【良心】

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良心的作用

我儿提摩太阿，我照从前指着你的预言，将这命令交托你，叫你因此可以打那美好的仗。常存信心和无亏的良心，有人丢弃良心，就在真道上如同船破坏了一般。其中有许米乃和亚力山大，我已经把他们交给撒但，使他们受责罚，就不再谤渎了（提摩太前书1:18-20）

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，上帝赐给每个人一颗良心。这颗良心就像一个雷达系统，当一个行为或决定有危害时，就会发出警告，使人们在道德上能够分清对与错，尤其作用于人们的日常生活。如果我们忽略良心，便是将自己置于险境。

在基督徒里面，良心是圣灵的工具。圣灵是以上帝的法则来制定良心的程序，并且使其监测灵敏、反应迅速。我们的雷达系统旨在发送警告讯号，但接收与否，就要由我们来决定。也许我们会忽略警告，或是停下来，听从圣灵对我们所处境况的教导。我们良心的警铃响起，圣灵就会向我们显明上帝的旨意或提醒我们上帝的法则，那么我们就能作出合乎 神意的明智决定。

保罗写给提摩太的书信中提到，有些人在生活中离弃上帝的领导和带领，他们并不在乎自己良心的警告（提摩太前书1:19常存信心和无亏的良心，有人丢弃良心，就在真道上如同船破坏了一般），其结局就是他们的信心破败。一旦雷达监测出情况，就代表我们有违背上帝的地方，那么我们就要悔改，停止此类行动，否则就会导致监测系统受损，无法再正常工作。如果我们仍旧坚持忽略良心的警告，最终就会致其彻底安静，不再发声。

我们都知道生命的“破败”，当基督徒忽略自己的良心，为悖逆找借口或辩护时，他们的信心破败也是不可避免的。最好的作法，就是将自己交托伟大的灵魂船长---耶稣基督，祂的圣灵会精准地带领你。


The Role of Our Conscience

1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

GOD gave every person a conscience, which is like a radar system meant to send warnings when a behavior or decision might be harmful. This makes it possible for people to distinguish between what is morally right and morally wrong, especially as it applies to their own lives. We ignore the conscience at our own peril.

In a believer, the conscience is a tool of the HOLY SPIRIT. HE programs it with principles from GOD’s WORD and sharpens it to respond quickly. Even so, our radar’s sole purpose is to send a signal; what happens next is up to us. Either we ignore the warning, or we stop to hear what the SPIRIT has to say about the situation. The HOLY SPIRIT reveals GOD’s will or reminds us of HIS principles so we can make a wise decision about the warning bell ringing in our conscience.

Paul’s letter to Timothy mentions people who had rejected GOD’s leadership and guidance in their lives—they’d paid no attention to the alarm of their conscience (1 Tim. 1: 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.). The result was shipwrecked faith. When something appears on radar that speaks of disobedience to GOD, we have to reject that action. Otherwise, the detection device becomes impaired and won’t work right. If we keep ignoring the alarms, it will eventually go completely silent.

We all know people who’ve “run aground” in life. A shipwrecked faith is inevitable when believers ignore their conscience and rationalize or defend disobedience. It’s far better to turn yourself over to the great captain of your soul, JESUS CHRIST. HIS HOLY SPIRIT will guide you correctly.

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你能信任你的良心吗？

但命令的总归就是爱，这爱是从清洁的心和无亏的良心、无伪的信心生出来的。有人偏离这些，反去讲虚浮的话，想要作教法师，却不明白自己所讲说的、所论定的（提摩太前书1: 5-7）  

让你的良心作你的生命向导。以世人微不足道的智慧来看这句话似乎有道理，因为设计良心是为帮助我们分辨对与错。可是人们无法信赖他们的内在雷达能一直准确地纠正他们，这种情况特别存在于非信徒的生活中，他们要作出明智的决定，却没有给他们显明真理并提供带领的圣灵。而基督徒之内居住着上帝之灵，所以他们更应该分外小心，不要在生命中藏匿罪恶，因为藏匿罪恶会阻碍他们的品德感应器（良心）的功用。

一个可靠的良心，是以圣经的教导为程序。基督徒通过实实在在地活出上帝的真理，为自己建立起坚固灵敏的灵命雷达系统。他们完全投入于：所想所行都要为蒙上帝的悦纳和祂的荣耀。然后，一旦罪恶的思想或选择触及雷达，雷达就会灵敏地发出警告。

