3:14 你們就是為義受苦,也是有福的。不要怕人的威嚇(的威嚇:或譯所怕的),也不要驚慌;
3:15 只要心裡尊主基督為聖。有人問你們心中盼望的緣由,就要常作準備,以溫柔、敬畏的心回答各人;
3:16 存著無虧的良心,叫你們在何事上被毀謗,就在何事上可以叫那誣賴你們在基督裡有好品行的人自覺羞愧。
3:17 上帝的旨意若是叫你們因行善受苦,總強如因行惡受苦。
But even if you should suffer for what is
right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do
this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who
speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their
slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than
for doing evil.
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受苦是好是壞,各有不同的看法,但是我們要用主賜給我們的智慧來面對,正如這裡所說:「你們就是為義受苦,也是有福的。」
因為我們為義受苦,就可以見證出上帝在我們身上的作為,使我們在其中堅定我們對上帝的信心,因為我們除了透過讀聖經和禱告來經歷上帝,上帝更是透過苦難來考驗與堅固我們為上帝而活的心。
有因此,不要害怕苦難,勇敢為主的名站立得穩,上帝必藉由聖靈來引導與安慰我們,使我們享受永遠的平安。
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