2. Manna issue 64 - Understanding Suffering 了解苦難
FF Chong—London, United Kingdom 英國倫敦 FF Chong
Nobody in his right mind enjoys suffering.
Suffering brings pain and breaks down the normal cycle of life.
It disturbs the balance of peace in the heart, which,
in turn, influences the ability to interact normally with others,
to exhibit life’s vibrancy to the full.
In severe cases, suffering can threaten the very existence of a person.
For this reason, we try to avoid it.
沒有頭腦正常的人會喜歡受苦。
苦難帶來疼痛，打破正常的人生循環周期。
它會擾亂了內心安靜的平衡，
而反過來，會影響自已與他人正常互動的能力，
展現生命的活力到極限。
在嚴重的情況下，痛苦會威脅到一個人的生存。
出於這個原因，我們會盡量避免它。
The Bible’s teachings regarding suffering,
however, are very different from our common concepts.
Suffering can appear in various forms,
such as tribulation, sickness, setbacks, disasters and even death.
The Scriptures define it as a necessary part of Christian life.
It is always there, and we are required to go through suffering
in order to enter the kingdom of God
(Acts 14：22).
然而聖經關於苦難的教導，
與我們常見的概念有很大的不同。
痛苦可以以各種形式出現，
例如，磨難、疾病、挫折、災難、甚至是死亡。
聖經定義，苦難為基督徒生活中不可或缺的一部份。
它一直都存在，我們需要經歷苦難，
為了進入神國
（徒 14：22）。
Although perplexing at the time, suffering is good for Christians.
In order to understand the significance of suffering,
we need to fine-tune our mindset with the word of God.
This will ease the stresses related to suffering
and enable us to perceive God’s purpose for us during trials.
In addition, it will help us to reach spiritual maturity.
雖然當時令人感到困惑，但苦難對基督徒是有益的。
為了明白苦難的重要性，
我們需要用神的道理，調整自已的觀念。
這可以減輕痛苦有關的壓力，
並使我們於試煉中，能夠察覺神的旨意。
此外，它會幫我們到達屬靈成熟的境界。
REASONS FOR SUFFERING 受苦的原因
There are two main reasons for a Christian’s suffering：
suffering for righteousness’ sake and suffering for sin.
基督徒受苦有兩個主要原因：
為義受苦和為罪受苦。
Suffering for sin 為罪而受苦
Peter warns us
not to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a busybody in other people’s matters
(1 Pet 4：15),
since God is righteous and will not allow a sinner to go unpunished
(Nah 1：3; Ex 34：7; Num 14：18).
If we sin, there are two possible prospects：
punishment during our lifetime or everlasting condemnation.
彼得警告我們，
不要因為像殺人犯、小偷、作惡者或多管閒事的人而受苦
（彼前 4：15），
因為神是公義的，不會讓罪人逃過懲罰
（拿 1：3；出 34：7；民 14：18）。
如果我們犯罪，有兩種可能的情況：
我們一生中受懲罰，或永遠的譴責。
No credit can be given for suffering patiently in punishment for our wrongdoings
(1 Pet 2：20a).
Instead, this kind of suffering simply serves to underline the fact
that every single choice of ours has a consequence.
This echoes Paul’s message：
“he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption”
(Gal 6：8a; Prov 22：8).
The result of this corruption is to suffer punishment.
This is a divine principle that we cannot ignore.
Consequently, if we persistently satisfy the desires of our flesh,
we do not only commit grave sin, but also mock God and despise His grace.
因為我們犯錯而耐心受罰，是沒有獎勵的
（彼前 2：20a）。
相反的，這種痛苦只會突出一個事實，
我們每一種選擇都會有後果。
這呼應了保羅的訊息：
“8順著情慾撒種的，必從情慾收敗壞；”
（加 6：8a；箴 22：8）。
這種敗壞的結果，就是受罰。
這是我們不能忽視的神聖原則。
因此，如果我們持續滿足自已肉體的慾望，
我們不僅犯了嚴重的罪，而且還嘲諷神，藐視祂的恩典。
Once we have sinned, repentance is the only way forward.
If we cover or hide our sins, we will not prosper,
but if we confess and forsake them,
we will receive mercy
(Prov 28：13).
Therefore, we can only obtain God’s forgiveness
if we truly confess with our actions.
