(8) Living in Righteousness [I]

"For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17)
Paul's word in Romans 14:17 corresponds to what is written in the Old Testament. According to Psalm 89:14, righteousness is the foundation of God's throne. This verse can also be translated to say that righteousness is the establishment of God's throne. God's throne is established with righteousness as the foundation. The book of Isaiah also has much to say about righteousness. For example, Isaiah 32:1 says, "Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness." Here righteousness is again related to the kingdom. Where God's righteousness is, there His kingdom is also. Furthermore, Hebrews 1:8 and 9 say, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness." These verses are a quotation from Psalm 45.

Righteousness means that things are set up and maintained in good order. Where there is righteousness, everything is headed up in a proper way. This is the kingdom. Righteousness first issues in the image of God. Then righteousness establishes the kingdom of God. In Romans 8 we have righteousness and God's image, and in Romans 14 we have righteousness and God's kingdom. Both the image and the kingdom are based on righteousness.

When a husband and wife are not happy with each other and the situation at home is not pleasant, there is no righteousness, no image of the Son, in their family life. Likewise, the kingdom of God is not present, for God's kingdom is righteousness. Others observing the situation will not receive any impression of the image of Christ, the expression of God. However, suppose a brother and his wife live in the Spirit and walk according to the Spirit. They will be happy, and their children will be happy also. What a glorious family life that would be! Others will be able to see the image of God and realize that the kingdom of God is present in that family. This is righteousness in the family life. (Life-Study of 2 Corinthians, Message #29)
http://ministrybooks.org/life-studies.cfm

家庭生活中的義 (1)
羅馬十四17:『因為神的國不在於喫喝，乃在於公義、和平、並聖靈中的喜樂。』
保羅在羅馬十四17所說的，與舊約裡所寫的相符合。根據詩篇八十九14，義是神寶座的根基。這節經文也可以繙作：義是神寶座的建立。神的寶座是以義為根基而建立的。以賽亞三十二1說，『看哪，必有一王憑公義行政。』這裡的義也與國度有關。神的義在那裡，神的國也在那裡。不僅如此，希伯來一8-9說，『神阿，你的寶座是永永遠遠的，你國的權杖是正直的權杖。你愛公義，恨惡不法。』這兩節經文是引自詩篇四十五篇。

義的意思是事物得以建立起來，並且維持在良好的秩序中。凡是有義的地方，一切都很合式的服在元首之下。這就是國度。義的第一個結果就是神的形像。其次，義建立神的國。羅馬八章說到義和神的形像，十四章說到義和神的國。形像與國度都是以義為基礎。

當一對夫妻彼此不滿意，家裡的光景不愉快時，在他們的家庭生活中就沒有義，沒有神兒子的形像。照樣，神的國也不在他們中間，因為神的國就是義。看到這種光景的人，得不到任何基督的形像、神的彰顯的印象。然而，假如一位弟兄和他的妻子活在靈裡，照著那靈而行，他們就會喜樂，他們的孩子也會喜樂。那樣的家庭生活何等榮耀！別人能看見神的形像，領略到神的國顯在那個家庭裡。這就是家庭生活中的義。
(摘自『哥林多後書生命讀經』第二十九篇) http://www.lsmchinese.org/

(9) Living in Righteousness [II]

2 Peter 3:13 says, "Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells." The righteousness dwelling in the new heaven and the new earth indicates that everything will be in proper order, that nothing will be wrong, upset, or in turmoil. Instead of turmoil and confusion, there will be peace and order. In the sight of God, such a state is righteousness. The entire condition in the new heavens and the new earth will be righteousness. Nothing will be disorderly; rather, everything will be in good order. This orderly condition is a condition of righteousness.

In 2 Corinthians 4:8 Paul speaks of being afflicted in every way, or of being attacked from every side. But no matter how much he was afflicted or attacked, with him there was no turmoil. Instead, there was the manifestation of life. This manifestation of life produced a condition of peace and calm.

Suppose you are troubled on every side by your husband or wife, by your children, and by your in-laws. Nevertheless, instead of being disturbed or in turmoil, you manifest life. This means that life comes out of you in that situation. As a result, your condition will be one of peace and order. In spite of the trouble that comes to you from every side, you remain in such an orderly and peaceful condition. The processed Spirit, the consummated Spirit, within you experienced as life calms down the whole situation. This is righteousness.

