4. Manna issue 93 - Who Am I? (Part 1) 我是誰？(第一回)
Boaz—Malaysia 馬來西亞 Boaz
Editor’s note:
This two-part series looks at understanding ourselves
and how our different roles
and identities can either contradict or complement our Christian status.
This first article focuses on managing our conflicting dual identities.
編者按：
這兩期系列文章，探索了解自已，
以及我們不同的角色，和不同的身份，
如何能夠不違背，並且滿足自已基督徒的身份。
本刊首期文章，專注於管理自已衝突的雙重身份。
UNDERSTANDING OURSELVES 了解自已
“Who am I?” is not a question we ask ourselves regularly.
In contrast,
“Who are you?” is more common,
either sparked by curiosity or even uttered with disdain.
But it is essential to turn the question on ourselves,
to spur us to know our true selves better.
In this quest for self-knowledge,
the important questions to ask are:
“我是誰？” 這不是我們經常問自己的問題。
相比之下，
“你是誰？” 比較常見，
要不是出於好奇心，就是輕蔑地說。
但是很重的是，用這個問題來詢問我們自己，
激勵我們，更深入了解真實的自己。
在此自我認知的追求中，
要詢問的重要問題有：
Who am I after I shed my work positions and titles?
Who am I after I lose my wealth and abilities?
Who am I without health and mobility?
Who am I behind the outer facade?
Who am I when my soul leaves my physical body?
若卸下工作職位和頭銜後，我是誰呢？
若失去財富和能力後，我是誰呢？
若沒有健康和無法行走，我是誰呢？
外表背後，我是誰呢？
當我靈魂離開了肉體時，我是誰呢？
DUAL IDENTITIES 雙重身份
Much like a coin, human nature has two sides
—golden on one side, rusty on the other.
Human nature is golden and noble
when it yields itself to the radiance of love.
However, in its cruel willingness to destroy life,
human nature is corroded and base.
就像一枚硬幣，人性有兩面，
—一面是金色的，另一面是生銹。
人性是金色、高貴的
當它自已發出愛的光芒的時候。
然而，其毀滅生命的殘酷意志中，
人性卻是墮落和卑鄙。
All of us have dual identities.
As an individual, I harbor two conflicting extremes.
My visible physical body coexists with my invisible soul.
I have a short and temporal physical life
but also an eternal spiritual life.
我們大家都有雙重身份。
作為個人，我懷有兩個相互矛盾的極端。
我有形的肉體，與我無形的靈魂共存。
我肉體生命短少而暫時，
卻也有永恆的屬靈生命。
I am also filled with contradictions.
My actions often contradict my thoughts.
Even as I take medication for hypertension
because I fear death,
I binge on my favorite fatty meat with little thought of the consequences!
Although I have the Holy Spirit of God abiding in me,
I think and behave like one who does not know God.
While I know that I will die one day,
I refuse to face up to this reality and make adequate preparation for this eventuality.
我也充滿了矛盾。
我的行為常常與自已的想法相互矛盾。
即使我服用了高血壓的藥物，
因為我害怕死亡，
我狂吃自已最喜歡的肥肉，卻很少考慮其後果！
雖然我有神的聖靈住在內心裡面，
我的想法和行為，就像一個不認識神的人。
雖然我知道，自已終有一天會死去，
我拒絕正視這個現實，也拒絕為這種最後的結果做好充分準備。
Son and Sinner 兒子與罪人
The biblical example epitomizing the dual identity of son and sinner is the prodigal son.
He was both scion and swineherd, both son and sinner.
Since we also hold this dual identity as God’s children and sinners,
we often find ourselves in conflict.
The apostle Paul captures it succinctly:
聖經的例子，代表兒子和罪人的雙重身份，就是浪子。
他既是繼承人又是養豬的人，既是兒子又是罪人。
因為我們也有神兒女和罪人的雙重身份，
我們經常發現自己處於矛盾之中。
使徒保羅簡潔作出了總結：
I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God,
but with the flesh the law of sin.
