5. Manna issue 91 - A Faith-building Moment: Crisis, Truth And Prayer 建立信仰的時刻：危機，真理，祈禱
FF Chong—London, UK 英國敦倫 FF Chong
We are living in an extremely uncertain time.
The current pandemic rages on, and the havoc wrought by COVID-19 surging
—and resurging
—in many countries is horrifying.
Each new wave brings more cases and deaths than the one before,
grinding the world’s strongest economies to a veritable halt.
Millions in the wealthiest countries struggle
to put food on the table or keep a roof over their heads.
In some of the most scientifically-advanced nations,
the COVID-19 death toll has risen exponentially.
我們生活在一個極其不確定的時代。
當前疫情盡情肆虐，新冠病毒造成的破壞激增，
—並且一再重新出現，
—在許多國家非常可怕。
每出現新的一波，都比以前帶來更多病例和死亡人數，
使世界上最強大的經濟體，真正陷入停頓。
最富裕國家有數百萬人生活苦苦掙扎，
為了有食物擺放桌上，或是他們頭上有屋頂遮掩。
有一些科學最發達的國家，
新冠病毒死亡人數呈現指數增長。
Science is integral to humanity’s survival
but cannot eradicate every threat.
The scientific community may be hailing the huge breakthrough of vaccine development in an exceptionally short time,
but it will take a considerable period to inoculate the whole world.
So, while there is light at the end of the tunnel,
it is an indisputably long tunnel.
科學是人類生存不可或缺的一部分，
但科學卻不能根除所有威脅。
科學界可能會極短時間內，有疫苗開發的巨大突破而歡呼，
但要給全世界接種疫苗，需要一段不短的時間。
所以，雖然隧道盡頭已有微光，
無可爭議地，這是一條很長的隧道。
Recent reports further overshadow celebrations over the vaccine development:
more transmissible variants of the virus have been discovered
in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, and, most recently, India;
and more will undoubtedly appear before this pandemic is over.
Medical science must now contend with these viral mutations.
Frighteningly, new viruses are emerging from the largest forests in Africa and other continents.
If one of these new contagions takes hold in the human population,
no one can predict the devastation the next pandemic could cause.
Indeed, this is a crisis that besets all humanity, Christians and non-Christians alike.
最近的報告進一步給疫苗開發的慶祝活動蒙上了陰影：
已經發現有更多可傳播的變種病毒，
在英國、南非、巴西、以及最近在印度；
在疫情結束之前，無疑還會有更多病毒出現。
醫學科研現在必須應對這些病毒突變。
令人恐懼的是，新病毒正從非洲和其他大陸最大的森林中出現。
如果有一種這些新的傳染病在人群中蔓延，
沒人可以夠預測，下次疫情可能造成的破壞。
的確，這是一場困擾全人類的危機，無論是基督徒還是非基督徒都要面對。
Besides the threat to health and livelihoods,
the pandemic has also made daily living since 2020 more challenging.
Most, if not all, of us have had to cope with
school closures, restriction of movement, and the banning of gathering for worship
—the timings of which can be unpredictable.
Nevertheless, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Our Lord Jesus has long warned us that pestilences will increase
(Mt 24:7).
We must be prepared to face these,
knowing that His second advent is closer than when we first believed.
除了健康和生計有威脅之外，
自 2020 年以來，這疫情也使日常生計更加困難。
即使如果不是全部人，我們中大多數的人，仍不得不要加以應對，
學校停課、行動受限制和禁止聚會禮拜，
—其時間可能無法事先預測。
然而，形勢越困難的時候，堅強的人更加迎接挑戰。
我們的主耶穌早就警告我們，瘟疫會增加，
（太 24：7）。
我們必須準備好面對這些情況，
要知道，他再臨已經比我們最初信主的時候，日子更接近了。
WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN: PURIFY OURSELVES 我們是神的兒女：要潔淨自已
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation;
but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
(Jn 16:33)
33我將這些事告訴你們，是要叫你們在我裡面有平安。在世上，你們有苦難；但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。
(約 16：33)
These words of Christ to His disciples two millennia ago are also meant for us.
