We first saw the blind man’s faith and his actions of faith. We also saw why Jesus treated Jews and Gentiles differently and allowed the healed blind man to follow Him.  Secondly, we also saw the faith of Zaccheus the chief tax collector and his behavior due to faith. We saw how happy he was when Jesus forgave his sins, but with an action that was possible to put him on the verge of bankruptcy.  Third, from the parable of the ten slaves, we see a principle of the kingdom of heaven: to the one who gives much, much will be required, but not unreasonably much, and to everyone who has, more will be given; to those who do not have, even to him all will be taken away.  This parable is a criterion for judgment of everyone when Jesus returns. When He returns, there will be judgment from the great white throne. Those who believe in Him will be judged including this criterion. Those who do not believe in Him will be put in the lake of fire.

1. Healing the blind man in Jericho

“As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.”(Luke 18:35-43)

First of all, we saw that the blind man had a good amount of faith. His faith was manifested in his behavior, and he was humble because he called out, saying, “…have mercy on me!” His faith can also be seen from the fact that Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you.”  Jesus had mercy on him, healed his blindness, and he could see immediately!  In other places in the Gospels, we can see that Jesus would use different miracles to heal the blind man (for example, see John 9:1-7).  He also followed Jesus and gave glory to God.  Because it was in Jericho, the blind man should be a Jew, so Jesus allowed the healed blind man to follow Him.  But for the Gentiles living in the Decapolis, we have shared before, “And He (Jesus) did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.”(Mark 5:19-20) Why did Jesus deal with it in such a different way?  Because Jesus said, “…I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 15:24) So we see that He did indeed do this.

2. Zaccheus, the chief tax collector of Jericho

 “He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.””(Luke 19:1-10)

Tax collectors were hated by the Jews at that time, but we have seen the faith of Zaccheus, the chief tax collector, and what he did afterwards can prove this.  His action out of faith was shown by his climbing a sycamore tree. Jesus looked up and saw him and went to stay in his house.  What we can ask is: did Jesus just look up, or were there some other reasons?  In the book of Ruth, we see that God used coincidence to accomplish His will. It should be noted that whether it is coincidence or God’s will, we cannot equate it.  God often use coincidences to accomplish His goal, but not all coincidences come from God. Here, I believe that judging from the consistency of the Bible, Jesus simply obeyed the will of God because He was like this throughout his life. As the scripture says, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”(John 5:30)

You see how happy Zacchaeus was that Jesus forgave his sins and allowed salvation to come to him. His faith was demonstrated in his actions, which probably put him on the verge of bankruptcy, because he said, “half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”(Luke 19:8) What he did obviously exceeds the tithe. Here we can also see that he was a sinner who defrauded others in the past. In the era of the New Testament, it is necessary to give willingly, like the widow’s two small coins, not like the Pharisees who only obeyed the Law. If giving willingly, even if they could not reach tithe because of their own needs, such contribution is also received well by God. God will not accept a tithe that is forced but only in compliance with the Law.

Jesus made it very clear, “…Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:9-10) We know, by faith are men made heirs, “…so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.”(Romans 4:16) “…For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “through Isaac your descendants will be named.””(Romans 9:6-7) “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”(Romans 2:28-29)

3. The parable of the ten slaves

“While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’ But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done. The first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’ The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’ And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ Another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘By your own words I will judge you, you worthless slave. Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? Then why did you not put my money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?’ Then he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas already.’ I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.””(Luke 19:11-27)

This is the same principle as what is said in the Gospel of Matthew, “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. …Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. “The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ …“And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ …Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”(Matthew 25:14-30) This time, each person was given money according to his ability. However, we can see the more was given to the one, the more would that one be asked for. 

In the Gospel of Luke, it says clearly that this is what happened near Jerusalem. Everyone was given the same one mina. The slave who had 10 minas is rewarded with the authority over ten cities. For the one with the one mina, even the one mina will be taken away, and given to him who already has ten. The concept of “the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away” is demonstrated clearly by the slave who had only one mina. The master was not just an exacting person. This can be seen by how he rewarded the person who had ten minas. But that slave only saw that side. Even so, he would not hand over the money to the bank, so that he could at least get his principal and interest back. He was really a wicked, lazy slave. No wonder his master wanted to condemn him with his mouth. By this way, he was really weeping and gnashing of teeth.  In another scripture it says, “Again I (Jesus) say to you: Many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the people of this nation will be Go out into darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”(Matthew 8:11-12)

Jesus made it very clear that this parable was given because “…they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.”(Luke 19:11) So He was talking about a criterion for the judgment of everyone when He comes again.  First of all, what we see is a principle of the kingdom of heaven. To the one who has given much, much will be required, but not to ask for much unreasonably. It is like the verse, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.”(Luke 19:26) As for the enemies who deny Jesus as Lord, their names will not be in the book of life. In the great white judgment of Revelation, “…if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”(Revelation 20:15) We do not want to be those who weep and gnash the teeth. We want to be justified by faith, knowing that hearing is not as good as doing the word (see James 1:22-24), and have deeds of faith.

(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.”)

    我们首先看到新约说到祷告的态度，不要自高，要真正的谦卑。第二，我们要回转像小孩子似的完全仰赖父母，完全的信靠天父，才能进天国。第三，我们看到少年官想要做什么去赢得永生的错误观念，知道要积财宝在天上不是很容易的，但如果我们仰望主，在神凡事都能。我们也看到了对一个撇下所有的跟从主的人，不仅有属灵的福份，也因神的祝福有在世间的得著。最后我们分享了马可福音及在对观福音中，耶稣预言了三次要受难与复活，更预言了一次会复活的讯息。因有网上的资讯和易用的软体，只要肯花一些时间，这样的知识相对于知道受难和复活的意义，是相当容易得到的。不要忘记读经的目的是要得生命，能有这样的知识是附带的。

1. 祷告的态度       

    『耶稣向那些仗著自己是义人，藐视别人的，设一个比喻，说：「有两个人上殿里去祷告：一个是法利赛人，一个是税吏。法利赛人站著，自言自语地祷告说：『神啊，我感谢你，我不像别人勒索、不义、奸淫，也不像这个税吏。我一个礼拜禁食两次，凡我所得的都捐上十分之一。』「那税吏远远地站著，连举目望天也不敢，只捶著胸说：『神啊，开恩可怜我这个罪人！』「我告诉你们：这人回家去比那人倒算为义了。因为凡自高的，必降为卑；自卑的，必升为高。」』(路加福音 18:9-14)       

    这经文明讲这是一个比喻而不是真正发生的事情，读经我们可以很容易做到的一件事情是不要在比喻和发生的事情划等号。这些经文很清楚说到祷告的态度，法利赛人律法守得相当好，自以为义，但这绝不是主要的。在这里也是强调了一个属灵的原则: 『凡自高的，必降为卑；自卑的，必升为高。』那税吏不是有自卑的态度吗？所以会说，『这人回家去比那人倒算为义了。』新约提到了要自卑相当多次，如果我们真知道神是无限人是有限，我们怎么能够不自卑呢？一个真正谦卑的人会如保罗所看到的事实，『若有人以为自己知道甚么，按他所当知道的，他仍是不知道。』(哥林多前书 8:2) 我们基本上会不如保罗的，他清楚的知道，『那美好的仗我已经打过了，当跑的路我已经跑尽了，所信的道我已经守住了。从此以后，有公义的冠冕为我存留，…』(提摩太后书 4:7-8) 即使保罗也说，『…在罪人中我是(现在式)个罪魁。』(提摩太前书 1:15) 注意到用的是现在式，我们应该会迟早也有这样的经历。知道别人总是在某些点有比自己强的地方，跟那人相比，在这点上怎么能骄傲得起来呢？即然我们不知是那点，真正知道这样，我们怎么会不在人前谦卑呢？

2. 要如何像小孩子       

    『有人抱著自己的婴孩来见耶稣，要他摸他们。门徒看见就责备那些人。耶稣却叫他们来，说：「让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们，因为在神国的正是这样的人。我实在告诉你们：凡要承受神国的，若不像小孩子，断不能进去。」』(路加福音 18:15-17)     #####婴孩和小孩子是不同的，婴孩什么都不懂，且自然地完全依靠喂养他的人，其实即使是婴孩，也常是到一个年齢不肯被别人抱。小孩子更是如此，他们已知道父母为谁，我们看到许多小孩子不会要其他的人，可见他们是有选择的。所以我们看到是因为有人抱著婴儿来见耶稣，而引起了祂的要像小孩子的回答。在马太福音也有类似的经文，『那时，有人带著小孩子来见耶稣，要耶稣给他们按手祷告，门徒就责备那些人。耶稣说：「让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们，因为在天国的，正是这样的人。」耶稣给他们按手，就离开那地方去了。』(马太福音 19:13-15) 所以祂说的小孩子应该是还不大，是完全要依赖父母的年龄，这就像我们要完全依赖天父一样，所以会说在天国的正是这样的人，也是耶稣在地上时所做的，如经文所说，『…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。 …』(约翰福音 14:31)

3. 看少年官的故事知要积财宝在天       

    『有一个官问耶稣说：「良善的夫子，我该做甚么事才可以承受永生？」耶稣对他说：「你为甚么称我是良善的？除了神一位之外，再没有良善的。诫命你是晓得的：『不可奸淫，不可杀人，不可偷盗，不可作假见证，当孝敬父母。』」那人说：「这一切我从小都遵守了。」耶稣听见了，就说：「你还缺少一件：要变卖你一切所有的，分给穷人，就必有财宝在天上；你还要来跟从我。」他听见这话，就甚忧愁，因为他很富足。耶稣看见他，就说：「有钱财的人进神的国是何等地难哪！骆驼穿过针的眼，比财主进神的国还容易呢！」听见的人说：「这样，谁能得救呢？」耶稣说：「在人所不能的事，在神却能。」』(路加福音 18:18-27)     

    那时还没有复活，只有诫命，而那少年官回答是耶稣那时说的一切他都遵守了，难怪   在马可福音 10:17-22 记载了同一件事情时且说，『…耶稣看著他，就爱他，…』(马可福音 10:21) 我们知道那是少年官，因为在马太福音 19:16-26 也记载了同一件事情，并说他是少年人。我们也看到了那少年官以为用人的力量、可以做一些事情而进入天国。我们已分享过耶稣处理这件事情的方式，祂告诉了少年官该做什么，并因他所做的而爱他，但不干涉他因自由意志而做的决定。在这里我们也看到了主耶稣是因才施教，要这少年官变卖一切分给穷人、并要亲自跟随祂。这并不是说每一个人都要变卖一切才能积财宝在天，这是主对这少年官呼召时要求，我相信主已事前知道他的答案，但仍给了他一个机会。    

    关于要变卖一切这一点上，我听有人说，一个人因丈夫去世而想把一切遗产捐出去，但神启示她说，祂并没有要求她这样做，最后是她用这笔钱支持了很多宣教机构，这样她为神做的事比捐出遗产更多。所以财富不见得是坏事，要看一个人怎么使用！但要知道，『贪财是万恶之根！有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。』(提摩太前书 6:10)      #####这里说到了骆驼穿过针的眼之事，有人认为这不是指骆驼能穿过我们日常所用针的眼的神迹，而做了一个合理的解释，就是古代犹太人的城门，会在正常的门上再开一个小门叫「针眼门」。人若带骆驼进城时只有针眼开就会很不容易，必须将骆驼身上的货物卸下，然后叫牠屈著身子匍匐，必须再加上人力的推拉，才能通过。所以不是说人富有就不能进天国，如果是这样，亚伯拉罕就不能进天国，因他受到了神的祝福而很富有。所以这里只是说，耶稣因他而告诉了我们一个事实，富人难进天国，昔日如此，今日亦然。所强调的是只要从祂的眼中存在的事，在神凡事都能。我们也知道，祂虽不干涉我们的自由意志，但可以创造我们所面临的环境。对于可改变我们的环境这一点，从出埃及记中神所降给法老的十灾里，我们可以很清楚的看到。顺便一提的是，如果我们从神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的看，神既然不干涉亚当和夏娃当初自由意志的选择，少年官也是如此，所以神也不会干涉法老的选择，使他的心刚硬，而是任凭他的心刚硬，原文的确有任凭这个意思。这点也可从神会开我们属灵的眼睛事上看到，我们深深知道，神的确能作我们不能做的事。       

    我们再看看彼得接著问了一个相当自然的问题，『彼得说：「看哪！我们已经撇下自己所有的跟从你了。」耶稣说：「我实在告诉你们：人为神的国撇下房屋，或是妻子、弟兄、父母、儿女，没有在今世不得百倍，在来世不得永生的。」』(路加福音 18:28-30)       

    同一件事情在马太福音是这样说的，『彼得就对他说：「看哪，我们已经撇下所有的跟从你，将来我们要得甚么呢？」耶稣说：「我实在告诉你们：你们这跟从我的人，到复兴的时候，人子坐在他荣耀的宝座上，你们也要坐在十二个宝座上，审判以色列十二个支派。凡为我的名撇下房屋或是弟兄、姐妹、父亲、母亲、儿女、田地的，必要得著百倍，并且承受永生。然而，有许多在前的，将要在后；在后的，将要在前。」』(马太福音 19:27-30)       

    我们看到马太福音清楚的说到有属灵的福份，当然我们知道卖主的犹大不会坐在宝座上，就如圣经所说，『…彼得就在弟兄中间站起来，说：「弟兄们，圣灵借大卫的口，在圣经上预言领人捉拿耶稣的犹大，这话是必须应验的。他本来列在我们数中，并且在使徒的职任上得了一分。…因为诗篇上写著说：『愿他的住处变为荒场，无人在内居住。』 又说：『愿别人得他的职分。』』(使徒行传 1:15-20) 在耶稣复活后，是在大光中选择了保罗为使徒，保罗也是预先知道他会因跟随耶稣而受苦，他仍然选择跟随耶稣，就像他所说的，『…没有违背那从天上来的异象。』(使徒行传 26:19) 也就像『西门彼得回答说：「主啊，你有永生之道，我们还归从谁呢？」』(约翰福音 6:68)    

    这经文也说会有因神的祝福而有的世间的福份，如亚伯拉罕的富有是因神的祝福。只是我们要知道神有绝对的主权，祂是看人内心的，不是看人的外表。当然不是每一个在后的都会变成在前的，但千万不要一不小心、就成为那在前的却变成在后的。 #####4. 第三次预言受难与复活      

    『耶稣带著十二个门徒，对他们说：「看哪，我们上耶路撒冷去，先知所写的一切事都要成就在人子身上。他将要被交给外邦人。他们要戏弄他，凌辱他，吐唾沫在他脸上；并要鞭打他，杀害他；第三日他要复活。」这些事门徒一样也不懂得，意思乃是隐藏的，他们不晓得所说的是甚么。』(路加福音 18:31-34)       

    这是第三次耶稣预言祂的受难和复活。首先我们注意到虽是耶稣明讲，死人复活是在那时超过他们所想的事情，这就是圣经所说的，『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) 上次我们举了一个当时是超过所想的例子，就是『…神…将大地悬在虚空，』(约伯记 26:7)，而现在已可用科技证明，在太空船中可看到这事。我们如果看到圣经所说的好像和现在所知的不同，千万不要把圣经的话打折扣，要相信圣经是神所默示的。       

    在马可福音中，记载了这三次受难和复活的预言。第一次是在『耶稣和门徒出去，往凯撒利亚腓立比的村庄去。…从此，他教训他们说：「人子必须受许多的苦，被长老、祭司长和文士弃绝，并且被杀，过三天复活。」』(马可福音 8:27-31) 这也记载在马太福音 16:13-21。然后耶稣在变化山上有摩西和以利亚向祂显现(参马可福音 9:1-8, 并马太福音 17:1-9)，『他们在荣光里显现，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 9:31)，确定了祂会受难与复活的预言。『下山的时候，耶稣嘱咐他们说：「人子还没有从死里复活，你们不要将所看见的告诉人。」门徒将这话存记在心，彼此议论从死里复活是甚么意思。』(马可福音 9:9-10) 又一次看到复活是超过他们当时所想的事情。        

    第二次只是短短的记载，『他们离开那地方，经过加利利，耶稣不愿意人知道。于是教训门徒，说：「人子将要被交在人手里，他们要杀害他；被杀以后，过三天他要复活。」门徒却不明白这话，又不敢问他。』(马可福音 9:30-32) 马太福音 17:22-23 也提到这次。       

    第三次是『他们行路上耶路撒冷去。耶稣在前头走，门徒就希奇，跟从的人也害怕。耶稣又叫过十二个门徒来，把自己将要遭遇的事告诉他们说：「看哪，我们上耶路撒冷去，人子将要被交给祭司长和文士，他们要定他死罪，交给外邦人。他们要戏弄他，吐唾沫在他脸上，鞭打他，杀害他。过了三天，他要复活。」』(马可福音 10:32-34)     

    这是和最开始路加福音 18:31-34 说的同一件事，在马太福音 20:17-19 也有类似的记载，所以很清楚的知道这三本福音书为什么称做对观福音，因有些事情它们用来查核同一件事情的记载是对的。跟从祂的人会害怕，因为他们知道犹太人想杀掉耶稣而祂仍上耶路撒冷，其实耶稣不是不知道预言会成就，但祂仍在客西马尼园仍这样的祷告，『…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)     

    其实耶稣在去客西马尼园前又预言了一次祂的复活，如经文所说，『他们唱了诗，就出来，往橄榄山去。耶稣对他们说：「你们都要跌倒了，因为经上记著说：『我要击打牧人，羊就分散了。』但我复活以后，要在你们以先往加利利去。」』(马可福音 14:26-28) 他们的确也是在耶稣复活后见到了祂，因『耶稣对她们(妇女)说：「不要害怕！你们去告诉我的弟兄，叫他们往加利利去，在那里必见我。」』(马太福音 28:10)       

