【主祷文The LORD’s Prayer】

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主祷文

“主祷文”可能是最被熟知的祷文，出现于圣经马太福音和路加福音这两本书，同时也是由耶稣基督亲口所讲。主祷文是实在地教导，是主耶稣亲自教我们怎样顺从上帝的心意祷告。“主祷文”是我们的祷告模范，教导我们正确的祷告核心和重点。虽然通常称为“主祷文”，但其实应该称“门徒的祷文”更为准确，因为它是主耶稣的跟从者祷告的榜样。

背景

我们从马太福音的叙述得知，主耶稣的祷文所立定的教导是反对假冒伪善的宗教行径。主耶稣将假宗教领袖的行为与真基督徒应有的表现相对比，警告祂的门徒们，当他们活出对上帝的信心时，不要自傲地吸引人关注自己。那些假宗教老师行施舍一类的善事时（马太福音6:2-4 所以你施舍的时候，不可在你前面吹号，像那假冒为善的人在会堂里和街道上所行的，故意要得人的荣耀。我实在告诉你们，他们已经得了他们的赏赐。你施舍的时候，不要叫左手知道右手所作的，要叫你施舍的事行在暗中，你父在暗中察看，必然报答你），或是祷告时（马太福音6:5-8 你们祷告的时候，不可像那假冒为善的人，爱站在会堂里和十字路口上祷告，故意叫人看见。我实在告诉你们，他们已经得了他们的赏赐。你祷告的时候要进你的内屋，关上门，祷告你在暗中的父，你父在暗中察看，必然报答你。你们祷告，不可像外邦人，用许多重复话，他们以为话多了必蒙垂听。你们不可效法他们，因为你们没有祈求以先，你们所需用的，你们的父早已知道了），就喜欢自己得荣耀，而不是将荣耀都归给上帝。在主耶稣指出错误的祷告之后，又以祷告模范来阐明正确的祷告。

当然，如果你仅仅是背诵和重复主祷文，没有一个真心实意的交托和热诚，那么你的祷告就成了被主耶稣定罪的假冒伪善人的喃喃附和一类了。主祷文决不是模仿用的，而是用作真诚基督徒侍奉上帝的大纲或指南。我们也知道，一个人的祷告需要有对上帝诚挚的爱，如果只是像诵念一首迷信诗（不认识上帝），那连天花板都不能穿透，又怎能达到上帝的跟前呢？

祷文内容（出自马太福音6:9-13）

“所以你们祷告要这样说”（9节）
主耶稣率先反对法利赛人和撒都该人的假宗教行径，指出他们的宗教目的是为己私利，窃取上帝应得的荣耀归给自己，而不是为了爱上帝和侍奉上帝。今天的我们是不是也经常做同样的事情？有多少次，我们向人行善只是让人看好自己？然而，我们做每件事情都应该是为了主耶稣而做，是为了爱祂和荣耀祂。

“我们在天上的父”（9节）
这句经文让我们认识到：要对上帝忠诚。祂是我们的天父，祂创造了我们、养育着我们、赐给我们属灵的生命。我们所拥有的一切、我们所取得或曾希望取得的一切成就，都应属于祂。这位全能的创造者，住在超越时间和空间之外（我们称那里为“天国”），祂是我们的父、我们的上帝、我们的生命，也是我们的救主。所以，当我们祷告时必须清楚地认识到，我们是在向谁祷告。“我们众人祷告时，就像上帝家庭里的成员们在一同祷告，我们将上帝作为一家之首，祂的爱将我们紧密连结在一起。”

“愿人都尊您的名为圣”（9节）
在主耶稣的时代，一个人的名字象征着他的品性，所以这句经文（愿人都尊您的名为圣）就意味着，我们不仅要认识到，也要承认上帝是圣洁的，“圣哉、圣哉、圣哉，万军之耶和华，祂的荣光充满全地”（以赛亚6:3）。但是现今时代，有太多的基督徒对上帝的圣洁思考得太少。我们没有认识到上帝是完美的，是我们的创造者，是祂养育我们，祂应当得到我们的敬拜和崇爱。我们时常没有以敬虔和敬畏来靠近祂，圣经指示说：“敬畏耶和华的得着生命，他必恒久知足，不遭祸患【病痛和灾难】（箴言19:23）”

