Manna issue 72 - Running in the Race of Faith 信心的賽跑
Running in the Race of Faith 信心的賽跑
Run to win the prize. 為得獎而努力
Based on a sermon by Simon Chin—Singapore
l新加坡 陳西門傳道講道
Do you not know that those who
run in a race all run, but one
receives the prize? Run in such a
way that you may obtain it. And
everyone who competes for the
prize is temperate in all things. Now
they do it to obtain a perishable
crown, but we for an imperishable
crown. Therefore I run thus: not
with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as
one who beats the air.
(1 Cor 9:24–26)
24豈不知在場上賽跑的都跑，但得獎賞的只有一人？你們也當這樣跑，好叫你們得著獎賞。
25凡較力爭勝的，諸事都有節制，他們不過是要得能壞的冠冕；我們卻是要得不能壞的冠冕。
26所以，我奔跑不像無定向的；我鬥拳不像打空氣的。
(林前 9：24-26)
In this passage Paul compares a
believer’s life of faith to a race. In
any secular competition, participants
compete hard to win the prize.
Unfortunately, be it a simple silver
trophy or the much-coveted Olympic
gold medal, no prize won in an
earthly race lasts forever. In contrast,
the race of faith rewards us with an
imperishable crown. This crown will
be given to us when we enter the
kingdom of heaven. As such, this
race will be the most important race
of our lives. It is literally a matter of
eternal life and death.
這段經節，保羅用賽跑來比喻信徒的信仰生活。
無論在任何世上的比賽，參賽者會努力競爭，贏取大獎。
不幸的是，即使是簡單的銀牌獎盃，或是眾人稱羨奧運金牌，沒有任何一項地上的比賽得獎，可以維持永遠勝利。
相反地，信仰的比賽會為我們贏得一頂不會毀壞的冠冕。
當我們進入天國的時候，這頂冠冕就會賜給我們。
因為這樣，所以這個信仰的比賽，就是我們一生中，最為重要的比賽。
就像字面上所代表的意思，這是一件得到永遠生命和死亡分別的比賽。
Unlike the competitive races of
the world, the race of faith is not a
winner-takes-all competition. The
imperishable and glorious crown
of righteousness is given to all who
run and complete this race. We must
therefore ensure that we have the
right strategies to finish the race.
What are these?
信心的競賽，並不像世間的比賽，不會是贏者全拿，有得到全部光榮的情況。
這頂不會毀壞，並且榮耀的公義冠冕，會賜給所有跑完這個比賽的人。
所以我們要確保，自已有正確的策略，可以來完成這項比賽。
那到底有什麼方法呢？
THE STARTING POINT 起跑點
In 1 Corinthians 9:26, Paul said that
merely running is not sufficient to
win the race. To be officially part
of any race, we must start from the
designated starting point. If we just
aimlessly run for five hours, we are
like a man beating the air—a lot of
energy is expended, but we achieve
nothing.
哥林多前書九章26節，保羅說，僅僅只會跑步，不見得可以贏得比賽。
要能夠正式參與比賽，我們一定要從指定的起跑點來開跑。
若是我們只是毫無目地的亂跑了五個小時，就會像是一個人對著空氣在揮拳 - 雖然花了很多的力氣，但是我們什麼事情都沒有完成。
Where then is the starting point
in this race of faith? We start the
race when we believe in God and
faithfully enter into Christ through
baptism. We leave our old selves
and become a new creation (2 Cor
5:15–17; Rom 6:4–5). How does
this happen? Through the correct
sacrament of baptism, which is
conducted according to biblical
teachings, the power of Jesus’ blood
enables the forgiveness of our sins.
As we enter the water to be baptized
into the name of Jesus Christ, we
must have faith. During baptism,
we die with Christ. Hence, we need
to be united in the likeness of His
death. Jesus hung on the cross for six
hours from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. He
then bowed His head and gave up
His Spirit when He died. Therefore,
when we are baptized into Him, we
must also bow our heads as we are
immersed in living water.