    不仅仅是要受难，更是要复活，受难和复活是不可分的，因为『耶稣被交给人，是为我们的过犯；复活，是为叫我们称义。』(罗马书 4:25) 没有受难，我们怎能有祂的血洗净我们的心，除去我们的死行，…』(参希伯来书 9:14) 使我们可以在信的时候，在基督内被神迁到祂爱子的国度呢？没有复活，我们还有什么盼望呢？『若基督没有复活，我们所传的便是枉然，你们所信的也是枉然！…我们若靠基督只在今生有指望，就算比众人更可怜。』(哥林多前书 15:14-19) 千万不要自找苦吃，神允许我们的苦难是因为了我们生命的成长，这样的苦难已经够多了，神不会数算我们自找苦吃的苦难的。       

    最后我们要强调一点是，好像我们这次相当透彻的分享了耶稣的受难和复活，好像是很有学问的样子，大概也很容易被人接受是如此。事实上网路的资讯很多，软体也很方便，关于发生的事情这一点上，只要肯花一些时间就很容易的知道，重要的是要了解受难和复活的意义，不要忘记耶稣说得很清楚，『你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生；给我作见证的就是这经。然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命。』(约翰福音 5:39-40) 查经的目的是要得生命。

(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』。) 

        我們首先看到新約說到禱告的態度，不要自高，要真正的謙卑。第二，我們要回轉像小孩子似的完全仰賴父母，完全的信靠天父，才能進天國。第三，我們看到少年官想要做什麼去贏得永生的錯誤觀念，知道要積財寶在天上不是很容易的，但如果我們仰望主，在神凡事都能。我們也看到了對一個撇下所有的跟從主的人，不僅有屬靈的福份，也因神的祝福有在世間的得著。最後我們分享了馬可福音及在對觀福音中，耶穌預言了三次要受難與復活，更預言了一次會復活的訊息。因有網上的資訊和易用的軟體，只要肯花一些時間，這樣的知識相對於知道受難和復活的意義，是相當容易得到的。不要忘記讀經的目的是要得生命，能有這樣的知識是附帶的。

1. 禱告的態度

       『耶穌向那些仗着自己是義人，藐視別人的，設一個比喻，說：「有兩個人上殿裏去禱告：一個是法利賽人，一個是稅吏。法利賽人站着，自言自語地禱告說：『神啊，我感謝你，我不像別人勒索、不義、姦淫，也不像這個稅吏。我一個禮拜禁食兩次，凡我所得的都捐上十分之一。』「那稅吏遠遠地站着，連舉目望天也不敢，只捶着胸說：『神啊，開恩可憐我這個罪人！』「我告訴你們：這人回家去比那人倒算為義了。因為凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。」』(路加福音 18:9-14)

       這經文明講這是一個比喻而不是真正發生的事情，讀經我們可以很容易做到的一件事情是不要在比喻和發生的事情劃等號。這些經文很清楚說到禱告的態度，法利賽人律法守得相當好，自以為義，但這絕不是主要的。在這裏也是强調了一個屬靈的原則: 『凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。』那稅吏不是有自卑的態度嗎？所以會說，『這人回家去比那人倒算為義了。』新約提到了要自卑相當多次，如果我們真知道神是無限人是有限，我們怎麼能夠不自卑呢？一個真正謙卑的人會如保羅所看到的事實，『若有人以為自己知道甚麼，按他所當知道的，他仍是不知道。』(哥林多前書 8:2) 我們基本上會不如保羅的，他清楚的知道，『那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了。從此以後，有公義的冠冕為我存留，…』(提摩太後書 4:7-8) 即使保羅也說，『…在罪人中我是(現在式)個罪魁。』(提摩太前書 1:15) 注意到用的是現在式，我們應該會遲早也有這樣的經歷。知道別人總是在某些點有比自己强的地方，跟那人相比，在這點上怎麼能驕傲得起來呢？即然我們不知是那點,真正知道這樣，我們怎麼會不在人前謙卑呢？

2. 要如何像小孩子

       『有人抱着自己的嬰孩來見耶穌，要他摸他們。門徒看見就責備那些人。耶穌卻叫他們來，說：「讓小孩子到我這裏來，不要禁止他們，因為在神國的正是這樣的人。我實在告訴你們：凡要承受神國的，若不像小孩子，斷不能進去。」』(路加福音 18:15-17)

    嬰孩和小孩子是不同的，嬰孩什麼都不懂，且自然地完全依靠餵養他的人，其實即使是嬰孩，也常是到一個年齢不肯被別人抱。小孩子更是如此，他們已知道父母為誰，我們看到許多小孩子不會要其他的人，可見他們是有選擇的。所以我們看到是因為有人抱著嬰兒來見耶穌，而引起了祂的要像小孩子的回答。在馬太福音也有類似的經文，『那時，有人帶着小孩子來見耶穌，要耶穌給他們按手禱告，門徒就責備那些人。耶穌說：「讓小孩子到我這裏來，不要禁止他們，因為在天國的，正是這樣的人。」耶穌給他們按手，就離開那地方去了。』(馬太福音 19:13-15) 所以祂說的小孩子應該是還不大，是完全要依賴父母的年齡，這就像我們要完全依賴天父一樣，所以會說在天國的正是這樣的人，也是耶穌在地上時所做的，如經文所說，『…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。 …』(約翰福音 14:31)

3. 看少年官的故事知要積財寶在天

       『有一個官問耶穌說：「良善的夫子，我該做甚麼事才可以承受永生？」耶穌對他說：「你為甚麼稱我是良善的？除了神一位之外，再沒有良善的。誡命你是曉得的：『不可姦淫，不可殺人，不可偷盜，不可作假見證，當孝敬父母。』」那人說：「這一切我從小都遵守了。」耶穌聽見了，就說：「你還缺少一件：要變賣你一切所有的，分給窮人，就必有財寶在天上；你還要來跟從我。」他聽見這話，就甚憂愁，因為他很富足。耶穌看見他，就說：「有錢財的人進神的國是何等地難哪！駱駝穿過針的眼，比財主進神的國還容易呢！」聽見的人說：「這樣，誰能得救呢？」耶穌說：「在人所不能的事，在神卻能。」』(路加福音 18:18-27)

     那時還沒有復活，只有誡命，而那少年官回答是耶穌那時說的一切他都遵守了，難怪   在馬可福音 10:17-22 記載了同一件事情時且說，『…耶穌看着他，就愛他，…』(馬可福音 10:21) 我們知道那是少年官，因為在馬太福音 19:16-26 也記載了同一件事情，並說他是少年人。我們也看到了那少年官以為用人的力量、可以做一些事情而進入天國。我們已分享過耶穌處理這件事情的方式，祂告訴了少年官該做什麼，並因他所做的而愛他，但不干涉他因自由意志而做的決定。在這裏我們也看到了主耶穌是因才施教，要這少年官變賣一切分給窮人、並要親自跟隨祂。這並不是說每一個人都要變賣一切才能積財寶在天，這是主對這少年官呼召時要求，我相信主已事前知道他的答案，但仍給了他一個機會。

    關於要變賣一切這一點上，我聽有人說，一個人因丈夫去世而想把一切遺產捐出去，但神啓示她說，祂並沒有要求她這樣做，最後是她用這筆錢支持了很多宣教機構，這樣她為神做的事比捐出遺產更多。所以財富不見得是壞事，要看一個人怎麼使用！但要知道，『貪財是萬惡之根！有人貪戀錢財，就被引誘離了真道，用許多愁苦把自己刺透了。』(提摩太前書 6:10)

     這裏說到了駱駝穿過針的眼之事，有人認為這不是指駱駝能穿過我們日常所用針的眼的神蹟，而做了一個合理的解釋，就是古代猶太人的城門，會在正常的門上再開一個小門叫「針眼門」。人若帶駱駝進城時只有針眼開就會很不容易，必須將駱駝身上的貨物卸下，然後叫牠屈著身子匍匐，必須再加上人力的推拉，才能通過。所以不是說人富有就不能進天國，如果是這樣，亞伯拉罕就不能進天國，因他受到了神的祝福而很富有。所以這裏只是說，耶穌因他而告訴了我們一個事實，富人難進天國，昔日如此，今日亦然。所強調的是只要從祂的眼中存在的事，在神凡事都能。我們也知道，祂雖不干涉我們的自由意志，但可以創造我們所面臨的環境。對於可改變我們的環境這一點，從出埃及記中神所降給法老的十災裏，我們可以很清楚的看到。順便一提的是，如果我們從神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的看，神既然不干涉亞當和夏娃當初自由意志的選擇，少年官也是如此，所以神也不會干涉法老的選擇，使他的心剛硬，而是任憑他的心剛硬，原文的確有任憑這個意思。這點也可從神會開我們屬靈的眼睛事上看到，我們深深知道，神的確能作我們不能做的事。

       我們再看看彼得接著問了一個相當自然的問題，『彼得說：「看哪！我們已經撇下自己所有的跟從你了。」耶穌說：「我實在告訴你們：人為神的國撇下房屋，或是妻子、弟兄、父母、兒女，沒有在今世不得百倍，在來世不得永生的。」』(路加福音 18:28-30) 

       同一件事情在馬太福音是這樣說的，『彼得就對他說：「看哪，我們已經撇下所有的跟從你，將來我們要得甚麼呢？」耶穌說：「我實在告訴你們：你們這跟從我的人，到復興的時候，人子坐在他榮耀的寶座上，你們也要坐在十二個寶座上，審判以色列十二個支派。凡為我的名撇下房屋或是弟兄、姐妹、父親、母親、兒女、田地的，必要得着百倍，並且承受永生。然而，有許多在前的，將要在後；在後的，將要在前。」』(馬太福音 19:27-30)

       我們看到馬太福音清楚的說到有屬靈的福份，當然我們知道賣主的猶大不會坐在寶座上，就如聖經所說，『…彼得就在弟兄中間站起來，說：「弟兄們，聖靈藉大衞的口，在聖經上預言領人捉拿耶穌的猶大，這話是必須應驗的。他本來列在我們數中，並且在使徒的職任上得了一分。…因為詩篇上寫着說：『願他的住處變為荒場，無人在內居住。』 又說：『願別人得他的職分。』』(使徒行傳 1:15-20) 在耶穌復活後，是在大光中選擇了保羅為使徒，保羅也是預先知道他會因跟隨耶穌而受苦，他仍然選擇跟隨耶穌，就像他所說的，『…沒有違背那從天上來的異象。』(使徒行傳 26:19) 也就像『西門彼得回答說：「主啊，你有永生之道，我們還歸從誰呢？」』(約翰福音 6:68)

    這經文也說會有因神的祝福而有的世間的福份，如亞伯拉罕的富有是因神的祝福。只是我們要知道神有絕對的主權，祂是看人內心的，不是看人的外表。當然不是每一個在後的都會變成在前的，但千萬不要一不小心、就成為那在前的卻變成在後的。

4. 第三次預言受難與復活

       『耶穌帶着十二個門徒，對他們說：「看哪，我們上耶路撒冷去，先知所寫的一切事都要成就在人子身上。他將要被交給外邦人。他們要戲弄他，凌辱他，吐唾沫在他臉上；並要鞭打他，殺害他；第三日他要復活。」這些事門徒一樣也不懂得，意思乃是隱藏的，他們不曉得所說的是甚麼。』(路加福音 18:31-34)

       這是第三次耶穌預言祂的受難和復活。首先我們注意到雖是耶穌明講，死人復活是在那時超過他們所想的事情，這就是聖經所說的，『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) 上次我們舉了一個當時是超過所想的例子，就是『…神…將大地懸在虛空，』(約伯記 26:7)，而現在已可用科技証明，在太空船中可看到這事。我們如果看到聖經所說的好像和現在所知的不同，千萬不要把聖經的話打折扣，要相信聖經是神所默示的。

       在馬可福音中，記載了這三次受難和復活的預言。第一次是在『耶穌和門徒出去，往凱撒利亞腓立比的村莊去。…從此，他教訓他們說：「人子必須受許多的苦，被長老、祭司長和文士棄絕，並且被殺，過三天復活。」』(馬可福音 8:27-31) 這也記載在馬太福音 16:13-21。然後耶穌在變化山上有摩西和以利亞向祂顯現(參馬可福音 9:1-8, 並馬太福音 17:1-9)，『他們在榮光裏顯現，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 9:31)，確定了祂會受難與復活的預言。『下山的時候，耶穌囑咐他們說：「人子還沒有從死裏復活，你們不要將所看見的告訴人。」門徒將這話存記在心，彼此議論從死裏復活是甚麼意思。』(馬可福音 9:9-10) 又一次看到復活是超過他們當時所想的事情。

        第二次只是短短的記載，『他們離開那地方，經過加利利，耶穌不願意人知道。於是教訓門徒，說：「人子將要被交在人手裏，他們要殺害他；被殺以後，過三天他要復活。」門徒卻不明白這話，又不敢問他。』(馬可福音 9:30-32) 馬太福音 17:22-23 也提到這次。

       第三次是『他們行路上耶路撒冷去。耶穌在前頭走，門徒就希奇，跟從的人也害怕。耶穌又叫過十二個門徒來，把自己將要遭遇的事告訴他們說：「看哪，我們上耶路撒冷去，人子將要被交給祭司長和文士，他們要定他死罪，交給外邦人。他們要戲弄他，吐唾沫在他臉上，鞭打他，殺害他。過了三天，他要復活。」』(馬可福音 10:32-34)

     這是和最開始路加福音 18:31-34 說的同一件事，在馬太福音 20:17-19 也有類似的記載，所以很清楚的知道這三本福音書為什麼稱做對觀福音，因有些事情它們用來查核同一件事情的記載是對的。跟從祂的人會害怕，因為他們知道猶太人想殺掉耶穌而祂仍上耶路撒冷，其實耶穌不是不知道預言會成就，但祂仍在客西馬尼園仍這樣的禱告，『…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)

     其實耶穌在去客西馬尼園前又預言了一次祂的復活，如經文所說，『他們唱了詩，就出來，往橄欖山去。耶穌對他們說：「你們都要跌倒了，因為經上記着說：『我要擊打牧人，羊就分散了。』但我復活以後，要在你們以先往加利利去。」』(馬可福音 14:26-28) 他們的確也是在耶穌復活後見到了祂，因『耶穌對她們(婦女)說：「不要害怕！你們去告訴我的弟兄，叫他們往加利利去，在那裏必見我。」』(馬太福音 28:10)

       不僅僅是要受難，更是要復活，受難和復活是不可分的，因為『耶穌被交給人，是為我們的過犯；復活，是為叫我們稱義。』(羅馬書 4:25) 沒有受難，我們怎能有祂的血洗淨我們的心，除去我們的死行，…』(參希伯來書 9:14) 使我們可以在信的時候，在基督內被神遷到祂愛子的國度呢？沒有復活，我們還有什麼盼望呢？『若基督沒有復活，我們所傳的便是枉然，你們所信的也是枉然！…我們若靠基督只在今生有指望，就算比眾人更可憐。』(哥林多前書 15:14-19) 千萬不要自找苦吃，神允許我們的苦難是因為了我們生命的成長，這樣的苦難已經夠多了，神不會數算我們自找苦吃的苦難的。

       最後我們要強調一點是，好像我們這次相當透徹的分享了耶穌的受難和復活，好像是很有學問的樣子，大概也很容易被人接受是如此。事實上網路的資訊很多，軟體也很方便，關於發生的事情這一點上，只要肯花一些時間就很容易的知道，重要的是要瞭解受難和復活的意義，不要忘記耶穌說得很清楚，『你們查考聖經，因你們以為內中有永生；給我作見證的就是這經。然而你們不肯到我這裏來得生命。』(約翰福音 5:39-40) 查經的目的是要得生命。

(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』。)

We first see that the verses in the New Testament talks about the attitude of prayer, not to be arrogant, but to be truly humble.  Second, we have to turn back like children who trust their parents completely, and thus we have to trust the Heavenly Father completely like children so that we can enter the kingdom of heaven.  Third, we see that the young ruler has a misconception of winning eternal life by doing something according to Law. From him, we also know that it is not easy to lay up treasure in heaven, but if we look to the Lord, all things are possible with God.  We have also seen that for a person who leaves everything to follow the Lord, not only will he have spiritual blessings, but he will also have gains in the world because of God’s blessing.  Finally, we shared the Gospel of Mark and in the Synoptic Gospel, Jesus predicted three times of crucifixion and resurrection. In the Gospel of Mark, there is one more time about predicting the resurrection only.  Because of plenty of information on the Internet and easy-to-use software available, such knowledge is relatively easy to obtain as long as you are willing to spend some time, when compared to knowing the meaning of the crucifixion and resurrection.  Don’t forget that the purpose of reading the Bible is to have life, and having such knowledge is to come with it.

1. The attitude of prayer

“And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.””(Luke 18:9-14)

The scriptures say that this is a metaphor rather than what actually happened. One thing we can easily do when reading the scriptures is not to equate the metaphor with what happened.  These verses are very clear about the attitude of prayer, the Pharisees kept the Law fairly well and were self-righteous, but that is by no means the main thing.  A spiritual principle is also emphasized here: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Didn’t the tax collector have an attitude of being humble?  So it says, “This man went to his house justified rather than the other.” The New Testament mentions the need to humble ourselves quite a few times. If we really know that God is infinite and man is finite, how can we not humble ourselves?  A truly humble person will see the fact as Paul saw, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2) We are basically inferior to Paul. He clearly knew, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, …”(2 Timothy 4:7-8) Even Paul said,”…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am (present tense) foremost of all.”(1 Timothy 1:15) Note that the present tense is used, and we should all have this experience sooner or later.  Knowing that others are always better than yourself in certain points, how can you be proud of these points compared with that person?  Since we don’t really know which points, how can we not be humble before others?

