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创世记生命读经 · 第16篇

贯串圣经的知识线

The Line of Knowledge Throughout The Scriptures
1我们已经看过，圣经开始于两棵树：带进生命的生命树，和带进知识的知识树。不过，知识是一种伪装，因为知识树实际上是死亡树，带进死亡。因此，从圣经一开始我们就看见两条线，这两条线一直贯串整本圣经。第一条线是生命线，开始于生命树，并一直贯串全圣经，而结束于新耶路撒冷，在那里我们也看到生命树。（启二二1～，14。）第二条线是知识线，开始于知识树，并一直贯串全圣经，而结束于火湖。在本篇信息中，我们要来看贯串圣经的知识线。在圣经的每一卷书，我们都能看到那困扰、损毁、杀害、破坏的知识。现在我们来查看许多照著知识，不照著生命而生活、工作、行动并行事之人的事例。
1We have seen that the Bible opens with two trees, the tree of life, which brings in life, and the tree of knowledge, which brings in knowledge. However, knowledge is a pretense, for the tree of knowledge actually is the tree of death and brings in death. Thus, from the very beginning of the Bible we see two lines which continue throughout the entire Bible. The first line is the line of life, beginning with the tree of life and continuing throughout the Scriptures until it ends at the city of New Jerusalem, where we also see the tree of life (Rev. 22:1-2, 14). The second line is the line of 2 knowledge, beginning with the tree of knowledge and continuing throughout the Scriptures until it ends at the lake of fire. In this message we shall consider the line of knowledge throughout the Scriptures. In every book of the Bible we can see the knowledge that troubles, damages, kills, and destroys. Now we shall examine many cases of people who lived, worked, moved, and acted by knowledge, not by life.
1 该隐
I. Cain
2该隐是亚当的长子，人类的第二代，他是头一个照著知识生活的人。该隐拿地里的出产为供物献给耶和华。(创四３。)这件事看起来非常好，却是错的，因为该隐是按著自己的方法，不是按著神的方法献祭给神。神的方法要求堕落的人献赎罪祭来接触神，然而该隐只献上地里的出产而不献上赎罪的血。该隐的献祭是照著他心思里自己的想法，按著他自己的作法。这一切作法都是起始于人的心思。我们必须谨慎。就如我们所指出的，知识树的原则是向神独立，意思就是我们独立的决定事情。该隐虽然作了好事，却是向神独立的。任何事仅仅是好，却不靠神，结果就是死亡。这就像绝缘体阻隔了电流。不论用作绝缘体的物质是甚么，甚至也许是钻石，电还是被切断了。问题并不在于材料的好坏，乃在于牠引起绝缘。同样，如果一件事物使我们与神隔开，就不论多好，都带进死亡。
2Cain, the first son of Adam and the second generation of mankind, was the first person to live according to knowledge. Cain brought the fruit of the ground as an offering to the Lord (Gen. 4:3). Although this appears to be very good, it was wrong because Cain presented an offering to God in his own way, not in God’sway. God’sway required that fallen man offer a redeeming sacrifice in order to contact Him. However, Cain only offered the fruit of the ground without the redeeming blood. Cain’s offering was presented according to his own consideration in his mind. It was offered in his own way. Every such way originates with the human mind. We must be careful. As we have pointed out, the principle of the tree of knowledge is to be independent of God. It means that we make our decisions independently. Although Cain performed a good deed, it was independent of God. Everything that is good yet independent of God results in death. This is similar to insulation which severs the flow of electricity. Regardless of the substance that is used as insulation — it may even be diamond — electricity is cut off nonetheless. As long as it causes insulation, it does not matter whether the material is good or bad. Likewise, if a thing keeps us away from God, it brings death, regardless of how good it is.
3该隐因著独立行动，就离开耶和华的面出去了。（创四16。）那真是可怕！不管我们多好，只要我们离开神的面，那就是可怕的。我们可能或好或坏，但只要离开主的面，结局都是一样。
3As a consequence of acting independently Cain went out from the presence of the Lord (Gen. 4:16). That was dreadful. It does not matter how good we are, for if we are away from the presence of God it is awful. We may be either good or bad, but the issue is the same as long as we are out of the presence of the Lord.
4人一旦按著自己的方法行事，并且离开神的面，就想为自己竖立一个建筑。该隐建造了一座城叫以诺，是照著他儿子的名起的。（创四17。）该隐没有按神的名叫这城，他为人类扬名，这是人向神独立的一个宣告。
4Once people have acted in their own way and have left the presence of God, they desire to erect a building for themselves. Cain built a city and called it Enoch, after the name of his son (Gen. 4:17). Cain did not name the city after the name of God; he made a name for mankind. This was a declaration that man was independent of God
2 宁录
II. Nimrod
5宁录在耶和华面前是个英勇的猎户。（创十8～11。）他是世上英雄之首，是完全向神独立的人。他为自己建造了一个国，这国的起头是巴别。虽然许多基督徒知道人类造了巴别塔和巴别城，但是少有人知道巴别国是宁录成立的。人类历史上的第一个国可能就是宁录所成立的巴别国。他也在亚述建造了尼尼微大城。他的建造是一个记号，表明人完全向神独立了。相反的，亚伯拉罕没有建造甚么，只造了小小的祭坛。他住在帐棚里。同样，挪亚也没有建造甚么，只造了方舟和祭坛。信靠神的人并不从事于许多建造的活动。我们越信靠神，就越少有独立的建造。只有那些向神独立的伟大工人，才建造他们的高塔。
5Nimrod was a mighty hunter before the Lord (Gen. 10:8- 11). He was a mighty one in the earth, a person who was absolutely independent of God. He built a kingdom for himself, and the beginning of his kingdom was Babel. Although many Christians know that mankind constructed the tower and city of Babel, few realize that the kingdom of Babel was formed by Nimrod. The first kingdom in human history was probably the kingdom of Babel formed by Nimrod, who also built the great city of Nineveh in Assyria. His building was a sign that mankind was completely independent of God. Abraham, on the contrary, did not build anything but a little altar. He dwelt in a tent. Noah likewise did not build anything except the ark and an altar. The people who put their trust in God do not engage in much building activity. The more we place our confidence in God, the less independent building we will have. Only the giant workers—those who are independent of God—will construct their high towers
