We first see the truth of love in the New Testament and also mention that God is love, but not an indulging love. We need the action of faith like what described in Book James. Secondly, we use the Book of Philemon as an example to talk about how Paul lived out love. In it, Paul took the burden to repay what Onesimus did in the past. This is like what Jesus did in the cross to achieve our salvation. Today, what we owe is taken into the account of Jesus. In this event, Paul was conformed to the image of Jesus. Thirdly, we talk about the plea of Abraham to God not to destroy Sodom and nearby cities if there were ten righteous men in the city. However, there is only three of the family of Lot saved. Fourthly, we mention the event that Jesus called a young man, and said that it was not easy for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. The money itself is neutral, but having the love of money is absolutely not. Lastly, we mention some verses to show that the God is love but not an indulging love.

The Bible talks about the truth of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; …”

In the Lord’s prayer, it says, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”(Matthew 6:10) Love absolutely is in heaven. On earth, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”(John 13:35) Christians have the abiding Holy Spirit. As the result, we have already had Agape love in us “…because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”(Romans 5:5) But merely knowing the fact is useless. In James 1:22, it says clearly, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” We must have the actions in faith. We have to live out love. Please notice. God is love, but not an indulging love. About this point, the Bible says very clearly in Hebrews 12:5-6, “and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.”” 

Secondly, we briefly talk about the Book of Philemon which is a good example regarding how Paul lived out love, the Agape love. The background of this event is as follows. Onesimus is an escaped slave from Philemon. In Rome, he met Paul and became a Christian. Now he had to go back to Colossae to face with the mistakes he made in the past. In the book, we see that Paul plead to Philemon for Onesimus as said in Philemon 1:8-9, “Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you -since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus- Plea for Onesimus, a Free Man.” Apparently, this is something proper. And he said also, “But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).”(Philemon 1:18-19) Paul plead in love, not due to his old age or being a mature Christian. From these verses, we can deduct that Onesimus told Paul what happened at the time when he fled. And Paul repaid everything. In this event, we see that Paul was conformed to the image of Jesus, manifested the life of Jesus Christ, since living out love is a manifestation of the life of Christ. This is like what achieved in the cross by Jesus. Nowadays, God accepts us like that He accepts Jesus, since all we owe are in the Lord’s account.

Thirdly, let us see one example regarding how Abraham lived out love. The background of this event is said clearly in Genesis 18:20-21, “And the Lord said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”” At that time, Abraham entertained three people. Then two of them “…turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the Lord. Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.” And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” …Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” (Genesis 18:22-32) By this way, Abraham plead the God several times not to destroy them if there were fifty righteous people down to ten. “As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his place.”(Genesis 18:33) Doesn’t the God know how many righteous people? He just gave Abraham a chance to plea. Only after Abram did what was done, we can truly know that he really cared about those people, loved their souls. He hoped that they didn’t perish, and he didn’t ask anything for himself. In the Book Genesis, we can see that the God gave him a step-by-step training. Eventually, he obeyed the God completely, and was able to offer Isaac.

Let us take a look at what finally happened to Sodom and nearby cities. In Genesis 19:12-13, it says, “Then the two men said to Lot, “Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”” So, there were only four persons saved from the cities. Among those four, “But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”(Genesis 19:26) There were only three saved as the result.

Finally, we’ll take a look at one example regarding how Jesus lived out love. This is “As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?””(Mark 10:17) “And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'”(Mark 10:18-19) “And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.””(Mark 10:20) At this point, we would say that he really made an effort and thought so. “Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.””(Mark 10:21) “But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.”(Mark 10:22) Jesus loved him, gave him a chance, called him. But He didn’t want to convince him to change his decision, which had to have willingness from the heart as said in Proverbs 4:23, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Like what Jesus said, “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.”(Mark 10:25) “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 6:10) Money itself is neutral, and we need it to live. It depends upon how we use them. The love of money is absolutely not allowed.

What we want to emphasize is that the God is love, but not an indulging love. As said before, the Bible says clearly in Hebrews 12:6, “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.” And even says in Jude 1:22-23, “And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” The God is love, but there is righteousness in love. We get to fear the Lord in love, and acknowledge that He has the absolute authority. We must put Him on the right place where He deserves.

 (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.”)

     我们首先看到了公义是神宝座的根基，和为什么说我们是主动的被动。接着我们看到了新旧约都一致的说要爱神和爱人如己，且用约拿记作为一个例子去阐述旧约中对团体的爱。至于对个人的爱，只以雅各为例子，看见了他有属世和属灵的祝福。他为抓住神而有欺骗的行为，也受过惩罚却仍敬拜神。接着我们讨论一个可能在旧约中常问的问题，「进迦南地时真是非常残忍吗？」这是从人的角度看这件事情，我们从神(圣经)的角度来解释为什么会有这件事情。虽然神有绝对主权，祂是有怜悯有恩典的神。我们用三个例子来说明这点。我们也顺便在其中的两个例子提到了圣经的一个写法，就是圣经基本上是讲一般的情况，有时会有一些特例，如同英文的文法一般。    

     『公义(H6664)和公平，是你宝座的根基；慈爱和诚实，行在你前面(H6440, 面前)。』(诗篇 89:14)(也请看诗篇 97:2) 旧约有太多地方讲到公义，诗篇就出现了49 次，我们不可能全部谈到，要知道详情，必须看圣经。从其中，我们也看到了连以色列的敌人都知道耶和华是公义的。也就是如耶利米书 50:7 所说的：『…敌人说：『我们没有罪，因他们得罪那作公义居所的耶和华，就是他们列祖所仰望的耶和华。』    

     道成肉身在前，为我们作成了挽回祭，符合了祂的公义。我们信，然后神的爱借着圣灵厚厚浇灌在我们身上，所以是对我们来说，公义行在爱之前。对神来说，为了成就祂的爱，祂必须先符合祂的公义。再一次看到神先「主动」的做成耶稣的道成肉身，而我们只能「被动」愿意(主动的)信，这就是我们常说的『主动的被动』。    

     旧约对爱的教导和新约是一致的。在旧约中的申命记 6:4-5 中说：『以色列啊，你要听！耶和华我们神是独一的主。你要尽心、尽性、尽力爱(H157)耶和华你的神。』『不可报仇，也不可埋怨你本国的子民，却要爱(H157)人如己。我是耶和华。』(利未记 19:18)『和你们同居的外人，你们要看他如本地人一样，并要爱(H157)他如己，因为你们在埃及地也作过寄居的。我是耶和华你们的神。』(利未记 19:34) 因此新约中会说：『耶稣对他说：「你要尽心、尽性、尽意，爱主你的神。这是诫命中的第一，且是最大的。其次也相仿，就是要爱人如己。这两条诫命是律法和先知一切道理的总纲。」』(马太福音 22:37-40)    

     在约拿约记中说到了一个旧约中对团体的爱的例子，『尼尼微人信服神，便宣告禁食，从最大的到至小的都穿麻衣。这信息传到尼尼微王的耳中，他就下了宝座，脱下朝服，披上麻布，坐在灰中。他又使人遍告尼尼微通城说： 「王和大臣有令：人不可尝甚么，牲畜、牛羊不可吃草，也不可喝水。人与牲畜都当披上麻布，人要切切求告神。各人回头离开所行的恶道，丢弃手中的强暴。或者神转意后悔，不发烈怒，使我们不至灭亡也未可知。」于是神察看他们的行为，见他们离开恶道，他就后悔，不把所说的灾祸降与他们了。』(约拿书 3:5-10) 圣经在这点上实在说得很清楚，『再者，我(耶和华)对恶人说：『你必定死亡！』他若转离他的罪，行正直与合理的事：…他所犯的一切罪必不被记念；他行了正直与合理的事，必定存活。』(以西结书 33:14,16)  其实约拿书 4:10-11 也说到：『耶和华说：「这蓖麻不是你栽种的，也不是你培养的，一夜发生，一夜干死，你尚且爱惜(H2347)；何况这尼尼微大城，其中不能分辩左手右手的有十二万多人，并有许多牲畜，我岂能不爱惜(H2347)呢？」』这难道不是因为『神爱世人…』(约翰福音 3:16)，并在多处在新约说，『…神不偏待人(G4381)。』(罗马书 2:11) 吗？    

     旧约中对个人的爱有许多，我们用雅各所遭遇的一些事来说明这点罚。『雅各说：「…你向仆人所施的一切慈爱和诚实，我一点也不配得。我先前只拿着我的杖过这约旦河，如今我却成了两队了。』(创世记 32:9-10) 在雅各身上我们看到了他不只是有属世的祝福，也有属灵的祝福。在创世记 32:28-30 中，『那人说：「你的名不要再叫雅各，要叫以色列，因为你与神与人较力，都得了胜。」…雅各便给那地方起名叫毘努伊勒，意思说：「我面对面见了神，我的性命仍得保全。」』我们知道从人的角度看，雅各绝不是好人。除了其他的事情外，创世记 27:36 也说得很清楚他有欺骗的行为，『以扫说：「他名雅各岂不是正对吗？因为他欺骗了我两次，他从前夺了我长子的名分；你看，他现在又夺了我的福分。」…』其实，我们实在要深深知道：如果我们在环境中，不见得比雅各或大卫等人好，这是为什么主祷文会这样祈求，『不叫我们遇见试探，救我们脱离凶恶。…』(马太福音 6:13)    

     虽然他一生这样做只是为了抓住神，但神是很公平，他也不是没有经历过神的处罚，如创世记 37:34-35 所说，他所经历的也是很不容易的：『雅各便撕裂衣服，腰间围上麻布，为他儿子悲哀了多日。他的儿女都起来安慰他，他却不肯受安慰，说：「我必悲哀着下阴间到我儿子那里。」约瑟的父亲就为他哀哭。』最后，『以色列的死期临近了，…以色列在床头上敬拜神。』，并且『雅各嘱咐众子已毕，就把脚收在床上，气绝而死，归他列祖那里去了。』圣经是明说，耶和华是爱雅各的。『耶和华说：「…我却爱雅各。』(玛拉基书 1:2)    

     最后，可能有人会认为进迦南地时，耶和华是非常的残忍。以人的角度看是真的，因为在申命记 20:17 说得很清楚，『只要照耶和华你神所吩咐的，将这赫人、亚摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人都灭绝净尽。』好像原因很单纯，因为接着又说：『免得他们教导你们学习一切可憎恶的事，就是他们向自己神所行的，以致你们得罪耶和华你们的神。』(申命记 20:18) 虽然神是这样的命令的，如果你相信神是全知的，那么祂老早就已知道以色列人不会听祂的话的，如士师记 3:5-6 所说，『以色列人竟住在迦南人、赫人、亚摩利人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人中间，娶他们的女儿为妻，将自己的女儿嫁给他们的儿子，并事奉他们的神。』(士师记 3:5-6) 既然祂早已知道了，为什么还要有这样命令呢？其实圣经说得很清楚，『留下这几族，为要试验以色列人，知道他们肯听从耶和华借摩西吩咐他们列祖的诫命不肯。』(士师记 3:4) 也就是说，这观念是和一开始在创世记中是一致的，想想看神为什么在『…(伊甸)园子当中又有生命树和分别善恶的树。』(创世记 2:9)？就像我们以前分享过一样，神不是不知道，而是我们不知道，因为『人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢？』(耶利米书 17:9) 我们常常要做后才真正知道！    

     自然有人会说，从人道的观念来说，这样做不是太过份吗？『又将城中所有的，不拘男女老少、牛羊和驴，都用刀杀尽。』(约书亚记 6:21) 尤其是婴儿何辜？其实神至少给了迦南人四百多年的机会 [1] 。创世记 15:13-16说到，『耶和华对亚伯兰说：「你要的确知道，你的后裔必寄居别人的地，又服事那地的人，那地的人要苦待他们四百年。到了第四代，他们必回到此地，因为亚摩利人的罪孽还没有满盈。」』他们明显的没有悔改，要不神会如约拿记所说那般，会赦免他们的。在这些年间有多少婴儿出世了，在这样的环境中长大，你想他们会不同吗？神的全知包括了预知，难道他不知道这些婴儿未来会怎样吗？而且我们前面说过，并没有真正的奢杀尽净。从人的角度看，挪亚时代的洪水不是比进迦南地时更糟吗？因为『耶和华说：「我要将所造的人和走兽，并昆虫，以及空中的飞鸟，都从地上除灭，因为我造他们后悔了。」』(创世记 6:7) 我们实在要看见，会审判是因为人自找的。『耶和华见人在地上罪恶很大，终日所思想的尽都是恶。』(创世记 6:5)    

     虽然神有绝对主权 [2]，我们可以看到祂是有怜悯有恩典的神。我们看一个例子，大卫因借亚们人的刀杀了乌利亚。(参撒母耳记下 11:6-25) 但神有怜悯有恩典，赦免他的死罪。(参撒母耳记下 12:1-14) 其实圣经的写法通常是讲一般原则，在其中有些特例。一般原则是律法说的，不可杀人，特例是神赦免了大卫的死罪。这就像英文的文法一样，讲的是一般原则，常常有不遵行一般原则的特例。再以受洗为例子解释这点，耶稣自己受洗作为我们的榜样(参马太福音 3:13-17)，这是一般原则，所以在可能情况下是要受洗的。特例是和耶稣同钉十字架的强盗，没有机会受洗就进入乐园了。(参路加福音 23:39-43)    

     我们再看一个例子说到神真是有怜悯有恩典的神。彼得后书 3:9说，『主所应许的尚未成就，有人以为他是耽延，其实不是耽延，乃是宽容你们，不愿有一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改。』神的心意本是要人人悔改，我们真要知道，神有绝对主权，是有怜悯有恩典的神。

一些相关的经文

[1] 以色列人住在埃及共有四百三十年。正满了四百三十年的那一天，耶和华的军队都从埃及地出来了。(出埃及记 12:40-41)

 [2] 神有绝对主权，『因他对摩西说：「我要怜悯谁，就怜悯谁；要恩待谁，就恩待谁。」』(罗马书 9:15) 且『这一切都是这位圣灵所运行、随己意分给各人的。』(哥林多前书 12:11) 

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    我們首先看到了公義是神寶座的根基，為什麼說我們是主動的被動。接著我們看到了新舊約都一致的說要愛神且愛人如己，且用約拿記作為一個例子去闡述舊約中對團體的愛。至於對個人的愛，只以雅各為例子，看見了他有屬世和屬靈的祝福。他為抓住神而有欺騙的行為，也受過逞罰卻仍敬拜神。最後我們討論一個可能在舊約中常問的問題，「進迦南地時是真殘忍嗎？」

    『公義(H6664)和公平，是你寶座的根基；慈愛和誠實，行在你前面(H6440, 面前)。』(詩篇 89:14)(也請看詩篇 97:2) 舊約有太多地方講到公義，詩篇就出現了49 次，我們不可能全部談到，要知道詳情，必須看聖經。從其中，我們也看到了連以色列的敵人都知道耶和華是公義的。也就是如耶利米書 50:7 所說的：『…敵人說：『我們沒有罪，因他們得罪那作公義居所的耶和華，就是他們列祖所仰望的耶和華。』 神的愛和祂的公義是祂的本質，從亙古到永遠，不會沒變。但在時間中，對我們而言有一個先後的秩序。道成肉身在前，為我們作成了挽回祭，符合了祂的公義。我們信，然後神的愛藉著聖靈厚厚澆灌在我們身上，所以是對我們來說，公義行在愛之前。對神來說，為了成就祂的愛，祂必須先符合祂的公義。所以這希伯來字 H6440 ，加上在其他的經文中看出來，應翻譯成「面前」比較好。

