Manna issue 80 - Living for the Lord: Spiritual Priests (III) 為主而活：屬靈的祭司(III)
Cultivate ourselves to become holy. 靈修自成為聖潔
Based on sermon series by Simon Chin—Singapore
跟據新加坡 陳西門傳道的講道系列
After establishing the need for us to live for Christ in part one of this series, part two provided useful tips on how to live
for the Lord at home. In part three, we will study how personal spiritual cultivation enables us to live for Christ.
這一系列文章的第一部，在我們有需要去建立了為基督而活的目的之後，
第二部就提供了一些有用的秘訣，讓我們了解在家裡，要如何為主而活。
第三部，我們要來學習，到底要如何從事個人的靈修，才能讓我們可以為基督而活。
After experiencing God’s gracious
calling, Paul dedicated his life to Him.
He served as an apostle, propagating
the gospel until his martyrdom. Before
his death, he wrote to his co-worker,
Timothy, saying: “I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the faith. Finally,
there is laid up for me the crown of
righteousness ....” (2 Tim 4:7–8).
God’s grace, coupled with Paul’s faith,
meant that Paul could live for Christ
and die for Christ.
經歷了神恩典的呼召之後，保羅為了神，就獻出自已的生命。
他服事神，成為使徒，傳揚福音，直到最後為主殉道。
在他死之前，他寫信給自已的同工，提摩太，說到：
"那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了。
從此以後，有公義的冠冕為我存留..."(提後 4：7-8)
神的恩典，配隨著保羅的信心，
就代表了保羅可以為基督而活，也可以為基督而死。
Today, we know that we have
received the Lord’s grace because He
has called us to salvation. We have
come to know Jesus through hearing
the truth, believing in Him, and having
been redeemed by His blood, and
we now belong to Him. Through His
love, He has made us into a kingdom
of God’s people, a nation of kings and
priests.
今日，我們知道已經領受了主的恩典，
因為祂已經呼召我們，讓我們得到拯救。
透過聽到真理，我們得已認識耶穌，並且相信祂，
並且被祂所流出來的寶血所拯救，如今我們屬於祂。
因著祂的愛，祂已經把我們放在神子民的國度之中，
是一個君尊祭司的國度。
[A]nd from Jesus Christ, the faithful
witness, the firstborn from the dead,
and the ruler over the kings of the
earth. To Him who loved us and
washed us from our sins in His own
blood, and has made us kings and
priests to His God and Father, to Him
be glory and dominion forever and
ever. Amen. (Rev 1:5–6)
並那誠實作見証的、從死裡首先復活、
為世上君王元首的耶穌基督，有恩惠、平安歸與你們！
他愛我們，用自已的血使我們脫離(有古卷：洗去)罪惡，
又使我們成為國民，作他父神的祭司。
但願榮耀、權能歸給他，直到永永遠遠。阿們！
(啟 1：5-6)
Therefore, Paul exhorts us to live
for the Lord: “For none of us lives to
himself, and no one dies to himself.
For if we live, we live to the Lord;
and if we die, we die to the Lord.
Therefore, whether we live or die, we
are the Lord’s” (Rom 14:7–8).
所以保羅勸我們，要為主而活：
"我們沒有一個人為自已而活；也沒有一個人為自已死。
我們若活著，豆為主而活，若死了，是為主而死。
所預，我們或活或死總是主的人。
(羅 14：7-8)
THE PRIESTS—A SPECIAL PEOPLE 祭司 - 特別的一群人
During the time of the Exodus, God
chose the sons of Aaron among the
Israelites to serve as priests. God
instructed Moses to consecrate them
for duty: to cleanse them, clothe
them with holy garments, and to
anoint them with oil. Only then could
they enter the Holy Place to burn
incense, light the lamps, change the
showbread, and offer burnt offerings
on the bronze altar. No other Israelites
were allowed to perform these sacred
duties.
