Manna issue 77 Living for the Lord (I) 為主而活(一)
Freely we have received, freely we should give. 白白得來的，要白白的捨去
Adapted from a sermon series by Simon Chin—Singapore 摘自 新加坡 陳西門 傳道 講道
INTRODUCTION 介紹
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)
7我們沒有一個人為自己活，也沒有一個人為自己死。
8我們若活著，是為主而活；若死了，是為主而死。所以，我們或活或死總是主的人。
(羅 14：7-8)
Writing to the believers in Rome,
Paul said that since they had been
baptized into Christ, they should
no longer live (or even die) for
themselves. This message would be
meaningless to those in the world
who do not know God. But for
believers who have been purchased
by the blood of Christ, we know we
belong to Him and have a duty to live
for Him.
信是寫給羅馬的信徒，保羅說，自從他們受洗歸入基督之後，應該不再為了自已而活著(或甚至死去)。
這個訊息對世上不認識神的人，可能沒有意義。
對許多信徒，已經是用基督的寶血所重價買回的人，我們知道自已是屬於祂，有責任為了祂而活。
The Bible contains many examples
of believers who lived and died for
Christ. An example is Stephen, one
of seven disciples chosen to distribute
daily rations of food to the members.
He was given this task because he
was a man of faith, filled by the Holy
Spirit and wisdom, and of good repute
(Acts 6:3, 5).
司提反包括了許多信徒的例子，他們或活，或死，都為了基督。
司提反就是一個例子，他是七個門徒之一，被選出來要分配每天分量的食物給信徒。
他會被賦予了這個任務，是因為他是一個有信心的人，充滿了聖靈，智慧和好名聲(徒 6：3，5)。
On one occasion, when he was
contending for the faith before learned
members of a Jewish sect called the
Synagogue of the Freedmen, Stephen
spoke with such courage and wisdom
that they could not uphold their case.
So they resorted to inciting false
accusations against him. Eventually,
he was brought before the Jewish
council to stand trial, and then
dragged outside the city to be stoned.
But even at such a distressing time, he
knelt to pray for his persecutors; he
practiced his faith. He lived for Christ
and died a martyr.
有一次機會，當他在一個被稱為自由人會堂的猶太教派，為了信仰而爭論時，
司提反說話充滿了勇氣和智慧，讓他們無法為自已的案子辯護。
What about us? Do we live for Christ?我們自已呢？我們是為了基督而活嗎？
As True Jesus Church (TJC) believers,
we are abundantly blessed: Jesus came
to the world to die on the cross—to
redeem us from our sins and grant us
the grace of being called the sons of
God and the privilege of inheriting
everlasting life. Even though TJC is
small and unsophisticated compared
with other denominations, we have
the rich and abundant grace of Christ,
and are able to experience signs and
wonders. For example, members from
across the world have witnessed the
blood of Jesus Christ during water
baptism—a phenomenon unique to
TJC. Such visions are the work of the
Holy Spirit affirming that our baptism
has the power to cleanse, justify, and
confer sonship.
身為真耶穌教會的信徒，我們受到豐豐富富的祝福：
耶穌來到世上死在十字架上 - 從我們自已的罪中，救贖我們，
賞賜給我們被稱為神的兒女的恩典，和繼承永生的特權。
即使真耶穌教會很小，和別的教派比起來一點都不複雜，
我們有豐富和充足基督的恩典，並且可以體驗到神蹟和奇事。
例如，世界各國的信徒在洗禮的時候，都見証到耶穌基督的寶血 - 是真耶穌教會獨特的現象。
這樣的異象是聖靈的工作，見証我們的洗禮有能力潔淨，稱義，和給予我們兒子的名份。
Freely we have received this grace,
and freely we should give our lives for
Him.
