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哥林多前书生命读经 · 第48篇

长大达到完全据有

Growing Into the Full Possession
1并享受基督读经：希伯来书5:11-14;3:6-19;6:1，哥林多前书3:1-3,6-7;2:14。在本篇信息中，我们要从希伯来书与哥林多前书来看，我们需要长大达到完全据有并享受包罗万有的基督。
1and Enjoyment of Christ Scripture Reading: Heb. 5:11-14; 3:6-19; 6:1; 1 Cor. 3:1-3, 6-7; 2:14 In this message we shall see from Hebrews and 1 Corinthians that we need to grow into the full possession and enjoyment of the all-inclusive Christ
希伯来人与哥林多人保罗将以色列人的历史应用到新约的
THE HEBREWS AND THE CORINTHIANS Paul applies the history of the children of Israel to
21召会生活。在希伯来书与哥林多前书里，他清楚指出，发生在以色列人身上的事乃是我们的鉴戒。整个以色列人的历史，就是召会的故事。如我们所看过的，在林前十章六节保罗题到以色列人说，『这些事都是我们的鉴戒。』
2the New Testament church life. In Hebrews and Corinthians he points out clearly that what happened to the children of Israel is a type of us. The entire history of Israel is a story of the church. As we have seen, in 10:6 Paul, referring to the children of Israel, says, “Now these things occurred as types of us.”
3希伯来书与哥林多前书所达与的信徒情形不同。希伯来信徒在关于基督的道理上是婴孩，他们因著缺少信心而受阻挠，不能进入应许之地完满的安息。（来五11～14，三7～19，六1。）因此，他们需要在信心上长大。他们在对真理正确的认识上，缺少充足的信心。保罗说这更深的真理乃是公义的话，是干粮。（五12～14。）哥林多信徒在对基督的经历上是婴孩，因为他们属魂并属肉体，就受到阻挠，不能进入对基督完满的享受。因此，他们需要在生命里长大。（林前三1～3，6～7，二14。）希伯来人缺少信心，哥林多人缺少在生命里长大。在希伯来书与哥林多前书里，保罗都鼓励信徒往前、长进。希伯来信徒这一班人，需要在对更深真理正确的信心上长进、加增；哥林多信徒这第二班人，需要在生命的长大上长进。哥林多信徒有基督作他们的分，（一2，）因他们已经蒙召进入了基督的交通。（9。）神使基督成了他们的能力和智慧：公义、圣别和救赎。（30。）不但如此，哥林多信徒经历并享受了基督作他们的逾越节，（五7，）作他们的圣别，使他们得以圣别，（六11，）作他们的公义，使他们得称义，（11，）作无酵饼，使他们的基督徒生活成为节期，（五8，）作他们的灵食，（十3，）作他们的灵水，（4上，）并作他们的灵磐石。（4下。）他们对基督的经历都是藉著他们与那灵，就是复活的基督（二14，六17，十五45下）调和的重生之灵。将来，他们要享受基督作他们的荣耀，使他们得荣耀。（二～8。）那将是他们的身体得赎。（一30。）他们有分于基督的血和基督的身体。（十16。）然而，他们受警戒，不要在基督徒的赛程中跌倒，像大多数的以色列人在旷野倒毙一样，乃要长大达到完全据有并享受包罗万有的基督，就是神所应许之地。
3The situations of the believers addressed in Hebrews and 1 Corinthians were different. The Hebrew believers were infants in doctrines concerning Christ, and they were frustrated from entering into the full rest of the promised land because of their shortage of faith (Heb. 5:11-14; 3:6-19; 6:1). Thus, they needed the growth in faith. They were short of adequate faith in the proper knowledge of the truth. Paul refers to this deeper truth as the word of righteousness, as solid food (Heb. 5:12-14). The Corinthian believers were infants in the experience of Christ and were frustrated from entering into the full enjoyment of Christ because they were soulish and fleshly. Thus, they needed the growth in life (1 Cor. 3:1-3, 6-7; 2:14). With the Hebrews there was a shortage of faith, and with the Corinthians there was a shortage of the growth in life. In both Hebrews and 1 Corinthians Paul encourages the believers to go on, to progress. The one group, the Hebrew believers, needed to progress, to increase, in the proper faith in the deeper truths; the second group, the Corinthian believers, needed to progress in the growth in life. The Corinthian believers had Christ as their portion (1:2), for they had been called into the fellowship of Christ (1:9). God had made Christ to them power and wisdom: righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1:30). Furthermore, the Corinthian believers had experienced and enjoyed Christ as their Passover (5:7), their holiness for sanctification (6:11), their righteousness for justification (6:11), the unleavened bread for their Christian life as a feast (5:8), their spiritual food (10:3), their spiritual drink (10:4a), and their spiritual rock (10:4b). Their experiences of Christ were all by their regenerated spirit mingled with the Spirit, who is the resurrected Christ (2:14; 6:17; 15:45b). In the future, they will enjoy Christ as their glory for glorification (2:7-8). That will be the redemption of their body (1:30). They were in the participation in Christ’s blood7 and Christ’s body (10:16). Nevertheless, they were admonished not to fall in the Christian race, as most of the children of Israel did in the wilderness, but rather to grow into the full possession and enjoyment of the all - inclusive Christ, God’s promised land.
4以色列人的历史以色列人的历史可分为三段。我们可将这三段的第一段称为救恩阶段。照著出埃及记，以色列人虽是神的选民，却在堕落的光景里，并在埃及人的暴政之下。但他们得拯救，脱离那堕落的情形，并被带到神的山和神的居所。他们也接受神圣的供备，以供应他们的需要。他们需要粮食，属天的吗哪就来了。他们需要水，活水就从裂开的磐石流出来。他们
4THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL The history of Israel can be divided into three sections. We may call the first of these sections the section of salvation. According to the book of Exodus, the children of Israel, although they were God’s chosen people, were in a fallen condition and were under the tyranny of the Egyptians. But they were saved out of that fallen situation and brought to the mountain of God and to the dwelling place of God. They also received the divine provisions to supply their need. When they needed food, the heavenly manna came. When they needed drink, the living water flowed to
5一切的需要都由神应付。因此，他们有那使他们能进入美地的神圣供备。进入那地以后，他们就享受那地的丰富。在申命记八章
5them out of the cleft rock. All their needs were met by God. Thus, they had the divine provisions which enabled them to enter into the good land. After coming into the land, they enjoyed the riches of the
6七至九节，我们看见一幅美地丰富的绝佳景象。这些丰富的每一面都豫表基督之丰富的一面。
6land. In Deuteronomy 8:7-9 we have an excellent view of the riches of the good land. Every aspect of these riches typifies an aspect of the riches of Christ
7在前一篇信息里，我们说了一些警告的话。在那篇信息中，没有给人多少鼓励。现今在本篇信息中，我们要来看一些非常鼓励人的事。事实上，以色列人的历史或豫表并不令人失望。不错，只有两个出埃及的人进入美地，这是事实。在两百多万出埃及的人中，只有约书亚和迦勒，同著约瑟的尸体，进入美地；然而，所有新一代的人都随著他们进入美地。在人的一面我们看见失败，但从神的一面我们看见得胜。我们必须留意至终神的选民进入美地的事实；他们征服、治服、并赶出霸占者，得著那地，并享受那地所有的丰富。他们建立国度，并且在那国度里，圣殿被建造起来。所以，在美地上神的子民中间有国度和圣殿，神就在祂的子民中间得著祂的彰显。这标出以色列人这段称为救恩阶段之历史的结束。
7In the previous message we gave a word of warning. In that message not much encouragement was given. Now in this message we shall consider something very encouraging. Actually the history, or the type, of Israel is not disappointing. Yes, it is true that only two who came out of Egypt entered into the good land. Of the more than two million who came out of Egypt only Joshua and Caleb, along with the body of Joseph, entered into the good land. However, along with them, all those of the new generation came into the good land. On the human side we see failure, but from God’ss i de we see victory. We must take note of the fact that eventually God’s chosen people entered into the good land; conquered, subdued, and drove out the usurpers; gained the land; and enjoyed all the riches in the land. They established the kingdom, and within the kingdom a temple was built. Therefore, among His people in the good land with the kingdom and the temple, God had His expression. This marks the end of the section of the history of Israel called the section of salvation.
