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以弗所书生命读经 · 第17篇

基督向著召会作万有的头

CHRIST TO BE THE HEAD OVER ALL THINGS TO THE CHURCH
1保罗在以弗所一章祷告，愿我们有智慧和启示的灵，使我们对神有充分的认识。根据上下文，对神充分的认识意即认识神呼召的盼望，神在圣徒中之基业的荣耀，以及神向著我们这信的人超越浩大的能力。认识神就是认识盼望、荣耀和能力，因为神自己是在盼望、荣耀和能力里。我们若宣称认识神，却不知道这三件事，我们对神的认识就仅仅是在客观的一面，而不是在经历的一面。但在盼望、荣耀和能力里认识神，乃是在经历上、在主观上认识祂。今天大多数的基督徒都是客观的认识神，并且仅仅是以知识的方法认识神。对他们来说，神是远在天上。他们认识神作他们信仰和敬拜的对象，但是他们没有主观的认识神作他们的盼望、荣耀和能力。他们不认识祂是那在他们里面运行，使他们成为圣别，把他们构成为神的儿子，并使他们成为神基业的那一位。
1In Ephesians 1 Paul prayed that we would have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of God. According to the context, to have the full knowledge of God means to know the hope of God’scall ing, the glory of God’s inheritance among the saints, and the surpassing greatness of God’s power toward us who believe. To know God is to know the hope, the glory, and the power, for God Himself is in the hope, glory, and power. If we claim to know God without knowing these three things, then we know God merely in an objective way, not in an experiential way. But to know God in the hope, the glory, and the power is to know Him experientially and subjectively. Most Christians today know God objectively, in the way of mere knowledge. To them, God is far away in the heavens. They know God as the object of their belief and worship, but they do not know Him subjectively as their hope, glory, and power. They do not know Him as the One operating within them to make them holy, to constitute them the sons of God, and to cause them to become the inheritance of God
成为神的基业
BECOMING GOD’S INHERITANCE
2我们已经指出，神的呼召乃是祂对我们祝福的总和。在神的祝福里，我们成为圣别，构成为神的众子，并且成为神的基业。所以我们是珍宝，配得成为神的基业。神是这么高，这么大，并且极其宝贵，但祂却要接受我们作祂的基业。我们若看看自己目前的光景，就知道我们不配作祂的基业。然而神要在我们里面作工，使我们成为宇宙中配得上、极宝贵、并有价值的惟一珍宝，作祂的基业。神把我们这些祂的选民当作祂特有的产业。我们能成为神的珍宝，作祂特有的产业，惟一的路乃是藉著在我们里面的神圣工作。神是珍宝，正在将祂自己这珍宝作到我们里面，使我们能成为祂的珍宝。
2We have pointed out that God’scall ing is the sum total of His well-speaking concerning us. In God’swell-speaking we are made holy, we are constituted the sons of God, and we become God’s inheritance. Therefore, we shall be a treasure worthy of becoming God’s inheritance. God is so high, so great, and exceedingly precious. Nevertheless, He will receive us as His inheritance. However, if we look at our present condition, we shall realize that we are not worthy to be His inheritance. But God will work within us to make us worthy, precious, and valuable, a unique treasure in the universe as an inheritance for Him. God considers us, His chosen people, His peculiar possession. The only way we can become God’st re a sure, His peculiar possession, is by the divine working in us. God is the treasure, and He is working Himself as the treasure into us that we may become a treasure to Him
新耶路撒冷
THE NEW JERUSALEM
3我们已经看见神祝福的三个重要方面，就是我们要成为圣别，构成为神的众子，并成为神的基业。这三方面在新耶路撒冷里都可以看见。根据启示录二十一章，新耶路撒冷是一座圣城，其中可以看见神的圣别。再者，新耶路撒冷是神众子的组合。启示录二十一章七节说，得胜的，必承受一切，并作神的儿子。这指明新耶路撒冷是神圣儿子名分的总和。不仅如此，新耶路撒冷对神对人来说，都是珍宝、基业。在新耶路撒冷里，神要享受我们作祂的珍宝，我们也要享受祂作我们的珍宝。因此新耶路撒冷对神对人来说，都是彼此的基业，相互的满足。新耶路撒冷将是圣别的具体表现，是神众子的组合，也是神、人相互的基业。不仅如此，新耶路撒冷将有神的荣耀，就是神基业的荣耀，也有神在圣徒中之基业荣耀的丰富。今天这荣耀就是我们的盼望。
3We have seen that three important aspects of God’swell- speaking are that we shall be made holy, that we shall be constituted the sons of God, and that we shall become God’s inheritance. These three aspects are seen in the New Jerusalem. According to Revelation 21, the New Jerusalem will be a holy city, a city in which God’s holiness is seen. Also, the New Jerusalem will be a composition of the sons of God. Revelation 21:7 says that he who overcomes will inherit all things and be God’s son. This indicates that the New Jerusalem is the totality of the divine sonship. Furthermore, the New Jerusalem will be a treasure, an inheritance, both to God and to us. In the New Jerusalem God will enjoy us as His treasure, and we shall enjoy Him as our treasure. There fore, the New Jerusalem will be a mutual inheritance and a mutual satisfaction for God and man. The New Jerusalem will be the embodiment of holiness, a composition of the sons of God, and a mutual inheritance for God and man. Moreover, the New Jerusalem will have the glory of God, which is the glory of God’s inheritance, the riches of the glory of His inheritance among the saints. Today this glory is our hope.
