9. Manna issue 57 - Participating in the Election Process An Opportunity to Be Salt and Light 參與選舉過程可為光與鹽的機會
Voting can be a chance to share our faith.
Susan Estrada—Pacifica, California, USA 美國加州大平洋教會
SHARING GOD’S GOODNESS 分享神的美善
Christians are sojourners on earth.
We are simply passing through, here only for a time.
Some day, we shall leave this tent of a body behind
(2 Cor 5:4; 2 Pet 1:13)
and go to the place that Jesus has prepared for us
(Jn 14:2-4).
This is because our true citizenship is in heaven
(Phil 3:20; Jn 17:14).
基督徒是世上的旅居者。
我們只是過客，暫居在此。
終有一天，我們會拋棄這肉身的帳棚，
(林後 5：4；彼後 1：13)
去耶穌為我們預備的地方，
(約 14：2-4)。
因為我們真正天上國民的身分，
(腓 3：20；約 17：14)
However, for the time that we are here,
our Lord has said that we are to be the salt and light of the world
(Mt 5:13, 14; Mk 9:50; Lk 14:34, 35).
然而，我們在此的這段時光，
我們的主說過，我們要成為世上的鹽和光
（太 5：13，14；可 9：50；路 14：34，35）。
Just as salt seasons and preserves,
we are to bring God’s goodness to the world
and preserve against moral decay in our environment.
And [a]s the lamp gives light to everyone around it,
we are to manifest God’s truth and goodness
to the people around us and thus be a witness for God.1
正如鹽可以調味和防腐，
我們要把神的美善帶給世界，
並防止我們周遭的道德敗壞。
正如檯燈照亮周圍的人，
我們要展現神的真理和美善，
給自已周遭的人，從而為神作見證。 1
How can you and I live up to such a calling
in our corner of the world today?
你我該如何配得上這樣的使命，
在今日世界自已的角落？
If you are a citizen of a nation with a democratic form of government,
you have many opportunities available to you.2
One of the most important rights granted to us is the right to vote.
如果你是民主政府國家的公民，
你將會有許多可得的機會。 2
我們得到最重要的權利之一就是投票權。
We have the chance to share God’s goodness
by the choices we make when we vote.
Our government encourages our participation.
For example,
according to the website of the chief legislative official
in the U.S. House of Representatives,
it is clearly stated,
“U.S. citizens have the right to influence public policy
…The right to vote allows citizens to help choose the officials
who will determine public policy.”3
我們有機會去分享神的美善，
藉由我們投票時，所做出的選擇。
我們的政府鼓勵我們的參與。
例如，
根據美國眾議院主要的立法官方網站，
它明確指出：
“美國公民有權影響公共政策
…投票權使公民能夠幫忙選擇官員，
他們將製定公共政策。”3
If we have the right to participate in the affairs of government,
then we should view this as a wonderful opportunity to be a witness for God.
如果我們有權參與政府事務，
那麼我們應該將此看待是為神作見證難得的機會。
JOSEPH AS A PUBLIC OFFICIAL 約瑟是政務官
Government and public policy go all the way back to the Book of Genesis.
One example is Joseph.
Sold into Egypt as a slave by his brothers,
he found himself thrown into prison for a crime he did not commit.
However, through extraordinary circumstances,
Joseph found himself in the service of Pharaoh.
政府和公共政策的歷史可以追溯到創世記。
約瑟就是一個例子。
他被自已的兄弟賣到埃及為奴，
卻因莫須有的罪名而被關進監獄。
然而，經此超乎尋常的情況，
約瑟卻意外成為法老王的臣子。
Joseph was thirty years old
when Pharaoh appointed him to the position of prime minister,
the highest-ranking public office in all of Egypt.
Through this position,
Joseph brought God’s goodness to the people of his time.
Pharaoh believed the Lord was with Joseph
so he trusted Joseph to implement public policy
that would save his people from starvation
and his country from economic ruin.
約瑟到了三十歲，
那時法老王任命他承接宰相職位，
那是埃及全地最高階的官員。
經由此職位，
約瑟將神的恩惠帶給了當時的百姓。
法老相信神與約瑟同在，
所以他信任約瑟能夠實施公共政策，
將可拯救他的人民免於飢荒，
並讓他的國家免於經濟崩潰。
Pharaoh said to Joseph,
“Inasmuch as God has shown you all this,
there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
You shall be over my house,
and all my people shall be ruled according to your word;
only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”
(Gen 41:39-40)
39法老對約瑟說：
“神既將這事都指示你，
可見沒有人像你這樣有聰明有智慧。
40你可以掌管我的家；
我的民都必聽從你的話。
惟獨在寶座上我比你大。”
(創 41：39-40)
Events unfolded in Egypt just as Joseph had said they would.