“愿您的国降临，愿您的旨意行在地上、如同行在天上”（10节）
这句经文的含义是：我们应该渴望让上帝的旨意行在世上人的生命中，如同行在天国天使的生命中。作为基督徒，我们的心应该按照上帝所期望的，想要促建祂的国度。我们应该作改变生命的代理人，我们的使命就是将上帝对人类大爱的佳音分享给能分享的所有人，那么这个世界就会变得更像上帝的国。“上帝的仆人，要寻求上帝的掌管能够真正掌管越来越多人的生命。”

“我们日用的饮食，今日赐给我们”（11节）
基督徒每天的生活都应该倚靠上帝的供养。当主耶稣告诉祂的跟从者“不要为生活的基本所需而忧虑”之后，又说：“你们要先求祂的国和祂的义，这些东西都要加给你们了”（马太福音6:33）。“祷告，是为了我们日用的基本所需而求。主耶稣劝告祂的跟从者，不要为奢侈的需求而祷告，要为当日所必需的祷告。而现在所必需的，并不是为无数个明天囤积储备，我们要有限度地为今日所需而祈求，因为主耶稣教导我们：‘每一天’要倚靠上帝而活。”

“免我们的债（路加福音：罪），如同我们免了人的债”（12节）
因为我们是耶稣基督里的信徒，使我们的罪得以蒙上帝的赦免。所以，这里并不是说“我们被上帝宽恕，是因为我们宽恕了别人”，而是说“我们被上帝宽恕，所以我们也要宽恕别人”。当我们真正懂得上帝宽恕了我们多少时，就会很容易地宽恕别人了。如果我们求上帝宽恕我们的罪，却拒绝宽恕别人，那么我们与上帝的关系就存在问题了，我们就需要先解决“宽恕别人”的问题。

“不叫我们遇见试探”（13节）
我们知道，上帝不会用罪来试探任何人（雅各1:13），因此，这句经文必是请求上帝带领我们脱离试探和考验。这是保守的请求，避免我们陷在罪里。圣经告诉我们，每一件事的发生不是直接出于上帝，就是经过祂的允许。所以我们基督徒要认识到，上帝掌管着我们生命的分分秒秒，我们要向上帝祷告，求祂带领我们的脚步远离试探，走向圣洁。

“救我们脱离凶恶”（13节）
惟有上帝才能保守我们脱离罪恶，我们靠着祂的力量才能抵挡世界、肉体和魔鬼。“你们要顺服 神，务要抵挡魔鬼，魔鬼就必离开你们逃跑了”（雅各4:7）。圣经又告诉我们，上帝不会让我们受试探或考验过于祂赋予我们的承受能力，“你们所遇见的试探，无非是人所能受的。 神是信实的，必不叫你们受试探过于所能受的，在受试探的时候总要给你们开一条出路，叫你们能忍受得住”（哥林多前书10:13）

结论：从主祷文中得出的重要原则

当我们向上帝祷告时，必须懂得：上帝是宇宙万有，圣洁的创造者和掌管者。我们祷告的出发点，必须是为了上帝的荣耀和促建祂的国度。我们决对能够向祂祈求供应我们的所需、安慰我们的痛苦，但是我们永远都要认识到：祂的旨意就是我们的圣旨。我们应该渴望祂的旨意能够完完全全地行使在地上，并且我们应该甘心乐意地降服于祂的旨意，而不是让祂听从我们的意愿。我们永远都要记住，一切的美善都出于上帝（雅各1:17），祂无微不至地照管着我们的所需。我们必须宽恕别人，正如我们得蒙上帝的宽恕。我们必须信靠上帝会释放我们脱离任何的试探和考验，我们经过也明白，靠自己根本无法抵挡试探。当我们以这样的态度祷告时，就能够如使徒约翰所说：“我们若照祂的旨意求什么，祂就听我们。这是我们向祂所存坦然无惧的心（约翰一书5:14）

