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帖撒罗尼迦前书生命读经 · 第2篇

为著召会生活之

Characteristics of a Holy Life
1圣别生活的特征读经：帖撒罗尼迦前书一章四至十节。我们越读帖撒罗尼迦前书，就越看见这卷书实在是写给年幼信徒的。在
1for the Church Life Scripture Reading: 1 Thes. 1:4-10 The more we read the book of 1 Thessalonians, the more we realize that it truly was written to young believers
2这封书信里，保罗是对初信者说话。
2In this Epistle Paul is speaking to new believers
3蒙神拣选保罗在一章四节说，『蒙神所爱的弟兄们，我们知道你们是蒙拣选的。』拣选指神在创立世界以前，为著祂
3SELECTED BY GOD In 1:4 he says, “Knowing, brothers beloved by God, your selection.” Selection refers to God’s choosing before the foundation of the world for His eternal
4永远的定旨而有的拣选。（弗一4。）使徒知道，蒙神所爱的弟兄们是这样蒙神拣选的，为著成就祂的心愿。使徒也知道，帖撒罗尼迦人也在神的选民当中，是神所拣选的人。他们蒙拣选已经显明到一个地步，以致使徒能确信，帖撒罗尼迦信徒是蒙神拣选的。
4purpose (Eph. 1:4). The apostles knew that the brothers beloved by God were chosen in such a manner by God for the fulfillment of His heart’s desire. The apostles knew that the Thessalonians were included among God’ss elected people, His chosen ones. Their selection had been made manifest to such an extent that the apostles had the assurance that the Thessalonian believers had been selected by God
5帖撒罗尼迦人对福音的反应，显明他们是蒙神拣选的。我们怎么知道我们是蒙拣选的？从我们对福音的反应就可以知道了。一个人如果拒绝福音，那就是他没有蒙神拣选的记号。但如果他积极而乐意的接受福音，那样的接受就指明，他实在是神所拣选的。神在永世里，在创立世界以前就拣选了我们。但祂在时间里，在传福音时临到了我们。现在就看我们的反应如何。我们的反应若是积极的，那就是个积极的记号，表明我们是蒙拣选的。我们的反应若是消极的，那就是个消极的记号，表明我们不是蒙拣选的。使徒们知道帖撒罗尼迦人是神所拣选的，因为他们的态度非常积极，欣然乐意的接受了福音。毫无疑问的，保罗在帖前一章四节关于拣选的话，是针对年幼信徒说的。我们需要帮助新蒙恩的基督徒认识，他们已经蒙了神的拣选。我们得救的根基不是在今世才立定的，乃是在已过的永世里就立定了。神拯救我们是根据祂的拣选。不仅如此，因著有神的拣选为根基，那灵就感动我们相信基督。那灵这样的感动，乃是根据在永世里所立定拣选的根基。我们应当尽力帮助初信者知道，神的拣选是他们得救的永远根基。我们都需要看见，我们在已过的永世里蒙神所拣选，而我们今天在召会里乃是这永远拣选的记号。所以保罗在一章四节能说，『蒙神所爱的弟兄们，我们知道你们是蒙拣选的。』
5The fact that the Thessalonians had been selected by God was manifested by their reaction to the gospel. How do we know that we have been selected? We know this by the way we respond to the gospel. If a person rejects the gospel, that is a sign that he has not been selected by God. But if he accepts the gospel willingly in a positive way, that acceptance is a sign, an indicator, that he surely has been selected by God. God selected us in eternity, before the foundation of the world. But in time He comes to us in the preaching of the gospel. Now it is a matter of our reaction. If our reaction is positive, that is a positive sign, a sign that we have been selected. But if our reaction is negative, that is a negative sign, a sign that we have not been selected. The apostles knew that the Thessalonians had been selected by God because of their ready and willing acceptance of the gospel in a very positive way. No doubt, Paul’sword in 1:4 concerning selection is directed to young believers. New Christians need to be helped to know that they have been selected by God. The foundation of our salvation was not laid in this age; rather, it was laid in eternity past. Based upon His selection, God saves us. Furthermore, with God’s selection as the foundation, the Spirit moves us to believe in Christ. The move of the Spirit in this way is based upon the foundation of selection laid in eternity. We should try to help new believers realize God’s selection as the eternal foundation of their salvation. We all need to see that in eternity past we were selected by God and that our being in the church today is a sign of this eternal selection. Therefore, in 1:4 Paul could say, “Knowing, brothers beloved by God, your selection.”