有可靠的良心之人，就会有服从上帝的强烈渴望。他不会满足于“感觉对或看着挺好”，他会虔诚地寻求上帝的旨意。换句话说，他不是仅依赖自己的良心，而是在日常生活中集合应用圣灵的全部工具：圣经、祷告等等。并且，当他的灵命雷达响起警报时，他会立即后退，放弃不明智的选择。

良心不是设计为我们的生命向导，而是我们的向导（圣灵）所使用的工具。圣灵不仅指正我们的罪，还使我们想起神性的法则，带领我们走公义之路。圣灵使用各种各样的工具来使我们效法基督的形象（罗马书8:29 因为祂预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法祂儿子的模样，使祂儿子在许多弟兄中作长子）。

Can You Trust Your Conscience?

1 Timothy 1: 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Let your conscience be your guide. This bit of folk wisdom seems to make sense since our conscience is designed to help us discern right from wrong. However, people cannot always trust their internal radar to steer them correctly; this is the case particularly with unbelievers, who don’t have the HOLY SPIRIT to reveal truth and offer guidance for wise decisions. And while Christians do have GOD’s indwelling SPIRIT, they should be careful not to harbour sin in their lives, as that can interfere with the way their morality sensor functions.

A trustworthy conscience is programmed with scriptural teaching. Believers build a stable and sensitive spiritual radar system by applying GOD’s truth to their lives. They are committed to thinking and acting in ways that honour and please the LORD. Then, when sinful thoughts or choices come across that radar, it will deliver a sharp warning.

A person with a reliable conscience will have a strong desire to obey GOD. He won’t settle for what feels right or looks good, but instead prayerfully seeks the LORD’s will. In other words, he does not rely solely on his conscience but incorporates all of the HOLY SPIRIT’s tools into his daily life: Scripture, prayer, etc. Moreover, when his spiritual radar sounds the alarm, he is quick to draw back and reject unwise choices.

A conscience isn’t designed to be our guide; it is a tool of the GUIDE (the HOLY SPIRIT). The HOLY SPIRIT not only convicts us of sin, but HE also brings to mind godly principles and leads us on a righteous path. HE uses a variety of tools to conform us to the likeness of CHRIST (Rom. 8: 29 For those GOD foreknew HE also predestined to be conformed to the image of HIS SON, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.)

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上帝要让你健康

你若留意听耶和华你 神的话，又行我眼中看为正的事，留心听我的诫命，守我一切的律例，我就不将所加与埃及人的疾病加在你身上，因为我耶和华是医治你的（出埃及记15:26）  

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，魔鬼设法要将你置于罪过之下，他有没有跟你说，让医生或药物医治你的病就是与信心的法则相悖？如果有，这里有些鼓励的话，我相信能帮助你的心平安下来。

上帝的旨意是治愈你，这是你要明白的第一、也是最重要的事。医生和药物都是经上帝允许才存在的，为的就是医治你的病，使你的信心有更多的时间和机会成长。不过，如果你对上帝的信心十分坚固，相信上帝而毫不动摇（不管什么样的处境或病症攻击你），那么你单凭这强固的信心就能得蒙上帝的治愈。

但是，这等信心需要的不是只听一些关于医治的讲道，而是需要个人有上帝的医治大能的深刻启示。所以，如果你的信心还没有成长为这等信心，那么医生就是你的下一个首选。

如果你不确定自己的信心坚固与否，或是不知道需不需要医生的帮助，那么你就跟从使徒保罗的指示（歌罗西3:15叫基督的平安在你们心里作主。你们也为此蒙召，归为一体，且要存感谢的心），让平安作你的裁判。

如果你一想到没有药物的帮助就心升恐惧，那么你就去让医生医治你，不过去也要怀着对上帝的信心和感恩去。另一方面，如果你有坚确的信心，那么你完全能够靠着信心得蒙上帝的治愈，就让你的信心这样运作起来，使你直接从上帝得到治愈。总之，不论你让不让医生医治你，这都不是问题，关键在于你要怀着对上帝的感恩和信心去做。