2. How to be like a child

“And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.””(Luke 18:15-17)

Babies are different from small children. Babies don’t understand anything and naturally depend entirely on the person who feeds them. In fact, even babies often refuse to be held by others when they reach an older age.  This is especially true for children, who already know who their parents are. We see that many children will not want other people, which shows that they have a choice.  We see that it was because some people came to Jesus with babies, which caused Him to answer with the statement that one should be like children. 

There is also a similar verse in the Gospel of Matthew, “Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.”(Matthew 19:13-15) So the children he mentioned should be in their young age and completely dependent on their parents. Such dependency completely on the Heavenly Father is also what Jesus did when he was on earth, as the scriptures say, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31)

3. Read the story of the young ruler and know you must accumulate treasure in heaven 

“A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” They who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.””(Luke 18:18-27)

At that time Jesus had not resurrected, only had the Law, and the young ruler replied that he kept everything Jesus said at that time. No wonder when the same thing was recorded in Mark 10:17-22, it also says, ” Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him …”(Mark 10:21) We know that the ruler was young, because the same thing is recorded in Matthew 19:16-26, and it says he was a young man.  We also saw that the young ruler thought he could do something with his human strength and entered the kingdom of heaven.  We have shared how Jesus handled this by telling the young ruler what to do and loving him for what he did, but not interfering with his free will decisions.  Here we also see that the Lord Jesus taught according to one’s ability. In this case, He asked the young ruler to sell everything and distribute it to the poor, and to follow Him himself.  This is not to say that everyone has to sell everything in order to store up treasures in heaven. This is what the Lord asked the young ruler when he called him. I believe the Lord knew his answer beforehand, but he still gave him a chance.

Regarding the point of selling everything, I heard someone say that a person wanted to donate all her inheritance because her husband died, but God revealed to her that He did not ask her to do so. In the end, she used the money to support many mission agencies, so she did more for God by this way than donating her inheritance.  So wealth is not necessarily a bad thing, it depends on how a person uses it!  But we have to know, “…the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”(1 Timothy 6:10)

It is mentioned here that a camel goes through the eye of a needle. Some people think that this does not refer to the miracle that a camel can pass through the eye of a needle that we use every day. Instead, they make a reasonable explanation, that is, the gates of the ancient Jewish city would have a large regular door, and there is another small door on the door called “needle’s eye door”.  If a person brings a camel into the city, it will be very difficult if only the needle’s eye door is opened. The camel must be unloaded and then make it to bend down and crawl. It must be pushed and pulled by human power to pass.  So it does not mean that people who are rich cannot enter the kingdom of heaven at all. If so, Abraham would not be able to enter the kingdom of heaven, because he was blessed by God and was very rich.  So here is just saying that Jesus told us a fact because of him, that is, it is difficult for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven. It was the same in the past, and it is the same nowadays. 

The emphasis is that all things are possible with God as long as those things exist.  We also know that He does not interfere with our free will, but can create the circumstances we face.  As for the fact that He can change our environments, we can clearly see it from the ten plagues that God sent to Pharaoh in the book of Exodus.  By the way, we know that God tells through the Bible must be consistent. Therefore, since God did not interfere with Adam and Eve’s choice of free will, so did the young ruler, so God would not interfere with Pharaoh’s choice. So, it the Pharaoh whose heart was hardened by himself, and God just allowed his heart to be hardened but not made it hardened. The original text does have such a meaning.  Changing our environments can also be seen from the fact that God can open our spiritual eyes. We deeply know that God can indeed do things that we cannot do. 

Let’s look at Peter who asked a very natural question afterwards, “Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.” And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life.””(Luke 18:28-30)

The same thing is said in the Gospel of Matthew, “Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.”(Matthew 19:27-30)

We see that Matthew clearly speaks of spiritual blessings, and of course we know that Judas the betrayer will not sit on the throne, as the Bible says, “At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.”… “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, And let no one dwell in it’; and, ‘Let another man take his office.’”(Acts 1:15-20)

After the resurrection of Jesus, it was in the great light that Paul was chosen as an apostle. Paul also knew in advance that he would suffer for following Jesus. But he still chose to follow Jesus. As he said, “…I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision.”(Acts 26:19) Also like “Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.”(John 6:68)

This scripture also says that there will be worldly blessings due to God’s blessing, such as Abraham’s wealth is due to God’s blessing.  It’s just that we need to know that God has absolute sovereignty. He looks at people’s hearts, not their appearances.  Of course, not everyone who is last will become the first, but you must not accidentally become the one who is the first but become the last.

4. The third prophecy of crucifixion and resurrection

“Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.” But the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.”(Luke 18:31-34)

This is the third time Jesus foretold his crucifixion and resurrection.  First of all, we notice that although Jesus clearly said that, His resurrection was beyond their imagination at that time, this is what the Bible says, “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) Last time we gave an example that was more than we thought at the time, that is, “He …hangs the earth on nothing.”(Job 26:7) The technology nowadays can prove this by seeing it in spaceships.  If we see that what the Bible says seems to be different from what we know now, we must not discount the words of the Bible, and we must believe that the Bible is inspired by God.

In the Gospel of Mark, these three prophecies of crucifixion and resurrection are recorded.  The first time was in “Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” …And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” …”(Mark 8:27-31) This is also recorded in Matthew 16:13-21. Then Jesus had Moses and Elijah appear to Him on the Mount of Transfiguration (cf. Mark 9:1-8, and Matthew 17:1-9), “who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”(Luke 9:31) It confirmed the prophecy of His suffering and resurrection. “As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead. They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant.”(Mark 9:9-10) We see again that the resurrection was more than they thought at that time.

The second time is just a short record, “From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.”(Mark 9:30-32) Matthew 17:22-23 also mentions this event.

The third time it happened is when “They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.””(Mark 10:32-34) 

This is the same thing as said in Luke 18:31-34 at the beginning, and there is a similar record in Matthew 20:17-19, so it is clear why these three Gospels are called Synoptic Gospels, because they can be used to check the records of the same thing to see if they are consistent.  His followers would be afraid, because they knew that the Jews wanted to kill Jesus and He still went to Jerusalem. In fact, Jesus did know that the prophecy would be fulfilled, but He still prayed like this 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)

In fact, Jesus predicted one more time for His resurrection before going to the Garden of Gethsemane. As the scriptures say, “After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, because it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.””(Mark 14:26-28) They indeed saw Jesus after his resurrection in Galilee, because “…Jesus said to them (the women), “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.””(Matthew 28:10)

Not only to suffer, but also to be resurrected. Suffering and resurrection are inseparable, because “He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”(Romans 4:25) Without suffering, how could we have His blood to cleanse our hearts and remove our dead works…” (See Hebrews 9:14) This makes us in Christ be transferred by God to the kingdom of His beloved Son, the moment when we believe. Without the resurrection, what hope do we have? “and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.  …If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”(1 Corinthians 15:14-19) Don’t ask for hardship yourself. God allows us to suffer because of the growth of our life. This kind of suffering is enough. God will not count us for asking for such a self-induced bitter suffering.

Finally, we want to emphasize that it seems that we have shared the events associated with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus quite thoroughly. It seems to be very learned, and it is probably easy to be accepted so by others.  In fact, there is a lot of information on the Internet, and the software is also very convenient. As for what happened, it is easier to get the events regarding what happened, as long as you are willing to spend some time. However, it is more important to understand the meaning of crucifixion and resurrection. Don’t forget that Jesus said it very clearly, “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) The purpose of studying the Bible is to have life.

(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.”)

First of all, we see that the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven refer to the same thing, and the kingdom of God is in the heart.  We will not know the time of the Lord’s return, just like what happened to the people in the time of Noah and Lot.  Second, the Bible clearly teaches how to preserve spiritual life.  Although the Book of Revelation does not talk about the rapture of the church, we mentioned scriptures that have this concept in the Bible. We know that not everyone who goes to church will be raptured, but only those who believe.  We know that for Christians, one salvation means eternal salvation. On this point, we illustrate why God is fair and see that God tells us through the Bible that it is consistent.  Finally, we saw Jesus give an example of praying at all times. Prayer is not about repeating words, but about going into the inner room in faith.

1. The Kingdom of God Comes

“Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.””(Luke 17:20-21)

The kingdom of God is the kingdom of heaven. There are many places where we can draw this conclusion. The easiest way is to compare these two scriptures. “Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.””(Mark 1:14-15) “Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; …From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””(Matthew 4:12-17)

The Bible has never clearly stated the time of the Lord’s return, so all prophecies about the time of the Lord’s return will be wrong. Just like this scripture says, “And He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, ‘Look there! Look here!’ Do not go away, and do not run after them. For just like the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day. But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.”(Luke 17:22-25) He went to the cross eventually to fulfill the prophecy that He would be rejected by this generation.

His return is like what happened to both Noah and Lot, “And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out; and likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife.”(Luke 17:26-32)

In the case of Lot, it was also said that Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back.  It’s like what Jesus said, “But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.””(Luke 9:62)

2. How to preserve spiritual life

“Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. [Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.”] And answering they said to Him, “Where, Lord?” And He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered.””(Luke 17:33-37)

The disciples asked, where is this happening?  Jesus just answered a fact. You can know what happened by looking at the result of the matter. What is preserved is the spiritual life, and what is lost is the natural life, as the scriptures say, “for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”(Romans 8:13) Another one also said that the way to preserve life is clear: “And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “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 and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”(Mark 8:34-37)

There are similar words in the Gospel of Matthew: “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”(Matthew 24:37-42)

Here we are talking about being on the alert. In this matter, we can see that God tells us through the Bible that it is consistent, because “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”(1 Peter 4:7) It is clearly stated here that when the Lord returns, not every living person will be raptured, only Christians.  The book of Revelation does not mention the rapture of the church, so no one knows when it will be raptured.  The idea of ​​the rapture of the church is chiefly derived from these verses, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) If the rapture did not refer to all believers, Paul would not have used these words to comfort all people.

For Christians, it is once saved and eternally saved. As the scriptures say, “If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”(1 Corinthians 3:14-15) Some people think this is unfair, but God is very 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)

Because God tells us through the Bible that is consistent, how should we look at this matter?  When we look at the new heaven and new earth, the holy city, New Jerusalem, comes down from heaven from God.  (See Revelation 21:1-2) At that time, there are people who cannot enter the city as the scriptures say, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.”(Revelation 22:14-15) Some people say that my conscience can tell me that the people outside the city must be non-Christians, but the verse regarding the people outside the city gate did not say that there are unbelievers, like when describing the second death, which proclaims that there are unbelievers (cf. Revelation 21:8).  These people may not have noticed that conscience is also stained by sin. For example, we cannot say that David had no conscience during the Bathsheba incident. We must rely on God’s words, not such conscience.

Let us give an example to say that we have to rely on God’s words. The New Testament says, “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) If someone gives a current example to explain this scripture, it must be wrong. Why?  This is because that example is something that can be imagined and sought after.  So what is it that is far beyond all that we ask or think? In the time of Copernicus, he observed that the earth revolves around the sun. Not many scientists and people at that time would believe this, and the Bible said, “He (God) stretches out the north over empty space And hangs the earth on nothing.”(Job 26:7) At that time, how could people believe that the earth was hanged on nothing? So this matter was beyond what one could ask or imagine at that time. Now the current science knows that this fact can be proved by spaceships. Thus, it isn’t far beyond all that we ask or think about today. It is not the Bible that has a problem but man that has a problem. God is infinite and man is finite. ““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) We believe today that there exists something far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, because the Bible says so.

Back to this article, at that time “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) So those who have never believed are already in the lake of fire.  Don’t underestimate the power of Satan, a man who once believed will become a liar by falling, etc. Thus, Peter would say, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”(Ephesians 6:13) We have shared before that, except for the sword of the Holy Spirit, the full armor of God are defensive items, so we must first stand firm.

Those who once believed and were saved but could not enter the city are much better off than going down to the lake of fire, but they will weep and gnash their teeth outside the city, as the scriptures say, “I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.””(Matthew 8:11-12) God is faithful, merciful and gracious. Since He told us that once we are saved, we will be saved forever, and there will be no ambiguity.  In this matter, God is very fair by separating Christians in the city from the outside ones, and what God tells us through the Bible is indeed consistent.

3. Pray at all times

 “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?””(Luke 18:1-8)

The life to live today 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) Even if a person can only lie in bed due to a stroke, what one thing cannot be done?  This passage does not say that prayers should use many repetitions. The Bible clearly says, “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.”(Matthew 6:7) “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”(Matthew 6:6) It goes on in Luke 18:8 to say, “…when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”(Luke 18:8) To pray at all the times is to be in faith to pray.

(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.”)

    首先看到神的国和天国是指相同的一件事，神的国是在心里。主再来的时间是我们不会知道的，就犹如挪亚和罗得那时的人所遭遇的一样。第二，圣经明讲如何保全属灵的生命。虽然启示录并没说到教会的被提，但我们提到圣经有这个概念的经文，而且我们知道不是每一个去教堂的人都会被提，而是信的人。我们知道对基督徒而言，是一次得救永远得救，在这点上，我们举例说明神为什么很公平，看到神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的。最后我们看到耶稣举了一个要常常祷告的例子，祷告不是要用重复的话语，而是要在信心中进入内室。

1. 神国的降临    

    『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）    

    神的国就是天国，我们有很多地方可得到这结论，最简单的可以比较这两个经文。『约翰下监以后，耶稣来到加利利，宣传神的福音，说：「日期满了，神的国近了！你们当悔改，信福音！」』(马可福音 1:14-15)『耶稣听见约翰下了监，就退到加利利去；…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 4:12-17)  

    圣经从来没有明讲主再来的时间，因此所有关于主何时再临的预言都不会对，就像这经文所说，『他又对门徒说：「日子将到，你们巴不得看见人子的一个日子，却不得看见。人将要对你们说：『看哪，在那里！看哪，在这里！』你们不要出去，也不要跟随他们！因为人子在他降临的日子，好像闪电从天这边一闪直照到天那边。只是他必须先受许多苦，又被这世代弃绝。」』(路加福音 17:22-25) 祂上十字架应验了会被这世代弃绝的预言。    

    祂的再来就如挪亚和罗得之事，『「挪亚的日子怎样，人子的日子也要怎样。那时候的人又吃又喝，又娶又嫁，到挪亚进方舟的那日，洪水就来，把他们全都灭了。「又好像罗得的日子，人又吃又喝，又买又卖，又耕种又盖造。到罗得出所多玛的那日，就有火与硫磺从天上降下来，把他们全都灭了。「人子显现的日子也要这样。当那日，人在房上，器具在屋里，不要下来拿；人在田里，也不要回家。你们要回想罗得的妻子。」』(路加福音 17:26-32) 在罗得的事件中还说，罗得的妻子回头一看就变成盐柱。这就如耶稣所说的，『…手扶著犂向后看的，不配进神的国。』(路加福音 9:62)

2. 如何保全属灵的生命    

    『「凡想要保全生命的，必丧掉生命；凡丧掉生命的，必救活生命。我对你们说，当那一夜，两个人在一个床上，要取去一个，撇下一个。两个女人一同推磨，要取去一个，撇下一个。」门徒说：「主啊，在哪里有这事呢？」 耶稣说：「尸首在哪里，鹰也必聚在那里。」』(路加福音 17:33-37)    

    门徒问在那里有这事呢？耶稣只是回答了一个事实，看事情的结果，就知道发生了什么事情。保全的是属灵的生命，丧掉的是属世的生命，就如经文所说，『你们若顺从肉体活著，必要死；若靠著圣灵治死身体的恶行，必要活著。』(罗马书 8:13) 另外一个也说保全生命的路很清楚:『于是叫众人和门徒来，对他们说：「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；凡为我和福音丧掉生命的，必救了生命。人就是赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有甚么益处呢？人还能拿甚么换生命呢？』(马可福音 8:34-37)    

    在马太福音也有类似的话:『挪亚的日子怎样，人子降临也要怎样。当洪水以前的日子，人照常吃喝嫁娶，直到挪亚进方舟的那日，不知不觉洪水来了，把他们全都冲去。人子降临也要这样。那时，两个人在田里，取去一个，撇下一个；两个女人推磨，取去一个，撇下一个。「所以，你们要警醒，因为不知道你们的主是哪一天来到。」』(马太福音 24:37-42)    

    这里说到了要警醒，我们在这件事上可看到神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，因为『万物的结局近了，所以你们要谨慎自守，警醒祷告。』(彼得前书 4:7) 这里很清楚的说到主再来的那时，不是每一个活著的人都会被提，只有基督徒。启示录并没有说到教会的被提，所以没有人知道何时会被提。教会被提的摡念主要是由这些经节而来，『论到睡了的人，我们不愿意弟兄们不知道，恐怕你们忧伤，像那些没有指望的人一样。我们若信耶稣死而复活了，那已经在耶稣里睡了的人，神也必将他与耶稣一同带来。我们现在照主的话告诉你们一件事：我们这活著还存留到主降临的人，断不能在那已经睡了的人之先，因为主必亲自从天降临，有呼叫的声音和天使长的声音，又有神的号吹响；那在基督里死了的人必先复活。以后我们这活著还存留的人必和他们一同被提到云里，在空中与主相遇。这样，我们就要和主永远同在。所以，你们当用这些话彼此劝慰。』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 4:13-18) 如果被提的不是指所有信的人，保罗就不会用这些话来劝慰所有的人。    

