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歌罗西书生命读经 · 第26篇

对基督之死的经历与禁欲主义相对

THE EXPERIENCE OF CHRIST’S DEATH VERSUS ASCETICISM
1读经：歌罗西书二章二十至二十三节。
1Scripture Reading: Col. 2:20-23
一个人位和一条道路
ONE PERSON AND ONE WAY
2在神的经纶里，神给我们一个人位和一条道路。这一个人位乃是居首位并包罗万有的基督，这一条道路乃是十字架。基督是包罗万有者，祂对我们乃是一切。祂是神，是人，也是宇宙中一切正面事物的实际。神已经将这奇妙的人位赐给我们，作我们的救恩。这一个人位─基督，乃是宇宙的中心；这一条道路─十字架，乃是神行政的中心。神藉著十字架管理万有，并藉著十字架对付万有。因此，基督如何是宇宙的中心点，十字架也照样是神行政的中心。在歌罗西书中，保罗向歌罗西人指出，没有一样事物可以代替基督。基督不该被规条、仪文、神秘主义、或哲学顶替。基督是一切，祂绝不可被任何事物顶替。在前一篇信息里，我们说到基督与神秘主义相对。在歌罗西书中，神秘主义包括智慧派和禁欲主义。基督与一切形式的主义相对；祂与一切的顶替品和代替品相对。
2In His economy God gives us one Person and one way. The one Person is the preeminent, all- inclusive Christ, and the one way is the cross. As the all-inclusive One, Christ is everything to us. He is God, man, and the reality of every positive thing in the universe. God has given us this marvelous Person to be our salvation. The one Person, Christ, is the center of the universe; and the one way, the cross, is the center of God’s government. God governs everything by the cross and deals with everything by the cross. Therefore, just as Christ is the focal point of the universe, so the cross is the center of God’s government. In this book Paul points out to the Colossians that nothing should become a substitute for Christ. Christ should not be replaced by ordinances, observances, mysticism, or philosophy. Christ is everything and must not be replaced by anything. In the previous message we covered the matter of Christ versus mysticism. In Colossians mysticism includes Gnosticism and asceticism. Christ is versus all manner of isms. He is versus every kind of replacement and substitute
3我们已经指出，宇宙中一切正面的事物都是基督的影儿。譬如，我们的房子乃是基督作我们真居所的影儿。基督既是一切影儿的实质，我们就不该让影儿代替那位是实体和实际者。拿影儿来顶替实际是何等的愚昧！歌罗西书清楚的说出，包罗万有的基督乃是我们的一切。神的心意不是要赐给我们千万的事物，乃是单要赐给我们一个人位，就是包罗万有的基督。从二章后半起，保罗开始给我们看见，十字架乃是神惟一的路。神的路不是禁欲主义，不是自表卑微、自我贬抑、或苦待己身。惟一的路乃是十字架的路。藉著十字架，神对付了宇宙中一切反面的事物；不仅如此，神还藉著十字架管理万有。因此，我们有一个人位和一条道路，也就是说，我们有基督和十字架。
3We have pointed out that all the positive things in the universe are shadows of Christ. For example, our houses are a shadow of Christ as the real dwelling place. Since Christ is the substance of all the shadows, we should not allow the shadows to be a substitute for the One who is the body, the reality. How foolish to take shadows in place of the reality! The book of Colossians makes it clear that the all-inclusive Christ is everything to us. God’sin tent i on is not to give us thousands of items; it is simply to give us one Person, the all-inclusive Christ. Midway through chapter two, Paul begins to show us that the cross is God’s unique way. God’s way is not asceticism. It is not to humble ourselves, to a base ourselves, or to treat ourselves severely. The one way is the way of the cross. By the cross God has dealt with all the negative things in the universe. Furthermore, God is still governing everything through the cross. Therefore, we have one Person and one way; that is, we have Christ and the cross.
