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彼得前书生命读经 · 第7篇

神完全救恩的三个阶段

The Three Stages of God’s Full Salvation
1读经：彼得前书一章五节。在本篇信息中，我要进一步说到神完全救恩的三个阶段。
1Scripture Reading: 1 Pet. 1:5 In this message I would like to say a further word on the three stages of God’s full salvation
蒙保守得著救恩
GUARDED UNTO SALVATION
2彼前一章五节说，『就是你们这因信蒙神能力保守的人，得著所豫备，在末后的时期要显现的救恩。』许多年前，每当我读到本节的时候，就受搅扰。我被『得著…救恩』这话所困扰。照著这话，似乎我们还没有得著救恩，因为我们因信蒙神能力保守，以致得著救恩。我无法领会，我们若已经接受救恩，为甚么还要蒙保守以致得著救恩。我确信我接受了神的救恩，并且得救了。关于这事，我非常坚定。每当人问我是否得救了，我就回答说，『是的，我得救了。』不但如此，我去过许多地方传讲得救的证实。我指出新约里的经文，指明我们一相信主耶稣就得救了，并且我们可以有得救的证实。但彼前一章五节这里却有『得著…救恩』这话。我疑惑彼得对救恩的认识是否正确。我以为按道理，他也许说错了甚么。我有这样的思想，因为我被这节所困惑、困扰。
2First Peter 1:5 says, “Who are being guarded by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed at the last time.” Many years ago I was bothered whenever I read this verse. I was troubled by the phrase “unto salvation.” According to this phrase, it would seem that we do not yet have salvation, for we are being guarded by the power of God unto salvation. I could not understand why we are being guarded unto salvation if we have already received salvation. I was certain that I had received God’ss alvation and had been saved. Regarding this matter, I was very strong. Whenever someone asked me if I had been saved, I replied, “Yes, I have been saved.” Furthermore, I visited many places preaching the assurance of salvation. I pointed out the verses in the New Testament that indicate that, when we believed in the Lord Jesus, we were saved and that we may have the assurance of this salvation. But here is a verse in 1 Peter 1:5 with the phrase “unto salvation.” I wondered if Peter was correct in his knowledge regarding salvation. I thought that he might have said something wrong according to doctrine. I had such a consideration because I was puzzled, bothered, by this verse
3在一章五节彼得说，这救恩『豫备…要显现』。这就是说，救恩还不在这里。所以，我对自己说，『救恩豫备要显现，是甚么意思？我已经接受神的救恩。那么，救恩如何能豫备要显现？彼得说，救恩豫备在末后的时期要显现。这末后的时期是甚么？』我不但被『得著…救恩』这话所困扰，也被『豫备在末后的时期要显现』这话所困扰。我不知道为甚么救恩还必须显现，我也不领会甚么时候是末后的时期。我对一章五节感到不解，约有四十年之久。在我基督徒生活的后期，我才开始领会这节。现在我领悟救恩不是简单的事。救恩包括很长的时间，无法一次就享受或经历得尽。神完全的救恩有三个阶段：起初的阶段、长进的阶段、和完成的阶段。我愿鼓励众圣徒，尤其是年轻人，要对神完全救恩这三个阶段得著透彻的认识。我们特别需要领会，神的救恩在每一阶段为我们所作的。我们需要知道神完全救恩的每一阶段拯救我们脱离甚么，我们也需要知道这救恩的各项目或各方面，及其结果。在神完全救恩三个阶段的每一阶段，我们都得拯救脱离某些特别的事物，我们都经历一些事，并且有确定的结果。
3In 1:5 Peter says that this salvation is “ready to be revealed.” This means that salvation is not yet here. Therefore, I said to myself, “What does it mean that salvation is ready to be revealed? I have already received God’s salvation. How, then, can salvation be ready to be revealed? Peter says that salvation is ready to be revealed at the last time. What is this last time?” I was bothered not only by the phrase “unto salvation,” but also by the words “ready to be revealed at the last time.” I did not know why salvation had yet to be revealed, and I did not understand when the last time would be. I was puzzled by 1:5 for almost forty years. Only in the last period of my Christian life did I begin to understand it. Now I realize that salvation is not a simple matter. Salvation covers a long span and cannot be enjoyed or experienced all at once. God’s full salvation is of three stages: the initial stage, the progressing stage, and the completing stage. I would encourage all the saints, especially the young people, to gain a thorough knowledge of these three stages of God’s full salvation. In particular, we need to understand what God’ss alvation does for us in each stage. We need to know from what we are delivered by each stage of God’s full salvation. We also need to know the items or aspects of this salvation and its results. In each of the three stages of God’s full salvation we are delivered from particular things, we experience certain matters, and we have definite results.