8在圣经里，神完全和完整的救恩包括过逾越节、出埃及、过红海、在旷野的旅程、神圣供备的供应、在神的山上与祂交通、领受神圣的启示、以及建造神的居所。我们来看这完满并完整救恩的范围时，必须领悟神绝不能被击败。我们也许以为神不可能得著十四万四千个得胜者。（启十四1。）对我们这似乎不可能；但在人不可能的，在神全然可能。我们的神是得胜的神，祂不能被击败，祂的定旨，祂的计画，也不能被击败。神是伟大的，祂的眼光是宽广的。祂有办法将祂的子民带出埃及，经过旷野，并进入美地。
8In the Bible God’s full and complete salvation includes the Passover, the exodus, the crossing of the Red Sea, the journey in the wilderness, the supply of the divine provisions, fellowship with God at His mountain, receiving divine revelation, and the building up of God’s dwelling place. As we consider the scope of this full and complete salvation, we must realize that God can never be defeated. We may think that it is impossible for God to gain one hundred forty-four thousand overcomers (Rev. 14:1). To us this may seem impossible. But what is impossible with man is altogether possible with God. Our God is a victorious God. He cannot be defeated, and His purpose, His plan, cannot be defeated either. God is great, and His view is vast. He had a way to bring His people out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the good land
9到底以色列人是被击败了，还是赢得胜利？这问题的正确答案是，他们暂时被击败，最终却是得胜的。他们得著美地，并得著神完全的救恩。基督徒受传统神学的影响，常会问别人得救了没有。要正确的回答这问题，我们需要来看神完整救恩的范围，并且领悟这包括以色列人从过逾越节到美地建殿的整个经历。享受逾越节的确是神救恩的一面。然而，这只是完全救恩的开始，不是这救恩的完成。以色列人过了红海，行经旷野，据有美地，并建造被神的荣耀充满的圣殿以后，他们才得著神完全救恩的完成。下次人问你得救了没有，你该智慧的回答。你需要问，神的救恩是甚么意思，这救恩包括甚么。你可以回答：『你问我得救了没有。在我回答以前，请你告诉我，神救恩的广度、范围是甚么。』不错，以色列人在过逾越节的时候经历救恩。例如，一个便雅悯支派的人能信心十足的见证，因著他享受了逾越节，他就得救了。然而，神的救恩所包括的比逾越节多得多。正如我们所指出的，神的救恩包括神的住处，祂的居所；救恩不但是为著神的住处，甚至包括这住处。我们若还没有经历神的居所，我们的救恩就不完整。完全并完整的得救，意思是享受逾越节，经历出埃及和过红海，得著神圣供备的供应，据有美地，并且被建造成神的殿，就是祂在地上的居所。神的荣耀就要充满这殿。这是完全的救恩。以色列人从逾越节到王上八章的整个历史，都是召会的豫表。然而，许多基督教教师只以某些方面为豫表，没有以完整的历史为豫表。
9Were the children of Israel defeated, or did they gain the victory? The correct answer to this question is that they were defeated temporarily, but ultimately they were victorious. They gained the good land and received God’s full salvation. It is common for Christians, under the influence of traditional theology, to ask others if they have been saved. To give a proper answer to this question, we need to consider the scope of God’s complete salvation and to realize that it includes the entire experience of the children of Israel from the Passover to the building of the temple in the good land. The enjoyment of the Passover certainly was an aspect of God’ss alvation. However, it was simply the beginning of full salvation; it was not the completion of this salvation. Only after the children of Israel had crossed the Red Sea, journeyed through the wilderness, gained possession of the good land, and built the temple, which was filled with the glory of God, did they have the completion of God’s full salvation. The next time someone asks you if you have been saved, you should answer in a wise way. You need to inquire what is meant by God’s salvation and what this salvation includes. You may reply, “You ask me if I have been saved. Before I answer, I would like you to tell me what is the span, the scope, of God’ss alvation.” Yes, the children of Israel experienced salvation at the time