I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also —Matthew 5:39
This verse reveals the humiliation of being a Christian. In the natural realm, if a person does not hit back, it is because he is a coward. But in the spiritual realm, it is the very evidence of the Son of God in him if he does not hit back. When you are insulted, you must not only not resent it, but you must make it an opportunity to exhibit the Son of God in your life. And you cannot imitate the nature of Jesus— it is either in you or it is not. A personal insult becomes an opportunity for a saint to reveal the incredible sweetness of the Lord Jesus.
The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not, “Do your duty,” but is, in effect, “Do what is not your duty.” It is not your duty to go the second mile, or to turn the other cheek, but Jesus said that if we are His disciples, we will always do these things. We will not say, “Oh well, I just can’t do any more, and I’ve been so misrepresented and misunderstood.” Every time I insist on having my own rights, I hurt the Son of God, while in fact I can prevent Jesus from being hurt if I will take the blow myself. That is the real meaning of filling “up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ . . .” (Colossians 1:24). A disciple realizes that it is his Lord’s honor that is at stake in his life, not his own honor.
Never look for righteousness in the other person, but never cease to be righteous yourself. We are always looking for justice, yet the essence of the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is— Never look for justice, but never cease to give it.
逼迫的賬
只是我告訴你們，不要與惡人作對。有人打你的右臉，連左臉也轉過來由他打。 （太五39）
這經文說出作基督徒的謙卑。依常情來說，不還手是懦夫；但在屬靈上，不還手錶明有神的兒子在他裡頭。你被侮辱時，不但不要動怒，更要藉這機會表彰神的兒子。你無法模仿耶穌的性情，有就有，沒有就沒有。對一個聖徒來說，個人受辱是表彰主耶穌美妙的機會，這真令人難以置信。
登山寶訓不是——做你當做的，而是——做非你分內的。你本不必走第二里路，不必轉左臉，但耶穌說若我們是他的門徒，就必須這樣行。我們不該存這樣的心：[唉，我受這樣的冤屈誤會，再也無能為力了。 ]每次我堅持自己的權益，就傷害了神的兒子；我若接受那一擊，就叫耶穌免受傷害。這正是補滿基督患難缺欠的意思。主的門徒只知道主的榮耀，而非他自己的聲譽，這是系於一生的目標。切勿從他人身上要求正義，自己也不可不去行義。我們往往尋找公義；但登山寶訓卻說不要找公義，要時常施行公義。
祈禱◆主啊，當我想起你的一切美善、奇妙和恩典，讚美和憂慮的心便在我裡面此起彼落。噢，主啊，我所祈求的是；你在我裡面最想尋見的一切，正是我必須在現實生活中實踐出來的東西。
July 14, 2014
July 13, 2014
The Price of the Vision
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord . . . —Isaiah 6:1
Our soul’s personal history with God is often an account of the death of our heroes. Over and over again God has to remove our friends to put Himself in their place, and that is when we falter, fail, and become discouraged. Let me think about this personally— when the person died who represented for me all that God was, did I give up on everything in life? Did I become ill or disheartened? Or did I do as Isaiah did and see the Lord?
My vision of God is dependent upon the condition of my character. My character determines whether or not truth can even be revealed to me. Before I can say, “I saw the Lord,” there must be something in my character that conforms to the likeness of God. Until I am born again and really begin to see the kingdom of God, I only see from the perspective of my own biases. What I need is God’s surgical procedure— His use of external circumstances to bring about internal purification.
Your priorities must be God first, God second, and God third, until your life is continually face to face with God and no one else is taken into account whatsoever. Your prayer will then be, “In all the world there is no one but You, dear God; there is no one but You.”
Keep paying the price. Let God see that you are willing to live up to the vision.
