We first saw that everyone needs to repent, and true repentance must have corresponding actions, and we also saw that repentance is very effective.  Second, using the analogy that people are like fruit trees, we determine not to judge people by ourselves but to judge like Jesus. Fruit trees that do not bear fruit are only worthy of being cut down by gardeners.  Third, we look at the matter of Jesus healing the hunchbacked woman on the Sabbath. He obeyed the true meaning of the Sabbath, not the letter of the law.  It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, and you should know that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.  Finally, we see that the kingdom of God is like the parable of the mustard seed and the leaven, and the two parables refer to the same thing. This is a controversial topic, unlike the usual conclusion that is looking in a good direction with the thinking that the kingdom of God must grow like mustard seed and leaven.  From the perspective of the consistency of the Bible, we see that the kingdom of God has indeed developed quite rapidly, but the desire of church members is uneven, and we regard this parable as a fact and a warning.

1. All who do not repent will perish

“Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.””(Luke 13:1-5)

We saw the need for all to repent, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23) But God is a gracious and merciful God, so He has a plan of salvation and gives everyone a chance to be saved.  In the plan of salvation, repentance is the first step. It is as said, “Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””(Matthew 3:1-2) Again, it is said, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””(Matthew 4:17) Repentance is very effective, just like the scriptures said, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9) We must repent.  True repentance must take action, which is clearly stated in the book of Acts: “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”(Acts 2:37-38)

2. What happened to the unfruitful fig

“And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’””(Luke 13:6-9)

The fig tree that was supposed to bear fruit didn’t bear fruit, and from a human point of view, the man had already given it a long time!  But God is a gracious and merciful God. He is very patient. We often feel that we are impossible, but God still gives us opportunities. Of course, there will be no opportunities after death, so we must grasp the opportunities while we are alive.  In this parable we see that the gardener has to be sure that the fig tree is truly barren before he cuts it down.  Using the example of figs to describe people, we must make sure that we are not judging ourselves as said in the verse, ““Do not judge (G2919) so that you will not be judged.”(Matthew 7:1) Instead, judge like Jesus, “You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.”(John 8:15-16) It is the Father who was judging.  Please note that the Chinese translation of the same word G2919 is sometimes very different. It depends on the context to know which is the correct Chinese translation.  The teaching “right or wrong is not important in the family” may not always be correct. This is not a blank check statement, and it should depend on the situation. Sometimes you have to stick to the truth, or how can you discern the difference between right or wrong?  But sometimes you have to obey this teaching. For example, if a couple can’t agree on how a thing happened, on top of that both of their recollections may be different from how it really happened. How can you talk about right and wrong in this case? At this time, this will no longer be an issue of discernment. Don’t insist that you must be right in this case, don’t get bogged down in judgments, right or wrong really doesn’t matter!  Of course, if the same person calls a deer a horse every time and opposes for the sake of opposing, this will be another issue. A normal person would not do this!  I happened to think of this question before sharing, and when I saw the judgment mentioned here, I brought it up by the way.

If we refer to Ecclesiastes 3:1-17, we know that there is an appointed time for everything, such as the healing of the hunchbacked woman which will be shared later is immediate, and the healing of the woman with bleeding that we have shared is also immediate (cf. Luke 8:43-44) But generally there is a process.  Because even when prayers are answered, they don’t always come true right away!  An explicit example from the Old Testament is given in the following. “…I have now been sent to you. …Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.”(Daniel 10:11-13) And we know, ““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”(Isaiah 55:8-9) The gardener has to be sure that the fig tree is truly barren and that it isn’t because God’s time has not yet come! Don’t judge by yourself. On this point, Paul knew very clearly, “But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.”(1 Corinthians 4:3-5)

3. Jesus Heals the Hunchbacked Woman in Sabbath 

“And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your sickness.” And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God. But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, “There are six days in which work should be done; so come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him? And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him.”(Luke 13:10-17)

The hunchbacked woman has been tied up for so long and we see her reaction too!  What’s more, “Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.””(Mark 2:27-28) How could Jesus not do this?  It is permissible to do good deeds on the Sabbath. “And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.””(Matthew 12:11-12) Jesus obeyed the true meaning of the Sabbath, not the time in the law.  Regarding the true meaning of the Sabbath, Isaiah makes it very clear, ““If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot From doing your own pleasure on My holy day, And call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, And honor it, desisting from your own ways, From seeking your own pleasure And speaking your own word.”(Isaiah 58:13)

4. The parable of the kingdom of God with the mustard seed and the leaven

“So He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” And again He said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.””(Luke 13:18-21)

This is a controversial topic, and there are basically good and bad ways to look at this passage.  Thinking in a positive direction, everyone hopes that the Great Commission will be accomplished, because “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”(1 Timothy 2:4) Hope that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed turned into a big tree, and it grows like a lump of leaven.  This is why some churches count the number of people attending, hoping that everyone will believe in Christianity, but this is impossible!  How many miracles did Jesus perform when he was on earth, and how many people believed that He was the Son of Man?  Especially when such churches don’t pay enough attention to the quality of the attendees, it will give people a negative impression, and it is necessary to pay more attention to quality than quantity.  We will look at what God wants to tell us through the Bible from the consistency in the Bible, instead of thinking from a human perspective, so that we can truly understand this passage of scriptures.

Let’s look at what Matthew said, “He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.” All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.””(Matthew 13:31-35)

This passage is obviously the same as what Luke said in his Gospel, but at this time it was said that the hidden things were to be revealed with parables, so what are these parables talking about?  Let’s look at leaven first in terms of the consistency in the Bible.  When it comes to leaven, the Bible basically refers to bad things, as the scriptures say, “You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread, nor is the sacrifice of the Feast of the Passover to be left over until morning.”(Exodus 34:25) Therefore, in general, sacrifices should be without leaven.  With the only exception, “With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving, he shall present his offering with cakes of leavened bread.”(Leviticus 7:13) This is a peace offering for thanksgiving. Experience tells us that man cannot be completely unleavened, that is to say that man cannot be totally out of sin, but God’s grace still allows us to bring leaven for peace offering, so there is such an exception.

When the New Testament mentions leaven, it also refers to bad things, such as “How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:11-12) Another example is, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.”(Galatians 5:9-10)

 So there should be no exceptions here. The leaven mentioned in the scriptures here does not refer to good things, but just a fact. The development of the kingdom of heaven is indeed like leaven, and it develops very quickly, but it contains leaven. How should we deal with it in a situation like this?  The Gospel of Matthew before these verses makes it very clear, “But he said, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’””(Matthew 13:29-30) We know, “…the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels.”(Matthew 13:39) Because the tares and the wheat are too similar in appearance before they are ripe and fruitful, and they cannot be distinguished!

In this case, the church will indeed develop quite quickly, but we also really need to be discerning.  For example, among the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, at least the first six churches have more or less overcomers. We must not be like the church in Laodicea, where there is no overcomer, but they think in Revelation 3:17a “…I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.” I believe from a human point of view they must have done a lot in the name of Jesus, otherwise they would not think so, at least they know not to stop gatherings as the Bible says!  But it is obvious that many things are not what God wants them to do but what they have to do, because from the perspective of God, “…you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”(Revelation 3:17) So it’s useless to do things only formally in the surface, like the purpose of reading the Bible is to gain life, as Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(John 5:39-40) I used to read the Bible only because others asked me to read it. This is hay and straw like work. Once it is burned by fire, nothing will be left. Yes, we have a great commission that we have to lead by example so that others will see and envy our good deeds, and then we’ll automatically “…make disciples of all the nations, …”(Matthew 28:19)! We can see that God is a merciful and gracious God. Even though the door is shut, He still waits patiently outside. As the scriptures say, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:20)

Let’s now look at the analogy of the mustard seed. It is compared with a vegetable (G3001). It should be a vegetable, but it grows into a tree (G1186). That means that its native quality has been changed, not the same any more. Isn’t this similar to the situation of quite a few churches today?  Like the philosophy of success, it teaches people that as long as they believe in the Lord, everything will go well. This is not according to the teaching of the Bible, which says “…In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33) And probably unknowingly, like the church in Laodicea, the Lord Jesus is not put in the first place, making the kingdom of God uneven, but in the end only the wheat will be harvested in the barn.

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

     首先，我们说的圣经的一致性是指神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，对于这点，我们可以看到许多但有限的例子，在这里我只举一个例子，并借此说明为什么在创世记说的一日就是现在的一日。第二，我们知道创世的工作第七天就完成了，所以耶稣说我父做事直到如今，是指神在继续做创世记的预言中所说的救恩计划，一直到最后的启示录祂才歇了一切的工。我们用示意图一表示按次序发生的事情，并在图二中说明了一个错误的解释。最后，我们用一个例子说明，如果四度空间存在的话，我们就可以很容易的解释本是要信心才能接受的话，而基督徒是要活在信心中，相信圣经是这样说的。有很多的例子都是如此，因此我们可以在信心中看到，四度空间是不存在的。

1. 圣经的一致性的一个例子       

     我们来看在创世记中用的一个字就可以看到这样的一个例子，在神给亚当直接的命令中，『耶和华神吩咐他说：「园中各样树上的果子，你可以随意吃，只是分别善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因为你吃的日子(for in the day H3117)必定死。」』(创世记 2:16-17)       

     我们就看日子(H3117)这个编号为 H3117 的原文字。我们知道夏娃因蛇的引诱，最后是夏娃，『…就摘下果子来吃了；又给她丈夫(亚当)，她丈夫也吃了。』(创世记 3:6) 因为亚当的不顺神，于是罗马书 5:12 就说，『这就如罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界，…』在「2063 基督徒信仰的简介」的文章中，我们谈到了罪就是不顺服神的原因。在他们不顺服神而犯了罪以后，结局是『耶和华神便打发他(亚当)出伊甸园去，耕种他所自出之土。于是把他赶出去了。…』(创世记 3:23-24) 当然夏娃也一起在当天(H3117)被赶出去了。因为从第四章一节开始就说到赶出伊甸园的生活，神原先的心意就在创世记的前三章介绍了。     

     我们知道人有灵、魂、和体三部份，如经文所说，『…又愿你们的灵与魂与身子得蒙保守，…』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:23) 如果一个人真正相信圣经是神所默示的话，就不会把圣经的话打折扣，会很清楚的知道这点。同样的，我们知道『亚当共活了九百三十岁就死了。』 (创世记 5:5) 所以他吃果子的时候魂和体还活著，因为魂离开身体人必死，就如经文所说，『…拉结临产甚是艰难。…她将近于死，(灵)魂(soul H5315)要走的时候，…』(创世记 35:16-18) 所以神的命令中是指灵死了，是指当天被赶出了伊甸园，不能主动的再和神交通。所以我们可以看到神的命令中这个字 H3117 是指当天，圣经说的是多么的一致啊！    

     如果我们相信创世记的前三章的原文 H3117 的这个字有相同的意义，就知道这是指有晚上有早上的现在所说的一日。请注意，我并没有看有这个字的所有经文，不能声称所有的这个字在经文中都是这样用的。这就犹如我们看到许多的例子，都是神借著圣经告诉我们的是一致的(圣经的一致性)，我们会沿著这个方向去想，到目前为止我并没找出一个圣经的一致性的反证，因不论如何，我们不太可能看到圣经中所有的例子，就假设圣经的一致性为逻辑的公理，用圣经的话推导出相应的结果(定理)来。

2. 我父做事直到如今      

      经文说得很清楚，『耶稣就对他们说：「我父做事直到如今，我也做事。」』(约翰福音 5:17) 可是创世记说，『天地万物都造齐了。到第七日，神造物的工已经完毕，就在第七日歇了他一切的工，安息了。神赐福给第七日，定为圣日，因为在这日神歇了他一切创造的工，就安息了。』(创世记 2:1-3) 的确，一切「创造(创世)的工作」第七日都已完成了，不只是讲得很清楚，而且我们看到，『耶和华神将那人(亚当)安置在伊甸园，使他修理看守。』(创世记 2:15) 神已经付于亚当使命，将一切已完成的工作交给亚当了！只是亚当没有看守好，让夏娃被蛇成功的引诱，自己也不顺服神了，当天被赶出了伊甸园，没有机会修理了！    

     现在祂仍然在工作的是创世记中预言的救恩计划，『我又要叫你和女人彼此为仇；你的后裔和女人的后裔也彼此为仇。女人的后裔要伤你的头；你要伤他的脚跟。』(创世记 3:15) 女人的后裔是指耶稣基督，因为经文说，『所应许的原是向亚伯拉罕和他子孙说的；神并不是说「众子孙」，指著许多人，乃是说「你那一个子孙」，指著一个人，就是基督。』(加拉太书 3:16) 我们看到了经文说，『因我们的大祭司(基督耶稣)并非不能体恤我们的软弱，他也曾凡事受过试探，与我们一样，只是他没有犯罪。』(希伯来书 4:15) 所以蛇(撒但)只能伤祂的脚跟，去试探祂。而头伤是致命的，耶稣成就的救恩计划对蛇是致命的一击。圣经没有明说救恩计划何时开始，但我们知道，『神既在古时借著众先知多次多方地晓谕列祖。』(希伯来书 1:1) 而最早的先知是以诺，因经文说得很清楚，『亚当的七世孙以诺曾预言这些人说：「看哪，主带著他的千万圣者降临，…」』(犹大书 1:14)     

     在创世以前的情景可由这经文得知，『神对摩西说：「我是自有永有的(I AM THAT I AM)。」又说：「你要对以色列人这样说：『那自有的打发我到你们这里来。』」』(出埃及记 3:14)   在神创造时间前，祂就已经存在了，而存在了多久我们不知道。 现在三位一体的神还在因救恩而继续的在工作，这样一直要到启示录的末了，神才真正歇了祂一切的工。圣经没有说从创造时间开始到创造我们现今的世界有久，只说在创造现今的世界之前，『地是空虚混沌，渊面黑暗；神的灵运行在水面上。』(创世记 1:2)   因此我们可以用示意图一来表示按著次序发生的事情。

图一: 从最初到最后发生事件的示意图

     我以前没有注意到创世记 2:3 是指创世的工作已完成了，以为耶稣在约翰福音 5:17 所说的「我父做事直到如今」是指仍在做创世的工作，因此认为我们仍在第六天中。这时救恩的计划只好用圆来表示，如所示的错误示意图二中所说，圆的大小是未知，因为在救恩的计划中不知耶稣何时会再来，大小就代表救恩计划的长短。

图二: 错误的示意图

     所以依照圣经，图一才是正确的的示意图，跟本就没有图二的圆。在图一的救恩的计划，因我们不知道何时耶稣再来，就用虚线表示。

3. 四维空间在信心中的不存在       

     因为对神来说，时间和空间没有区别，旧约中有两次明说神是可以控制时间的，一次是在约书亚的时代，『当耶和华将亚摩利人交付以色列人的日子，约书亚就祷告耶和华，在以色列人眼前说：「日头啊，你要停在基遍；月亮啊，你要止在亚雅仑谷。」于是日头停留，月亮止住，直等国民向敌人报仇。 这事岂不是写在雅煞珥书上吗？ 日头在天当中停住，不急速下落，约有一日之久。』(约书亚记 10:12-13) 一次是在希西家的时候，『希西家回答(以赛亚)说：「日影向前进十度容易，我要日影往后退十度。」先知以赛亚求告耶和华，耶和华就使亚哈斯的日晷向前进的日影，往后退了十度。』(列王纪下 20:10-11)  因此有人把时间看作一个维度，因此现有的三维空间加上时间这一维，对神来说是四维，但我们生活在三维空间中，时间只能往前。所以在这里我们不谈时间，只谈纯粹的空间，简短的解释为什么在信心中四维空间是不存在的。       

     首先我们看到，没有信心就没有基督徒，譬如基督徒相信『圣经都是神所默示的，…』(提摩太后书 3:16) 虽然保罗写这句话时新约如启示录还不存在，但基督徒相信新旧约都是神所默示的，不会把原版圣经的话打折扣。原版的圣经就是说圣经的唯一的第一版，譬如在帖撒罗尼迦后书 3:17 保罗写到，『我保罗亲笔问你们安。凡我的信都以此为记，我的笔迹就是这样。』(帖撒罗尼迦后书 3:17) 原版圣经就是指这一版，其余的至多是原文的手抄本或翻译的圣经，难免有误，因此我们会有不同的版本。相信神早已在默示圣经时考虑过，原版的圣经不可能一字不错的传下来，因此会用某种自动会更正的写法，我们会提出一种人都能想到的这种写法。我们不是说圣经就是这样写的，只是说连人都可以想出这样的一种写法，神一定有更周全的考虑。    

     虽然原版的圣经已失传而没有人看过，但有些经文是没有争议的，譬如圣经说，『耶和华说：「我的意念非同你们的意念，我的道路非同你们的道路。天怎样高过地，照样，我的道路高过你们的道路，我的意念高过你们的意念。』(以赛亚书 55:8-9) 在新约中说，『神能照著运行在我们心里的大力，充充足足地成就一切，超过我们所求所想的。』(以弗所书 3:20) 我们想都想不到的事，怎么可能求呢？必须是神主动。基督徒在信心中相信这些经文都是对的，因为圣经是这样说，不是因为别的原因。    

     我们就用以赛亚书 55:8-9 简短的说明，在信心中为什么四维空间不存在。如果四维空间存在，我们可以很容易的解释这些经文，跟本不需要信心了！我们可以从图三中看到这一点，在图三(A)中，绿色的山代表我们现在所在的地方，蓝色山上下面的红点代表我们的目的地，我们现在的位置以黑点表示，因此我们现在要决定是要向右往红色的箭头方向走，或是向左往蓝色的箭头方向走。大部份人或大概每一个人都会很合理的选择往右走，因为可以看到目的地而看起来比较近。假如现在有人在直升机上可看到图三(B)中的鸟瞰图，红色是代表往右红色箭头的路，蓝色是代表往左蓝色箭头的路，如果是图三(B)所显示的情况，就很清楚要选往左的蓝色方向了。以类比来说，圣灵相当于在三维空间直升机的那人，我们相当于要选择方向的那人。三位一体的神的圣灵绝对比我们看得清楚，所以有四维空间的存在，我们就不需要以信心相信圣经如是说，就可以很容易的解释这些经文。

图三:   三维空间的实际情况和二维空间的鸟瞰图

     所以只要四维空间存在，基督徒跟本不需要信心就可以解释许多的事情，这和基督徒要在信心中相信是矛盾的。因此四维空间在信心中是不存在的。以实际来说，高维空间只有在数学的推导中存在，我们生活在三维空间中，没有人到过三维以上的空间，也没有方法用实验证明三维以上的空间的存在。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)

    首先，我們說的聖經的一致性是指神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，對於這點，我們可以看到許多但有限的例子，在這裏我只舉一個例子，並藉此說明為什麼在創世記說的一日就是現在的一日。第二，我們知道創世的工作第七天就完成了，所以耶穌說我父做事直到如今，是指神在繼續做創世記的預言中所說的救恩計劃，一直到最後的啓示錄祂才歇了一切的工。我們用示意圖一表示按次序發生的事情，並在圖二中說明了一個錯誤的解釋。最後，我們用一個例子說明，如果四度空間存在的話，我們就可以很容易的解釋本是要信心才能接受的話，而基督徒是要活在信心中，相信聖經是這樣說的。有很多的例子都是如此，因此我們可以在信心中看到，四度空間是不存在的。

1. 聖經的一致性的一個例子

       我們來看在創世記中用的一個字就可以看到這樣的一個例子，在神給亞當直接的命令中，『耶和華神吩咐他說：「園中各樣樹上的果子，你可以隨意吃，只是分別善惡樹上的果子，你不可吃，因為你吃的日子(for in the day H3117)必定死。」』(創世記 2:16-17) 

       我們就看日子(H3117)這個編號為 H3117 的原文字。我們知道夏娃因蛇的引誘，最後是夏娃，『…就摘下果子來吃了；又給她丈夫(亞當)，她丈夫也吃了。』(創世記 3:6) 因為亞當的不順神，於是羅馬書 5:12 就說，『這就如罪是從一人(亞當)入了世界，…』在「2063 基督徒信仰的簡介」的文章中，我們談到了罪就是不順服神的原因。在他們不順服神而犯了罪以後，結局是『耶和華神便打發他(亞當)出伊甸園去，耕種他所自出之土。於是把他趕出去了。…』(創世記 3:23-24) 當然夏娃也一起在當天(H3117)被趕出去了。因為從第四章一節開始就說到趕出伊甸園的生活，神原先的心意就在創世記的前三章介紹了。

     我們知道人有靈、魂、和體三部份，如經文所說，『…又願你們的靈與魂與身子得蒙保守，…』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:23) 如果一個人真正相信聖經是神所默示的話，就不會把聖經的話打折扣，會很清楚的知道這點。同樣的，我們知道『亞當共活了九百三十歲就死了。』 (創世記 5:5) 所以他吃果子的時候魂和體還活著，因為魂離開身體人必死，就如經文所說，『…拉結臨產甚是艱難。…她將近於死，(靈)魂(soul H5315)要走的時候，…』(創世記 35:16-18) 所以神的命令中是指靈死了，是指當天被趕出了伊甸園，不能主動的再和神交通。所以我們可以看到神的命令中這個字 H3117 是指當天，聖經說的是多麼的一致啊！

    如果我們相信創世記的前三章的原文 H3117 的這個字有相同的意義，就知道這是指有晚上有早上的現在所說的一日。請注意，我並沒有看有這個字的所有經文，不能聲稱所有的這個字在經文中都是這樣用的。這就猶如我們看到許多的例子，都是神藉著聖經告訴我們的是一致的(聖經的一致性)，我們會沿著這個方向去想，到目前為止我並沒找出一個聖經的一致性的反証，因不論如何，我們不太可能看到聖經中所有的例子，就假設聖經的一致性為邏輯的公理，用聖經的話推導出相應的結果(定理)來。

2. 我父做事直到如今

       經文說得很清楚，『耶穌就對他們說：「我父做事直到如今，我也做事。」』(約翰福音 5:17) 可是創世記說，『天地萬物都造齊了。到第七日，神造物的工已經完畢，就在第七日歇了他一切的工，安息了。神賜福給第七日，定為聖日，因為在這日神歇了他一切創造的工，就安息了。』(創世記 2:1-3) 的確，一切「創造(創世)的工作」第七日都已完成了，不只是講得很清楚，而且我們看到，『耶和華神將那人(亞當)安置在伊甸園，使他修理看守。』(創世記 2:15) 神已經付於亞當使命，將一切已完成的工作交給亞當了！只是亞當沒有看守好，讓夏娃被蛇成功的引誘，自己也不順服神了，當天被趕出了伊甸園，沒有機會修理了！

     現在祂仍然在工作的是創世記中預言的救恩計劃，『我又要叫你和女人彼此為仇；你的後裔和女人的後裔也彼此為仇。女人的後裔要傷你的頭；你要傷他的腳跟。』(創世記 3:15) 女人的後裔是指耶穌基督，因為經文說，『所應許的原是向亞伯拉罕和他子孫說的；神並不是說「眾子孫」，指着許多人，乃是說「你那一個子孫」，指着一個人，就是基督。』(加拉太書 3:16) 我們看到了經文說，『因我們的大祭司(基督耶穌)並非不能體恤我們的軟弱，他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。』(希伯來書 4:15) 所以蛇(撒但)只能傷祂的腳跟，去試探祂。而頭傷是致命的，耶穌成就的救恩計劃對蛇是致命的一擊。聖經沒有明說救恩計劃何時開始，但我們知道，『神既在古時藉着眾先知多次多方地曉諭列祖。』(希伯來書 1:1) 而最早的先知是以諾，因經文說得很清楚，『亞當的七世孫以諾曾預言這些人說：「看哪，主帶着他的千萬聖者降臨，…」』(猶大書 1:14)