我們白白得到恩典，我們就要祂白白的捨去自已的生命。
WHY DO WE LIVE FOR CHRIST? 為什麼我們要為基督而活？
Because He Emptied Himself for Us 因為他為我們放棄自已的一切
For the love of Christ compels us,
because we judge thus: that if One
died for all, then all died; and He
died for all, that those who live
should live no longer for themselves,
but for Him who died for them and
rose again. (2 Cor 5:14–15)
14原來基督的愛激勵我們；因我們想，一人既替眾人死，眾人就都死了；
15並且他替眾人死，是叫那些活著的人不再為自己活，乃為替他們死而復活的主活。
(林後 5：14-15)
Jesus Christ came to the world to
bring salvation to humankind. In order
to do this, the Almighty and Most
High God had to first empty Himself.
He was born into the family of a lowly
carpenter and raised in the small town
of Nazareth. His time on earth was
marked by hardship, insecurity and
the lack of physical comforts. Jesus
Himself remarked that the birds of the
air had their nests, foxes had holes,
but the Son of Man had nowhere to
lay His head (Mt 8:20). Paul pointed
out that though Jesus was rich, He
chose to become poor for our sake.
And finally when He died, He died for
our sins.
耶穌基督來到世上，把救贖帶給人類。
為了可以這麼作，這全能和最高的神，一定要放棄祂自已。
祂是生在一個卑微木匠家庭，生長在一個小鎮拿撒勒。
祂在世上的時間，是充滿了困苦，不安全和缺乏物質的享受。
耶穌自已這麼說，20耶穌說：狐狸有洞，天空的飛鳥有窩，人子卻沒有枕頭的地方。(太 8：20)
保羅指出，雖然耶穌很富有，祂卻為了我們的原故，選擇成為一個貧窮的人。
最後當祂死的時候，祂為了我們的罪而已。
If we can understand the significance
of Jesus’ sacrifice and the great grace
He has bestowed upon us, we will
resolve to live for Christ.
若我們可以了解耶穌犧牲的重要性，以及祂賜給我們
Because He Shed His Blood to Purchase Us 因為祂流了血來贖我們的大恩，
我們就會下決心為了基督而活。
Or do you not know that your body
is the temple of the Holy Spirit who
is in you, whom you have from God,
and you are not your own? For you
were bought at a price; therefore
glorify God in your body and in your
spirit, which are God’s.
(1 Cor 6:19–20)
19豈不知你們的身子就是聖靈的殿麼？這聖靈是從神而來，住在你們裡頭的；並且你們不是自己的人；
20因為你們是重價買來的。所以，要在你們的身子上榮耀神。
(林前 6：19-20)
The price that Jesus paid for
humankind’s salvation was to be
crucified and to shed His precious
blood. Apart from the physical
suffering that this entailed, Jesus also
experienced mental anguish. Whilst
on the cross, He cried out, “Eli, eli,
lama sabachthani?” which means,
“My God, My God, why have You
forsaken Me?” (Mt 27:46). At this
point, He was carrying the weight of
our sins and was separated from the
Father’s presence.
耶穌為人類救贖所付出的價格，就是被釘在十字架上，流出祂的寶血。
除了祂必需要在肉體上受苦，耶穌也承受了心靈上的折磨。
在十字架上的同時，祂大聲喊著說，"以利！以利！拉馬撒巴各大尼？就是說：我的神！我的神！為甚麼離棄我？"(太 27：46)。
在這個時刻，祂正承受著我們罪的重擔，並且與父親的實體相分隔。
Even though we were unworthy,
Jesus saved us and poured out His
Spirit on us, transforming our lowly
bodies into the temple of the Holy
Spirit. Many of us can testify how
Jesus Christ brought us to the true
church: some of us were born into the
church; others believed on account of
friends or relatives preaching to them.
Either way, it is God’s grace. God did
not choose us because we loved Him,
but because He first loved us.
甚至雖然我們是非常的不配，耶穌拯救了我們，降下祂的聖靈在我們身上，把我們卑微的身體轉變成聖靈的殿。
我們許多人都可以見証，耶穌基督是如何把我們帶到真教會…
我們有些人是出生在真教會裡面；
其他人會信主，是因為親戚朋友向他們傳福音。
不論那種方式，都是神的恩典。
神沒有因為我們愛祂，就選擇我們，而是因為祂首先愛我們。
We ought not receive the grace
of God in vain (2 Cor 6:1–2).