異象的代價
當烏西雅王崩的那年，我見主坐在高高的寶座上。 （賽六1）
我們心靈與神的歷程，往往是英雄人物式逝去的歷程。神一次又一次地把我們的朋友挪開，使他自己可以代替他們的地位，我們卻因此失敗灰心。就個人經驗來說：那年那個替代了神位置的人死了——我是否萬念俱灰？病了？頹喪灰心？還是看見了主？
我對神的異象，有賴於我品性的狀況。品性決定啟示。我若要說[我看見了主]，就必先在品性上有了與神相呼應的成分。在我重生得見神的國以前，所看見的都隨我的偏見而定；我需要接受手術，切除外在的事物，也需要內裡的潔淨。第一是神，第二、第三也是神，直到生命單單面對神，其他人都無關重要。 [世上除你還有誰？我的神，只有你。 ]不斷付代價，讓神知道你甘願達成異象。
祈禱◆主啊，我感謝你，因為我發現自己在盼望你再來時，深感熱切的喜樂！噢由此我可以在你眼前蒙恩，並且，要讓自己的行事為人，與你的偉大救恩更為相稱！
Our soul’s personal history with God is often an account of the death of our heroes. Over and over again God has to remove our friends to put Himself in their place, and that is when we falter, fail, and become discouraged. Let me think about this personally— when the person died who represented for me all that God was, did I give up on everything in life? Did I become ill or disheartened? Or did I do as Isaiah did and see the Lord?
My vision of God is dependent upon the condition of my character. My character determines whether or not truth can even be revealed to me. Before I can say, “I saw the Lord,” there must be something in my character that conforms to the likeness of God. Until I am born again and really begin to see the kingdom of God, I only see from the perspective of my own biases. What I need is God’s surgical procedure— His use of external circumstances to bring about internal purification.
Your priorities must be God first, God second, and God third, until your life is continually face to face with God and no one else is taken into account whatsoever. Your prayer will then be, “In all the world there is no one but You, dear God; there is no one but You.”
Keep paying the price. Let God see that you are willing to live up to the vision.
異象的代價
當烏西雅王崩的那年，我見主坐在高高的寶座上。 （賽六1）
我們心靈與神的歷程，往往是英雄人物式逝去的歷程。神一次又一次地把我們的朋友挪開，使他自己可以代替他們的地位，我們卻因此失敗灰心。就個人經驗來說：那年那個替代了神位置的人死了——我是否萬念俱灰？病了？頹喪灰心？還是看見了主？
我對神的異象，有賴於我品性的狀況。品性決定啟示。我若要說[我看見了主]，就必先在品性上有了與神相呼應的成分。在我重生得見神的國以前，所看見的都隨我的偏見而定；我需要接受手術，切除外在的事物，也需要內裡的潔淨。第一是神，第二、第三也是神，直到生命單單面對神，其他人都無關重要。 [世上除你還有誰？我的神，只有你。 ]不斷付代價，讓神知道你甘願達成異象。
祈禱◆主啊，我感謝你，因為我發現自己在盼望你再來時，深感熱切的喜樂！噢由此我可以在你眼前蒙恩，並且，要讓自己的行事為人，與你的偉大救恩更為相稱！
July 12, 2014
The Spiritually Self-Seeking Church
. . . till we all come . . . to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ . . . —Ephesians 4:13
Reconciliation means the restoring of the relationship between the entire human race and God, putting it back to what God designed it to be. This is what Jesus Christ did in redemption. The church ceases to be spiritual when it becomes self-seeking, only interested in the development of its own organization. The reconciliation of the human race according to His plan means realizing Him not only in our lives individually, but also in our lives collectively. Jesus Christ sent apostles and teachers for this very purpose— that the corporate Person of Christ and His church, made up of many members, might be brought into being and made known. We are not here to develop a spiritual life of our own, or to enjoy a quiet spiritual retreat. We are here to have the full realization of Jesus Christ, for the purpose of building His body.
Am I building up the body of Christ, or am I only concerned about my own personal development? The essential thing is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ - “That I may know Him.” (Philippians 3:10). To fulfill God’s perfect design for me requires my total surrender— complete abandonment of myself to Him. Whenever I only want things for myself, the relationship is distorted. And I will suffer great humiliation once I come to acknowledge and understand that I have not really been concerned about realizing Jesus Christ Himself, but only concerned with knowing what He has done for me.
My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God.
Am I measuring my life by this standard or by something less?