     在創世以前的情景可由這經文得知，『神對摩西說：「我是自有永有的(I AM THAT I AM)。」又說：「你要對以色列人這樣說：『那自有的打發我到你們這裏來。』」』(出埃及記 3:14)   在神創造時間前，祂就已經存在了，而存在了多久我們不知道。 現在三位一體的神還在因救恩而繼續的在工作，這樣一直要到啓示錄的末了，神才真正歇了祂一切的工。聖經沒有說從創造時間開始到創造我們現今的世界有久，只說在創造現今的世界之前，『地是空虛混沌，淵面黑暗；神的靈運行在水面上。』(創世記 1:2)   因此我們可以用示意圖一來表示按著次序發生的事情。

圖一: 從最初到最後發生事件的示意圖

    我以前沒有注意到創世記 2:3 是指創世的工作已完成了，以為耶穌在約翰福音 5:17 所說的「我父做事直到如今」是指仍在做創世的工作，因此認為我們仍在第六天中。這時救恩的計劃只好用圓來表示，如所示的錯誤示意圖二中所說，圓的大小是未知，因為在救恩的計劃中不知耶穌何時會再來，大小就代表救恩計劃的長短。

圖二: 錯誤的示意圖

    所以依照聖經，圖一才是正確的的示意圖，跟本就沒有圖二的圓。在圖一的救恩的計劃，因我們不知道何時耶穌再來，就用虛線表示。

3. 四維空間在信心中的不存在

       因為對神來說，時間和空間沒有區別，舊約中有兩次明說神是可以控制時間的，一次是在約書亞的時代，『當耶和華將亞摩利人交付以色列人的日子，約書亞就禱告耶和華，在以色列人眼前說：「日頭啊，你要停在基遍；月亮啊，你要止在亞雅崙谷。」於是日頭停留，月亮止住，直等國民向敵人報仇。 這事豈不是寫在雅煞珥書上嗎？ 日頭在天當中停住，不急速下落，約有一日之久。』(約書亞記 10:12-13) 一次是在希西家的時候，『希西家回答(以賽亞)說：「日影向前進十度容易，我要日影往後退十度。」先知以賽亞求告耶和華，耶和華就使亞哈斯的日晷向前進的日影，往後退了十度。』(列王紀下 20:10-11)  因此有人把時間看作一個維度，因此現有的三維空間加上時間這一維，對神來說是四維，但我們生活在三維空間中，時間只能往前。所以在這裏我們不談時間，只談純粹的空間，簡短的解釋為什麼在信心中四維空間是不存在的。

       首先我們看到，沒有信心就沒有基督徒，譬如基督徒相信『聖經都是神所默示的，…』(提摩太後書 3:16) 雖然保羅寫這句話時新約如啓示錄還不存在，但基督徒相信新舊約都是神所默示的，不會把原版聖經的話打折扣。原版的聖經就是說聖經的唯一的第一版，譬如在帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:17 保羅寫到，『我保羅親筆問你們安。凡我的信都以此為記，我的筆跡就是這樣。』(帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:17) 原版聖經就是指這一版，其餘的至多是原文的手抄本或翻譯的聖經，難免有誤，因此我們會有不同的版本。相信神早已在默示聖經時考慮過，原版的聖經不可能一字不錯的傳下來，因此會用某種自動會更正的寫法，我們會提出一種人都能想到的這種寫法。我們不是說聖經就是這樣寫的，只是說連人都可以想出這樣的一種寫法，神一定有更周全的考慮。

    雖然原版的聖經已失傳而沒有人看過，但有些經文是沒有爭議的，譬如聖經說，『耶和華說：「我的意念非同你們的意念，我的道路非同你們的道路。天怎樣高過地，照樣，我的道路高過你們的道路，我的意念高過你們的意念。』(以賽亞書 55:8-9) 在新約中說，『神能照着運行在我們心裏的大力，充充足足地成就一切，超過我們所求所想的。』(以弗所書 3:20) 我們想都想不到的事，怎麼可能求呢？必須是神主動。基督徒在信心中相信這些經文都是對的，因為聖經是這樣說，不是因為別的原因。

    我們就用以賽亞書 55:8-9 簡短的說明，在信心中為什麼四維空間不存在。如果四維空間存在，我們可以很容易的解釋這些經文，跟本不需要信心了！我們可以從圖三中看到這一點，在圖三(A)中，綠色的山代表我們現在所在的地方，藍色山上下面的紅點代表我們的目的地，我們現在的位置以黑點表示，因此我們現在要決定是要向右往紅色的箭頭方向走，或是向左往藍色的箭頭方向走。大部份人或大概每一個人都會很合理的選擇往右走，因為可以看到目的地而看起來比較近。假如現在有人在直升機上可看到圖三(B)中的鳥瞰圖，紅色是代表往右紅色箭頭的路，藍色是代表往左藍色箭頭的路，如果是圖三(B)所顯示的情況，就很清楚要選往左的藍色方向了。以類比來說，聖靈相當於在三維空間直升機的那人，我們相當於要選擇方向的那人。三位一體的神的聖靈絕對比我們看得清楚，所以有四維空間的存在，我們就不需要以信心相信聖經如是說，就可以很容易的解釋這些經文。

圖三:   三維空間的實際情況和二維空間的鳥瞰圖

    所以只要四維空間存在，基督徒跟本不需要信心就可以解釋許多的事情，這和基督徒要在信心中相信是矛盾的。因此四維空間在信心中是不存在的。以實際來說，高維空間只有在數學的推導中存在，我們生活在三維空間中，沒有人到過三維以上的空間，也沒有方法用實驗証明三維以上的空間的存在。

 (你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)  

First of all, the consistency in the Bible we are talking about means that God shows us through the Bible that it is consistent. We can see many but limited such examples.  We can also see that the day mentioned in God’s command to Adam is the same as one single day like we are talking about right now.  Second, we know that the creation of the present world was completed on the seventh day, so Jesus said “My Father is working until now,” which means that God is continuing the salvation plan mentioned in the prophecy of Genesis until near the end of the book of Revelation when He will rest from all work.  We represent what happens in sequence in Figure 1 and illustrate a wrong interpretation in Figure 2.  Finally, we use an example to illustrate that if the four-dimensional space exists, it is easy to explain the verses in the given example without any need of faith. But Christians must live in faith and believe that the Bible says so.  There are many examples of this kind, which leads to the contradiction to the requirements of needing the faith, so we can see with confidence that the fourth dimension does not exist.

1. An example of the consistency in the Bible

We can see an example of this by looking at a word used in Genesis. In God’s direct command to Adam, “…saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.””(Genesis 2:16-17)

Let’s look at the original text numbered H3117 of ‘in the day (H3117).’ We know that Eve was seduced by the serpent, and finally Eve “…took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.”(Genesis 3:6) Because of Adam’s disobedience to God, it is said, “Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, …”(Romans 5:12) In the article entitled ‘2063 Introduction to Christian Faith,’ we talked about the reason why sin equals disobedience to God.  After they sinned in disobedience, the outcome was “therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So He drove the man out; …” (Genesis 3:23-24) Of course Eve was cast out on the same day (H3117).  Since the first verse of Chapter 4 talks about the life driven out of the Garden of Eden, God’s original will is introduced in the first three chapters of Genesis.

We know that man has three parts: spirit, soul, and body, just like what said in the scripture, “…may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, …” (1 Thessalonians 5:23) If a person who truly believes that the Bible is inspired by God will not discount the words of the Bible, and will know this clearly.  Likewise, we know that “So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died.”(Genesis 5:5) Therefore, when he ate the fruit, his soul and body were still alive, because the soul leaves the body and people must die, as said in the verse, “…Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe labor. …It came about as her soul was departing (for she died), …”(Genesis 35:16-18) So God’s command refers to the death of the spirit, which means being expelled from the Garden of Eden that day, Adam can no longer actively communicate with God.  So we can see that the word H3117 in the command of God refers to the present day, how consistent the Bible is!

If we believe that the word H3117 in the original text of the first three chapters of Genesis has the same meaning, we know that this refers to one day and that there is evening and morning.  Note that I haven’t looked at all the scriptures that have this word, and can’t claim that all of the scriptures use this word in this way.  It is as if we have seen many examples, all of which are consistent with what God told us through the Bible (the consistency in the Bible). By assuming this is true for the whole Bible, we will think along this direction, and so far I have not found a single counterexample about the consistency in the Bible.  No matter what, we are unlikely to see all the examples in the Bible, and we can only assume that the consistency in the Bible is a logical axiom, and use the words of the Bible to deduce the corresponding results (theorems).

2. My Father is working until now

The scriptures make it very clear, “But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.””(John 5:17) But the book of Genesis says, “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.”(Genesis 2:1-3) Indeed, all the “creation work” was completed on the seventh day, not only clearly stated, but we see in the verse, “Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.”(Genesis 2:15) God has given Adam a mission and handed over all the completed work to Adam!  It’s just that Adam didn’t keep a good watch, and Eve was successfully tempted by the snake, and he himself didn’t obey God either. He was kicked out of the Garden of Eden that day and had no chance to cultivate it!

What He is still working on now is the salvation plan prophesied in the book of Genesis, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed;

He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”(Genesis 3:15) The seed of the woman refers to Jesus Christ, because the scriptures say, “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.”(Galatians 3:16) We have seen the scriptures also say, “For we do not have a high priest (Jesus Christ) who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) So the snake (Satan) can only hurt his heel, to tempt him.  Whereas a head wound is fatal, the plan of salvation that Jesus accomplished was the fatal blow to the serpent.  The Bible does not say when the plan of salvation began, but we know that “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways.”(Hebrews 1:1) And Enoch is the earliest prophet, because the scriptures make it clear, “It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones.””(Jude 14)

The situation before the creation of the world can be known from this scripture, “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14) God existed before the creation of time, and we do not know how long.  Now the Trinity God is still working because of salvation, so it will not be until the end of the book of Revelation that God really stops all His work.  The Bible does not say how long it was from the creation of time to the creation of our present world, only that before the creation of the present world, “The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.”(Genesis 1:2) So we can use Figure 1 to show what happens in sequence.

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of what happened from the beginning to the end

I didn’t notice before that Genesis 2:3 refers to the completion of the creation of the world. I thought that Jesus said in John 5:17, “My Father is working until now” means that the creation of the world is still being done, so I think we are still on the sixth day.  At this time, the plan of salvation in this case can only be represented by a circle. As mentioned in the second Figure 2 shown the error, the size of the circle is unknown, because in the plan of salvation, it is not known when Jesus will return, so the size of the circle represents the length of the plan of salvation.  

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of the error

Therefore, according to the Bible, Figure 1 is the correct schematic diagram, and there is no circle as shown in Figure 2.  The plan of salvation in Figure 1 is represented by dotted lines because the length is unknown as we do not know when Jesus will return.

3. The non-existence of four-dimensional space in faith

Because for God, there is no difference between time and space. There are two times in the Old Testament that shows God can control time. One is at the era of Joshua as the verse says, “Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “O sun, stand still at Gibeon, And O moon in the valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.”(Joshua 10:12-13) The other time is at the era of Hezekiah, “So Hezekiah answered, “It is easy for the shadow to decline ten steps; no, but let the shadow turn backward ten steps.” Isaiah the prophet cried to the Lord, and He brought the shadow on the stairway back ten steps by which it had gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.”(2 Kings 20:10-11) Therefore, some people regard time as a dimension, so the existing three-dimensional space plus the dimension of time is four-dimensional to God, but we live in three-dimensional space, and time can only move forward.  So here we don’t talk about time, just talk about pure space, and briefly explain why the four-dimensional space does not exist in faith.

First of all, we see that there is no Christian without faith. For example, Christians believe that both the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God despite the fact that when Paul said “All Scripture is inspired by God…”(2 Timothy 3:16) some of the New Testament such as the book of Revelation weren’t written yet. For true believers, they will not discount the words of the original Bible.  The original version of the Bible refers to the only first version of the Bible. For example, in 2 Thessalonians 3:17 Paul wrote, “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write.”(2 Thessalonians 3:17) The original version of the Bible refers to this one, and the rest are at most manuscripts in the original language or translations of the Bible. Errors are inevitable, so we will have different versions.  I believe that God has already considered it when He inspired the Bible. It is impossible for the original version of the Bible to be handed down word for word. Since a certain way of writing that will automatically correct errors can be used, we will propose such a way of writing, which everyone can understand, in a book to come.  We are not saying that the Bible is written in the proposed way, but that even humans can come up with such a way of writing, God must have thought about this issue more thoroughly.

Although the original version of the Bible has been lost and no one has read it, some scriptures are not controversial. For example, the Bible says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”(Isaiah 55:8-9) In the New Testament, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”(Ephesians 3:20) How can we ask for what we can’t even think? It must be God’s initiative. Christians believe in faith that these verses are true because the Bible says so and no other reason.

Let’s use Isaiah 55:8-9 to briefly explain why the four-dimensional space does not exist in faith.  If the four-dimensional space exists, we can easily explain these scriptures without any need for faith!  We can see this from Figure 3. In Figure 3(A), the green mountain represents where we are now, the red dot below the blue mountain represents our destination, and our current position is represented by a black dot, so we now have to decide whether to go right in the direction of the red arrow or left in the direction of the blue arrow.  Most people, or almost everyone, would reasonably choose to go to the right, because they can see the destination and look closer.  If someone is on a helicopter and can see the bird’s-eye view in Figure 3(B), the red color represents the road to the right with the red arrow, and the blue color represents the road to the left with the blue arrow. If it is shown in Figure 3(B), it is in this case very clear to choose the blue direction to the left.  In analogy, the Holy Spirit is equivalent to the person who is in the helicopter in the three-dimensional space, and we are equivalent to the person who has to choose the direction.  The Holy Spirit of the Trinity God can definitely see more clearly than us, so with the existence of four-dimensional space, we can easily explain these scriptures without necessarily believing in what the Bible says.

Figure 3: The actual situation in 3D space and the bird’s-eye view of 2D space

Therefore, as long as the four-dimensional space exists, Christians can explain many things without faith. This is contradictory to Christians who has to believe in faith.  Therefore, the four-dimensional space does not exist in faith.  Practically speaking, high-dimensional space only exists in mathematical derivation. We live in three-dimensional space. No one has ever been to a space with more than three dimensions, and there is no way to prove the existence of the space with more than three dimensions by experiment.

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

序:  这篇文章是同时为基督徒和非基督徒而写的，因为看到一些教会不是照圣经去教导，因此决定写这篇文章。对非基督徒而言，不是劝他们立刻成为基督徒，因为我们深知这不是一篇文章能做到的，就像『亚基帕对保罗说：「你想少微一劝，便叫我作基督徒啊？」』(使徒行传 26:28) 所以我们的动机是希望、按照圣经而有正确的认识后才做决定。这篇文章分为七个部分。第一，从「基督徒称号的开始」中，我们看到了基督徒是有基督耶稣的生命的一群人(门徒)。第二，在「基督教不是人为的宗教」中，我们阐述了为什么说基督教不是劝人为善的人为的宗教，看到了善行只是信心的自然结果，基督徒有从内到外的生命的改变，不要本末倒置。第三，在「人性本恶，每人都需要救恩」中，我们谈到了人性本恶及其来由，看见了每一个人都需要救恩，也看到了圣经说的罪是指不顺服神，不是像一些人以为只有不遵守法律像杀人放火等等的才是罪。第四，在「道成肉身是因神爱世人」中，看到耶稣(道)取代了我们钉上了十字架，受罪(死)的刑罚，(宝)血洗净了我们的罪，给了世人一个机会。我们每一个人都有自由意志，有机会决定信或不信，神也会因我们的决定而会作出相应的回应。第五，我们看到了「信而受洗进入耶稣的国度」，也就是天国。第六，在「信望爱并祷告及赞美的生活」中，我们谈到了在信以后至终要过一个和世界「分别为圣(洁)」的生活，一个信望爱并祷告及赞美的生活，并描述了一个实际上可以达到的生活。第七，在「临死前的真信绝对有效，但有机会时该受洗」中，我们由圣经的例子中看到，能真信不会有太晚的时候。         

     因为一些名词对基督徒而言是理所当然的，对非基督徒而言可能是新的，所以需要解释。如果基督徒会在此时觉得过份的啰嗦，就请把这解释当作为来确认这名词是否这样的意义吧！如非基徒能假设「圣经的话是对的」，应该可以看得懂这篇文章的涵意，因为逻辑上没有问题。至于最终能不能接受这假设成为事实，就端看个人了！有些人只想快快的知道基督徒信些什么，有些人想要知道信仰的背后是否有圣经的根据，因为基督徒相信新旧约『…都是神所默示的，…』(提摩太后书  3:16) [1]  为了兼顾个人的兴趣不同，我们采取了折衷的写法，就是在本文中尽可能的不引用经文，让前者能一气呵成，读得顺利，而将背后的经文放在参考中，使后者可以自由的选择有兴趣或有疑问的经文。除非像刚才引用的经文，提摩太后书 3:16 的经文正好可以溶入本文中，就不放在参考中了！对有些基督徒而言，有些参考已不属于简介了。因圣经有各种不同的译本，我们都是引用通用的和合本。

1. 基督徒称号的开始    

     经文说，『…门徒称为基督徒是从安提阿起首。』(使徒行传 11:26) 我们看到了那称为「大使命」的，是耶稣亲自命令我们的 [2]。 安提阿是一个外邦的城，不是犹太人的城，从大使命中可看出，『凡我所吩咐你们的，都教训他们遵守，我就常(总是)与你们同在，直到世界的末了。』(马太福音28:20)    他们显然是遵行了教训，连外邦人都觉得他们有基督的生命，称他们为基督徒。所以基督徒是有基督耶稣的生命的一群人，信而受洗， 并有主总是与他们同在的应许。

2.  基督教不是人为的宗教               

     常常有人以为基督教是敬拜人创造的一位神，我们就讨论这问题。首先，我们知道基督徒会查考圣经，我们就看到耶稣自己说查考圣经的目的是要得生命，生命只能从神来 [3]。在这点上，神是有绝对主权的，『因他对摩西说：「我要怜悯谁，就怜悯谁；要恩待谁，就恩待谁。」』(罗马书 9:15)           

     简言之，基督徒有生命的改变。圣经明说，『我也知道在我里头，就是我肉体之中，没有良善。因为立志为善由得我，只是行出来由不得我。』(罗马书 7:18) 所以老我(就是指肉体)只配一死，但基督徒深深相信：『圣经都是神所默示的，于教训、督责、使人归正、教导人学义，都是有益的，叫属神的人得以完全，预备行各样的善事。』(提摩太后书 3:16-17) 有真信心自然会有信心的行为，更有得著更丰盛的生命的应许  [4]。这些信心的行为都是善的，所以说基督教不是劝人为善的人为的宗教，善行只是信心的自然结果，基督徒有从内到外的生命的改变，不要本末倒置。基督教是以神为本聚集的门徒，不论人相信或不相信，神总是存在那里。

3.  人性本恶，每人都需要救恩              

     关于人性本恶这一点，我们看小孩不必学就会撒谎就可以知道了，所以人性本善的教导是绝对错误的。简言之，人出生时就天生有罪，是罪人，我们犯罪是因为我们本是罪人，不是我们有犯罪的行为才成为罪人。为什么会是这样呢？是因为人从亚当夏娃开始就有真正的自由意志，可以选择不顺服神。我们先看神给亚当的命令是很清楚的不淮吃分别善恶树上的果子 [5]。我们也看到了夏娃在伊甸园中被那(古)蛇引诱的结果是，『…摘下果子来吃了；又给她丈夫(亚当)，她丈夫也吃了。』（创世记 3:6)  是夏娃先被引诱没错，但亚当显然是明知故犯，不顺服神的话，从此亚当被罪玷污了，因此经文说，『这就如罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界，死又是从罪来的，于是死就临到众人，因为众人都犯了罪。』(罗马书 5:12) [6]         

     经文说，『亚当活到一百三十岁，生了一个儿子，形像样式和自己相似…』(创世记 5:3)    这就和遗传类似，我们的子孙也是和我们相似，我们是从亚当被罪玷污后来到这世界的，是生来就带有罪的，我们的子孙也是出生时就有罪的。所以人性本恶，每一个人都需要救恩。圣经说的罪是指不顺神 [7]，神说不可杀人，杀人的就不顺服神，犯了罪。神说不可说谎，说谎就是不顺服神，犯了罪。诸如此类等等。

4. 道成肉身是因神爱世人           

     约翰福音关于「道成肉身」说得很清楚，『神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。因为神差他的儿子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。』(约翰福音 3:16-17)  人有自由意志，绝对可以选择信或不信，但我们要知道信与不信的区别: 『信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。』(约翰福音 3:18) 在最后的启示录更说到，『若有人名字没记在生命册上，他就被扔在火湖里。』(启示录 20:15)  这是指不信的非基督徒。 『惟有基督在我们还作罪人的时候为我们死，神的爱就在此向我们显明了。』(罗马书 5:8) 所以是耶稣取代了我们钉上了十字架受(罪的)刑罚，(宝)血洗净了我们的罪  [8]。

5. 信而受洗进入耶稣的国度             

     罪是从撒但来的，人被罪玷污后，原本出生时就已在撒但的国度里。圣经说只有两个国度，就是耶稣的国度和撒但的国度，所以一定要信而进入耶稣的国度。耶稣的国度就是天国 [9]，一开始信的时候，神就『…救了我们脱离黑暗的权势，把我们迁到他爱子(耶稣)的国里；我们在爱子里得蒙救赎，罪过得以赦免。』(歌罗西书 1:13-14)  所以一定要在基督里。我们再一次强调，要去那里，是我们自由意志的选择的结果。

6. 信望爱并祷告及赞美的生活            

     「信」后至终要过一个和世界「分别为圣」的生活，一个「信望爱」并「祷告」及「赞美」的生活，走上成圣(洁)之路。譬如说，我们的价值观和看见在这时会变得和以前不一样了。「信」了以后会受圣灵和水的洗，会有内住的圣灵 [10]。大使命中的应许是真实的，三位一体的神的耶稣是以三位一体的神的圣灵的形式内住在我们里面。             

     我们一定要在基督里，因为是耶稣取代了我们，我们要模成耶稣的形像(image) [11]。这就犹如有人用一张纸夹在书中的例子所说的一样，书在那里，那张纸就在那里。神所看到的是无罪的基督，我们在基督里，在神眼中也是无罪的，就是所谓的「地位上已成圣」，成圣之路是要在经历中不要从基督里滑出来，一直能在基督里，『因为神本性一切的丰盛，都有形有体地居住在基督里面。』(歌罗西书 2:9)             

     信了以后可以「祷告」，其实信前也可以祷告，至少可以求能赐下一颗相信的心。保罗的祷告就是信后祷告的一个例子：『求我们主耶稣基督的神，荣耀的父，将那赐人智慧和启示的灵赏给你们，使你们真知道他。』(以弗所书 1:17)  信了以后有盼「望」，盼望耶稣再来的应许实现。 这应许就像经文所说的，『我若去为你们预备了地方，就必再来接你们到我那里去；我在哪里，叫你们也在那里。』(约翰福音 14:3)  一般的祷告也盼望事情可以成就，但要知道神有绝对的主权，有没有回应在祂，有没有应许也在祂。即使应许，成就的时间也在祂手上，因凡事有定时。信了以后也有了神的「爱」，『…因为所赐给我们的圣灵将神的爱浇灌在我们心里。』(罗马书 5:5) 『如今常存的有信，有望，有爱；这三样，其中最大的是爱。』(哥林多前书 13:13) 是三者都要有，只是爱最大 [12]。         