No matter how painful it may be,
we must resolutely humble ourselves to suffer the shame of our transgression
(Ps 38：18).
If we do not, the weight of sin will become more and more unbearable
(Ps 38：17)
and eventually drain out every ounce of energy needed to live a normal life in the Lord.
一旦我們犯罪，悔改是唯一的出路。
如果我們掩蓋或隱藏自已的罪惡，我們將不會繁榮，
但如果我們承認罪，並放棄罪行，
我們就會得到憐憫
（箴 28：13）。
所以，我們只能得到神的饒恕，
如果我們真的以自已的行為來表現出認罪。
無論有多麼痛苦，
我們必須決心謙卑自己，來承受自已過犯的羞辱
（詩 38：18）。
如果我們不這樣做，罪惡的重量將變得越來越難以承受
（詩 38：17）
並最終耗盡能於主裡過正常生活所需的每一點能量。
In addition, we must stop repeating the same wrong.
The more we indulge in the same sin, the heavier the punishment
and the harder it will be for us to shake off sin.
Subsequently, we may develop a rebellious resistance to change.
Thus, our acts of repentance must be genuine and from the heart.
Any change of heart must reflect the teachings of the prophet Joel：
“Turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning”
(Joel 2：12–13).
此外，我們必須停止重蹈覆轍。
我們越犯同樣的罪，懲罰就越沉重
我們越難以擺脫罪惡。
隨後，我們可能會產生叛逆而抵制改變。
因此，我們的悔改行為必須是真誠且發自內心。
任何內心的改變都必須對應到先知約珥的教導：
“12你們應當禁食、哭泣、悲哀，一心歸向我。”
（約珥書 2：12-13）。
Suffering for righteousness’ sake 為義的原故受苦
In this world of sin, suffering for righteousness’ sake is not only unavoidable
but is on the increase
—the world can no longer tolerate deeds of the light.
What was once deemed good is now offensive and unacceptable.
Sins have been legalized in many societies,
which has blurred and often erased distinctions between right and wrong.
Some genuine Christians are labeled as scum of the earth,
‘of whom the world is not worthy’
(Heb 11：38)
and are not welcome anywhere：
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”
(2 Tim 3：12).
在這個罪惡的世界裡，為義受苦不僅是無法避免，
而且還在增加，
—世界不再容忍光明的行為。
以前曾經認為是美好的事物，現已變得令人反感且無法接受。
許多社會已經合法化罪惡的事，
這已經模糊，甚至常常是擦去了是非之間的區別。
有一些真正的基督徒，被貼上地球渣滓的標籤，
“38本是世界不配有的人。”
（來 11：38）
任何地方都不受歡迎：
“12不但如此，凡立志在基督耶穌裡敬虔度日的也都要受逼迫。”
（提後 3：12）。
Quite often this type of persecution comes from within the community of faith.
The ancient saints, for example, were persecuted for proclaiming the truth to their people.
Some were hated as a result.
Jesus’ reprimand to the scribes and Pharisees underlines their brutality,
which they practiced against those who came into their synagogues in the name of the Lord.
They persecuted them from city to city, scourged them in the synagogues
and even killed and crucified some of them
(Mt 23：34–35).
這種類型的迫害，通常來自信仰團體內部。
例如，古聖徒因為宣揚真理給自已的人民，而受到迫害。
結果有些人因而遭恨。
耶穌譴責文士和法利賽人，強調了他們的殘暴，
他們進行反對那些奉主的名進入他們會堂的人。
從這城到那城，猶太人迫害他們，在會堂裡鞭打他們
甚至殺死他們，並且用十字架釘死其中一些人
（太 23：34-35）。
It is, therefore, not much of a surprise when Christians are reviled
when they speak up for a righteous cause.
We may well be criticized if we provide reminders for the good of the church,
for the Bible has already foretold that
a time will come when sound advice will no longer be tolerated.
The situation will only continue to deteriorate.
Evil men (believers) and imposters (false prophets) will grow worse and worse,
deceiving and being deceived
(2 Tim 3：13; cf. Dan 12：10; Rev 22：11).
They will neither respect anyone, nor revere God.
Instead, they will view criticism as hate crime.
