Manna issue 81 - Late Autumn Trees Without Fruit 秋天沒有果子的樹
Jude’s warning against spiritual
barrenness and apostacy.
針對靈性飢荒和叛教，猶大書的警告
FF Chong—London, UK
英國倫敦 張福華傳道
“Late autumn trees without fruit.”
This is one of the images Jude used to
drive home the depravity and doom
of the apostates, those who
abandoned the true faith (Jude 12).
This illustration has its root in the
agriculture of the land of Israel. Late
autumn is when fruit trees produce
their fruit. Every farmer relies on this
last harvest of the year to sustain
themselves until the next harvest. This
late autumn crop is crucial to the
survival and expansion of the farmer’s
agricultural enterprise.
"秋天沒有果子的樹"。
這是猶大書所使用的一個形象，
常常用來讓人理解那些叛教之人的墮落和卮運，
也就是那些純真信仰的人。
(猶 12)
這個例子在以色列土地上的農業文化中，有其根源。
秋天也正是果樹結果子的時候。
每位農夫都依靠這一年之中的最後一次收穫，
來維持他們自已的生計，直到下一年的收穫時節來臨。
晚秋農作物的收成對農夫的生存是很重要的，
而且對於農夫自已的農業事業的擴張，也有很大的影響。
A poor harvest is a painful and
disappointing experience for any
farmer, because of the subsequent
hardship he will have to endure. If this
happens, the farmer will do all that he
can to reverse the barrenness of his
trees. This ranges from the medical
examination of the trees to using
fertilizers. Such an endeavor costs
more time, money and effort. It is a
painstaking, but necessary, process to
bring the trees back to full health. By
doing this, the farmer hopes to reverse
his situation and, by next spring, see
his trees bearing fruit again.
若收成不好，對農夫而言，會又悲痛，又失望，
因為接著他就要忍受困苦。
若發生這種情況，農夫就會盡一切所有的力量，
就轉變作物收成不好的情況。
大致所能作的事，就是檢查作物是否健康，並且施用肥料。
這些努力付出，需要一些時間，金錢和精力。
要讓作物回復完全健康的狀態，
這是一個辛苦但必要的過程。
藉由這麼儘，農夫希望轉變情況，
直到下一個春峋，可以再一次看到樹上結果。
One main cause of a barren tree is
disease. When a tree becomes
galled—a condition in which
unhealthy growths are found on the
tree—its fruit is in danger of failing to
ripen. Gall can be caused by parasites,
bacteria and fungi. The infected tree
may go through the blossoming
process, and at times even bear fruit.
However, the abnormal growths block
the free circulation of sap around the
tree. This prevents the fruit from
reaching maturity, causing it to dry up
and eventually fall off the tree. Hence
the expression: “Late autumn trees
without fruit.”
樹不結果主要的產因是生病了。
當出現樹癌的時候 - 樹生長不健康的情況 -
果子就很危險，易掉落成熟。
樹癌的原因可能是寄生蟲，細菌，發黴。
受影響的樹或許也會經過開花期，
偶爾甚至會結果子。
然而，不正常成長的部份，會阻斷循環整棵樹的樹夜。
這會阻礙了果子成熟，讓它乾掉，最後從樹上掉落
因為此才有這個說法：
"秋天沒有果子的樹"。
JUDE’S INTENDED MEANING 猶大書刻意留下的意思
“Late autumn trees without fruit” is
one of many metaphors Jude used to
highlight the danger apostates could
inflict upon the community of God.
These metaphors, found in the Book
of Jude from verses 12 to 13, were
commonly known and understood
during Jude’s time. He used them to
describe the attempted destruction of
God’s community, a community which
is built on amicableness, a spirit of
sacrifice, truth, productiveness, honor
and order. Such destruction, if
successful, would be utterly
unforgiving and consumes all
goodness that would otherwise
nourish the church.
"秋天沒有果子的樹"是猶大書許多隱諭之一，
用來強調危險的叛教者，會使神的子民受到損害。
這些隱諭，可以在猶大書12到13節找到，
當時猶大書時代，為一般所知，及了解。
猶大用這些比諭來描寫，神的子民未來有可以遇到的破滅事件，
而神的子民是和藹可親，有願意奉獻的心，
有真理，願意付出生產，高尚，有秩序。
而毀滅若真的成功的話，
將會完全不能原諒，
消滅可以滋養教會成長的一切良善品德。
In Jude’s mind, apostates are
destructive elements who expressly
corrupt all who follow them,
promoting wickedness over the
goodness of God. Instead of having
love for the brethren, they instigate
hatred and antagonism; instead of
speaking the truth to one another,
they fabricate lies; instead of resolving
differences, they blow things out of
proportion; and instead of creating an
ambience of reverence, they speak
against God and His church. They are
the instruments of the dragon (Rev
13:5–6).
