Life Principles 生命原則 – Class Overview 課程概觀
•Principle of Design 設計原則 – Self Acceptance 自我接納
•Principle of Responsibility 責任原則 – Good Conscience 好
的良心
•Principle of Authority 權柄原則 – Proper Submission 恰當
的服從
•Principle of Suffering 受苦原則 – Full Forgiveness 充分饒
恕
•Principle of Ownership 掌有權原則 – Yielding Rights 退讓
權利
•Principle of Freedom 自由原則 – Moral Purity 道德純潔
•Principle of Success 成功原則 – Meditation 默想
Suffering-Forgiveness-Bitterness – Class Overview
受苦-饒恕-苦毒 - 課程概觀
•Biblical character examples 聖經人物例子
•Biblical references 經文參考
•Consequences of bitterness 苦毒的後果
•Seven steps to turn bitterness into forgiveness 從苦毒到饒恕
的七個步驟
Bitterness - Who is bitter in the bible
苦毒 - 在聖經裡誰有苦毒?
•but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So
Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast 只是看不中
該隱 他的供物．該隱就大大的發怒、變了臉色。(Gen 創
世紀 4:5)
•Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have
credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me
with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”
And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. 掃羅
甚發怒、不喜悅這話、就說、將萬萬歸大衛、千千歸我、
只剩下王位沒有給他了。從這日起、掃羅就怒視大
衛 。 (1 Sam 撒母耳記上 18:8-9)
Bitterness - Who is bitter in the bible
苦毒 - 在聖經裡誰有苦毒?
•Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he
hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar. 押沙
龍並不和他哥哥暗嫩說好說歹．因為暗嫩玷辱他妹妹他
瑪、所以押沙龍恨惡他。(2 Sam撒母耳記下 13:22)
Bitterness 苦毒:
•“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do
not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to
judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his
brother will be subject to judgment. 「你們聽過那吩咐古人
的話：『不可殺人。殺人的，當遭受審判。』但是我告訴
你們：所有向他弟兄發怒的，當遭受審判；… (Matt 馬太
福音 5:21,22)
Bitterness 苦毒:
•Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest
any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby
many be defiled; 你們要謹慎，免得有人虧缺了神的恩典；
免得有苦毒的根長起來攪擾你們，使許多人因此被汙穢
了； (Heb 希伯來書 12:15)
•Bitterness is simply the result of not seeing suffering from
God’s perspective. 苦毒簡單來說是因沒有從神的觀點來看
苦難而導致的。
Consequences of Bitterness 苦毒的後果
1. Physical Consequences 物質的後果
•Chemical Balance 化學平衡
•Bone Health 骨頭健康
•When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my
groaning all day long. 我閉口不認罪的時候、因終日唉
哼、而骨頭枯乾。(Psalm 詩篇 32:3)
•A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news
gives health to the bones. 眼有光使心喜樂．好信息使骨
滋潤。(Prov 箴言 15:30)
Consequences of Bitterness 苦毒的後果
1. Physical Consequences 物質的後果
•A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit
dries up the bones. 喜樂的心、乃是良藥．憂傷的靈、使
骨枯乾。(Prov 箴言 17:22)
•A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the
bones. 心中安靜、是肉體的生命．嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。
(Prov箴言 14:30)
Consequences of Bitterness 苦毒的後果
2. Spiritual Consequences 屬靈的後果
•Inability to love God 沒能力愛神
If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar.
