Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God —1 Corinthians 10:31
Beware of allowing yourself to think that the shallow aspects of life are not ordained by God; they are ordained by Him equally as much as the profound. We sometimes refuse to be shallow, not out of our deep devotion to God but because we wish to impress other people with the fact that we are not shallow. This is a sure sign of spiritual pride. We must be careful, for this is how contempt for others is produced in our lives. And it causes us to be a walking rebuke to other people because they are more shallow than we are. Beware of posing as a profound person— God became a baby.
To be shallow is not a sign of being sinful, nor is shallowness an indication that there is no depth to your life at all— the ocean has a shore. Even the shallow things of life, such as eating and drinking, walking and talking, are ordained by God. These are all things our Lord did. He did them as the Son of God, and He said, “A disciple is not above his teacher . . .” (Matthew 10:24).
We are safeguarded by the shallow things of life. We have to live the surface, commonsense life in a commonsense way. Then when God gives us the deeper things, they are obviously separated from the shallow concerns. Never show the depth of your life to anyone but God. We are so nauseatingly serious, so desperately interested in our own character and reputation, we refuse to behave like Christians in the shallow concerns of life.
Make a determination to take no one seriously except God. You may find that the first person you must be the most critical with, as being the greatest fraud you have ever known, is yourself.
淺與深
所以你們或吃或喝，無論作什麽，都要為榮耀神而行。 （林前十31）
別以為生活上淺顯的事，不是出於神；這些事與深奧的事一樣，同是出於神。你不肯表現膚淺，不是由於你對神的忠誠虔敬，而是你想叫人覺得你並不膚淺；這樣，正好表現了你屬靈的驕傲。若是如此，你就得當心：不要讓鄙視在你心裡成形，使你隨時指控人，因為覺得人人都比你膚淺。當心別以高深莫測自居；神也是成了嬰孩而來的。
膚淺並不是奸惡的表現，也並不表示沒有深度，海洋也有邊岸。生活中表面化的常事，如飲食、行走、談話，都是神所定的。這也是主的生活。作為神的兒子，他也這樣生活，他說：[學生不能高過先生。 ]
我們的保障是在於淺顯的事。我們必須以平常之道過日常平凡的生活。深奧的事，是神在淺近的事以外賜給我們。除了向神，我們不必向任何人顯露深度。我們往往太過專注於自己的品性，以致不肯在日常平凡生活中，活得像基督徒。要下決心除了神，不把任何人放在心內；這樣你會發現第一個要摒棄不管的，就是最會假冒的傢伙 - 你自己。
祈禱◆主啊，願你今天將聖靈的直覺力和你所有的靈感賜給我，以致我可以在一切事情上辨別你。願你恩慈的同在和平安充滿這一整天。
Showing posts with label My Favourite. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Favourite. Show all posts
November 22, 2014
October 31, 2014
The Trial of Faith
If you have faith as a mustard seed . . . nothing will be impossible for you —Matthew 17:20
We have the idea that God rewards us for our faith, and it may be so in the initial stages. But we do not earn anything through faith— faith brings us into the right relationship with God and gives Him His opportunity to work. Yet God frequently has to knock the bottom out of your experience as His saint to get you in direct contact with Himself. God wants you to understand that it is a life of faith, not a life of emotional enjoyment of His blessings. The beginning of your life of faith was very narrow and intense, centered around a small amount of experience that had as much emotion as faith in it, and it was full of light and sweetness. Then God withdrew His conscious blessings to teach you to “walk by faith” (2 Corinthians 5:7). And you are worth much more to Him now than you were in your days of conscious delight with your thrilling testimony.
Faith by its very nature must be tested and tried. And the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God’s character must be proven as trustworthy in our own minds. Faith being worked out into reality must experience times of unbroken isolation. Never confuse the trial of faith with the ordinary discipline of life, because a great deal of what we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. Faith, as the Bible teaches it, is faith in God coming against everything that contradicts Him— a faith that says, “I will remain true to God’s character whatever He may do.” The highest and the greatest expression of faith in the whole Bible is— “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).
信心的辨識
你們若有信心像一粒芥菜種（太十七20）
我們往往認為神會因我們的信心，報答我們。初時可能是這樣，但其實我們不能藉信心賺取什麼。信心使我們與神的關係正確，以致神有機會作工。你若是聖徒，神往往要把你的經驗底板抽去，好使你直接與他接觸。神要你明白，這是信心的生命，而不是情感化地享受他祝福的生命。你早期的信心生命是狹窄的、緊張的，環繞著一小撮光明的經歷，滿了陽光與甜蜜，可是其中信心的成他分，與常理的成他分差不多同等。後來神把可見的祝福挪開，教你行信心的路，你如今在他手上更有價值，遠超那些感覺喜樂、滿有激動見證的日子。
信心必須經過試驗。信心真正的考驗，不是在於我們覺得難以信靠神，而是在於我們對神的性情，必須有清楚的認識。信心的實現，必須經過一連串個別孤立的考驗。不要把信心的試驗與一般生活的操練混為一談。許多我們成為信心的考驗，不過是活在地上無法避免的事情。聖經中的信心，是在一切違反神自己的事上，還持定信神－－[不管神怎樣做，我必定忠於神的本性。 ][他雖然殺我，我仍要信靠他。 ]－－這是聖經中信心的最高表現。
祈禱◆主啊，今天早上，一堆微小但實際的事情擠進我的思想，我將它們直接帶到你的面前。你以智慧說：[住了吧！靜了吧！ ]願我們那接受你吩咐的生命，承認你的平靜是何等美好。
We have the idea that God rewards us for our faith, and it may be so in the initial stages. But we do not earn anything through faith— faith brings us into the right relationship with God and gives Him His opportunity to work. Yet God frequently has to knock the bottom out of your experience as His saint to get you in direct contact with Himself. God wants you to understand that it is a life of faith, not a life of emotional enjoyment of His blessings. The beginning of your life of faith was very narrow and intense, centered around a small amount of experience that had as much emotion as faith in it, and it was full of light and sweetness. Then God withdrew His conscious blessings to teach you to “walk by faith” (2 Corinthians 5:7). And you are worth much more to Him now than you were in your days of conscious delight with your thrilling testimony.
Faith by its very nature must be tested and tried. And the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God’s character must be proven as trustworthy in our own minds. Faith being worked out into reality must experience times of unbroken isolation. Never confuse the trial of faith with the ordinary discipline of life, because a great deal of what we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. Faith, as the Bible teaches it, is faith in God coming against everything that contradicts Him— a faith that says, “I will remain true to God’s character whatever He may do.” The highest and the greatest expression of faith in the whole Bible is— “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).
信心的辨識
你們若有信心像一粒芥菜種（太十七20）
我們往往認為神會因我們的信心，報答我們。初時可能是這樣，但其實我們不能藉信心賺取什麼。信心使我們與神的關係正確，以致神有機會作工。你若是聖徒，神往往要把你的經驗底板抽去，好使你直接與他接觸。神要你明白，這是信心的生命，而不是情感化地享受他祝福的生命。你早期的信心生命是狹窄的、緊張的，環繞著一小撮光明的經歷，滿了陽光與甜蜜，可是其中信心的成他分，與常理的成他分差不多同等。後來神把可見的祝福挪開，教你行信心的路，你如今在他手上更有價值，遠超那些感覺喜樂、滿有激動見證的日子。
信心必須經過試驗。信心真正的考驗，不是在於我們覺得難以信靠神，而是在於我們對神的性情，必須有清楚的認識。信心的實現，必須經過一連串個別孤立的考驗。不要把信心的試驗與一般生活的操練混為一談。許多我們成為信心的考驗，不過是活在地上無法避免的事情。聖經中的信心，是在一切違反神自己的事上，還持定信神－－[不管神怎樣做，我必定忠於神的本性。 ][他雖然殺我，我仍要信靠他。 ]－－這是聖經中信心的最高表現。
祈禱◆主啊，今天早上，一堆微小但實際的事情擠進我的思想，我將它們直接帶到你的面前。你以智慧說：[住了吧！靜了吧！ ]願我們那接受你吩咐的生命，承認你的平靜是何等美好。
April 24, 2014
The Warning Against Desiring Spiritual Success
Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you . . . —Luke 10:20
Worldliness is not the trap that most endangers us as Christian workers; nor is it sin. The trap we fall into is extravagantly desiring spiritual success; that is, success measured by, and patterned after, the form set by this religious age in which we now live. Never seek after anything other than the approval of God, and always be willing to go “outside the camp, bearing His reproach” (Hebrews 13:13). In Luke 10:20 , Jesus told the disciples not to rejoice in successful service, and yet this seems to be the one thing in which most of us do rejoice. We have a commercialized view— we count how many souls have been saved and sanctified, we thank God, and then we think everything is all right. Yet our work only begins where God’s grace has laid the foundation. Our work is not to save souls, but to disciple them. Salvation and sanctification are the work of God’s sovereign grace, and our work as His disciples is to disciple others’ lives until they are totally yielded to God. One life totally devoted to God is of more value to Him than one hundred lives which have been simply awakened by His Spirit. As workers for God, we must reproduce our own kind spiritually, and those lives will be God’s testimony to us as His workers. God brings us up to a standard of life through His grace, and we are responsible for reproducing that same standard in others.
Unless the worker lives a life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3), he is apt to become an irritating dictator to others, instead of an active, living disciple. Many of us are dictators, dictating our desires to individuals and to groups. But Jesus never dictates to us in that way. Whenever our Lord talked about discipleship, He always prefaced His words with an “if,” never with the forceful or dogmatic statement— “You must.” Discipleship carries with it an option.
放縱的警告
然而不要因鬼服了你們就歡喜。 （路十20）
作主工人的，世俗不會成為網羅，罪惡也不會成為陷阱，可是屬靈的放縱則會。這就是說，承受現今宗教潮流的模式，只專注於屬靈的成功。除了主的讚許，千萬不要追逐別的事物。要[出到營外就了他去，忍受他所受的凌辱。 ]耶穌吩咐門徒不要為事奉的成功而歡欣，但這卻偏偏是大多數人最慶幸的。我們的眼光是很商業化的－－有多少人得救、成聖、於是就感謝神，因一切都辦妥了。神的恩已立好根基，我們乃是在這根基上作工；我們不是去拯救靈魂，乃是叫他們作門徒。救恩與成聖是神無限恩典的工作；身為他的門徒，我們的工作就是要使人作門徒，直至他們全然順服神。一個全然歸神的生命，比一百個僅僅被聖靈喚醒的人，更為神所珍貴。作為神的工人，我們必須在屬靈上繁殖同類的生命，這要成為我們作神工人的明證。
神既藉著恩典把我們帶到更高的生活水平，我們就有責任使別人也達到這種水平。除非工人過的是與基督一樣藏在神裡面的生活，他勢必成為惹人討厭的獨裁者，而不是一個在主裡作門徒的人。我們不少人是獨裁者，喜歡支配人，操縱聚會，為我獨尊。耶穌卻從來沒有這樣對我們。主每逢提到作門徒，他便一定加一個[若]字，他從來不用強制的命令說[你必須]。作門徒是有選擇的餘地的。
祈禱◆我在多方面需要你！我讚美你，因為你讓人尋見。主啊，讓我尋見你；但惟有當你親自來到，我才可以尋見你。
Worldliness is not the trap that most endangers us as Christian workers; nor is it sin. The trap we fall into is extravagantly desiring spiritual success; that is, success measured by, and patterned after, the form set by this religious age in which we now live. Never seek after anything other than the approval of God, and always be willing to go “outside the camp, bearing His reproach” (Hebrews 13:13). In Luke 10:20 , Jesus told the disciples not to rejoice in successful service, and yet this seems to be the one thing in which most of us do rejoice. We have a commercialized view— we count how many souls have been saved and sanctified, we thank God, and then we think everything is all right. Yet our work only begins where God’s grace has laid the foundation. Our work is not to save souls, but to disciple them. Salvation and sanctification are the work of God’s sovereign grace, and our work as His disciples is to disciple others’ lives until they are totally yielded to God. One life totally devoted to God is of more value to Him than one hundred lives which have been simply awakened by His Spirit. As workers for God, we must reproduce our own kind spiritually, and those lives will be God’s testimony to us as His workers. God brings us up to a standard of life through His grace, and we are responsible for reproducing that same standard in others.
Unless the worker lives a life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3), he is apt to become an irritating dictator to others, instead of an active, living disciple. Many of us are dictators, dictating our desires to individuals and to groups. But Jesus never dictates to us in that way. Whenever our Lord talked about discipleship, He always prefaced His words with an “if,” never with the forceful or dogmatic statement— “You must.” Discipleship carries with it an option.