     我们现在可以过的生活是，『要常常喜乐，不住地祷告，凡事谢恩，因为这是神在基督耶稣里向你们所定的旨意。』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:16-18) 在基督里，这是一定可以做到的。看到圣灵在我们身上今日做的，怎么会不凡事谢恩呢？我们怎么不会甘心情愿的赞美神呢？关于赞美的经文，新旧约都有不少 [13]。赞美要甘心情愿的，要从心发出，神看的是内心，不是看外表，圣经说得很清楚，『你要保守你心，胜过保守一切，因为一生的果效，是由心发出。』(箴言 4:23)  我们看看教会在五旬节诞生后的情景，知道早期的教会是在赞美中过的，我们也该如此行 [14]。 一个信望爱并祷告及赞美的生活，是每一个人都可以过的，即使是一个人中过风只能躺在床上，那一件事不可以做呢？

7. 临死前的真信绝对有效，但有机会时该受洗             

     在这最后一部份，我们讨论一下常常在宣教时会遇到的一个问题，就是我只要信，死前受洗或不受洗有什么关系？绝对是有关系的！第一，我们为什么不有机会就受洗，早些享受更丰盛的生命呢？第二，我们不知何时会死，说不定还来不及受洗就死了呢？关于第二点，如果是真信，最后一分钟也绝对有效，也跟本不必受水洗了，看犯人的例子就知道了。      

     经文说，和耶稣同钉十字架的有两个犯人，『那同钉的两个犯人，其中一个『说：「耶稣啊，你得国降临的时候，求你记念我！」耶稣对他说：「我实在告诉你：今日你要同我在乐园里了。」』(路加福音 23:39-43) 我们看到那犯人相信了耶稣是基督，并且有信心的行为去要求耶稣记念他，显然的，他没受水洗就去乐园了。所以到底该不该受洗，圣经说我们是该受洗，因为信而受洗，大使命也说的很清楚要受洗，且耶稣又作我们受洗的榜样 [15]。虽然在特殊的情况下不受水洗是可以的，但我们不能用犯人的例子作借口不受洗，该问的是，我们的情况是不是和真信的犯人的情况相似？这显然包括了没有机会受洗，且要知道他虽是基督徒，罪被赦免，仍然要付出人间的代价。

参考:

[1]  基督徒相信新旧约『…都是神所默示的，…』(提摩太后书 3:16) 有人可能会说，当保罗写这书信时，只有新约的一部份存在，因如启示录跟本就还没有写，他那句话是指旧约，的确是这样，但在信心中，基督徒相信新旧约都是神所默示的，所以基督徒是需要信心的。所以我们虽是人，不把圣经的话打折扣，仍可以从神(圣经)的角度看一些事情。反过来说是不对的，因为神是无限而圣经的字句有限，有限的不会等于无限的，所以读圣经的时候不可随便用等号，要不，人为的创造了一个非圣经所说的神，自己都会不知道！我们要特别强调的一点，就是我们引用经文，不是在断章取义，而是从整本圣经里看到的概念，引用的经文只是用来显示，圣经的确是有这样的说法，通常是的许多例子中的一个例子而已。举个例子来说，圣经所说的神是「三位一体」的神，「三位一体」就是说只有一体神但有三位。圣经说得很清楚，圣父被称为耶和华的是神，圣子耶稣基督是神，圣灵也是神，所以这三位是圣父、圣子、和圣灵。关于一体，经文说，『…耶和华(单数)我们神(复数)是独一的主。』(申命记  6:4)  神用的是复数，因为三位都是神。我们看到「三位一体」是绝对可能的，在常压下，「水」的温度不同会存在三个不同的状态，就是冰、水蒸气、和普通讲的水，但这些都只是一个「水」。当然这不能完全解释三位一体的概念，因为神是三个位格而不是三个状态，对人而言，「三位一体」是个奥秘，但基督徒相信神是「三位一体」的神。关于耶和华是神，『 摩西对神说：「我到以色列人那里，对他们说：『你们祖宗的神打发我到你们这里来。』他们若问我说：『他叫甚么名字？』我要对他们说甚么呢？」神对摩西说：「我是自有永有的。」又说：「你要对以色列人这样说：『那自有的打发我到你们这里来。』」』(出埃及记 3:13-14) 关于耶稣基督是神，经文说，『他们是以色列人，那儿子的名分、荣耀、诸约、律法、礼仪、应许，都是他们的。列祖就是他们的祖宗，按肉体说，基督也是从他们出来的，他是在万有之上，永远可称颂的神。阿们！』(罗马书 9:4-5) 关于圣灵是神，『彼得说：「亚拿尼亚，为甚么撒但充满了你的心，叫你欺哄圣灵，把田地的价银私自留下几分呢？田地还没有卖，不是你自己的吗？既卖了，价银不是你作主吗？你怎么心里起这意念呢？你不是欺哄人，是欺哄神了！」』(使徒行传 5:3-4)

[2]  「大使命」是耶稣亲自命令我们的，『耶稣进前来，对他们说：「天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了。所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。凡我所吩咐你们的，都教训他们遵守，我就常(总是, always)与你们同在，直到世界的末了。」』(马太福音 28:18-20)   我们看到了保罗在行大使命时，是非常的有效，因为经文说，『他(巴拿巴)又往大数去找扫罗(保罗)，找著了，就带他到安提阿去。他们足有一年的工夫和教会一同聚集，教训了许多人。门徒称为基督徒是从安提阿起首。』(使徒行传 11:25-26) 从神的角度看只有一个教会，不是指在地上的建筑物的教堂所聚会的人，而是不论这群人中的每个人所在的物理位置在那里 。关于只有一个教会这件事，这经文很清楚，『因为无论在哪里，有两三个人奉我的名聚会，那里就有我在他们中间。』(马太福音 18:20)  这一点保罗非常清楚，经文说：『所以，你们因信基督耶稣，都是神的儿子。你们受洗归入基督的，都是披戴基督了。』(加拉太书  3:26-27)  所以也要「信而受洗」。我们知道耶稣是父的独生子，因经文说， 『道成了肉身，住在我们中间，充充满满地有恩典，有真理。我们也见过他的荣光，正是父独生子的荣光。』(约翰福音 1:14)  那么信耶稣的人都是神的儿子到底是什么意思呢？我们信耶稣后，都成为法律上有效的养子了，所以我们看到这些经文是没有任何冲突的。从神的角度看和从人的角度看有时是很不相同的，譬如说，我们看到了有些教会没有让主耶稣居首位，犹如在启示录第三章十七节中提到的老底嘉教会一样，从人的角度看，『你说：我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺。』但从神的角度看，『却不知道你是那困苦、可怜、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身的。』我们看到了两者的看法是这么的不同！犹有胜者，圣经明说，『看哪，我(耶稣)站在门外叩门，若有听见我声音就开门的，我要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我一同坐席。』(启示录 3:20)  老底嘉的教会把耶稣关在了门外而不自知，还以为自己什么都有！当不同的时候，我们应该『不要消灭圣灵的感动，』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:19)  要相信，『耶和华说：「我的意念非同你们的意念，我的道路非同你们的道路。天怎样高过地，照样，我的道路高过你们的道路，我的意念高过你们的意念。』(以赛亚书 55:8-9)

[3] 耶稣自己说：『你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生；给我(耶稣)作见证的就是这经。然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命。』(约翰福音 5:39-40)  我们也看到得生命的重要性，『…耶稣对门徒说：「若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我。因为凡要救自己生命的，必丧掉生命；凡为我丧掉生命的，必得著生命。人若赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有甚么益处呢？人还能拿甚么换生命呢？』(马太福音 16:24-26)   在我们甘心情愿的查考圣经，知道了神借著圣经要告诉我们什么后，就知道我们是可以得著生命的。经文说，『我(保罗)栽种了，亚波罗浇灌了，惟有神叫他生长。可见栽种的算不得甚么，浇灌的也算不得甚么，只在那叫他生长的神。』(哥林多前书 3:6-7)  所以生命只能从神来。

[4] 『这样，信心若没有行为就是死的。』(雅各书 2:17)  就如经文所应许的，基督徒会得到更丰盛的生命，『我(耶稣)就是门，凡从我进来的，必然得救，并且出入得草吃。盗贼(就是撒但, 又叫魔鬼, 古蛇，参启示录 20:2)来，无非要偷窃、杀害、毁坏；我来了，是要叫羊(就是我们)得生命，并且得的更丰盛。』(约翰福音 10:9-10) 耶稣是唯一的门，经过耶稣这唯一的门得救的，虽然『…仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前书 5:8) 在我们「谨守、警醒」下，「用坚固的信心抵挡牠」，就可以胜过牠。(参彼得前书 5:8-9)

[5] 『耶和华神吩咐他(亚当)说：「(伊甸)园中各样树上的果子，你可以随意吃，只是分别善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因为你吃的日子(同一天)必定死。」』(创世记 2:16-17) 所以命令没有直接给夏娃。因为那时只有亚当和夏娃两人，所以从夏娃被蛇引诱的经文中看到，她是由亚当那儿不很清楚的知道这命令的。我们看经文就知道这点，『女人(夏娃)对蛇说：「园中树上的果子，我们可以吃；惟有园当中那棵树上的果子，神曾说：『你们不可吃，也不可摸，免得你们死。』」』(创世记 3:2-3)  神并没有说，『也不可摸』。

[6]  所以亚当本是可永远活著的，因为『耶和华神说：「…现在恐怕他伸手又摘生命树的果子吃，就永远活著。」』(创世记 3:22)  人被罪玷污一段时间后的情景是：『耶和华见人在地上罪恶很大，终日所思想的尽都是恶。』(创世记 6:5)  所以人被罪玷污而又不死是件很可怕的事情，这也就说明了虽然是神爱世人，仍是人人都有一死。

[7]  基于圣经的话和逻辑，我们说的罪的定义是不顺神，这可以从下述的立论看出。也就是我们要证明罪等于不顺服。首先从经文看， 『这就如罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界，…』，这是因为亚当的不顺服，所以不顺服意味著罪。要两者相等，我们还需要反过来证明罪意味著不顺服神，或著我们证明其逻辑上相等的叙述，就是顺服神意味著没有罪。神有绝对的主权，顺服神绝对不是犯罪，所以这叙述是真的。逻辑上的结论，就是罪等于不顺服神。我们再看其他的佐证，耶稣来地上的一个目的是在这经文中:『你们知道主曾显现，是要除掉人的罪，在他并没有罪。』(约翰一书 3:5) 祂怎么除罪？就是顺服，如经文所说，『…成为人的样式。既有人的样子，就自己卑微，存心顺服，以至于死，且死在十字架上。』(腓立比书 2:7-8) 所以祂在客西马尼园这样的祷告，『…我父啊，倘若可行，求你叫这杯离开我；然而，不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。』(马太福音 26:39) 祂一生都顺服神，就像经文所说，『父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。…』(约翰福音 14:31) 祂的顺服就除掉了罪，难道罪不是不顺服吗？这是一个争议的话题，因此我们最后再看看罪是从那里来的？首先罪不是神所创造的，因『各样美善的恩赐和各样全备的赏赐都是从上头来的，从众光之父那里降下来的；在他并没有改变，也没有转动的影儿。』(雅各书 1:17) 我们再看看一些和撒但相关的经文，『明亮之星，早晨之子啊！(撒但)你何竟从天坠落？你这攻败列国的，何竟被砍倒在地上？你心里曾说：「我要升到天上！我要高举我的宝座在神众星以上；我要坐在聚会的山上，在北方的极处；我要升到高云之上，我要与至上者同等。」』(以赛亚书 14:12-14) 当初撒但被创造的时候的确是明亮之星，早晨之子。但你看后来牠是何等的骄傲啊！神创造了牠，牠本在神之下，牠却想要与至上者同等。且牠因骄傲而有了行动，不顺服神而变成了仇敌，这就是牠的罪，而罪也就借著亚当的不顺服进入了世界。简言之，罪的起源是在不顺服神。

[8]  真信不只是口中说相信，会从心里真知道而行道，就像经文所说，『只是你们要行道，不要单单听道，自己欺哄自己。』(雅各书 1:22)  耶稣道成肉身在地上的时候，是完全顺服父借著圣灵而带领的，这点经文说得很清楚，『…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。…』(约翰福音 14:31)  至于是借著圣灵而带领的这事，我们可从祂选择十二使徒上看出来，『直到他借著圣灵吩咐所拣选的使徒，以后被接上升的日子为止。』(使徒行传 1:2) 如果我们真相信『圣经都是神所默示的，…』(提摩太后书  3:16)，就不会把圣经话打折扣，知道我们应该遵行。耶稣道成肉身在地上的时候，是完全顺服父借著圣灵而被带领的。顺服不是说一个命令一个动作，如果是这样，当初神造人时选择造一个机器人就可以了。我们看到了耶稣是『…成为人的样式。』(腓立比书 2:7)，所以祂也和我们一样有情感，有自由意志，等等。但就像祂在客西马尼园的祷告一样，当祂和父的意思不同时，祂会说，『…不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。』(马太福音 26:39)  祂预先就知道自己会上十字架， 因为在变化山上，耶稣的面貌改变了，衣服洁白放光。『他们(摩西、以利亚)在荣光里显现，谈论耶稣去世的事，就是他在耶路撒冷将要成的事。』(路加福音 9:30-31)  作为一个人，祂仍是这样的祷告是多么的不容易！但『既有人的样子，就自己卑微，存心顺服，以至于死，且死在十字架上。』(腓立比书 2:8) 『…用自己的血，只一次进入圣所，成了永远赎罪的事。』(希伯来书 9:12)  祂是甘心情愿的顺服，所以会说，『惟有基督在我们还作罪人的时候为我们死，神的爱就在此向我们显明了。』(罗马书 5:8)  所以是耶稣取代了我们钉上了十字架受(罪的)刑罚，(宝)血洗净了我们的罪，因而给了世人一个机会。『神使那无罪的(耶稣)，替我们成为罪，好叫我们在他里面成为神的义。』(哥林多后书 5:21)  完成了神的公义。 我们也看到了神用的是回授的策略，对回授的策略不很清楚的人，我们可以用开车来解释，在开车中，我们因眼睛回授的看见，能够保持我们在该行的车道上。同样的，我们每一个人都有自由意志，有机会决定信或不信，神也会因我们的决定而会作出相应的回应。 圣经有很多地方都谈到回授的策略，一个回授策略的经文的例子可以在以西结书中找到：『「恶人若回头离开所作的一切罪恶，谨守我一切的律例，行正直与合理的事，他必定存活，不至死亡。他所犯的一切罪过都不被记念，因所行的义，他必存活。主耶和华说，恶人死亡，岂是我喜悦的吗？不是喜悦他回头离开所行的道存活吗？」「义人若转离义行而作罪孽，照著恶人所行一切可憎的事而行，他岂能存活吗？他所行的一切义都不被记念，他必因所犯的罪、所行的恶死亡。」』(以西结书 18:21-24)  将近启示录的末了时说，『我(约翰)又看见一个白色的大宝座与坐在上面的，从他面前天地都逃避，再无可见之处了。』(启示录 20:11)  这就是所谓的「白色大宝座的审判」，『若有人名字没记在生命册上，他就被扔在火湖里。』(启示录 20:15)  基督徒的名字都在生命册上，但他们虽然因信称义如经文所说，『所以我们看定了：人称义是因著信，不在乎遵行律法。』(罗马书 3:28)  但仍然要『…都照各人所行的(信心的行为)受审判。』(启示录 20:13)  不要忘记，神很公平，『…多给谁，就向谁多取；多托谁，就向谁多要。』(路加福音 12:48)

[9]  耶稣的国度就是天国，如经文所说，『从那时候，耶稣就传起道来，说：「天国近了，你们应当悔改！」』(马太福音 4:17)  我们也看到悔改的重要。事实上，『我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。』(约翰一书 1:9) 我们需要悔改。

[10] 施洗后会有内住的圣灵如这经文所说，『岂不知你们的身子就是圣灵的殿吗？这圣灵是从神而来，住在你们里头的；并且你们不是自己的人，因为你们是重价买来的，所以要在你们的身子上荣耀神。』(哥林多前书 6:19-20) 受洗时会受圣灵的洗，施洗约翰讲得很清楚，『我(施洗约翰)是用水给你们施洗，叫你们悔改；但那在我以后来的，能力比我更大，我就是给他提鞋也不配。他要用圣灵与火给你们施洗。』(马太福音 3:11) 在耶稣和尼哥底母的对话中，祂说，『…我实实在在地告诉你：人若不重生，就不能见神的国。』(约翰福音 3:3) 祂又说，『…我实实在在地告诉你：人若不是从水和圣灵生的，就不能进神的国。从肉身生的，就是肉身；从灵生的，就是灵。』(约翰福音 3:5-6) 没有内住的圣灵怎么会有生命？没有圣灵的洗怎么会有内住的圣灵？内住的圣灵从那里来的？从上面来的。也就是说我们是灵生的，我们出生时是从肉身生的，信了以后真是重新从圣灵生了，这就是重生。

[11] 『因为他(神)预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法(模成, be conformed to)他儿子的模样(image)，使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。』(罗马书 8:29)

[12] 因为『我们如今仿佛对著镜子观看，模糊不清，到那时，就要面对面了。…』(哥林多前书 13:12)  面对神的面的那时，我们看见了，怎么会再需要信和望呢？所以能存到永远的爱是最大的。

[13] 例如在旧约中说，『凡有气息的，都要赞美耶和华！你们要赞美耶和华！』(诗篇 150:6)  我们看到大卫有诗歌的敬拜，因『大卫吩咐利未人的族长，派他们歌唱的弟兄用琴瑟和钹作乐，欢欢喜喜地大声歌颂。』(历代志上 15:16)  诗歌敬拜很显然的是赞美的一个方式。新约中的例子如，『有声音从宝座出来说：「神的众仆人哪，凡敬畏他的，无论大小，都要赞美我们的神。」』(启示录 19:5)

[14] 『五旬节到了，门徒都聚集在一处。忽然，从天上有响声下来，好像一阵大风吹过，充满了他们所坐的屋子；又有舌头如火焰显现出来，分开落在他们各人头上。他们就都被圣灵充满，按著圣灵所赐的口才说起别国的话来。我们…都听见他们用我们的乡谈，讲说神的大作为。』(使徒行传 2:1-11)  『他们天天同心合意恒切地在殿里，且在家中擘饼，存著欢喜、诚实的心用饭，赞美神，得众民的喜爱。…』(使徒行传 2:46-47)  基督徒不是有谢饭的习惯吗？我们刚才不是分享过我们现在就可在基督里过一个常常喜乐的生活吗？有人不是做见证，即使在痛苦中也可胜过痛苦而喜乐吗？不是在人前装作的喜乐的模样，而是真正看到了保罗说的，『我正在两难之间，情愿离世与基督同在，因为这是好得无比的。』(腓立比书 1:23)

[15]  耶稣做了我们受洗的榜样很清楚的记载在这里，『当下，耶稣从加利利来到约旦河，见了约翰，要受他的洗。约翰想要拦住他，说：「我当受你的洗，你反倒上我这里来吗？」耶稣回答说：「你暂且许我，因为我们理当这样尽诸般的义。」于是约翰许了他。耶稣受了洗，随即从水里上来。天忽然为他开了，他就看见神的灵仿佛鸽子降下，落在他身上。从天上有声音说：「这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的。」』(马太福音 3:13-17)  也许这是一个好地方看看耶稣做的其他的一件事情，可以化解一件因一些教会的行为所引起的误解，也就是一些非基督徒认为基督教是要强迫人信基督教。正好相反，我们看看耶稣怎么做就知道不是这样了！『耶稣出来行路的时候，有一个人跑来，跪在他面前，问他说：「良善的夫子，我当做甚么事才可以承受永生？」…他对耶稣说：「夫子，这一切(诫命)我从小都遵守了。」耶稣看著他，就爱他，对他说：「你还缺少一件，去变卖你所有的，分给穷人，就必有财宝在天上；你还要来跟从我。」他听见这话，脸上就变了色，忧忧愁愁地走了，因为他的产业很多。…门徒希奇他(耶稣)的话。耶稣又对他们说：「小子，倚靠钱财的人进神的国是何等地难哪！」』(马可福音 10:17-24) 你看耶稣告诉了他，邀请了他，虽是爱他，祂更知道人有自由意志，没有任何勉强的让他自己去做最后的决定。我们试著使人对基督教有正确的了解，我们尊重个人的决定，即使有人坚持要在错误的了解中作决定，这也是自由意志。在过程中，我们学到了相当多，因为神是无限，而人是有限，我们只能看到祂让我们看到的。是的，我们有大使命的命令，『所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。』(马太福音 28:19) 怎么样「使」呢？有机会的时候一定要传道，甚至于『务要传道！无论得时不得时，总要专心，并用百般的忍耐，各样的教训，责备人，警戒人，劝勉人。』(提摩太后书 4:2) 但只是光说是没有用的，一定要以身作则，「使」非信徒羡慕你的好行为而想去同样行，你的好行为也自然的「使」他们想做门徒了！

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)

序:  這篇文章是同時為基督徒和非基督徒而寫的，因為看到一些教會不是照聖經去教導，因此決定寫這篇文章。對非基督徒而言，不是勸他們立刻成為基督徒，因為我們深知這不是一篇文章能做到的，就像『亞基帕對保羅說：「你想少微一勸，便叫我作基督徒啊？」』(使徒行傳 26:28) 所以我們的動機是希望、按照聖經而有正確的認識後才做決定。這篇文章分為七個部分。第一，從「基督徒稱號的開始」中，我們看到了基督徒是有基督耶穌的生命的一群人(門徒)。第二，在「基督教不是人為的宗教」中，我們闡述了為什麼說基督教不是勸人為善的人為的宗教，看到了善行只是信心的自然結果，基督徒有從內到外的生命的改變，不要本末倒置。第三，在「人性本惡，每人都需要救恩」中，我們談到了人性本惡及其來由，看見了每一個人都需要救恩，也看到了聖經說的罪是指不順服神，不是像一些人以為只有不遵守法律像殺人放火等等的才是罪。第四，在「道成肉身是因神愛世人」中，看到耶穌(道)取代了我們釘上了十字架，受罪(死)的刑罰，(寶)血洗淨了我們的罪，給了世人一個機會。我們每一個人都有自由意志，有機會決定信或不信，神也會因我們的決定而會作出相應的回應。第五，我們看到了「信而受洗進入耶穌的國度」，也就是天國。第六，在「信望愛並禱告及讚美的生活」中，我們談到了在信以後至終要過一個和世界「分別為聖(潔)」的生活，一個信望愛並禱告及讚美的生活，並描述了一個實際上可以達到的生活。第七，在「臨死前的真信絕對有效，但有機會時該受洗」中，我們由聖經的例子中看到，能真信不會有太晚的時候。

          因為一些名詞對基督徒而言是理所當然的，對非基督徒而言可能是新的，所以需要解釋。如果基督徒會在此時覺得過份的囉嗦，就請把這解釋當作為來確認這名詞是否這樣的意義吧！如非基徒能假設「聖經的話是對的」，應該可以看得懂這篇文章的涵意，因為邏輯上沒有問題。至於最終能不能接受這假設成為事實，就端看個人了！有些人只想快快的知道基督徒信些什麼，有些人想要知道信仰的背後是否有聖經的根據，因為基督徒相信新舊約『…都是神所默示的，…』(提摩太後書  3:16) [1]  為了兼顧個人的興趣不同，我們採取了折衷的寫法，就是在本文中儘可能的不引用經文，讓前者能一氣呵成，讀得順利，而將背後的經文放在參考中，使後者可以自由的選擇有興趣或有疑問的經文。除非像剛才引用的經文，提摩太後書 3:16 的經文正好可以溶入本文中，就不放在參考中了！對有些基督徒而言，有些參考已不屬於簡介了！因聖經有各種不同的譯本，我們都是引用通用的和合本。 

