946英翻中(646) POPULAR SINS (DRUNKENNESS,GREED, PRIDE) . 流行罪(醉酒,貪婪,驕傲) 12/24/2024

946英翻中(646)POPULAR SINS (DRUNKENNESS,GREED, PRIDE) . 流行罪(醉酒,貪婪,驕傲)    12/24/2024

CHAPTER TWELVE                                                                                                                                第十二章                                                                                                                                          POPULAR SINS (DRUNKENNESS, DISRESPECT, ILLUSION, GREED, PRIDE)                      流行罪（酗酒、不尊重、幻想、貪婪、驕傲）                                                                              Thanks to worldwide media coverage and the constant pressure for higher program ratings, sin has become an important part of international entertainment. Evil activities that we ought to be weeping over are now sources of entertainment; they are vividly displayed on movie and TV screens and discussed in depth in newspapers and magazines. The all-seeing camera moves into the bedroom, the barroom, and the courtroom and enables excited viewers to enjoy sin vicariously. Movies and TV are instructing generation after generation of children how to ridicule virginity, laugh at sobriety, challenge authority, and reject honesty. Actors, actresses, and advertisers have convinced them that “having fun,” “feeling good,” and “getting away with it” are now the main goals in life.                                              由於全球媒體的報道和提高節目收視率的持續壓力，罪惡已成為國際娛樂的重要組成部分。本來應該為我們哭泣的邪惡行為，現在卻變成了娛樂的泉源；它們在影視螢幕上被生動地展示，在報紙雜誌上被深入討論。全視攝影機移入臥室、酒吧和法庭，讓興奮的觀眾享受罪惡的勝利。影視正在教導一代又一代的孩子如何嘲笑貞潔、嘲笑清醒、挑戰權威、拒絕誠實。男女演員和廣告商讓他們相信，「享受樂趣」、「感覺良好」和「擺脫困境」是現在生活的主要目標。                                                                                                                                                                       The book of Proverbs has something to say about popular sins that are weakening our homes, threatening the peace of our communities, and destroying lives.                                                                         箴言書中談到了一些有關流行的罪惡，它們正在削弱我們的家園，威脅我們社區的和平，並摧毀我們的生命。                                                   

1. Drunkenness                                                                                                                                            1.醉酒 

