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以弗所书生命读经 · 第56篇

圣化、洁净、保养与顾惜（一）

SANCTIFYING, CLEANSING, NOURISHING,
AND CHERISHING (1
1神的经纶不是宗教，乃是一个奇妙、无限无量、追测不尽、包罗万有的人位─基督耶稣自己。基督是神的具体化身，也是召会的内容。这位基督要作我们的生命和人位。
1God’secon o my is not a religion, but a wonderful, unlimited, immeasurable, unsearchable, and all-inclusive Person, Christ Jesus Himself. Christ is the embodiment of God and the content of the church. This Christ is to be our life and our person
2不是宗教，乃是一个奇妙的人位然而在今天的基督教里，神的经纶已经变成仅仅是一个宗教。在这宗教的影响之下，基督徒相信神爱世人，赐下祂的独生子，为我们的罪死在十字架上。基督复活之后，升到天上。在祂回来之前，我们要读圣经并跟从圣经的教训。但教训并不是基督自己这活的人位。神的经纶不是宗教连同道理与教训的事，乃是在于一个奇妙、活的人位。现今这人位必须成为我们的人位。我们今天的需要，不是去关切道理，乃是要关心接触我们里面活的基督。
2NOT RELIGION BUT A WONDERFUL PERSON However, in today’s Christianity God’secon o my has become a mere religion. Under the influence of this religion, Christians believe that God loved the world and gave His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins. After Christ’s resurrection, He ascended to the heavens. Until He comes back, we are to study the Bible and follow its teachings. But teachings are not the living Person of Christ Himself. God’secon o my is not a matter of religion with doctrines and teachings; it is a matter of a wonderful, living Person. Now this Person must become our person. Our need today is not to be concerned with doctrine, but to be concerned with contacting the living Christ within us
恢复到主观的基督
RECOVERED TO THE SUBJECTIVE CHRIST
3许多基督徒注重圣经过于基督。这指明连圣经都能被利用，使人离开基督。当然，我们相信、尊敬且尊重圣经到极点。但我们知道圣经乃是基督这活的人位的启示。我们若不注意启示在圣经中的基督，那我们就忽略了圣经的主要功能，就是向我们启示这位基督。我们何等需要完全恢复到基督自己身上！
3Many Christians pay more attention to the Bible than to Christ. This indicates that even the Bible can be utilized to distract people from Christ. Surely, we believe, respect, and honor the Bible to the uttermost. But we recognize that the Bible is the revelation of the living Person of Christ. If we do not pay attention to the Christ revealed in the Bible, then we ignore the main function of the Bible, which is to reveal this very Christ to us. How we need to be recovered fully to Christ Himself
4我们不仅需要恢复到那在天上客观的基督，更要恢复到我们灵里主观的基督。这主观的一位一直要把祂自己扩展到我们心里。基督不仅是我们客观的救主，更是我们主观的生命和人位。我们必须专注于这样一位主观的基督。保罗在加拉太二章二十节能说，『不再是我，乃是基督在我里面活著。』在这里，保罗不是说到基督的生命、基督的工作、或基督的能力；他乃是说到基督自己活在他里面。阿利路亚，基督的人位活在我们里面！
4We need to be recovered not merely to the objective Christ in the heavens, but to the subjective Christ in our spirit. This subjective One is seeking to spread Himself into our heart. Not only is Christ our Savior objectively, but He is our life and our person subjectively. We need to devote our full attention to such a subjective Christ. In Galatians 2:20 Paul could say, “Not I, but Christ who lives in me.” Here Paul did not speak of the life of Christ, the work of Christ, or the power of Christ; he spoke of Christ Himself living in him. Hallelujah, the very Person of Christ is living in us
5在前一篇信息中，我们指出当基督在肉体里时，祂为我们舍了自己。然后在复活里，祂成了赐生命的灵。这赐生命的灵就是我们要天天接受作我们人位的那一位。基督这赐生命的灵，正在洗涤我们，圣化我们，洁净我们，保养我们，并且顾惜我们。在本篇信息中，我们要来看这几件事。
5In the foregoing message we pointed out that when Christ was in the flesh, He gave Himself up for us. Then in resurrection He became the life-giving Spirit. This life-giving Spirit is the One we are to take daily as our person. As the life - giving Spirit, Christ is washing us, sanctifying us, cleansing us, nourishing us, and cherishing us. We shall consider these matters in this message.