在猶大的心中，叛教是一種毀滅的元素，
很明顯地會敗壞那些跟隨叛教之人，
提倡邪惡的事，高過神的良善。
不但不會去愛弟兄姐妹，
他們會煽動別人，引起仇恨和互相對抗；
不但不會向別人說真實之言，反而編織謊言；
不但不會消除彼此之間的差異，反而小題大作；
不但不會營造敬畏神的氣氛，反而說了神和教會的壞話。
他們是龍手上的工具。
(啟 13：5-6)
Such false prophets are able to
corrupt the innocent to their own
advantage, turning them against one
another. This is intended to destroy
unity amongst the brethren, making it
easier for the apostates to work
heretically against the establishment
of the church. With ease, they build
up walls and instill hostility. Following
Jude’s line of thought, they are like
the abnormal growths on a tree,
retarding the growth that would
otherwise be enjoyed by a healthy
and vibrant tree.
這種假先知，可以敗壞無辜的人，
讓他們自已得利，讓他們彼此為敵。
這就是故意要讓破壞弟兄姐妹同心合意，
讓叛教之人更容易，讓異端工作，阻擋神教會的建立。
很容易，他們就能建立高牆，提昇敵意。
隨著猶大書思考的方向走去，
他們就像樹上那些變異生長的地方，
阻礙樹的成長，讓樹不能可以結果為人享用果子，
成為一棵健康且充滿活力的樹。
ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL 就個人層面而言
To fend off attacks from false
prophets, we have to understand the
importance of bearing fruit. First, it is
Jesus who commissioned us to bear
fruit. Being chosen by God comes
with the mandate to bear fruit:
若要能避開假先知的攻擊，
就要了解結果子的重要性。
第一，耶穌交託我們要結果子。
被神揀選，其實帶著要結出果子的強制性。
You did not choose Me, but I chose
you and appointed you that you
should go and bear fruit, and that
your fruit should remain. (Jn 15:16a)
16不是你們揀選了我，是我揀選了你們，並且分派你們去結果子，叫你們的果子常存，
(約 15：16a)
This command cannot be ignored; it
must be carried out. The word
“appointed” indicates the divine
authority and sovereignty of the One
who appoints. No servant in God’s
house can violate his appointment
without facing the wrath of God’s
judgment.
這條命令不可忽視；是一定要實行的。
"分派"這個字，意思指的是，
有指派能力的獨一真神，祂來自天上權柄和主權。
神家中沒有任何僕人，
是可以違背神的旨意，而不會不面對神審判的憤怒。
At the same time, being “appointed”
implies the honorable status that we
have in Christ Jesus. This appointment
is granted only to those who are
baptized into Christ. We are placed in
a privileged position to bear fruit for
God. In fact, God empowers us to
bear fruit; hence, nothing can stop us
from bearing fruit for Him. God has
not given us a task that is beyond our
strength and capability, but a duty
that all who believe in Him can fulfill.
同時，被"分派"，就暗示了榮耀的身份，
就是我們在基督耶穌裡榮耀的身份。
這種尊貴身份的指派，只屬於那些已經受洗歸入基督的人。
因為我們被放到一個具有特權的位置，
要為神結果子。
事實上，神授權要我們結果子；
因此，沒有任何事可以阻止我們來為神結果子。
神並沒有給我們一個超過我們力氣和能力的任務，
神所給我們的責任，都是一切相信祂的人，都可以去完成這個責任。
Jesus instructs us not only to bear
spiritual fruit, or perform good deeds,
but to ensure that the fruit remains.
This is a challenging task. In a physical
sense, every ripe fruit will eventually
perish. Likewise, for a good deed to
remain, under all circumstances,
would prove to be impossible for
most. In the majority of cases, the
good deed fades away. And if the
situation turns volatile, the person
who bore the spiritual fruit will be
worn down until their ability to bear
fruit is diminished (see Gal 6:9).