放縱的警告
然而不要因鬼服了你們就歡喜。 （路十20）
作主工人的，世俗不會成為網羅，罪惡也不會成為陷阱，可是屬靈的放縱則會。這就是說，承受現今宗教潮流的模式，只專注於屬靈的成功。除了主的讚許，千萬不要追逐別的事物。要[出到營外就了他去，忍受他所受的凌辱。 ]耶穌吩咐門徒不要為事奉的成功而歡欣，但這卻偏偏是大多數人最慶幸的。我們的眼光是很商業化的－－有多少人得救、成聖、於是就感謝神，因一切都辦妥了。神的恩已立好根基，我們乃是在這根基上作工；我們不是去拯救靈魂，乃是叫他們作門徒。救恩與成聖是神無限恩典的工作；身為他的門徒，我們的工作就是要使人作門徒，直至他們全然順服神。一個全然歸神的生命，比一百個僅僅被聖靈喚醒的人，更為神所珍貴。作為神的工人，我們必須在屬靈上繁殖同類的生命，這要成為我們作神工人的明證。
神既藉著恩典把我們帶到更高的生活水平，我們就有責任使別人也達到這種水平。除非工人過的是與基督一樣藏在神裡面的生活，他勢必成為惹人討厭的獨裁者，而不是一個在主裡作門徒的人。我們不少人是獨裁者，喜歡支配人，操縱聚會，為我獨尊。耶穌卻從來沒有這樣對我們。主每逢提到作門徒，他便一定加一個[若]字，他從來不用強制的命令說[你必須]。作門徒是有選擇的餘地的。
祈禱◆我在多方面需要你！我讚美你，因為你讓人尋見。主啊，讓我尋見你；但惟有當你親自來到，我才可以尋見你。
March 14, 2014
Yielding
. . . you are that one’s slaves whom you obey . . . —Romans 6:16
The first thing I must be willing to admit when I begin to examine what controls and dominates me is that I am the one responsible for having yielded myself to whatever it may be. If I am a slave to myself, I am to blame because somewhere in the past I yielded to myself. Likewise, if I obey God I do so because at some point in my life I yielded myself to Him.
If a child gives in to selfishness, he will find it to be the most enslaving tyranny on earth. There is no power within the human soul itself that is capable of breaking the bondage of the nature created by yielding. For example, yield for one second to anything in the nature of lust, and although you may hate yourself for having yielded, you become enslaved to that thing. (Remember what lust is— “I must have it now,” whether it is the lust of the flesh or the lust of the mind.) No release or escape from it will ever come from any human power, but only through the power of redemption. You must yield yourself in utter humiliation to the only One who can break the dominating power in your life, namely, the Lord Jesus Christ. “. . . He has anointed Me . . . to proclaim liberty to the captives . . .” (Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61:1).
When you yield to something, you will soon realize the tremendous control it has over you. Even though you say, “Oh, I can give up that habit whenever I like,” you will know you can’t. You will find that the habit absolutely dominates you because you willingly yielded to it. It is easy to sing, “He will break every fetter,” while at the same time living a life of obvious slavery to yourself. But yielding to Jesus will break every kind of slavery in any person’s life.
順服
順從誰，就作誰的奴僕。 （羅六16）
要省察自己被什麼力量轄制，首先要承認一個難以接受的事實，就是我這樣轄制，自己要負責，因為我向此力量屈服了。我若做自己的奴僕，便要自己承擔責任，因為我向自己屈服了。同樣地，我若順服神，是因為自己向神降服。
人若自幼順從了自私自利之心，就會發現這是世上最強暴的捆鎖。這種因降服而形成的桎梏，是人本性沒有能力擺脫的。你只要對情慾稍為縱容（所謂情慾，就是人一定要立刻得著的，這包括肉體的情慾和心思上的情慾），便成為它的奴僕了。一旦降服，你儘管恨自己不該如此，也無濟於事。除非有神的救贖，靠自己絕對沒有解救的出路；所以必須完全謙卑屈服在主耶穌面前，惟有他能潰敗轄制你的權勢。 [耶和華用膏膏我……報告被擄的得釋放。 ]我們在極小的事上，便可以發現：[啊！我要放下這嗜好是隨時都做得到的。 ]是不能的。你會發覺這嗜好牢牢地轄制著你，因為你是甘願向它降服。唱[它斷開一切鎖鏈]很容易，但同時卻明明活在自我的捆鎖裡。只有降服耶穌才能解脫人生中任何的奴役。
祈禱◆主啊，我讚美你，你阻止我即時要為自己尋求各樣的東西，你使我唯獨尋求你那永久的憑證——你的感動，讓我獲得在你裡面的平安。
The first thing I must be willing to admit when I begin to examine what controls and dominates me is that I am the one responsible for having yielded myself to whatever it may be. If I am a slave to myself, I am to blame because somewhere in the past I yielded to myself. Likewise, if I obey God I do so because at some point in my life I yielded myself to Him.
If a child gives in to selfishness, he will find it to be the most enslaving tyranny on earth. There is no power within the human soul itself that is capable of breaking the bondage of the nature created by yielding. For example, yield for one second to anything in the nature of lust, and although you may hate yourself for having yielded, you become enslaved to that thing. (Remember what lust is— “I must have it now,” whether it is the lust of the flesh or the lust of the mind.) No release or escape from it will ever come from any human power, but only through the power of redemption. You must yield yourself in utter humiliation to the only One who can break the dominating power in your life, namely, the Lord Jesus Christ. “. . . He has anointed Me . . . to proclaim liberty to the captives . . .” (Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61:1).
When you yield to something, you will soon realize the tremendous control it has over you. Even though you say, “Oh, I can give up that habit whenever I like,” you will know you can’t. You will find that the habit absolutely dominates you because you willingly yielded to it. It is easy to sing, “He will break every fetter,” while at the same time living a life of obvious slavery to yourself. But yielding to Jesus will break every kind of slavery in any person’s life.
順服
順從誰，就作誰的奴僕。 （羅六16）
要省察自己被什麼力量轄制，首先要承認一個難以接受的事實，就是我這樣轄制，自己要負責，因為我向此力量屈服了。我若做自己的奴僕，便要自己承擔責任，因為我向自己屈服了。同樣地，我若順服神，是因為自己向神降服。
人若自幼順從了自私自利之心，就會發現這是世上最強暴的捆鎖。這種因降服而形成的桎梏，是人本性沒有能力擺脫的。你只要對情慾稍為縱容（所謂情慾，就是人一定要立刻得著的，這包括肉體的情慾和心思上的情慾），便成為它的奴僕了。一旦降服，你儘管恨自己不該如此，也無濟於事。除非有神的救贖，靠自己絕對沒有解救的出路；所以必須完全謙卑屈服在主耶穌面前，惟有他能潰敗轄制你的權勢。 [耶和華用膏膏我……報告被擄的得釋放。 ]我們在極小的事上，便可以發現：[啊！我要放下這嗜好是隨時都做得到的。 ]是不能的。你會發覺這嗜好牢牢地轄制著你，因為你是甘願向它降服。唱[它斷開一切鎖鏈]很容易，但同時卻明明活在自我的捆鎖裡。只有降服耶穌才能解脫人生中任何的奴役。
祈禱◆主啊，我讚美你，你阻止我即時要為自己尋求各樣的東西，你使我唯獨尋求你那永久的憑證——你的感動，讓我獲得在你裡面的平安。
March 12, 2014
Total Surrender
Peter began to say to Him, ’See, we have left all and followed You’ —Mark 10:28
Our Lord replies to this statement of Peter by saying that this surrender is “for My sake and the gospel’s” (10:29). It was not for the purpose of what the disciples themselves would get out of it. Beware of surrender that is motivated by personal benefits that may result. For example, “I’m going to give myself to God because I want to be delivered from sin, because I want to be made holy.” Being delivered from sin and being made holy are the result of being right with God, but surrender resulting from this kind of thinking is certainly not the true nature of Christianity. Our motive for surrender should not be for any personal gain at all. We have become so self-centered that we go to God only for something from Him, and not for God Himself. It is like saying, “No, Lord, I don’t want you; I want myself. But I do want You to clean me and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I want to be on display in Your showcase so I can say, ’This is what God has done for me.’ ” Gaining heaven, being delivered from sin, and being made useful to God are things that should never even be a consideration in real surrender. Genuine total surrender is a personal sovereign preference for Jesus Christ Himself.
Where does Jesus Christ figure in when we have a concern about our natural relationships? Most of us will desert Him with this excuse—”Yes, Lord, I heard you call me, but my family needs me and I have my own interests. I just can’t go any further” (see Luke 9:57-62). “Then,” Jesus says, “you ’cannot be My disciple’ ” (see Luke 14:26-33).
True surrender will always go beyond natural devotion. If we will only give up, God will surrender Himself to embrace all those around us and will meet their needs, which were created by our surrender. Beware of stopping anywhere short of total surrender to God. Most of us have only a vision of what this really means, but have never truly experienced it.
撇棄一切
彼得就對他說：看哪，我們已經撇下所有的跟從你了……（可十28）
主的回答是說為他而撇下，而不是為了門徒自己能換得什麼。當心別把商業貿易的精神參入[撇下]裡去——[我把自己給神，因為我要脫離罪，因為我要成聖。]這些都是與神和好的結果，卻不是基督教信仰裡的精神。 [撇下]根本不是為任何東西。我們已經變得太商業化了，到神面前只是為得那一點什麼，而不是為他本身。這好像是說：[主啊，我不要你，我要自己；我要自己潔淨，充滿聖靈；我要登上你得櫥窗說：『看神為我做的一切。 』]若我們為神撇下，為的是要得更多的，那末，我們的撇下便沒有聖靈，只是可憐的商業自利。我們得上天堂，罪得赦免，合神使用，這些在真正的[撇下]裡， 絕不是原因。真正的撇下，乃是個人專誠的揀選耶穌基督自己。
當我們面對人際關係的屏障，耶穌的地位何在？我們多半遺棄他說：[不錯，主，我聽見你的呼召；但我母親阻著去路，還有我的妻子，我的喜好，我無法前行。 ]耶穌說：[這樣，你不能作我的門徒。 ]
撇下的考驗總是與親情有切膚之痛。越過它，神會盡所有去懷抱你撇下時所傷害的人。要當心撇下不可中途而廢。我們多半只在異像中認識什麼叫做撇下。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求你使我的悟性，與你聖靈的教導一同發出光輝。
Our Lord replies to this statement of Peter by saying that this surrender is “for My sake and the gospel’s” (10:29). It was not for the purpose of what the disciples themselves would get out of it. Beware of surrender that is motivated by personal benefits that may result. For example, “I’m going to give myself to God because I want to be delivered from sin, because I want to be made holy.” Being delivered from sin and being made holy are the result of being right with God, but surrender resulting from this kind of thinking is certainly not the true nature of Christianity. Our motive for surrender should not be for any personal gain at all. We have become so self-centered that we go to God only for something from Him, and not for God Himself. It is like saying, “No, Lord, I don’t want you; I want myself. But I do want You to clean me and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I want to be on display in Your showcase so I can say, ’This is what God has done for me.’ ” Gaining heaven, being delivered from sin, and being made useful to God are things that should never even be a consideration in real surrender. Genuine total surrender is a personal sovereign preference for Jesus Christ Himself.
Where does Jesus Christ figure in when we have a concern about our natural relationships? Most of us will desert Him with this excuse—”Yes, Lord, I heard you call me, but my family needs me and I have my own interests. I just can’t go any further” (see Luke 9:57-62). “Then,” Jesus says, “you ’cannot be My disciple’ ” (see Luke 14:26-33).
True surrender will always go beyond natural devotion. If we will only give up, God will surrender Himself to embrace all those around us and will meet their needs, which were created by our surrender. Beware of stopping anywhere short of total surrender to God. Most of us have only a vision of what this really means, but have never truly experienced it.
撇棄一切
彼得就對他說：看哪，我們已經撇下所有的跟從你了……（可十28）
主的回答是說為他而撇下，而不是為了門徒自己能換得什麼。當心別把商業貿易的精神參入[撇下]裡去——[我把自己給神，因為我要脫離罪，因為我要成聖。]這些都是與神和好的結果，卻不是基督教信仰裡的精神。 [撇下]根本不是為任何東西。我們已經變得太商業化了，到神面前只是為得那一點什麼，而不是為他本身。這好像是說：[主啊，我不要你，我要自己；我要自己潔淨，充滿聖靈；我要登上你得櫥窗說：『看神為我做的一切。 』]若我們為神撇下，為的是要得更多的，那末，我們的撇下便沒有聖靈，只是可憐的商業自利。我們得上天堂，罪得赦免，合神使用，這些在真正的[撇下]裡， 絕不是原因。真正的撇下，乃是個人專誠的揀選耶穌基督自己。
當我們面對人際關係的屏障，耶穌的地位何在？我們多半遺棄他說：[不錯，主，我聽見你的呼召；但我母親阻著去路，還有我的妻子，我的喜好，我無法前行。 ]耶穌說：[這樣，你不能作我的門徒。 ]
撇下的考驗總是與親情有切膚之痛。越過它，神會盡所有去懷抱你撇下時所傷害的人。要當心撇下不可中途而廢。我們多半只在異像中認識什麼叫做撇下。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求你使我的悟性，與你聖靈的教導一同發出光輝。
March 04, 2014
Is This True of Me?
None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself . . . —Acts 20:24
It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world’s perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense.
