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歌罗西书生命读经 · 第63篇

基督的平安在我们心里作仲裁

THE PEACE OF CHRIST ARBITRATING IN OUR HEART
1读经：歌罗西书3:12-16，以弗所书2:14-18。
1Scripture Reading: Col. 3:12-16; Eph. 2:14-18
2歌罗西三至四章中有许多论到正确基督徒行事为人的要点，这些要点排列的次序非常好。我们若要有正确的基督徒生活，首先必须思念在上面的事。我们已经指出，这些事与基督在天上正在作的有关。基督是大祭司，为我们代求。祂是属天的执事，将生命的丰富分赐到我们里面。祂是神圣的管理者，执行神的经纶。基督天上的职事，乃是为著建造祂的身体。祂渴望把召会建造起来，好得著祂的新妇。在我们基督徒的行事为人里，我们需要思念在上面的事。
2In Colossians 3 and 4 there are a number of points, arranged in an excellent sequence, related to the proper Christian walk. If we would have a proper Christian life, we first need to set our mind on the things above. As we have pointed out, these things are related to what Christ is doing in heaven. As the High Priest, Christ is interceding for us. As the heavenly Minister, He is dispensing the riches of life into us. As the divine Administrator, He is executing God’secon o my. Christ’s ministry in heaven is for the building up of His Body. He desires to build up the church so that He may have His bride. In our Christian walk we need to set our mind on the things above
3为著新人的更新，向神圣的传输『打开开关』
3SWITCHING ON” TO THE DIVINE TRANSMISSION
FOR THE RENEWING OF THE NEW MAN
4思念在上面的事之后，就是新人的更新。表面看来，思念在上面的事与新人的更新没有关联。事实上，根据我们的经历，这两件事有密切的关系。新人的更新完全在于我们思念在上面的事；原因乃是思念在上面的事包含了一种属灵的传输。当我们思念在上面的事，我们就向天上所发生的事敞开我们全人。我们也对基督在天上的职事有所回应并反应。同时，包罗万有赐生命的灵便流入我们里面。这种传输可以用电来说明。一面，电在发电厂里；另一面，电也在我们家里。在发电厂和我们的家这两端之间，有一种传输一直进行著。这种传输叫作电流的流动。电流实际上就是电的本身在运行。同样的原则，天上的基督和地上的我们，两者之间也有一种神圣的传输，就是赐生命之灵的流通。藉著这种传输，就把天地联在一起。有经历的人都晓得，这不是梦想，不是宗教的迷信，这乃是神圣、属天、属灵的实际。属天的电一直流通，把天地联在一起。
4Following the setting of the mind on the things above is the renewing of the new man. Apparently there is no connection between setting our mind on the things above and the renewing of the new man. Actually, according to our experience, these two matters are closely related. The renewing of the new man is fully dependent on our setting the mind on the things above. The reason for this is that a spiritual transmission is involved. When we set our mind on the things above, we open our being to what is taking place in heaven. We also respond to Christ’s ministry in heaven and reflect it. Simultaneously, the all-inclusive life-giving Spirit flows into us. This transmission may be illustrated by electricity. On the one hand, electricity is in the power plant; on the other hand, it is in our homes. Between these two ends, the power plant and our homes, a transmission is taking place. This transmission is called the flow of the current of electricity. The current of electricity is actually electricity itself in motion. In the same principle, between Christ in heaven and us on earth, there is a divine transmission, the flowing of the life-giving Spirit. By means of this transmission, heaven and earth are brought together. Those with experience realize that this is not a dream or a religious superstition. It is a divine, heavenly, and spiritual reality. The heavenly electricity is flowing, and it joins heaven and earth
5包罗万有赐生命的灵乃是基督救赎的结果。加拉太三章十四节指明，基督救赎了我们，使我们得著那灵。基督完成了救赎，不仅是要拯救我们脱离罪，更是要把祂自己这赐生命的灵分赐到我们里面。赞美主，在宇宙中有一种奇妙、属天、神圣的『电』─赐生命的灵！我们敞开全人，思念在上面的事，这灵就把神圣生命的丰富传输到我们里面。我们只需要『打开开关』，这属天的电流就必流进来。『打开开关』的路就是思念在上面的事，使属天的传输能在我们的经历中产生功效，把基督神圣的素质带进我们里面。这种素质越加到我们里面，我们就越经历新人的更新。
5The all-inclusive life-giving Spirit is the issue of Christ’s redemption. Galatians 3:14 indicates that Christ has redeemed us so that we may receive the Spirit. Christ accomplished redemption not merely to save us from sin, but even the more to impart Himself into us as the life - giving Spirit. Praise the Lord that in the universe there is a wonderful, heavenly, divine “electricity”—the life-giving Spirit! When we open our being and set our mind on the things above, this Spirit transmits the riches of the divine life into us. All we need to do is “switch on” and the heavenly current flows. The way to “switch on” is to set our mind on the things above. This causes the heavenly transmission to function in our experience to bring the divine essence of Christ into us. The more this essence is added into our being, the more we experience the renewing of the new man.