1. 基督徒稱號的開始

    經文說，『…門徒稱為基督徒是從安提阿起首。』(使徒行傳 11:26) 我們看到了那稱為「大使命」的，是耶穌親自命令我們的 [2]。 安提阿是一個外邦的城，不是猶太人的城，從大使命中可看出，『凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守，我就常(總是)與你們同在，直到世界的末了。』(馬太福音28:20)    他們顯然是遵行了教訓，連外邦人都覺得他們有基督的生命，稱他們為基督徒。所以基督徒是有基督耶穌的生命的一群人，信而受洗， 並有主總是與他們同在的應許。

 2.  基督教不是人為的宗教

               常常有人以為基督教是敬拜人創造的一位神，我們就討論這問題。首先，我們知道基督徒會查考聖經，我們就看到耶穌自己說查考聖經的目的是要得生命，生命只能從神來 [3]。在這點上，神是有絕對主權的，『因他對摩西說：「我要憐憫誰，就憐憫誰；要恩待誰，就恩待誰。」』(羅馬書 9:15)

           簡言之，基督徒有生命的改變。聖經明說，『我也知道在我裏頭，就是我肉體之中，沒有良善。因為立志為善由得我，只是行出來由不得我。』(羅馬書 7:18) 所以老我(就是指肉體)只配一死，但基督徒深深相信：『聖經都是神所默示的，於教訓、督責、使人歸正、教導人學義，都是有益的，叫屬神的人得以完全，預備行各樣的善事。』(提摩太後書 3:16-17) 有真信心自然會有信心的行為，更有得著更豐盛的生命的應許  [4]。這些信心的行為都是善的，所以說基督教不是勸人為善的人為的宗教，善行只是信心的自然結果，基督徒有從內到外的生命的改變，不要本末倒置。基督教是以神為本聚集的門徒，不論人相信或不相信，神總是存在那裏。

3.  人性本惡，每人都需要救恩

              關於人性本惡這一點，我們看小孩不必學就會撒謊就可以知道了，所以人性本善的教導是絕對錯誤的。簡言之，人出生時就天生有罪，是罪人，我們犯罪是因為我們本是罪人，不是我們有犯罪的行為才成為罪人。為什麼會是這樣呢？是因為人從亞當夏娃開始就有真正的自由意志，可以選擇不順服神。我們先看神給亞當的命令是很清楚的不淮吃分別善惡樹上的果子 [5]。我們也看到了夏娃在伊甸園中被那(古)蛇引誘的結果是，『…摘下果子來吃了；又給她丈夫(亞當)，她丈夫也吃了。』（創世記 3:6)  是夏娃先被引誘沒錯，但亞當顯然是明知故犯，不順服神的話，從此亞當被罪玷污了，因此經文說，『這就如罪是從一人(亞當)入了世界，死又是從罪來的，於是死就臨到眾人，因為眾人都犯了罪。』(羅馬書 5:12) [6]

         經文說，『亞當活到一百三十歲，生了一個兒子，形像樣式和自己相似…』(創世記 5:3)    這就和遺傳類似，我們的子孫也是和我們相似，我們是從亞當被罪玷污後來到這世界的，是生來就帶有罪的，我們的子孫也是出生時就有罪的。所以人性本惡，每一個人都需要救恩。聖經說的罪是指不順神 [7]，神說不可殺人，殺人的就不順服神，犯了罪。神說不可說謊，說謊就是不順服神，犯了罪。諸如此類等等。

4. 道成肉身是因神愛世人

           約翰福音關於「道成肉身」說得很清楚，『神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不至滅亡，反得永生。因為神差他的兒子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。』(約翰福音 3:16-17)  人有自由意志，絕對可以選擇信或不信，但我們要知道信與不信的區別: 『信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。』(約翰福音 3:18) 在最後的啓示錄更說到，『若有人名字沒記在生命冊上，他就被扔在火湖裏。』(啓示錄 20:15)  這是指不信的非基督徒。 『惟有基督在我們還作罪人的時候為我們死，神的愛就在此向我們顯明了。』(羅馬書 5:8) 所以是耶穌取代了我們釘上了十字架受(罪的)刑罰，(寶)血洗淨了我們的罪  [8]。

5. 信而受洗進入耶穌的國度

             罪是從撒但來的，人被罪玷污後，原本出生時就已在撒但的國度裏。聖經說只有兩個國度，就是耶穌的國度和撒但的國度，所以一定要信而進入耶穌的國度。耶穌的國度就是天國 [9]，一開始信的時候，神就『…救了我們脫離黑暗的權勢，把我們遷到他愛子(耶穌)的國裏；我們在愛子裏得蒙救贖，罪過得以赦免。』(歌羅西書 1:13-14)  所以一定要在基督裏。我們再一次强調，要去那裏，是我們自由意志的選擇的結果。

6. 信望愛並禱告及讚美的生活

            「信」後至終要過一個和世界「分別為聖」的生活，一個「信望愛」並「禱告」及「讚美」的生活，走上成聖(潔)之路。譬如說，我們的價值觀和看見在這時會變得和以前不一樣了。「信」了以後會受聖靈和水的洗，會有內住的聖靈 [10]。大使命中的應許是真實的，三位一體的神的耶穌是以三位一體的神的聖靈的形式內住在我們裏面。

       我們一定要在基督裏，因為是耶穌取代了我們，我們要模成耶穌的形像(image) [11]。這就猶如有人用一張紙夾在書中的例子所說的一樣，書在那裏，那張紙就在那裏。神所看到的是無罪的基督，我們在基督裏，在神眼中也是無罪的，就是所謂的「地位上已成聖」，成聖之路是要在經歷中不要從基督裏滑出來，一直能在基督裏，『因為神本性一切的豐盛，都有形有體地居住在基督裏面。』(歌羅西書 2:9)

             信了以後可以「禱告」，其實信前也可以禱告，至少可以求能賜下一顆相信的心。保羅的禱告就是信後禱告的一個例子：『求我們主耶穌基督的神，榮耀的父，將那賜人智慧和啓示的靈賞給你們，使你們真知道他。』(以弗所書 1:17)  信了以後有盼「望」，盼望耶穌再來的應許實現。 這應許就像經文所說的，『我若去為你們預備了地方，就必再來接你們到我那裏去；我在哪裏，叫你們也在那裏。』(約翰福音 14:3)  一般的禱告也盼望事情可以成就，但要知道神有絕對的主權，有沒有回應在祂，有沒有應許也在祂。即使應許，成就的時間也在祂手上，因凡事有定時。信了以後也有了神的「愛」，『…因為所賜給我們的聖靈將神的愛澆灌在我們心裏。』(羅馬書 5:5) 『如今常存的有信，有望，有愛；這三樣，其中最大的是愛。』(哥林多前書 13:13) 是三者都要有，只是愛最大 [12]。

            我們現在可以過的生活是，『要常常喜樂，不住地禱告，凡事謝恩，因為這是神在基督耶穌裏向你們所定的旨意。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-18) 在基督裏，這是一定可以做到的。看到聖靈在我們身上今日做的，怎麼會不凡事謝恩呢？我們怎麼不會甘心情願的讚美神呢？關於讚美的經文，新舊約都有不少 [13]。讚美要甘心情願的，要從心發出，神看的是內心，不是看外表，聖經說得很清楚，『你要保守你心，勝過保守一切，因為一生的果效，是由心發出。』(箴言 4:23)  我們看看教會在五旬節誕生後的情景，知道早期的教會是在讚美中過的，我們也該如此行 [14]。 一個信望愛並禱告及讚美的生活，是每一個人都可以過的，即使是一個人中過風只能躺在床上，那一件事不可以做呢？

7. 臨死前的真信絕對有效，但有機會時該受洗

             在這最後一部份，我們討論一下常常在宣教時會遇到的一個問題，就是我只要信，死前受洗或不受洗有什麼關係？絕對是有關係的！第一，我們為什麼不有機會就受洗，早些享受更豐盛的生命呢？第二，我們不知何時會死，說不定還來不及受洗就死了呢？關於第二點，如果是真信，最後一分鐘也絕對有效，也跟本不必受水洗了，看犯人的例子就知道了。

       經文說，和耶穌同釘十字架的有兩個犯人，『那同釘的兩個犯人，其中一個『說：「耶穌啊，你得國降臨的時候，求你記念我！」耶穌對他說：「我實在告訴你：今日你要同我在樂園裏了。」』(路加福音 23:39-43) 我們看到那犯人相信了耶穌是基督，並且有信心的行為去要求耶穌記念他，顯然的，他沒受水洗就去樂園了。所以到底該不該受洗，聖經說我們是該受洗，因為信而受洗，大使命也說的很清楚要受洗，且耶穌又作我們受洗的榜樣 [15]。雖然在特殊的情況下不受水洗是可以的，但我們不能用犯人的例子作藉口不受洗，該問的是，我們的情況是不是和真信的犯人的情況相似？這顯然包括了沒有機會受洗，且要知道他雖是基督徒，罪被赦免，仍然要付出人間的代價。

參考:

[1]  基督徒相信新舊約『…都是神所默示的，…』(提摩太後書 3:16) 有人可能會說，當保羅寫這書信時，只有新約的一部份存在，因如啓示錄跟本就還沒有寫，他那句話是指舊約，的確是這樣，但在信心中，基督徒相信新舊約都是神所默示的，所以基督徒是需要信心的。所以我們雖是人，不把聖經的話打折扣，仍可以從神(聖經)的角度看一些事情。反過來說是不對的，因為神是無限而聖經的字句有限，有限的不會等於無限的，所以讀聖經的時候不可隨便用等號，要不，人為的創造了一個非聖經所說的神，自己都會不知道！我們要特別強調的一點，就是我們引用經文，不是在斷章取義，而是從整本聖經裏看到的概念，引用的經文只是用來顯示，聖經的確是有這樣的說法，通常是的許多例子中的一個例子而已。舉個例子來說，聖經所說的神是「三位一體」的神，「三位一體」就是說只有一體神但有三位。聖經說得很清楚，聖父被稱為耶和華的是神，聖子耶穌基督是神，聖靈也是神，所以這三位是聖父、聖子、和聖靈。關於一體，經文說，『…耶和華(單數)我們神(複數)是獨一的主。』(申命記  6:4)  神用的是複數，因為三位都是神。我們看到「三位一體」是絕對可能的，在常壓下，「水」的溫度不同會存在三個不同的狀態，就是冰、水蒸氣、和普通講的水，但這些都只是一個「水」。當然這不能完全解釋三位一體的概念，因為神是三個位格而不是三個狀態，對人而言，「三位一體」是個奧秘，但基督徒相信神是「三位一體」的神。關於耶和華是神，『 摩西對神說：「我到以色列人那裏，對他們說：『你們祖宗的神打發我到你們這裏來。』他們若問我說：『他叫甚麼名字？』我要對他們說甚麼呢？」神對摩西說：「我是自有永有的。」又說：「你要對以色列人這樣說：『那自有的打發我到你們這裏來。』」』(出埃及記 3:13-14) 關於耶穌基督是神，經文說，『他們是以色列人，那兒子的名分、榮耀、諸約、律法、禮儀、應許，都是他們的。列祖就是他們的祖宗，按肉體說，基督也是從他們出來的，他是在萬有之上，永遠可稱頌的神。阿們！』(羅馬書 9:4-5) 關於聖靈是神，『彼得說：「亞拿尼亞，為甚麼撒但充滿了你的心，叫你欺哄聖靈，把田地的價銀私自留下幾分呢？田地還沒有賣，不是你自己的嗎？既賣了，價銀不是你作主嗎？你怎麼心裏起這意念呢？你不是欺哄人，是欺哄神了！」』(使徒行傳 5:3-4)

[2]  「大使命」是耶穌親自命令我們的，『耶穌進前來，對他們說：「天上地下所有的權柄都賜給我了。所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗。凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守，我就常(總是, always)與你們同在，直到世界的末了。」』(馬太福音 28:18-20)   我們看到了保羅在行大使命時，是非常的有效，因為經文說，『他(巴拿巴)又往大數去找掃羅(保羅)，找着了，就帶他到安提阿去。他們足有一年的工夫和教會一同聚集，教訓了許多人。門徒稱為基督徒是從安提阿起首。』(使徒行傳 11:25-26) 從神的角度看只有一個教會，不是指在地上的建築物的教堂所聚會的人，而是不論這群人中的每個人所在的物理位置在那裏 。關於只有一個教會這件事，這經文很清楚，『因為無論在哪裏，有兩三個人奉我的名聚會，那裏就有我在他們中間。』(馬太福音 18:20)  這一點保羅非常清楚，經文說：『所以，你們因信基督耶穌，都是神的兒子。你們受洗歸入基督的，都是披戴基督了。』(加拉太書  3:26-27)  所以也要「信而受洗」。我們知道耶穌是父的獨生子，因經文說， 『道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典，有真理。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。』(約翰福音 1:14)  那麼信耶穌的人都是神的兒子到底是什麼意思呢？我們信耶穌後，都成為法律上有效的養子了，所以我們看到這些經文是沒有任何衝突的。從神的角度看和從人的角度看有時是很不相同的，譬如說，我們看到了有些教會沒有讓主耶穌居首位，猶如在啓示録第三章十七節中提到的老底嘉教會一樣，從人的角度看，『你說：我是富足，已經發了財，一樣都不缺。』但從神的角度看，『卻不知道你是那困苦、可憐、貧窮、瞎眼、赤身的。』我們看到了兩者的看法是這麼的不同！猶有勝者，聖經明說，『看哪，我(耶穌)站在門外叩門，若有聽見我聲音就開門的，我要進到他那裏去，我與他，他與我一同坐席。』(啓示錄 3:20)  老底嘉的教會把耶穌關在了門外而不自知，還以為自己什麼都有！當不同的時候，我們應該『不要消滅聖靈的感動，』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19)  要相信，『耶和華說：「我的意念非同你們的意念，我的道路非同你們的道路。天怎樣高過地，照樣，我的道路高過你們的道路，我的意念高過你們的意念。』(以賽亞書 55:8-9) 

 [3] 耶穌自己說：『你們查考聖經，因你們以為內中有永生；給我(耶穌)作見證的就是這經。然而你們不肯到我這裏來得生命。』(約翰福音 5:39-40)  我們也看到得生命的重要性，『…耶穌對門徒說：「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。因為凡要救自己生命的，必喪掉生命；凡為我喪掉生命的，必得着生命。人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有甚麼益處呢？人還能拿甚麼換生命呢？』(馬太福音 16:24-26)   在我們甘心情願的查考聖經，知道了神藉著聖經要告訴我們什麼後，就知道我們是可以得著生命的。經文說，『我(保羅)栽種了，亞波羅澆灌了，惟有神叫他生長。可見栽種的算不得甚麼，澆灌的也算不得甚麼，只在那叫他生長的神。』(哥林多前書 3:6-7)  所以生命只能從神來。

[4] 『這樣，信心若沒有行為就是死的。』(雅各書 2:17)  就如經文所應許的，基督徒會得到更豐盛的生命，『我(耶穌)就是門，凡從我進來的，必然得救，並且出入得草吃。盜賊(就是撒但, 又叫魔鬼, 古蛇，參啓示錄 20:2)來，無非要偷竊、殺害、毀壞；我來了，是要叫羊(就是我們)得生命，並且得的更豐盛。』(約翰福音 10:9-10) 耶穌是唯一的門，經過耶穌這唯一的門得救的，雖然『…仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前書 5:8) 在我們「謹守、警醒」下，「用堅固的信心抵擋牠」，就可以勝過牠。(參彼得前書 5:8-9)

[5] 『耶和華神吩咐他(亞當)說：「(伊甸)園中各樣樹上的果子，你可以隨意吃，只是分別善惡樹上的果子，你不可吃，因為你吃的日子(同一天)必定死。」』(創世記 2:16-17) 所以命令沒有直接給夏娃。因為那時只有亞當和夏娃兩人，所以從夏娃被蛇引誘的經文中看到，她是由亞當那兒不很清楚的知道這命令的。我們看經文就知道這點，『女人(夏娃)對蛇說：「園中樹上的果子，我們可以吃；惟有園當中那棵樹上的果子，神曾說：『你們不可吃，也不可摸，免得你們死。』」』(創世記 3:2-3)  神並沒有說，『也不可摸』。

[6]  所以亞當本是可永遠活著的，因為『耶和華神說：「…現在恐怕他伸手又摘生命樹的果子吃，就永遠活着。」』(創世記 3:22)  人被罪玷污一段時間後的情景是：『耶和華見人在地上罪惡很大，終日所思想的盡都是惡。』(創世記 6:5)  所以人被罪玷污而又不死是件很可怕的事情，這也就說明了雖然是神愛世人，仍是人人都有一死。

[7]  基於聖經的話和邏輯，我們說的罪的定義是不順神，這可以從下述的立論看出。也就是我們要証明罪等於不順服。首先從經文看， 『這就如罪是從一人(亞當)入了世界，…』，這是因為亞當的不順服，所以不順服意味著罪。要兩者相等，我們還需要反過來証明罪意味著不順服神，或著我們証明其邏輯上相等的敘述，就是順服神意味著沒有罪。神有絕對的主權，順服神絕對不是犯罪，所以這敍述是真的。邏輯上的結論，就是罪等於不順服神。我們再看其他的佐証，耶穌來地上的一個目的是在這經文中:『你們知道主曾顯現，是要除掉人的罪，在他並沒有罪。』(約翰一書 3:5) 祂怎麼除罪？就是順服，如經文所說，『…成為人的樣式。既有人的樣子，就自己卑微，存心順服，以至於死，且死在十字架上。』(腓立比書 2:7-8) 所以祂在客西馬尼園這樣的禱告，『…我父啊，倘若可行，求你叫這杯離開我；然而，不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。』(馬太福音 26:39) 祂一生都順服神，就像經文所說，『父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。…』(約翰福音 14:31) 祂的順服就除掉了罪，難道罪不是不順服嗎？這是一個爭議的話題，因此我們最後再看看罪是從那裏來的？首先罪不是神所創造的，因『各樣美善的恩賜和各樣全備的賞賜都是從上頭來的，從眾光之父那裏降下來的；在他並沒有改變，也沒有轉動的影兒。』(雅各書 1:17) 我們再看看一些和撒但相關的經文，『明亮之星，早晨之子啊！(撒但)你何竟從天墜落？你這攻敗列國的，何竟被砍倒在地上？你心裏曾說：「我要升到天上！我要高舉我的寶座在神眾星以上；我要坐在聚會的山上，在北方的極處；我要升到高雲之上，我要與至上者同等。」』(以賽亞書 14:12-14) 當初撒但被創造的時候的確是明亮之星，早晨之子。但你看後來牠是何等的驕傲啊！神創造了牠，牠本在神之下，牠卻想要與至上者同等。且牠因驕傲而有了行動，不順服神而變成了仇敵，這就是牠的罪，而罪也就藉著亞當的不順服進入了世界。簡言之，罪的起源是在不順服神。

[8]  真信不只是口中說相信，會從心裏真知道而行道，就像經文所說，『只是你們要行道，不要單單聽道，自己欺哄自己。』(雅各書 1:22)  耶穌道成肉身在地上的時候，是完全順服父藉著聖靈而帶領的，這點經文說得很清楚，『…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。…』(約翰福音 14:31)  至於是藉著聖靈而帶領的這事，我們可從祂選擇十二使徒上看出來，『直到他藉着聖靈吩咐所揀選的使徒，以後被接上升的日子為止。』(使徒行傳 1:2) 如果我們真相信『聖經都是神所默示的，…』(提摩太後書  3:16)，就不會把聖經話打折扣，知道我們應該遵行。耶穌道成肉身在地上的時候，是完全順服父藉著聖靈而被帶領的。順服不是說一個命令一個動作，如果是這樣，當初神造人時選擇造一個機器人就可以了。我們看到了耶穌是『…成為人的樣式。』(腓立比書 2:7)，所以祂也和我們一樣有情感，有自由意志，等等。但就像祂在客西馬尼園的禱告一樣，當祂和父的意思不同時，祂會說，『…不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。』(馬太福音 26:39)  祂預先就知道自己會上十字架， 因為在變化山上，耶穌的面貌改變了，衣服潔白放光。『他們(摩西、以利亞)在榮光裏顯現，談論耶穌去世的事，就是他在耶路撒冷將要成的事。』(路加福音 9:30-31)  作為一個人，祂仍是這樣的禱告是多麼的不容易！但『既有人的樣子，就自己卑微，存心順服，以至於死，且死在十字架上。』(腓立比書 2:8) 『…用自己的血，只一次進入聖所，成了永遠贖罪的事。』(希伯來書 9:12)  祂是甘心情願的順服，所以會說，『惟有基督在我們還作罪人的時候為我們死，神的愛就在此向我們顯明了。』(羅馬書 5:8)  所以是耶穌取代了我們釘上了十字架受(罪的)刑罰，(寶)血洗淨了我們的罪，因而給了世人一個機會。『神使那無罪的(耶穌)，替我們成為罪，好叫我們在他裏面成為神的義。』(哥林多後書 5:21)  完成了神的公義。 我們也看到了神用的是回授的策略，對回授的策略不很清楚的人，我們可以用開車來解釋，在開車中，我們因眼睛回授的看見，能夠保持我們在該行的車道上。同樣的，我們每一個人都有自由意志，有機會決定信或不信，神也會因我們的決定而會作出相應的回應。 聖經有很多地方都談到回授的策略，一個回授策略的經文的例子可以在以西結書中找到：『「惡人若回頭離開所作的一切罪惡，謹守我一切的律例，行正直與合理的事，他必定存活，不至死亡。他所犯的一切罪過都不被記念，因所行的義，他必存活。主耶和華說，惡人死亡，豈是我喜悅的嗎？不是喜悅他回頭離開所行的道存活嗎？」「義人若轉離義行而作罪孽，照着惡人所行一切可憎的事而行，他豈能存活嗎？他所行的一切義都不被記念，他必因所犯的罪、所行的惡死亡。」』(以西結書 18:21-24)  將近啓示錄的末了時說，『我(約翰)又看見一個白色的大寶座與坐在上面的，從他面前天地都逃避，再無可見之處了。』(啓示錄 20:11)  這就是所謂的「白色大寶座的審判」，『若有人名字沒記在生命冊上，他就被扔在火湖裏。』(啓示錄 20:15)  基督徒的名字都在生命册上，但他們雖然因信稱義如經文所說，『所以我們看定了：人稱義是因着信，不在乎遵行律法。』(羅馬書 3:28)  但仍然要『…都照各人所行的(信心的行為)受審判。』(啓示錄 20:13)  不要忘記，神很公平，『…多給誰，就向誰多取；多託誰，就向誰多要。』(路加福音 12:48)

[9]  耶穌的國度就是天國，如經文所說，『從那時候，耶穌就傳起道來，說：「天國近了，你們應當悔改！」』(馬太福音 4:17)  我們也看到悔改的重要。事實上，『我們若認自己的罪，神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。』(約翰一書 1:9) 我們需要悔改。

[10] 施洗後會有內住的聖靈如這經文所說，『豈不知你們的身子就是聖靈的殿嗎？這聖靈是從神而來，住在你們裏頭的；並且你們不是自己的人，因為你們是重價買來的，所以要在你們的身子上榮耀神。』(哥林多前書 6:19-20) 受洗時會受聖靈的洗，施洗約翰講得很清楚，『我(施洗約翰)是用水給你們施洗，叫你們悔改；但那在我以後來的，能力比我更大，我就是給他提鞋也不配。他要用聖靈與火給你們施洗。』(馬太福音 3:11) 在耶穌和尼哥底母的對話中，祂說，『…我實實在在地告訴你：人若不重生，就不能見神的國。』(約翰福音 3:3) 祂又說，『…我實實在在地告訴你：人若不是從水和聖靈生的，就不能進神的國。從肉身生的，就是肉身；從靈生的，就是靈。』(約翰福音 3:5-6) 沒有內住的聖靈怎麼會有生命？沒有聖靈的洗怎麼會有內住的聖靈？內住的聖靈從那裏來的？從上面來的。也就是說我們是靈生的，我們出生時是從肉身生的，信了以後真是重新從聖靈生了，這就是重生。