Alcohol is a narcotic, not a food; Proverbs warns us about alcohol abuse. We need to heed that warning today. Paying for the tragic consequences of drug and alcohol abuse in the United States drains $200 billion annually out of the economy, which averages out to approximately $800 per citizen per year. About 50,000 people a year are killed by drunk drivers, and millions of work hours are lost because of alcohol-related absences and work accidents. The United States consumes 60 percent of the world’s illicit drugs (alcohol is a legal drug), and drug users spend $150 billion in the United States just on cocaine!1                                                                                                                                                    酒精是一種麻醉劑，不是食物；箴言警告我們不要酗酒。今天我們需要注意這個警告。在美國，為吸毒和酗酒造成的悲慘後果付出代價，每年要從經濟中消耗 2000 億美元，平均每個公民每年大約消耗 800 美元。每年約有 5 萬人被醉酒駕駛致死，數百萬工時間因酗酒缺勤和工作事故而損失。美國消費了全球 60% 的非法藥物（酒精是合法藥物），吸毒者在美國僅購買可卡因就花了 1500 億美元！                                                                                                                                        Wine and Israel. Wine is mentioned nearly 150 times in the Old Testament. The people of Israel considered it a gift from God, along with oil and bread (Ps. 104:15). When Isaac blessed Jacob, he asked God to give him “the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn [grain] and wine” (Gen. 27:28; see also Deut. 7:13). However, milk and water, not wine, were the usual daily drinks at Jewish tables; like meat, wine was usually kept for special festive occasions. The Jews also had “strong drink,” which was brewed from fermented grain or fruit.                                                                酒和以色列.  舊約聖經中提到酒近 150 次。以色列人認為它與油和麵包一樣是上帝的恩賜（詩篇 104:15）。當以撒祝福雅各時，他請求上帝賜給他「天上的甘露，地上的肥沃，並充足的五穀和酒」（創世記 27:28；另見申命記 7:13）。然而，猶太人餐桌上的日常飲料是牛奶和水，而不是酒。和肉一樣，酒通常是在特殊的節日場合保存的。猶太人也有“烈酒”，是用發酵的穀物或水果釀造的。                                                                                                                                      While drunkenness is condemned by the law and the prophets,2 the use of wine was not forbidden, except to priests serving in the holy precincts (Lev. 10:8–10) and to people under a Nazarite vow (Num. 6:1–12). Wine was used as a drink offering to the Lord (Ex. 29:38–41; Num. 15:1–15), and could be brought as part of the Jews’ tithes (Neh. 10:36–39), so wine itself wasn’t considered sinful. The problem was what wine did to people. The Old Testament doesn’t demand total abstinence, although certainly it recommends it.3                                                                                                                                    雖然醉酒受到法律和先知的譴責，2   但飲酒並沒有被禁止，除了在聖地供職的祭司（利 10:8-10）和拿細耳人許願的人（民  6:1）之外。 酒被用作獻給上帝的奠祭（出埃及記  29:38-41；民數記15:1-15），並且可以作為猶太人j十一奉獻的一部分（尼希米記10:36-39） ，因此酒本身並不被認為是有罪的。問題在於酒對人的影響。3                                                                                    Wine and wisdom. “Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (Prov. 20:1 nkjv). This is the first of several passages in Proverbs that warn against what today we call “alcohol abuse.” Alcohol mocks people by creating in them a thirst for more while not satisfying that thirst. The more people drink, the less they enjoy it. The drinker becomes a drunk and then a brawler. In spite of what the slick advertising says about the charm of drink, it just isn’t a smart thing to do. As a Japanese proverb puts it, “First the man takes a drink; then the drink takes a drink; then the drink takes the man.”                                                                                                         舊約聖經並沒有要求完全禁慾，儘管它確實建議這樣做。 「酒能使人褻慢，醉酒使人爭吵；凡因酒而迷失的，就無智慧」（箴 20:1 新欽定版）。這是《箴言》中警告人們不要今天所謂的「酗酒」的幾段經文中的第一段。酒精會讓人產生對更多的渴求，卻無法滿足這種渴求，因而嘲笑了人們。人們喝得越多，就越不喜歡它。喝酒的人會變成酒鬼，然後變成鬥毆者。儘管華而不實的廣告宣傳了飲料的魅力，但這並不是明智之舉。正如日本諺語所說：「男先喝酒，然後喝酒引進喝酒」。然後飲料喝一杯；然後酒就帶走了人。                                                          Alcohol also mocks people by giving them a false sense of happiness and strength, and this is what often leads to fights. The weakling thinks he’s a superman so he challenges anybody who gets in his way. The gradeschool dropout thinks he’s the wisest person in town and argues with anybody who disagrees with him.                                                                                                                                                酒也會嘲笑人們，給人們一種虛假的幸福感和力量感，而這往往會導致爭吵。弱者認為自己是超人，所以他挑戰任何阻礙他的人。這位小學輟學生認為自己是鎮上最聰明的人，並與任何不同意他觀點的人爭論。                                                                                                                               As I was writing this chapter, I read an item in the newspaper that illustrates my point. According to the Associated Press, a British charter plane had to make an emergency landing in Munich because a drunken passenger slugged his girlfriend and started brawling with other passengers. German police had to handcuff the man and drag him off the plane. After sobering up in an airport security cell, the man discovered that the airport had charged him $3,000 for the emergency landing and extra jet fuel. Those were expensive drinks!4                                                                                                                             當我寫本章時，我讀到報紙上的一篇文章說明了我的觀點。根據美聯社報道，一架英國包機不得不緊急降落在慕尼黑，因為一名醉酒乘客毆打女友並開始與其他乘客鬥毆。德國警方不得不給這名男子戴上手銬，並將他拖下飛機。在機場安檢室清醒過來後，男子發現機場向他收取了 3,000 美元的緊急降落費和額外的燃油費。這些都是昂貴的飲料！4                                                   Addiction to alcohol can lead to poverty (21:17), so it’s wise to stay away from the people who encourage you to drink (23:20–21). Proverbs 23:29–35 is the most vivid description of the tragic consequences of drunkenness you will find anywhere in Scripture,5 including delirium, sorrow, strife, bruises, and bloodshot eyes;6 “and in the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper” (23:32 niv). You’d think that after having this frightening experience, the drinker would want to become a total abstainer for life, but alas, he’s a slave! “When will I wake up so I can find another drink?” (v. 35 niv).           酗酒會導致貧窮（21:17），所以明智的做法是遠離鼓勵你喝酒的人（23:20-21）。箴言23:29-35 是對醉酒悲慘後果的最生動的描述，你可以在聖經中的任何地方找到它，5包括譫妄、悲傷、衝突、瘀傷和眼睛充血；「箴言23:29-35 是對醉酒悲慘後果的最生動的描述，你可以在聖經中的任何地方找到它，5包括譫妄、悲傷、衝突、瘀傷和眼睛充血；6「最後它像被咬的人一樣咬人。你可能會認為，在經歷了這種可怕的經歷之後，飲酒者會想成為終身戒酒者，但可惜的是，他是個奴隸！ “我什麼時候才能醒來，以便再找到一杯飲料？” （第 35 節）。                       Alcohol and civic responsibilities don’t mix, according to Proverbs 31:1–9;7 yet the alcohol flows freely under capitol domes and at embassies. A resident of Washington, D.C., said to me, “There are three parties in this city: the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, and the cocktail party.”                          根據《箴言》31:1-9;7，酒和公民責任並不混在一起，但酒卻在國會大廈圓頂下和大使館內自由流動。華盛頓特區的一位居民對我說：“這個城市有三個政黨：共和黨、民主黨和雞尾酒會。”                                                                                                                                                                     King Lemuel’s mother warned him to stay away from wine so that he would be capable of serving others. “Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning! Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness” (Eccl. 10:16–17 nkjv; see Hos. 7:5). “Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent” (Isa. 5:22 niv). That’s what the queen mother was warning her son to avoid.                                     雷米爾國王的母親警告他要遠離酒，這樣他才有能力為他人服務。 「土地啊，你有禍了，當你的國王還是個孩子，而你的王子們在早上吃晚餐的時候！土地啊，當你的君王是貴族之子，你的王子們在適當的時候盛宴時，你是有福的——是為了力量，而不是為了醉酒”（傳道書10:16-17 nkjv；見何7 :5）。 「那些喝酒的英雄和調酒的勇士有禍了，他們因受賄而宣義」（以賽亞書 5:22 Niv）。這就是太后警告她的兒子要避免的事情。                                                                     Proverbs 31:6–7 seems to suggest that there are times when wine should be used to help people, such as encouraging the dying or comforting the suffering so they can forget their troubles. I think verses 6–7 are spoken in irony and not as a commandment, because nobody’s problems are solved by forgetting them, and who wants to spend his or her last minutes of life on earth drunk? When Jesus faced death on the cross, He refused to accept the wine sedative that was offered Him (Matt. 27:33–34). If it’s wrong for the king to drink wine because it prevents him from helping people, then it’s wrong for needy people to drink wine because it prevents them from helping themselves! The dying person needs help in preparing to meet God, and the suffering person needs help in solving life’s problems; drinking alcohol will accomplish neither one.8                                                                                                                   箴言 31:6-7 似乎表明，有時酒應該用來幫助人們，例如鼓勵臨終者或安慰受苦者，以便他們忘記煩惱。我認為第 6 至 7 節是諷刺性的，而不是作為誡命，因為沒有人的問題是透過忘記它們來解決的，誰願意在地球上喝醉度過生命的最後幾分鐘呢？當耶穌在十字架上面臨死亡時，祂拒絕接受提供給祂的鎮定酒（太 27:33-34）。如果國王喝酒是錯的，因為這會妨礙他幫助人民，那麼窮人喝酒也是錯的，因為這會阻止他們幫助自己！垂死的人需要幫助來準備與上帝會面，受苦的人需要幫助來解決生活中的問題； 8                                                                                     We help people, not by deadening them to their problems and pains, but by encouraging them to trust the Lord and lean on His Word. We certainly must stand up for the oppressed (Prov. 31:8–9), but they also need to be in shape to stand up for themselves, something alcohol won’t supply.                                 我們幫助人們，不是讓他們對問題和痛苦麻木不仁，而是鼓勵他們相信主並依靠祂的話語。我們當然必須為受壓迫的人挺身而出（箴言 31:8-9），但他們也需要保持健康，才能為自己挺身而出，這是酒精無法提供的。                                                                                                               Wine and today’s believer. The New Testament clearly warns today’s Christians about the sin of drunkenness. “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy” (Rom. 13:13 nkjv; see 1 Thess. 5:7; Luke 21:34). Galatians 5:21 names drunkenness as one of the works of the flesh, and 1 Peter 2:11 admonishes us to “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”                                                                                                                         葡萄酒和今天的信徒。新約聖經明確警告今天的基督徒要提防醉酒的罪。 「我們行事為人就當端正，如同在白日一樣，不可荒宴醉酒，不可邪淫邪情，不可爭競嫉妒」（羅馬書 13:13 NKJV；參考帖前 5:7；路 21:34） 。加拉太書 5:21 將醉酒列為肉體的行為之一，彼得前書 2:11 勸告我們「要禁戒那與靈魂相爭的肉體的私慾」。                                                                                        Passages like Romans 14:1—15:13 and 1 Corinthians 8–10 instruct us to (1) receive other Christians and not make differences about diets and special days a test of fellowship or spirituality; (2) avoid being a stumbling block to others; (3) seek to build one another up in Christian maturity; and (4) avoid being obstinate and defensive about our own personal convictions so that they become a cause of disunity in the church. Christians with a weak conscience stumble easily and need to be built up, but stronger Christians are sometimes quick to criticize and look down on others. Both groups need love, patience, and the help of the Spirit.                                                                                                                       羅馬書 14:1-15:13 和哥林多前書 8-10 等經文指示我們 (1) 接待其他基督徒，不要以飲食和特殊日子的差異來考驗團契或靈性； （2）避免成為他人的絆腳石； (3) 尋求在基督徒的成熟上彼此建立； (4) 避免對自己的個人信念表現出固執和防禦，以免成為教會不合的原因。良心軟弱的基督徒很容易跌倒，需要被建造，但更強壯的基督徒有時很快就會批評和看不起別人。這兩個群體都需要愛、耐心和聖靈的幫助。                                                                                                       My wife and I have traveled enough to know that there’s such a thing among God’s people as “cultural Christianity.” Practices that are acceptable in one place may be classified as sins in another place, and this includes the use of alcohol as a beverage. Christians everywhere should deplore drunkenness, but not all of us agree on total abstinence or even on what “moderation” is.                                 我和妻子去過很多地方，知道上帝的子民中有一種叫做「文化基督教」的東西。在一個地方可以接受的做法在另一個地方可能被歸類為罪惡，其中包括使用酒精作為飲料。世界各地的基督徒都應該譴責酗酒，但並非所有人都同意完全禁酒，甚至不同意什麼是「節制」。                       Our conviction is total abstinence, but we haven’t made it a test of fellowship or spirituality. As far as I know, we’ve never created problems ministering in different cultures, even in the homes of people who disagreed with our views. Other Christians have respected us because we’ve respected them and tried to manifest Christian love. But by not using alcoholic beverages, my wife and I have not been tempted to get drunk; we’ve also been examples to believers who might stumble if we did drink. These two blessings are worth more to us than whatever pleasure there may be in drinking alcoholic beverages.9                                                                                                                                                             我們的信念是完全禁慾，但我們並沒有把它當作對團契或靈性的考驗。就我所知，我們從來沒有在不同文化中施助時遇到問題，甚至是在那些不同意我們觀點的人家裡。其他基督徒尊重我們，因為我們尊重他們並試圖表達基督徒的愛。但由於不喝酒精飲料，我和妻子就沒有被誘惑喝醉。我們也為信徒樹立了榜樣，如果我們喝酒，他們可能會跌倒。對我們來說，這兩種祝福比飲用酒精飲料所帶來的任何樂趣更有價值。

2. Disrespect                                                                                                                                                2. 不尊重                                                                                                                                                   “The eye that mocks his father, and scorns obedience to his mother, the ravens of the valley will pick it out, and the young eagles will eat it” (Prov. 30:17 nkjv). The child who looks at his or her parents with contempt and disrespect will one day be treated like an unburied corpse, and to be left unburied was a great reproach in Israel. As I read the newspapers and news magazines, I become more and more convinced that we’re living in the generation described in Proverbs 30:11–14 with its pride, greed, violence, and lack of appreciation for parents.                                                                                      「那藐視父親、藐視母親的眼睛，山谷的烏鴉必啄食它，雛鷹必吃它」（箴 30:17  新欽定版）。以輕蔑和不尊重的態度看待父母的孩子有一天會被視為一具未埋葬的屍體，而不埋葬在以色列是一種極大的恥辱。當我閱讀報紙和新聞雜誌時，我越來越確信我們生活在箴言 30:11-14 所描述的世代，他們驕傲、貪婪、暴力，並且缺乏對父母的感激。                                                                        我們這些不得不計算的人                  Disrespect for parents usually begins with disrespect for the Word of God that parents seek to teach to their children. “A fool despises his father’s instruction” (15:5). “He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded” (13:13). Sometimes children go off to college or a university and get poisoned by ideas that are contrary to Scripture, and then they come home to tell everybody how stupid and old-fashioned their parents are. If children maintain this haughty attitude, they’ll eventually rob their parents (28:24), curse their parents (20:20), and bring shame to their parents (19:26).                                                                                                                                                          Under the old covenant, children who disobeyed their parents and broke the law were in danger of losing their lives. I’m not advocating that disrespect for parents be made a capital crime today, but passages like Deuteronomy 21:18–21 and Leviticus 20:9 show how seriously God takes the fifth commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Ex. 20:12 nkjv; see Eph. 6:1–4). Children who don’t respect godly, loving parents aren’t likely to respect teachers, policemen, or any other authority symbol in society. 