3 巴别的人
III. The People at Babel
6巴别的人开了一次会议。（创十一3。）他们没有祷告，也没有求问主该作甚么，该去何处。人类的历史是一部会议史。第一次世界大战后，成立了国际联盟，这个联盟实际上就是一个议会。第二次世界大战结束后，国际联盟变成了联合国，在纽约有一座大厦，几乎天天在那里开会。这种人类的会议是完全向神独立的。巴别会议的结果是为人的名建造了一座高塔，并成立了一座城作人的产业。
6The people at Babel held a council (Gen. 11:3). They did not pray nor ask the Lord what they should do or where they should go. Human history is a history of councils. After World War I the League of Nations was formed, and this league was actually a council. After the end of World War II the League of Nations was changed into the United Nations, which has a huge building in New York where council is held nearly every day. Such human councils are utterly independent of God. The result of the council at Babel was the construction of a high tower for man’s name and the formation of a city for his possession (Gen. 11:4
4 罗得
IV. Lot
7罗得虽然是个得救的人，却从生命线上漂离出去，因为他照自己的眼光作了拣选。（创十三10～11比14～15。）当罗得离开亚伯拉罕以后，他举目观看约但平原，就照自己的眼光作了一个决定。他没有祷告说，『主阿，我不知道该如何行。我该怎么办？主，怜悯我，你来拣选罢！我要你所拣选的。』罗得没有这样祷告，只照他自己的眼光作了拣选。结果他迁往罪恶的城所多玛。（创十三12～13比18。）甚么时候你拣选了向神独立的路，你确定就要走下坡的路，你的路要朝著罪恶之城所多玛的方向了。
7Although Lot was a saved person, he drifted away from the line of life by making a choice according to his own sight (Gen. 13:10-11; cf. v v. 14-15). When Lot separated himself from Abraham, he lifted up his eyes, looked at the plain of the Jordan, and made a decision according to his own sight. He did not pray, “Lord, I do not know what I should do. What should I do? Lord have mercy on me. Take Your choice. I want to take Your choice.” Lot did not pray in this way, but made a choice according to the sight of his eyes. As a result, he moved toward the evil city of Sodom (Gen. 13:12-13; cf. v. 18). Whenever you take a course in independence of God, be assured that your way will be downward. Your way will be in the direction of the sinful city of Sodom.
5 以扫
V. Esau
8我们若读以扫的历史，会看见他在道德上并没有犯甚么错，雅各看起来比他坏多了。但以扫是个猎人，他打猎是为著满足他自己。（创二五27，。）以扫打猎并不倚靠神，至终为著满足他的囗腹出卖了长子的名分。（创二五30～34。）所有向神独立的人都出卖了他们人与生俱来的权利，就是对神的享受。因为神照著祂自己的形像造人，使人作祂的彰显，意思就是人生来就有彰显神的权利。因此每一个人都有与生俱来的权利，就是生来而有彰显神的权利。然而，几乎每个人都因著他的独立出卖了他这权利。悔改相信主耶稣是甚么意思？悔改的意思乃是我们的思想，心思，有了一个转变。从前我是背著神向某个方向行走，但在听了福音之后，我就转过身来，这就是悔改的意思。相信主耶稣就是回到我们人与生俱来的权利，回到对神的享受并彰显。这就是悔改相信主耶稣的意思。以扫并没有这样作，却往相反的方向而行。
8If we read the history of Esau, we find that, ethically speaking, he did nothing wrong. Jacob seemed to have been much worse. Esau, however, was a hunter, hunting for his own satisfaction (Gen. 25:27, 29). Esau hunted independently of God. Eventually, for the purpose of 29 satisfying his appetite, he sold his birthright (Gen. 25:30-34). All the people who are independent of God have sold their human birthright, the enjoyment of God. Since God created man in His own image to be His expression, it means that, by birth, man has the right to express God. Thus, every human being has a birthright, the right by birth to express God. However, nearly everyone has sold his birthright because of his independence. What does it mean to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus? Repentance means to have a change in our thinking, in our mentality. Formerly, I was moving in a certain direction with my back turned toward God. After I heard the gospel I turned around. This is the meaning of repentance. To believe in the Lord Jesus means to come back to our human birthright, to come back to the enjoyment of God and to the expression of God. This is the meaning of repentance and belief in the Lord Jesus. Esau did not do this, but moved in the opposite direction.
6 法老
VI. Pharaoh
9在出埃及一至十二章，我们看见法老是何等独立的人；他不但独立，他是背叛神，甚至有一次竟问说，神是谁？（出五2。）法老不在意神，也不愿意认识神，因此他的心刚硬了。他使自己的心刚硬，甚至神也9:34-使他的心刚硬。（出七13，22，八15，19，32，九34～35。）一次又一次法老的心刚硬。今天全世界的人都是心里刚硬的，因为他们不在意神。他们只在意他们的会议、计画、谋算，却不在意神。所以神任凭他们，他们的心就变刚硬了。
9In Exodus 1—12 we see how independent Pharaoh was. He was not only independent; he was rebellious against God, even asking on one occasion, “Who is God?” (Exo. 5:2). Pharaoh did not care for God and he was unwilling to know God. Thus, Pharaoh’she art was hardened. He hardened his heart and even God hardened his heart (Exo. 7:13, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 35). Again and again and again the heart of Pharaoh was hardened. The people throughout the world today are hardened in their heart because they do not care for God. They care about their councils, plans and plots, but they do not care for God. Thus, God lets go of them and their hearts become hardened.
