In 2014, we added this “Question Section” to remind the truth seekers to ponder on the important questions in our lives. With the explosion of information and data in this post-modernism world,  use of the format of questions would tend to crystallize  key essence of an issue under consideration and avoid frustration of the“win-a-battle-but-lose-the-war" pitfall. You may also notice that we do not designate the section as “Question and Answer ” because the best answer to each question would have to come from you after you get the pointers from the Bible. You may ask why ? This is because only you can reach the answer which will suit your situation the best.

在2014年，我們加添了這個“問題欄”是來提醒慕道朋友、要思考我們生命中的重要問題。在這個後現代主義的世界、隨著信息和數據的資訊爆炸；用問題的方式比較容易將所考慮議題的本質解釋明白，同時也可把議題的關鍵不會因為太多資料而混亂不清。這種方式可避免“打贏一場局部戰鬥，却輸掉全盤戰爭”的通病。您可能還注意到、我們沒有標示此部門為“問題與解答欄”；因為對每個問題的最佳答案，必須來自你從聖經得到的指示後自己所得的答案。你可能會問，為什麼？這是因為只有你才能得到、最適合您的情況、最好的答案。

Question 1-  What is Life?

Question 2-- How precious is your life?

Question 3-- What are your perspectives on your life?

Question 4-- What is your value system?

Question 5-- Know God's Will?

第一問題：什麼是生命？

第二問題：你如何珍貴你的生命？

第三問題： 你生命的透視遠景是什麼？

第四問題： 什麼是你的價值體系？

第5問題： 知道神的旨意？

Here we do not seek the medical definition of life and death. Rather, we are trying to lay the foundation of future questions which are related to life. We are asking what are the contents of life. We are not asking the meaning or purpose of life yet because it is tied with Question 2. 

The following are a few pointers for your consideration of Question 1:

• Since we are living in a four dimensional space-time world, a life may be regarded as a path or an irreversible disturbance of the four dimensional space-time reality. Since life is not a single point in time and space, life must be a process or a path. Thus, many properties of life such as relationships do have time-dependent nature. When we ponder on a property or a content of life, we must not forget the time aspect of that property. For example, true love cannot last only a day or a month. So a man cannot say he loves his wife and also, at the same time, has extramarital affairs with other ladies. Similarly, a woman cannot say she loves her children if she spends her life in drugs that prevent her from loving her children.

• If the contents of a life consist of many relationships, there must be a value system on which you make your choices. That is, you may prefer to be in a certain circumstance and not in another situation. So you may ask what is this value system. We contend that this value system depends upon what your answer to the first question of “what is life”.

• If a life is a process or a path, then there may be different segments in a life. Each segment may contain different contents. We may want to think about what are the contents of each segment of our lives.  Once we know the contents then we may choose to keep some contents to the best we can and throw away some of the bad memories if we could. When time comes into our consideration, we may place better value to a content which lasts longer. Eventually, we may realize the limitation of our life span and hence place a greater value to a relationship and cherish that relationship. In other words, you will love your spouse now and ever more because that relationship is so important to you as priceless and worthy of your great effort to cherish, protect, and nourish it.

• In addition to various relationships in our lives such as friends, family, and professional associations etc., one of the key contents of a life is the days of our lives. "Days of a life" is so precious that the Bible reminds us to number them. Psalm 90:10-12 describe this as follows:

As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.
¹¹ Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
¹² So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

• As your answer to Question 1, can you list a few contents of your life that you can place a relative rank of them?

• One of the instant benefits of pondering on Question 1 is that you may have right away a sense of sincere appreciation of your life today. That means “how precious is this day of your life.”  We are not talking about the 24-hours day, rather our relationships today.  Because of this realization, you will love your children more if you have children. You will love your friends more if you have friends. You will love your God more if you truly believe in your God.

在這裡，我們不尋求生命和死亡的醫學定義。相反地，我們正試圖為以後有關生命的問題、打下基礎。我們問的是、什麼是生命的內容。目前我們也不是在問生命的意義或目的，因為生命的目的是與第二個問題有關。

下面有幾點供大家思考第一問題的參考：

1∙ 由於我們生活在一個四度時空的世界；一個生命、可以被視為一個四度時空的實際路徑或解釋為不可逆轉的四度時空真象的干擾。所以一個生命、不只是佔有時間和空間中的一個點而己，而是一個過程或一條路徑。生命有很多的特性，例如人際關係、的確有時間的性質。當我們思考生命的屬性或內容時，我們決不能忘記這関於時間方面的性質。例如，真正的愛是有関乎時間的性質，愛不能只持續一天或一個月。所以，一個男人不能說他愛他的妻子，卻同時與其他女人有婚外情。同樣；女人不能說她愛她的孩子，卻浪費她的生命於妨礙她、愛她的孩子的藥物中。