What do I count in my life as “dear to myself”? If I have not been seized by Jesus Christ and have not surrendered myself to Him, I will consider the time I decide to give God and my own ideas of service as dear. I will also consider my own life as “dear to myself.” But Paul said he considered his life dear so that he might fulfill the ministry he had received, and he refused to use his energy on anything else. This verse shows an almost noble annoyance by Paul at being asked to consider himself. He was absolutely indifferent to any consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had received. Our ordinary and reasonable service to God may actually compete against our total surrender to Him. Our reasonable work is based on the following argument which we say to ourselves, “Remember how useful you are here, and think how much value you would be in that particular type of work.” That attitude chooses our own judgment, instead of Jesus Christ, to be our guide as to where we should go and where we could be used the most. Never consider whether or not you are of use— but always consider that “you are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19). You are His.
我果真如此嗎？
我卻不以性命為念，也不看為寶貴。 （徒二十24）
沒有異象就去事奉神，是容易的；沒有蒙召就去事奉神，也是容易的；因為你根本不需理會神的要求。頭腦上的知識，加上信徒的情感就知道，你會幹得很成功。心情可優悠自得，只要你從未經歷神的呼召。可是，一旦你接受了耶穌基督的差使，神就整日驅策著你；那你再也不能根據頭腦上的知識來為他工作。
我看什麼為寶貴？我若未被主耶穌抓住，我會看事奉為寶貴，為神擺上得時間為寶貴，以我的生命為寶貴。保羅說，他看生命寶貴，只因他能完成所交託他的使命；他拒絕在任何事上花費他的精力。使徒行轉二十章24節中說保羅對別人叫他顧慮自己的安慰，幾乎又一種極端的煩惱；除了完成主所交託的使命外，他絕對不管別的。有時實際的工作，會取去人歸向神的心，因為實際的工作是根據[記住你在這裡多派用場]，[想想你在某項工作上有多難得]。這種態度沒有把主耶穌作為方向的指引，卻用自己的判斷來決定我們在那裡最有用。千萬別思量自己有沒有用，卻要緊記你不屬於自己，乃屬於主。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，靠著你的恩典，讓我張眼看見你，和你的無窮無盡；並且，在關乎你的事工上，讓我明白你的心意。
It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world’s perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense.
What do I count in my life as “dear to myself”? If I have not been seized by Jesus Christ and have not surrendered myself to Him, I will consider the time I decide to give God and my own ideas of service as dear. I will also consider my own life as “dear to myself.” But Paul said he considered his life dear so that he might fulfill the ministry he had received, and he refused to use his energy on anything else. This verse shows an almost noble annoyance by Paul at being asked to consider himself. He was absolutely indifferent to any consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had received. Our ordinary and reasonable service to God may actually compete against our total surrender to Him. Our reasonable work is based on the following argument which we say to ourselves, “Remember how useful you are here, and think how much value you would be in that particular type of work.” That attitude chooses our own judgment, instead of Jesus Christ, to be our guide as to where we should go and where we could be used the most. Never consider whether or not you are of use— but always consider that “you are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19). You are His.
我果真如此嗎？
我卻不以性命為念，也不看為寶貴。 （徒二十24）
沒有異象就去事奉神，是容易的；沒有蒙召就去事奉神，也是容易的；因為你根本不需理會神的要求。頭腦上的知識，加上信徒的情感就知道，你會幹得很成功。心情可優悠自得，只要你從未經歷神的呼召。可是，一旦你接受了耶穌基督的差使，神就整日驅策著你；那你再也不能根據頭腦上的知識來為他工作。
我看什麼為寶貴？我若未被主耶穌抓住，我會看事奉為寶貴，為神擺上得時間為寶貴，以我的生命為寶貴。保羅說，他看生命寶貴，只因他能完成所交託他的使命；他拒絕在任何事上花費他的精力。使徒行轉二十章24節中說保羅對別人叫他顧慮自己的安慰，幾乎又一種極端的煩惱；除了完成主所交託的使命外，他絕對不管別的。有時實際的工作，會取去人歸向神的心，因為實際的工作是根據[記住你在這裡多派用場]，[想想你在某項工作上有多難得]。這種態度沒有把主耶穌作為方向的指引，卻用自己的判斷來決定我們在那裡最有用。千萬別思量自己有沒有用，卻要緊記你不屬於自己，乃屬於主。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，靠著你的恩典，讓我張眼看見你，和你的無窮無盡；並且，在關乎你的事工上，讓我明白你的心意。
February 24, 2014
The Delight Of Sacrifice
I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls . . . —2 Corinthians 12:15
Once “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,” we deliberately begin to identify ourselves with Jesus Christ’s interests and purposes in others’ lives (Romans 5:5). And Jesus has an interest in every individual person. We have no right in Christian service to be guided by our own interests and desires. In fact, this is one of the greatest tests of our relationship with Jesus Christ. The delight of sacrifice is that I lay down my life for my Friend, Jesus (see John 15:13). I don’t throw my life away, but I willingly and deliberately lay it down for Him and His interests in other people. And I do this for no cause or purpose of my own. Paul spent his life for only one purpose— that he might win people to Jesus Christ. Paul always attracted people to his Lord, but never to himself. He said, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
When someone thinks that to develop a holy life he must always be alone with God, he is no longer of any use to others. This is like putting himself on a pedestal and isolating himself from the rest of society. Paul was a holy person, but wherever he went Jesus Christ was always allowed to help Himself to his life. Many of us are interested only in our own goals, and Jesus cannot help Himself to our lives. But if we are totally surrendered to Him, we have no goals of our own to serve. Paul said that he knew how to be a “doormat” without resenting it, because the motivation of his life was devotion to Jesus. We tend to be devoted, not to Jesus Christ, but to the things which allow us more spiritual freedom than total surrender to Him would allow. Freedom was not Paul’s motive at all. In fact, he stated, “I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren . . .” (Romans 9:3). Had Paul lost his ability to reason? Not at all! For someone who is in love, this is not an overstatement. And Paul was in love with Jesus Christ.
犧牲的快樂
我也甘心樂意為你們的靈魂費財費力。 （林後十二15）
聖靈一旦將神的愛澆灌在我們心裡，我們就立即與耶穌基督一樣關懷別人。耶穌基督對任何一種人都有愛心。在事奉的工作上，我們不能以自己的嗜好為指導；這是我們與主的關係中，最大的考驗。犧牲的快樂，在於我為[朋友]捨命，這並不是隨手丟出，而是經過深思熟慮後，為他和對人的愛心，甘願把生命捨去。這也不是為 了別的什麼使命。保羅只為一個目的而把自己耗盡——為主得人。他時刻被主吸引，而不體貼自己。 [向什麼樣的人，我就作什麼樣的人。無論如何，總要救些人。 ]人若說他要向神建立聖潔的生命，那對人就絲毫無益了；他不過把自己安置在臺階上，與人群脫節。保羅成了一個祭牲，他所到之處，主耶穌都使用他，作為神的旨意。我們不少人只追求自己的目標，以致主無法隨意使用我們。若我們真的委身於耶穌，就該沒有自己的目標了。保羅說他曉得怎樣作一塊門前的地毯而心無惱怒，因為他的生命已全屬於耶穌了。我們很容易轉移目標，不歸屬基督，而專注於那些叫我們靈性得釋放的事物。保羅的動機不是這樣：[為我弟兄，我骨肉之親， 就是自己被詛咒，與基督分離，我也願意。 ]——太狂放，太誇大了，是嗎？人在愛情裡這樣說話，並不是誇大，乃是愛上了基督，如保羅一樣。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求你今天保守我們，讓我們完全不需要想到自己，只是喜樂地與你一起。
Once “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,” we deliberately begin to identify ourselves with Jesus Christ’s interests and purposes in others’ lives (Romans 5:5). And Jesus has an interest in every individual person. We have no right in Christian service to be guided by our own interests and desires. In fact, this is one of the greatest tests of our relationship with Jesus Christ. The delight of sacrifice is that I lay down my life for my Friend, Jesus (see John 15:13). I don’t throw my life away, but I willingly and deliberately lay it down for Him and His interests in other people. And I do this for no cause or purpose of my own. Paul spent his life for only one purpose— that he might win people to Jesus Christ. Paul always attracted people to his Lord, but never to himself. He said, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
When someone thinks that to develop a holy life he must always be alone with God, he is no longer of any use to others. This is like putting himself on a pedestal and isolating himself from the rest of society. Paul was a holy person, but wherever he went Jesus Christ was always allowed to help Himself to his life. Many of us are interested only in our own goals, and Jesus cannot help Himself to our lives. But if we are totally surrendered to Him, we have no goals of our own to serve. Paul said that he knew how to be a “doormat” without resenting it, because the motivation of his life was devotion to Jesus. We tend to be devoted, not to Jesus Christ, but to the things which allow us more spiritual freedom than total surrender to Him would allow. Freedom was not Paul’s motive at all. In fact, he stated, “I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren . . .” (Romans 9:3). Had Paul lost his ability to reason? Not at all! For someone who is in love, this is not an overstatement. And Paul was in love with Jesus Christ.
犧牲的快樂
我也甘心樂意為你們的靈魂費財費力。 （林後十二15）
聖靈一旦將神的愛澆灌在我們心裡，我們就立即與耶穌基督一樣關懷別人。耶穌基督對任何一種人都有愛心。在事奉的工作上，我們不能以自己的嗜好為指導；這是我們與主的關係中，最大的考驗。犧牲的快樂，在於我為[朋友]捨命，這並不是隨手丟出，而是經過深思熟慮後，為他和對人的愛心，甘願把生命捨去。這也不是為 了別的什麼使命。保羅只為一個目的而把自己耗盡——為主得人。他時刻被主吸引，而不體貼自己。 [向什麼樣的人，我就作什麼樣的人。無論如何，總要救些人。 ]人若說他要向神建立聖潔的生命，那對人就絲毫無益了；他不過把自己安置在臺階上，與人群脫節。保羅成了一個祭牲，他所到之處，主耶穌都使用他，作為神的旨意。我們不少人只追求自己的目標，以致主無法隨意使用我們。若我們真的委身於耶穌，就該沒有自己的目標了。保羅說他曉得怎樣作一塊門前的地毯而心無惱怒，因為他的生命已全屬於耶穌了。我們很容易轉移目標，不歸屬基督，而專注於那些叫我們靈性得釋放的事物。保羅的動機不是這樣：[為我弟兄，我骨肉之親， 就是自己被詛咒，與基督分離，我也願意。 ]——太狂放，太誇大了，是嗎？人在愛情裡這樣說話，並不是誇大，乃是愛上了基督，如保羅一樣。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求你今天保守我們，讓我們完全不需要想到自己，只是喜樂地與你一起。
February 23, 2014
The Determination To Serve
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve . . .—Matthew 20:28
Jesus also said, “Yet I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:27). Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s— “. . . ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). We somehow have the idea that a person called to the ministry is called to be different and above other people. But according to Jesus Christ, he is called to be a “doormat” for others— called to be their spiritual leader, but never their superior. Paul said, “I know how to be abased . . .” (Philippians 4:12). Paul’s idea of service was to pour his life out to the last drop for others. And whether he received praise or blame made no difference. As long as there was one human being who did not know Jesus, Paul felt a debt of service to that person until he did come to know Him. But the chief motivation behind Paul’s service was not love for others but love for his Lord. If our devotion is to the cause of humanity, we will be quickly defeated and broken-hearted, since we will often be confronted with a great deal of ingratitude from other people. But if we are motivated by our love for God, no amount of ingratitude will be able to hinder us from serving one another.
Paul’s understanding of how Christ had dealt with him is the secret behind his determination to serve others. “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man . . .” (1 Timothy 1:13). In other words, no matter how badly others may have treated Paul, they could never have treated him with the same degree of spite and hatred with which he had treated Jesus Christ. Once we realize that Jesus has served us even to the depths of our meagerness, our selfishness, and our sin, nothing we encounter from others will be able to exhaust our determination to serve others for His sake.
事奉的決心
人子來，不是要受人的服侍，乃是要服侍人。 （太二十28）
保羅對事奉的觀念與主一樣：[我在你們中間作服侍的，像他一樣。 ][我們為基督的緣故作你們的僕人。 ]我們常以為一個蒙召作傳道的人，是被召成為與眾不同的人。對於耶穌基督，他被召的是別人門前的地毯；做他們的屬靈領袖，卻絕不是他們的上司。保羅說: [我曉得怎樣處卑賤。 ]
保羅對事奉的觀念是這樣：[我為你們耗盡了最後一分力量，你儘管稱讚我，或是指責我，一點也沒有關係。 ]只要有一個人尚未認識耶穌基督，保羅就是欠他的債，要服侍他直到認識主。保羅事奉的根源不是愛人，乃是愛主。我們若獻身人類的幸福努力，很快就會心碎而倒退，因為人忘恩負義，比狗更加厲害。但若動機是出於愛神，那麼怎樣冷酷無情也不能阻攔我們的服侍。
保羅體會耶穌基督怎樣對待他，就成為他決意服侍人的秘訣。 [我從前是褻瀆神的，逼迫人的，侮慢人的。 ]——不論人怎樣對待我，也絕對比不上我昔日怎樣以惡毒來對待耶穌基督。我們一旦體會耶穌基督怎樣為我們的卑鄙、自私、罪惡服侍到底，那麼，不論別人怎樣待我們，也不能改變我們衛士服侍人的決心。
祈禱◆主啊，你僕人的說話，正好標明我內心深切的禱告——我的神，我仰賴你的恩賜，好像我不能從任何人身上尋見，或在人內心的幻想或構思中出現。
Jesus also said, “Yet I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:27). Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s— “. . . ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). We somehow have the idea that a person called to the ministry is called to be different and above other people. But according to Jesus Christ, he is called to be a “doormat” for others— called to be their spiritual leader, but never their superior. Paul said, “I know how to be abased . . .” (Philippians 4:12). Paul’s idea of service was to pour his life out to the last drop for others. And whether he received praise or blame made no difference. As long as there was one human being who did not know Jesus, Paul felt a debt of service to that person until he did come to know Him. But the chief motivation behind Paul’s service was not love for others but love for his Lord. If our devotion is to the cause of humanity, we will be quickly defeated and broken-hearted, since we will often be confronted with a great deal of ingratitude from other people. But if we are motivated by our love for God, no amount of ingratitude will be able to hinder us from serving one another.
