We have renounced the hidden things of shame . . . —2 Corinthians 4:2
Have you “renounced the hidden things of shame” in your life—the things that your sense of honor or pride will not allow to come into the light? You can easily hide them. Is there a thought in your heart about anyone that you would not like to be brought into the light? Then renounce it as soon as it comes to mind—renounce everything in its entirety until there is no hidden dishonesty or craftiness about you at all. Envy, jealousy, and strife don’t necessarily arise from your old nature of sin, but from the flesh which was used for these kinds of things in the past (see Romans 6:19 and 1 Peter 4:1-3). You must maintain continual watchfulness so that nothing arises in your life that would cause you shame.
“. . . not walking in craftiness. . .” (2 Corinthians 4:2). This means not resorting to something simply to make your own point. This is a terrible trap. You know that God will allow you to work in only one way—the way of truth. Then be careful never to catch people through the other way—the way of deceit. If you act deceitfully, God’s blight and ruin will be upon you. What may be craftiness for you, may not be for others—God has called you to a higher standard. Never dull your sense of being your utmost for His highest—your best for His glory. For you, doing certain things would mean craftiness coming into your life for a purpose other than what is the highest and best, and it would dull the motivation that God has given you. Many people have turned back because they are afraid to look at things from God’s perspective. The greatest spiritual crisis comes when a person has to move a little farther on in his faith than the beliefs he has already accepted
棄絕什麼？
將那些暗昧可恥的事棄絕了。 （林後四2）
你有沒有將暗昧可恥的事棄絕？ －－那些你廉恥之心不想敞露的東西。要遮掩這些事並不難。你心中是否有一些念頭，是不想放在光中的？當這些念頭一出現，就要立刻棄絕，完全的棄絕，直至沒有絲毫可恥詭詐在你裡面隱藏。嫉忌、貪戀、爭競－－未必是出於罪根性，而是因為你在過去的日子中，肢體慣於和這種事（參羅六19，彼前四1-2）。要不住的警醒，使生命沒有絲毫可恥的東西生長。
[不行詭詐]，詭詐就是運用手段以求達到目的。這是個極大的網羅。若你知道神只容許你以某一方法行事，那麼，就不可用別的方法。不然，神的責難必然臨到。人家做的事，在你看來是行詭詐，但在他們可能並非詭詐，因為神給你另一個觀點。切勿削弱竭誠為主的敏銳性觸覺。你所作的某件事，可能叫你離開神的旨意去追求別的目標：若是這樣，詭詐就隨之而生，而你對神也變得遲鈍。許多人退後，是由於不敢從神的觀點看事物。一個人若要越過自己已接納的信念，在屬靈上就有大危機。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求你護衛我生命的中心免受腐蝕；願你隱密地保守我，使我與你有著滿意的關係，以致我能彰顯你的榮耀。
Showing posts with label Purity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Purity. Show all posts
September 15, 2014
July 26, 2014
The Way to Purity
Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart . . . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man . . . —Matthew 15:18-20
Initially we trust in our ignorance, calling it innocence, and next we trust our innocence, calling it purity. Then when we hear these strong statements from our Lord, we shrink back, saying, “But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart.” We resent what He reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust the penetration of His Word into my heart, or would I prefer to trust my own “innocent ignorance”? If I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence and putting it to the test, I am very likely to have a rude awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I will be appalled at the possibilities of the evil and the wrong within me. But as long as I remain under the false security of my own “innocence,” I am living in a fool’s paradise. If I have never been an openly rude and abusive person, the only reason is my own cowardice coupled with the sense of protection I receive from living a civilized life. But when I am open and completely exposed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis of me.
The only thing that truly provides protection is the redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will simply hand myself over to Him, I will never have to experience the terrible possibilities that lie within my heart. Purity is something far too deep for me to arrive at naturally. But when the Holy Spirit comes into me, He brings into the center of my personal life the very Spirit that was exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ, namely, the Holy Spirit, which is absolute unblemished purity.
清潔的賬
從心裡發出來的……（太十五18-20）
我們起初都信任自己的無知，稱之為無罪；又信任自己的無罪，稱之為清潔。於是當我們聽見主這番嚴厲的話，就會怯生生地說：[我從不覺得自己心中有這些可怖的髒東西呀！ ]我們厭惡主所揭示的。若耶穌基督不是人心里至高的權威，他就根本不值一顧。我是否願意信任他的明察，還是信任自己的天真無知？只要我試驗一下自己的清白，就勢必栗然醒覺主話的真實，也必震驚於自己偏向邪惡的性情。我之所以未淪為惡匪，無非是膽子不夠大，及文明社會的保障罷了。若在神面前赤露敞開，就必知道他的診斷無誤。
耶穌基督的救恩是唯一的保障。我若把自己交給他，就不必經歷內心那些可怕的性情。清潔太深邃了，憑天性我無法達至，但當聖靈來到就把那在主耶穌生命中彰顯的靈，帶進我生命中，我就變成毫無玷污的純潔。
祈禱◆噢，我的神，我在你的火焰中被焚燒和煉淨——今天我所發現的渣滓似乎太多，在我處理別人的錯失上，卻太少流露你那甜蜜而親切的恩典。主啊，赦免我。
Initially we trust in our ignorance, calling it innocence, and next we trust our innocence, calling it purity. Then when we hear these strong statements from our Lord, we shrink back, saying, “But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart.” We resent what He reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust the penetration of His Word into my heart, or would I prefer to trust my own “innocent ignorance”? If I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence and putting it to the test, I am very likely to have a rude awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I will be appalled at the possibilities of the evil and the wrong within me. But as long as I remain under the false security of my own “innocence,” I am living in a fool’s paradise. If I have never been an openly rude and abusive person, the only reason is my own cowardice coupled with the sense of protection I receive from living a civilized life. But when I am open and completely exposed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis of me.
The only thing that truly provides protection is the redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will simply hand myself over to Him, I will never have to experience the terrible possibilities that lie within my heart. Purity is something far too deep for me to arrive at naturally. But when the Holy Spirit comes into me, He brings into the center of my personal life the very Spirit that was exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ, namely, the Holy Spirit, which is absolute unblemished purity.
清潔的賬
從心裡發出來的……（太十五18-20）
我們起初都信任自己的無知，稱之為無罪；又信任自己的無罪，稱之為清潔。於是當我們聽見主這番嚴厲的話，就會怯生生地說：[我從不覺得自己心中有這些可怖的髒東西呀！ ]我們厭惡主所揭示的。若耶穌基督不是人心里至高的權威，他就根本不值一顧。我是否願意信任他的明察，還是信任自己的天真無知？只要我試驗一下自己的清白，就勢必栗然醒覺主話的真實，也必震驚於自己偏向邪惡的性情。我之所以未淪為惡匪，無非是膽子不夠大，及文明社會的保障罷了。若在神面前赤露敞開，就必知道他的診斷無誤。
耶穌基督的救恩是唯一的保障。我若把自己交給他，就不必經歷內心那些可怕的性情。清潔太深邃了，憑天性我無法達至，但當聖靈來到就把那在主耶穌生命中彰顯的靈，帶進我生命中，我就變成毫無玷污的純潔。
祈禱◆噢，我的神，我在你的火焰中被焚燒和煉淨——今天我所發現的渣滓似乎太多，在我處理別人的錯失上，卻太少流露你那甜蜜而親切的恩典。主啊，赦免我。
July 24, 2014
His Nature and Our Motives
. . . unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven —Matthew 5:20
The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in his motives, having been made good by the supernatural grace of God. The only thing that exceeds right-doing is right-being. Jesus Christ came to place within anyone who would let Him a new heredity that would have a righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus is saying, “If you are My disciple, you must be right not only in your actions, but also in your motives, your aspirations, and in the deep recesses of the thoughts of your mind.” Your motives must be so pure that God Almighty can see nothing to rebuke. Who can stand in the eternal light of God and have nothing for Him to rebuke? Only the Son of God, and Jesus Christ claims that through His redemption He can place within anyone His own nature and make that person as pure and as simple as a child. The purity that God demands is impossible unless I can be remade within, and that is exactly what Jesus has undertaken to do through His redemption.
No one can make himself pure by obeying laws. Jesus Christ does not give us rules and regulations— He gives us His teachings which are truths that can only be interpreted by His nature which He places within us. The great wonder of Jesus Christ’s salvation is that He changes our heredity. He does not change human nature— He changes its source, and thereby its motives as well.
性情與行為
你們的義，若不勝於文士和法利賽人的義，斷不能進天國。 （太五20）
門徒的特徵不是行善，而是出於善的動機，因為他在神超然的恩中成了善。唯一超越善行的，就是成善。耶穌來，是要把勝過文士和法利賽人的義的新遺傳，放進願意的人裡頭。耶穌說：[你若做我的門徒，不單行為要正，連動機、夢想、心靈的隱秘處也要正。動機要純正得連全能的神也無可指摘。 ]誰能站在神永恆的光中，無可指摘呢？只有神的兒子。而耶穌基督宣稱藉著救恩，就能使任何人在他的性情上有分，使他純潔如小孩子一樣。神所要求的純正，使人無法達到的，除非我裡面能重新再造，而耶穌的救恩正成就這事。
人無法憑守律法得潔淨，主耶穌給我們的也不是規則法條；他的教訓是真理，只有他放進我們裡面的性情，才可領會主救恩的奇妙，這就是他改變人的罪性。他不是改變人性，乃是改變人的本源。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，發出你的光輝，讓它運行在這地上，正如你曾在淵面上運行一樣。在你屬靈的領域中大大作工，幫助我豎立禱告的山嶺，並藉助雲彩，將祝福沛然降下。
The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in his motives, having been made good by the supernatural grace of God. The only thing that exceeds right-doing is right-being. Jesus Christ came to place within anyone who would let Him a new heredity that would have a righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus is saying, “If you are My disciple, you must be right not only in your actions, but also in your motives, your aspirations, and in the deep recesses of the thoughts of your mind.” Your motives must be so pure that God Almighty can see nothing to rebuke. Who can stand in the eternal light of God and have nothing for Him to rebuke? Only the Son of God, and Jesus Christ claims that through His redemption He can place within anyone His own nature and make that person as pure and as simple as a child. The purity that God demands is impossible unless I can be remade within, and that is exactly what Jesus has undertaken to do through His redemption.
No one can make himself pure by obeying laws. Jesus Christ does not give us rules and regulations— He gives us His teachings which are truths that can only be interpreted by His nature which He places within us. The great wonder of Jesus Christ’s salvation is that He changes our heredity. He does not change human nature— He changes its source, and thereby its motives as well.
性情與行為
你們的義，若不勝於文士和法利賽人的義，斷不能進天國。 （太五20）
門徒的特徵不是行善，而是出於善的動機，因為他在神超然的恩中成了善。唯一超越善行的，就是成善。耶穌來，是要把勝過文士和法利賽人的義的新遺傳，放進願意的人裡頭。耶穌說：[你若做我的門徒，不單行為要正，連動機、夢想、心靈的隱秘處也要正。動機要純正得連全能的神也無可指摘。 ]誰能站在神永恆的光中，無可指摘呢？只有神的兒子。而耶穌基督宣稱藉著救恩，就能使任何人在他的性情上有分，使他純潔如小孩子一樣。神所要求的純正，使人無法達到的，除非我裡面能重新再造，而耶穌的救恩正成就這事。
人無法憑守律法得潔淨，主耶穌給我們的也不是規則法條；他的教訓是真理，只有他放進我們裡面的性情，才可領會主救恩的奇妙，這就是他改變人的罪性。他不是改變人性，乃是改變人的本源。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，發出你的光輝，讓它運行在這地上，正如你曾在淵面上運行一樣。在你屬靈的領域中大大作工，幫助我豎立禱告的山嶺，並藉助雲彩，將祝福沛然降下。
June 24, 2014
Reconciling Yourself to the Fact of Sin
This is your hour, and the power of darkness —Luke 22:53
Not being reconciled to the fact of sin— not recognizing it and refusing to deal with it— produces all the disasters in life. You may talk about the lofty virtues of human nature, but there is something in human nature that will mockingly laugh in the face of every principle you have. If you refuse to agree with the fact that there is wickedness and selfishness, something downright hateful and wrong, in human beings, when it attacks your life, instead of reconciling yourself to it, you will compromise with it and say that it is of no use to battle against it. Have you taken this “hour, and the power of darkness” into account, or do you have a view of yourself which includes no recognition of sin whatsoever? In your human relationships and friendships, have you reconciled yourself to the fact of sin? If not, just around the next corner you will find yourself trapped and you will compromise with it. But if you will reconcile yourself to the fact of sin, you will realize the danger immediately and say, “Yes, I see what this sin would mean.” The recognition of sin does not destroy the basis of friendship— it simply establishes a mutual respect for the fact that the basis of sinful life is disastrous. Always beware of any assessment of life which does not recognize the fact that there is sin.