耶穌指教我們，不只要結出屬靈的果子，
有好行為，而且要確保一直有好果子。
這個任務很有挑戰性。
以物質的角度來看，
每個成熟的果子都會腐爛。
同樣的情況，不論在任何的環境之下，
要能夠維持有好行為，
但對大部份的人而言，都是很困難的。
在大部份的情況之中，好行為都會逐漸消失。
而且若情況變得不再穩定，
結出屬靈果子的人，
將會漸漸受到損耗，直到他們結果子的能力消失為止。
(參考，加 6：9)
If there is sin and animosity, the
durability of spiritual fruit is shortened;
a good deed can rarely be done in a
hostile environment. For instance, the
act of care can hardly be performed
when the carer is subject to abuse. As
with a fruit-bearing tree, when the
environment is good, the tree will
bear much fruit. However, no
ecosystem can remain absolutely
plague-free. Natural disasters can
strike at any time. When the tree fails
to fight against the onset of disease,
its fruit will certainly fall off
prematurely.
若是有罪惡和仇恨，
持續產出屬靈果子的能力就會縮短；
若身在一個不友善的環境之中，很難會有好行為。
例如，當照顧別人的人，若也受到了虐待，
那麼就很難有關懷別人的行為了。
就如前面說到會結果子的，
當環境是很好的時候，就能結出很多果子。
然而，沒有任何一種生態，
可以絕對沒有遇到過任何災害。
任何時候都可能遇到自然災害。
當樹不能對抗發作的疾病時，
它的果子就一定會還沒有成熟就掉了下來。
But God has shown a way for His
chosen to overcome such
circumstances—by removing the gall.
There are two parts to this. On our
part, as God’s chosen, it is imperative
to have the will to bear fruit and to
keep the fruit sustained. In the context
of John, the will to bear fruit is the will
to love one another (Jn 15:17). On
God’s part, He is love, the source of
and motivation for all good works.
With the power of love, we are able
to surpass and overcome any adverse
situation in which we find ourselves.
For love cancels out differences,
defuses animosity, and tears down
walls of division. It enables the
continuous performance of good
works—bearing fruit unceasingly.
但神總有方法，讓祂選擇的行為，
可以克服這樣的情況 - 藉由移除樹的病變。
這裡可分為二個部份。
身為神的選擇，在我們身上這一部份，
無可避免的要有意識要結出果子來，
而且要能繼續結出果子來。
在約翰福音的經文中，
結果子的想法，就是彼此相愛的相法。
(約 15：17)
對神的角色而言，祂就是愛，
是所以好行為的源頭，及開始的動機。
因為有愛的力量，所以我們可以超過及克服惡劣的環境，
在其中我們可以認識自已。
愛會消除差異，平息仇恨，拆毀差別的高牆。
愛讓好行為可以繼續執行下去 -
結出果子永不止息。
To maintain a perfect state is
virtually unattainable, but God
empowers those who have the will to
do good. Even when the desire to
perform good works seems to subside
and wane, God will strengthen us, as
long as it is in line with His will. This is
why we should be confident not in
ourselves but in God. It is comforting
to know that the Lord will always aid
us in our good works. This thought
drives us on, believing that whatever
we do for His delight will bear fruit
worthy of the Lord.
要維持完美的狀態，實祭上是很難達成的，
但是神讓這些人有能力，可以願意去行善。
甚至當想要行善的想法，漸漸衰弱減少的時候，
神會加添我們力量，只要事情發生的方向是符合神的旨意。
這就是為什麼，我們應該要有自信，
不是對自已有信心，而是對神有信心。
經過了解，另人高興的是，
在我們有好行為的時候，神總會幫助我們。
這種想法會驅動我們繼續走下去，
相信無論我們為了讓祂喜悅的所作所為，
會結出配得上主名的果子。
ON THE COLLECTIVE FRONT
The church is featured prefiguratively
in Isaiah’s vineyard song (Isa 5). Here,
God works on the vineyard tirelessly.
His expects the entire vineyard to
bring forth good grapes. God desires
the whole church, not just a few
people, to bear good fruit and reach
the standard He expresses in the Bible.
This is the underlying principle of God
establishing His church. He calls for all
to put off the old nature and attain to
the level of Christ, who is all and in all
(Col 3:11). This is a case of bearing
the fruit of light (or Spirit) in
abundance (see Eph 5:9).