of the Passover. A member of the tribe of Benjamin, for example, could have testified confidently that because he had enjoyed the Passover, he had been saved. God’ss alvation, however, includes much more than the Passover. As we have pointed out, it includes God’s habitation, His dwelling place. Not only is salvation for God’s habitation; it even includes this habitation. If we have not yet experienced God’s dwelling place, our salvation is not complete. To be saved in a full and complete way means to enjoy the Passover, to experience the exodus and the crossing of the Red Sea, to be supplied with the divine provisions, to gain possession of the good land, and to be built up as a temple of God, His habitation on earth. God’s glory will then fill this temple. This is full salvation. The entire history of the children of Israel from the Passover to 1 Kings 8 is a type of the church. However, many Christian teachers take only particular aspects as types, not the complete history.
10在本篇信息中，我们所关切的不是以色列人历史的第二和第三段。因此，我们只说一点就彀了。第二段包括从建造圣殿以后的堕落，到一九六七年收复耶路撒冷之间的一切。第三段，千年国，要到主耶稣回来以后才开始。以色列人历史的第一和第二段，是召会的豫表。在神看来，以色列人和召会的历程是平行的。
10In this message we are not concerned with the second and third sections of the history of Israel. Thus, it is sufficient simply to say that the second section includes everything from the degradation that followed after the building of the temple until the recovery of Jerusalem in 1967. The third section, the millennium, will not begin until after the Lord’s coming back. The first and second sections of Israel’s history are a type of the church. In the sight of God, Israel and the church are on a parallel course
应用以色列人
APPLYING THE FIRST PORTION
11历史的第一段我要强调在得著美地上，以色列人没有被击败的事实。他们进入那地，征服那地，完全据有那地，并享受那地丰富的出产。我在本篇信息中的负担，是要将以色列人历史的这段应用到我们身上。为这缘故，本篇信息的题目是『长大达到完全据有并享受基督』。
11OF ISRAEL’S HISTORY I wish to emphasize the fact that in gaining the good land the children of Israel were not defeated. They entered the land, they conquered the land, they fully possessed the land, and they had the enjoyment of the rich produce of the land. My burden in this message is to apply this section of the history of Israel to us. For this reason the message is entitled, “Growing into the Full Possession and Enjoyment of Christ
12在以色列人历史的第一段，每件积极的事都豫表基督或与基督有关的事。逾越节同无酵饼和苦菜豫表基督。红海是基督之死的豫表，云是基督之灵的豫表。同样，吗哪、被击打的磐石、活水、以及帐幕同其器具和装备，都是豫表。但基督终极的豫表，最大且包罗万有的豫表，乃是美地。以色列人进入美地，据有那地，并享受那地。我们需要将他们历史的这部分应用到我们今天的经历。
12In the first section of the history of Israel every positive thing is a type of Christ or of something related to Christ. The Passover with the unleavened bread and the bitter herbs typifies Christ. The Red Sea is a type of the death of Christ, and the cloud is a type of the Spirit of Christ. Likewise, the manna, the smitten rock, the living water, and the tabernacle with its utensils and furnishings are all types. But the ultimate type of Christ, the greatest and all-inclusive type, is the good land. The children of Israel entered the good land, possessed it, and enjoyed it. We need to apply this part of their history to our experience today.