During the seven years of bountiful harvest,
Joseph worked with a team of commissioners around the country
to prepare for the seven years of famine that were to follow.
They collected and set aside 20% of the harvest
(Gen 41:46-49).
一連串的事件在埃及發展正如約瑟所說的。
在七個豐收年間，
約瑟與一組全國各地地方官長團隊，
去為接著而來的七年飢荒準備。
他們收集並撥出 20% 的收成。
(創 41：46-49)
The famine brought pain and suffering.
When the people of Egypt brought their troubles to Pharaoh,
he simply told them to go to Joseph.
People from other countries came to buy grain from Joseph,
including his biological family
(Gen 42:1-3).
飢荒帶來了痛苦和苦難。
當埃及人來向法老訴說他們的困難時，
他只是告訴他們去找約瑟。
其他國家的人也來向約瑟買糧，
包括了他親生的家人
(創 41：1-3)。
In those dark days of the famine,
Joseph was like a lamp that gave light to everyone around it.
He provided immediate relief,
and he also helped the country plan for the long term.
Joseph manifested God’s truth and goodness to the people around him.
Joseph was a faithful witness for the Lord.
在飢荒的黑暗歲月裡，
約瑟就像一盞明燈，照亮了周遭的每個人。
他提供了即時的救濟，
也幫助國家製定了長遠的計劃。
約瑟向周遭的人展現了神的真理和美善。
約瑟就是主忠實的證人。
NEHEMIAH AS A PUBLIC OFFICIAL 尼希米是政務官
Government and public policy can also be traced to the Book of Nehemiah.
Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king of Persia.
It was a palace job that came with special privileges
most people could only dream about.
政府和公共政策的根源也可以追溯到尼希米記。
尼希米是波斯王的酒政。
這是一份宮廷職位，享有特殊特權，
大多數的人都夢寐以求。
Through this position,
Nehemiah had the opportunity to help rebuild Jerusalem.
One day, the king observed that Nehemiah was not his usual self.
The cupbearer confessed the burden of his heart, saying,
經由這個職位，
尼希米有機會去協助重建耶路撒冷。
有一天，國王發現尼希米的表現有些反常。
酒政向國王坦誠了自己心中的重擔，說：
“May the king live forever!
Why should my face not be sad,
when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste,
and its gates are burned with fire?”
(Neh 2:3)
“3願王萬歲！
我列祖墳墓所在的那城荒涼，
城門被火焚燒，
我豈能面無愁容麼？”
(尼 2：3)
The king granted Nehemiah everything he needed for a safe trip.
He also provided the materials Nehemiah would need
for his reconstruction efforts once he arrived in Jerusalem
(Neh 1:1-2:9).
國王賜授予尼希米他所需的一切望他能一路平安。
他也提供尼希米所需的材料，
讓他可進行重建工作，一旦他抵達了耶路撒冷。
(尼 1：1-2：9)
Appointed governor,
Nehemiah created and implemented policies
that stopped Jerusalem from falling apart physically, morally, and spiritually.
In spite of many obstacles,
the reconstruction works were completed in record time.
在受任命為總督後，
尼希米制定並實施了很多政策，
阻止了耶路撒冷於物質、道德和屬靈層面的分崩離析。
雖然困難重重，
重建的工程仍於創紀錄的時間內完成。
Nehemiah’s policies brought peace and security back to Jerusalem
as well as improved living conditions for the Israelites.
Because taxes were high,
many Israelites were in debt
and those with money were taking advantage of the less fortunate.
Nehemiah rebuked the latter and reminded them to fear the Lord.
He turned the Israelites back to the Lord
so they would know how to love their God and their neighbors.
尼希米的政策為耶路撒冷帶回了平安與安全，
同時也改善了以色列人的生活條件。
由於賦稅沉重，
許多以色列人負債累累，
而那些有錢人乘機欺壓剝削窮人。
尼希米斥責有錢人，並提醒他們要敬畏耶和華。
他使以色列人迴轉歸向耶和華，
使他們懂得如何去愛他們的神及他們的鄰舍。
Nehemiah loved Jerusalem, and he loved the Israelites.
Through his leadership and by the example he set,
Nehemiah showed God’s people how to live a life
that was pleasing to the Lord.
He was like salt that seasons and preserves.
He brought God’s goodness to that part of the world
and preserved it from moral decay
(Neh 5:1-18).
Nehemiah, too, was a faithful witness for the Lord.