向著我们这信的人那包罗万有的能力
THE ALL-INCLUSIVE POWER toward us who believe
4这盼望乃是藉著神超越浩大的能力成就的。基要派的基督教能力薄弱，灵恩派的基督教也没有正当的能力。但是以弗所一章说，这能力乃是向著我们这信的人。我们这些信主耶稣和圣经的人，都可以宣告说，『阿利路亚！我信！我信主耶稣，我也信神的话。』我们不必禁食祷告来得著神圣的能力，因为这能力是向著我们这信之人的。藉著信，我们被摆在对的地位上，彀资格领受神的能力。阿利路亚！这能力是向著我们这信的人。为著说明这事，电是很好的例子。当我们盖安那翰会所时，我们安装了输送电力的设备；现在电力乃是向著这个建筑物的，问题在于我们用不用这能力。我们只要打开开关，就能使用电力。照样，属天的电力已安装到我们里面，属天的能力已经向著我们。接受这能力的路不在于禁食祷告几天，只要打开开关就彀了。操练打开开关的方法之一，就是一再的宣告以弗所一章十九至二十三节。我们若把这几节话宣告十次，就会得著能力。但你若反覆的说你软弱，你就真的软弱了。然而我们凭信心说积极的话，就运用我们的全人接受神圣的能力。当我们凭信说话并接受能力时，一切消极的事物都要逃跑。撒但不怕我们可怜哀求的祷告，他怕我们在信心里的说话。我们需要说，『我信，我说话，我有能力，我是刚强的。』这不是迷信，这乃是我们基督徒的信。
4This hope is being fulfilled by the surpassingly great power of God. Fundamental Christianity has little power. Neither does Pentecostal Christianity have the proper power. But Ephesians 1 speaks of the power that is toward us who believe. As those who believe in the Lord Jesus and in the Bible, we can all proclaim, “Hallelujah, I believe! I believe in the Lord Jesus and I believe in the Word of God.” We do not need to fast and pray in order to receive the divine power, for this power is toward us who believe. By believing we are positioned and qualified to receive the power of God. Hallelujah, this power is toward us who believe! Electricity is an excellent illustration of this. When we built our meeting hall in Anaheim, electricity was installed. Now electrical power is toward the building. It is up to us whether or not we use this power, and we use it by turning on the switch. Likewise, the heavenly electricity has been installed in us, and the heavenly power is toward us. The way to receive this power is not to fast and pray for several days; it is simply to use the switch. One way to practice using the switch is to speak Ephesians 1:19-23 again and again. If we speak these verses ten times, we shall be empowered. However, if you repeatedly say that you are weak, you will in fact be weak. But by speaking positively in faith, we exercise our whole being to receive the divine power. When we speak in faith and receive the power, all negative things flee away. Satan is not afraid of our pitiful, begging prayers, but he is afraid of our speaking in faith. We need to say, “I believe, I speak, I have the power, I am strong.” This is not superstition; it is our Christian faith.
