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Pastor's Corner by Pastor Larry Tong

May 2007

When I started to write this newsletter, one of the saddest broadcasts came over the airwaves. I’m sure all of you have heard or read about the gunman who killed thirty-two and wounded over ten people Virginia Tech University (VTU). There is no record in American history that a tragedy of this magnitude has ever happened within an educational facility. Schools and universities are supposed to be safe havens for students whose desire is to be educated, and knowledge should make people better in all areas. But somewhere along the line, we, as a people, have forgotten that knowledge doesn’t really solve human’s problem. If it could, America, with its prestigious institutes, should be a utopia. There is a deeper issue that needs to be addressed—Sin. I don’t want to sound too philosophical about this incident because my heart goes to all the victims, and most assuredly, the loved ones they left behind. It’s going to take tremendous amount counseling and a grieving period before the wounds are healed, if at all possible.

When tragedies like these happen, people often ask, “Where is God?” I found myself asking the same question after hearing about the VTU massacre. Coincidentally, our minister wrote on a similar topic last month, therefore, I won’t repeat her message (available on the SCBC website under Pastor’s corner). My have already accepted that this world is not getting any better. According to the Bible, this world will grow worse before it will be transformed. As Christians, we look forward to this day: “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (II Peter 3:13)

God has given people a freedom of choice to choose good and shun evil. With the choice we make, we will reap its consequences, good or bad. We often hear people ask, “Why can’t God stop evil?” Through His very own inspired Word, I know that He wants to. He has given a blueprint written in the Bible on how to live in harmony with each other, but we, often choose to reject His way. This world is how it is, because of our choosing, not God’s desire. Maybe it is time for us to search our souls and hold ourselves responsible for what we have done. History shows God rebuked the Israelites, asking them to repent and return to Him, but His words fell on “deaf ears.” They reaped severe tribulation. Only the “remnant” responded, but they also had to suffer along with the rest of the stubborn and unrepentant people. I believe we are repeating history today. For Christians, I encourage you to keep trusting God. These tragedies remind us that the Bible is trustworthy. Don’t be in denial or feel despair. You should stand firm and lift your head for your redemption is near. Jesus is coming! A famous preacher in the 1920’s by the name of Vance Havner once said, “Christians are always just a few heartbeats from heaven. It ought to make a difference.”

Before I sign off, I also would like to take this opportunity to reach out to those who are still skeptical about Jesus being the only Way to Heaven. The Bible gives you plenty of warnings, and they were written to guide you to trust in God. When the New Heaven and Earth are made, don’t get caught left outside. Come with us. This is the best choice you will ever make.

                                                                                                         Pastor Larry

在我開始要寫這篇通訊的時候，從電台新聞報導中聽到一則震驚的慘劇。我相信你對那發生在維珍尼亞科技大學令致有三十二人死亡及超過十人受傷的槍殺事件亦有所聽聞。在美國校園的歷史中是從未發生過這麼嚴重的慘劇。「校園」，特別是大學校園應該是那些有心志去尋求知識者的安全島，而教育亦是應該能夠使人在多方面都可以更長進及更充實的。但可惜的是，人卻往往忘記了知識其實並不能解决人很多的問題。因為，如果是能夠的話，充滿學院的美國就應該是世外桃源了。其實人是有一更深的問題是需要解决的，那就是「罪」的問題。我不願意在這裡過份的去哲理化這事件，因為我是很真心的同情那些死傷者及他們的家人。他們是需要一段很長的時間在輔導之下療傷才可以得醫治，但亦很可能是永遠不能回復正常。

當悲慘的事情發生之際，人常問：「神在那裡？」我發覺甚至自己亦會問同樣的問題。很巧合地，我們的傳道在上月的通訊寫了有關這方面的感受。我在這裡不再重覆她所寫的 (你可上網在牧者之欄閱讀) 。其實我已經接受了一件事實，就是這世界是不會變得更好的。依照聖經所指示，這個世界在更新之前是會變得更壞的。我們做基督徒的要等候那更新的日子的來臨：「但我們照他的應許，盼望新天新地，有義居在其中。」(彼後三：13)

神賜與人有一個自由意志去擇善拒惡。無論是好是壞，我們都會承受我們作的選擇所帶來的後果。我們常聽到人問：「為什麽神不阻止邪惡呢？」藉著祂所啓示的話語，我知道祂是願意的。祂在聖經中已經給了人一個怎樣去與別人和諧相處的藍圖，但可惜的是人卻拒絕祂的教導。這個世界變成這麽混亂乃是因為人的選擇，而不是神的心意。當我們苦心自問的時候，也許我們都要承認我們是要接受我們的選擇所帶出來的後果。聖經的歷史故事告訴我們神責備以色列人，要他們認罪悔改，他們卻是聽而不聞。結果他們要承受極大的災難。雖然當時祗有一些「餘數」的以色列人向神回應，但他們亦要與那些頑梗不願悔改的人一同遭受浩劫。我相信現在正是歷史重演之際。我在這裡願意勉勵基督徒要堅守你們對神的信念。你不用否定實情，亦不需要感到沮喪，卻要擡起頭來，因為得贖的日子近了。耶穌快來了！在一九二零年代有一位著名的牧師雲哈拿這樣說：「基督徒與天堂相隔是祗有幾次的心搏跳動；這觀念應對你有很大的影響。」

在擱筆之前，我亦藉這机會向那些仍然懷疑耶穌是否就是唯一可以讓人進入天堂途徑的人作出呼喚。聖經已給了你們足夠的告示，而這些的告示都是要告訴你們要信靠神。當新天新地完成之際，希望到時你不會被拒於門外。與我們同走吧，這是你最上算的選擇。

唐若愚牧師

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