2∙ 如果生命的內容包括許多的人與人的關係，你必須有一個讓你選擇的價值體系。也就是說，你可能選擇存在某一個環境下，而不願在另一種情況下生活。所以，你可能會問，什麼是這一價值體系。我們認為，這種價值體系、取決於你對第一個問題“什麼是生命”的回答

3∙ 如果生命是一種過程或路徑，那麼生命可能有不同的階段。每個階段，可以包含不同的內容。我們可能要思考，什麼是我們生命中、每個階段的內容。這內容可能是我們與人的各種関係。一旦我們知道了各階段的各種內容；如果可能的話，我們可以選擇保留一些最好的內容，扔掉一些不好內容的回憶。當時間進入我們考慮的因素中，我們可能會用更高的珍惜、加給可持續更長久的內容。最後，當瞭解到我們的壽命的有限時，我們會更重視、珍惜彼此的關係。換句話說，當你深深體會到生命時日有限時，你一定會比以往任何時候、更愛你的配偶；因為這關係對你是如此重要、是無價的，是值得你努力去珍惜、保護和滋養它的。

4∙​​在我們的生命中，除了有朋友、家人和專業協會等各種關係之外；還有一個生命的關鍵內容，就是我們有多少活的日子。一個生命的日子是如此的珍貴，聖經提醒我們要數算自己的日子。詩篇90:10-12有如下的提示：

¹⁰ 我們一生的年日是七十歲，若是強壯可到八十歲，但其中所矜誇的不過是勞苦愁煩；轉眼成空，我們便如飛而去。
¹¹ 誰曉得你怒氣的權勢？誰按著你該受的敬畏曉得你的憤怒呢？
¹² 求你指教我們怎樣數算自己的日子，好叫我們得著智慧的心。

      5∙因此，當你回答第一問題時，你能否列出你生命裏的一些內容、且能把它們相對價值的排名？

6∙在琢磨第一問題時，你會立刻得一些好處的。很可能你馬上會有衷心、珍惜能擁有你今日的生命而感謝。這意味著你這一天的生活是多麼珍貴的。我們不是在談一天的24小時，而是珍惜我們今天與人各種關係。如果你有孩子，你會更愛你的孩子。如果你有朋友，你一定會更喜歡你的朋友。如果你真的相信你的神，你一定會更愛你的神。

Since a life, per Question 1, has many contents,  Question 2 asks you  ” how precious to your life is each of those contents ?" Indeed, the same question is “what is the value system of your life?” Is a gambling activity worth more than say,  a football game; or a football game more than a time with your wife; or a quiet time with your God. Here are some pointers;

By the way, since mankind spends billions of dollars in health care, life extension must means a great value.  If so, we need to place a great value to things of eternal life nature. 

• Through human history, there are no lacks of complaints across all cultures about the limitation of human life span. Various human endeavors were sought to find a way to eternal life without success. That is why the promise of the Bible from God is so precious in any one’s value system in life.
• How much we appreciate the preciousness of our eternal life will decide how much we appreciate the current finite life and hence the relative values of the contents of our life.
• This is why the Bible says that the first commandmentis to love your God with all your heart, mind and strength because He promises to give us eternal life.

John 3:16

¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

• It will be a great exercise to refine the list of relative values of the contents of our own life from Question 1 after we ponder on Question 2. 

從第一問題的提醒，我們知道生命有很多的內容；同樣的問你：“你的生命中的各個內容，是如何珍貴？”

事實上，同樣的問題是“什麼是你生命中的價值體系？” 一個賭博活動是否比足球比賽更有價值；或則說，看足球賽是否比與陪你的妻子、或者與您的神安靜交通的時間更有價值

 由人類花費數十億美元的醫療保健的方式，我們可以了解壽命延長是一個巨大的價值。如果是這樣，我們需要更重視有關永恆生命本質的東西。

1∙從人類歷史來看，包含東西方所有文化、沒有缺少對人類壽命短促的埋怨。人的各種努力、試圖尋找永生的方法，都沒有成功。這就是為什麼、一個人生命的價值體系中，能得到聖經神的應許是無比地珍貴的。

2∙我們如何珍惜寶貝永恆的生命，將決定我們是如何珍惜寶貝當前有限壽命，也是表明我們生命中各內容的相對價值。

            3∙這就是為什麼聖經說，第一誡命是全心全力、愛你的神。因為祂、許諾給我們永生。

                  約翰福音 3:16

                               ¹⁶神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的不致滅亡，反得永生。

 4∙我們思考第二問題後；如何把我們對第一問題的答案，將我們自己的生命的內容，依照我們自己的價值觀作完善的排列，使我們自己體會什麼是最珍貴的; 什麼是次要的;什麼是浪會生命的，如果你這樣排列你生命的內答，你一定是有大有福分的答案。

Question 1 addresses the contents of our life. We should not just record the contents of our life but need to improve the contents because of our value system. How we fill our lives with various contents depending on our perspectives of life. Just to remind ourselves a content of life can be an event, a relationship, and an activity etc. How do we fill with our days depend upon how we plan our lives with various high valued contents that is the essence of Question 2.