在以賽亞的葡萄園之歌中，
教會是特別被預表出來。
(賽 5)
在這裡，神不辭辛勞的在葡萄園中工作。
祂希望整個葡萄園都能結出好果子。
神希望整個教會，結出好果子，
能達到祂在聖經裡面告訴我們的所要求的標準。
這就是神建立教會的根本原則。
祂呼召大家，要拋棄所有舊的特質，
得到像基督一樣的水準，
是包括一切，又住在各人之內。
(西 3：11)
這裡有豐豐富富結出光明(聖靈)果子的例子。
(參考，弗 5：9)
Since the body—the church—is
one, whatever we do has a direct
bearing on the rest of the body. Each
member of the church must be
conscious that his actions can damage
the good works that the entire church
has done. An action that damages the
church is a rotten apple that spoils the
barrel. It is like a dead fly that putrefies
the perfumer’s ointment (Eccl 10:1). It
tarnishes the good works in which the
church has toiled. Instead, of bringing
glory to God’s name, it brings shame.
因為神的身體 - 教會 - 只有一個，
我們無論作了什麼事，都會對這個身體的其他部份，
有直接的影響。
每一個教會的信徒都一定要知道，
個人的行動，都會影響到整個教會所作的好事。
那危害教會的一個行為，就像是一桶蘋果之中，
那腐爛的蘋果，會影響到全部。
就像是死掉的蒼蠅，會敗壞香料商人的香膏。
(傳 10：1)
玷污了教會曾經努力付出的好行為。
相反地，它沒有榮耀神的名，而是帶來了羞恥。
We are often totally unaware of the
workings of our mind, and we cannot
comprehend why we are inclined to
the deeds of the flesh, especially when
we do not receive a swift reminder.
One reason is our resistance to
correction, which removes the fear of
the Lord (Prov 15:32–33), giving rise
to wickedness. When this takes place,
it stifles the good work that we have
done, sending out negative signals
that detrimentally impact upon the
church. What good work can come
from such a state?
我們常常完全沒有注意到，自已的腦中在想什麼，
而且我們不能明白，為何我們容易傾向那些血氣的行為，
特別是當我們沒有很快收到別人對我們的提醒之時。
其中一個理由，就是我自反抗去改正行為，
也就是反抗而失去了敬畏神的心，
(箴 15：32-33)
讓邪惡興起。
當發生這種情況的時候，
就抑制了我們可以作的好事，
也發出了負面的訊息，對教會產生不利的影響。
有什麼好行為會來自於這樣的情況呢？
Since we, believers and ordained
ministers alike, have human
shortcomings, keeping watch over
one another’s spiritual wellbeing
becomes even more important. Our
life in Christ cannot be lived in
isolation. To reach maturity, the state
of bearing abundant fruit, we must
accept constant correction. This
practice creates a spiritually healthy
church, providing a strong base for all
to know their own spiritual state.
Through genuine reflection, we come
to know our own heart and motive
with greater clarity, which gives us the
opportunity to eliminate any
corruption. Step by step, the church
will bring forth the virtues of God in
believers’ lives.
因為我們，不論是信徒或按立的傳道長執都一樣，
都有人類的缺點，
要彼此留意別人靈性上健康狀態，甚至是更重要的。
我們在基督裡的生活，不能以獨居的狀態而存活著。
要能達到成熟，達到可以多結果子的狀態，
我們要一直接受別人的糾正。
這種訓練會建立一個屬靈上健康的教會，
為大家提供一個堅固的基礎，來了解自已屬靈的狀態。
經過真正的反省，
我們才會了解自已的內心，更加清楚明白自已的動機，
讓我們有機會消除內心一切的敗壞。
漸漸地，教會從信徒的生活中，
會產生神屬靈的美德。
GUARD AGAINST FALSEHOOD
AND FALSE TEACHERS
小心防備虛假和假教師
If we are not alert to false prophets,
the good works of the church are in
danger of being destroyed. The work
of false prophets is, however, often
subtle. In exposing the work of false
prophets, Jesus states that their fruits
must be carefully observed. The
reasoning Jesus gives is that grapes
cannot be gathered from thorn bushes
or figs from thistles (Mt 7:15–20). The
grapes and figs, though they are types
of fruits, must not be taken solely to
mean charitable deeds or actions of
love. False teachers are more than
capable of showing charity, pretending
submission and faking humility. Jesus’
words provide another shade of
understanding: thorn bushes and
thistles represent a state of being
cursed. They represent falsehood and
heresies.