6更新与教导不同。我们也许在属神的事上受到教导，可是神圣的实质却没有加到我们里面。更新在于神圣的实质传输到我们里面。神圣的元素越加到我们里面，我们就越得更新。今天的基督徒多半没有经历这种更新，他们所有的仅仅是教训而已。靠著主的怜悯，我们在主恢复里的目标不是只把教训传给人，乃是帮助圣徒们经历神圣的传输。在这职事里，我们盼望分享从神的话语所得的启示。然后当圣徒听见这信仰，向主敞开，藉著思念在上面的事『打开开关』，他们就会得著属天传输的供应。有时候，我们觉得很忧愁、很消沉。但如果我们向属天的传输敞开，我们就会满了喜乐；我们甚至想要呼喊赞美主。这种改变的原因，乃是在于属天的传输把神圣的元素带到我们里面。这就产生更新，影响我们的心思、情感和意志。要紧的是，我们要看见，新人的更新和思念在上面的事之间的关系。
6Renewing is different from teaching. We may be taught about God without having anything of the divine substance added into our being. Renewing depends on the transmission of the divine substance into us. The more the divine element is added to us, the more we are renewed. Most of today’s Christians do not experience this renewing. What they have is merely teaching. By the Lord’s mercy, our aim in His recovery is not to pass on mere teachings, but to help the saints to experience the divine transmission. In the ministry we wish to share the revelation from the Word of God. Then as the saints have the hearing of faith and open to the Lord, “switching on” by setting their mind on the things above, they will be supplied by the heavenly transmission. At times we may be sad or depressed. But if we open to the heavenly transmission, we shall be filled with joy. We may even want to shout and praise the Lord. The reason for this change is that the heavenly transmission brings the divine element into our being. This is what produces the renewing, which affects our mind, emotion, and will. It is crucial for us to see the connection between the renewing of the new man and setting our mind on the things above
需要平安在我们里面作仲裁
THE NEED FOR PEACE TO ARBITRATE IN US
7按照歌罗西三章的次序，思念在上面的事以及新人的更新之后，就有基督的平安在我们心里作仲裁。（15。）你知道基督的平安是甚么？这辞在新约里只用过一次。在罗马书和腓立比书，保罗说到平安的神。再者，他在书信的开头，必定说到恩典和平安。但在歌罗西三章十五节他告诉我们，基督的平安应当在我们心里作仲裁。我们不该自以为懂得，基督的平安在我们心里作仲裁的意义。我们不该把这些话当作理所当然，反该尽力得著正确的领会。
7According to the sequence of chapter three of Colossians, after the setting of the mind on the things above and the renewing of the new man, we have the peace of Christ arbitrating in our heart (v. 15). Do you know what the peace of Christ is? This term is used just once in the New Testament. Elsewhere, in Romans and in Philippians, Paul speaks of the God of peace. Moreover, at the beginning of his Epistles he invariably has a word about grace and peace. But in Colossians 3:15 he tells us that the peace of Christ should arbitrate in our hearts. We should not assume that we understand what it means for the peace of Christ to arbitrate in our hearts. Instead of taking this word for granted, we should exercise to get the proper understanding.
