1. Hello, listening friends.
亲爱的朋友，你好。
2. We are very glad that you tuned into this broadcast,
很高兴，你再次收听这个节目，
3. and we are delighted to bring you a new series of messages from the Book of Jonah;
从今天开始，我要带给你一个全新的系列，是根据约拿书而展开的；
4. and we are calling this series of messages, “Biblical Compassion.”
这个系列就叫做：“上帝的怜悯”。
5. Compassion is a very popular subject in the West.
在西方，“怜悯”是很时尚的一个词汇。
6. Compassion is a noble virtue.
怜悯是一种高贵的美德。
7. Indeed, Jesus Christ was filled with compassion for the world.
耶稣基督对世人就充满了怜悯。
8. The problem is with the misuse of the word “compassion.”
问题是，我们常常错用了“怜悯”这个字。
9. With that misuse, the definition of compassion gets muddled,
从而，怜悯的观念也变得模糊不清，
10. and compassion ends up meaning nothing but sentimentality.
甚至搞得人们认为，怜悯就等于多愁善感。
11. Sentimentality kills the truth.
其实，多愁善感会抹杀真理。
12. Sentimentality blurs evil and makes it seem acceptable.
多愁善感使邪恶淡化，变得可以接受。
13. Sentimentality covers up sin with the dress of tolerance.
多愁善感以容忍为外衣，遮盖了罪恶的真面目。
14. Sentimentality is being used to decide what is wrong and what is right;
多愁善感变成了衡量对与错的尺度。
15. and when you do that, sooner or later,
假如你也这么做，
16. God and His Word will be replaced by what society calls right or wrong.
迟早你不再以神的话语来衡量是非，而是依从社会的看法。
17. God’s absolutes will take the backseat to man’s definitions.
神的绝对主权要让位给人为的定义。
18. God’s commandments and injunction’s will give way to man’s humanistic arbitration;
神颁布的命令要向人文主义让步；
19. and that is why I have started this series of broadcasts to explain biblical compassion.
因此，我预备了这个系列的信息来解释一下，什么才是神的怜悯。
20. in order to distinguish it from humanistic compassion.
目的就是要把神的怜悯与人的同情心区分开来，
21. Biblical compassion is rooted in God, Himself.
神的怜悯是从神本身发出来的。
22. Biblical compassion has its origin in the compassion of the God of the Bible.
圣经所说的怜悯，就是神的怜悯。
23. Biblical compassion is found in the Word of God.
神的怜悯根植于神自己所说的话语中。
24. Biblical compassion is far removed from humanistic sentimentality.
神的怜悯远远超越了人的多愁善感。
25. Human compassion reminds me of a story told about some military recruits.
人的同情心让我想起一个有关新兵入伍的故事。
26. This group of new recruits was sitting down while the Sergeant was standing up and talking to them.
有一批年轻的新兵坐在那里听官长给他们训话。
27. The Sergeant said to the new recruits,
这位军官对新兵说：
28. “Those of you who are stupid, stand up.”
“你们中间凡是傻瓜，都站起来。”
29. At first, no one did;
起先，没有人站起来；
30. then, the biggest and the strongest among the recruits stood up.
稍后，新兵中最高大魁梧的一位站了起来。
31. The Sergeant was surprised he looked at him and said,
这位军官惊讶地看着他，说：
32. “So, you think that you are stupid?”
“这么说，你认为自己很愚蠢喽？”
33. The young recruit replied,
那位新兵回答说：
34. “No, sir. I just hate to see you standing all by yourself.”
“不，长官，我只是不忍心看着只有你一个人站在那里。”
35. Now, that is sentimentality, not compassion.
这就是所谓的感情用事，而不是真正的怜悯。
36. The Book of Jonah is a book of compassion.
约拿书就是一本关于怜悯的书卷。
37. The Book of Jonah is a book that reveals to us the compassionate heart of God.
从约拿书里，我们看到了神慈悲怜悯的心肠。
38. The Book of Jonah is a book about God’s compassion from beginning to end,
约拿书自始至终都彰显了神的怜悯和慈爱。
39. although that theme does not get spelled out until the end of the book.