传福音在于能力和圣灵，
PREACHING IN POWER, IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
并充足的确信
AND IN MUCH ASSURANCE
6保罗在五节继续说，『因为我们的福音传到你们那里，不仅在于言语，也在于能力和圣灵，并充足的确信，正如你们知道，我们在你们中间，为你们的缘故是怎样为人。』使徒不仅传福音，也活福音。他们尽职传福音，不仅凭著言语，也凭著展示神能力的生活，就是在圣灵里，并在他们信心确据里的生活。他们乃是所传之福音的模型。我们都应当懂得，我们的传福音必须是在能力和圣灵里，并在充分的确信里。我们传福音时，必须确信这是拯救人的福音。我们所传的福音，是能拯救人的。在罪人相信福音以前，我们自己必须先相信，我们必须相信福音能拯救罪人。我们传福音的时候，应当转眼不看那些反对我们所传信息的听众。注视他们会叫我们的信心减弱。我们不要注视反对者的脸色，而要注视福音。反对者脸上的表情是虚谎的。我们必须确信，我们所传的福音甚至能拯救这些反对者。
6In verse 5 Paul continues, “Because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, even as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” The apostles not only preached the gospel; they lived it. Their ministering of the gospel was not only by word, but also by a life which displays the power of God, a life in the Holy Spirit and in the assurance of their faith. They were the model of the glad tidings they spread. We all should learn that to preach the gospel we must preach in power, in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance. As we preach the gospel, we need to have the assurance that it is a saving gospel. The gospel we preach is able to save others. Before sinners can believe in the gospel, we ourselves must believe it. We must believe that the gospel is able to save sinners. When we preach the gospel, we should look away from those in the audience who may be opposing our message. Looking at them may cause our faith to diminish. Instead of looking at the faces of opposers, look at the gospel. The expression on the faces of the opposing ones is a lie. We must have the assurance that the gospel we are preaching can save even these opposers
7在五节里，能力、圣灵、和充足的确信，与『我们在你们中间，为你们的缘故是怎样为人』是相联的。在我们看来，保罗这里的写法好像不合逻辑。我们也许不明白本节这两段，怎能彼此相合。这节经文说出，我们若要在能力、圣灵、并充足的确信里传福音，就必须过一种生活，配得过这种福音的传扬。我们的生活方式必须配得过能力、圣灵和确信。一个松散、不活基督的人，无法在能力、圣灵、和充足的确信里传福音。我们若要这样传福音，首先必须活基督，并且生活的方式必须配得过能力、圣灵和确信。换句话说，能力、圣灵和确信需要某一种的生活方式。如果我们没有正确的生活，我们传福音的时候，就不会有能力、圣灵和确信，因为我们的生活方式配不过这些特征。
7In verse 5 power, the Holy Spirit, and much assurance are linked to the words “what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” It may seem to us that Paul’s writing here is not logical, and we may wonder how the two parts of this verse fit together. This verse reveals that if we would preach the gospel in power, in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, we must have a life to match this kind of gospel preaching. Our manner of life must match the power, the Holy Spirit, and the assurance. A careless person, one who does not live Christ, cannot preach the gospel in power, in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance. To preach the gospel in this way, we must first live Christ and have a manner of life to match the power, the Holy Spirit, and the assurance. In other words, the power, the Holy Spirit, and the assurance require a certain manner of life. If we do not have the proper living, we shall not have the power, the Holy Spirit, and the assurance in our gospel preaching, for our manner of life will not match these characteristics.