7 亚伦
VII. Aaron
10亚伦这名是一个好名字。他虽然是大祭司，是在生命线上，但他却照著知识线行事。当摩西在山上享受神作生命树时，亚伦和百姓是在山脚下。他们既不祷告，也不仰望主。百姓建议亚伦用金子造神像，他就听从了他们。（出三二1，4，24。）有的时候我们不该听人的话，因为会众可能题出一个反对神的建议。亚伦听了他们的劝告，就独立行事，造了一个金像。那偶像非常吸引人，牠不是用泥土造的，乃是用金子造的。摩西从山上下来，问亚伦发生了甚么事。亚伦回答说，他把金子放在火里，金牛犊便出来了。（出三二24。）亚伦似乎在为自己辩护，叫摩西不定罪他，并且明显的以为自己没有作得太过分。但问题不在于我们作了多少或没有作甚么，乃在于我们向著神是不是独立的；只要我们向神独立，金牛犊就会出现。不需要我们作很多，只要向神独立，结果就是金牛犊。
10The name of Aaron is a good name. Although he was the high priest and was on the line of life, Aaron acted according to the line of knowledge. While Moses was on the mount enjoying God as the tree of life, Aaron and the people were at the foot of the mountain. They neither prayed nor looked to the Lord. When the people proposed to Aaron that he make them gods out of gold, he hearkened to them (Exo. 32:1, 4, 24). There are times when we should not listen to the people, for the congregation may present a proposal that is against God. Aaron heeded their advice, acting independently to make an idol of gold. The idol was very attractive; it was not made of clay but of gold. When Moses had descended from the mountaintop, he asked Aaron what happened. Aaron replied that he put the gold into the fire and a golden calf came out (Exo. 32:24). Aaron seemed to be defending himself, asking Moses not to condemn him and apparently thinking that he had not done very much. Nevertheless, as long as we are independent of God it does not matter how much we do or fail to do. As long as we are independent of God the golden calf will appear. There is no need for us to do very much: simply be independent of God and the result will be a golden calf
8 拿答和亚比户
VIII. Nadab And Abihu
11拿答和亚比户用他们的香献凡火给神。（利十1～2。）虽然香是好的，但火是凡火。这不是从赎罪的祭坛上取来的火。在他们的观念里，他们所用的火是可以接受的，但对神却是凡火。这不照神的启示，乃按自己的作法所献上的凡火，导致他们死亡。
11Nadab and Abihu offered to God “strange fire” with their incense (Lev. 10:1-2). Although the incense was good, the fire was “strange.” It was not the fire from the altar where the atonement was made. The fire they used was acceptable to their concept, but it was “strange” to God. This “strange fire,” applied in their own way, not according to God’sr evelation, caused their death
9 米利暗和亚伦
IX. Miriam and Aaron
12米利暗和亚伦毁谤摩西，因为摩西娶了外邦女子为妻。（民十二1～2。）毫无疑问，摩西在这件事上不对。然而米利暗和亚伦反对摩西，并不是他们接触神的结果，乃是因著他们自己的动机。他们的反对摩西，源头不是神，乃是他们自己，他们的知识。这使神向他们发怒，使米利暗长了大痲疯，关在营外七天。（民十二9～15。）
12Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because he had married a heathen woman (Num. 12:1-2). Undoubtedly Moses was wrong in this. However, Miriam and Aaron were opposed to Moses, not as a result of their contacting God, but because of their own motive. Their opposition to Moses did not have its source in God, but in themselves, in their knowledge. This brought God’s wrath upon them, causing Miriam to suffer leprosy and to be shut out of the camp seven days (Num. 12:9-15).
13圣经的记载告诉我们，只有一个领导是从不会错的，那就是主耶稣的领导。一切别的领导都有某种缺点。所以，在主耶稣的领导以外，其他任何一个领导都常有错误。虽然如此，我们必须非常谨慎，即使领导是错的，也不可攻击。
13The record of the Bible shows us that only one leadership has ever been faultless—the leadership of the Lord Jesus.Every other leadership has some shortcoming. Thus, with any leadership, other than the leadership of the Lord Jesus, there are always mistakes. Nevertheless, we must be very careful about our attack, even if the leadership is wrong
10 十个探子
X. The Ten Spies
14十个探子的失败，是他们凭著自己的眼光去看那地的形势。（民十三28，32～33。）当他们侦察那地时，他们看见了伟人和有围墙的城就害怕了。他们不像约书亚和迦勒，他们没有把眼目转向神。他们失败，是因倚靠他们的知识，不肯信靠神。（民十三30，十四6～9。）无论何时你处在困难的环境中，不要用自己的眼睛去审量，你若这样作，就会从神转出去。在艰难的环境里，你需要闭上眼睛，在灵中将自己转向神并祷告祂。这样你就要蒙拯救。因为那十个探子用他们自己的眼光去看环境，就不能像迦勒和约书亚那样信靠神。迦勒和约书亚告诉百姓说，『忘掉这些环境，信靠主罢！主比那些城墙更高，祂比所有的伟人更大。』那十个探子与迦勒、约书亚的不同，就在于这两个人信靠神，而那十个人却凭自己的领悟，就是照著自己的知识来审量环境。
14The failure of the ten spies was looking at the situation in the land by their own sight (Num. 13:28, 32-33). As they were spying out the land, they saw the giants and the walled cities and were frightened. Unlike Joshua and Caleb, they did not turn their eyes to God. They failed because they relied on their knowledge and refused to trust in the Lord (cf. Num. 13:30; 14:6-9). Whenever you are in a difficult situation, do not survey it according to your own eyes. If you do this, you will turn away from God. In a difficult situation you need to close your eyes, turn yourself in your spirit to God, and pray to Him. Then you will be rescued. Because the ten spies looked at the situation by their own sight, they did not trust in the Lord as did Caleb and Joshua. Joshua and Caleb told the people, “Forget the situation and trust in the Lord. The Lord is higher than the walls of the city and He is greater than all the giants.” The difference between the ten spies and Joshua and Caleb was that the two trusted in the Lord and the ten surveyed the situation by their own understanding, that is, according to their own knowledge
