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彼得前书生命读经 · 第31篇

神行政的审判（二）

God’s Governmental Judgment (2)
1读经：彼得前书1:17;2:23;4:5-7,12,17-19。在本篇信息中，我们要继续复习彼得前书头四章所启示神行政的审判。
1Scripture Reading: 1 Pet. 1:17; 2:23; 4:5-7, 12, 17-19 In this message we shall continue our review of God’s governmental judgment as revealed in the first four chapters of 1 Peter
2审判从神的家起首彼前四章十七节说，『因为时候到了，审判要从神的家起首。若是先从我们起首，那不信从神福音的人，将有何等的结局？』本书特别在神对祂所拣选之人的对付上，指出神的行政。他们在火炼的逼迫中所经历的苦难，是神审判他们的凭藉，使他们受管教、被炼净，从不信的人中圣别出来，不和他们有一样的定命。因此，这种管教的审判，要从神自己的家起首，不是一次两次就作完的，乃是一直不断的直到主来。神的家，或，家人，就是由信徒组成的召会。（二5，来三6，提前三15，弗二19。）神从这家，就是祂自己的家起首，藉著对自己儿女管教的审判，施行祂行政的管理，使祂有坚定的立场，在祂宇宙的国里，审判那些不信从祂福音，以及背叛祂行政的人。这是为了建立祂的国，乃是彼得后书所论到的。（一11。）
2JUDGMENT BEGINNING FROM GOD’SHO USE HOLD First Peter 4:17 says, “Because it is time for the judgment to begin from the house of God; and if first from us, what will be the end of those who disobey the gospel of God?” This book shows the government of God especially in His dealings with His chosen people. The sufferings they undergo in fiery persecution are used by Him as a means to judge them that they may be disciplined, purified, and separated from the unbelievers and not have the same destiny as the unbelievers. Hence, such disciplinary judgment begins from God’sown household. God’sho use, or household, is the church composed of the believers (2:5; Heb. 3:6; 1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 2:19). From this house, as His own house, God begins His governmental administration by His disciplinary judgment over His own children, that He may have strong ground to judge, in His universal kingdom, those who are disobedient to His gospel and rebellious to His government. This is for the establishment of His kingdom, which is covered in the second book (2 Pet. 1:11
3我们需要由彼前四章十七节得著深刻的印象：审判从神的家起首。这是神藉著对自己儿女管教的审判，施行祂行政的管理。这从神的家起首之管教的审判，目的是使祂有坚定的立场，在祂宇宙的国里，审判那些不信从祂福音，以及背叛祂行政的人。这特别适用于不信的犹太人。这审判的结果将是建立神的国。在四章十七节彼得问这问题：『那不信从神福音的人，将有何等的结局？』彼得在问，审判若从我们起首，那不信从神福音的人会遭遇甚么？这问题指明不信从神福音的不信者，将来要受比信徒所受更严厉的审判。
3We need to be deeply impressed from 4:17 that judgment begins from the household of God. This is God’s governmental administration carried out by His disciplinary judgment over His own children. The purpose of this disciplinary judgment that begins at God’s house is that God may have a strong ground to judge, in His universal kingdom, all those who are disobedient to His gospel and rebellious against His government. This applies in particular to the unbelieving Jews. The result of this judgment will be the establishment of God’skin gdom. In 4:17 Peter asks this question: “What will be the end of those who disobey the gospel of God?” Peter is asking, if the judgment begins from us, what will happen to those who do not obey God’s gospel? This question indicates that the unbelievers, who disobey the gospel of God, will undergo a judgment more severe than that which the believers have undergone.
4义人得救尚且如此艰难在十八节彼得接著问：『若是义人得救尚且如此艰难，那不敬虔和犯罪的人，将有何地可站？』这里的义人指信徒，他们因著本于信基督得称义，（罗五1，）并在基督里过义的生活，（腓三9，林后五21，启十九8，）而成为义人。
4THE RIGHTEOUS SAVED WITH DIFFICULTY In verse 1 8 Peter goes on to ask, “And if the righteous is saved with difficulty, where will the ungodly and sinner appear?” Here “the righteous” refers to the believers, who became righteous by being justified through their faith in Christ (Rom. 5:1) and by living a righteous life in Christ (Phil. 3:9; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rev. 19:8).