Jesus Christ never trusted human nature, yet He was never cynical nor suspicious, because He had absolute trust in what He could do for human nature. The pure man or woman is the one who is shielded from harm, not the innocent person. The so-called innocent man or woman is never safe. Men and women have no business trying to be innocent; God demands that they be pure and virtuous. Innocence is the characteristic of a child. Any person is deserving of blame if he is unwilling to reconcile himself to the fact of sin.
承認罪的事實
現在卻是你們的時候，黑暗掌權了。 （路二十二53）
不承認罪的事實，會帶來人生一切的禍患。你可以大談人性的尊嚴，可是人性中有一種東西，在你一切的理想面前，會當面嗤笑你。你若不肯承認人性的邪惡自私，有根本上的罪過，這樣，當這些東西襲擊你時，你就會與它妥協，並說抵抗也是沒用。你有沒有準備面對這個關頭，面對這黑暗的權勢？還是你對自己的評價，沒有把罪算在內？你與親屬的關係，與朋友的關係，有沒有承認有罪的事實存在？若沒有，不需多久，你就會被罪追上，與之妥協了。
但若你承認罪的事實，就必立即覺察到危險－－[對啦，我知道這是什麼一回事了。 ]承認罪的事實，並不會破壞友情的根基，反而使彼此看清楚人生基本是可惡的。
耶穌基督雖不信任人，卻不挑剔多疑，因為祂深信為人有所不為。人得到安全的保障是由於清潔，而不是因為無罪。無罪的人是不可靠的。成為無罪，不是人可以做到，只有神才可要求人潔淨敬虔。無邪是孩童的特徵，但成人則要承認罪這事實。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，以你的恩典和榮耀淹沒我，讓你那浩瀚的潮水覆蓋所有。
Not being reconciled to the fact of sin— not recognizing it and refusing to deal with it— produces all the disasters in life. You may talk about the lofty virtues of human nature, but there is something in human nature that will mockingly laugh in the face of every principle you have. If you refuse to agree with the fact that there is wickedness and selfishness, something downright hateful and wrong, in human beings, when it attacks your life, instead of reconciling yourself to it, you will compromise with it and say that it is of no use to battle against it. Have you taken this “hour, and the power of darkness” into account, or do you have a view of yourself which includes no recognition of sin whatsoever? In your human relationships and friendships, have you reconciled yourself to the fact of sin? If not, just around the next corner you will find yourself trapped and you will compromise with it. But if you will reconcile yourself to the fact of sin, you will realize the danger immediately and say, “Yes, I see what this sin would mean.” The recognition of sin does not destroy the basis of friendship— it simply establishes a mutual respect for the fact that the basis of sinful life is disastrous. Always beware of any assessment of life which does not recognize the fact that there is sin.
Jesus Christ never trusted human nature, yet He was never cynical nor suspicious, because He had absolute trust in what He could do for human nature. The pure man or woman is the one who is shielded from harm, not the innocent person. The so-called innocent man or woman is never safe. Men and women have no business trying to be innocent; God demands that they be pure and virtuous. Innocence is the characteristic of a child. Any person is deserving of blame if he is unwilling to reconcile himself to the fact of sin.
承認罪的事實
現在卻是你們的時候，黑暗掌權了。 （路二十二53）
不承認罪的事實，會帶來人生一切的禍患。你可以大談人性的尊嚴，可是人性中有一種東西，在你一切的理想面前，會當面嗤笑你。你若不肯承認人性的邪惡自私，有根本上的罪過，這樣，當這些東西襲擊你時，你就會與它妥協，並說抵抗也是沒用。你有沒有準備面對這個關頭，面對這黑暗的權勢？還是你對自己的評價，沒有把罪算在內？你與親屬的關係，與朋友的關係，有沒有承認有罪的事實存在？若沒有，不需多久，你就會被罪追上，與之妥協了。
但若你承認罪的事實，就必立即覺察到危險－－[對啦，我知道這是什麼一回事了。 ]承認罪的事實，並不會破壞友情的根基，反而使彼此看清楚人生基本是可惡的。
耶穌基督雖不信任人，卻不挑剔多疑，因為祂深信為人有所不為。人得到安全的保障是由於清潔，而不是因為無罪。無罪的人是不可靠的。成為無罪，不是人可以做到，只有神才可要求人潔淨敬虔。無邪是孩童的特徵，但成人則要承認罪這事實。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，以你的恩典和榮耀淹沒我，讓你那浩瀚的潮水覆蓋所有。
May 13, 2014
The Habit of Keeping a Clear Conscience
. . . strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men —Acts 24:16
God’s commands to us are actually given to the life of His Son in us. Consequently, to our human nature in which God’s Son has been formed (see Galatians 4:19), His commands are difficult. But they become divinely easy once we obey.
Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different in different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God’s standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God’s perfect law and indicate what I should do. The question is, will I obey? I have to make an effort to keep my conscience so sensitive that I can live without any offense toward anyone. I should be living in such perfect harmony with God’s Son that the spirit of my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and that I may be able to quickly “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2 ; also see Ephesians 4:23).
God always instructs us down to the last detail. Is my ear sensitive enough to hear even the softest whisper of the Spirit, so that I know what I should do? “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God . . .” (Ephesians 4:30). He does not speak with a voice like thunder— His voice is so gentle that it is easy for us to ignore. And the only thing that keeps our conscience sensitive to Him is the habit of being open to God on the inside. When you begin to debate, stop immediately. Don’t ask, “Why can’t I do this?” You are on the wrong track. There is no debating possible once your conscience speaks. Whatever it is— drop it, and see that you keep your inner vision clear.
養成良心無虧的習慣
對神、對人，常存無虧的良心。 （徒二十四16）
神的命令，是向他兒子而發的，也就是向我們這些有他兒子在裡面的人而發的。他的命令固然難行，但若一旦聽從，就有從天上來的能力，便變得容易。良心使我依附最高的標準，並且告訴我什麼是最高的要求，教我應該怎樣去行。它是心靈的眼睛，可以舉目向神，又或舉目向他所定的最高的標準，因此良心的標準因人而異。我若經常仰望神，我的良心必然向著神完全的律法，指示我所當行的。問題是我肯不肯順從？我必須保持良心的敏銳，使我行事不至於衝撞神。我與神兒子應該同心同德，就是不論在任何境況下，心意都得以更新，叫我知道[何為神的善良、純全可喜悅的旨意]。
神對我們的管教是極其徹底的。我的耳朵是否敏銳地聽得見聖靈最微小的聲音，而知道當作的是什麼？ [不要叫神的靈擔憂]，他的聲音並不如雷霆；他的聲音是極其微小，很容易就被疏略過去。要使良心對神敏感，就要養成經常向神敞開的習慣。一有遲疑，須即停止。 [我為什麼不可以這樣？ ]那你已在歧路上了。良心一說話，就再沒有遲疑的餘地。你若讓一件事攔阻了你與神在隱密處的交通，那太冒險了。不管是什麼，放下它吧！要常保持內心視野清晰。
祈禱◆主啊，求祢撫摸我，讓我生命的堤岸沐浴祢愛所賜的平安中，我便充滿了讚美。
God’s commands to us are actually given to the life of His Son in us. Consequently, to our human nature in which God’s Son has been formed (see Galatians 4:19), His commands are difficult. But they become divinely easy once we obey.
Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different in different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God’s standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God’s perfect law and indicate what I should do. The question is, will I obey? I have to make an effort to keep my conscience so sensitive that I can live without any offense toward anyone. I should be living in such perfect harmony with God’s Son that the spirit of my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and that I may be able to quickly “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2 ; also see Ephesians 4:23).
God always instructs us down to the last detail. Is my ear sensitive enough to hear even the softest whisper of the Spirit, so that I know what I should do? “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God . . .” (Ephesians 4:30). He does not speak with a voice like thunder— His voice is so gentle that it is easy for us to ignore. And the only thing that keeps our conscience sensitive to Him is the habit of being open to God on the inside. When you begin to debate, stop immediately. Don’t ask, “Why can’t I do this?” You are on the wrong track. There is no debating possible once your conscience speaks. Whatever it is— drop it, and see that you keep your inner vision clear.
養成良心無虧的習慣
對神、對人，常存無虧的良心。 （徒二十四16）
神的命令，是向他兒子而發的，也就是向我們這些有他兒子在裡面的人而發的。他的命令固然難行，但若一旦聽從，就有從天上來的能力，便變得容易。良心使我依附最高的標準，並且告訴我什麼是最高的要求，教我應該怎樣去行。它是心靈的眼睛，可以舉目向神，又或舉目向他所定的最高的標準，因此良心的標準因人而異。我若經常仰望神，我的良心必然向著神完全的律法，指示我所當行的。問題是我肯不肯順從？我必須保持良心的敏銳，使我行事不至於衝撞神。我與神兒子應該同心同德，就是不論在任何境況下，心意都得以更新，叫我知道[何為神的善良、純全可喜悅的旨意]。
神對我們的管教是極其徹底的。我的耳朵是否敏銳地聽得見聖靈最微小的聲音，而知道當作的是什麼？ [不要叫神的靈擔憂]，他的聲音並不如雷霆；他的聲音是極其微小，很容易就被疏略過去。要使良心對神敏感，就要養成經常向神敞開的習慣。一有遲疑，須即停止。 [我為什麼不可以這樣？ ]那你已在歧路上了。良心一說話，就再沒有遲疑的餘地。你若讓一件事攔阻了你與神在隱密處的交通，那太冒險了。不管是什麼，放下它吧！要常保持內心視野清晰。
祈禱◆主啊，求祢撫摸我，讓我生命的堤岸沐浴祢愛所賜的平安中，我便充滿了讚美。
March 26, 2014
Spiritual Vision Through Personal Purity (1)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God —Matthew 5:8
Purity is not innocence— it is much more than that. Purity is the result of continued spiritual harmony with God. We have to grow in purity. Our life with God may be right and our inner purity unblemished, yet occasionally our outer life may become spotted and stained. God intentionally does not protect us from this possibility, because this is the way we recognize the necessity of maintaining our spiritual vision through personal purity. If the outer level of our spiritual life with God is impaired to the slightest degree, we must put everything else aside until we make it right. Remember that spiritual vision depends on our character— it is “the pure in heart ” who “see God.”
God makes us pure by an act of His sovereign grace, but we still have something that we must carefully watch. It is through our bodily life coming in contact with other people and other points of view that we tend to become tarnished. Not only must our “inner sanctuary” be kept right with God, but also the “outer courts” must be brought into perfect harmony with the purity God gives us through His grace. Our spiritual vision and understanding is immediately blurred when our “outer court” is stained. If we want to maintain personal intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ, it will mean refusing to do or even think certain things. And some things that are acceptable for others will become unacceptable for us.
A practical help in keeping your personal purity unblemished in your relations with other people is to begin to see them as God does. Say to yourself, “That man or that woman is perfect in Christ Jesus! That friend or that relative is perfect in Christ Jesus!”
藉著個人清潔而得之異象
清心的人有福了，因為他們必得見神。 （太五8）
清心不單是無暇無庛，它的含意比這個更廣。清心是與神在靈裡持久同心所產生得結果，所以我們需要在清心上不斷得長進。我們與神的關係可能正確，裡面的親信也沒有玷污；但是外面生命的花朵，卻可能收到玷污。神並沒有排除這樣的可能性，為要叫我們知道要保持異象，就必須持守個人的清潔。我們在神面前生命的花朵，若有絲毫的玷污損傷，就必須放下一切，把它弄好。要記住異像是依傍著品格的－－清心的人必得見神。
神用至高無上的恩典叫我們聖潔，但我們也要謹慎持守。我們這個身體會接觸別人或其他思想，故很容易沾染污穢。不但裡面的聖所要與神有正常的關係，就是外院，也必須與神賜給我們的聖潔，完全一致。外院一玷污，屬靈的悟性就隨即模糊了。要與主耶穌保持交通，就是說有一些事物不要去做，不要去想，更有些合法的事不要去摸。與人的關係上要不損個人的聖潔，有一個可行的方法，就是對自己說：那男人、那女人，在耶穌基督裡是完全的！那個朋友，那個親戚，在耶穌基督裡是安全的。
祈禱◆為著我快要陷入平庸的生活中，我是何等的沮喪和驚駭！主啊，幫助我過著純潔、有力和只愛慕著你的生活。
Purity is not innocence— it is much more than that. Purity is the result of continued spiritual harmony with God. We have to grow in purity. Our life with God may be right and our inner purity unblemished, yet occasionally our outer life may become spotted and stained. God intentionally does not protect us from this possibility, because this is the way we recognize the necessity of maintaining our spiritual vision through personal purity. If the outer level of our spiritual life with God is impaired to the slightest degree, we must put everything else aside until we make it right. Remember that spiritual vision depends on our character— it is “the pure in heart ” who “see God.”