For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen,
cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us
this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
如果有人說「我愛神」，卻恨自己的弟兄，他就是說謊
者，因為一個人不愛自己所看到的弟兄，就不能愛沒有看
到的神。這是我們從基督所領受的命令：愛神的，也要愛
自己的弟兄。 (1 John 約翰一書 4:20,21)
Consequences of Bitterness 苦毒的後果
•Doubts regarding our relationship with God 對與神的關系有
懷疑
But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not
forgive your sins. 你們如果不饒恕別人，你們的父也不會
饒恕你們的過犯。(Matt 馬太福音 6:15)
Consequences of Bitterness 苦毒的後果
3. Emotional and Mental Consequences 情緒與心理的後果
•Depression is one of the most significant consequences of
refusing to forgive the people who wrong us. It requires
emotional energy to maintain a grudge. Just as we become
weary when our physical energy is exhausted, so we become
depressed when our emotional energy is exhausted. 憂鬱是拒
絕饒恕得罪我的人一個最重要的後果。維持一個恩怨需要
情緒的能量。就像當我們用完身體的能源，我們會疲倦。
我們用完我們情感的能源，我們就會憂鬱。
Consequences of Bitterness 苦毒的後果
•Bitterness and resentment create an “emotional focus” toward
the person who offended us. This focus is the chief cause of
becoming just like the one we resent. The more we focus on
his actions toward us, the more we resemble the basic attitudes
which prompted his actions. 苦毒和怨恨造成一個“情緒焦
點”在那得罪我們的人。這集中力是主要原因使我們變像
那我們所憤恨的人。我們越集注在他待我們的作為，我們
就在驅使他行為的態度越類似。
•The moment I start hating a man, I become his slave. 在我們
開始怨恨一個人，我們就成為他的奴隸。
Consequences of Bitterness 苦毒的後果
4. Multiplying the Consequences of Bitterness 增生苦毒的後
果
•You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the
LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for
the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those
who hate me, 不可跪拜那些像、也不可事奉他、因為我耶
和華你的神、是忌邪的神、恨我的、我必追討他的罪、自
父及子、直到三四代．(Deut 申命記 5:9)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
1. Repent of temporal values (greed for objects, tangible or
intangible, that have no eternal value) 為短暫的價值觀悔改（貪
婪物質，有形或無形而沒有永恆的價值）
2. Thank God for the offenses 為被冒犯而感謝
3. View your offender as “God’s agent”. 看冒犯者為‘神的工
具’
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
5. Compare what you owe God to what your offender owes you 用
你虧欠神與那冒犯者虧欠你的來相比。
6. Distinguish between forgiveness and pardon 辨別饒恕與赦免的
區別
7. Voluntarily invest in the life of the offender 自願的投資在那冒
犯你人的生命
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
1. Repent of temporal values (greed for objects, tangible or
intangible, that have no eternal value)為短暫的價值觀悔改
（貪婪物質，有形或無形而沒有永恆的價值）
•Reputation, money, social status (education, relationship, …)
名譽，錢財，身價 （學歷，關系）
•Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to
divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed
me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch
out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man‘s life does
not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 人群中有一個人對
耶穌說：「老師，請吩咐我的哥哥與我分繼業吧！」耶穌對他
說：「朋友，誰委任了我做你們的審判官或仲裁者呢？」接著
耶穌對他們說：「你們要注意，要提防一切貪心，因為一個人
的生命不在於他財產的豐厚。」(Luke 路加福音 12:13-15)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
•As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.” Saul was very angry; this
refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of
thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What
more can he get but the kingdom?” 眾婦女舞蹈唱和、
說、掃羅殺死千千、大衛殺死萬萬。掃羅甚發怒、不
喜悅這話、就說、將萬萬歸大衛、千千歸我、只剩下
王位沒有給他了。(1 Sam 撒母耳記上 18:7-8)
•Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was
considered to be greatest. 門徒之間也起了爭論：他們當
中誰算是更大的。(Luke 路加福音 22:24)
•Personal examples 個人例子
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
2. Thank God for the offenses為被冒犯而感謝
•Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God‘s will for
you in Christ Jesus. 凡事感謝；因為這是神在基督耶穌裡對
你們的旨意。(1 Thess 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:18)
•What are we really giving thanks for 我們真正為什麼而感
謝?
•For His good and sovereign purposes in allowing them to
take place. (will look at this in step 4) 為著祂的良好與主權
目的，讓這些事發生。（第四步驟會再詳解）
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
•Why are we not able to thank God 為什麼我們不能感謝神?