The LORD’s Prayer

The LORD’s Prayer may be the most familiar prayer that exists. It is found in the Bible, in Matthew and in Luke, and came from the very mouth of JESUS CHRIST. This prayer is actually instructional; it is a model prayer that is meant to teach us the correct focus and emphasis of prayer. Although it is commonly called ‘The LORD’s Prayer’, it should more correctly be called ‘The Disciples’ Prayer’ because it is meant as a model prayer for those who follow JESUS.

The context of the Prayer

We find Matthew’s recounting of JESUS’ delivery of the LORD’s Prayer set amidst JESUS’ teachings against hypocritical religious acting. JESUS was contrasting the way the false religious leaders acted with how true followers of GOD should behave. JESUS had cautioned HIS disciples not to call attention to themselves in prideful ways when they went about living out their faith. HE said that the false religious teachers like to call attention to themselves, instead of pointing to GOD, when they did things like giving to the needy (Matthew 6: 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your FATHER, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.) or praying (Matthew 6: 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your FATHER, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your FATHER knows what you need before you ask HIM). After JESUS had finished describing the wrong way to pray, HE illustrated the right way to pray by using this model prayer.

Of course, if this prayer is simply memorized and repeated without a heartfelt commitment and earnest sincerity, it becomes the same sort of hypocritical mumbling that JESUS had just condemned. This prayer was never meant to be mimicked; it was to serve as an outline, or guide, for the sincere devotee to GOD.  As we will see, this prayer requires an honest love for GOD on the part of the one praying for it to be anything more than a superstitious poem that will not even reach the ceiling.

The content of the Prayer [taken from Matthew 6:9-13]

“Pray then like this…”  (9)

JESUS had railed against the false religiosity of the Pharisees and Sadducees. HE had pointed out that they do their religious duties for selfish reasons, to steal the glory that rightfully belongs to GOD for themselves, not out of love and service to HIM. How often do we do the same thing today? How many times do we do something good for someone simply to make ourselves look good? Rather, we should be doing everything for JESUS’ sake; out of love for HIM and for HIS glory and honor.

“Our Father in heaven…”  (9)

This phrase recognizes our allegiance to GOD. HE is our FATHER; HE created us, HE sustains us, HE gives us spiritual life. Everything we have and everything we are or ever hope to be, we owe to HIM. The all-powerful CREATOR, WHO lives outside of time and space, in the realm we call ‘Heaven’, is our FATHER, our GOD, our life, and our SAVIOR. When we pray, we must be aware of exactly WHO it is to WHOM we are praying. “Those who pray like this are members of a family, and they look to GOD as the Head of the family, one who is bound to them by ties of love”.

“…hallowed be YOUR name” (9)

In JESUS’ day, a person’s name was indicative of his character. This phrase [“hallowed be your name”] means that we realize, and acknowledge, that GOD is holy, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of HIS glory!” (Isaiah 6:3). There are too many people these days who think too little on GOD’s holiness. We do not realize that GOD is perfect, HE is our CREATOR, HE sustains us, and HE deserves our worship and love. Too often, we do not approach HIM with the reverential awe, or fear, that the Bible commands, “The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm” (Proverbs 19:23).

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (10)

This phase means that we should want GOD’s plan to be carried out by humans on earth the same way it is carried out by the angels in Heaven. As believers, our hearts should be set on furthering HIS Kingdom any way that HE asks of us. We should be agents of change, whose mission is to share the good news of GOD’s love for humanity with all those we can, so that this world would be more like HIS Kingdom. “The servant of GOD looks for the rule of GOD to become actual in more and more lives”.