13我们查考他们历史的这段时，就会看见以色列人没有被击败。反之，他们是得胜的：他们得著那地、进入那地、据有那地、并享受那地。这该鼓励我们不要因著今天基督徒中间的情形而失望。我们必须信我们的神仍是得胜的神，祂有路完成祂的定旨。不但如此，我们也信主的恢复是必需的，好叫神能完成以色列人那段进入那地、据有那地、并享受那地之历史所豫表的。
13As we consider this portion of their history, we shall see that the children of Israel were not defeated. On the contrary, they were victorious: they gained the land, entered it, possessed it, and enjoyed it. This should encourage us not to be disappointed by the situation among Christians today. We must believe that our God is still the God of victory and that He has a way to carry out His purpose. Furthermore, we also believe that the recovery is needed for God to fulfill what is typified by that portion of the history of Israel concerned with entering the land, possessing it, and enjoying it
两代
TWO GENERATIONS
14以色列人从逾越节到进入美地有两代。第一代由出埃及的人所组成，第二代由进美地的人所组成。这指明在我们信徒身上有两代。在第一代我们得救了，但我们要以第二代进入美地。第一代是我们的旧人，第二代是我们的新人。除了另有一个灵的约书亚和迦勒以外，第一代都死了。约书亚和迦勒属于新的一代，不属于旧的一代。那就是他们经历双重的浸的原因。第一次的浸在他们过红海的时候，第二次在他们过约但河的时候。旧的一代经过红海，但过约但河的是新的一代。以色列人过红海时，我不信他们领悟他们在经历受浸。他们虽然不领悟，但在神看来，他们事实上是在那时候受了浸。然而，他们受浸以后，仍在非常可怜的情形里。原则上，今天的信徒也许就是这样。我们受浸以后，我们的召会生活也许仍是混乱的。所以，我们需要过约但河。第一次的浸没有实际了结以色列人，却埋葬了法老和埃及的军队。乃是在约但河里的浸，埋葬了以色列人的十二支派，就是放在河底的十二块石头所代表的。（书四9。）
14With the children of Israel from the Passover to the entering of the good land, there were two generations. The first generation was made up of those who came out of Egypt, and the second, of those who entered the good land. This indicates that we believers have two generations. We were saved with the first generation, but we shall enter the good land with the second generation. The first generation is our old man, and the second generation is our new man. With the exception of Joshua and Caleb, who had another spirit, the first generation died out. Joshua and Caleb belonged to the new generation, not to the old generation. That is why they experienced a double baptism, the first baptism when they passed through the Red Sea and the second when they crossed the Jordan River. The old generation passed through the Red Sea, but it was the new generation that crossed the Jordan. When the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea, I doubt that they realized that they were experiencing a baptism. But although they may have lacked understanding, in the sight of God they were in fact baptized at that time. However, after their baptism they were still in a very poor situation. In principle, the same may be true of believers today. After we are baptized, our church life may still be in confusion. Therefore, we need to pass through the Jordan River. The first baptism did not actually terminate the children of Israel. Rather, it buried Pharaoh and the Egyptian army. It was the baptism in the Jordan River that buried the twelve tribes of the children of Israel, represented by twelve stones placed in the bottom of the river (Josh. 4:9
15在红海第一次的浸和约但河第二次的浸之间，以色列人在经历变化。你若在他们过红海以后去看看他们，你也许希奇他们怎能作神的子民。可能你会以为，摩西帮助他们享受逾越节是错误的。他们一直争吵、发怨言并批评。但在过红海和过约但河之间的四十年里，有许多与变化有关的对付。这就是说，按属灵说，这段期间以色列人被变化。不错，旧的一代倒毙在旷野，这对我们是警告。但新的一代产生了，这是变化。他们过约但河以后，就成为强大的军队。