•Assuming God owes us something. 假設神欠我們的。
•Focusing on what we thought we should have received
rather than on what we did receive. 集中在我們想我們該
得的，而不是在我們已經得到的。
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
•Examples 例子
•But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the
plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough
to die.” 神對約拿說、你因這棵蓖麻發怒合乎理麼．他
說、我發怒以至於死、都合乎理。 (Jonah 約拿書 4:9)
•He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we
accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did
not sin in what he said. 約伯卻對他說、你說話像愚頑的婦
人一樣。噯、難道我們從 神手裡得福、不也受禍麼。在
這一切的事上、約伯並不以口犯罪。 (Job 約伯記 2:10)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
•… If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, ‘Curse
David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ 他咒罵、是
因耶和華吩咐他說、你要咒罵大衛．如此、誰敢說你為甚
麼這樣行呢。 (2 Sam 撒母耳記下 16:10)
•The apostles (Peter) left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they
had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
這樣使徒們（彼得）就快快樂樂地離開了議會，因為算是
配得上為這名受凌辱。(Act 使徒行傳 5:41)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
3. View your offender as “God’s agent” 看冒犯者為‘神的工
具’.
•You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to
accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
從前你們的意思是要害我、但神的意思原是好的、要保全
許多人的性命、成就今日的光景． (Gen 創世記 50:20)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
•Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should
this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut
off his head.” But the king said, “What do you and I have in
common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the
LORD said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you
do this?’” 洗魯雅的兒子亞比篩對王說、這死狗豈可咒罵我
主我王呢。求你容我過去、割下他的頭來。王說、洗魯雅
的兒子、我與你們有何關涉呢。他咒罵、是因耶和華吩咐
他說、你要咒罵大衛．如此、誰敢說你為甚麼這樣行呢。
(2 Sam 撒母耳記下 16:9-10)
•Personal examples 個人例子
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
a. Suffering (under God’s discipline) is our assurance that God
loves us. 受苦（在神的管教下）是神愛我們的確據。
b. Suffering is God’s call for self-examination 受苦是神叫我
們自查。
c. Suffering is God’s way of conquering our pride 受苦神叫我
們克服我們驕傲的方法
d. Suffering is a reminder of God’s grace in our weakness 受
苦提醒我們在軟弱有神的恩典
e. Suffering is our motivation to cry out to God 受苦給我們哀
求神的動機
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
f. Suffering is our evidence of spiritual warfare 受苦是屬靈爭
戰的證據
g. Suffering is God’s method of purifying our faith 受苦是神
煉淨我們信心的方法
h. Suffering is our reminder to pray for our authorities 受苦提
醒我們為掌權的禱告
i. Suffering is our signal to reevaluate our priorities 受苦是要
我們重新評估優先次序的信號
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
j. Suffering is God’s way of sifting our friendships 受苦是神
篩淨我們朋友的方法
k. Suffering is God’s call to identify with Christ 受苦神呼叫
我們來與基督認定
l. Suffering is our motivation for open accountability 受苦是
讓我們有敞開交代的動機
m. Suffering is our preparation for comforting others 受苦是
預備我們能安慰別人
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
a. Suffering (under God’s discipline) is our assurance that God
loves us. 受苦（在神的管教下）是神愛我們的確據。
•because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes
everyone he accepts as a son.“ Endure hardship as discipline;
God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by
his father? 因為主所愛的人，主都管教；他所接納的每一
個兒子，他都鞭打。」對管教的事，你們要忍受；神對待
你們，就像對待兒女那樣。到底哪一個兒子不受父親的管
教呢？(Heb 希伯來書 12:6-7)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
a. Suffering (under God’s discipline) is our assurance that God
loves us. 受苦（在神的管教下）是神愛我們的確據。
•
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best;
but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his
holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and
peace for those who have been trained by it. 肉身的父親在短
暫的日子裡，固然照著自己的意思來管教我們；但萬靈之
父是為了我們的益處管教我們，好使我們在他的聖潔上有
份。不過所有的管教，當時雖然不覺得是愉快的事，反覺
得是憂傷的事，而後來卻為那些由此受到操練的人，結出