照著生命的经历
THE FULL SALVATION OF THE TRIUNE GOD
来看三一神完全的救恩
ACCORDING TO THE EXPERIENCE OF LIFE
4一章五节里的『救恩』，指三一神完全的救恩；也就是说，这不是单指我们救恩的一部分，不是单指那藉著救主耶稣基督而来，救恩起初的一面。这乃是三一神父子灵完全的救恩。在这完全的救恩里，一大部分是父所完成的；另一大部分是子所完成的；还有一大部分是灵所完成的。所以，这救恩是神格三一完全的救恩。三一神完全的救恩包含三个阶段的许多项目。正如我们所指出的，这三个阶段是起初的阶段、长进的阶段、和完成的阶段。这三个阶段不是照著知识或仅仅照著神救恩客观的方面划分的。反之，这些阶段是照著生命安排的。如我们众人所知道的，属灵的生命开始于重生，继之以变化，并在完成的阶段达到成熟。所以，救恩这三个阶段是照著生命的经历划分的。
4The word “salvation” in 1:5 denotes the full salvation of the Triune God. This means that it does not refer only to a part of our salvation, to that initial aspect of salvation that comes through the Savior, Jesus Christ. Rather, this is the full salvation of the Triune God, of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. In this full salvation a great part is accomplished by the Father; another great part, by the Son; and yet another great part, by the Spirit. Therefore, this salvation is the full salvation of the Trinity of the Godhead. The full salvation of the Triune God comprises many items in three stages. As we have pointed out, these stages are the initial stage, the progressing stage, and the completing stage. These three stages are not divided according to knowledge or merely according to objective aspects of God’ss alvation. On the contrary, these stages are arranged according to life. Spiritual life, as we all know, begins with regeneration, continues in transformation, and reaches maturity in the stage of consummation. Therefore, these three stages of salvation are divided according to the experience of life
重生的阶段
THE STAGE OF REGENERATION
5起初的阶段，即重生的阶段，是由救赎、圣别（地位上的─一2，林前六11）、称义、和好与重生所组成。救赎、圣别、称义与和好都是为著重生。重生是救赎、圣别、称义与和好的总和。重生是这四件事的结果。在重生的阶段，神藉著基督的救赎称义了我们，（罗三24～26，）并且在我们的灵里，藉著祂的灵，用祂的生命重生了我们。（约三3～6。）这样，我们就得著了神永远的救恩（来五9）和永远的生命，（约三15，）成为祂的儿女，（一12～13，）永不灭亡。（十28～29。）
5The initial stage, the stage of regeneration, is composed of redemption, sanctification (positional—1:2; 1 Cor. 6:11), justification, reconciliation, and regeneration. Redemption, sanctification, justification, and reconciliation are all for regeneration. Regeneration is the totality of redemption, sanctification, justification, and reconciliation. Regeneration is the result of these four matters. In the stage of regeneration God has justified us through the redemption of Christ (Rom. 3:24-26), and He has regenerated us in our spirit with His life by His Spirit (John 3:3-6). Thus, we have received God’s eternal salvation (Heb. 5:9) and His eternal life (John 3:15), and we have become His children (John 1:12-13), who shall not perish forever (John 10:28-29).