    舊約對愛的教導和新約是一致的。在舊約中的申命記 6:4-5 中說：『以色列啊，你要聽！耶和華我們神是獨一的主。你要盡心、盡性、盡力愛(H157)耶和華你的神。』『不可報仇，也不可埋怨你本國的子民，卻要愛(H157)人如己。我是耶和華。』(利未記 19:18)『和你們同居的外人，你們要看他如本地人一樣，並要愛(H157)他如己，因為你們在埃及地也作過寄居的。我是耶和華你們的神。』(利未記 19:34) 因此新約中會說：『耶穌對他說：「你要盡心、盡性、盡意，愛主你的神。這是誡命中的第一，且是最大的。其次也相仿，就是要愛人如己。這兩條誡命是律法和先知一切道理的總綱。」』(馬太福音 22:37-40) 

    在約拿約記中說到了一個舊約中對團體的愛的例子，『尼尼微人信服神，便宣告禁食，從最大的到至小的都穿麻衣。這信息傳到尼尼微王的耳中，他就下了寶座，脫下朝服，披上麻布，坐在灰中。他又使人遍告尼尼微通城說： 「王和大臣有令：人不可嘗甚麼，牲畜、牛羊不可吃草，也不可喝水。人與牲畜都當披上麻布，人要切切求告神。各人回頭離開所行的惡道，丟棄手中的強暴。或者神轉意後悔，不發烈怒，使我們不至滅亡也未可知。」於是神察看他們的行為，見他們離開惡道，他就後悔，不把所說的災禍降與他們了。』(約拿書 3:5-10) 聖經在這點上實在說得很清楚，『再者，我(耶和華)對惡人說：『你必定死亡！』他若轉離他的罪，行正直與合理的事：…他所犯的一切罪必不被記念；他行了正直與合理的事，必定存活。』(以西結書 33:14-16)  其實約拿書 4:10-11 也說到：『耶和華說：「這蓖麻不是你(約拿) 栽種的，也不是你培養的，一夜發生，一夜乾死，你尚且愛惜(H2347)；何況這尼尼微大城，其中不能分辨左手右手的有十二萬多人，並有許多牲畜，我豈能不愛惜(H2347)呢？」』這難道不是因為『神愛世人…』(約翰福音 3:16)，並在多處在新約說，『…神不偏待人(G4381)。』(羅馬書 2:11) 嗎？

    舊約中對個人的愛有許多，我們只用雅各所遭遇的一些事來說明這點。在雅各身上我們看到了他不只是有屬世的祝福，也有屬靈的祝福。『雅各說：「…你向僕人所施的一切慈愛和誠實，我一點也不配得。我先前只拿着我的杖過這約旦河，如今我卻成了兩隊了。』(創世記 32:9-10) 在創世記 32:28-30 中，『那人說：「你的名不要再叫雅各，要叫以色列，因為你與神與人較力，都得了勝。」…雅各便給那地方起名叫毘努伊勒，意思說：「我面對面見了神，我的性命仍得保全。」』我們知道從人的角度看，雅各絕不是好人。除了其他的事情外，創世記 27:36 也說得很清楚他有欺騙的行為，『以掃說：「他名雅各豈不是正對嗎？因為他欺騙了我兩次，他從前奪了我長子的名分；你看，他現在又奪了我的福分。」…』其實，我們實在要深深知道：如果我們在環境中，不見得比雅各或大衞等人好，這是為什麼主禱文會這樣祈求，『不叫我們遇見試探，救我們脫離兇惡。…』(馬太福音 6:13)

    雖然他一生這樣做只是為了抓住神，但神是很公平，他也不是沒有經歷過神的處罰，如創世記 37:34-35 所說，他所經歷的也是很不容易的：『雅各便撕裂衣服，腰間圍上麻布，為他兒子悲哀了多日。他的兒女都起來安慰他，他卻不肯受安慰，說：「我必悲哀着下陰間到我兒子那裏。」約瑟的父親就為他哀哭。』最後，『以色列的死期臨近了，…以色列在牀頭上敬拜神。』(創世記 47:29-30)，並且『雅各囑咐眾子已畢，就把腳收在牀上，氣絕而死，歸他列祖那裏去了。』(創世記 49:33) 聖經是明說，耶和華是愛雅各的。『耶和華說：「…我卻愛雅各。』(瑪拉基書 1:2)

    最後，可能有人會認為進迦南地時，耶和華是非常的殘忍。以人的角度看是真的，因為在申命記 20:17 說得很清楚，『只要照耶和華你神所吩咐的，將這赫人、亞摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人都滅絕淨盡。』好像原因很單純，因為接著又說：『免得他們教導你們學習一切可憎惡的事，就是他們向自己神所行的，以致你們得罪耶和華你們的神。』(申命記 20:18) 雖然神是這樣的命令的，如果你相信神是全知的，那麼祂老早就已知道以色列人不會聽祂的話的，如士師記 3:5-6 所說，『以色列人竟住在迦南人、赫人、亞摩利人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人中間，娶他們的女兒為妻，將自己的女兒嫁給他們的兒子，並事奉他們的神。』既然祂早已知道了，為什麼還要有這樣命令呢？其實聖經說得很清楚，『留下這幾族，為要試驗以色列人，知道他們肯聽從耶和華藉摩西吩咐他們列祖的誡命不肯。』(士師記 3:4) 也就是說，這觀念是和一開始在創世記中是一致的，想想看神為什麼在『…(伊甸)園子當中又有生命樹和分別善惡的樹。』(創世記 2:9)？就像我們以前分享過一樣，神不是不知道，而是我們不知道，因為『人心比萬物都詭詐，壞到極處，誰能識透呢？』(耶利米書 17:9) 我們常常要做後才真正知道！

    自然有人會說，從人道的觀念來說，這樣做不是太過份嗎？『又將城中所有的，不拘男女老少、牛羊和驢，都用刀殺盡。』(約書亞記 6:21) 尤其是嬰兒何辜？其實神至少給了迦南人四百多年的機會 [1] 。創世記 15:13-16說到，『耶和華對亞伯蘭說：「你要的確知道，你的後裔必寄居別人的地，又服事那地的人，那地的人要苦待他們四百年。到了第四代，他們必回到此地，因為亞摩利人的罪孽還沒有滿盈。」』他們明顯的沒有悔改，要不神會如約拿記所說般，會赦免他們的。在這些年間有多少嬰兒出世了，在這樣的環境中長大，你想他們會不同嗎？神的全知包括了預知，難道他不知道這些嬰兒未來會怎樣嗎？而且我們前面說過，並沒有真正的奢殺盡淨。從人的角度看，挪亞時代的洪水不是比進迦南地時更糟嗎？『耶和華說：「我要將所造的人和走獸，並昆蟲，以及空中的飛鳥，都從地上除滅，因為我造他們後悔了。」』(創世記 6:7) 我們實在要看見，會審判是因為人自找的。『耶和華見人在地上罪惡很大，終日所思想的盡都是惡。』(創世記 6:5)

    雖然神有絕對主權 [2]，我們可以看到祂是有憐憫有恩典的神。我們看一個例子，大衞因借亞們人的刀殺了烏利亞。(參撒母耳記下 11:6-25) 但神有憐憫有恩典，赦免他的死罪。(參撒母耳記下 12:1-14) 其實聖經的寫法通常是講一般原則，在其中有些特例。一般原則是律法說的，不可殺人，特例是神赦免了大衞的死罪。這就像英文的文法一樣，講的是一般原則，常常有不遵行一般原則的特例。再以受洗為例子解釋這點，耶穌自己受洗作為我們的榜樣(參馬太福音 3:13-17)，這是一般原則，所以在可能情況下是要受洗的。特例是和耶穌同釘十字架的强盜，沒有機會受洗就進入樂園了。(參路加福音 23:39-43) 

    我們再看一個例子說到神真是有憐憫有恩典的神。彼得後書 3:9說，『主所應許的尚未成就，有人以為他是耽延，其實不是耽延，乃是寬容你們，不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改。』神的心意本是要人人悔改，我們真要知道，神有絕對主權，是有憐憫有恩典的神。

一些相關的經文

[1] 以色列人住在埃及共有四百三十年。正滿了四百三十年的那一天，耶和華的軍隊都從埃及地出來了。(出埃及記 12:40-41)

[2] 神有絕對主權，『因他對摩西說：「我要憐憫誰，就憐憫誰；要恩待誰，就恩待誰。」』(羅馬書 9:15) 且『這一切都是這位聖靈所運行、隨己意分給各人的。』(哥林多前書 12:11)

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Let us first see that righteousness is one of foundations of His throne. Next, we see that both the New Testament and the Old Testament consistently say that you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Then we use Book Jonah to illustrate group love. Regarding individual love, we use Jacob as an example, who has both worldly and heavenly blessings. He cheated due to wanting to get hold of God. Although he got a penalty, he still worshipped God. Finally, we’ll discuss one question which is often asked in reading the Old Testament, “Is it really very cruel when Israelites entered the land of Cannon?”

In Psalms 89:14, it says, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.” We can find a similar verse in Psalms 97:2, “…Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Yes, righteousness is one foundation of God’s throne. In the Old Testament, there are many places talking about righteousness. For example, there are 49 times it is talked about in Psalms. It is impossible for us to talk all of them in this short article. For the details, we need to read the Bible. Among them, even the adversaries of Israel knew that righteousness is the foundation of God, as said in Jeremiah 50:7, “All who came upon them have devoured them; And their adversaries have said, ‘We are not guilty, Inasmuch as they have sinned against the Lord who is the habitation of righteousness, Even the Lord, the hope of their fathers.'” God’s love and His righteousness are among His characteristics. There is forever no change, from the beginning to the end. But in the domain of time, there is an order. Words becoming flesh to make propitiation for the sins of the people has to happen first, so that His righteousness is fulfilled. We believe God’s love through the Holy Spirit is shed aboard in us. So, for us the righteousness is needed before the love but due to the Agape love. For God, in order to carry out His love, He has first to fulfill His righteousness.

The teaching about love is consistent in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the Old Testament, it is said in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love (H157) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love (H157) your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18) This is said the same in the New Testament, “And He said to him, ” ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”” (Matthew 22:37-40)

In the of Book Jonah, it says, “Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes. He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.” When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.”(Jonah 3:5-10) The Old Testament says this point clearly in Ezekiel 33:14-16, “But when I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and he turns from his sin and practices justice and righteousness, if a wicked man restores a pledge, pays back what he has taken by robbery, walks by the statutes which ensure life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of his sins that he has committed will be remembered against him. He has practiced justice and righteousness; he shall surely live.” Isn’t it because “… God so loved the world, …”(John 3:16) and “…there is no partiality with God.”(Romans 2:11) as the same words mentioned several times in the New Testament, right?

In the Old Testament, there are many descriptions regarding the personal love, and we only use some events encountered by Jacob to explain such points. In the events Jacob encountered, we see not only worldly blessings, but also spiritual blessings. Regarding the worldly blessings in Genesis 32:9-10, “Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord, who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your relatives, and I will prosper you,’ I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant; for with my staff only I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two companies.” Further regarding heavenly blessings, it says in Genesis 32:28-30, “He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him and said, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And he blessed him there. So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.”” We know that Jacob is not really a good person in the aspect of human. Among the other things, it says clearly in the Bible that he did cheat as described in Genesis 27:36, “Then he said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob, for he has supplanted me these two times? He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” …” As a matter of fact, we have to truly know that we are not necessarily better than Jacob or David, if we are in the same situations. This is why the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:13 says, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. …”

Although he tried to do everything to take hold of God, which pleased God, but he indeed got punished as described in Genesis 37:34-35, “So Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. Then all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. And he said, “Surely I will go down to Sheol in mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.” It is really not an easy one. In his final days, he still worshipped the God as described in Genesis 47:29-31, “When the time for Israel to die drew near, …Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed.” And “When Jacob finished charging his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.”(Genesis 49:33) The Bible says boldly in Malachi 1:2, “…declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob.””

Finally, some people may think that the God was very cruel when Israelites entered Canaan. Yes, it is true in the aspects of human as clearly described in Deuteronomy 20:17, “But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, as the Lord your God has commanded you.” The reason seems simple enough and was given in Deuteronomy 20:18, “so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the Lord your God.” Although the God so commanded, the God knows in advance that Israelites would not utterly destroy them if you believe that the God is omniscient. In Judges 3:5-6, it says, “The sons of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and they took their daughters for themselves as wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.” If He already knows in advance, why has such a commandment? In fact, the Bible says clearly in Judges 3:4, “They were for testing Israel, to find out if they would obey the commandments of the Lord, which He had commanded their fathers through Moses.” In other words, such a concept is consistent with what stated at the beginning in Genesis. Think of why the God put “…the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”(Genesis 2:9) Like what we shared before, the God knows but we don’t since “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”(Jeremiah 17:9) We often truly can know it only after we have done it!

Most likely, people will naturally ask if this is too much in the aspect of human as stated in Joshua 6:21, “They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.” In particular, babies didn’t do anything yet. Actually, the God gave those people in Cannon more than four hundred years to repent [1] as described in advance of the event in Genesis 15:13-16, “God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions. As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age. Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.”” They didn’t repent obviously; otherwise, God would forgive them just like what He did as described in the Book of Jonah. In those periods of time, how many babies were born? In this environment, do you think that they will grow up differently? God is omniscient, which includes knowing things in advance. Doesn’t He know how these babies will turn out? And as we mentioned before, not all of them are utterly destroyed. In the aspect of human, the flood in the era of Noah is worse as stated in Genesis 6:7, “The Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.”” We must see that the judgement is really due to what humans did to themselves. The reason for flood is stated in Genesis 6:5, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Although the God has absolute authority [2], we can see that He is full of mercy and grace. Let us take a look at one example. David killed Uriah the Hittite by using the sword of the sons of Ammon. (refer to 2 Samuel 11:6-25) But the God has mercy and grace, He forgave his sin whose penalty should be death. (refer to 2 Samuel 12:1-14) The Bible is written in this way normally. It talks general principles, but often has special cases. In this case, the general principle is what the Law says. We are forbidden to kill. Like in the English grammar, there are often exceptions in general rules. Let us use the baptism as another example to illustrate this point. We can see the general principle using the fact that Jesus was baptized as our example. So, if situations allow, we need to be baptized. The special case is that the criminal nailed to the cross had no chance to be baptized but went to Paradise with Jesus (refer to Luke 23:39-43) We cannot use this example as an excuse to not baptize.

Let us use another example to show the God is full of mercy and grace. As stated in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” Therefore, His will is for all to come to repentance. We need to know and acknowledge that the God has the absolute authority, and is full of mercy and grace.

Some related verses

[1] Exodus 12:40-41, “Now the time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, to the very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.”