Obviously, if we enjoy the prospects of gambling, then we are going to fill our days with the visits to gambling casinos. We contend that our contents of life depend upon our perspectives of life. And our perspectives of life depend upon our perception of the truth. The truth includes the reality of life. For example, if you think that life consists of only material aspects, then your contents of life will not have any spiritual contents at all. Thus, in answering to Question 1, hopefully we include spiritual contents as well in our lists because we assert that man has both flesh and spirit.

Atheists do not believe in God. They may deny the existence of God and the existence of the spiritual realm. Their perspectives of life may include only materialistic aspect and do not believe in an afterlife. This would means that life consists of purposeless evolution and ends at physical death.

For Christians, we believe the truth includes both physical and spiritual aspects. We believe there is an infinite God who is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. We also believe the world was created and is being sustained by God. As revealed by Him in the Bible, this God loves the world and provides us a most precious salvation through His Son Jesus Christ our precious Lord to an eternal life without tears, pains, and decays; and with unspeakable joy to enjoy God’s beauty, love, truth, and glory.

This salvation is available to all free, independent of your race, national origin, and social/economical status. Indeed, it is a gracious gift to all who would receive Jesus Christ, who died to save His own to the end.

John 3:16

¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 1:11-12

¹¹ He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

For your information on the contents of life, the Holy Scripture provides the following instructions:

•  Contents that are ever lasting that may include spiritual things which are invisible..

"as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18)

• Contents that we can have and are of eternal values

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.( Galatians 5:22-23)

• The Bible highlight the following as eternals

¹³ But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.( 1 Corinthians 13:13)

• The God’s Word is eternal

⁶³ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.( John 6:63)

• Work for eternal food and do God’s Work; Believe in Him

²⁷ Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” ²⁸ Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” ²⁹ Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”( John 6:27-29)

問題1提到了我們生命的內容。我們不應該、僅僅記錄我們生命的內容，更需要在我們的價值體系中、提高生命內容的價值。我們該如何填補我們生命的各種內容，是取決於我們對生命的透視展望。這裹我們要提酲、生命的內容的定義; 它可能是一件事、一個關係、一個活動等。我們如何填滿我們的日子，是取決於我們如何規劃我們的生命中、各種高價值的內容，此即為問題2的精髓。

很顯然地，如果我們喜歡賭博的樂趣，那麼我們將以流連於賭博娛樂場，來填補我們的日子。我們認為、我們的生命內容、取決於對我們的生命的透視展望。而我們生命的展望，取決於我們對真理的認知。真理包括現實生活的眞像。舉例來說，如果你認為生命、只包括物質層面的；那麼你的生命內容將不會包含有任何靈界內涵的項目。因此，在回答問題1，希望在我們生命內容的名單中，有屬靈的內容。因為我們認定，人是有肉體也有靈性。

無神論者不相信上帝。他們可能會否認神的存在、也否定靈界的存在。他們生命的展望、角度，可能只包括物質的一面，不相信來世。這將意味著，生命是無目的突變進化而來，而且生命止於肉體的死亡。

對於基督徒而言，我們相信真理、是包括身體和精神靈界的層面。我們相信，有一個無限的上帝，祂是無所不在，無所不知，無所不能。我們也相信，上帝創建、並維持所建立的世界。正如聖經透露了，這神愛世人，並為我們提供了最寶貴的救贖。通過祂的兒子耶穌基督、我們珍貴的主，讓我們擁有、不流淚，沒有痛苦和衰減的永生；以及有說不出的喜悅，享受神的美，愛，真理和榮耀。

這救贖是無代價地、提供給所有的人；無論你的種族，國籍和社會/經濟地位。所以，這真是一個恩典，賜給所有接受耶穌基督的人。神的愛子耶穌基督、為了拯救所有祂的子民不惜犧牲自己、來拯救到底。

約翰福音 3:16

¹⁶ 「神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的不致滅亡，反得永生。

約翰福音 1:11-12

¹¹ 他到自己的地方來，自己的人倒不接待他。 ¹² 凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就賜他們權柄做神的兒女。