永远的生命和永远的救恩
Eternal Life and Eternal Salvation
6神在我们的灵里重生了我们。神用以重生我们的元素、本质，乃是祂自己的生命。不但如此，凭著神的生命而有的这个重生，是藉著一个人位，就是藉著神的灵完成的；结果，我们就得著了神永远的救恩和祂永远的生命。就这一面的意义说，我们已经得著神的救恩。没有人能否认我们已经得著神在第一个阶段的救恩。我们不需要长大才达到这阶段，我们不需要等候这一阶段的救恩向我们显现。我们已经得著两样永远的东西─永远的救恩和永远的生命。这不是我的教训、神学或见解，这是神纯正话语的启示。
6God has regenerated us in our spirit. The element, the substance, God used to regenerate us is His own life. Furthermore, this regeneration with God’s life was accomplished by a Person, that is, by God’s Spirit. As a result of this regeneration, we have received God’s eternal salvation and His eternal life. In this sense we have already received God’ss alvation. No one can deny that we have received God’ss alvation in its first stage. There is no need for us to grow unto this stage, and it is not necessary for us to wait until it is revealed to us. We have received two things that are eternal—eternal salvation and eternal life. This is not my teaching, theology, or opinion; it is the revelation of God’sp ure Word
7因著我们已经蒙了重生，并得著神永远的救恩和永远的生命，我们就成了神的儿女。我们是神的儿女，绝不会灭亡。这真理该加强我们，并保守我们脱离那说我们得救以后若犯罪，就会灭亡的错谬教训。那教训是无稽的，绝不是照著真理。一旦我们得著了神永远的救恩，我们就永远得救，直到永世。神永远的救恩不是时代的，不是暂时的。因著这是永远的救恩，我们绝不会灭亡。
7Because we have been regenerated and have received God’s eternal salvation and eternal life, we have become God’s children. As children of God, we shall never perish. This truth should strengthen us and keep us from the erroneous teaching that says if we sin after we have been saved, we shall perish. That teaching is nonsensical and is absolutely not according to the truth. Once we have received God’s eternal salvation, we are saved forever, for eternity. God’s eternal salvation is not dispensational; it is not temporary. Because it is an eternal salvation, we shall never perish
得救脱离定罪和灭亡
Saved from Condemnation and Perdition
8神这起初的救恩，已经拯救我们脱离神的定罪和永远的灭亡。（约三18，。）然而，这起初的救恩虽然拯救我们脱离神的定罪和永远的灭亡，却没有拯救我们脱离神的管教。在我们的一生中，神要管教我们，甚至可能惩罚我们。在林前十一章，保罗指明神审判、管教、甚至惩罚信徒。然而，这不是说，被神管教的人会失去他们的救恩。照著圣经，一面，我们永远得救了。我们绝不会被神定罪，我们绝不会灭亡。另一面，当我们在肉体里活在地上的时候，神会对付我们，并管教我们。有时候祂甚至可能审判我们，或惩罚我们。藉此我们看见，藉著神救恩起初的阶段，我们得著永远的救恩和永远的生命。虽然我们绝不会灭亡，但我们在一生中可能经历神的管教。然而若有人教导说，被神管教的意思是我们会失去救恩，那就完全违反圣经了。神可能为著某些事惩罚我们，但我们已经永远得救了，我们绝不会失去这永远的救恩。
8This initial salvation of God has saved us from God’s condemnation and from eternal perdition (John 3:18, 16). However, although this initial salvation saves us 16 from God’s condemnation and from eternal perdition, it does not save us from God’s discipline. During our lifetime God will discipline us and may even punish us. In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul indicates that God judges, disciplines, and even punishes the believers. This does not mean, however, that those who are disciplined by God will lose their salvation. According to Scripture, on the one hand, we have been saved for eternity. We shall never be condemned by God, and we shall never perish. On the other hand, while we are living on earth in the flesh, God will deal with us and discipline us. Sometimes He may even judge us or punish us. By this we see that through the initial stage of God’ss alvation, we receive eternal salvation and eternal life. Although we shall never perish, we may experience God’s discipline during our life time. But it is altogether contrary to the Bible to teach that to be disciplined by God means that we shall lose our salvation. God may punish us for certain things, but we have been saved for eternity and we shall never lose this eternal salvation.