禁欲主义没有地位
NO PLACE FOR ASCETICISM
4在本篇信息中，我们要继续来看，对基督之死的经历与禁欲主义相对。在基督徒的生活中，禁欲主义没有地位，凭苦待己身来禁戒肉体的放纵也没有地位。禁欲不是神的路。相反的，禁欲乃是人类的发明，是人类堕落心思的产品。印度教徒和佛教徒也许实行禁欲主义，但基督徒不该这样。
4In this message we shall go on to see that the experience of Christ’s death is versus asceticism. In the Christian life there is no place for asceticism, no place for treating the body severely in the attempt to restrict the indulgence of the flesh. Asceticism is not God’sway. On the contrary, it is a human invention, a product of man’s fallen mind. Hindus and Buddhists may practice asceticism, but Christians should not
5禁欲主义乃是二章二十节所说『世上的蒙学』的一部分。世上的蒙学是外在、物质事物初阶的原则，形式主义幼稚的教训。这里的蒙学是指犹太人和外邦人初阶的教训，包括在饮食、洗濯、禁欲等事上仪式的条例。苦待己身或苛待自己以抑制肉体，乃是禁欲主义的基本原则。这与神的作法，十字架的作法，完全不同。
5Asceticism is part of the “elements of the world” spoken of in 2:20. These elements are the elementary principles of outward, material things, the childish teachings of externalism. These elements denote the rudimentary teachings of both Jews and Gentiles, teachings that consist of asceticism and of ritualistic observances in meats, drink, and washings. It is an elementary principle of asceticism to mistreat the body or to treat ourselves severely in an effort to suppress the flesh. God’sway, the way of the cross, is altogether different
6按照神救恩的经纶，十字架乃是神在宇宙中的中心道路。然而，大多数的基督徒对于十字架与属灵世界的关系，都少有看见。基督徒多半只欣赏十字架物质的一面，也就是人的眼所能观察的一面。但在十四至十五节有一扇窗子，藉此我们能看见基督十字架属灵的一面。当基督在十字架上时，祂不只受苦，祂更是在作工，藉著背负我们的罪并实行父的旨意，而成功救赎。神也在作工，把规条上所写的字据钉在十字架上，以涂抹这些字据。我们已经指出，邪恶天使中的执政和掌权者，这时也在忙著打岔神和基督所作的。但神将他们脱下，仗著十字架在凯旋中向他们夸胜，并且公开的羞辱了他们。当然，在物质一面，罗马兵丁和犹太宗教徒也很忙碌。因为这一切活动都集中在十字架上，所以十字架就成了神永远的、中心的、并惟一的道路。我要再次强调这事实：神的道路不是禁欲主义。基督徒不该实行禁欲主义。我们这些相信基督的人，不是没有喜乐的人。相反的，我们乃是满有喜乐的人，我们常常在主里喜乐。我们为甚么要苦待自己的身体，或苛待自己？真愚昧！我们的路，就是惟一的路，乃是十字架。因此，对十字架的经历乃是与禁欲主义相对。
6According to the economy of God’s salvation, the cross is God’s central way in the universe. However, most Christians see little of the cross in relation to the spiritual world. For the most part, Christians appreciate the physical aspect of the cross, the aspect that can be observed with human eyes. But in verses 14 and 15 there is a window through which we can see into the spiritual side of the cross of Christ. When Christ was on the cross, He was not only suffering; He was working to accomplish redemption by bearing our sins and by doing the Father’s will. God was also working, wiping out the handwriting in ordinances by nailing it to the cross. As we have pointed out, the evil angelic rulers and authorities were busy also, having come to interfere with what God and Christ were doing. But God stripped them off, triumphed over them in the cross, and put them to an open shame. Of course, on the physical side, the Roman soldiers and the Jewish religionists we real so very active. Because all this activity was brought to a focus on the cross, the cross became God’s eternal, central, and unique way. I wish to emphasize the fact that God’s way is not asceticism. No Christian should practice asceticism. As believers in Christ, we are not a joyless people. On the contrary, we are a joyful people, those who constantly rejoice in the Lord. Why then should we inflict pain on our bodies or mistreat ourselves? How foolish! Our way, the unique way, is the cross. Therefore, the experience of the cross is versus asceticism.