您如需要有關生命內容的資料；聖經有下列的指示：

• 永久存在的內容是包含看不見的靈界層面的一切。

          歌林多後書 4:18

 ¹⁸ 原來我們不是顧念所見的，乃是顧念所不見的，因為所見的是暫時的，所不見的是永遠的。

•  值得擁有，含永生價值的內容

 加拉太書 5:22-23

   ²² 聖靈所結的果子，就是仁愛、喜樂、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信實²³ 溫柔、節制；這樣的事沒有律法禁止。

• 聖經強調下列為永生       

      哥林多前書 13:13 

 ¹³ 如今常存的有信、有望、有愛這三樣，其中最大的是愛

•  上帝的話是永恆的

        約翰福音 6:63

  ⁶³ 叫人活著的乃是靈，肉體是無益的。我對你們所說的話就是靈，就是生命。

• 為永生的食物勞力，作上帝的工；相信祂

        約翰福音 6:27-29

²⁷ 不要為那必壞的食物勞力，要為那存到永生的食物勞力，就是人子要賜給你們的，因為人子是父神所印證的。」 ²⁸ 眾人問他說：「我們當行什麼，才算做神的工呢？」 ²⁹ 耶穌回答說：「信神所差來的，這就是做神的工。」

A value system is personal and depends upon many factors including individual upbringing, culture, personal interest, and perspectives of life. It is therefore not the intent of this question to derive a unique set of criteria for values. Rather, our emphasis is to point out a few things for us to consider.

I. The basis of a value system may include the following:

• Eternal versus Temporary- There are many poets who lamented the shortness of life. We witness each year the celebration of New Year eve to say goodbye to last year. Thus, we should place higher value to things or events that are of eternal nature such as love, hope and faith
• Infinite versus Finite- We do not experience infinity too well because of our limitations. Infinity does not only refer to space. All things or events that are eternal do have infinity property. We contend that contents of life which are infinite should have higher values than those that are finite.
• Desires versus Laws- Laws come into picture because of conflicts of individual desires in a society. For example, stand in a line to wait for our turns for service is a rule for orders that many people abide. Laws also come into play because the need to maintain justice and fairness. Thus, things that are lawful should have higher values than things that are chaotic.
• Freedom versus Bondage- Human places very high value on individual freedom. Soldiers die to defend freedom from tyranny. Nobody wants to be in bondage. We should have compassion on those that are bounded such as those suffering from various addictions.
• Life versus Things- It would be obvious that we should place higher values to living creatures than things.

Through the years, we found that there is no perfect beauty, no perfect love, no perfect justice, and no perfect wisdom, etc in the humanity sphere throughout all civilizations. This imperfection may be attributed to our own limitations as well as human depravity. As  Christians, we do not share the optimistic faith of the Darwinism that advocates the continuous evolution into a better human species. Even after many thousand years of civilizations, two world wars and numerous regional conflicts as well as millions of life losses in last century alone should convince us of our human depravity. It seems proper and indeed a reasonably honest endeavor that we should at least look at what God says about us.

II. What God says about us

1. Romans 1:20-23 

²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. ²¹ For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

B. 1 Corinthians 1:20-25

²⁰ Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. ²² For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 

III. How about the world’s value system

• We may ask what about the value of money. Well, let see what the Bible says about this.

⁹ But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.¹¹ But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.( 1Timothy 6:9-12)

• We may ask what about the value of pride. Well, let see what the Bible tells us about this.

³ If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, ⁴ he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, ⁵ and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. ⁶ But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.( 1Timothy 6:3-6)

• We may also ask what about the value of lust which is like a wild fire engulfing the whole world. Let us hear what our Lord teaches us about this.

⁶³ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. (John 6:63)

Since the issue of lust seems entrapping many people (i.e., wise and fool, intellectual and ignorant, rich and poor, strong and weak, old and young) and it has the support of whole porno and human trafficking industries, we should listen more carefully to what the Bible teaches on this subject.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-5

Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. ² For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. ³ For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ⁵ not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

1 John 2:15-17

¹⁵ Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. ¹⁷ The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

IV. The Bible reminds us the following pointers concerning our value system

1. Jesus Christ is the Pre-eminent One in our lives-All fullness dwells bodily in Jesus Christ our Precious Lord

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. ¹⁸ He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. ¹⁹ For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, ²⁰ and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.²¹ And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, ²² yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach ( Colossians 1:15-22)

2. Jesus Christ is the most precious in our lives

⁷ But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, ⁹ and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, (Philippians 3:7-9)

3. Top priority of seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness

³¹ Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ ³² For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.(Matt: 6:31-33)