在以色列人出埃及的時代，神選召亞倫的子孫成為祭司，在以色列人當中服事神。
神指示摩西要為他們職份的原故，要把他們潔淨成聖：
要潔淨他們，為他們穿上聖袍，用油來膏他們。
只有這麼作，他們才能進入聖所來焚香，為金燈臺上點上亮光，
更換陳設餅，並且在銅祭壇上獻上燔祭。
並沒有任何其他以色列人，被允許來執行這些神聖的職份。
Each year, the High Priest would
enter the Holy of Holies to atone for
the sins of the people. Taking the
blood of bulls and rams into the Most
Holy Place, he would sprinkle it on the
veil and pour it onto the mercy seat.
Only God could determine who could
undertake this role.
每一年，大祭司會進入至聖所，為百姓的罪來贖罪。
帶著公牛和公羊的血進入至聖所，
他會在幔子上撒上血，並也把血倒在施恩座上。
只有神才能決定，誰才可以執行這個角色的工作。
Despite God’s clear instructions
about the priesthood, presumptuous
acts were carried out. Even Uzziah,
considered as one of the good kings
of Judah, transgressed by entering the
temple to burn incense. As a result, he
was struck with leprosy, a condition
which stayed with him until the day
he died.
雖然有神清楚對祭司職份的指示，
還是會有人執行那些冒犯的行為。
甚至烏西雅王，被認為是猶大好王的其中一個，
卻因進入聖殿燒香而犯罪。
結果，他被神擊打，生出了大麻瘋，
他生這種病一直跟隨著他，直到他死的那一天。
OFFER UP PRAYERS 獻上禱告
By God’s grace that comes through
the blood of Christ, we have become
spiritual priests. Although we no
longer need to offer animal sacrifices,
we should render spiritual sacrifices,
which are our prayers.
藉由來自基督寶血，神所賜的恩典，
我們已經成為屬靈的祭司。
雖然我們不再需要去獻上動物的祭品，
但我們仍應該要獻上靈祭，也就是我們的禱告。
Let my prayer be set before
You as incense,
The lifting up of my hands as the
evening sacrifice. (Ps 141:2)
願我的禱告如香陳列在你面前！
願我舉手祈求，如獻晚祭！
(詩 141：2)
This psalm of David reflects his
longing for the Tabernacle and his
desire for his worship to be acceptable
to God. He speaks of prayers
ascending as incense to heaven and
the lifting of his hands as the evening
sacrifice.
這篇大衛的詩篇，反應了他對聖所的渴望，
以及他想要自已的崇拜為神所接受。
他說到，禱告就像香一樣會上升到天上，
而他會舉起雙手禱告，成為晚祭獻給神。
Prayer is the duty of every believer:
if we do not pray, how can we claim
to be a Christian? There may be times
when we feel that there is nothing to
pray for because everything seems to
be fine in our lives; but we forget that
prayer is communication with God.
Just as a son talks to his father, so we
should converse regularly with our
Father in heaven—not just when we
have need of something. The more
we communicate, the more we will
experience His love and care.
禱告是每個信徒的職責：
若我們不禱告，我們怎麼可以稱自已是一個基督徒呢？
或許有些時候，我們會覺得，沒有什麼事情可以禱告，
因為在我們的生活中，每一件事看起來都很好；
但我們忘記了，禱告是和神的一種溝通。
就如同是一個兒子向父親說話，
所以我們應該時常和我們的天父溝通 -
而不是當我們想要向祂祈求的時候，才找祂。
我們越常溝通，我們就會更加體驗到祂的慈愛和關心。
Our relationship with God is
established through deep prayers.
While it is undoubtedly important
to read the Bible and attend church
services, we also need to pray. Without
prayer, our relationship with God will
be superficial, as we will find it hard to
feel God’s presence and love. It is with
good reason that prayer has been
likened to breathing; it is essential. If
we lead a prayerful life, the Holy Spirit
will work mightily in us, edifying us
and strengthening us spiritually.