Paul’s understanding of how Christ had dealt with him is the secret behind his determination to serve others. “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man . . .” (1 Timothy 1:13). In other words, no matter how badly others may have treated Paul, they could never have treated him with the same degree of spite and hatred with which he had treated Jesus Christ. Once we realize that Jesus has served us even to the depths of our meagerness, our selfishness, and our sin, nothing we encounter from others will be able to exhaust our determination to serve others for His sake.
事奉的決心
人子來，不是要受人的服侍，乃是要服侍人。 （太二十28）
保羅對事奉的觀念與主一樣：[我在你們中間作服侍的，像他一樣。 ][我們為基督的緣故作你們的僕人。 ]我們常以為一個蒙召作傳道的人，是被召成為與眾不同的人。對於耶穌基督，他被召的是別人門前的地毯；做他們的屬靈領袖，卻絕不是他們的上司。保羅說: [我曉得怎樣處卑賤。 ]
保羅對事奉的觀念是這樣：[我為你們耗盡了最後一分力量，你儘管稱讚我，或是指責我，一點也沒有關係。 ]只要有一個人尚未認識耶穌基督，保羅就是欠他的債，要服侍他直到認識主。保羅事奉的根源不是愛人，乃是愛主。我們若獻身人類的幸福努力，很快就會心碎而倒退，因為人忘恩負義，比狗更加厲害。但若動機是出於愛神，那麼怎樣冷酷無情也不能阻攔我們的服侍。
保羅體會耶穌基督怎樣對待他，就成為他決意服侍人的秘訣。 [我從前是褻瀆神的，逼迫人的，侮慢人的。 ]——不論人怎樣對待我，也絕對比不上我昔日怎樣以惡毒來對待耶穌基督。我們一旦體會耶穌基督怎樣為我們的卑鄙、自私、罪惡服侍到底，那麼，不論別人怎樣待我們，也不能改變我們衛士服侍人的決心。
祈禱◆主啊，你僕人的說話，正好標明我內心深切的禱告——我的神，我仰賴你的恩賜，好像我不能從任何人身上尋見，或在人內心的幻想或構思中出現。
February 21, 2014
Do You Really Love Him?
She has done a good work for Me —Mark 14:6
If what we call love doesn’t take us beyond ourselves, it is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible, shrewd, and never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning. This may describe affection and it may bring us a warm feeling, but it is not a true and accurate description of love.
Have you ever been driven to do something for God not because you felt that it was useful or your duty to do so, or that there was anything in it for you, but simply because you love Him? Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I’m not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things— things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him. Have you ever created what Mary of Bethany created in the heart of the Lord Jesus? "She has done a good work for Me."
There are times when it seems as if God watches to see if we will give Him even small gifts of surrender, just to show how genuine our love is for Him. To be surrendered to God is of more value than our personal holiness. Concern over our personal holiness causes us to focus our eyes on ourselves, and we become overly concerned about the way we walk and talk and look, out of fear of offending God. “. . . but perfect love casts out fear . . .” once we are surrendered to God (1 John 4:18). We should quit asking ourselves, “Am I of any use?” and accept the truth that we really are not of much use to Him. The issue is never of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. Once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time.
你曾否為他忘形？
她在我身上作的是一件美事。 （可十四6）
愛若不能叫人忘形，就不是愛。愛若是拘謹、明智、合理、計較、從不會忘形的，那根本不是愛。
我曾否為神成就一事而虛己忘形，不是因為責任，不是因著有用，也不是因著任何緣故，而單單因為我愛他？我有沒有奉上他所看為珍貴的東西？還是我在他偉大的救恩里遊手好閒，不去做周圍無數正等著我去做的事？不一定是大事，才稱為美妙的，日常的、平凡的俗務，都可以見證我向神的順服。我曾否使主喜悅，正如伯大尼馬利亞所做的？
有時神似乎在觀察，看我們願不願意把真愛毫不保留地表現出來。完全歸神，比個人的聖潔更有價值。個人的聖潔使我們只注視本身的潔白，叫我們十分謹慎自己的言行舉止，唯恐得罪了神。若我們無保留地歸神，完全的愛情就能把這些一概拋開。要除掉這個念頭：[我有沒有用？ ]要深信自己無用，這才更接近真相。因為那根本不是有用與否的問題，而在神是否看為寶貴。我們若全然歸神，他每時每刻都藉著我們作工。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願我愈來愈渴望將愛心如衣服般穿上，以致當我與人接觸，他便成為人最恆久認出的東西。
If what we call love doesn’t take us beyond ourselves, it is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible, shrewd, and never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning. This may describe affection and it may bring us a warm feeling, but it is not a true and accurate description of love.
Have you ever been driven to do something for God not because you felt that it was useful or your duty to do so, or that there was anything in it for you, but simply because you love Him? Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I’m not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things— things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him. Have you ever created what Mary of Bethany created in the heart of the Lord Jesus? "She has done a good work for Me."
There are times when it seems as if God watches to see if we will give Him even small gifts of surrender, just to show how genuine our love is for Him. To be surrendered to God is of more value than our personal holiness. Concern over our personal holiness causes us to focus our eyes on ourselves, and we become overly concerned about the way we walk and talk and look, out of fear of offending God. “. . . but perfect love casts out fear . . .” once we are surrendered to God (1 John 4:18). We should quit asking ourselves, “Am I of any use?” and accept the truth that we really are not of much use to Him. The issue is never of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. Once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time.
你曾否為他忘形？
她在我身上作的是一件美事。 （可十四6）
愛若不能叫人忘形，就不是愛。愛若是拘謹、明智、合理、計較、從不會忘形的，那根本不是愛。
我曾否為神成就一事而虛己忘形，不是因為責任，不是因著有用，也不是因著任何緣故，而單單因為我愛他？我有沒有奉上他所看為珍貴的東西？還是我在他偉大的救恩里遊手好閒，不去做周圍無數正等著我去做的事？不一定是大事，才稱為美妙的，日常的、平凡的俗務，都可以見證我向神的順服。我曾否使主喜悅，正如伯大尼馬利亞所做的？
有時神似乎在觀察，看我們願不願意把真愛毫不保留地表現出來。完全歸神，比個人的聖潔更有價值。個人的聖潔使我們只注視本身的潔白，叫我們十分謹慎自己的言行舉止，唯恐得罪了神。若我們無保留地歸神，完全的愛情就能把這些一概拋開。要除掉這個念頭：[我有沒有用？ ]要深信自己無用，這才更接近真相。因為那根本不是有用與否的問題，而在神是否看為寶貴。我們若全然歸神，他每時每刻都藉著我們作工。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願我愈來愈渴望將愛心如衣服般穿上，以致當我與人接觸，他便成為人最恆久認出的東西。
February 19, 2014
Taking the Initiative Against Drudgery
Arise, shine . . . —Isaiah 60:1
When it comes to taking the initiative against drudgery, we have to take the first step as though there were no God. There is no point in waiting for God to help us— He will not. But once we arise, immediately we find He is there. Whenever God gives us His inspiration, suddenly taking the initiative becomes a moral issue— a matter of obedience. Then we must act to be obedient and not continue to lie down doing nothing. If we will arise and shine, drudgery will be divinely transformed.
Drudgery is one of the finest tests to determine the genuineness of our character. Drudgery is work that is far removed from anything we think of as ideal work. It is the utterly hard, menial, tiresome, and dirty work. And when we experience it, our spirituality is instantly tested and we will know whether or not we are spiritually genuine. Read John 13. In this chapter, we see the Incarnate God performing the greatest example of drudgery— washing fishermen’s feet. He then says to them, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). The inspiration of God is required if drudgery is to shine with the light of God upon it. In some cases the way a person does a task makes that work sanctified and holy forever. It may be a very common everyday task, but after we have seen it done, it becomes different. When the Lord does something through us, He always transforms it. Our Lord takes our human flesh and transforms it, and now every believer’s body has become “the temple of the Holy Spirit”.
應付苦差的動力
興起發光（賽六十1）
我們踏上第一步，好像神沒有在那裡一般。空等神來幫助是無濟於事的，他不會來；然而當我們有所行動，就發現他在那裡了。神的感動往往是道德性的。我們不要老是呆在那裡，像一根方木似的，是要起來行動。只要興起發光，苦差便在神的光中變相。
苦差是磨練人最佳的試金石。苦差不是理想的工作，而是最低賤的工作。但一觸及這些工作，就立刻知道我們的屬靈情況 [屬靈的實際 ]。約翰福音十三章記載：道成肉身的神作了一 件最不討好的苦差，就是洗漁夫的腳。他說：[我是你們的主，尚且洗你們的腳，你們也當彼此洗腳。 ]苦差需要神的感動，有神的光照在其中。有些人做一件事，便有好的表現，使那件事染上光彩。可能是一件極普通的事，但當他們做過之後，就完全不同了。每當主叫我們做事，他總叫那事變了形象。我們的主披上了血肉之體，叫它改變形象，使之成為聖徒聖靈的殿。
祈禱◆讓神的氣息吹向我，直至我的意念和心靈能適當地調校向你。求你在我們當中和我們心內，散發自由、純潔和能力。
When it comes to taking the initiative against drudgery, we have to take the first step as though there were no God. There is no point in waiting for God to help us— He will not. But once we arise, immediately we find He is there. Whenever God gives us His inspiration, suddenly taking the initiative becomes a moral issue— a matter of obedience. Then we must act to be obedient and not continue to lie down doing nothing. If we will arise and shine, drudgery will be divinely transformed.
Drudgery is one of the finest tests to determine the genuineness of our character. Drudgery is work that is far removed from anything we think of as ideal work. It is the utterly hard, menial, tiresome, and dirty work. And when we experience it, our spirituality is instantly tested and we will know whether or not we are spiritually genuine. Read John 13. In this chapter, we see the Incarnate God performing the greatest example of drudgery— washing fishermen’s feet. He then says to them, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). The inspiration of God is required if drudgery is to shine with the light of God upon it. In some cases the way a person does a task makes that work sanctified and holy forever. It may be a very common everyday task, but after we have seen it done, it becomes different. When the Lord does something through us, He always transforms it. Our Lord takes our human flesh and transforms it, and now every believer’s body has become “the temple of the Holy Spirit”.
應付苦差的動力
興起發光（賽六十1）
我們踏上第一步，好像神沒有在那裡一般。空等神來幫助是無濟於事的，他不會來；然而當我們有所行動，就發現他在那裡了。神的感動往往是道德性的。我們不要老是呆在那裡，像一根方木似的，是要起來行動。只要興起發光，苦差便在神的光中變相。
苦差是磨練人最佳的試金石。苦差不是理想的工作，而是最低賤的工作。但一觸及這些工作，就立刻知道我們的屬靈情況 [屬靈的實際 ]。約翰福音十三章記載：道成肉身的神作了一 件最不討好的苦差，就是洗漁夫的腳。他說：[我是你們的主，尚且洗你們的腳，你們也當彼此洗腳。 ]苦差需要神的感動，有神的光照在其中。有些人做一件事，便有好的表現，使那件事染上光彩。可能是一件極普通的事，但當他們做過之後，就完全不同了。每當主叫我們做事，他總叫那事變了形象。我們的主披上了血肉之體，叫它改變形象，使之成為聖徒聖靈的殿。
祈禱◆讓神的氣息吹向我，直至我的意念和心靈能適當地調校向你。求你在我們當中和我們心內，散發自由、純潔和能力。
February 15, 2014
"Am I My Brother’s Keeper?"
None of us lives to himself . . . —Romans 14:7
Has it ever dawned on you that you are responsible spiritually to God for other people? For instance, if I allow any turning away from God in my private life, everyone around me suffers. We “sit together in the heavenly places . . .” (Ephesians 2:6). “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it . . .” (1 Corinthians 12:26). If you allow physical selfishness, mental carelessness, moral insensitivity, or spiritual weakness, everyone in contact with you will suffer. But you ask, “Who is sufficient to be able to live up to such a lofty standard?” “Our sufficiency is from God . . .” and God alone (2 Corinthians 3:5).