(Rom 7:25)
25感謝神，靠著我們的主耶穌基督就能脫離了。
這樣看來，我以內心順服神的律，
我肉體卻順服罪的律了。
(羅 7：25)
This is the conclusion to the passage in which Paul explains his struggle.
He once lived as a sinner who incurred the wrath of God.
But the Lord Jesus’ death on the cross paid the debt of his sin.
Therefore, Paul’s mind desires to submit to God’s law,
and his soul was revived after baptism, making him the son of God.
However, his soul is still trapped in a fleshly body heading for death
because the flesh submits to the law of sin.
這是保羅的結論，他解釋自已掙扎的經文。
他曾經像罪人生活，導致了神的憤怒。
但是主耶穌死在十字架上，還清了他的罪債。
因此，保羅心中渴望順服神的律法，
受洗後他的靈魂復甦起來，使他成為神的兒子。
然而，他的靈魂依舊困在走向死亡的肉身，
因為肉體屈服於罪的律法。
The death of the fleshly body is the common end of all man,
regardless of whether one believes in God.
Through baptism, our souls are reborn.
But the reborn soul within the physical body
is like a free person who remains imprisoned.
In his prison of sinful flesh,
man cannot do good liberally by merely depending on the resolution of his heart.
Worse, man often perceives himself as kind
and just while blind to his sin!
肉體的死亡是大家的共同結局，
不管個人是否相信神。
通過洗禮，我們的靈魂得以重生。
但這重生的靈魂在在肉體內，
就像自由人仍受到囚禁。
囚於他罪惡肉體的牢獄中，
人不能僅依靠自已內在的決心，就能自由行善。
更慘的是，大家常常認為自己是善良的，
並且對自已的罪惡視而不見！
If we recognize our transgressions and weaknesses,
we will not be so blase.
Instead,
we would immediately give thanks for God’s amazing grace.
Who am I that the heavenly Father would choose me,
out of the billions in the world, to be His son?
如果我們認清自己的過犯和軟弱，
我們不會那麼無聊厭倦。
反而，
我們會立刻感謝神的奇妙恩典。
我是誰呢，天父竟然會揀選我，
從世上數十億人中，選為祂的兒子？
For whom He foreknew,
He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,
that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called;
whom He called, these He also justified;
and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
(Rom 8:29–30)
29因為他預先所知道的人，
就預先定下效法他兒子的模樣，
使他兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。
30預先所定下的人又召他們來；
所召來的人又稱他們為義；
所稱為義的人又叫他們得榮耀。
(羅 8：29-30)
Even more marvelously, the holy and Almighty God foreknew sinners such as us
before we were formed in our mother’s wombs
(Jer 1:5)
and even before the creation of the world
(Eph 1:4).
From foreknowing to calling,
when the time was ripe, God led us
—the stiff-necked donkey
—with gentle cords and bands of love
(Hos 11:4).
Through the blood of His only beloved Son,
we were made righteous and could put on Christ.
On the last day, He will raise us from death and allow us to enter His glory.
更奇妙的是，聖潔全能的真神，預先知道了像我們這樣的罪人，
在我們存在於母親的子宮形成之前，
（耶 1：5）
甚至在世界創造之前
（弗 1：4）。
從預知到召喚，
當時機成熟之時，神就帶領我們，
—像那硬頸的驢子
—用慈繩愛索遷引
（何 11：4）。
藉著祂獨生愛子的寶血，
我們被稱為義，可以穿上基督。
在末日，他會從死亡中復活我們，讓我們進入祂的榮耀。
As sinners, we were worse than the prodigal son
who lived with the unclean swine.
Yet we became sons, not by our own righteousness,
but by God’s grace.
作為罪人，我們還不如浪子，
他與不潔的豬住在一起。
然而我們成為了兒子，不是因我們自己的公義，
而是靠著神的恩典。
What price did we have to “pay” to avail ourselves of such grace?
We needed only to believe in Jesus to be fully and freely justified.