屬靈的團體
直等到我們眾人……長大成人，滿有基督長成的身量。 （弗四13）
整個人類要重新恢復與神的關係，這正是主耶穌的救贖所成就的。教會什麼時候只顧發展本身的組織，就不再是一個屬靈的團體了。主耶穌使人類恢復原位的計劃，是要人不單個別地，也要在整體上彰顯基督。主耶穌差遣使徒和教師，就是為此目的——叫神在教會整體中彰顯。我們不是為發展自己屬靈的生命，也不是為享受屬靈的安靜；我們乃是要活出基督，好叫基督的身體得以建立。我是在建立基督的身體嗎？還是只求個人的發展？最重要的是我個人與耶穌的關係——[使我認識基督]。要完成神的計劃就要完全把自己交付他。每當我要為自己求什麼，與神的關係就有所偏差。我們若發現自己並不在乎彰顯基督，而只追求彰顯他為我所做的事，那會是基督的羞恥。 [我的目標是神自己，而不是音樂，不是平安，也不是祝福。單是神自己，我的神。 ]我是否以此衡量自己的生命？還是以次一等的標準來衡量？
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我讚美你。因為當我想到你那奧妙的身體中的肢體，腦海中浮現那偉大的思想。我何等渴望迅速地更多認識到它的奧秘。
Reconciliation means the restoring of the relationship between the entire human race and God, putting it back to what God designed it to be. This is what Jesus Christ did in redemption. The church ceases to be spiritual when it becomes self-seeking, only interested in the development of its own organization. The reconciliation of the human race according to His plan means realizing Him not only in our lives individually, but also in our lives collectively. Jesus Christ sent apostles and teachers for this very purpose— that the corporate Person of Christ and His church, made up of many members, might be brought into being and made known. We are not here to develop a spiritual life of our own, or to enjoy a quiet spiritual retreat. We are here to have the full realization of Jesus Christ, for the purpose of building His body.
Am I building up the body of Christ, or am I only concerned about my own personal development? The essential thing is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ - “That I may know Him.” (Philippians 3:10). To fulfill God’s perfect design for me requires my total surrender— complete abandonment of myself to Him. Whenever I only want things for myself, the relationship is distorted. And I will suffer great humiliation once I come to acknowledge and understand that I have not really been concerned about realizing Jesus Christ Himself, but only concerned with knowing what He has done for me.
My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God.
Am I measuring my life by this standard or by something less?
屬靈的團體
直等到我們眾人……長大成人，滿有基督長成的身量。 （弗四13）
整個人類要重新恢復與神的關係，這正是主耶穌的救贖所成就的。教會什麼時候只顧發展本身的組織，就不再是一個屬靈的團體了。主耶穌使人類恢復原位的計劃，是要人不單個別地，也要在整體上彰顯基督。主耶穌差遣使徒和教師，就是為此目的——叫神在教會整體中彰顯。我們不是為發展自己屬靈的生命，也不是為享受屬靈的安靜；我們乃是要活出基督，好叫基督的身體得以建立。我是在建立基督的身體嗎？還是只求個人的發展？最重要的是我個人與耶穌的關係——[使我認識基督]。要完成神的計劃就要完全把自己交付他。每當我要為自己求什麼，與神的關係就有所偏差。我們若發現自己並不在乎彰顯基督，而只追求彰顯他為我所做的事，那會是基督的羞恥。 [我的目標是神自己，而不是音樂，不是平安，也不是祝福。單是神自己，我的神。 ]我是否以此衡量自己的生命？還是以次一等的標準來衡量？
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我讚美你。因為當我想到你那奧妙的身體中的肢體，腦海中浮現那偉大的思想。我何等渴望迅速地更多認識到它的奧秘。
July 11, 2014
The Spiritually Vigorous Saint
. . . that I may know Him . . . —Philippians 3:10
A saint is not to take the initiative toward self-realization, but toward knowing Jesus Christ. A spiritually vigorous saint never believes that his circumstances simply happen at random, nor does he ever think of his life as being divided into the secular and the sacred. He sees every situation in which he finds himself as the means of obtaining a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ, and he has an attitude of unrestrained abandon and total surrender about him. The Holy Spirit is determined that we will have the realization of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives, and He will bring us back to the same point over and over again until we do. Self-realization only leads to the glorification of good works, whereas a saint of God glorifies Jesus Christ through his good works. Whatever we may be doing— even eating, drinking, or washing disciples’ feet— we have to take the initiative of realizing and recognizing Jesus Christ in it. Every phase of our life has its counterpart in the life of Jesus. Our Lord realized His relationship to the Father even in the most menial task. “Jesus, knowing . . . that He had come from God and was going to God, . . . took a towel . . . and began to wash the disciples’ feet . . .” (John 13:3-5).