那麼那底那裡是信仰競賽的起跑點呢？
當我們信神之後，就開始這場比賽，帶著信心，藉著洗禮，成為基督徒。
我們拋棄舊的自我，成為一個新人(哥林多後書 5：15-17；羅馬書六章4-5)
這那底是怎麼發生的呢？
根據聖經的教訓，透過接受大水浸過全身合法的聖禮，耶穌寶血的權能，讓我們的罪過得到赦免。
當我們進入大水之中，奉主耶穌基督的聖名，我們一定要有信心。
經過洗禮，我們就與基督同死。
因此，我們要在祂死的形狀上，與他一同聯合。
耶穌釘在十字架上，有6個小時，從早上九點，到下午三點。
然後，當祂死的時候，就低下頭來，把靈魂交託給神。
所以，當我們受洗歸入神的時候，我們身體浸在活水之中，也一定要低下頭來。
Having been united with Him in
the likeness of His death, we are
then united in the likeness of His
resurrection. After baptism, we are no
longer sinners. We are able to walk
in the newness of life, and we can
overcome Satan and death. Having
resurrected with Christ, we are no
longer spiritually dead. This is what
Jesus meant when He said, “whoever
… believes in Me shall never die” (Jn
11:26).
若是能在祂死的形狀上，與祂一同聯合，然後我們就能也在祂復活的形狀上，與祂一同聯合。
洗禮之後，我們不再是罪人。
我們就可以在新的生活中行走，克服撒旦的攻擊和死亡的毒鉤。
一同與基督復活，就不會靈命死去。
當耶穌說，"26凡活著信我的人必永遠不死。"
祂是真的要讓人永遠活著。
It is from this point that we start
to run the race. Whatever we have
done before baptism in our life of
faith is comparable to warming up
before the race. Only when we are
at the starting point are we officially
competing in the race, with a real
chance to win the prize.
就是從這個起跑點，我們才開始跑這個比賽。
不論我們在洗禮之前，作了什麼追求信仰的事，對比於這個真正的比賽，不過是賽前的熱身。
只有我們真的站在起跑點開始，我們才正式的來參與這項比賽，也才能真的有機會來贏取勝利的獎牌。
RUN ACCORDING TO THE RULES 照規定來跑
If anyone competes in athletics, he
is not crowned unless he competes
according to the rules. (2 Tim 2:5)
5人若在場上比武，非按規矩，就不能得冠冕。(提後 2：5)
Many of us have started to run
the race. In order to complete it,
we must run according to the rules.
We cannot merely run as we wish.
The rules demand that athletes run
the whole distance. An athlete who
participates in a 400 meter race but
runs only 200 meters cannot claim to
have completed the race. Moreover,
runners have to stay within their
assigned lanes. One who runs the
full distance and is the first to cross
the finishing line but has not stayed
within the assigned lane will still
not win the prize. In fact, anyone
veering even the barest centimeter
to the next lane is immediately and
automatically disqualified.
我們之中許多人，已經開始這個比賽了。
為了完成這個比賽，我們一定要按照規定來跑。
我們不能以個人自已的心意，自已決定要怎麼跑。
規定有要求，運動員必須要跑完全程。
運動員去參加400公尺的比賽，不能因為只跑了200公尺，就說他已經跑完了比賽。
不止如此，跑者也比須要在規定的跑道上競賽。
若是能跑完全程，並且第一個達到終點線，但是並沒有在規定的賽道裡跑，仍能是不能得獎的。
事實上，任何人若是有一點點跑到其他的賽道去，就會立刻自動被判定失去比賽資格。
Since we are in a race for eternal
life, there is an even greater impetus
for us to run according to the rules.
In other words, when we believe
in Jesus, we must believe in His
teachings. We must also believe in
what the apostles received from the
Lord and imparted to the believers.
These are the rules. We have to
ensure that what we believe is
consistent with these rules.
即然我們是為了得到永生而來比賽，對我們來說，會有一個更大的動力讓我們依照規定來跑。
換句話說，當我們相信耶穌，我們一定會相信祂的教導。
我們也一定會相信，眾使徒從神所領受，並再交託給眾信徒的教導。
就是這些所有教導，教訓和規定。
我們一定要確認，我們所相信的一切教訓，是與這些規定是符合的。
I have chosen the way of truth; Your
judgments I have laid before me. I
cling to Your testimonies; O Lord,
do not put me to shame! I will run
the course of Your commandments,
for You shall enlarge my heart.