11 可拉和他一党的人
XI. Korah And His Company
15可拉和他一党的人攻击神的代表权柄。（民十六l～3。）任何对神权柄的攻击，不管有理或没有理，都是出自人的心思。今天在召会中，原则是一样的。你可能感觉召会带头的人擅自专权而攻击他们。但你这出于人心思而有的攻击，带给你属灵的死亡。可拉和他一党的人遭受死亡的毁灭，是因他们攻击了神的权柄。你可能认为你攻击召会中带头的人是对的，但你必须察验一下结果－是死亡还是生命。你若真是对的，你攻击的结果必定是生命。然而，我能向你们作见证，在过去我曾见过几次攻击召会中领头的事，每一次总是把攻击者带进死亡的毁灭。这是严肃的！你得问你自己：『我的攻击是发自灵，发自神的宝座，还是出于我的心思？』攻击神的代表权柄，不管是甚么理由，总是在带来死亡的知识线上。
15Korah and his company attacked God’s deputy authority (Num. 16:1-3). Any attack against God’s authority, whether it is reasonable or unreasonable, has its origin in the mind. The principle is the same in the church today. You may attack the leaders because you feel they have “taken too much upon themselves,” but your attack, which has its source in the mind, brings you spiritual death. Korah and his company suffered the destruction of death due to their attack upon God’s authority. You may consider that you are right in attacking the leaders in the church, but you must examine the result—death or life? If you are truly right, the result of your attack must be life. I can testify to you, however, that in the past I saw several attacks against the leadership in the church and that every one of those attacks brought in the destruction of death to the attackers. This is serious! You must ask yourself, “Does my attack proceed out of the spirit, out of the throne of God, or does it come from my mind?” Attack against God’s deputy authority, regardless of the reason, is on the line of knowledge that brings in death
16可拉和他一党的人攻击摩西、亚伦，是因为他们忽略了神的面光。（民十六19。）他们若在意神的面光，就会从他们对摩西、亚伦的攻击这事上蒙拯救。他们会从知识线转到生命线。
16The attack of Korah and his company was due to the fact that they neglected the presence of God (Num. 16:19). If they had taken care of the presence of God, they would have been rescued from their attack against Moses and Aaron. They would have been turned from the line of knowledge to the line of life
12 扫罗
XII. Saul
17扫罗并没有像大卫那样作不道德的事，然而他却照著自己的喜好对待仇敌。（撒上十五7～9。）神吩咐他要击打并杀死他所有的仇敌，扫罗却爱惜其中的一些，因为他们在他眼中是好的。因此，扫罗就独立行动，没有跟随主。（撒上十五11，22～23。）这独立行动的结果，使扫罗的王位被废，失去了他的国。
17Saul did not act immorally as did David . Nevertheless, he dealt with the enemy according to his likes (1 Sam. 15:8). God had told him to smite and kill all of his enemies, but Saul spared some of them because they were good in his sight. Thus, Saul acted independently and did not follow the Lord (1 Sam. 15:11, 22-23). As a result of this independence Saul was dethroned and lost his kingdom
13 押沙龙
XIII. Absalom
18押沙龙背叛他的父亲大卫王。（撒下十五10～13。）根据撒下十三至十八章的记载，他是完全凭自己并凭他的知识行事的人。他不信靠神，结果没有别的，只有死亡。
18Absalom rebelled against his father, King David (2 Sam. 15:10-13). According to the record of 2 Samuel 13—18, he was a person who acted altogether on his own and by his knowledge. He had no trust in God, and the result was nothing except death.
14 亚哈
XIV. Ahab
19亚哈是个坏王。他娶了耶洗别为妻，耶洗别是个属魔鬼拜偶像的女人；她为巴力造了一座庙，巴力乃是当时最有名的偶像。（王上十六30～。）亚哈虽然生在属神的国里，却比向神独立更坏。他没有一点意念向著神，他是个全然向神独立的人。
19Ahab was an evil king. He married Jezebel, a devilish and idolatrous woman, and built a temple for Baal, the most famous idol of the time (1 Kings 16:30-32). Although Ahab was born in a nation of God, he was more than independent of God. 32 He did not have one thought toward God. He was utterly independent of Him.
15 祭司长和经学家
XV. The Chief Priests and the Scribes
20现在我们来看新约。祭司长和经学家明白圣经。当希律王问到基督当生在何处时，他们立刻给他答案。（太二4～6。）圣经知识本来没有甚么错，但仅仅持守知识，像这些祭司长和经学家一样，却是危险的。他们虽然知道基督生于伯利恒，却没有一个人亲自去看看。这证明他们是在知识线上，不是在生命线上。那没有圣经知识的东方星象家，是在生命线上。他们随著天上的星来到基督所在的地方并敬拜祂。无疑的，来自外邦之地的东方星象家有生命，而祭司长和经学家只有死亡。他们虽有圣经知识，这知识的结局却是死亡。知识不能赐人生命。
20Now we come to the New Testament. The chief priests and the scribes knew the Bible. When King Herod inquired where Christ was to be born, they gave him the answer immediately (Matt. 2:4-6). Although there is nothing inherently wrong with Bible knowledge, it is dangerous merely to hold the knowledge as did the chief priests and scribes. Although they knew that Christ was to be born at Bethlehem, none of them went to see for themselves. This proves that they were on the line of knowledge, not on the line of life. The wise men from the east, who had no knowledge of the Bible, were on the line of life. Following the heavenly star, they came to the place where Christ was and worshipped Him. Undoubtedly, the wise men from a heathen land had life, while the chief priests and the scribes had death. Although the chief priests and scribes had the knowledge of the Bible, the result of their knowledge was death. Knowledge cannot give life.