因此，當基督徒為正義的原故發聲時，
他們受到辱罵也就不足為奇了。
如果我們為教會的利益給予提醒，自已很可能會受到批評，
因為聖經已經預言，
終有一天，將不再容忍純正健全的教導。
情況只會繼續惡化。
惡人（信徒）和假裝牧者的人（假先知）會越來越壞，
不但騙人，且被騙而不自知(自我洗腦)
(提後 3：13；參考，但 12：10；啟 22：11)。
他們既不尊重任何人，也不敬畏神。
相反的，他們會將批評視為歧視偏見型仇恨犯罪。
Living a life in Christ after conversion
is more often than not full of tribulations and trials.
Sometimes, we find ourselves in difficult circumstances for no apparent reason;
life may become tumultuous
—this is another form of suffering.
These episodes in our life can affect our interaction and relationship with others,
building up tension and hostility.
We may also feel that no one is able to sympathize with our plight.
Continuing our journey of faith and offering services to God
may become an increasingly heavy burden.
Eventually we may even reach a point
where we are totally absorbed by the problem itself
(cf. Ps 77：3).
信主後過著基督裡的生活，
多半是充滿磨難和考驗。
有時候，我們發現莫名其妙就陷入困境；
生活可能充滿動盪，
—這是另一種痛苦的形式。
我們生活的這些情節，會影響我們與他人的互動和關係，
豎立了緊張和敵意。
我們也可能覺得，沒人能同情我們的困境。
繼續我們的信仰之旅，並且事奉神，
可能會成為逐漸沉重的負擔。
最終我們甚至可能達到一個位置，
我們完全被問題本身所吞沒
（參見，詩 77：3）。
BENEFITS OF SUFFERING 受苦的益處
At times, it is hard for us, who have existed in our comfort zones for so long,
to fully realize the value of suffering to our spirituality.
The tendency is to stay where we are and increase the level of comfort,
so that we can enjoy life to the full.
It is very difficult to imagine anyone in that position wanting any part with suffering.
In most cases, the need to delve truthfully into our spiritual existence
ends up being eclipsed by the hurly-burly of everyday, material life.
The strong sense of pursuing God slowly disintegrates
because we do not fully understand the good of exercising godliness.
有時候對我們來說，很難因為長期生活在舒適區，
就能充分了解苦難對我們靈命的價值。
人的動態是留在我們所在的地方，並且提高舒適的程度，
這樣我們就可以充分享受生活。
很難想像處於那個位置的任何人，會想要碰到一丁點的苦難。
在大多數情況下，需要真實探究我們的靈命時，
最終被日常生活喧囂的物質生活，所淹沒。
強烈追求神的心志慢慢瓦解，
因為我們並不完全明白操練敬虔的好處。
For this reason, we find it particularly tough to comprehend suffering
when it does occur.
However, we need to remember that the grace of God fills every aspect of our lives,
whether in times of prosperity or adversity.
Moreover, we have received the Holy Spirit to help us understand why we suffer
—“that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God”
(1 Cor 2：12).
Sometimes it takes suffering to achieve what we could not have done by our own will;
suffering ushers us into an understanding that puts our spiritual growth above everything else.
因此，我們發現要理解苦難，是特別不容易，
因為事情確實發生了。
然而，我們要記住，神的恩典充滿我們生活的各方面，
無論是繁榮時期，還是逆境之中。
此外，我們已經得到聖靈，來幫助我們明白為什麼自已會受苦，
—“12叫我們能知道神開恩賜給我們的事。”
(林前 2：12)。
有時需要付出痛苦，才能達到我們憑自己意志無法達成的事情；
苦難帶領我們明白，要重視自已的靈命成長高於一切。
A HUMBLING PROCESS 謙卑的過程
When the going gets tough in life,
we have to learn to pull ourselves out from this vortex of negative feelings and depression.
In order to do so, we must take a crucial step back to refocus on the Spirit’s guidance.
We will then realize we have been lacking the basic motivation to trust in God.
Our relationship with God may not have been as good as we thought it was.
To re-align our trust in God, then, becomes an exercise
that we need to embrace with gratefulness and thanksgiving.
Each time we suffer, we are actually given a chance to grow in faith.