5『艰难』这辞指审判、逼迫和困苦。这甚至可能包括疾病。许多信徒有个观念，认为他们既然相信主耶稣并且得救了，他们的生活中就该事事平顺。事实上，正好相反。在我们基督徒的生活中，艰难是一个接著一个。然而，有些人也许以为，因为他们在召会生活中，他们就不该有任何难处。他们想像自己会非常健康，收入丰厚，并且受别人称赞。事实上，在基督徒生活和召会生活中有许多艰难。因此，彼得说，义人得救尚且如此艰难。十八节的『得救』，不是藉著主的死，得救脱离永远的沉沦，乃是藉著逼迫的试炼作神管教的审判，得救脱离要来的毁灭。（帖前五3，8。）信徒藉著逼迫的苦难受神管教，生命得了炼净，就因著逼迫的艰难而得救，免得遭受神对世界，特别是对不信之犹太人的忿怒所带来的毁灭，以及要来之耶路撒冷的毁灭。本书信是在罗马太子提多毁灭耶路撒冷的前几年才写的。主耶稣在马太二十四章二节曾豫言这事，祂说到殿，没有一块石头会留在另一块石头上。主曾豫告审判会临到不信从、不相信的犹太人。彼得同所有其他的使徒都知道这事。
5The word “ difficulty ” refers to judgments , persecutions, and hardships. This may even include illness. Many believers have the concept that because they believe in the Lord Jesus and are saved, everything in their lives should be smooth. Actually, the very opposite is true. In the Christian life we have one difficulty after another. However, some may think that because they are in the church life, they should not have any problems. They imagine that they will be in perfect health, have a high income, and be well spoken of by others. Actually, both in the Christian life and in the church life there are many difficulties. Hence, Peter says that the righteous is saved with difficulty. In 4:18 “saved” is not from eternal perdition through the Lord’s death, but from the coming destruction (1 Thes. 5:3, 8), through the trials of persecution as God’s disciplinary judgment. The believer, who has been disciplined by God through the sufferings of persecution to purify his life, is saved with the difficulty of persecution from the destruction of God’s wrath toward the world, especially toward the unbelieving Jews, with the coming destruction of Jerusalem in view. This Epistle was written only a few years before the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, the prince of Rome. The Lord Jesus had prophesied concerning this in Matthew 24:2, when He said of the temple that not one stone would be left upon another. The Lord had predicted that judgment would come upon the disobedient and unbelieving Jews. Peter, along with all the other apostles, knew this
6我们需要记得，彼得前书是特别写给犹太信徒的。彼得就著要来的毁灭警告这些信徒。然而，他告诉他们，相信主的人会得救脱离那毁灭，但他们会藉著艰难，就是藉著逼迫和苦难而得救。这艰难是一种行政的审判。早期的使徒坚信，主耶稣不久就要回来审判那些不信的罪人，就是那些不敬虔且不信从祂福音的人。（帖后一～10。）彼得在这里的话该是指这事说的。在神的行政里，倘若那些信从祂福音，并在祂面前过义的生活的义人，得救尚且如此艰难，要遭受逼迫作神管教刑罚的凭藉，以炼净他们的生命；当祂忿怒的毁灭来临时，那些不信从祂福音，并过著犯罪生活，抵挡祂行政，不敬虔的人，将有何地可站？
6We need to remember that this book was written in particular to Jewish believers. Peter warned these believers regarding the coming destruction. However, he told them that those who believed in the Lord would be saved from that destruction, but they would be saved through difficulty, that is, through persecution and sufferings. This difficulty is a kind of governmental judgment. Among the early apostles there was a strong belief that the Lord Jesus would come back soon to judge the unbelieving sinners, who are ungodly and disobey His gospel (2 Thes. 1:6-9). Peter’sword here refers to 6 this. In God’s government, if the righteous, who has obeyed His gospel and lives a righteous life before Him, is saved with difficulty, suffering persecution as the means of His disciplinary punishment to purify his life, where will the ungodly, who disobeys His gospel and lives a sinful life against His government, stand when the destruction by His wrath comes?