3. Illusion                                                                                                                                                    We live in a world of illusion, with people trying to impress each other. “One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth” (Prov. 13:7). Worth is measured by wealth, not by character and conduct; as long as people have money and fame, they’re considered important. To be “rich and famous” is the ambition of millions of people; until they reach that goal, they enjoy riches and fame vicariously as they follow the career of their favorite celebrity.                                          Wise people believe God’s truth and live for reality and not for illusion. “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception” (14:8 niv). Some of the deceptive illusions people are foolishly clinging to today are 

           “There are no consequences, so do as you please.”                                                                                       “If it feels good, it is good.”                                                                                                                           “The important thing in life is to have fun.”                                                                                                 “There are no absolutes.” (What about this statement?)                                                                               “The older generation can’t teach you anything.”                                                                                         “Commitment is enslavement. Stay free.” 

          Those of us who have had to counsel disillusioned people, some of whom were contemplating suicide, know how damaging these lies can be in the human life. A life that’s built on lies is bound to be disappointing and will eventually fall apart. It’s only when we build on God’s truth that we can withstand the storms of life (Matt. 7:24–29).                                                                                                          To trust Jesus Christ is to know reality, because He is the truth (John 14:6). To know and obey God’s Word is to know the truth (17:17), and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit is to experience truth (1 John 5:6). God is a God of truth, and those who know Him by faith have no desire to frolic in the senseless illusions of the world system (2:15–17). 

 945 英翻中 (645)                        12/23/2024

4. Counsel                                                                                                                                                   4. 友好的建議                                                                                                                                                「 “Plans are established by counsel; by wise counsel wage war” (20:18 nkjv). If experienced generals seek counsel as they wage war, shouldn’t we seek counsel for the battles of life? It’s dangerous to rely on our own wisdom and experience and to ignore the wisdom and experience of other believers who have successfully walked with the Lord. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (12:15 nkjv).                                                                                                                    「計劃由友好的建議而制定；明智的建議發動戰爭」（20:18 新欽定版）。如果經驗豐富的將軍在打仗時尋求建議，那麼我們不應該在人生的戰鬥中尋求建議嗎？依賴我們自己的智慧和經驗而忽略其他成功與主同行的信徒的智慧和經驗是危險的。 「愚昧人所行的，在自己眼中看為正；聽從勸告的，卻是智慧人」（12:15 新欽定版）。                                                                                   The first source of wise counsel is Christian parents. “Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old” (23:22 nkjv; see 6:20–23). “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction” (13:1 nkjv). Not everybody has the privilege of being raised in a godly home, but even then, the Lord often provides “substitute parents” who can share the wisdom of the Lord.                                 明智忠告的第一個來源是基督徒父母。 「要聽從生你的父親的話，當你母親年老時，不可藐視她」（23：22新欽定本；參閱6：20-23）。 「智慧子聽從父親的教訓」（13:1 新欽定版）。  並不是每個人都有幸在敬虔的家庭中長大，但即便如此，主也經常提供“替代父母”，他們可以分享主的智慧。                                                                                                                                              Christian friends can also listen, counsel, and pray. “Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel” (27:9 nkjv). The Living Bible paraphrases the verse, “Friendly suggestions are as pleasant as perfume,” but sometimes a friend’s counsel may not be perfume! It may be acid! Even then, we have nothing to lose; for “as iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (27:17 nkjv). The sparks may fly, but God will give us the light that we need. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (27:6).                                                                                                                                                    基督徒朋友也可以聆聽、諮詢和祈禱。 「膏油和馨香，使人心歡喜；朋友的甘甜，使人因衷心的勸告而喜樂」（27:9 新欽定本）。 《活著的聖經》解釋了這節經文：“友好的建議像香水一樣令人愉悅”，但有時朋友的建議可能不是香水！可能是酸！即便如此，我們也沒有什麼好失去的；因為「就像鐵磨鐵一樣，人磨朋友的面容」（27:17 新欽定本）。火花可能會飛揚，但上帝會賜給我們我們所需要的光。 「朋友的傷口是忠誠的，敵人的親吻是欺騙的」（27:6）。                How we accept and apply rebuke is a test of how devoted we are to truth and wisdom and how sincere we are in wanting to know God’s will. “He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise” (15:31 niv). “He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding” (v. 32 nkjv). Friends who flatter us and avoid telling us the truth are only doing us harm. “He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue” (28:23 niv; see 29:5).                                                                                                                                我們如何接受和運用責備，是考驗我們對真理和智慧的忠誠程度，以及我們是否真誠地想要了解上帝的旨意。 「聽從賦予生命的責備的人，將在智者之中自在」（15:31 新國際版）。 「藐視管教的，是輕看自己的靈魂；聽從責備的，卻得聰明」（32節   新國際版）。奉承我們不告訴我們真相的朋友只會傷害我們。 「責備人的，終必比諂媚人的更蒙人喜悅」（28:23 新國際版；參閱 29:5）。                                                                                                                                                 Not every friend is a good counselor, so we must choose wisely. “The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out” (20:5 niv). We don’t know our own hearts (Jer. 17:9), and only God’s Word can honestly reveal “the thoughts and intents [motives] of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). It takes a counselor with loving patience and a discerning spirit to help us see what lies deep within our hearts.                                                                                                                                           並不是每個朋友都是好的輔導員，所以我們必須明智地選擇。 「人心的籌算是深水，惟有明哲的人才能將其引上來」（20:5 新國際版）。我們不知道自己的心（耶利米書 17:9），只有上帝的話語才能誠實地揭示「心裡的思念和主意（動機）」（來 4:12）。需要一位充滿愛心的耐心和洞察力的輔導員來幫助我們看到內心深處的東西。                                                                            While it’s usually true that “a multitude of counselors” assures a wise decision (Prov. 11:14; 15:22; 24:6; see Ex. 23:2), at the same time, we must avoid running from friend to friend asking for advice. This may indicate that we’re trying to find somebody who will tell us what we want to hear! “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24 niv).2 It isn’t enough to have friends; we must have a friend who will “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).                                                                                                                                                                       雖然「謀士眾多」通常確實可以確保做出明智的決定（箴言 11:14；15:22；24:6；參  出埃及記 23:2），但同時，我們必須避免逃避朋友間尋求建議。這可能表明我們正在努力尋找能告訴我們想聽什麼的人！ 「朋友眾多，可能自取滅亡，但有一個朋友，比兄弟更親密。」（《箴言》18:24 niv）2 光有朋友是不夠的，還需要更多的努力。我們必須有一個「用愛心說誠實話」的朋友（弗 4:15）。                                                                                                                                            Often in my conference ministry, people will approach me with personal problems and ask for advice. I try to avoid giving counsel for several reasons: I don’t know the people; I’m not going to be there long enough to continue a counseling relationship; a quick chat after a meeting isn’t counseling; and I don’t want to take the place of a faithful local pastor.                                                                                  在我的會議事工中，人們經常會向我提出個人問題並尋求建議。我盡量避免提供建議，原因如下：我不認識這些人；我不會在那裡待足夠長的時間來繼續諮商關係；會議結束後的簡短交談不是諮詢；我不想取代一位忠實的當地牧師。                                                                                        “Have you discussed this matter with your pastor?” I ask, and I carefully listen to the reply. No matter what the words are, the reply often indicates, “I talked to him, but it didn’t do any good” (meaning possibly, “I didn’t get my way”) or, “I’ve talked to him and a dozen other ministers and guest speakers!” Then I know that anything I say will probably do little good.                                                             “你和你的牧師討論過這件事嗎？”我問，我仔細聽答覆。不管用什麼詞，回覆通常表明，「我和他談過，但沒有任何效果」（意思可能是，「我沒有按我的方式行事」）或者，「我已經和他談過了」還有十幾位其他部長和演講嘉賓！然後我知道我說的任何話都可能起不到什麼作用。                                                                                                                                                                     In seeking counsel, we must be sincere, because a loving and wise friend can often see dangers and detours that are hidden from us. It’s best to be accountable to another believer and submit to the authority of the spiritual leaders in our church. During more than forty years of ministry, I’ve witnessed the painful downfalls of several “Lone Ranger” Christians who thought they didn’t need anybody’s counsel. “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment” (Prov. 18:1 nkjv). Christians are God’s sheep, and we need to flock together. As members of Christ’s spiritual body (1 Cor. 12), we belong to each other, and we need each other.                                                                     在尋求建議時，我們必須真誠，因為有愛心、有智慧的朋友常常能看到我們隱藏的危險和彎路。最好對其他信徒負責並服從我們教會精神領袖的權威。在四十多年的事奉中，我親眼目睹了幾位「獨行俠」基督徒的痛苦墮落，他們認為自己不需要任何人的建議。 「孤立自己的人只追求自己的慾望；他對一切明智的判斷發怒」（箴 18:1 NKJV）。基督徒是神的羊，我們需要聚集在一起。身為基督靈體的成員（哥林多前書 12），我們彼此屬於彼此，我們彼此需要。