15Between the first baptism at the Red Sea and the second baptism at the Jordan River, the children of Israel were experiencing transformation. If you could have visited them after they had passed through the Red Sea, you may have wondered how they could be God’sp eople. Perhaps you would have thought that Moses was mistaken in helping them to enjoy the Passover. They were fighting, murmuring, and criticizing. But during the forty years between passing through the Red Sea and crossing the Jordan River, there were many dealings related to transformation. This means that, spiritually speaking, during this time the children of Israel were transformed. Yes, the old generation was strewn in the wilderness, and this is a warning to us. But a new generation came forth. This is transformation. After they crossed the Jordan, they became a mighty army
变化的过程
THE PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION
16我们若思想以色列人的历史，就不会对自己失望。反之，我们会领悟，我们就好比在茧里经历变化过程的毛毛虫。不要失望，乃要从你的『茧』里敬拜主。我们都是经历神圣变化工作的『毛毛虫』。这工作越进展，我们就越从我们茧里出来。有些年轻人也许只有小部分脱茧而出，而其他的圣徒在茧外的部分比较大。赞美主，毛毛虫正被变化，茧逐渐消失！这是在主恢复里召会生活中真实的情形。因为我们部分在茧里，部分在茧外，有时我们就灰心，有时我们又受鼓励。我们留意茧或茧里的毛毛虫时，就会失望。但我们看见从茧里出来的蝴蝶时，就受鼓励并且喜乐。在主的恢复里，我们逐渐从我们的茧里出来。反之，我们许多人能见证，我们在组织的宗教里时，对变化一无所知，对茧里的毛毛虫变成美丽的蝴蝶也没有概念。主的恢复的确是必需的，好将圣徒带进真实变化的经历。我们若对主忠信，主的恢复就会越过越普及。最近我释放好些关于世界局势的信息。我们若对世界局势有正确的洞察力，就会看见现在正是主的恢复扩展到全地的时候。甚至现代的交通工具和通讯方法，都能被主为著祂的恢复所使用。所以，我们中间尤其是年轻人，扩展主恢复的时机成熟了。今天基督徒在那里能听见主恩典的话和祂公义的话？在许多地方人拜偶像；他们吃、喝、起来玩耍。但在主的恢复里，神在说话。我信在要来的年日里，主的恢复，主在地上终极的行动，会非常普及。主渴望聚集爱祂、寻求祂的人，并使他们成为祂活的见证。
16If we consider the history of the children of Israel, we shall not be disappointed with ourselves. Instead, we shall realize that we can be compared to caterpillars in a cocoon undergoing the process of transformation. Do not be disappointed, but worship the Lord from within your “cocoon.” We all are “caterpillars” experiencing the divine work of transformation. The more this work progresses, the more we emerge from our cocoon. Some of the young ones may have only a small part free from the cocoon, whereas other saints have a greater percentage of their being outside the cocoon. Praise the Lord that the caterpillars are being transformed and that the cocoons are gradually disappearing! This is the real situation in the church life in the Lord’s recovery. Because we are partly in the cocoon and partly out of it, sometimes we are discouraged and at other times we are encouraged. When we are mindful of the cocoon or of the caterpillar in the cocoon, we become disappointed. But when we see the butterfly emerging from the cocoon, we are encouraged and happy. In the Lord’s recovery we are gradually coming out of our cocoons. Many of us can testify that, by contrast, when we were in organized religion, we did not know anything about transformation, nor did we have any concept of caterpillars in cocoons being changed into beautiful butterflies. The Lord’s recovery certainly is necessary to bring the saints into the real experience of transformation. If we are faithful to the Lord, the recovery will become more and more prevailing. Recently I gave a number of messages on the world situation. If we have the proper insight into the world situation, we shall see that the time is right for the Lord’s recovery to spread throughout the earth. Even all the modern means of transportation and communication can be used of the Lord for His recovery. Therefore, the time is ripe for us, especially the younger ones, to spread the Lord’s recovery. Where can Christians today hear both the Lord’sword of grace and His word of righteousness? In so many places the people practice idolatry; they eat, drink, and rise up to play. But in the recovery God is speaking. I believe that in the coming years the recovery, the Lord’s ultimate move on earth, will be very prevailing. The Lord desires to gather those who love Him and who seek Him and make them His living testimony.