将我们的魂
COMMITTING OUR SOULS
交与那信实的创造主
TO A FAITHFUL CREATOR
7在彼前四章十九节彼得继续说，『所以那照神旨意受苦的人，也要在善行上，将他们的魂交与那信实的创造主。』逼迫只能伤害受苦信徒的身体，不能伤害他们的魂。（太十28。）他们的魂蒙那是信实创造主的主保守。他们该凭著他们信心的交托与主合作。这里的『交与』一辞，原文意交托；像存款一样托人看管，与路加十二章2四十八节，行传二十章三十二节，提前一章十八节，提后二章二节者同。信徒在身体上遭受逼迫，特别在殉道时，该将他们的魂像存款一样交与神，就是那信实的创造主，正如主将祂的灵交与父一样。（路二三46。）彼前四章十九节的创造主，不是指新生中新造的创造主，乃是指旧造的创造主。逼迫是在旧造里的苦难。神是我们的创造主，能保全祂为我们所造的魂。连我们的头发祂都数过了。（太十30。）祂既慈爱又信实。祂慈爱信实的照顾，（彼前五7，）随同著祂在行政管理中的公平。当祂在行政上审判我们这些家人时，祂的爱仍然信实的照顾我们。我们在身体上遭受祂公平管教的审判时，该把自己的魂交与祂信实的照顾。
7In verse 19 Peter continues, “Wherefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in welldoing to a faithful Creator.” Persecution can damage only the body of the suffering believers; it cannot damage their souls (Matt. 10:28). Their souls are kept by the Lord as the faithful Creator. They should cooperate with the Lord by their faithful commitment. The word “commit” here literally means to give in charge as a deposit, as in Luke 12:48; Acts 20:32; 1 Timothy 1:18; and Timothy 2:2. When the believers suffer persecution in their body, especially as in martyrdom, they should commit their souls as a deposit to God, the faithful Creator, as the Lord committed His spirit to the Father (Luke 23:46). The Creator spoken of in verse 19 is not the Creator of the new creation in the new birth, but the Creator of the old creation. Persecution is a suffering in the old creation. God as our Creator can preserve our soul, which He created for us. He has even numbered our hairs (Matt. 10:30). He is loving and faithful. His loving and faithful care (1 Pet. 5:7) accompanies His justice in His governmental administration. While He is judging us, as His household, in His government, in His love He cares for us faithfully. In suffering His just disciplinary judgment in our body, we should commit our souls to His faithful care.
在神行政下的基督徒生活
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD
8彼得前书是论到在神行政下基督徒生活的书。我们很容易留意基督徒的生活，而忽略神的行政。事实上，基督徒的生活与神的行政并行。三一神经过了漫长的过程，成了赐生命的灵，住在我们里面。这是为著我们的基督徒生活。同时，三一神仍是宇宙的创造主及其管治者。一面，我们重生得著属灵的生命，神圣的生命。另一面，我们仍在旧造里。为这缘故，我们需要神行政的对付。我们基督徒的生命要长大，就需要神行政的管教。
8First Peter is a book on the Christian life under the government of God. It is easy for us to pay attention to the Christian life and to neglect God’s government. Actually, the Christian life and the government of God go together. The Triune God has passed through a long process and has become the life-giving Spirit to indwell us. This is for our Christian life. At the same time, the Triune God is still the Creator of the universe and its ruler. On the one hand, we have been reborn to have a spiritual life, the divine life. On the other hand, we are still in the old creation. For this reason, we need God’s governmental dealings. In order for the Christian life to grow, we need the discipline of God’s government.