平安和義行的果子。(Heb 希伯來書 12:10-11)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
b. Suffering is God’s call for self-examination 受苦是神叫我
們自查。
• A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread
and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks
without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks
judgment on himself. That is why many among you are
weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 這
樣，一個人應當省察自己，然後才吃這餅、喝這杯。
因為那吃喝的人，如果不分辨主的身體，就是吃喝對
自己的懲罰了。為此，你們中間有很多人是軟弱的、
患病的，甚至有許多人睡著了。(1 Cor 歌林多前書
11:28-30)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
b. Suffering is God’s call for self-examination 受苦是神叫我
們自查。
•
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church
to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the
Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person
well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be
forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for
each other so that you may be healed. 你們中間誰患病，就應
該請教會的長老們來，讓他們奉主的名用油來膏抹他、為
他禱告。出於信的祈求，將會救那病人；主將使他起來；
即使他犯了罪，也將被赦免。所以你們當彼此認罪，彼此
代求，好使你們得痊癒。義人所做的[c]祈禱是大有力量的。
(James 雅各書 5:14-16)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
c. Suffering is God’s way of conquering our pride 受苦神叫我
們克服我們驕傲的方法
• When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility
comes wisdom. 驕傲來、羞恥也來．謙遜人卻有智
慧。 (Prov 箴言 11:2)
• A man‘s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit
gains honor. 人的高傲必使他卑下．心裡謙遜的、必得
尊榮。(Prov 箴言 29:23)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
c. Suffering is God’s way of conquering our pride 受苦神叫我
們克服我們驕傲的方法
•
he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal
residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven,
… He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His
body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like
the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. 他
說、這大巴比倫不是我用大能大力建為京都、要顯我威嚴的
榮耀麼。這話在王口中尚未說完、有聲音從天降下 …他被趕
出離開世人、喫草如牛、身被天露滴濕、頭髮長長、好像鷹
毛、指甲長長、如同鳥爪。 (Dan 但以理書 4:30-33)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
d. Suffering is a reminder of God’s grace in our weakness 受
苦提醒我們在軟弱有神的恩典
•
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great
revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to
torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he
said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that
Christ‘s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in
weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am
weak, then I am strong. 並且為了不讓我因這些極大的啟示而高抬自己，有一
根刺加在我的肉體上，就是撒旦的使者來擊打我，免得我高抬自己。為了這
事，我三次求主使這根刺離開我。但他對我說：「我的恩典是夠你用的，因
為我的大能在軟弱中得以完全。」因此，我反而極其樂意地誇耀我的那些軟
弱，好讓基督的能力遮蓋在我身上。所以，為了基督的緣故，我在那些軟弱
中、凌辱中、艱難中、在逼迫和困苦中，都感到喜悅；因為我什麼時候軟弱，
什麼時候就剛強了。(2 Cor 歌林多後書 12:7-10)
When we see someone do something well, we
might glorify God for their gifts, even though
we praise them as well.
However, when we see someone who is weak
and yet is able to overcome by God’s grace,
we praise God because it is clearly by God’s
grace and not of the person’s own strength.
當我們看到有人做得好，我們可能會因他
們的恩賜而榮耀神，我們要讚美他們。
但當我們看到有軟弱的人能夠因神的恩典
而得勝，我們讚美神因很明顯是神的恩典
而不是那人自己的能力。
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
e. Suffering is our motivation to cry out to God 受苦給我們哀
求神的動機
• For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore
the cry of the afflicted. 因為那追討流人血之罪的、他記
念受屈的人、不忘記困苦人的哀求。 (Psa 詩篇 9:12)
• Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By
this I will know that God is for me. 我呼求的日子、我的
仇敵都要轉身退後．神幫助我、這是我所知道的。(Psa
詩篇 56:9)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
e. Suffering is our motivation to cry out to God 受苦給我們哀
求神的動機
• Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he
delivered them from their distress. 於是他們在苦難中哀
求耶和華、他從他們的禍患中搭救他們．(Psa 詩篇
107:6 – read whole chapter 讀整篇)
God wants us to be in a place where we see our
need for him and are desperate for his help.