性情上的成圣
BECOMING HOLY DISPOSITIONALLY
6也许你曾听过或读过有关圣别的信息或书报。我们要认识圣别的真正意义，就需要接触内住在我们灵里的赐生命之灵。圣别有一方面与分别有关。圣别的这一面是地位上的分别，就是经过地位上的转换。然而，这不是圣别仅有的一方面。在圣别的过程中，一些原初是天然的东西，逐渐的在性质上成圣。因此，当我们主观的被圣别时，我们就在性情上成圣了。圣别的这一面，可用泡茶的过程说明。当茶放在一杯水里时，水就被『茶化』了。水被『茶化』之后，就成了茶水。我们可以把自己比作那杯水，把基督比作茶。正如水被茶的元素所『茶化』，我们也被基督的元素所圣化。因此，圣化乃是基督自己加到我们里面。基督越多加到我们里面，我们就越有基督的形像、口味和香气。一天又一天，我们需要更多接受基督这属天的『茶』进到我们里面，好使祂的元素能更多加到我们里面。这样，我们就要『基督化』了！
6Perhaps you have heard messages or read books about sanctification. In order to know the true meaning of sanctification, we need to contact the life-giving Spirit indwelling our spirit. One aspect of sanctification involves separation. To be sanctified is to be separated positionally, to undergo a change of position. However, this is not the only aspect of sanctification. In sanctification something that once was natural gradually becomes holy in nature. Hence, as we are sanctified subjectively, we become holy dispositionally. This aspect of sanctification can be illustrated by the process of making tea. When tea is placed in a cup of water, the water is “tea-ified.” As the water is “tea-ified,” it becomes tea-water. We can compare ourselves to the cup of water and Christ to the tea. Just as water is “tea- ified” by the element of tea, so we are sanctified by the element of Christ. Therefore, to be sanctified is to have Christ Himself added into our being. The more Christ is added into us, the more we have the appearance, taste, and aroma of Christ. Day by day, our need is to take more of Christ as the heavenly tea into us so that more of His element may be added into our being. In this way we shall be “Christ-ified
7假如基督仅仅是在天上神右边的客观基督，我们能否单靠外面遵行圣经的教训而有性情上的圣化？当然不能。基督的元素一点都不能加到我们里面。我们感谢主给我们看见，主观的成圣乃是基督加到我们里面的事。这事惟一可行的路，乃是藉著我们接受祂作我们的生命并作我们的人位。
7Suppose Christ were simply an objective Christ at the right hand of God in the heavens. Could we be sanctified dispositionally simply by trying to follow in an outward way the teachings of the Bible? Certainly not. Nothing of the element of Christ could be added into our being. We thank the Lord for showing us that subjective sanctification is a matter of having Christ added into us. The only way this can happen is by our taking Him as our life and as our person
基督说话的目的
CHRIST’SIN TENT I ON IN HIS SPEAKING
8我们已经指出，当我们接受基督作我们的人位时，我们就经历祂作赐生命的灵在我们里面说话。主在我们里面说话的目的，不仅仅是告诉我们要作甚么或不作甚么；乃是要藉著向我们说话，把祂自己分赐到我们里面。主越在我们里面说话，就越把祂自己分赐到我们里面。每当我们告诉主，我们要祂作我们的人位时，祂就开始在我们里面说话。
8We have pointed out that when we take Christ as our person, we experience Him speaking in us as the life - giving Spirit. The Lord’s in tent i on in His inward speaking is not simply to tell us to do certain things or not to do other things; it is to impart Himself into us by speaking to us. The more the Lord speaks within us, the more He imparts Himself into us. Whenever we tell the Lord that we want Him to be our person, He begins to speak within us.