“Give us this day our daily bread…”  (11)

The believer should be living in a daily dependence on GOD’s provision. After JESUS had told HIS followers that they need not worry about having the necessities of life, HE said, “But seek first the kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”  (Matthew 6:33).  “…the prayer is for the simple and present necessities of life. JESUS is counseling HIS followers to pray for necessities, not luxuries, and for what is needed now, not a great store for many days to come. By confining the petition to present needs JESUS teaches a day-by-day dependence on GOD”.

“…and forgive us our debts [Luke: our sins], as we also have forgiven our debtors” (12)

Because we are believers in JESUS CHRIST, our sins are forgiven. Therefore, this is not saying that our sins are forgiven because we forgive others. Rather, we forgive others because we have been forgiven. It is easy to forgive others when we truly understand how much GOD has forgiven us. If we claim to have had our sins forgiven by GOD, yet we refuse to forgive others, there is a problem with our relationship with GOD, and that problem needs to be dealt with.

“And lead us not into temptation…”  (13)

We know that GOD does not tempt anyone with evil (James 1:13). Therefore, this phrase must be a request for GOD to guide our paths away from temptation and testing. It is a request for protection against that which might cause us to fall into sin. The Bible tells us that everything that happens is either caused by GOD, or GOD allows it. As such, we believers realize that GOD is in control of every second of our lives, so we pray for GOD to guide our steps away from temptation and towards holiness.

“…but deliver us from evil” (13)

GOD is the only one Who can protect us from evil. It is by HIS strength that we are enabled to stand against the world, the flesh, and the devil. “Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). The Bible also tells us that GOD will not let us be tempted or tested more than HE will also supply the ability for us to endure, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. GOD is faithful, and HE will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation HE will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (I Corinthians 10:13).

Conclusion: Important Principles from the LORD’s Prayer

When we pray to GOD, we must understand that HE is the Holy CREATOR, and SUSTAINER, of the universe.  Our basic motivation in prayer must be for HIS glory and the furtherance of HIS Kingdom. We can surely ask HIM to supply our needs and comfort our afflictions, but we must always recognize that HIS will trumps ours. We should desire that HIS will be done here on earth, and we should be willing to submit to HIS plan, rather than expect HIM to submit to ours. We must always remember that every good thing comes from GOD (James 1:17); HE lovingly supplies our needs. We must forgive others as we have been forgiven. We must trust GOD to deliver us from any temptation or testing that we should encounter, knowing that we are unable to resist temptation on our own. When we pray with this attitude, we can say with the apostle John, “And this is the confidence that we have toward HIM, that if we ask anything according to HIS will HE hears us” (I John 5:14).

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何为主权得救？

问：何为“主权得救”？

回答：主权得救，强调的是降服于作为你生命之主的基督，并以信靠基督来与祂同行，以致得救。同时也集中强调，一个改变的生命是得救的结果。相信主权得救的基督徒，会对那些声称相信基督，却在他的生命里没有明显善行的人产生严重置疑。因为圣经教导，信靠基督就必会有一个改变的生命（哥林多后书5:17 若有人在基督里，他就是新造的人，旧事已过，都变成新的了；加拉太5:22-23 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；雅各书2:14-26信心没有行为是死的。我的弟兄们，若有人说自己有信心，却没有行为，有甚么益处呢？这信心能救他么？若是弟兄或是姐妹赤身露体，又缺了日用的饮食，你们中间有人对他们说“平平安安的去吧，愿你们穿得暖吃得饱”，却不给他们身体所需用的，这有甚么益处呢？这样，信心若没有行为就是死的。必有人说：“你有信心，我有行为。你将你没有行为的信心指给我看，我便借着我的行为，将我的信心指给你看。”你信 神只有一位，你信的不错，鬼魔也信，却是战兢。虚浮的人哪，你愿意知道没有行为的信心是死的么？我们的祖宗亚伯拉罕把他儿子以撒献在坛上，岂不是因行为称义么？可见信心是与他的行为并行，而且信心因着行为才得成全。这就应验经上所说“亚伯拉罕信 神，这就算为他的义”，他又得称为 神的朋友。这样看来，人称义是因着行为，不是单因着信。Ji~NV喇合接待使者，又放他们从别的路上出去，不也是一样因行为称义么？身体没有灵魂是死的，信心没有行为也是死的）。