Unknowingly, we could be those
whom the Bible refers to as “enemies
of the cross of Jesus” (Phil 3:18b). They
continued to live for themselves. They
failed to understand and appreciate
the grace of God that had come upon
them and continued with their secular
lifestyle even after believing in Christ.
我們不應該白白領受神的恩典(林後 6：1-2)。
不知不覺的話，我們可能就是聖經裡面所提到，"耶穌十字架敵人"的那些人(腓 3：18b)。
他們一直只為自已而活。
他們不能了解，以及重視神所賜給他們的恩典，甚至在相信基督之後，還一直過著世俗的生活方式。
The question we should ask
ourselves, then, is: Who do we live
for? Are we believers who do not put
in effort to strengthen our faith, and
continue to live for ourselves?
那麼，我們應該要問自已的問題是：我們要為了誰而活？
我們是那些不努力加強自已信仰的信徒，並且一直為了自已而活嗎？
The downpouring of God’s grace is
like rain being poured out on the earth.
We need it in order to bear good fruit
for the Lord. If, on the other hand,
we bear thorns and briers, despite
having known Christ and tasted His
goodness, it is as if we crucify Jesus all
over again. We will then be rejected
by God (Heb 6:4–8).
神恩典的降臨，是像雨水被澆灌在地上一樣。
我們需要祂，是為了可以為主結出好果子來。
另外一方面，若是我們帶著荊棘和蒺藜，雖然已經認識基督，嚐過祂的美善，
就好像是我們又把耶穌再釘一次十字架。
Because He Promises Eternal Life 因為祂應許永生
If there were no eternal life or
judgment, we would have no reason
to live for Christ. We could live for
ourselves and pursue all that our heart
desires. But if we believe that Jesus
has promised us eternal life, we have
to live for Christ.
若是沒有永生，或是審判，我們就沒有理由為基督而活。
我們可能為自已而活，追求一切我們內心所想要的。
但是若我們相信耶穌已經應許我們永生，我們就一定要為基督而活。
Apostle Paul regarded his faith
and his work as a race; striving
for an imperishable crown (1 Cor
9:24–26). Athletes understand the
glory of clinching the prize. This goal
motivates them to dedicate long hours
of strenuous training to prepare for
the race. They discipline themselves,
not just in training but also in the
way they live their life. They invest
so much effort just for a perishable
crown. We, on the other hand, have
an imperishable crown awaiting us,
all the more we must fight the good
fight and keep our faith.
使徒保羅看待他的信仰和工作，就好像比賽一樣；
努力去獲得一座永不毀滅的冠冕(林前 9：24-26)。
運動員都知道擁抱獎杯的榮耀。
這個目標激勵他們，投入更長的時間去為了比賽，準備做更艱苦的訓練。
他們訓練自已，不只有在訓練課程的時候，而且也用他們獨特的方式去過他們的生活。
他們投入了很多很多心力，只為了一座會朽壞的冠冕。
另一方面，我們有一座永不朽壞的冠晚等著我們，
不只如此，我們一定要打美好的仗，保守自已的信仰。
This is one reason why we must
live for Christ so that we can win
that imperishable crown and receive
eternal life.
我就是為什麼我們一定要為基督而活的一個理由，這麼一來我們可以得到那座永不朽壞的冠晚，並且得到永生。
HOW TO LIVE FOR CHRIST 如何為基督而活
Die to Sin and Live to Righteousness 死在罪中，為義而活
One underpinning principle of
Christian life is to be dead to sin.
This means not letting ourselves be
overcome by temptations. Instead,
we strive for righteousness, doing
what God wants us to do.