He is not looking for people who are “strong”
(hao4 chiang2), but those who are poor in spirit
(Mat 5:3) and realize their complete dependency
on God.
神要我們到一個地步我們可以看到我們需要
祂，而且絕對的需要祂的幫助。
祂不在找‘強壯’（好強）的人，而是要虛心
的人（馬太福音5:3），他們意識到要完全的
依靠神。
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
f. Suffering is our evidence of spiritual warfare 受苦是屬靈爭
戰的證據
• Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your
stand against the devil‘s schemes. For our struggle is not
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
你們要配上神的全副武裝，使你們得以站立，對付魔
鬼的騙局，因為我們不是與血肉之體搏鬥，而是與那
些統治的、掌權的、管轄這黑暗世界的，以及天上邪
惡的屬靈勢力搏鬥。(Eph 以弗所書 6:11-12)
When we are participating in the work of
Christ by sharing the gospel or building up
believers, the enemy will try to bring us down
in the areas we are the weakest.
(This is also a reminder for us to pray
especially for those in spiritual leadership. To
be discussed later)
當我們以傳福音或造就聖徒來參與基督的
事工時，仇敵會在我們的最弱點要把我們
擊落。
(這提醒我們特別要為屬靈領袖禱告。後面
會討論)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
g. Suffering is God’s method of purifying our faith 受苦是神
煉淨我們信心的方法
• In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while
you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These
have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold,
which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved
genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when
Jesus Christ is revealed. 為此，你們歡欣跳躍，但如今必
須在種種試煉中暫時憂傷，好讓你們的信仰經過考驗，
就比那被火煉過仍然會朽壞的金子更加寶貴，能在耶
穌基督顯現的時候，被看為是可以得著稱讚、榮耀和
尊貴的。(1 Pet 彼得前書 1:6-7)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
g. Suffering is God’s method of purifying our faith 受苦是神
煉淨我們信心的方法
• Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials
of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your
faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its
work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking
anything. 我的弟兄們，你們遇到各種試煉的時候，應
當看做是極大的喜樂，因為你們知道，你們的信仰經
過考驗就生出忍耐；但要讓忍耐發揮完全的功效，好
使你們成熟、完備，在任何事上都沒有缺欠。(James
雅各書 1:2-4)
It is a great blessing when we come to the point
where we can truly rejoice in trials, because we
can see our faith being refined and matured
through these times.
到一個地步我們可以在試煉裡喜樂，這是最大
的祝福，因為我們可以看到我們的信心被煉淨，
而且經過時間變成熟。
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
h. Suffering is our reminder to pray for our authorities 受苦提
醒我們為掌權的禱告
• I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession
and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all
those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives
in all godliness and holiness. 所以我勸你，首要的是為所
有的人，為眾君王和所有在上的獻上祈求、禱告、代
求和感謝， 2 好使我們能完全敬神、莊重地過平靜安穩
的生活。(1 Tim 提摩太前書 2:1-2)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
h. Suffering is our reminder to pray for our authorities 受苦提
醒我們為掌權的禱告
•Sometimes we see things that may need to be
changed in our leadership, but we often neglect
to pray for them. 有時候我們會看到需要更換
領袖，但我們常常忘記為他們禱告。
•Sometimes we neglect to do our part. 有時候我
們就是會忽略了做我們的本份。
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
h. Suffering is our reminder to pray for our authorities 受苦提
醒我們為掌權的禱告
•Evangelical Christian votes decreased for decades before
2000 (about 15 millions out of about 60 millions
Evangelicals). 福音派基督徒的選票一直下降到2000年 （大
概六千萬中只有一千五萬是福音派的選票）
•2004 – 23% (28.9 millions) of all votes cast were
evangelicals. An 80% increase over 2000 on evangelicals
votes. 2004年-所有票中有23%（二千八百九十萬）是福音