The aim of a spiritually vigorous saint is “that I may know Him . . .” Do I know Him where I am today? If not, I am failing Him. I am not here for self-realization, but to know Jesus Christ. In Christian work our initiative and motivation are too often simply the result of realizing that there is work to be done and that we must do it. Yet that is never the attitude of a spiritually vigorous saint. His aim is to achieve the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances.
屬靈的聖徒
屬靈的聖徒使人認識基督。 （腓三10）
聖徒的積極性並非朝著自我實現的方向，而是朝著認識基督進發。屬靈的信徒絕不相信際遇出於偶然，也不會認為他的人生又屬世又屬神，他會視一切環境和際遇，領他更認識基督；也會不顧一切的棄絕。聖靈定意要使我們生命的每一方面，都彰顯基督。他曾一次又一次地把我們帶到同一點，直至我們在那一點上彰顯基督。自我實現叫人高舉工作；聖徒卻在工作上高舉基督。或吃或喝或洗門徒的腳，不論是作什麼，總要積極地在其中彰顯基督。我們生命的每一階段，都可在祝耶穌的生命中找出互相對照之處。主就是在最低賤的工作上，也彰顯與父神的關係。 [耶穌知道自己是從神出來，又要歸到神那裡去，就……拿一條毛巾……洗門徒的腳。 ]
屬靈聖徒的目標是要[認識基督]。我在今天的環境中認識基督嗎？若不，就是叫他失望了。我不是要自我實現，乃是要認識基督。在屬靈的工作中，原動力往往出於看見事工的需要，於是就去做。屬靈的信徒卻永不抱這種態度，他的目標是要在一切所處的環境中活出基督。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，憑著我單純信靠那居住在我裡面，又使我與你的屬靈連結起來的聖靈，我仰望你；幫助我完全屬你。
A saint is not to take the initiative toward self-realization, but toward knowing Jesus Christ. A spiritually vigorous saint never believes that his circumstances simply happen at random, nor does he ever think of his life as being divided into the secular and the sacred. He sees every situation in which he finds himself as the means of obtaining a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ, and he has an attitude of unrestrained abandon and total surrender about him. The Holy Spirit is determined that we will have the realization of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives, and He will bring us back to the same point over and over again until we do. Self-realization only leads to the glorification of good works, whereas a saint of God glorifies Jesus Christ through his good works. Whatever we may be doing— even eating, drinking, or washing disciples’ feet— we have to take the initiative of realizing and recognizing Jesus Christ in it. Every phase of our life has its counterpart in the life of Jesus. Our Lord realized His relationship to the Father even in the most menial task. “Jesus, knowing . . . that He had come from God and was going to God, . . . took a towel . . . and began to wash the disciples’ feet . . .” (John 13:3-5).
The aim of a spiritually vigorous saint is “that I may know Him . . .” Do I know Him where I am today? If not, I am failing Him. I am not here for self-realization, but to know Jesus Christ. In Christian work our initiative and motivation are too often simply the result of realizing that there is work to be done and that we must do it. Yet that is never the attitude of a spiritually vigorous saint. His aim is to achieve the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances.