每個人的一個價值系統是不同的，它取決於許多因素；包括個人成長，文化，個人興趣和生命的透視展望。因此，本個問題的意圖，不是想得到了一套獨特的價值標準。相反，我們的重點，是要指出我們要考慮幾件事情。

1.  一個價值體系的基礎可能包括以下內容：

A∙永恆與短暫-有許多詩人感嘆生命的短暫。我們看到，每年全球各地都有、送別舊的一年、迎接新的一年來臨的跨年慶祝活動。因此，我們應該把永恆的事物或事件，如愛，希望和信念放在更高價值的地方。

B∙ 無限與有限- 因為我們的有限∙讓我們不會太清楚無限。無限不只是指空間的。所有永恆的事情或事件∙就具有無限的本質。我們主張生命的內容中，無限的應該比那些有限的更高值。

C.    慾望與法律- 法規的由來，是因為在一個社會中、每個人慾望的衝突而形成。例如，很多人會遵守排隊等候服務的規則。法律也因大家的需要，而有維護公平與正義的作用。因此，合法的事情，是應該比無法無天、混亂的有更高的價值。

D∙ 自由與奴役-人類非常看重個人自由。士兵為捍衛自由、抵抗暴政而死。沒有人願意被奴役。我們應該有憐憫那些被圍困的，如那些受困於各種成癮症的人。

E∙生命與事務- 這將是顯而易見的；比起事務，我們應該給有生命的更高的價值。

活了這些年，我們發現，在人類的環境裹，在古今束西方各種文明中、沒有十全十美的美，沒有完美的愛情、沒有完美的正義∙也沒有完美的智慧等等。這種缺陷，可能是因我們自身的局限和人性的墮落而引起。作為基督徒，我們不共享達爾文主義​​、主張不斷進化、會成更好的人類物種的樂觀信念。即使經過幾千年來的文明進化、兩次世界大戰和無數地區衝突，以及上個世紀中、數以百萬計的生命損失；就應可說服我們、人性的墮落。因此，我們至少應該來看看上帝對我們說了什麼 ，這是我們應作合理且誠實的舉動。

II.上帝對我們的看法是什麼

A.     羅馬書 1:20-23

²⁰ 自從造天地以來，神的永能和神性是明明可知的，雖是眼不能見，但藉著所造之物就可以曉得，叫人無可推諉。 ²¹ 因為他們雖然知道神，卻不當做神榮耀他，也不感謝他，他們的思念變為虛妄，無知的心就昏暗了。 ²² 自稱為聰明，反成了愚拙， ²³ 將不能朽壞之神的榮耀變為偶像，彷彿必朽壞的人和飛禽、走獸、昆蟲的樣式。

B. 哥林多前書 1:20-25

²⁰ 智慧人在哪裡？文士在哪裡？這世上的辯士在哪裡？神豈不是叫這世上的智慧變成愚拙嗎？ ²¹ 世人憑自己的智慧既不認識神，神就樂意用人所當做愚拙的道理，拯救那些信的人，這就是神的智慧了。 ²² 猶太人是要神蹟，希臘人是求智慧， ²³ 我們卻是傳釘十字架的基督——在猶太人為絆腳石，在外邦人為愚拙，²⁴ 但在那蒙召的，無論是猶太人、希臘人，基督總為神的能力、神的智慧。 ²⁵ 因神的愚拙總比人智慧，神的軟弱總比人強壯。 

III. 世界價值體系是如何

•  我們可能會問什麼是錢的價值。讓我們看看聖經如何說這件事。

提摩太前書 6:9-12

⁹ 但那些想要發財的人，就陷在迷惑，落在網羅和許多無知有害的私慾裡，叫人沉在敗壞和滅亡中。 ¹⁰ 貪財是萬惡之根。有人貪戀錢財，就被引誘離了真道，用許多愁苦把自己刺透了。¹¹ 但你這屬神的人要逃避這些事，追求公義、敬虔、信心、愛心、忍耐、溫柔。 ¹² 你要為真道打那美好的仗，持定永生；你為此被召，也在許多見證人面前已經作了那美好的見證。

•  我們可能會問什麼是驕傲的價值。讓我們看看聖經如何說這件事 。

提摩太前書 6:3-6

³ 若有人傳異教，不服從我們主耶穌基督純正的話與那合乎敬虔的道理， ⁴ 他是自高自大，一無所知，專好問難，爭辯言辭，從此就生出嫉妒、紛爭、毀謗、妄疑，⁵ 並那壞了心術、失喪真理之人的爭競。他們以敬虔為得利的門路。 ⁶ 然而，敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了。

•  我們也可能會問如野火般、席捲整個世界的肉慾，是怎麼樣的價值。讓我們聽聽我們的主、教導我們有關這一點 。

   