God makes us pure by an act of His sovereign grace, but we still have something that we must carefully watch. It is through our bodily life coming in contact with other people and other points of view that we tend to become tarnished. Not only must our “inner sanctuary” be kept right with God, but also the “outer courts” must be brought into perfect harmony with the purity God gives us through His grace. Our spiritual vision and understanding is immediately blurred when our “outer court” is stained. If we want to maintain personal intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ, it will mean refusing to do or even think certain things. And some things that are acceptable for others will become unacceptable for us.
A practical help in keeping your personal purity unblemished in your relations with other people is to begin to see them as God does. Say to yourself, “That man or that woman is perfect in Christ Jesus! That friend or that relative is perfect in Christ Jesus!”
藉著個人清潔而得之異象
清心的人有福了，因為他們必得見神。 （太五8）
清心不單是無暇無庛，它的含意比這個更廣。清心是與神在靈裡持久同心所產生得結果，所以我們需要在清心上不斷得長進。我們與神的關係可能正確，裡面的親信也沒有玷污；但是外面生命的花朵，卻可能收到玷污。神並沒有排除這樣的可能性，為要叫我們知道要保持異象，就必須持守個人的清潔。我們在神面前生命的花朵，若有絲毫的玷污損傷，就必須放下一切，把它弄好。要記住異像是依傍著品格的－－清心的人必得見神。
神用至高無上的恩典叫我們聖潔，但我們也要謹慎持守。我們這個身體會接觸別人或其他思想，故很容易沾染污穢。不但裡面的聖所要與神有正常的關係，就是外院，也必須與神賜給我們的聖潔，完全一致。外院一玷污，屬靈的悟性就隨即模糊了。要與主耶穌保持交通，就是說有一些事物不要去做，不要去想，更有些合法的事不要去摸。與人的關係上要不損個人的聖潔，有一個可行的方法，就是對自己說：那男人、那女人，在耶穌基督裡是完全的！那個朋友，那個親戚，在耶穌基督裡是安全的。
祈禱◆為著我快要陷入平庸的生活中，我是何等的沮喪和驚駭！主啊，幫助我過著純潔、有力和只愛慕著你的生活。
March 18, 2014
Will I Bring Myself Up to This Level?
. . . perfecting holiness in the fear of God —2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises. . . .” I claim God’s promises for my life and look to their fulfillment, and rightly so, but that shows only the human perspective on them. God’s perspective is that through His promises I will come to recognize His claim of ownership on me. For example, do I realize that my “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,” or am I condoning some habit in my body which clearly could not withstand the light of God on it? (1 Corinthians 6:19). God formed His Son in me through sanctification, setting me apart from sin and making me holy in His sight (see Galatians 4:19). But I must begin to transform my natural life into spiritual life by obedience to Him. God instructs us even in the smallest details of life. And when He brings you conviction of sin, do not “confer with flesh and blood,” but cleanse yourself from it at once (Galatians 1:16). Keep yourself cleansed in your daily walk.
I must cleanse myself from all filthiness in my flesh and my spirit until both are in harmony with the nature of God. Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me, or am I mentally rebellious and defiant? Am I allowing the mind of Christ to be formed in me? (see Philippians 2:5). Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father. I also have the responsibility to keep my spirit in agreement with His Spirit. And when I do, Jesus gradually lifts me up to the level where He lived-a level of perfect submission to His Father’s will— where I pay no attention to anything else. Am I perfecting this kind of holiness in the fear of God? Is God having His way with me, and are people beginning to see God in my life more and more?
Be serious in your commitment to God and gladly leave everything else alone. Literally put God first in your life.
我達到這水平麼？
敬畏神，得以成聖。 （林後七1）
[我們既有這等應許。 ]這原是對的，不過只是人的方面；在神的方面來說，透過這些應許，人要承認神的主權。比方，我把身體看為是聖靈的殿呢，還是讓劣根性存著，使不能反照神的光？藉著成聖稱義，神的兒子住在我裡面，但我必須順服他，叫天然的生命改變成為屬靈的生命。
神的教導，是一絲不苟的；他查究你的時候，不要與血肉之人商議，而要立即自潔。在每日的生活行事上，保守自己聖潔無污。
我要除掉肉體及心靈中一切的污穢，使與神的性情一致。我心裡的意念與神兒子在我裡頭的生命，是否吻合？他從不憑自己說什麼，乃時常儆醒，對父神不住的順服。我要持守與主的靈合一，耶穌就會逐漸把我抬舉，到他當日的光景裡去－－完全貼合父神的旨意，至於其他的事就一概不理。我有沒有敬畏神，追求這一種聖潔，且力臻完善？神在我身上能遂其所願麼？人家能從我身上愈來愈多看見神麼？
認認真真對神吧，其他的一切則視作等閒。要切切實實地把神放在首位。
祈禱◆[我是那樣愚頑和無知：我在你面前好像畜類。]噢，主啊，這句話將我在你面前的光景表達出來。當我從那純潔、神聖的神的形象，查看我們的主的要求時，我為著本身的愚頑、如畜類的思想，深感羞愧。
Therefore, having these promises. . . .” I claim God’s promises for my life and look to their fulfillment, and rightly so, but that shows only the human perspective on them. God’s perspective is that through His promises I will come to recognize His claim of ownership on me. For example, do I realize that my “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,” or am I condoning some habit in my body which clearly could not withstand the light of God on it? (1 Corinthians 6:19). God formed His Son in me through sanctification, setting me apart from sin and making me holy in His sight (see Galatians 4:19). But I must begin to transform my natural life into spiritual life by obedience to Him. God instructs us even in the smallest details of life. And when He brings you conviction of sin, do not “confer with flesh and blood,” but cleanse yourself from it at once (Galatians 1:16). Keep yourself cleansed in your daily walk.
I must cleanse myself from all filthiness in my flesh and my spirit until both are in harmony with the nature of God. Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me, or am I mentally rebellious and defiant? Am I allowing the mind of Christ to be formed in me? (see Philippians 2:5). Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father. I also have the responsibility to keep my spirit in agreement with His Spirit. And when I do, Jesus gradually lifts me up to the level where He lived-a level of perfect submission to His Father’s will— where I pay no attention to anything else. Am I perfecting this kind of holiness in the fear of God? Is God having His way with me, and are people beginning to see God in my life more and more?
Be serious in your commitment to God and gladly leave everything else alone. Literally put God first in your life.
我達到這水平麼？
敬畏神，得以成聖。 （林後七1）
[我們既有這等應許。 ]這原是對的，不過只是人的方面；在神的方面來說，透過這些應許，人要承認神的主權。比方，我把身體看為是聖靈的殿呢，還是讓劣根性存著，使不能反照神的光？藉著成聖稱義，神的兒子住在我裡面，但我必須順服他，叫天然的生命改變成為屬靈的生命。
神的教導，是一絲不苟的；他查究你的時候，不要與血肉之人商議，而要立即自潔。在每日的生活行事上，保守自己聖潔無污。
我要除掉肉體及心靈中一切的污穢，使與神的性情一致。我心裡的意念與神兒子在我裡頭的生命，是否吻合？他從不憑自己說什麼，乃時常儆醒，對父神不住的順服。我要持守與主的靈合一，耶穌就會逐漸把我抬舉，到他當日的光景裡去－－完全貼合父神的旨意，至於其他的事就一概不理。我有沒有敬畏神，追求這一種聖潔，且力臻完善？神在我身上能遂其所願麼？人家能從我身上愈來愈多看見神麼？
認認真真對神吧，其他的一切則視作等閒。要切切實實地把神放在首位。
祈禱◆[我是那樣愚頑和無知：我在你面前好像畜類。]噢，主啊，這句話將我在你面前的光景表達出來。當我從那純潔、神聖的神的形象，查看我們的主的要求時，我為著本身的愚頑、如畜類的思想，深感羞愧。
January 15, 2014
Do You Walk In White?
We were buried with Him . . . that just as Christ was raised from the dead . . . even so we also should walk in newness of life —Romans 6:4
No one experiences complete sanctification without going through a “white funeral”-the burial of the old life. If there has never been this crucial moment of change through death, sanctification will never be more than an elusive dream. There must be a “white funeral,” a death with only one resurrection-a resurrection into the life of Jesus Christ. Nothing can defeat a life like this. It has oneness with God for only one purpose— to be a witness for Him.
Have you really come to your last days? You have often come to them in your mind, but have you really experienced them? You cannot die or go to your funeral in a mood of excitement. Death means you stop being. You must agree with God and stop being the intensely striving kind of Christian you have been. We avoid the cemetery and continually refuse our own death. It will not happen by striving, but by yielding to death. It is dying— being “baptized into His death” (Romans 6:3).
Have you had your “white funeral,” or are you piously deceiving your own soul? Has there been a point in your life which you now mark as your last day? Is there a place in your life to which you go back in memory with humility and overwhelming gratitude, so that you can honestly proclaim, “Yes, it was then, at my ’white funeral,’ that I made an agreement with God.”
“This is the will of God, your sanctification . . .” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Once you truly realize this is God’s will, you will enter into the process of sanctification as a natural response. Are you willing to experience that “white funeral” now? Will you agree with Him that this is your last day on earth? The moment of agreement depends on you.
你穿白衣而行嗎？
和他一同埋葬……一舉一動有新生的樣式。 （羅六4）
一個人要經歷完全的成聖，不能不先經過[白色的葬禮]——舊生命的埋葬。若沒有這死的轉捩點，成聖只不過是幻影。必須有一次[白色的喪禮]，死才有復活——復活在耶穌基督的生命裡頭。什麼都不能搖動這生命，這是與神合一的生命；而我們的目的只有一個，就是為他作見證。
你真的來到生命的盡頭了嗎？在情緒上你固然時常會來到，但是否真真正面對它？你不可能興興奮奮地死去。死的意思是你不復存在。你有沒有答應神，讓往日那竭力掙扎、熱情充沛的信徒經歷成為過去？我們往往巡視墳場的四周，始終不肯死去。我們並不是要竭力求死，乃是[受洗歸入他的死]。
你行過你[白色的葬禮]沒有？還是在與自己的靈魂愚弄嬉耍？你生命中有沒有一個地方標明[末日]？有沒有一個地方讓你想起當日所的管教，心中萬分感激地說：[是了，就在那時，在那『白色喪禮』中，我與神立了約]?
神的旨意是叫我們成聖。當你一旦覺察到神的旨意什麼，就十分自然地進到成聖的地步。你願意現在就行那[白色喪禮]嗎？你能否像神首肯說，這一天是你在地上的最後一天？首肯的時刻是在你手上。
祈禱◆[非聖潔沒有人能見主。 ]主啊，感謝你，賜下這句話。倘若你不是聖潔的，那會是何等可怕！有些時候，我們是多麼容易墜入一個較鬆散、較卑賤的生活中了；感謝你藉著聖靈的嘆息提醒我——我何其渴望它們能帶領我與你面對面。寬恕我的遲緩，我需要那麼久，才醒悟某些事情。
No one experiences complete sanctification without going through a “white funeral”-the burial of the old life. If there has never been this crucial moment of change through death, sanctification will never be more than an elusive dream. There must be a “white funeral,” a death with only one resurrection-a resurrection into the life of Jesus Christ. Nothing can defeat a life like this. It has oneness with God for only one purpose— to be a witness for Him.
Have you really come to your last days? You have often come to them in your mind, but have you really experienced them? You cannot die or go to your funeral in a mood of excitement. Death means you stop being. You must agree with God and stop being the intensely striving kind of Christian you have been. We avoid the cemetery and continually refuse our own death. It will not happen by striving, but by yielding to death. It is dying— being “baptized into His death” (Romans 6:3).
Have you had your “white funeral,” or are you piously deceiving your own soul? Has there been a point in your life which you now mark as your last day? Is there a place in your life to which you go back in memory with humility and overwhelming gratitude, so that you can honestly proclaim, “Yes, it was then, at my ’white funeral,’ that I made an agreement with God.”
“This is the will of God, your sanctification . . .” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Once you truly realize this is God’s will, you will enter into the process of sanctification as a natural response. Are you willing to experience that “white funeral” now? Will you agree with Him that this is your last day on earth? The moment of agreement depends on you.