我們要“付出”什麼樣子的代價，才能得到這樣的恩典呢？
我們只需要相信耶穌，就可以完全和白白得到稱義。
[B]eing justified freely by His grace
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
(Rom 3:24)
24如今卻蒙神的恩典，因基督耶穌的救贖，就白白的稱義。
(羅 3：24)
But to him who does not work
but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly,
his faith is accounted for righteousness.
(Rom 4:5)
5惟有不做工的，只信稱罪人為義的神，他的信就算為義。
(羅 4：5)
What a contrast this is to the world
where “there is no such thing as a free lunch!”
Even if we have access to free products and services,
this is only in exchange for our valuable personal data.
這與世界形成鮮明的對比，
因為世界裡“天下並沒有免費的午餐！”
即使我們可以獲得免費的產品和服務，
這只是為了換取我們寶貴的個人資料。
What price did Jesus have to pay to make a sinner a son?
The glorious Son of God became as a sinner to suffer death on the cross.
Every time the thought of His incomparable love and sacrifice comes to mind,
my heart cries out, “Hallelujah,”
as I thank Jesus from the bottom of my heart!
耶穌必須付出什麼代價，才能轉變罪人成為兒子呢？
神榮耀的兒子成為罪人，在十字架受死。
每次想到祂無比的慈愛和犧牲，
我的內心呼喊著，“哈利路亞，”
因為我從心底感謝著耶穌！
Holy Spirit and Carnal Desires 聖靈與肉體的情慾
Receiving the Holy Spirit is a joyous and unforgettable experience.
But who would dare claim
that all our fleshly desires ceased the moment we received the Holy Spirit?
Even today, who can declare that
we are no longer tempted and troubled by our carnal desires?
領受聖靈是一種快樂而難忘的體驗。
但誰敢聲稱，
我們全部肉體的情慾，在我們接受聖靈的那一刻就停止了呢？
時至今日，誰又能斷言，
我們不再被肉體的慾望誘惑和困擾了呢？
At the moment of receiving the Holy Spirit,
we felt victorious and determined that sin would never again encroach into our lives.
However, as time went by, our bad habits slowly returned.
Despite having once been completely razed by “heavenly fire,”
the weeds of these old habits began to sprout when the spring breeze (carnal desires) blew.
Indeed, we may even be unsure whether we truly have the Holy Spirit
because, apart from the evidence of tongue-speaking,
we do not seem to possess any power to overcome these desires.
得到聖靈的那一刻，
我們覺得勝利，並下決心不再讓罪惡侵入我們的生活。
然而，隨著時間的流逝，我們的壞習慣慢慢回來了。
雖然曾經有“天國的火焰”徹底完全的銷毀，
當春風（肉慾）一吹，這些舊習慣的雜草就開始發芽。
事實上，我們甚至可能不確定，自已是否還真的有聖靈，
因為，除了說方言的證據之外，
我們似乎沒有任何力量，可以來克服這些慾望。
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another,
so that you do not do the things that you wish.
(Gal 5:17)
17因為情慾和聖靈相爭，
聖靈和情慾相爭，這兩個是彼此相敵，
使你們不能做所願意做的。
(加 5：17)
Our body is a battlefield where the Holy Spirit wars with our carnal desires;
we will be hard-pressed between the two if we try to remain neutral.
If we yield to our flesh,
we grieve the Holy Spirit.
If we yield to the Holy Spirit,
our flesh cries out that it is suffering.
For example, our flesh murmurs to us,
“You are already so exhausted, just skip prayer this once,”
or “You are already serving so zealously.
Just relax a little today and have a beer.
It’s just a beer; you are not committing a crime!”
我們的身體是一個戰場，聖靈在這裡與我們肉體的情慾交戰；
如果我們想要保持中立，就在兩者之間承受巨大壓力。
如果我們屈服於自已的肉體，
我們就會使聖靈擔憂。
如果我們順服聖靈，
自已的肉體就會呼叫，它正在受苦。
例如，我們的肉體向我們說悄悄話，
“你已經這麼累了，就跳過這次的祈禱吧，”
或者“你已經如此熱心服事了。
今天就放鬆一下，喝杯啤酒吧。
這只是啤酒； 你又沒有犯罪！”
We would not be the first to be placed in such a quandary.