⁶³ 叫人活著的乃是靈，肉體是無益的。我對你們所說的話就是靈，就是生命。(約翰 6:63)

由於肉慾似乎困惑很多人（聰明和愚蠢，智慧和無知，貧富和強弱，年老和年少）；加上它有整個色情和販賣人口等行業配套的惡習，我們應該更仔細地傾聽、聖經在這一方面的教導。

帖撒羅尼迦前書 4:1-5

弟兄們，我還有話說，我們靠著主耶穌求你們勸你們：你們既然受了我們的教訓，知道該怎樣行可以討神的喜悅，就要照你們現在所行的更加勉勵。 ² 你們原曉得我們憑主耶穌傳給你們什麼命令。 ³ 神的旨意就是要你們成為聖潔，遠避淫行， ⁴ 要你們各人曉得怎樣用聖潔、尊貴守著自己的身體， ⁵ 不放縱私慾的邪情，像那不認識神的外邦人。

約翰一書 2:15-17

¹⁵ 不要愛世界和世界上的事。人若愛世界，愛父的心就不在他裡面了。 ¹⁶ 因為凡世界上的事，就像肉體的情慾、眼目的情慾並今生的驕傲，都不是從父來的，乃是從世界來的。 ¹⁷ 這世界和其上的情慾都要過去，唯獨遵行神旨意的，是永遠常存。 

IV. 聖經對我們的價值體系，提醒我們下列的指針

1. 在我們的生命中，耶穌基督擁有超群絕倫絕對尊貴的首位。父喜歡叫一切的豐盛有形有體地居住在他裡面

¹⁵ 愛子是那不能看見之神的像，是首生的，在一切被造的以先。 ¹⁶ 因為萬有都是靠他造的，無論是天上的、地上的，能看見的、不能看見的，或是有位的、主治的、執政的、掌權的，一概都是藉著他造的，又是為他造的。 ¹⁷ 他在萬有之先，萬有也靠他而立。 ¹⁸ 他也是教會全體之首。他是元始，是從死裡首先復生的，使他可以在凡事上居首位， ¹⁹ 因為父喜歡叫一切的豐盛在他裡面居住。 ²⁰ 既然藉著他在十字架上所流的血成就了和平，便藉著他叫萬有，無論是地上的、天上的，都與自己和好了。 ²¹ 你們從前與神隔絕，因著惡行，心裡與他為敵； ²² 但如今他藉著基督的肉身受死，叫你們與自己和好，都成了聖潔，沒有瑕疵，無可責備，把你們引到自己面前。(歌羅西書 1:15-22)

     2. 耶穌基督是我們的生命中的至寶

⁷ 只是我先前以為於我有益的，我現在因基督都當做有損的。 ⁸ 不但如此，我也將萬事當做有損的，因我以認識我主基督耶穌為至寶。我為他已經丟棄萬事，看做糞土，為要得著基督， ⁹ 並且得以在他裡面，不是有自己因律法而得的義，乃是有信基督的義，就是因信神而來的義；(腓立比書 3:7-9)

3. 我們要先求神的國和他的義

³¹ 所以，不要憂慮說吃什麼、喝什麼、穿什麼。 ³² 這都是外邦人所求的。你們需用的這一切東西，你們的天父是知道的。 ³³ 你們要先求他的國和他的義，這些東西都要加給你們了。 ³⁴ 所以，不要為明天憂慮，因為明天自有明天的憂慮。一天的難處一天當就夠了。(馬太 6:31-33)

Know God's Will

Many people ask this question during their lives with a view for conforming their lives to the God's plan for them. This is indeed a great question. Let us find out what the Bible says about this. Actually, human beings are supposed to know His will when God created Adam and Eve. "Since what may be known about God is plain to them because God has made it plain to them" (Romans 1:19).  Also human being's role in creation was  also clearly conveyed to Adam and Eve.

27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you;  (Genesis :1:27-29)

However, after Adam's fall, sin entered the world and caused a great damage to men's image in such a great extent that men fall short of the glory of God and are  being  corrupted day in and day out by their deceitful desires. It is a great lesson for us to know clearly what happened to men and to our world when sin entered the world through Adam's fall. Indeed, it is a great lesson to learn why God's wrath is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and wickedness of men who suppressed the truth by their wickedness. So there are a few things we should learn together;

1. We need to return to the Bible for calibration

After we sin, our minds are corrupted so that our thinking abilities are greatly damaged in  that we became self-centered instead of God-centered. The Bible describes this situation vividly as our minds were darkened. Everyone knows that we cannot see clearly in a darkened place. What happened to a darkened mind is that the mind can not see things clearly: namely,  we cannot see reality clearly;  we cannot judge things realistically;  we cannot maintain peace in the world; and we do not want to recognize God, let alone want to know His will.