9即使我们不听祂的话，祂仍然藉著说话把祂自己分赐给我们。许多时候我们也许不顺从主在我们里面的说话，但是不管怎样，祂在我们里面仍然扩展了一点。主所关心的，主要不是我们顺从祂有多少，乃是祂有多少机会将祂自己分赐到我们里面，并在我们里面扩展祂自己。你一旦说，『主耶稣，我接受你作我的人位，』主就开始将祂自己分赐到你里面。然而，你若改变主意并告诉主，你要收回你的诺言，祂会说，『即使你收回诺言，我也已经将我自己分赐到你里面了。』如果我们向主说，我们不能顺从祂，祂会回答说，『我不管你觉得能不能顺从我。我只在意有机会将我自己作到你里面。』即使我们向主说，我们不愿履行向祂所许的诺言，或是无法顺从祂，祂还是将祂自己分赐到我们里面。我们越对祂说话，就越被『基督化』。圣别来自我们与基督这活的人位的来往。我有充分的把握，那些对主说愿意接受主作他们人位的人，都逃不了主的说话。当主说话时，祂就将祂自己分赐到我们里面。这分赐就是圣别。
9Even if we do not hearken to His speaking, He will still impart Himself to us by His speaking. Many times we may disobey the Lord’sinner speaking, but He spreads within us a little more nevertheless. The Lord’s main concern is not with how much we obey Him, but with how much opportunity He has to impart Himself to us and to spread Himself within us. As soon as you say, “Lord Jesus, I take You as my person,” the Lord begins to impart Himself into you. However, should you change your mind and tell the Lord that you want to withdraw your promise, He will say, “Even if you withdraw your promise, I have already imparted Myself into you.” If we tell the Lord that we are not able to obey Him, He will reply, “I am not concerned whether or not you feel you are able to obey Me. I only care to be given the opportunity to get Myself into you.” Even as we are speaking to the Lord about not wanting to fulfill the promise we have made to Him or about being unable to obey Him, He is imparting Himself into us. The more we speak to Him, the more we are “Christ-ified.” Sanctification comes from our dealing with the living Person of Christ. I have the full assurance that those who have told the Lord that they are willing to take Him as their person cannot escape the Lord’s speaking. As the Lord speaks, He imparts Himself into us. This impartation is sanctification
被主观的基督所洁净
CLEANSED BY THE SUBJECTIVE CHRIST
10现在我们来看洁净。在圣别时，新的元素就加到我们里面；而在洁净时，特别的元素就从我们身上挪去了。我们天然的性情都必须被洁净。不管你天生多好、多善良，你天然的性情都是难处。不仅如此，我们的习惯、风俗、和自订的规条也是难处。这些事都需要被根除。
10We come now to cleansing. In sanctification a new element is added into us, whereas in cleansing a particular element is removed from us. We all need our natural disposition to be cleansed. No matter how good or kind you may be naturally your natural disposition is a problem. Furthermore, we have the problems of our habits, customs, and self-made ordinances. All these things need to be eradicated
11我们不是藉著自我改正而得洁净，这与宗教所教训的相反。这意思是说，我们不是在外面对付自己而得洁净。譬如，我们不可能靠外面洗涤皮肤，就除去皱纹，老衰的记号。我们在召会生活的头一个阶段，也许经历召会的蜜月。然而，不可避免的，衰老逐渐开始，皱纹就出现了。我们要除去皱纹，就必须恢复生命的活力。基督这赐生命的灵，今天正在我们中间作这样恢复的工作。基督不会回来迎娶有皱纹的新妇。如果我们要作祂的新妇，我们必须对祂一直保持新鲜。皱纹不能藉著教训或遵守圣经的道理而除掉；乃是当我们接受基督作我们的人位，并让祂活在我们里面时，皱纹才会除去。不是天上客观的基督在洁净我们，乃是主观的基督，非常亲切又便利的基督，在洁净我们。每当我们接触祂，我们就在生命里得复苏、被更新、并且更有活力。
11Contrary to religious teachings, we are not cleansed by self - correction. This means that we are not cleansed by dealing with ourselves in an outward way. For example, it is impossible to remove wrinkles, signs of oldness, by washing the skin outwardly. During our first period of time in the church life, we may experience a church honeymoon. However, inevitably oldness sets in and wrinkles appear. In order for our wrinkles to be removed, our youthfulness in life must be restored. As the life-giving Spirit, Christ is doing such a work of restoration among us today. Christ will not come back for a bride with wrinkles. If we would be His Bride, we must be kept up to date with Him. Wrinkles are not taken away by teaching or by trying to obey the doctrines in the Bible. Wrinkles are removed as we take Christ as our person and allow Him to live in us. It is not the objective Christ in the heavens who cleanses us; on the contrary, it is the subjective Christ, the Christ so intimate and available, who cleanses us. Whenever we contact Him, we are refreshed, renewed, and made more youthful in life.