“You shall be witnesses to Me . . .” (Acts 1:8). How many of us are willing to spend every bit of our nervous, mental, moral, and spiritual energy for Jesus Christ? That is what God means when He uses the word witness. But it takes time, so be patient with yourself. Why has God left us on the earth? Is it simply to be saved and sanctified? No, it is to be at work in service to Him. Am I willing to be broken bread and poured-out wine for Him? Am I willing to be of no value to this age or this life except for one purpose and one alone— to be used to disciple men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ. My life of service to God is the way I say “thank you” to Him for His inexpressibly wonderful salvation. Remember, it is quite possible for God to set any of us aside if we refuse to be of service to Him— “. . . lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
我豈是看守我弟兄的嗎？
我們沒有一個人為自己活。 （羅十四7）
你有沒有想過，別人靈性的光景，在神面前我們是有責任要承擔？例如我暗地裡偏離神，四周的人都必受累。我們是[一同坐在天上]、[一個肢體受苦，所有的肢體就一同受苦]。你一旦容讓肉體的私慾、思想的怠惰，德行的放鬆、屬靈的遲鈍，你的同伴就要受損。你會說：[立這樣的標準，誰能當得起呢？ ]惟有神自己，我們所能承擔得是出於神。
[你們要作我的見證]。有多少人肯把精力、智力、德性、靈性的每一分為耶穌基督擺上呢？見證這個字在神的心目中，正是這個意思。是要用時間，要耐心。神留我們在地上是為了什麼？得拯救？得成聖？絕不，乃是為他。我願否為他成為劈開得餅，倒出得酒？我甘願被剝奪一切，完全捨棄觀點立場，只為主使萬人作門徒？我以生命作主工人，是對神說不盡得救恩和致謝。記住，每個人都有可能成為被廢棄的銀子——[……恐怕我傳福音給別人，自己反被棄絕了。 ]
祈禱◆為著你的話說——[父親怎樣憐恤他得兒女，耶和華也怎樣憐恤敬畏他的人]——我讚美你。我何其認清我所領受到的，絕不是你的嚴苛，卻全然是你的慈愛。噢，願你向我所施的慈愛、溫柔與忍耐，能夠透過我向其他人表達。
Has it ever dawned on you that you are responsible spiritually to God for other people? For instance, if I allow any turning away from God in my private life, everyone around me suffers. We “sit together in the heavenly places . . .” (Ephesians 2:6). “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it . . .” (1 Corinthians 12:26). If you allow physical selfishness, mental carelessness, moral insensitivity, or spiritual weakness, everyone in contact with you will suffer. But you ask, “Who is sufficient to be able to live up to such a lofty standard?” “Our sufficiency is from God . . .” and God alone (2 Corinthians 3:5).
“You shall be witnesses to Me . . .” (Acts 1:8). How many of us are willing to spend every bit of our nervous, mental, moral, and spiritual energy for Jesus Christ? That is what God means when He uses the word witness. But it takes time, so be patient with yourself. Why has God left us on the earth? Is it simply to be saved and sanctified? No, it is to be at work in service to Him. Am I willing to be broken bread and poured-out wine for Him? Am I willing to be of no value to this age or this life except for one purpose and one alone— to be used to disciple men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ. My life of service to God is the way I say “thank you” to Him for His inexpressibly wonderful salvation. Remember, it is quite possible for God to set any of us aside if we refuse to be of service to Him— “. . . lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
我豈是看守我弟兄的嗎？
我們沒有一個人為自己活。 （羅十四7）
你有沒有想過，別人靈性的光景，在神面前我們是有責任要承擔？例如我暗地裡偏離神，四周的人都必受累。我們是[一同坐在天上]、[一個肢體受苦，所有的肢體就一同受苦]。你一旦容讓肉體的私慾、思想的怠惰，德行的放鬆、屬靈的遲鈍，你的同伴就要受損。你會說：[立這樣的標準，誰能當得起呢？ ]惟有神自己，我們所能承擔得是出於神。
[你們要作我的見證]。有多少人肯把精力、智力、德性、靈性的每一分為耶穌基督擺上呢？見證這個字在神的心目中，正是這個意思。是要用時間，要耐心。神留我們在地上是為了什麼？得拯救？得成聖？絕不，乃是為他。我願否為他成為劈開得餅，倒出得酒？我甘願被剝奪一切，完全捨棄觀點立場，只為主使萬人作門徒？我以生命作主工人，是對神說不盡得救恩和致謝。記住，每個人都有可能成為被廢棄的銀子——[……恐怕我傳福音給別人，自己反被棄絕了。 ]
祈禱◆為著你的話說——[父親怎樣憐恤他得兒女，耶和華也怎樣憐恤敬畏他的人]——我讚美你。我何其認清我所領受到的，絕不是你的嚴苛，卻全然是你的慈愛。噢，願你向我所施的慈愛、溫柔與忍耐，能夠透過我向其他人表達。
February 13, 2014
The Devotion Of Hearing
Samuel answered, ’Speak, for Your servant hears’ —1 Samuel 3:10
Just because I have listened carefully and intently to one thing from God does not mean that I will listen to everything He says. I show God my lack of love and respect for Him by the insensitivity of my heart and mind toward what He says. If I love my friend, I will instinctively understand what he wants. And Jesus said, “You are My friends . . .” (John 15:14). Have I disobeyed some command of my Lord’s this week? If I had realized that it was a command of Jesus, I would not have deliberately disobeyed it. But most of us show incredible disrespect to God because we don’t even hear Him. He might as well never have spoken to us.
The goal of my spiritual life is such close identification with Jesus Christ that I will always hear God and know that God always hears me (see John 11:41). If I am united with Jesus Christ, I hear God all the time through the devotion of hearing. A flower, a tree, or a servant of God may convey God’s message to me. What hinders me from hearing is my attention to other things. It is not that I don’t want to hear God, but I am not devoted in the right areas of my life. I am devoted to things and even to service and my own convictions. God may say whatever He wants, but I just don’t hear Him. The attitude of a child of God should always be, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” If I have not developed and nurtured this devotion of hearing, I can only hear God’s voice at certain times. At other times I become deaf to Him because my attention is to other things— things which I think I must do. This is not living the life of a child of God. Have you heard God’s voice today?
專一的聽
請說，僕人敬聽。 （撒上三10）
我在某一件事上專一聽神，並不表示我凡事都聽從他。我的靈與心志對他的話反應遲鈍，正表示我不愛神，也不尊敬他。若我愛朋友，自然體察他的需要。耶穌說：[你們是我的朋友。 ]這一周裡，我有沒有違背主的命令呢？我若明白那是主的命令，就不會故意違背了。但我們多數蔑視神，根本不聽神在說什麼，似乎神從未說過話一般。
屬靈生活的極峰，就是達到與耶穌基督合而為一，常常聽神說話。神也時常聽我（約十一4），若我與耶穌基督聯合，就會隨時隨地專心聽他。一朵百合花、一棵樹、一位神的僕人，都可以帶來神的信息。叫我聽不到神的，是纏累我的其他事物。我不肯聽他，是我心有外鶩，不在適當的事上專心。我只專注在事物上、事奉上、信念上、神只管說：我卻置若罔聞。嬰孩的態度始終是：[主啊，請說，僕人敬聽。 ]要是沒有培養好這種專心聆聽的習慣，就只能在某些時刻聽到神的聲音，其他時間卻被世務纏身，無法擺脫。於是我向神就是聾了耳，沒有孩子的樣式。我今日聽見神的聲音沒有？
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我要稱頌你聲音的語調和能力，你的語調帶著溫柔和滿有恩典的愛；你的語調亦帶有自然界強大風暴的能力。主啊，讓你榮耀的聲音在這地方被聽聞，亦讓我的靈得以聽見。
Just because I have listened carefully and intently to one thing from God does not mean that I will listen to everything He says. I show God my lack of love and respect for Him by the insensitivity of my heart and mind toward what He says. If I love my friend, I will instinctively understand what he wants. And Jesus said, “You are My friends . . .” (John 15:14). Have I disobeyed some command of my Lord’s this week? If I had realized that it was a command of Jesus, I would not have deliberately disobeyed it. But most of us show incredible disrespect to God because we don’t even hear Him. He might as well never have spoken to us.
The goal of my spiritual life is such close identification with Jesus Christ that I will always hear God and know that God always hears me (see John 11:41). If I am united with Jesus Christ, I hear God all the time through the devotion of hearing. A flower, a tree, or a servant of God may convey God’s message to me. What hinders me from hearing is my attention to other things. It is not that I don’t want to hear God, but I am not devoted in the right areas of my life. I am devoted to things and even to service and my own convictions. God may say whatever He wants, but I just don’t hear Him. The attitude of a child of God should always be, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” If I have not developed and nurtured this devotion of hearing, I can only hear God’s voice at certain times. At other times I become deaf to Him because my attention is to other things— things which I think I must do. This is not living the life of a child of God. Have you heard God’s voice today?
專一的聽
請說，僕人敬聽。 （撒上三10）
我在某一件事上專一聽神，並不表示我凡事都聽從他。我的靈與心志對他的話反應遲鈍，正表示我不愛神，也不尊敬他。若我愛朋友，自然體察他的需要。耶穌說：[你們是我的朋友。 ]這一周裡，我有沒有違背主的命令呢？我若明白那是主的命令，就不會故意違背了。但我們多數蔑視神，根本不聽神在說什麼，似乎神從未說過話一般。
屬靈生活的極峰，就是達到與耶穌基督合而為一，常常聽神說話。神也時常聽我（約十一4），若我與耶穌基督聯合，就會隨時隨地專心聽他。一朵百合花、一棵樹、一位神的僕人，都可以帶來神的信息。叫我聽不到神的，是纏累我的其他事物。我不肯聽他，是我心有外鶩，不在適當的事上專心。我只專注在事物上、事奉上、信念上、神只管說：我卻置若罔聞。嬰孩的態度始終是：[主啊，請說，僕人敬聽。 ]要是沒有培養好這種專心聆聽的習慣，就只能在某些時刻聽到神的聲音，其他時間卻被世務纏身，無法擺脫。於是我向神就是聾了耳，沒有孩子的樣式。我今日聽見神的聲音沒有？
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我要稱頌你聲音的語調和能力，你的語調帶著溫柔和滿有恩典的愛；你的語調亦帶有自然界強大風暴的能力。主啊，讓你榮耀的聲音在這地方被聽聞，亦讓我的靈得以聽見。
February 09, 2014
Are You Exhausted Spiritually?
The everlasting God . . . neither faints nor is weary —Isaiah 40:28
Exhaustion means that our vital energies are completely worn out and spent. Spiritual exhaustion is never the result of sin, but of service. Whether or not you experience exhaustion will depend on where you get your supplies. Jesus said to Peter, “Feed My sheep,” but He gave him nothing with which to feed them (John 21:17). The process of being made broken bread and poured-out wine means that you have to be the nourishment for other people’s souls until they learn to feed on God. They must drain you completely— to the very last drop. But be careful to replenish your supply, or you will quickly be utterly exhausted. Until others learn to draw on the life of the Lord Jesus directly, they will have to draw on His life through you. You must literally be their source of supply, until they learn to take their nourishment from God. We owe it to God to be our best for His lambs and sheep, as well as for Him.
Have you delivered yourself over to exhaustion because of the way you have been serving God? If so, then renew and rekindle your desires and affections. Examine your reasons for service. Is your source based on your own understanding or is it grounded on the redemption of Jesus Christ? Continually look back to the foundation of your love and affection and remember where your Source of power lies. You have no right to complain, “O Lord, I am so exhausted.” He saved and sanctified you to exhaust you. Be exhausted for God, but remember that He is your supply. “All my springs are in you” (Psalm 87:7).
你的靈疲憊不堪麼？
永在的神耶和華……並不疲乏，也不困倦。 （賽四十28）
疲憊就是生命的活力耗盡。屬靈的疲憊並非因罪而來，而是因事奉而來。你疲憊與否，就視乎你的供應從何而得。 耶穌對彼得說：[餵養我的羊。 ]卻沒有給他飼料。要成為劈開的餅，倒出來的酒，就必須要耗盡你的一點一滴，所以你要趕快得著供應，否則不需多久，你就精疲力竭了。人未懂得直接向主汲取供應之前，他們要透過你去獲得；你要像被人吮吸一般，直到他們學會了從神得養料。我們在神面前有這責任，不但要盡忠於他，也要為他得羊群盡上一切。
你事奉神的方式是否令你疲憊不堪？若然，就該重新挑旺你的熱誠。你的事奉從哪裡出發？是從你個人的同情心，還是基於耶穌基督的救贖？要追溯你熱誠的根源，並回想你能力來自何方。你沒有權這樣說：[主啊，我多麼困倦。 ]他拯救你，叫你成聖，正是要燃燒你。為神耗盡吧，但緊記你的供應從他而來。 [我的泉源都在你裡面。 ]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我所渴求的是你！ [我的心渴想神，就是永生神，我幾時得朝見神呢？ ]噢，願你得感動、你得生命、你得美善，此刻臨到我，主啊，就在我禱告的這一刻。
Exhaustion means that our vital energies are completely worn out and spent. Spiritual exhaustion is never the result of sin, but of service. Whether or not you experience exhaustion will depend on where you get your supplies. Jesus said to Peter, “Feed My sheep,” but He gave him nothing with which to feed them (John 21:17). The process of being made broken bread and poured-out wine means that you have to be the nourishment for other people’s souls until they learn to feed on God. They must drain you completely— to the very last drop. But be careful to replenish your supply, or you will quickly be utterly exhausted. Until others learn to draw on the life of the Lord Jesus directly, they will have to draw on His life through you. You must literally be their source of supply, until they learn to take their nourishment from God. We owe it to God to be our best for His lambs and sheep, as well as for Him.