(Ps 119:30–32)
30我揀選了忠信的道，將你的典章擺在我面前。
31我持守你的法度；耶和華啊，求你不要叫我羞愧！
32你開廣我心的時候，我就往你命令的道上直奔。
(詩 119：30-32)
According to the Psalmist, once we
know the word of God, we must lay
God’s judgments before us, cling to
His testimonies, and run the course
of His commandments.
根據詩篇的作者，一旦我們知道神的話，我們一定要把神的典章律例擺在我們前面，
遵行祂的教訓，並且依循祂的指示，走在正確的道路上。
Today, some of us who have begun
the race may not know the rules or
may not know them well enough.
The danger for such runners is that
they are led in the wrong direction
and end up not completing the race.
What a pity indeed if the cause of
their loss is a lack of deep knowledge
of the rules! In addition, runners
cannot make up their own rules or
their own interpretation of the rules
as they go along.
今日，我們之中有一些人，已經開始這個比賽了，
但他們卻不知道有規定，或是知道有規定，但卻還不夠熟悉。
這些跑者會面臨一些危險，他們有可能被引到錯誤方向，或是到最後，沒有辨法完成這個比賽。
若是他們失敗的原因，是因為缺乏對天國規定有深入的了解，真的就是讓人感到非常的可惜了。
除此之外，參賽的跑者在路上奔跑，不可以自已編造自認為可行的規定，或是自已對規定有他們自已不同的新解釋。
LOOK UP TO JESUS 仰望耶穌
Therefore we also, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before
us, looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith, who for the
joy that was set before Him endured
the cross, despising the shame, and
has sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God.
(Heb 12:1–2)
1我們既有這許多的見證人，如同雲彩圍著我們，就當放下各樣的重擔，脫去容易纏累我們的罪，存心忍耐，奔那擺在我們前頭的路程，
2仰望為我們信心創始成終的耶穌（或作：仰望那將真道創始成終的耶穌）。他因那擺在前面的喜樂，就輕看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦難，便坐在神寶座的右邊。
(來 12：1-2)
Runners and swimmers know that
a good start is key to giving them a
competitive edge. However, a good
start may be wasted if an athlete
gets distracted by things around him.
Thus, a third key strategy of winning
a race is focus. In our life of faith,
our focus is Jesus; we must always to
look unto Him. This is done in several
ways.
會跑步和游泳的人都知道，在起始點有好的表現是非常重要的，因為這樣可以讓他們有優勢。
然而，假如運動員因為四周環境的原故而分心了，在起始點有好表現的機會可能就會被浪費掉。
因此，贏得比賽勝利的第三個主要的策略是要專心。
在我們的信仰的生活中，耶穌是我們生活全部的重心；我們一定要無時無刻仰望祂。
可以有許多方式來做到這些事。
For one thing, as Jesus is our Lord,
we must look up to Him. In other
words, we must not allow pride in
our great running ability to trip us up.
No matter how much or how long
we have served God or how much
the cheering crowds exalt us, we
must never forget to look up to Him
(cf. Acts 10:26).
有一件事，就是耶穌是我們的主(主人)，我們一定要仰望祂。
換句話說，我們一定不可以因為有很利害的競跑能力，而變得很驕傲，反而變成一種網羅絆倒我們。
不論我們用了多少心力，或是用了多久的時間來服事神，或是有多少群眾為我們歡呼或讚美我們，
我們一定不能忘記要仰望祂。(cf.徒 10：26)
Besides setting the right focus,
we must not lose focus. According
to Hebrews 12:1–2, the witnesses
who surround us are those heroes
of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11—
Abraham who trusted God, Noah
who obeyed God, Enoch who walked
with God, Sarah who received God’s
promise with faith, and Moses who
gave up his life in the palace to serve
God. We have to emulate them in
laying aside every weight and sin
that easily ensnares us. Turn away
from distractions that hinder us from
finishing the race and may lead us
to destruction. We must overcome
temptations, trials, the evil work of
Satan, and even false prophets, and
complete the race.
除了有正確的生活重心之外，我們一定不能失去這個焦點。
根據希伯來書12章1-2節，圍繞在我們身邊的許多見証人，就是那些在希伯來書11章提到的人，信心上面的偉人 -
亞伯拉罕他信靠神，諾亞他遵守神的命令，以諾與神同行，撒拉用信心領受神的應許，摩西放棄了皇宮的生活，來服事神。
我們一定要效法他們，把那些容易把我們陷在網羅之中的重擔和罪過，排除在外。
那些會阻礙我們完成比賽，或是會引導我們走向毀滅之路的事情，讓我們走開轉離這些會讓我們分心的事。
我們一定要克服引誘，試探，撒旦邪惡的工作，或甚至是勝過許許多多的假先知，並且最終完成比賽。
Undoubtedly, in our human
frailty, we may feel exhausted and
be tempted to give up. During such
moments, we must turn our eyes to
Jesus so that we do not lose heart.