[2] The God has the absolute authority, “For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.””(Romans 9:15) And “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:11)

 (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.”)

     我们首先看神是爱，但不是溺爱。新约中提到了亵渎圣灵是不可赦免的罪，也看到了亚拿尼亚和撒非拉欺哄圣灵的结果。虽然许多人在新约中强调神的爱，但其中绝对有公义的教导。最后我们从新约和旧约都是一位神，可以看到不会因同一件事情审判两次。不如受到今生的苦难，而且苦难也可能是化裝的祝福。虽有耶稣为我们受死，仍要有信心的行为，要敬畏神，记住最后的审判包括了我们的行为。   

     我们先看神是爱。这就如约翰一书 4:8 所说，『没有爱心的，就不认识神，因为神就是爱。』基于这爱，『神差他独生子到世间来，使我们借着他得生，神爱我们的心在此就显明了。不是我们爱神，乃是神爱我们，差他的儿子，为我们的罪作了挽回祭，这就是爱了。』(约翰一书 4:9-10) 『因为我们作仇敌的时候，且借着神儿子的死得与神和好；既已和好，就更要因他的生得救了。』(罗马书 5:10) 且『唯有基督在我们还作罪人的时候为我们死，神的爱就在此向我们显明了。』(罗马书 5:8)    

     但这爱不是溺爱，『 因为主所爱的，他必管教，又鞭打凡所收纳的儿子。』(希伯来书 12:6) 更不是自讨苦吃，是神量给我们的，我们要愿意。『 于是，耶稣对门徒说：「若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我。」』(马太福音 16:24) 我们要治死老我，『 你们若顺从肉体活着，必要死；若靠着圣灵治死身体的恶行，必要活着。』(罗马书 8:13) 『所以要治死你们在地上的肢体，就如淫乱、污秽、邪情、恶欲和贪婪，贪婪就与拜偶像一样。』(歌罗西书 3:5)    

     虽神是爱，但圣经提到了一个永不得赦免的罪，就是亵渎圣灵。『我实在告诉你们：世人一切的罪和一切亵渎的话都可得赦免；凡亵渎圣灵的，却永不得赦免，乃要担当永远的罪。』(马可福音 3:28-29) 请也看马太福音 12:31-32 有类似的经文。我们来看看新约中的一个例子。『有一个人，名叫亚拿尼亚，同他的妻子撒非喇卖了田产，把价银私自留下几分，他的妻子也知道，其余的几分拿来放在使徒脚前。彼得说：「亚拿尼亚，为甚么撒但充满了你的心，叫你欺哄圣灵，把田地的价银私自留下几分呢？田地还没有卖，不是你自己的吗？既卖了，价银不是你作主吗？你怎么心里起这意念呢？你不是欺哄人，是欺哄神了！」亚拿尼亚听见这话，就仆倒，断了气。听见的人都甚惧怕。』(使徒行传 5:1-5)    

     『约过了三小时，他的妻子进来，还不知道这事。彼得对她说：「你告诉我，你们卖田地的价银就是这些吗？」 她说：「就是这些。」彼得说：「你们为甚么同心试探主的灵呢？埋葬你丈夫之人的脚已到门口，他们也要把你抬出去。」妇人立刻仆倒在彼得脚前，断了气。』(使徒行传 5:7-9) 不要以为圣灵不知道我们暗中所做的事，祂是全知的。要记住虽然神是爱，并不溺爱，要在爱中敬畏神。但要知道，『爱里没有惧怕；爱既完全，就把惧怕除去，因为惧怕里含着刑罚，惧怕的人在爱里未得完全。』(约翰一书 4:17-18) 在当时真有这需要。『全教会和听见这事的人都甚惧怕。』(使徒行传 5:1-11) 虽然圣经没有明讲亚拿尼亚受过洗，但我相信如此，要不他不会和门徒们在一起！我们看了他表面上好像是比我们虔诚，因他肯卖田产。但却不知不能只守律法，而欺哄圣灵。真是不容易分辩的如马太福音 13:29-30 所说，『「主人说：『不必，恐怕薅稗子，连麦子也拔出来。容这两样一齐长，等着收割。当收割的时候，我要对收割的人说：先将稗子薅出来，捆成捆，留着烧；惟有麦子要收在仓里。』」』(马太福音 13:29-30) 我们只能看果实来分辩，这也不正是我们现在的写照吗？真要想向往结好果实，『圣灵所结的果子，就是仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制。这样的事，没有律法禁止。』(加拉太书 5:22-23)    

     我们再看看在新约中有关公义的教导。首先我们从汇编(Strong’s Concordance)中注意到、新约的希腊文中的名词公义(G1343)出现过 92 次，而形容词公义的(G1342)出现过 81次。我们不可能全部提到，所以我们的目的只是谈谈新约中绝对有公义的教导。虽然许多人强调神的爱，而比较少讲到神的公义。但在登山八福中，耶稣就提到了公义两次。就是『 饥渴慕义(G1343)的人有福了，因为他们必得饱足。』(马太福音 5:6) 和『为义(G1343)受逼迫的人有福了，因为天国是他们的。』(马太福音 5:10) 祂也教我们祷告的一个秩序，『你们要先求他的国和他的义(G1343)，这些东西都要加给你们了。』(马太福音 6:33)    

     从下列的这些经文中，我们也看到了新约中绝对有公义的教导。『公义的(G1342)父啊，世人未曾认识你，我却认识你，这些人也知道你差了我来。』(约翰福音 17:25) 『因为他已经定了日子，要借着他所设立的人按公义(G1343)审判天下，并且叫他从死里复活，给万人作可信的凭据。』(使徒行传 17:31)『因为神的国不在乎吃喝，只在乎公义、和平并圣灵中的喜乐。』(罗马书 14:17) 神所赐的全副军装包括了公义，『所以要站稳了，用真理当作带了子束腰，用公义当作护心镜遮胸。』(以弗所书 6:14) 在新天新地中也有公义，『但我们照他的应许，盼望新天新地，有义(G1343)居在其中。』(彼得后书 3:13)    

     在新约和旧约中都是同一位神。在新约中我们看见，『唯独见那成为比天使小一点的耶稣，因为受死的苦，就得了尊贵、荣耀为冠冕，叫他因着神的恩，为人人尝了死味。』(希伯来书 2:9) 我们是借着耶稣的血，『何况基督借着永远的灵，将自己无瑕无疵献给神，他的血岂不更能洗净你们的心，除去你们的死行，使你们事奉那永生神吗？』(希伯来书 9:14) 我们看到了，『神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。…信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。』(约翰福音 3:16-18)『既是这样，哪里能夸口呢？没有可夸的了！用何法没有的呢？是用立功之法吗？不是，乃用信主之法。』(罗马书 3:27) 记得不要本末倒置，信心是本，要有末，如雅各书所讲的信心的行为。圣经讲得很清楚，我们都要为所行受的审判。『因为我们众人必要在基督台前显露出来，叫各人按着本身所行的，或善或恶受报。』(哥林多后书 5:10) 『我又看见一个白色的大宝座与坐在上面的，从他面前天地都逃避，再无可见之处了。…他们都照各人所行的受审判。』(启示录 20:11-13)    

     我们要相信，审判不如在今生。因神是公平的，不会对一件事情审判两次，这从旧约中记载的大卫的事就很清楚。首先我们看到他犯了奸奸的罪，『大卫就差人打听那妇人是谁。有人说：「她是以连的女儿，赫人乌利亚的妻拔示巴。」大卫差人去，将妇人接来。那时她的月经才得洁净。她来了，大卫与她同房，她就回家去了。』(撒母耳记下 11:3-4) 他因这罪受到了报应，『你为甚么藐视耶和华的命令，行他眼中看为恶的事呢？你借亚扪人的刀杀害赫人乌利亚，又娶了他的妻为妻。…你在暗中行这事，我却要在以色列众人面前、日光之下报应你。』(撒母耳记下 12:9-12)   

     我们再看那另一件大卫数民的罪，『大卫数点百姓以后，就心中自责，祷告耶和华说：「我行这事大有罪了。耶和华啊，求你除掉仆人的罪孽，因我所行的甚是愚昧。」大卫早晨起来，耶和华的话临到先知迦得，就是大卫的先见，说：「你去告诉大卫说：『耶和华如此说：我有三样灾，随你选择一样，我好降与你。』」』(撒母耳记下 24:10-12) 他也因这罪受灾。我们再看圣经怎么说？『因为大卫除了赫人乌利亚那件事，都是行耶和华眼中看为正的事，一生没有违背耶和华一切所吩咐的。』(列王纪上 15:5) 圣经中没有再提到他已受过审判的罪了。所以我们的苦难可能是审判的结果，不如审判在今生如大卫般。

(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』。)

2025 新約的愛中有公義 (旋風著)

    我們首先看神是愛，但不是溺愛。新約中提到了褻瀆聖靈是不可赦免的罪，也看到了亞拿尼亞和撒非拉欺哄聖靈的結果。雖然許多人在新約中强調神的愛，但其中絕對有公義的教導。最後我們從新約和舊約都是一位神，可以看到不會因同一件事情審判兩次。不如受到今生的苦難，我們用舊約中記載大衞的事解釋這點，而且苦難也可能是化裝的祝福。雖有耶穌為我們受死，仍要有信心的行為，要敬畏神，記住最後的審判包括了我們的行為。

    我們先看神是愛。這就如約翰一書 4:8 所說，『沒有愛心的，就不認識神，因為神就是愛。』基於這愛，『神差他獨生子到世間來，使我們藉着他得生，神愛我們的心在此就顯明了。不是我們愛神，乃是神愛我們，差他的兒子，為我們的罪作了挽回祭，這就是愛了。』(約翰一書 4:9-10) 『因為我們作仇敵的時候，且藉着神兒子的死得與神和好；既已和好，就更要因他的生得救了。』(羅馬書 5:10) 且『惟有基督在我們還作罪人的時候為我們死，神的愛就在此向我們顯明了。』(羅馬書 5:8)

    但這愛不是溺愛，『 因為主所愛的，他必管教，又鞭打凡所收納的兒子。』(希伯來書 12:6) 更不是自討苦吃，是神量給我們的，我們要願意。『 於是，耶穌對門徒說：「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。」』(馬太福音 16:24) 我們要治死老我，『 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) 『所以要治死你們在地上的肢體，就如淫亂、污穢、邪情、惡慾和貪婪，貪婪就與拜偶像一樣。』(歌羅西書 3:5)

    雖神是愛，但聖經提到了一個永不得赦免的罪，就是褻瀆聖靈。『我實在告訴你們：世人一切的罪和一切褻瀆的話都可得赦免；凡褻瀆聖靈的，卻永不得赦免，乃要擔當永遠的罪。』(馬可福音 3:28-29) 請也看馬太福音 12:31-32 有類似的經文。我們來看看新約中的一個例子。『有一個人，名叫亞拿尼亞，同他的妻子撒非喇賣了田產，把價銀私自留下幾分，他的妻子也知道，其餘的幾分拿來放在使徒腳前。彼得說：「亞拿尼亞，為甚麼撒但充滿了你的心，叫你欺哄聖靈，把田地的價銀私自留下幾分呢？田地還沒有賣，不是你自己的嗎？既賣了，價銀不是你作主嗎？你怎麼心裏起這意念呢？你不是欺哄人，是欺哄神了！」亞拿尼亞聽見這話，就仆倒，斷了氣。聽見的人都甚懼怕。』(使徒行傳 5:1-5)

    『約過了三小時，他的妻子進來，還不知道這事。彼得對她說：「你告訴我，你們賣田地的價銀就是這些嗎？」 她說：「就是這些。」彼得說：「你們為甚麼同心試探主的靈呢？埋葬你丈夫之人的腳已到門口，他們也要把你抬出去。」婦人立刻仆倒在彼得腳前，斷了氣。』(使徒行傳 5:7-9) 不要以為聖靈不知道我們暗中所做的事，祂是全知的。要記住雖然神是愛，並不溺愛，要在愛中敬畏神。但要知道，『愛裏沒有懼怕；愛既完全，就把懼怕除去，因為懼怕裏含着刑罰，懼怕的人在愛裏未得完全。』(約翰一書 4:17-18) 在當時真有這需要。『全教會和聽見這事的人都甚懼怕。』(使徒行傳 5:11) 雖然聖經沒有明講亞拿尼亞受過洗，但我相信如此，要不他不會和門徒們在一起！我們看了他表面上好像是比我們虔誠，因他肯賣田產。但卻不知不能只守律法，而欺哄聖靈。真是不容易分辨的如馬太福音 13:29-30 所說，『「主人說：『不必，恐怕薅稗子，連麥子也拔出來。容這兩樣一齊長，等着收割。當收割的時候，我要對收割的人說：先將稗子薅出來，捆成捆，留着燒；惟有麥子要收在倉裏。』」』(馬太福音 13:29-30) 我們只能看果實來分辨，這也不正是我們現在的寫照嗎？真要想嚮往結好果實，『聖靈所結的果子，就是仁愛、喜樂、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信實、溫柔、節制。這樣的事，沒有律法禁止。』(加拉太書 5:22-23)

    我們再看看在新約中有關公義的教導。首先我們從彙編(Strong’s Concordance)中注意到、新約的希臘文中的名詞公義(G1343)出現過 92 次，而形容詞公義的(G1342)出現過 81次。我們不可能全部提到，所以我們的目的只是談談新約中絕對有公義的教導。雖然許多人强調神的愛，而比較少講到神的公義。但在登山八福中，耶穌就提到了公義兩次。就是『 飢渴慕義(G1343)的人有福了，因為他們必得飽足。』(馬太福音 5:6) 和『為義(G1343)受逼迫的人有福了，因為天國是他們的。』(馬太福音 5:10) 祂也教我們禱告的一個秩序，『你們要先求他的國和他的義(G1343)，這些東西都要加給你們了。』(馬太福音 6:33)

    從下列的這些經文中，我們也看到了新約中絕對有公義的教導。『公義的(G1342)父啊，世人未曾認識你，我卻認識你，這些人也知道你差了我來。』(約翰福音 17:25) 『因為他已經定了日子，要藉着他所設立的人按公義(G1343)審判天下，並且叫他從死裏復活，給萬人作可信的憑據。』(使徒行傳 17:31)『因為神的國不在乎吃喝，只在乎公義、和平並聖靈中的喜樂。』(羅馬書 14:17) 神所賜的全副軍裝包括了公義，『所以要站穩了，用真理當作帶了子束腰，用公義當作護心鏡遮胸。』(以弗所書 6:14) 在新天新地中也有公義，『但我們照他的應許，盼望新天新地，有義(G1343)居在其中。』(彼得後書 3:13)