17我们需要在生命里长大我们在主的恢复里需要在生命里长大。长大就是从茧里出来。在生命里长大也是消除旧的一代，并在我们的心思、情感、和意志里得更新。这包含变化。变化是消除旧的一代─旧人，穿上新的一代─新人。这就是完全从茧里出来，并且得著释放，像蝴蝶一样。
17OUR NEED TO GROW IN LIFE We in the Lord’s recovery need to grow in life. To grow is to come out of the cocoon. To grow in life is also to eliminate the old generation and to be renewed in our mind, emotion, and will. This involves transformation. Transformation is a matter of eliminating the old generation, the old man, and putting on the new generation, the new man. This is to fully come out of the cocoon and be released as a butterfly
18今天我们在享受基督，但我们还没有据有祂作包罗万有的地。我们若要这样据有基督，我们的旧人必须死去，新人必须出来。赞美主，旧人天天在死！我们许多人能见证，自从我们进到主的恢复里，就有一种改变在我们里面进行。这改变就是旧人死去，新人长大。这就是变化，这就是在生命里的长大。保罗写这封信给哥林多人的用意，是要帮助他们经历旧人死去，新人长大。他在林前三章用生长这辞，说他栽种了，亚波罗浇灌了，而神叫人生长。有些圣徒听见生命的长大，也许说，『我在主的恢复里多年了，但我没有察觉到自己有甚么长大。』倘若这是你的感觉，我要鼓励你将你今天的情形与你几年前的情形比较。你若这样比较，我信你会敬拜主，并为著祂在你里面所作的感谢祂。你会为著一个事实赞美祂：蝴蝶（你的新人）逐渐从茧里出来了。赞美主，我们在长大！藉著长大和变化，我们脱去旧人，穿上新人。
18Today we are enjoying Christ, but we have not yet possessed Him as the all-inclusive land. If we would possess Christ in this way, our old man must die out, and the new man must come forth. Praise the Lord that the old man is dying out day by day! Many of us can testify that since we have come into the Lord’s recovery, a change has taken place within us. This change is the dying out of the old man and the growing up of the new man. This is transformation, the growth in life. Paul’sin tent i on in writing this Epistle to the Corinthians was to help them to experience the dying out of the old man and the growing up of the new man. He uses the word grow in chapter three, saying that he planted, Apollos watered, and God gives the growth. When some saints hear of the growth of life, they may say, “I have been in the Lord’s recovery for many years, but I haven’t noticed any growth in me.” If this is your feeling, I would encourage you to compare the way you are today with what you were several years ago. If you make this comparison, I believe that you will worship the Lord and thank Him for what He has been doing in you. You will praise Him for the fact that the butterfly, your new being, has been gradually emerging from its cocoon. Praise the Lord that we are growing! By growth and transformation we are putting off the old man and putting on the new man
19然而，我们必须谨慎，不要试著自己脱茧。这样作会造成损害。生命的长大在进行时，茧保护我们。若没有在生命里充分的长大，绝不要试著脱茧。这里的原则由出埃及二十三章二十七至三十节关于占有美地，并赶出迦南人的话来说明。神告诉以色列人，祂不会一次将迦南人都撵出去。不然，野兽会进来毁坏。神甚至要用迦南人作以色列人的保护。这指明我们不该没有在生命里长大，就对付我们的旧人。我再说，不要试著挪去你的茧。反之，只要在主的恢复里过正常的召会生活。你若这样作，就能确定你在生命里正稳定的长大。
19We must be careful, however, not to try to pull off the cocoon ourselves. To do this is to cause damage. The cocoon protects us while the growth in life is taking place. Never try to pull off your cocoon without the adequate growth in life. The principle here is illustrated by a word in Exodus 23:27-30 concerning occupying the good land and driving out the Canaanites. God told the children of Israel that He would not drive out the Canaanites all at once. Otherwise, wild beasts would come in to destroy. God would even use the Canaanites as a protection to the children of Israel. This indicates that we should not try to deal with our old man apart from the growth in life. I repeat, do not try to remove your cocoon. Instead, simply live a normal church life in the Lord’s recovery. If you do this, you can be assured that you are steadily growing in life.