8按照歌罗西三章的上下文，当我们思念在上面的事，神圣的元素就传输到我们里面，使新人得更新。当新人得了更新，我们就要让基督的平安在我们心里作仲裁。事实上，新人得更新就是新人在我们里面扩展。当新人扩展的时候，我们要让基督的平安在我们里面作仲裁。我们在召会生活中，很容易彼此得罪，使彼此不愉快。我们在会所排椅子，如果不照著一位弟兄的意见，他也许就不高兴。但如果人得罪了我们，我们向主敞开，告诉主说，我们爱祂，就会有一些属天的东西传输到我们里面，然后我们自然而然就会和得罪我们的人和睦相处。这是基督的平安在我们心里作仲裁的例子。这种作仲裁的平安要保守召会生活里的一。由不同的意见所造成的分裂，对召会生活是一种严重的破坏，并且使新人支离破碎。但由属天的传输所带来基督作仲裁的平安，却保守我们在一里，并且能保全新人。
8According to the context of Colossians 3, when we set our mind on the things above, the divine element is transmitted into us for the renewing of the new man. As the new man is being renewed, we should allow the peace of Christ to arbitrate in our hearts. The renewing of the new man is actually the spreading of the new man within us. As the new man spreads, we need to let the peace of Christ arbitrate within us. It is very easy in the church life to offend one another or to make one another unhappy. In the matter of arranging chairs in the meeting hall, a brother may be unhappy if the arrangement is not according to his opinion. But if we open to the Lord when we are offended and tell Him that we love Him, something heavenly will be transmitted into us. Then spontaneously we shall be happy with the one who offended us. This is an example of the peace of Christ arbitrating in our heart. This arbitrating peace preserves the oneness in the church life. The divisions caused by different opinions are a serious damage to the church life and cut the new man into pieces. But the arbitrating peace of Christ brought in by the heavenly transmission keeps us in oneness and preserves the new man
9我能作见证，通常当我在召会生活中对别人不满意时，我就接触主，呼求祂的名。许多时候我说，『主耶稣，为著你的同在，为著你的膏油涂抹，为著你之于我的一切，我感谢你。』我这样感谢主，神圣的传输就开始运行。几分钟以后，我就充满了，甚至乐极忘形。然后我就自然而然看那位使我不愉快的人比自己好。下一次我再见到他的时候，我与他就没有一点问题。因著我经历了主的传输和仲裁，我与主恢复里的任何一位圣徒就都没有问题。一个地方召会初建立的时候，圣徒也许会经历一段召会生活的蜜月。但婚姻生活怎样没有永久的蜜月，召会生活照样也没有永久的蜜月。至终圣徒中间发生了摩擦，这种摩擦产生了保罗在以弗所五章所说的皱纹。如果我们没有基督的平安在我们里面作仲裁，皱纹就会越来越多。但如果属天的传输用神圣的元素供应我们，皱纹就会新陈代谢的被除掉。摩擦就没有了，只有基督的平安作仲裁。
9I can testify that often, when I have been unhappy with someone in the church life, I have contacted the Lord and called on His name. Many times I say, “Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your presence, for Your anointing, and for everything You have been to me.” When I give thanks to the Lord in this way, the divine transmission begins to work. After a few minutes, I may be so full that I am beside myself with joy. Then spontaneously I begin to count the one who made me unhappy better than myself. When I see him the next time, I have no problem with him. Because I experience the Lord’s transmission and arbitration, I do not have problems with any of the saints in the Lord’s recovery. When a local church is first established, the saints may experience a church-life honeymoon. But just as there is no permanent honeymoon in married life, there is no permanent honeymoon in the church life. Friction develops eventually between the saints. This friction causes the wrinkles Paul speaks of in Ephesians 5. If we do not have the peace of Christ arbitrating in us, wrinkles will continue to develop. But if the heavenly transmission supplies us with the divine element, the wrinkles will be removed metabolically. Then instead of friction there will be the arbitrating peace of Christ.