    在新約和舊約中都是同一位神。在新約中我們看見，『惟獨見那成為比天使小一點的耶穌，因為受死的苦，就得了尊貴、榮耀為冠冕，叫他因着神的恩，為人人嘗了死味。』(希伯來書 2:9) 我們是藉著耶穌的血，『何況基督藉着永遠的靈，將自己無瑕無疵獻給神，他的血豈不更能洗淨你們的心，除去你們的死行，使你們事奉那永生神嗎？』(希伯來書 9:14) 我們看到了，『神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不至滅亡，反得永生。…信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。』(約翰福音 3:16-18)『既是這樣，哪裏能誇口呢？沒有可誇的了！用何法沒有的呢？是用立功之法嗎？不是，乃用信主之法。』(羅馬書 3:27) 記得不要本末倒置，信心是本，要有末，如雅各書所講的信心的行為。聖經講得很清楚，我們都要為所行受的審判。『因為我們眾人必要在基督台前顯露出來，叫各人按着本身所行的，或善或惡受報。』(哥林多後書 5:10) 『我又看見一個白色的大寶座與坐在上面的，從他面前天地都逃避，再無可見之處了。…他們都照各人所行的受審判。』(啓示錄 20:11-13)

    我們要相信，審判不如在今生。因神是公平的，不會對一件事情審判兩次，這從舊約中記載的大衞的事就很清楚。首先我們看到他犯了奸姦的罪，『大衞就差人打聽那婦人是誰。有人說：「她是以連的女兒，赫人烏利亞的妻拔示巴。」大衞差人去，將婦人接來。那時她的月經才得潔淨。她來了，大衞與她同房，她就回家去了。』(撒母耳記下 11:3-4) 他因這罪受到了報應，『你為甚麼藐視耶和華的命令，行他眼中看為惡的事呢？你借亞捫人的刀殺害赫人烏利亞，又娶了他的妻為妻。…你在暗中行這事，我卻要在以色列眾人面前、日光之下報應你。』(撒母耳記下 12:9-12)

    我們再看那另一件大衞數民的罪，『大衞數點百姓以後，就心中自責，禱告耶和華說：「我行這事大有罪了。耶和華啊，求你除掉僕人的罪孽，因我所行的甚是愚昧。」大衞早晨起來，耶和華的話臨到先知迦得，就是大衞的先見，說：「你去告訴大衞說：『耶和華如此說：我有三樣災，隨你選擇一樣，我好降與你。』」』(撒母耳記下 24:10-12) 他也因這罪受災。我們再看聖經怎麼說？『因為大衞除了赫人烏利亞那件事，都是行耶和華眼中看為正的事，一生沒有違背耶和華一切所吩咐的。』(列王紀上 15:5) 聖經中沒有再提到他已受過審判的罪了。所以我們的苦難可能是審判的結果，不如審判在今生如大衞般。

(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, we see that God is love, but not an indulging love. The New Testament does mention one sin that can never be forgiven. We can see the results for Ananias and his wife Sapphira due to cheating the Holy Spirit. Many people emphasize love in the era of the New Testament. There are indeed teachings on righteousness. Finally, we talk about how there is one God in both the New Testament and Old Testament, and that we’ll not be judged twice for the same sin. It is better to get tribulations when we are alive. We explain this point by some events happened to David. On the top of that, tribulations could be pretended blessings. Although Jesus died for us, we still need deeds out of faith like what was described in the Book of James, and fear the Lord in love. Remember that the final judgement is still based upon what we do.

We see first that God is love as said in 1 John 4:8, “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” “By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10) As said in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” And said in Romans 5:10, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” 

But this love is not an indulging love, “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews 12:6) We should not look for troubles. It is measured by God depending upon our needs. We must be willing, as said in Matthew 16:24, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” We have to deny ourselves as said in Romans 8:13, “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.” Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”(Colossians 3:5)

Although God is love, the Bible does mention one sin can never be forgiven in Mark 3:28-29, “Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” It is also said similarly in Matthew 12:31-32,”Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.”

Let us take a look at one example in New Testament. It is said in Acts 5:1-5, “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.” “Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.””(Acts 5:7-9) Don’t think that the Holy Spirit doesn’t know what we do in secret. He is omniscient. Remember, although God is love, it isn’t an indulging love. We must fear the Lord in love. But we should know, “By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.”(1 John 4:17-18) At that time, there was the need for immediate penalty since it is said in Acts 5:11, “And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.” 

The Bible doesn’t say directly that Ananias was baptized, but I believed so logically. Otherwise, he shouldn’t be with disciples. As a matter of fact, he seems pious in the surface because he was willing to sell his land. But he couldn’t just obey the law but cheat the Holy Spirit. It is really not easy to distinguish, as said in Matthew 13:29-30, “But he said, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.”‘” We can only use the fruit to distinguish. We must long for a good fruit as said in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Next, let us look at the teaching about righteousness in the New Testament. First, we notice from the Strong’s Concordance that the Greek G1343 as nouns appears 92 times in the New Testament, and G1342 as adjectives 81 times. It is impossible to mention all of them in this short article. Therefore, our goal is just to mention that there are absolutely teachings of righteousness in the New Testament. Although many people emphasize the teaching of God’s love and mention the righteousness fewer times, Jesus mentioned two times out of eight blessings from sermon in the mountain. They are in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” and in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” He also taught the there was a order in prayer. In Matthew 6:33, it says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

In the following verses, we can also see that there are absolutely the teachings of righteousness. John 17:25 says, “O righteous (G1342) Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.” In Acts 17:31, it says, “because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 14:17) The full armor includes the righteousness as described in Ephesians 6:14, “Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” In new heavens and a new earth, there still is righteousness as stated in 2 Peter 3:13, “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

There is only one God in both the New Testament and the Old Testament. In Hebrews 2:9, “But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” Our salvation is through the blood of Jesus as stated in Hebrews 9:14, “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” We see in John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. …He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” “Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.” (Romans 3:27) Don’t get it backwards. It is based in faith, and we should have deeds proportional to our faith, the deeds like what is described in the Book of James. The Bible says clearly, we will be judged by our deeds. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”(2 Corinthians 5:10) It is also said in Revelation 20:11-13, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. …and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.”

We must believe that it is preferred to have judgement when we are on earth. It is because God has no partiality. Once one sin is judged, the same sin will not be judged twice. This can be seen in some events about David recorded in the Old Testament. First, note that he committed adultery as described in 2 Samuel 11:3-4, “So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her; and when she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house.” He paid the price as stated in 2 Samuel 12:9-12, “Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon. …Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.'”

Now we see another sin of David by counting people as described in 2 Samuel 24:10-12, “Now David’s heart troubled him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” When David arose in the morning, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying, “Go and speak to David, ‘Thus the Lord says, “I am offering you three things; choose for yourself one of them, which I will do to you.”‘”” He also suffered because of this. Let finally see what the Bible says in 1 Kings 15:5, “because David did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.” He is not judged again for those sins mentioned. So, our tribulations may be the results of judgement. It is better to have judgement when we are on earth, like what happened to David.

 (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.”)

     我们首先看三个耶稣成全律法的例子。接着我们看一些从天而来但处理属地事情的神迹，和传福音给我们那灵里贫穷的人。再接着谈到耶稣所做属灵的事情，很高兴地知道祂报告了神悦纳人的禧年，并举旧约的例子说明我们需要属灵眼睛的开启才能看见属灵的事。下一个要谈的是耶稣的一些教导，只讲到了耶稣认为神迹有时非需要不可，和每一个圣徒都能得到的神迹。也谈到了在爱中合而为一，及祂应许圣灵的来临。最后我们来看一下，为什么我们说从创世以来、就定规要在主耶稣基督里。    

     圣经很清楚的记录了从路加的观点来看耶稣的所作所为，祂不只是教训，并用神迹奇事证明祂的道 [1]。 祂在马太福音 5:17-18 说，『莫想我来要废掉律法和先知；我来不是要废掉，乃是要成全。我实在告诉你们：就是到天地都废去了，律法的一点一画也不能废去，都要成全。』 祂的所作所为，的确是成全了律法，我们举三个旧约的例子说明这事。第一，祂约三十岁开始传道 [2]，是和律法在民数记 4:21-23 所说相符，『耶和华晓谕摩西说：「…从三十岁直到五十岁，凡前来任职、在会幕里办事的，全都数点。』祭司显然是在会幕里办事的，祂是祭司 [3]。第二，祂虽无罪 [4]，受洗是为了尽诸般的义 [5]，也作了我们榜样。第三，祂在马太福音 5:20 说，『我告诉你们：你们的义若不胜于文士和法利赛人的义，断不能进天国。』譬如说，祂守安息日的精义，而不是像法利赛人在守字面上的律法 [6]。    

     接着我们看耶稣自己怎样说祂行过的事情？『耶稣回答说：「你们去，把所听见、所看见的事告诉(施洗)约翰：就是瞎子看见，瘸子行走，长大痲疯的洁净，聋子听见，死人复活，穷人有福音传给他们。』(马太福音 11:4-5) 祂所作的这些属地的事情，我们不多说，因四福音书里都有详细的记载。贫穷的人不只是讲在生计上贫穷的人，而我们就是那灵里贫穷的人。    

     其实祂一开始就告诉了我们祂所做的事也包括了属灵的事。『有人把先知以赛亚的书交给他，他就打开，找到一处写着说：「主的灵在我身上，因为他用膏膏我，叫我传福音给贫穷的人；差遣我报告被掳的得释放，瞎眼的得看见，叫那受压制的得自由，报告神悦纳人的禧年。」』(路加福音 4:17-19)  神的灵的确是在祂的身上，如约翰福音 3:34 所说，『神所差来的(耶稣)，就说神的话，因为神赐圣灵给他，是没有限量的。』而我们真能相信这就是我们的光景吗？『你们这耳聋的，听吧！你们这眼瞎的，看吧！使你们能看见。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？你看见许多事却不领会，耳朵开通却不听见。』(以赛亚书 42:18-20) 真的，我们需要神开我们属灵的眼睛才能看到属灵的事情。这就如列王纪下 6:15-17 所说，『神人的仆人清早起来出去，看见车马军兵围困了城。…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。』    

     在这里，我们来看看一些祂赐给我们的教导。我们既然谈到了神迹，就先说说神迹的定义是什么？应是指神的踪迹或做的事情。在这个定义下，撒但只能做不是神迹的超自然的事情 [7]。所以广义的神迹是包括了神创造了空气、水等，这些都是神的踪迹。但我们通常是指狭义的神迹，也是四福音书通常所提到的。知道和真相信是不同的，看到了神迹常常是真相信的基础，而这样的神迹有时的确有需要。就如耶稣在约翰福音 4:48 所说，『耶稣就对他(大臣)说：「若不看见神迹奇事，你们总是不信。」』 如果你认为不需要看到神迹，通常是不会看到的，但三位一体的神有绝对主权 [8]，祂让你看到你就看到了。其实生命的改变本就是超自然的神迹，我们自己是没办法做的，因为生命是从神来[9]，所以成圣的路是被动的，我们只能主动的愿意，和神同工。基督徒都至少能看到这神迹。    

     主耶稣的教导在圣经中很多，必须要看圣经才可能知道全情。除了我们已提到的，我们再谈祂的一项教导和一个应许。首先我们看到了需要在爱里合一就像祂和父的合一，这如下列经文所说：『从今以后，我不在世上，他们却在世上，我往你那里去。圣父啊，求你因你所赐给我的名保守他们，叫他们合而为一，像我们一样。』(约翰福音 17:11) 『我爱你们，正如父爱我一样，你们要常在我的爱里。』(约翰福音 15:9)『你们要彼此相爱，像我爱你们一样，这就是我的命令。』(约翰福音 15:12) 祂也应许了圣灵的到来。『但保惠师，就是父因我的名所要差来的圣灵，他要将一切的事指教你们，并且要叫你们想起我对你们所说的一切话。』(约翰福音 14:26)『但我要从父那里差保惠师来，就是从父出来真理的圣灵，他来了，就要为我作见证。』(约翰福音 15:26) 『然而我将真情告诉你们，我去是与你们有益的。我若不去，保惠师就不到你们这里来；我若去，就差他来。』(约翰福音 16:7)    

     因我们已经讨论过祂在十字架上所说的所有的话，接着看看终了祂被钉十字架的过程。首先我们看到了祂是以爱的记号「亲嘴」被卖的。『那卖耶稣的给了他们一个暗号，说：「我与谁亲嘴，谁就是他。你们可以拿住他。」犹大随即到耶稣跟前说：「请拉比安。」就与他亲嘴。』(马太福音 26:48-49) 而『…当下，门徒都离开他逃走了。』(马太福音 26:56) 彼得也三次不认主在先，并意识到了就立刻悔改，就如下列经文所说：『彼得想起耶稣所说的话：「鸡叫以先，你要三次不认我。」他就出去痛哭。』(马太福音 26:75) 接着是耶稣被带到了大祭司该亚法那里 [10]。『到了早晨，众祭司长和民间的长老，大家商议要治死耶稣，就把他捆绑，解去交给巡抚彼拉多。』(马太福音 27:1-2) 最后祂无罪而钉十字架。祂是无罪的，这在圣经说得很清楚。『 巡抚原知道，他们是因为嫉妒才把他(耶稣)解了来。』(马太福音 27:18)『巡抚说：「为甚么呢？他做了甚么恶事呢？」他们便极力地喊着说：「把他钉十字架！」』(马太福音 27:23-24) 我们也看到了彼拉多是因政治的原因钉祂上了十字架。『彼拉多见说也无济于事，反要生乱，就拿水在众人面前洗手，说：「流这义人的血，罪不在我，你们承当吧！」』(马太福音 27:23-24) 难道他洗一下手就能洗掉他的罪吗？最后是说到关于祂的埋葬：『到了晚上，有一个财主，名叫约瑟，是亚利马太来的，他也是耶稣的门徒。…约瑟取了身体，用干净细麻布裹好，安放在自己的新坟墓里，就是他凿在磐石里的。…』(马太福音 27:57-60) 这件事早被先知以赛亚在以赛亚书 53:9 预言过，『他虽然未行强暴，口中也没有诡诈，人还使他与恶人同埋；谁知死的时候与财主同葬。』详细的过程就请看相应的经文。   

     最后我们来看一下，为什么说从创世以来、我们就定规要在主耶稣基督里。『但有人在经上某处证明说：「人算甚么，你竟顾念他？世人算甚么，你竟眷顾他？你叫他比天使微小一点，赐他荣耀、尊贵为冠冕，并将你手所造的都派他管理，叫万物都服在他的脚下。」…』 (希伯来书 2:6-8) 撒但是堕落的天使，但仍然是天使。我们在创造时就比天使小！希伯来书 2:8-9 又说，『…既叫万物都服他，就没有剩下一样不服他的。只是如今我们还不见万物都服他，惟独见那成为比天使小一点的耶稣，因为受死的苦，就得了尊贵、荣耀为冠冕，叫他因着神的恩，为人人尝了死味。』(希伯来书 2:8-9) 只有耶稣的死里复活战胜了魔鬼。比撒但微小的我们，若不住在基督内，怎么有可能得胜呢？所以从创世以来就定规了、我们非在基督里不可。

一些相关的经文

[1] 『提阿非罗啊，我已经作了前书(路加福音)，论到耶稣开头一切所行所教训的，直到他借着圣灵吩咐所拣选的使徒，以后被接上升的日子为止。他受害之后，用许多的凭据将自己活活地显给使徒看，四十天之久向他们显现，讲说神国的事。『(使徒行传 1:1-3) 『以色列人哪，请听我的话：神借着拿撒勒人耶稣在你们中间施行异能、奇事、神迹，将他证明出来，这是你们自己知道的。』(使徒行传 2:22) ,『众人看见耶稣所行的神迹，就说：「这真是那要到世间来的先知。」』(约翰福音 6:14)