与基督同死，
HAVING DIED WITH CHRIST
脱离了世上的蒙学
FROM THE ELEMENTS OF THE WORLD
7保罗在二章二十至二十一节指出，我们已经与基督同死，脱离了世上的蒙学。这些蒙学包括犹太教的仪式、异教的规条和哲学，也包括神秘主义和禁欲主义。世上的蒙学乃是属世社会中的基本原则，是人类所发明，社会所实行的初阶原则。我们已经与基督一同向著这些世上的蒙学死了。基督被钉十字架时，我们也被钉十字架。在祂的钉十字架里，我们得著释放，脱离了世上蒙学的原则。
7In 2:20 Paul points out that we have died with Christ from the elements of the world. These elements include Jewish observances, heathen ordinances, and philosophy. They also include mysticism and asceticism. The elements of the world are the elementary principles of worldly society, the rudimentary principles invented by mankind and practiced in society. With Christ we have died to these elements of the world. When Christ was crucified, we were crucified also. In His crucifixion we were released from the elementary principles of the world
8我们既与基督同死，脱离了世上的蒙学，保罗问我们，为甚么仍像在世界中活著，服从规条？保罗用责备的口气，问歌罗西的信徒们，为甚么他们仍旧服从那些规条，也就是他们在基督里死了所脱离的初阶原则？这两节中的世界不是指物质的地球，乃是指人类社会，指人类。因此，保罗问信徒们，为甚么仍服从那些规条，就像活在人类社会中一样。在二十至二十一节里，保罗列举了一些规条：『不可拿，不可尝，不可摸。』这些是物质事物的规条、规则和规例。不可拿，指行走之物；不可尝，指可吃之物；不可摸，指可摸之物。拿、尝、摸，实际上包括了每一种活动；这些是与禁欲主义的实行有关的规条。所以服从这些关于拿、尝、摸等的规条，乃是实行禁欲主义。
8Since we have died with Christ from the elements of the world, Paul asks us why as living in the world we subject ourselves to ordinances. In a rebuking tone, Paul asked the believers in Colosse why they continued to subject themselves to ordinances, referring to the very elementary principles from which they had died in Christ. The world in this verse refers not to the physical earth, but to human society, to mankind. Therefore, Paul was asking the believers why they still subjected themselves to ordinances as if they were still living in human society. In verse 21 Paul lists some of these ordinances: “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch.” These are rules and regulations in material things. These rules refer respectively to things that move, to things that are edible, and to things that are tangible. Handling, tasting, and touching include virtually every kind of action. Because these regulations are related to the practice of asceticism, to submit to ordinances concerning handling, tasting, and touching is to practice asceticism
9多年前，我遇到一位弟兄，他在成为基督徒以前，乃是正统的犹太人。我们在一起交通时，他说到许多犹太教作法的故事。他告诉我说，有些正统的犹太人甚至每夜就寝前，要把自己的鞋子朝某个方向放置，以为这种作法是根据旧约的某一节圣经。他们认为，若不朝正确的方向放置鞋子，就会失去神的祝福。这是何等的迷信！我很诧异，聪明且重视教育的犹太人，竟然这么迷信。那些没有基督和十字架的人，常是迷信的，并且也会致力于禁欲主义的作法。
9Many years ago I met a brother who had been an orthodox Jew before becoming a Christian. In our fellowship together, he related many stories about various Jewish practices. He told me that some orthodox Jews place their shoes in a certain direction when they retire for the night, a practice supposedly based on a verse in the Old Testament. They believe that if they do not place their shoes in the proper direction, they will lose God’s blessing. What superstition! I am amazed that the Jews, an intelligent people who value education, could be so superstitious. Those who do not have Christ and the cross are often superstitious and also given to the practice of asceticism.