纵的平安与横的平安
VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL PEACE
10我们这些堕落的人从前是神的仇敌，我们与神之间没有和平。不仅如此，地上各民各族之间也没有和平，尤其是犹太人和外邦人之间更是如此。基督在十字架上救赎了我们，使我们与神和好，在我们与神之间成就了和平。不仅如此，基督藉著祂在十字架上的死，废掉了各种生活方式的规条，使各民各国之间有了和平。（弗二15～16。）因著基督把规条废掉了，祂不仅在我们与神之间成就了和平，也在不同民族和国籍的信徒之间成就了和平。我很喜乐，在主的恢复里，有许许多多不同国家、不同地区的信徒；各种族都有代表在这里。基督拆毁了中间隔断的墙。不仅如此，根据以弗所二章十四节，基督自己就是我们的和平。因著基督为我们成就了和平，如今我们就有纵的平安─我们与神之间的平安，以及横的平安─我们彼此之间的平安（和平）。我们作基督徒，如果不是经历神圣的实质传输到我们里面，我们冲突的意见就无法获得解决，反而不同的意见会层出不穷。结果乃是仇恨、分争，最后导致争斗。但我们思念在上面的事，并经历神圣的传输时，基督的平安就在我们心里作仲裁。为著基督的平安每一次的眷临，我们赞美主！这眷临我们的平安，事实上乃是一个奇妙的人位，就是主耶稣基督自己。这一位就是在我们里面作仲裁的平安，保守我们与神之间是平安的，彼此之间也是和平的。
10As fallen people, we were God’s enemies, and there was no peace between us and God. Furthermore, there is no peace among the various peoples on earth, especially between the Jews and the Gentiles. On the cross Christ redeemed us, reconciled us to God, and made peace between us and God. Furthermore, through His death on the cross, Christ abolished the ordinances concerning the different ways of living so that there might be peace among the races and nations (Eph. 2:15-16). Because Christ has abolished the ordinances, He has made peace not only between us and God, but between believers of different races and nationalities. I am pleased that in the Lord’s recovery we have believers from so many different nations and regions. All races are represented. Christ has broken down the middle wall of partition. Furthermore, according to Ephesians 2:14, Christ Himself is our peace. With Christ as our Peacemaker, we now have vertical peace—peace between us and God— and horizontal peace—peace with one another. If we were not Christians experiencing the transmission of the divine substance into us, there would be no way for our conflicting opinions to be dissolved. Rather, the differences of opinion would increase. The result would be enmity, strife, and, ultimately, fighting. But when we set our mind on the things above and experience the divine transmission, the peace of Christ arbitrates in our hearts. Praise the Lord for every visitation of the peace of Christ! This peace which visits us is actually a wonderful Person, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. This very One is the peace who carries on a work of arbitration within us to keep us at peace with God and with one another
11说基督的平安在我们里面作仲裁，意思是说，基督的平安解决争吵、争斗或嫌隙所造成的难处。夫妻之间时常发生这样的难处。丈夫也许以某种方式批评妻子，妻子也应声批评丈夫，二人就争辩起来，而有一番激烈的口角。弟兄与妻子争辩过以后，深处也许觉得主叫他要祷告认罪。然后，这位弟兄也许祷告说，『主，我与妻子争辩了，请赦免我。』主也指示他该向妻子道歉。当他请求妻子赦免他时，他就经历到基督的平安在他与妻子的关系上作仲裁。
11To say that the peace of Christ arbitrates within us means that it solves the problems caused by quarreling, fighting, or complaining. Such problems often arise between husband and wife. A husband may criticize his wife in a certain way, and she may react by criticizing him. An argument ensues with a bitter exchange of words. After a brother has such an argument with his wife, he may sense a call from the Lord deep within to pray and confess. Then the brother may pray, “Lord, forgive me for arguing with my wife.” The Lord may also indicate that he should go to his wife and apologize. When he asks her to forgive him, he experiences the peace of Christ arbitrating in the relationship between him and his wife.