效法使徒，也效法了主
IMITATORS OF THE APOSTLES AND THE LORD
8保罗在六节接著说，『并且你们在大患难之中，带著圣灵的喜乐，领受了主的话，就效法我们，也效法了主。』传福音的人既是福音的模型，信徒就效法他们；这引导信徒跟从主，以主为模型。（太十一29。）
8In verse 6 Paul goes on to say, “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, having accepted the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Spirit.” Since the preachers were the model of the gospel, the believers became their imitators. This then led the believers to follow the Lord, taking Him as their model (Matt. 11:29
9帖撒罗尼迦的初信者首先效法使徒，后来也效法了主。这指明我们需要成为别人的榜样、模型。信徒不是先看见主，而是先看见我们，我们若不是正确的榜样或模型，别人就很难看见主。因为我们是主的代表，所以我们必须是正确的榜样。这样，别人就能因著效法我们而效法主。这意思是说，他们透过我们而效法主。保罗在帖前一章七至八节说，『以致你们成了马其顿和亚该亚所有信徒的榜样。因为主的话从你们那里已经宣扬出来，不单在马其顿和亚该亚，就是在各处，你们向神的信心也都传开了，所以不用我们说甚么。』这里我们看见，效法使徒的人，成了所有信徒的榜样。他们效法了榜样，然后就成为罗马帝国马其顿省和亚该亚省之信徒的榜样。
9First the Thessalonians as new believers became imitators of the apostles, and then they became imitators of the Lord. This indicates that we need to be a pattern, a model, for others. The believers do not see the Lord first; they see us first. If we are not a proper pattern or model, it will be difficult for others to see the Lord. Because we are the Lord’s representatives, we need to be a proper pattern. Then others can imitate the Lord by imitating us. This means that through us they imitate Him. In verses 7 and 8 Paul says, “So that you became a pattern to all those who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded out, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we have no need to speak anything.” Here we see that the imitators of the apostles became a pattern to all other believers. They imitated the pattern and then they became a pattern to the believers in the Roman provinces of Macedonia and Achaia
10之圣别生活的起源帖撒罗尼迦前书论到为著召会生活的圣别生活。一章二至三节说到这种生活的结构。这结构包括信心的工作、爱心的劳苦、以及盼望的忍耐。这意思是说，为著召会生活的圣别
10FOR THE CHURCH LIFE The book of 1 Thessalonians is concerned with a holy life for the church life. In 1:1-3 we have the structure of this life. This structure includes the work of faith, the labor of love, and the endurance of hope. This means that a holy life for the church
11生活是由信心的工作、爱心的劳苦、和盼望的忍耐构成的。一章四至十节说出这种为著召会生活之圣别生活的起源。这种生活的起源是藉著话语的传讲，以及领受所传讲的话。因此，我们需要在能力、圣灵、和充分的确信里，配著我们的生活方式，将神的话陈明给初信者，藉此帮助他们。这样，初信者就会领受这些话，效法我们而效法主，因此成了其他信徒的榜样。这就是为著召会生活之圣别生活起源的方式。
11life is constructed of faith’s work, love’s labor, and hope’s endurance. In 1:4-1 0 we have the origination of this holy life for the church life. This life originates through the preaching of the word and the acceptance of the word that is preached. Thus, we need to help new believers by presenting them the word of God in power, in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, matched by our manner of life. Then the new believers will accept this word and follow us to follow the Lord, thereby becoming a pattern for other believers. This is the way a holy life for the church life originates.