[2] 耶稣开头传道，年纪约有三十岁。… (路加福音 3:23)

[3] 我们所讲的事，其中第一要紧的，就是我们有这样的大祭司(耶稣基督)，已经坐在天上至大者宝座的右边。(希伯来书 8:1)

[4] 因我们的大祭司并非不能体恤我们的软弱，他也曾凡事受过试探，与我们一样，只是他没有犯罪。(希伯来书 4:15) #

[5] 耶稣回答说：「你暂且许我，因为我们理当这样尽诸般的义。」于是约翰许了他。(马太福音 3:15)

[6] 『你们这假冒为善的文士和法利赛人有祸了！因为你们将薄荷、茴香、芹菜献上十分之一，那律法上更重的事，就是公义、怜悯、信实，反倒不行了。这更重的是你们当行的，那也是不可不行的。』(马太福音 23:23) 『主说：「假冒为善的人哪，难道你们各人在安息日不解开槽上的牛、驴，牵去饮吗？况且这女人本是亚伯拉罕的后裔，被撒但捆绑了这十八年，不当在安息日解开她的绑吗？』(路加福音 13:15-16)

[7] 他(仆人)还说话的时候，又有人来说：「神从天上降下火来，将群羊和仆人都烧灭了；惟有我一人逃脱，来报信给你。」(约伯记 1:16) 那人以为是神做的，看前后文，就很清楚这是撒但做的。

[8] 『因他对摩西说：「我要怜悯谁，就怜悯谁；要恩待谁，就恩待谁。」』(罗马书 9:15)『这一切都是这位圣灵所运行、随己意分给各人的。』(哥林多前书 12:11)

[9] 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)

[10] 拿耶稣的人把他带到大祭司该亚法那里去，文士和长老已经在那里聚会。(马太福音 26:56-57)

(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』。)

    我們首先看三個耶穌成全律法的例子。接著我們看一些從天而來但處理屬地事情的神蹟，和傳福音給我們那靈裏貧窮的人。再接著談到耶穌所做屬靈的事情，很高興地知道祂報告了神悅納人的禧年，並舉舊約的例子說明我們需要屬靈眼睛的開啓才能看見屬靈的事。下一個要談的是耶穌的一些教導，只講到了耶穌認為神蹟有時非需要不可，和每一個聖徒都能得到的神蹟。也談到了在愛中合而為一，及祂應許聖靈的來臨。最後我們來看一下，為什麼我們說從創世以來、就定規要在主耶穌基督裏。

    聖經很清楚的記錄了從路加的觀點來看耶穌的所作所為，祂不只是教訓，並用神蹟奇事証明祂的道 [1]。 祂在馬太福音 5:17-18 說，『莫想我來要廢掉律法和先知；我來不是要廢掉，乃是要成全。我實在告訴你們：就是到天地都廢去了，律法的一點一畫也不能廢去，都要成全。』 祂的所作所為，的確是成全了律法，我們舉三個舊約的例子說明這事。第一，祂約三十歲開始傳道 [2]，是和律法在民數記 4:21-23 所說相符，『耶和華曉諭摩西說：「…從三十歲直到五十歲，凡前來任職、在會幕裏辦事的，全都數點。』祭司顯然是在會幕裏辦事的，祂是祭司 [3]。第二，祂雖無罪 [4]，受洗是為了盡諸般的義 [5]，也作了我們榜樣。第三，祂在馬太福音 5:20 說，『我告訴你們：你們的義若不勝於文士和法利賽人的義，斷不能進天國。』譬如說，祂守安息日的精義，而不是像法利賽人在守字面上的律法 [6]。

    接著我們看耶穌自己怎樣說祂行過的事情？『耶穌回答說：「你們去，把所聽見、所看見的事告訴(施洗)約翰：就是瞎子看見，瘸子行走，長大痲瘋的潔淨，聾子聽見，死人復活，窮人有福音傳給他們。』(馬太福音 11:4-5) 祂所作的這些屬地的事情，我們不多說，因四福音書裏都有詳細的記載。貧窮的人不只是講在生計上貧窮的人，而我們就是那靈裏貧窮的人。

    其實祂一開始就告訴了我們祂所做的事也包括了屬靈的事。『有人把先知以賽亞的書交給他，他就打開，找到一處寫着說：「主的靈在我身上，因為他用膏膏我，叫我傳福音給貧窮的人；差遣我報告被擄的得釋放，瞎眼的得看見，叫那受壓制的得自由，報告神悅納人的禧年。」』(路加福音 4:17-19)  神的靈的確是在祂的身上，如約翰福音 3:34 所說，『神所差來的(耶穌)，就說神的話，因為神賜聖靈給他，是沒有限量的。』而我們真能相信這就是我們的光景嗎？『你們這耳聾的，聽吧！你們這眼瞎的，看吧！使你們能看見。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？你看見許多事卻不領會，耳朵開通卻不聽見。』(以賽亞書 42:18-20) 真的，我們需要神開我們屬靈的眼睛才能看到屬靈的事情。這就如列王紀下 6:15-17 所說，『神人的僕人清早起來出去，看見車馬軍兵圍困了城。…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。』

    在這裏，我們來看看一些祂賜給我們的教導。我們既然談到了神蹟，就先說說神蹟的定義是什麼？應是指神的蹤蹟或做的事情。在這個定義下，撒但只能做不是神蹟的超自然的事情 [7]。所以廣義的神蹟是包括了神創造了空氣、水等，這些都是神的蹤蹟。但我們通常是指狹義的神蹟，也是四福音書通常所提到的。知道和真相信是不同的，看到了神蹟常常是真相信的基礎，而這樣的神蹟有時的確有需要。就如耶穌在約翰福音 4:48 所說，『耶穌就對他(大臣)說：「若不看見神蹟奇事，你們總是不信。」』 如果你認為不需要看到神蹟，通常是不會看到的，但三位一體的神有絕對主權 [8]，祂讓你看到你就看到了。其實生命的改變本就是超自然的神蹟，我們自己是沒辦法做的，因為生命是從神來[9]，所以成聖的路是被動的，我們只能主動的願意，和神同工。基督徒都至少能看到這神蹟。

    主耶穌的教導在聖經中很多，必須要看聖經才可能知道全情。除了我們已提到的，我們再談祂的一項教導和一個應許。首先我們看到了需要在愛裏合一就像祂和父的合一，這如下列經文所說：『從今以後，我不在世上，他們卻在世上，我往你那裏去。聖父啊，求你因你所賜給我的名保守他們，叫他們合而為一，像我們一樣。』(約翰福音 17:11) 『我愛你們，正如父愛我一樣，你們要常在我的愛裏。』(約翰福音 15:9)『你們要彼此相愛，像我愛你們一樣，這就是我的命令。』(約翰福音 15:12) 祂也應許了聖靈的到來。『但保惠師，就是父因我的名所要差來的聖靈，他要將一切的事指教你們，並且要叫你們想起我對你們所說的一切話。』(約翰福音 14:26)『但我要從父那裏差保惠師來，就是從父出來真理的聖靈，他來了，就要為我作見證。』(約翰福音 15:26) 『然而我將真情告訴你們，我去是與你們有益的。我若不去，保惠師就不到你們這裏來；我若去，就差他來。』(約翰福音 16:7)

    因我們已經討論過祂在十字架上所說的所有的話，接著看看終了祂被釘十字架的過程。首先我們看到了祂是以愛的記號「親嘴」被賣的。『那賣耶穌的給了他們一個暗號，說：「我與誰親嘴，誰就是他。你們可以拿住他。」猶大隨即到耶穌跟前說：「請拉比安。」就與他親嘴。』(馬太福音 26:48-49) 而『…當下，門徒都離開他逃走了。』(馬太福音 26:56) 彼得也三次不認主在先，並意識到了就立刻悔改，就如下列經文所說：『彼得想起耶穌所說的話：「雞叫以先，你要三次不認我。」他就出去痛哭。』(馬太福音 26:75) 接著是耶穌被帶到了大祭司該亞法那裏 [10]。『到了早晨，眾祭司長和民間的長老，大家商議要治死耶穌，就把他捆綁，解去交給巡撫彼拉多。』(馬太福音 27:1-2) 最後祂無罪而釘十字架。祂是無罪的，這在聖經說得很清楚。『 巡撫原知道，他們是因為嫉妒才把他(耶穌)解了來。』(馬太福音 27:18)『巡撫說：「為甚麼呢？他做了甚麼惡事呢？」他們便極力地喊着說：「把他釘十字架！」』(馬太福音 27:23-24) 我們也看到了彼拉多是因政治的原因釘祂上了十字架。『彼拉多見說也無濟於事，反要生亂，就拿水在眾人面前洗手，說：「流這義人的血，罪不在我，你們承當吧！」』(馬太福音 27:23-24) 難道他洗一下手就能洗掉他的罪嗎？最後是說到關於祂的埋葬：『到了晚上，有一個財主，名叫約瑟，是亞利馬太來的，他也是耶穌的門徒。…約瑟取了身體，用乾淨細麻布裹好，安放在自己的新墳墓裏，就是他鑿在磐石裏的。…』(馬太福音 27:57-60) 這件事早被先知以賽亞在以賽亞書 53:9 預言過，『他雖然未行強暴，口中也沒有詭詐，人還使他與惡人同埋；誰知死的時候與財主同葬。』詳細的過程就請看相應的經文。

    最後我們來看一下，為什麼說從創世以來、我們就定規要在主耶穌基督裏。『但有人在經上某處證明說：「人算甚麼，你竟顧念他？世人算甚麼，你竟眷顧他？你叫他比天使微小一點，賜他榮耀、尊貴為冠冕，並將你手所造的都派他管理，叫萬物都服在他的腳下。」…』 (希伯來書 2:6-8) 撒但是墮落的天使，但仍然是天使。我們在創造時就比天使小！希伯來書 2:8-9 又說，『…既叫萬物都服他，就沒有剩下一樣不服他的。只是如今我們還不見萬物都服他，惟獨見那成為比天使小一點的耶穌，因為受死的苦，就得了尊貴、榮耀為冠冕，叫他因着神的恩，為人人嘗了死味。』(希伯來書 2:8-9) 只有耶穌的死裏復活戰勝了魔鬼。比撒但微小的我們，若不住在基督內，怎麼有可能得勝呢？所以從創世以來就定規了、我們非在基督裏不可。

一些相關的經文

[1] 『提阿非羅啊，我已經作了前書(路加福音)，論到耶穌開頭一切所行所教訓的，直到他藉着聖靈吩咐所揀選的使徒，以後被接上升的日子為止。他受害之後，用許多的憑據將自己活活地顯給使徒看，四十天之久向他們顯現，講說神國的事。『(使徒行傳 1:1-3) 『以色列人哪，請聽我的話：神藉着拿撒勒人耶穌在你們中間施行異能、奇事、神蹟，將他證明出來，這是你們自己知道的。』(使徒行傳 2:22) ,『眾人看見耶穌所行的神蹟，就說：「這真是那要到世間來的先知。」』(約翰福音 6:14)

[2] 耶穌開頭傳道，年紀約有三十歲。… (路加福音 3:23)

[3] 我們所講的事，其中第一要緊的，就是我們有這樣的大祭司(耶穌基督)，已經坐在天上至大者寶座的右邊。(希伯來書 8:1)

[4] 因我們的大祭司並非不能體恤我們的軟弱，他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。(希伯來書 4:15)

[5] 耶穌回答說：「你暫且許我，因為我們理當這樣盡諸般的義。」於是約翰許了他。(馬太福音 3:15)

[6] 『你們這假冒為善的文士和法利賽人有禍了！因為你們將薄荷、茴香、芹菜獻上十分之一，那律法上更重的事，就是公義、憐憫、信實，反倒不行了。這更重的是你們當行的，那也是不可不行的。』(馬太福音 23:23) 『主說：「假冒為善的人哪，難道你們各人在安息日不解開槽上的牛、驢，牽去飲嗎？況且這女人本是亞伯拉罕的後裔，被撒但捆綁了這十八年，不當在安息日解開她的綁嗎？』(路加福音 13:15-16)

[7] 他(僕人)還說話的時候，又有人來說：「神從天上降下火來，將羣羊和僕人都燒滅了；惟有我一人逃脫，來報信給你。」(約伯記 1:16) 那人以為是神做的，看前後文，就很清楚這是撒但做的。

[8] 『因他對摩西說：「我要憐憫誰，就憐憫誰；要恩待誰，就恩待誰。」』(羅馬書 9:15)『這一切都是這位聖靈所運行、隨己意分給各人的。』(哥林多前書 12:11)

[9] 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)

[10] 拿耶穌的人把他帶到大祭司該亞法那裏去，文士和長老已經在那裏聚會。(馬太福音 26:56-57)

(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, we take a look at three examples when Jesus came to fulfill the Law. Next, we see some miracles He did on earth, and preached the Gospel for us who are poor in spirit. Thirdly, we speak about some spiritual things He did, and are glad to know that He proclaimed the favorable year of the Lord. From an example of the Old Testament, we can see that we need God to open our eyes to see spiritual things.  Next, we talk about some teachings by Jesus regarding the fact that miracles are sometimes necessary, and one miracle that Christians should be able to get. We talk about why we should be one in love, and His promise about the coming of the Holy Spirit. Finally, we’ll discuss why we are destined in Jesus since Genesis.

The Bible records clearly according to Luke in the Gospel Luke what Jesus did and taught. He not only taught but also did miracles and signs to verify His Words [1]. In Matthew 5:17-18, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” What He did and taught indeed accomplished the Law. Let us use three examples in the Old Testament to illustrate this.

First, He started to preach when he was about thirty years old [2], which is consistent with what it says according to the Law in Numbers 4:21-23, “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ households, by their families; from thirty years and upward to fifty years old, you shall number them; all who enter to perform the service to do the work in the tent of meeting.” Apparently, a priest is a one who enters to perform the service to do the work in the tent of meeting.” He is a priest [3]. Secondly, He had no sin [4], but got baptized in a way that is fitting to fulfill all righteousness [5], and it is also as our example. Thirdly, He said in Matthew 5:20, “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” For example, He obeyed the true meaning of Sabbath, not like the Pharisees who obeyed the Law on the surface [6].

Next, let us take a look at what Jesus said what He did in Matthew 11:4-5, “Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” We’ll not described what He did on earth since the four Gospels have their detailed description. The poor refers not only to those in low income, but also to us who are poor spiritually.

As a matter of fact, He told us at the beginning what He did including spiritual things in Luke 4:17-19, “And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”” Indeed, the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him as said in John 3:34, “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.” 

So, are we ready to believe that this is our situation? It is said in Isaiah 42:18-20, “Hear, you deaf! And look, you blind, that you may see. 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? You have seen many things, but you do not observe them; Your ears are open, but none hears.” Indeed, we need God to open our spiritual eyes to see spiritual things like described in 2 Kings 6:15-17, “Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 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.”