    对基督徒而言，是一次得救永远得救，如经文所言，『人在那根基上所建造的工程若存得住，他就要得赏赐；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。』(哥林多前书 3:14-15) 有人以为这不公平，但神是很公平的，『…因为多给谁，就向谁多取；多托谁，就向谁多要。』(路加福音 12:48)     

    因神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，要如何看这件事呢？我们来看新天新地时，有圣城新耶路撒冷由神那里从天而降。(参启示录 21:1-2) 那时，是有人不能进城的，如经文所说，『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。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 22:14-15) 有人说，我的良知良能告诉我城外的一定是非基督徒，但在城门外的人没有说包括有不信的人，像叙述第二次的死时，明说有不信的 (参启示录 21:8) 。这些人可能没注意到良知良能也是被罪沾污的，譬如我们不能说大卫在拔示巴事件时就没有良知良能，我们是要靠神的话，而不是这样的良知良能。     

    我们举个例子说到我们要靠神的活，新约说，『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) 如果有人举一个现在的例子说明这经文，就一定是错的，为什么呢？这是因为那例子就是现在可想的事，可以求的。那么超过所求所想的事是什么呢？在哥白尼的时代，他观察到地球绕太阳旋转，当时的科学和人们没有多少人会相信这，而圣经说，『神将北极铺在空中，将大地悬在虚空。』(约伯记 26:7) 那时人怎么会相信大地悬在虚空，所以这件事是在那时是属于超过所求所想的事，现在的科学知道可以借著宇宙飞船证明这事实，今日就不是了！不是圣经而是人出了问题，神是无限，人是有限，『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) 我们今日相信超过所求所想的事存在，因为圣经如是说。    

    回到本文，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)  所以从没有信过的人已在火湖里了。不要低估撤但的力量，一个曾信过人会因沦落而成为说慌的等等，所以彼得会说，『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，要拿起神所赐的全副军装，好在磨难的日子抵挡仇敌，并且成就了一切，还能站立得住。』(以弗所书 6:13) 我们曾分享过，那全副军装除了圣灵的宝剑外，其余的都是防御的武器，所以是要先站立得住

    一次曾信过而得救但不能进入城的人，是比下到火湖好多了，但他们会在城外哀哭切齿，如经文所说，『我又告诉你们：从东从西，将有许多人来，在天国里与亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各一同坐席；惟有本国的子民，竟被赶到外边黑暗里去，在那里必要哀哭切齿了。』(马太福音 8:11-12) 神是信实的，有怜悯有恩典的，祂既告诉我们一次得救就真会永远得救，不会模棱两可的。在这件事上，神是很公平的，神借著圣经告诉我们的的确是一致的。

3. 要常常祷告    

    『耶稣设一个比喻，是要人常常祷告，不可灰心。说：「某城里有一个官，不惧怕神，也不尊重世人。那城里有个寡妇，常到他那里，说：『我有一个对头，求你给我伸冤。』「他多日不准。后来心里说：『我虽不惧怕神，也不尊重世人，只因这寡妇烦扰我，我就给她伸冤吧，免得她常来缠磨我！』」主说：「你们听这不义之官所说的话。神的选民昼夜呼吁他，他纵然为他们忍了多时，岂不终久给他们伸冤吗？我告诉你们：要快快地给他们伸冤了。然而，人子来的时候，遇得见世上有信德(faith, G4102)吗？」』(路加福音 18:1-8)    

    今日可过的生活是，『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) 即使是人因中风而只能躺在床上，那一件事不能做呢？这段经文不是说祷告要用许多重复的话，圣经说得很清楚，『你们祷告，不可像外邦人，用许多重复话，他们以为话多了必蒙垂听。』(马太福音 6:7) 而是要『你祷告的时候，要进你的内屋，关上门，祷告你在暗中的父，你父在暗中察看，必然报答你。』(马太福音 6:6) 因为接著就说，『…人子来的时候，遇得见世上有信德吗？』(路加福音 18:8) 常常祷告是要在信心之中。

(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』。) 

    首先看到神的國和天國是指相同的一件事，神的國是在心裏。主再來的時間是我們不會知道的，就猶如挪亞和羅得那時的人所遭遇的一樣。第二，聖經明講如何保全屬靈的生命。雖然啓示錄並沒說到教會的被提，但我們提到聖經有這個概念的經文，而且我們知道不是每一個去教堂的人都會被提，而是信的人。我們知道對基督徒而言，是一次得救永遠得救，在這點上，我們舉例說明神為什麼很公平，看到神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的。最後我們看到耶穌舉了一個要常常禱告的例子，禱告不是要用重複的話語，而是要在信心中進入內室。

1. 神國的降臨

    『法利賽人問：「神的國幾時來到？」耶穌回答說：「神的國來到不是眼所能見的。人也不得說：『看哪，在這裏！看哪，在那裏！』因為神的國就在你們心裏。」』（路加福音 17:20-21）

    神的國就是天國，我們有很多地方可得到這結論，最簡單的可以比較這兩個經文。『約翰下監以後，耶穌來到加利利，宣傳神的福音，說：「日期滿了，神的國近了！你們當悔改，信福音！」』(馬可福音 1:14-15)『耶穌聽見約翰下了監，就退到加利利去；…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 4:12-17)

    聖經從來沒有明講主再來的時間，因此所有關於主何時再臨的預言都不會對，就像這經文所說，『他又對門徒說：「日子將到，你們巴不得看見人子的一個日子，卻不得看見。人將要對你們說：『看哪，在那裏！看哪，在這裏！』你們不要出去，也不要跟隨他們！因為人子在他降臨的日子，好像閃電從天這邊一閃直照到天那邊。只是他必須先受許多苦，又被這世代棄絕。」』(路加福音 17:22-25)祂上十字架應驗了會被這世代棄絕的預言。

    祂的再來就如挪亞和羅得之事，『「挪亞的日子怎樣，人子的日子也要怎樣。那時候的人又吃又喝，又娶又嫁，到挪亞進方舟的那日，洪水就來，把他們全都滅了。「又好像羅得的日子，人又吃又喝，又買又賣，又耕種又蓋造。到羅得出所多瑪的那日，就有火與硫磺從天上降下來，把他們全都滅了。「人子顯現的日子也要這樣。當那日，人在房上，器具在屋裏，不要下來拿；人在田裏，也不要回家。你們要回想羅得的妻子。」』(路加福音 17:26-32) 在羅得的事件中還說，羅得的妻子回頭一看就變成鹽柱。這就如耶穌所說的，『…手扶着犂向後看的，不配進神的國。』(路加福音 9:62)

2. 如何保全屬靈的生命

    『「凡想要保全生命的，必喪掉生命；凡喪掉生命的，必救活生命。我對你們說，當那一夜，兩個人在一個牀上，要取去一個，撇下一個。兩個女人一同推磨，要取去一個，撇下一個。」門徒說：「主啊，在哪裏有這事呢？」 耶穌說：「屍首在哪裏，鷹也必聚在那裏。」』(路加福音 17:33-37)

    門徒問在那裏有這事呢？耶穌只是回答了一個事實，看事情的結果，就知道發生了什麼事情。保全的是屬靈的生命，喪掉的是屬世的生命，就如經文所說，『你們若順從肉體活着，必要死；若靠着聖靈治死身體的惡行，必要活着。』(羅馬書 8:13) 另外一個也說保全生命的路很清楚:『於是叫眾人和門徒來，對他們說：「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；凡為我和福音喪掉生命的，必救了生命。人就是賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有甚麼益處呢？人還能拿甚麼換生命呢？』(馬可福音 8:34-37)

    在馬太福音也有類似的話:『挪亞的日子怎樣，人子降臨也要怎樣。當洪水以前的日子，人照常吃喝嫁娶，直到挪亞進方舟的那日，不知不覺洪水來了，把他們全都沖去。人子降臨也要這樣。那時，兩個人在田裏，取去一個，撇下一個；兩個女人推磨，取去一個，撇下一個。「所以，你們要警醒，因為不知道你們的主是哪一天來到。」』(馬太福音 24:37-42)

    這裏說到了要警醒，我們在這件事上可看到神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，因為『萬物的結局近了，所以你們要謹慎自守，警醒禱告。』(彼得前書 4:7) 這裏很清楚的說到主再來的那時，不是每一個活著的人都會被提，只有基督徒。啓示錄並沒有說到教會的被提，所以沒有人知道何時會被提。教會被提的摡念主要是由這些經節而來，『論到睡了的人，我們不願意弟兄們不知道，恐怕你們憂傷，像那些沒有指望的人一樣。我們若信耶穌死而復活了，那已經在耶穌裏睡了的人，神也必將他與耶穌一同帶來。我們現在照主的話告訴你們一件事：我們這活着還存留到主降臨的人，斷不能在那已經睡了的人之先，因為主必親自從天降臨，有呼叫的聲音和天使長的聲音，又有神的號吹響；那在基督裏死了的人必先復活。以後我們這活着還存留的人必和他們一同被提到雲裏，在空中與主相遇。這樣，我們就要和主永遠同在。所以，你們當用這些話彼此勸慰。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 4:13-18) 如果被提的不是指所有信的人，保羅就不會用這些話來勸慰所有的人。

    對基督徒而言，是一次得救永遠得救，如經文所言，『人在那根基上所建造的工程若存得住，他就要得賞賜；人的工程若被燒了，他就要受虧損，自己卻要得救；雖然得救，乃像從火裏經過的一樣。』(哥林多前書 3:14-15) 有人以為這不公平，但神是很公平的，『…因為多給誰，就向誰多取；多託誰，就向誰多要。』(路加福音 12:48)

     因神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，要如何看這件事呢？我們來看新天新地時，有聖城新耶路撒冷由神那裏從天而降。(參啓示錄 21:1-2) 那時，是有人不能進城的，如經文所說，『那些洗淨自己衣服的有福了！可得權柄能到生命樹那裏，也能從門進城。城外有那些犬類、行邪術的、淫亂的、殺人的、拜偶像的，並一切喜好說謊言編造虛謊的。』(啓示錄 22:14-15) 有人說，我的良知良能告訴我城外的一定是非基督徒，但在城門外的人沒有說包括有不信的人，像敍述第二次的死時，明說有不信的 (參啓示錄 21:8) 。這些人可能沒注意到良知良能也是被罪沾污的，譬如我們不能說大衞在拔示巴事件時就沒有良知良能，我們是要靠神的話，而不是這樣的良知良能。

     我們舉個例子說到我們要靠神的活，新約說，『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) 如果有人舉一個現在的例子說明這經文，就一定是錯的，為什麼呢？這是因為那例子就是現在可想的事，可以求的。那麼超過所求所想的事是什麼呢？在哥白尼的時代，他觀察到地球繞太陽旋轉，當時的科學和人們沒有多少人會相信這，而聖經說，『神將北極鋪在空中，將大地懸在虛空。』(約伯記 26:7) 那時人怎麼會相信大地懸在虛空，所以這件事是在那時是屬於超過所求所想的事，現在的科學知道可以藉著宇宙飛船証明這事實，今日就不是了！不是聖經而是人出了問題，神是無限，人是有限，『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) 我們今日相信超過所求所想的事存在，因為聖經如是說。

    回到本文，那時『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)  所以從沒有信過的人已在火湖裏了。不要低估撤但的力量，一個曾信過人會因淪落而成為說慌的等等，所以彼得會說，『務要謹守、警醒，因為你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前書 5:8)『所以，要拿起神所賜的全副軍裝，好在磨難的日子抵擋仇敵，並且成就了一切，還能站立得住。』(以弗所書 6:13) 我們曾分享過，那全副軍裝除了聖靈的寶劍外，其餘的都是防禦的武器，所以是要先站立得住。

    一次曾信過而得救但不能進入城的人，是比下到火湖好多了，但他們會在城外哀哭切齒，如經文所說，『我又告訴你們：從東從西，將有許多人來，在天國裏與亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各一同坐席；惟有本國的子民，竟被趕到外邊黑暗裏去，在那裏必要哀哭切齒了。』(馬太福音 8:11-12) 神是信實的，有憐憫有恩典的，祂既告訴我們一次得救就真會永遠得救，不會模棱兩可的。在這件事上，神是很公平的，神藉著聖經告訴我們的的確是一致的。

3. 要常常禱告

    『耶穌設一個比喻，是要人常常禱告，不可灰心。說：「某城裏有一個官，不懼怕神，也不尊重世人。那城裏有個寡婦，常到他那裏，說：『我有一個對頭，求你給我伸冤。』「他多日不准。後來心裏說：『我雖不懼怕神，也不尊重世人，只因這寡婦煩擾我，我就給她伸冤吧，免得她常來纏磨我！』」主說：「你們聽這不義之官所說的話。神的選民晝夜呼籲他，他縱然為他們忍了多時，豈不終久給他們伸冤嗎？我告訴你們：要快快地給他們伸冤了。然而，人子來的時候，遇得見世上有信德(faith, G4102)嗎？」』(路加福音 18:1-8)

    今日可過的生活是，『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) 即使是人因中風而只能躺在床上，那一件事不能做呢？這段經文不是說禱告要用許多重複的話，聖經說得很清楚，『你們禱告，不可像外邦人，用許多重複話，他們以為話多了必蒙垂聽。』(馬太福音 6:7) 而是要『你禱告的時候，要進你的內屋，關上門，禱告你在暗中的父，你父在暗中察看，必然報答你。』(馬太福音 6:6) 因為接著就說，『…人子來的時候，遇得見世上有信德嗎？』(路加福音 18:8) 常常禱告是要在信心之中。

(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』。)

    首先我们看到有限的我们是会绊倒人的，虽我们应以是否造就人行事，实在应谨慎以免犯此错。看到自己会软弱犯错，怎么会不饶恕人，就像天父饶恕我们一样，只要人悔改，会无限次的被饶恕。第二我们看到我们的信心实在是小，因为我们做不到如芥菜种的信心能做到的事情。如果我们能真正的意识到我们的地位，会使信心加增的。最后我们从耶稣医治十个长大痲疯的人，只有一个外邦人回来归荣耀于神，看到不是所有的人得到治疗后，都会心存感激而回来赞美神的。再看耶稣说，你的信救了你，就知道这病是和罪有关。

1. 绊人及饶恕       

    『耶稣又对门徒说：「绊倒人的事是免不了的，但那绊倒人的有祸了。就是把磨石拴在这人的颈项上，丢在海里，还强如他把这小子里的一个绊倒了。你们要谨慎！ 「若是你的弟兄得罪你，就劝戒他；他若懊悔，就饶恕他。倘若他一天七次得罪你，又七次回转，说：『我懊悔了』，你总要饶恕他。」』(路加福音 17:1-4)       

    人是有限，难免犯错，犯绊倒人的错是免不了的，但多么的严重啊！要小心谨慎不要犯此错。既然免不了，怎样尽可能减少呢？可以照保罗说的，『凡事都可行，但不都有益处。凡事都可行，但不都造就人。』(哥林多前书 10:23) 以造就人为出发点，会绊倒人的机会能少许多。想到自己也会犯错的，别人犯错得罪你，实在是应该饶恕那人。如果一个人死不懊悔，虽不能真接饶恕他，但饶恕总是对自己有益，会使自己从苦毒中出来。我们再看经文说要劝戒他，这意思是说这人至少还是肯跟你讲话，如果你遇到这人都不跟你讲话，你连这样的机会也没有，即使如此也照样要饶恕这人，就像前所说，总是对自己有益。不管在任何情况都应该饶恕。       

    要饶恕多少次呢？『那时，彼得进前来，对耶稣说：「主啊，我弟兄得罪我，我当饶恕他几次呢？到七次可以吗？」耶稣说：「我对你说：不是到七次，乃是到七十个七次。』(马太福音 18:21-22) 把这两个经文联在一起，基本上是说，要给人永远有懊悔的机会，新约不是说得很清楚吗？『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) 主祷文后也说得很清楚，『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 6:14-15) 天父并没说会饶恕我们多少次，以人的角度来说，饶恕人七十个七次已经几乎不可能了，所以这里不是说律法，在律法中是做不来的，而是说要有这样的生命，自然会行出来。如果不饶恕人的过犯，怎么可能模成耶稣的形像呢？(参罗马书 8:29)

2. 信心加增       

    『使徒对主说：「求主加增我们的信心。」主说：「你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就是对这棵桑树说：『你要拔起根来，栽在海里』，它也必听从你们。「你们谁有仆人耕地或是放羊，从田里回来，就对他说，『你快来坐下吃饭』呢？岂不对他说，『你给我预备晚饭，束上带子伺候我，等我吃喝完了，你才可以吃喝』吗？仆人照所吩咐的去做，主人还谢谢他吗？这样，你们做完了一切所吩咐的，只当说：『我们是无用的仆人，所做的本是我们应分做的。』」』(路加福音 17:5-10)       

    另外一次讲到类似的信心和芥菜种的关系是在这节经文，『耶稣说：「是因你们的信心小。我实在告诉你们：你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就是对这座山说，『你从这边挪到那边』，它也必挪去，并且你们没有一件不能做的事了。』(马太福音 17:20) 记得第一次碰到讲芥菜种的时候，实在是不服气，难道我的信心是这么小，连最小的种子芥菜种都不如吗？现在知道了，真是如此，显然我是不能移动桑树或山的。       