经过十字架
PASSING THROUGH THE CROSS
10我们是有一个人位和一条道路的人，我们不需要如何放置鞋子的规例。然而，当我们晚上就寝时，应当经过十字架。这意思是说，在一天当中不管我们作了甚么，或是发生了甚么事，十字架会顾到一切的事。假如有一天下午你因著妻子或丈夫而不高兴。在你上床时，你需要把十字架应用到你不愉快的感觉上。假如你这么作，不愉快的感觉就会消失。这指明我们的路乃是十字架，不是禁欲主义或任何的苦待己身。我们领悟自己已经在基督里死了，晚上就该带著十字架的感觉就寝。我们若操练经过十字架而上床休息，躺下时领悟我们在基督里已经死了，第二天早晨，我们就会在复活里起来，如同一个新的人。我们不仅有基督，祂乃是与一切事物相对的独一人位；我们也有十字架，这是与其他一切道路相对的惟一道路。
10As those who have the one Person and the one way, we do not need regulations about where to place our shoes. When we go to bed at night, however, we should pass through the cross. This means that no matter what we have done during the day or what has happened to us, the cross takes care of everything. Suppose in the afternoon you are made unhappy in some way by your wife or husband. At bedtime you need to apply the cross to your feeling of unhappiness. If you do this, the feeling of unhappiness will disappear. This indicates that our way is the cross, not asceticism or any severe treatment of the self. Realizing that we have already died in Christ, we should go to bed at night with a consciousness of the cross. If we practice going to bed through the cross, lying down with the realization that we have died in Christ, the next morning we shall wake up in resurrection as a new person. We not only have Christ, the unique Person who is versus all things; we also have the cross, the unique way, which is versus all other ways
11我们既有了基督和十字架，自表卑微就没有地位。我们不需要训练自己谦卑。我观察过，不论在东方或在西方，最骄傲的人就是那些学会实行某种谦卑样子的人。我们不需要学习这种作法。相反的，我们应当简单的接受十字架这惟一的道路。在路上开车可以题醒我们十字架的道路。我们开车的时候，会遇到许多十字路口。你知道每一个十字路口都是一个十字架么？有的是大十字架，有的是小十字架，但牠们都是十字架。只有经过许多的十字路口，我们才能抵达目的地。说到属灵的经历，我们也需要经过许许多多的十字架，才能达到新耶路撒冷。正如我们不经过十字路口，就不能走得很远；我们若不经过十字架，也不能在属灵上有长进。只有当我们到达新耶路撒冷时，才不再需要经过十字架；因为乃是到那个时候，一切消极的事物才被除尽。在我们到达新耶路撒冷之前，我们还需要一天过一天的经过十字架与主一同生活行动。
11Because we have Christ and the cross, there is no place for self-imposed humility. There is no need for us to train ourselves to be humble. I have observed, both in the Orient and in the West, that the most proud people are those who have learned to practice a form of humility. We need not learn such practices. Rather, we should simply take the unique way of the cross. Driving down the street can be a reminder of the way of the cross. As we drive, we come to many intersections. Have you realized that every intersection is a cross? Some of these crosses may be large and others may be small, but they are all crosses. Only by passing through many crosses can we get to our destination. Speaking of spiritual experience, we also must pass through many crosses before we can reach the New Jerusalem. Just as we cannot travel very far geographically without crossing an intersection, so we cannot progress spiritually without passing through the cross. Only when we arrive at the New Jerusalem shall we cease to pass through the cross, for by that time all the negative things will have been eliminated. Until we come to the New Jerusalem, we need to pass through the cross day by day in our walk with the Lord
12我能作见证，每晚就寝时经过十字架，乃是健康的属灵操练。我在每天结束时应用十字架，整夜都休息得很好。在就寝前我们需要把十字架应用到每一个问题，以及每一件消极、天然、有罪的事上。我们可以祷告主说，『主阿！我盼望这一切事都经过十字架。我不要带著还没有经过对付之天然的、有罪的、消极的、或属世的元素去睡觉。主阿，我上床睡觉时，我盼望是一个被钉死的人。』我们需要成为那些经过一个又一个十字架的人。我鼓励你们每天都经过十字架的路口。
12I can testify that it is a healthy spiritual practice to pass through the cross every night when we go to bed. By applying the cross at the end of each day, I rest very well during the night. At bedtime we need to apply the cross to every problem and to every negative, natural, or sinful thing. We may pray, “Lo rd, I want all these things to pass through the cross. I do not want to go to sleep with any natural, sinful, negative, or worldly element that has not been dealt with. When I go to bed, Lord, I want to be a person who has been crossed out.” We need to be those who pass through one cross after another. I encourage you to daily pass through the intersection of the cross.