不管是怎样，你都可以欣喜地知道：上帝照着你的信心程度，在为你运作。你要感谢上帝治愈你（你快要康复了），不要让撒旦将你置于罪过之下，这里没他什么事！

研经：申命记7:8-15
7:8 只因耶和华爱你们，又因要守祂向你们列祖所起的誓，就用大能的手领你们出来，从为奴之家救赎你们，脱离埃及王法老的手。  
7:9 所以你要知道耶和华你的 神，祂是 神、是信实的 神，向爱祂守祂诫命的人守约施慈爱，直到千代；  
7:10 向恨祂的人，当面报应他们，将他们灭绝。凡恨祂的人必报应他们，决不迟延。  
7:11 所以，你要谨守遵行我今日所吩咐你的诫命、律例、典章。  
7:12 你们果然听从这些典章，谨守遵行，耶和华你 神就必照祂向你列祖所起的誓守约施慈爱。  
7:13 祂必爱你，赐福与你，使你人数增多，也必在祂向你列祖起誓应许给你的地上赐福与你身所生的、地所产的、并你的五谷、新酒和油，以及牛犊、羊羔。  
7:14 你必蒙福胜过万民，你们的男女没有不能生养的，牲畜也没有不能生育的。  
7:15 耶和华必使一切的病症离开你，你所知道埃及各样的恶疾，祂不加在你身上，只加在一切恨你的人身上。  

GOD Wants You Well

"If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy GOD, and wilt do that which is right in HIS sight, and wilt give ear to HIS commandments, and keep all HIS statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee."
(Exodus 15:26)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Has the devil ever tried to put you under condemnation by telling you that it's contrary to the principles of faith to use doctors and medicine when you need healing? If so, here are some encouraging words that I believe will help you put your heart at rest.

It is GOD's will to heal you. That's the first and most important thing for you to understand. If your faith is strong and you can believe the WORD without wavering (regardless of what circumstances or symptoms come against you), then you'll be able to receive GOD’s healing by faith alone.

But that kind of faith takes more than just hearing a few sermons about healing. It takes a deep personal revelation of GOD's healing power. So, if you haven't yet developed that kind of faith, the doctor is your next best.

If you're not certain whether your faith is strong enough or whether you need a doctor's help, follow the instructions of the Apostle Paul (Col. 3: 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.) and let peace be your umpire.

If fear rises up within you when you think about doing without medical help, then go to a doctor. And go in faith! On the other hand, if you have a sure confidence within you that healing is yours strictly by faith, let your faith do its work and receive your healing directly from our LORD. Whether or not you go to the doctor is not the issue. It is what you do with your faith.

Either way, you can rejoice knowing GOD is working with you, meeting you at the level of your faith. Thank GOD for your healing--however it comes!--and do not let Satan put you under condemnation. It is none of his business!


Scripture Study:

Deuteronomy 7: 8 But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath HE swore to your ancestors that HE brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD your GOD is GOD; HE is the faithful GOD, keeping HIS covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love HIM and keep HIS commandments.

10 But those who hate HIM HE will repay to their face by destruction;
    HE will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate HIM.

11 Therefore, take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today.

12 If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your GOD will keep HIS covenant of love with you, as HE swore to your ancestors. 13 HE will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. HE will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land—your grain, new wine and olive oil—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land HE swore to your ancestors to give you. 14 You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor will any of your livestock be without young. 15 The LORD will keep you free from every disease. HE will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but HE will inflict them on all who hate you.

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靠信心生活需要勇气

只要刚强，大大壮胆，谨守遵行我仆人摩西所吩咐你的一切律法，不可偏离左右，使你无论往那里去都可以顺利（约书亚1:7）

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，活出信心的生命需要勇气。虽然大多数人没有认识到这点，但事实确是如此。活出信心的生命需要勇气，使你能够站得挺直来面对疾病，放胆宣告：你因主耶稣的鞭伤得蒙医治。经上说:“【因他受的鞭伤，你们便得了医治】”（彼得前书2:24）活出信心的生命需要勇气，使你能够相信你会得蒙兴旺、相信上帝就是我们的医治者，当你面对疾病和贫困时，将你的信心专注信靠上帝、将你最后一枚硬币放胆投进捐项盘里（路加福音21:2-4主耶稣又见一个穷寡妇投了两个小钱，就说：“我实在告诉你们，这穷寡妇所投的比众人还多，因为众人都是自己有余拿出来投在捐项里，【但这寡妇是自己不足，把她一切养生的都投上了】”）。将会有这样的时候，就是你宁可蒙头躲藏，也不愿以信心抵挡魔鬼。你决不能这么做。因为信心之战不是打一次，然后就忘了。如果你想保持胜利，就必须一次又一次地争战。