9彼得著作的宝贵，在于他将基督徒生活与神的行政结合。保罗也作同样的事，但他不像彼得作得这样清楚。彼得的著作给我们看见，基督徒的生活与神的行政是成对而并行的。我们若仔细读彼得的两封书信，就会看见彼得在生命的事上相当深。尤其彼后一章，在生命的事上是丰富、深邃、且奥妙的。但彼得在他的著作中，同时严厉的说到神对祂重生子民行政的对付。所以，在彼得的书信里，我们需要看见基督徒的生活与神的行政，也需要看见二者如何并行。
9The preciousness of Peter’s writings is that he combines the Christian life and God’s government. Paul did the same thing, but he did not do it in such a clear way as Peter did. Peter’s writings show us that the Christian life and the government of God go together as a pair. If we would carefully read the two Epistles of Peter, we would see that Peter is quite deep in the matter of life. The first chapter of 2 Peter, in particular, is rich, deep, and profound in the matter of life. But at the same time in his writings Peter gives a serious word regarding God’s governmental dealings with His regenerated people. Therefore, in the Epistles of Peter we need to see the Christian life and God’s government and also see how the two go together
照著神纯正的话
KNOWING THE TRUTH
认识真理
ACCORDING TO THE PURE WORD OF GOD
10已往，我们大多数人所领受的比传统的基督教教训多不了多少。我有负担藉著恢复本的注解，并藉著所有生命读经的信息，向主的子民陈明神话语中基本的事。我们若将这些事接受到我们里面，并让这些事长久印在我们里面，我信在要来的年日里，我们会看见很大的改变，甚至是使我们里面的人完全翻转过来的改变。我盼望若干年后，这些信息会产生非常积极的结果。我的愿望是要看见，神照著祂纯正话语的真理在美国处处得胜。虽有反对，但我信至终寻求的人会读这些信息，并且认识真理。我目前所关切的，乃是我们在主恢复里的人，对神话语中一切基本的事要有清楚的看见。然而，我深感遗憾，有些多年在这恢复里的人，对许多事仍不能充分讲说。在彼前三章十五节彼得说，『只要心里尊基督为圣，以祂为主，常作准备，好对每一个问你们里面盼望因由的人有所答辩。』这指明我们都需要能说出神的真理。我盼望你在彼得前书这一切信息里所花的时间，会在这方面帮助你。圣徒们若仅仅因著在这职事里所看见所听见的兴奋，我并不喜乐。我的愿望是众圣徒的手都要充满神话语扎实的东西。
10In the past, most of us received little more than traditional Christian teachings. Through the notes in the Recovery Version and through all the Life-study Messages, I am burdened to present the basic matters in the Word to the Lord’s people. If we take these matters into us and allow them to make a permanent impression upon us, I believe that in the coming years we shall see a great change, even a change that will revolutionize our inward being. I hope that after a number of years these messages will issue in a very positive result. My desire is to see that God’st ruth, according to His pure Word, will be prevailing throughout this country. In spite of the opposition, I believe that eventually the seeking ones will read the messages and come to know the truth. My immediate concern is that those of us in the Lord’s recovery will have a clear view of all the basic matters in the Word. However, I am deeply sorry that some who have been in the recovery for many years still are not able to say an adequate word regarding many things. In 3:15 Peter says, “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, being always ready for a defense to everyone who asks of you an account concerning the hope in you, but with meekness and fear.” This indicates that we all need to be able to speak forth God’st ruth. I hope that the time you spend in all these messages on 1 Peter will help you in this regard. I am not happy if the saints are merely excited over what they see and hear in the ministry. My desire is that the hands of all the saints would be filled with the solid things of the Word of God.