Here, let us see some teachings He taught us. Since we’ll talk about miracles next, we may talk about what is the definition of miracles in our opinion. It should indicate the trajectory of God or what God does. In this definition, Satan can only do supernatural things [7]. Therefore, miracles in a loose sense include that God created air, water, etc. These are all things that God did. So, we are ordinarily talking about miracles in narrow sense, which were what was described in the four Gospels. Knowing and truly believing are different. Sometimes, it is necessary to see miracles as described in John 4:46-48, “…And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. …So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”” If you think that there is no need to see miracles, you don’t see one normally. However, the Holy Trinity has the absolute authority [8]. If He let you see miracles, you see them. In fact, the change of life itself is a supernatural miracle, which we can’t do ourselves since life comes from God alone [8]. Therefore, the way of sanctification is passive. We can only be willing, and work with God. Every Christian can at least have this miracle.

Jesus’ teachings are plenty in the Bible. It is impossible to go through all of them in this short article. We have to read the Bible to get the details. Here we mention one more teaching and one promise. First, we need to become one in love as He and Father are. In John 17:11, it says, “I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.” For the teaching, He also says as follows. “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.”(John 15:9) “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”(John 15:12) For the one promise, He promised that the Holy Spirit would come. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”(John 14:26) “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me.”(John 15:26) “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”(John 16:7)

We had discussed all the words He said on the cross. Next, we’ll state briefly the final process when He was nailed at the cross. First, He was betrayed by the symbol of love ‘kiss’ as said in Matthew 26:48-49, “Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.” “…Then all the disciples left Him and fled.”(Matthew 26:56) Peter also denied Jesus three times, but realized it and repented immediately as stated in Matthew 26:75 “And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” Next, He was brought before Caiaphas, the high priest [10]. “Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor.”(Matthew 27:1-2) At end, He had no sin, but was nailed on the cross for political reasons. He had no sin as was said clearly by the governor, “For he (Pilate) knew that because of envy they had handed Him over.”(Matthew 27:18) In Matthew 27:23-24, it says, “And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!” When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.”” Do you think that he could wash away his sin just by washing his hand? Definitely not. Lastly, we’ll talk about His burial. “When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock;. ..”(Matthew 27:57-60) This was prophesied long time ago in Isaiah 53:9, “His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, …” You can find out the details in the corresponding Bible verses.

Finally, why do we say that we have destined to be in Jesus since Genesis? In Hebrews 2:6-8, it says, “But one has testified somewhere, saying, “What is man, that You remember him? Or the son of man, that You are concerned about him? “You have made him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And have appointed him over the works of Your hands; You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. …” So, since Genesis, we had made lower than the angels. Satan is a fallen angel, but still an angel. However, Hebrews 2:8-9 also says, “…But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” Only the resurrection of Jesus prevailed against Satan. We are lower than Satan since Genesis. If we are not in Jesus, how can we prevail at all? So, we have destined to be in Jesus since Genesis.

Some related verses

[1] Acts 1:1-3, “The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.” Acts 2:22, “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know.” John 6:14, “Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.””

[2] Luke 3:23, “When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, …”

[3] Hebrews 8:1, “Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest (Jesus), who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.”

[4] Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”

[5] Matthew 3:15, “But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.”

[6] Matthew 23:23, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.” Luke 13:15-16, “But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him? And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?””

[7] Job 1:16, “While he was still speaking, another (messanger) also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”” 

[8] Romans 9:15, “For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”*

[9] 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “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.”

[10] Matthew 26:56-57, “But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled. Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.”

(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.”)

     我们首先说到要以圣经作为绝对的标准。神爱世人，救恩也是为不识字的人预备的，既然我们识字，就应读经去了解神借着圣经告诉我们什么。然后我们谈到了圣经说得很清楚，读经的目的是要得生命，我们要模成耶稣的形像。接着我们看看圣经为什么说、圣经的方法是说圣灵用启示带领我们读经。我们也看到了读经的原则是要从神的角度看读出来。要能这样，不只是要知道，更是要愿意行出来我们能做的事。我们举了两个实际可以做的例子、来说明在读出来时经常可能会犯的错误。我们提到了彼得说不要强解圣经。如果想要不强解经文的话，不懂原文的人至少偶而用工具书看原文变得非常重要，因为这样才会有可能不受翻译的影响，而知道神到底要告诉我们什么。然后我提到了过去和现在神教我读经的实际方法，和我为什么基于已发生的事实认为如此。人从亚当和夏娃开始就有自由意志，所以这只是分享和推荐。最后我们在结语中强调行道的重要性，不要单单听道。    

     神爱世人，救恩是为我们也是为不识字的人预备的，就如约翰福音 3:16 所说，『神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。』既然神让我们能识字，就应当读经，了解神要借着圣经告诉我们什么，支取那属天的食粮。例如说，在成圣的路上，我们透过圣经知道我们是要模成耶稣的形像: 『因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法(模成, 被动语气)他儿子的模样(形像)，使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。』(罗马书 8:29) 我们看到了「模成」是用被动的语气，因为神有绝对主权，是祂让生命成长，我们只能愿意，做一些我们能做的事情，和神同工。我们看到圣经在这事上是一致的。       

     圣经说的是实话，就如保罗在哥林多后书 12:6 所说的，『保罗说我就是愿意夸口，也不算狂，因为我必说实话；…』。 如果有我们不懂的地方，只是我们的了解还不到那里。这就如哥白尼为了日心说的事实而丧失了生命，只因当时的科学还不能了解到那的程度。保罗的一个实话就是，『使你与人不同的是谁呢？你有甚么不是领受的呢？若是领受的，为何自夸，仿佛不是领受的呢？』(哥林多前书 4:7) 明知是领受的，但太容易骄傲，希望是神的时间到了，分享圣经说要如何读圣经时，可以不受到仇敌的攻击！    

     神很公平，多给的多要，就像路加福音 12:48 所说，『…因为多给谁，就向谁多取；多托谁，就向谁多要。』，而且也『因为神不偏待人。』(罗马书 2:11) 对我来说，恩典是超过我的生命，就像我以前所谈的见证，我是给不出来的。要相信有些经文是可以经历的，要相信三位一体的神有绝对主权，愿意让你经历到你就会经历到了！我们不只是把圣经的话串联起来而已，因为即使是每一句话个别都是对的，如果串得不对就会在整体上错，必须从圣经的一致性看。    

     首先我们看到了读经的目的是如耶稣所说的要得生命。『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) 我们知道生命只能从神来如哥林多前书 3:6-7 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。』要相信神很公平，虽然神有绝对的主权。『因他对摩西说：「我要怜悯谁，就怜悯谁；要恩待谁，就恩待谁。」』(罗马书 9:15)    

     下一个我们来看看为什么我们说圣经说的方法是、必须要圣灵用启示开我们的心窍方能明白圣经。我们先看路加福音 24:33-45，『他们(去以马忤斯的二门徒)就立时起身，回耶路撒冷去，正遇见十一个使徒和他们的同人聚集在一处，…耶稣对他们说：「这就是我从前与你们同在之时所告诉你们的话说：摩西的律法、先知的书和诗篇上所记的，凡指着我的话都必须应验。」于是耶稣开他们的心窍，使他们能明白圣经。』他们之所以能明白圣经是因耶稣开了他们的心窍。新约的时代的我们，耶稣已经回到了天上，我们已不可能被耶稣亲自开我们的心窍了。但我们有内住的三位一体的圣灵，用启示开我们的心窍，所以要想真正了解圣经，一定要在启示里面。

     要相信圣灵巴不得启示我们，会用意念，别人(不见得是局限于弟兄姊妹)的交通，环境，神迹，奇事，异象。但不局限于此，因为圣经明讲，『神能照着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) 圣灵的工作不会局限在某一些形式上的。要相信有一些经文是可以经历的，我可以见证真是这样。以前在专题查经开始时，我已经分享了一部份这样的见证。如果你有兴趣，可按这第一次聚会的链结「https://youtu.be/dpiRYGhtoTs」。到第一次聚会视频后，按圆形的「专题」就到「home」，再按「home」右边的「videos」就可看到以前一些按日期安排的聚会视频，「220220」代表 2022年 2月 20日的聚会。希望大家真的以圣经作为绝对标准，不只是说说而已。    

     读经的原则是要从神的角度读出来，不要读进去自己的看法。如果我们问，怎么可以读出来？就如『可见信道是从听道来的，听道是从基督的话来的。』(罗马书 10:17) 一个人连知都不知道，怎么可能去做呢？所以我们至少要先知道。如果发觉自己一不小心就把自己的想法读进去了，不要气馁，这是一生的功课。在这里，我们只分享两件容易犯错的例子，是我们可做的。如果你没犯这错误，恭喜你。如果有，就像我们所讲的，只是光知道没有用，必须要随时注意才行，这可以帮助了解圣经和别人说的话。    

     第一个例子是不要自己随意加等号。圣经有时说的是充分条件，有时说的是必要条件，有时说得是充分和必要条件，只有在充分和必要条件时才可以划等号。经常人会一不小心就划等号！随时注意这一点会帮助了解圣经和别人的话。对这点，我们可举个例子来说明。圣经都是神所默示的，能够从圣经的角度看就是从神的角度看，但从神的角度看不见得只是从圣经的角度看。所以基本上从神的角度看是比从圣经的角度看更大。    

     说明这点，我们在约翰福音 20:30-31 看到约翰说他如何选资料，『耶稣在门徒面前另外行了许多神迹，没有记在这书上。但记这些事，要叫你们信耶稣是基督，是神的儿子，并且叫你们信了他，就可以因他的名得生命。』也有圣经写不下的，『耶稣所行的事还有许多，若是一一地都写出来，我想，所写的书就是世界也容不下了。』(约翰福音 21:25) 也有不写的，『圣灵既然禁止他们在亚西亚讲道，他们就经过弗吕家、加拉太一带地方，到了每西亚的边界，他们想要往庇推尼去，耶稣的灵却不许。』(使徒行传 16:6-7) 圣经没有说如何禁止或不许他们，因为圣灵的工作不会固定在某一种形式上。又如以前说过有些事是神看为对我们不重要的，等等。我们是人，自然会从人的角度看。在这里我说明什么是从神的角度看，希望这样讲比较清楚，也能够看到关于从人的角度看和从神的角度看的不同。假如一个人在圣灵的带领下能不强解圣经，那么这人就是从神的角度看事情。        

     第二个例子是说要有一个能听的耳，『圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！…。』(启示录 2:7) 你们可以看见启示录的七个教会中都有同样的话，可见有一个能听的耳是多么的重要，不是很容易有的！举一个例子说明这点。有人作见证说到关于饶恕，说神要她先行动，她觉得自己没有办法，神就给了她力量去做，但她没有立刻去做就失去了力量。于是神给她第二机会，她就去做了。    

     我当时的回应是关于腓利的事，『 有主的一个使者对腓利说：「起来！向南走，往那从耶路撒冷下迦萨的路上去。那路是旷野。」(and) 腓利就(立即)起身去了。…』 (使徒行传 8:26-27) 我加了立即，因为有和(and)这字。并举了另一个别人的见证是关于「立即」顺服圣灵的感动的例子。有时「立即」顺服是非常重要的，所以当时讲得非常清楚。但她随后的回应是看到了神对她的怜悯，这是一个放诸四海皆准的叙述，因神很公平的爱每一个人。所以我至今都不知道她有没有听清楚「立即」的重要性。    

     读圣经也是如此。圣经在讲一件事情，我们却想到不同的事情，这样一定会有不同的看法！这是从人的角度看。我们要问的是神借圣经要告诉我们什么，这是读出来。而不是因我们的经验而以为圣经在说什么，这是读进去。当别人和自己的想法不同的时候，要考虑。考虑过后还不同意，就放在一边！一般大家都想做好人，愿意讲已经是很不容易了。想想看，以赛亚，耶利米，和许多先知虽说的是真话，但很多话从人的角度看都是在做坏人！    

     彼得说不要强解圣经。怎么说呢？彼得是被耶稣亲自打开心窍了解圣经的，所以他绝对有资格说下面的话。『并且要以我主长久忍耐为得救的因由，就如我们所亲爱的兄弟保罗，照着所赐给他的智慧写了信给你们。他一切的信上也都是讲论这事。信中有些难明白的，那无学问、不坚固的人强解，如强解别的经书一样，就自取沉沦。』(彼得后书 3:15-16) 我们真的相信彼得(圣经)的话吗？认为神是不模棱两可的神，是信实的吗？    

     如果想要不强解经文的话，对不懂原文像我一样的人，偶而用工具书看原文就变得非常重要，因为这样才有可能会不受翻译的影响，知道神到底要告诉我们什么。不是说用工具书就不会强解，不能划等号。神是无限，我们是有限，一定会犯错误的，知过能改就好。因为『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) 虽然原文也有不同的版本，但至少这样会好多了。有人告诉我说至少可用汇编 (Strong’s Concordance) 这工具书。顺便一提，圣经中文的直译本只有吕振中译本。    

     我们再分享一下过去和现在神教我读经的实际方法，和我为什么基于已发生的事实认为如此。人从亚当和夏娃开始就有自由意志，所以这只是分享和推荐。在过去第一次带我的人有感动这样的告诉我，可能的话，从短时间如十五分钟开始，最后到每天约花近一个钟头的从创世记到启示录的一页一页读经，不懂的就读过去。虽然他说可以看历史背景等，也许是太懒且相信，『…读书多，身体疲倦。』(传道书 12:12) 因此基本上只读圣经。最后发觉看书的一个主要目的是、可以知道以前有人有过同样的或类似的经验。且不能只用听圣经的，所以中间因只听圣经重新开始过。结果是最后只是有时知道别人讲的话在不在圣经里面。在脑部手术后，被神拿走了约十多年所有的知识。现在相信这是草木禾稭的工作，是因别人叫我读我才去读，所以也看不懂。要主动的甘心情愿去读，『…因为一生的果效，是由心发出。』(箴言 4:23)    

     现在呢？在第三次的忧郁症时不能像以前一样读经，在神拿走忧郁症前，突然意识到用专题查经的方式可以读，因此相信是神叫我现在用这方法。神很怜悯，现在发觉以前读经不是徒然的，因在专题下，使我想起该用的经文，显然的是归回了我需要用的那部份经文。也看到了和相信至少有部份经文、是用启示使我想起或经历的。实际上我的记忆力很不好，最多只能记得一些主要的字。必须用软体看整本圣经，查到专题所需要的经文。    

     最后总结一下。我们看到了耶稣自己说读经的目的是要得着只能从神来的生命，所以成圣的路是被动的。圣经的方法是要启示带领读经，启示是可以如保罗在以弗所书 1:17 般的祷告的去祈求，『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。』读经的原则是要从神的角度看读出来。要从神借着圣经要告诉我们什么看，也就是从神的角度看，不要从我以为圣经说什么的从人的角度看。我简短的解释为什么我以为是、神教我的过去和现在读经的实际方法。人有自由意志，这些方法只是分享和推荐而已。如果想要不强解经文的话，对不懂原文的人用工具书看原文是非常重要。虽然我们应看圣经知道神的话语，最后要强调的是行道胜听道这点。因圣经说得非常清楚，『只是你们要行道，不要单单听道，自己欺哄自己。因为听道而不行道的，就像人对着镜子看自己本来的面目，看见，走后，随即忘了他的相貌如何。』(雅各书 1:22-24)