派的。從2000年這是福音派80%的增加。
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
h. Suffering is our reminder to pray for our authorities 受苦提
醒我們為掌權的禱告
•Moral issues (i.e., marriage, abortion, selection of Godfearing judges) ranked among the top reasons for voting. 道德
問題（就如，婚姻，墮胎，選敬畏神的法官）是排名頂尖
選舉的理由。
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
h. Suffering is our reminder to pray for our authorities 受苦提
醒我們為掌權的禱告
•2002 and 2004 Election Results 選舉結果
•19 new members to the US Senate: 15 were pro-life. 94 new
members to the US House, 61 were pro-life (almost twothirds) 19個新的美國參議員：15個不贊成墮胎。94個新的
美國眾議員，61個不贊成墮胎。（差不多三份之二)
•Judges change – 2 strict-constitutionist judge addition – Chief
Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito. 法官
變化-增加2個嚴格憲法的法官。
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
h. Suffering is our reminder to pray for our authorities 受苦提
醒我們為掌權的禱告
•The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act 網路賭博禁令法案
•A religious liberty measure was signed into law – chaplain
prayer 宗教自由措施簽署成法規-牧師禱告
•The Fetal Farming Ban 禁令胎兒養殖
•The defunding of a $300 million grant to build a gay-lesbian
center in Los Angeles 從洛杉磯同性戀中心除掉三億元基金
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
h. Suffering is our reminder to pray for our authorities 受苦提
醒我們為掌權的禱告
•The Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial Act 法案讓紀念館能
有宗教標誌
•Court cases won in Athletic Prayers, Crosses in City Seal,
student expression 取勝法庭案件-運動員禱告，城市印章可
有十字架，學生表達權
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
h. Suffering is our reminder to pray for our authorities 受苦提
醒我們為掌權的禱告
•2006 Election 選舉
•Decrease in Evangelical Christian votes – 20 millions (drop of 30%
from 2004). 福音派基督徒選票減少-2千萬（從2004年減少
30%）。
•54 new members to the US House – 17 were pro-life. 10 new
members to the US Senates – only 2 were pro-life. 54個新眾議員
中，4個不贊成墮胎，10個新參議員中，2個不贊成墮胎。
•First Muslim senator Keith Ellison elected from Minnesota – sworn
in by the book of Koran. 第一個穆斯林被選為參議員-用可蘭經被
宣誓進機關
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
i. Suffering is our signal to reevaluate our priorities 受苦是要
我們重新評估優先次序的信號
• In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to
eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves. 你們清晨早起、
夜晚安歇、喫勞碌得來的飯、本是枉然．惟耶和華所
親愛的、必叫他安然睡覺。 (Psalm 詩篇 127:2)
• For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world,
and loses his own soul? 一個人就是賺得了全世界，卻賠
上了自己的生命，到底有什麼益處呢？(Matthew 馬太
福音 16:26)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
i. Suffering is our signal to reevaluate our priorities 受苦是要
我們重新評估優先次序的信號
• The major theme of Ecclesiastes is that life without God is
meaningless. 傳道書的主題就是人生沒有神是虛空的。
Although one may seem to be successful and
prosperous in the world’s eyes, the hardest suffering
is to deal with internal emptiness without God. 一個
人在世人看可以很成功與豐裕，但最艱苦的就是
要面對因沒有神的內在虛空。
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
j. Suffering is God’s way of sifting our friendships 受苦是神
篩淨我們朋友的方法
• A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for
adversity. 朋友乃時常親愛．弟兄為患難而生。 (Prov 箴
言 17:17)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
k. Suffering is God’s call to identify with Christ 受苦神呼叫
我們來與基督認定
• I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and
the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like
him in his death. 並且為要認識基督和他復活的大能，要
在他的苦難裡相契合，效法他的死， (Phil 腓立比書