11你若无法记得彼得所说关于神行政审判的一切细节，我盼望你至少会记得基本的点，也知道在那里可以找著更多详细的资料。例如，你需要记得一章十七节，二章二十三节，和四章五节这样的经文。你也可能请你所接触的信徒参看恢复本注解。你也许对他们说，『你宣称我们在教导异端。我劝你自己读李常受弟兄所教导的。你若这样作，就会领悟，这人乃是将我们引向圣经中的真理。你不愿认识神的话么？让我们打开彼得前书，看一些与神的审判有关的经文。我请你公正的分辨到底谁是异端，甚么是神照著祂纯正话语的真理。』我们都需要藉著我们的生命、知识和经历，亲自实行神的真理。然后神才会有路完成祂的定旨。不然，祂就必须等候，可能等候数百年。主的子民受传统教训的蒙蔽并麻醉太久了。我有负担让主有路，并使众圣徒对神照著纯正话语的真理，有正确的认识。所有的长老需要清楚，就著认识真理而言，众召会的光景到底如何。长老们也许需要重新考虑他们牧养圣徒并监督圣徒的路。我们需要找著路，使真理进入圣徒里面，好叫每个人都满了真理，并照著真理满了生命的经历。例如，圣徒们该认识马太福音。他们该能向别人打开这福音，并向他们指出真理。对于约翰福音、彼得书信、启示录，事实上，对于全本新约，我们该能作同样的事。我们需要能帮助别人对神真理的许多方面有清楚的定义。我们若能这样作，就会有更好的路往前。
11If you cannot remember all the details of what Peter says concerning God’s governmental judgment, I hope that you will at least remember the basic points and also know where more detailed information is found. For example, you need to remember such verses as 1:17, 2:23, and 4:5. You may also want to refer believers whom you contact to the notes in the Recovery Version. You may say to them, “You claim that we are teaching heresy. I urge you to read for yourself what Witness Lee has taught. If you do this, you will realize that this man leads us to the truth in the Bible. Do you not want to know the Word of God? Let us open 1 Peter and consider some verses related to God’s judgment. I ask you to be fair and discern who it is who is heretical and what is the truth of God according to His pure Word.” All of us need to personally carry out God’st ruth through our life, knowledge, and experience. Then God will have a way to accomplish His purpose. Otherwise, He will have to wait, perhaps for hundreds of years. The Lord’sp eople have been veiled and drugged by traditional teachings for too long. I am burdened that the Lord may have a way and that all the saints would have a proper knowledge of God’st ruth according to the pure Word. All the elders need to be clear concerning the condition of the churches with respect to the knowledge of the truth. The elders may need to reconsider their way of shepherding the saints and overseeing them. We need to find a way to get the truth into the saints so that everyone will be full of truth and full of experience of life according to the truth. For example, the saints should know the Gospel of Matthew. They should be able to open this Gospel to others and point out the truth to them. We should be able to do the same with the Gospel of John, the Epistles of Peter, the book of Revelation, and, in fact, all of the New Testament. We need to be able to help others have a clear definition of many aspects of God’st ruth. If we can do this, then we shall have a better way to go on
12我关切我们中间许多人对真理仍然只有肤浅的理解。我不喜欢听见人喊喊叫叫，以及所谓的释放灵，却是缺少内容的。大声赞美主并释放我们的灵是好的，但这必须充满内容。我们若在知识、生命、和经历上充满真理的扎实内容，我们的赞美和释放就会有稳固的根基。我们也能给别人看见，我们大声赞美并释放灵是有根据的。
12I am concerned that many among us still have only a superficial grasp of the truth. I do not like to hear shouting and the so-called release of the spirit that is lacking in content. It is good to shout praise to the Lord and to release our spirit, but this must be filled with content. If we are filled with the solid content of truth in knowledge, life, and experience, we shall have a firm foundation for our praise and release. We shall also be able to show others that we have a basis for the shouting of praises and the release of the spirit
认真接受神的话
TAKING THE WORD OF GOD SERIOUSLY
13我们许多人沉缅于传统的实行。我们读圣经，研究圣经，或听信息时，也许以传统甚至轻忽的方式应用我们所读或所听的。我们对神的话不认真。我们也许没有将神话语里所见，或藉著信息所释放的每一点看为重要。关于这事，我们需要儆醒，并且谨慎自守，以便祷告。长老们尤其需要为著他们所带领的召会祷告。长老们该了解圣徒们吸收了多少真理。长老们若察验他们所在地召会的情况，也许发现我们已往所走的路有太多传统的元素，并且我们所陈明的不是那么实际。我有负担使众圣徒认真接受神的话。我们说到神圣的生命时，必须感觉到生命之事的严肃。我们需要领悟，我们是信徒，是爱主并寻求祂的人，我们必须明白祂的话，活祂的话，实行祂的话，并且将祂的话首先应用在自己身上，然后应用在别人身上。靠著主的怜悯，我非常实际的豫备了恢所有的材料。为这缘故，我们若读恢段，就会发觉其中满了食物，满了养分。我们需要将神的话接受到我们里面作我们的养分，我们也需要学习如何将其应用到自己和别人身上。我很关切有些圣徒多年参加训练，却没有从这一切的信息得著充分的滋养。不但如此，他们不知道如何向别人陈明神话语的真理。譬如，在关于彼得前书这些信息中，你听过关于神行政审判的事。你也许对这事有一般的概念，但你也许不知道如何使用这真理，或如何向别人正确的陈明这真理。