屬靈的聖徒
屬靈的聖徒使人認識基督。 （腓三10）
聖徒的積極性並非朝著自我實現的方向，而是朝著認識基督進發。屬靈的信徒絕不相信際遇出於偶然，也不會認為他的人生又屬世又屬神，他會視一切環境和際遇，領他更認識基督；也會不顧一切的棄絕。聖靈定意要使我們生命的每一方面，都彰顯基督。他曾一次又一次地把我們帶到同一點，直至我們在那一點上彰顯基督。自我實現叫人高舉工作；聖徒卻在工作上高舉基督。或吃或喝或洗門徒的腳，不論是作什麼，總要積極地在其中彰顯基督。我們生命的每一階段，都可在祝耶穌的生命中找出互相對照之處。主就是在最低賤的工作上，也彰顯與父神的關係。 [耶穌知道自己是從神出來，又要歸到神那裡去，就……拿一條毛巾……洗門徒的腳。 ]
屬靈聖徒的目標是要[認識基督]。我在今天的環境中認識基督嗎？若不，就是叫他失望了。我不是要自我實現，乃是要認識基督。在屬靈的工作中，原動力往往出於看見事工的需要，於是就去做。屬靈的信徒卻永不抱這種態度，他的目標是要在一切所處的環境中活出基督。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，憑著我單純信靠那居住在我裡面，又使我與你的屬靈連結起來的聖靈，我仰望你；幫助我完全屬你。
July 10, 2014
The Spiritually Lazy Saint
Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together . . . —Hebrews 10:24-25
We are all capable of being spiritually lazy saints. We want to stay off the rough roads of life, and our primary objective is to secure a peaceful retreat from the world. The ideas put forth in these verses from Hebrews 10 are those of stirring up one another and of keeping ourselves together. Both of these require initiative— our willingness to take the first step toward Christ-realization, not the initiative toward self-realization. To live a distant, withdrawn, and secluded life is diametrically opposed to spirituality as Jesus Christ taught it.
The test of our spirituality comes when we come up against injustice and meanness and ingratitude and turmoil, all of which have the tendency to make us spiritual sluggards. We want to use prayer and Bible reading for the purpose of retirement. We utilize God for the sake of getting peace and joy, that is, we do not want to realize Jesus Christ, but only our enjoyment of Him. This is the first step in the wrong direction. All these things are effects and we try to make them causes.
"I think it meet," said Peter, ". . . to stir you up by putting you in remembrance." (2 Peter 1:13). It is a most disturbing thing to be smitten in the ribs by some provoker of God, by someone who is full of spiritual activity. Active work and spiritual activity are not the same thing. Active work may be the counterfeit of spiritual activity. The danger of spiritual sluggishness is that we do not wish to be stirred up, all we want to hear about is spiritual retirement. Jesus Christ never encourages the idea of retirement – "Go tell My brethren . ." (Matthew 28:10).
屬靈怠惰
又要彼此相顧，激發愛心，勉勵行善。你們不可停業聚會。 （來十24-25）
我們都有屬靈的惰性，就是不想面對生命的顛簸與艱難，只望安之樂之過退休的生活。希伯來書第十章的要點是我們彼此激勵，齊集聚會——二者都需要積極自發。這是實現基督的自發，而非實現自我的自發。若離群獨處，過著退隱的生活，這與主耶穌的屬靈教導根本相違。
當我們遇見不義、詭詐、忘恩、擾亂時，靈性便受到考驗。這些事很容易使我們陷入屬靈的怠惰中。我們以讀經禱告作為退隱的工具，利用神來取得平安喜樂。換言之，我們並不是要活出基督，而只想去享受他，這就是方向錯誤的第一步。其實這一切只是果效，我們卻把它們變作目標。
彼得說：[我自以為應當……提醒你們，激發你們。 ]神用充滿屬靈活力的使者擊打我們，是最不好受的。活躍的工作與屬靈活力的是兩回事，但前者可以假冒後者。屬靈惰性的危機在於不想被激發，只想過屬靈退隱的生活。主耶穌從不鼓勵退隱的思想，他說：[去告訴我的弟兄……]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你的恩福今天在此地臨到我們：使我們脫離怠惰和靈性上的懶散，讓你所保證的，全然成就。
We are all capable of being spiritually lazy saints. We want to stay off the rough roads of life, and our primary objective is to secure a peaceful retreat from the world. The ideas put forth in these verses from Hebrews 10 are those of stirring up one another and of keeping ourselves together. Both of these require initiative— our willingness to take the first step toward Christ-realization, not the initiative toward self-realization. To live a distant, withdrawn, and secluded life is diametrically opposed to spirituality as Jesus Christ taught it.
The test of our spirituality comes when we come up against injustice and meanness and ingratitude and turmoil, all of which have the tendency to make us spiritual sluggards. We want to use prayer and Bible reading for the purpose of retirement. We utilize God for the sake of getting peace and joy, that is, we do not want to realize Jesus Christ, but only our enjoyment of Him. This is the first step in the wrong direction. All these things are effects and we try to make them causes.