[11] 『因為他(神)預先所知道的人，就預先定下效法(模成, be conformed to)他兒子的模樣(image)，使他兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。』(羅馬書 8:29) 

[12] 因為『我們如今彷彿對着鏡子觀看，模糊不清，到那時，就要面對面了。…』(哥林多前書 13:12)  面對神的面的那時，我們看見了，怎麼會再需要信和望呢？所以能存到永遠的愛是最大的。

[13] 例如在舊約中說，『凡有氣息的，都要讚美耶和華！你們要讚美耶和華！』(詩篇 150:6)  我們看到大衞有詩歌的敬拜，因『大衞吩咐利未人的族長，派他們歌唱的弟兄用琴瑟和鈸作樂，歡歡喜喜地大聲歌頌。』(歷代志上 15:16)  詩歌敬拜很顯然的是讚美的一個方式。新約中的例子如，『有聲音從寶座出來說：「神的眾僕人哪，凡敬畏他的，無論大小，都要讚美我們的神。」』(啓示錄 19:5)

[14] 『五旬節到了，門徒都聚集在一處。忽然，從天上有響聲下來，好像一陣大風吹過，充滿了他們所坐的屋子；又有舌頭如火焰顯現出來，分開落在他們各人頭上。他們就都被聖靈充滿，按着聖靈所賜的口才說起別國的話來。我們…都聽見他們用我們的鄉談，講說神的大作為。』(使徒行傳 2:1-11)  『他們天天同心合意恆切地在殿裏，且在家中擘餅，存着歡喜、誠實的心用飯，讚美神，得眾民的喜愛。…』(使徒行傳 2:46-47)  基督徒不是有謝飯的習慣嗎？我們剛才不是分享過我們現在就可在基督裏過一個常常喜樂的生活嗎？有人不是做見証，即使在痛苦中也可勝過痛苦而喜樂嗎？不是在人前裝作的喜樂的模樣，而是真正看到了保羅說的，『我正在兩難之間，情願離世與基督同在，因為這是好得無比的。』(腓立比書 1:23) 

[15]  耶穌做了我們受洗的榜樣很清楚的記載在這裏，『當下，耶穌從加利利來到約旦河，見了約翰，要受他的洗。約翰想要攔住他，說：「我當受你的洗，你反倒上我這裏來嗎？」耶穌回答說：「你暫且許我，因為我們理當這樣盡諸般的義。」於是約翰許了他。耶穌受了洗，隨即從水裏上來。天忽然為他開了，他就看見神的靈彷彿鴿子降下，落在他身上。從天上有聲音說：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的。」』(馬太福音 3:13-17)  也許這是一個好地方看看耶穌做的其他的一件事情，可以化解一件因一些教會的行為所引起的誤解，也就是一些非基督徒認為基督教是要強迫人信基督教。正好相反，我們看看耶穌怎麼做就知道不是這樣了！『耶穌出來行路的時候，有一個人跑來，跪在他面前，問他說：「良善的夫子，我當做甚麼事才可以承受永生？」…他對耶穌說：「夫子，這一切(誡命)我從小都遵守了。」耶穌看着他，就愛他，對他說：「你還缺少一件，去變賣你所有的，分給窮人，就必有財寶在天上；你還要來跟從我。」他聽見這話，臉上就變了色，憂憂愁愁地走了，因為他的產業很多。…門徒希奇他(耶穌)的話。耶穌又對他們說：「小子，倚靠錢財的人進神的國是何等地難哪！」』(馬可福音 10:17-24) 你看耶穌告訴了他，邀請了他，雖是愛他，祂更知道人有自由意志，沒有任何勉強的讓他自己去做最後的決定。我們試著使人對基督教有正確的瞭解，我們尊重個人的決定，即使有人堅持要在錯誤的瞭解中作決定，這也是自由意志。在過程中，我們學到了相當多，因為神是無限，而人是有限，我們只能看到祂讓我們看到的。是的，我們有大使命的命令，『所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗。』(馬太福音 28:19) 怎麼樣「使」呢？有機會的時候一定要傳道，甚至於『務要傳道！無論得時不得時，總要專心，並用百般的忍耐，各樣的教訓，責備人，警戒人，勸勉人。』(提摩太後書 4:2) 但只是光說是沒有用的，一定要以身作則，「使」非信徒羨慕你的好行為而想去同樣行，你的好行為也自然的「使」他們想做門徒了！

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)  

Summary: This article is written for both Christians and non-Christians. I decided to write this article because I saw that some churches do not teach according to the Bible.  For non-Christians, it is not to persuade them to become Christians immediately, because we know that this cannot be done in one article, just like “Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.””(Acts 26:28) So our motivation is to hope, to have a correct understanding according to the Bible before making a decision.  This article is divided into seven parts. First, from “The beginning of the title of Christian”, we see that Christians are a group of people (disciples) who have the life of Christ Jesus.  Second, in “Christianity is not a man-made religion”, we explain why Christianity is not a man-made religion that persuades people to do good. We see that good deeds are only the natural result of faith. Christians have life changes from the inside out.   Do not put the cart before the horse.  Third, in “Human Nature is Evil, Everyone Needs Salvation”, we talk about the inherent evil of human nature and its origin, we see that everyone needs salvation, and see that the sin mentioned in the Bible refers to disobedience to God.  It’s not what some people think, that only non-compliance with the law, such as murder and arson, is a crime.  Fourth, in “The Word became flesh because God loved the world”, we saw that Jesus (the Word) was nailed to the cross instead of us, and suffered the penalty of sin (death). The (precious) blood washed away our sins and gave the world a chance.  Each of us has free will and the opportunity to decide whether to believe or not, and God will respond accordingly to our decision.  Fifth, we have seen “Believing and being baptized into the kingdom of Jesus”, which is the kingdom of heaven.  Sixth, in “A Life of Faith, Hope, Love, and Prayer, and Praise”, we talked about that after believing, we will eventually live a life that is “separated (holy) from the world”, a life of faith, hope, love, and prayer, and praise.  And describe a life that is actually attainable.  Seventh, in “True faith before death is absolutely effective, but you should be baptized when you have the opportunity”, we can see from the examples in the Bible that it is never too late to be able to truly believe.

      Some terms that are taken for granted by Christians may be new to non-Christians and they require explanation.  If Christians feel that it is too long-winded at this time, please take this explanation as a way to confirm whether this term has such a meaning!  If non-Christians can assume that “the words of the Bible are correct”, they should be able to understand the meaning of this article, because there is no logical problem.  As for whether you can finally accept this assumption as a fact, it depends on the individual! Some people just want to quickly know what Christians believe, and some people want to know whether there is a biblical basis behind their beliefs, because Christians believe that the Old and New Testaments are “…inspired by God …”(2 Timothy 3:16) [1] In order to take into account different personal interests, we have adopted a compromise in our writing method, that is, we try not to quote scriptures in the main text, so that the former can be completed in one go and be read smoothly, while the scriptures behind are placed in the references, so that the latter can freely select the texts of interest or doubt.  Unless, like the passage just quoted, the passage from 2 Timothy 3:16 fits right into the text, it should not be included in the references!  For some Christians, some references don’t belong in the introduction anymore. Because there are various translations of the Bible, we all refer to the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

1. The beginning of the Christian title

The scriptures say, “…the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”(Acts 11:26) We see what is called the Great Commission, commanded by Jesus himself [2].  Antioch is a Gentile city, not a Jewish city. It can be seen from the Great Commission, “teaching them to observe all that I (Jesus) commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”(Matthew 28:20) They obviously obeyed the teaching, and even the Gentiles felt that they had the life of Christ and called them Christians.  So Christians are a group of people who have the life of Christ Jesus, believe and are baptized, and have the promise that the Lord will always be with them.

2. Christianity is not a man-made religion

Some people think that Christianity worships a God created by man, so let’s discuss this issue.  First of all, we know that Christians will study the Bible, and we see that Jesus Himself said that the purpose of studying the Bible is to have life, and life can only come from God [3].  In this regard, God is absolutely sovereign, “For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.””(Romans 9:15)

In short, Christians are transformed in their lives.  The Bible clearly says, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”(Romans 7:18) So the old self (referring to the flesh) is only worthy of death, but Christians deeply believe: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”(2 Timothy 3:16-17) If you have true faith, you will naturally have acts of faith, and you will have the promise of a more abundant life [4].  These acts of faith are all good, so Christianity is not a man-made religion that persuades people to do good. Good deeds are only the natural result of faith. Christians have life changes from the inside out, so don’t put the cart before the horse.  Christianity gathers disciples based on God. Whether people believe it or not, God always exists there.

3. Human nature is inherently evil, everyone needs salvation

Regarding the fact that human nature is inherently evil, we can see that children can tell lies without having to learn to do so, so teaching that human nature is inherently good is absolutely wrong.  In short, people are inherently sinful when they are born, and we are sinners. We sin because we are sinners. We do not become sinners because of our sinful behavior.  Why is this so?  It is because people have had free will since Adam and Eve, and they can choose not to obey God.  Let’s first look at God’s command to Adam, which is very clear not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil [5].  We also see the result of Eve being seduced by the (ancient) serpent in the Garden of Eden, “…she (Eve) took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband (Adam) with her, and he ate.”(Genesis 3:6) It is true that Eve was first tempted, but Adam obviously committed the crime knowingly and disobeyed the word of God. “Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.”(Romans 5:12) [6]

The scriptures say, “When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, …”(Genesis 5:3) This is similar to heredity, our descendants are also like us, we are those who came into this world after Adam was polluted by sin were born with sin, and our descendants are also born with sin.  Therefore, human nature is inherently evil, and everyone needs salvation.  The sin mentioned in the Bible refers to disobedience to God [7]. God says not to kill, and the murderer disobeys God and commits a sin.  God says not to lie, to lie is to disobey God and commit a sin and so on and so forth.

4. God became flesh because God loves the world

The Gospel of John says very clearly about the “incarnation”, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”(John 3:16-17) People have free will and can absolutely choose to believe or not to believe, but we must know the difference between believing and not believing: “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”(John 3:18) In the last book of Revelation, it is said, “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”(Revelation 20:15) This refers to unbelieving non-Christians. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”(Romans 5:8) So it was Jesus who took our place on the cross and took the (sin) punishment, and the (precious) blood washed away our sins [8].

5. Believing and being baptized into the kingdom of Jesus

Sin comes from Satan. After being defiled by sin, man was originally born in the kingdom of Satan.  The Bible says that there are only two kingdoms, the kingdom of Jesus and the kingdom of Satan, so we must believe and enter the kingdom of Jesus.  The kingdom of Jesus is the kingdom of heaven [9]. When we first believed, God “…rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”(Colossians 1:13-14) So be sure to be in Christ.  We emphasize once again that going there is the result of our own free choice.

6. A life of faith, hope, love and prayer and praise

After “belief”, one must eventually live a life of “separation from the world”, a life of “faith, hope, love”, and “prayer” and “praise”, and embark on the road to holiness (sanctification).  For example, our values ​​and perceptions at this time will become different from before.  After you “believe”, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and water, and you will have the indwelling Holy Spirit [10].  The promise in the Great Commission is true, that Jesus of the Trinity always lives with us in the form of the Holy Spirit.

We must be in Christ, because Jesus has replaced us, and we must be conformed to the image of Jesus [11].  This is just like someone said with the example of a piece of paper clipped into a book, where the book is, the paper is there.  What God sees is the sinless Christ, and we are sinless in the eyes of God in Christ, which is the so-called “positional sanctification”.  The way to sanctification is to stay in Christ, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.”(Colossians 2:9) You can “pray” after you believe. In fact, you can also pray before you believe. At least you can ask for a believing heart.  Paul’s prayer is an example of a post-letter prayer: “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” (Ephesians 1:17) After believing, there is hope, hope that the promise of Jesus’ return will come true.  This promise is like what the scriptures say, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”(John 14:3) Ordinary prayers also hope that things can be accomplished, but you must know that God has absolute sovereignty. Whether there is a response depends on Him, and whether there is a promise depends on Him.  Even if it is promised, the time for its fulfillment is in His hands, because there is a time for everything.  After believing, we also have the “love” of God, “…because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”(Romans 5:5) “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”(1 Corinthians 13:13) It is necessary to have all three, but love is the greatest [12].

The life we ​​can live now is, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) In Christ, this is certainly possible.  Seeing what the Holy Spirit is doing to us today, how can we not give thanks in everything?  How can we not praise God willingly?  There are many scriptures about praise in both the Old and New Testaments [13].  Praise must be willing, and it must come from the heart. God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance. The Bible clearly says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”(Proverbs 4:23) We look at the scene of the church after Pentecost, and know that the early church lived in praise, and we should do the same [14].  A life of faith, hope, love, prayer, and praise is something everyone can live. Even if a person has a stroke and can only lie in bed, what can’t be done?

7. True faith before death is absolutely valid, but you should be baptized when you have the opportunity

In this last part, we discuss a problem that we often encounter in missionary work, that is, as long as I believe, why does it matter if I am baptized or not before I die?  It is definitely related!  First, why don’t we get baptized and enjoy a more abundant life earlier when we have the opportunity?  Second, we don’t know when we will die, maybe before we are baptized?  Regarding the second point, if it is a true belief, it will definitely be effective at the last minute, and there is no need to be baptized at all. Just look at the example of a criminal.

The scriptures say that there were two criminals who were crucified with Jesus. “One of the criminals …was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.””(Luke 23:39-43) We see that the criminal believed that Jesus is the Christ, and had an act of faith to ask Jesus to remember him. Apparently he went to Paradise without being baptized.  So whether we should be baptized or not, the Bible says that we should be baptized because of faith, and the Great Commission also clearly states that we should be baptized, and Jesus is our model for baptism [15].  Although it is okay not to be baptized under special circumstances, we cannot use the criminal’s example as an excuse not to be baptized. What should be asked is whether our situation is similar to that of the criminal in true faith who did not have the opportunity to be baptized?  And you must know that although he is a Christian and his sins are forgiven, he still has to pay a human price.

References:

[1] Christians believe that the Old and New Testaments are “…inspired by God…”(2 Timothy 3:16) One could say that when Paul wrote this, only a part of the New Testament existed, since for example the book of Revelation hadn’t been written yet, and his words were referring to the Old Testament, which is true, but in faith, Christians believe that both the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God, so Christians need faith. Therefore, even though we are human beings, we can still see things in the aspect of God (the Bible) by without discounting the words of the Bible. The opposite is not true, because God is infinite and the words of the Bible are finite, and the finite is impossible to be equal to the infinite, so when reading the Bible, you should not use the equal sign casually, or you will artificially create a God that is not mentioned in the Bible, without knowing by yourself.  What we want to emphasize is that when we quote the scriptures, we are not taking them out of context, but from the concepts seen in the whole Bible. The scriptures quoted are only used to show that the Bible does have such sayings, usually an example out of many.  For example, the God mentioned in the Bible is a “Trinity” God, even such a word is never mentioned in the Bible. “Trinity” means that there is only one God but three persons.  The Bible clearly states that the Father, who is called Jehovah, is God, the Son, Jesus Christ, is God, and the Holy Spirit is also God, so these three are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Concerning oneness, the text says, “…The Lord (singular) is our God (plural), the Lord is one!”(Deuteronomy 6:4) God uses the plural because all three are God.  We have seen that the “Trinity” is absolutely possible. Under normal pressure, “water” will exist in three different states at different temperatures, namely ice, water vapor, and ordinary water, but these are just one “water”.  Of course, this cannot fully explain the concept of the Trinity, because God is three persons rather than three states. For humans, the “Trinity” is a mystery, but Christians believe that God is a “Trinity” God.  Concerning the fact that Yahweh is God, “Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’””(Exodus 3:13-14) Concerning Jesus Christ as God, the text says, “who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.”(Romans 9:4-5) Concerning the fact that the Holy Spirit is God, “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.””(Acts 5:3-4)

[2] The “Great Commission” was commanded by Jesus Himself. “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””(Matthew 28:18-20) We have seen that Paul was very effective in carrying out the Great Commission, because the scriptures say, “And he (Barnabas) left for Tarsus to look for Saul (Paul); and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”(Acts 11:25-26) From God’s point of view there is only one Church, not referring to the people who gather in the church of buildings on the earth, but regardless where the physical location of each person in this group is. Concerning the fact that there is only one Church, the text is clear, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.””(Matthew 18:20) Paul is very clear in this point, as the scriptures say: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”(Galatians 3:26-27) So we must also “believe and be baptized”.  We know that Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Father because the scriptures say, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”(John 1:14) So what does it mean that those who believe in Jesus are the sons of God?  After we believed in Jesus, we became legally valid adopted sons, so we see that there is no conflict in these scriptures.  From the perspective of God and from the perspective of man, sometimes it is very different. For example, we have seen that some churches did not put the Lord Jesus first, just like the church in Laodicea mentioned in Revelation 3.17.   From a human point of view, “Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.” In the viewpoint of God, “and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked ” We saw how different the two views are!  On top p of that, the church in Laodicea really shut Jesus out without realizing it, and thought they had everything! The Bible clearly says, “Behold, I (Jesus) stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:20) When these two views are different, we should “Do not quench the Spirit “(1 Thessalonians 5:19) and believe, ““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”(Isaiah 55:8-9)

[3] Jesus himself said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me (Jesus); and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(John 5:39-40) We also see the importance of life, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”(Matthew 16:24-26) After we willingly search the Bible and know what God is telling us through the Bible, we know that we can have life. The scripture says, “I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.”(1 Corinthians 3:6-7) Therefore Life can only come from God.

[4] “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”(James 2:17) As the scriptures promise, Christians will have a more abundant life, “I (Jesus) am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief (that is, Satan, also called the devil, the ancient serpent, see Revelation 20:2) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:9-10) Jesus is the only door, through which Jesus is the only door to be saved, although “…Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) We can overcome it if we “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert” and “resist him, firm in your faith”. (See 1 Peter 5:8-9)

[5] “The Lord God commanded the man (Adam), saying, “From any tree of the garden (of Eden) you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day (on the same day) that you eat from it you will surely die.”” (Genesis 2:16-17) So the command was not given directly to Eve.  Because there were only Adam and Eve at that time, we can see from the scriptures that Eve was tempted by a snake, she did not know this order clearly from Adam.  We know this by reading the scriptures, “The woman (Eve) said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’””(Genesis 3:2-3) God did not say, “You shall not touch either”.

[6] So Adam could have lived forever, because “Then the Lord God said, …and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.”(Genesis 3:22) After a period of time when man was defiled by sin, the scene was: “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”(Genesis 6:5) Therefore, it is a terrible thing for people to be polluted by sin without dying. This also shows that although God loves the world, everyone is mortal.

[7] Based on the words and logic of the Bible, the definition of sin we are talking about is disobedience to God, which can be seen from the following arguments.  That is, we are to prove that sin equals disobedience.  First of all, from the scriptures, “Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, …”(Romans 5:12), this is because of Adam’s disobedience, so disobedience means sin.  For the two to be equal, we also need to prove the other way around that sin means disobedience to God, or we need to prove the logically equivalent statement that obedience to God means no sin.  God is absolutely sovereign, and obedience to God is absolutely not a sin, so this statement is true.  The logical conclusion is that sin equals disobedience to God.  Let’s look at other evidences. One of the purposes of Jesus’ coming to earth is in this scripture: “You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.”(1 John 3:5) How does He take away sin?  It is obedience, as the scriptures say, “…but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”(Philippians 2:7-8) So He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “…My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”(Matthew 26:39) He obeyed God all his life, as the scriptures say, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) His obedience took away sin. Isn’t sin not disobedience?  This is a controversial topic, so let’s finally look at where does sin come from?  First, sin was not created by God, for “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”(James 1:17) Let’s look at some scriptures related to Satan again, ““How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” (Isaiah 14:12-14) When Satan was created, he was indeed the star of the morning, the son of the dawn.  But look how proud it is afterwards!  God created it, it was under God, and it wanted to be equal with the Most High.  And it acted out of the pride, disobeyed God and became an enemy, this is its sin, and sin entered the world through Adam’s disobedience.  In short, the origin of sin is disobedience to God.

[8] True faith is not just saying you believe with your mouth, but you will truly know it from your heart and act on it, just like the scriptures say, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”(James 1:22) When Jesus was incarnated on the earth, He completely obeyed the Father as the scripture says, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) through the leading of the Holy Spirit. As for this leading by the Holy Spirit, we can see it from His choice of the Twelve, “until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.”(Acts 1:2) If we truly believe that “All Scripture is inspired by God …”(2 Timothy 3:16), we will not discount the words of the Bible, and know that we should obey them.  When Jesus was incarnated on earth, he indeed completely obeyed the Father and was led by the Holy Spirit.  Obedience does not mean an order and an action. If this is the case, God would choose to create a robot when He created man.  We see that Jesus was “…being made in the likeness of men,” (Philippians 2:7) so He also has emotions like us, free will, etc.  But like his prayer in Gethsemane, when He and the Father didn’t agree in a viewpoint, He would say, “…My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39) He knew in advance that He would go to the cross, because on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus’ face was changed and His clothes became white and shining. “…they (Moses and Elijah) were …appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”(Luke 9:30-31) As a human being, how difficult it is for Him to still pray like this!  But “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”(Philippians 2:8) “…through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”(Hebrews 9:12) He obeyed willingly, so it would say, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”(Romans 5:8) So it was Jesus who took our place on the cross and took the (sin) punishment. The (precious) blood washed away our sins, thus giving the world a chance. “He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”(2 Corinthians 5:21) By this way, it completed the justice of God.  We have also seen that God uses the strategy of feedback. For those who are not very clear about the strategy of feedback, we can explain it by driving a car. While driving, we can maintain our position in the road because of the feedback we see with our eyes. Similarly, each of us has free will and the opportunity to decide whether to believe or not, and God will respond accordingly to our decision.  There are many places in the Bible that talk about the strategy of feedback. An example of scriptures that use the strategy of feedback can be found in the book of Ezekiel: ““But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die. All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live. Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live? “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die.”(Ezekiel 18:21-24) Near the end of the book of Revelation it says, “Then I (John) saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.”(Revelation 20:11) This is the so-called “Judgment of the Great White Throne”, “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”(Revelation 20:15) The names of Christians are all written in the book of life, but although they are justified by faith as the scriptures say, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”(Romans 3:28) But still, “…and the dead were judged …according to their deeds (works out of faith).”(Revelation 20:12) Don’t forget that God is fair, “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”(Luke 12:48)

[9] The kingdom of Jesus is the kingdom of heaven, as the scriptures say, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”” (Matthew 4:17) We also see the importance of repentance.  In fact, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9) We need to repent.

[10] After baptism, there will be the indwelling Holy Spirit. As this scripture says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”(1 Corinthians 6:19-20) When you are baptized, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist made it very clear, “As for me, I (John the Baptist) baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”(Matthew 3:11) In the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus, “Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.””(John 3:3) He also said, “…“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”(John 3:5-6) How can there be life without the indwelling Holy Spirit?  How can there be the indwelling Holy Spirit without the baptism of the Holy Spirit?  Where does the indwelling Holy Spirit come from?  From above.  That is to say, we are born of the Spirit. We were born of the flesh when we were born. After we believe, we are really born again of the Holy Spirit. This is rebirth.

[11] “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”(Romans 8:29)

[12] Because “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face;  …” (1 Corinthians 13:12) When we face the face of God, we see it, so why do we need faith and hope?  So the love that can last forever is the greatest.