变化的阶段性情上的圣别
THE STAGE OF TRANSFORMATION Dispositional Sanctification
9神完全救恩的第二个阶段，长进的阶段，乃是变化的阶段。这阶段是由从罪得释放、圣别（主要的是性情上的─罗六19，22）、生命长大、变化、建造与成熟所组成。在这阶段的圣别，主要的是性情上的，虽然仍有一些地位上的圣别。在第一个阶段，圣别全然是地位上的；在第二个阶段，圣别主要的是性情上的。在这变化的阶段，神藉著基督之死的功效在我们里面主观的作工，藉著生命之灵的律，释放我们，使我们脱离内住之罪的管辖，就是罪与死的律；（罗六6～7，七16～20，八2；）藉著祂的管教（来十二10）和对神家的审判，（彼前四17，）用祂圣别的性情，藉著祂的圣灵圣别我们。（罗十五16。）神现今正藉著一个人位圣别我们，这人位就是圣灵。神用以圣别我们的元素、本质，就是祂圣别的性情。我们藉以得圣别的凭藉，乃是神的管教和审判，就是祂治理自己的家所施行的审判。
9The second stage of God’s full salvation, the progressing stage, is the stage of transformation. This stage is composed of freedom from sin, sanctification (mainly dispositional— Rom. 6:19, 22), growth in life, transformation, building up, and maturing. The sanctification in this stage is mainly dispositional, although there is still an amount of positional sanctification. In the first stage sanctification is altogether positional; in the second stage sanctification is mainly dispositional. In this stage of transformation God is freeing us from the dominion of indwelling sin—the law of sin and death—by the law of the Spirit of life through the effectiveness of the death of Christ working subjectively in us (Rom. 6:6-7; 7:16-20; 8:2). In the second stage God is also sanctifying us by His Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:16), with His holy nature, through His discipline (Heb. 12:10) and His judgment in His own house (1 Pet. 4:17). God is now sanctifying us by a Person, and this Person is the Holy Spirit. The element, the substance, God uses to sanctify us is His holy nature. The means through which we are sanctified is God’s discipline and judgment, the judgment He exercises in governing His own house
在神圣的生命里成熟
Maturing in the Divine Life
10在救恩长进的阶段里，神也使我们在祂的生命里长大；（林前三6～7；）藉著万有的效力，（罗八28，）用赐生命的灵，更新我们魂里面的各部分而变化我们；（林后三6，17～18，罗十二2，弗四23；）把我们建造在一起，成为属灵的殿，给祂居住；（彼前二5，弗二22；）并且使我们在祂的生命里成熟，（启十四15，）以完成祂完全的救恩。
10In the progressing stage of salvation God is also causing us to grow in His life (1 Cor. 3:6-7). He is transforming us by renewing the inward parts of our soul by the life-giving Spirit (2 Cor. 3:6, 17-18; Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23) through the working of all things (Rom. 8:28). He is building us together into a spiritual house for His dwelling (1 Pet. 2:5; Eph. 2:22), and He is maturing us in His life (Rev. 14:15) for the completion of His full salvation
11在神救恩的第一个阶段，我们得救脱离神的定罪和永远的灭亡。但在第二个阶段，我们渐渐从罪的权势、世界、肉体、己、魂（天然的生命）、以及个人主义中蒙拯救。所以，在这阶段，我们乃是在从许多消极事物蒙拯救的过程中。这拯救的目标是要我们在神圣的生命里成熟，以完成神永远的定旨。
11In the first stage of God’ss alvation we are saved from God’s condemnation and from eternal perdition. But in the second stage we are being delivered from the power of sin, the world, the flesh, the self, the soul (the natural life), and individualism. Therefore, in this stage we are in the process of being delivered from so many negative things. The goal of this deliverance is that we would have maturity in the divine life for the fulfilling of God’s eternal purpose.