    我们看看耶稣怎样回答使徒的问题，如何加增我们的信心。首先祂指出祂们是小信的人，那时的他们连像芥菜种的信心也没有，也就是要他们意识到实际的情况。他们那时的确是小信的人，虽然他们跟过耶稣这么久，到耶稣要钉十字架前，『门徒都离开他，逃走了。』(马可福音 14:50) 以致于『站在耶稣十字架旁边的，有他母亲与他母亲的姊妹，并革罗罢的妻子马利亚和抹大拉的马利亚。…和他所爱的那门徒…』(约翰福音 19:25-26) 至到他们真正的见到耶稣从死里复活，在五旬节被圣灵充满后，使徒才『…大有能力，见证主耶稣复活，…』(使徒行传 4:33) 也可从后来的发展，清楚的看见他们为了福音是不顾自己生命的。    

    之后祂用了一个侍候主人的比喻说，『这样，你们做完了一切所吩咐的，只当说：『我们是无用的仆人，所做的本是我们应分做的。』』(路加福音 17:10) 现在有些人对仆人可能会不同，当日，仆人的角色的确是这样的。也只有当人意识到他实际的情况时像那仆人一样，才可能加增自己的信心！      

    那么什么是我们实际的情况呢？就是真知道神是无限，人是有限，生命只能从祂来如经文所说，『我栽种了，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) 如果祂不开我们的眼睛如巴兰般，让他『…看见耶和华的使者站在路上，手里有拔出来的刀，…』(民数记 22:31) 又如『以利沙祷告说：「耶和华啊，求你开这少年人的眼目，使他能看见。」耶和华开他的眼目，他就看见满山有火车火马围绕以利沙。』(列王纪下 6:17) 我们怎能真正的看见呢？    

    在祂有绝对的主权这点上，有相当多的经文说到这点，我们就来看看以前我看不懂的以赛亚怎么说，『谁比我的仆人眼瞎呢？谁比我差遣的使者耳聋呢？谁瞎眼像那与我和好的，谁瞎眼像耶和华的仆人呢？』(以赛亚书 42:19) 也就是说如果神没有主动的开通祂仆人的耳朵，他会是耳聋的！我们要承认且真知道，没有主开我们的眼睛，我们会是眼瞎的。这就是耶稣为什么会对法利赛人『…说：「你们若瞎了眼，就没有罪了；但如今你们说『我们能看见』，所以你们的罪还在。」』(约翰福音 9:40-41) 就如法利赛人一样，我们都有能看见的属肉体的眼睛，承认自己且真知道属灵的眼睛非要被神打开不可，不是件很容易的事！

3. 医治长大痲疯的       

    『耶稣往耶路撒冷去，经过撒马利亚和加利利。进入一个村子，有十个长大痲疯的，迎面而来，远远地站著，高声说：「耶稣，夫子，可怜我们吧！」耶稣看见，就对他们说：「你们去，把身体给祭司察看！」他们去的时候就洁净了。内中有一个见自己已经好了，就回来大声归荣耀与神，又俯伏在耶稣脚前感谢他。这人是撒马利亚人。耶稣说：「洁净了的不是十个人吗？那九个在哪里呢？除了这外族人，再没有别人回来归荣耀与神吗？」就对那人说：「起来，走吧！你的信救了你了。」』(路加福音 17:11-19)       

    这不是耶稣第一次医治长大痲疯的，只是这一次有十个人，我们从经文中知道大概在什么地方。也看到了十个中只有一个外邦人回来归荣耀与神，且俯伏在耶稣脚前感谢祂。我们看见不是所有的人得到治疗后，都会心存感激而回来赞美神的。耶稣特别的说到这个人是外邦人，以逻辑来说，虽然圣经没有明说这中间有犹太人，应该是有犹太人。就像圣经虽然没有明说这十个人有信心，但我们可从他们行为中看到这点。耶稣只要他们把身体给祭司看，讲话的那时，他们并没有得到洁净，因为『他们去的时候就洁净了』。才看看耶稣的要求是要他们去见祭司，犹太人和祭司有份，猜想这是一个佐证，这十个人中应有犹太人。另一方面，这外邦人本和祭司无份，我们也看见了他是有信心而又有良知的，只有他回来感谢耶稣。    

    再看耶稣说，你的信救了你，就知道这病是和罪有关。虽然新约记载了门徒能行许多神迹，但没有记载除耶稣之外有别的人能医治长大痲疯的。参考旧约如利未记十三章就知道大痲疯是相当特别的，可以看到像今天所知的那样，有些大痲疯是具有传染性的，但有些是不会传染的，有相当多的经文讲到大痲疯的事，就不多说了。在这里，我们看到在医治瘫子的这一件事上，我们可以看到：『但要叫你们知道，人子在地上有赦罪的权柄。」就对瘫子说：「起来，拿你的褥子回家去吧！」』(马太福音 9:6) 也只有祂有权柄那时可以赦罪。今日的我们不可能有耶稣亲自赦我的罪，但祂的名就代表了祂，所以是， 『并且人要奉他(耶稣)的名传悔改、赦罪的道，从耶路撒冷起直传到万邦。』(路加福音 24:47) 

(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』。) 

       首先我們看到有限的我們是會絆倒人的，雖我們應以是否造就人行事，實在應謹慎以免犯此錯。看到自己會軟弱犯錯，怎麼會不饒恕人，就像天父饒恕我們一樣，只要人悔改，會無限次的被饒恕。第二我們看到我們的信心實在是小，因為我們做不到如芥菜種的信心能做到的事情。如果我們能真正的意識到我們的地位，會使信心加增的。最後我們從耶穌醫治十個長大痲瘋的人，只有一個外邦人回來歸榮耀於神，看到不是所有的人得到治療後，都會心存感激而回來讚美神的。再看耶穌說，你的信救了你，就知道這病是和罪有關。

1. 絆人及饒恕

       『耶穌又對門徒說：「絆倒人的事是免不了的，但那絆倒人的有禍了。就是把磨石拴在這人的頸項上，丟在海裏，還強如他把這小子裏的一個絆倒了。你們要謹慎！ 「若是你的弟兄得罪你，就勸戒他；他若懊悔，就饒恕他。倘若他一天七次得罪你，又七次回轉，說：『我懊悔了』，你總要饒恕他。」』(路加福音 17:1-4) 

       人是有限，難免犯錯，犯絆倒人的錯是免不了的，但多麼的嚴重啊！要小心謹慎不要犯此錯。既然免不了，怎樣儘可能減少呢？可以照保羅說的，『凡事都可行，但不都有益處。凡事都可行，但不都造就人。』(哥林多前書 10:23) 以造就人為出發點，會絆倒人的機會能少許多。想到自己也會犯錯的，別人犯錯得罪你，實在是應該饒恕那人。如果一個人死不懊悔，雖不能真接饒恕他，但饒恕總是對自己有益，會使自己從苦毒中出來。我們再看經文說要勸戒他，這意思是說這人至少還是肯跟你講話，如果你遇到這人都不跟你講話，你連這樣的機會也沒有，即使如此也照樣要饒恕這人，就像前所說，總是對自己有益。不管在任何情況都應該饒恕。

       要饒恕多少次呢？『那時，彼得進前來，對耶穌說：「主啊，我弟兄得罪我，我當饒恕他幾次呢？到七次可以嗎？」耶穌說：「我對你說：不是到七次，乃是到七十個七次。』(馬太福音 18:21-22) 把這兩個經文聯在一起，基本上是說，要給人永遠有懊悔的機會，新約不是說得很清楚嗎？『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) 主禱文後也說得很清楚，『你們饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯；你們不饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。』(馬太福音 6:14-15) 天父並沒說會饒恕我們多少次，以人的角度來說，饒恕人七十個七次已經幾乎不可能了，所以這裏不是說律法，在律法中是做不來的，而是說要有這樣的生命，自然會行出來。如果不饒恕人的過犯，怎麼可能模成耶穌的形像呢？(參羅馬書 8:29)

2. 信心加增

       『使徒對主說：「求主加增我們的信心。」主說：「你們若有信心像一粒芥菜種，就是對這棵桑樹說：『你要拔起根來，栽在海裏』，它也必聽從你們。「你們誰有僕人耕地或是放羊，從田裏回來，就對他說，『你快來坐下吃飯』呢？豈不對他說，『你給我預備晚飯，束上帶子伺候我，等我吃喝完了，你才可以吃喝』嗎？僕人照所吩咐的去做，主人還謝謝他嗎？這樣，你們做完了一切所吩咐的，只當說：『我們是無用的僕人，所做的本是我們應分做的。』」』(路加福音 17:5-10)

       另外一次講到類似的信心和芥菜種的關係是在這節經文，『耶穌說：「是因你們的信心小。我實在告訴你們：你們若有信心像一粒芥菜種，就是對這座山說，『你從這邊挪到那邊』，它也必挪去，並且你們沒有一件不能做的事了。』(馬太福音 17:20) 記得第一次碰到講芥菜種的時候，實在是不服氣，難道我的信心是這麼小，連最小的種子芥菜種都不如嗎？現在知道了，真是如此，顯然我是不能移動桑樹或山的。

       我們看看耶穌怎樣回答使徒的問題，如何加增我們的信心。首先祂指出祂們是小信的人，那時的他們連像芥菜種的信心也沒有，也就是要他們意識到實際的情況。他們那時的確是小信的人，雖然他們跟過耶穌這麼久，到耶穌要釘十字架前，『門徒都離開他，逃走了。』(馬可福音 14:50) 以致於『站在耶穌十字架旁邊的，有他母親與他母親的姊妹，並革羅罷的妻子馬利亞和抹大拉的馬利亞。…和他所愛的那門徒…』(約翰福音 19:25-26) 至到他們真正的見到耶穌從死裏復活，在五旬節被聖靈充滿後，使徒才『…大有能力，見證主耶穌復活，…』(使徒行傳 4:33) 也可從後來的發展，清楚的看見他們為了福音是不顧自己生命的。

    之後祂用了一個侍候主人的比喻說，『這樣，你們做完了一切所吩咐的，只當說：『我們是無用的僕人，所做的本是我們應分做的。』』(路加福音 17:10) 現在有些人對僕人可能會不同，當日，僕人的角色的確是這樣的。也只有當人意識到他實際的情況時像那僕人一樣，才可能加增自己的信心！

   那麼什麼是我們實際的情況呢？就是真知道神是無限，人是有限，生命只能從祂來如經文所說，『我栽種了，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) 如果祂不開我們的眼睛如巴蘭般，讓他『…看見耶和華的使者站在路上，手裏有拔出來的刀，…』(民數記 22:31) 又如『以利沙禱告說：「耶和華啊，求你開這少年人的眼目，使他能看見。」耶和華開他的眼目，他就看見滿山有火車火馬圍繞以利沙。』(列王紀下 6:17) 我們怎能真正的看見呢？

    在祂有絕對的主權這點上，有相當多的經文說到這點，我們就來看看以前我看不懂的以賽亞怎麼說，『誰比我的僕人眼瞎呢？誰比我差遣的使者耳聾呢？誰瞎眼像那與我和好的，誰瞎眼像耶和華的僕人呢？』(以賽亞書 42:19) 也就是說如果神沒有主動的開通祂僕人的耳朵，他會是耳聾的！我們要承認且真知道，沒有主開我們的眼睛，我們會是眼瞎的。這就是耶穌為什麼會對法利賽人『…說：「你們若瞎了眼，就沒有罪了；但如今你們說『我們能看見』，所以你們的罪還在。」』(約翰福音 9:40-41) 就如法利賽人一樣，我們都有能看見的屬肉體的眼睛，承認自己且真知道屬靈的眼睛非要被神打開不可，不是件很容易的事！

3. 醫治長大痲瘋的

       『耶穌往耶路撒冷去，經過撒馬利亞和加利利。進入一個村子，有十個長大痲瘋的，迎面而來，遠遠地站着，高聲說：「耶穌，夫子，可憐我們吧！」耶穌看見，就對他們說：「你們去，把身體給祭司察看！」他們去的時候就潔淨了。內中有一個見自己已經好了，就回來大聲歸榮耀與神，又俯伏在耶穌腳前感謝他。這人是撒馬利亞人。耶穌說：「潔淨了的不是十個人嗎？那九個在哪裏呢？除了這外族人，再沒有別人回來歸榮耀與神嗎？」就對那人說：「起來，走吧！你的信救了你了。」』(路加福音 17:11-19)

       這不是耶穌第一次醫治長大痲瘋的，只是這一次有十個人，我們從經文中知道大概在什麼地方。也看到了十個中只有一個外邦人回來歸榮耀與神，且俯伏在耶穌腳前感謝祂。我們看見不是所有的人得到治療後，都會心存感激而回來讚美神的。耶穌特別的說到這個人是外邦人，以邏輯來說，雖然聖經沒有明說這中間有猶太人，應該是有猶太人。就像聖經雖然沒有明說這十個人有信心，但我們可從他們行為中看到這點。耶穌只要他們把身體給祭司看，講話的那時，他們並沒有得到潔淨，因為『他們去的時候就潔淨了』。才看看耶穌的要求是要他們去見祭司，猶太人和祭司有份，猜想這是一個佐証，這十個人中應有猶太人。另一方面，這外邦人本和祭司無份，我們也看見了他是有信心而又有良知的，只有他回來感謝耶穌。

    再看耶穌說，你的信救了你，就知道這病是和罪有關。雖然新約記載了門徒能行許多神蹟，但沒有記載除耶穌之外有別的人能醫治長大痲瘋的。參考舊約如利未記十三章就知道大痲瘋是相當特別的，可以看到像今天所知的那樣，有些大痲瘋是具有傳染性的，但有些是不會傳染的，有相當多的經文講到大痲瘋的事，就不多說了。在這裏，我們看到在醫治癱子的這一件事上，我們可以看到：『但要叫你們知道，人子在地上有赦罪的權柄。」就對癱子說：「起來，拿你的褥子回家去吧！」』(馬太福音 9:6) 也只有祂有權柄那時可以赦罪。今日的我們不可能有耶穌親自赦我的罪，但祂的名就代表了祂，所以是， 『並且人要奉他(耶穌)的名傳悔改、赦罪的道，從耶路撒冷起直傳到萬邦。』(路加福音 24:47) 

(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, we see that we, who are finite, can stumble, and although we should act according to whether or not we edify people, we should be careful not to make this mistake. If we see that we are weak and make mistakes, how can we not forgive people, just as our heavenly Father forgave us, and if people repent, they will be forgiven indefinitely. Secondly, we see that our faith is really small because we cannot do what a mustard seed’s worth of faith can do. If we can truly realize our position, our faith will increase. Finally, we can learn from Jesus’ healing of ten lepers. The only one who returned to glorify God was the Gentile and we can see that not all of us will be grateful and come back to praise God after being healed. And when we look at Jesus’ statement that your faith has saved you, we can see that this sickness is sin related. 

1. Stumbling over others and forgiveness 

“He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.””(Luke 17:1-4)

Human beings are finite and inevitably make mistakes. The mistake of stumbling over others is inevitable, but how serious it is! Be careful not to make such mistakes. Since they are inevitable, how can they be minimized? We can do as Paul said, “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.”(1 Corinthians 10:23) With edification as the starting point, there is much less chance of stumbling over others. Think of yourself as a person who can make mistakes, and thus forgive others who can make mistakes and offend you. If a person dies without remorse, you can’t really forgive him, but forgiveness is always good for you, and it will bring you out of your bitterness. When we look at the scripture that says to rebuke him, it means that at least this person is willing to talk to you, and if you meet a person who doesn’t talk to you, you don’t even have the opportunity to do so. Even in this case, you still have to forgive this person, and it’s always good for you, just as I said before. Forgive in all circumstances.

How many times do we have to forgive? “Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”(Matthew 18:21-22) By linking these two verses together, we are basically saying that people should always be given the opportunity to repent. The New Testament is very clear, isn’t it? “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) After the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), it says, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6:14-15) The Heavenly Father does not say how many times He will forgive us, but from a human point of view, it is almost impossible to forgive a human being seventy-seven times. Therefore, we are not talking about the law, which is impossible to do, but rather, we need to have such a life, and we will naturally do it. How can we be conformed to the image of Jesus if we do not forgive people their trespasses? (cf. Romans 8:29)

2. Confidence-boosting

“The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you. “Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’””(Luke 17:5-10)

Another time a similar relationship between faith and the mustard seed is mentioned is in this verse, “And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”(Matthew 17:20) I remember the first time I encountered the talk about the mustard seed, I was really unconvinced. Is my faith so small that I am not even as good as the smallest seed, the mustard seed? Now I realize that it is true, and apparently I can’t move a mulberry tree or a mountain.

Let’s look at how Jesus answered the apostles’ question regarding how to increase our faith. First of all, He pointed out that they were men of little faith, that they did not even have the faith of a mustard seed at that time, i.e., He wanted them to realize the reality of the situation. They were men of little faith, and although they had been with Jesus for a long time. This was evidenced by the fact that before He was crucified, “And they all left Him and fled.”(Mark 14:50) As the result, “…standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. …and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, …”(John 19:25-26) It was not until they actually saw Jesus rise from the dead and were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost that the apostles were “…with great power …were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, …”(Acts 4:33) It is also clear from the subsequent development that they did not care about their own lives for the sake of the gospel.

Then He used the parable of the Master’s servant, where it says, “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’””(Luke 17:10) Nowadays some people may think of servants differently, but that is exactly what the role of a servant is at that time. It is only when one realizes his actual situation as the servant that one can increase his faith!

So what is our actual situation? It is to realize that God is infinite and man is finite, and that life can only come from Him, as the Scripture says, “I 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) If He does not open our eyes, how can we really see? As an example in Numbers 22:31, “Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; …” Balaam couldn’t see the truth without his eyes opened by God. As another example, “Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”(2 Kings 6:17) Without God opening the servant’s eyes, there was no way for him to see the horses and chariots.