除此之外，别无他法。当然，有些上帝的子民仍要设法寻求他法，例如以色列人。当他们过红海时，他们认为从此不用再争战了。于是一听到报信说应许之地住着巨人，他们便断定自己无法面对这样的战争。他们失去了自己的勇气，所以他们四十年游荡在旷野。

可是你知道吗？即使如此，他们仍旧无法避免争战。等到他们的下一代进入应许之地时，巨人还是住在那地！

然而，此时的以色列人找到了面对巨人的勇气。他们从哪里找到的呢？从上帝的话语里。

他们的领袖，约书亚，【服从】了上帝的指示，日日夜夜都将上帝的话语放在他的脑里、心里。他默想上帝的话语，使上帝的话语时时提醒着他：上帝站在他们这一方。

如果你要打完那美好的信心之战，你就必须照约书亚那样去做。你要不断地从上帝的话语获取勇气，并要付诸于行动。那你就下定决心，服从主耶稣所有的命令。进到上帝的话语里，让上帝的话语把你从懦夫变为一个得胜者。然后，长驱直入到争战中，一举消灭你领地的巨人。

研经：约书亚1
1:1耶和华的仆人摩西死了以后，耶和华晓谕摩西的帮手嫩的儿子约书亚，说：“
1:2我的仆人摩西死了。现在你要起来和众百姓过这约但河，往我所要赐给以色列人的地去。
1:3凡你们脚掌所踏之地，我都照着我所应许摩西的话赐给你们了。
1:4从旷野和这利巴嫩，直到伯拉大河、赫人的全地，又到大海日落之处，都要作你们的境界。
1:5你平生的日子，必无一人能在你面前站立得住。我怎样与摩西同在，也必照样与你同在。我必不撇下你，也不丢弃你。
1:6你当刚强壮胆，因为你必使这百姓承受那地为业，就是我向他们列祖起誓应许赐给他们的地。
1:7只要刚强，大大壮胆，谨守【遵行】我仆人摩西所吩咐你的一切律法，不可偏离左右，使你无论往那里去都可以顺利。
1:8这律法书不可离开你的口，总要昼夜思想，好使你【谨守遵行这书上所写的一切话】。如此，你的道路就可以亨通、凡事顺利。
1:9 我岂没有吩咐你吗？你当刚强壮胆，不要惧怕、也不要惊惶，因为你无论往那里去，耶和华你的　神必与你同在。”
1:10于是约书亚吩咐百姓的官长，说：“
1:11你们要走遍营中，吩咐百姓说，当预备食物。因为三日之内你们要过这约但河，进去得耶和华你们　神赐你们为业之地。”
1:12约书亚对流便人、迦得人和玛拿西半支派的人说：“
1:13你们要追念耶和华的仆人摩西所吩咐你们的话说，耶和华你们的　神使你们得享平安，也必将这地赐给你们。
1:14你们的妻子、孩子和牲畜都可以留在约但河东，摩西所给你们的地。但你们中间一切大能的勇士都要带着兵器，在你们的弟兄前面过去，帮助他们。
1:15等到耶和华使你们的弟兄像你们一样得享平安，并且得着耶和华你们　神所赐他们为业之地。那时才可以回你们所得之地承受为业，就是耶和华的仆人摩西在约但河东向日出之地所给你们的。”
1:16他们回答约书亚说：“你所吩咐我们行的，我们都必行。你所差遣我们去的，我们都必去。
1:17我们从前在一切事上怎样听从摩西，现在也必照样听从你。惟愿耶和华你的　神与你同在，像与摩西同在一样。
1:18无论甚么人违背你的命令、不听从你所吩咐他的一切话，就必治死他。你只要刚强壮胆。”

It takes courage to live in faith

Joshua 1:7 (NLT)
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Living a life of faith takes courage. Most people don't realize it, but it does! It takes courage to stand up in the face of sickness and declare you're healed by the stripes of Jesus. The scripture says "【By whose stripes you were healed】" (1Peter 2:24). It takes courage to believe for prosperity and GOD is our HEALER, put your faith in GOD and put your last dime in the offering plate when sickness and poverty is staring you in the face (Luke 21: 2JESUS also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 "I tell you the truth," HE said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; 【but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on】."). There are going to be some days when you'd rather pull the covers over your head and hide than take another faith stand against the devil. But you can't. Because the battle of faith isn't fought once and then forgotten. If you want to keep living in victory, you have to fight it again and again.