13我们既有了基督这独一的人位，以及十字架这惟一的道路，我们就不需要禁欲主义。不仅如此，我们甚至也不需要定规甚么事情。这样作是不灵的。我们只需要晚上就寝时经过十字架，有安歇的睡眠，然后早晨在复活中起来。赞美主！对基督之死的经历，乃是与禁欲主义相对的！
13Because we have Christ as the unique Person and the cross as the unique way, we do not need asceticism. Furthermore, we do not even need to make up our minds with respect to certain things. Such a practice does not work. What we need to do is simply lie down through the cross at night, have a restful sleep, and then rise up in the morning in resurrection. Praise the Lord that the experience of Christ’s death is versus asceticism
不要使自己『规条化』
NOT “ORDINANCING” OURSELVES
14现在我们仔细来看二章二十至二十三节。二十至二十二节其实乃是一句话；这三节组成保罗的问话。按照二十至二十一节，保罗问歌罗西人为甚么服从规条。繙作『服从…规条』的辞，在希腊原文实际上乃是一个动词。这指明保罗问歌罗西人，为甚么要使自己『规条化』？然后保罗列举关于拿、尝、摸等三类规条。在二十二节他继续说，这些『一经使用，就都败坏了』。繙作使用和败坏的辞，原文也可分别译为消耗和毁灭。这里保罗乃是说，一切物质的东西按定命都要分解腐烂，一经使用就要败坏毁灭。（林前六13，太十五17。）
14Let us now look at 2:20-23 in more detail. Verses 20 through 22 are actually one sentence, three verses that make up Paul’s question. According to verse 20, Paul asks the Colossians why they subject themselves to ordinances. In Greek the word translated “ordinances” is actually a verb. This indicates that Paul was asking why the Colossians were “ordinancing” themselves. Then in verse 21 Paul lists three ordinances about handling, tasting, and touching. In verse 22 he goes on to say that these are things “which are all for corruption in the using.” The Greek words for corruption and using may be rendered destruction and consumption respectively. Here Paul is saying that all material things are destined to decompose and to be destroyed through corruption when they are used (1 Cor. 6:13; Matt. 15:17
15每当我们用甚么东西，这样东西用过以后，最终都会毁灭或败坏。譬如，我们所吃的，不论根据利未记饮食的条例，是洁净的，还是不洁净的，都要因著吃而毁灭。既然我们所吃的，不论是甚么，只要一吃就都毁坏了，我们就不需要服从饮食的条例。在行传十章，彼得仍旧关心甚么是洁净的，甚么是不洁净的。但有声音从天上告诉彼得说，神所洁净的，他不可当作俗物。在歌罗西二章，保罗鼓励圣徒们，不要注意禁欲主义的规条；因为禁欲主义所论及的东西，一经使用就都败坏了。我们不论用甚么东西，那些东西最后都会毁灭、归于无有。尤其食物一经消耗，就毁灭了。因此，圣徒们不需要用规条去规范他们的饮食。
15Whenever we use a thing, that thing is eventually destroyed or corrupted through use. For example, whatever we eat is destroyed in the eating, whether it is clean or unclean according to the Levitical dietary regulations. Since whatever we eat is destroyed in the using, there is no need for us to be subject to regulations about eating. In Acts 10 Peter was still concerned about what was clean and what was unclean. But the voice from heaven told Peter that what God had cleansed he should not regard as common. In Colossians 2 Paul is encouraging the saints not to care about the regulations of asceticism regarding things which are all for corruption in the using. Whatever we use will eventually be destroyed and become nothing. In particular, when food is consumed, it is destroyed. Thus, there was no need for the saints to regulate their eating by ordinances
一个清楚的异象
A CLEAR VISION
16保罗能写这样的话，乃是因为他看见了一个清楚的异象：包罗万有的基督是那一个人位，十字架是神行政里的那一条道路。因此他不在意那些关于拿、尝、摸等的规条。他不让规条霸占他。他知道一切物质的东西一经使用，就毁灭，至终成为无有。保罗知道，在歌罗西的信徒们需要看见包罗万有的基督，以及十字架作神行政中的道路这个大的异象。我们也需要对基督和十字架有清楚的看见。