Tribulation is unavoidable
(Jas 1:3; 1 Pet 4:12),
but we shall have peace.
Furthermore, this teaching from Christ tells us
where we can truly experience this promised peace.
While tribulations may emerge on an ever-increasing scale,
we will experience tranquility if we are in Christ.
The contrast between the two spheres
—in the world and in Christ
—is sharp.
Today, we are privileged to be in Christ,
having undergone the one water baptism that made us His children.
This pandemic should stir us to realize that
we must never depart from the safe embrace of our Father.
So, how do we remain in Christ?
Keeping ourselves in Christ requires constant purification
(1 Jn 3:2–3).
The peace of God will truly rule in our hearts
when we are determined to be Spirit-sanctified.
We can genuinely sense this divine peace safeguarding our hearts
even as worldwide calamities rise and disrupt practically every aspect of life.
兩千年前，基督對祂的門徒所說的這些話，也是為我們而寫的。
苦難在所難免，
（雅 1：3；彼前 4：12），
但我們將有平安。
此外，基督的教導告訴我們，
我們可以在那裡，真正體驗到這應許的平安。
雖然患難可能會以越來越大的規模出現，
如果我們在基督裡，就會體會到平靜。
兩個世界之間會有所對比，
—生活在世界和生活在基督裡，
—此對比將非常清楚。
今日，我們有幸生活在基督裡，
已經歷大水洗禮，使我們成為祂的孩子。
這疫情應該激起我們的意識，
絕不能離開天父安全的懷抱。
那麼，我們如何保守在基督裡呢？
保守自己在基督裡，需要不斷的淨化自已，
（約壹 3：2-3）。
當我們決心要依靠聖靈潔淨的時候，
神的平安將會真正掌控我們的內心。
即使世界各地發生災難，並且幾乎破壞生活的各個方面，
我們還能真正感受到這神聖的平安，在守護我們的內心。
WE ARE PRECIOUS IN GOD’S EYES: TREASURE OUR STATUS 我們在神眼中看為寶貴：珍惜自已的身份
The Bible tells us God so loved the world that
He sent His only begotten Son into the world
(Jn 3:16).
His Son came to the world with the doctrine of the Father
(Jn 7:16)
to save those who respond positively to His calling by accepting baptism to become His children.
By His grace, we have become His children,
receiving His undivided love
(Deut 7:6–7; 1 Jn 3:1).
This love pertains to our salvation and excludes all who are not in Him.
Now we are in Christ—we are part of His body, the church.
This fact must perpetually prompt us to see ourselves
as a people who are starkly different from the world.
Our existence is in Christ (Jn 17:16),
so we do not conform to the world even though we live in the world.
聖經告訴我們，神非常愛世人，以至於
祂差遣自已的獨生子來到世上
（約 3：16）。
祂的兒子帶著天父的教義來到這個世界
（約 7：16）
拯救那些正面接受回應，進而受洗成為神子女的人。
靠著神的恩典，我們成為神的子女，
領受神專一的愛
（申 7：6-7；約壹 3：1）。
這種愛與我們的救恩有關，並且排斥所有不在祂裡面的人。
現在我們在基督裡—我們是祂的肢體—祂的教會。
這種情況會永遠促使我們檢視自己，
作為一個人，而其表現與世界截然不同。
我們的存在是在基督裡（約 17：16），
因此，即使我們生活在世界上，我們也不效法世界。
Amidst the present crisis and fear-inducing statistics on infection and death rates,
one way to keep our eyes and heart firmly turned to Jesus is
to renew our understanding of the basic beliefs, particularly the one true church.
在當前的危機和令人恐懼的統計感染率和死亡率數據中，
讓我們的眼目心靈堅定轉向耶穌的方法是，
更新自已對基本信仰的理解，尤其要明白獨一真教會。
The True Jesus Church has taken substantial criticism for her doctrine of the one true church.