我們與神的關係，是透過深入的禱告而建立的。
當然毫無疑問地，讀聖經，參加聚會都很重要，但我們卻需要禱告。
若沒有禱告，我們與神的關係就會變的膚淺，
因為我們會發現，自已很難去感覺到神的存在和慈愛。
禱告會被比喻成呼吸，是有其道理的；因為本質它是很重要的。
若我們過著禱告的生活，聖靈會大大的在我們身體裡面作工，
造就我們，加添我們屬靈的力量。
Intercessory prayer is also important,
because within the community of
faith, we need to ask God to look
after the members. We should pray
for one another: our children, the
sick, the poor, those who are going
through trials, and those who are in
danger of falling into sin. If we truly
live for Christ, then we should make
intercession an integral part of our
daily routine.
代禱也很重要，因為在信仰的團契之中，我們要求神來照顧其他的成員。
我們應該互相禱告：為我們的子女，生病的人，
窮人，那些正遇見試煉的人，那些將很危險快要落入犯罪之中的人。
若我們真的為基督而活，
那麼我們就應該讓代禱，成為整合在自已每日生活之中的一部份。
Therefore I exhort first of all that
supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and giving of thanks be made for all
men, for kings and all who are in
authority, that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness
and reverence. For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our
Savior, who desires all men to be
saved and to come to the knowledge
of the truth. For there is one God
and one Mediator between God and
men, the Man Christ Jesus.
(1 Tim 2:1–5)
我勸你，第一要為萬人懇求、禱告、代求、祝謝；
為君王和一切在位的，也該如此，使我們可以敬虔、端正、平安無事的度日。
這是好的，在神鄉們救主面前可蒙悅納。
他願意萬人得救，明白真道。
因為只有一位神，在神和人中間，只有一位中保，乃是降世為人的基督耶穌；
(提前 2：1-5)
Here, Paul exhorts Timothy to
pray for everyone, especially those
in positions of authority. Being
under Roman rule, this advice was
particularly pertinent: if an emperor
ruled with consideration of his
subjects, the Christians among them
would be able to live peacefully and
practice their faith without oppression.
這裡保羅勸告提摩太，要為大家禱告，特別是要為那些坐在掌權位置上的人。
因為被羅馬統治，這個忠告是特別的中肯：
若一個君王統治的時候，有好好想過自已的臣民，
在其中的基督徒就可以平靜安穩的過生活，
有自已的信仰生活而不會受到壓迫。
Today, most of us are blessed with
freedom of worship. But in some
countries, Christians are still being
persecuted, and cannot assemble to
worship or to evangelize. Therefore,
we need to pray for them. Moreover,
we should ask God to enable more
people to receive the gospel so that
they can come to know Jesus Christ,
the Savior of humankind, who gave
Himself as a ransom for all.
今日，我們大部份都受到祝福，可以自由崇拜。
但是有一些國家，基督徒仍然受到迫害，
不可以聚集起來聚會，或是到處傳福音。
所以，我們需要為他們禱告。
更進一步，我們應該神能讓更多人得到福音，
這樣一來，他們才能認識耶穌基督，
人類的救主，祂為了大家，放棄自已的生命，成為贖價。
Prayers can work wonders. We often
hear testimonies of brethren who
have prayed for unbelieving family
members who eventually accepted
Christ. Prayer is about asking God to
work, opening up hardened hearts.
禱告可以實現神蹟奇事。
我們常常聽到弟兄姐妹的見証，
他們為了沒有信主的家庭禱告，最後他們就接受了基督。
禱告的用意，其實是要求神來工作，打開那些硬心的人。
BUILT INTO A SPIRITUAL HOUSE 把自已建造在屬靈的宮殿中
In order to serve God as spiritual
priests, we must be built into a
spiritual house.
為了可以成為屬靈的祭司來服事神，
我們一定要讓自已成為建築的材料，放在靈宮之中一起被建造。
[Y]ou also, as living stones, are
being built up a spiritual house, a
holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices acceptable to God through
Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 2:5)
你們來到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成為靈宮，
作聖潔的祭司，藉耶穌基督奉獻神所悅納的靈祭。
Believers are like living stones
because the life of Christ is in us.