3:10)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
k. Suffering is God’s call to identify with Christ 受苦神呼叫
我們來與基督認定
• Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into
Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried
therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just
as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the
Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 難道你們不
明白，所有受洗歸入基督耶穌的人，就是受洗歸入了
他的死嗎？所以，我們藉著洗禮歸入死，和他一同埋
葬，好使我們也能以生命的新樣式行事為人，就像基
督藉著父的榮耀從死人中復活那樣。(Rom. 羅馬書 6:34)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
l. Suffering is our motivation for open accountability 受苦是
讓我們有敞開交代的動機
•
Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and said,
“Because this nation has violated the covenant that I laid down
for their forefathers and has not listened to me, I will no longer
drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he
died. I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will
keep the way of the LORD and walk in it as their forefathers
did.” 於是耶和華的怒氣向以色列人發作．他說、因這民違
背我吩咐他們列祖所守的約、不聽從我的話、所以約書亞
死的時候所剩下的各族、我必不再從他們面前趕出．為要
藉此試驗以色列人、看他們肯照他們列祖謹守遵行我的道
不肯。 (Judge 士師記 2:20-22)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
l. Suffering is our motivation for open accountability 受苦是
讓我們有敞開交代的動機
• Achan - When Achan son of Zerah acted unfaithfully
regarding the devoted things, did not wrath come upon the
whole community of Israel? He was not the only one who
died for his sin. 從前謝拉的曾孫亞干、豈不是在那當滅
的物上犯了罪、就有忿怒臨到以色列全會眾麼．那人
在所犯的罪中、不獨一人死亡。(Joshua 約書亞記
22:20)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
4. Learn God’s purposes for suffering. 學習神為受苦的目的
m. Suffering is our preparation for comforting others 受苦是
預備我們能安慰別人
•
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts
us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any
trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so
also through Christ our comfort overflows. 願頌讚歸於神—我
們主耶穌基督的父！他是各樣憐憫的父、一切安慰的神。
在我們一切的患難中，他安慰我們，使我們自己能用從神
所受的安慰去安慰那些在各樣患難中的人，因為基督的苦
難怎樣充充滿滿臨到我們，藉著基督，我們的安慰也照樣
充充滿滿。(2 Cor 歌林多後書 1:3-5)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
5. Compare what you owe God to what your offender owes you 用
你虧欠神與那冒犯者虧欠你的來相比。
•
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you
forgive your brother from your heart.” 如果你們每個人不從心裡
饒恕自己的弟兄，我的天父也會照樣對待你們。」(Matt 馬太
福音 18:35)
•
Therefore, as God‘s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances
you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave
you. 因此，你們身為蒙神揀選、聖潔和蒙愛的人，就應當穿
上憐憫的心腸，以及仁慈、謙卑、溫柔、耐心。 如果一個人
對另一個人懷有不滿，總要彼此容忍，互相饒恕。正如主饒
恕了你們，你們也當如此。(Col 歌羅西書 3:12-13)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
6. Distinguish between forgiveness and pardon 辨別饒恕與赦免的
區別
• Forgive but not pardon. 饒恕但不是赦免。
• He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does
the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. 世人哪、耶和華已指
示你何為善。他向你所要的是甚麼呢。只要你行公義、
好憐憫、存謙卑的心、與你的神同行。 (Micah 彌迦書
6:8)
Seven Steps to Turn Bitterness into Forgiveness
從苦毒到饒恕的七個步驟
7. Voluntarily invest in the life of the offender 自願的投資在那冒
犯你人的生命
• For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 要
知道，你的財寶在哪裡，你的心也在哪裡。(Matt 馬太
福音 6:21)
• And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let
him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go
one mile, go with him two miles. 有人想要控告你，並要
拿走你的裡衣，你就連外衣也由他拿去；有人強迫你
走一里路，你就與他一起走兩里；(Matt 馬太福音 5:4041)