5. Plans                                                                                                                                                        5. 計畫 

We must never think that in determining the will of God, the believer is passive and only the Lord is active. “Let go and let God” is a clever motto, but I’m not sure it applies to every area of the Christian life.3 If all we do is exercise faith, commit our way to the Lord, read the Bible, and counsel with our friends, we may never get much done for the Lord. You can’t steer a car when it’s in neutral, and “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).                                                                                                          我們千萬不要以為，在決定神的旨意時，信徒是被動的，只有主是主動的。 「放手，讓上帝來」是一句聰明的座右銘，但我不確定它是否適用於基督徒生活的每個領域。並提出建議和我們的朋友一起，我們可能永遠不會為主做多少事。當汽車處於空擋時，你無法駕駛汽車，「信心沒有行為就是死的」（雅各書 2:26）。                                                                                                        But doesn’t Proverbs 3:5 warn us against leaning on our own understanding? Yes, it does, but the word lean means “to rely on,” and our faith must be in God’s Word and not in our own wisdom. It’s the same word used of a king who leans on the arm of an officer (2 Kings 5:18; 7:2, 17) or a person who leans on a staff (18:21).                                                                                                                                           但箴言 3:5 不是警告我們不要依靠自己的理解嗎？是的，確實如此，但是“精益”這個詞的意思是“依靠”，我們的信心必須是神的話語，而不是我們自己的智慧。這個字也用來形容靠在軍官手臂上的王（列王紀下 5:18；7:2, 17）或靠在杖上的人（18:21）。                                                    As we seek to know God’s will, we must gather all the facts we can and assess them, because our decision must be based on knowledge and not hearsay. “Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly” (Prov. 13:16 niv). “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” (18:13 nkjv). This applies whether we’re answering somebody else or answering the Lord. “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception” (14:8 niv). We must take time for an honest look at facts.                                                                                     當我們尋求了解上帝的旨意時，我們必須收集所有可能的事實並進行評估，因為我們的決定必須基於知識而不是道聽途說。 「凡通達人都憑知識行事；愚昧人顯出自己的愚昧」（箴 13:16 Niv）。 「凡未聽完就回答的，對他來說是愚昧和羞辱」（18:13 NKJV）。無論我們是在回答別人還是回答主，這都適用。 「通達人的智慧在於省思自己的道路，愚昧人的愚昧在於欺騙」（14:8 Niv）。我們必須花時間誠實地審視事實。 

                                                                                      God expects us to use our brains and make plans, but He also expects us to submit those plans to Him and let Him make the final decision. “To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue” (16:1 niv). “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” (v. 3 niv). If we’re yielded to the Lord and our plans are not His plans, He will show us what’s right and steer us away from what’s wrong. “And if on some point you think differently, that, too, God will make clear to you” (Phil. 3:15 niv). “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Prov. 16:9 niv).                                                                                                                                       It is when we rebel against the Lord and want to go our own way that we get into trouble. “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord” (21:30). That’s why we must begin our search for God’s will by reading His Word and obeying it, because the Scriptures reveal the character and the purposes of God. The will of God will never contradict either the purposes of God or the character of God, so we must wait before the Lord, because “the plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (21:5 niv). If we’re walking by faith, we won’t rush ahead, for, “whoever believes will not act hastily” (Isa. 28:16 nkjv).                                                                                       So, when we have a decision to make, we gather all the facts and seek wise counsel, we make our plans, we commit ourselves and our plans to the Lord, we listen to His Word, and we wait before Him for His leading. Sometimes God leads us through a Bible promise or warning; sometimes while we’re at worship with God’s people, He speaks through a song or Scripture reading; or He may direct us through providential circumstances. More than once in my own life, His disciplines have turned out to be His directions (Prov. 3:11–12; Heb. 12:1–11). 

6. Obedience                                                                                                                                                  6. 服從                                                                                                                                                            “In all your ways acknowledge Him” (Prov. 3:6) means, “Do God’s will in every area of life. Seek to honor Him in everything.” Note verse 7: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil” (nkjv). Pride and disobedience in any area of life can get us on dangerous detours, so we must stay humble before Him. “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them” (11:2–3 nkjv).                                                                                                                                                「在你一切所行的事上，都要認定他」（箴 3:6）意味著「在生活的各方面遵行上帝的旨意。凡事都要尋求榮耀他。請注意第 7 節：“不要自以為有智慧；不要自以為有智慧。”敬畏耶和華，遠離惡事」（和合本）。生活任何方面的驕傲和不服從都會讓我們走上危險的彎路，所以我們必須在祂面前保持謙卑。 「驕傲來了，恥辱也來了；謙卑的人就有智慧。正直人的純正必引導他們；不忠心人的乖僻必毀滅他們」（11:2-3 NKJV）。                                                                              The assurance is, “and He shall direct your paths.” Dr. G. Campbell Morgan said: “Not always in easy or pleasant paths, but always in right paths. Not always in those I would have chosen, but always in paths which lead to success…. The paths that He directs lead always through mist and mystery, through battle and through bruising, to the fulfillment of the meaning of life.”4                                                 保證是：“祂必指引你的道路。” G.坎貝爾摩根(G. Campbell Morgan)博士說："並不總是走在輕鬆或愉快的道路上，但總是在正確的道路上。並不總是在我會選擇的道路上，但總是在通往成功的道路上…。祂所指引的道路總是穿過迷霧和神秘，穿過戰鬥和挫傷，直到實現生命的意義。"4                                                                                                                                                                Some people live only for entertainment and try to escape the burdens of life. Others live for enjoyment and try to make the most of life. God’s dedicated people live for enrichment and discover fulfillment in life as they do the will of God from the heart.                                                                                另一些人則為了享受而生活，並試圖充分利用生活。上帝獻身的子民為豐富而生活，並在發自內心地遵行上帝旨意時發現生活的充實。                                                                                                Which one are you?                                                                                                                                        你是哪一類？              

Notes   註                                                                                                                                                     1 God never violates any person’s freedom, but He works so that His purposes are accomplished even through the lives of people who don’t know Him or won’t acknowledge Him. This was true of Cyrus (2 Chron. 36:22; Isa. 44:28—45:1), Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 25:9; 27:6), and Pharaoh (Ex. 9:16; Rom. 9:14–18).                                                                                                                                                                1上帝從不侵犯任何人的自由，但祂的工作是為了透過那些不認識祂或不承認祂的人的生活來實現祂的目的。居魯士（代36:22；以賽亞書44:28—45:1）、尼布甲尼撒（耶25:9；27:6）和法老（出埃及記9:16 ；羅9： 14-18）。                                                                                                          2 The KJV reads “A man who hath friends must show himself friendly,” and the margin of the NKJV reads “A man who has friends may come to ruin.” The idea seems to be that having many companions but no real friends could lead a person to ruin, for there’s nobody who cares enough about him to rebuke him. The original text is diffcult, but the NIV seems to say it best.                                                              2 《欽定本》寫道：“有朋友的人必須表現出友善”，而新欽定本的頁邊寫著“有朋友的人可能會毀滅”。這個想法似乎是，有很多同伴但沒有真正的朋友可能會導致一個人走向毀滅，因為沒有人足夠關心他來責備他。原文很難，但 NIV 似乎說得最好。                                                              3 Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God”; the phrase “be still” literally means “take your hands off,” or “stop your striving.” There are times when we prove our faith simply by waiting on the Lord and allowing Him to work. Naomi’s advice to Ruth was excellent: “Sit still, my daughter” (Ruth 3:18), and so was Moses’ instruction to Israel at the Red Sea: “Stand still!” (Ex. 14:13). But when it’s time to act, no amount of devotion will substitute for obedience. See Josh. 7:10ff.; 1 Samuel 16:1ff.; 1 Kings 19:15ff.                                                                                                                                              3 詩篇 46:10 說：「你們要安靜，知道我是神」； 「保持安靜」一詞的字面意思是「把手拿開」或「停止努力」。有時，我們只需等候主並讓祂做工來證明我們的信心。拿俄米給路得的建議非常好：“女兒啊，你要站住！”（路得記 3:18），摩西在紅海對以色列人的指示也是如此：“站住！” （出 14:13）。但當需要採取行動時，再多的奉獻也無法取代服從。見喬許. 7點10分；撒母耳記上 16:1 及後；列王記上 19:15ff。                                                                                                  4 The Westminster Pulpit, vol. IV (London: Pickering and Inglis), 147.                                                    4 威斯敏斯特講壇，卷。 IV（倫敦：皮克林和英格利斯），147。                                                 

944 英翻中 (644) God is love. 上帝是愛. 12/22/2024 星期日

944 英翻中 (644)                      God is love.              上帝是愛.                       12/22/2024        星期日

親愛的主內訪友, 上帝的兒子耶穌, 將於下週 "道成肉身" 來到世上.  祂降生的目的是為贖世人的罪, 釘死在十字架上, 三天後復活, 升天坐在主上帝的右邊. 拯救我們信祂的人, 得永生.   