[13] For example, in the Old Testament it is said, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”(Psalm 150:6) We see that David worshiped in song, for “Then David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives the singers, with instruments of music, harps, lyres, loud-sounding cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.”(1 Chronicles 15:16) Song worship is obviously a form of praise.  Examples in the New Testament are, “And a voice came from the throne, saying,  “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.””(Revelation 19:5)

[14] “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. …we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.””(Acts 2:1-11) “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. …”(Acts 2:46-47) Don’t Christians have the habit of giving thanks for meals?  Didn’t we just share that we can live a life of constant joy in Christ right now?  Has anyone not testified that even in pain there is joy over pain?  It’s not a feigned joy in front of people, but one really saw what Paul said, “But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.”(Philippians 1:23)

[15] It is clearly recorded here that Jesus set an example for our baptism, “Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.””(Matthew 3:13-17) Perhaps this is a good place to look at one other thing Jesus did that would unravel an misunderstanding caused by the behavior of some churches, that is, some non-Christians think that Christianity is to force people to believe in Christian religion.  On the contrary, if we look at what Jesus did, we will know that this is not the case.  “As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” … And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things (commandments) from my youth up.” Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. …The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!”(Mark 10:17-24) You see, Jesus told him and invited him, although he loved him, He knows that man has free will, and is not to persuade him to make the final decision which was made by himself.  We are trying to make people have a correct understanding of Christianity, and we respect individual decisions, even if someone insists on making a decision in a wrong understanding, this is free will.  In the process, we learn quite a lot, because God is infinite and man is finite, and we can only see what He lets us see.  Yes, we have the command of the Great Commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”(Matthew 28:19) How do you “make” someone be a disciple?  When you have the opportunity, you must preach, and even “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”(2 Timothy 4:2) But it’s useless to just talk about it. You must set an example and “make” unbelievers envy your good deeds and want to do the same. Your good deeds will naturally “make” them ‘I want to be a disciple!’

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

     首先，经文告诉我们要敬畏神，不要怕撒但，并举麻雀和头发为例，说到神的怜悯和恩典。第二，我们看到了圣灵会教导我们如何说话，强调不可亵渎圣灵。第三是要积财宝在天，不要把属灵和属世的事混在一起。第四，信心不是自信，是基于神的话和应许，神会成就我们需用的一切东西。我们用例子来说明要先求衪的国和衪的义，我们是要甘心情愿和神同工的。譬如，新约的奉献只要求要甘心情愿，爱主的人会量力而为，主动想要神家不要缺粮，不是再要遵行旧约的十分之一的律法。

1. 不要怕撒但，要敬畏神       

     「这时，有几万人聚集，甚至彼此践踏。耶稣开讲，先对门徒说：「你们要防备法利赛人的酵，就是假冒为善。掩盖的事，没有不露出来的；隐藏的事，没有不被人知道的。因此，你们在暗中所说的，将要在明处被人听见；在内室附耳所说的，将要在房上被人宣扬。「我的朋友，我对你们说：那杀身体以后不能再做甚么的，不要怕他们。我要指示你们当怕的是谁，当怕那杀了以后又有权柄丢在地狱里的。我实在告诉你们：正要怕他。五个麻雀不是卖二分银子吗？但在神面前，一个也不忘记；就是你们的头发，也都被数过了。不要惧怕，你们比许多麻雀还贵重！」」(路加福音 12:1-7)       

     我们已经讨论过灯和隐藏的事，就不多讨论了。简而言之，就是要防备法利赛人的教训，他们能说不能做，即使做也是做给人看的，不是从心中发出。不论是坏事或生命中发出的好事，都是不能隐藏的。我们就看第二段对我的朋友说的，我以前以为那杀身体的是说撒但，因此要怕撒但，但撒但只能杀身体，不能再做甚么如杀灵魂，只有神能做，所以应该是说要敬畏神，且接著就以头发和麻雀为例，说到神的怜悯和恩典。

2. 圣灵会教导我们如何说话       

     「「我又告诉你们：凡在人面前认我的，人子在神的使者面前也必认他；在人面前不认我的，人子在神的使者面前也必不认他。凡说话干犯人子的，还可得赦免；惟独亵渎圣灵的，总不得赦免。「人带你们到会堂，并官府和有权柄的人面前，不要思虑怎么分诉，说甚么话，因为正在那时候，圣灵要指教你们当说的话。」」(路加福音 12:8-12)        #####最前面基本是说，「信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。」(约翰福音 3:18) 中间是一致的强调说，「所以我告诉你们：人一切的罪和亵渎的话，都可得赦免；惟独亵渎圣灵，总不得赦免。凡说话干犯人子的，还可得赦免；惟独说话干犯圣灵的，今世、来世总不得赦免。」(马太福音 12:31-32) 绝对不要明知故犯的亵渎圣经。最后一段很清楚的说到，圣灵会教导我们如何说话。

3. 当积财宝在天       

     「众人中有一个人对耶稣说：「夫子，请你吩咐我的兄长和我分开家业。」耶稣说：「你这个人！谁立我作你们断事的官，给你们分家业呢？」于是对众人说：「你们要谨慎自守，免去一切的贪心，因为人的生命不在乎家道丰富。」就用比喻对他们说：「有一个财主田产丰盛，自己心里思想说：『我的出产没有地方收藏，怎么办呢？』「又说：『我要这么办：要把我的仓房拆了，另盖更大的，在那里好收藏我一切的粮食和财物，然后要对我的(灵)魂说：(灵)魂哪，你有许多财物积存，可作多年的费用，只管安安逸逸地吃喝快乐吧！』「神却对他说：『无知的人哪，今夜必要你的(灵)魂，你所预备的要归谁呢？』「凡为自己积财，在神面前却不富足的，也是这样。」」(路加福音 12:13-21)       

     世人有断事的官，为什么要找耶稣呢！不要把属灵的事和属世的事混为一谈。「因为审判教外的人与我何干？教内的人岂不是你们审判的吗？」(哥林多前书 5:12) 「岂不知圣徒要审判世界吗？若世界为你们所审，难道你们不配审判这最小的事吗？岂不知我们要审判天使吗？何况今生的事呢！」(哥林多前书 6:2-3) 后者讲到要谨慎自守，很清楚的用比喻说要积财在天，「不要为自己积攒财宝在地上，地上有虫子咬，能锈坏，也有贼挖窟窿来偷；只要积攒财宝在天上，天上没有虫子咬，不能锈坏，也没有贼挖窟窿来偷。因为你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在那里。」(马太福音 6:19-21) 请注意，这里说到为什么不要积财宝在地上的原因，是因为要我们的心顾念天上的事，我们会因此而生命改变的，价值观会改变的，生不带来，死不带去。有人说亚伯拉罕不是很富有吗？的确是的，但他不是积财宝在地上，他是有神的祝福。我们不能像成功哲学告诉别人一样，说只要信耶稣一定成功，这是不真实的，只有神有绝对的主权，我们不能这样骗人！       

     「你们这小群，不要惧怕，因为你们的父乐意把国赐给你们。你们要变卖所有的赒济人，为自己预备永不坏的钱囊，用不尽的财宝在天上，就是贼不能近、虫不能蛀的地方。因为，你们的财宝在哪里，你们的心也在那里。」(路加福音 12:32-34) 所以不要「…在这末世只知积攒钱财。」(雅各书 5:3) 基督徒的确是世上的小群。变卖所有的赒济人不是按照字面去做，像俄国文豪托尔斯泰般的想要把自己的财产分给穷人，其实杯水车薪也无济于事，但要由心发出，量力而为。有人做见证说，一位姊妹成为寡妇时，想处理掉手上一大笔的财产，在祷告中，她知道神没有叫她这么做，就把这笔财产留下，去支持了许多和福音有关的活动，她留下的财产所能做的，比当时如果处理掉财产能做的事更多！再举个实际的例子，如果我们在路上遇到衣衫褴褛的人要钱，到底我们是该给或是不该给呢？怎么确定这人是需要食物或是要买酒喝呢？有人就想出一个可行的方法，请那人去吃一顿饭再决定，至少也尽了力。真的要看我们如何使用地上的财宝，看我们的心如何。亚伯拉罕不是有许多地上的财富吗？我们要依智慧行事，不是遵行律法。

4. 要先求神的国和神的义       

     「耶稣又对门徒说：「所以我告诉你们：不要为生命忧虑吃甚么，为身体忧虑穿甚么；因为生命胜于饮食，身体胜于衣裳。你想，乌鸦也不种也不收，又没有仓又没有库，神尚且养活牠。你们比飞鸟是何等地贵重呢！你们哪一个能用思虑使寿数多加一刻呢？这最小的事，你们尚且不能做，为甚么还忧虑其余的事呢？「你想，百合花怎么长起来？它也不劳苦，也不纺线。然而我告诉你们：就是所罗门极荣华的时候，他所穿戴的，还不如这花一朵呢！你们这小信的人哪，野地里的草今天还在，明天就丢在炉里，神还给它这样的妆饰，何况你们呢！你们不要求吃甚么，喝甚么，也不要挂心，这都是外邦人所求的。你们必须用这些东西，你们的父是知道的。你们只要求他的国，这些东西就必加给你们了。」」(路加福音 12:22-31)    

     不是说吃食物不重要，而要知道我们活著不是单靠食物，更重要的是生命，身体和衣裳的对比也是说到这点。所有的例子都告诉我们不要忧虑，实在是忧虑没有任何的好处！以百合花为例，假花总是不如真花，大自然是最美好的，即使人看为不起眼的小草，仍有这样的妆饰，何况人是这么贵重呢！真的，不要做小信的人，要先求神的国和神的义。天父不是不知道我们需要食物，主祷文不是教导我们求赐给我们今日日用的食粮吗？但不要如外邦人祈求般的还要挂心，要将一切交给神，知道祂必会供应。让神坐在宝座上安排一切事情，而不是让神在祷告中听我们的，自己想做神，本末倒置，而是要和神同工。       

     马太福音 6:24-34 基本上也说到同样的事情。「一个人不能事奉两个主。不是恶这个爱那个，就是重这个轻那个。你们不能又事奉神，又事奉玛门。…你们哪一个能用思虑使寿数多加一刻呢？…你们需用的这一切东西，你们的天父是知道的。你们要先求他的国和他的义，这些东西都要加给你们了。所以，不要为明天忧虑，因为明天自有明天的忧虑；一天的难处一天当就够了。」     #####真是每天都可能会有不同且不可控制的难处，即然是不能控制的到来，这样忧虑又能改变什么呢？只是说来容易做起来难，我们从下面的例子看到的确是可以做到的。信心不是自信，是基于神的话和应许，神会成就我们需用的一切东西。以乔治慕勒(George Miller)为例，在邦妮哈里(Bonnie Harrey)所写他的传记中，提到他所创立的孤儿院时，说到有一次吃晚餐前没有粮食，他没告诉同工只为这件事祷告，适时就有人捐来食物。我们强调，从这例子也可看到为神的国和神的义求是可以的，只是不要挂心。而且要知道，在耶稣受试探时，「耶稣却回答说：「经上记著说：『人活著，不是单靠食物，乃是靠神口里所出的一切话。』」」(马太福音 4:4) 所以还是要吃东西，只是不是单靠食物。    

     旧约说得很清楚， 「你因敌人的缘故，从婴孩和吃奶的口中建立了能力，使仇敌和报仇的闭口无言。」(诗篇 8:2) ，从摩西建会幕时，就只收甘心情愿的奉献(参出埃及记 25:2)，所以在新约时代更是要甘心情愿和神同工的。举个例子来说，旧约订了至少要有十一奉献的律法(参玛拉基书 3:8)，如果在旧约时代每个人如此心甘情愿的遵行，神家不会缺粮。旧约是影子，新约是实体，论到奉献，在新约时代，受到耶稣称赞的只有寡妇甘心情愿的奉献两个小钱(参马可福音 12:41-44)，没有祂最恨法利赛人只行律法条文的律法。简言之，新约的奉献只是要求要甘心情愿，爱主的人会量力而为，主动想要神家不要缺粮，有不少这样的人会有超过十分之一的奉献，不是再要遵行旧约的十分之一的律法，因此我不太了解为什么有些教会今日还倡导十分之一的规定。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)

       首先，經文告訴我們要敬畏神，不要怕撒但，並舉麻雀和頭髮為例，說到神的憐憫和恩典。第二，我們看到了聖靈會教導我們如何說話，强調不可褻瀆聖靈。第三是要積財寶在天，不要把屬靈和屬世的事混在一起。第四，信心不是自信，是基於神的話和應許，神會成就我們需用的一切東西。我們用例子來說明要先求衪的國和衪的義，我們是要甘心情願和神同工的。譬如，新約的奉獻只要求要甘心情願，愛主的人會量力而為，主動想要神家不要缺糧，不是再要遵行舊約的十分之一的律法。

1. 不要怕撒但，要敬畏神

       「這時，有幾萬人聚集，甚至彼此踐踏。耶穌開講，先對門徒說：「你們要防備法利賽人的酵，就是假冒為善。掩蓋的事，沒有不露出來的；隱藏的事，沒有不被人知道的。因此，你們在暗中所說的，將要在明處被人聽見；在內室附耳所說的，將要在房上被人宣揚。「我的朋友，我對你們說：那殺身體以後不能再做甚麼的，不要怕他們。我要指示你們當怕的是誰，當怕那殺了以後又有權柄丟在地獄裏的。我實在告訴你們：正要怕他。五個麻雀不是賣二分銀子嗎？但在神面前，一個也不忘記；就是你們的頭髮，也都被數過了。不要懼怕，你們比許多麻雀還貴重！」」(路加福音 12:1-7)

       我們已經討論過燈和隱藏的事，就不多討論了。簡而言之，就是要防備法利賽人的教訓，他們能說不能做，即使做也是做給人看的，不是從心中發出。不論是壞事或生命中發出的好事，都是不能隱藏的。我們就看第二段對我的朋友說的，我以前以為那殺身體的是說撒但，因此要怕撒但，但撒但衹能殺身體，不能再做甚麼如殺靈魂，只有神能做，所以應該是說要敬畏神，且接著就以頭髮和麻雀為例，說到神的憐憫和恩典。

2. 聖靈會教導我們如何說話

       「「我又告訴你們：凡在人面前認我的，人子在神的使者面前也必認他；在人面前不認我的，人子在神的使者面前也必不認他。凡說話干犯人子的，還可得赦免；惟獨褻瀆聖靈的，總不得赦免。「人帶你們到會堂，並官府和有權柄的人面前，不要思慮怎麼分訴，說甚麼話，因為正在那時候，聖靈要指教你們當說的話。」」(路加福音 12:8-12)

       最前面基本是說，「信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。」(約翰福音 3:18) 中間是一致的強調說，「所以我告訴你們：人一切的罪和褻瀆的話，都可得赦免；惟獨褻瀆聖靈，總不得赦免。凡說話干犯人子的，還可得赦免；惟獨說話干犯聖靈的，今世、來世總不得赦免。」(馬太福音 12:31-32) 絕對不要明知故犯的褻瀆聖經。最後一段很清楚的說到，聖靈會教導我們如何說話。

3. 當積財寶在天

       「眾人中有一個人對耶穌說：「夫子，請你吩咐我的兄長和我分開家業。」耶穌說：「你這個人！誰立我作你們斷事的官，給你們分家業呢？」於是對眾人說：「你們要謹慎自守，免去一切的貪心，因為人的生命不在乎家道豐富。」就用比喻對他們說：「有一個財主田產豐盛，自己心裏思想說：『我的出產沒有地方收藏，怎麼辦呢？』「又說：『我要這麼辦：要把我的倉房拆了，另蓋更大的，在那裏好收藏我一切的糧食和財物，然後要對我的(靈)魂說：(靈)魂哪，你有許多財物積存，可作多年的費用，只管安安逸逸地吃喝快樂吧！』「神卻對他說：『無知的人哪，今夜必要你的(靈)魂，你所預備的要歸誰呢？』「凡為自己積財，在神面前卻不富足的，也是這樣。」」(路加福音 12:13-21)

       世人有斷事的官，為什麼要找耶穌呢！不要把屬靈的事和屬世的事混為一談。「因為審判教外的人與我何干？教內的人豈不是你們審判的嗎？」(哥林多前書 5:12) 「豈不知聖徒要審判世界嗎？若世界為你們所審，難道你們不配審判這最小的事嗎？豈不知我們要審判天使嗎？何況今生的事呢！」(哥林多前書 6:2-3) 後者講到要謹慎自守，很清楚的用比喻說要積財在天，「不要為自己積攢財寶在地上，地上有蟲子咬，能銹壞，也有賊挖窟窿來偷；只要積攢財寶在天上，天上沒有蟲子咬，不能銹壞，也沒有賊挖窟窿來偷。因為你的財寶在哪裏，你的心也在那裏。」(馬太福音 6:19-21) 請注意，這裏說到為什麼不要積財寶在地上的原因，是因為要我們的心顧念天上的事，我們會因此而生命改變的，價值觀會改變的，生不帶來，死不帶去。有人說亞伯拉罕不是很富有嗎？的確是的，但他不是積財寶在地上，他是有神的祝福。我們不能像成功哲學告訴別人一樣，說只要信耶穌一定成功，這是不真實的，只有神有絕對的主權，我們不能這樣騙人！

       「你們這小羣，不要懼怕，因為你們的父樂意把國賜給你們。你們要變賣所有的賙濟人，為自己預備永不壞的錢囊，用不盡的財寶在天上，就是賊不能近、蟲不能蛀的地方。因為，你們的財寶在哪裏，你們的心也在那裏。」(路加福音 12:32-34) 所以不要「…在這末世只知積攢錢財。」(雅各書 5:3) 基督徒的確是世上的小羣。變賣所有的賙濟人不是按照字面去做，像俄國文豪托爾斯泰般的想要把自己的財產分給窮人，其實杯水車薪也無濟於事，但要由心發出，量力而為。有人做見証說，一位姊妹成為寡婦時，想處理掉手上一大筆的財產，在禱告中，她知道神沒有叫她這麼做，就把這筆財產留下，去支持了許多和福音有關的活動，她留下的財產所能做的，比當時如果處理掉財產能做的事更多！再舉個實際的例子，如果我們在路上遇到衣衫襤褸的人要錢，到底我們是該給或是不該給呢？怎麼確定這人是需要食物或是要買酒喝呢？有人就想出一個可行的方法，請那人去吃一頓飯再決定，至少也儘了力。真的要看我們如何使用地上的財寶，看我們的心如何。亞伯拉罕不是有許多地上的財富嗎？我們要依智慧行事，不是遵行律法。

4. 要先求神的國和神的義

       「耶穌又對門徒說：「所以我告訴你們：不要為生命憂慮吃甚麼，為身體憂慮穿甚麼；因為生命勝於飲食，身體勝於衣裳。你想，烏鴉也不種也不收，又沒有倉又沒有庫，神尚且養活牠。你們比飛鳥是何等地貴重呢！你們哪一個能用思慮使壽數多加一刻呢？這最小的事，你們尚且不能做，為甚麼還憂慮其餘的事呢？「你想，百合花怎麼長起來？它也不勞苦，也不紡線。然而我告訴你們：就是所羅門極榮華的時候，他所穿戴的，還不如這花一朵呢！你們這小信的人哪，野地裏的草今天還在，明天就丟在爐裏，神還給它這樣的妝飾，何況你們呢！你們不要求吃甚麼，喝甚麼，也不要掛心，這都是外邦人所求的。你們必須用這些東西，你們的父是知道的。你們只要求他的國，這些東西就必加給你們了。」」(路加福音 12:22-31)

    不是說吃食物不重要，而要知道我們活著不是單靠食物，更重要的是生命，身體和衣裳的對比也是說到這點。所有的例子都告訴我們不要憂慮，實在是憂慮沒有任何的好處！以百合花為例，假花總是不如真花，大自然是最美好的，即使人看為不起眼的小草，仍有這樣的妝飾，何況人是這麼貴重呢！真的，不要做小信的人，要先求神的國和神的義。天父不是不知道我們需要食物，主禱文不是教導我們求賜給我們今日日用的食糧嗎？但不要如外邦人祈求般的還要掛心，要將一切交給神，知道祂必會供應。讓神坐在寶座上安排一切事情，而不是讓神在禱告中聽我們的，自己想做神，本末倒置，而是要和神同工。

       馬太福音 6:24-34 基本上也說到同樣的事情。「一個人不能事奉兩個主。不是惡這個愛那個，就是重這個輕那個。你們不能又事奉神，又事奉瑪門。…你們哪一個能用思慮使壽數多加一刻呢？…你們需用的這一切東西，你們的天父是知道的。你們要先求他的國和他的義，這些東西都要加給你們了。所以，不要為明天憂慮，因為明天自有明天的憂慮；一天的難處一天當就夠了。」

    真是每天都可能會有不同且不可控制的難處，即然是不能控制的到來，這樣憂慮又能改變什麼呢？只是說來容易做起來難，我們從下面的例子看到的確是可以做到的。信心不是自信，是基於神的話和應許，神會成就我們需用的一切東西。以喬治慕勒(George Miller)為例，在邦妮哈里(Bonnie Harrey)所寫他的傳記中，提到他所創立的孤兒院時，說到有一次吃晚餐前沒有糧食，他沒告訴同工只為這件事禱告，適時就有人捐來食物。我們強調，從這例子也可看到為神的國和神的義求是可以的，衹是不要掛心。而且要知道，在耶穌受試探時，「耶穌卻回答說：「經上記着說：『人活着，不是單靠食物，乃是靠神口裏所出的一切話。』」」(馬太福音 4:4) 所以還是要吃東西，衹是不是單靠食物。 

    舊約說得很清楚， 「你因敵人的緣故，從嬰孩和吃奶的口中建立了能力，使仇敵和報仇的閉口無言。」(詩篇 8:2) ，從摩西建會幕時，就只收甘心情願的奉獻(參出埃及記 25:2)，所以在新約時代更是要甘心情願和神同工的。舉個例子來說，舊約訂了至少要有十一奉獻的律法(參瑪拉基書 3:8)，如果在舊約時代每個人如此心甘情願的遵行，神家不會缺糧。舊約是影子，新約是實體，論到奉獻，在新約時代，受到耶穌稱讚的只有寡婦甘心情願的奉獻兩個小錢(參馬可福音 12:41-44)，沒有祂最恨法利賽人只行律法條文的律法。簡言之，新約的奉獻只是要求要甘心情願，愛主的人會量力而為，主動想要神家不要缺糧，有不少這樣的人會有超過十分之一的奉獻，不是再要遵行舊約的十分之一的律法，因此我不太瞭解為什麼有些教會今日還倡導十分之一的規定。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)  

First of all, the scriptures tell us to fear God and not be afraid of Satan, and use sparrows and hair as examples to talk about God’s mercy and grace.  Second, we saw that the Holy Spirit will teach us how to speak, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit should not be blasphemed.  The third is to store up treasures in heaven, and not to mix up spiritual and worldly matters.  Fourth, faith is not self-confidence. It is based on God’s words and promises. God will accomplish everything we need.  We use examples to illustrate that we need to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. And we must be willing to work together with God.  For example, the offerings in the New Testament era only require willingness, and those who love the Lord will give whatever they could afford, actively wanting that God’s house will not be short of food, and not limiting themselves to giving one-tenth as in the laws of the Old Testament.

1. Do not be afraid of Satan, but fear God

“Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”(Luke 12:1-7)

We have already discussed lights and hidden things, so we will not discuss more.  In short, it is to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees. They can say but can’t do it, and even if they do it, they do it for others to see, not truly from their hearts.  Neither the bad thing nor the good behavior that comes out of life can be hidden.  Let’s now look at the second paragraph regarding ‘I say to you.’ I used to think that the one who kills the body is talking about Satan, so be afraid of Satan. But Satan can only kill the body, and can’t do anything else like killing the soul. Only God can.  Thus, it should be said to fear God. Immediately, it uses the hairs and the sparrow as examples, talking about God’s mercy and grace.