There's no way around it. Of course, some of GOD’s people still try to find one. The Israelites, for example. They thought their battles should be over when they crossed the Red Sea. So when they heard reports of giants living in the Promised Land, they decided they couldn't face the fight. Their courage failed them. So they took a 40-year detour through the wilderness.

But you know what? They still couldn't avoid that fight. When the time came for the next generation to enter the Promised Land, the giants were still there!

This time, however, they found the courage to face them. Where did they find it? In the WORD of GOD.

Their leader, Joshua, had 【obeyed】 the instruction of the LORD and kept GOD’s WORD on his mind and in his heart day and night. He'd meditated on it and let it constantly remind him that GOD was on their side.

If you're going to fight the good fight of faith to the finish, you'll have to do just like Joshua did. You'll have to continually draw courage from the WORD of GOD and act on it. So make up your mind to obey JESUS’ command. Get into that WORD and let it change you from a coward to an overcomer. Then march into battle and slay the giants in your land.

Scripture Study:  Joshua 1

Joshua 1 New Living Translation (NLT)
The LORD’s Charge to Joshua
1 After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. HE said, 2 “Moses MY servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to 【obey】 all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be 【sure to obey everything written in it】. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is MY command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your GOD is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua’s Charge to the Israelites
10 Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the LORD your GOD is giving you.”
12 Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He told them, 13 “Remember what Moses, the servant of the LORD, commanded you: ‘The LORD your GOD is giving you a place of rest. HE has given you this land.’ 14 Your wives, children, and livestock may remain here in the land Moses assigned to you on the east side of the Jordan River. But your strong warriors, fully armed, must lead the other tribes across the Jordan to help them conquer their territory. Stay with them 15 until the LORD gives them rest, as HE has given you rest, and until they, too, possess the land the LORD your GOD is giving them. Only then may you return and settle here on the east side of the Jordan River in the land that Moses, the servant of the LORD, assigned to you.”
16 They answered Joshua, “We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us. 17 We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses. And may the LORD your GOD be with you as HE was with Moses. 18 Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!”

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以上帝的角度看待战争

在上有权柄的，人人当顺服他。因为没有权柄不是出于 神的，凡掌权的都是 神所命的，所以抗拒掌权的，就是抗拒 神的命，抗拒的必自取刑罚。作官的原不是叫行善的惧怕，乃是叫作恶的惧怕。你愿意不惧怕掌权的么？你只要行善，就可得他的称赞．因为他是 神的用人，是与你有益的。你若作恶却当惧怕，因为他不是空空的佩剑，他是 神的用人，是伸冤的，刑罚那作恶的（罗马书13:1-4）

无论在社会，还是在教会（基督的身体）中，战争都是很有争议的主题。要有宽泛的见解和观点，那些跟从基督的人就应该好好地察考圣经，求问：上帝是怎样看待战争的？

为了能够准确地理解战争，我们必须先从这个堕落世界的现状开始考虑。战争是罪恶的固有产物，有些冲突被激化，是由于罪恶动机和恶欲，但是有些却是对错之争。虽然上帝恨恶流血，但是若不强有力地抵制罪恶，就会让它盛行起来。

所以，上帝命定政府作为扬善惩恶的工具。国权直属上帝，可是有些统治者却滥用权力、横行邪恶，令战争在所难免。而当恶人进攻时，拒绝争战就是政府的失职，弃掉了保护无辜和惩治邪恶的职责。