然而，生命改变取决于每个人和他的境况。有时他的灵命呈现快速成长、改变明显，而有的时候就要用很长时间才能有明显地改变，即使他的改变可能不是每个人都看为明显。圣经清楚地教导，得救只靠信心，不靠行为（约翰福音3:16 神爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的不至灭亡，反得永生。以弗所2:8-9 你们得救是本乎恩、也因着信，这并不是出于自己，乃是 神所赐的；也不是出于行为，免得有人自夸），可是圣经也同时声明，得救后就必会有一个改变的生命（以弗所2:10 我们原是祂的工作，在基督耶稣里造成的，为要叫我们行善，就是 神所预备叫我们行的）。因此，这两方面难以平衡，而我们只需要懂得，关于他或她永远的灵魂，我们不要论断（马太福音7:1 你们不要论断人，免得你们被论断）。只有上帝知道谁是祂的羊，祂也会按照祂完美的时间表，使我们每个人的灵命达到成熟的地步。

那么，主权得救是根据圣经吗？是的，这是不可否认的，信靠基督就必产生一个改变的生命（哥林多后书5:17）。一个靠着信靠基督而从罪里得蒙释放的人，不应该再想活在罪恶的生命里（罗马书6:2 断乎不可，我们在罪上死了的人，岂可仍在罪中活着呢）。同时，降服于耶稣基督的主权是灵命成长的问题，而不是得救的问题。因为基督徒的生命，是越来越顺服上帝的过程（彼得后书1:5-8 正因这缘故，你们要分外的殷勤。有了信心，又要加上德行；有了德行，又要加上知识；有了知识，又要加上节制；有了节制，又要加上忍耐；有了忍耐，又要加上虔敬；有了虔敬，又要加上爱弟兄的心；有了爱弟兄的心，又要加上爱众人的心。你们若充充足足的有这几样，就必使你们在认识我们的主耶稣基督上不至于闲懒不结果子了）。一个人不是为了得救，所以在他或她生命的每个领域都顺服上帝。他或她应当发自肺腑地承认：自己是一个罪人，得救需要耶稣基督，也出于爱祂而信靠祂、顺服祂（约翰福音3:16 神爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的不至灭亡，反得永生。以弗所2:8-9），因为耶稣是主（腓立比2:10）。

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，真基督徒应该决对降服于上帝（雅各书4:7 故此你们要顺服 神，务要抵挡魔鬼，魔鬼就必离开你们逃跑了）。一个改变的生命并降服于基督的主权，是得救的结果，而不是得救的需要。


What is Lordship salvation?

Question: "What is Lordship salvation?"

Answer: Lordship Salvation emphasizes that submitting to CHRIST as LORD over your life goes hand-in-hand with trusting in CHRIST to be saved. It also focuses on a changed life as the result of salvation. Those who believe in Lordship Salvation would have serious doubts about a person who claims to believe in CHRIST but does not have good works evident in his life. The Bible does teach that faith in CHRIST will result in a changed life(2 Corinthians 5: 17 Therefore, if anyone is in CHRIST, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ; Galatians 5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ;James 2: Faith Without Works Is Dead 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good2 is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that GOD is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed GOD, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of GOD. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.).

However, depending on the person and his circumstances, spiritual growth sometimes occurs quickly, and other times it takes a long time for changes to become evident, and even then the changes may not be evident to everyone. The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is by faith alone, apart from works (John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ;Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of GOD, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.). The Bible also declares that a life changes after salvation (Ephesians 2: 10 For we are his workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.). So it is a difficult balance to make. We do know, however, that we are not to judge another as to the state of his/her eternal soul (Matthew 7: 1“Judge not, that you be not judged.). Only GOD knows who are HIS sheep and HE will mature each of us according to HIS perfect time table.