Even the father of faith faced difficult choices.
In particular, Abraham had to choose between his sons.
Keeping both Isaac
—the son born of promise
—as well as Ishmael
—the son born of the flesh
—would have been disastrous.
There would have been no peace in Abraham’s household.
Therefore, God instructed him to drive Ishmael out.
我們將不會是第一個，陷入這種困境的人。
即使是信仰之父，也面臨著艱難的選擇。
尤其是，亞伯拉罕不得不在他的兒子之間做出選擇。
保留兩者，以撒
—應許所生之子
—與以實瑪利
—肉體所生之子
—那將會是很大的災難。
亞伯拉罕的家中將不會有平安。
因此，神指示他趕走以實瑪利。
Today, driving out our carnal desires
is the only way our body can rid itself of the harassment of our carnal desires.
This is literally a battle of life and death.
If we are defeated, death
—not of our fleshly body,
but of our eternal soul
—is a certainty!
Overcoming our carnal desires is the only way to enjoy the peace of both body and mind.
If we fail to extricate ourselves,
our daily lives will be a painful vicious cycle of weakness-sin-repentance-weakness.
今日趕走我們肉體的情慾，
只有這樣，我們的身體才能擺脫肉慾的困擾。
這簡直就是一場生死之戰。
如果我們被擊敗，就會死亡，
—並不是指我們的肉體死亡，
但我們永生的靈魂會死亡，
—這是確定的！
克服我們肉體的情慾，是享受身心平安的唯一方法。
如果我們不能自我解脫，
我們的日常生活將會是，軟弱-犯罪-悔改-軟弱的痛苦惡性循環。
For if you live according to the flesh you will die;
but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,
you will live.
(Rom 8:13)
13你們若順從肉體活著，必要死；
若靠著聖靈治死身體的惡行，
必要活著。
(羅 8：13)
True repentance is critical.
We may pray for forgiveness each time we sin but are our hearts sincere in repentance?
True repentance requires us to turn away from our transgressions.
But often, we dare not promise God that we will not repeat the sin.
In fact, we are keenly aware that our weakness will resurface,
that we are unable to break free from the bondage of carnal desires.
We were unbound, then bound again.
Nevertheless, if we strive to improve,
we can and will reach the honorable goal that God has set for our life.
But if we yield to lust,
we sink into degradation and end up in a depraved state.
真正的悔改很重要。
每次我們犯罪的時候，就祈求饒恕，但我們的內心是否很真誠的想要悔改呢？
真正的悔改要我們轉離自已的過犯。
但是很多時候，我們不敢承諾神，自已將不再重蹈覆轍。
事實上，我們強烈感覺，自已的弱點會重新浮現，
我們無法擺脫肉體情慾的束縛。
我們得到釋放後，然後又被束縛了。
然而，如果我們努力改善，
我們就可以，也會達到神為我們的人生設定的光榮目標。
但如果我們屈服於慾望，
我們沉陷墮落，最終陷入敗壞的情況。
For this is the will of God, your sanctification:
that you should abstain from sexual immorality;
that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.
(1 Thess 4:3–4)
3神的旨意就是要你們成為聖潔，遠避淫行；
4要你們各人曉得怎樣用聖潔、尊貴守著自己的身體。
(帖前 4：3-4)
In the parable of the prodigal son,
the younger son ended up living with the swine and eating their food.
It was not that the prodigal son had forgotten
that the swine was an unclean animal
according to his Jewish faith and that his actions were akin to committing a sin.
Rather, he had forgotten his identity as his father’s son
—that he could fall back on his father no matter what.
Eventually, this man came to his senses and returned home to his father’s bosom.
Had he remembered his identity earlier,
he would not have had to live with the swine.
