主所爱的,祂必管教。(希伯来书12:6)祂的目的是让我们象祂,结出最多的果实。上帝未尝留下一样好处,不给那些行动正直的人。我们必须经历许多艰难。才能进上帝的国度。上帝允许苦难试炼的目的——堵住魔鬼的口、荣耀上帝、使我们更像耶稣、加强信心、炼净生命、教导忍耐、使我们有同情心、让我们与世界有分别。
又恐怕我因所得的启示甚大,就过于自高,所以有一根刺加在我肉体上,就是撒但的差役要攻击我,免得我过于自高。12:7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!12:8 为这事,我三次求过主,叫这刺离开我。12:8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.(哥林多后书(2Corinthians))
12:9 他对我说:“我的恩典够你用的,因为我的能力是在人的软弱上显得完全。”所以,我更喜欢夸自己的软弱,好叫基督的能力覆庇我。12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
12:10 我为基督的缘故,就以软弱、凌辱、急难、逼迫、困苦为可喜乐的;因我什么时候软弱,什么时候就刚强了。
12:10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.(
哥林多后书(2Corinthians))
上帝始终都回应祷告,祂不是永远都说:「好。」祂出于无尽的智慧,有时会回答:「不。」因为祂知道什么对我们最有益处。受苦的人会得到特别的奖赏,那些为了上帝在苦难中忍耐到底的人,主为他们预备了特殊的冠冕。
我们若能忍耐,也必和他一同作王;我们若不认他,他也必不认我们;
2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;(
提摩太后书(2Timothy))
亲爱的弟兄啊!有火炼的试验临到你们,不要以为奇怪(似乎是遭遇非常的事),
4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
4:13 倒要欢喜;因为你们是与基督一同受苦,使你们在他荣耀显现的时候,也可以欢喜快乐。
4:13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.(
彼得前书(1Peter))
基督徒的生命就是信心加上苦难。
(以上的文章摘自:M.R.De Haan《破碎-我们为何受苦?》任慧莉 翻译)