5说到信，首先必须有事实。神来告诉我们事实，然后我们信神所说的。我们基督徒的信就像这样。虽然我们看不见，但基督已从死人中复活，坐在天上远超过一切，这乃是事实。不仅如此，万有已服在祂的脚下，使祂向著召会作万有的头，这也是事实。这些都是在宇宙中已经完成的事实。神藉著祂的圣言，进来告诉我们这些事实；然后我们信神所说的，并说神所说的。这就是信。我们不该只阅读、研究圣经，也该宣告圣经的话。有些人定罪我们重复的读圣经经节，然而我们要更多的重复。在这宇宙中，有一个传输正从诸天之1:19上的主向著召会在进行。以弗所一章十九节说，这个传输是『向著我们这信的人』。不仅如此，一章二十二节说，『将万有服在祂的脚下，并使祂向著召会作万有的头。』『向著』这个小小的辞指明传输。这向著我们的能力就是三一神。这能力不仅是创造的能力，更是经过成为肉体、钉十字架、复活、升天的能力。三一神经过了这些步骤，就成为这样的能力临到我们。所以在这能力里有创造的能力，以及成为肉体、钉十字架、复活和升天的能力。因此，这是包罗万有的能力。向著我们这信之人的能力，乃是三一神，宇宙的创造者；祂成为肉体，经过钉十字架，进入复活和升天，并来到我们这里。这个能力已经安装在我们里面，如同电力安装在建筑物里一样。我们需要相信这个能力如今正在我们里面。然而，我们许多人太天然，也太重逻辑了，我们说，『这样的能力怎么可能在我里面？我知道我悔改了，也向神认罪了，并且相信祂、信靠祂。我能领会神拯救我，赦免我，并用基督的宝血洗净我。但在我相信的那一刻，我并不觉得神圣的能力安装到我里面。你不是说，包罗万有的能力，就是父、子、灵，连同创造、成为肉体、钉十字架、复活和升天，都已经作到我里面了么？但我感觉不到我有这样的能力。说我有这能力，是不合逻辑的。』逻辑总是与信心相对，信心也与逻辑相对。在神圣能力的传输这件事上，不要盼望太合逻辑；相反的，要运用信。
5Regarding faith, there must first be the fact. God comes in to tell us about the fact, and then we believe what God says. Our Christian believing is exactly like this. Although we cannot see it, it is a fact that Christ has resurrected from among the dead and has been seated in the heavens far above all. Furthermore, it is a fact that all things have been subjected under His feet and that He is the Head over all things to the church. These are accomplished facts in the universe. Through His holy Word God comes in to tell us of these facts. Then we believe what God has spoken and speak whatever God speaks. This is faith. We should not only read and study the Bible, but also speak the Bible. Some condemn us for repeating the verses of the Bible, but we would only repeat them more. In this universe a transmission is taking place from the Lord in the heavens to the church. Ephesians says that this transmission is “toward us who believe.” Furthermore, 1:22 says, “And He subjected all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head overall things to the church.” The little word “to” indicates a transmission. The power that is toward us is the Triune God. This power is not only the creating power, but the power that has passed through incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. After all these steps, the Triune God comes to us as such a power. Within this power, there fore, there is the power of creation, incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Hence, it is an all - inclusive power. The power toward us who believe is the Triune God, the Creator of the universe, who became incarnated, passed through crucifixion, entered into resurrection and ascension, and has come down to us. This power has been installed in us, just as electricity is installed in a building. We need to believe that this power is now right within us. Many of us, however, are too natural and too logical and say, “How could such a power be in me? I realize that I have repented, that I have confessed my sins to God, and that I believe in Him and trust Him. I can understand that God has saved me, forgiven me, and cleansed me with the precious blood of Christ. But at the moment I believed I did not feel that divine power was installed in me. Do you mean to say that an all-inclusive power, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit with the creation, incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, has been wrought into me? I simply don’t feel that I have such a power. It is not logical to say that I have it.” Logic is always opposed to faith, and faith is opposed to logic. In this matter of the transmission of divine power, do not try to be so logical. Instead, exercise faith.
6让我们这样来看。我们已蒙了重生；重生就是有神生在我们里面。你信神已经生在你里面么？生在你里面的神就是父、子、灵。在神生到你里面之先，祂已经经过创造、成为肉体、钉十字架、复活和升天。当你重生时，你有没有感觉这些？不论你有没有感觉，都算不得甚么。要紧的是你必须信圣经所说的一切。圣经告诉你，你有罪，你就必须说『阿们』。圣经说要悔改，你就必须悔改。你信的时候，有些事就在你里面发生了，虽然你也许不晓得那是甚么。所发生的事乃是：这能力，也就是三一神自己，已经安装在你里面了。
6Let us consider the matter this way. We have been reborn, regenerated. To be reborn is to have God born in us. Do you believe that God has been born into you? The very God who has been born into you is the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. By the time this God was born into you, He had already passed through creation, incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Did you feel all this when you were regenerated? Whether you had any feeling regarding it or not means nothing. What is important is that you believe whatever the Bible says. When the Bible tells you that you are sinful, you need to say, “Amen.” When the Bible says to repent, you need to repent. At the time you believed, something happened to you and in you, although you might not have understood what it was. What happened was that the power, the Triune God Himself, was installed in you