若我們對那些假先知不留意的話，
教會的好行為，就面臨被摧毀的危險。
然而，假先知的工作，常常是很細微的。
若遇見了假先知的工作，耶穌說，
一定要好好的觀察他們所結出的果子。
耶穌所給我們的理由就是，
荊棘不能結出葡萄，蒺藜也不會結出無花果來。
(太 7：15-20)
葡萄和無花果，雖然他們是不同類型的水果，
不一定完全是來自已好行為或是愛的付出。
假教師是比我們更加能夠假裝行善，
假裝很順服，很謙卑。
耶穌的話，給我們有另一種想法：
荊棘和蒺藜代表了受到詛咒。
他們代表了虛假和異端。
For us today, it is not so much about
despising teachings, but more about
learning to be discerning (1 Thess
5:20f). The words uttered by a person
reflect his character. Likewise, the
teachings of a person provide a good
indication of his beliefs. If we compare
these teachings to the pattern of
sound words that we have received in
the Bible, we can discern whether he
is a true or false teacher. For instance,
love rejoices in the truth (1 Cor 13:6b).
Some would boast that love, being
the greatest (1 Cor 13:13), is more
important than truth. However, love
and truth cannot be compared on the
same level. Truth is a modifying
attribute that qualifies virtues such as
love. Thus, it is not that love is more
important than truth, instead it is
whether one has true love, true faith
and true hope. “Love,” unqualified
by truth, cannot be placed above the
truth in the church, since the action of
love cannot, and must not, exceed
the boundaries of the truth.
對今日的我們而言，並沒有很多鄙視的教義，
反而是學習更能有分辨的能力。
(帖前 5：20f)
一個人所說的話，代表了他的性格。
同樣的道理，一個人的教導，
讓人對他的信念，會有很好的線索。
若我們拿這些教導，來比對健全話語的規模，
用聖經裡面得到的訊息來比較，
我們就能分辨，他是一個真教師，或是假教師。
例如，愛是只喜歡真理。
(林前 13：6b)
有些人會大膽誇口，最大的是愛，
(林前 13：13)
愛是比真理更重要。
然而，愛和真理是不能放在同一個層面上來比較的。
真理是一種修正後的屬性，
會決定其他很多美德是不是合格，例如愛。
因此，並不是愛比真理更重要
反而是一個人有沒有真愛，真正的信心和真正的盼望，
才是更重要的。
沒有被認為是合格的"愛"，
在教會中是不能置於真理之上的，
因為愛的行為是不能，也一定不會，
是可以超過真理的界限。
Paul has elaborated on the various
aspects of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal
5:22): the fruit is borne with the
power of the Spirit. We know that the
Spirit is the truth and the truth is the
Spirit (cf. Jn 6:63) because the Holy
Spirit is called the Spirit of truth (Jn
14:17; 16:13). Therefore, the divine
attributes of the Spirit’s fruit cannot
be separated from the truth. One is
able to exercise self-control by the
work of the Spirit, simply because he
has been taught in the truth, and will
not blatantly go against the commands
of the Lord.
保羅已經詳細解釋過，聖靈果子的各種不同面向：
(加 5：22)
所結出的果子是帶著聖靈的能力。
我們知道，真理就是聖靈，聖靈就是真理。
(參考，約 6：63)
因為聖靈又被稱為是真理的聖靈。
(約 14：17；16：13)
所以，聖靈的果子，具有來自神的屬性，
不能與真理分開。
若有人可以利用聖靈的工作來達到自制，
只是因為他有接受真理的教導，
不會公然的違背神的命令。
When Paul listed the works of the
flesh, which defy those of the Spirit
(Gal 5:17, 19–21), he included
“heresies” (the last element stated in
verse 20). Heresies directly contradict
the work of the Spirit, which is
outlined by the truth. The conclusion
is indisputable: he who preaches
falsehood or tampers with the truth
does not have the fruit of the Holy
Spirit. When Jude warned of the
infiltration of heresies into the church,
he unreservedly stated that those who
divide the church do not have the
Spirit (Jude 19).