Romans 1:20-22   For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

This explains clearly and can be tested times again in our lives that we are much better off without those who are ego-maniac world leaders such as those leaders that you care to mention yourself.  Therefore, we should return to the Bible to calibrate our thinking process rather than being led by a crooked world with all its so-called wise men, gurus, pundits, news media, etc.  Why? Because their minds were darkened more than ours due to their extreme and perverted desires.

2. Our minds need to be renewed

First of all, none can renew one's mind by self effort such as self enlightenment, self improvement, and group therapies. Even little kids know this. How can you lighten your darkened mind without light from God who is the creator of light. First thing that we should learn is to calibrate our thinking process per the Bible.  That is, know God as revealed in the Scripture; glorify God as God; and give due thanks to God for what He has done such as giving this earth to us; giving sunlight to produce foods for us;  giving air to us;  giving water to us; give family and friends to us; …..and giving life and sustaining life moment by moment to us. So we should think God first in all things once and for all. This means that we should deny ourselves and follow God.

In other words, we shall live by faith in each day of our lives.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 

Let those who have ears hear this. Let those who have eyes see this. Let those who have mind read this.  May our God renew your mind through His Holy Spirit so that you know His perfect will for you. Please ponder the following verses carefully with joys. May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you richly for your effort to know God's will in your life.

1 Corinthians 2:9-13   9 but just as it is written,

“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 

2 Corinthians 4:4-6 

4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 

 
很多人，在他們的生命中、問這個問題；希望讓自己的生命、能符合神對他們的計劃。這確實是一個很好的問題。讓我們看看、聖經如何談論這件事。其實，當上帝創造了亞當和夏娃時，人類即應該知道、祂的旨意。 “神的事情人所能知道的，原顯明在人心裡，因為神已經給他們顯明”(羅馬書 1:19)。人類被創造時、所被付給的任務，也清楚地傳達給亞當和夏娃。

創世紀 1:19

27 神就照著自己的形象造人，乃是照著他的形象，造男造女。 28 神就賜福給他們，又對他們說：「要生養眾多，遍滿地面，治理這地，也要管理海裡的魚、空中的鳥和地上各樣行動的活物。」 29 神說：「看哪，我將遍地上一切結種子的菜蔬和一切樹上所結有核的果子，全賜給你們做食物。

然而，當亞當的墮落，罪就進入了世界，造成對神所造人的形象、有巨大的損害；讓人類失去了神的榮耀，並且使人類的善良的本性因慾望的欺騙奴役、而日復一日的敗壞。這是一個很大的教訓，讓我們清楚地知道，罪經由亞當的墮落、進入這個世界後，對人類以及我們的世界、所發生的事及其影響。事實上，這是一個很大的教訓，原來神的忿怒從天上顯明在一切不虔不義的人身上 ,就是那些行 不義阻擋真理的人。因此,我們應該共同來學習一些事情;

1. 我們需要回歸到聖經

我們犯了罪之後，我們的心靈被破壞了，讓我們的思維能力、大大受損，人變得以自我為中心，而非以神為中心。聖經清楚地描述、我們的心智就昏暗了。大家都知道，在黑暗的地方，我們是不能看清楚。一個黑暗的心靈，就會讓心靈不能清楚看事務；也就是說我們無法清楚地、看到真相；我們無法真實地判斷事務；我們不能維持世界和平；我們不想承認上帝，更不用說想知道他的旨意。

20 自從造天地以來，神的永能和神性是明明可知的，雖是眼不能見，但藉著所造之物就可以曉得，叫人無可推諉。 21 因為他們雖然知道神，卻不當做神榮耀他，也不感謝他，他們的思念變為虛妄，無知的心就昏暗了。 22 自稱為聰明，反成了愚拙，(羅馬書 1:20-22)

這就解釋得很清楚，且可在我們的生活中一再測試證實；如果這世上沒有那些自大狂的世界領導者，就如一你不屑與之為伍的任何的領導人,我們生活會好得很多。因此，我們應該回到聖經，來校準我們的思維過程，而不是被充滿所謂的智者，大師，政論專家，新聞媒體等的一個彎曲的世界來牽着鼻子走。為什麼？因為他們的心、經由他們極端和變態的慾望，比我們的心更黑暗。
 

