12. Manna issue 61 - Reflections 反省
A Noble Task 崇高的任務
Hain-Lee Hsueh—East Bay, California, USA 美國加州東灣
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer,
he desires a noble task.
(1 Tim 3:1, NIV)
1人若想要得監督的職分，
就是羨慕善工。
這話是可信的。
（提前 3：1，NIV）
1 Timothy chapter 3 describes
the criteria and qualifications of being an overseer, or “bishop,” and a deacon.
As indicated by the first verse,
the description that follows is not for those who are already an overseer or deacon
(though I’m sure it serves as an excellent reminder),
but for those who desire to become one.
It is not a list of requirements by which we judge existing church workers,
but a set of spiritual goals and standards we are to diligently pursue
if we wish to dedicate ourselves to,
and become worthy of, serving the church.
提摩太書前書第 3 章描述，
是成為監督或總管和執事的標準和資格。
如第一節所指，
以下描述的經文並不是指那些已經是成為監督或執事的人，
（即使我深信它可以是一個很好的提醒），
但對於那些想要成為長執的人來說。
它不是我們用來評斷現有教會工人的必要資格清單，
而是我們要努力追求的一套屬靈的目標和標準，
如果我們希望獻上自己，
且成為有資格來服事教會。
And to pursue diligently is by no means an overstatement.
The standards are high, beginning with “above reproach,”
or blameless
(1 Tim 3:2).
To desire to serve the Lord is no casual matter;
it’s an ambition.
而努力不懈的追求，也絕不是言過其實。
標準很高，一開始史“沒有爭議”，
或是無可指責
（提前 3：2）。
渴望事奉主絕不是偶然隨意之事，。
這是一種野心的追求。
In our society, it is typical for people to have ambitious career goals.
If we want to be accepted into a prestigious university,
we have to study hard and take up a lot of extracurricular activities
to develop our knowledge and be well rounded.
If we want to become a technical expert,
we must receive a lot of hands-on and theoretical training
and constantly keep up with the latest tools and technologies.
If we want to become a doctor,
we need to score well on the MCAT and excel in medical school.
在我們的社會中，大家通常都有野心的職業目標。
如果我們想考入知名的大學，
就必須努力學習並且參加很多的課外活動，
發展自已的知識且全面發展。
如果我們想要成為技術專家，
我們必須接受很多實習和理論訓練，
並不斷跟上最新的工具和技術。
如果我們想成為醫生，
我們需要醫學院入學測試 MCAT 考高分，並且在醫學院取得優異成績。
Bottom line: when we want to achieve something
or become someone noteworthy in society,
we take it seriously,
and we’re prepared to do whatever it takes to fulfill any prerequisites
and pass any test or assessment with flying colors.
Only those who excel in the necessary qualities will make the cut,
and, in this way, we egg ourselves on.
最低限度：當我們想要完成某件事的時候，
或成為社會的名人，
我們就會認真對待它，
我們準備盡一切努力來滿足任何先決條件，
並且出色的通過任何測試或評估。
只有那些有必要特質表現出色的人才能晉級，
就這樣我們慫恿自己。
Again, to serve the Lord in His church is an ambition.
We might think,
“As long as I have the desire to serve, then God will accept me.”
Maybe it seems more loving or politically correct to believe this.
But in my opinion, this is a gross oversimplification.
再說一遍，要在主的教會中事奉祂就是一種野心。
我們可能會想，
“只要我想要事奉，神就會接納我。”
也許相信這一點，就似乎更為人所接受或是更加政治正確。
但是在我看來，這有點過於簡化了。
If I have the desire to be a doctor, then can I just begin treating patients?
If I have the desire to get a PhD, then can I just expect to get a diploma?
Of course not.
如果我想要成為醫生，那我就可以直接開始治療病人嗎？
如果我想要獲得博士學位，那麼我可以只期望獲得文憑嗎？
當然不是。
Isn’t God higher than all of these?
Isn’t His house more honorable than any worldly office?
Thus, if I have the desire to serve God in His house,
then can I just begin to lead, teach others, and make decisions?
Of course not.
難道神不比這一切的事都更崇高嗎？
難道祂的家不比任何世俗的職位更尊貴嗎？
因此，如果我想要在神家事奉神，
那麼我就可以開始去領導，去教導他人，並做決定嗎？
當然不是。
If we want to serve God,
we must view this ambition with the highest regard.