當生活變得艱難之時，
我們必須學會，把自己從消極情緒和憂鬱的漩渦中，拉出來。
為了做到這點，我們必須後退一步，重新聚焦聖靈的引導。
然後我們才會明白，我們一直缺乏信靠神的基本動力。
我們與神的關係，可能沒有自已想像的那麼好。
要重新調整自已對神的信靠，然後，成為一種鍛煉，
我們要訓練能懷著感恩的心。
每次我們受苦時，實際上都有機會能信仰成長。
At this point, coming from suffering to the realization of God’s grace reminds us
that we cannot do anything without Christ.
We then begin to see our worthlessness and start to trust in God more than anything else.
Instead of relying on ourselves,
we count on the Lord in whatever we endeavor to do, putting Him first in our life.
Carefully following His principles and accomplishing His purpose for us
will then be at the forefront of our Christian living and servitude.
This mindset will, in turn, reinforce the importance of walking humbly with the Lord
(Mic 6：8).
在這一點上，從苦難明白神的恩典，提醒我們，
沒有基督，我們什麼事情也無法完成。
然後我們開始看清自己的不配，並相信神勝過一切。
而不是依靠我們自己，
無論我們努力做什麼，都依靠主，把祂放在自已生活的第一位。
小心遵守祂的原則，並完成祂給我們的旨意，
那時，將走在自已基督徒生活和事奉的最前面。
反過來，這種心態會重新加強謙卑與主同行的重要性
（彌 6：8）。
A REFINING PROCESS 精煉的過程
Sometimes we are well aware of our shortcomings
and we desire to change for the better as well as to conduct ourselves appropriately before God and man.
However, as much as we have this determination,
we often do what we actually abhor and fail miserably to control ourselves.
Initially, this may prove to be very tormenting to our sense of justice and moral conscience.
However, as time goes by and through repeated action,
we end up feeling numb to our wrongdoings and eventually accept our behavior as ‘normal’.
有時我們很清楚自己的缺點,
我們想要變得更好，能在神和人面前表現得體。
然而，儘管我們有很大的決心，
我們經常做我們真正討厭的事情，並且悲慘地失去自我控制。
起初，這可能會嚴重苦惱我們的正義感和道德良知。
然而，隨著時間的流逝，經過反覆的行為，
我們最後對自己的錯誤行為感到麻木，並最終接受自已的行為是“正常的”。
In all honesty, this is an ongoing battle
that we will have to fight until we reach perfection.
In order to overcome such dilemmas and to rid ourselves of sin,
suffering must play its part.
This is a painful process.
Yet, no matter how difficult it may be,
drastic action must be taken to stop stubbornly repeating the same sin.
Otherwise, this kind of stubbornness will always remain a stumbling block
that stifles personal spiritual growth and hinders the progress of the church.
In the worst-case scenario,
it may cause others to fall and drive truth-seeking friends away from believing in Christ.
老實說，這是一場持續進行的戰鬥，
我們將要一直戰鬥，直到自已達到完美。
為了克服這種困境，並且擺脫自已的罪惡，
苦難必須能發揮其作用。
這是一個痛苦的過程。
然而，無論有多麼艱難，
必須採取嚴厲行動，停止頑固重覆同樣的罪行。
否則，這種頑固永遠都會是絆腳石，
這抑制個人屬靈的成長，阻礙教會的進步。
在最壞的情況下，
這可能會導致別人墮落，並趕走慕道的朋友，讓人不相信基督。
Isaiah vividly describes the refinement of the house of God;
his description shows that Israel was purged quite radically.
Since the severity of their sins was such
that they could not be cleansed through mere warnings from the prophets,
the children of Zion had to be delivered into the hands of their enemy,
which is likened to passing through fire
(Isa 4：3–5).
This was the only way to create willingness in them
to return to God in repentance and to transform their sinful nature.
以賽亞生動的描述了神聖殿的精煉；
他的描述顯兆以色列遭到相當徹底的清洗。
由於他們犯罪很嚴重，
他們不會僅通過先知的警告，就會潔淨，
不得不將錫安的子女交到他們敵人的手中，
就好像經過火海
（賽 4：3-5）。
這是創造他們意願的唯一方法，
可以悔改歸向神，並改變他們的罪性。
Peter picks up the same theme as he reminds the scattered believers about the benefits of suffering.
His teaching clearly shows that it is always hard for us, in the flesh,
to respond positively to God’s word without fail.