12以弗所五章二十五至二十六节说，基督为召会舍了自己，好圣化召会，藉著话中之水的洗涤洁净召会。我们在前一篇信息中指出，话中的水乃是作说话之灵的基督。基督越在我们里面说话，就越在我们里面涌流。这涌流的水不是在『娄格斯』，常时的话里，而是在『雷玛』，现时、即时的话里。当这水洗涤我们时，就带走我们的老旧。这洗涤乃是新陈代谢的洗涤，供应新的元素，顶替旧的元素。这会导致变化。所以，洁净不是教训的问题，乃是接受基督作我们活的人位的问题。当我们接受祂作我们的人位，祂就将自己加到我们里面，并且新陈代谢的洗涤我们。藉著接受基督作我们的人位而得保养二十九节有两个重要的辞：保养和顾惜。保养就是𫗪养。已过我们许多人参加过所谓基督徒的礼拜或查经，却一点也没有得到保养。但我们若接受基督作我们的人位，就会经历祂保养我们。我们会一直感觉到祂在里面的保养。得著基督的保养，就是从祂的丰富得著供应。我信我们都经历过因著接受基督作人位而有的保养。
12Ephesians 5:25 and 26 say that Christ gave Himself up for the church that He might sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word. In the foregoing message we pointed out that the water in the word is Christ as the speaking Spirit. The more Christ speaks within us, the more He flows within us. This flowing water is not in the logos, the constant word, but in the rhema, the present, instant word. As this water washes us, it carries away our oldness. This washing is a metabolic washing. It supplies a new element to replace the old. This leads to transformation. Therefore, cleansing is not a matter of teaching, but a matter of taking Christ as our living person. When we take Him as our person, He adds Himself into us and washes us metabolically. NOURISHED BY TAKING CHRIST AS OUR PERSON In verse 29 there are two important words: nourish and cherish. To nourish is to feed. In the past many of us attended so-called Christian services or read the Bible without receiving any nourishment. But if we take Christ as our person, we shall experience Him nourishing us. We shall continually have the sense of His inward nourishment. To be nourished by Christ is to be supplied with His riches. I believe that we all have experienced the nourishment that comes from taking Christ as our person
13保养带来变化。我们吃甚么，就成为甚么。这意思是说，如果我们吃基督，至终我们会被基督所构成。我们会被那分赐到我们里面之基督的元素所变化。我们越接受基督作我们的人位，祂就越保养我们。藉著基督的保养，我们就得以变化。这意思是说，我们成了有新元素和新本质的新人。阿利路亚，基督以祂自己，以祂一切所是的丰富保养我们！今天我们所需要的，不是道理或宗教，乃是享受包罗万有的基督。
13Nourishment brings about transformation. We all become what we eat. This means that if we eat Christ, we shall eventually be constituted with Christ. We shall be transformed by the element of Christ that has been dispensed into us. The more we take Christ as our person, the more He nourishes us. Through Christ’s nourishment we are transformed. This means that we become a new person with a new element and substance. Hallelujah, Christ nourishes us with Himself, with the riches of all He is! What we need today is not doctrine or religion, but the enjoyment of the all- inclusive Christ.