基督徒生活的一個基礎原則，就是成為在罪上已經死了的人。
這就是意味著，不要讓自已被試探所勝過。
相反地，我們要為了義作努力，作一些神要我們作的事。
Who Himself bore our sins in His
own body on the tree, that we,
having died to sins, might live for
righteousness—by whose stripes you
were healed. (1 Pet 2:24)
24他被掛在木頭上，親身擔當了我們的罪，使我們既然在罪上死，就得以在義上活。因他受的鞭傷，你們便得了醫治
(彼前 2：24)
Elder Peter quotes from Isaiah 53:5,
reminding us that we should be dead
to sin because the stripes of the Lord
have healed us. If we continue in sin,
neglecting to use the shield of faith
and the breastplate of righteousness,
we will not live for Christ. This is the
situation of some believers today:
those who indulge in their lusts—
e.g., viewing pornography, reading
unedifying books, and watching
inappropriate videos. When we allow
such things to feature in our lives,
we have not died to sin, and we are
certainly not living for Christ.
彼得長老引用以賽亞書53章：5節，提醒我們，要在罪上成為死人，因為主的鞭傷已經治好了我們。
若我們繼續活在罪中，忽略使用信心的盾牌，公義的胸甲，我們就不會為了基督而活。
我就是今日有一些信徒的情況：他們沉溺在自已的慾望之中 -
例如，看色情影片，閱讀沒有造就的書藉，觀看不宜的影片。
當我們允許這些事情成為自已生活的扮演一些角色的時候，我們並沒有在罪上死去，我們也很確定沒有為基督而活。
Living for Christ also has implications
for our character.
My little children, for whom I labor
in birth again until Christ is formed
in you. (Gal 4:19)
為了基督而活，對我們的性格也有響。
19我小子阿，我為你們再受生產之苦，直等到基督成形在你們心裡。
(加 4：19)
One of Paul’s earliest letters was
written to the believers in Galatia,
where some teachers were trying
to propagate Jewish traditions,
disturbing the members’ faith. Paul
wrote to these members, telling them
to make sure that Christ be formed in
them.
保羅最早書信的其中之一，就是寫給加拉太的信徒，
那裡有一些教師在試著傳播猶太傳統，干擾信徒的信仰。
保羅寫信給這些這些信徒，告訴他們要確定，基督已經成形在他們心裡面。
What about us? Has Christ formed
in us? Have we been transformed to
be like Jesus? We cannot develop a
dual character where we behave in
one way inside church, and another
way outside: if we behave in this
manner, our thoughts, words and
actions will not conform to Christ. We
need to be transformed and have the
nature of Christ in us; always ready to
receive the word of God and have the
Holy Spirit work in us to change us.
Only then can we die to sin and live
to righteousness.
那麼我們呢？基督已經成形在我們心理了嗎？
我們不可能發展出一個雙重人格，我們在教會裡面的時候表現出一種行為，在外面的時候又表現出另外一種行為：
若我們用這樣態度表現出來，我們的思想，話語和行動，都不會符合基督的樣式。
我們需要去改變，有基督的本質形成在我們裡面，
總是作好準備要領受神的話語，讓聖靈在我們裡面工作改變我們。
那麼只有這樣，我們才能在罪上死去，為義而活。
Serve the One True God, Not the Things of the World 事奉獨一真神，而不是世上的物質
When we submit to God’s word and
obey Him, we live for Christ. This is
not easy. There will be challenges
along the way: we will face criticisms,
misunderstandings and obstacles,
even from family members and
friends; but still, we should strive to
live for Christ.
當我們順服神的話，遵守祂的命令，我們才為基督而活。這並不容易。
一路上會有許多挑戰：
我們會面對許多批評，誤解和障礙，甚至來自家中的成員和朋友；
但是我們仍然應該要努力為基督而活。
When Agabus prophesied that
Apostle Paul would be bound in chains
should he go to Jerusalem to preach,
the brethren pleaded with Paul not to
go (Acts 21). Their intentions were
good, but it was not helpful to Paul,
who had already made a resolution—
not to only be bound, “but also to die
at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Jesus” (Acts 21:13).