16 尼哥底母
XVI. Nicodemus
21尼哥底母是个好人。然而他第一次到主面前时，乃是在知识线上。（约三1～2。）他对主耶稣说，『拉比，我们知道你是从神那里来作教师的。』主耶稣回答时，将尼哥底母从教导和知识转到生命线上。（约三3。）主告诉尼哥底母说，『你不需要教导，你需要新的出生和新的生命。尼哥底母，你不需要更多的知识。你是摩西律法的教师，你的知识已经很彀了。你所需要的是新的生命。』
21Nicodemus was a good man. However, when he first came to the Lord he was on the line of knowledge (John 3:1-2). He said to the Lord Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God.” In His reply the Lord turned Nicodemus from teaching and knowledge to the line of life (John 3:3). The Lord was telling Nicodemus, “You do not need teaching. You need a new birth and a new life. Nicodemus, you don’t need anymore knowledge. As a teacher of the law of Moses you have enough knowledge already. What you need is a new life
17 撒玛利亚妇人
XVII. The Samaritan Woman
22撒玛利亚妇人虽是一个不道德的妇人，她却仍然热心宗教。她有宗教传统的知识，却活在罪中，没有满足。（约四15～20。）这证明宗教不能帮助我们。撤玛利亚妇人是在知识线上。主将她引到神，就是那灵这活水跟前，使她满足。（约四21～24，14。）虽然她是在知识线上，主却把她转到生命线上。
22Although the Samaritan woman was an immoral person, she was still religious. She had the traditional knowledge of religion, yet lived in sin without satisfaction (John 4:15-20). This proves that religion cannot help us. The Samaritan woman was on the line of knowledge. The Lord Jesus directed her to God, the Spirit, as the living water for her satisfaction (John 4:21-24, 14). Although she was on the line of knowledge, the Lord turned her to the line of life
18 犹太宗教徒
XVIII. The Jewish Religionists
23现在来看犹太宗教徒。根据约翰五章，主耶稣点活了一个病了三十八年的人。这件事发生在安息日，就得罪了犹太宗教徒。（约五1～16。）他们只在意安息日，却不在意人真正的安息。那瘫痪的人有三十八年没有安息，甚至在安息日也没有安息。当主耶稣点活了他，他才经历了真正的安息。犹太宗教徒定罪主耶稣，主对他们说，『你们查考圣经，因你们以为其中有永远的生命…然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命。』
23Now we come to the Jewish religionists. According to John 5, the Lord Jesus quickened a man who had been sick for thirty- eight years. This happened on the Sabbath day, and the Jewish religionists were offended (John 5:1-16). They only cared for the Sabbath, not for man’s genuine rest. The palsied man had no rest, even on the Sabbath day, for a period of thirty-eight years. When the Lord Jesus quickened him he experienced true rest. The Jewish religionists condemned the Lord Jesus, and He said to them, “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life...and you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” In other words, the Lord was telling them that they searched the Bible thinking that in it they had eternal life, yet they would not come to the Lord for that very life.
24今天的人在原则上也有同样的情形。许多基督徒查考圣经，以为在其中可以得著永远的生命，然而他们却不接触这位活的主自己。我们很可能读了许多章、许多节圣经而没有接触主。我们绝不可把读经和接触主分开，这两件事必须是一。每当我们读一行圣经，就必须说，『主耶稣，让我在神圣的话语里接触你。主阿，你是活的话。没有你作活的话，我就无法从写出来的话中得著生命。主阿，我必须接触你。你虽然是这么奥秘，但我赞美你，给了我这一本摸得著的话。这话是结实的，坚固的，具体的。为这话我感谢你，叫我能读这话，并用这话祷告。但是主阿，我所需要的不是这些白纸黑字的字句，乃是你这活的灵。』这才是正确使用圣经的路。千万不要向主独立而来接触圣经。你要经历死亡，无须去读不道德的小说。你若读圣经而不在灵里，就会经历死亡。因此连读圣经都可能是在知识线上，引我们到死亡。
24The same thing in principle is happening to people today. Many Christians search the Scriptures with the consideration that in them they have eternal life, yet they do not come to contact the living Lord Himself. It is possible for us to read many verses and chapters of the Bible without contacting the Lord. We should never separate our reading of the Bible from our contacting of the Lord. These two things must be one. Whenever we read a line of the Bible, we must say, “Lord Jesus, let me contact You in the divine Word. Lord, You are the living Word. Without You as the living Word I can receive nothing as life from the written Word. Lord, I must contact You. Although You are so mysterious, I praise You that You have given me such a tangible Word. This Word is solid, concrete, and substantial. I thank You for the Word that I can read and pray with. Yet, Lord, what I need is not the letter in black and white, but You, the living Spirit.” This is the correct way to use the Scriptures. Never touch the Bible independently of the Lord. There is no need for you to read an immoral novel in order to experience death. If you read the Bible without being in the spirit, you will also experience death. Thus, even the reading of the Bible can be on the line of knowledge that leads to death
19 经学家和法利赛人
XIX. The Scribes And Pharisees
25经学家和法利赛人持守律法的知识，却仍在罪的奴役之下。（约八5，9，。）他们把一个犯罪的妇人带到主面前，照著他们的知识要求主给一个明确的答覆，到底该如何处置这妇人。他们说，摩西吩咐说这样的人要用石头打死。约翰福音启示，主耶稣曾几次被逼问，人要祂回答是或否，但主总是不愿这样作。主不给这样的答覆不是因著祂聪明，而是祂只在意生命。约翰福音是一卷生命的书。生命单单就是生命，并不是是与否、善与恶的知识。是或否、善或恶都属于知识树。因此主没有那样回答他们。祂弯腰在地上写字，然后回答说，『你们中间谁是没有罪的，谁就先拿石头打她。』主向他们说了这话，祂的话就摸著他们的良心；从那些最有经历的人开始，他们就走开了。他们中间没有一个是没有罪的。只有主耶稣是惟一没有罪的。所以主的回答指出祂自己就是生命树。
25The Scribes and Pharisees held the knowledge of the law, but were still under the slavery of sin (John 8:5, 9, 34). They brought a sinful woman to the Lord and, 34 according to their knowledge, demanded a yes or no answer regarding the way in which the woman should be treated. They said that Moses commanded that such a person be stoned. Although the book of John reveals that the Lord Jesus several times was challenged to give yes or no answers, He always refused to do so. He did not refrain from giving such answers because He was wise, but because He was concerned with life. The Gospel of John is the book of life. Life is simply life, not knowledge of yes or no, good or evil. Both yes and no and good and evil belong to the tree of knowledge. Thus, the Lord did not answer them in that way. He stooped to write on the ground. Then He answered, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone.” When the Lord spoke this to them, His word touched their conscience and, beginning with the most experienced ones, they turned away. Not one of them was without sin. The only person without sin was the Lord Jesus. Therefore, the Lord’s answer pointed to Himself as the tree of life.