Yet, if Christ learned to obey the Father through His suffering
(Heb 5：7–9),
shouldn’t we also prepare ourselves to suffer?
In fact, if we want to stop sinning, our flesh has to suffer.
We have to curb and put to death its desire, stopping it from enticing us (1 Pet 4：1).
In this way, suffering helps us to do what our strength alone cannot do：
it turns us away from sin.
當彼得提醒分散信徒苦難的好處時，挑選了同樣的主題。
他的教導清楚表明，肉體上對我們來說總是很困難的，
要能正面回應神的話語，而不會失敗。
然而，如果基督通過苦難學會順服天父
(來 5：7–9),
難道我們不該也做好受苦的準備嗎？
事實上，如果我們想停止犯罪，我們的肉體就必然受苦。
我們必須阻止，並殺死肉體的慾望，阻止它引誘我們（彼前 4：1）。
只有這樣，苦難幫助我們做到單靠自已力量無法做到的事情：
它使我們遠離罪惡。
Living the rest of our lives for the will of God
is definitely impossible without the aid of suffering
(1 Pet 4：2).
Therefore, we have to arm ourselves with the mind to suffer
—otherwise we will be fighting a losing battle,
in danger of forfeiting even our spiritual lives.
A notable example is Paul’s confession of the wearing-away of his body,
which served to renew his inner man
(2 Cor 4：16).
為神的旨意而渡過我們這一生，
是絕對不可能沒有苦難的幫助
（ 4：2）。
所以，我們要有受苦的心志來武裝備自己，
—否則我們將要打一場敗仗，
甚至有喪失屬靈性命的危險。
一個有名的例子是，保羅承認自已的身體日漸衰弱，
而這有助於更新他內心的靈命
（林後 4：16）。
Once we have equipped ourselves with this mindset,
it will lead us to perfection.
一旦我們具有了這種心態，
它將帶領我們走向完美。
A FAITH-BUILDING PROCESS 信心建立的過程
To many of us, the realization of an eventual heavenly kingdom
may be a far-fetched dream beyond our reach and concrete understanding.
However, the saints were capable of seeing the heavenly city that God has prepared for them
(Heb 11：14–16).
The writer of Hebrews concludes that they were able to see afar
because of their faith in God.
For this reason, they called God their God,
with whom they walked in faith.
對我們許多人來說，最終天國的實現，
可能是一個遙不可及的夢想，超出我們所能觸及與具體的理解。
然而，聖徒卻能看見神為他們所預備的天上之城
（來 11：14-16）。
希伯來書的作者得出結論，他們能夠看到更遠之處，
因為他們對神有信心。
為此，他們稱神，為他們自已的神，
他們憑著信心與神同行。
Their lives on earth were characterized by continual suffering.
These tribulations were intended to purify and strengthen their faith in the Lord.
Recognizing the fact that they were merely sojourners and pilgrims in this world,
they decided to live a life of wandering.
Their faith can be likened to a window,
which opened up to a view of their eventual home,
away from this world of toil and sadness
(Heb 11：13).
The stronger their faith grew through suffering,
the clearer they were able to visualize their heavenly home,
and the greater their urgency to gain access to this inheritance.
他們在世上的生活，以持續不斷的苦難為特徵。
這些患難目的是要潔淨加強他們對主的信心。
認清到這個事實，他們只是世上的寄居者和朝聖者，
他們決定過流浪的生活。
他們的信心可以比作一扇窗戶，
打開了他們最終家的景色，
遠離這個勞苦和悲傷的世界
（來 11：13）。
在苦難中，他們的信心越能成長，
他們越能清晰看見自已的天國家園，
他們越發緊迫，想要獲得進入這個遺產的權利。
In 1 Peter 1：4, apostle Peter does not give any clues
as to how the suffering saints can escape the brunt of pain in times of persecution.
Instead he points them to the reality of an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance,
which is reserved for them alone.
For this reason, the believers of Peter’s time rejoiced and,
as a natural result of faith
(2 Thess 1：4),
exhibited a continual love for God in their suffering
(1 Pet 1：8).