CHAPTER ELEVEN                                                                                                                                  第十一章                                                                                                                                                      ENJOYING GOD’S GUIDANCE                                                                                                              享受上帝的引導                                                           

Mention the phrase “the will of God,” and you’ll get different responses from different people, not all of them positive.                                                                                                                                                提到「上帝的旨意」這個詞，你會從不同的人那裡得到不同的反應，但並非都是正面的。                    Some people will say, “Not that again!” They remember their adolescent years when it seemed like every lesson and sermon they heard hammered away on knowing and doing God’s will, and it all seemed so impractical to them at that time.                                                                                                           有人會說：“以後別再這樣了！”他們記得在青少年時期，他們聽到的每堂課和講道似乎都在強調認識和遵行上帝的旨意，而這一切對他們來說似乎是那麼不切實際。                                            Others will smile knowingly, recalling the difficult “valley experiences” of life when the only thing that kept them going was depending on the will of God. The will of God wasn’t always easy, but it was always good and right.                                                                                                                                          其他人會心一笑，回憶起生活中艱難的“山谷經歷”，當時唯一讓他們繼續前進的就是依靠上帝的旨意。神的旨意並不總是容易實現，但它總是美好而正確的。                                                        Perhaps some people will say nothing, but they’ll feel a hidden inward pain as they remember how they deliberately disobeyed God’s will and suffered for it. They had to learn the hard way how to delight in the will of God.                                                                                                                                       或許有些人嘴上不說，但一想起自己故意違背神的旨意而受苦，內心就會感到隱隱的痛苦。他們必須透過艱苦的方式學習如何喜悅上帝的旨意。                                                                             No matter how we may feel personally about the topic, if we’re going to be skillful in life, we have to understand what God’s will is and how it works in our everyday experiences. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon shares with us the essentials for knowing, doing, and enjoying the will of God.                   無論我們個人對這個主題的感受如何，如果我們想要在生活中變得熟練，我們就必須了解神的旨意是什麼以及它如何在我們的日常經歷中發揮作用。在《箴言》中，所羅門與我們分享了認識、遵行和享受神的旨意的要點。                                                                                                         

1. Faith                                                                                                                                                        1. 信心                                                                                                                                                  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5–6 nkjv). These two verses have encouraged believers everywhere in their quest for God’s guidance, and for those who have sincerely met the conditions, the promise has never failed. But when we say, “I’m trusting in the Lord,” what are we really affirming?                                                                                                                                「你要專心仰賴主，不可倚靠自己的悟性；在你一切所行的事上，當認定他，他必指引你的路」（箴 3:5-6 新欽定版）。這兩節經文鼓勵各地的信徒尋求神的引導，而對於那些真誠地滿足條件的人來說，這個應許從未落空。但當我們說「我信靠主」時，我們真正在確認什麼？                  That we belong to God. No unbeliever could honestly rest on the words of Proverbs 3:5–6. While a sovereign God can rule and overrule in the life of any person, saved or lost,1 it is clear that the life of the unsaved person is motivated and energized by the world, the flesh, and the devil (Eph. 2:1–3). Only a believer can have the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit or understand the teachings of the Scriptures, and only a believer would really want to understand and obey the will of God. 我們屬於上帝。沒有一個不信的人可以誠實地相信箴言 3:5-6 的話。雖然至高無上的上帝可以統治和統治任何人的生活，無論是得救的還是失喪的，1 很明顯，未得救的人的生活是受到世界、肉體和魔鬼的推動和推動的（以弗所書2 :1） –3).只有信徒才能得到內住聖靈的引導，或明白聖經的教訓，也只有信徒才會真正願意明白並順服神的旨意。                                                                                            That God has a plan for our lives. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Prov. 19:21 niv). It is inconceivable that our loving heavenly Father would give His Son to die for us, and then abandon us to our own ways! We are not our own because we have been purchased by God (1 Cor. 6:19–20), so it’s reasonable that our Master should have a perfect plan for us to fulfill for His glory. Ephesians 2:10 assures us that the good works God wants us to accomplish have already been determined; in Philippians 2:12–13, God assures us that He works in us to accomplish His good pleasure. The talents we were born with (Ps. 139:13–18) and the gifts we received at conversion (1 Cor. 12:1–11) are brought together by the Holy Spirit so that we can do what God has called us to do.             上帝對我們的生活有一個計劃。 「人心多有計謀，惟有耶和華的旨意得勝」（箴 19:21 和合本）。難以想像的是，我們慈愛的天父會賜下祂的兒子為我們而死，然後卻拋棄我們，讓我們走自己的路！我們不是自己的人，因為我們是被神買來的（哥林多前書6:19-20），所以我們的主應該為我們制定一個完美的計劃來實現祂的榮耀，這是合理的。以弗所書 2:10 向我們保證，神要我們完成的善行已經確定了；在腓立比書 2 章 12-13 節中，神向我們保證，祂會在我們裡面動工，以成就祂的美意。我們與生俱來的才能（詩篇139:13-18）和我們歸信時所領受的恩賜（哥林多前書12:1-11）都由聖靈匯集在一起，以便我們能夠做上帝呼召我們去做的事去做。                                                                                                                                                                         That this plan is the best thing for us. How could a holy God will for His children anything less than His best, and how could a loving God plan anything that would harm us? We have no reason to fear the will of God, because His plans come from His heart. “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations” (Ps. 33:11 nkjv). Unless we see the will of God as the expression of the love of God, we’ll resist it stubbornly, or do it grudgingly, instead of enjoying it. Faith in God’s love and wisdom will transform our attitude and make the will of God nourishment instead of punishment (John 4:34).                                                                                                                                        

這個計劃對我們來說是最好的。聖潔的神怎麼可能為祂的孩子安排不最好的事？我們沒有理由害怕神的旨意，因為祂的計劃來自祂的心。 「耶和華的籌算永遠立定，祂心中的籌算萬代常存」（詩篇 33:11 NKJV）。除非我們將神的旨意視為神的愛的表達，否則我們就會頑固地抗拒它，或者勉強地去做，而不是享受它。對神的愛和智慧的信心會改變我們的態度，使神的旨意成為滋養而不是懲罰（約翰福音4:34）。                                                                                                      That the Father will reveal His will in His time. It’s through “faith and patience” that we receive what God promises (Heb. 6:12, 15), and it’s as dangerous to run ahead of the Lord as it is to stubbornly lag behind. “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way” (Prov. 19:2 niv). “Be not like the horse or like the mule” (Ps. 32:9). The horse rushes ahead and the mule won’t budge, and both attitudes are wrong. Even the great apostle Paul didn’t always know exactly the way God was guiding, and he had to pause in his work and wait for divine direction (Acts 16:6–10). Our times are in His hand (Ps. 31:15), and the Father is always on schedule (John 11:6–10).                             天父會在祂的時間啟示祂的旨意。藉著“信心和忍耐”，我們才能領受神所應許的（來6:12, 15），跑在主前面和頑固落後一樣危險。 「熱心而無知識，急躁而迷失正路，這都是不好的」（箴 19:2 Niv）。 「不要像馬，也不要像騾子」（詩 32:9）。馬向前衝，騾子不動，這兩種態度都是錯的。即使是偉大的使徒保羅也不總是確切地知道神引導的方式，他不得不暫停他的工作並等待神的指示（使徒行傳16：6-10）。我們的時間掌握在祂的手中（詩篇 31:15），而天父總是按計劃行事（約翰福音 11:6-10）。