你穿白衣而行嗎？
和他一同埋葬……一舉一動有新生的樣式。 （羅六4）
一個人要經歷完全的成聖，不能不先經過[白色的葬禮]——舊生命的埋葬。若沒有這死的轉捩點，成聖只不過是幻影。必須有一次[白色的喪禮]，死才有復活——復活在耶穌基督的生命裡頭。什麼都不能搖動這生命，這是與神合一的生命；而我們的目的只有一個，就是為他作見證。
你真的來到生命的盡頭了嗎？在情緒上你固然時常會來到，但是否真真正面對它？你不可能興興奮奮地死去。死的意思是你不復存在。你有沒有答應神，讓往日那竭力掙扎、熱情充沛的信徒經歷成為過去？我們往往巡視墳場的四周，始終不肯死去。我們並不是要竭力求死，乃是[受洗歸入他的死]。
你行過你[白色的葬禮]沒有？還是在與自己的靈魂愚弄嬉耍？你生命中有沒有一個地方標明[末日]？有沒有一個地方讓你想起當日所的管教，心中萬分感激地說：[是了，就在那時，在那『白色喪禮』中，我與神立了約]?
神的旨意是叫我們成聖。當你一旦覺察到神的旨意什麼，就十分自然地進到成聖的地步。你願意現在就行那[白色喪禮]嗎？你能否像神首肯說，這一天是你在地上的最後一天？首肯的時刻是在你手上。
祈禱◆[非聖潔沒有人能見主。 ]主啊，感謝你，賜下這句話。倘若你不是聖潔的，那會是何等可怕！有些時候，我們是多麼容易墜入一個較鬆散、較卑賤的生活中了；感謝你藉著聖靈的嘆息提醒我——我何其渴望它們能帶領我與你面對面。寬恕我的遲緩，我需要那麼久，才醒悟某些事情。
September 15, 2013
What To Renounce
We have renounced the hidden things of shame . . . —2 Corinthians 4:2
Have you “renounced the hidden things of shame” in your life—the things that your sense of honor or pride will not allow to come into the light? You can easily hide them. Is there a thought in your heart about anyone that you would not like to be brought into the light? Then renounce it as soon as it comes to mind—renounce everything in its entirety until there is no hidden dishonesty or craftiness about you at all. Envy, jealousy, and strife don’t necessarily arise from your old nature of sin, but from the flesh which was used for these kinds of things in the past (see Romans 6:19 and 1 Peter 4:1-3). You must maintain continual watchfulness so that nothing arises in your life that would cause you shame.
“. . . not walking in craftiness. . .” (2 Corinthians 4:2). This means not resorting to something simply to make your own point. This is a terrible trap. You know that God will allow you to work in only one way—the way of truth. Then be careful never to catch people through the other way—the way of deceit. If you act deceitfully, God’s blight and ruin will be upon you. What may be craftiness for you, may not be for others—God has called you to a higher standard. Never dull your sense of being your utmost for His highest—your best for His glory. For you, doing certain things would mean craftiness coming into your life for a purpose other than what is the highest and best, and it would dull the motivation that God has given you. Many people have turned back because they are afraid to look at things from God’s perspective. The greatest spiritual crisis comes when a person has to move a little farther on in his faith than the beliefs he has already accepted
棄絕什麼？
將那些暗昧可恥的事棄絕了。 （林後四2）
你有沒有將暗昧可恥的事棄絕？ －－那些你廉恥之心不想敞露的東西。要遮掩這些事並不難。你心中是否有一些念頭，是不想放在光中的？當這些念頭一出現，就要立刻棄絕，完全的棄絕，直至沒有絲毫可恥詭詐在你裡面隱藏。嫉忌、貪戀、爭競－－未必是出於罪根性，而是因為你在過去的日子中，肢體慣於和這種事（參羅六19，彼前四1-2）。要不住的警醒，使生命沒有絲毫可恥的東西生長。
[不行詭詐]，詭詐就是運用手段以求達到目的。這是個極大的網羅。若你知道神只容許你以某一方法行事，那麼，就不可用別的方法。不然，神的責難必然臨到。人家做的事，在你看來是行詭詐，但在他們可能並非詭詐，因為神給你另一個觀點。切勿削弱竭誠為主的敏銳性觸覺。你所作的某件事，可能叫你離開神的旨意去追求別的目標：若是這樣，詭詐就隨之而生，而你對神也變得遲鈍。許多人退後，是由於不敢從神的觀點看事物。一個人若要越過自己已接納的信念，在屬靈上就有大危機。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求你護衛我生命的中心免受腐蝕；願你隱密地保守我，使我與你有著滿意的關係，以致我能彰顯你的榮耀。
Have you “renounced the hidden things of shame” in your life—the things that your sense of honor or pride will not allow to come into the light? You can easily hide them. Is there a thought in your heart about anyone that you would not like to be brought into the light? Then renounce it as soon as it comes to mind—renounce everything in its entirety until there is no hidden dishonesty or craftiness about you at all. Envy, jealousy, and strife don’t necessarily arise from your old nature of sin, but from the flesh which was used for these kinds of things in the past (see Romans 6:19 and 1 Peter 4:1-3). You must maintain continual watchfulness so that nothing arises in your life that would cause you shame.
“. . . not walking in craftiness. . .” (2 Corinthians 4:2). This means not resorting to something simply to make your own point. This is a terrible trap. You know that God will allow you to work in only one way—the way of truth. Then be careful never to catch people through the other way—the way of deceit. If you act deceitfully, God’s blight and ruin will be upon you. What may be craftiness for you, may not be for others—God has called you to a higher standard. Never dull your sense of being your utmost for His highest—your best for His glory. For you, doing certain things would mean craftiness coming into your life for a purpose other than what is the highest and best, and it would dull the motivation that God has given you. Many people have turned back because they are afraid to look at things from God’s perspective. The greatest spiritual crisis comes when a person has to move a little farther on in his faith than the beliefs he has already accepted
棄絕什麼？
將那些暗昧可恥的事棄絕了。 （林後四2）
你有沒有將暗昧可恥的事棄絕？ －－那些你廉恥之心不想敞露的東西。要遮掩這些事並不難。你心中是否有一些念頭，是不想放在光中的？當這些念頭一出現，就要立刻棄絕，完全的棄絕，直至沒有絲毫可恥詭詐在你裡面隱藏。嫉忌、貪戀、爭競－－未必是出於罪根性，而是因為你在過去的日子中，肢體慣於和這種事（參羅六19，彼前四1-2）。要不住的警醒，使生命沒有絲毫可恥的東西生長。
[不行詭詐]，詭詐就是運用手段以求達到目的。這是個極大的網羅。若你知道神只容許你以某一方法行事，那麼，就不可用別的方法。不然，神的責難必然臨到。人家做的事，在你看來是行詭詐，但在他們可能並非詭詐，因為神給你另一個觀點。切勿削弱竭誠為主的敏銳性觸覺。你所作的某件事，可能叫你離開神的旨意去追求別的目標：若是這樣，詭詐就隨之而生，而你對神也變得遲鈍。許多人退後，是由於不敢從神的觀點看事物。一個人若要越過自己已接納的信念，在屬靈上就有大危機。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求你護衛我生命的中心免受腐蝕；願你隱密地保守我，使我與你有著滿意的關係，以致我能彰顯你的榮耀。
July 26, 2013
The Way to Purity
Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart . . . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man . . . —Matthew 15:18-20
Initially we trust in our ignorance, calling it innocence, and next we trust our innocence, calling it purity. Then when we hear these strong statements from our Lord, we shrink back, saying, “But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart.” We resent what He reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust the penetration of His Word into my heart, or would I prefer to trust my own “innocent ignorance”? If I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence and putting it to the test, I am very likely to have a rude awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I will be appalled at the possibilities of the evil and the wrong within me. But as long as I remain under the false security of my own “innocence,” I am living in a fool’s paradise. If I have never been an openly rude and abusive person, the only reason is my own cowardice coupled with the sense of protection I receive from living a civilized life. But when I am open and completely exposed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis of me.
The only thing that truly provides protection is the redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will simply hand myself over to Him, I will never have to experience the terrible possibilities that lie within my heart. Purity is something far too deep for me to arrive at naturally. But when the Holy Spirit comes into me, He brings into the center of my personal life the very Spirit that was exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ, namely, the Holy Spirit, which is absolute unblemished purity.
清潔的賬
從心裡發出來的……（太十五18-20）
我們起初都信任自己的無知，稱之為無罪；又信任自己的無罪，稱之為清潔。於是當我們聽見主這番嚴厲的話，就會怯生生地說：[我從不覺得自己心中有這些可怖的髒東西呀！ ]我們厭惡主所揭示的。若耶穌基督不是人心里至高的權威，他就根本不值一顧。我是否願意信任他的明察，還是信任自己的天真無知？只要我試驗一下自己的清白，就勢必栗然醒覺主話的真實，也必震驚於自己偏向邪惡的性情。我之所以未淪為惡匪，無非是膽子不夠大，及文明社會的保障罷了。若在神面前赤露敞開，就必知道他的診斷無誤。
耶穌基督的救恩是唯一的保障。我若把自己交給他，就不必經歷內心那些可怕的性情。清潔太深邃了，憑天性我無法達至，但當聖靈來到就把那在主耶穌生命中彰顯的靈，帶進我生命中，我就變成毫無玷污的純潔。
祈禱◆噢，我的神，我在你的火焰中被焚燒和煉淨——今天我所發現的渣滓似乎太多，在我處理別人的錯失上，卻太少流露你那甜蜜而親切的恩典。主啊，赦免我。
Initially we trust in our ignorance, calling it innocence, and next we trust our innocence, calling it purity. Then when we hear these strong statements from our Lord, we shrink back, saying, “But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart.” We resent what He reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust the penetration of His Word into my heart, or would I prefer to trust my own “innocent ignorance”? If I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence and putting it to the test, I am very likely to have a rude awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I will be appalled at the possibilities of the evil and the wrong within me. But as long as I remain under the false security of my own “innocence,” I am living in a fool’s paradise. If I have never been an openly rude and abusive person, the only reason is my own cowardice coupled with the sense of protection I receive from living a civilized life. But when I am open and completely exposed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis of me.
The only thing that truly provides protection is the redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will simply hand myself over to Him, I will never have to experience the terrible possibilities that lie within my heart. Purity is something far too deep for me to arrive at naturally. But when the Holy Spirit comes into me, He brings into the center of my personal life the very Spirit that was exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ, namely, the Holy Spirit, which is absolute unblemished purity.
清潔的賬
從心裡發出來的……（太十五18-20）
我們起初都信任自己的無知，稱之為無罪；又信任自己的無罪，稱之為清潔。於是當我們聽見主這番嚴厲的話，就會怯生生地說：[我從不覺得自己心中有這些可怖的髒東西呀！ ]我們厭惡主所揭示的。若耶穌基督不是人心里至高的權威，他就根本不值一顧。我是否願意信任他的明察，還是信任自己的天真無知？只要我試驗一下自己的清白，就勢必栗然醒覺主話的真實，也必震驚於自己偏向邪惡的性情。我之所以未淪為惡匪，無非是膽子不夠大，及文明社會的保障罷了。若在神面前赤露敞開，就必知道他的診斷無誤。
耶穌基督的救恩是唯一的保障。我若把自己交給他，就不必經歷內心那些可怕的性情。清潔太深邃了，憑天性我無法達至，但當聖靈來到就把那在主耶穌生命中彰顯的靈，帶進我生命中，我就變成毫無玷污的純潔。
祈禱◆噢，我的神，我在你的火焰中被焚燒和煉淨——今天我所發現的渣滓似乎太多，在我處理別人的錯失上，卻太少流露你那甜蜜而親切的恩典。主啊，赦免我。
July 24, 2013
His Nature and Our Motives
. . . unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven —Matthew 5:20
The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in his motives, having been made good by the supernatural grace of God. The only thing that exceeds right-doing is right-being. Jesus Christ came to place within anyone who would let Him a new heredity that would have a righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus is saying, “If you are My disciple, you must be right not only in your actions, but also in your motives, your aspirations, and in the deep recesses of the thoughts of your mind.” Your motives must be so pure that God Almighty can see nothing to rebuke. Who can stand in the eternal light of God and have nothing for Him to rebuke? Only the Son of God, and Jesus Christ claims that through His redemption He can place within anyone His own nature and make that person as pure and as simple as a child. The purity that God demands is impossible unless I can be remade within, and that is exactly what Jesus has undertaken to do through His redemption.
No one can make himself pure by obeying laws. Jesus Christ does not give us rules and regulations— He gives us His teachings which are truths that can only be interpreted by His nature which He places within us. The great wonder of Jesus Christ’s salvation is that He changes our heredity. He does not change human nature— He changes its source, and thereby its motives as well.