(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』。)

    我們首先說到要以聖經作為絕對的標準。神愛世人，救恩也是為不識字的人預備的，既然我們識字，就應讀經去瞭解神藉著聖經告訴我們什麼。然後我們談到了聖經說得很清楚，讀經的目的是要得生命，我們要模成耶穌的形像。接著我們看看聖經為什麼說、聖經的方法是說聖靈用啓示帶領我們讀經。我們也看到了讀經的原則是要從神的角度看讀出來。要能這樣，不只是要知道，更是要願意行出來我們能做的事。我們舉了兩個實際可以做的例子、來說明在讀出來時經常可能會犯的錯誤。我們提到了彼得說不要强解聖經。如果想要不强解經文的話，不懂原文的人至少偶而用工具書看原文變得非常重要，因為這樣才會有可能不受翻譯的影響，而知道神到底要告訴我們什麼。然後我提到了過去和現在神教我讀經的實際方法，和我為什麼基於已發生的事實認為如此。人從亞當和夏娃開始就有自由意志，所以這只是分享和推薦。最後我們在結語中强調行道的重要性，不要單單聽道。

    神愛世人，救恩是為我們也是為不識字的人預備的，就如約翰福音 3:16 所說，『神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不至滅亡，反得永生。』既然神讓我們能識字，就應當讀經，瞭解神要藉著聖經告訴我們什麼，支取那屬天的食糧。例如說，在成聖的路上，我們透過聖經知道我們是要模成耶穌的形像: 『因為他預先所知道的人，就預先定下效法(模成, 被動語氣)他兒子的模樣(形像)，使他兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。』(羅馬書 8:29) 我們看到了「模成」是用被動的語氣，因為神有絕對主權，是祂讓生命成長，我們只能願意，做一些我們能做的事情，和神同工。我們看到聖經在這事上是一致的。    

    聖經說的是實話，就如保羅在哥林多後書 12:6 所說的，『保羅說我就是願意誇口，也不算狂，因為我必說實話；…』。 如果有我們不懂的地方，只是我們的瞭解還不到那裏。這就如哥白尼為了日心說的事實而喪失了生命，只因當時的科學還不能瞭解到那的程度。保羅的一個實話就是，『使你與人不同的是誰呢？你有甚麼不是領受的呢？若是領受的，為何自誇，彷彿不是領受的呢？』(哥林多前書 4:7) 明知是領受的，但太容易驕傲，希望是神的時間到了，分享聖經說要如何讀聖經時，可以不受到仇敵的攻擊！

    神很公平，多給的多要，就像路加福音 12:48 所說，『…因為多給誰，就向誰多取；多託誰，就向誰多要。』，而且也『因為神不偏待人。』(羅馬書 2:11) 對我來說，恩典是超過我的生命，就像我以前所談的見証，我是給不出來的。要相信有些經文是可以經歷的，要相信三位一體的神有絕對主權，願意讓你經歷到你就會經歷到了！我們不只是把聖經的話串聯起來而已，因為即使是每一句話個別都是對的，如果串得不對就會在整體上錯，必須從聖經的一致性看。

    首先我們看到了讀經的目的是如耶穌所說的要得生命。『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) 我們知道生命只能從神來如哥林多前書 3:6-7 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。』要相信神很公平，雖然神有絕對的主權。『因他對摩西說：「我要憐憫誰，就憐憫誰；要恩待誰，就恩待誰。」』(羅馬書 9:15) 

    下一個我們來看看為什麼我們說聖經說的方法是、必須要聖靈用啓示開我們的心竅方能明白聖經。我們先看路加福音 24:33-45，『他們(去以馬忤斯的二門徒)就立時起身，回耶路撒冷去，正遇見十一個使徒和他們的同人聚集在一處，…耶穌對他們說：「這就是我從前與你們同在之時所告訴你們的話說：摩西的律法、先知的書和詩篇上所記的，凡指着我的話都必須應驗。」於是耶穌開他們的心竅，使他們能明白聖經。』他們之所以能明白聖經是因耶穌開了他們的心竅。新約的時代的我們，耶穌已經回到了天上，我們已不可能被耶穌親自開我們的心竅了。但我們有內住的三位一體的聖靈，用啓示開我們的心竅，所以要想真正瞭解聖經，一定要在啓示裏面。

    要相信聖靈巴不得啓示我們，會用意念，別人(不見得是侷限於弟兄姊妹)的交通，環境，神蹟，奇事，異象。但不局限於此，因為聖經明講，『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) 聖靈的工作不會侷限在某一些形式上的。要相信有一些經文是可以經歷的，我可以見証真是這樣。以前在專題查經開始時，我已經分享了一部份這樣的見証。如果你有興趣，可按這第一次聚會的鏈結「https://youtu.be/dpiRYGhtoTs」。到第一次聚會視頻後，按圓形的「專題」就到「home」，再按「home」右邊的「videos」就可看到以前一些按日期安排的聚會視頻，「220220」代表 2022年 2月 20日的聚會。希望大家真的以聖經作為絕對標準，不只是說說而已。

    讀經的原則是要從神的角度讀出來，不要讀進去自己的看法。如果我們問，怎麼可以讀出來？就如『可見信道是從聽道來的，聽道是從基督的話來的。』(羅馬書 10:17) 一個人連知都不知道，怎麼可能去做呢？所以我們至少要先知道。如果發覺自己一不小心就把自己的想法讀進去了，不要氣餒，這是一生的功課。在這裏，我們只分享兩件容易犯錯的例子，是我們可做的。如果你沒犯這錯誤，恭喜你。如果有，就像我們所講的，只是光知道沒有用，必須要隨時注意才行，這可以幫助瞭解聖經和別人說的話。

    第一個例子是不要自己隨意加等號。聖經有時說的是充分條件，有時說的是必要條件，有時說得是充分和必要條件，只有在充分和必要條件時才可以劃等號。經常人會一不小心就劃等號！隨時注意這一點會幫助瞭解聖經和別人的話。對這點，我們可舉個例子來說明。聖經都是神所默示的，能夠從聖經的角度看就是從神的角度看，但從神的角度看不見得只是從聖經的角度看。所以基本上從神的角度看是比從聖經的角度看更大。

    說明這點，我們在約翰福音 20:30-31 看到約翰說他如何選資料，『耶穌在門徒面前另外行了許多神蹟，沒有記在這書上。但記這些事，要叫你們信耶穌是基督，是神的兒子，並且叫你們信了他，就可以因他的名得生命。』也有聖經寫不下的，『耶穌所行的事還有許多，若是一一地都寫出來，我想，所寫的書就是世界也容不下了。』(約翰福音 21:25) 也有不寫的，『聖靈既然禁止他們在亞西亞講道，他們就經過弗呂家、加拉太一帶地方，到了每西亞的邊界，他們想要往庇推尼去，耶穌的靈卻不許。』(使徒行傳 16:6-7) 聖經沒有說如何禁止或不許他們，因為聖靈的工作不會固定在某一種形式上。又如以前說過有些事是神看為對我們不重要的，等等。我們是人，自然會從人的角度看。在這裏我說明什麼是從神的角度看，希望這樣講比較清楚，也能夠看到關於從人的角度看和從神的角度看的不同。假如一個人在聖靈的帶領下能不强解聖經，那麼這人就是從神的角度看事情。

    第二個例子是說要有一個能聽的耳，『聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！…。』(啓示錄 2:7) 你們可以看見啓示錄的七個教會中都有同樣的話，可見有一個能聽的耳是多麼的重要，不是很容易有的！舉一個例子說明這點。有人作見証說到關於饒恕，說神要她先行動，她覺得自己沒有辦法，神就給了她力量去做，但她沒有立刻去做就失去了力量。於是神給她第二機會，她就去做了。

    我當時的回應是關於腓利的事，『 有主的一個使者對腓利說：「起來！向南走，往那從耶路撒冷下迦薩的路上去。那路是曠野。」(and) 腓利就(立即)起身去了。…』 (使徒行傳 8:26-27) 我加了立即，因為有和(and)這字。並舉了另一個別人的見証是關於「立即」順服聖靈的感動的例子。有時「立即」順服是非常重要的，所以當時講得非常清楚。但她隨後的回應是看到了神對她的憐憫，這是一個放諸四海皆準的敍述，因神很公平的愛每一個人。所以我至今都不知道她有沒有聽清楚「立即」的重要性。

    讀聖經也是如此。聖經在講一件事情，我們卻想到不同的事情，這樣一定會有不同的看法！這是從人的角度看。我們要問的是神藉聖經要告訴我們什麼，這是讀出來。而不是因我們的經驗而以為聖經在說什麼，這是讀進去。當別人和自己的想法不同的時候，要考慮。考慮過後還不同意，就放在一邊！一般大家都想做好人，願意講已經是很不容易了。想想看，以賽亞，耶利米，和許多先知雖說的是真話，但很多話從人的角度看都是在做壞人！

    彼得說不要强解聖經。怎麼說呢？彼得是被耶穌親自打開心竅瞭解聖經的，所以他絕對有資格說下面的話。『並且要以我主長久忍耐為得救的因由，就如我們所親愛的兄弟保羅，照着所賜給他的智慧寫了信給你們。他一切的信上也都是講論這事。信中有些難明白的，那無學問、不堅固的人強解，如強解別的經書一樣，就自取沉淪。』(彼得後書 3:15-16) 我們真的相信彼得(聖經)的話嗎？認為神是不模稜兩可的神，是信實的嗎？

    如果想要不强解經文的話，對不懂原文像我一樣的人，偶而用工具書看原文就變得非常重要，因為這樣才有可能會不受翻譯的影響，知道神到底要告訴我們什麼。不是說用工具書就不會强解，不能劃等號。神是無限，我們是有限，一定會犯錯誤的，知過能改就好。因為『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) 雖然原文也有不同的版本，但至少這樣會好多了。有人告訴我說至少可用彙編 (Strong’s Concordance) 這工具書。順便一提，聖經中文的直譯本只有呂振中譯本。

    我們再分享一下過去和現在神教我讀經的實際方法，和我為什麼基於已發生的事實認為如此。人從亞當和夏娃開始就有自由意志，所以這只是分享和推薦。在過去第一次帶我的人有感動這樣的告訴我，可能的話，從短時間如十五分鐘開始，最後到每天約花近一個鐘頭的從創世記到啓示錄的一頁一頁讀經，不懂的就讀過去。雖然他說可以看歷史背景等，也許是太懶且相信，『…讀書多，身體疲倦。』(傳道書 12:12) 因此基本上只讀聖經。最後發覺看書的一個主要目的是、可以知道以前有人有過同樣的或類似的經驗。且不能只用聽聖經的，所以中間因只聽聖經重新開始過。結果是最後只是有時知道別人講的話在不在聖經裏面。在腦部手術後，被神拿走了約十多年所有的知識。現在相信這是草木禾稭的工作，是因別人叫我讀我才去讀，所以也看不懂。要主動的甘心情願去讀，『…因為一生的果效，是由心發出。』(箴言 4:23)

    現在呢？在第三次的憂鬱症時不能像以前一樣讀經，在神拿走憂鬱症前，突然意識到用專題查經的方式可以讀，因此相信是神叫我現在用這方法。神很憐憫，現在發覺以前讀經不是徒然的，因在專題下，使我想起該用的經文，顯然的是歸回了我需要用的那部份經文。也看到了和相信至少有部份經文、是用啓示使我想起或經歷的。實際上我的記憶力很不好，最多只能記得一些主要的字。必須用軟體看整本聖經，查到專題所需要的經文。

    最後總結一下。我們看到了耶穌自己說讀經的目的是要得著只能從神來的生命，所以成聖的路是被動的。聖經的方法是要啓示帶領讀經，啓示是可以如保羅在以弗所書 1:17 般的禱告的去祈求，『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。』讀經的原則是要從神的角度看讀出來。要從神藉著聖經要告訴我們什麼看，也就是從神的角度看，不要從我以為聖經說什麼的從人的角度看。我簡短的解釋為什麼我以為是、神教我的過去和現在讀經的實際方法。人有自由意志，這些方法只是分享和推薦而已。如果想要不强解經文的話，對不懂原文的人用工具書看原文是非常重要。雖然我們應看聖經知道神的話語，最後要强調的是行道勝聽道這點。因聖經說得非常清楚，『只是你們要行道，不要單單聽道，自己欺哄自己。因為聽道而不行道的，就像人對着鏡子看自己本來的面目，看見，走後，隨即忘了他的相貌如何。』(雅各書 1:22-24)

(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, we give a preface by talking about the fact that God loves everyone no matter if one can read or not, and also about His impartiality. For us, we know how to read. Therefore, we should read the Bible to understand what God wants to tell us through the Bible. Next, we mention that the Bible says clearly that the purpose of reading the Bible is to have life. We have to be conformed to the image of Jesus. Then we talk about why the Bible says that the method of reading the Bible is through revelation by Holy Spirit to lead us to study the Bible. We see also the principle to read the Bible is to read out in the aspect of God. To be able to do, we have to not only know what we need to do, but also actually put into practice what we can do to carry out the work. We explain this through two practical examples. In these two examples, we point out the mistakes many often encounter. Peter said that we had to not distort the Scriptures. If we don’t want to distort the Bible for those who don’t know the original languages such as Greek, Hebrews just like me, using reference books from time to time becomes very important since doing so enables one not affected too much by errors due to wrong translation. Thus, knowing more precisely what God wants to tell us through the Bible. After that, I mention the practical methods God taught me to use in the past and nowadays, and explain briefly what I think based upon what happened. Humans since Adam and Eve have free will, so you don’t have to follow what I say. I am just sharing and recommending. We conclude by emphasizing that it is more important to be doers of the word than only hearers.

As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” The salvation is not only for those who can read, but also for those who cannot read. Since God let us belong to those who can read, we should read the Bible to understand what God tells us through the Bible, receiving the heavenly food. For example, in the way of sanctification, we know through reading the Bible in Romans 8:29 that we need to be conformed to the image of Jesus, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.” We can see the word ‘conform’ is using the passive tense, since God has the absolute authority. In the way of sanctification, God is active and we are passive. We can only be willing to do what we could do to work with God. We see in this point that the Bible is consistent.

The Bible always described truth as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:6, “For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; …” If we don’t understand, it is because our current science doesn’t reach that point yet just like the case of Copernicus. He lost his life to advocate the truth that the earth moves around the sun since it was contradictory to the understanding of the science at that time. One truth Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:7 is, “For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” Although I know that everything is received, there is no reason to be boasting. However, it is so easy to get proud. Hopefully, it is God’s time to share this topic ‘Bible says how to study the Bible’. I’ll not be suffered by enemy’s attack.

God is really fair. He asks more from those people who get more, as said in Luke 12:48, “…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.”, and “For there is no partiality with God.”(Romans 2:11) For me, the grace is far exceeding my life. As I testified before, I cannot give when He asks. I believe that some verses can be experienced. Although not all verses such refer to history alone we really cannot go back to live in that exact time. We do not just put verses in series. If so, the individual verse may be correct but not the complete concept since the verses may be in wrong order when quoted. We have to make sure that they are consistent with the whole Bible.