得荣的阶段
the stage of consummation
12神完全救恩的第三个阶段，完成的阶段，乃是得荣的阶段。这阶段是由我们的身体得赎（改变形状）、模成主的形像、得荣、承受神的国、有分于基督的王权、以及对主最高的享受所组成。这些事超过我们现在的经历，乃是要在将来才向我们显现的。虽然我们经历了救恩的第一个阶段，现今是在第二个阶段，但第三个阶段距离我们还很遥远。这阶段里的各项，要在主耶稣显现时才得以显现。
12The third stage of God’s full salvation, the completing stage, is the stage of consummation. This stage is composed of the redemption (transfiguration) of our body, conformity to the Lord, glorification, inheritance of God’skin gdom, participation in Christ’s kingship, and the topmost enjoyment of the Lord. These matters are beyond our present experience. They will be revealed to us in the future. Although we have experienced the first stage of salvation and are now in the second stage, the third stage is still far beyond us. The items in this stage will be revealed at the unveiling of the Lord Jesus
我们的身体改变形状
The Transfiguration of Our Body
13在救恩完成的阶段，神要将我们的身体改变形状，使之同形于基督荣耀的身体，（腓三21，）藉以救赎我们堕落、败坏的身体；（罗八23；）使我们模成祂儿子荣耀的形像，（29，）叫我们重生的灵、变化的魂、以及改变形状的身体，都与祂毕像毕肖；并使我们得荣耀，（30，）把我们浸没在祂的荣耀里，（来二10，）使我们得进入祂属天的国，（提后四18，彼后一11，）就是祂所召我们进入的，（帖前二12，）并且承受这国作祂福分中最高的分，（雅二5，加五21，）甚至与基督同掌王权，作祂的同王者，有分于祂辖管列国的王权，2:26-（提后二12，启二十4，6，二26～，十二5，）并在祂神圣的行政里分享祂君尊的快乐。（太二五21，23。）这样，我们的身体就要得释放，脱离旧造败坏的奴役，得享神新造之荣耀的自由；（罗八21；）我们的魂也要得拯救，脱离试炼和苦难的范围，（彼前一6，四12，三14，五9，）进入满了荣耀的新范围，（四13，五10，）有分于并享受三一神一切所是、所有、所成就、所达到并所得著的。
13In the completing stage of salvation, God will redeem our fallen and corrupted body (Rom. 8:23) by transfiguring it into the body of Christ’s glory (Phil. 3:21). He will conform us to the glorious image of His firstborn Son (Rom. 8:29), making us holy and absolutely like Him in our regenerated spirit, transformed soul, and transfigured body. He will also glorify us (Rom. 8:30), immersing us in His glory (Heb. 2:10) that we may enter into His heavenly kingdom (2 Tim. 4:18; 2 Pet. 1:11), into which He has called us (1 Thes. 2:12), and inherit it as the topmost portion of His blessing (James 2:5; Gal. 5:21), even to reign with Christ, to be His co-kings, participating in His kingship over the nations (2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:4, 6; 27; 12:5) and sharing His royal, kingly joy in His 27 divine government (Matt. 25:21, 23). Our body will be freed from the slavery of corruption of the old creation into the freedom of the glory of God’s new creation (Rom. 8:21), and our soul will be delivered out of the realm of trials and sufferings (1 Pet. 1:6; 4:12; 3:14; 5:9) into a new realm, full of glory (4:13; 5:10). In this new realm we shall share and enjoy all the Triune God is, has, and has accomplished, attained, and obtained.