基督徒生活的
THREE CHARACTERISTICS
三个特征
OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
12九至十节给我们看见这种生活的细节：『因为他们自己正在传报关于我们的事，就是我们是怎样的进到了你们那里，你们又是怎样离弃了偶像转向神，来服事又活又真的神，并且等候祂的儿子从诸天降临，就是祂从死人中所复活，那拯救我们脱离要来忿怒的耶稣。』这两节经文里有为著召会生活之圣别生活内容的三个细节：离弃偶像转向神，服事又活又真的神，并且等候祂的儿子从诸天降临。离弃偶像转向神，服事又活又真的神，并且等候祂的儿子从诸天降临，这三件事从另一角度看，乃是基督徒生活三个基本的要素。离弃偶像转向神，不仅是离弃假神及其背后的魔鬼和鬼，也是离弃在神之外的一切事物。这是藉著那因听见福音的话所注入初信者里面的信心。服事又活又真的神，就是服事那经过了过程，成为信徒的生命和生命的供应，给他们享受的三一神─父、子、灵。他们不仅该经历祂作敬拜的对象，更该经历祂作那活在他们里面，包罗万有的供应者。这是父藉著子在灵里丰富供应的甜美味道，在他们里面产生的爱所作成的。等候神的儿子从诸天降临，就是期盼那已经经过成为肉体、为人生活、钉十字架、进入复活并升上诸天，还要回来接祂信徒到荣耀里的一位。这就是那加强信徒，使他们在信心上站立得稳的盼望。
12In verses 9 and 10 we have the details of such a life: “For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entrance we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from the heavens, Whom He raised from among the dead—Jesus, Who delivers us from the wrath which is coming.” In these verses we have three details as the contents of a holy life for the church life: turning to God from idols, serving a living and true God, and waiting for His Son from the heavens. To turn to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from the heavens are the three basic substances of the Christian life viewed from another angle. To turn to God from idols is not only to turn away from false gods, with the Devil and demons behind them, but also to turn away from all things other than God. This is by faith infused into the new converts through hearing the word of the gospel. To serve a living and true God is to serve the very God who is triune—the Father, the Son, and the Spirit—processed to be the believers’ life and life supply for their enjoyment. They should experience Him not only as the object of worship, but also as the all-inclusive Supplier who lives in them. This is done by love produced within them by the sweet taste of the rich supply of the Father through the Son in the Spirit. To wait for the Son of God from the heavens is to look for the One who has passed through incarnation, human living, and crucifixion, has entered into resurrection and ascended to the heavens, and who will come back to receive His believers into glory. This is the hope that strengthens the believers to stand steadfastly in their faith
离弃偶像转向神
turning to God from idols
13基督徒生活的第一个特征，乃是离弃偶像转向神。有些人自称是无神论者。他们说，他们不信神，也不拜神。事实上，每一个人都是有所敬拜的。每个人都有灵，这乃是属灵的胃。我们生理的胃渴望食物，我们属灵的胃渴望神。如果我们不需要吃东西就能生存，我们就不会有生理的胃。我们的灵，我们属灵的胃，是为著敬拜神、接触神、接受神、盛装神的。我们生理的胃和属灵的胃都是神所造的。我们一天当中必须吃好几次，以满足我们生理的胃的饥饿。照样，每个人都有敬拜的对象，以满足他属灵的胃─灵─的饥饿。为这缘故，所有的人都敬拜一些东西。但我们敬拜的是假神还是真神，又另当别论。我们在这里要指出的是，每一个人（包括无神论者）都敬拜一些东西。不论我们吃的东西合式不合式，我们都吃进一些食物。同样的原则，每一个人都敬拜一些东西，即使有些人拜的是假神。
13The first characteristic of the Christian life is that we turn to God from idols. Some people claim to be atheists. They say that they do not believe in God or worship Him. Actually, every human being worships something. Everyone has a spirit, a spiritual stomach. In our physical stomach we are hungry for food, and in our spiritual stomach we are hungry for God. We would not have a physical stomach if it were not necessary for us to eat in order to live. Our spirit, our spiritual stomach, is for worshipping God, contacting Him, receiving Him, and containing Him. Both our physical stomach and our spiritual stomach were created by God. During the day we must eat a number of times to satisfy the hunger of our physical stomach. In the same way, everyone worships something in order to satisfy the hunger in his spiritual stomach, the spirit. For this reason, all people worship something. Whether we worship a false god or the true God is another question. The point we are making here is that everyone, including atheists, worships something. Whether the food we eat is proper or improper food, we all eat some kind of food. In the same principle, everyone worships something, even if it is a false god.