16Paul could write such a word because he had seen a clear vision of the all-inclusive Christ as the one Person and of the cross as the one way in God’sad ministration. Therefore, he did not care for regulations about handling, tasting, or touching. He would not be occupied with ordinances. He knew that all material things perish with the using and eventually come to nothing. Paul realized that the believers in Colosse needed to see a great vision of the all-inclusive Christ and of the cross as God’sway in His administration. We also need a clear view of Christ and the cross
藉著十字架而有的一与和谐
ONENESS AND HARMONY THROUGH THE CROSS
17除了神惟一的道路之外，我们不该有任何规条，不该有任何特别的道路或作法。神所命定、高举、并尊荣的路，乃是基督的十字架；十字架是我们惟一的路。你知道甚么能解决夫妻之间的争吵？只有十字架才能解决。同样的原则，只有十字架才能使一个地方的领头弟兄们成为一且完全和谐一致。我们都需要经过十字架。我们若不经历十字架，就无法有正确的召会生活。所有的圣徒都必须天天学习经过十字架。藉著经过各样大大小小的十字架，我们在召会生活中才有一与和谐。
17Apart from God’so new ay, we should have no ordinances and no particular ways or practices. The way God has ordained, uplifted, and honored is the cross of Christ. The cross is our only way. Do you know what can solve the problem of quarreling between husband and wife? It can be solved only by the cross. In the same principle, only the cross can enable the leading ones in a locality to be one and in perfect harmony. We all need to pass through the cross. If we do not experience the cross, we cannot have the proper church life. All the saints must learn to daily pass through the cross. By passing through all manner of crosses, large and small, we shall have oneness and harmony in the church life
18在召会生活中，我们可能有一，却没有和谐。为了要有甜美和谐的一，我们都必须天天经过十字架。不要争辩说，你是对的，别人是错的。你越这样争执，你就越少经历十字架。我再重覆说，到达目的地的路，乃是经过十字架的交叉路口。不要逃避任何十字架。相反的，在你基督徒生活、家庭生活、和召会生活中，你要经过一切你所遇到的十字架。特别在婚姻生活和召会生活中，你需要天天，甚至时时经过十字架。保罗在以弗所四章劝勉我们，不要含怒到日落；这就是说，我们要藉著经过十字架让怒气过去。如果我们有经过十字架的日常生活，我们在家庭生活和召会生活中，就能和谐一致。为著基督和十字架，赞美主！神已经将一个人位─包罗万有的基督，和一条道路─十字架，给了我们！
18In the church life it is possible to have oneness without harmony. In order to have a sweet harmonious oneness, we all must daily pass through the cross. Do not argue that you are right and that others are wrong. The more you dispute in this way, the less you pass through the cross. To repeat, the way to our destination is through the intersection of the cross. Do not avoid any cross. On the contrary, pass through all the crosses you encounter in the Christian life, in the family life, and in the church life. In married life and in the church life in particular, you need to pass through the cross daily, even hourly. In Ephesians 4 Paul exhorts us not to allow the sun to go down on our anger. This means that we should let go of our anger by passing through the cross. If we have a daily life of passing through the cross, there will be harmony both in the family life and in the church life. Praise the Lord for Christ and the cross! God has given us one Person—the all-inclusive Christ and one way—the cross.