2. Commitment                                                                                                                                            2. 委身                                                                                                                                                  Knowing and obeying the will of God can’t be a halfhearted endeavor on our part, a hobby we indulge in when there’s an emergency or when we “feel like it.” God wants us to trust Him with all our heart and acknowledge Him in all our ways. Knowing and doing the will of God isn’t a “spiritual technique” that we use occasionally; it’s a committed lifestyle that involves everything we do.                                  認識並遵守神的旨意不能是我們三心二意的努力，也不能是我們在遇到緊急情況或「願意」時沉迷的愛好。神希望我們全心全意地信靠祂，並在我們一切的方式上承認祂。認識並遵行神的旨意並不是我們偶爾會使用的「靈修技巧」；這是一種專注的生活方式，涉及我們所做的一切。                                                                                                                                                                        Successful athletes make winning their full-time pursuit, and this shows up in the way they eat, sleep, exercise, and relate to their coaches and teammates. The word for this is commitment, and commitment involves obedience. “He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded” (Prov. 13:13 niv).                                                                                                             成功的運動員將勝利作為他們的全職追求，這體現在他們的飲食、睡眠、鍛鍊以及與教練和隊友的關係中。這個字就是承諾，而承諾就意味著服從。 「藐視訓誨的，必自受報應；遵守誡命的，必得善報」（箴 13:13 新國際版）。                                                                                                  In the book of Proverbs, the wise father repeatedly gives his son loving calls to obedience. “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands” (3:1 nkjv). “My son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother” (6:20 nkjv). “My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands within you” (7:1 nkjv). The will of God isn’t a curiosity for us to study, it’s a command for us to obey; God isn’t obligated to reveal His will unless we’re willing to do it. “If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7:17 nkjv). As F. W. Robertson said, “Obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge.”                                                                                                                                             在《箴言》中，明智的父親不斷地慈愛地呼籲兒子服從。 「我兒，不要忘記我的律法，只要你心遵守我的命令」（3:1 新欽定版）。 「我兒，你要謹守你父親的誡命，不可離棄你母親的律法」（6:20 新欽定版）。 「我兒，你要遵守我的話語，將我的命令珍藏在你心裡」          （7:1 新欽定版）。上帝的旨意不是讓我們研究的好奇心，而是讓我們服從的命令；祂沒有義務顯明祂的旨意，除非我們願意這樣做。 「人若立志遵行祂的旨意，就必曉得這教訓或是出於上帝，或是我憑著自己說的」（約翰福音 7:17 新欽定版）。正如F.W.羅伯遜(F. W. Robertson)所說：“服從是屬靈知識的器官。”                                                                                                                       This commitment is spelled out in Romans 12:1–2, another familiar passage about the will of God. Before I can “prove by experience” what God’s will is, and discover that His will is “good, pleasing and perfect” (niv), I must give Him my body, my mind, and my will, a total commitment of my total being. This is a once-for-all presentation, but it needs to be renewed daily as we meet with the Lord in worship and prayer.                                                                                                                                                              這項承諾在羅馬書 12 章 1-2 節中有詳細闡述，這是另一段關於上帝旨意的熟悉經文。在我能「用經驗證明」神的旨意是什麼，並發現祂的旨意是「良善、可喜悅、完美」（新國際版）之前，我必須把我的身體、我的思想和我的意志交給他，將我全部的全部委身於他。這是一次性的介紹，但當我們在敬拜和禱告中與主相遇時，它需要每天更新。                                                       A pastor friend of mine once said to me, “There are too many ‘cafeteria Christians’ in our congregation. Instead of letting God plan the whole meal and accepting it, they pick and choose what they want, and they miss the best dishes He fixes for them!” God wants all of our heart, and He expects us to obey all of His will in all of our ways. If Jesus Christ gave His all for us, how can we do less than give our all to Him?                                                                                                                                              我的一位牧師朋友曾經對我說：「我們教會裡『自助餐廳的基督徒』太多了。他們沒有讓上帝計劃並接受整頓飯，而是挑選自己想要的東西，他們錯過了上帝為他們準備的最好的菜餚！ ”神要我們全心全意，祂希望我們在一切道路上遵守祂的旨意。如果耶穌基督為我們付出了一切，我們怎麼能不把自己的一切奉獻給祂呢？                                                                                             The Hebrew word translated “acknowledge” in Proverbs 3:6 carries with it the idea of intimate communion and is used to describe the marriage relationship (Gen. 4:1; 19:8). Whenever I find myself distant from my Father, then I know that I’ve allowed something to enter my life that is not in the sphere of His will. Since the will of God comes from the heart of God, it ought to draw my heart closer to Him.                                                                                                                                                                    箴言 3:6 翻譯為「承認」的希伯來文有親密溝通的意思，用來描述婚姻關係（創 4:1；19:8）。每當我發現自己與天父疏遠時，我就知道我已經允許一些不屬於祂旨意範圍的東西進入我的生活。神的旨意既然是從神的心來的，就該讓我的心更接近神。                                                                                    

3. Instruction                                                                                                                                                3. 教導                                                                                                                                                        “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction” (Prov. 13:1 niv). “Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life” (4:13 nkjv). “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (9:9).                                                                        「智慧子聽從父親的教訓」（箴 13:1 Niv）。 「牢牢把握教誨，不鬆懈；保守她，因為她是你的生命」（4:13 NKJV）。 「教導智慧人，他就更有智慧；教導義人，他的學問就增長」（9:9）。                                                                                                                                                                In order to “trust in the Lord,” we must have His Word to instruct us, because “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17 nkjv). Scripture is “the word of faith” (Rom. 10:8) that generates and nourishes faith in our hearts, and we can depend on His Word. “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him” (Prov. 30:5 nkjv; see 22:17–21).                        為了“信靠主”，我們必須有他的話語來指導我們，因為“信道是從聽道來的，聽道是從基督的話來的”（羅馬書 10:17 NKJV）。聖經是「信心的道」（羅馬書10:8），它在我們心中產生並滋養信心，我們可以依靠祂的話語。 「神的話句句都是純正的；祂是信靠祂的人的盾牌」（箴 30:5 NKJV；參閱 22:17-21）。                                                                                                                  To deliberately act apart from the instruction of the Scriptures is to rebel against the revealed will of God. “He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded” (13:13 nkjv; see 19:16). To ignore the Word of God is to deprive ourselves of the guidance we need for making the decisions of life. “Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge” (19:27 niv).                                                                                                                   故意違背聖經的指示行事，就是違背神所啟示的旨意。 「藐視訓言的，必滅亡；敬畏誡命的，必蒙福報」（13:13 NKJV；參 19:16）。忽視神的話語就是剝奪我們自己做出人生決定所需的指引。 「我兒，別再聽教誨了，你就會偏離知識的言語」（19:27 新國際版）。                                 Most of the situations, opportunities, and decisions the average person encounters in life are already dealt with in the Word of God. Consult a topical index to the Bible, or even to the book of Proverbs, and you’ll see how thoroughly Scripture deals with the practical affairs of life. Of course, we can’t expect the Bible to specifically tell us the name of the person we should marry, which job we should accept, what car we should buy, or where to spend our vacation, but if we’re saturated with God’s wisdom and sincerely seeking His will, we’ll be ready for Him to guide us by His Spirit and the providential circumstances of life.  一般人在生活中遇到的大多數情況、機會和決定都已經在神的話語中得到了解決。查閱聖經的主題索引，甚至箴言書，你會看到聖經如何徹底地處理生活中的實際事務。當然，我們不能指望聖經具體告訴我們應該結婚的人的名字，我們應該接受什麼工作，我們應該買什麼車，或者去哪裡度假，但是如果我們滿足的話憑藉上帝的智慧並真誠地尋求他的旨意，我們將準備好讓祂透過祂的靈和天意的生活環境來引導我們。                                       “A man’s steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way?” (20:24 nkjv) God overruled Joseph’s brothers’ envy and used their evil deeds to build Joseph’s faith and save Jacob’s family (Gen. 50:20). At the time, nobody could understand what the Lord was doing, but He was working out His perfect plan. In the school of faith, sometimes we don’t know what the lesson is until we’ve passed—or failed— the examination!                                                                                                       「人的腳步為耶和華；那麼一個人如何能夠了解自己的道路呢？ (20:24 NNKJV) 上帝消除了約瑟兄弟的嫉妒，並利用他們的惡行來建立約瑟的信心並拯救雅各的家人（創世記 50:20）。當時，沒有人能明白主在做什麼，但祂正在製定祂完美的計劃。在信仰的學校裡，有時我們不知道課程是什麼，直到我們通過或未通過考試！                                                                                                When we studied Proverbs 1—4, we learned that it is necessary for us to apply ourselves to God’s Word if we hope to receive His instruction. According to Proverbs 2:1–4, our responsibility is to receive the Word, treasure it, listen to it, apply our heart to it, cry out for it, and search for it the way a miner searches for treasure; then we will “understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God” (2:5 nkjv).                                                                                                                                                               當我們研讀箴言 1-4 章時，我們了解到，如果我們希望接受上帝的指示，就必須將自己應用在上帝的話語中。根據箴言 2：1-4，我們的責任是接受神的話語，珍惜它，聆聽它，用心聆聽它，呼求它，並像礦工尋找寶藏一樣尋找它；那麼我們就會「明白敬畏耶和華，認識上帝」（2:5 NKJV）。                                                                                                                                                   Reading and meditating on God’s Word ought to be a daily habit with us. “Blessed is the man who listens to me,” says Wisdom, “watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors” (8:34 nkjv). If you want your faith and spiritual discernment to mature, there’s no substitute for the disciplined, systematic reading of the whole Word of God. “Wise people store up knowledge” (10:14 nkjv), because you never know when you’ll need some truth from the Bible to help you overcome a temptation or make a decision.                                                                                                                                                      閱讀和默想上帝的話語應該成為我們每天的習慣。智慧說：「聽從我的人，每天在我的門前警醒，在我的門柱處等候的人是有福的」（8:34 NKJV）。如果你想讓你的信仰和屬靈洞察力成熟，有紀律、有系統地閱讀整本神的話語是無可取代的。 「智慧人積蓄知識」（10:14 NNKJV），因為你永遠不知道什麼時候需要聖經中的一些真理來幫助你克服誘惑或做出決定。             But there’s another factor involved, and that’s prayer, because the Word of God and prayer go together (John 15:7; Acts 6:4; Eph. 6:17–18). “If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable” (Prov. 28:9 niv; see 15:8). The word translated “law” in this verse is torah, which means “instruction.” If I won’t listen to God’s instruction, why should God listen to my petition?                                  但還有另一個因素，那就是禱告，因為神的話語和禱告是相輔相成的（約翰福音 15:7；使徒行傳 6:4；以弗所書 6:17-18）。 「若有人聽從律法，他的祈禱也為可憎」（箴 28:9 和合本；參閱 15:8）。這節經文翻譯為「律法」的字是妥拉（torah），意思是「教導」。如果我不聽從神的吩咐，為什麼神要聽我的祈求呢？                                                                                                           