14你知道无神论者敬拜甚么？他们敬拜自己，因为他们是自己的神。保罗在腓立比三章十九节说到有一班人，他们的神就是自己的肚腹。还有些人崇拜教育、名声、地位，这些都是偶像。惟有神才是正确的敬拜对象，我们在神以外所崇拜的任何人事物，都是偶像。我年轻的时候，我印象中的美国人是没有偶像的。中国有许多的偶像，而我的观念以为美国是一个没有偶像的地方。等到我年事稍长，来到美国以后，我才晓得美国到处都是偶像。中国的偶像是外面的，但美国的偶像是隐密的、隐藏的。美国有许多人热爱享乐和宴乐，这就是拜偶像。美国是娱乐的天地，这话是真的。许多人追求属世宴乐的时候，失去了节制，好像连自己的名字也都忘了。他们这样的追求娱乐，就成了拜偶像。主日这一天，是神命定要祂的子民敬拜祂的，但是大多数的人在每周的这一天作甚么？他们或作这，或作那，都是在拜偶像。到底有多少人真正敬拜真神？没有疑问，今天拜偶像的人，比敬拜真神的人更多。我们常常认为福音的目的是叫人离弃罪恶转向神。但保罗传福音也叫人离弃偶像转向神。叫人单单离弃罪恶转向神是不彀的。我们传福音若只作到这一点，我们就传得软弱不足。厉害的传福音能叫人离弃罪恶，也离弃偶像。叫人离弃罪恶转向神还算容易，但叫人离弃偶像转向神就难多了。
14Do you know what atheists worship? They worship themselves, for they are their own god. In Philippians 3:19 Paul speaks of those whose god is their belly. Others worship education, fame, or position, all of which are idols. God alone is the proper object of worship. Any person, matter, or thing that we worship other than God is an idol. In my youth I had the impression that Americans did not have any idols. There were many idols in China, but my concept was that the United States was a land free of idols. But when I came to this country as an older person, I realized that there are idols everywhere. The idols in China were outward, but the idols in the United States are hidden, concealed. In their intense love of pleasure and entertainment, many in this country are worshipping idols. It is true to say that the United States is a land of entertainment. When many pursue certain forms of worldly amusement, they act without restraint, seeming even to forget their own names. In this way, their pursuit of entertainment becomes the worship of idols. The Lord’s Day was ordained by God for His people to worship Him. But what do most people do on this day of the week? In one way or other, they worship idols. How many genuine worshippers are there of the true God? Surely many more people worship idols today than worship the true God. We usually think that the goal of the gospel is to turn people from sin to God. But Paul’sp reaching of the gospel turned people also from idols to God. It is not sufficient merely to turn others to God from sin. If our preaching of the gospel only does this, our preaching is weak and inadequate. The stronger preaching of the gospel turns people both from sin and from idols. It is somewhat easy to turn others to God from sin, but it is much more difficult to turn them to God from idols
15你知道甚么是基督徒生活的开端？基督徒生活的开端乃是在于离弃偶像转向神。我们离弃偶像的时候，也就离弃了罪，因为罪潜伏在偶像背后。在今天的娱乐和宴乐里，有许多罪恶。不拜偶像的人可能不犯罪。但人只要一拜偶像，就免不了会犯罪。偶像实际上就是魔鬼的一部分。偶像就是鬼。每一个偶像背后至少有一个鬼。这意思是说，在今天的娱乐、宴乐、享乐的背后都有鬼。因此，基督徒的生活必须开始于离弃偶像转向神。我们中间许多人还需要更进一步的离弃偶像转向神。你若想要在神自己以外得著甚么，那个东西就是偶像。在神以外任何吸引我们注意的人事物，或打岔我们叫我们离开神的人事物，都是偶像。凡是这样受打岔的人，都需要离弃自己的偶像，而进一步的转向神。基督徒的生活必须以离弃偶像转向神为第一个特征。
15Do you know what is the beginning of the Christian life? The beginning of the Christian life consists in turning to God from idols. When we turn from idols, we also turn from sin, for sin lurks behind idols. In today’s entertainments and amusements there is a great deal of sin. Those who do not worship idols may not sin. But whenever someone is worshipping an idol, it is impossible for that person not to sin. Idols are actually parts of the Devil. They are demons. Behind every idol there is at least one demon. This means that there are demons behind the scene of today’s entertainments, amusements, and pleasures. Therefore, the Christian life must be a life that begins with turning to God from idols. Many of us still need a further turn from certain idols unto God. If you want something other than God Himself, that thing is an idol. Anything other than God that draws our attention or anything that distracts us from God is an idol. Any who are distracted in this way need a further turn to God from their idols. The Christian life must have the turning to God from idols as its first characteristic. The Christian life is a life without idols