20 门徒
XX. The Disciples
26不要以为我们是门徒，就保证是在生命线上。那些与主在一起的门徒看见一个生来瞎眼的人，那时他们还是持守著宗教传统的知识。（约九1～3。）根据他们的宗教知识，他们问说，『是谁犯了罪，叫这人生来就瞎眼？是这人，还是他父母？』主回答说，『不是这人犯了罪，也不是他父母犯了罪，乃是要在他身上显明神的作为。』主不给他们是或否的答覆，只将他们引到神面前。是或否属于善恶知识树，但神是生命树。因此主将门徒从知识线引到生命线。
26Do not think that because we are disciples we have a guarantee that we are on the line of life. The disciples who were with the Lord still held the traditional knowledge of religion when they saw a man blind from birth (John 9:1-3). Based upon their religious knowledge, they asked, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” The Lord answered, “Neither has this man sinned nor his parents, but that the works of God might be manifested in him.” The Lord did not give them a yes or no answer, but directed them to God. Yes and no belong to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but God is the tree of life. Thus, the Lord directed the disciples from the line of knowledge to the line of life
21 马大
XXI. Martha
27马大是主的一个门徒，然而她完全在知识线上，持守有关末日复活的正统教训。（约十一24。）马大向主耶稣抱怨，主若早在那里，拉撒路就不会死。主说她的兄弟必复活，马大立刻解释祂的话说，她知道在末日复活的时候，拉撒路必复活。（约十一23～24。）她把现时的复活生命延到二千年后。主的回答是指著现时的复活生命，马大却凭著她对主话宗教的认识与解释，把复活延到遥远的未来。这真是可怕！马大的解经相当好，相当基要，然而，主说，『我是复活，我是生命，』（约十一25，）藉此把她指引到现时的复活。主似乎是告诉马大，『你不用等二千年，不用等待末日；现在我就是复活的生命。不要用你宗教基要的解经来更改我的话。我现在就是复活。』
27Martha was a disciple of the Lord. However, she was occupied with the line of knowledge, holding the knowledge of the sound teachings regarding the resurrection on the last day (John 11:24). Martha had complained to the Lord that if He had been present, Lazarus would not have died. When the Lord said that her brother would rise again, Martha immediately expounded His word, saying she knew that Lazarus would rise again in the resurrection at the last day ( John 11:23-24). She postponed the present resurrection life to a time two thousand years in the future. In His answer the Lord was referring to the present resurrection life, but Martha, by her religious knowledge and expounding of the Lord’sword, postponed the resurrection to the distant future. This was dreadful. Martha offered a good, fundamental exposition of the Bible. Nevertheless, the Lord directed her to the present resurrection by saying, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). The Lord seemed to be telling Martha, “There is no need to wait for two thousand years. You need not wait for the last day. I am the resurrection life right now. Don’t change My word by your religious, fundamental expounding of it. I am the resurrection now
22 彼得
XXII. Peter
28彼得刚从天上的父得了启示，（太十六17，）立刻就转到他的心思里，而且被撒但利用，阻挠主去钉十字架。（太十六21～23。）主责备他说，『撒但，退我后面去罢…因为你不思念神的事，只思念人的事。』思想是在心思里的事，属于知识。我们若向主独立，在知识线上运用我们的心思来思想，就很容易被撒但霸占或利用。彼得虽然是在生命线上，却在不知不觉间移到知识线上。我们都必须谨慎我们的思想！不然我们就会被撒但，死亡的源头，所欺骗。
28Immediately after receiving the revelation from the heavenly Father (Matt. 16:17), Peter turned to his mind and was utilized by Satan to frustrate the Lord from going to suffer crucifixion (Matt. 16:21-23). The Lord rebuked him, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan...for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.” Thinking is a matter in the mind and of knowledge. It is easy to be usurped and utilized by Satan when we exercise our mind in the line of knowledge to think independently of the Lord. Although Peter was on the line of life, beyond his consciousness he was shifted to the line of knowledge. We all must be careful about our thinking! Otherwise we may be taken over by Satan, the source of death.
23 犹大
XXIII. Judas
29犹大是十二门徒之一，但他总是在心思里数算钱财。（约十二4～6。）虽然他常与主（那时祂就是生命树）在一起，但他完全是在杀人的知识线上，全然不在生命线上。因为他的心思充满了钱的思念，他就将自己向魔鬼敞开，让魔鬼把出卖主的意念放在他心里。（约十三2。）至终，『撒但就进入他里面。（约十三27。）他以三十锭银子出卖了主。（太二六15。）然而，结果他并没有获得那钱的益处，反而丧失自己，上吊死了。（太二七5。）
29Judas was one of the twelve apostles, but he was always in his mind counting money (John 12:4-6). He was absolutely on the line of the killing knowledge and not at all on the line of life, even though he was with the Lord Jesus, who was then the tree of life. Since his mind was occupied with thoughts of money he opened himself to the Devil, who put into his heart the thought of betraying the Lord (John 13:2). Eventually, Satan entered into him (John 13:27), and he betrayed the Lord for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:15). However, the result was that he gained no profit from the money, but that he lost himself in death by hanging (Matt. 27:5
24 犹太人
XXIV. The Jews
30犹太人遵守律法，并且按著律法将主耶稣定了死罪。（约十九7。）他们说，『我们有律法，按那律法祂是该死的，因祂自命为神的儿子。』照他们的律法，主耶稣自称是神的儿子，是亵渎了神。因此，他们照著律法将主定了死罪。我们必须谨慎使用并引用圣经。我们使用圣经，究竟是在生命的路上呢，还是在知识的路上？圣经是生命树，带给我们生命；但也能成为知识树，带给我们死亡。所以，就是在使用圣经上，我们也得谨慎。
30The Jews kept their law and sentenced the Lord Jesus to death according to it (John 19:7). They said, “We have a law, and according to our law he ought to die, because he made himself Son of God.” According to their law, the Lord had blasphemed God in saying that He was His Son. Thus, they sentenced Him to death according to their law. We must be careful in using and in quoting the Bible. A great deal depends on whether we employ the Scriptures in the way of life or in the way of knowledge. The Scriptures should be the tree of life, which brings us life, but they can be the tree of knowledge, which brings us death. Even in using the Scriptures we have to be careful
25 大数的扫罗
XXV. Saul Of Tarsus
31大数的扫罗是个拔尖的宗教徒。他在犹太教中比他本族许多同岁的人更有长进，为他祖宗的传统格外热心，结果他逼迫了召会。（加一13～14。）（宗教及其传统的知识总是逼迫活的召会。神如何使大数的扫罗转到生命线上呢？当扫罗正逼迫召会的时候，神将祂的儿子启示在他里面，他就因祂活著。（加一16，二20。）扫罗是极其宗教的。没有人认为宗教是错的，但宗教完全是在知识线上。你只有转向活的基督，才能从知识线转到生命线。
31Saul of Tarsus was a foremost religionist. He was exceedingly zealous of the tradition of his fathers and surpassed many of his equals in the Jewish religion. As a result, he persecuted the church (Gal. 1:13-14). Religion, with its traditional knowledge, is always a persecutor of the living church. How did God turn Saul of Tarsus to the line of life? As Saul was persecuting the churches, God revealed the Son of God into him, and he came to live by Him (Gal. 1:16; 2:20). Saul was extremely religious. Although no one thinks that religion is wrong, it is altogether on the line of knowledge. Only as you turn to the living Christ will you be shifted from the line of knowledge to the line of life.