There are quite a few verses that talk about His absolute sovereignty, so let’s look at what Isaiah, who I couldn’t understand the description before, said, “Who is blind but My servant, Or so deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is so blind as he that is at peace with Me, Or so blind as the servant of the Lord?”(Isaiah 42:19) That is to say, if God does not take the initiative to open the ears of His servant, he will be deaf! We must recognize and truly know that without the Lord opening our eyes, we would be blind. This is why Jesus said to the Pharisees, “…If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”(John 9:40-41) Like the Pharisees, we all have physical eyes that can see, and it is not easy to admit to ourselves that we truly know that our spiritual eyes must be opened by God!

3. Leprosy cure

“While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine⁠—where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.””(Luke 17:11-19) 

This was not the first time that Jesus healed lepers, but this time there were ten of them, and we know from the scriptures where they were approximately. We also see that only one Gentile out of the ten returned to glorify God and bowed down at Jesus’ feet to thank Him. We see that not all people who are healed return to praise God with gratitude. Jesus specifically said that this man was a Gentile, so logically, even though the Bible doesn’t say that there were Jews in the midst of the healing, there should have been Jews. Just as the Bible does not say that these ten men had faith, we can see it in their behavior. Jesus asked them to show their bodies to the priests, and when they spoke with Jesus, they were not cleansed because it is said, “…as they were going, they were cleansed.”(Luke 17:14) If you look at the fact that Jesus’ request was for them to go to see the priests, and we know in general that the Jews were involved with priests, and on the other hand, the Gentile had basically no part in priests. Thus, this can be used as another hint that there were Jews among the ten. And we see that this Gentile had faith and a good conscience, and only he came back to thank Jesus.

If we look at what Jesus said, “…your faith has made you well.”(Luke 17:19), we can see that the sickness was sin related. Although the New Testament records that the disciples were able to perform many miracles, it does not record that anyone other than Jesus was able to cure leprosy. Referring to the Old Testament, such as Leviticus 13, we can see that leprosy is quite special. As we know today, some leprosy is contagious, but some is not, and there are quite a number of scriptures that talk about leprosy, so I won’t go into that. Here we see that in the healing of the lepers, “…you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…”(Matthew 9:6) Only He had the authority to forgive sins at that time. It is impossible for us today to have Jesus to forgive our sins, but His name represents Him, and so it is,”…repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”(Luke 24:47)

(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.”)

    我们在这篇短文中讨论了、两个关于休妻和拉撒路的经文所带来可能有的争议性话题。前者和一般的观点相当不同，后者会用这经文带出了在信心中四维空间不存在的问题。首先我们看到了经文说我们不能事奉两个主及其原因，说到为什么贪财是不好的，也看到天国是要努力进入的，不要做小信的人，看到了祷告的优先秩序，也提到了一个会被接纳的心志和祷告，和简短的讨论了大卫在诗篇 51 篇的祷告，不只在神面前悔改，也是在众人面前悔改。第二我们从休妻和另娶的中看到，神作事的一个原则，就是分别一般的情况和特例，对于这点，我们也举了其他的例子说明，并看耶稣自己怎么说。最后我们来看乞丐拉撒路和财主之间的事情，也看到了不能用亚伯拉罕和财主之间有深渊相隔，来说有四维空间(不包括时间)的存在。如果四维空间存在，除了和信心有冲突外，也会造成矛盾的。

1. 不能事奉两个主       

    『「一个仆人不能事奉两个主，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。」法利赛人是贪爱钱财的，他们听见这一切话，就嗤笑耶稣。耶稣对他们说：「你们是在人面前自称为义的，你们的心，神却知道；因为人所尊贵的，是神看为可憎恶的。「律法和先知到(施洗)约翰为止，从此神国的福音传开了，人人努力(G971)要进去。天地废去较比律法的一点一画落空还容易。」』(路加福音 16:13-17)      

    玛门基本上是指财富，我们看到了耶稣知道法利赛的心，知道他们贪爱钱财，『但那些想要发财的人，就陷在迷惑、落在网罗和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。贪财是万恶之根！有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。』(提摩太前书 6:9-10) 贪恋钱财是真的很不好的，这不是说钱财本身有问题，而是说不要贪财，且要看钱财是从那里来，怎么使用？有人做见证说，有一位姊妹承继了许多遗产，她本想捐出所有的遗产，她做见证说神没有这样告诉她该如此做，反该把遗产留下，她就用这些钱及利息支持了许多宣教的机构。再看看亚伯亚罕，以撒，雅各不都是因为神的祝福很有钱吗？    

    很清楚的，神憎恶人所尊贵的如钱财、沽名钓誉的好行为等。要真正如保罗所做的要从心里发出，『只是愿意我们记念穷人，这也是我本来热心去行的。』(加拉太书 2:10) 我们也看到律法(的真谛)是不能废去的，耶稣在世所行是如此，不消灭圣灵的感动，也是如此。律法本是好的如经文所说，『这样看来，律法是圣洁的，诫命也是圣洁、公义、良善的。』(罗马书 7:12) 只是『…凡有血气的，没有一个因行律法能在神面前称义，因为律法本是叫人知罪。』(罗马书 3:20) 所以保罗会说，『这样，我们因信废了律法吗？断乎不是！更是坚固律法。』(罗马书 3:31) 不消灭圣灵的感动，就自然而然的成全了律法。    

    我们也看到天国是要努力进入的，努力(G971) 在圣经只出现两次，另一次是一致的这样说，『从施洗约翰的时候到如今，天国是努力(G971)进入的，努力的人就得著了。』(马太福音 11:12) 这努力不是说努力做一般的好行为，如果我们看原文或英文就很清楚了，天国会遭受暴力的(G971) ，而以强力(G726)成为暴力的人(G973)才可以进入。这是指属灵的争战，『你们死在过犯罪恶之中，他叫你们活过来。那时，你们在其中行事为人，随从今世的风俗，顺服空中掌权者的首领，就是现今在悖逆之子心中运行的邪灵。』(以弗所书 2:1-2) 我们在没有信而受洗前本是这样，因为从亚当和夏娃开始都是『…世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀。』(罗马书 3:23) 到信而受洗时，『他救了我们脱离黑暗的权势，把我们迁到他爱子的国里；我们在爱子里得蒙救赎，罪过得以赦免。』(歌罗西书 1:13-14) 从那时起，『因我们并不是与属血气的争战，乃是与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战。所以，要拿起神所赐的全副军装，好在磨难的日子抵挡仇敌，并且成就了一切，还能站立得住。』(以弗所书 6:12-13) 我们以前提过，那全副军装中除了圣灵的宝剑外都是防御性的武器，所以神的意思是要我们首先要站立的住，当圣灵带领我们攻击时才是最好的时机，不要自作主张，以为凭自己的力量就可战胜撒但。这样的争战要以强力，怎么可能会是和平的呢？       

    在马太福音也说，『「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。「所以我告诉你们：不要为生命忧虑吃甚么，喝甚么；为身体忧虑穿甚么。生命不胜于饮食吗？身体不胜于衣裳吗？你们看那天上的飞鸟，也不种，也不收，也不积蓄在仓里，你们的天父尚且养活牠。你们不比飞鸟贵重得多吗？你们哪一个能用思虑使寿数多加一刻呢？「何必为衣裳忧虑呢？你想，野地里的百合花怎么长起来。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！「所以，不要忧虑说：『吃甚么？喝甚么？穿甚么？』这都是外邦人所求的。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。」』(马太福音 6:24-34)      

     很显然的，这经文主要是讲属世的事情，事奉神而知道祂会照顾所有的事情，我们还忧虑什么呢？有许多的见证都说到这，我们就不多讲了。这些经文也告诉我们祷告的优先秩序，不要做小信的人，要先求祂的国和祂的义，如主祷文般，所以我们注意到在这节经文，『我们日用的饮食，今日赐给我们。』(马太福音 6:11) 在这之前都是讲属灵的事，在这之后都是讲属世的事，而圣经讲得很清楚，『耶稣回答说：「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。』」』(路加福音 4:4) 我们实在该每天感谢那属灵的供应和属世的粮食。    

    这经文也明说了不要为明天而忧虑及其原因。最后我们要提到，这样的心志和祷告是会被接纳的，『我求你两件事，在我未死之先，不要不赐给我：求你使虚假和谎言远离我，使我也不贫穷也不富足，赐给我需用的饮食。恐怕我饱足不认你，说：『耶和华是谁呢？』又恐怕我贫穷就偷窃，以致亵渎我神的名。』(箴言 30:7-9) 再看看大卫的一个祷告，诗篇五十一篇是大卫在和拔示巴同室后作的一首诗，我们从诗中可看到大卫在神面前彻底悔改，有人告诉我比较没有人注意到这是交与伶长的，是许多人会去唱的，所以犯了大罪的大卫不祗是在神面前悔改，也是在众人面前悔改，没有隐藏自己的罪过。

2. 休妻和另娶的       

    『凡休妻另娶的就是犯奸淫，娶被休之妻的，也是犯奸淫。』(路加福音 16:18)       

    马太褔音也这样说，『又有话说：『人若休妻，就当给她休书。』只是我告诉你们：凡休妻的，若不是为淫乱的缘故，就是叫她作淫妇了；人若娶这被休的妇人，也是犯奸淫了。』(马太福音 5:31-32) 旧约更明说，『耶和华以色列的神说：「休妻的事和以强暴待妻的人，都是我所恨恶的。…』(玛拉基书 2:16)       

    这样看来，好像基督徒是绝对不可离婚的教导是绝对正确的。回答这个问题，我们要看圣经怎么说。首先我们看到，『他(耶和华)使摩西知道他的法则，…』(诗篇 103:7) 我们要像摩西一样知道祂作事的法则，从圣经的一致性来看这经文意谓著什么？简单来说，这问题和该不该受洗的问题本质上是一样的。说到受洗，我们以前分享过，是一般该受洗的，简单的说，因大使命这样要求(参马太福音 28:18-20)，而耶稣又做了我们的榜像(参马太福音 3:13-17) 但在特殊情况的情况下是可以不受洗的，圣经只说了和耶稣同钉十字架的两犯人之一的作例子(参路加福音 23:39-43) 我们看圣经要很清楚的分辩，一般情况和特殊情况，在特殊情况时我们该问的是不是在同样的情况之下。       

    我们再看妓女喇合的例子(参约书亚记 2:1-22)，她又做妓女又说谎，但圣经怎么说她呢！『妓女喇合因著信，曾和和平平地接待探子，就不与那些不顺从的人一同灭亡。』(希伯来书 11:31) 所以神所看重是和人相当不同，喇合被称赞的是她的信，不是因她做过妓女，也不是因她放下自己的生命而为神说谎，我们也看到她甚至于在耶稣的家谱中(参马太福音 1:5) 。其实我们也从这中看出她不愿做妓女的，圣经没有明说她为什么非得做妓女不可，猜也无益，不能真正猜出来的。难道神要每一个人说谎和要每一个女人做妓女吗？这是特殊的情况，神有绝对的主权，祂看人的内心，和世人所看到的不同。关于这点，我们有更多的例子，就不多说了！       

    最后我们看耶稣怎么说，『…耶稣回答说：「那起初造人的，是造男造女，并且说：『因此，人要离开父母，与妻子连合，二人成为一体。』这经你们没有念过吗？既然如此，夫妻不再是两个人，乃是一体的了。所以，神配合的，人不可分开。』(马太福音 19:3-6) 前面是讲一般结婚情况，不可离婚，我们可看到这点，因祂接著又说基本上同样的话，『法利赛人说：「这样，摩西为甚么吩咐给妻子休书，就可以休她呢？」耶稣说：「摩西因为你们的心硬，所以许你们休妻，但起初并不是这样。我告诉你们：凡休妻另娶的，若不是为淫乱的缘故，就是犯奸淫了；有人娶那被休的妇人，也是犯奸淫了。」』(马太福音 19:7-9)    

    其实后面也提到了关于神配合的人不可分开的特殊的情况，这不是开了一个可离婚而再结婚的门和借口，在这特殊的情况下，我们要问的是，这婚姻真的是神所配合的吗？譬如说，如果夫妻本都是非基督徒的话，我不敢说这婚姻一定是神所配合的而不是人自己选的。所以基督徒是绝对不可离婚的教导不是绝对正确的，要看是一般的情况或是特殊的情况。这就像有人说，我不必去教会，只要我信就好，可是圣经不是这样说。只是要非常注意，仇敌撒但是乐于见要到一个婚婚的破裂的，我们必须要非常小心去分辩，不要中了仇敌的诡计。

3. 乞丐拉撒路的事情       

    『「有一个财主，穿著紫色袍和细麻布衣服，天天奢华宴乐。又有一个讨饭的，名叫拉撒路，浑身生疮，被人放在财主门口，要得财主桌子上掉下来的零碎充饥，并且狗来舔他的疮。「后来那讨饭的死了，被天使带去放在亚伯拉罕的怀里。财主也死了，并且埋葬了。他在阴间受痛苦，举目远远地望见亚伯拉罕，又望见拉撒路在他怀里，就喊著说：『我祖亚伯拉罕哪，可怜我吧！打发拉撒路来，用指头尖蘸点水，凉凉我的舌头，因为我在这火焰里，极其痛苦。』「亚伯拉罕说：『儿啊，你该回想你生前享过福，拉撒路也受过苦；如今他在这里得安慰，你倒受痛苦。不但这样，并且在你我之间，有深渊限定，以致人要从这边过到你们那边是不能的；要从那边过到我们这边也是不能的。』「财主说：『我祖啊！既是这样，求你打发拉撒路到我父家去，因为我还有五个弟兄，他可以对他们作见证，免得他们也来到这痛苦的地方。』「亚伯拉罕说：『他们有摩西和先知的话可以听从。』「他说：『我祖亚伯拉罕哪，不是的，若有一个从死里复活的，到他们那里去的，他们必要悔改。』「亚伯拉罕说：『若不听从摩西和先知的话，就是有一个从死里复活的，他们也是不听劝。』」』(路加福音 16:19-31)       

    圣经是神所默示的，我们不要把圣经的话打折扣，要在信心中看结果，因为我们知道，『凭著他们的果子，就可以认出他们来。荆棘上岂能摘葡萄呢？蒺藜里岂能摘无花果呢？』(马太福音 7:16) 这里只描述了拉撒路的生活，拉撒路的果子是他在亚伯拉罕的怀中，圣经没有明讲是为什么，乱猜是猜不出来的。财主的生活是他已在世上享过福，他的果子使他下到阴间受痛苦，不是如中国人俗话所说的、人死如灯灭。这不是说每一个人因富有就会下到阴间，如亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各因神的祝福而在人间富有，他们绝对没有下阴间。我们也看到了这财主至少想到了他的弟兄，但以为有死里复活的见证，他的弟兄就会相信？是这样子吗？耶稣从死里复活，不是每个人因为有这样的记载都相信的。      

    我们也看到了亚伯拉罕的反应，关于有深渊限定这一件事，有人认为阴间和亚伯拉罕的灵体不在一个维度上，因此至少有四维空间(不算时间)。但这需要假设灵体是可以在同一维空间自由移动，我们不能因复活后的耶稣曾在人间不受限制，并下到阴间和上到天上就做如此的假设(公理)，这是不合逻辑的。另外，如果四维空间存在，有些圣经的话语就很容易解释，不需要有圣经是如是说的信心了！且其存在和三维空间的逻辑相违背，而我们是活在三维空间中。      

    要看到这一点，我们知道要神在三维空间中创造一个祂举不起来的石头是不可能的，现在我们就用这做例子。对数学的空间概念不熟习的人，我们可以用一维空间和二维空间的类比看到这一件事情。如果二维空间的一个长方块和一维空间相交，在一维空间所看到的就是这长方块和一维空间相交的线段如图一所示。但也可从图一中看见，二维空间的长方块的方向不同，可以产生同样的一维空间线段，也就是在二维空间我们举起了这长方块，而在一维空间的这线段不动，没被举起来。如果且四维空间存在的话，而且三维空间和四维空间的关系和这相同，我们就可看见存在一个四维空间的石头，神实在已经举起来，而在三维空间纹风不动，没有被举起来。

图一: 同样线段，但长方形不是唯一的

    最后我做一个相关四维空间的简短见证作为结束。我现在正准备一本小册子，「 从创世记一到三章看神的旨意」，我以为它的前身逻辑上没有问题，因此也就寄出请人看了。一段时间后，实在是没想到圣灵在意念中告诉我说我错了，我实在想不出逻辑错在那里，然后就突然意识到最开始我就错了。在最开始说，『起初神创造天(heaven, H8064, 复数)地。』(创世记 1:1) 天用的是复数，所以应该是诸天，我那时以为诸天是从地球上看，在灵体是可以在同一维空间自由移动的假设下，我就能用四维空间的存在很容易的解释那样的诸天。但这是错的，因为从创世记 1:3 才开始讲现今世界的创造，而诸天在第一节就说到，是指起初神创造时间和空间时的诸天，应是指每一个星球在起初时都有自己的天，也就是第一节说的诸天，也因此看到了为什么圣经说四维空间的不存在，这里只是简单的提到一些，详细的论述会在这本小册子的附录中。的确，圣灵知道圣经非常清楚。如果祂愿意，祂能透过启示更正我们，就像保罗所祷告的，『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)

(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』。) 