當保羅詳細列出情慾的工作之時，
這些情慾的工作都會挑戰聖靈的工作，
(加 5：17，19-21)
保羅列入了很多"異端"(最後一個異端元素寫在20節)。
異端會直接否定聖靈的工作，
他們都因為真理的原故而顯明出來。
而且結論也是不可爭議的：
傳播虛假，篡改真理的人，
並沒有聖靈的果子。
當猶的書警告教會有異端滲透而入的時候，
他毫無保留的就說出來，
那些要分裂教會的人，是沒有聖靈的。
The Spirit’s fruit contains three key
elements: “the fruit of the Spirit is in
all goodness, righteousness, and
truth” (Eph 5:9). “Goodness” refers
to the essence of God, as only God is
good (Ps 34:8; Nah 1:7; Mt 19:17). It
sums up the virtues that Jesus has
shown on the cross. “Righteousness”
is used as a contrast to sin (1 Jn 3:7f).
Every manifestation of righteousness,
or portion of work for God, must have
nothing to do with the work of the
flesh and sin. ”Truth” is the standard
of Christian practice. Furthermore, it is
the foundation of the church.
聖靈的果子，包含了三大元素：
9光明所結的果子就是一切良善、公義、誠實。
(弗 5：9)
"良善"指的是神的本質，因為只有神是好的。
(詩 34：8；鴻 1：7；太 19：17)
這總結了耶穌在十字架上表現出來的美德。
"公義"被用來當作罪的相反。
(約壹 3：7f)
每一件公義的展現，或是神工作的一部份，
一定不可以和情慾和罪的工作有關。
"真理"是基督徒行為的準則。
不只如此，真理是教會的基石。
With this overview of the Spirit’s
fruit, we can see that the work of false
teachers goes against the very essence
of the Holy Spirit. In evilness, they
divide. But in God’s goodness, Jesus
unites all who believe in Him. To
achieve their goals, false teachers seek
to eliminate the unity within the
church, using every perverse means
possible. But, through righteous
means, by dying for all, the Lord saves
from perversion those who believe in
Him. With falsehood, the false
teachers infiltrate the church to lure
believers away from the path of God.
In truth, Jesus leads man to God for
salvation. The apostates destroy the
good works of the church, but Jesus
instructs that the fruits must remain.
在此對聖靈的果子有了大概的了解，
我們可以看見，假教師的工作，
和聖靈最基礎的本質的相反的。
在邪惡之中，他們會互相分裂。
但在神的良善之中，耶穌會聯合一切相信祂的人。
為了達到他們的目標，假教師會尋找機會，
來破壞教會裡面的團結，他們會用盡一切變態的方法來達成此目標。
但是，經由公義的方法，為了眾人而死，
主從墮落之中，拯救了一切相信祂的人。
用著虛假的道理，假教師滲透進入教會，
要引誘許多信徒，離開神的道路。
在真理之中，耶穌帶領人到神面前得到拯救。
而叛教之人，會摧毀教會的各種善工，
但耶穌卻教我們，要一直結出聖靈的果子。
THE HARMFUL EFFECT OF
FALSEHOOD
虛假所造成的傷害
Jesus prophesied there would be an
unprecedented rise in the number of
false teachers spreading falsehood
before His second coming (Mt 24:5,
11, 24). This is because Satan knows
that his days are limited (Rev 12:12,
17). Satan creates confusion in the
church and blinds the spiritual eyesight
of believers, to distract them from
following the right path of salvation.
In most cases, the falsehood is
promoted in a way that is difficult to
distinguish from the correct gospel.
耶穌預言，在祂再臨之前，
將會史無前例，有很多假教師興起，散佈虛假的道理。
(太 24：5，11，24)
這是因為，撒旦知道，剩下的日子有限了。
(啟 12：12，17)
撒旦引起教會內的混亂，
擋住了信徒屬靈的眼目，
讓信徒從遵守正確得救的道路上，分心。
在大部份的情況之中，
虛假的道理被提出來，
是用一種讓人很難分辨正確福音的方法。
The gospel is the power of God that
transforms the nature of believers.
When the true gospel is blended with
falsehood, our God-given nature will
turn corrupt. It becomes impossible
for us to have good and godly
behavior. The reason is simple:
upholding the truth (the correct
gospel) ensures the abiding presence
of the Holy Spirit in our life. When the
truth is deserted, the Spirit of truth
will not work in us, but the spirit of
error will. Our fruits will not remain;
and more crucially, we shall be
deprived of the capacity to bear fruit.