Whenever the Spirit is expressed as life, there will be righteousness. When there is righteousness, everything will be calm, peaceful, and orderly. If you experience this in your family life, your children will be calmed down, and your husband or wife will be subdued. Such a life always calms down turmoil. When others receive this life from you, they also will enjoy a peaceful state. (Life-Study of 2 Corinthians, Message #32)
http://ministrybooks.org/life-studies.cfm

家庭生活中的義 (2)
彼後三13說，『但我們照祂的應許，期待新天新地，有義居住在其中。』有義居住在新天新地之中，指明凡事都有秩有序，沒有甚麼是不對的、顛倒的或混亂的。沒有騷動與混亂，只有和平與秩序。在神眼中，這種光景就是義。新天新地整個的情形就是義。沒有甚麼是不按秩序的，凡事都是有秩有序的。這種有秩有序的 光景就是義的光景。

保羅在林後四8說到四面受壓，或是說每一面都受到攻擊。但是不論他受了多少苦，或遭遇多少攻擊，他總不受攪擾。反之，生命在他身上顯明出來。這種生命的顯明就產生出和平、安穩的情形。

假如你的丈夫、妻子、兒女、姻親從四面煩擾你。但你不受攪擾，也沒有不安，反而把生命顯明出來；這意思是說，在那種情形中，生命從你裡面顯明出來。結果，你的光景就是和平而有秩序的。雖然煩擾從四面臨到你，你仍然留在這種有秩有序、和平的光景中。你裡面經過過程的那靈，在經歷中成了生命，會使整個情形平靜下來。這就是義。

每當那靈彰顯為生命時，就有了義。有了義，一切就都平靜、和平而有秩序。你若在家庭生活中經歷這個，你的孩子就會安靜下來，你的丈夫、你的妻子也會服下來。這種生命總會平息擾亂。別人從你那裡領受這生命時，也會享受和平的光景。(摘自『哥林多後書生命讀經』第三十二篇) http://www.lsmchinese.org/

(10) Sowing

"Do not be led astray, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he shall also reap." (Galatians 6:7)
Everything we do is some kind of sowing, either to the flesh or to the Spirit. Wherever we may be and whatever we are doing, we are sowing seeds. You sow at work and also at school. The elders sow while they are caring for the church, and those who minister the Word sow as they minister. Husbands and wives are constantly sowing in their married life, and parents are sowing in their family life. Everything parents say to their children and do with them is a seed sown into them. Day by day we all are sowing. The Christian life is a life of sowing. Furthermore, the place where we live and work is our farm. You are sowing even by the way you dress or style your hair. Virtually everything you do is an act of sowing. It is crucial for us to realize that the Christian walk must be a walk by the Spirit and a life of sowing to the Spirit.

In our experience, the flesh should be crucified. As Paul says in 5:24, "They who are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts." We should not continue to walk according to the flesh. We should not be in the flesh in expressing our attitudes. In speaking to their children, parents need to be in the Spirit and according to the Spirit. Otherwise, what they say will be a sowing unto the flesh. We should also be careful of the way we express our attitude. Even the expression of an attitude may be sowing according to the flesh. On the other hand, we may express our attitude by sowing unto the Spirit. We should also be cautious in expressing opinions. Do you have the assurance that the utterance of your opinion is according to the Spirit? If not, be careful, lest you sow unto the flesh. If we all sow unto the Spirit day by day, many problems will be eliminated. The troubles in the church life and in the family life will diminish. Most problems and troubles come from sowing unto the flesh.

"And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not faint." (Galantians 6:9) We should not lose heart in sowing unto the Spirit. Sowing to the flesh usually produces a quicker result than sowing to the Spirit. A higher form of life often grows more slowly than a lower form. In the same principle, what we sow unto the Spirit will usually grow more slowly than what we sow unto the flesh. This is the reason that Paul encourages us not to lose heart in sowing unto the Spirit. In working for the Lord, in ministering the Word to the children of God, and in caring for the churches, we should not expect that what we sow unto the Spirit will grow quickly. Like farmers, we need to be patient. Eventually, in due time, we shall reap. The more precious are the things sown, the longer it will take for them to grow. While they are growing, let us be patient and not lose heart. (Life-Study of Galatians, Message #29)
http://ministrybooks.org/life-studies.cfm