Have you delivered yourself over to exhaustion because of the way you have been serving God? If so, then renew and rekindle your desires and affections. Examine your reasons for service. Is your source based on your own understanding or is it grounded on the redemption of Jesus Christ? Continually look back to the foundation of your love and affection and remember where your Source of power lies. You have no right to complain, “O Lord, I am so exhausted.” He saved and sanctified you to exhaust you. Be exhausted for God, but remember that He is your supply. “All my springs are in you” (Psalm 87:7).
你的靈疲憊不堪麼？
永在的神耶和華……並不疲乏，也不困倦。 （賽四十28）
疲憊就是生命的活力耗盡。屬靈的疲憊並非因罪而來，而是因事奉而來。你疲憊與否，就視乎你的供應從何而得。 耶穌對彼得說：[餵養我的羊。 ]卻沒有給他飼料。要成為劈開的餅，倒出來的酒，就必須要耗盡你的一點一滴，所以你要趕快得著供應，否則不需多久，你就精疲力竭了。人未懂得直接向主汲取供應之前，他們要透過你去獲得；你要像被人吮吸一般，直到他們學會了從神得養料。我們在神面前有這責任，不但要盡忠於他，也要為他得羊群盡上一切。
你事奉神的方式是否令你疲憊不堪？若然，就該重新挑旺你的熱誠。你的事奉從哪裡出發？是從你個人的同情心，還是基於耶穌基督的救贖？要追溯你熱誠的根源，並回想你能力來自何方。你沒有權這樣說：[主啊，我多麼困倦。 ]他拯救你，叫你成聖，正是要燃燒你。為神耗盡吧，但緊記你的供應從他而來。 [我的泉源都在你裡面。 ]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我所渴求的是你！ [我的心渴想神，就是永生神，我幾時得朝見神呢？ ]噢，願你得感動、你得生命、你得美善，此刻臨到我，主啊，就在我禱告的這一刻。
February 08, 2014
The Cost of Sanctification
May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely . . . —1 Thessalonians 5:23
When we pray, asking God to sanctify us, are we prepared to measure up to what that really means? We take the word sanctification much too lightly. Are we prepared to pay the cost of sanctification? The cost will be a deep restriction of all our earthly concerns, and an extensive cultivation of all our godly concerns. Sanctification means to be intensely focused on God’s point of view. It means to secure and to keep all the strength of our body, soul, and spirit for God’s purpose alone. Are we really prepared for God to perform in us everything for which He separated us? And after He has done His work, are we then prepared to separate ourselves to God just as Jesus did? “For their sakes I sanctify Myself . . .” (John 17:19). The reason some of us have not entered into the experience of sanctification is that we have not realized the meaning of sanctification from God’s perspective. Sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that the nature that controlled Him will control us. Are we really prepared for what that will cost? It will cost absolutely everything in us which is not of God.
Are we prepared to be caught up into the full meaning of Paul’s prayer in this verse? Are we prepared to say, “Lord, make me, a sinner saved by grace, as holy as You can”? Jesus prayed that we might be one with Him, just as He is one with the Father (see John 17:21-23). The resounding evidence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life is the unmistakable family likeness to Jesus Christ, and the freedom from everything which is not like Him. Are we prepared to set ourselves apart for the Holy Spirit’s work in us?
隨時隨地堅守不移的成聖
願賜平安的神，親自使你們全然成聖。 （帖前五23-24）
我們成聖，有沒有打算按這經文中的標準呢？我們把成聖這句話看得太輕率了。對成聖所要求的代價，我們有沒有預備付出？代價是我們減少一切屬地的興趣，而擴大對神國度的興趣。成聖是我們全神貫注留意神的心意與觀點；也是約束身體靈魂所有的智慧，專為完成神的旨意。我們肯不肯讓神在我們身上下工夫，成就神分別為聖的目的？又他在我們身上的工作完成之後，我們肯像耶穌一樣，甘願分別自己為聖歸於神？ [我為他們的緣故分別為聖]。我們未能進入成聖的經歷裡，是我們未從神的觀點了解成聖的意義。成聖就是與耶穌合而為一，以致那支配他的，也支配我們。我們預備付出那代價麼？就是一切在我們裡面不屬於神的東西，都要放下。
我們能否與保羅的禱告起共鳴？我們能否說：[主， 你能叫一個蒙恩得救的罪人有多聖潔，就求你使我有多聖潔？ ]耶穌禱告要我們與他合一，正如他與父合一一樣。聖靈在人身上唯一的特徵，就是叫人酷肖耶穌基督，宛如骨肉，同時擺脫一切與基督相反的性情。我們肯把自己 分別出來，讓聖靈在我們裡頭作工麼？
祈禱◆主啊，當我的心思不是完全被你掌管，它很容易胡思亂想！願我身心靈的主權都穩操在你的手中。
When we pray, asking God to sanctify us, are we prepared to measure up to what that really means? We take the word sanctification much too lightly. Are we prepared to pay the cost of sanctification? The cost will be a deep restriction of all our earthly concerns, and an extensive cultivation of all our godly concerns. Sanctification means to be intensely focused on God’s point of view. It means to secure and to keep all the strength of our body, soul, and spirit for God’s purpose alone. Are we really prepared for God to perform in us everything for which He separated us? And after He has done His work, are we then prepared to separate ourselves to God just as Jesus did? “For their sakes I sanctify Myself . . .” (John 17:19). The reason some of us have not entered into the experience of sanctification is that we have not realized the meaning of sanctification from God’s perspective. Sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that the nature that controlled Him will control us. Are we really prepared for what that will cost? It will cost absolutely everything in us which is not of God.
Are we prepared to be caught up into the full meaning of Paul’s prayer in this verse? Are we prepared to say, “Lord, make me, a sinner saved by grace, as holy as You can”? Jesus prayed that we might be one with Him, just as He is one with the Father (see John 17:21-23). The resounding evidence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life is the unmistakable family likeness to Jesus Christ, and the freedom from everything which is not like Him. Are we prepared to set ourselves apart for the Holy Spirit’s work in us?
隨時隨地堅守不移的成聖
願賜平安的神，親自使你們全然成聖。 （帖前五23-24）
我們成聖，有沒有打算按這經文中的標準呢？我們把成聖這句話看得太輕率了。對成聖所要求的代價，我們有沒有預備付出？代價是我們減少一切屬地的興趣，而擴大對神國度的興趣。成聖是我們全神貫注留意神的心意與觀點；也是約束身體靈魂所有的智慧，專為完成神的旨意。我們肯不肯讓神在我們身上下工夫，成就神分別為聖的目的？又他在我們身上的工作完成之後，我們肯像耶穌一樣，甘願分別自己為聖歸於神？ [我為他們的緣故分別為聖]。我們未能進入成聖的經歷裡，是我們未從神的觀點了解成聖的意義。成聖就是與耶穌合而為一，以致那支配他的，也支配我們。我們預備付出那代價麼？就是一切在我們裡面不屬於神的東西，都要放下。
我們能否與保羅的禱告起共鳴？我們能否說：[主， 你能叫一個蒙恩得救的罪人有多聖潔，就求你使我有多聖潔？ ]耶穌禱告要我們與他合一，正如他與父合一一樣。聖靈在人身上唯一的特徵，就是叫人酷肖耶穌基督，宛如骨肉，同時擺脫一切與基督相反的性情。我們肯把自己 分別出來，讓聖靈在我們裡頭作工麼？
祈禱◆主啊，當我的心思不是完全被你掌管，它很容易胡思亂想！願我身心靈的主權都穩操在你的手中。
February 07, 2014
Spiritual Dejection
We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.
Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things
happened —Luke 24:21
Every fact that the disciples stated was right, but the conclusions they drew from those facts were wrong. Anything that has even a hint of dejection spiritually is always wrong. If I am depressed or burdened, I am to blame, not God or anyone else. Dejection stems from one of two sources— I have either satisfied a lust or I have not had it satisfied. In either case, dejection is the result. Lust means “I must have it at once.” Spiritual lust causes me to demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God Himself who gives the answer. What have I been hoping or trusting God would do? Is today “the third day” and He has still not done what I expected? Am I therefore justified in being dejected and in blaming God? Whenever we insist that God should give us an answer to prayer we are off track. The purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not of the answer. It is impossible to be well physically and to be dejected, because dejection is a sign of sickness. This is also true spiritually. Dejection spiritually is wrong, and we are always to blame for it.
We look for visions from heaven and for earth-shaking events to see God’s power. Even the fact that we are dejected is proof that we do this. Yet we never realize that all the time God is at work in our everyday events and in the people around us. If we will only obey, and do the task that He has placed closest to us, we will see Him. One of the most amazing revelations of God comes to us when we learn that it is in the everyday things of life that we realize the magnificent deity of Jesus Christ.
沮喪的操練
但我們素來所盼望……不但如此，……現在已經三天了。 （路二十四21）
門徒在這裡講述的都沒有錯；但她們從其中所得的推斷卻是錯的。任何叫靈性沮喪的事，必然是錯的。苦悶和沮喪來到，是咎由自取，不必怨天尤人。沮喪頹唐，來源有二，非此即彼：一是我的私慾得到滿足，一是我得不到所慾望的。情慾的意思是必須立刻得著。屬靈的慾望叫我逼神應允我，而不是叫我尋求那位有求必應的神。我一向相信神會怎樣行，到今日－－就是此時此刻－－已經三天了，他還未動工，我就有理由沮喪，可以怪責神。什麼時候我們要神答允禱告，便已經是走差了。禱告是我們抓住神，而不是抓住禱告的應允。身體健康，便絕不頹喪；頹喪是病態的表現，在屬靈上也是這樣。屬靈的沮喪是錯的，要責怪的就責怪自己吧。
我們盼望從天看見異象，從地震、雷轟中搜尋神的大能（我們的沮喪表示我們確是這樣去搜尋），卻沒想到神竟一直在最平凡的事物、在我們周遭的人中間。我們若盡上義務，就必看見他。主耶穌的神聖，是在最平凡的事上顯現出來，我們一旦明白這一點，對神就有了最深切的認識。
祈禱◆主啊，在每日繁多的責任中，保守我有平靜的心；藉著你的撫慰和仁慈，使我成為尊貴。讓我在你裡面得著平靜安穩。
Every fact that the disciples stated was right, but the conclusions they drew from those facts were wrong. Anything that has even a hint of dejection spiritually is always wrong. If I am depressed or burdened, I am to blame, not God or anyone else. Dejection stems from one of two sources— I have either satisfied a lust or I have not had it satisfied. In either case, dejection is the result. Lust means “I must have it at once.” Spiritual lust causes me to demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God Himself who gives the answer. What have I been hoping or trusting God would do? Is today “the third day” and He has still not done what I expected? Am I therefore justified in being dejected and in blaming God? Whenever we insist that God should give us an answer to prayer we are off track. The purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not of the answer. It is impossible to be well physically and to be dejected, because dejection is a sign of sickness. This is also true spiritually. Dejection spiritually is wrong, and we are always to blame for it.
We look for visions from heaven and for earth-shaking events to see God’s power. Even the fact that we are dejected is proof that we do this. Yet we never realize that all the time God is at work in our everyday events and in the people around us. If we will only obey, and do the task that He has placed closest to us, we will see Him. One of the most amazing revelations of God comes to us when we learn that it is in the everyday things of life that we realize the magnificent deity of Jesus Christ.
沮喪的操練
但我們素來所盼望……不但如此，……現在已經三天了。 （路二十四21）
門徒在這裡講述的都沒有錯；但她們從其中所得的推斷卻是錯的。任何叫靈性沮喪的事，必然是錯的。苦悶和沮喪來到，是咎由自取，不必怨天尤人。沮喪頹唐，來源有二，非此即彼：一是我的私慾得到滿足，一是我得不到所慾望的。情慾的意思是必須立刻得著。屬靈的慾望叫我逼神應允我，而不是叫我尋求那位有求必應的神。我一向相信神會怎樣行，到今日－－就是此時此刻－－已經三天了，他還未動工，我就有理由沮喪，可以怪責神。什麼時候我們要神答允禱告，便已經是走差了。禱告是我們抓住神，而不是抓住禱告的應允。身體健康，便絕不頹喪；頹喪是病態的表現，在屬靈上也是這樣。屬靈的沮喪是錯的，要責怪的就責怪自己吧。
我們盼望從天看見異象，從地震、雷轟中搜尋神的大能（我們的沮喪表示我們確是這樣去搜尋），卻沒想到神竟一直在最平凡的事物、在我們周遭的人中間。我們若盡上義務，就必看見他。主耶穌的神聖，是在最平凡的事上顯現出來，我們一旦明白這一點，對神就有了最深切的認識。
祈禱◆主啊，在每日繁多的責任中，保守我有平靜的心；藉著你的撫慰和仁慈，使我成為尊貴。讓我在你裡面得著平靜安穩。
February 06, 2014
Are You Ready To Be Poured Out As an Offering? (2)
I am already being poured out as a drink offering . . . —2 Timothy 4:6
Are you ready to be poured out as an offering? It is an act of your will, not your emotions. Tell God you are ready to be offered as a sacrifice for Him. Then accept the consequences as they come, without any complaints, in spite of what God may send your way. God sends you through a crisis in private, where no other person can help you. From the outside your life may appear to be the same, but the difference is taking place in your will. Once you have experienced the crisis in your will, you will take no thought of the cost when it begins to affect you externally. If you don’t deal with God on the level of your will first, the result will be only to arouse sympathy for yourself.
“Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar” (Psalm 118:27). You must be willing to be placed on the altar and go through the fire; willing to experience what the altar represents-burning, purification, and separation for only one purpose-the elimination of every desire and affection not grounded in or directed toward God. But you don’t eliminate it, God does. You “bind the sacrifice . . . to the horns of the altar” and see to it that you don’t wallow in self-pity once the fire begins. After you have gone through the fire, there will be nothing that will be able to trouble or depress you. When another crisis arises, you will realize that things cannot touch you as they used to do. What fire lies ahead in your life?
Tell God you are ready to be poured out as an offering, and God will prove Himself to be all you ever dreamed He would be.
你準備好被澆奠嗎？
我已經預備好被澆奠。 （提後四6，意譯）
[我現在已預備好獻上。 ]這是意志的抉擇，而不是情緒的衝動。告訴神你已預備好獻上；就是不顧後果，神怎樣安排也沒有絲毫的怨嘆。神能把你帶過難關，這是沒有人可以幫你的。外面環境可能依舊，裡面的心志卻有了不同。在心志里首先經歷這種轉變，那麼當事情臨到，就不會斤斤計較了。你若沒有與神這樣碰頭，最終便會自憐自嘆。
[用繩索把祭牲綁上、拴在祭壇的角上。 ]祭壇就是火的意思－－焚燒、潔淨、隔離，其目的就是斷絕一切不由神而來的關係，隔絕所有不屬於神的物品。不是你去燒毀，乃是神；你只要把祭牲拴在壇角。 當火起來燃燒，不要去惋惜這些東西。經過了火的焚燒，就再沒有什麼會壓制你，或使你沮喪。當重要關頭臨到，發覺沒有什麼可以像昔日那樣摸著你了。你的 [火]是什麼？告訴神你預備獻上，神便會向你顯示他自己，就是你日夕所想的。
祈禱◆[但到了神我們救主的恩慈，和他向人所施的慈愛顯明的時候……]噢，主啊，這句話經常縈繞我的心頭；然而，我極少將你的恩典和慈愛展示人前！
Are you ready to be poured out as an offering? It is an act of your will, not your emotions. Tell God you are ready to be offered as a sacrifice for Him. Then accept the consequences as they come, without any complaints, in spite of what God may send your way. God sends you through a crisis in private, where no other person can help you. From the outside your life may appear to be the same, but the difference is taking place in your will. Once you have experienced the crisis in your will, you will take no thought of the cost when it begins to affect you externally. If you don’t deal with God on the level of your will first, the result will be only to arouse sympathy for yourself.
“Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar” (Psalm 118:27). You must be willing to be placed on the altar and go through the fire; willing to experience what the altar represents-burning, purification, and separation for only one purpose-the elimination of every desire and affection not grounded in or directed toward God. But you don’t eliminate it, God does. You “bind the sacrifice . . . to the horns of the altar” and see to it that you don’t wallow in self-pity once the fire begins. After you have gone through the fire, there will be nothing that will be able to trouble or depress you. When another crisis arises, you will realize that things cannot touch you as they used to do. What fire lies ahead in your life?
Tell God you are ready to be poured out as an offering, and God will prove Himself to be all you ever dreamed He would be.
你準備好被澆奠嗎？
我已經預備好被澆奠。 （提後四6，意譯）
[我現在已預備好獻上。 ]這是意志的抉擇，而不是情緒的衝動。告訴神你已預備好獻上；就是不顧後果，神怎樣安排也沒有絲毫的怨嘆。神能把你帶過難關，這是沒有人可以幫你的。外面環境可能依舊，裡面的心志卻有了不同。在心志里首先經歷這種轉變，那麼當事情臨到，就不會斤斤計較了。你若沒有與神這樣碰頭，最終便會自憐自嘆。
[用繩索把祭牲綁上、拴在祭壇的角上。 ]祭壇就是火的意思－－焚燒、潔淨、隔離，其目的就是斷絕一切不由神而來的關係，隔絕所有不屬於神的物品。不是你去燒毀，乃是神；你只要把祭牲拴在壇角。 當火起來燃燒，不要去惋惜這些東西。經過了火的焚燒，就再沒有什麼會壓制你，或使你沮喪。當重要關頭臨到，發覺沒有什麼可以像昔日那樣摸著你了。你的 [火]是什麼？告訴神你預備獻上，神便會向你顯示他自己，就是你日夕所想的。
祈禱◆[但到了神我們救主的恩慈，和他向人所施的慈愛顯明的時候……]噢，主啊，這句話經常縈繞我的心頭；然而，我極少將你的恩典和慈愛展示人前！
February 05, 2014
Are You Ready To Be Poured Out As an Offering? (1)
If I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all—Philippians 2:17
Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the work of another believer—to pour out your life sacrificially for the ministry and faith of others? Or do you say, "I am not willing to be poured out right now, and I don’t want God to tell me how to serve Him. I want to choose the place of my own sacrifice. And I want to have certain people watching me and saying, ’Well done.’ "
It is one thing to follow God’s way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another thing if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a “doormat” under other people’s feet. God’s purpose may be to teach you to say, “I know how to be abased . . .” (Philippians 4:12). Are you ready to be sacrificed like that? Are you ready to be less than a mere drop in the bucket—to be so totally insignificant that no one remembers you even if they think of those you served? Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted—not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister? Some saints cannot do menial work while maintaining a saintly attitude, because they feel such service is beneath their dignity.
你準備好被澆奠嗎？
我以你們的信心為供獻的祭物，我若被澆奠在其上，也是喜樂，並且與你們眾人一同喜樂。 （腓二17）
你願意為建立別人的信心而被澆奠嗎？就是把自己的生命，為信仰像澆奠一般傾倒出來。還是你說：[我現在還未能獻上；我不想神為我選擇工作。我要自己挑選奉獻的崗位；我要得人的注意，得人的讚賞，說我行事得宜。 ]
走這孤單的路，要持有英雄氣概，與遵從神鋪設道路，成為他人腳下的地毯，根本是兩回事。設若神要教你[我懂得處卑 賤]的功課，你甘願嗎？你願意成為連桶裡的一滴水還不如，不被人重視，甚至你所服侍的人也不想你？你願意費財費力，不受人服侍而去服侍人？在卑賤的工作中 而不失聖徒的身份，是許多聖徒辦不到的，因為那有失她們的尊嚴哩。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的主，願你使今天成為榮耀的日子。在我對你的事奉上，我祈求能專心一志。
Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the work of another believer—to pour out your life sacrificially for the ministry and faith of others? Or do you say, "I am not willing to be poured out right now, and I don’t want God to tell me how to serve Him. I want to choose the place of my own sacrifice. And I want to have certain people watching me and saying, ’Well done.’ "
It is one thing to follow God’s way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another thing if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a “doormat” under other people’s feet. God’s purpose may be to teach you to say, “I know how to be abased . . .” (Philippians 4:12). Are you ready to be sacrificed like that? Are you ready to be less than a mere drop in the bucket—to be so totally insignificant that no one remembers you even if they think of those you served? Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted—not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister? Some saints cannot do menial work while maintaining a saintly attitude, because they feel such service is beneath their dignity.
你準備好被澆奠嗎？
我以你們的信心為供獻的祭物，我若被澆奠在其上，也是喜樂，並且與你們眾人一同喜樂。 （腓二17）
你願意為建立別人的信心而被澆奠嗎？就是把自己的生命，為信仰像澆奠一般傾倒出來。還是你說：[我現在還未能獻上；我不想神為我選擇工作。我要自己挑選奉獻的崗位；我要得人的注意，得人的讚賞，說我行事得宜。 ]
走這孤單的路，要持有英雄氣概，與遵從神鋪設道路，成為他人腳下的地毯，根本是兩回事。設若神要教你[我懂得處卑 賤]的功課，你甘願嗎？你願意成為連桶裡的一滴水還不如，不被人重視，甚至你所服侍的人也不想你？你願意費財費力，不受人服侍而去服侍人？在卑賤的工作中 而不失聖徒的身份，是許多聖徒辦不到的，因為那有失她們的尊嚴哩。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的主，願你使今天成為榮耀的日子。在我對你的事奉上，我祈求能專心一志。
February 03, 2014
Becoming the "Filth of the World"
We have been made as the filth of the world . . . —1 Corinthians 4:13
These words are not an exaggeration. The only reason they may not be true of us who call ourselves ministers of the gospel is not that Paul forgot or misunderstood the exact truth of them, but that we are too cautious and concerned about our own desires to allow ourselves to become the refuse or “filth of the world.” “Fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ . . .” (Colossians 1:24) is not the result of the holiness of sanctification, but the evidence of consecration-being “separated to the gospel of God . . .” (Romans 1:1).
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you . . .” (1 Peter 4:12). If we do think the things we encounter are strange, it is because we are fearful and cowardly. We pay such close attention to our own interests and desires that we stay out of the mire and say, “I won’t submit; I won’t bow or bend.” And you don’t have to— you can be saved by the “skin of your teeth” if you like. You can refuse to let God count you as one who is “separated to the gospel . . . .” Or you can say, “I don’t care if I am treated like ’the filth of the world’ as long as the gospel is proclaimed.” A true servant of Jesus Christ is one who is willing to experience martyrdom for the reality of the gospel of God. When a moral person is confronted with contempt, immorality, disloyalty, or dishonesty, he is so repulsed by the offense that he turns away and in despair closes his heart to the offender. But the miracle of the redemptive reality of God is that the worst and the vilest offender can never exhaust the depths of His love. Paul did not say that God separated him to show what a wonderful man He could make of him, but “to reveal His Son in me. . .” (Galatians 1:16).
公然斷絕關係
人還把我們看作世界上的污穢。 （林前四13）
這並非誇大的話。我們這些稱為福音的使者，看不見這話在我們身上實現，不是因為保羅這話不真確，而是我們仍有太多戀棧不捨的事物，以致未讓自己成為渣滓。 [為基督的苦難而受苦]，並不是成聖的證明，乃是[為福音分別出來]的表現。
彼得說：[有火煉的試驗臨到你們，不是以為奇怪。 ]我們若對所遇的事以為奇怪，乃是由於我們懦弱膽怯。我們顧惜面子，保持自己不掉入泥濘中去－－[我不要低頭，我不要折腰]。你大可不必，你是可以咬緊牙根過關的。你可以拒絕神，不讓他將你為福音分別出來。你也許會說：[只要福音被傳揚，即使自己被看作地上的渣滓，也不介意。 ]耶穌基督的僕人，就是肯為福音而殉道的人。一個徒有道德修養的人，當他接觸到卑污、邪淫和詭詐，人性的良善使他感到極度的噁心，以致退縮不前，在絕望中 把心門關閉起來。反之，神救贖的最奇特之處，就是他也愛那些罪惡滔天的人。保羅並沒有說神把他分別出來，要造成一個怎樣可愛的人，而是[把他兒子啟示在我心裡]。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，請你以溫柔，撫慰那被你的話語所刺透，而經歷破碎的心靈和生命。
These words are not an exaggeration. The only reason they may not be true of us who call ourselves ministers of the gospel is not that Paul forgot or misunderstood the exact truth of them, but that we are too cautious and concerned about our own desires to allow ourselves to become the refuse or “filth of the world.” “Fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ . . .” (Colossians 1:24) is not the result of the holiness of sanctification, but the evidence of consecration-being “separated to the gospel of God . . .” (Romans 1:1).
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you . . .” (1 Peter 4:12). If we do think the things we encounter are strange, it is because we are fearful and cowardly. We pay such close attention to our own interests and desires that we stay out of the mire and say, “I won’t submit; I won’t bow or bend.” And you don’t have to— you can be saved by the “skin of your teeth” if you like. You can refuse to let God count you as one who is “separated to the gospel . . . .” Or you can say, “I don’t care if I am treated like ’the filth of the world’ as long as the gospel is proclaimed.” A true servant of Jesus Christ is one who is willing to experience martyrdom for the reality of the gospel of God. When a moral person is confronted with contempt, immorality, disloyalty, or dishonesty, he is so repulsed by the offense that he turns away and in despair closes his heart to the offender. But the miracle of the redemptive reality of God is that the worst and the vilest offender can never exhaust the depths of His love. Paul did not say that God separated him to show what a wonderful man He could make of him, but “to reveal His Son in me. . .” (Galatians 1:16).