性情與行為
你們的義，若不勝於文士和法利賽人的義，斷不能進天國。 （太五20）
門徒的特徵不是行善，而是出於善的動機，因為他在神超然的恩中成了善。唯一超越善行的，就是成善。耶穌來，是要把勝過文士和法利賽人的義的新遺傳，放進願意的人裡頭。耶穌說：[你若做我的門徒，不單行為要正，連動機、夢想、心靈的隱秘處也要正。動機要純正得連全能的神也無可指摘。 ]誰能站在神永恆的光中，無可指摘呢？只有神的兒子。而耶穌基督宣稱藉著救恩，就能使任何人在他的性情上有分，使他純潔如小孩子一樣。神所要求的純正，使人無法達到的，除非我裡面能重新再造，而耶穌的救恩正成就這事。
人無法憑守律法得潔淨，主耶穌給我們的也不是規則法條；他的教訓是真理，只有他放進我們裡面的性情，才可領會主救恩的奇妙，這就是他改變人的罪性。他不是改變人性，乃是改變人的本源。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，發出你的光輝，讓它運行在這地上，正如你曾在淵面上運行一樣。在你屬靈的領域中大大作工，幫助我豎立禱告的山嶺，並藉助雲彩，將祝福沛然降下。
The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in his motives, having been made good by the supernatural grace of God. The only thing that exceeds right-doing is right-being. Jesus Christ came to place within anyone who would let Him a new heredity that would have a righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus is saying, “If you are My disciple, you must be right not only in your actions, but also in your motives, your aspirations, and in the deep recesses of the thoughts of your mind.” Your motives must be so pure that God Almighty can see nothing to rebuke. Who can stand in the eternal light of God and have nothing for Him to rebuke? Only the Son of God, and Jesus Christ claims that through His redemption He can place within anyone His own nature and make that person as pure and as simple as a child. The purity that God demands is impossible unless I can be remade within, and that is exactly what Jesus has undertaken to do through His redemption.
No one can make himself pure by obeying laws. Jesus Christ does not give us rules and regulations— He gives us His teachings which are truths that can only be interpreted by His nature which He places within us. The great wonder of Jesus Christ’s salvation is that He changes our heredity. He does not change human nature— He changes its source, and thereby its motives as well.
性情與行為
你們的義，若不勝於文士和法利賽人的義，斷不能進天國。 （太五20）
門徒的特徵不是行善，而是出於善的動機，因為他在神超然的恩中成了善。唯一超越善行的，就是成善。耶穌來，是要把勝過文士和法利賽人的義的新遺傳，放進願意的人裡頭。耶穌說：[你若做我的門徒，不單行為要正，連動機、夢想、心靈的隱秘處也要正。動機要純正得連全能的神也無可指摘。 ]誰能站在神永恆的光中，無可指摘呢？只有神的兒子。而耶穌基督宣稱藉著救恩，就能使任何人在他的性情上有分，使他純潔如小孩子一樣。神所要求的純正，使人無法達到的，除非我裡面能重新再造，而耶穌的救恩正成就這事。
人無法憑守律法得潔淨，主耶穌給我們的也不是規則法條；他的教訓是真理，只有他放進我們裡面的性情，才可領會主救恩的奇妙，這就是他改變人的罪性。他不是改變人性，乃是改變人的本源。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，發出你的光輝，讓它運行在這地上，正如你曾在淵面上運行一樣。在你屬靈的領域中大大作工，幫助我豎立禱告的山嶺，並藉助雲彩，將祝福沛然降下。
June 24, 2013
Reconciling Yourself to the Fact of Sin
This is your hour, and the power of darkness —Luke 22:53
Not being reconciled to the fact of sin— not recognizing it and refusing to deal with it— produces all the disasters in life. You may talk about the lofty virtues of human nature, but there is something in human nature that will mockingly laugh in the face of every principle you have. If you refuse to agree with the fact that there is wickedness and selfishness, something downright hateful and wrong, in human beings, when it attacks your life, instead of reconciling yourself to it, you will compromise with it and say that it is of no use to battle against it. Have you taken this “hour, and the power of darkness” into account, or do you have a view of yourself which includes no recognition of sin whatsoever? In your human relationships and friendships, have you reconciled yourself to the fact of sin? If not, just around the next corner you will find yourself trapped and you will compromise with it. But if you will reconcile yourself to the fact of sin, you will realize the danger immediately and say, “Yes, I see what this sin would mean.” The recognition of sin does not destroy the basis of friendship— it simply establishes a mutual respect for the fact that the basis of sinful life is disastrous. Always beware of any assessment of life which does not recognize the fact that there is sin.
Jesus Christ never trusted human nature, yet He was never cynical nor suspicious, because He had absolute trust in what He could do for human nature. The pure man or woman is the one who is shielded from harm, not the innocent person. The so-called innocent man or woman is never safe. Men and women have no business trying to be innocent; God demands that they be pure and virtuous. Innocence is the characteristic of a child. Any person is deserving of blame if he is unwilling to reconcile himself to the fact of sin.
承認罪的事實
現在卻是你們的時候，黑暗掌權了。 （路二十二53）
不承認罪的事實，會帶來人生一切的禍患。你可以大談人性的尊嚴，可是人性中有一種東西，在你一切的理想面前，會當面嗤笑你。你若不肯承認人性的邪惡自私，有根本上的罪過，這樣，當這些東西襲擊你時，你就會與它妥協，並說抵抗也是沒用。你有沒有準備面對這個關頭，面對這黑暗的權勢？還是你對自己的評價，沒有把罪算在內？你與親屬的關係，與朋友的關係，有沒有承認有罪的事實存在？若沒有，不需多久，你就會被罪追上，與之妥協了。
但若你承認罪的事實，就必立即覺察到危險－－[對啦，我知道這是什麼一回事了。 ]承認罪的事實，並不會破壞友情的根基，反而使彼此看清楚人生基本是可惡的。
耶穌基督雖不信任人，卻不挑剔多疑，因為祂深信為人有所不為。人得到安全的保障是由於清潔，而不是因為無罪。無罪的人是不可靠的。成為無罪，不是人可以做到，只有神才可要求人潔淨敬虔。無邪是孩童的特徵，但成人則要承認罪這事實。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，以你的恩典和榮耀淹沒我，讓你那浩瀚的潮水覆蓋所有。
Not being reconciled to the fact of sin— not recognizing it and refusing to deal with it— produces all the disasters in life. You may talk about the lofty virtues of human nature, but there is something in human nature that will mockingly laugh in the face of every principle you have. If you refuse to agree with the fact that there is wickedness and selfishness, something downright hateful and wrong, in human beings, when it attacks your life, instead of reconciling yourself to it, you will compromise with it and say that it is of no use to battle against it. Have you taken this “hour, and the power of darkness” into account, or do you have a view of yourself which includes no recognition of sin whatsoever? In your human relationships and friendships, have you reconciled yourself to the fact of sin? If not, just around the next corner you will find yourself trapped and you will compromise with it. But if you will reconcile yourself to the fact of sin, you will realize the danger immediately and say, “Yes, I see what this sin would mean.” The recognition of sin does not destroy the basis of friendship— it simply establishes a mutual respect for the fact that the basis of sinful life is disastrous. Always beware of any assessment of life which does not recognize the fact that there is sin.
Jesus Christ never trusted human nature, yet He was never cynical nor suspicious, because He had absolute trust in what He could do for human nature. The pure man or woman is the one who is shielded from harm, not the innocent person. The so-called innocent man or woman is never safe. Men and women have no business trying to be innocent; God demands that they be pure and virtuous. Innocence is the characteristic of a child. Any person is deserving of blame if he is unwilling to reconcile himself to the fact of sin.
承認罪的事實
現在卻是你們的時候，黑暗掌權了。 （路二十二53）
不承認罪的事實，會帶來人生一切的禍患。你可以大談人性的尊嚴，可是人性中有一種東西，在你一切的理想面前，會當面嗤笑你。你若不肯承認人性的邪惡自私，有根本上的罪過，這樣，當這些東西襲擊你時，你就會與它妥協，並說抵抗也是沒用。你有沒有準備面對這個關頭，面對這黑暗的權勢？還是你對自己的評價，沒有把罪算在內？你與親屬的關係，與朋友的關係，有沒有承認有罪的事實存在？若沒有，不需多久，你就會被罪追上，與之妥協了。
但若你承認罪的事實，就必立即覺察到危險－－[對啦，我知道這是什麼一回事了。 ]承認罪的事實，並不會破壞友情的根基，反而使彼此看清楚人生基本是可惡的。
耶穌基督雖不信任人，卻不挑剔多疑，因為祂深信為人有所不為。人得到安全的保障是由於清潔，而不是因為無罪。無罪的人是不可靠的。成為無罪，不是人可以做到，只有神才可要求人潔淨敬虔。無邪是孩童的特徵，但成人則要承認罪這事實。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，以你的恩典和榮耀淹沒我，讓你那浩瀚的潮水覆蓋所有。
May 13, 2013
The Habit of Keeping a Clear Conscience
. . . strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men —Acts 24:16
God’s commands to us are actually given to the life of His Son in us. Consequently, to our human nature in which God’s Son has been formed (see Galatians 4:19), His commands are difficult. But they become divinely easy once we obey.
Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different in different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God’s standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God’s perfect law and indicate what I should do. The question is, will I obey? I have to make an effort to keep my conscience so sensitive that I can live without any offense toward anyone. I should be living in such perfect harmony with God’s Son that the spirit of my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and that I may be able to quickly “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2 ; also see Ephesians 4:23).
God always instructs us down to the last detail. Is my ear sensitive enough to hear even the softest whisper of the Spirit, so that I know what I should do? “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God . . .” (Ephesians 4:30). He does not speak with a voice like thunder— His voice is so gentle that it is easy for us to ignore. And the only thing that keeps our conscience sensitive to Him is the habit of being open to God on the inside. When you begin to debate, stop immediately. Don’t ask, “Why can’t I do this?” You are on the wrong track. There is no debating possible once your conscience speaks. Whatever it is— drop it, and see that you keep your inner vision clear.
養成良心無虧的習慣
對神、對人，常存無虧的良心。 （徒二十四16）
神的命令，是向他兒子而發的，也就是向我們這些有他兒子在裡面的人而發的。他的命令固然難行，但若一旦聽從，就有從天上來的能力，便變得容易。良心使我依附最高的標準，並且告訴我什麼是最高的要求，教我應該怎樣去行。它是心靈的眼睛，可以舉目向神，又或舉目向他所定的最高的標準，因此良心的標準因人而異。我若經常仰望神，我的良心必然向著神完全的律法，指示我所當行的。問題是我肯不肯順從？我必須保持良心的敏銳，使我行事不至於衝撞神。我與神兒子應該同心同德，就是不論在任何境況下，心意都得以更新，叫我知道[何為神的善良、純全可喜悅的旨意]。
神對我們的管教是極其徹底的。我的耳朵是否敏銳地聽得見聖靈最微小的聲音，而知道當作的是什麼？ [不要叫神的靈擔憂]，他的聲音並不如雷霆；他的聲音是極其微小，很容易就被疏略過去。要使良心對神敏感，就要養成經常向神敞開的習慣。一有遲疑，須即停止。 [我為什麼不可以這樣？ ]那你已在歧路上了。良心一說話，就再沒有遲疑的餘地。你若讓一件事攔阻了你與神在隱密處的交通，那太冒險了。不管是什麼，放下它吧！要常保持內心視野清晰。
祈禱◆主啊，求祢撫摸我，讓我生命的堤岸沐浴祢愛所賜的平安中，我便充滿了讚美。
God’s commands to us are actually given to the life of His Son in us. Consequently, to our human nature in which God’s Son has been formed (see Galatians 4:19), His commands are difficult. But they become divinely easy once we obey.
Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different in different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God’s standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God’s perfect law and indicate what I should do. The question is, will I obey? I have to make an effort to keep my conscience so sensitive that I can live without any offense toward anyone. I should be living in such perfect harmony with God’s Son that the spirit of my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and that I may be able to quickly “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2 ; also see Ephesians 4:23).
God always instructs us down to the last detail. Is my ear sensitive enough to hear even the softest whisper of the Spirit, so that I know what I should do? “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God . . .” (Ephesians 4:30). He does not speak with a voice like thunder— His voice is so gentle that it is easy for us to ignore. And the only thing that keeps our conscience sensitive to Him is the habit of being open to God on the inside. When you begin to debate, stop immediately. Don’t ask, “Why can’t I do this?” You are on the wrong track. There is no debating possible once your conscience speaks. Whatever it is— drop it, and see that you keep your inner vision clear.