Above all, we can see purpose of reading the Bible is to have life like what Jesus said in John 5:39-40, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.” We know that life can only come from God as said in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “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.” We have to believe that God has the absolute authority, “For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”” (Romans 9:15)

Next, we’ll see why we conclude that the Bible says the only method is through revelation of the Holy Spirit in order to understand the Bible. Let us first take a look at Luke 24:33-45, “And they (the two disciples on the way to Emmaus) got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, …Now He (Jesus) said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” We can see that in order to have the disciples understand Scripture, Jesus had to open their mind. In the era of the New Testament, Jesus had gone to heaven and it is impossible to have Jesus Himself to open our mind. However, we have the abiding Holy Spirit, one of the Holy Trinity. Through His revelation, our mind can be opened so that we can understand the Bible. Therefore, if we want to truly understand the Bible, it has to be by revelation. That is the only way. This is not a theory but a reality. We need to believe that the Holy Spirit longs to reveal to us through our mind, the fellowship of others (not necessary brothers or sisters, but could be unbelievers), environments, miracles, signs, visions. But it is not limited to the listed since the work of the Holy Spirit cannot be restricted as is said clearly in Ephesians 3:20, “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.” Believe that some verses can be experienced, which I can testify on this. I hope that we can use what the Bible says as our absolute standard and not just say so without action.

The principle of reading the Bible is to read out in the aspect of God. If we ask how to read out, it is like what said in Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” If one person doesn’t even know, how can he do what said? So, we need to at least know first before doing. If we find that we read in not carefully, don’t be frustrated. This is a life-long lesson. Here, we share two situations where people could make mistakes. To correct them is what we can do. If you don’t make such mistakes, congratulations. If you do, just knowing them is useless. We have to be careful all the time. They should help us to understand the Bible and others. 

The first example is to not automatically make two separate conditions the same. The Bible says sometimes sufficient condition, sometimes necessary condition, and sometimes necessary and sufficient condition. Only it is a necessary and sufficient condition, you can add equality sign. Often, people aren’t careful enough when adding equality sign when reading the Bible. By noticing it all the time, it’ll help us to understand the Bible and what others say. For this, we can illustrate it through an example. The whole Bible is inspired by God, thus viewing things from the Bible is to view things in the aspect of God. But the converse is not true. Basically, to view things in the aspect of God is more than viewing things from the Bible.

To explain this point, we see in John 20:30-31 how John chose the materials to present, “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” There are things which have not enough space for them as described in John 21:25, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.” There are things not written on purpose such as those in Acts 16:6-7, “They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.” The Bible doesn’t say the ways how the Holy Spirit forbade because the work of the Holy Spirit is not limited to a fixed format. Also, as we discussed before, there are things not written since God may think that they are not important, etc. We are humans and bound to think in the aspect of human. Here I tried to explain what viewing things in the aspect of God is. Hopefully, it will be clearer than what explained in the past. Also, hopefully you see the difference between viewing things in the aspect of human and in the aspect of God. If one doesn’t distort the Bible, then the person can view things in the aspect of God.

The second example is to have ears that can hear as said in Revelation 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. …” We can see that the same words are used in all the seven churches. Having ears that can hear is so important, which is not easily attainable from what I can see. Let us use one example to illustrate this point. Someone who testified about forgiveness said that God wanted her to take action. However, she couldn’t do it and prayed to God to enable her to do it. Then, she got enough strength to do it.  Nevertheless, she didn’t immediately do it and lost her strength. She prayed again and got her strength again and did it immediately.

My response at that time was about the event regarding Philip in Acts 8:26-27, “But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road. ); So he got up and went; …” There is an ‘and’ in the last verse. So, he got up and immediately went even though it does not say so explicitly.  To stress this point regarding following the guidance of the Holy Spirit immediately, I also gave a testimony by another person. Sometimes, obeying immediately is very important. Hence, I thought that I stressed the point clearly. To my surprise, her reaction was that we could see how God was merciful to her. Yes, the statement is correct, but not about what I said. Therefore, until today, I have no idea if she knows the importance of immediacy.

Reading the Bible is sometimes just like this. The Bible says one thing, but we think about different things. By this way, we certainly get different viewpoints. This is seeing things in the aspect of human. What we want to ask is what God wants to tell us through the Bible – this is to read out. When we think about what the verses mean in my way or from my experiences – this is to read in. When others have different opinions, think about them. If there is still disagreeing, put them aside. Generally, people want to be considered good people. If someone is willing to tell you something, it is already not easy. Thinking about Isaiah, Jeremiah, and many prophets, they spoke truth. But many verses are considered no good in the aspect of human. 

Peter said that we had to not distort the Scriptures. Peter got Jesus Himself to open his mind to understand the Bible, so he is definitely qualified to say this in 2 Peter 3:15-16, “and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” We really believe what Peter in the Bible said? And believe that God is not ambiguous but faithful?

If one doesn’t want to distort the Bible just like me who don’t understand the original languages used in the Bible, it is important to use references from time to time. Because by this way, we have a chance to not be influenced by wrong translations to know what God wants to tell us through the Bible. I’m not saying that using references cannot distort the Bible. Don’t add the equality sign. God is infinite, and we are finite. We are bound to make mistakes. So, it is alright as long as knowing that repentance is necessary and do it. As stated in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Although the versions of the Bible in the original languages are many, it is better than not using the references at all. Someone told me that we could use the Strong’s Concordance and the YLT version in literal translation.

Let me now share why I think God taught how to study the Bible practically. This is based upon what happened. Human since Adam and Eve has free will. So, this is only a sharing and recommendations. In the past, the person who led me told me to start with a short time like fifteen minutes to read the Bible, and gradually increase to one hour every day if possible. This is from Book Genesis to the end of Book Revelation page by page. For something that you don’t understand well, do not try to understand that part and just read through it. Although he said that it was ok to read books in historical backgrounds and so, I didn’t read them basically, maybe due to laziness or I believed what said in Ecclesiastes 12:12, “But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.” So, I read the Bible basically. Eventually I found out one major purpose of reading books is to know the others having the same or similar experiences. One time, I misunderstood what the person said when he told me to listen on the top of reading. I listened only and needed to restart the reading part, which was difficult. As a result, I could only sometimes tell if others’ words were in the Bible or not. After brain surgery, God took away basically all about more than ten years knowledge from reading the Bible. Now, I believe that those are hay and straw works. Because the other told me to read the Bible, I read it and but didn’t understand it. We have to read the Bible voluntarily by heart, since we need to “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”(Proverbs 4:23) 

What happens nowadays? During the third time I had depression, I could not read the Bible like before. As I testified before, I thought the Bible was our spiritual food. If I didn’t read, I would starve to death spiritually. Before God took away my depression, I suddenly realize that I could read in a topic-wise way. Thus, I believed that God wanted me to use this method. God is merciful, I discovered that my previous reading the Bible is not in vain. Because God make me think of what was needed in a topic-wise Bible study. Apparently, those part of needed knowledge are returned to me. And also see and believe at least part of verses are recalled and experienced through revelation. In fact, my memory is not good and I recalled some key words not the complete verses. So, I count on software to find out verses through the whole Bible needed for topic-wise Bible study.

Finally, let us summarize what we shared. We can see that Jesus Himself says the objective of studying the Bible is to have life, which can only come from God. So, the way to sanctification is passive. The method described in the Bible is to have the Holy Spirit to lead the Bible study. The revelation can be asked in prayer like what Paul did in Ephesians 1:17, “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.” The principle of reading the Bible is to read out in the aspect of God. We need to ask what God wants to tell us through the Bible. In other words, this is to view things in the aspect of God. Using how I think or feel to interpret what the Bible says is to view things in the aspect of human, which we should not do. I briefly explained why I thought God taught me how to read the Bible practically and the associated two methods. Human has free will. These methods are merely sharing and recommendations. If one doesn’t want to distort the Bible, it is very important to use references from time to time for people like me who don’t know the languages used in the Bible. Although we need to read the Bible to understand what God wants to tell us, our final emphasis is that doers are better than hearers as the Bible said clearly in James 1:22-24, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.”

(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.”)

     我们以道成肉身的耶稣做开始，提到了祂约三十岁时开始传道，很清楚的说要悔改。接着我们讲到了祂自己承认是弥赛亚的一些经文，其中包括人们可能不会注意的一节经文。第三，我们提到了以赛亚说的一些成真的预言。虽然耶稣无佳形美容，祂为神和人所喜爱。既然我们讲到了以赛亚，我们就最后谈谈他何时看到了耶稣的荣耀，作为这短文的结束，并说明如何从圣经的一致性可看到这一点。      

     首先这经文讲到耶稣是道成肉身，『道成了肉身，住在我们中间，充充满满地有恩典，有真理。我们也见过他的荣光，正是父独生子的荣光。』(约翰福音 1:14) 祂是从天上来的，因此能说天上的事，『耶稣从天上来: 我实实在在地告诉你：我们所说的，是我们知道的；我们所见证的，是我们见过的；你们却不领受我们的见证。我对你们说地上的事，你们尚且不信；若说天上的事，如何能信呢？』 (约翰福音 3:11-12)      

     祂约三十岁开始传道，『耶稣开头传道，年纪约有三十岁。依人看来，他是约瑟的儿子，…』(路加福音 3:23) 因为祂是因圣灵感孕而生，特别用了「依人看来」，避免误会。马太福音 4:12-17 说天国近了要悔改，『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！」』    

     耶稣是君王有施洗约翰作先锋，『 他必有以利亚的心志能力，行在主的前面，叫为父的心转向儿女，叫悖逆的人转从义人的智慧，又为主预备合用的百姓。』 (路加福音 1:17) 在马太福音 17:11-13，『耶稣回答说：「以利亚固然先来，并要复兴万事；只是我告诉你们：以利亚已经来了，人却不认识他，竟任意待他。人子也将要这样受他们的害。」门徒这才明白耶稣所说的，是指着施洗的约翰。』祂这样说是因为玛拉基书 4:5-6，『看哪！耶和华大而可畏之日未到以前，我必差遣先知以利亚到你们那里去！他必使父亲的心转向儿女，儿女的心转向父亲(fathers, 复数, 不是指天父)，免得我来咒诅遍地。』请注意，这里父亲英文用的是复数，不是指天父。      

     接着我们看到了耶稣自己承认祂是弥赛亚。在约翰福音 4:25-26，『撒玛利亚的『妇人说：「我知道弥赛亚（就是那称为基督的）要来，他来了，必将一切的事都告诉我们。」耶稣说：「这和你说话的就是他。」』彼得因感动得知耶稣是基督，『耶稣说：「你们说我是谁？」西门彼得回答说：「你是基督，是永生神的儿子。」耶稣对他说：「西门巴约拿，你是有福的！因为这不是属血肉的指示你的，乃是我在天上的父指示的。…当下，耶稣嘱咐门徒，不可对人说他是基督。』(马太福音 16:15-20) 在马太福音 26:63-64 说，『耶稣却不言语。 大祭司(该亚法)对他说：「我指着永生神叫你起誓告诉我们，你是神的儿子基督不是？」耶稣对他说：「你说的是。然而，我告诉你们：后来你们要看见人子坐在那权能者的右边，驾着天上的云降临。」』    

     我们看到了祂似乎总要别人先看出祂是什么，然后承认说，「你说的是。」即使巡抚问祂是否犹太人的王，祂仍然如此。『耶稣站在巡抚(彼拉多)面前，巡抚问他说：「你是犹太人的王吗？」 耶稣说：「你说的是。」』(马太福音 27:11) 好像只有一个例外在马太福音 24:4-5 里，『耶稣回答说：「你们要谨慎，免得有人迷惑你们。因为将来有好些人冒我的名来，说：『我是基督』，并且要迷惑许多人。』因为祂说有些会冒我的名来，祂不是承认了自己是基督吗？有人可能会说，这只是纯粹知识上的得着，并不造就人。是吗？我们的目标是要模成耶稣的形像，我们可以不了解耶稣在不同情况下的反应吗？      

     第三，我们先看看一些以赛亚的预言应验了。马太福音 3:3 说，『这人(施洗约翰)就是先知以赛亚所说的，他说：「在旷野有人声喊着说：「预备主的道，修直他的路！」』 在马太福音 4:14-16 ，『这是要应验先知以赛亚的话，说：「西布伦地，拿弗他利地，就是沿海的路，约旦河外，外邦人的加利利地。那坐在黑暗里的百姓，看见了大光；坐在死荫之地的人，有光发现照着他们

     我们看到了祂担当我们属世的事情，『到了晚上，有人带着许多被鬼附的来到耶稣跟前，他只用一句话，就把鬼都赶出去，并且治好了一切有病的人。这是要应验先知以赛亚的话，说：「他代替我们的软弱，担当我们的疾病。」』(马太福音 8:16-17) 也看到了有属灵的拯救: 『这是要应验先知以赛亚的话，说：「看哪，我的仆人，我所拣选、所亲爱、心里所喜悦的，我要将我的灵赐给他，他必将公理传给外邦。他不争竞，不喧嚷，街上也没有人听见他的声音。压伤的芦苇，他不折断；将残的灯火，他不吹灭。等他施行公理，叫公理得胜；外邦人都要仰望他的名。」』(马太福音 12:17-21) 以赛亚书 53:5 说，『哪知他为我们的过犯受害，为我们的罪孽压伤。因他受的刑罚，我们得平安；因他受的鞭伤，我们得医治。』有人说这节经文是指身体上能得医治，因为耶稣已经为了我们受了刑罚和鞭伤。但这实在和事实不合，因为如果每一次病都得到医治，人基本上就不会死了！这是指属灵的事情，如在信心中，每一个人都会得拯救。      

     虽然『他在耶和华面前生长如嫩芽，像根出于干地。他无佳形美容，我们看见他的时候，也无美貌使我们羡慕他。 』(以赛亚书 53:2) 但『耶稣的智慧和身量，并神和人喜爱他的心，都一齐增长。』(路加福音 2:52)      

     因讲了以赛亚，我们就用这节和他相关的经文来结束这篇短文。约翰福音 12:41说 ，『以赛亚因为看见他的荣耀，就指着他说这话。』(约翰福音 12:41) 这到底是指什么？『当乌西雅王崩的那年，我「见」主坐在高高的宝座上。他的衣裳垂下，遮满圣殿。其上有撒拉弗侍立，各有六个翅膀：用两个翅膀遮脸，两个翅膀遮脚，两个翅膀飞翔。彼此呼喊说：「圣哉！圣哉！圣哉！万军之耶和华，他的荣光充满全地！」』(以赛亚书 6:1-3) 以赛亚的确是「看见」了主的荣耀。从圣经的一致性看，我们知道这不是指父神，因见了父神必死，如出埃及记 33:20 所说，『(耶和华)又说：「你(摩西)不能看见我的面，因为人见我的面不能存活。」而『耶稣说：「我实实在在地告诉你们：还没有亚伯拉罕就有了我。」』(约翰福音 8:58) 很显然的，耶稣不被时间限制，主是指道成肉身前的子神，三位一体的一位。

(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』。)