943 英翻中 (643) The Influence of Righteousness. 公義的偉大. 12/21/2024

943 英翻中 (643)                    The Influence of Righteousness.      公義的偉大.         12/21/2024

3. The Influence of Righteousness                                                                                                            3. 公義的偉大.                                                                                                                                            The life of righteousness must not become a solitary and selfish experience. When God blesses the righteous, He does it so they can share the blessing with others. “I will bless you,” God promised Abraham, “and you shall be a blessing” (Gen. 12:2 nkjv). The “blessed man” of Psalm 1 is “like a tree” that produces fruit for others to enjoy (Ps. 1:3). “The righteous will thrive like a green leaf…. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life” (Prov. 11:28, 30 niv).                                                                              公義的生活絕不能成為一種孤獨和自私的經驗。當上帝祝福義人時，祂這樣做是為了讓他們能夠與他人分享祝福。 「我要賜福給你，」祂向亞伯拉罕保證，「你也必成為別人的福氣」（創 12:2 新欽定版）。詩篇第 1 篇中的 “有福的人” “像一棵樹”，結出果子供別人享用（詩篇 1:3）。 「正義的人會像綠葉一樣茁壯成長......義人的果子就是生命樹」（箴 11:28, 30 新國際版）。                                                                                                                                                                     Let’s trace the circles of influence that radiate from the lives of men and women of God who walk on His paths.                                                                                                                                                          讓我們追蹤走在上帝的道路上的男男女女的生活所輻射出的偉大影響圈。                                        They are blessed in their character. The eminent American preacher Phillips Brooks said that the purpose of life was the building of character through truth. Christian character is one thing we’ll take to heaven with us. We’ll all have glorified bodies like that of our Lord (Phil. 3:20–21; 1 John 3:1–3), and we’ll all be happy in His presence, but we will not all immediately have the same capacity for appreciating spiritual things. Every vessel will be filled, but not all vessels will be the same size. Those who have walked closely with their Lord will be delighted to see Him (2 Tim. 4:8), but others will be “ashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 2:28).                                                                                              他們的品格是有福的。美國著名傳教士菲利普​​斯布魯克斯(Phillips Brooks)說，人生的目的是透過真理塑造品格。基督徒的品格是我們可以帶到天堂的事。我們都會擁有像我們主一樣榮耀的身體（腓立比書 3:20-21；約翰一書 3:1-3），我們都會在他面前喜樂，但我們不會立即擁有同樣的身體。事物的能力。每個容器都會被填滿，但並非所有容器的大小都相同。那些與主親密同行的人會很高興見到他（提後  4:8），但其他人會「在他來的時候在他面前感到羞愧」 （約一 2:28）。                                                                                                                                                     The righteous desire the very best from the Lord, and He grants it to them (Prov. 10:24; 11:23). When we delight ourselves in the Lord, we will want the things that delight Him (Ps. 37:4). The developing of spiritual perception, a godly appetite, and the ability to choose the best (Phil. 1:9–11), is one of the blessed by-products of a holy walk with God. The more we become like Christ, the less we enjoy the “entertainment” of this world and long for the enrichment of the world to come.                                 義人渴望從主那裡得到最好的東西，祂就將這一切賜給他們（箴 10:24；11:23）。當我們以主為樂時，我們就會想要令祂喜悅的事物（詩篇 37:4）。屬靈知覺的發展、敬虔的胃口以及選擇最好事物的能力（腓 1:9-11），是與神潔同行的神聖副產品之一。我們越變得像基督，就越少享受這個世界的“娛樂”，也就越不渴望來世的豐富。                                                                            Of course, godly character comes from feeding on the Word and taking time to be holy. “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Prov. 9:9). Even reproof helps the godly person to mature. “Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you” (v. 8 nkjv).                                                                                         當然，敬虔的品格來自於以神的道為糧，並花時間變得聖潔。 「教導智者，他會更明智；教導義人，他的學問就必增長」（箴 9:9）。即使責備也能幫助敬虔的人成熟。 「不要糾正褻慢人，免得他恨你；責備智慧人，他就必愛你」（8節  新欽定版）。                                                           The righteous are kind and generous (21:26) and show their kindness not only in the way they treat people (29:7) but also in the way they treat animals. “A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel” (12:10 nkjv).                                                                                   義人仁慈而慷慨（21:26），他們的仁慈不僅體現在對待人的方式上（29:7），也體現在對待動物的方式上。 「義人顧惜牲畜的性命；惡人的十種憐憫卻是殘酷的」（12:10 新欽定版）。                                                                                                                                                                   They are blessed in their home. “The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous” (3:33 niv). “The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish” (14:11 nkjv). The wicked may live in houses, and the righteous have only tents, but with the blessing of the Lord, the righteous person’s tent will be a palace! “The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand” (12:7).                                                        他們在家裡受祝福。 「耶和華咒詛惡人的家庭，賜福給義人的家庭」（3:33 新國際版）。 「惡人的家必傾覆，正直人的帳棚必興旺」（14:11 新欽定版）。惡人可能住在房屋裡，義人只有帳篷，但若有主的祝福，義人的帳篷將成為宮殿！ 「惡人傾覆，歸於無有；義人的家必站立得住」（12:7）。                                                                                                                                                   In the Hebrew culture, “house” refers to the family as well as the structure in which the family dwells (2 Sam. 7:16, 25, 27), which means that the children of the godly are included in the blessing. “The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him” (20:7 nkjv). “Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches” (24:3–4; see 14:1).                                                                                              在希伯來文化中，「家」指的是家庭以及家庭居住的結構（撒母耳記下 7:16,25,27），這意味著敬虔的兒女也包括在祝福之內。 「義人行事純正；他的子孫在他之後是有福的」（20:7 新欽定版）。 「房子因智慧而建造，因聰明而堅立；藉著知識，房間裡充滿了一切寶貴而令人愉快的財富」（24：3-4；見14：1）。                                                                                                             One of the greatest rewards in life is to be a blessing to your children and grandchildren. “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread” (Ps. 37:25 nkjv). This blessing includes material things (Prov. 13:22), but it applies even more to spiritual treasures.                                                                                                                                                    生命中最大的回報之一，就是成為你的子孫的祝福。 「我曾經年輕過，現在已經老了；我卻沒有看見義人被離棄，也沒有看見他的後裔討飯」（詩 37:25 新欽定版）。這祝福包括物質財富（箴言 13:22），但它更適用於屬靈的財富。                                                                                                When I was born, a doctor told my parents that I wouldn’t live beyond the age of two; yet the Lord enabled them to raise me, even though I wasn’t a robust child. Why did I survive? Partly because of a greatgrandfather who had prayed years before that there would be a preacher of the gospel in every generation of our family—and there has been! “The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot” (10:7).                                                                                                                                         當我出生時，醫生告訴我的父母，我活不過兩歲；然而主讓他們撫養我，儘管我不是個強壯的孩子。為什麼我能活下來？部分原因是我的曾祖父多年前就祈禱我們家族的每一代人都會有一位福音傳道者 —— 而且確實如此！ 「義人的名譽必蒙福；惡人的名必朽壞」（10:7）。               “Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home” (27:8 niv). In our contemporary American society, about 17 percent of the population relocates each year, but in ancient Israel, people stayed close to home. The extended family was the norm, with children and grandchildren learning to revere their ancestors and respectfully learning from them. The person who strayed from home was either up to no good or had to leave because of family problems.                                                      「人離家，如同飛鳥離巢」（27:8 新國際版）。 在當代美國社會，每年約有 17% 的人口搬遷，但在古代以色列，人們卻留在家附近。大家庭是常態，子孫學會尊敬祖先並向他們學習。離家出走的人要不是不懷好意，就是因為家庭問題而不得不離開。                                                              But the verse applies spiritually as well as geographically: We must not stray from the example of our godly ancestors or the spiritual treasures they left us. How tragic it is when children and grandchildren ridicule and reject the spiritual heritage of their family and turn instead to the ways of the world.                                                                                                                                                                      但這節經文不僅適用於地理，也適用於靈命：我們絕不能偏離我們敬虔祖先的榜樣，或他們留給我們的屬靈寶藏。當子孫們嘲笑和拒絕家族的屬靈遺產，而轉向世俗的方式時，這是多麼悲慘的事情。                                                                                                                                                      They are blessed as citizens and leaders. “When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked” (11:10–11 nkjv). “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (29:2 nkjv).                                 公民和領導人受到祝福。 「義人得福，全城都歡喜；當惡人滅亡時，人們歡呼雀躍。城因正直人的祝福而高舉，卻因惡人的口而傾覆」（11:10-11 新欽定版）。 「當義人掌權，百姓歡喜；惡人作王，百姓就哀嘆」（29:2 新欽定版）。                                                                                         Israel was a monarchy and the king was expected to rule in the fear of the Lord (20:8, 26). “It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness” (16:12). “Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness” (25:5). God cast out the Canaanite nations because their sins were abominable to Him (Deut. 12:29–32), and He chastened Israel when they imitated the sins of those nations (Judg. 2). God would not tolerate the sin of idolatry.                                                                                                                                                    以色列是君主制國家，國王應該敬畏耶和華來統治（20:8, 26）。 「作惡是君王所憎惡的；因為王位是靠公義堅立的」（16:12）。 「除掉王面前的惡人，王的寶座就必因公義堅立」（25：5）。上帝驅逐了迦南民族，因為他們的罪對他來說是不可憎惡的（申命記 12:29-32），當以色列效法這些民族的罪時，他就管教他們（士師記 2）。上帝不會容忍拜偶像的罪。                     By turning away from God’s law, wicked rulers led the way for the nation to become evil. Whenever the nation had a godly king, such as David, Josiah, or Hezekiah, God blessed His people. But when an ungodly king ascended the throne, the Lord withdrew His blessing and left them to their own devices. Eventually, the northern kingdom of Israel was taken over by Assyria, the Southern Kingdom of Judah was exiled in Babylon, and Jerusalem and the temple destroyed.                                                          邪惡的統治者背棄上帝的律法，導致國家走向邪惡。每當這個國家有一位敬虔的君王，例如大衛、約西亞或希西家時，上帝就會祝福他們的子民。但當一個不敬虔的國王登上王位時，主就撤回了祂的祝福，讓他們自行其是。最終，北國以色列被亞述佔領，南國猶大被流放到巴比倫，耶路撒冷和聖殿被毀。                                                                                                                             During times of spiritual decay, it was the godly remnant of righteous people who maintained the flickering flame of spiritual life in the nation. When false prophets, greedy priests, and ruthless kings joined together to lead the nation away from the true God, it was the faithful remnant that served as salt and light in the land. “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name” (Mal. 3:16).                                                                                               在靈命衰落的時期，正是正義之人​​的敬虔殘餘維持了這個國家屬靈生活的閃爍火焰。當假先知、貪婪的祭司和殘暴的君王聯合起來帶領國家遠離上帝時，忠心的餘民在這片土地上充當了鹽和光。 「敬畏耶和華的人屢次彼此說話，耶和華垂聽，也聽見了；並且有一本紀念冊，為那些敬畏耶和華、思念祂名的人，寫在他面前」（瑪拉基書 3： 16）。                                                      Israel is the only nation that has a special covenant relationship with God, but the principle of Proverbs 14:34 still stands: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (niv). Deuteronomy 12, Amos 1—2, and Romans 1:18–32 make it clear that God judges the Gentile nations for their sins even though He didn’t give them the same law that He gave to Israel (Ps. 147:19–20). National leaders can’t escape the judgment of God when they lead the people away from God’s holy standards. Legalizing sin doesn’t make it right. No wonder Thomas Jefferson wrote, “Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.”                                                                                                     以色列是唯一與上帝有特殊立約關係的國家，但箴言 14:34 的原則仍然成立：「公義使邦國高舉，罪卻使萬民蒙羞」（新國際版）。申命記12 章、阿摩司書1-2章 和羅馬書1:18-32 清楚表明，上帝會因外邦人的罪孽審判他們，儘管祂沒有賜給他們與以色列人相同的律法              （詩篇147 :19- 20）。當國家領導人帶領人民背離上帝神聖的標準時，他們就無法逃脫上帝的審判。使罪合法化並不意味著它是正確的。難怪托馬斯·傑斐遜(Thomas Jefferson)寫道：“當我想到上帝是公正的時，我確實為我的國家顫抖。”                                                                                                   Godly parents can raise godly children, and godly children can provide godly influence in their communities and in the nation. In a democracy, where leadership is elected and not inherited, the Lord’s remnant must exert as much influence for righteousness as possible; certainly every believer ought to pray for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1–8). I have ministered the Word in hundreds of churches and conferences in the United States, and I confess that rarely have I heard government leaders mentioned in the pulpit prayers. If the church obeyed the Word and prayed, national leaders would have to take God into account in their deliberations. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases” (Prov. 21:1 niv).                                                                                               敬虔的父母可以養育敬虔的孩子，敬虔的孩子也可以在他們的社區和國家中產生敬虔的影響力。在民主國家，領導階層是選舉產生的，而不是繼承的，主的餘民必須盡可能發揮正義的影響力；當然，每個信徒都應該為那些有權柄的人禱告（提摩太前書 2：1-8）。我曾在美國數百個教堂和會議中宣講過上帝的道，我承認我很少聽到在講壇祈禱中提到政府領導人。如果教會遵守祂話語並祈禱，國家領導人必須在他們的審議中考慮到上帝。 「王的心在耶和華的手中；他隨心所欲地引導它，就像水道一樣」（箴言21：1  新國際版）。                                                     I occasionally hear people lamenting the state of the nation, but most of them fail to point out the main cause: The church collectively and believers individually aren’t doing their job in spreading righteousness. If the righteous remnant were spreading more salt and light, there would be less decay and darkness (Matt. 5:13–16). Christians have a job to do: praying for all in authority, winning the lost, living godly lives, and raising godly children.                                                                                                       我偶爾聽到人們感嘆國家的現狀，但大多數人都沒有指出主要原因：教會集體和信徒個人沒有盡到傳播公義的職責。如果正義的餘民傳播更多的鹽和光，腐朽和黑暗就會減少（太 5:13-16）。基督徒有工作要做：為所有具有權柄的人禱告，贏得失喪的人，過敬虔的生活，養育敬虔的孩子。                                                                                                                                                             And it would help if we humbled ourselves and sought God’s face (2 Chron. 7:14); for apart from the deep working of God’s Spirit in hearts, there is no hope for any nation.                                                         如果我們謙卑自己，並尋求上帝的面，這將會有所幫助（歷代誌下 7:14）；因為若沒有上帝的靈在人心中深入運行，任何國家都沒有希望。                                                                                         “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance” (Ps. 33:12 niv).                                                                                                                                                                       「以耶和華為上帝的那國，祂所揀選為基業的百姓，都是有福的」（詩篇 33:12 新國際版）。