"I think it meet," said Peter, ". . . to stir you up by putting you in remembrance." (2 Peter 1:13). It is a most disturbing thing to be smitten in the ribs by some provoker of God, by someone who is full of spiritual activity. Active work and spiritual activity are not the same thing. Active work may be the counterfeit of spiritual activity. The danger of spiritual sluggishness is that we do not wish to be stirred up, all we want to hear about is spiritual retirement. Jesus Christ never encourages the idea of retirement – "Go tell My brethren . ." (Matthew 28:10).
屬靈怠惰
又要彼此相顧，激發愛心，勉勵行善。你們不可停業聚會。 （來十24-25）
我們都有屬靈的惰性，就是不想面對生命的顛簸與艱難，只望安之樂之過退休的生活。希伯來書第十章的要點是我們彼此激勵，齊集聚會——二者都需要積極自發。這是實現基督的自發，而非實現自我的自發。若離群獨處，過著退隱的生活，這與主耶穌的屬靈教導根本相違。
當我們遇見不義、詭詐、忘恩、擾亂時，靈性便受到考驗。這些事很容易使我們陷入屬靈的怠惰中。我們以讀經禱告作為退隱的工具，利用神來取得平安喜樂。換言之，我們並不是要活出基督，而只想去享受他，這就是方向錯誤的第一步。其實這一切只是果效，我們卻把它們變作目標。
彼得說：[我自以為應當……提醒你們，激發你們。 ]神用充滿屬靈活力的使者擊打我們，是最不好受的。活躍的工作與屬靈活力的是兩回事，但前者可以假冒後者。屬靈惰性的危機在於不想被激發，只想過屬靈退隱的生活。主耶穌從不鼓勵退隱的思想，他說：[去告訴我的弟兄……]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你的恩福今天在此地臨到我們：使我們脫離怠惰和靈性上的懶散，讓你所保證的，全然成就。
July 09, 2014
Will You Examine Yourself?
Joshua said to the people, ’You cannot serve the Lord . . .’ —Joshua 24:19
Do you have even the slightest reliance on anything or anyone other than God? Is there a remnant of reliance left on any natural quality within you, or on any particular set of circumstances? Are you relying on yourself in any manner whatsoever regarding this new proposal or plan which God has placed before you? Will you examine yourself by asking these probing questions? It really is true to say, “I cannot live a holy life,” but you can decide to let Jesus Christ make you holy. “You cannot serve the Lord . . .”— but you can place yourself in the proper position where God’s almighty power will flow through you. Is your relationship with God sufficient for you to expect Him to exhibit His wonderful life in you?
“The people said to Joshua, ’No, but we will serve the Lord!” (Joshua 24:21). This is not an impulsive action, but a deliberate commitment. We tend to say, “But God could never have called me to this. I’m too unworthy. It can’t mean me.” It does mean you, and the more weak and feeble you are, the better. The person who is still relying and trusting in anything within himself is the last person to even come close to saying, “I will serve the Lord.”
We say, “Oh, if only I really could believe!” The question is, “Will I believe?” No wonder Jesus Christ placed such emphasis on the sin of unbelief. “He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58). If we really believed that God meant what He said, just imagine what we would be like! Do I really dare to let God be to me all that He says He will be?
偉大的探查
你們不能事奉耶和華。 （書二十四19）
除了神以外，你對別的東西有沒有絲毫的靠賴？對天然的德行，對環境等因素，是否仍有殘餘的倚恃？在這項新旨意中，你還有哪方面是靠賴自己的？這就是徹底清查的意思。是的，你可以說：[我無法過聖潔的生活。 ]這是真的；但你可以決志讓耶穌基督使你聖潔。 [你們不能事奉耶和華。 ]但你可以讓神的大能透過你作工。你與神的關係是否美好和諧，以致他能在你身上彰顯他奇妙的生命？
[我們定要事奉耶和華。 ] 這不是一時的衝動，而是一個立定心意的交付。你會說：[神絕不會呼召我作這個，我太不配了，這不會是指著我說的。 ]實在是你，你愈軟弱無能，便癒合適。一個仍有所倚恃的人不會說：[我定要事奉耶和華。 ]
我們常說：[若我真能信多好！ ]但問題卻是[若我真肯信多好]。難怪耶穌基督這樣強調不信的罪。若真相信神所言屬實，我們會變成怎麼樣的人呢？我是否真正肯讓神在我身上成為一位說什麼就成就什麼的神？
祈禱主啊，你的面容、你的感動、你的賜福、使我今天所尋求的。感動我，主啊，直至我的每一部分，都被你滿有恩慈而帶有能力的平安所震撼和振奮。
Do you have even the slightest reliance on anything or anyone other than God? Is there a remnant of reliance left on any natural quality within you, or on any particular set of circumstances? Are you relying on yourself in any manner whatsoever regarding this new proposal or plan which God has placed before you? Will you examine yourself by asking these probing questions? It really is true to say, “I cannot live a holy life,” but you can decide to let Jesus Christ make you holy. “You cannot serve the Lord . . .”— but you can place yourself in the proper position where God’s almighty power will flow through you. Is your relationship with God sufficient for you to expect Him to exhibit His wonderful life in you?