當亞迦布預言，使徒保羅會受到鎖鍊的捆綁，當他去耶路撒冷傳福音的時候，
弟兄姐妹請保羅不要去(徒 21)。
他們的用意是好的，但對保羅卻沒有幫助，因為保羅已經下了決定 -
不只是會被捆綁，"而且為了主耶穌的名也死在耶路撒冷"(徒 21：13)
Paul knew that his ministry was to
accomplish the will of God, to preach
to the ends of the earth, and to live
and die for Christ. As it transpired,
he was indeed arrested in Jerusalem
and taken to Caesarea, where he was
detained for two years before being
sent to Rome and put under house
arrest. Nevertheless, he said:
保羅知道，他的服事工作就是去完成神的旨意，去宣傳地球的結局，為了基督而活並且死去。
當發生的時候，他是真的在耶路撒冷被逮捕，帶去該撒利亞，在被送去羅馬之前，他在那裡被拘留了二年之久，放在房子內軟禁。
然而，他卻說：
But none of these things move me;
nor do I count my life dear to myself,
so that I may finish my race with joy,
and the ministry which I received
from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the
gospel of the grace of God.
(Acts 20:24)
24我卻不以性命為念，也不看為寶貴，只要行完我的路程，成就我從主耶穌所領受的職事，證明神恩惠的福音。
(徒 20：24)
Paul resolved to fulfill the ministry
of the Lord. He did his utmost to
preach the gospel widely. Even after
his third missionary journey, he did
not feel that his work was complete;
rather, he desired to fully accomplish
the Lord’s will.
保羅決定要完成主的使命。
他盡全力去廣傳福音。
甚至在他的第三次傳福音的旅行傳道之後，他並沒有覺得他的工作已經完成了；
反而是，他希望可以全部完成主的旨意。
While imprisoned in Rome, Paul
wrote to the Philippians: “For to me,
to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil
1:21). He expressed his desire to depart
and be with the Lord, who would
grant him the crown of righteousness.
But he knew his work on earth was
not complete—the believers still
needed him. He therefore expressed
his hope to see them again, to pastor
them and to witness their abundant
joy in Jesus Christ (Phil 1:21–26). This
was by no means an easy ambition
of Paul, as he would have been more
than sixty years old by then and had
suffered much for the ministry. During
his ministry, Paul submitted totally to
the guidance of the Holy Spirit and
relied on God’s power to help the
believers become mature in Christ. By
the time of his second imprisonment,
Paul could declare, “I have fought the
good fight, I have finished the race, I
have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid
up for me a crown of righteousness”
(2 Tim 4:7–8a).
當他在羅馬被下在監牢的時候，保羅寫信給腓利比的信徒：
"21因我活著就是基督，我死了就有益處。"(腓 1：21)。
他表示希望可以離世，與主同在，主會賜他公義的冠冕。
但他知道他在世上的工作還沒完成 - 信徒仍然需要他。
所以他表達自已的願望，希望可以再看到他們一次，去牧養他們，去見証他們在耶穌基督裡豐盛的喜樂(腓 1：21-26)。
這個對保羅而言，絕對不是一個可以輕易達成的企圖，在那時候，他將會已經超過60多歲了，也為了福音受很多的苦。
在他的服事中，保羅完全順服聖靈的指引，依靠神的力量來幫助信徒在基督裡變得更加成熟。
當他第二次被下到監牢的時候，保羅可以大聲宣稱，
7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。
8從此以後，有公義的冠冕為我存留，
(提後 4：7-8a).
Deny Ourselves 放棄自我
Self-denial often entails choosing
between God and ourselves, between
God and the world, and between God
and family.
放棄自我常常需要在神和我們自已，神和世界，及神和家庭之間作選擇。
In church, many workers freely
offer their time and resources—
despite having their own personal
commitments—to God and His
church. They have put God first.
We can see their faithfulness to
God’s work: they serve in church
unceasingly, even when they are
busy or unwell. Even retired workers
continue to serve, sometimes on a
full-time basis, travelling abroad to
preach in inhospitable environments.