So, is Lordship Salvation biblical? Again, it cannot be denied that faith in CHRIST produces a change (2 Corinthians 5:17). A person who has been delivered from sin by faith in CHRIST should not desire to remain in a life of sin (Romans 6: 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?). At the same time, submitting to the Lordship of JESUS CHRIST is an issue of spiritual growth, not salvation. The Christian life is a process of submitting to GOD in increasing measure (2 Peter 1: 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.). A person does not have to submit to GOD in every area of his or her life in order to be saved. A person simply has to recognize that he or she is a sinner, in need of JESUS CHRIST for salvation, and place trust in HIM (John 3: 16 “For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only SON, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have eternal life. ; Ephesians 2:8-9). JESUS is LORD (Philippians 2:10).

Dear Brothers and Sisters
True Christians absolutely should submit to GOD (James 4: 7 Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.). A changed life and submission to CHRIST's lordship are the result of salvation, not a requirement for salvation.

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尽情享用上帝的话语

就要爱慕那纯净的灵奶，像才生的婴孩爱慕奶一样，叫你们因此渐长，以致得救。你们若尝过主恩的滋味，就必如此（彼得前书2:2-3）

你看到过给婴儿喂奶吗？饥饿的小家伙抓住奶瓶，小嘴吸吮着，还伴随着轻柔地满足声，他们在尽情地享受他们的美食。但是随着时间的推移，牛奶再也不能满足婴儿的食欲了，那么烹饪的发展潜力就在全世界被开发了。

把新基督徒比作婴儿，彼得论到他们说，“要爱慕纯净的灵奶”（2:2）。你不会给一个新生儿喂牛肉和菠菜，对吗？所以新生的基督徒，只能靠吸吮圣经的真理才能明白。然后，他们像成长的孩子一样，如饥似渴地尽情享用圣经，所以得以迅速成长，逐渐能够摄入更多带肉的圣经原则和主题。

基督徒无法独自理解圣经，至多如婴幼儿一样，期盼得到他们的食物。而存在于真基督徒里面的圣灵，为他们阐释上帝的话语。换言之，就是圣灵启示经意，使寻求明白真道的基督徒能够懂得。此外，根据以弗所 4:11-16（祂所赐的有使徒、有先知、有传福音的、有牧师和教师。为要成全圣徒，各尽其职，建立基督的身体。直等到我们众人在真道上同归于一，认识 神的儿子，得以长大成人，满有基督长成的身量。使我们不再作小孩子，中了人的诡计和欺骗的法术，被一切异教之风摇动，飘来飘去，就随从各样的异端。惟用爱心说诚实话，凡事长进，连于元首基督；全身都靠祂联络得合式，百节各按各职，照着各体的功用，彼此相助，便叫身体渐渐增长，在爱中建立自己），上帝赐下恩赐，使忠心的基督徒担任基督肢体的牧师和教师，承担装备真基督徒能够胜任其职的责任。这些带领者指导和解明上帝的话语、激发基督徒在他们的信心中不断成长起来，并且引领他们不被迷惑，谨守上帝的真道。

上帝的话语为我们的心、意念和灵提供了一场盛宴，是在任何地方都无法吃到的丰盛美宴。其实，许多父母在餐桌前对孩子的劝告，也同样适用于基督徒的生命：“吃光它！圣经的美食能让你长得强壮无比。”


FEASTING ON GOD'S WORD

1 Peter 2: 2 Like new born babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the LORD is good.

Did you ever watch an infant take a feeding? Hungry little ones clutch the bottle, smack their lips, and make soft contented noises. They thoroughly enjoy their nourishment. But there comes a time when milk isn’t enough to satiate baby’s appetite anymore. That’s when a whole world of culinary possibilities opens up.

Comparing new believers to babies, Peter said that they “long for the pure milk of the word” (v. 2). You wouldn’t feed a new born steak and spinach, would you? Well, baby Christians must sip scriptural truths that they understand. Then, like a growing child, they shoot up as they feast on Bible passages, gradually taking in more and meatier principles and topics.