福音是神的權能，會改變信徒的本質。
當純真的福音，融入虛假的時候，
神所賜給我們良善的本質，就會墮落。
對我們而言，就不能再發出好行為，有敬虔的表現。
原因是很簡單的：
堅守真理(真正正確的福音)，
會確保聖靈在我們的生活中，會與我們同在。
當我們拋棄了聖靈，真理的聖靈就不會在我們心中動工，
但是錯誤的靈卻會有動作。
我們就結不出果子來；
最可怕的是，我們會被剝奪了結果子的能力。
There are three aspects to the fruit
of light, or the Spirit, namely
goodness, righteousness, and truth
(Eph 5:9). These three qualities are
inseparable. Together they form the
essence of good fruit. From Paul’s
arrangement of the three qualities,
the truth is the foundation for bearing
fruit. When the truth is replaced with
falsehood, we can no longer live
righteously before God. Our life is, in
effect, far from the governing
authority of the truth. Our deeds can
never be right before the Lord—we
can no longer bear good fruit.
光明或是聖靈的果子有三個面向；
也就是說，良善，公義，真理。
(弗 5：9)
這三個特質是不能分開的。
而合在一起，會形子好果子的精華。
從保羅對這三個特質列出的順序來看，
真理是結出果子的基礎。
當真理換成了虛假，
我們在神面前，不再可以公義地活著。
實質上，我們的生活，是正在遠離真理主權管割的區域。
我們的行為，在神的面前，就怎麼都不對 -
我們不再能結好果子。
Straying from God’s righteous
principle has only one consequence:
the good that we have cultivated in
the truth of God will gradually fade
away. Thereafter, what comes out
from us is nothing but evil. Any
goodness we show is done in pretence,
with a view to deceive. We are no
longer capable of doing good works.
Every simple deed has evil at its source
(cf. Lk 6:45). Surely, these are not
good fruits but bad ones, which go
against the very nature of God.
若是從神公義的原則之中，走偏了，
就只會有一個後果：
我們在神的真理之中，一直在培養的良善，
會漸漸的消失。
從我們身上所發散出來的東西，不會有任何好東西，只有邪惡。
我們任何表現出來的良善，都是假裝而為的，
目的是在於欺騙。
我們不再可以作出好行為。
每一個簡單的行為，都有邪惡存在根源之中。
(參考，路 6：45)
可以確定的是，沒有好果子，只有壞果子，
而果子正與神良善的本質，恰恰好相反。
CONCLUSION 結論
A real Christian bears fruit (Jn 15:1–9;
Gal 5:22–24; Eph 5:8–11). However,
if he is “diseased,” his capacity to
bear fruit will diminish. This is like a
diseased fruit tree, whose fruit withers
and drops prematurely. The
consequences can be doubly severe
when a Christian is confused by
falsehood, since he leaves the
foundation of the truth in exchange
for an aberration. This, in effect,
renders a person incapable of good
behavior, since the absence of truth in
his life has also caused God to depart
from him.
一個真正的基督徒，會結出好果子。
(約 15：1-9；加 5：22-24；弗 5：8-11)
然而，若是"生病了"，他結出果子的能力就會變弱。
這就像生病的果樹一樣，果子會枯萎，就是早熟掉落下來。
當基督徒被虛假混亂之後，
後果會變得兩倍的嚴重，
因為他離開了真理的基礎，以偏差的說法來取代。
實質上，這就會導致一個人，不能有好行為，
因為沒有真理在他的生命中，
也讓神離開了他。
The harm caused by false prophets
can be devastating. The church is
therefore tasked to teach her believers
not to fall into any deceptive traps.
These apostates have barren lives,
when they should be fruitful. They are
like the barren fig tree (Lk 13:6–9). By
their fruit we will recognize them (Mt
7:20). They feign goodness, but their
good deeds cannot pass the test of
goodness, righteousness and truth,
the constituents of the fruit of light.
By the truth, their deception shall be
fully exposed.
假先知所造成的傷害，可能是毀滅性的。
所以，教會有這個任務，要教導全部的信徒，
不要掉入任何欺騙的陷阱裡面。
這些背叛真道的人，
當他們應該要結果的時候，生命是枯萎的。
他們就像不會結果的無花果樹。
(路 13：6-9)
因著他們所結出的果子，我們就能認出來。
(太 7：20)
他們假裝良善，但他們良善的行為，
卻不能通過良善，公義，真理的測試。
只有依著真理，他們一切的虛假都會完全曝露出來的。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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