        我們在這篇短文中討論了、兩個關於休妻和拉撒路的經文所帶來可能有的爭議性話題。前者和一般的觀點相當不同，後者會用這經文帶出了在信心中四維空間不存在的問題。首先我們看到了經文說我們不能事奉兩個主及其原因，說到為什麼貪財是不好的，也看到天國是要努力進入的，不要做小信的人，看到了禱告的優先秩序，也提到了一個會被接納的心志和禱告，和簡短的討論了大衞在詩篇 51 篇的禱告，不只在神面前悔改，也是在眾人面前悔改。第二我們從休妻和另娶的中看到，神作事的一個原則，就是分別一般的情況和特例，對於這點，我們也舉了其他的例子說明，並看耶穌自己怎麼說。最後我們來看乞丐拉撒路和財主之間的事情，也看到了不能用亞伯拉罕和財主之間有深淵相隔，來說有四維空間(不包括時間)的存在。如果四維空間存在，除了和信心有衝突外，也會造成矛盾的。

1. 不能事奉兩個主

       『「一個僕人不能事奉兩個主，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。」法利賽人是貪愛錢財的，他們聽見這一切話，就嗤笑耶穌。耶穌對他們說：「你們是在人面前自稱為義的，你們的心，神卻知道；因為人所尊貴的，是神看為可憎惡的。「律法和先知到(施洗)約翰為止，從此神國的福音傳開了，人人努力(G971)要進去。天地廢去較比律法的一點一畫落空還容易。」』(路加福音 16:13-17)

      瑪門基本上是指財富，我們看到了耶穌知道法利賽的心，知道他們貪愛錢財，『但那些想要發財的人，就陷在迷惑、落在網羅和許多無知有害的私慾裏，叫人沉在敗壞和滅亡中。貪財是萬惡之根！有人貪戀錢財，就被引誘離了真道，用許多愁苦把自己刺透了。』(提摩太前書 6:9-10) 貪戀錢財是真的很不好的，這不是說錢財本身有問題，而是說不要貪財，且要看錢財是從那裡來，怎麼使用？有人做見証說，有一位姊妹承繼了許多遺產，她本想捐出所有的遺產，她做見証說神沒有這樣告訴她該如此做，反該把遺產留下，她就用這些錢及利息支持了許多宣教的機構。再看看亞伯亞罕，以撒，雅各不都是因為神的祝福很有錢嗎？

    很清楚的，神憎惡人所尊貴的如錢財、沽名釣譽的好行為等。要真正如保羅所做的要從心裏發出，『只是願意我們記念窮人，這也是我本來熱心去行的。』(加拉太書 2:10) 我們也看到律法(的真諦)是不能廢去的，耶穌在世所行是如此，不消滅聖靈的感動，也是如此。律法本是好的如經文所說，『這樣看來，律法是聖潔的，誡命也是聖潔、公義、良善的。』(羅馬書 7:12) 只是『…凡有血氣的，沒有一個因行律法能在神面前稱義，因為律法本是叫人知罪。』(羅馬書 3:20) 所以保羅會說，『這樣，我們因信廢了律法嗎？斷乎不是！更是堅固律法。』(羅馬書 3:31) 不消滅聖靈的感動，就自然而然的成全了律法。

    我們也看到天國是要努力進入的，努力(G971) 在聖經只出現兩次，另一次是一致的這樣說，『從施洗約翰的時候到如今，天國是努力(G971)進入的，努力的人就得着了。』(馬太福音 11:12) 這努力不是說努力做一般的好行為，如果我們看原文或英文就很清楚了，天國會遭受暴力的(G971) ，而以強力(G726)成為暴力的人(G973)才可以進入。這是指屬靈的爭戰，『你們死在過犯罪惡之中，他叫你們活過來。那時，你們在其中行事為人，隨從今世的風俗，順服空中掌權者的首領，就是現今在悖逆之子心中運行的邪靈。』(以弗所書 2:1-2) 我們在沒有信而受洗前本是這樣，因為從亞當和夏娃開始都是『…世人都犯了罪，虧缺了神的榮耀。』(羅馬書 3:23) 到信而受洗時，『他救了我們脫離黑暗的權勢，把我們遷到他愛子的國裏；我們在愛子裏得蒙救贖，罪過得以赦免。』(歌羅西書 1:13-14) 從那時起，『因我們並不是與屬血氣的爭戰，乃是與那些執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的，以及天空屬靈氣的惡魔爭戰。所以，要拿起神所賜的全副軍裝，好在磨難的日子抵擋仇敵，並且成就了一切，還能站立得住。』(以弗所書 6:12-13) 我們以前提過，那全副軍裝中除了聖靈的寶劍外都是防禦性的武器，所以神的意思是要我們首先要站立的住，當聖靈帶領我們攻擊時才是最好的時機，不要自作主張，以為憑自己的力量就可戰勝撒但。這樣的爭戰要以強力，怎麼可能會是和平的呢？

       在馬太福音也說，『「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。「所以我告訴你們：不要為生命憂慮吃甚麼，喝甚麼；為身體憂慮穿甚麼。生命不勝於飲食嗎？身體不勝於衣裳嗎？你們看那天上的飛鳥，也不種，也不收，也不積蓄在倉裏，你們的天父尚且養活牠。你們不比飛鳥貴重得多嗎？你們哪一個能用思慮使壽數多加一刻呢？「何必為衣裳憂慮呢？你想，野地裏的百合花怎麼長起來。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！「所以，不要憂慮說：『吃甚麼？喝甚麼？穿甚麼？』這都是外邦人所求的。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。」』(馬太福音 6:24-34)

       很顯然的，這經文主要是講屬世的事情，事奉神而知道祂會照顧所有的事情，我們還憂慮什麼呢？有許多的見証都說到這，我們就不多講了。這些經文也告訴我們禱告的優先秩序，不要做小信的人，要先求祂的國和祂的義，如主禱文般，所以我們注意到在這節經文，『我們日用的飲食，今日賜給我們。』(馬太福音 6:11) 在這之前都是講屬靈的事，在這之後都是講屬世的事，而聖經講得很清楚，『耶穌回答說：「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。』」』(路加福音 4:4) 我們實在該每天感謝那屬靈的供應和屬世的糧食。

    這經文也明說了不要為明天而憂慮及其原因。最後我們要提到，這樣的心志和禱告是會被接納的，『我求你兩件事，在我未死之先，不要不賜給我：求你使虛假和謊言遠離我，使我也不貧窮也不富足，賜給我需用的飲食。恐怕我飽足不認你，說：『耶和華是誰呢？』又恐怕我貧窮就偷竊，以致褻瀆我神的名。』(箴言 30:7-9) 再看看大衞的一個禱告，詩篇五十一篇是大衞在和拔示巴同室後作的一首詩，我們從詩中可看到大衞在神面前徹底悔改，有人告訴我比較沒有人注意到這是交與伶長的，是許多人會去唱的，所以犯了大罪的大衞不祗是在神面前悔改，也是在眾人面前悔改，沒有隱藏自己的罪過。

2. 休妻和另娶的

       『凡休妻另娶的就是犯姦淫，娶被休之妻的，也是犯姦淫。』(路加福音 16:18)

       馬太褔音也這樣說，『又有話說：『人若休妻，就當給她休書。』只是我告訴你們：凡休妻的，若不是為淫亂的緣故，就是叫她作淫婦了；人若娶這被休的婦人，也是犯姦淫了。』(馬太福音 5:31-32) 舊約更明說，『耶和華以色列的神說：「休妻的事和以強暴待妻的人，都是我所恨惡的。…』(瑪拉基書 2:16) 

       這樣看來，好像基督徒是絕對不可離婚的教導是絕對正確的。回答這個問題，我們要看聖經怎麼說。首先我們看到，『他(耶和華)使摩西知道他的法則，…』(詩篇 103:7) 我們要像摩西一樣知道祂作事的法則，從聖經的一致性來看這經文意謂著什麼？簡單來說，這問題和該不該受洗的問題本質上是一樣的。說到受洗，我們以前分享過，是一般該受洗的，簡單的說，因大使命這樣要求(參馬太福音 28:18-20)，而耶穌又做了我們的榜像(參馬太福音 3:13-17) 但在特殊情況的情況下是可以不受洗的，聖經只說了和耶穌同釘十字架的兩犯人之一的作例子(參路加福音 23:39-43) 我們看聖經要很清楚的分辨，一般情況和特殊情況，在特殊情況時我們該問的是不是在同樣的情況之下。

       我們再看妓女喇合的例子(參約書亞記 2:1-22)，她又做妓女又說謊，但聖經怎麼說她呢！『妓女喇合因着信，曾和和平平地接待探子，就不與那些不順從的人一同滅亡。』(希伯來書 11:31) 所以神所看重是和人相當不同，喇合被稱讚的是她的信，不是因她做過妓女，也不是因她放下自己的生命而為神說謊，我們也看到她甚至於在耶穌的家譜中(參馬太福音 1:5) 。其實我們也從這中看出她不願做妓女的，聖經沒有明說她為什麼非得做妓女不可，猜也無益，不能真正猜出來的。難道神要每一個人說謊和要每一個女人做妓女嗎？這是特殊的情況，神有絕對的主權，祂看人的內心，和世人所看到的不同。關於這點，我們有更多的例子，就不多說了！

       最後我們看耶穌怎麼說，『…耶穌回答說：「那起初造人的，是造男造女，並且說：『因此，人要離開父母，與妻子連合，二人成為一體。』這經你們沒有念過嗎？既然如此，夫妻不再是兩個人，乃是一體的了。所以，神配合的，人不可分開。』(馬太福音 19:3-6) 前面是講一般結婚情況，不可離婚，我們可看到這點，因祂接著又說基本上同樣的話，『法利賽人說：「這樣，摩西為甚麼吩咐給妻子休書，就可以休她呢？」耶穌說：「摩西因為你們的心硬，所以許你們休妻，但起初並不是這樣。我告訴你們：凡休妻另娶的，若不是為淫亂的緣故，就是犯姦淫了；有人娶那被休的婦人，也是犯姦淫了。」』(馬太福音 19:7-9)

    其實後面也提到了關於神配合的人不可分開的特殊的情況，這不是開了一個可離婚而再結婚的門和藉口，在這特殊的情況下，我們要問的是，這婚姻真的是神所配合的嗎？譬如說，如果夫妻本都是非基督徒的話，我不敢說這婚姻一定是神所配合的而不是人自己選的。所以基督徒是絕對不可離婚的教導不是絕對正確的，要看是一般的情況或是特殊的情況。這就像有人說，我不必去教會，只要我信就好，可是聖經不是這樣說。只是要非常注意，仇敵撒但是樂於見要到一個婚婚的破裂的，我們必須要非常小心去分辨，不要中了仇敵的詭計。

3. 乞丐拉撒路的事情

       『「有一個財主，穿着紫色袍和細麻布衣服，天天奢華宴樂。又有一個討飯的，名叫拉撒路，渾身生瘡，被人放在財主門口，要得財主桌子上掉下來的零碎充飢，並且狗來舔他的瘡。「後來那討飯的死了，被天使帶去放在亞伯拉罕的懷裏。財主也死了，並且埋葬了。他在陰間受痛苦，舉目遠遠地望見亞伯拉罕，又望見拉撒路在他懷裏，就喊着說：『我祖亞伯拉罕哪，可憐我吧！打發拉撒路來，用指頭尖蘸點水，涼涼我的舌頭，因為我在這火焰裏，極其痛苦。』「亞伯拉罕說：『兒啊，你該回想你生前享過福，拉撒路也受過苦；如今他在這裏得安慰，你倒受痛苦。不但這樣，並且在你我之間，有深淵限定，以致人要從這邊過到你們那邊是不能的；要從那邊過到我們這邊也是不能的。』「財主說：『我祖啊！既是這樣，求你打發拉撒路到我父家去，因為我還有五個弟兄，他可以對他們作見證，免得他們也來到這痛苦的地方。』「亞伯拉罕說：『他們有摩西和先知的話可以聽從。』「他說：『我祖亞伯拉罕哪，不是的，若有一個從死裏復活的，到他們那裏去的，他們必要悔改。』「亞伯拉罕說：『若不聽從摩西和先知的話，就是有一個從死裏復活的，他們也是不聽勸。』」』(路加福音 16:19-31)

       聖經是神所默示的，我們不要把聖經的話打折扣，要在信心中看結果，因為我們知道，『憑着他們的果子，就可以認出他們來。荊棘上豈能摘葡萄呢？蒺藜裏豈能摘無花果呢？』(馬太福音 7:16) 這裏只描述了拉撒路的生活，拉撒路的果子是他在亞伯拉罕的懷中，聖經沒有明講是為什麼，亂猜是猜不出來的。財主的生活是他已在世上享過福，他的果子使他下到陰間受痛苦，不是如中國人俗話所說的、人死如燈滅。這不是說每一個人因富有就會下到陰間，如亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各因神的祝福而在人間富有，他們絕對沒有下陰間。我們也看到了這財主至少想到了他的弟兄，但以為有死裏復活的見証，他的弟兄就會相信？是這樣子嗎？耶穌從死裏復活，不是每個人因為有這樣的記載都相信的。

      我們也看到了亞伯拉罕的反應，關於有深淵限定這一件事，有人認為陰間和亞伯拉罕的靈體不在一個維度上，因此至少有四維空間(不算時間)。但這需要假設靈體是可以在同一維空間自由移動，我們不能因復活後的耶穌曾在人間不受限制，並下到陰間和上到天上就做如此的假設(公理)，這是不合邏輯的。另外，如果四維空間存在，有些聖經的話語就很容易解釋，不需要有聖經是如是說的信心了！且其存在和三維空間的邏輯相違背，而我們是活在三維空間中。

      要看到這一點，我們知道要神在三維空間中創造一個祂舉不起來的石頭是不可能的，現在我們就用這做例子。對數學的空間概念不熟習的人，我們可以用一維空間和二維空間的類比看到這一件事情。如果二維空間的一個長方塊和一維空間相交，在一維空間所看到的就是這長方塊和一維空間相交的線段如圖一所示。但也可從圖一中看見，二維空間的長方塊的方向不同，可以產生同樣的一維空間線段，也就是在二維空間我們舉起了這長方塊，而在一維空間的這線段不動，沒被舉起來。如果且四維空間存在的話，而且三維空間和四維空間的關係和這相同，我們就可看見存在一個四維空間的石頭，神實在已經舉起來，而在三維空間紋風不動，沒有被舉起來。

圖一: 同樣線段，但長方形不是唯一的

    最後我做一個相關四維空間的簡短見証作為結束。我現在正準備一本小册子，「 從創世記一到三章看神的旨意」，我以為它的前身邏輯上沒有問題，因此也就寄出請人看了。一段時間後，實在是沒想到聖靈在意念中告訴我說我錯了，我實在想不出邏輯錯在那裏，然後就突然意識到最開始我就錯了。在最開始說，『起初神創造天(heaven, H8064, 複數)地。』(創世記 1:1) 天用的是複數，所以應該是諸天，我那時以為諸天是從地球上看，在靈體是可以在同一維空間自由移動的假設下，我就能用四維空間的存在很容易的解釋那樣的諸天。但這是錯的，因為從創世記 1:3 才開始講現今世界的創造，而諸天在第一節就說到，是指起初神創造時間和空間時的諸天，應是指每一個星球在起初時都有自己的天，也就是第一節說的諸天，也因此看到了為什麼聖經說四維空間的不存在，這裏只是簡單的提到一些，詳細的論述會在這本小册子的附錄中。的確，聖靈知道聖經非常清楚。如果祂願意，祂能透過啓示更正我們，就像保羅所禱告的，『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)

(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』。)

In this short article we discuss two potentially controversial topics that arise from the passages on divorce and Lazarus the beggar. The former is quite different from the common view, and the latter brings up the issue of the non-existence of four dimensional space in faith using this scripture. First, we see the scripture that says we cannot serve two masters and why it is not good to be greedy for money. And the kingdom of heaven is to be entered with forcedly effort. We shouldn’t be of little faith. We also see that prayer has priority, and that there is a reference to a mind and prayer that will be accepted. We also discuss briefly one of David’s prayer in Psalm 51 why we say that he is not only repent before God but also before men. Secondly, we see from the divorce and remarriage that one of the principles of God’s work is to distinguish between the general situation and the special case. And we have given other examples to illustrate this point, and see what Jesus Himself said. Finally, when we look at the incident between Lazarus the beggar and the rich man, we can see that we cannot use the fact that there is a great chasm fixed between Abraham and the rich man to say that there is a four-dimensional space (not including time). If four-dimensional space exists, it will create a contradiction in addition to a conflict with faith. 

1. Cannot serve two masters

““No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God. “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail.”(Luke 16:13-17)

We see that Jesus knew the hearts of the Pharisees, and knew that they coveted money, “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”(1 Timothy 6:9-10) Covetousness of money is really bad. This is not to say that there is something wrong with money per se, but rather that we should not be greedy for money, and we should look at where it comes from and how it is used. Someone testified that there was a sister who inherited a lot of money, and she wanted to give it all away, but she testified that God didn’t tell her to do that, but to leave it behind, and she used the money and the interest to support a lot of missionary organizations. Look at Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, weren’t they all rich because of God’s blessings?

It is clear that God hates what considered as the honorable things of men, such as money, fame, and good works on surface. It must come from the heart as Paul did, “They only asked us to remember the poor⁠—the very thing I also was eager to do.”(Galatians 2:10) We also see that the Law (the true meaning of the Law) cannot be abrogated, as Jesus did in His earthly life. The law is good as the scripture says, “So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”(Romans 7:12) But “because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.”(Romans 3:20) So Paul would say, “Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.”(Romans 3:31) The law is naturally fulfilled by “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19)

We also see that the kingdom of heaven requires effort (G971) to enter as translated in the Chinese Union Bible. The word (G971) appears only twice in the Bible, and the other time it is unanimously stated, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence (G971), and violent men take it by force.”(Matthew 11:12) Thus this effort does not mean effort to do good deeds in general. If we look at the original text or the English text, it is very clear that the kingdom of heaven will be entered by those who suffer violence (G971), and those who become violent (G973) by force (G726). This refers to the spiritual warfare, “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.”(Ephesians 2:1-2) This was the case before we were baptized without faith, for from Adam and Eve onwards, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23) When we were baptized by faith, “…He (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)

From that time on, “…our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”(Ephesians 6:12-13) As we mentioned before, the armor, except for the sword of the Holy Spirit, are all defensive weapons. Therefore, God wants us to stand firm first, and the best time to attack is when the Holy Spirit leads us to attack, and not to think that we can defeat Satan by our own strength. How can such a battle be peaceful if it is fought with strength?