26 哥林多人
XXVI. The Corinthians
32哥林多信徒在知识上样样富足，他们很自高自大，但在基督里仍旧是婴孩。（林前一5，八一，三1。）知识不会帮助你长大半吋，只会叫你留在属灵的婴孩期。你越倾向知识，在基督里就越留在婴孩期。在哥林多前书中，保罗把哥林多人从知识转向生命的长大，使他们经历变化，为著神的建造。（林前三6～12。）保罗说，『我栽种了，亚波罗浇灌了，惟有神叫他生长。』他似乎是告诉哥林多人：『你们不需要更多的知识，你们所需要的是生命的长大。这种生命的长大是为著变化，好产生为著神建造的宝贵材料。你们需要生命长大，把你们从属肉体变成真正的属灵，使你们成为宝石，为著神的建造。』
32The Corinthian believers were enriched in all knowledge, but were puffed up and were still babes in Christ (1 Cor. 1:5; 8:1; 3:1). Knowledge will not help you grow a fraction of an inch; it will only keep you in your spiritual infancy. The more you cling to knowledge, the longer you will remain a babe in Christ. In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul turned them from knowledge to the growth in life that they might thereby experience transformation for God’s building (1 Cor. 3:6-12). Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God made to grow.” He seemed to tell the Corinthians, “You don’t need anymore knowledge. What you need is the growth in life. This growth in life is for the transformation which produces the precious materials for God’s building. You need the growth in life to transform you from being fleshly into being genuinely spiritual that you may become the precious stones for God’s building
27 智慧派的人
XXVII. The Gnostics
33在使徒时代有一派哲学，称为智慧派。智慧派是埃及、巴比伦、犹太及希腊思想的混杂。这种折衷的哲学偷偷混进召会生活里，保罗在歌罗西二章八节称之为哲学，虚空的欺骗，人的传统，及世上的蒙学。这种哲学把许多信徒从基督作他们的生命岔开，而把他们破坏了。那时，罗马政治残害信徒还不如希伯来宗教和希腊哲学那样厉害。所以，保罗写信给歌罗西人，指引他们转向所接受的基督。他们既然接受了基督，就要在祂里面行事为人，（西二6～7，）而不该照著哲学、人的观念或世上的蒙学。
33During the time of the apostles there was a philosophy called gnosticism. Gnosticism was a composite of Egyptian, Babylonian, Jewish, and Greek thought. This eclectic philosophy crept into the church life and it is described in Colossians 2:8 as philosophy, vain deceit, the tradition of men, and the rudiments of the world. This philosophy distracted and spoiled many believers from Christ as their life. At that time the Roman politics did not damage the believers as much as did the Hebrew religion and the Greek philosophy. Therefore, Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians instructing them to turn back to the Christ whom they had received. Since they had received Christ, they should also walk in Him (Col. 2:6), not according to philosophy, human concepts, or worldly rudiments
28召会中持异议的人
XXVIII. The Dissenters in the Church
34新约中题到召会中持异议的人。在罗马十六章十七节保罗警告我们，要留意那些持异议的，他们坚持异议，造成分立和绊跌的事。他们花言巧语，假装帮助别人。他们若不用圆滑的话语，就没有人听他们。保罗嘱咐我们特别留意异议者，因为他们喜爱教导不同的事，又为相反的教训争辩。不过，我们不是要用好坏、对错的标准试验那些异议的话，乃是要问：『这是建造，还是拆毁？是维持合一，还是造成分立？是帮助你向前，还是叫你跌倒？』你在还没有听他们异议的话以前是活的，但听了一小时你就死了。这证明这些异议的话散布死亡。不要照著对或错的知识去察验那些异议者，因为你这样作，就尝了善恶知识树。你必须照著生命或死亡来试验一切异议。你听了那些异议的话，你是活的，还是死的？你若真是活的，那就尽量去听罢。然而，你若经历了死，你就必须到主面前，求主洁净你，救你脱离死亡。已过几十年，我们见过许多异议者。我们需要看见，没有一个召会的光景一直是对的。但问题不在于对或错，乃在于是生命还是死亡。绝不要用对错的标准去试验异议的话，总要用生命或死亡来衡量。甚么事叫你活，赐你生命，你就接受。甚么事叫你死，杀死你，你就必须弃绝。
34The New Testament refers to the dissenters in the church. In Romans 1 6:1 7 Paul warns us to keep a watchful eye over the dissenting ones. They hold dissenting teachings and make divisions and causes of falling. They speak with flattering, enticing words and pretend to be helpful. If they did not speak with smooth words, no one would listen to them. Paul charged us to be watchful over the dissenting ones because they like to teach differently and contend for contrary doctrines. However, the test we must apply to any dissenting talk is not the standard of good or bad, right or wrong. Instead, we must ask, “Does this build up or tear down? Does it maintain unity and oneness or cause division? Does it help you to go on or does it cause you to fall?” Before you listened to the dissenting talk you were alive, but after listening for an hour you were deadened, thus proving that such dissension spreads death. Do not examine the dissenters according to the knowledge of right or wrong, for if you do this you will be tasting the tree of knowledge of good and evil. You must test all dissenting opinions according to death or life. After you listen to the dissenting talk, are you alive or dead? If you are truly alive, then listen as much as possible. However, if you experience death, you must go to the Lord and ask Him to cleanse you and to rescue you from that death. During the past decades we have seen many dissenting ones. We need to realize that in no church is the situation always right. However, the issue is not a matter of right or wrong; it is a matter of death or life. Never test dissenting talk by the standard of right or wrong. Always measure it by death or life. Anything that enlivens you and gives you life you may receive. Anything that deadens and kills you, you must renounce.