尼希米深愛耶路撒冷，也深愛以色列人。
他以身作則，帶領百姓，
向神的子民展示如何過生活，
可以蒙神喜悅。
他如同鹽，可以調和與保存。
他撒播神的美善遍及那片土地，
免使這片土地陷於道德敗壞。
(尼 5：1-18)
尼希米也是耶和華忠心的見證人。
CHOOSING TODAY’S PUBLIC OFFICIALS 選擇今日的公務員
Joseph and Nehemiah were appointed to public office:
Joseph was appointed by the pharaoh of Egypt,
and Nehemiah was appointed by the king of Persia.
However, in many places around the world today,
men and women in public office are there
because the nation’s citizens have voted for them.
These public officials become the government in authority.
約瑟和尼希米都是受任命的官員：
約瑟受埃及法老任命，
尼希米由波斯王任命。
然而，當今世界許多地方，
有很多男女擔任公職，
是因為該國公民投票選舉他們。
這些公職人員成為掌權的政府。
Paul reminded the Christians in Rome
that the government in authority was God’s “minister” (NKJV) or “servant”(NIV).
Paul let it be known that the government in authority did not come about by chance.
Rather, it is the Lord our God
who determines what government is in authority at any place in any given time
during the course of human history
(Rom 13:1-7; Dan 2:21, 4:17; Jn 19:11).
保羅提醒羅馬的基督徒，
掌權的政府就是神的“政務官”(新欽定版聖經)或“公僕”(新國際版聖經)。
保羅指明出來，掌權的政府並非偶然而產生。
而主我們的神，
才是決定在任何時間，任何地點那個政府才會掌權，
貫穿了人類歷史的長河。
(羅 13：1-7；但 2：21，4：17；約 19：11)
From our study of the Bible,
we also know that it makes no difference to the Lord
whether a ruler is a Jew or a Gentile
(cf. King Cyrus, Isa 44:28).
God, who created the earth and all things in it, is sovereign.
He has a plan, and His will always prevails.
It was true in Bible times, and it is true today.
從我們聖經研讀中，
自已也知道，對主而言並無差別，
不論統治者是猶太人還是外邦人
(參考，居魯士王，賽 44：28)。
神，祂造了大地及其中的萬物，是至高無上的。
祂有計劃，而祂的旨意永遠成就。
在聖經時代這是真理，在今日也仍是真理。
In a democratic form of government, citizens have a role
—to participate in the election process.
They are granted the right
to vote for the candidates of their choice to serve in public office.
This is not something to ignore or take lightly
because public officials create and implement policies that impact our lives.
Often, these policies impact our children’s lives as well,
and sometimes, the lives of future generations.
This applies to any level of government,
be it city, county, state, or federal, including your local school board.
在民主政體中，公民扮演著重要的角色，
—要參與選舉過程。
他們被賦予了投票權，
要去投票給自已心儀的候選人出來擔任公職。
這是件不容輕忽或輕視的事情，
因為政務官會制定及實施的政策來影響我們的生活。
很多時候，這些政策也會影響我們孩子的生活，
有時候，會影響到後代子孫的生活。
這適用於政府的各層級，
無論是城市，郡縣，省州或聯邦政府，也包括你當地的學校董事會。
So how do we
“help choose the officials who will determine public policy”?
How do we make wise choices?
During campaign season,
there is always too much information and misinformation swirling around us.
那麼，我們該如何
“協助選出那些會決定公共政策的官員呢？”
我們該如何做出明智的選擇？
在競選季節，
我們周圍總是充斥著太多的資訊與虛假資訊。
If you are a registered voter,
you may already be familiar with the voter’s guide
published by the elections department of your county government.
There will also be other guides published by various groups.
Campaign materials put together by the candidates and their supporters
will come in the mail.
You may find their messages
staring at you from small yard signs in your neighborhood
or from large billboards along the freeway.
若您是已登記選民，
您或許已經很熟悉選民指南，
那是由你的縣政府選舉部門所出版。
也還會有各種團體所出版的其他指南。
候選人及其支持者所製作的競選文宣，
將透過郵件寄送。
您可能會發現他們的訊息，
在您家附近的小庭院競選注視者你，
或是在沿著高速公路旁的大型廣告看板。
There will be radio and television advertisements.
Information may appear as articles in the morning newspapers
or as blogs online.
Talk shows will fill the air waves.
Once in a while, you may even catch sight of a candidate
who has come to speak in your town or city to ask for your vote.
Last but not least, poll figures,
as well as public opinion pieces,
will attempt to sway you one way or the other.
The wise voter will study all these with interest and objectivity.