Looking to Him strengthens our hope
and enables us to run the race of
faith with endurance. This is not an
easy race: we must run fast, run with
endurance, and run to win the prize.
毫無疑問地，因為人類的軟弱，我們可能會感到很疲勞，或是會被引誘，最後放棄了。
在這個時刻，我們一定要把我們的眼睛轉向耶穌，這麼一來，我們才不會灰心。
仰望祂可以讓我們更有盼望，讓我們能夠有耐心，可以跑完這個信仰的旅程。
這個旅程一點都不輕鬆：我們一定要跑的很快，用耐心來奔跑，一直跑到最後，直到得到獎賞。
In this life of faith, our race may
be very long, or perhaps very short,
depending on when we leave this
world. Some are baptized and return
to heaven the following week. For
most of us, our races are likely to span
many years. We must then be very
careful—many things will ensnare
us and cause us to break the rules,
preventing us from completing the
race. Let us not allow complacency
to set in. It is only when we reach the
finishing line of our life that we can
declare that we have completed this
race.
在信仰生活裡，我們的比賽有可能非常的長，也有可能非常的短，完全是看何時我們才會離開這個世界。
有些人才剛受洗，隔一周就回歸天家。
對我們大部份的人而言，我們的比賽就像是一段很多年的時間。
我們一定要非常小心-有許多事會讓我們陷入網羅，讓我們不遵守規定，進而我們無法完成這個比賽。
DO NOT FALL SHORT OF GOD’S GRACE 不要讓神的恩典減少
Looking carefully lest anyone fall
short of the grace of God; lest any
root of bitterness springing up
cause trouble, and by this many
become defiled; lest there be any
fornicator or profane person like
Esau, who for one morsel of food
sold his birthright. For you know
that afterward, when he wanted
to inherit the blessing, he was
rejected, for he found no place for
repentance, though he sought it
diligently with tears.
(Heb 12:15–17)
15又要謹慎，恐怕有人失了神的恩；恐怕有毒根生出來擾亂你們，因此叫眾人沾染污穢；
16恐怕有淫亂的，有貪戀世俗如以掃的，他因一點食物把自己長子的名分賣了。
17後來想要承受父所祝的福，竟被棄絕，雖然號哭切求，卻得不著門路使他父親的心意回轉。這是你們知道的。
(來 12：15-17)
In our life of faith, our focus is Jesus; we must always to look unto
Him. … In other words, we must not allow pride in our great running
ability to trip us up. No matter how much or how long we have
served God or how much the cheering crowds exalt us, we must
never forget to look up to Him (cf. Acts 10:26).
在信仰生活裡，耶穌是我們的焦點；我們一定要全心仰望耶穌。
換句話說，我們一定不可以因為有很利害的競跑能力，而變得很驕傲，這反而變成一種網羅，來絆倒我們。
不論我們用了多少心力，或是用了多久的時間來服事神，或是有多少群眾為我們歡呼或讚美我們，
我們一定不能忘記要仰望祂。(cf.徒 10：26)
Today, we too must submit to the Holy Spirit and the truth.
We need the love of God to motivate us to walk according
to His commandments. We need to live a life of holiness and
godliness in order to complete the race.
今日，我們也要順從聖靈和真理的帶領。
我們需要神的愛，來激勵我們，讓我們能完全遵照祂的命令而行。
為了完成這個旅程，我們生活上要保持聖潔和虔誠。
In Hebrews 12, besides urging
spiritual athletes to stay focused, the
author also warns us against falling
short of God’s grace. This happens
when the root of bitterness springs up
and causes trouble. In other words,
we fall short of God’s grace when we
allow something to prevent us from
competing according to the rules.