撒種

加拉太六7:不要受迷惑，神是嗤慢不得的，因為人種的是甚麼，收的也是甚麼。
我們所作的一切，都是撒種，或是為著自己的肉體，或是為著那靈。一切的撒種，都有收成，或是從肉體收敗壞，或是從那靈收永遠的生命。無論我們在那裡，無論我們作甚麼，我們都是在撒種。你工作時撒種，在學校時也撒種。長老們看顧召會是撒種，服事話語的人在服事的時候也撒種。丈夫與妻子不停的在他們的婚姻生活中撒種。作父母的也在他們的家庭生活中撒種。作父母的對兒女所說的每一句話，以及對兒女所作的每一件事，都是一粒種子撒到兒女裡面。我們天天都在撒種。基督徒的生活乃是撒種的生活，我們生活與工作的場所乃是我們的農場。就連你如何穿著，如何梳理頭髮，也是在撒種。事實上，你所作的每一件事，都是撒種的行為。我們需要明白，基督徒的生活行動必須是憑著靈而行，也必須是為著那靈撒種的生活；這是十分要緊的。

在我們的經歷裡，肉體應當被釘十字架。保羅在五章二十四節說，『但那屬基督耶穌的人，是已經把肉體連肉體的邪情私慾，都釘了十字架。』我們不該繼續照著肉體生活行動。我們不該在肉體裡表明我們的態度。父母對兒女說話需要在靈裡，並照著靈。否則父母所說的就是為著肉體撒種。我們也該小心如何表明自己的態度。就連我們態度的表現，也可能是照著肉體撒種。另一方面，我們表示自己的態度，也可能是為著那靈撒種。我們在發表意見的時候也該謹慎。你有把握你是照著那靈發表意見麼？你如果沒有把握，就要當心，免得你是為著肉體撒種。如果我們一天過一天都為著那靈撒種，許多難處就會消除。在召會生活以及家庭生活裡的難處自然會減少。許多問題與難處，都是來自為著肉體撒種。

加拉太六章9接著說，『我們行善，不可喪志；因為若不灰心，到了適當的時候，就要收成。』我們行善，為著那靈撒種，不可喪志。為著肉體撒種通常比為著那靈撒種更快產生結果。高等的生命往往比低等的生命成長得慢。同樣的原則，我們為著那靈所撒的種子，通常比為著肉體所撒的種子成長得慢。這就是保羅鼓勵我們為著那靈撒種不可喪志的原因。我們為主作工，服事話語給神的兒女，照顧眾召會，不該盼望我們為著那靈所撒的種子會很快的長大。我們需要像農夫一樣忍耐。至終，到了適當的時候，我們就要收成。所撒的種子越寶貴，生長也越花時間。當牠們在長大的時候，我們要忍耐，不可喪志。
(摘自『加拉太書生命讀經』第二十九篇) http://www.lsmchinese.org/

(11) Prayer & Modesty

Concerning the brothers, Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:8, "I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and reasoning."

If you pray in every place, your living will be transformed, and the church in your locality will be transformed also. Some brothers may not be entirely satisfied with the church in their locality. The only way for the church in your locality to be satisfying to you is for you to pray at every time and in every place. Instead of discussing the situation of the church, pray for the church. The normal life of the brothers in the church is to pray in every place.

In verse 8 Paul also urges the brothers to pray "without wrath and reasoning." Wrath and reasoning kill our prayer. Wrath is of our emotion, and reasoning is of our mind. To have a prayer life and pray unceasingly, our emotion and mind must be regulated to a normal condition under the control of the Spirit in our spirit.

Verse 9 says, "Similarly, that women adorn themselves in proper clothing with modesty and sobriety, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly clothing." Proper clothing denotes what is fitting to the sisters' nature and position as saints of God. Clothing in Greek implies deportment, demeanor. Clothing is the main sign of a sister's demeanor, and it must befit her saintly position.

In the church life the brothers and sisters have quite a lot of contact with one another in fellowship. In such fellowship it is necessary for the sisters to wear a moral, ethical, and spiritual covering known as modesty. In all their contact with the brothers, the sisters should be covered with an "overcoat" of modesty. This is a great safeguard and protection.