屆時將會有廣播及電視廣告。
資訊可能以文章的形式出現在早報上，
或以網路上的部落格出現。
談話節目將會充斥廣播節目。
偶爾，你甚至可能會看到候選人，
他來到你的城鎮或城市演講，以爭取你的選票。
最後但同樣重要的是，民調數據，
以及公眾輿論文章，
都將試圖影響你的投票意向。
明智的選民將會以興趣及客觀的態度來研究所有這些資訊。
CONCLUSION 結論
As followers of Jesus Christ,
we make our choices rooted in the teachings of the word of God.
We need to remember this because we are engaged in spiritual warfare every day.
When we forget, we no longer keep our eyes on Jesus,
and we become side-tracked on our walk with the Lord.
When we forget, our priorities shift,
and we will fail to stand firm on the principles laid out for us in the Bible.
When we forget, we are no longer the salt and light of the earth.
作為耶穌基督的跟隨者，
我們根據神的話語的教導做出自已的選擇。
我們必須牢記這一點，因為我們每天都要要面臨屬靈爭戰。
當我們忘記了，自已就不再仰望耶穌，
我們在與主同行的道路就會偏離正道。
當我們忘記了，我們的目標就會轉移，
我們將無法堅守聖經給我們所設立的原則。
當我們忘記了，我們就不再是世上的鹽與光。
The test for us during each election season
comes by way of our decision making process.
Are we going to vote for a candidate
because this person has promised to deliver on a campaign issue?
Are we casting our vote for a certain candidate
because everyone we know is voting this way?
Are we being persuaded
because the pundits seem
to be making such a very good argument for the candidate of their choice?
每次選舉季，我們面臨的考驗，
都來自於自已決策方式的過程。
我們會投給某個候選人,
是因為這人承諾會兌現某個競選議題嗎？
我們會自已投票給某個候選人，
是因為我們認識的眾人都支持這種立場？
我們會被說服了，
因為評論員似乎為了他們選擇的候選人，
正提出非常有說服力的論點？
Or do we find ourselves in a dilemma over how to spend our vote?
Do we feel our vote would be better spent on another candidate?
Are we afraid to look foolish in front of our family and friends?
Do we fear that we might be singled out and be laughed at or picked on
because we have made our choice based on biblical teachings?
Are we conflicted over
if or how to explain why we are not voting like everyone in the group?
或者我們是否發現自已處在要如何投票問題的兩難？
我們是否覺得自已投票給力一個候選人會更好呢？
我們是否會害怕在自已家人朋友面前會出醜？
我們是否擔心自己會被孤立，嘲笑或欺負，
因為自已基於聖經教導已做出自已的選擇？
我們是否很糾結，
是否及該如何解釋，為何自已沒有像團體的眾人一樣去投票？
The outcome of an election is in God’s control.
Events unfold in this world as they do according to the will of the Lord.
As such, we do not need to take the defeat or victory of the candidates
for whom we voted for personally.
What is important is that we took hold of an opportunity
to do our part to shine a light and preserve God’s truth through the choices we made.
選舉的結果由神掌控。
世事開展皆按著主的旨意而行。
因此，我們無需在意候選人的勝敗
只因我們親自去投票支持。
重要的是，我們把握住這次機會，
透過自已的選擇，盡己所能點亮一盞明燈，保守神的真理。
Finally, according to the word of the Lord,
we submit to the people in authority
(Rom 13:1; Tit 3:1; 1 Pet 2:13: Mt 22:15-22)
and we pray for them
(1 Tim 2:1, 2).
In this way, we can do our duty to our country
as well as be a faithful witness for the Lord
最後，根據主的話語，
我們順服掌權之人
(羅 13：1；多 3：1；彼前 2：13；太 22：15-22)
並為他們禱告
(提前 2：1-2)
如此，我們既能為國盡已本份，
也能成為主的忠心的見證人。
1. True Jesus Church Bible Study Guide, Matthew,
p. 196
1. 真耶穌教會查經指引，馬太福音，
第196頁
2. The U.S. Government’s Official Web Portal
http://usgovinfo.about.com/blinstst.htm
2. 美國政府官方網站
http://usgovinfo.about.com/blinstst.htm
3. Kids in the House – Learn About Congress
http://clerkkids.house.gov/congress/index.html
3. 兒童眾議院－了解國會
http://clerkkids.house.gov/congress/index.html
4. True Jesus Church Bible Study Guide, Thessalonians, Timothy & Titus,
pp. 170-171
4. 真耶穌教會聖經學習指南，帖撒羅尼迦前書，提摩太前書和提多書，
第170-171頁
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入翻譯
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)