需要认识这能力
THE NEED TO KNOW THIS POWER
7信徒对这能力有正当的认识是非常重要的，所以使徒保罗祷告，愿我们有智慧和启示的灵，使我们充分的认识神，并知道这能力向著我们这信的人，是何等超越的浩大。不错，在我们里面有超越浩大的能力，但是今天我们的需要乃是认识这能力。不论你觉不觉得，有一个传输正从第三层天，就是神所在的地方，进到我们里面。这传输使我们和不信的人有所不同。因著在我们里面的这个能力，我们不可能丢弃我们基督徒的信仰。我再说，在我们里面有神圣的能力，这能力就是经过创造、成为肉体、钉十字架、复活和升天的三一神，并且已经安装在我们里面作包罗万有的能力。因此，在第三层天和我们之间，有一种神圣的联结。我们今天所需要的，就是认识这能力是何等超越的浩大。
7Because it is important that believers have the proper knowledge of this power, the Apostle Paul prayed that we would have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of God and know the surpassing greatness of the power that is toward us who believe. Yes, we have the surpassingly great power within us, but our need today is to know this power. Whether you are aware of it or not, there is a transmission taking place from the third heaven, the place where God is, into us. It is this transmission that makes us different from unbelievers. Because of this power within us, it is impossible for us to cast off our Christian faith. Again I say that within us there is the divine power and that this power is the Triune God who has passed through creation, incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension and has been installed in us as the all- inclusive power. Thus, there is a divine connection between us and the third heaven. What we need today is to know the surpassing greatness of this power
8讲说并经历这传输我们需要一再来读以弗所书中这几节，直到我们有深刻的印象，并且能说出来。我们天天都需要对自己、对家里的人、对弟兄姊妹、对天使和鬼魔、对一切受造之物，讲说这些话。我们越说到这能力，就越经历这能力传输到我们里面。
8Speaking and the Experience of the Transmission We need tore ad these verses in Ephesians a gain and again until we are deeply impressed with them and can speak them forth. Every day we need to speak them to ourselves, to those in our family, to the brothers and sisters, to the angels and demons, and to all the created beings. The more we speak of this power, the more we shall experience it being transmitted into us.
9至终，藉著我们对这传输的信心和宣告，召会就要实际的出现。基督是向著召会作万有的头。我们必须相信这事，并且不断的讲说这事。我建议大家把一章十九至二十三节的话每天宣告十次，好使我们有更好的召会生活。我们若都这么作，你看会有何等的结果。这种讲说比空洞的谈论弟兄姊妹或召会的光景要好得太多了！谈论圣徒不会叫我们高昂，也不会加强我们；反而会使我们下沉、软弱。圣徒若都这么谈论，召会生活将会消失。所以，让我们宣告一章十九至二十三节，忘掉召会、长老和弟兄姊妹的光景罢。十天之久，让我们在召会中的众人，每天宣告这几节十次。我信我们若这么作，召会生活将会提高，因为当我们宣告的时候，传输就发生了。这样，从属天传输来的神圣能力就会注入我们里面。从经历里我能见证，这事必会发生。我们都太天然、太重逻辑、而且太低浅了。让我们忘掉召会和圣徒的光景，回到神所说的话里。让我们回到神纯净的话中，让我们相信神的话并宣告神的话。当我们宣告时，我们就要经历属天的传输，并得著那作包罗万有之能力的三一神向我们的灌注。这大能是向著召会的。在这神圣能力的传输中，我们有扎实的召会生活。
9Eventually, through our faith in this transmission and through our speaking it forth, the church will come forth in a practical way. Christ is the Head overall things to the church. We need to believe this and speak it continually. For the sake of a better church life, I would suggest that we all speak 1:19-23 ten times a day. Let us see what the result will be if we all do this. How much better is this kind of speaking than vain talk about the brothers and sisters or the situation in the church! Talking about the saints does not lift us up and strengthen us; on the contrary, it brings us down and weakens us. If all the saints talk this way, the church life will disappear. Therefore, let us speak 1:19-23 and forget about the situation with the churches, the elders, and the brothers and sisters. For a period of ten days, let all of us in the church speak these verses ten times a day. I believe that if we do this, the church life will be uplifted, for as we speak, the transmission will take place. In this way we shall be infused with divine power from the heavenly transmission. From experience I can testify that this will happen. We are too natural, too logical, and too low. Let us forget about the condition of the churches and the saints and come back to God’s speaking. Let us return to the pure word of God. Let us believe God’sword and speak it. As we speak, we shall experience the heavenly transmission, and we all shall be infused with the Triune God as the all-inclusive power. This great power is to the church. Here, in the transmission of the divine power, we have a solid church life.
10我们不该仅仅为著道理查读以弗所一章。反之，我们必须信神所说宇宙性的事实。我们不仅相信神的说话，我们自己也一再的响应这些话。这样，我们就经历那向著召会之神圣能力的传输。
10We should not study Ephesians 1 merely for doctrine. Rather, we must believe God’s speaking of the universal fact. We not only believe God’s speaking, but we ourselves echo it again and again. In this way we experience the transmission of the divine power that is to the church