旧约提供了充分证据证明，上帝有时会用战争来成就祂的旨意。祂吩咐以色列人，为了得取应许之地要投入争战，杀死那地极为邪恶的民（申命记20:1 你出去与仇敌争战的时候，看见马匹、车辆、并有比你多的人民不要怕他们，因为领你出埃及地的耶和华你 神与你同在。20:17-18 只要照耶和华你 神所吩咐的，将这赫人、亚摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人都灭绝净尽，免得他们教导你们学习一切可憎恶的事，就是他们向自己神所行的，以致你们得罪耶和华你们的　神）。上帝也用战争来审判和刑罚邪恶的国家（耶利米25:12-14七十年满了以后，我必刑罚巴比伦王和那国民、并迦勒底人之地，因他们的罪孽使那地永远荒凉。这是耶和华说的。我也必使我向那地所说的话，就是记在这书上的话，是耶利米向这些国民说的预言都临到那地。因为有多国和大君王，必使迦勒底人作奴仆，我也必照他们的行为、按他们手所作的报应他们），甚至还会用来训诫祂自己的子民（耶利米5:15-175:15 耶和华说：“以色列家阿，我必使一国的民从远方来攻击你，是强盛的国，是从古而有的国。他们的言语你不晓得，他们的话你不明白。他们的箭袋是敞开的坟墓，他们都是勇士。他们必吃尽你的庄稼和你的粮食，是你儿女该吃的，必吃尽你的牛羊、吃尽你的葡萄和无花果，又必用刀毁坏你所倚靠的坚固城）。

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，当你思考这个难题时，一定要记住，上帝的目的是毁灭邪恶，而不是毁灭人。在末日的最后争战中，主耶稣会战胜罪恶和死亡，战争将止息，公义将统领（启示录19:11-16我观看，见天开了。有一匹白马，骑在马上的称为诚信真实，祂审判争战都按着公义。祂的眼睛如火焰，祂头上戴着许多冠冕，又有写着的名字，除了祂自己没有人知道。祂穿着溅了血的衣服，祂的名称为 神之道。在天上的众军，骑着白马，穿着细麻衣，又白又洁，跟随祂。有利剑从祂口中出来，可以击杀列国。祂必用铁杖辖管他们，并要踹全能 神烈怒的酒醡。在祂衣服和大腿上有名写着说：万王之王、万主之主）。

到那日，我们会被留在地上，参与战胜罪恶之战。

GOD's Perspective on War

Romans 13:1-4

Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which GOD has established. The authorities that exist have been established by GOD. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what GOD has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is GOD’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are GOD’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
  
War is a very controversial subject in both the world and the church (the body of CHRIST). Considering the broad spectrum of views and opinions, those who follow CHRIST would do well to search the Scriptures and ask, What does the LORD think about war?

In order to gain a proper understanding, we must first consider the condition of our fallen world. War is a natural consequence of sin. Some conflicts are fuelled by evil intentions and desires, but others are a battle between right and wrong. GOD hates bloodshed, but if evil is not forcefully resisted, the wicked will prevail.

The LORD established government as a means of promoting good and restraining evil. National authority comes directly from HIM. But some rulers abuse this authority and act wickedly, making war unavoidable. When evil men attack, a refusal to fight is an abdication of a government’s responsibility to protect the innocent and avenge wrong.

The Old Testament offers ample evidence that GOD sometimes uses war to achieve HIS purposes. HE commanded the Israelites to fight for possession of the land HE’d promised them and to kill the inhabitants, who were extremely evil (Deut. 20:1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your GOD, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you., 17-18 Completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the LORD your GOD has commanded you. 18 Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the LORD your GOD.). He also used war to judge and punish wicked nations (Jer. 25: 12 “But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians,  for their guilt,” declares the LORD, “and will make it desolate forever. 13 I will bring on that land all the things I have spoken against it, all that are written in this book and prophesied by Jeremiah against all the nations. 14 They themselves will be enslaved by many nations and great kings; I will repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands.”) and even to discipline HIS own people (Jer. 5: 15 People of Israel,” declares the LORD, “I am bringing a distant nation against you—an ancient and enduring nation, a people whose language you do not know, whose speech you do not understand. 16 Their quivers are like an open grave; all of them are mighty warriors. 17 They will devour your harvests and food, devour your sons and daughters; they will devour your flocks and herds, devour your vines and fig trees. With the sword they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust.).