2. The Holy Spirit will teach us how to speak

“And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him. When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”(Luke 12:8-12)

The beginning basically says, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”(John 3:18) In the middle, it is unanimously emphasized, “Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.”(Matthew 12:31-32) Never knowingly blaspheme the Holy Spirit since such a sin cannot be forgiven.  The last paragraph makes it clear that the Holy Spirit will teach us how to speak.

3. Store up treasures in heaven

“Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.””(Luke 12:13-21)

There are judges in the world, why should they look for Jesus!  Do not mix up spiritual things with worldly things.  “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?”(1 Corinthians 5:12) “Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?”(1 Corinthians 6:2-3) Regarding what said to store up treasures in heaven, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”(Matthew 6:19-21) Please note that the reason for not storing up treasures on earth is because we need to keep our minds on the things in heaven. By this way, our lives will be changed and our values too.  No one would say that Abraham was not very rich on earth.  But he was not laying up treasures on earth. He had the blessing of God.  We can’t tell others things like the philosophy of success, saying that as long as you believe in Jesus, you will succeed. This is untrue. Only God has absolute authority. We can’t lie to people like this!

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”(Luke 12:32-34) Christians are indeed a small flock in the world.  “Sell your possessions and give to charity” is not a literal act, like the Russian literary giant Tolstoy who was considering to distribute his property to the poor.  Someone testified that when a sister became a widow, she wanted to dispose of a large amount of wealth in her hands. In prayer, she knew that God did not ask her to do so, so she kept them and use them to support many gospel related activities.  In relation to the activities, the wealth she kept did more than it could have done if it had been disposed of at the time!  To give another practical example, if we meet a ragged person asking for money on the road, should we give it or not?  How do you know if the person needs food or buys alcohol?  Someone came up with a feasible method, invited that person to have a meal before making a decision, at least he tried his best.  It really depends on how we use our earthly treasures and what our hearts are like.  Didn’t Abraham have much earthly riches?  We are to walk in wisdom, not in keeping the law.

4. Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness

“And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”(Luke 12:22-31)

It’s not that having food is not important, but we must know that we live not only by food, but more importantly, life. The comparison between the body and clothes also refers to this point.  All the examples tell us not to worry, there is no good in worrying!  Take lilies as an example. Fake flowers are always inferior to real flowers. Nature is the most beautiful. Even grass that is considered inconspicuous by people still has such decorations, let alone people who are so precious!  Really, don’t be a person of little faith, but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  Our Heavenly Father is not ignorant of our need for food. Doesn’t the Lord’s Prayer teach us to ask for our daily bread?  But don’t worry about it like the Gentiles pray, and give everything to God, knowing that He will provide.  Let God sit on the throne and arrange everything, instead of hoping for God to listen to us in prayer, wanting to be God in a way. That is like putting the cart before the horse. We should work together with God instead.

Matthew 6:24-34 basically says the same thing. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

It is true that there may be different and uncontrollable difficulties every day. Since they are uncontrollable, what can be changed by worrying?  Although it’s easier said than done, we can see from the following example that it can actually be done. Faith is not self-confidence, it is based on God’s words and promises, and God will accomplish everything we need.  Take George Miller as an example. In his biography, written by Bonnie Harrey, when referring to the orphanage he founded, he said that once there was no food left before dinner time, he did not tell his co-workers of the problem, but just prayed for this, and someone donated food in due course.  We emphasize that from this example we can also see that it is okay to ask something for the kingdom of God and His righteousness, but don’t worry about it after praying.  And know that when Jesus was tempted, “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”(Matthew 4:4) So still have to eat, just not by food alone. 

The Old Testament says very clearly, “From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.”(Psalm 8:2) Thus, only the willingly offerings were received. Actually, it was so from the time Moses built the Tabernacle (see Exodus 25:2), so in the New Testament era, you must be to work together with God willingly.  For example, the Old Testament stipulated that at least tithes should be given (see Malachi 3:8). If everyone obeyed so willingly in the Old Testament era, God’s house would not be short of food.  The Old Testament is a shadow, and the New Testament is the reality. When it comes to offerings, in the New Testament era, only the widow who willingly donated two small coins was praised by Jesus (see Mark 12:41-44). Jesus hated the Pharisees the most, who obeyed only the letter of the law.  In short, the offering in the New Testament era is only required to be willing. People who love the Lord will do whatever they could afford, and actively want God’s house not to be short of food. There are many such people who give more than one-tenth in their offering.  The law of tithes in the Old Testament era is not needed to be followed nowadays. So, I don’t quite understand why some churches still advocate tithes today.

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

     我们首先看看约拿所遭遇的神迹，他是在这件事上预表耶稣，我们也看到了神用的是回授策略，看人的反应会相应的行。虽然祂那时已行了许多神迹，但法利赛人和撒都该人不能分辩和不信。第二，我们说到眼睛是身上的灯，眼睛能反应出一个人里面的光景。有了信心的生命自然会有信心的好行为，这好行为是因为信主，自然人会将荣耀归给在天上的父，而坏行为也是隐藏不住的。第三，我看到了法利赛人的一些祸。例如，他们的行为主要是做给别人看的，但他们却没有做该做和不可不做的事，就是公义和爱神的事。圣经警告我们法利赛人的祸很多。其中之一是要防备他们的教训。最后我们提到了律法师的祸，其中包括了从亚伯的血起，直到被杀在坛和殿中间的先知撒迦利亚，都问在这世代的人身上。我们也说明在这里，为什么是指先知撒迦利亚，而不是指在历代志下的撒迦利亚。

1. 约拿的神迹       

     『当众人聚集的时候，耶稣开讲说：「这世代是一个邪恶的世代。他们求看神迹，除了约拿的神迹以外，再没有神迹给他们看。约拿怎样为尼尼微人成了神迹，人子也要照样为这世代的人成了神迹。当审判的时候，南方的女王要起来定这世代的罪，因为她从地极而来，要听所罗门的智慧话。看哪！在这里有一人比所罗门更大。当审判的时候，尼尼微人要起来定这世代的罪，因为尼尼微人听了约拿所传的就悔改了。看哪！在这里有一人比约拿更大。」』(路加福音 11:29-32) 在这里，我们要注意的是、圣经明说耶稣是大过先知约拿的。马太福音 12:40 这样说，『约拿三日三夜在大鱼肚腹中，人子也要这样三日三夜在地里头。』(马太福音 12:40) 所以在这件事上，约拿是预表耶稣的。预表只是说在某一方面像耶稣，不是说在所有的方面。    

     关于显神迹这件事，耶稣那时已行了许多神迹，只是他们不信，不能分辩。马太福音  16:1-4  就说得相当清楚，『法利赛人和撒都该人来试探耶稣，请他从天上显个神迹给他们看。耶稣回答说：「晚上天发红，你们就说，『天必要晴』；早晨天发红，又发黑，你们就说，『今日必有风雨』。你们知道分辩天上的气色，倒不能分辩这时候的神迹。一个邪恶淫乱的世代求神迹，除了约拿的神迹以外，再没有神迹给他看。」耶稣就离开他们去了。』所以耶稣行神迹都有定时，有目的，不是应观众要求的。    

     这些记载在马太福音 12:38-42 中基本上是相同的，只是指出了『当时，有几个文士和法利赛人对耶稣说：「夫子，我们愿意你显个神迹给我们看。」』(马太福音 12:38) 约拿的神迹是记在约拿记，大约是这样：『耶和华的话临到亚米太的儿子约拿，说：「你起来往尼尼微大城去，向其中的居民呼喊，因为他们的恶达到我面前。」约拿却起来逃往他施去躲避耶和华。…然而耶和华使海中起大风，海就狂风大作，甚至船几乎破坏。』(约拿书 1:1-4) 所以约拿是非常不想做这事情，往反方向走去躲避。最后是同船的人应约拿的要求，『…遂将约拿抬起，抛在海中，海的狂浪就平息了。』(约拿书 1:15) 然后『耶和华安排一条大鱼吞了约拿，他在鱼腹中三日三夜。』(约拿书 1:17) 他在鱼肚中知罪了，且悔改祷告，『耶和华吩咐鱼，鱼就把约拿吐在旱地上。』(约拿书 2:10) 我们看到尼尼微人听了约拿所传的就悔改了，于是有怜悯有恩典的神，就没有在这外邦的城降灾。这就像祂对以色列的选民一样，『义人转离他的义而作罪孽，就必因此死亡。恶人转离他的恶，行正直与合理的事，就必因此存活。』(以西结书 33:18-19) 主的道是很公平的，是一致的，我们看到祂用的是回授策略，会随著人的反应不同而有不同的作为。我们举一个关于回授策略的简单例子，这就如开车一样，我们用眼睛看我们是否偏离了道路，我们如果没有偏离，继续前进，如果偏离了，就可以用方向盘，控制方向盘而回到该走的路上，这是回授。

2. 眼睛是身上的灯       

     『没有人点灯放在地窨子里或是斗底下，总是放在灯台上，使进来的人得见亮光。你眼睛就是身上的灯。你的眼睛若了亮，全身就光明；眼睛若昏花，全身就黑暗。所以，你要省察，恐怕你里头的光或者黑暗了。若是你全身光明，毫无黑暗，就必全然光明，如同灯的明光照亮你。』(路加福音 11:33-36)       

     马太福音 6:22-23 也说到眼睛就是身上的灯，如果你里头的光若黑暗了，那黑暗是何等大呢！眼睛反应出一个人里面的光景。我们看到经文说得很清楚，『你们是世上的光。城造在山上，是不能隐藏的。人点灯，不放在斗底下，是放在灯台上，就照亮一家的人。你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父。』(马太福音 5:14-16) 这不是指基督徒自以为有好行为而故意显给别人看，而是有著信心的生命会自然有信心的好行为流露出来，这好行为是因为信主，看到了自然将荣耀归给在天上的父。     

     在马可福音 4:21-22，『耶稣又对他们说：「人拿灯来，岂是要放在斗底下，床底下，不放在灯台上吗？因为掩藏的事，没有不显出来的；隐瞒的事，没有不露出来的。』这和路加福音 8:16-18 讲得是一致的，『没有人点灯用器皿盖上，或放在床底下，乃是放在灯台上，叫进来的人看见亮光。因为掩藏的事没有不显出来的；隐瞒的事没有不露出来被人知道的。所以，你们应当小心怎样听。因为凡有的，还要加给他；凡没有的，连他自以为有的，也要夺去。』(路加福音 8:16-18) 信心的好行为是藏不住的，坏行为也是隐藏不住的。在这里，我们也看到了一个天国作事一致的原则，因为在马太福音 13:11-12， 『耶稣回答说：「因为天国的奥秘，只叫你们知道，不叫他们知道。凡有的，还要加给他，叫他有余；凡没有的，连他所有的也要夺去。」』   

3. 法利赛人的祸       

     『说话的时候，有一个法利赛人请耶稣同他吃饭，耶稣就进去坐席。这法利赛人看见耶稣饭前不洗手便诧异。主对他说：「如今你们法利赛人洗净杯盘的外面，你们里面却满了勒索和邪恶。无知的人哪，造外面的，不也造里面吗？只要把里面的施舍(alms or a benefaction, G1654)给人，凡物于你们就都洁净了。「你们法利赛人有祸了！因为你们将薄荷、芸香并各样菜蔬献上十分之一，那公义和爱神的事反倒不行了。这原是你们当行的，那也是不可不行的。「你们法利赛人有祸了！因为你们喜爱会堂里的首位，又喜爱人在街市上问你们的安。「你们有祸了！因为你们如同不显露的坟墓，走在上面的人并不知道。」』(路加福音 11:37-44)      

     首先我们看到了施舍这字，在英文和原文都很清楚的说是为别人的益处而舍的。也清楚的说法利赛人的行为是守律法而做给人看的，背后做什么犹如不显露的坟墓般，是别人看不到的，反而是该做且不可不行的公义和爱神的事不行了。所以耶稣会说，『我告诉你们：你们的义若不胜于文士和法利赛人的义，断不能进天国。』(马太福音 5:20) 圣经讲法利赛人的祸很多，很清楚在这些经文中说要防备他们的教训，『门徒渡到那边去，忘了带饼。耶稣对他们说：「你们要谨慎，防备法利赛人和撒都该人的酵。」门徒彼此议论说：「这是因为我们没有带饼吧！」耶稣看出来，就说：「你们这小信的人，为甚么因为没有饼彼此议论呢？你们还不明白吗？不记得那五个饼分给五千人，又收拾了多少篮子的零碎吗？也不记得那七个饼分给四千人，又收拾了多少筐子的零碎吗？我对你们说：『要防备法利赛人和撒都该人的酵』，这话不是指著饼说的，你们怎么不明白呢？」门徒这才晓得他说的，不是叫他们防备饼的酵，乃是防备法利赛人和撒都该人的教训。』(马太福音 16:5-12)

4. 律法师的祸        

     『律法师中有一个回答耶稣说：「夫子，你这样说也把我们糟蹋了！」耶稣说：「你们律法师也有祸了！因为你们把难担的担子放在人身上，自己一个指头却不肯动。「你们有祸了！因为你们修造先知的坟墓，那先知正是你们的祖宗所杀的。可见你们祖宗所做的事，你们又证明又喜欢，因为他们杀了先知，你们修造先知的坟墓。所以神用智慧曾说：『我要差遣先知和使徒到他们那里去，有的他们要杀害，有的他们要逼迫』，使创世以来所流众先知血的罪，都要问在这世代的人身上，就是从亚伯的血起，直到被杀在坛和殿中间撒迦利亚的血为止。我实在告诉你们：这都要问在这世代的人身上。「你们律法师有祸了！因为你们把知识的钥匙夺了去，自己不进去，正要进去的人你们也阻挡他们。」耶稣从那里出来，文士和法利赛人就极力地催逼他，引动他多说话，私下窥听，要拿他的话柄。』(路加福音 11:45-54)    

     我们看到律法师的不服，但这些经文说到他们的问题很清楚。关于流众先知血的罪，在马太福音 23:35 说，『叫世上所流义人的血，都归到你们身上，从义人亚伯的血起，直到你们在殿和坛中间所杀的巴拉加的儿子(son of Berechiah)撒迦利亚的血为止。』(马太福音 23:35) 再看看撒迦利亚书 1:1，『大利乌王第二年八月，耶和华的话临到易多的孙子比利家的儿子(son of Berechiah) 先知撒迦利亚说：』(撒迦利亚书 1:1) 虽然中文的名字翻译不一样，但比较英文，就知道是指同一个人。也知道了不是在说历代志下 24:20-21 所说的撒迦利亚，『那时，神的灵感动祭司耶何耶大的儿子撒迦利亚，他就站在上面对民说：「神如此说：『你们为何干犯耶和华的诫命，以致不得亨通呢？因为你们离弃耶和华，所以他也离弃你们。』」众民同心谋害撒迦利亚，就照王的吩咐，在耶和华殿的院内，用石头打死他。』最后一段，他们以为言多必失，但耶稣不会这样，因为耶稣的生命，是以神的智慧说话行事。 

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)

    我們首先看看約拿所遭遇的神蹟，他是在這件事上預表耶穌，我們也看到了神用的是回授策略，看人的反應會相應的行。雖然祂那時已行了許多神蹟，但法利賽人和撒都該人不能分辨和不信。第二，我們說到眼睛是身上的燈，眼睛能反應出一個人裏面的光景。有了信心的生命自然會有信心的好行為，這好行為是因為信主，自然人會將榮耀歸給在天上的父，而壞行為也是隱藏不住的。第三，我看到了法利賽人的一些禍。例如，他們的行為主要是做給別人看的，但他們卻沒有做該做和不可不做的事，就是公義和愛神的事。聖經警告我們法利賽人的禍很多。其中之一是要防備他們的教訓。最後我們提到了律法師的禍，其中包括了從亞伯的血起，直到被殺在壇和殿中間的先知撒迦利亞，都問在這世代的人身上。我們也說明在這裏，為什麼是指先知撒迦利亞，而不是指在歷代志下的撒迦利亞。

1. 約拿的神蹟

       『當眾人聚集的時候，耶穌開講說：「這世代是一個邪惡的世代。他們求看神蹟，除了約拿的神蹟以外，再沒有神蹟給他們看。約拿怎樣為尼尼微人成了神蹟，人子也要照樣為這世代的人成了神蹟。當審判的時候，南方的女王要起來定這世代的罪，因為她從地極而來，要聽所羅門的智慧話。看哪！在這裏有一人比所羅門更大。當審判的時候，尼尼微人要起來定這世代的罪，因為尼尼微人聽了約拿所傳的就悔改了。看哪！在這裏有一人比約拿更大。」』(路加福音 11:29-32) 在這裏，我們要注意的是、聖經明說耶穌是大過先知約拿的。馬太福音 12:40 這樣說，『約拿三日三夜在大魚肚腹中，人子也要這樣三日三夜在地裏頭。』(馬太福音 12:40) 所以在這件事上，約拿是預表耶穌的。預表只是說在某一方面像耶穌，不是說在所有的方面。

    關於顯神蹟這件事，耶穌那時已行了許多神蹟，只是他們不信，不能分辨。馬太福音  16:1-4  就說得相當清楚，『法利賽人和撒都該人來試探耶穌，請他從天上顯個神蹟給他們看。耶穌回答說：「晚上天發紅，你們就說，『天必要晴』；早晨天發紅，又發黑，你們就說，『今日必有風雨』。你們知道分辨天上的氣色，倒不能分辨這時候的神蹟。一個邪惡淫亂的世代求神蹟，除了約拿的神蹟以外，再沒有神蹟給他看。」耶穌就離開他們去了。』所以耶穌行神蹟都有定時，有目的，不是應觀眾要求的。

    這些記載在馬太福音 12:38-42 中基本上是相同的，只是指出了『當時，有幾個文士和法利賽人對耶穌說：「夫子，我們願意你顯個神蹟給我們看。」』(馬太福音 12:38) 約拿的神蹟是記在約拿記，大約是這樣：『耶和華的話臨到亞米太的兒子約拿，說：「你起來往尼尼微大城去，向其中的居民呼喊，因為他們的惡達到我面前。」約拿卻起來逃往他施去躲避耶和華。…然而耶和華使海中起大風，海就狂風大作，甚至船幾乎破壞。』(約拿書 1:1-4) 所以約拿是非常不想做這事情，往反方向走去躲避。最後是同船的人應約拿的要求，『…遂將約拿抬起，拋在海中，海的狂浪就平息了。』(約拿書 1:15) 然後『耶和華安排一條大魚吞了約拿，他在魚腹中三日三夜。』(約拿書 1:17) 他在魚肚中知罪了，且悔改禱告，『耶和華吩咐魚，魚就把約拿吐在旱地上。』(約拿書 2:10) 我們看到尼尼微人聽了約拿所傳的就悔改了，於是有憐憫有恩典的神，就沒有在這外邦的城降災。這就像祂對以色列的選民一樣，『義人轉離他的義而作罪孽，就必因此死亡。惡人轉離他的惡，行正直與合理的事，就必因此存活。』(以西結書 33:18-19) 主的道是很公平的，是一致的，我們看到祂用的是回授策略，會隨著人的反應不同而有不同的作為。我們舉一個關於回授策略的簡單例子，這就如開車一樣，我們用眼睛看我們是否偏離了道路，我們如果沒有偏離，繼續前進，如果偏離了，就可以用方向盤，控制方向盤而回到該走的路上，這是回授。

2. 眼睛是身上的燈

       『沒有人點燈放在地窨子裏或是斗底下，總是放在燈台上，使進來的人得見亮光。你眼睛就是身上的燈。你的眼睛若瞭亮，全身就光明；眼睛若昏花，全身就黑暗。所以，你要省察，恐怕你裏頭的光或者黑暗了。若是你全身光明，毫無黑暗，就必全然光明，如同燈的明光照亮你。』(路加福音 11:33-36)

       馬太福音 6:22-23 也說到眼睛就是身上的燈，如果你裏頭的光若黑暗了，那黑暗是何等大呢！眼睛反應出一個人裏面的光景。我們看到經文說得很清楚，『你們是世上的光。城造在山上，是不能隱藏的。人點燈，不放在斗底下，是放在燈台上，就照亮一家的人。你們的光也當這樣照在人前，叫他們看見你們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父。』(馬太福音 5:14-16) 這不是指基督徒自以為有好行為而故意顯給別人看，而是有著信心的生命會自然有信心的好行為流露出來，這好行為是因為信主，看到了自然將榮耀歸給在天上的父。

     在馬可福音 4:21-22，『耶穌又對他們說：「人拿燈來，豈是要放在斗底下，牀底下，不放在燈台上嗎？因為掩藏的事，沒有不顯出來的；隱瞞的事，沒有不露出來的。』這和路加福音 8:16-18 講得是一致的，『沒有人點燈用器皿蓋上，或放在牀底下，乃是放在燈台上，叫進來的人看見亮光。因為掩藏的事沒有不顯出來的；隱瞞的事沒有不露出來被人知道的。所以，你們應當小心怎樣聽。因為凡有的，還要加給他；凡沒有的，連他自以為有的，也要奪去。』(路加福音 8:16-18) 信心的好行為是藏不住的，壞行為也是隱藏不住的。在這裏，我們也看到了一個天國作事一致的原則，因為在馬太福音 13:11-12， 『耶穌回答說：「因為天國的奧秘，只叫你們知道，不叫他們知道。凡有的，還要加給他，叫他有餘；凡沒有的，連他所有的也要奪去。」』

3. 法利賽人的禍

       『說話的時候，有一個法利賽人請耶穌同他吃飯，耶穌就進去坐席。這法利賽人看見耶穌飯前不洗手便詫異。主對他說：「如今你們法利賽人洗淨杯盤的外面，你們裏面卻滿了勒索和邪惡。無知的人哪，造外面的，不也造裏面嗎？只要把裏面的施捨(alms or a benefaction, G1654)給人，凡物於你們就都潔淨了。「你們法利賽人有禍了！因為你們將薄荷、芸香並各樣菜蔬獻上十分之一，那公義和愛神的事反倒不行了。這原是你們當行的，那也是不可不行的。「你們法利賽人有禍了！因為你們喜愛會堂裏的首位，又喜愛人在街市上問你們的安。「你們有禍了！因為你們如同不顯露的墳墓，走在上面的人並不知道。」』(路加福音 11:37-44)

      首先我們看到了施捨這字，在英文和原文都很清楚的說是為別人的益處而捨的。也清楚的說法利賽人的行為是守律法而做給人看的，背後做什麼猶如不顯露的墳墓般，是別人看不到的，反而是該做且不可不行的公義和愛神的事不行了。所以耶穌會說，『我告訴你們：你們的義若不勝於文士和法利賽人的義，斷不能進天國。』(馬太福音 5:20) 聖經講法利賽人的禍很多，很清楚在這些經文中說要防備他們的教訓，『門徒渡到那邊去，忘了帶餅。耶穌對他們說：「你們要謹慎，防備法利賽人和撒都該人的酵。」門徒彼此議論說：「這是因為我們沒有帶餅吧！」耶穌看出來，就說：「你們這小信的人，為甚麼因為沒有餅彼此議論呢？你們還不明白嗎？不記得那五個餅分給五千人，又收拾了多少籃子的零碎嗎？也不記得那七個餅分給四千人，又收拾了多少筐子的零碎嗎？我對你們說：『要防備法利賽人和撒都該人的酵』，這話不是指着餅說的，你們怎麼不明白呢？」門徒這才曉得他說的，不是叫他們防備餅的酵，乃是防備法利賽人和撒都該人的教訓。』(馬太福音 16:5-12)

4. 律法師的禍

        『律法師中有一個回答耶穌說：「夫子，你這樣說也把我們糟蹋了！」耶穌說：「你們律法師也有禍了！因為你們把難擔的擔子放在人身上，自己一個指頭卻不肯動。「你們有禍了！因為你們修造先知的墳墓，那先知正是你們的祖宗所殺的。可見你們祖宗所做的事，你們又證明又喜歡，因為他們殺了先知，你們修造先知的墳墓。所以神用智慧曾說：『我要差遣先知和使徒到他們那裏去，有的他們要殺害，有的他們要逼迫』，使創世以來所流眾先知血的罪，都要問在這世代的人身上，就是從亞伯的血起，直到被殺在壇和殿中間撒迦利亞的血為止。我實在告訴你們：這都要問在這世代的人身上。「你們律法師有禍了！因為你們把知識的鑰匙奪了去，自己不進去，正要進去的人你們也阻擋他們。」耶穌從那裏出來，文士和法利賽人就極力地催逼他，引動他多說話，私下窺聽，要拿他的話柄。』(路加福音 11:45-54)

    我們看到律法師的不服，但這些經文說到他們的問題很清楚。關於流衆先知血的罪，在馬太福音 23:35 說，『叫世上所流義人的血，都歸到你們身上，從義人亞伯的血起，直到你們在殿和壇中間所殺的巴拉加的兒子(son of Berechiah)撒迦利亞的血為止。』(馬太福音 23:35) 再看看撒迦利亞書 1:1，『大利烏王第二年八月，耶和華的話臨到易多的孫子比利家的兒子(son of Berechiah) 先知撒迦利亞說：』(撒迦利亞書 1:1) 雖然中文的名字翻譯不一樣，但比較英文，就知道是指同一個人。也知道了不是在說歷代志下 24:20-21 所說的撒迦利亞，『那時，神的靈感動祭司耶何耶大的兒子撒迦利亞，他就站在上面對民說：「神如此說：『你們為何干犯耶和華的誡命，以致不得亨通呢？因為你們離棄耶和華，所以他也離棄你們。』」眾民同心謀害撒迦利亞，就照王的吩咐，在耶和華殿的院內，用石頭打死他。』最後一段，他們以為言多必失，但耶穌不會這樣，因為耶穌的生命，是以神的智慧說話行事。 

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)  

Let’s first look at the miracle that Jonah encountered, who was similar to Jesus in this matter. We also saw that God used the feedback strategy, whose response will be according to people’s reactions accordingly.  Although He had performed many miracles at that time, the Pharisees and Sadducees could not discern and did not believe.  Second, we said that the eyes are the lamps of the body, and that the eyes can reflect the inner condition of a person.  A life with faith will naturally have good deeds from faith. Such good deeds are due to believing in the Lord, and naturally people will give glory to the Father in heaven, and bad deeds cannot be hidden as well.  Thirdly, we see some woes to the Pharisees. For example, their behavior was mainly for others to see. But they didn’t do what must be done, which was the things of the righteousness and love for God. The Bible tells of many warnings about the Pharisees, one of which is to beware of their teachings.  Finally, we also mention the woes to the lawyers. Among them include all the blood shed by Abel to the prophet Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the temple. All of which shall be charged against this generation. We also mention the reason why the other Zachariah was not the one talking about here.