彼得壹書一章 4 節中，使徒彼得沒有給出任何線索，
關於受苦的聖徒，如何在逼迫中逃脫痛苦的衝擊。
相反，他指出他們到那不會朽壞和沒有污穢遺產的現實，
那是只為他們單獨保留的。
為此，彼得時代很多的信徒歡欣鼓舞，
就好像是信仰的自然結果
(帖後 1：4)，
在苦難中，表現出對神持續的愛
（彼前 1：8）。
Suffering trains our faith and patience,
deepening our yearning for the kingdom of God.
This connection between faith and suffering is therefore crucial for our salvation.
苦難訓練我們的信心和忍耐，
加深我們渴望神的國。
因此，信仰與苦難之間的這種聯繫，對於我們得救至關重要。
However, danger is always real when our faith is superficial.
Without genuine faith, God lifts His protection away from us,
exposing us to the fearsome devises of the evil one.
So, our pursuit in life should be to strive for the genuineness of faith.
Instead of being wrapped up in pretences,
polishing our faith in trials should be a matter of utmost importance,
and each suffering moment should be taken as a chance to better ourselves.
When we are purged by suffering (Rev 7：14), our faith is refined
and becomes more precious than ever before,
qualifying us for the crown of life
(Jas 1：12).
然而，當我們信心很膚淺之時，危險總是真實存在的。
沒有真正的信心，神就會解開我們的保護，
讓我們暴露在惡者可怕的詭計之下。
所以，我們人生的追求，應該是追求信心的真實性。
而不是被包裹在偽裝之中，
在考驗中磨練我們的信心，應該是最重要的事情，
每個痛苦的時刻，都該被視為改進自己的機會。
當我們被苦難潔淨時（啟 7：14），我們的信心得到精煉，
變得比以前都更加珍貴，
使我們有資格戴上生命的冠冕
（雅 1：12）。
A TESTING PROCESS 試驗的過程
Since God is Spirit, we may, at times,
find it difficult to fathom Him fully.
If, in addition, we do not have any real encounters with Him,
we will easily start to think of God as only a form of knowledge.
This is especially so when life is smooth and relaxed.
During those times, life becomes very much entangled with materialism and worldly entertainment.
Such an existence creates a distance between God and us.
We know about God but, in reality, do not give substance to that knowledge.
If we remain in such a situation for a prolonged period of time,
we will lose sight of God altogether.
既然神是靈，我們有時可以，
發現很難完全了解祂。
此外，如果我們沒有與祂有任何真正的接觸，
我們很容易開始認為，神只是一種知識的形式。
尤其是，當生活順遂和輕鬆時，特別如此。
在這些時間裡，生活變得高度糾纏於重視物質和世俗的娛樂。
存在這樣的情況，產生了神與我們之間的距離。
我們知道神，但實際上，並沒有賦予這種認知，有實際的行動。
如果我們長期處於這種狀態，
我們將完全看不見神。
We must be brought back to our senses and perceive God in a real sense through trials.
The Exodus Generation, who wandered forty years in the wilderness, is a notable example.
Their suffering was designed to help them know who the Lord God really was
(Deut 29：4–6).
It not only revealed to the people what God had provided for them in their daily lives,
but also reminded them of His constant care.
For forty years, their sandals and clothes did not wear out,
and, although there were countless occasions where grave dangers arose in their lives,
God never failed to aid them.
我們必須於試煉中，取回自已的感知，真實的認識神。
在曠野遊盪四十年的出埃及記世代，就是一個明顯的例子。
他們的苦難是為了幫助他們知道，主耶和華到底是誰，
（申 29：4-6）。
苦難不僅向百姓顯明，他們日常生活中，神給他們預備一切，
也提醒他們，神一直都在照顧他們。
四十年來，他們的鞋子和衣服沒有磨損，
而且，儘管他們的生活中，出現好幾次嚴重的危險，
神從來沒有不能幫助他們。
When we live a life of ease, we become undisciplined in keeping the word of God.
Suffering, however, increases our willingness to abide by the truth.
The Exodus Generation’s wandering in the wilderness was intended to test their hearts
and to find out if they would keep the commandments or not
(Deut 8：2–3).
Similarly, we do not truly know whether we can resolve to follow the Lord
unless we are put to the test in tribulations.
Such testing also helps us to understand ourselves deeper
and provide a better idea of what we need to improve.