35保罗嘱咐提摩太留在以弗所作一件事－嘱咐异议者不可教导不同的事，只注意神的经纶，就是分赐神作生命。（提前一3～4。）我们再次看到这试验是生命。这个人的话若是将神分赐到你里面作生命，那就是好的；那些话若是不赐你生命，反而杀死你，那必定是在知识线上。
35Paul charged Timothy to remain at Ephesus to do one thing—to charge the dissenters not to teach differently, but to take care of God’s dispensation, the dispensing of God as life (1 Tim. 1:3-4). Once again we see that the test is life. If a man’stalk dispenses God into you as life, that is fine. If it does not give you life but kills you instead, it is certainly on the line of knowledge
29 巴兰、尼哥拉党及耶洗别
XXIX. Balaam, the Nicolaitans, and Jezebel
36启示录二章说到巴兰的教训、尼哥拉党的教训、耶洗别的教训和撒但深奥的事。（启二14，15，20，24。）初期召会受到这些教训的欺骗，偏离了吃主和同主坐席。所以，为著使召会回转来享受祂自己，主应许召会，他们若离开那些教训，祂就要将自己给他们吃。在启示录二章七节，主应许给他们吃生命树。在启示录二章十七节，主应许给他们隐藏的吗哪。在这两节里我们看到了伊甸园中的树和旷野中的吗哪，这两样都是基督自己。主没有说祂要给他们教训，或给他们更高超的道理。巴兰和尼哥拉党有他们的教训，耶洗别有她的教训，撒但有他深奥的事，主耶稣却有生命树和隐藏的吗哪。根据启示录三章二十节，主耶稣应许那听见祂叩门就开门的，与祂一同坐席。吃生命树，有分于隐藏的吗哪，以及与主一同坐席，这意思就是我们不断的留在生命线上享受主。我们若在混乱和分裂的日子依从了诸般的教训，我们就要被杀死。然而，我们若注意对主的享受，我们就是留在生命线上，就要得著生命而活著。
36Revelation 2 mentions the doctrine of Balaam, the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, the teachings of Jezebel, and the depths of Satan (Rev. 2:14, 15, 20, 24). The early churches were deceived by such teachings and turned away from the eating of the Lord and the feasting with the Lord. There fore, to turn the churches back to the enjoyment of Himself, the Lord made a promise to the churches that if they stay away from this kind of doctrine He will give them to eat of Himself. In Revelation 2:7 the Lord promises to give them to eat of the tree of life. In Reve lation 2:17 He promises to give them the hidden manna. In these two verses we see the tree that was in the garden of Eden and the manna that was in the wilderness, both of which are Christ Himself. The Lord did not say that He would give them teachings or that He would offer them a superior doctrine. While Balaam and the Nicolaitans have their doctrines, Jezebel her teaching, and Satan his depths, the Lord Jesus has the tree of life and the hidden manna. According to Revelation 3:20, the Lord promises a feast to everyone who will open to Him as He knocks on the door. What does it mean to eat of the tree of life, to partake of the hidden manna, and to feast with the Lord Jesus? It means that we stay continually on the line of life to enjoy the Lord. If, in the midst of the confusions and divisions of the day, we go along with the teachings, we will be killed. However, if we take care of the enjoyment of the Lord, that is, to be on the line of life, we will receive life and live.
30 敌基督
XXX. The Antichrist
37将来的敌基督是一个完全在心思里，而有刚强、独立意志的人。因此，他要完全被撒但得著，甚至成为撒但的化身。（启十三5～8。）他被称为『不法的人，』『灭亡之子，』因为他高抬自己，自称是神。（帖后二3～4。）他是圣经中知识线上的巨人，对于生命线一无所知，也毫不在意。他的定命是和撒但，死亡的源头，同受永远的死。
37The Antichrist will be a man completely in the mind with a strong, independent will. Thus, he will be totally possessed by Satan and will even become the incarnation of Satan (Rev. 13:5-8). He is called “the man of lawlessness,” “the son of destruction,” because he will exalt himself as God (2 Thes. 2:3-4). He will be the giant on the line of knowledge in the Bible, knowing and caring for nothing on the line of life. His destiny will be to suffer eternal death with Satan, the source of death (Rev. 19:20; 20:10
31 一般
XXXI. In General
38我要用林后三章六节作结论，那里说，『那字句杀死人，那灵却叫人活。那里的『字句』是指旧约，原文这辞在提后三章十五节译为『圣经，』保罗在那里说到提摩太从小明白圣经。但死字句的圣经属于知识树，是杀死人的；而那灵属于生命树，是赐人生命的。所以我们有一个选择。为这选择赞美主！生命的选择！在知识线之外，还有生命线。我们必须在知识与生命之间有一个选择。我们必须在生命和死亡之间选择一个。
38As a conclusion I want to refer to 2 Corinthians 3:6, which says, “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” The “letter” here refers to the Old Testament, and the same Greek word is rendered “writings” in 2 Timothy 3:15, where Paul mentions that Timothy knew the sacred writings since childhood. But the Bible in dead letters, which belongs to the tree of knowledge, kills, while the Spirit, who belongs to the tree of life, gives life. Therefore, we do have a choice. Praise the Lord for this choice! The choice of life! Besides the line of knowledge there is the line of life. We must make a choice between life and knowledge. We must choose between death and life