在浪子的比喻中，
小兒子最後與豬住在一起，吃他們的食物。
不是因為浪子忘記了，
豬是不潔的動物，
根據他的猶太信仰，他的行為等同於犯了罪。
然而，他已經忘記了自己是父親兒子的身份，
—無論如何他都可以回來依靠自已的父親。
最後，這個人醒悟過來，回到了自已父親的懷抱。
若是他能早點想起自己的身份，
他早就不必和豬一起生活了。
Who we are
—this honorable identity as the son of the Almighty
—must always be foremost in our minds.
Remembering that God has redeemed our body and soul at a great price
will help us maintain our holiness
and keep us from yielding to our carnal desires and defiling our bodies.
我們是誰呢？
—這尊貴身份，是全能者的子女，
—必須常常放在我們的腦海中。
記住，神以巨大的代價救贖了我們的身體和靈魂，
會幫助我們保持聖潔，
並保守我們不屈從於肉體的情慾，而玷污自已的身體。
Body and Soul 肉體與靈魂
When standards of living rise,
we no longer worry about whether we have enough to eat.
Instead, we are more concerned about eating and drinking to remain healthy.
We consciously take health supplements and exercise.
We do all these good things to maintain the bodies given to us by the heavenly Father.
Those particular about their looks
are willing to pay considerable amounts
for cosmetic treatments to eliminate wrinkles.
當生活水平提高時，
我們不再擔心吃不飽的問題。
相反的，我們更加關心飲食得以保持健康。
我們有意識的服用保健品和運動。
我們所做這一切好事，是為了維持天父賜給我們的身體。
那些在意外表的人，
願意支付可觀的金額，
用於美容治療以消除皺紋。
And yet, regardless of how well we eat,
how much we exercise, or how advanced medical science is,
who can add one cubit to his stature?
Who can avoid death?
No one!
然而，無論我們吃得有多好，
我們運動了多少時間，或者醫藥科學有多進步，
誰能使自己的身高多加一肘呢？
誰能避免死亡呢？
沒有人！
Those who only plan for their physical bodies are short-sighted.
They forget that within the visible outer shell is an invisible soul
—the “I.”
Consider our smartphones.
These comprise not just the visible hardware but also invisible software.
The hardware is subject to wear and tear.
Parts can be replaced,
but we must also update the phone’s operating software
to keep our phones functioning smoothly.
Similarly, besides keeping our physical bodies healthy,
we must also ensure that we are spiritually fit and healthy
(1 Tim 4:8).
那些只為自己的肉體進行規劃的人，是很短視的。
他們忘記了，在那看得見的外殼裡藏著看不見的靈魂
—那個“自我”。
例如我們的智慧手機。
這一切不僅包括可見的硬體，還包括看不見的軟體。
硬體終會磨損。
零件可以更換，
但我們還必須更新手機的作業軟體，
來保持自已手機順暢運行。
同樣的，除了保持我們的身體健康，
我們還必須確保自已靈命健康
（提前 4：8）。
Why do people save or make long-term investments?
It is because they have faith or hope in the days to come;
they want to be prepared for the future.
Conversely, those who do not think there are better days ahead
would seek out instant gratification
and enjoy themselves while they can.
Similarly, Christians store up treasure in heaven
because their hearts are in heaven,
and they value the everlasting future
much more than the temporal world they live in
(Mt 6:21).
To determine whether we are spiritual “savers” or “spendthrifts,”
compare our earthly bank balances against our offerings to God.
Do not merely store up treasure on earth.
Otherwise, we will reach heaven as paupers,
with our riches left behind on earth,
if we are fortunate enough to make it to heaven.
It would be tragic if we ended up in hell due to inadequate heavenly investments!
大家為什麼要儲蓄或是進行長期投資呢？
這是因為他們對未來的日子有信心或希望；
他們想要未來做好準備。
相反的，那些認為未來沒有好日子的人，
就會尋求及時行樂，
盡已所能享受。
同樣的，基督徒積攢財寶在天上，
因為他們內心嚮往天堂，
他們重視永生的未來，
遠遠超過他們暫時生活的俗世
（太 6:21）。
要決定我們是屬靈的“儲蓄者”還是“揮霍者”，
就可用我們世上的銀行存款，與我們給神的奉獻進行比較。
不要只是積存財寶在地上。
否則，我們將如乞丐一樣進去天國，
將我們的財富留在地上，
如果我們很幸運到了天國。
如果我們因為天國投的資不足而落入地獄，那將很慘！
Do not become the rich fool (Lk 12).