She has been accused of arrogance and of discrimination.
While a more extended discussion is beyond the scope of this article,[1]
it bears repeating that Christ established only one church
(Mt 16:18)
and gave her the authority to overpower the gates of Hades.
The seven “ones” in Ephesians 4:5–6
and Paul’s stern warning of “another gospel” in Galatians 1:8–9
point to one church entrusted with the truth from the beginning,
rather than a loose collection of denominations with varying sets of beliefs
working towards a broad amalgamation.
真耶穌教會因其獨一真教會的教義，而受到大量批評。
她被指控為傲慢和歧視。
雖然有更廣泛的討論超出了本文的範圍，[1]
值得重申的是，基督只建立了一個教會
（太 16：18）
並賦予教會控制陰間之門的權力。
以弗所書 4 章 5-6 節中的七個“唯一”
以及保羅在加拉太書 1 章 8-9 節中，對“另一種福音”的嚴厲警告，
指向從一開始，唯一教會就被託付真理，
而不是一個鬆散的教派集合，各自有著不同信條，
並努力實現廣泛性的融合。
A proper understanding of the doctrine of the one true church
should not evoke a sense of superiority,
but an overwhelming gratitude and reverence.
The Spirit of God will then work within us effectively
to deepen our understanding of God’s love towards us.
We must not allow the passage of time to blunt our appreciation of being chosen to be in His church.
We are His special treasure;
together, we form and are called to build up the church of God.
This calling is purely God’s initiative and has nothing to do with man’s merits.
Since God’s choosing of us is such a miraculous and critical part of our lives,
we must make time to understand God’s choice.
Meditating on this with a prayerful heart is an essential part of faith-building in this uncertain time.
正確理解獨一真教會的教義，
不應該喚起優越感，
而是一種難以抗拒的感激和崇敬。
聖靈就會在我們內心裡面有效地作工，
加深神愛我們的理解。
我們決不能因為時間的流逝，而減弱自已對被揀選進入神教會的感激之情。
我們是神特別的寶貝；
我們一起聯合，並蒙召建立神的教會。
這樣的呼召單純來自神的主動，與個人功德無關。
既然神揀選我們，是如此神奇妙，是我們生命中重要的一部分，
我們必須保留時間來了解神的旨意。
在這個不確定的時期，以虔誠的心來思考神的旨意，是建立信仰的重要步驟。
WE ARE GOD’S SPECIAL PEOPLE: TREASURE THE TRUTH 我們是神特別的子民：珍惜真理
There is another immediate benefit of such daily communion with God
—we gain greater clarity on the interconnectivity of the true church’s doctrines.
These basic beliefs are so wonderfully consistent with the Scriptures
and with each other that the church could only have received them from God.
For example, many Christian denominations teach and practice water baptism.
There are also several which baptize through full immersion.
But the complete biblical mode
—full immersion with face downwards and in Jesus’ name
—is only practiced in the one true church.
Only such a God-inspired mode makes the baptism efficacious
in ushering us into the church, the one body of the Lord.
Understanding how we gained our membership in the church can strengthen our faith.
能每天這樣與神相交，還有另一個直接的好處，
—我們更清楚地了解，真教會教義的相互連結性。
基本信條與聖經和每個人，是如此奇妙的一致，
教會只能從神那裡領受這些信條。
例如，有許多基督教派，教授施行大水洗禮。
還有幾個教派，是通過全身大水施浸進行施洗的。
但完整的聖經模式是
—奉耶穌的名，臉朝下全身入浸進行施洗，
—只有唯一真教會才如此施行。
唯有如此來自神啟示的方式，才能使洗禮有效，
領我們進入教會，與主成為一體。
了解我們如何獲得教會信徒的資格，可以加強我們的信心。
The traditional beliefs of the True Jesus Church form the complete gospel of salvation.