In the Gospel of Matthew, it says, ““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.”(Matthew 6:24-34)

Obviously, this scripture is mainly about worldly things. If we serve God and know that He will take care of everything, why should we worry? There are many testimonies that speak to this, so we will not go into that. These verses also tell us to prioritize our prayers, not to be men of little faith, but to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, as in the Lord’s Prayer. We notice in this verse, “Give us this day our daily bread.”(Matthew 6:11) Before this verse it is all about spiritual things, after this verse it is all about worldly things, and the Bible is very clear, “And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’””(Luke 4:4) We should indeed be thankful every day for the spiritual provision and the worldly food. This verse also explains the reason for not worrying about tomorrow. 

Finally, we should mention that such a heart and prayer will be accepted, “Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.”(Proverbs 30:7-9) Let’s take a look at one of David’s prayers. Psalm 51 is a psalm that David wrote after he had gone in to Bathsheba. We can see from this psalm that David repented completely before God. Someone told me that no one noticed that this was a song that was delivered to the director of the opera, and it was sung by a lot of people. He did not hide his sin and repented in front of people. 

2. Divorce and remarry 

“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.”(Luke 16:18)

The Gospel according to Matthew also says, “It was said, ‘Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce’; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”(Matthew 5:31-32) The Old Testament further states boldly, “For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts. “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.””(Malachi 2:16) Described in this way, it seems that the teaching that Christians should never divorce is absolutely correct.

To answer this question, we need to look at what the Bible says. First of all, we see that “He (the Lord) made known His ways to Moses, …”(Psalm 103:7) We are to be like Moses in knowing His ways, so what does this passage mean from a Biblical perspective? Simply put, the issue is essentially the same as whether or not we should be baptized. When it comes to baptism, as we have shared before, we should be baptized in general. This is required by the Great Commission (cf. Matthew 28:18-20), and Jesus is our example (cf. Matthew 3:13-17). However, we can be without baptism under special circumstances as the criminal case indicates（cf. Luke 23:39-43) We need to look at the Bible to clearly distinguish between general and special cases, and in special cases we should ask if we are in the same situation.

Let’s look at the example of Rahab the prostitute (Joshua 2:1-22). She was a prostitute and a liar, but what does the Bible say about her! “By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.”(Hebrews 11:31) So God values her quite differently from man. Rahab was praised for her faith, not for being a prostitute, not for laying down her life to lie for God, and we see that she is even in Jesus’ family tree (Matthew 1:5). In fact, we can see from this that she did not want to be a prostitute. The Bible does not say why she had to be a prostitute, so it is useless to guess. Does God want every man to lie and every woman to be a prostitute? Definitely not! This is a special case. God has absolute sovereignty, and He sees people’s hearts differently from what the world sees. There are many more examples of this, so I won’t go into them!

Lastly, let’s look at what Jesus said about this issue, “Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?” And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.””(Matthew 19:3-6) The first part of this passage is about the general situation of marriage, which cannot be divorced, and we can see this because He then says basically the same thing, “They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give her a certificate of divorce and send her away?” He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.””(Matthew 19:7-9)

In fact, the latter part of this passage mentions the special circumstances that “…What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”(Matthew 19:6) The special case does not mean to open the door or an excuse for divorce and remarriage. Under these special circumstances, we have to ask, “Is this marriage really a marriage that God has joined together?” For example, if both the husband and wife are non-Christians to start with, I dare not say that the marriage is definitely a marriage of that God has joined rather than man’s own choice. Therefore, the teaching that Christians should never get divorced is not absolutely correct, but it depends on the general situation or the special case. It is like someone saying, “I don’t have to go to church, as long as I believe,” but that is not what the Bible says. Just be very aware that the enemy, Satan, would love to see a marriage broken up, and we must be very careful to discern that, so that we don’t fall for the enemy’s schemes.

3. The matter of the beggar Lazarus

“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house⁠— for I have five brothers⁠—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”(Luke 16:19-31)

The Bible is inspired by God. Let us not discount the words of the Bible, but look at the fruits in faith, for we know that “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?”(Matthew 7:16) This paragraph describes the life of Lazarus. The fruit of Lazarus was that he was in Abraham’s bosom, the Bible does not say why, so it is impossible to guess. The life of the rich man was that he had already enjoyed the blessings of the world, and the fruit of his life was that he went down to the Hades to suffer, not to die like a lamp going out, as the Chinese saying goes. This does not mean that everyone who is rich will go down to Hades. For example, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were rich in the world because of God’s blessings, and they definitely did not go down to Hades. We can also see that the rich man at least thought of his brothers, but thought that with the testimony of the resurrection from the dead, his brothers would believe? Is that so? Not everyone believes in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead because of this account.

We have also seen Abraham’s reaction to the idea that there is a chasm between him and the rich man. Some people think that the Hades and Abraham’s spirit body were not in the same dimension, so there are at least four dimensions of space (not counting time). However, this requires the assumption that the spirit body can move freely in the same dimension. We cannot make such an assumption (axiom) just because the resurrected Jesus was unrestricted in the human world and went down to the Hades and up to the Heavens, which is illogical. Also, if four dimensions existed, some of the words of the Bible would be easy to explain and there would be no need to have faith that the Bible says so! And its existence is contrary to the logic of three dimensional space, in which we live. 

To see this, we know that it would be impossible for God to create a rock in three dimensions that He could not lift, and we will use this as an example to illustrate one point. For those of you who are not familiar with the mathematical concept of space, we can see this with the analogy between one-dimensional space and two-dimensional space. If a rectangle in two-dimensional space intersects with one-dimensional space, what you see in one-dimensional space is the line segment that intersects this rectangle and one-dimensional space as shown in Fig. 1. However, it can also be seen from Fig. 1 that the orientation of the rectangles in two-dimensional space is different, which can produce the same line segment in one-dimensional space. That is, in two-dimensional space we lift the rectangle, while in one-dimensional space the line segment does not move and is not lifted up. If and when four-dimensional space exists, and the relationship between three-dimensional space and four-dimensional space is the same as this, we can see that there is a four-dimensional stone, which God has actually lifted, while in three-dimensional space the rock does not move and is not lifted. This is in contradiction to three dimensional logic.

Fig. 1: Same line segments, but the rectangle is not unique

I’ll conclude with a short testimony about four-dimensional space. I am now preparing a booklet, “God’s Will in Genesis 1-3”, and I thought its predecessor was logically sound, so I sent it out to be read. After a while, I didn’t expect the Holy Spirit to tell me in my mind that I was wrong, and I couldn’t figure out where the logic was wrong, and then I suddenly realized that I was wrong from the very beginning. In the beginning it says, “In the beginning God created the heavens (heaven, H8064, plural) and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) Since heaven is plural, it should be the heavens as translated. Before I thought that the heavens were viewed from the earth, and I could easily explain the heavens in terms of the existence of the four dimensions under the assumption that the spirit body is free to move in the same dimension. But this is wrong, because from Genesis 1:3 we begin to talk about the creation of the present world, and the heavens are mentioned in the first verse, which refers to the heavens in the beginning when God created time and space, which means that each planet had its own heaven in the beginning. That is, the fact that the heavens mentioned in the first verse makes us to see why the Bible says that the four dimensional space doesn’t exist in faith, which is only briefly mentioned here, and will be discussed in detail in the Appendix of this booklet. Indeed, Holy Spirit knows the Bible best. If He wants, He can initialize the correction through revelation as Paul prayed, “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)

(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.”)

    我们先看浪子的比喻，首先看小儿子，他在父亲生前就要求分财产，带著他那一份出走挥霍，遭受苦难而最终悔改回到父亲身旁。看父亲的反应就知道父亲已随时准备好为小儿子的悔改而欢欣。这不是天父和我们的关系吗？世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀，我们不会比那小儿子好，但天父随时准备好我们的悔改，信而受洗，同时忍痛看我们受苦难，让我们面对自己的决定。第二，我们再看大儿子，他看见小儿子的遭遇而不平，只因自己守律法而没有违背父亲的命令而自夸，却忘记父亲的慈心，论断自己的弟兄。最后我们看看那不义的管家的教训，所求于管家的是要有忠心，显然这人不配做管家，可见主人不同意他做的，但夸讲他的确在地上的事聪明，我们应该注目在天上的事，善用那不义的钱财，小事上忠心的结果，是别人才敢把真实的钱财托付给你。

1. 浪子的比喻       

    『耶稣又说：「一个人有两个儿子。小儿子对父亲说：『父亲，请你把我应得的家业分给我。』他父亲就把产业分给他们。「过了不多几日，小儿子就把他一切所有的都收拾起来，往远方去了。在那里任意放荡，浪费资财。既耗尽了一切所有的，又遇著那地方大遭饥荒，就穷苦起来。于是去投靠那地方的一个人，那人打发他到田里去放猪。他恨不得拿猪所吃的豆荚充饥，也没有人给他。「他醒悟过来，就说：『我父亲有多少的雇工，口粮有余，我倒在这里饿死吗？我要起来，到我父亲那里去，向他说：父亲！我得罪了天，又得罪了你。从今以后，我不配称为你的儿子，把我当作一个雇工吧！』于是起来，往他父亲那里去。 「相离还远，他父亲看见，就动了慈心，跑去抱著他的颈项，连连与他亲嘴。儿子说：『父亲！我得罪了天，又得罪了你。从今以后，我不配称为你的儿子。』「父亲却吩咐仆人说：『把那上好的袍子快拿出来给他穿，把戒指戴在他指头上，把鞋穿在他脚上，把那肥牛犊牵来宰了，我们可以吃喝快乐。因为我这个儿子是死而复活、失而又得的。』他们就快乐起来。』(路加福音 15:11-24)       

    这是耶稣说的，依照圣经的一致性，祂是在说救恩的事情。我们先看这浪子小儿子，他分了家产后带走了一切而浪费资财，且因此穷苦，受了许多的苦，最后悔改回到父亲身边。这不是指我们吗？『因为世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀。』(罗马书 3:23) 所以我们不要以为自己比那浪子好多了！没有神的恩典，耶稣的救恩，被罪沾污的我们只有一死，付罪的工价。这在经文说得很清楚，『因为罪的工价乃是死，惟有神的恩赐，在我们的主基督耶稣里，乃是永生。』(罗马书 6:23) 而『天国近了，你们应当悔改！』(马太福音 3:2) 所以悔改是非常重要重要的。我所知道的复兴，都是以悔改开始。    

    『如今却蒙神的恩典，因基督耶稣的救赎，就白白地称义。』(罗马书 3:24) 是白白的称义，我们看父亲对他悔改的反应就知道这点，相离还远，父亲就迫不及待的跑去欢迎他。这里是说父亲常常等待他，如果看不到这点，那么这上好的袍子是为他准备的，要不怎能合身？那时的戒指的大小是固定的，怎能戴在他手上？鞋又怎能合脚？这父亲为这失去的小儿子仍然准备了这一切，期望有这么一天。父亲的快乐是因为这个小儿子是死而复活、失而又得的。我们信主不是这样吗？『你们在天上的父也是这样，不愿意这小子里失丧一个。』(马太福音 18:14) 『他愿意万人得救，明白真道。』(提摩太前书 2:4) 不愿一人沈沦。而且『…一个罪人悔改，在天上也要这样为他欢喜，…』(路加福音 15:7)       

    我们再来看看这父亲，父亲没有死时小儿子就要求分财产，真是完全不尊重这父亲，因此可能有人会质疑这父亲是不是太溺爱这小儿子了？如果是说地上的父亲，可能真是如此，因为他可以不答应的，但他答应了！如果这父亲是代表天父，情况就会完全不一样，祂知道祂的儿女会受苦难，但忍痛著要儿女们面对真实的自己。人常常会加强符合自己心意而认为是好的事情，而忘了一些真正的好的事情，如果不背起自己的十字架，遭过苦难，常常会如浪子般以为符合自己的心意的才是好的，而忘了因自己心意而引起的潜在的危机。天父的确是随时准备好去等待著祂的儿女们悔改转向祂，不是每一个罪人都会悔改的，但会因一个罪人的悔改而大为欢喜！

2. 浪子的哥哥       

    『那时，大儿子正在田里。他回来，离家不远，听见作乐跳舞的声音，便叫过一个仆人来，问是甚么事。仆人说：『你兄弟来了。你父亲因为得他无灾无病的回来，把肥牛犊宰了。』「大儿子却生气，不肯进去。他父亲就出来劝他。他对父亲说：『我服事你这多年，从来没有违背过你的命令，你并没有给我一只山羊羔，叫我和朋友一同快乐。但你这个儿子和娼妓吞尽了你的产业，他一来了，你倒为他宰了肥牛犊！』「父亲对他说：『儿啊！你常和我同在，我一切所有的都是你的；只是你这个兄弟是死而复活、失而又得的，所以我们理当欢喜快乐。』』(路加福音 15:25-32)       

    这大儿子的情况也是非常不好，很不服，他生气而不肯进去，显然是说他守了律法而没有违背过父亲的命令，而忘了父亲是慈爱的，因小儿子死而复活、失而又得而欢喜快乐。他显然是不能由心发出他所行的，不能和父亲一同欢喜快乐，而『…一生的果效，是由心发出。』(箴言 4:23) 按著律法，他父亲一切所有都是他的，但『没有一个人靠著律法在神面前称义，这是明显的，因为经上说：「义人必因信得生。」律法原不本乎信，只说：「行这些事的，就必因此活著。」』(加拉太书 3:11-12) 『因为凡遵守全律法的，只在一条上跌倒，他就是犯了众条。』(雅各书 2:10) 『这样，律法是我们训蒙的师傅，引我们到基督那里，使我们因信称义。』(加拉太书 3:24) 大儿子是论断了小儿子，小儿子的确是不好，但这小儿子不仅仅是后「悔」他所做，并真正的「改」了，回到父亲的身边，他对父亲而言是死而复得的。 我们实在不要论断别人，『你是谁，竟论断别人的仆人呢？他或站住，或跌倒，自有他的主人在；而且他也必要站住，因为主能使他站住。』(罗马书 14:4)    

    我们再从父亲角度看，从这些经文中他是有心要儿子们承受产业的。先看大儿子，『父亲对他说：『儿啊！你常和我同在，我一切所有的都是你的。』』路加福音 15:31) 所以这是明讲了！再看那死而复活、失而又得的小儿子，有人说父亲为他准备了代表权威的戒指等，很显然的，父亲认他为接受产业的儿子了，这不是和我们一样吗？我们信而受洗成为神的养子，继承了那『因为神本性一切的丰盛，都有形有体地居住在基督里』的产业。(歌罗西书 2:9)

3 不义的管家的教训       

    『耶稣又对门徒说：「有一个财主的管家，别人向他主人告他浪费主人的财物。主人叫他来，对他说：『我听见你这事怎么样呢？把你所经管的交代明白，因你不能再作我的管家。』「那管家心里说：『主人辞我，不用我再作管家，我将来做甚么？锄地呢？无力；讨饭呢？怕羞。我知道怎么行，好叫人在我不作管家之后，接我到他们家里去。』「于是把欠他主人债的，一个一个地叫了来，问头一个说：『你欠我主人多少？』「他说：『一百篓油。』 「管家说：『拿你的账，快坐下，写五十。』「又问一个说：『你欠多少？』 「他说：『一百石麦子。』 「管家说：『拿你的账，写八十。』「主人就夸奖这不义的管家做事聪明，因为今世之子，在世事之上，较比光明之子更加聪明。我又告诉你们：要借著那不义的钱财结交朋友，到了钱财无用的时候，他们可以接你们到永存的帐幕里去。「人在最小的事上忠心，在大事上也忠心；在最小的事上不义，在大事上也不义。倘若你们在不义的钱财上不忠心，谁还把那真实的钱财托付你们呢？倘若你们在别人的东西上不忠心，谁还把你们自己的东西给你们呢？」』(路加福音 16:1-12)     

    那管家显然做了人家告他的事，因这么在世上的事聪明的人，并没有辩白，最后因他做了不义的事而被辞退，这是非常合理的，因『所求于管家的，是要他有忠心。』(哥林多前书 4:2) 看这管家被辞退后离开前做的事，也可以看到他真正的一不做二不休，反正不是自己的财物，就浪费了主人的财物。主人夸奖这不义的管家做事聪明，的确在世事之上，他是比较比光明之子更加聪明，主人并没说他是对的，只是说他聪明，讲了一个事实而已。

    其后带出了要适当的使用钱财，因为生不带来，死不带去，要考虑那可永存的。你必须在小事上忠心，在别人的东西上忠心，有人看见你这样做，才敢把自己的东西托付给你！我们本就是神的养子，要承受产业的，难怪会说，『倘若你们在别人的东西上不忠心，谁还把你们自己的东西给你们呢？」』(路加福音 16:12) 在新约时代，『人应当以我们为基督的执事，为神奥秘事的管家。』(哥林多前书 4:1) 所以 『各人要照所得的恩赐彼此服事，作神百般恩赐的好管家。』(彼得前书 4:10)

(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』。)