13Many of us have been addicted to traditional practices. When we read the Bible, study the Bible, or listen to a message, we may apply what we read or hear in a traditional and even a light way. We may not be serious regarding the Word. We may not regard every point found in the Word or released through a message as crucial. Regarding this matter, we need to be alert and sobered unto prayer. The elders especially need to pray concerning the church in which they are taking the lead. The elders should find out how much of the truth the saints have absorbed. If the elders examine the situation of the church in their locality, they may discover that there have been too many elements of tradition in the way we have taken in the past, and that our presentation has not been so practical. I am burdened that all the saints would take the Word seriously. When we speak about the divine life, we must sense the seriousness of the matters of life. We need to realize that as believers, as those who love the Lord and seek Him, we must understand His Word, live His Word, practice His Word, and apply His Word first to ourselves and then to others. By the Lord’s mercy, I have prepared all the notes in the Recovery Messages in a very practical way. For this reason, if we of a Life-study Message, we shall find that it is full of food, full of nourishment. We need to take the Word into us as our nourishment, and we also need to learn how to apply it to ourselves and others. I am concerned that certain of the saints have attended many trainings over the years, but have not received adequate nourishment from all the messages. Furthermore, they do not know how to present the truth of the Word of God to others. For instance, in these messages on 1 Peter you have heard something concerning God’s governmental judgment. You may have a general idea regarding this, but you may not know how to use this truth or how to present it properly to others.
智慧的接触人
CONTACTING OTHERS IN A WISE WAY
14一旦我们对神行政的审判有清楚的领会，这不是说，我们就该出去向我们所遇见的每一个人讲论。我们若不作甚么，只说到神行政的审判，我们就会不必要的冒犯别人。所以，我们学习如何接触人是很重要的。我们也许领悟，某人不是真正清楚救恩的事。他也许是挂名的信徒，对神的救恩却没有认识或经历。可能我们会遇见另一个得救却没有得救证实的人。这需要我们巧妙的传授真理，知道如何帮助这样的人有得救的经历或得救的证实。同样，我们必须知道如何帮助别人领会关于内住基督的真理。你也许接触一个不认识基督是他的生命，或生命的灵住在他里面的基督徒。所以，你需要为那人祷告，并且帮助他从神的话里，对于基督是生命以及内住的生命之灵有所领悟。你也该帮助他进入对这事的经历。你与其他信徒有交通时，也许觉得时候到了，要与他们分享，我们不但应当爱主，也应当服事主。不但如此，你也许向他们指出，我们需要对主有健康的敬畏。使徒保罗不2但爱主，也敬畏祂。在林后五章十四节保罗说，主是爱我们的。同时保罗在同一章指明，我们需要敬畏祂，因为有一天我们都要站在祂的审判台前。（10。）不但如此，我们从林前十一章知道，甚至今天主也在祂儿女身上施行管教的审判。一面，我们自己需要认识这真理。另一面，我们该知道向别人陈明这真理的正确时候和正确方式。我们若在合式的时候说到这事，别人会得帮助，我们所说的也就会有积极的成果。不然，即使我们说到圣经中重要的真理，别人也会被冒犯。我们需要在正确的时机说正确的话。除非我们在正确的时候向正确的人说正确的话，我们所说的就会徒然。毫无疑问，这需要训练。我们需要受训练，对真理有正确的认识，照著这认识而长大，并且学习如何向别人陈明真理。
14Once we have a clear understanding of the governmental judgment of God, this does not mean that we should go out and speak concerning it to everyone we meet. If we do nothing except speak about God’s governmental judgment, we shall offend others needlessly. It is important, therefore, that we learn how to contact people. We may realize that a certain person is not really clear about salvation. He may be a believer in name, but he may not have the knowledge or experience of God’s salvation. Perhaps we shall meet another who is saved, but who does not have the assurance of salvation. This requires that, being skillful in handling the truth, we know how to help such persons to have the experience of salvation or the assurance of salvation. In like manner, we must know how to help others understand the truth concerning the indwelling Christ. You may contact a Christian who does not know that Christ is life to him or that the Spirit of life dwells in him. Therefore, you need to pray for that one and help him to realize something from