希伯來書十二章裡面，除了鼓舞屬靈的運動員要精神保持集中之外，作者也警告我們，不要虧欠了神的恩典。
當痛苦的根源發芽生長，並且開始製造問題的時候，我們就要小心這種情況。
換句話說，當我們允許某些東西，來妨礙我們根據規定來比賽的時候，我們就會虧欠了神的恩典。
The author compares the sin of
Esau to that of a fornicator. He was
the firstborn of Isaac. By right, he
should have received the birthright.
However, as a man of the flesh, he
sold his birthright to his brother for a
bowl of food.
作者說，以掃的罪就像淫亂者的罪。
他是以撒的長子。
跟據律法，他應該可以領受生為長子的權利。
然而，身為一個帶有肉體的人類，他雖有身為長子的權利，卻為了一碗紅豆湯，而賣給他的兄弟。
This is a very real and present
danger we face. Many have fallen
prey to immorality, covetousness, or
even faithlessness. They cannot fully
obey God, which is tantamount to
breaking the rules. Hence, they are
unable to finish the race.
Many Christians think that once
they are saved, they are forever
saved. There are True Jesus Church
members who also assume that once
they have believed in the truth, they
are forever saved. Yet the Bible tells
us that if we still commit sin after
having been sanctified, we have no
share in the kingdom of God.
這是一個非常真實的情況，也代表了我們所要面對的危機。
許多人已經成為犧牲品，沒有道德觀，貪戀世俗，或是完全失去信心。
他們不能完全聽從神，也就是說，會不遵守規定。
因此，他們無法完成這個比賽。
有許多基督徒會認為，一旦他們得到了拯救，他們就永遠得救。
也有一些真耶穌教會的信徒會認為，一旦他們信了真理，他們就永遠得救。
然而，聖經告訴我們，在我們成為聖潔之後，若是我們又犯了罪，我們就與神的國沒有份了。
Do you not know that the
unrighteous will not inherit the
kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived. Neither fornicators,
nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
homosexuals, nor sodomites,
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor
drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners will inherit the kingdom
of God. And such were some of you.
But you were washed, but you were
sanctified, but you were justified in
the name of the Lord Jesus and by
the Spirit of our God.
(1 Cor 6:9–11)
9你們豈不知不義的人不能承受神的國麼？不要自欺！無論是淫亂的、拜偶像的、姦淫的、作孌童的、親男色的、
10偷竊的、貪婪的、醉酒的、辱罵的、勒索的，都不能承受神的國。
11你們中間也有人從前是這樣；但如今你們奉主耶穌基督的名，並藉著我們神的靈，已經洗淨，成聖，稱義了。
(林前 6：9-11)
The Corinthians were pagans before
their conversion to Christianity. Their
lives were full of sin. Paul exhorted
them to cease all these unrighteous
deeds, since they had been justified
in the name of the Lord Jesus and by
the Spirit of God, and since they were
running the race of faith. Otherwise,
they would not be able to inherit the
kingdom of God. We too have to be
very careful of the works of the flesh.
哥林多教會在信基督教之前，只是外邦人。
他們的生活充滿了罪。
保羅勸誡他們，要停止這些全部不義的行為，即然他們是奉主耶穌的名，以及聖靈的幫助，已經得救稱義，
因為他們需要奔跑自已信仰的旅程。
若是不這麼作的話，他們就不可以承受神的國度。
我們也一樣，要非常小心這些肉體上的軟弱。
Therefore I run thus: not with
uncertainty. Thus I fight: not
as one who beats the air. But I
discipline my body and bring it
into subjection, lest, when I have
preached to others, I myself should
become disqualified.
(1 Cor 9:26–27)
26所以，我奔跑不像無定向的；我鬥拳不像打空氣的。
27我是攻克己身，叫身服我，恐怕我傳福音給別人，自己反被棄絕了。
(林前 9：26-27)
This verse summarizes the spiritual
cultivation of Apostle Paul. He
knew that the lust of the flesh could
prevent him from completing the
race. Therefore, he relied on the Holy
Spirit to put to death the desires of the
flesh. He also had the word of God
in his heart to sanctify him and allow
him to complete the race. Today, we
too must submit to the Holy Spirit
and the truth. We need the love of
God to motivate us to walk according
to His commandments. We need to
live a life of holiness and godliness in
order to complete the race.