2. 我們的心靈需要被更新

首先，沒有人、可以通過自我的努力，如自我啟蒙，自我改善，團體治療，來更新一個人的心靈。這一點、甚至連小孩子知道。沒有來自、光的創造者的上帝的光，你怎麼能照亮你的黑暗心靈。我們應該學習的第一件事，就是靠聖經、校準我們的思維過程。也就是說，認識聖經所啟示的上帝；榮耀上帝為上帝；並為祂所做的一切、感謝上帝；例如上帝將這個地球給我們，給太陽光、來生產我們的食物，提供我們空氣; 給我們水，給我們家人和朋友，.....並給予我們生命和每時每刻維持著我們的生命。所以，我們在一切凡事，永遠應該、首先想到上帝。這意味著，我們應該捨己來跟隨上帝。

12 所以弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們，將身體獻上，當做活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的，你們如此侍奉乃是理所當然的。 2 不要效法這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。(羅馬書 12:1-2)

讓那些有耳朵的、聽到這。讓那些有眼睛、看到這。讓擁有心靈、讀到這。願我們的神、藉著聖靈、更新你的心靈，讓你知道、祂對你的完美旨意。請滿懷歡樂、仔細思考下面的聖經。願我們的主耶穌基督，為你要知道、你的生命中神的旨意、所作的努力，滿滿地祝福你。

歌林多前書 2:9-13

9 如經上所記：「神為愛他的人所預備的，是眼睛未曾看見，耳朵未曾聽見，人心也未曾想到的。」 10 只有神藉著聖靈向我們顯明了。因為聖靈參透萬事，就是神深奧的事也參透了。 11 除了在人裡頭的靈，誰知道人的事？像這樣，除了神的靈，也沒有人知道神的事。 12 我們所領受的，並不是世上的靈，乃是從神來的靈，叫我們能知道神開恩賜給我們的事。 13 並且我們講說這些事，不是用人智慧所指教的言語，乃是用聖靈所指教的言語，將屬靈的話解釋屬靈的事。

歌林多後書 2:4-6

4 此等不信之人被這世界的神弄瞎了心眼，不叫基督榮耀福音的光照著他們；基督本是神的像。 5 我們原不是傳自己，乃是傳基督耶穌為主，並且自己因耶穌做你們的僕人。 6 那吩咐光從黑暗裡照出來的神，已經照在我們心裡，叫我們得知神榮耀的光顯在耶穌基督的面上。

我們神是獨一的主

以色列阿，你要聽！耶和華 ─ 我們神是獨一的主。

你要盡心, 盡性、盡力愛耶和華─你的神。(申6:4-5)

There is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.(See 1 Coringthians 8:6)

然而我們只有一位神,就是父,

萬物都本於他,我們也歸於他.

並有一位主,就是耶穌基督,

萬物都是藉著他有的, 我們也是藉著他有的。(歌林多前書 8:6)

Supremacy of Jesus Christ our Lord - Phil 2:9-11; Col 1:15-20

The name which is above every name that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

主耶穌的絕對優越性—無不口稱耶穌為主 (西 1:15-20)

所以，神將他升為至高，

又賜給他那超乎萬名之上的名， 叫一切在天上的、地上的，和地底下的，因耶穌的名無不屈膝，無不口稱耶穌基督為主，使榮耀歸與父神。(腓2:9-11)

Inerrancy of Holy Scripture - Psalm 19:7-9, Matt 5:18

Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

聖經的精確性(詩 19:7-9)

Glorious Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ which demonstrates the love of God - John 3:16-18

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of Go

主耶穌榮耀無比的十字架

神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不至滅亡，反得永生。 因為神差他的兒子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。 信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。

(約翰福音 3:16-18)



Obedience to God is much better than offering sacrifices - Hos 6:6

我喜愛良善（或譯：憐恤），

不喜愛祭祀；

喜愛認識神，勝於燔祭。

(何西阿書 6:6)

For I delight in loyalty 

 rather than sacrifice. 

And in the knowledge of 
God rather than burnt 
offerings. 

(Hos 6:6)

The righteous shall live by faith alone - Habbakuk 2:4

義人因信得生  迦勒底人自高自大，心不正直；惟義人因信得生。(哈巴谷書2:4)

Self-denial and be patient in enduring afflictions are the God's ways for us in following Jesus Christ our Lord - Matthew 16:24

於是耶穌對門徒說：若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。

(馬太福音 16:24)

Goal of Redemption is in Sanctification of the Spirit, through Obedience to Jesus Christ, and be Holy to the LORD. Be Ye Holy, For I am Holy.

(1 Peter 1:15-16; Lev 11:45)

救贖的目的是藉著聖靈，順服耶穌基督，歸耶和華為聖。 你們要聖潔，因為我是聖潔的。（彼得前書1:15-16; 利11:45）

 pastor@reminderfromapastor.org 
(925) 482-6458