當我們過著安逸的生活時，就會變得散漫，而沒有遵守神的話語。
然而，苦難增加了我們遵守真理的意願。
出埃及記的世代流浪於曠野，就是為了試探他們的內心，
來看看他們是否會遵守誡命
（申 8：2-3）。
同樣的，我們也不知道，自己能不能立志跟從主，
除非我們置於患難中，經歷考驗。
這樣的考驗也有助於我們，更深入地了解自己，
並給我們更好的了解，自已需要改進的地方。
Although testing is never pleasant, the benefits it produces are tremendous.
These benefits include establishing a healthy relationship with the Lord
and remembering His providence and grace.
Suffering will erase the desire to drift away from the Lord and follow idols, visible or invisible.
We will realize that everything comes from the Lord, our provider.
It will spark our resolve to honor God wherever we are
(Deut 8：16–18).
Without suffering, our talents and strength would prove too big an obstacle to overcome,
hindering us from remaining faithful to God.
儘管考驗從來都不會讓人高興，但它所帶來的好處是巨大的。
這些好處包括與主建立健康的關係，
並記住祂的旨意和恩典。
苦難會消除遠離主和追隨有形或無形偶像的慾望。
我們會明白，一切都來自我們的主，祂為我們預備。
它將激發的決心，無論我們身在何處，都要榮耀神
（申 8：16-18）。
沒有苦難，我們的才能和力量將被證明是一種巨大障礙，而無法克服，
阻礙我們對神保持信心。
BE READY TO SUFFER 準備受苦
Since it is beneficial for us to go through suffering,
Peter tells us that we are to expect tribulations in our lives
(1 Pet 4：17).
If we suffer according to the will of God,
we become partakers of Christ’s sufferings.
In fact, Jesus was exalted through His sufferings.
In like manner, when we suffer, we enter into the sufferings of Christ,
through which we shall be exalted together with Him when He comes again.
因為受苦與我們有好處，
彼得告訴我們，要期待生活中有磨難
（彼前 4：17）。
如果我們按著神的旨意而受苦，
我們就與基督的苦難有份。
事實上，耶穌因著受苦而被高舉。
同樣的情形，當我們受苦時，自已就進入了基督的苦難，
當神再來之時，我們將藉此與祂一同被高舉。
Being able to suffer for Christ is commendable,
but we may still find it hard to bear.
Although the way forward may not be readily recognizable in times of suffering,
we ought to be patient and believe that the Spirit of God rests upon us
(1 Pet 4：14).
This attitude will direct our hearts into the love and patience of Christ
(2 Thess 3：5).
We will focus on committing ourselves to Him in doing good
(1 Pet 4：19).
In this way, we will follow Christ’s example when He was severely reviled
(1 Pet 2：23)
and, at the same time, free ourselves from the burden of anxiety.
能為基督受苦是值得稱讚的，
但我們可能仍是難以忍受。
儘管苦難中，前進的道路可能並不容易辨認，
我們應該有耐心，並相信神的靈住在我們身上
（彼前 4：14）。
這種心態會引導我們的內心，進入基督的慈愛和忍耐
（帖後 3：5）。
我們將專注於把自己交託給神，而行善
（彼前 4：19）。
這樣，當基督遭到嚴厲辱罵時，我們就會效法基督
(彼前 2：23)
同時，讓我們擺脫憂慮的重擔。
If we fall into various trials for the sake of Christ,
we must count it as joy as we shall receive tremendous blessings
(Jas 1：2; 1 Pet 4：14).
We will become vessels of God to magnify His power in these trials.
Most importantly, we will be instruments of God’s glory
(1 Pet 4：14, 16),
which is the ultimate aim of every Christian who loves the Lord.
For this reason, we should always give thanks to God for being able to suffer for Him
(1 Pet 4：16)
—a glorious task that not everyone is privileged to undertake.
如果我們為了基督的緣故，落在百般的試煉中，
我們都要以為大喜樂，因為我們將得到豐厚的福氣
（雅 1：2；彼前 4：14）。
我們會成為神的器皿，在這些考驗中，展露祂偉大的能力。
最重要的是，我們將成為神榮耀的器具
(彼前 4：14, 16),
這是每一個愛主基督徒的終極目標。
因此，我們應該常常感謝神，讓我們能為祂受苦
(彼前 4：16)
—是一項光榮的任務，不是每個人都有特權能承受的。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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