Notes  註                                                                                                                                                      1 Paul is referring to Abraham’s faith in Genesis 15:6. Some people have the idea that sinners during the Old Testament era were saved by good works, while sinners today are saved by faith in Christ, but this idea is wrong. Anybody who has ever been saved has been saved by faith, because nobody can be saved by good works (Eph. 2:8–9). Hebrews 11 informs us that Old Testament saints were saved by faith, and Habakkuk 2:4 states, “The just shall live by his faith.” This verse is quoted in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38; these three epistles make it very clear that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and faith alone.                                                                                                                                              1 保羅在創世記 15:6 中指的是亞伯拉罕的信心。有些人認為舊約時代的罪人是靠善行得救，而今天的罪人是靠信基督得救，但這種想法是錯的。任何曾經得救的人都是因著信心得救的，因為沒有人可以因著好行為而得救（弗 2:8-9）。希伯來書 11 章告訴我們，舊約聖徒因信得救，哈巴谷書 2:4 說：「義人必因信得生」。羅馬書 1:17、加拉太書 3:11 和希伯來書 10:38 都引用了這節經文；這三封書信非常清楚地表明，救恩是因著對耶穌基督的信心，並且唯獨靠著信心。                                                                                                                                                              2 Justification is the gracious act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous in Jesus Christ and gives us a righteous standing in His sight. Sanctification is the divine process whereby God makes His children more like Jesus Christ as we walk in the Spirit and yield to His will. The person who is justified will want to reject sin and obey God because justification involves sharing the life of God as well as having a right standing before God (Rom. 5:18). A right position before the Lord leads to a right practice in daily life.                                                                                                                          2 稱義是上帝恩典的作為，藉此祂宣告相信的罪人，在耶穌基督裡為義，並讓我們在祂眼中擁有正義的地位，成聖是一個神聖的過程，當我們順著聖靈而行，並順服祂的旨意時，上帝就會使祂的孩子更像耶穌基督。稱義的人會想要拒絕罪惡並服從上帝，因為稱義涉及分享上帝的生命以及在上帝面前擁有正確的地位（羅馬書5:18）。在主面前有正確的立場，會帶來日常生活中正   確的實行。