Together, we form a spiritual house,
which is the church. Having the
status of priests, we must be holy and
consecrated to God. We ought to put
away secularity and put on holiness
and righteousness through spiritual
cultivation. Only then can our worship
be acceptable to God.
信徒就像活石一樣，因為基督的生命已經存在我們之中。
大家在一起，合成一座屬靈的宮殿，也就是教會。
有祭司的身份，我們一定要保持聖潔，歸神為聖。
我們該把世俗的一切移除，透過靈修穿上聖潔和公義的外袍。
只有作到這樣，我們對神的敬拜，才能為神的所接受。
Spiritual cultivation means
nurturing an image that reflects the
righteousness of God. It comes from
daily prayer and reading of the Bible.
God’s word acts like a mirror, showing
us our blemishes so that we can remove
them. A priest of God should not lead
a double life, attending church on the
one hand, and immersing himself in
unspiritual pursuits on the other. God
looks at our hearts: we must cultivate
ourselves to become holy so that we
can serve God.
靈修的意思，就是要培養出一個形象，而這個形象可以反射出神的公義。
這些都來自於每天的禱告，讀聖經。
神的話就像一面鏡子一樣，會顯露出我們自已的污點，這樣我們才能移除這些污點。
神的祭司不應該過著兩面的生活，一方面會參加聚會，而另一方面卻沉迷於一些不屬靈的追求之中。
神會看我們的內心：我一定要靈修自已成為聖潔，那麼我們才能服事神。
OFFER GODLY SACRIFICES 虔誠獻祭
Serving God means offering godly
sacrifices. If we give to God according
to our whim, or we offer up worthless
things, we dishonor Him.
服事神代表了要獻上虔誠的祭。
我們會跟據自已的奇想獻給神，
或者我們的獻祭變得沒有價值，我們沒辨法榮耀祂。
Although Saul was a faithful king
at the start, he transgressed against
God later in his life. On one occasion,
when surrounded by enemy forces, he
took it upon himself to offer a burnt
sacrifice to God, instead of waiting
for Prophet Samuel. On another
occasion, Saul disobeyed God, sparing
the life of King Agag and allowing the
Israelites to take the spoils of war,
which included the best of the sheep
and oxen. He justified his actions to
Samuel, saying that the livestock
would be offered to the Lord. But
Samuel rebuked him, saying, “Has
the LORD as great delight in burnt
offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying
the voice of the LORD? Behold, to
obey is better than sacrifice, and
to heed than the fat of rams” (1
Sam 15:22). Saul’s sacrifices were
ungodly because he disobeyed God’s
command. As it transpired, the Lord
rejected Saul from being king.
雖然掃羅一開始是虔誠的的君王，
後來他生活中卻犯罪得罪神。
有一次，他被許多敵人包圍，
他就自作主張去獻燔祭給神，而不是等候先知撒母耳來獻祭。
又有另外一次，掃羅不聽神的命令，饒過了亞瑪力王亞甲的性命，
允許以色列百姓去拿取戰利品，其中包括了最好的牛羊。
他向撒母耳先知替自已的行為作辯護，
他這樣說，這些牲口將會要獻給主。
但是撒母耳反駁他，
撒母耳說：耶和華喜悅燔祭和平安祭，豈如喜悅人聽從他的話呢？
聽命勝於獻祭；順從勝於公羊的脂油。
(撒上 15：22)
掃羅的獻祭是不敬虔的，因為他不遵守神的命令。
當發生了這件事之後，主就拒絕了掃羅成為王。
As spiritual priests, we need the
word of God to guide us to live
according to His will. If we allow our
spiritual cultivation to lapse, such
that we no longer read the Bible, we
may not even notice if we stray from
God. At that point, our actions will be
displeasing to Him, and our sacrifices
will be blemished.