養成良心無虧的習慣
對神、對人，常存無虧的良心。 （徒二十四16）
神的命令，是向他兒子而發的，也就是向我們這些有他兒子在裡面的人而發的。他的命令固然難行，但若一旦聽從，就有從天上來的能力，便變得容易。良心使我依附最高的標準，並且告訴我什麼是最高的要求，教我應該怎樣去行。它是心靈的眼睛，可以舉目向神，又或舉目向他所定的最高的標準，因此良心的標準因人而異。我若經常仰望神，我的良心必然向著神完全的律法，指示我所當行的。問題是我肯不肯順從？我必須保持良心的敏銳，使我行事不至於衝撞神。我與神兒子應該同心同德，就是不論在任何境況下，心意都得以更新，叫我知道[何為神的善良、純全可喜悅的旨意]。
神對我們的管教是極其徹底的。我的耳朵是否敏銳地聽得見聖靈最微小的聲音，而知道當作的是什麼？ [不要叫神的靈擔憂]，他的聲音並不如雷霆；他的聲音是極其微小，很容易就被疏略過去。要使良心對神敏感，就要養成經常向神敞開的習慣。一有遲疑，須即停止。 [我為什麼不可以這樣？ ]那你已在歧路上了。良心一說話，就再沒有遲疑的餘地。你若讓一件事攔阻了你與神在隱密處的交通，那太冒險了。不管是什麼，放下它吧！要常保持內心視野清晰。
祈禱◆主啊，求祢撫摸我，讓我生命的堤岸沐浴祢愛所賜的平安中，我便充滿了讚美。
March 26, 2013
Spiritual Vision Through Personal Purity (1)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God —Matthew 5:8
Purity is not innocence— it is much more than that. Purity is the result of continued spiritual harmony with God. We have to grow in purity. Our life with God may be right and our inner purity unblemished, yet occasionally our outer life may become spotted and stained. God intentionally does not protect us from this possibility, because this is the way we recognize the necessity of maintaining our spiritual vision through personal purity. If the outer level of our spiritual life with God is impaired to the slightest degree, we must put everything else aside until we make it right. Remember that spiritual vision depends on our character— it is “the pure in heart ” who “see God.”
God makes us pure by an act of His sovereign grace, but we still have something that we must carefully watch. It is through our bodily life coming in contact with other people and other points of view that we tend to become tarnished. Not only must our “inner sanctuary” be kept right with God, but also the “outer courts” must be brought into perfect harmony with the purity God gives us through His grace. Our spiritual vision and understanding is immediately blurred when our “outer court” is stained. If we want to maintain personal intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ, it will mean refusing to do or even think certain things. And some things that are acceptable for others will become unacceptable for us.
A practical help in keeping your personal purity unblemished in your relations with other people is to begin to see them as God does. Say to yourself, “That man or that woman is perfect in Christ Jesus! That friend or that relative is perfect in Christ Jesus!”
藉著個人清潔而得之異象
清心的人有福了，因為他們必得見神。 （太五8）
清心不單是無暇無庛，它的含意比這個更廣。清心是與神在靈裡持久同心所產生得結果，所以我們需要在清心上不斷得長進。我們與神的關係可能正確，裡面的親信也沒有玷污；但是外面生命的花朵，卻可能收到玷污。神並沒有排除這樣的可能性，為要叫我們知道要保持異象，就必須持守個人的清潔。我們在神面前生命的花朵，若有絲毫的玷污損傷，就必須放下一切，把它弄好。要記住異像是依傍著品格的－－清心的人必得見神。
神用至高無上的恩典叫我們聖潔，但我們也要謹慎持守。我們這個身體會接觸別人或其他思想，故很容易沾染污穢。不但裡面的聖所要與神有正常的關係，就是外院，也必須與神賜給我們的聖潔，完全一致。外院一玷污，屬靈的悟性就隨即模糊了。要與主耶穌保持交通，就是說有一些事物不要去做，不要去想，更有些合法的事不要去摸。與人的關係上要不損個人的聖潔，有一個可行的方法，就是對自己說：那男人、那女人，在耶穌基督裡是完全的！那個朋友，那個親戚，在耶穌基督裡是安全的。
祈禱◆為著我快要陷入平庸的生活中，我是何等的沮喪和驚駭！主啊，幫助我過著純潔、有力和只愛慕著你的生活。
Purity is not innocence— it is much more than that. Purity is the result of continued spiritual harmony with God. We have to grow in purity. Our life with God may be right and our inner purity unblemished, yet occasionally our outer life may become spotted and stained. God intentionally does not protect us from this possibility, because this is the way we recognize the necessity of maintaining our spiritual vision through personal purity. If the outer level of our spiritual life with God is impaired to the slightest degree, we must put everything else aside until we make it right. Remember that spiritual vision depends on our character— it is “the pure in heart ” who “see God.”
God makes us pure by an act of His sovereign grace, but we still have something that we must carefully watch. It is through our bodily life coming in contact with other people and other points of view that we tend to become tarnished. Not only must our “inner sanctuary” be kept right with God, but also the “outer courts” must be brought into perfect harmony with the purity God gives us through His grace. Our spiritual vision and understanding is immediately blurred when our “outer court” is stained. If we want to maintain personal intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ, it will mean refusing to do or even think certain things. And some things that are acceptable for others will become unacceptable for us.
A practical help in keeping your personal purity unblemished in your relations with other people is to begin to see them as God does. Say to yourself, “That man or that woman is perfect in Christ Jesus! That friend or that relative is perfect in Christ Jesus!”
藉著個人清潔而得之異象
清心的人有福了，因為他們必得見神。 （太五8）
清心不單是無暇無庛，它的含意比這個更廣。清心是與神在靈裡持久同心所產生得結果，所以我們需要在清心上不斷得長進。我們與神的關係可能正確，裡面的親信也沒有玷污；但是外面生命的花朵，卻可能收到玷污。神並沒有排除這樣的可能性，為要叫我們知道要保持異象，就必須持守個人的清潔。我們在神面前生命的花朵，若有絲毫的玷污損傷，就必須放下一切，把它弄好。要記住異像是依傍著品格的－－清心的人必得見神。
神用至高無上的恩典叫我們聖潔，但我們也要謹慎持守。我們這個身體會接觸別人或其他思想，故很容易沾染污穢。不但裡面的聖所要與神有正常的關係，就是外院，也必須與神賜給我們的聖潔，完全一致。外院一玷污，屬靈的悟性就隨即模糊了。要與主耶穌保持交通，就是說有一些事物不要去做，不要去想，更有些合法的事不要去摸。與人的關係上要不損個人的聖潔，有一個可行的方法，就是對自己說：那男人、那女人，在耶穌基督裡是完全的！那個朋友，那個親戚，在耶穌基督裡是安全的。
祈禱◆為著我快要陷入平庸的生活中，我是何等的沮喪和驚駭！主啊，幫助我過著純潔、有力和只愛慕著你的生活。
March 18, 2013
Will I Bring Myself Up to This Level?
. . . perfecting holiness in the fear of God —2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises. . . .” I claim God’s promises for my life and look to their fulfillment, and rightly so, but that shows only the human perspective on them. God’s perspective is that through His promises I will come to recognize His claim of ownership on me. For example, do I realize that my “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,” or am I condoning some habit in my body which clearly could not withstand the light of God on it? (1 Corinthians 6:19). God formed His Son in me through sanctification, setting me apart from sin and making me holy in His sight (see Galatians 4:19). But I must begin to transform my natural life into spiritual life by obedience to Him. God instructs us even in the smallest details of life. And when He brings you conviction of sin, do not “confer with flesh and blood,” but cleanse yourself from it at once (Galatians 1:16). Keep yourself cleansed in your daily walk.
I must cleanse myself from all filthiness in my flesh and my spirit until both are in harmony with the nature of God. Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me, or am I mentally rebellious and defiant? Am I allowing the mind of Christ to be formed in me? (see Philippians 2:5). Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father. I also have the responsibility to keep my spirit in agreement with His Spirit. And when I do, Jesus gradually lifts me up to the level where He lived-a level of perfect submission to His Father’s will— where I pay no attention to anything else. Am I perfecting this kind of holiness in the fear of God? Is God having His way with me, and are people beginning to see God in my life more and more?
Be serious in your commitment to God and gladly leave everything else alone. Literally put God first in your life.
我達到這水平麼？
敬畏神，得以成聖。 （林後七1）
[我們既有這等應許。 ]這原是對的，不過只是人的方面；在神的方面來說，透過這些應許，人要承認神的主權。比方，我把身體看為是聖靈的殿呢，還是讓劣根性存著，使不能反照神的光？藉著成聖稱義，神的兒子住在我裡面，但我必須順服他，叫天然的生命改變成為屬靈的生命。
神的教導，是一絲不苟的；他查究你的時候，不要與血肉之人商議，而要立即自潔。在每日的生活行事上，保守自己聖潔無污。
我要除掉肉體及心靈中一切的污穢，使與神的性情一致。我心裡的意念與神兒子在我裡頭的生命，是否吻合？他從不憑自己說什麼，乃時常儆醒，對父神不住的順服。我要持守與主的靈合一，耶穌就會逐漸把我抬舉，到他當日的光景裡去－－完全貼合父神的旨意，至於其他的事就一概不理。我有沒有敬畏神，追求這一種聖潔，且力臻完善？神在我身上能遂其所願麼？人家能從我身上愈來愈多看見神麼？
認認真真對神吧，其他的一切則視作等閒。要切切實實地把神放在首位。
祈禱◆[我是那樣愚頑和無知：我在你面前好像畜類。 ]噢，主啊，這句話將我在你面前的光景表達出來。當我從那純潔、神聖的神的形象，查看我們的主的要求時，我為著本身的愚頑、如畜類的思想，深感羞愧。
Therefore, having these promises. . . .” I claim God’s promises for my life and look to their fulfillment, and rightly so, but that shows only the human perspective on them. God’s perspective is that through His promises I will come to recognize His claim of ownership on me. For example, do I realize that my “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,” or am I condoning some habit in my body which clearly could not withstand the light of God on it? (1 Corinthians 6:19). God formed His Son in me through sanctification, setting me apart from sin and making me holy in His sight (see Galatians 4:19). But I must begin to transform my natural life into spiritual life by obedience to Him. God instructs us even in the smallest details of life. And when He brings you conviction of sin, do not “confer with flesh and blood,” but cleanse yourself from it at once (Galatians 1:16). Keep yourself cleansed in your daily walk.
I must cleanse myself from all filthiness in my flesh and my spirit until both are in harmony with the nature of God. Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me, or am I mentally rebellious and defiant? Am I allowing the mind of Christ to be formed in me? (see Philippians 2:5). Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father. I also have the responsibility to keep my spirit in agreement with His Spirit. And when I do, Jesus gradually lifts me up to the level where He lived-a level of perfect submission to His Father’s will— where I pay no attention to anything else. Am I perfecting this kind of holiness in the fear of God? Is God having His way with me, and are people beginning to see God in my life more and more?
Be serious in your commitment to God and gladly leave everything else alone. Literally put God first in your life.
我達到這水平麼？
敬畏神，得以成聖。 （林後七1）
[我們既有這等應許。 ]這原是對的，不過只是人的方面；在神的方面來說，透過這些應許，人要承認神的主權。比方，我把身體看為是聖靈的殿呢，還是讓劣根性存著，使不能反照神的光？藉著成聖稱義，神的兒子住在我裡面，但我必須順服他，叫天然的生命改變成為屬靈的生命。
神的教導，是一絲不苟的；他查究你的時候，不要與血肉之人商議，而要立即自潔。在每日的生活行事上，保守自己聖潔無污。
我要除掉肉體及心靈中一切的污穢，使與神的性情一致。我心裡的意念與神兒子在我裡頭的生命，是否吻合？他從不憑自己說什麼，乃時常儆醒，對父神不住的順服。我要持守與主的靈合一，耶穌就會逐漸把我抬舉，到他當日的光景裡去－－完全貼合父神的旨意，至於其他的事就一概不理。我有沒有敬畏神，追求這一種聖潔，且力臻完善？神在我身上能遂其所願麼？人家能從我身上愈來愈多看見神麼？
認認真真對神吧，其他的一切則視作等閒。要切切實實地把神放在首位。
祈禱◆[我是那樣愚頑和無知：我在你面前好像畜類。 ]噢，主啊，這句話將我在你面前的光景表達出來。當我從那純潔、神聖的神的形象，查看我們的主的要求時，我為著本身的愚頑、如畜類的思想，深感羞愧。
January 15, 2013
Do You Walk In White?
We were buried with Him . . . that just as Christ was raised from the dead . . . even so we also should walk in newness of life —Romans 6:4
No one experiences complete sanctification without going through a “white funeral”-the burial of the old life. If there has never been this crucial moment of change through death, sanctification will never be more than an elusive dream. There must be a “white funeral,” a death with only one resurrection-a resurrection into the life of Jesus Christ. Nothing can defeat a life like this. It has oneness with God for only one purpose— to be a witness for Him. Have you really come to your last days? You have often come to them in your mind, but have you really experienced them? You cannot die or go to your funeral in a mood of excitement. Death means you stop being. You must agree with God and stop being the intensely striving kind of Christian you have been. We avoid the cemetery and continually refuse our own death. It will not happen by striving, but by yielding to death. It is dying— being “baptized into His death” (Romans 6:3).