Along with modesty, the sisters need sobriety (2:9). As a sister is practicing modesty, she needs to be sober. Far from being foolish, she should be sober-minded and discreet. She should be clear about things and have a keen discernment. A sister should be quiet, but she should not be without sobriety and discernment. A sister should be quiet soberly, not foolishly. As a sister exercises herself to be quiet and not to overstep her position, she needs a keen discernment within. Her spiritual sky should be clear, without clouds or smog. Then she will be clear, careful, and discreet. (Life-Study of 1 Timothy, Message #4)
http://ministrybooks.org/life-studies.cfm

弟兄的隨處禱告, 姊妹的廉恥自守
關於弟兄們，保羅在提摩太前書二章八節說，『所以，我願男人無忿怒，無爭論，舉起虔聖的手，隨處禱告。』
你若隨處禱告，你的生活就會變化，你所在地的召會也會變化。有些弟兄也許不完全滿意他們所在地的召會。你所在地的召會要令你滿意，惟一的路就是你時時禱告，並隨處禱告。不要討論召會的光景，卻要為召會禱告。弟兄們在召會中正常的生活，就是隨處禱告。

在八節保羅也勸弟兄們禱告，『無忿怒，無爭論。』忿怒與爭論殺死我們的禱告。忿怒是出於我們的情感，爭論是出於我們的心思。要有禱告的生活，並不住的禱告，我們的情感和心思就必須規律到正常的情況，受我們靈中那靈的管治。

九節說，『照樣，也願女人穿著正派合宜，以廉恥、自守，不以編髮、黃金、珍珠、或貴價的衣服，妝飾自己。』正派合宜，指適合姊妹們身為神的聖徒所有的性情與地位。穿著，原文含示舉止風度。姊妹們的風度，主要顯在穿著上，必須適合她們聖徒的地位。

在召會生活中，弟兄姊妹在交通中彼此有相當多的接觸。在這樣的交通中，姊妹們需要穿戴道德、倫理、和屬靈的遮蓋，這些就是廉恥。姊妹們在一切與弟兄們的接觸中，該用廉恥的『外套』遮蓋起來。這是很大的保障和保護。

隨著廉恥，姊妹需要自守。（二9。）姊妹實行廉恥時，需要自守。她絕不該愚昧，卻該心思清明並謹慎。她該明白事理，並有敏銳的鑑別。姊妹該安靜，卻不該沒有自守和鑑別。姊妹該安靜自守，不該愚昧。姊妹操練自己安靜，不越過自己的地位時，需要裡面敏銳的鑑別。她屬靈的天空該是晴朗的，沒有雲或霧。然後她會清 明、小心並謹慎。
(摘自『提摩太前書生命讀經』第四篇) http://www.lsmchinese.org/

(12) God's Deuteronomy

Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they live upon the earth and may teach their children as much. (Deut. 4:10b)

Oh that this heart of theirs would be in them always to fear Me and keep all My commandments so that it may go well with them and with their children for ever! (Deut. 5:29)

And you shall love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deut. 6:5)
And these words, which I command you today, shall be upon your heart: (Deut. 6:6)
And you shall repeat them to your children, and speak about them when you sit in your house, and when you journey on the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. (Deut. 6:7)
The above verses clearly indicates that it is the responsibility of the parents to educate their children concerning God and His purpose both by their teaching and by their example.
First, we must love the Lord with the best love.
Second, we must hear the Lord’s words and learn to fear Him.Third, we must have a heart to keep always His commandments for our own sake and for the sake of our children.Finally, we must practice to teach the Lord’s words diligently to our children in every kind of situation.

申命記

你招聚百姓到我這裏，我要叫他們聽見我的話，使他們在地上活著的日子，可以學習敬畏我，又可以教訓自己的兒女這樣行。(申命記四10)

惟願他們常存這樣的心，敬畏我，遵守我的一切誡命，使他們和他們的子孫永遠得福。 (申命記五29)

你要全心、全魂、全力，愛耶和華你的神。(申命記六5)
我今日所吩咐你的這些話，要放在心上；(申命記六6)
也要殷勤教訓你的兒女，無論你坐在家裏，行在路上，躺下，起來，都要談論。(申命記六7)
以上经节很清楚地指明父母有责任来教导儿女一切关乎神及神的目的；不仅言教，更要以身作则。
第一，我们要用上好的爱来爱主。
第二，我们要聆听主话、学习敬畏神。
第三，为了我们自己以及我们的儿女，我们必须用心持守主的戒命。
第四，我们要殷勤地用主的话来教訓我们的兒女。

(13) Sanctification & Honor

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from fornication; that each one of you know how to possess his own vessel in sactification and honor; (1 Thessalonians 4:3,4)
Nothing damages a believer as much as fornication. According to Paul's word in 1 Corinthians 6, fornication ruins a person's body. Other sins may not damage us subjectively, but fornication damages our body, contaminates our entire being, and makes us utterly unholy. Moreover, fornication is used by God's enemy to spoil the man God created for the fulfillment of His purpose. Therefore, fornication must be altogether abandoned. This is the reason Paul says in 4:3, "Abstain from fornication." The word "abstain" is strong, and it indicates that we should run away from fornication.