虽然，直到约拿书的最后部份，才充份体现出神怜悯的心肠，
40. The Book of Jonah shows us clearly that our God is far from being a sentimental God;
但是，约拿书清楚地说明，我们的神绝不是一位多愁善感的神；
41. but, rather, God is at the heart and inside the very essence of true compassion.
神乃是从祂的神性发出一种真实的怜悯和慈爱。
42. While the theme of compassion in the Book of Jonah does not get spelled out until the end of the book;
虽然，直到约拿书的最后部份，才指出神的怜悯和慈爱；
43. yet, God’s compassion is actually the very heart of the book.
然而，神的怜悯正是该卷书的中心思想。
44. Someone once said that there are only two types of believers:
有人曾经说过，世界上有两种信徒：
45. there are those who are traveling with the will of God,
一种是遵行神旨意的信徒，
46. and those who are traveling against the will of God.
另外一种是违背神旨意的信徒。
47. There is no third type of believer.
没有第三种信徒。
48. If you are a believer and you think that you can be neutral,
假如你认为自己可以采取中立，
49. you are fooling yourself and are in terrible danger.
你就是欺骗自己，把自己放在一个很危险的境地。
50. The question I want to pose to you this day is this:
我今天就要问你这样一个问题：
51. Are you traveling with the will of God,
你是要遵行神的旨意呢，
52. or, are you traveling against the will of God?
还是要违背神的旨意呢？
53. If you are indifferent,
假如你认为这无关紧要的话，
54. if you are neutral,
假如你觉得你是模棱两可的话，
55. make no mistake about it. You are traveling against the will of God.
你要谨慎，其实你正走在远离神的道路上。
56. We have every conceivable force working on us to help us travel against the will of God.
世上有无数个似是而非的理由引诱我们违背神。
57. We live in a time when it is much easier to travel against the will of God, than with the will of God in our lives.
我们所处的是一个让我们远离神的世代，而不是一个带领我们顺从神的世代。
58. It is far more tempting and enticing to travel against the will of God, than with the will of God.
在这个世代中，处处充斥着诱惑，勾引我们离开神，不顺服神。
59. It is much easier for us to fool ourselves and travel against the will of God, than with the will of God.
我们很容易就自欺欺人地背弃神，不照神的旨意而行。
60. It is far more acceptable to rationalize traveling against the will of God, than with the will of God.
人们情愿接受得罪神的事，并让其合理化。
61. My listening friend, let me ask you a question.
亲爱的朋友，我来问你一个问题。
62. Which way are you traveling?
你走在哪条道路上呢？
63. In your moral life, are you traveling with the will of God, or, against the will of God?
在你的道德生活当中，你是遵行神的旨意呢，还是违背神的心意呢？
64. In your marriage, are you traveling with the will of God, or, against the will of God?
在你的婚姻生活当中，你是否按照神的吩咐去行呢？
65. In your relationships, are you traveling with the will of God, or, against the will of God?
在你的人际关系当中，你有没有遵行神的旨意呢？
66. In your money and your possessions, are you traveling with the will of God, or, against the will of God?
在你的金钱和财产管理方面，你有没有按照神的心意来处理问题呢？
67. Have you sufficiently fooled yourself to the point of convincing yourself that you are traveling with the will of God while, in reality, you are not?
你是否以充分的理由来说服自己，你是在遵行神的旨意，其实却反其道而行之呢？
68. Have you deceived yourself sufficiently to the point of blurring the fact that you are traveling against the will of God?
你有没有故意逃避现实，欺骗自己说：“我没有违背神”呢？
69. My listening friends, I want you to take notes throughout this series of broadcasts.
我亲爱的朋友，盼望你在收听的过程当中，能够做一些笔记。
70. Why am I asking you to do that?
为什么呢？
71. Because, the God of Jonah is our God.
因为，约拿的神，也是我们的神。
72. Just as God patiently dealt with Jonah, He will deal with us.
当年，神怎样耐心地对待约拿，祂对我们也同样有耐性。
73. It may take a year.
也许是一年，
74. It may take ten years.
也许是十年。
75. It may take 20 years;
也许是二十年；
76. but God will deal with us in the same way that He had dealt with His servant, Jonah.