Believers are not left alone to make sense of Scripture any more than babies and young children are expected to get their own meals. The HOLY SPIRIT, who indwells GOD’s true followers, illuminates the WORD. That is, HE makes the meaning clear to those who seek to understand. Moreover, according to Ephesians （4:11 So CHRIST HIMSELF gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip HIS people for works of service, so that the body of CHRIST may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of CHRIST.,14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of HIM who is the head, that is, CHRIST. 16 From HIM the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.), GOD has given gifted and faithful Christians to the body of CHRIST to act as pastors and teachers. They are charged with equipping the true followers of CHRIST for service (v. 12). These leaders instruct, clarify, and motivate people to grow in their personal faith and to fulfil the body of CHRIST’s purpose of reaching the lost.

GOD’s WORD is a feast for our heart, mind, and spirit. This is one banquet table where there is no such thing as taking too much. In fact, the advice many parents give their children at the dinner table applies to the Christian life as well: “Eat up! Scriptural food makes you grow strong.”

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上帝在对你讲话

我要听 神耶和华所说的话，因为祂必应许将平安赐给祂的百姓、祂的圣民，他们却不可再转去妄行（诗篇85:8）

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，我们对上帝的观念认识，决定了我们与祂的关系如何。那些把上帝看为冷漠无情的人，可能会惊讶地发现，上帝在亲自对每个人“讲话”，即使是否认祂存在的人。因为上帝想让我们懂得祂，能与祂有亲密的关系，所以祂设法不断地与我们交流。可是，很多人不听祂可听见的声音，所以就不知道祂，甚至基督徒灵上的听觉也会是迟钝的。

而那些乐意听的人，就能够通过各种来源辨别出上帝的声音。其中，最显著的就是通过圣经辨别，但是上帝也会透过其他真基督徒所讲出或写出的话来呼召我们，甚至还会透过环境和祂的创造奇观来对我们讲话。如果我们知道我们慈爱的天父，设法要得到我们的注意用了多少不同的方法，那么我相信，我们都会为此感到吃惊的。

上帝用平和的声音，呼召我们的心和意念。尽管祂的话语是对众人而讲，但是对每个人，祂还有专门的启示。这就是为何，两个人听同一场讲道或读同一章节后，各人的领受却不相同。上帝不是泛泛而讲，而是向不同背景、不同境遇的每个人传达具体的旨意和启示。

忙碌是感知上帝并回应祂的一大阻碍。当我们的生命充满世界的喧嚣时，就无法听到上帝平和的声音。今天你要留出时间来用心聆听上帝的呼召，默想祂透过你的境况对你所讲的话，并以感恩来回应，因为上帝喜悦与你讲话。

GOD Is Speaking to You

Psalm 85: 8 I will listen to what GOD the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our concept of GOD determines how we relate to HIM. Those who see HIM as distant and impersonal may be surprised to know HE “speaks” personally to everyone—even to those who deny HIS existence. Since HE wants us to know HIM and have a personal relationship with HIM, HE continually seeks to communicate with us. But without hearing HIS voice audibly, many people are unaware of HIM. Even Christians can develop insensitive spiritual ears.

For those who are willing to hear, GOD’s voice can be discerned through a variety of sources. The most obvious one is the Bible, but HE can also call to us through the spoken or written words of other true believers. HE even speaks through circumstances and the wonders of HIS creation. I think we would all be amazed if we knew how many different ways our loving heavenly FATHER tries to get our attention.

HE calls with a quiet voice that speaks into our hearts and minds. Although HIS words can be directed to a crowd, HE has a specific, individualized message for each person. That’s why two people can hear the same sermon or read the same verses yet come away with two different applications of the message. GOD doesn’t dish out generalities; HE communicates specific ideas meant just for you.

Busyness is a big hindrance to receptivity. When our lives are filled with the clamour of this world, GOD’s quiet voice can’t be heard. Set aside time today to listen for HIS call, consider what HE’s saying through your circumstances, and respond in gratitude because HE delights to speak with you.