“The people said to Joshua, ’No, but we will serve the Lord!” (Joshua 24:21). This is not an impulsive action, but a deliberate commitment. We tend to say, “But God could never have called me to this. I’m too unworthy. It can’t mean me.” It does mean you, and the more weak and feeble you are, the better. The person who is still relying and trusting in anything within himself is the last person to even come close to saying, “I will serve the Lord.”
We say, “Oh, if only I really could believe!” The question is, “Will I believe?” No wonder Jesus Christ placed such emphasis on the sin of unbelief. “He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58). If we really believed that God meant what He said, just imagine what we would be like! Do I really dare to let God be to me all that He says He will be?
偉大的探查
你們不能事奉耶和華。 （書二十四19）
除了神以外，你對別的東西有沒有絲毫的靠賴？對天然的德行，對環境等因素，是否仍有殘餘的倚恃？在這項新旨意中，你還有哪方面是靠賴自己的？這就是徹底清查的意思。是的，你可以說：[我無法過聖潔的生活。 ]這是真的；但你可以決志讓耶穌基督使你聖潔。 [你們不能事奉耶和華。 ]但你可以讓神的大能透過你作工。你與神的關係是否美好和諧，以致他能在你身上彰顯他奇妙的生命？
[我們定要事奉耶和華。 ] 這不是一時的衝動，而是一個立定心意的交付。你會說：[神絕不會呼召我作這個，我太不配了，這不會是指著我說的。 ]實在是你，你愈軟弱無能，便癒合適。一個仍有所倚恃的人不會說：[我定要事奉耶和華。 ]
我們常說：[若我真能信多好！ ]但問題卻是[若我真肯信多好]。難怪耶穌基督這樣強調不信的罪。若真相信神所言屬實，我們會變成怎麼樣的人呢？我是否真正肯讓神在我身上成為一位說什麼就成就什麼的神？
祈禱主啊，你的面容、你的感動、你的賜福、使我今天所尋求的。感動我，主啊，直至我的每一部分，都被你滿有恩慈而帶有能力的平安所震撼和振奮。
July 08, 2014
Will To Be Faithful
. . . choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . —Joshua 24:15
A person’s will is embodied in the actions of the whole person. I cannot give up my will— I must exercise it, putting it into action. I must will to obey, and I must will to receive God’s Spirit. When God gives me a vision of truth, there is never a question of what He will do, but only of what I will do. The Lord has been placing in front of each of us some big proposals and plans. The best thing to do is to remember what you did before when you were touched by God. Recall the moment when you were saved, or first recognized Jesus, or realized some truth. It was easy then to yield your allegiance to God. Immediately recall those moments each time the Spirit of God brings some new proposal before you.
“. . . choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . . .” Your choice must be a deliberate determination— it is not something into which you will automatically drift. And everything else in your life will be held in temporary suspension until you make a decision. The proposal is between you and God— do not “confer with flesh and blood” about it (Galatians 1:16). With every new proposal, the people around us seem to become more and more isolated, and that is where the tension develops. God allows the opinion of His other saints to matter to you, and yet you become less and less certain that others really understand the step you are taking. You have no business trying to find out where God is leading— the only thing God will explain to you is Himself.
Openly declare to Him, “I will be faithful.” But remember that as soon as you choose to be faithful to Jesus Christ, “You are witnesses against yourselves . . .” (Joshua 24:22). Don’t consult with other Christians, but simply and freely declare before Him, “I will serve You.” Will to be faithful— and give other people credit for being faithful too.