神都会用对待祂仆人约拿的方式来对待我们的。
77. Let’s look at the Book of Jonah, Chapter 1, verses 1 to 3.
我们来看约拿书1章1-3节。
78. Let’s read it together.
我们一起来读。
79. Jonah was privileged beyond measure.
约拿真是得天独厚。
80. You say, "Why?"
你会问，为什么呢？
81. Because the Word of God came to him;
因为神的话临到他；
82. but that’s not any more of a privilege than you and I have!
但他并不比其他任何人更有福气！
83. We have the Word of God.
我们有神的话语。
84. It comes to us.
神的话语赐给了我们。
85. It is with us.
神的话语和我们同在。
86. We read It and hear It preached and taught.
我们读经、听道，接受神的教导。
87. You are hearing It right now.
现在你正在收听神的话。
88. We read It in books.
我们在许多书中都能读到神的话语。
89. We are surrounded by It;
神的话到处都有；
90. but the question is this:
但问题是：
91. What are you doing with It?
我们怎么样回应神的话语呢？
92. Do you internalize It?
你有没有把神的话吸收到你心里去呢？
93. Many believers are running around, trying to discern the will of God for their lives.
很多基督徒四处寻觅，就是要认清楚神在他们生命中的旨意。
94. The Bible says clearly that the will of God is your sanctification.
神在圣经中已经很清楚地告诉我们，神的心意就是要我们成为圣洁。
95. What does that mean?
什么意思呢？
96. When you walk closely with God, you will discern His will for your life.
你越是亲近神，你就会越发明白神在你身上的旨意。
97. When you are spending time in prayer and in the Word of God, you will discern His will for your life.
当你肯花上功夫来祷告、读经的话，你就会更加清楚神的心意。
98. The Bible said the secrets of the Lord are with those who fear Him.
圣经告诉我们，敬畏神的人就能明白神的奥秘。
99. Who are those who fear the Lord?
谁是敬畏主的人呢？
100. They are those who are constantly seeking His counsel.
就是那些不断寻求神指引的人；
101. Those who fear Him are those who are constantly seeking His mind.
敬畏神的人，就是那些一心寻求祂心意的人；
102. Those who fear Him are those who are constantly walking with Him.
敬畏神的人，就是那些与主同行的人。
103. What about Jonah?
约拿是怎样的人呢？
104. Let’s look back at the Scripture.
我们来看圣经。
105. Jonah 1:1
约拿书1章1节。
106. "The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai…"
”耶和华的话临到亚米太的儿子约拿，”
107. What was Jonah supposed to do?
神叫约拿去做什么？
108. He was supposed to go to Nineveh to preach.
他本来应该到尼尼微去宣讲神的话语。
109. What did Jonah do?
可是，他做了什么呢？
110. He ran away.
他跑掉了。
111. Now, some of you might be feeling sorry for Jonah.
也许，你会为约拿感到难过。
112. Some of you might say, “Well, he might not have recognized the voice of the Lord.”
也许你会说：“可能约拿还不是很清楚神所说的话。”
113. Well, let me correct your theory right now.
让我来纠正你想法。
114. In the Book of II Kings, Chapter 14, verses 23 to 27,
在列王记下14章23到27节这里，
115. God already spoke to Jonah once before.
神曾经对约拿说过话。
116. Listen to that Scripture reading right now.
请听我为你读出来。
117. II Kings 14, beginning at verse 23:
我们从列王记下14章23节这里开始读：
118. So, Jonah was familiar with the voice of the Lord.
从这里，我们看到，其实约拿对神的声音并不陌生。
119. What is the difference, then, between these two times that Jonah heard God’s voice?
那么，约拿这两次听到神的声音，有什么不同呢？
120. Listen carefully
请仔细听我讲。
121. Jonah liked what he heard the first time,
约拿喜欢第一次听到的信息，
122. and that is why Jonah was very willing to listen.