We must be ready to do whatever it takes to prepare and train ourselves,
giving up whatever may hinder us from attaining the standard of God.
Only then can we serve well and “obtain a good standing in the faith”
(1 Tim 3:13).
如果我們想要事奉神，
我們必須以最崇高的關注來看待這項雄心。
我們必須準備好不論付出任何代價來準備及訓練自己，
放棄一切可能阻礙我們達到神標準的事物。
只有這樣，我們才能好好事奉，才能“在信仰中取得良好的位置”
（提前 3：13）。
At the end of Joshua’s life, he told the Israelites,
“[C]hoose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,”
(Josh 24:15)
and the people emphatically said,
約書亞臨終時，他告訴以色列人：
“15今日就可以選擇所要事奉的”
（書 24：15）
百姓慎重強調說，
“Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods…
We also will serve the Lord, for He is our God.”
(Josh 24:16, 18)
“16我們斷不敢離棄耶和華去事奉別神；...
18我們必事奉耶和華，因為他是我們的神。”
（書 24：16，18）
This is a good and touching response.
But how did Joshua answer them?
這是一個美好感人的回應。
但是約書亞是怎麼回答他們的呢？
“Now therefore, put away the foreign gods which are among you,
and incline your heart to the Lord God of Israel.”
(Josh 24:23)
“23你們現在要除掉你們中間的外邦神，
專心歸向耶和華─以色列的神。”
（書 24：23）
Thus, in order to serve the holy God,
we ourselves must be holy, set apart, above reproach, blameless.
Others may commit adultery, but we are faithful to our spouse.
Others may indulge, but we exercise self-control.
Others may be given to drunkenness in wine or pleasure,
but we remain sober-minded.
Others may be inappropriate and despicable,
but we are respectable and of good behavior.
因此，為了事奉聖潔的神，
我們自己亦必須聖潔，分別為聖，無可指責，毫無瑕疵。
別人可能會犯姦淫，但我們會忠於自己的配偶。
別人可能會放縱享樂，但我們會自律。
別人可能沉醉於飲酒或享樂之中，
但我們仍保持頭腦清醒。
別人可能行為不端又可鄙，
但我們為人尊重且謹言慎行。
The list in 1 Timothy chapter 3 goes on:
not violent, not greedy for money, not quarrelsome, not covetous,
able to manage his family.
Whereas others’ hearts are inclined towards themselves,
our hearts are inclined towards God and His household.
Only those who excel in these necessary qualifications are worthy to serve.
提摩太前書第 3 章繼續表列如下：
不打人，不貪財，不爭吵，不貪婪，
4好好管理自己的家。
別人的心則偏向自己，
我們的內心傾愛神和祂的家庭。
只有那些有這些必要特質表現優透的人才配得服事。
They must first be tested;
and then if there is nothing against them,
let them serve as deacons.
(1 Tim 3:10, NIV)
10這等人也要先受試驗，
若沒有可責之處，
然後叫他們作執事。
（提前 3：10，新國際版）
We may devote much time and effort in becoming someone of consequence in this world,
but no matter how much we invest, the results are temporary.
If, instead, we dedicate and offer ourselves to spiritual ambition,
the results are eternal.
我們可以投入大量的時間和精力，來成為這個世界有影響力的人，
但無論我們投入多少，結果都是短暫的。
相反的，如果我們自已專注致力於屬靈的抱負，
結果就是永生。
Wouldn’t obtaining an eternal reward
require a much greater investment than something temporary?
Therefore, let us re-evaluate our perspective towards serving the holy God.
If we are given an opportunity to serve the church in any capacity,
let us not regard it casually but rather in reverence
by keeping holiness with all diligence.
難道要獲得永生的獎賞，
比短暫的事物不需要有更大的投資嗎？
因此，讓我們重新評估自已事奉聖潔之神的觀點。
如果我們有機會以任何能力服事教會，
讓我們不要隨意的對待它，而是懷著敬畏之心，
竭力來保持聖潔。
If anyone desires to serve the Lord, he desires a noble task.
But the privilege and honor of serving is not simply given but earned.
如果有人想要事奉主，他就是嚮往著從事一項崇高的任務。
而服事的特權和榮耀不是簡單就能得到的，而是努力付出而贏取的。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)