God deems us as having full trust in Him when we fully believe in the gospel of salvation
(Eph 1:13).
Those who have already received the Holy Spirit must continue to believe in the doctrines to remain sealed.
This is how we become motivated to foster an even better relationship with God
(2 Tim 1:13–14).
This sealing produces two instant benefits.
First, we know that we belong to God through His choosing,
making us even more willing to draw closer to Him.
Second, we are empowered to withstand satanic forces seeking to separate us from Christ.
We are shielded from the attacks of the wicked one and his accomplices
(Rev 9:4).
真耶穌教會的傳統信仰，來自全備救恩的福音。
當我們完全相信救恩福音時，完全信靠祂，神就認定我們了
（弗 1：13）。
那些已經領受聖靈的人，必須繼續相信這些教義，才能維持受保護。
這就是我們如何受感動，孕育出一段與神更好的關係
（提後 1：13-14）。
這種保護產生兩個立即的好處。
首先我們知道，因為神的揀選，我們屬於祂，
讓我們更願意親近祂。
其次，我們有能力抵擋撒旦的攻擊，防備他試圖離間我們與基督。
我們免受惡者及其同伙的攻擊
（啟 9：4）。
PRAY UNCEASINGLY 不停的禱告
Building up and maintaining a steadfast faith in God is part of a lifelong exercise that
requires power from the Lord.
Unceasing prayer is the only way for us to receive this power from above.
The challenge is to build a prayer routine where prayer is not a mere routine;
it must be a meaningful time through
which we enter into the depth of God.
Continual prayer in the Spirit is essential
to establishing a true and firm relationship with God.
The state of our relationship with God
can be adduced from our willingness and determination
to submit to God and His word.
Do not deceive ourselves that a relaxed attitude towards God’s word is acceptable.
Idleness in spiritual nurture will hinder our achievement of spiritual higher ground.
建立維持對神堅定的信心，是終身操練的一部分，
需要從神而來的力量。
不斷的禱告是我們唯一的方法，能從上頭領受這股力量。
困難在於建立一個祈禱日常習慣，使禱告不僅僅是例行公事；
一定要成為一段有意義的時光，
讓我們進入神的內心深處。
在聖靈裡不斷祈禱告是必不可少的，
才能與神建立真實堅定的關係。
我們與神關係的狀態，
可以從我們的甘心樂意延生出來，
作到順服神和服從祂的話語。
不要自欺欺人，認為以散漫的態度來面對神的話語，是可以接受的。
疏於靈修會阻礙我們進入屬靈更高的境界。
COVID-19 has forced the whole world
to dial back our previous frenetic pace of life.
In the past year of lockdowns, many of us have had more precious time for ourselves.
Of course, it is difficult to plan,
given the present climate of fear and uncertainty.
However, the kind intention that God has for us will surface
(Jer 29:11)
when we fervently pray to God for wisdom and direction to navigate through this plight.
新冠病毒已迫使全世界，
回到我們以前狂熱的生活節奏。
過去一年的封城中，我們許多人自已有了更多寶貴的時間。
當然，因為目前的恐懼和不確定性，很難有所計劃。
然而，當我們逼切向神祈求智慧和方向，來度過此一困境時，
神對我們的好意會浮現。（耶 29：11）
We must pray about many things,
but what do we pray for to build up and maintain our faith?
我們必須為許多事情禱告，
但是我們要為什麼來禱告，以建立保持自已的信仰呢？
But you, beloved, building yourselves up
on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit
(Jude 20)
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，
(猶 20)
First, we are to build ourselves on the most holy faith
—our received set of common beliefs
that are identical to the beliefs held by the apostolic church.
These constitute the truth that the church received on the first day of her arrival on earth
(Acts 2:42).
It is on this foundation that the True Jesus Church is built.
Establishing what truth is has become increasingly challenging in a world
where fact, fake news, and false teaching are skillfully woven together and frequently mutate.
A complete comprehension demands a complete trust that this truth is the only truth that saves.