From the perspective of the temporal world,
he was a successful man.
He had a flourishing business and the foresight to increase his goods store.
But in the eternal kingdom, he was foolish and ignorant.
Although he appeared to be preparing his soul
(he told his soul to take ease and enjoy),
he was not making any preparation for his eternal life.
What the soul needs is not the security brought by physical resources.
Instead, it needs to return to God.
不要成為有錢的傻瓜（路 12 章）。
從俗世的角度來看，
他是一個成功者。
他的生意蒸蒸日上，並且有遠見增加他的庫存。
但在永生的國度裡，他是愚昧無知的。
雖然看起來他準備給自已的靈魂，
（他告訴自己的靈魂可以放鬆和好好享受），
他並沒有為自已的永生做任何準備。
靈魂所需要的，並不是物質資源帶來的安全感。
相反，靈魂需要回歸於神。
When should we start to prepare for the future of our soul?
To borrow a phrase commonly used by insurance companies:
“Start as soon as possible.”
Do not be discouraged if we have neglected to do so.
In John 3, Nicodemus
—a Pharisee and a Jewish leader
—came to learn from Jesus.
The Lord did not think that this rabbi was over-age
or too steeped in Judaism to be reborn and enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus patiently explained to him the mystery of spiritual rebirth
because, in Jesus’ eyes,
it is never too late to prepare to enter the heavenly kingdom.
我們什麼時候應該開始為自已靈魂的未來做準備呢？
借用保險公司常用的一句話：
“盡快開始。”
如果我們忽略這麼做，請不要灰心。
約翰福音三章，尼哥底母是
—一個法利賽人和猶太領袖
—來向耶穌學習。
主不認為這個拉比太老了，
或是太過深信猶太教，而無法獲得重生，並進入神的國度。
耶穌耐心向他解釋，屬靈重生的奧秘
因為，在耶穌的眼中，
準備進入天國，永遠不會太晚。
CONCLUSION 結論
As we go through life, we have to manage our dual identities,
lest we forget who we are.
Who am I
when I am stripped bare of the ephemera of worldly wealth, status, and physical facade?
I was a sinner,
but Jesus gave His life to redeem me and reconcile me to God.
I am a human being who still yields to carnal desires,
but Jesus sends His Spirit to dwell in me to help me become a victorious Christian.
I used to chase material wealth foolishly
but am now following Jesus’ exhortation to store my treasures in heaven.
在我們度過一生的過程中，我們必須管理自已的雙重身份，
以免我們忘記自已是誰。
我是誰呢？
什麼時候我脫離短暫的世俗財富、地位和外表呢？
我不過是一個罪人，
但耶穌捨去生命救贖我，使我與神和好。
我是一個仍然會屈服肉體情慾的人，
但耶穌差派聖靈住在我的裡面，幫助我成為一個得勝的基督徒。
我曾經愚蠢地追逐物質的財富，
但我現在聽從耶穌的勸告，將自已的財寶存在天上。
Who am I?
Many may not know me, but God does.
Most preciously,
although I was made from mere dust,
the Almighty God knows me by my name.
Just as He called His chosen prophets by name,
He has recorded my name in the Book of Life.
Moreover, if I diligently prepare for the future of my soul,
when the roll is called up yonder,
Jesus will call me by name.
我是誰呢？
很多人可能不認識我，但神卻認識我。
最寶貴的是，
雖然我只不過是用塵土所創造的，
全能的真神認識我的名字。
正如祂按名字呼召祂所揀選的先知，
祂已將我的名字記錄在生命冊上。
此外，如果我努力為自已靈魂的未來做好準備，
當在那邊點名的時候，
耶穌會叫到我的名字。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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