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As you think about this difficult subject, remember that GOD’s goal is the destruction of wickedness, not people. In the final battle, JESUS will defeat sin and death, wars will cease, and righteousness will reign - Rev. 19: 11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 HIS eyes are like blazing fire, and on HIS head are many crowns. HE has a name written on HIM that no one knows but HE himself. 13 HE is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and HIS name is the WORD of GOD. 14 The armies of heaven were following HIM, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of HIS mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “HE will rule them with an iron scepter.” HE treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of GOD ALMIGHTY. 16 On HIS robe and on HIS thigh HE has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.

Until that day, we are left on earth to do our part in overcoming evil.

sky5107

爱与战争的一致

只是我告诉你们这听道的人，你们的仇敌要爱他，恨你们的要待他好，咒诅你们的要为他祝福，凌辱你们的要为他祷告。有人打你这边的脸，连那边的脸也由他打；有人夺你的外衣，连里衣也由他拿去。凡求你的，就给他；有人夺你的东西去，不用再要回来。你们愿意人怎样待你们，你们也要怎样待人（路加福音6:27-31）

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，关于战争我们有些困惑，因为主耶稣以上的话，与上帝在旧约里准许争战明显是矛盾的。相反的两种教导能一致吗？那位吩咐以色列毁灭迦南人的上帝，怎能又说：“你们的仇敌要爱他，恨你们的要待他好”呢？（路加福音6:27）

要弄清楚这个问题，我们就必须将上帝给国家的命令和对个人的指示区分开。上帝授予政府特定的职责，呼召他们做扬善惩恶的事工（罗马书13:4 因为他是 神的用人，是与你有益的。你若作恶，却当惧怕，因为他不是空空地佩剑。他是 神的用人，是伸冤的，刑罚那作恶的）。但是，上帝却对个人说：“不要自己伸冤”（罗马书12:19 亲爱的弟兄，不要自己伸冤，宁可让步，听凭主怒。因为经上记着‘主说：伸冤在我，我必报应’）。

虽然战争中要杀人，但是这与谋杀不一样。军人在战场上杀敌是执行政权的命令，行使军人的职责（罗马书13:1-2在上有权柄的，人人当顺服他。因为没有权柄不是出于 神的，凡掌权的都是 神所命的。所以抗拒掌权的，就是抗拒 神的命，抗拒的必自取刑罚）。而谋杀却是另一回事，是个人因愤怒或嫉妒而作出报复性的回应，是出于要毁灭另一个人的动机。

当政府刑罚作恶的人，那无辜的人就得到了保护；而当个人寻求自己伸冤，就是毁灭自己和他人。在路加福音6:27-31中，主耶稣所讲的是个人冲突，并不是国家性的战争。祂知道，爱我们的仇敌是保护我们不受恶人伤害的惟一方法。

难道我们更愿意转换职责？---个人之战要迅速展开，而刑罚作恶的国家却迟缓难定？有的时侯，惟有打一仗才能使一国得到安宁，可是，若我们与得罪我们的人开战，我们就决不会有内心的平安。

Reconciling Love and War

Love for Enemies

Luke 6: 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
   
Dear Brothers and Sisters

One area of confusion about war is the apparent discrepancy between JESUS’ words and GOD’s approval of battle in the Old Testament. Can such dissimilar teachings be reconciled? How can the GOD who told Israel to destroy the Canaanites be the same one who said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6: 27)?

To clarify this issue, we must distinguish between commands issued to nations and instructions given to individuals. The LORD has bestowed certain responsibilities upon governments. HE calls them ministers of GOD for good and entrusts them with avenging evil (Rom. 13: 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are GOD’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.). But to individuals, He says, “Never take your own revenge” (Rom.12: 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for GOD’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the LORD.).

People are killed in war, but this isn’t the same as murder. A soldier on the battle field carries out his duties under the authority of his government (Rom. 13: 1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what GOD has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.). Murder, on the other hand, is an individual’s vengeful response to anger or jealousy and is motivated by a desire to destroy another person.

When governments avenge wrong, innocent people are protected, but when individuals seek their own revenge, they destroy themselves and others. In Luke 6:27-31, JESUS was speaking about personal conflicts, not national wars. HE knows that loving our enemies is the only way to protect ourselves from bitterness.

Would we prefer to turn the responsibilities around—are we quick to fight personal battles, but slow to affirm the avenging of evil nationally? Sometimes the only way for a country to have peace is to go to war, but we’ll never experience inner peace if we battle with individuals who wrong us.