 21:13)
13保羅說：你們為甚麼這樣痛哭，使我心碎呢？
我為主耶穌的名，不但被人捆綁，就是死在耶路撒冷也是願意的。
(徒 21：13)
This was Paul’s submissiveness to the sovereignty of Jesus Christ,
the Lord of his life.
這就是保羅對耶穌基督，生命之主權柄的順服。
CONCLUSION 結論
If we do not submit to God’s sovereignty over our lives,
then we are probably not living according to His divine will.
Without submission, we cannot be victorious.
如果我們在自已的生活起居中，不能順服神的權柄，
那麼我們可能就是沒有按照祂天國的旨意而生活。
若沒有順服，就不能得勝。
To remain in the love of God and endure until eternal life,
we must seek Him, know Him through the Scriptures,
fear Him and keep His commandments, and submit to His sovereignty.
Let us look to God’s grace and trust in His righteous judgment,
as we serve Him as the Lord of our life.
If we do this, rest assured,
His grace will bear in us the fruit of salvation when the time comes.
要保守在神的愛中，並忍耐直到永生來到，
我們就必須尋找祂，通過讀聖經認識祂，
敬畏祂，遵守祂的誡命，順服祂的權柄。
讓我們仰望神的恩典，和信任祂公義的審判，
我們服事神，認祂作為我們生命的主宰。
如果我們這樣做，就能放心了，
時機成熟時，祂的恩典將在我們身上結出救恩的果實。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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