身為屬靈的祭司，我們要有神的話，來指引我們跟據祂的旨意而生活。
假如我們讓自已的靈修有所疏忽，
例如我們不再讀聖經，我們或許甚至不會注意到，
我們是不是已經有偏離神了。
若真的到那個時候，我們的行為就不會讓祂高興，
而我們所獻的祭也會被沾污。
The whole vision has become to
you like the words of a book that
is sealed, which men deliver to one
who is literate, saying, “Read this,
please.” And he says, “I cannot,
for it is sealed.” Then the book is
delivered to one who is illiterate,
saying, “Read this, please.” And he
says, “I am not literate.” Therefore
the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these
people draw near with their mouths
and honor Me with their lips, but
have removed their hearts far from
Me, and their fear toward Me is
taught by the commandment of
men,”
(Isa 29:11–13)
11所有的默示，你譬看如封住的書卷，人將這書卷交給識字的，說：
"你念吧！"他說："我不能念，因為是封住了。"
12又將這書卷交給不識字的人，說：
"請念吧！"他說："我不識字。"
13主說：因為這百姓親近我，用嘴唇尊敬我，心卻遠離我；
他們敬畏我，不過是領受人的吩咐。
(賽 29：11-13)
Isaiah pointed out that the Israelites
who came to worship before God
merely paid lipservice, as their hearts
were far from Him. Today, the same
situation could befall us: we may
worship God, but we may neither
understand His word nor feel His love,
and may even doubt His word.
以賽亞指出，來神面前敬拜的人色列百姓，
不過只是口頭說得好聽，因為他們的內心其實是遠離他的。
今日，同樣的情況也會落在我們頭上：
我們或許有認識神，但我們或許不了解祂的話，
也沒有感受到祂的愛，或者甚至也會懷疑祂的話。
God looks at our hearts. What
condition is it in? If our heart is intent
on searching, God will open it to
understand the Bible. God’s word
will become to us as sweet as honey,
inspiring us to fear Him and to stand
before Him in awe. Consequently,
our worship will become increasingly
spiritual, and we can be holy and royal
priests, knowing God, worshipping
Him in spirit and in truth, and serving
Him willingly and joyfully.
神是看我們的內心。在這其中到底隱含了什麼條件呢？
若我們內心很想要尋求神，神就會打開它，讓我們了解聖經。
神的話對我們而言，就會變得像蜜一樣甘甜，
啟發我們懂得敬畏祂，以戒謹的心站立在祂面前事奉祂。
接著，我們的崇拜就會變得逐漸屬靈，
我們就能成為聖潔又忠心的祭司，用靈和真理來敬拜祂，並且很樂意來服事祂。
CONCLUSION 結論
My people are destroyed for lack
of knowledge. Because you have
rejected knowledge, I also will
reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law
of your God, I also will forget your
children. (Hos 4:6)
我的民因無知識而滅亡。
你棄掉知識，我也必棄掉你，使你不再給我作祭司。
你既忘了你神的律法，我也必忘記你的兒女。
(何 4：6)
Throughout history, the Israelites
often turned to idolatry because of a
lack of knowledge. Having forgotten
the law of God, they carried out deeds
that were displeasing to Him. Even
the sacrifices they offered to God
were blemished. For this reason, God
punished them until they repented.
We should take heed from history.
經由歷史，以色列百姓時常跑去拜偶像，因為心中沒有敬拜神的知識。
忘記了神所賜給他們的律法，他們所作出來的行為，讓祂感到不高興。
甚至是他們所獻給神的祭，都是被沾污的。
因為這個原因，神就一直處罰他們，直到他們悔改為止。
所以我們應該藉由歷史，而小心謹慎。
Through the grace and mercy of
God, we have come to know the
truth, and God has poured out His
Holy Spirit upon us. We should
therefore offer up daily prayers, build
up the church, and live a life that is
pleasing to the Lord. Then we will
receive God’s blessings and peace;
and He will abide with us and grant us
the promise of eternal life.
因著神的恩典和慈愛，我們已經認識了真理，神也澆灌了祂的聖靈給我們。
所以我們應該每天獻上禱告，建立教會，每天過著可以讓神喜悅的生活。
那麼我們就會領受到神的祝福和平安；
祂就會與我們同住，應許我們可以得到永生。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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