16基督徒的生活，是没有偶像的生活。服事又活又真的神
16serving a living and true God
17保罗在帖前一章九节也说到服事又活又真的神。服事，原文直译是作奴仆服事。又活又真的神，与又死又假的偶像相对。在这节经文里，先题到活，后题到真。服事真神相当容易，服事活神就不是那么容易。但我们必须服事活神。在我们日常的生活中，神对我们，并祂在我们里面，必须是又活又真的。祂在我们的言语、行为、以及日常生活的每一方面都该是活的。
17In verse 9 Paul speaks also of serving a living and true God. Literally the Greek word rendered serve means to serve as a slave. The living and true God is in contrast to the dead and false idols. In this verse the word living is mentioned before the word true. It is rather easy to serve a true God; it is not so easy to serve a living God. Nevertheless, we need to serve a living God. God must be living to us and in us in our daily life. He should be living in our speech, in our behavior, and in every aspect of our daily life
18我们怎能证明神是活的？乃是以我们的日常生活来证明。如果神不是活的，我们的日常生活就与现在的情形大不相同。我们现今的生活，见证我们所服事的神是活的。祂活在我们里面，管治我们、引导我们，并对付我们；祂不会放我们过去，反而在许多事上改正我们、调整我们。神管治我们、指引我们，甚至在诸如思想、动机等细微的事上也不例外；这就证明祂是活的。不仅如此，我们藉著日常的生活行动，就能向我们的亲戚、邻居、
18How can we prove that God is living? We prove it by our daily life. If God were not living, our daily life would be very different from what it is. Our present living is a testimony that the God whom we serve is living. He is living in us, and He controls us, directs us, and deals with us. He will not let us go. Rather, in many matters He corrects us and adjusts us. The fact that God controls us and directs us, even in small things such as our thoughts and motives, is a proof that He is living. Furthermore, it is by our daily walk that we can prove to our relatives, neighbors, and friends that our God is living.
19朋友证明，我们的神是活的。
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20我们乃是在活神的管治、引导并改正之下过生活。然而偶像不会引导人或改正人。一个人可以在偶像前赌博、偷窃，而丝毫不会受到改正。但是我们在活神面前不能作这种事。譬如，神若活在我们里面，就绝不会容许我们撒谎。我们的神若是活的，我们就不能在祂面前撒谎。服事活神，乃是基督徒生活的第二个特征。我们的生活必须见证，我们所敬拜、所服事的神活在我们日常生活的细节中。多年前，我在马尼拉的时候，得知有些人偷了东西以后，还能立刻到教堂去敬拜。有些人为著偷窃悔改，但出了教堂又立刻偷窃；有些人甚至在教堂里抢别人的东西。这种人必定不是敬拜活神。相反的，他们所敬拜的神是没有生命的。你的神如何？祂之于你是活神么？正当的基督徒生活应当见证，神是活的。有些事我们不作、不说，原因该是神在我们里面是活的。我们所敬拜并服事的神不仅活在诸天之上，也活在我们里面。我们已经离弃偶像转向神，来服事又活又真的神。当神在我们的经历中对我们是活的，祂必定也是真的。
20We live under the control, direction, and correction of a living God. An idol, however, does not direct or correct anyone. In the presence of an idol someone can gamble or steal without being corrected at all. But we cannot do such things before a living God. For example, if God is living in us, He would never allow us to tell a lie. If our God is living, we cannot lie in His presence. Serving a living God is the second characteristic of the Christian life. We must live a life which bears the testimony that the God we worship and serve is living in the details of our daily life. Years ago, when I was in Manila, I learned that certain people could steal and then immediately go into a cathedral to worship. Some repented of their thefts and then immediately went out to steal once again. Some robbed others even in the cathedral. Surely such people do not worship a living God. On the contrary, the god they worship has no life. What about your God? Is He a living God to you? The proper Christian life should bear a testimony that God is living. The reason we do not do or say certain things should be that God is living in us. The God whom we worship and serve is living not only in the heavens, but also in us. We have turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God. No doubt, when God is living to us in our experience, He is also true