在教會中，有許多工人白白提供他們的時間和資源 - 雖他們也有自已個人對神和祂的教會有所承諾 。
他們會把神放在第一位。
我們可以看見他們對神工作的忠實：他們不停在教會服事，即使是當他們是很忙或是不舒服的時候。
甚至是退休的工人會繼續在服事神，有時候也以全職在服事，旅行到國外，在不友善的環境中傳福音。
Such members sacrifice much for
the Lord, but what do they get in
return? Criticisms, misunderstandings,
and rebukes from others? Despite
this, they persevere and continue
serving the Lord. Why? Because they
have denied themselves and taken up
the cross to follow Christ (Lk 9:23).
這樣的信徒為主作很大的奉獻，但到底他們從主那裡又得到了什麼回報呢？
來自其他人的批評，誤會，斥責？
雖然是這樣，他們會堅持下去，繼續服事主。
為什麼呢？因為他們已經放棄自已，背起十字架來跟隨基督。(路 9：23)
“If anyone comes to Me and does
not hate his father and mother, wife
and children, brothers and sisters,
yes, and his own life also, he cannot
be My disciple. And whoever does
not bear his cross and come after
Me cannot be My disciple. … So
likewise, whoever of you does not
forsake all that he has cannot be My
disciple.” (Lk 14:26–27, 33)
26人到我這裡來，若不愛我勝過愛（愛我勝過愛：原文是恨）自己的父母、妻子、兒女、弟兄、姐妹，和自己的性命，就不能作我的門徒。
27凡不背著自己十字架跟從我的，也不能作我的門徒。
33這樣，你們無論甚麼人，若不撇下一切所有的，就不能作我的門徒。
(路 14：26-27，33)
These verses describe the price of
discipleship: self-denial and sacrifice.
What Jesus teaches is not that we
can hate our parents—far from this,
as the Ten Commandments require us
to honor them. Rather, His message
is about priorities: if there should
come a time when we must choose
between the wishes of God and that
of our parents, family members, or
ourselves, God comes first. One who
loves Christ should be willing to make
sacrifices. This is not easy in our world
today, where personal interests and
materialism are seen as top priorities.
這些經節描述了使徒身份的代價：放棄自我和犧牲。
耶穌教導我們的，並不是我們可以怨恨自已的父母 - 遠遠不會是這樣子，就像十誡要我們來榮耀他們。
而且，祂的訊息就是有關優先選擇：
若我有需要，遇到這種時刻當我們一定要作選擇，在神的希望，和我們父母，家庭成員或是我們之間來作選擇，就要讓神作為第一優先。
一個愛基督的人，應該願意來作出犧牲。
在我們今日的世界這並不容易，現在個人利益和物質主義被視為是當務之急。
In fact, when we deny ourselves, we
will not lose out; rather, we will gain
more grace from God. We can see, for
example, how God has blessed TJC’s
early workers for all that they have
done for the Lord. We see His grace
upon them in terms of their faith and
their family life. Indeed, it is because of
God’s blessings upon that generation
that some of us are in Christ and have
the hope of a heavenly inheritance.
事實上，當我們放棄自已的時候，我們不會輸光光，我們會從神那裡得到更多的恩典。
例如，我們可以看看，神是如何祝福真耶穌教會為了他們所為主作的一切事的早期工人。
我們看見祂的恩典臨到他們，依造他們的信心和家庭生活。
是的，就是因為神的祝福臨到那個年代，我們之中有一些人可以生長在基督裡，有天國獎賞的盼望。
CONCLUSION 結論
By the mercy and grace of our
Lord Jesus, we have come to the
knowledge of the truth. We were
brought into the true church, where
His blood has washed away our sins.
Therefore, with this understanding,
let us be fruitful. Let us live for Christ
all the days of our lives. Then when
death comes upon us, we will die in
the grace of the Lord and receive the
crown of righteousness.
因為神的慈愛和我們主耶穌基督的恩典，我們已經有真理的知識。
我們被帶進真教會，在教會裡祂的寶血洗淨我們的罪。
所以，有這樣的認知，讓我們多結果子。
讓我們在所有生活的日子裡，為了基督而活。
那麼，當死已臨到我們的時候，我們會在主的恩典中安息，領受公義的冠冕。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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