我们的负担
OUR BURDEN
14在这些信息里，我们的负担不是给圣徒们更多的教训。我们的负担乃是供应活的基督。今天主的子民所需要的，乃是接受基督作他们的人位，使他们得保养。因为我们知道有这需要，所以我们对仅仅客观的教训没有兴趣。我们渴望帮助人接触活的基督，向祂敞开，并接受祂作生命和人位。我盼望许多人能说，『主，我多年作基督徒，但我没有接受你作我的人位。主，靠著你的怜悯，我现在要开始接受你作我的人位。』如果你的丈夫或妻子麻烦你，你受了试诱想要争吵，这就是你接受基督作人位的时候。我们不要与人争辩或为自己辩护，乃要让基督在我们心中安家。
14In these messages our burden is not to pass on more teachings to the saints. Our burden is to minister the living Christ. Today the need of the Lord’sp eople is to take Christ as their person for nourishment. Because we are conscious of this need, we are not interested in mere objective teachings. Our desire is to help others come in touch with the living Christ, to open to Him, and to take Him as their life and person. I hope that many will say, “Lord, I have been a Christian for years, but I have not taken You as my person. Lord, by Your mercy, I want to begin now to take You as my person.” If your husband or wife troubles you and you are tempted to exchange words, that is the time to take Christ as your person. Instead of arguing with others or defending ourselves, we should allow Christ to make His home in our heart
被基督『摧毁』
WRECKED” BY CHRIST
15我们好些人能见证说，我们已经被基督『摧毁』了。一面说，基督拯救我们；但另一面说，祂『摧毁』我们，使我们不适合别的用途，只适合于祂自己和召会生活。我们越接受基督作我们的人位，祂就越『摧毁』我们。事实上，这职事是『摧毁』的职事。藉此，千万的人为了基督和召会被『摧毁』了。现今除了活的基督和正确的召会生活之外，没有甚么能满足我们。
15Many of us can testify that we have been “wrecked” by Christ. On the one hand, Christ rescues us; but on the other hand, He “wrecks” us and makes us useless for anything other than Himself and the church life. The more we take Christ as our person, the more He “wrecks” us. Actually, this ministry is a “wrecking” ministry. Through it, thousands have been “wrecked” for Christ and the church. Now nothing other than the living Christ and the proper church life can satisfy us
温暖和软化
WARMED AND SOFTENED
16随著保养，我们还有顾惜。得著顾惜就是得著温暖而软化。当我们又硬又冷时，我们需要基督顾惜我们，我们需要祂温暖我们的心。我们经历一点祂的温暖后，就软化了。许多人能见证，他们因著接触在主恢复里的召会，就被温暖并软化了。在进入召会生活之前，他们又冷、又硬。但基督这位保养并顾惜者，使他们温暖且软化了。我们许多人都能见证，得著基督这样温柔、亲密的顾惜是怎样一回事。
16Along with the nourishing we have the cherishing. To be cherished is to be softened by being warmed. When we are hard and cold, we need Christ to cherish us. We need Him to warm our hearts. After some experiences of His warming, we are softened. Many can testify that through their contact with the church in the Lord’s recovery, they have been warmed and softened. Before coming into the church life, they were somewhat cold and hard. But Christ, the nourishing and cherishing One, has made them warm and soft. Many of us can give testimony of what it is to be cherished by Christ in such a tender, intimate way
17正如母亲把孩子抱在怀里顾惜他，主也照样把我们抱著贴近祂，而顾惜我们。虽然我是个上了年纪的人，我仍然需要基督的顾惜。有时我告诉祂：『主，你知道我是何等渺小。』祂回答说，『是的，我知道。这就是为甚么我在这里，不仅来圣化、洁净、并保养你，更来顾惜你。』主耶稣是何等温柔、甜美且温暖！藉著安息于祂，我们原来是又冷又硬的人，就软化并得了温暖。藉著主从里面顾念我们，这样一种改变就发生了。当我们享受主的温柔、甜美和可爱时，祂就在里面温暖我们，并软化我们。赞美祂，祂是顾惜者！愿我们都接受基督作我们的人位，并更多经历祂的圣化、洁净、保养和顾惜。这样，我们就活泼的享受祂并经历祂。
17Just as a mother cherishes a child by holding the child to her breast, so the Lord cherishes us by holding us close to Him. Although I am an elderly person, I still need Christ’s cherishing. Sometimes I tell Him, “Lord, You know how small I am.” He replies, “Yes, I know. This is why I am here not only to sanctify, cleanse, and nourish you, but also to cherish you.” How tender, sweet, and warm the Lord Jesus is! By resting on Him, we who once were hard and cold become soft and warm. Such a change takes place through the Lord’s care for us from within. Inwardly the Lord warms us and softens us as we enjoy His tenderness, sweetness, and lovingness. Praise Him, He is the cherishing One! May we all take Christ as our person and experience more of His sanctifying, cleansing, nourishing, and cherishing. In this way we enjoy Him and experience Him in a living way