所以，他愿意顺服。
123. Now, for those of you who are believers,
那么，对我们中间已经信主的人来说，
124. have you noticed how, when the Lord speaks to you or leads you in the way you’d like to go, you are all excited?
你有没有发现，当主对你说你爱听的话，或者带你走你愿意走的道路时，你是多么的开心啊？
125. You are happy to do His will.
你很乐意遵行神的旨意。
126. In II Kings 14,
在列王记下14章，
127. God gave Jonah the privilege of announcing the great blessing for the people of Israel.
约拿很荣幸能代表神向以色列人传达神对他们的赐福。
128. A great blessing was coming from the hand of God, even though the people did not deserve it.
虽然以色列人不配享受神所赐的福，但神仍然赐浩大的福份给他们。
129. In fact, the people deserved nothing but judgment;
事实上，以色列人该受神公义的审判；
130. but God told Jonah that He was going to bless the people even more.
但神对约拿说，祂要加倍赐福给以色列人。
131. Oh, can you imagine what the people probably thought?
你能够想象得到，当他们听到这话的反应是怎样的吗？
132. “Oh, that is great. We are God’s favorites.
“啊，简直是太好了。我们是神所偏爱的子民啊。
133. He will bless us, no matter what we do!
不论我们做了什么，神都会赐福给我们的！
134. He will prosper us, even if we are in disobedience.
即便我们不听神的话，祂也会让我们昌盛起来的。
135. He will wink at our sin, because He loves us.”
祂不会介意我们所犯的罪，因为祂爱我们呀。”
136. Even today, people still think those kinds of things.
当今的世界，人们仍然是这么想的。
137. Millions of people say that they believe in God.
成千上万的人声称他们相信上帝。
138. Millions of people believe that God loves them, regardless of how they live.
千千万万的人相信上帝爱他们，根本不计较他们的生活方式如何糟糕。
139. In fact, most people want God’s grace without repentance.
很多人都希望不用悔改，就能得到上帝的恩典。
140. Most people want God’s favor without obedience.
大多数人只要上帝的恩宠，却不愿意听神的话。
141. Most people want God’s blessings without surrendering to Him,
很多人只要神所赐的福气，却不愿意把主权交给神，
142. even among believers.
甚至很多基督徒也是这样。
143. People want to hear all about the promises of God and the blessings of God,
人们总爱听有关神的应许和赐福的话，
144. and they have all day long to listen;
他们可以整天听这些话；
145. but tell them that they are in disobedience with their money,
但是，当告诉他们，在金钱上如何得罪了神，
146. tell them that they are disobedient with their time,
在时间上如何不听神的话，
147. tell them that they are in disobedient with their use of their gifts,
在使用恩赐上，是如何违背了神的命令，
148. tell them that they are disobedient by flirting with sin,
在罪中如何放纵情欲，
149. then, no one wants to hear it!
这个时候，就没有人愿意听了！
150. Everyone wants that kind of message to go away.
每个人都不愿听这种信息。
151. Everyone suddenly is very busy and has important things to do, other than listen to the voice of God.
他们会用忙碌作其他事情当借口，来躲避神的声音。
152. Jonah was no different.
约拿也不例外。
153. It is my prayer that everyone who is hearing my voice right now
盼望今天在座的每一位听众朋友，
154. will say to the Lord,
都对主说：
155. “Lord, help me to hear Your voice.
”主啊，帮助我能够聆听你的声音。
156. “Lord, help me to obey Your voice...”
“主啊，帮助我能够顺从你的声音……”
157. and I want you to tune in next time, when we will look in more detail about how to hear and obey the voice of God.
盼望下次节目，你能够继续收听，我们要讲如何听见以及顺服神的声音。
158. Until then, I wish you God’s richest blessing.
好，我们下次再见，愿神大大地赐福给你。