受苦的范围与享受的范围
The Realm of Suffering and the Realm of Enjoyment
14最近一些弟兄对我说，『弟兄，在这国家我们享受各样的丰富，其他地方的圣徒却很贫穷，他们遭遇许多苦难，包括遭受逼迫。这似乎不公平。他们受许多的苦，我们却在这国家享受美好的事物。』
14Recently some brothers said to me, “Brother, in this country we enjoy all manner of riches, but the saints in other places are poor and they are suffering many things, including persecution. This does not seem fair. While they are suffering so much, we are here in this country enjoying good things
15我回答说，『其他国家的圣徒所受的是他们那种试炼之苦，而我们在美国所受的是另一种苦。我在中国的时候，没有遭遇现在所遭遇的这种事。不要以为因为我们可以得著丰盛的物质东西，我们就没有苦难。许多美国人受心脏病、胃溃疡、和精神病的苦。我们在这国家是受一种的苦，而其他国家的人也许是受不同的苦。无论我们在那里，我们都会受苦，并受神的管教。』我们无法逃避我们魂里的受苦。人活在地上就是受苦。今天这地不是给我们享受的。年轻人也许期望完成他们的教育，找分好的工作，然后有非常愉快的婚姻生活。然而，他们需要领悟，在这地上没有乐园。我们必须等候主来，救我们脱离苦难的范围，进入安适的范围里。那将是我们魂的完全救恩。
15I replied, “The saints in other countries are suffering their own kind of trials, whereas we in the United States are suffering in a different way. When I was in China, I didn’t suffer the kind of things I am suffering now. Do not think that because we may have an abundance of material things we do not have sufferings. Many Americans suffer from heart disease, ulcers, and mental illness. In this country we may suffer in one way, whereas those in other countries may suffer in a different way. Wherever we may be, we shall suffer and be subject to God’s discipline.” There is no way for us to avoid suffering in our soul. To live on earth as a human being is to suffer. The earth today is not for our enjoyment. The young people may expect to finish their education, find a good job, and then have a very pleasant married life. They need to realize, however, that on this earth there is no paradise. We must wait for the Lord’s coming to be saved from the realm of suffering into a realm of comfort. That will be the full salvation of our soul
16我能见证，虽然我有一位好妻子，虽然我为众圣徒和众召会所爱，但我魂里不断的受许多的苦。没有人能帮助我逃避这苦楚。所以，我在等候主耶稣显现。祂回来的时候，我就要从这受苦的范围被救到享受的范围。在那范围里我们要完全享受三一神，和祂一切所是、所有、所成就、所达到、并所得著的。这是我们魂的救恩，就是所豫备在末后的时期要向我们显现的救恩，也就是基督在荣耀里显现时所要带给我们的恩。（彼前一13，太十六27，二五。）这是我们信心的结果。神的能力能保守我们达到这地步，使我们得著这信心的结果。（彼前一9。）我们该热切等待这样奇妙的救恩，（罗八23，）并为其辉煌的显现豫备自己。（19。）为著三一神三个阶段的完全救恩，阿利路亚！
16I can testify that although I have a good wife and although I am loved by the saints and the churches, I continue to suffer a great deal in my soul. No one can help me to avoid this suffering. Therefore, I am waiting for the unveiling of the Lord Jesus. At the time of His coming back, I shall be rescued from this realm of suffering into a realm of enjoyment. In that realm we shall have the full enjoyment of the Triune God and of all that He is, has, and has accomplished, attained, and obtained. This is the salvation of our souls that is ready to be revealed to us at the last time. This is also the grace that will be brought to us at the unveiling of Christ in glory (1:13; Matt. 16:27; 25:31). Furthermore, this is the end of our faith (1 Pet. 1:9). The power of God 31 is able to guard us unto this that we may obtain it. Therefore, we should eagerly expect such a marvelous salvation (Rom. 8:2 3), and we should prepare ourselves for its splendid revelation (Rom. 8:19). Hallelujah for the full salvation of the Triune God in its three stages!