Sanctification refers more to a holy condition before God; honor, more to a respectable standing before man. Man was created for God's purpose with a high standing, and marriage was ordained by God for the propagation of man to fulfill God's purpose. Hence, marriage should be held in honor (Heb. 13:4).

Verse 8 says, "Consequently, he who rejects, rejects not man but God, Who also gives His Holy Spirit to you." This verse is the conclusion of the section which begins in verse 3. The word "rejects" here refers to the charge given in the preceding verses. Here Paul seems to be saying, "I have given you a warning. If you reject it, you are not rejecting me, but you are rejecting God, the One who gave His Holy Spirit to you." Here the Holy Spirit is referred to as the Holy One who sanctifies us, making us holy before God (Rom. 15:16; 1 Pet. 1:2; 1 Cor. 6:11).

God has given His Holy Spirit to us to sanctify us, to make us holy, to separate us unto God for His purpose. Thus, this Holy Spirit is moving, working, and acting within us constantly for a purpose. If we fall into fornication, we reject this indwelling Spirit who is working within us to sanctify us unto God. This is Paul's meaning here, in the verse that concludes a section on sanctification versus fornication.

May we all, especially the young people, be impressed with Paul's word of warning. The age in which we live certainly is no better than the age in which Paul lived. Furthermore, the cities where we live today are not better than Corinth or Thessalonica. On the contrary, both the age and the cities may be worse. Therefore, we need this warning concerning sanctification versus fornication. (Life-Study of First Thessalonians, Message #15)
http://ministrybooks.org/life-studies.cfm

聖別和尊貴
神的旨意就是要你們聖別，禁戒淫亂；要你們各人曉得，怎樣用聖別和尊貴，持守自己的器皿，(帖撒羅尼迦前書四3,4)
沒有一件事比淫亂更破壞信徒。根據保羅在林前六章的話，淫亂破壞人的身體。淫亂以外的罪還不會切身的破壞我們，但是淫亂破壞我們的身體，污染我們的全人，使我們全然不聖別。不僅如此，神的仇敵也利用淫亂，破壞神所造為要完成祂定旨的人。因此，我們必須徹底棄絕淫行。所以保羅在帖前四章三節說，『要…禁戒淫 亂。』禁戒是很強的用辭，指明我們應當逃避淫亂。

聖別，重於指在神面前聖別的光景；尊貴，重於指在人面前可敬的地位。人為著神的定旨被造，有崇高的地位；而且婚姻是神為著人的繁衍所命定的，以成就神的定旨。因此，婚姻當受尊重。（來十三4）

八節說，『所以那棄絕的，不是棄絕人，乃是棄絕那位將祂的聖靈賜給你們的神。』本節是從三節開始的這一段的結語。這裡的『棄絕』，是指棄絕前面經文中的囑 咐。這裡保羅似乎是說，『我給了你們一項警告。你們如果棄絕，不是棄絕我，乃是棄絕那位將祂的聖靈賜給你們的神。』這裡的聖靈，是指那聖別我們，使我們在神面前成為聖別（羅十五16，彼前一2，林前六11）的聖者。

神將祂的聖靈賜給我們，為要聖化我們，使我們成為聖別，將我們分別出來歸神，以完成祂的定旨。因此，這聖靈一直在我們裡面運行、作工、活動，為要完成一個定旨。我們若犯了淫亂，就是棄絕這位在我們裡面運行，要使我們聖別歸神內住之靈。這是保羅在這裡的意思，這節經文乃是論到聖別對淫亂這段話的結語。

但願我們眾人（尤其是青年人），對保羅警告的話有深刻的印象。我們所處的時代絕不比保羅的時代好。不僅如此，我們今天所住的城市，也不比哥林多或帖撒羅尼迦好。相反的，今天的時代和今天的城市都比從前更壞。因此，我們需要這個關於聖別與淫亂相對的警告。
(摘自『帖撒羅尼迦前書生命讀經』第十五篇) http://www.lsmchinese.org/