平安的管治
THE RULE OF PEACE
是为著保全新人
FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE NEW MAN
12基督的平安要在我们心里作仲裁，就必须在我们里面施行管治。基督的平安要为王作管治者和决断者。我信你们都经历过，有一位在你里面作王管治你，并且下最后的决断。我们就以一位弟兄被长老得罪为例。我早期尽职时，会鼓励被得罪的弟兄要爱长老，不要被他得罪。然而，我由经历中晓得，我越这样作，被得罪的人就越指责我偏袒长老。最后我晓得，只有求主怜悯被得罪的弟兄才是上策。因著主的怜悯，主会临到他，使他思念在上面的事，因而使他再一次经历神圣的传输，带来基督的平安作仲裁。然后，这位弟兄被基督的平安所管治，他就会承认，即使长老错了，他自己更是错了。他会立即向主认罪，接受恩典，爱那位长老。藉著基督的平安作仲裁，我们的难处就解决了，圣徒之间的摩擦也消失了。然后召会生活就能得保全，新人也实际的得以维持。
12For the peace of Christ to arbitrate in our hearts, it must rule in us. It must be enthroned as the ruler and decider. I believe you all have experienced that Someone has been enthroned in you to rule you and make the final decisions. Let us take as an example a brother who is offended by one of the elders. In my early ministry, I would have encouraged the offended brother to love the elder and not to be offended by him. However, from experience I learned that the more I did this, the more the offended one accused me of taking sides with the elder. Eventually I learned that the best thing is simply to pray that the Lord will have mercy on the brother who has been offended. In His mercy, the Lord will come to him and cause him to set his mind on the things above so that once again he can experience the divine transmission which gives rise to the arbitrating peace of Christ. Then, ruled by the peace of Christ, the brother will admit that even though the elder might have been wrong, he himself was wrong to a greater degree. Immediately he will confess to the Lord, receive grace, and have love for that elder. Through the arbitration of the peace of Christ, our problems are solved, and the friction between the saints disappears. Then the church life is preserved, and the new man is maintained in a practical way
13召会生活就是新人的生活，不是单靠教训得保全的，乃是靠著我们思念在上面的事，并让属天的传输将神圣的元素分赐到我们里面才得以保全。然后我们就有新人的更新，并经历基督的平安在我们里面施行管治。基督的平安实际上就是基督自己显在某一特别的方面。因此，基督的平安作仲裁，就是基督在我们里面作工，好在我们身上施行管治，来作结论，下最后的决断。在弟兄被长老得罪的事例中，基督的话是要爱那位长老，找他交通，并且和他一同享受主。这就是作平安的基督登位管治、决断、并下断语。我们要有正确基督徒的行事为人，并保全召会生活，就需要基督的平安作仲裁。不然，摩擦就无法消除。惟有属天的基督，那位代求者、尽职者、及管理者，才能解决我们的难处，并消除摩擦。如果一位弟兄和他的妻子思念在诸天之上的基督，他们就会经历神圣的传输，然后基督的平安就要在他们里面作仲裁。
13The church life as the life of the new man is preserved not by mere teachings, but by setting our mind on the things above and allowing the heavenly transmission to impart the divine element into us. Then we shall have the renewing of the new man and experience the peace of Christ ruling within us. The peace of Christ is actually Christ Himself in a particular aspect. Hence, the arbitrating of the peace of Christ is Christ working within us to exercise His rule over us, to speak the last word, and to make the final decision. In the case of the brother offended by the elder, Christ’sword is to love that elder, to seek him out for fellowship, and to enjoy the Lord with him. This is Christ enthroned as peace ruling, deciding, and uttering the last word. In order to have a proper Christian walk and preserve the church life, we need the arbitrating peace of Christ. Otherwise, there will be no way for friction to be dissolved. Only the heavenly Christ, the One who is interceding, ministering, and administrating, can solve our problems and resolve the friction. If a brother and his wife set their mind on Christ in the heavens, they will experience the divine transmission. Then the peace of Christ will arbitrate in them