Have you had your “white funeral,” or are you piously deceiving your own soul? Has there been a point in your life which you now mark as your last day? Is there a place in your life to which you go back in memory with humility and overwhelming gratitude, so that you can honestly proclaim, “Yes, it was then, at my ’white funeral,’ that I made an agreement with God.”
“This is the will of God, your sanctification . . .” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Once you truly realize this is God’s will, you will enter into the process of sanctification as a natural response. Are you willing to experience that “white funeral” now? Will you agree with Him that this is your last day on earth? The moment of agreement depends on you.
你穿白衣而行嗎？
和他一同埋葬……一舉一動有新生的樣式。 （羅六4） 一個人要經歷完全的成聖，不能不先經過[白色的葬禮]——舊生命的埋葬。若沒有這死的轉捩點，成聖只不過是幻影。必須有一次[白色的喪禮]，死才有復活——復活在耶穌基督的生命裡頭。什麼都不能搖動這生命，這是與神合一的生命；而我們的目的只有一個，就是為他作見證。你真的來到生命的盡頭了嗎？在情緒上你固然時常會來到，但是否真真正面對它？你不可能興興奮奮地死去。死的意思是你不復存在。你有沒有答應神，讓往日那竭力掙扎、熱情充沛的信徒經歷成為過去？我們往往巡視墳場的四周，始終不肯死去。我們並不是要竭力求死，乃是[受洗歸入他的死]。
你行過你[白色的葬禮]沒有？還是在與自己的靈魂愚弄嬉耍？你生命中有沒有一個地方標明[末日]？有沒有一個地方讓你想起當日所的管教，心中萬分感激地說：[是了，就在那時，在那『白色喪禮』中，我與神立了約]?神的旨意是叫我們成聖。當你一旦覺察到神的旨意什麼，就十分自然地進到成聖的地步。你願意現在就行那[白色喪禮]嗎？你能否像神首肯說，這一天是你在地上的最後一天？首肯的時刻是在你手上。
祈禱◆[非聖潔沒有人能見主。 ]主啊，感謝你，賜下這句話。倘若你不是聖潔的，那會是何等可怕！有些時候，我們是多麼容易墜入一個較鬆散、較卑賤的生活中了；感謝你藉著聖靈的嘆息提醒我——我何其渴望它們能帶領我與你面對面。寬恕我的遲緩，我需要那麼久，才醒悟某些事情。
No one experiences complete sanctification without going through a “white funeral”-the burial of the old life. If there has never been this crucial moment of change through death, sanctification will never be more than an elusive dream. There must be a “white funeral,” a death with only one resurrection-a resurrection into the life of Jesus Christ. Nothing can defeat a life like this. It has oneness with God for only one purpose— to be a witness for Him. Have you really come to your last days? You have often come to them in your mind, but have you really experienced them? You cannot die or go to your funeral in a mood of excitement. Death means you stop being. You must agree with God and stop being the intensely striving kind of Christian you have been. We avoid the cemetery and continually refuse our own death. It will not happen by striving, but by yielding to death. It is dying— being “baptized into His death” (Romans 6:3).
Have you had your “white funeral,” or are you piously deceiving your own soul? Has there been a point in your life which you now mark as your last day? Is there a place in your life to which you go back in memory with humility and overwhelming gratitude, so that you can honestly proclaim, “Yes, it was then, at my ’white funeral,’ that I made an agreement with God.”
“This is the will of God, your sanctification . . .” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Once you truly realize this is God’s will, you will enter into the process of sanctification as a natural response. Are you willing to experience that “white funeral” now? Will you agree with Him that this is your last day on earth? The moment of agreement depends on you.
你穿白衣而行嗎？
和他一同埋葬……一舉一動有新生的樣式。 （羅六4） 一個人要經歷完全的成聖，不能不先經過[白色的葬禮]——舊生命的埋葬。若沒有這死的轉捩點，成聖只不過是幻影。必須有一次[白色的喪禮]，死才有復活——復活在耶穌基督的生命裡頭。什麼都不能搖動這生命，這是與神合一的生命；而我們的目的只有一個，就是為他作見證。你真的來到生命的盡頭了嗎？在情緒上你固然時常會來到，但是否真真正面對它？你不可能興興奮奮地死去。死的意思是你不復存在。你有沒有答應神，讓往日那竭力掙扎、熱情充沛的信徒經歷成為過去？我們往往巡視墳場的四周，始終不肯死去。我們並不是要竭力求死，乃是[受洗歸入他的死]。
你行過你[白色的葬禮]沒有？還是在與自己的靈魂愚弄嬉耍？你生命中有沒有一個地方標明[末日]？有沒有一個地方讓你想起當日所的管教，心中萬分感激地說：[是了，就在那時，在那『白色喪禮』中，我與神立了約]?神的旨意是叫我們成聖。當你一旦覺察到神的旨意什麼，就十分自然地進到成聖的地步。你願意現在就行那[白色喪禮]嗎？你能否像神首肯說，這一天是你在地上的最後一天？首肯的時刻是在你手上。
祈禱◆[非聖潔沒有人能見主。 ]主啊，感謝你，賜下這句話。倘若你不是聖潔的，那會是何等可怕！有些時候，我們是多麼容易墜入一個較鬆散、較卑賤的生活中了；感謝你藉著聖靈的嘆息提醒我——我何其渴望它們能帶領我與你面對面。寬恕我的遲緩，我需要那麼久，才醒悟某些事情。
September 15, 2012
What To Renounce
We have renounced the hidden things of shame . . . —2 Corinthians 4:2
Have you “renounced the hidden things of shame” in your life—the things that your sense of honor or pride will not allow to come into the light? You can easily hide them. Is there a thought in your heart about anyone that you would not like to be brought into the light? Then renounce it as soon as it comes to mind—renounce everything in its entirety until there is no hidden dishonesty or craftiness about you at all. Envy, jealousy, and strife don’t necessarily arise from your old nature of sin, but from the flesh which was used for these kinds of things in the past (see Romans 6:19 and 1 Peter 4:1-3). You must maintain continual watchfulness so that nothing arises in your life that would cause you shame.
“. . . not walking in craftiness. . .” (2 Corinthians 4:2). This means not resorting to something simply to make your own point. This is a terrible trap. You know that God will allow you to work in only one way—the way of truth. Then be careful never to catch people through the other way—the way of deceit. If you act deceitfully, God’s blight and ruin will be upon you. What may be craftiness for you, may not be for others—God has called you to a higher standard. Never dull your sense of being your utmost for His highest—your best for His glory. For you, doing certain things would mean craftiness coming into your life for a purpose other than what is the highest and best, and it would dull the motivation that God has given you. Many people have turned back because they are afraid to look at things from God’s perspective. The greatest spiritual crisis comes when a person has to move a little farther on in his faith than the beliefs he has already accepted
棄絕什麼？
將那些暗昧可恥的事棄絕了。 （林後四2）
你有沒有將暗昧可恥的事棄絕？ －－那些你廉恥之心不想敞露的東西。要遮掩這些事並不難。你心中是否有一些念頭，是不想放在光中的？當這些念頭一出現，就要立刻棄絕，完全的棄絕，直至沒有絲毫可恥詭詐在你裡面隱藏。嫉忌、貪戀、爭競－－未必是出於罪根性，而是因為你在過去的日子中，肢體慣於和這種事（參羅六19，彼前四1-2）。要不住的警醒，使生命沒有絲毫可恥的東西生長。
[不行詭詐]，詭詐就是運用手段以求達到目的。這是個極大的網羅。若你知道神只容許你以某一方法行事，那麼，就不可用別的方法。不然，神的責難必然臨到。人家做的事，在你看來是行詭詐，但在他們可能並非詭詐，因為神給你另一個觀點。切勿削弱竭誠為主的敏銳性觸覺。你所作的某件事，可能叫你離開神的旨意去追求別的目標：若是這樣，詭詐就隨之而生，而你對神也變得遲鈍。許多人退後，是由於不敢從神的觀點看事物。一個人若要越過自己已接納的新年，在屬靈上就有大危機。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求你護衛我生命的中心免受腐蝕；願你隱密地保守我，使我與你有著滿意的關係，以致我能彰顯你的榮耀。
Have you “renounced the hidden things of shame” in your life—the things that your sense of honor or pride will not allow to come into the light? You can easily hide them. Is there a thought in your heart about anyone that you would not like to be brought into the light? Then renounce it as soon as it comes to mind—renounce everything in its entirety until there is no hidden dishonesty or craftiness about you at all. Envy, jealousy, and strife don’t necessarily arise from your old nature of sin, but from the flesh which was used for these kinds of things in the past (see Romans 6:19 and 1 Peter 4:1-3). You must maintain continual watchfulness so that nothing arises in your life that would cause you shame.
“. . . not walking in craftiness. . .” (2 Corinthians 4:2). This means not resorting to something simply to make your own point. This is a terrible trap. You know that God will allow you to work in only one way—the way of truth. Then be careful never to catch people through the other way—the way of deceit. If you act deceitfully, God’s blight and ruin will be upon you. What may be craftiness for you, may not be for others—God has called you to a higher standard. Never dull your sense of being your utmost for His highest—your best for His glory. For you, doing certain things would mean craftiness coming into your life for a purpose other than what is the highest and best, and it would dull the motivation that God has given you. Many people have turned back because they are afraid to look at things from God’s perspective. The greatest spiritual crisis comes when a person has to move a little farther on in his faith than the beliefs he has already accepted
棄絕什麼？
將那些暗昧可恥的事棄絕了。 （林後四2）
你有沒有將暗昧可恥的事棄絕？ －－那些你廉恥之心不想敞露的東西。要遮掩這些事並不難。你心中是否有一些念頭，是不想放在光中的？當這些念頭一出現，就要立刻棄絕，完全的棄絕，直至沒有絲毫可恥詭詐在你裡面隱藏。嫉忌、貪戀、爭競－－未必是出於罪根性，而是因為你在過去的日子中，肢體慣於和這種事（參羅六19，彼前四1-2）。要不住的警醒，使生命沒有絲毫可恥的東西生長。
[不行詭詐]，詭詐就是運用手段以求達到目的。這是個極大的網羅。若你知道神只容許你以某一方法行事，那麼，就不可用別的方法。不然，神的責難必然臨到。人家做的事，在你看來是行詭詐，但在他們可能並非詭詐，因為神給你另一個觀點。切勿削弱竭誠為主的敏銳性觸覺。你所作的某件事，可能叫你離開神的旨意去追求別的目標：若是這樣，詭詐就隨之而生，而你對神也變得遲鈍。許多人退後，是由於不敢從神的觀點看事物。一個人若要越過自己已接納的新年，在屬靈上就有大危機。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求你護衛我生命的中心免受腐蝕；願你隱密地保守我，使我與你有著滿意的關係，以致我能彰顯你的榮耀。
July 26, 2012
The Way to Purity
Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart . . . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man . . . —Matthew 15:18-20
Initially we trust in our ignorance, calling it innocence, and next we trust our innocence, calling it purity. Then when we hear these strong statements from our Lord, we shrink back, saying, “But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart.” We resent what He reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust the penetration of His Word into my heart, or would I prefer to trust my own “innocent ignorance”? If I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence and putting it to the test, I am very likely to have a rude awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I will be appalled at the possibilities of the evil and the wrong within me. But as long as I remain under the false security of my own “innocence,” I am living in a fool’s paradise. If I have never been an openly rude and abusive person, the only reason is my own cowardice coupled with the sense of protection I receive from living a civilized life. But when I am open and completely exposed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis of me.
The only thing that truly provides protection is the redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will simply hand myself over to Him, I will never have to experience the terrible possibilities that lie within my heart. Purity is something far too deep for me to arrive at naturally. But when the Holy Spirit comes into me, He brings into the center of my personal life the very Spirit that was exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ, namely, the Holy Spirit, which is absolute unblemished purity.