立志忠心
“……今日就可以選擇所要事奉的。”約書亞記24：15
意志是全人的活動。我不能放棄我的意志，我必須要訓練我的意志。我必須要立志順服，立志接受上帝的靈。當上帝給了我們真理的異像時，他要做什麼不是一個問題，問題是我們要做什麼。主已經把一些大的任務擺在我們面前，最好要做的事是回想從前被上帝感動的時候你做了什麼？就是在你得救的時候，或者第一次看到耶穌，或者認識到一些真理。那時候對上帝順服忠心是容易的。當上帝的靈把一些新的任務帶到你面前時，現在就回想從前的那些時候吧。
“今日就可以選擇所要事奉的。”這是經過深思熟慮的計算，不是你可以容易進入的事情；其他一切都被暫時擱置，直到你做出決定。這任務是在你與上帝之間的，不要和屬血氣的商量這事。對於每一個新的任務，其他人會越來越遠離它，這正是壓力來的地方。上帝允許他的聖徒的意見影響到你，但你被帶領到越來越遠，別人無法確實理解你所走的路。你不用去發現上帝把你帶到哪裡，上帝唯一要向你解釋的事就是他自己。
向他宣告：“我要忠心。”一旦你選擇了向耶穌基督忠心，你就不再是你自己的見證。不要諮詢別的基督徒，只要在他面前宣告——我要服侍你。立志忠心——並且也為別人的忠心而讚許他們。
A person’s will is embodied in the actions of the whole person. I cannot give up my will— I must exercise it, putting it into action. I must will to obey, and I must will to receive God’s Spirit. When God gives me a vision of truth, there is never a question of what He will do, but only of what I will do. The Lord has been placing in front of each of us some big proposals and plans. The best thing to do is to remember what you did before when you were touched by God. Recall the moment when you were saved, or first recognized Jesus, or realized some truth. It was easy then to yield your allegiance to God. Immediately recall those moments each time the Spirit of God brings some new proposal before you.
“. . . choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . . .” Your choice must be a deliberate determination— it is not something into which you will automatically drift. And everything else in your life will be held in temporary suspension until you make a decision. The proposal is between you and God— do not “confer with flesh and blood” about it (Galatians 1:16). With every new proposal, the people around us seem to become more and more isolated, and that is where the tension develops. God allows the opinion of His other saints to matter to you, and yet you become less and less certain that others really understand the step you are taking. You have no business trying to find out where God is leading— the only thing God will explain to you is Himself.
Openly declare to Him, “I will be faithful.” But remember that as soon as you choose to be faithful to Jesus Christ, “You are witnesses against yourselves . . .” (Joshua 24:22). Don’t consult with other Christians, but simply and freely declare before Him, “I will serve You.” Will to be faithful— and give other people credit for being faithful too.
立志忠心
“……今日就可以選擇所要事奉的。”約書亞記24：15
意志是全人的活動。我不能放棄我的意志，我必須要訓練我的意志。我必須要立志順服，立志接受上帝的靈。當上帝給了我們真理的異像時，他要做什麼不是一個問題，問題是我們要做什麼。主已經把一些大的任務擺在我們面前，最好要做的事是回想從前被上帝感動的時候你做了什麼？就是在你得救的時候，或者第一次看到耶穌，或者認識到一些真理。那時候對上帝順服忠心是容易的。當上帝的靈把一些新的任務帶到你面前時，現在就回想從前的那些時候吧。
“今日就可以選擇所要事奉的。”這是經過深思熟慮的計算，不是你可以容易進入的事情；其他一切都被暫時擱置，直到你做出決定。這任務是在你與上帝之間的，不要和屬血氣的商量這事。對於每一個新的任務，其他人會越來越遠離它，這正是壓力來的地方。上帝允許他的聖徒的意見影響到你，但你被帶領到越來越遠，別人無法確實理解你所走的路。你不用去發現上帝把你帶到哪裡，上帝唯一要向你解釋的事就是他自己。
向他宣告：“我要忠心。”一旦你選擇了向耶穌基督忠心，你就不再是你自己的見證。不要諮詢別的基督徒，只要在他面前宣告——我要服侍你。立志忠心——並且也為別人的忠心而讚許他們。
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