1. The miracle of Jonah

“As the crowds were increasing, He began to say, “This generation is a wicked generation; it seeks for a sign, and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation at the judgment and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”(Luke 11:29-32) Here, we must pay attention to the fact that the Bible clearly states that Jesus is greater than the prophet Jonah.  In Matthew 12:40, it says, “for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” So in this matter, Jonah is a type of Jesus.  A type only means being like Jesus in a certain way, not in all aspects.

Regarding the matter of performing miracles, Jesus had performed many miracles at that time, but the people did not believe and could not discern them.  Matthew 16:1-4 puts it quite clearly, “The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away.”  Therefore, Jesus performed miracles at a fixed time and with a purpose, not at the request of the audience.

These records are basically the same in Matthew 12:38-42, except that “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.””(Matthew 12:38) The miracle of Jonah is recorded in the book of Jonah, and it goes something like this: “The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, …The Lord hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break up.”(Jonah 1:1-4) So Jonah didn’t want to do this very much, so he walked in the opposite direction to avoid it.  In the end, the shipmates responded to Jonah’s request, “So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging.”(Jonah 1:15) Then “And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.”(Jonah 1:1) He was convicted in the belly of the fish, and he repented and prayed, “Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land.”(Jonah 2:10) We saw that the people of Nineveh repented after hearing what Jonah preached, so God, who is merciful and gracious, did not bring disaster on this foreign city.  It is the same as he did to the elect, the Israelites, “When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, then he shall die in it. But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and practices justice and righteousness, he will live by them.”(Ezekiel 33:18-19) The way of the Lord is very fair and consistent. We see that He uses a feedback strategy, which will act differently according to people’s reactions.  Let’s give a simple example about the feedback strategy. This is like driving a car. We use our eyes to see if we have deviated from the road. If we do not deviate, we continue to move forward.  If we deviate, we use the driving wheel to correct the direction so that the car will drive on the road in the right direction. This is the so-called feedback.

2. The eyes are the lamps of the body

“No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness. If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays.”(Luke 11:33-36)

Matthew 6:22-23 also says that the eyes are the lamp of the body. If the light within you is darkened, how great is the darkness!  The eyes reflect the inner condition of a person.  We see that the scriptures make it very clear, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 5:14-16) This does not mean that Christians think they have good deeds and deliberately show them to others, but a life with faith will naturally reveal good deeds of faith.  People see that the good behaviors come from faith, and will naturally give glory to the Father in heaven.

In Mark 4:21-22, “And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.” This is consistent with Luke 8:16-18, “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” Good works of faith cannot be hidden, and bad works cannot be hidden too. Here we also see one consistent principle in heaven because in Matthew 13:11-12, “Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”

3. Woe to the Pharisees

“Now when He had spoken, a Pharisee asked Him to have lunch with him; and He went in, and reclined at the table. When the Pharisee saw it, he was surprised that He had not first ceremonially washed before the meal. But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness. You foolish ones, did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But give that which is within as charity (alms or a benefaction, G1654), and then all things are clean for you. “But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and the respectful greetings in the market places.”(Luke 11:37-43)

First of all, we saw the word charity. It is very clear in the original text that it is for the benefit of others.  It is also clearly stated that the behavior of the Pharisees is to obey the law and to be seen by others. What they do behind their backs is like a hidden tomb, which cannot be seen by others. Instead, it is righteousness and love for God that should be done and must be done.  So Jesus would say, “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”(Matthew 5:20) The Bible tells of many woes to the Pharisees, and it is very clear that in these verses it is said to beware of their teachings, “And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring any bread.” But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up? Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up? How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”(Matthew 16:5-12)

4. Woe to the lawyers

“One of the lawyers said to Him in reply, “Teacher, when You say this, You insult us too.” But He said, “Woe to you lawyers as well! For you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and it was your fathers who killed them. So you are witnesses and approve the deeds of your fathers; because it was they who killed them, and you build their tombs. For this reason also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute, so that the blood of all the prophets, shed since the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation.’ Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering.” When He left there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile and to question Him closely on many subjects, plotting against Him to catch Him in something He might say.”(Luke 11:45-54)

We see the dissatisfaction of the teachers of the law, but these verses are clear about their problems.  Regarding the sin of shedding the blood of the prophets, in Matthew 23:35 it says, “so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.”(Matthew 23:35) Look too at Zechariah 1:1, “In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo saying,”(Zechariah 1:1) If you compare them, you know that they refer to the same person.  We also know that here isn’t talking about the Zechariah mentioned in 2 Chronicles 24:20-21, “Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people and said to them, “Thus God has said, ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord and do not prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He has also forsaken you.’” So they conspired against him and at the command of the king they stoned him to death in the court of the house of the Lord.”(2 Chronicles 24:20-21) In the last paragraph, they thought that too much talk would lead to loss, but Jesus would not do this, because the life of Jesus spoke and acted according to the wisdom of God.

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

     我们首先谈到马利亚选择了那上好的福份，听耶稣讲话，也提到了马大的信心。我们看到了拉撒路复活的过程，虽然他在圣经中没讲过一句话，但我们看到了他是活生生见证和他的影响。第二，我们以前详细讨论过主祷文，所以可以参考过去的讨论，这里只是强调宽恕的重要，和今日的粮是指属灵和属世的粮食两者，不只是为食物谢饭而已。第三，经文说我们求圣灵一定会得著，并圣经教导我们应有的态度，只是没有说时间，神有绝对的主权决定是何时。最后我们看看耶稣行了一个赶鬼的神迹，彰显了神的国降临。我们也看到神的能力绝对大过撒但。不要以为鬼被赶出来一切都好了，一定要留在基督里，才能永远的逐出污鬼。

1. 马大和马利亚及拉撒路的复活    

     『他们走路的时候，耶稣进了一个村庄。有一个女人，名叫马大，接他到自己家里。她有一个妹子，名叫马利亚，在耶稣脚前坐著听他的道。马大伺候的事多，心里忙乱，就进前来说：「主啊，我的妹子留下我一个人伺候，你不在意吗？请吩咐她来帮助我。」耶稣回答说：「马大！马大！你为许多的事思虑烦扰，但是不可少的只有一件，马利亚已经选择那上好的福分，是不能夺去的。」』(路加福音 10:38-42) 的确，伯大尼的马利亚选择了那不可缺少的上好福份，神的话。但总要有人事奉，马大选择了事奉，只是该分些心思在上好的福份上，不要只为世俗的事情烦恼。教会两者都不可或缺，如果没人事奉教会就不会存在。如果只有事奉而没有行出神的话，就会如老底嘉的教会一样，把主耶稣关在门外而不自知。    

     假如只能有一个选择的情况下，生命比事奉重要，但两者不可或缺，就像『撒母耳说：「耶和华喜悦燔祭和平安祭，岂如喜悦人听从他的话呢？听命胜于献祭，顺从胜于公羊的脂油。」』(撒母耳记上 15:22) 不是说内心的献祭不重要，只是强调要听命，因为罪就是由亚当的不顺服进入了这世界。 (参罗马书 5:12) 即使是新约时代，仍要『…将身体献上，当作活祭，是圣洁的，是神所喜悦的；你们如此事奉，乃是理所当然的。』(罗马书 12:1) 有了生命，自然会想事奉。这就像有了信心，才会有和信心相称的行为，不要本末倒置。『只是你们要行道，不要单单听道，自己欺哄自己。因为听道而不行道的，就像人对著镜子看自己本来的面目，看见，走后，随即忘了他的相貌如何。』(雅各书 1:22-24)    

     拉撒路复活这件事是从他患病开始，『有一个患病的人，名叫拉撒路，住在伯大尼，就是马利亚和她姐姐马大的村庄。这马利亚就是那用香膏抹主，又用头发擦他脚的，患病的拉撒路是她的兄弟。』(约翰福音 11:1-2) 『耶稣素来爱马大和她妹子并拉撒路，听见拉撒路病了，就在所居之地仍住了两天。』(约翰福音 11:5-6) 祂爱拉撒路，但祂的反应和一般人很不相同。一般人会在拉撒路死前赶到，但祂反而多留了两天，所以耶稣是要众人真正知道，拉撒路是真正的死了以后，才行神迹。     

     从这件事上我们来看看马大的信心， 『马大听见耶稣来了，就出去迎接他；马利亚却仍然坐在家里。马大对耶稣说：「主啊，你若早在这里，我兄弟必不死！就是现在，我也知道，你无论向神求甚么，神也必赐给你。」耶稣说：「你兄弟必然复活。」马大说：「我知道在末日复活的时候，他必复活。」耶稣对她说：「复活在我，生命也在我！信我的人，虽然死了，也必复活。凡活著信我的人必永远不死。你信这话吗？」马大说：「主啊，是的，我信你是基督，是神的儿子，就是那要临到世界的。」』(约翰福音 11:20-27) 我们看到马大的信心是在未来，没有想到拉撒路今日就可复活。    

     『马大说了这话，就回去暗暗地叫她妹子马利亚说：「夫子来了，叫你。」马利亚听见了，就急忙起来，到耶稣那里去。那时，耶稣还没有进村子，仍在马大迎接他的地方。那些同马利亚在家里安慰她的犹太人，见她急忙起来出去，就跟著她，以为她要往坟墓那里去哭。马利亚到了耶稣那里，看见他，就俯伏在他脚前，说：「主啊，你若早在这里，我兄弟必不死。」耶稣看见她哭，并看见与她同来的犹太人也哭，就心里悲叹，又甚忧愁，便说：「你们把他安放在哪里？」 他们回答说：「请主来看。」』(约翰福音 11:28-34)    

     我们来看看拉撒路复活的过程，『耶稣哭了。犹太人就说：「你看他爱这人是何等恳切。」其中有人说：「他既然开了瞎子的眼睛，岂不能叫这人不死吗？」耶稣又心里悲叹，来到坟墓前。那坟墓是个洞，有一块石头挡著。耶稣说：「你们把石头挪开！」 那死人的姐姐马大对他说：「主啊，他现在必是臭了，因为他死了已经四天了。」耶稣说：「我不是对你说过，你若信，就必看见神的荣耀吗？」他们就把石头挪开。耶稣举目望天说：「父啊，我感谢你，因为你已经听我；我也知道你常听我。但我说这话，是为周围站著的众人，叫他们信是你差了我来。」说了这话，就大声呼叫说：「拉撒路出来！」那死人就出来了，手脚裹著布，脸上包著手巾。 耶稣对他们说：「解开，叫他走！」那些来看马利亚的犹太人，见了耶稣所做的事，就多有信他的。』(约翰福音 11:35-45)    

     我们看到耶稣说这话是为周围站著的众人，这和父神有时会做的事相同。例如，约翰福音 12:28-30 说：『…当时就有声音从天上来说：「我已经荣耀了我的名，还要再荣耀。」…耶稣说：「这声音不是为我，是为你们来的。」』(约翰福音 12:28-30)    我们不知道耶稣为什么悲叹又忧愁以致于哭了，因为圣经没有明说。有人认为祂是因为见到人的结局都是一死，这是相当合理的猜测。也有人认为祂是取了人的样式是完全的人，人有感情，因而看见所爱的人死去会哭，但这会有逻辑的问题，因为经文明说：『…父啊，我感谢你，因为你已经听我；我也知道你常听我。但我说这话，是为周围站著的众人，叫他们信是你差了我来。』(约翰福音 11:41-42) 所以祂预先就知道拉撒路会复活，跟本不会死。众人也的确是看到了神的荣耀，因为拉撒路从死了已经四天中复活了。    

     『逾越节前六日，耶稣来到伯大尼，就是他叫拉撒路从死里复活之处。有人在那里给耶稣预备筵席，马大伺候，拉撒路也在那同耶稣坐席的人中。马利亚就拿著一斤极贵的真哪哒香膏抹耶稣的脚，又用自己头发去擦，屋里就满了膏的香气。』(约翰福音 12:1-3) 『有许多犹太人知道耶稣在那里，就来了，不但是为耶稣的缘故，也是要看他从死里所复活的拉撒路。但祭司长商议连拉撒路也要杀了，因有好些犹太人为拉撒路的缘故，回去信了耶稣。』(约翰福音 12:9-11)    

     拉撒路在圣经里面一句话都没有说，但有许多人因他信了主，他不需要说话，他本身的生命就是见证。我们刚才说到，教会生命和事奉都是不可或缺的，自己不能以身作则，只说不练是没有用的。在教会中，生命是不可少的。不要让世界进入教会，虽说教会和世界不同，至少在教会中应都是信主的，而一次得救就永远得救，就如哥林多前书 3:15 所说，『人的工程若被烧了，他就要受亏损，自己却要得救；虽然得救，乃像从火里经过的一样。』非基徒的名字都不在生命册上，如果我们看到启示录起初都照著次序写，而相信整本启示录都是照著次序写，而那时『若有人名字没记在生命册上，他就被扔在火湖里。』(启示录 20:15) 当新天新地时，新耶路撒冷从天而降，这时城外的可能是曾经信过的，这就说明了为什么『务要谨守、警醒，因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前书 5:8) 所以『城外有那些犬类、行邪术的、淫乱的、杀人的、拜偶像的，并一切喜好说谎言编造虚谎的。』(启示录 22:15) 这些都是被撒但引诱而堕落的基督徒。『那些洗净自己衣服的有福了！可得权柄能到生命树那里，也能从门进城。』(启示录 22:15) 我们要做那能进城的。

2. 主祷文    

    『耶稣在一个地方祷告。祷告完了，有个门徒对他说：「求主教导我们祷告，像约翰教导他的门徒。」耶稣说：「你们祷告的时候，要说：『我们在天上的父：愿人都尊你的名为圣。愿你的国降临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。我们日用的饮食，天天赐给我们。赦免我们的罪，因为我们也赦免凡亏欠我们的人。不叫我们遇见试探，救我们脱离凶恶。』」』(路加福音 11:1-4)    

     主祷文在马太福音是这样说，『所以，你们祷告要这样说：『我们在天上的父，愿人都尊你的名为圣。愿你的国降临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。我们日用的饮食，今日赐给我们。免我们的债，如同我们免了人的债。不叫我们遇见试探，救我们脱离凶恶。因为国度、权柄、荣耀，全是你的，直到永远。阿们！』你们饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必饶恕你们的过犯；你们不饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必不饶恕你们的过犯。』(马太福音 6:9-15)    

     我们以前曾讨论过主祷文 [1]，在这里我们就不多说。我们要强调是饶恕的重要，其实如果真能饶恕别人，对自己而言是卸下了一个重担。而日用的饮食是指属灵的粮食和一般属世的粮食两者，因耶稣说得很清楚，『…经上记著说：『人活著，不是单靠食物，乃是靠神口里所出的一切话。』』(马太福音 4:4, 路加福音 4:4) 我们的确需要食物，没有食物，我们会饿死，我们还需要神口里所出的一切话。最后要提的是要奉主耶稣基督的名，因『你们奉我的名无论求甚么，我必成就，叫父因儿子得荣耀。你们若奉我的名求甚么，我必成就。』(约翰福音 14:13-14) 这不是给我们一张空白的支票，可以随便填，那究竟是什么意思呢？看上下文就知道，当我们和主在某件事上合一时，我们所求的就是主所愿的，祂有绝对的主权，怎么会不成就呢？

3. 求圣灵则得之    

     『耶稣又说：「你们中间谁有一个朋友半夜到他那里去，说：『朋友，请借给我三个饼。因为我有一个朋友行路，来到我这里，我没有甚么给他摆上。』「那人在里面回答说：『不要搅扰我，门已经关闭，孩子们也同我在床上了，我不能起来给你。』我告诉你们：虽不因他是朋友起来给他，但因他情词迫切地直求(persistence, NASB; importunity G335, KJV)，就必起来照他所需用的给他。「我又告诉你们：你们祈求，就给你们；寻找，就寻见；叩门，就给你们开门。因为，凡祈求的，就得著；寻找的，就寻见；叩门的，就给他开门。「你们中间作父亲的，谁有儿子求饼，反给他石头呢？求鱼，反拿蛇当鱼给他呢？求鸡蛋，反给他蝎子呢？你们虽然不好，尚且知道拿好东西给儿女，何况天父，岂不更将圣灵给求他的人吗？」』(路加福音 11:5-13) 我们可以很清楚的看见这是指求圣灵一定会得著而说，且告诉了我们求的时候应有的态度。请注意，这里是说我们一定得著，但没有说何时得著，在这点上，祂有绝对的主权。    

     在马太福音所记载类似，只是没有清楚的指出是要求得著圣灵，加上了清楚的说到律法和先知的道理。以下是其所讲的，『你们祈求，就给你们；寻找，就寻见；叩门，就给你们开门。因为凡祈求的，就得著；寻找的，就寻见；叩门的，就给他开门。「你们中间谁有儿子求饼，反给他石头呢？求鱼，反给他蛇呢？你们虽然不好，尚且知道拿好东西给儿女，何况你们在天上的父，岂不更把好东西给求他的人吗？所以，无论何事，你们愿意人怎样待你们，你们也要怎样待人，因为这就是律法和先知的道理。』(马太福音 7:7-12)

4. 神的国降临的彰显        

     『耶稣赶出一个叫人哑巴的鬼。鬼出去了，哑巴就说出话来，众人都希奇。内中却有人说：「他是靠著鬼王别西卜赶鬼。」又有人试探耶稣，向他求从天上来的神迹。他晓得他们的意念，便对他们说：「凡一国自相纷争，就成为荒场；凡一家自相纷争，就必败落。若撒但自相纷争，他的国怎能站得住呢？因为你们说我是靠著别西卜赶鬼。我若靠著别西卜赶鬼，你们的子弟赶鬼又靠著谁呢？这样，他们就要断定你们的是非。我若靠著神的能力赶鬼，这就是神的国临到你们了。』(路加福音 11:14-20)    

     我们在这里也看到了法利赛人不只是一次诬蔑祂是靠鬼上赶鬼 (参马太福音 9:32-34, 12:22-24)，但却是神的国降临的彰显，平时就像法利赛人所问，神的国来到是看不见的。『法利赛人问：「神的国几时来到？」耶稣回答说：「神的国来到不是眼所能见的。人也不得说：『看哪，在这里！看哪，在那里！』因为神的国就在你们心里。」』(路加福音 17:20-21) 圣经明讲，不在神的国度就在撒但的国度里。当我们愈想靠近神时，撒但就愈不甘心，攻击也会愈多，没有神的保守，我们会站立不住的。        

     接著说，『壮士披挂整齐，看守自己的住宅，他所有的都平安无事；但有一个比他更壮的来，胜过他，就夺去他所倚靠的盔甲兵器，又分了他的赃。「不与我相合的，就是敌我的；不同我收聚的，就是分散的。』(路加福音 11:21-23) 前者的解释很清楚，我们也看到神的能力绝对大过撒但。在马太福音 12:24-29 和马可福音 3:22-27 也有这样的记载。我们知道，『「我(耶稣)实在告诉你们：世人一切的罪和一切亵渎的话都可得赦免；凡亵渎圣灵的，却永不得赦免，乃要担当永远的罪。」这话是因为他们说：「他是被污鬼附著的。」』(马可福音 3:28-30) 明明是圣灵的工作，却被文士诬亵了。后者是指我们以前所分享的，是要从神的角度看事情，『因为神差他的儿子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。』(约翰福音 3:17-18)        

     「污鬼离了人身，就在无水之地过来过去，寻求安歇之处。既寻不著，便说：『我要回到我所出来的屋里去。』到了，就看见里面打扫干净，修饰好了，便去另带了七个比自己更恶的鬼来，都进去住在那里。那人末后的景况比先前更不好了。」』(路加福音 11:24-26) 所以不要以为鬼被赶出来一切都好了，我们不只是要打扫干净，一定要留在基督里，才能永远的逐出污鬼。       

     最后我们看看耶稣说这话时发生的事情，作为结束，『耶稣正说这话的时候，众人中间有一个女人大声说：「怀你胎的和乳养你的有福了！」耶稣说：「是，却还不如听神之道而遵守的人有福。」』(路加福音 11:27-28) 就像我们以前分享的经文一样，『耶稣还对众人说话的时候，不料，他母亲和他弟兄站在外边，要与他说话。有人告诉他说：「看哪，你母亲和你弟兄站在外边，要与你说话。」他却回答那人说：「谁是我的母亲？谁是我的弟兄？」就伸手指著门徒说：「看哪，我的母亲，我的弟兄。凡遵行我天父旨意的人，就是我的弟兄、姐妹和母亲了。」』(马太福音 12:46-50) 耶稣不是不认祂的母亲和弟兄，而是从大我的角度看事情。

参考

[1] 在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』，按『2021 主祷文的看见』。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)