清潔的賬
從心裡發出來的……（太十五18-20）
我們起初都信任自己的無知，稱之為無罪；又信任自己的無罪，稱之為清潔。於是當我們聽見主這番嚴厲的話，就會怯生生地說：[我從不覺得自己心中有這些可怖的髒東西呀！ ]我們厭惡主所揭示的。若耶穌基督不是人心里至高的權威，他就根本不值一顧。我是否願意信任他的明察，還是信任自己的天真無知？只要我試驗一下自己的清白，就勢必栗然醒覺主話的真實，也必震驚於自己偏向邪惡的性情。我之所以未淪為惡匪，無非是膽子不夠大，及文明社會的保障罷了。若在神面前赤露敞開，就必知道他的診斷無誤。
耶穌基督的救恩是唯一的保障。我若把自己交給他，就不必經歷內心那些可怕的性情。清潔太深邃了，憑天性我無法達至，但當聖靈來到就把那在主耶穌生命中彰顯的靈，帶進我生命中，我就變成毫無玷污的純潔。
祈禱◆噢，我的神，我在你的火焰中被焚燒和煉淨——今天我所發現的渣滓似乎太多，在我處理別人的錯失上，卻太少流露你那甜蜜而親切的恩典。主啊，赦免我。
Initially we trust in our ignorance, calling it innocence, and next we trust our innocence, calling it purity. Then when we hear these strong statements from our Lord, we shrink back, saying, “But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart.” We resent what He reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust the penetration of His Word into my heart, or would I prefer to trust my own “innocent ignorance”? If I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence and putting it to the test, I am very likely to have a rude awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I will be appalled at the possibilities of the evil and the wrong within me. But as long as I remain under the false security of my own “innocence,” I am living in a fool’s paradise. If I have never been an openly rude and abusive person, the only reason is my own cowardice coupled with the sense of protection I receive from living a civilized life. But when I am open and completely exposed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis of me.
The only thing that truly provides protection is the redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will simply hand myself over to Him, I will never have to experience the terrible possibilities that lie within my heart. Purity is something far too deep for me to arrive at naturally. But when the Holy Spirit comes into me, He brings into the center of my personal life the very Spirit that was exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ, namely, the Holy Spirit, which is absolute unblemished purity.
清潔的賬
從心裡發出來的……（太十五18-20）
我們起初都信任自己的無知，稱之為無罪；又信任自己的無罪，稱之為清潔。於是當我們聽見主這番嚴厲的話，就會怯生生地說：[我從不覺得自己心中有這些可怖的髒東西呀！ ]我們厭惡主所揭示的。若耶穌基督不是人心里至高的權威，他就根本不值一顧。我是否願意信任他的明察，還是信任自己的天真無知？只要我試驗一下自己的清白，就勢必栗然醒覺主話的真實，也必震驚於自己偏向邪惡的性情。我之所以未淪為惡匪，無非是膽子不夠大，及文明社會的保障罷了。若在神面前赤露敞開，就必知道他的診斷無誤。
耶穌基督的救恩是唯一的保障。我若把自己交給他，就不必經歷內心那些可怕的性情。清潔太深邃了，憑天性我無法達至，但當聖靈來到就把那在主耶穌生命中彰顯的靈，帶進我生命中，我就變成毫無玷污的純潔。
祈禱◆噢，我的神，我在你的火焰中被焚燒和煉淨——今天我所發現的渣滓似乎太多，在我處理別人的錯失上，卻太少流露你那甜蜜而親切的恩典。主啊，赦免我。
July 24, 2012
His Nature and Our Motives
. . . unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven —Matthew 5:20
The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in his motives, having been made good by the supernatural grace of God. The only thing that exceeds right-doing is right-being. Jesus Christ came to place within anyone who would let Him a new heredity that would have a righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus is saying, “If you are My disciple, you must be right not only in your actions, but also in your motives, your aspirations, and in the deep recesses of the thoughts of your mind.” Your motives must be so pure that God Almighty can see nothing to rebuke. Who can stand in the eternal light of God and have nothing for Him to rebuke? Only the Son of God, and Jesus Christ claims that through His redemption He can place within anyone His own nature and make that person as pure and as simple as a child. The purity that God demands is impossible unless I can be remade within, and that is exactly what Jesus has undertaken to do through His redemption.
No one can make himself pure by obeying laws. Jesus Christ does not give us rules and regulations— He gives us His teachings which are truths that can only be interpreted by His nature which He places within us. The great wonder of Jesus Christ’s salvation is that He changes our heredity. He does not change human nature— He changes its source, and thereby its motives as well.
性情與行為
你們的義，若不勝於文士和法利賽人的義，斷不能進天國。 （太五20）
門徒的特徵不是行善，而是出於善的動機，因為他在神超然的恩中成了善。唯一超越善行的，就是成善。耶穌來，是要把勝過文士和法利賽人的義的新遺傳，放進願意的人裡頭。耶穌說：[你若做我的門徒，不單行為要正，連動機、夢想、心靈的隱秘處也要正。動機要純正得連全能的神也無可指摘。 ]誰能站在神永恆的光中，無可指摘呢？只有神的兒子。而耶穌基督宣稱藉著救恩，就能使任何人在他的性情上有分，使他純潔如小孩子一樣。神所要求的純正，使人無法達到的，除非我裡面能重新再造，而耶穌的救恩正成就這事。
人無法憑守律法得潔淨，主耶穌給我們的也不是規則法條；他的教訓是真理，只有他放進我們裡面的性情，才可領會主救恩的奇妙，這就是他改變人的罪性。他不是改變人性，乃是改變人的本源。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，發出你的光輝，讓它運行在這地上，正如你曾在淵面上運行一樣。在你屬靈的領域中大大作工，幫助我豎立禱告的山嶺，並藉助雲彩，將祝福沛然降下。
The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in his motives, having been made good by the supernatural grace of God. The only thing that exceeds right-doing is right-being. Jesus Christ came to place within anyone who would let Him a new heredity that would have a righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus is saying, “If you are My disciple, you must be right not only in your actions, but also in your motives, your aspirations, and in the deep recesses of the thoughts of your mind.” Your motives must be so pure that God Almighty can see nothing to rebuke. Who can stand in the eternal light of God and have nothing for Him to rebuke? Only the Son of God, and Jesus Christ claims that through His redemption He can place within anyone His own nature and make that person as pure and as simple as a child. The purity that God demands is impossible unless I can be remade within, and that is exactly what Jesus has undertaken to do through His redemption.
No one can make himself pure by obeying laws. Jesus Christ does not give us rules and regulations— He gives us His teachings which are truths that can only be interpreted by His nature which He places within us. The great wonder of Jesus Christ’s salvation is that He changes our heredity. He does not change human nature— He changes its source, and thereby its motives as well.
性情與行為
你們的義，若不勝於文士和法利賽人的義，斷不能進天國。 （太五20）
門徒的特徵不是行善，而是出於善的動機，因為他在神超然的恩中成了善。唯一超越善行的，就是成善。耶穌來，是要把勝過文士和法利賽人的義的新遺傳，放進願意的人裡頭。耶穌說：[你若做我的門徒，不單行為要正，連動機、夢想、心靈的隱秘處也要正。動機要純正得連全能的神也無可指摘。 ]誰能站在神永恆的光中，無可指摘呢？只有神的兒子。而耶穌基督宣稱藉著救恩，就能使任何人在他的性情上有分，使他純潔如小孩子一樣。神所要求的純正，使人無法達到的，除非我裡面能重新再造，而耶穌的救恩正成就這事。
人無法憑守律法得潔淨，主耶穌給我們的也不是規則法條；他的教訓是真理，只有他放進我們裡面的性情，才可領會主救恩的奇妙，這就是他改變人的罪性。他不是改變人性，乃是改變人的本源。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，發出你的光輝，讓它運行在這地上，正如你曾在淵面上運行一樣。在你屬靈的領域中大大作工，幫助我豎立禱告的山嶺，並藉助雲彩，將祝福沛然降下。
June 24, 2012
Reconciling Yourself to the Fact of Sin
This is your hour, and the power of darkness —Luke 22:53
Not being reconciled to the fact of sin— not recognizing it and refusing to deal with it— produces all the disasters in life. You may talk about the lofty virtues of human nature, but there is something in human nature that will mockingly laugh in the face of every principle you have. If you refuse to agree with the fact that there is wickedness and selfishness, something downright hateful and wrong, in human beings, when it attacks your life, instead of reconciling yourself to it, you will compromise with it and say that it is of no use to battle against it. Have you taken this “hour, and the power of darkness” into account, or do you have a view of yourself which includes no recognition of sin whatsoever? In your human relationships and friendships, have you reconciled yourself to the fact of sin? If not, just around the next corner you will find yourself trapped and you will compromise with it. But if you will reconcile yourself to the fact of sin, you will realize the danger immediately and say, “Yes, I see what this sin would mean.” The recognition of sin does not destroy the basis of friendship— it simply establishes a mutual respect for the fact that the basis of sinful life is disastrous. Always beware of any assessment of life which does not recognize the fact that there is sin.
Jesus Christ never trusted human nature, yet He was never cynical nor suspicious, because He had absolute trust in what He could do for human nature. The pure man or woman is the one who is shielded from harm, not the innocent person. The so-called innocent man or woman is never safe. Men and women have no business trying to be innocent; God demands that they be pure and virtuous. Innocence is the characteristic of a child. Any person is deserving of blame if he is unwilling to reconcile himself to the fact of sin.
承認罪的事實
現在卻是你們的時候，黑暗掌權了。 （路二十二53）
不承認罪的事實，會帶來人生一切的禍患。你可以大談人性的尊嚴，可是人性中有一種東西，在你一切的理想面前，會當面嗤笑你。你若不肯承認人性的邪惡自私，有根本上的罪過，這樣，當這些東西襲擊你時，你就會與它妥協，並說抵抗也是沒用。你有沒有準備面對這個關頭，面對這黑暗的權勢？還是你對自己的評價，沒有把罪算在內？你與親屬的關係，與朋友的關係，有沒有承認有罪的事實存在？若沒有，不需多久，你就會被罪追上，與之妥協了。
但若你承認罪的事實，就必立即覺察到危險－－[對啦，我知道這是什麼一回事了。 ]承認罪的事實，並不會破壞友情的根基，反而使彼此看清楚人生基本是可惡的。
耶穌基督雖不信任人，卻不挑剔多疑，因為祂深信為人有所不為。人得到安全的保障是由於清潔，而不是因為無罪。無罪的人是不可靠的。成為無罪，不是人可以做到，只有神才可要求人潔淨敬虔。無邪是孩童的特徵，但成人則要承認罪這事實。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，以你的恩典和榮耀淹沒我，讓你那浩瀚的潮水覆蓋所有。
Not being reconciled to the fact of sin— not recognizing it and refusing to deal with it— produces all the disasters in life. You may talk about the lofty virtues of human nature, but there is something in human nature that will mockingly laugh in the face of every principle you have. If you refuse to agree with the fact that there is wickedness and selfishness, something downright hateful and wrong, in human beings, when it attacks your life, instead of reconciling yourself to it, you will compromise with it and say that it is of no use to battle against it. Have you taken this “hour, and the power of darkness” into account, or do you have a view of yourself which includes no recognition of sin whatsoever? In your human relationships and friendships, have you reconciled yourself to the fact of sin? If not, just around the next corner you will find yourself trapped and you will compromise with it. But if you will reconcile yourself to the fact of sin, you will realize the danger immediately and say, “Yes, I see what this sin would mean.” The recognition of sin does not destroy the basis of friendship— it simply establishes a mutual respect for the fact that the basis of sinful life is disastrous. Always beware of any assessment of life which does not recognize the fact that there is sin.
Jesus Christ never trusted human nature, yet He was never cynical nor suspicious, because He had absolute trust in what He could do for human nature. The pure man or woman is the one who is shielded from harm, not the innocent person. The so-called innocent man or woman is never safe. Men and women have no business trying to be innocent; God demands that they be pure and virtuous. Innocence is the characteristic of a child. Any person is deserving of blame if he is unwilling to reconcile himself to the fact of sin.
承認罪的事實
現在卻是你們的時候，黑暗掌權了。 （路二十二53）
不承認罪的事實，會帶來人生一切的禍患。你可以大談人性的尊嚴，可是人性中有一種東西，在你一切的理想面前，會當面嗤笑你。你若不肯承認人性的邪惡自私，有根本上的罪過，這樣，當這些東西襲擊你時，你就會與它妥協，並說抵抗也是沒用。你有沒有準備面對這個關頭，面對這黑暗的權勢？還是你對自己的評價，沒有把罪算在內？你與親屬的關係，與朋友的關係，有沒有承認有罪的事實存在？若沒有，不需多久，你就會被罪追上，與之妥協了。
但若你承認罪的事實，就必立即覺察到危險－－[對啦，我知道這是什麼一回事了。 ]承認罪的事實，並不會破壞友情的根基，反而使彼此看清楚人生基本是可惡的。
耶穌基督雖不信任人，卻不挑剔多疑，因為祂深信為人有所不為。人得到安全的保障是由於清潔，而不是因為無罪。無罪的人是不可靠的。成為無罪，不是人可以做到，只有神才可要求人潔淨敬虔。無邪是孩童的特徵，但成人則要承認罪這事實。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，以你的恩典和榮耀淹沒我，讓你那浩瀚的潮水覆蓋所有。
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