Understanding God’s word is radically different from understanding worldly knowledge;
understanding God’s truth is only possible through the Holy Spirit’s revelation.
首先，我們要讓自已建立在最聖潔的信仰上，
—我們共同領受了一套共信之道，
是與使徒教會所持守的信條相同。
這些信條組成了真理，是教會在世上第一天出現就領受的
（徒 2：42）。
真耶穌教會就是在這個基礎上，所建立起來的。
在此世界，要確定什麼是真理，變得越來越困難，
因為事實、假新聞、錯誤的教導，巧妙地交織在一起，並且時常會變化。
若要完全理解，就需要完全相信，這個真理是唯一能得救的真理。
要明白神的話語，比起明白世俗的知識，是完全不一樣的。
只有通過聖靈的啟示，才能明白神的真理。
Hold fast the pattern of sound words
which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
That good thing which was committed to you,
keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
(2 Tim 1:13–14)
13你從我聽的那純正話語的規模，
要用在基督耶穌裡的信心和愛心，常常守著。
14從前所交託你的善道，
你要靠著那住在我們裡面的聖靈牢牢的守著。
(提後 1：13-14)
Second, we must hold steadfastly to the traditional beliefs,
an endeavor multiple times harder than just knowing these beliefs.
There are many reasons which lead believers to abandon
or modify these traditional beliefs.
One is the church’s perceived inability to counter every challenge posed against the basic beliefs.
Another reason for the desire to shift away from the church's beliefs
is the innate appeal of being like other denominations
(cf. 1 Sam 8:5ff),
which have seemingly logical alternatives to our church’s doctrines.
So we must be vigilant in faith.
Deepening our understanding of geographical and societal contexts, theological knowledge and so on
will help us better explicate the Scriptures.
But let us not muddy up the church's basic beliefs
and eventually lose sight of God’s salvation plan.
第二，我們必須堅守傳統的信仰，
堅守信仰比起僅僅知道這些信條，更需要多好幾倍的用心。
有很多原因，導致信徒放棄，
或改變這些傳統信仰。
其一是因為，看到教會沒有能力，無法應對基本信條所面臨的每一個挑戰。
另一個原因，想要脫離教會的信條，
是內心想要像其他教派一樣
（參見，撒上 8：5ff），
這看起來似乎是，對我們教會教義的合乎邏輯的選項。
所以我們必須信仰上保持警醒。
加深我們對地理社會背景、神學等等知識的理解，
會幫助我們更好地解釋聖經。
但願讓我們不要混亂教會的基本信條，
因而最終看不到神的救恩計劃。
The church’s traditional beliefs are not subject to change,
for they are the foundation of the church,
which God laid at the point of her inception.
We will comprehend these beliefs when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.
It is imperative to pray in the Spirit for the faith to accept that
these basic beliefs are divinely given to the church.
Such faith will open up the window of wisdom to gain an even more profound understanding of the doctrines.
Aided by the Holy Spirit, we will gain a holistic view of the basic beliefs,
and see that these are consistent with the apostolic paradigm chronicled in the Bible
(Jn 16:13).
教會的傳統信仰不會因為外在而改變，
因為基本信條是教會的根基，
因為神一開始就立定了這個根基。
當我們有聖靈引導我們理解所有真理的時候，就能理解這些基本信條。
重要的是，能在聖靈裡禱告，有信心接受
這些基本信仰是神賜給教會的。
這樣的信心會打開智慧之窗，才能更加深入的理解教義。
因為有聖靈的幫助，我們將對基本信條有一個完體的看法，
可以明白，這些信條與聖經中記載的使徒典範，是相符的
（約 16：13）。
Such Spirit-enabled understanding of the word of God will bolster our faith in the truth;
our trust in our doctrinal position will not waver,
despite facing the staunchest of tests.
Simply, we would be given the foresight to realize that
any theological knowledge contradicting the church's doctrinal stance
is a typical tactic Satan employs to lure us away from building up our faith.