等候神的儿子
Waiting for the Son of God
21我们基督徒生活的第三个特征，乃是等候神的儿子从诸天降临。我们这些基督徒必须活出一种生活，能向人宣告我们的盼望不在这地上，也不在今世。我们的盼望乃在于那要来的主；我们的前途在于祂。在这地上，我们没有任何的定命、目的地或前途。我们的前途、定命和目的地全集中于那要来的主。主是我们的盼望、我们的前途、和我们的目的地。我们要到主那里去，我们的定命是与祂相见。相反的，世人的生活所给人的印象是：他们的前途在地上，他们的盼望、定命和目的地都在现在。他们的前途完全与今世有关，但我们的前途却不是这样。因为我们正等候神的儿子从诸天降临，所以我们的前途全集中于祂。我们在这地上没有盼望，在今世没有定命。
21A third characteristic of our Christian life is that we are waiting for God’sS on from the heavens. As Christians, we must live a life that declares to others that our hope is not on this earth or in this age. Instead, our hope is in the coming Lord, and our future is in Him. On this earth we do not have any destiny, destination, or future. Our future, our destiny, and our destination are altogether focused on the Lord who is coming. He will be our hope, our future, and our destination. We are going to the Lord, and our destiny is to meet Him. Worldly people, on the contrary, have the kind of living that gives others the impression that their future is on earth and that their hope, destiny, and destination are all in the present. Although their future is thoroughly related to this age, our future is not. Because we are waiting for the Son of God from the heavens, our future is focused on Him. We have no hope on this earth and no destiny in this age.
22真正的基督徒是没有任何偶像的，他们所过的生活见证他们的神是活的；他们的生活也宣告他们在这地上没有盼望，只盼望要来的那一位。我们不该在神以外有任何的事物，我们的神在我们的日常生活中应当是活的；我们也应当宣告，我们正等候神的儿子从诸天降临。我盼望所有服事新蒙恩和年幼信徒的人，能从帖撒罗尼迦前书就著这些事帮助他们。不仅如此，甚至我们中间在恢复里多年的人，也需要得帮助，补上他们在基督徒生活中的缺欠。有些人可能还不肯放弃一些偶像，一些神自己以外的东西。再者，我们的日常生活也许还不能见证我们所服事的神是活的，因为我们仍然可能没有祂的引导，不受管治或调整而作许多事。我们的光景若是这样，我们就作了消极的见证，给人看见我们的神，天天之于我们不是那么活。祂之于我们若是活的，我们必定会接受祂的管治与改正。我们的神若是活的，祂就会改正我们，不容我们在生活中松散。我们许多人或许也缺少等候的灵，就是等候主回来的灵。我们的生活可能没有宣告或见证，我们正等候主回来。我们的生活中可能缺少这种气氛。但愿我们都从帖撒罗尼迦前书中看见，为著召会生活的正常基督徒生活，乃是没有偶像的生活，是见证我们的神是活神的生活，也是等候主回来的生活。
22Genuine Christians do not have any idols, they live a life that testifies that their God is living, and they declare by their living that they have no hope on this earth, but only in the coming One. We should not have anything other than God, our God should be living in our daily life, and we should declare that we are waiting for the coming of the Son of God from the heavens. I hope that those who are working with new converts and young believers will render them help concerning these things from 1 Thessalonians. Furthermore, even some of us who have been in the recovery for years still need to be helped to make up things lacking in the Christian life. Some of us may still be clinging to certain idols, to things other than God Himself. Moreover, our daily life may not testify that the God whom we serve is living, for we still may do many things without His direction, control, or adjustment. If this is our situation, then we have a negative testimony that our God is not very living to us day by day. If He is living to us, we shall surely be under His control and correction. If our God is living, He will correct us and not allow us to be careless in our living. Many of us may also lack a waiting spirit, a spirit waiting for the Lord’s coming back. Our living may not declare or testify that we are waiting for the Lord’s coming. We may lack this kind of atmosphere in our living. May we all see from 1 Thessalonians that a proper Christian life for the church life is a life without idols, a life that testifies that our God is living, and a life waiting for the Lord’s coming back