the Word regarding Christ as life and the indwelling Spirit of life. You should also help him to get into the experience of this. As you have fellowship with other believers, you may sense that the time is right to share with them that we should not only love the Lord but also serve Him. Furthermore, you may point out to them that we need to have a healthy fear of the Lord. The apostle Paul not only loved the Lord but also feared Him. In Corinthians 5:14 Paul says that the Lord is loving. At the same time Paul indicates in this chapter that we need to fear Him because one day we shall all stand before His judgment seat (2 Cor. 5:10). Furthermore, we know from 1 Corinthians 11 that even today the Lord is exercising disciplinary judgment over His children. On the one hand, we need to know this truth ourselves. On the other hand, we should know the right time and the right way to present this truth to others. If we speak concerning this at the proper time, others will be helped, and there will be a positive reaping from what we say. Otherwise, even though we speak about an important truth in the Bible, others will be offended. We need to speak the right word at the right season. Unless we speak the right word at the right time to the right person, what we say will be in vain. This, no doubt, requires training. We need to be trained to have the proper knowledge of the truth, to grow according to this knowledge, and to learn how to present the truth to others.
双重的目标
A TWOFOLD GOAL
15我释放这些生命读经信息的目标是双重的。首先，我的愿望是藉著这些信息，神的话会进入圣徒里面。第二，我期待信息出版时，会成为撒在神子民中间的种子。无论有多少反对，我要继续撒这种子。这种子一面是生命的供应，另一面是豫防注射。我信有一天，我们所撒的种子会产生收成。主恢复的前途非常灿烂。目前，美国至少有七千位在主恢复里寻求的圣徒。往后十年，我们许多儿女会成为召会的成员。他们有些人二十几岁时，对主会相当有用。例如，倪弟兄年仅十九岁时就被主兴起。然而，主恢复的前途在于我们对真理的实行。我们若宝贵神的话，抓住每个机会进入其中，并将其接受到我们里面，至终我们会装备齐全。我们会认识真理，我们会认识生命，我们也会认识如何在主里长大。我们对属灵的事会有完全的认识和充分的经历。然后主会有路突破，并且得著祂许多世纪以来所寻求的。今天主如何能得著祂所要的？照著大多数基督徒的情况，主没有路。几乎到处门都向祂关闭。这就是主为甚么必须找著一条路，好有所恢复。但我所关切的是，在主的恢复里，我们中间仍有太多传统的实行。我们需要放弃传统的路，并接受新路，以认识真理，经历真理，且向别人陈明真理。
15My goal in giving these Life-study Messages is twofold. First, my desire is that through the messages the Word of God will get into the saints. Second, I expect that the messages, when put into print, will become seeds sown among God’sp eople. No matter how much opposition there may be, I shall continue to sow this seed. On the one hand, this seed is a life supply; on the other hand, it is an inoculation. I believe that one day the seed we have sown will produce a harvest. The future of the Lord’s recovery is very promising. At present, in the United States there are at least seven thousand seeking saints in the Lord’s recovery. Over the next ten years, many of our children will become members of the church. When some of them are in their twenties, they will be quite useful to the Lord. Brother Nee, for example, was raised up by the Lord when he was only nineteen. However, the future of the Lord’s recovery depends upon our practice regarding the truth. If we treasure the Word and grasp every opportunity to get into it and to take it into us, eventually we shall be fully equipped. We shall know the truth, we shall know life, and we shall know how to grow in the Lord. We shall have a full knowledge and an adequate experience of spiritual things. Then the Lord will have a way to break through and to gain what He has been seeking for centuries. How can the Lord get what He is after today? According to the situation of the majority of Christians, the Lord has no way. Nearly everywhere the door is closed to Him. This is the reason the Lord must find a way to have a recovery. But my concern is that in the Lord’s recovery there is still too much of the traditional practice among us. We need to abandon the traditional way and take up a new way to know the truth, experience it, and present it to others.