Drifting away from traditional beliefs is risky.
Thus, we would make a mockery of our status
as the corrector of Christianity, as chosen by the Lord,
and become just another church amongst the countless denominations.
This is tantamount to belittling our faith.
這種聖靈啟示對神話語的認識，會加強我們真理的信心；
我們對自己教義立場的信心，就不會動搖，
儘管會面臨最嚴厲的忠誠測試。
簡而言之，我們將具有先見之明，能明白，
任何與教會教義立場相互矛盾的神學知識，
就是撒旦用來引誘我們，遠離堅固自已信心的典型手法。
若偏離傳統的信條，將是有風險的。
因此，我們會嘲笑自已的立場，
成為主所選擇基督教界的萬國更正教，
而成為無數教派的其中一教派而已。
這無異於輕視了我們的信仰。
Spiritual cultivation
—which can be a tedious and painful spiritual exercise
—is of utmost importance to our spiritual survival.
It goes beyond praying, reading the Bible, and being self-disciplined.
The foundation of our faith must be built upon the church's basic beliefs.
When the foundation of our salvation is sure and firm,
we would not be short of God’s abiding presence,
which makes cultivation effective and divinely guided.
In turn, the cultivation generates the momentum needed
to continue establishing our faith in the present truth
(2 Pet 1:12).
靈修
—這可能是一項單調乏味而痛苦的屬靈訓練，
—對我們的靈命存活至關重要。
靈條不只要禱告、讀經和能夠自律。
我們信仰的基礎，必須建立在教會的基本信條上。
當我們得救的根基堅定穩固時，
就不會缺乏神的同在，
就能使靈修有成果，得到神的帶領。
反過來，靈修會產生人所需的力量，
繼續堅固自已對現在真理的信心
（彼後 1：12）。
CONCLUSION: OUR SALVATION IS NEARER THAN BEFORE 結論：我們得救的日子比以前更近了
The ultimate goal for every sincere Christian is the salvation of the soul.
We do not know the exact date of Christ’s second advent.
But one thing for sure is that His coming is nearer than ever before.
He shall come like a thief when everyone is asleep at night.
If we are in spiritual slumber or depart this world suddenly,
being spiritually unprepared would jeopardize our salvation.
每一個虔誠基督徒的終極目標，就是靈魂能得救。
我們不知道基督再臨的確切日期。
但可以肯定的一點是，神的到臨將比以往任何時刻都更加靠近了。
當每個人都在夜晚睡著的時候，他來時會像小偷一樣。
如果我們靈命沉睡，或突然離開這個世界，
靈性上沒有準備好，就會危及自已的救贖。
The current pandemic has sounded an urgent warning to us:
we can no longer afford to take our faith in Christ for granted.
We must take serious steps to work out our salvation with fear and trembling
(Phil 2:12).
One such step is to build on the present truth
(our traditional beliefs).
We must allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and help grow our faith in the beliefs of the church.
Make spiritual cultivation
—unceasing prayer and increasing in knowledge of the truth
—the top priority of our life.
目前疫情給我們敲響了迫在眉睫的警訊：
我們再也不能把自已基督的信仰，視為理所當然。
我們必須採取認真的步驟，以恐懼和戰兢的心，來完成自已得救的工夫
（腓 2：12）。
這樣的步驟是建立在現今真理的基礎之上
（我們的傳統信條）。
我們必須讓聖靈帶領我們，幫助我們加強對教會信條的信心。
進行靈修
—不住地禱告，增加對真理的認識
—成為我們生活的最重要的事。
[1] For more in-depth discussion on the doctrine of one true church,
please refer to: Gospel Series: Church,
https://tjc.org/elib-single-item-display/?langid=1&itemid=915&type=pub
[1] 若要更深入地討論獨一真教會的教義，
請參考：福音相關討論串主題：教會，
https://tjc.org/elib-single-item-display/?langid=1&itemid=915&type=pub
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入翻譯