14一次次的聚会，一篇篇的信息，我们盼望将基督供应给圣徒们。当圣徒们看见了基督的启示，并经历了基督的平安作仲裁，召会生活就要蒙保守在新鲜的光景里。当基督的平安在我们心里作王，作我们里面独一的裁判，我们就与神有纵的平安，与众圣徒有横的平安（和平）。我们赞美主，我们享受平安，并且在这平安里，新人─召会生活就得以保全！当基督的平安在我们心里当家，新人就不断得以更新。如果我们一直让基督的平安作王管治，我们就不会得罪别人，破坏别人。我们反而会靠著主的恩典和平安，把生命供应给别人。一个地方召会里的一，和众召会之间的一，不是靠著人为的努力而维持的，这个一单单是由基督的平安作仲裁来维持的。主恢复的治理和维持不是我们的责任。众召会以及整个恢复，都在基督的平安作仲裁之下。基督在我们里面是供应的恩典，也是作仲裁的平安。我们必须先让基督作仲裁的平安在我们里面作王。不要求主施行主权，管治你的妻子或丈夫；反而要祷告说，『主，在我里面作王，在我身上管治我。』如果你没有求主管治你自己，反而求主管治别人，主就会说，『让我先在你里面设立我的宝座罢，让我先管治你，征服你，并为你下最后的决断。』倘若我们让基督作王的平安在我们心里作仲裁，我们的婚姻生活、家庭生活、召会生活，就要蒙保守在一的里面。
14In meeting after meeting and in message after message, we desire to minister Christ to the saints. As the saints see the revelation of Christ and experience the arbitrating peace of Christ, the church life will be preserved in freshness. When the peace of Christ is enthroned in our hearts to be the unique umpire within us, we shall have peace with God vertically and with the saints horizontally. We praise the Lord that we are enjoying peace, and in this peace the church life as the new man is preserved! As the peace of Christ presides in our hearts, the renewing of the new man takes place continually. If we stay under the ruling of the enthroned peace of Christ, we shall not offend others or damage them. Rather, by the Lord’s grace and with His peace, we shall minister life to others. The oneness in a local church and among the churches is not maintained by human endeavoring. It is maintained only by the arbitrating peace of Christ. The management and maintenance of the Lord’s recovery are not our responsibility. All the churches and the recovery as a whole are under the arbitrating peace of Christ. In us Christ is the supplying grace and the arbitrating peace. We need to allow the arbitrating peace of Christ to be enthroned in us first. Do not ask the Lord to exercise His sovereign rule over your wife or husband. Instead, pray, “Lord, be enthroned in me and exercise Your rule over me.” If instead of praying for yourself to be ruled by the Lord, you ask Him to rule others, the Lord may say, Let Me first set up My throne in you. Let Me rule you, subdue you, and make the final decisions for you.” If we allow the enthroned peace of Christ to arbitrate in our hearts, our married life, family life, and church life will all be preserved in oneness
15愿我们都得著鼓励，思念在上面的事，让属天的传输把神圣的实质更多带到我们里面，好为著新人的更新。然后，基督就要特别在平安这一面，在我们心里作仲裁；主就有路建造新人，并为著祂的再来豫备新妇。
15May we be encouraged to set our mind on the things above so that the heavenly transmission may bring the divine substance into our being for the renewing of the new man. Then Christ in the particular aspect of peace will arbitrate in our hearts, and the Lord will have a way to build up the new man and prepare the bride for His coming