公然斷絕關係
人還把我們看作世界上的污穢。 （林前四13）
這並非誇大的話。我們這些稱為福音的使者，看不見這話在我們身上實現，不是因為保羅這話不真確，而是我們仍有太多戀棧不捨的事物，以致未讓自己成為渣滓。 [為基督的苦難而受苦]，並不是成聖的證明，乃是[為福音分別出來]的表現。
彼得說：[有火煉的試驗臨到你們，不是以為奇怪。 ]我們若對所遇的事以為奇怪，乃是由於我們懦弱膽怯。我們顧惜面子，保持自己不掉入泥濘中去－－[我不要低頭，我不要折腰]。你大可不必，你是可以咬緊牙根過關的。你可以拒絕神，不讓他將你為福音分別出來。你也許會說：[只要福音被傳揚，即使自己被看作地上的渣滓，也不介意。 ]耶穌基督的僕人，就是肯為福音而殉道的人。一個徒有道德修養的人，當他接觸到卑污、邪淫和詭詐，人性的良善使他感到極度的噁心，以致退縮不前，在絕望中 把心門關閉起來。反之，神救贖的最奇特之處，就是他也愛那些罪惡滔天的人。保羅並沒有說神把他分別出來，要造成一個怎樣可愛的人，而是[把他兒子啟示在我心裡]。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，請你以溫柔，撫慰那被你的話語所刺透，而經歷破碎的心靈和生命。
January 31, 2014
Do You See Your Calling?
. . . separated to the gospel of God. . . —Romans 1:1
Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be proclaimers of the gospel of God. The one all-important thing is that the gospel of God should be recognized as the abiding reality. Reality is not human goodness, or holiness, or heaven, or hell— it is redemption. The need to perceive this is the most vital need of the Christian worker today. As workers, we have to get used to the revelation that redemption is the only reality. Personal holiness is an effect of redemption, not the cause of it. If we place our faith in human goodness we will go under when testing comes.
Paul did not say that he separated himself, but “when it pleased God, who separated me . . .” (Galatians 1:15). Paul was not overly interested in his own character. And as long as our eyes are focused on our own personal holiness, we will never even get close to the full reality of redemption. Christian workers fail because they place their desire for their own holiness above their desire to know God. “Don’t ask me to be confronted with the strong reality of redemption on behalf of the filth of human life surrounding me today; what I want is anything God can do for me to make me more desirable in my own eyes.” To talk that way is a sign that the reality of the gospel of God has not begun to touch me. There is no reckless abandon to God in that. God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in my own character. Paul was not conscious of himself. He was recklessly abandoned, totally surrendered, and separated by God for one purpose— to proclaim the gospel of God (see Romans 9:3).
你看清你的呼召沒有？
特派傳神的福音（特派有分別出來之意）。 （羅一1）
基本上來說，神呼召我們並不是叫我們做聖潔的人，乃是要我們宣揚他的福音。因為其中最要緊的，就是神的福音有永存的價值。聖潔，固然不是永存的，只有救贖才 是永恆。今日基督的工人最要瞭解的，就是這個。作為工人，我們必須熟悉這個啟示，就是救贖是唯一的永存價值。個人的聖潔只是果，不是因。如果我們把信心寄 託於人的良善上，以救恩為果，試煉一來，我們就站立不住了。
保羅並沒有說他分別自己，他乃說:[神既喜悅將我分別出來……。 ]保羅對自己的性情，並沒有過分的注意。我們的眼睛一天放在自己的成聖上，一天就不能進入救贖的實際裡去。許多工人一敗塗地，就是因為他們的願望只為自己 的聖潔，而不是為神。 [由於人性是墮落於污穢的，請不要叫我們對救贖崎嶇的現實吧！我要的，是神為我做點什麼，叫我更欣賞自己。 ]說這樣的話，表明神福音的實際尚未摸著我，我還未完全獻身，向神降服。保羅能夠忘我，毫無顧慮敵撇棄一切，被神分別出來，為的只是一個目標——傳揚神的 福音（參羅九3）
祈禱◆噢，主啊，對於你的救贖和全備的救恩，我的欣賞是何其吝嗇。主啊，驅使我產生更豐富的感恩；讓我永遠深愛主耶穌基督。
Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be proclaimers of the gospel of God. The one all-important thing is that the gospel of God should be recognized as the abiding reality. Reality is not human goodness, or holiness, or heaven, or hell— it is redemption. The need to perceive this is the most vital need of the Christian worker today. As workers, we have to get used to the revelation that redemption is the only reality. Personal holiness is an effect of redemption, not the cause of it. If we place our faith in human goodness we will go under when testing comes.
Paul did not say that he separated himself, but “when it pleased God, who separated me . . .” (Galatians 1:15). Paul was not overly interested in his own character. And as long as our eyes are focused on our own personal holiness, we will never even get close to the full reality of redemption. Christian workers fail because they place their desire for their own holiness above their desire to know God. “Don’t ask me to be confronted with the strong reality of redemption on behalf of the filth of human life surrounding me today; what I want is anything God can do for me to make me more desirable in my own eyes.” To talk that way is a sign that the reality of the gospel of God has not begun to touch me. There is no reckless abandon to God in that. God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in my own character. Paul was not conscious of himself. He was recklessly abandoned, totally surrendered, and separated by God for one purpose— to proclaim the gospel of God (see Romans 9:3).
你看清你的呼召沒有？
特派傳神的福音（特派有分別出來之意）。 （羅一1）
基本上來說，神呼召我們並不是叫我們做聖潔的人，乃是要我們宣揚他的福音。因為其中最要緊的，就是神的福音有永存的價值。聖潔，固然不是永存的，只有救贖才 是永恆。今日基督的工人最要瞭解的，就是這個。作為工人，我們必須熟悉這個啟示，就是救贖是唯一的永存價值。個人的聖潔只是果，不是因。如果我們把信心寄 託於人的良善上，以救恩為果，試煉一來，我們就站立不住了。
保羅並沒有說他分別自己，他乃說:[神既喜悅將我分別出來……。 ]保羅對自己的性情，並沒有過分的注意。我們的眼睛一天放在自己的成聖上，一天就不能進入救贖的實際裡去。許多工人一敗塗地，就是因為他們的願望只為自己 的聖潔，而不是為神。 [由於人性是墮落於污穢的，請不要叫我們對救贖崎嶇的現實吧！我要的，是神為我做點什麼，叫我更欣賞自己。 ]說這樣的話，表明神福音的實際尚未摸著我，我還未完全獻身，向神降服。保羅能夠忘我，毫無顧慮敵撇棄一切，被神分別出來，為的只是一個目標——傳揚神的 福音（參羅九3）
祈禱◆噢，主啊，對於你的救贖和全備的救恩，我的欣賞是何其吝嗇。主啊，驅使我產生更豐富的感恩；讓我永遠深愛主耶穌基督。
January 30, 2014
The Dilemma of Obedience
Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision —1 Samuel 3:15
God never speaks to us in dramatic ways, but in ways that are easy to misunderstand. Then we say, “I wonder if that is God’s voice?” Isaiah said that the Lord spoke to him “with a strong hand,” that is, by the pressure of his circumstances (Isaiah 8:11). Without the sovereign hand of God Himself, nothing touches our lives. Do we discern His hand at work, or do we see things as mere occurrences?
Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance (1 Samuel 3:9). Every time circumstances press in on you, say, “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen. Chastening is more than a means of discipline— it is meant to bring me to the point of saying, “Speak, Lord.” Think back to a time when God spoke to you. Do you remember what He said? Was it Luke 11:13 , or was it 1 Thessalonians 5:23? As we listen, our ears become more sensitive, and like Jesus, we will hear God all the time.
Should I tell my “Eli” what God has shown to me? This is where the dilemma of obedience hits us. We disobey God by becoming amateur providences and thinking, “I must shield ’Eli,’ ” who represents the best people we know. God did not tell Samuel to tell Eli— he had to decide that for himself. God’s message to you may hurt your “Eli,” buttrying to prevent suffering in another’s life will prove to be an obstruction between your soul and God. It is at your own risk that you prevent someone’s right hand being cut off or right eye being plucked out (see Matthew 5:29-30).
Never ask another person’s advice about anything God makes you decide before Him. If you ask advice, you will almost always side with Satan. “. . . I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood . . .” (Galatians 1:16).
順服的難關
撒母耳……不敢將默示告訴以利。 （撒上三15）
神從來不用驚天動地的方式對我們說話，他說話的方式，往往容易被我們誤解。我們會說：[不知這到底是不是神的聲音？ ]以賽亞說神的手在他身上沉重（對他說話），也就是說，神用環境的壓力。任何發生在我們身上的事，都是神在說話。我們有沒有辨認出他的手，還是只當作偶發的事件？
能養成[主啊，請說]的習慣，這樣生命就變得多姿多彩。每一次說：[主啊，請說。 ]要撥出時間來靜聽！管教不單只為了操練，也是為了要把我帶到一個地步，使我能說：[主啊，請說。 ]請你追憶一下神對你說過的話，你還記得他說過什麼嗎？是路加福音十一章13節，還是帖撒羅尼迦前書五章23節？我們多聽，耳朵就開通，像耶穌隨時都聽見神的聲音。
我應該把神給我的指示，告訴我的[以利]嗎？這樣就來到順服的難關了。我們若以神明自居， 說我必須保護[以利]，因他是我熟悉的人中最善良的。這樣，我就是違背神了。神沒有叫撒母耳去告訴以利，他要自作決定。神對你的呼召可能傷害你的[以 利]；但是你若設法護衛另一個人，使其不受傷害，這樣你心靈與神之間便有了阻隔。你不肯砍下右手，剜出眼睛，只會自取其咎，招來毀滅。
神要你在他面前決定的事，不要諮詢別人的意見。你聽取人的意見，就不期然的袒護撒旦了。 [我沒有與屬血氣的人商量。 ]這是保羅的態度。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你成為懷中搖籤的定奪者，以致我們為著你所成就的事充滿歡笑。
God never speaks to us in dramatic ways, but in ways that are easy to misunderstand. Then we say, “I wonder if that is God’s voice?” Isaiah said that the Lord spoke to him “with a strong hand,” that is, by the pressure of his circumstances (Isaiah 8:11). Without the sovereign hand of God Himself, nothing touches our lives. Do we discern His hand at work, or do we see things as mere occurrences?
Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance (1 Samuel 3:9). Every time circumstances press in on you, say, “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen. Chastening is more than a means of discipline— it is meant to bring me to the point of saying, “Speak, Lord.” Think back to a time when God spoke to you. Do you remember what He said? Was it Luke 11:13 , or was it 1 Thessalonians 5:23? As we listen, our ears become more sensitive, and like Jesus, we will hear God all the time.
Should I tell my “Eli” what God has shown to me? This is where the dilemma of obedience hits us. We disobey God by becoming amateur providences and thinking, “I must shield ’Eli,’ ” who represents the best people we know. God did not tell Samuel to tell Eli— he had to decide that for himself. God’s message to you may hurt your “Eli,” buttrying to prevent suffering in another’s life will prove to be an obstruction between your soul and God. It is at your own risk that you prevent someone’s right hand being cut off or right eye being plucked out (see Matthew 5:29-30).
Never ask another person’s advice about anything God makes you decide before Him. If you ask advice, you will almost always side with Satan. “. . . I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood . . .” (Galatians 1:16).
順服的難關
撒母耳……不敢將默示告訴以利。 （撒上三15）
神從來不用驚天動地的方式對我們說話，他說話的方式，往往容易被我們誤解。我們會說：[不知這到底是不是神的聲音？ ]以賽亞說神的手在他身上沉重（對他說話），也就是說，神用環境的壓力。任何發生在我們身上的事，都是神在說話。我們有沒有辨認出他的手，還是只當作偶發的事件？
能養成[主啊，請說]的習慣，這樣生命就變得多姿多彩。每一次說：[主啊，請說。 ]要撥出時間來靜聽！管教不單只為了操練，也是為了要把我帶到一個地步，使我能說：[主啊，請說。 ]請你追憶一下神對你說過的話，你還記得他說過什麼嗎？是路加福音十一章13節，還是帖撒羅尼迦前書五章23節？我們多聽，耳朵就開通，像耶穌隨時都聽見神的聲音。
我應該把神給我的指示，告訴我的[以利]嗎？這樣就來到順服的難關了。我們若以神明自居， 說我必須保護[以利]，因他是我熟悉的人中最善良的。這樣，我就是違背神了。神沒有叫撒母耳去告訴以利，他要自作決定。神對你的呼召可能傷害你的[以 利]；但是你若設法護衛另一個人，使其不受傷害，這樣你心靈與神之間便有了阻隔。你不肯砍下右手，剜出眼睛，只會自取其咎，招來毀滅。
神要你在他面前決定的事，不要諮詢別人的意見。你聽取人的意見，就不期然的袒護撒旦了。 [我沒有與屬血氣的人商量。 ]這是保羅的態度。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你成為懷中搖籤的定奪者，以致我們為著你所成就的事充滿歡笑。
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