這節經文，詮釋了使徒保羅一生靈修的結論。
他知道，肉體的情慾，會讓他不能完成這個比賽。
所以，他依靠聖靈的幫助，要治死肉體的情慾。
他也用心中神的話語，來潔淨他自已，讓他最後可以完成這個比賽。
今日我們也一樣，要順服聖靈和真理的帶領。
我們要讓神的愛來激勵我們，讓我們可以遵守祂的命令，走在主的道上。
我們要過著聖潔和虔誠的生活，為了最後可以完成這個比賽。
FORGET WHAT LIES BEHIND 忘記背後
Lastly, when we run this race, we
need to forget what lies behind and
look forward to what lies ahead. If
we always look back in a race, we
may run out of the track and get
disqualified.
最後，當我們參加這個比賽的時候，我們要忘記背後，並且努力向前看。
若是我們總是在比賽中回頭看，我們可能會走出跑道，被取消資格。
Who looks back in a race? Those
who are very self-confident and think
they have already won the race.
They enjoy looking back to see who
is behind them. In reality, if we really
wish to win, we need to stay focused
and look ahead. We need to know
where the finishing line is—only
when we have crossed the finishing
line, can we claim victory.
誰會在比賽中回頭看呢？
只有那些過度自信的人，才會認為他們已經贏了比賽。
他們會樂於回頭看一下，看看有誰跑在他們後面。
現實中，假如我們真的很想要贏得比賽，我們需要集中精神，向前看。
我們要知道，終點線是在那裡，只有當我們跨過終點線之後，我們才能說是贏了比賽。
Not that I have already attained, or
am already perfected; but I press on,
that I may lay hold of that for which
Christ Jesus has also laid hold of
me. Brethren, I do not count myself
to have apprehended; but one thing
I do, forgetting those things which
are behind and reaching forward to
those things which are ahead, I press
toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
(Phil 3:12–14)
12這不是說我已經得著了，已經完全了；我乃是竭力追求，或者可以得著基督耶穌所以得著我的（或作：所要我得的）。
13弟兄們，我不是以為自己已經得著了；我只有一件事，就是忘記背後，努力面前的，
14向著標竿直跑，要得神在基督耶穌裡從上面召我來得的獎賞。
(腓 3：12-14)
This was the attitude of Paul.
When he wrote the epistle to the
Philippians, he was serving his first
imprisonment. Although he had
gone on three missionary journeys,
established many churches, baptized
many people, performed many
miracles, and saved many souls, he
still strove to forget what was behind
to focus on what was before him.
Paul knew he had not yet reached the
end. He still had to press on towards
the finishing line. Paul ran the race
right up to the finishing line, which
we also have to do.
這就是保羅的態度。
當他在寫腓利比書信的時候，他正好是第一次關在監獄裡。
雖然已經走完三次宣傳福音事工的旅程，建立了很多間教會，幫很多人洗禮，行了很多的神蹟，拯求了許多的靈魂，
他仍然是努力要忘記在背後的事，並且集中精神，專注在他眼前所遇到的任務。
保羅知道，他仍然還沒有跑到終點。
他仍然需要加緊努力，往終點直跑。
保羅參加了這個比賽，也直接努力的往終點線跑去，我們也要跟他一樣，努力直跑到終點。
After Paul was released for a
short period, he continued to
accomplish what the Lord wanted
him to do. Later, during his second
imprisonment, Paul knew that death
was imminent. When he wrote to
Timothy, he could confidently tell him
that he had fought the good fight,
finished the race, kept the faith,
and that the crown of righteousness
awaited him. Paul knew this was
what the Lord wanted him to do as
an apostle of the Gentiles, and he
strove towards this goal until the very
end.
保羅在被釋放出來，一陣短暫的時間之後，他繼續去作神要他作的事。
後來，在他第二次被關的時候，保羅知道，他的死期即將來臨。
在他寫信給提摩太的時候，他可以很有自信的告訴他，我已經打了美好的仗，
跑了當跑的路，並且持守信仰，直到最後，有公義的冠冕等著他，為他存留。
保羅知道，這就是主吩咐他要作的事，身為向外邦人傳道的使徒，他努力朝著這個目標一直奔跑，直到最後。
By God’s grace, many of us have
believed in the Lord for a long time.
His mercy keeps us in the grace of
His salvation. Some have done more
by bringing many others to church,
offering large amounts of money for
God, or quietly ministering to fellow
members. They have done all these
things out of their love for Christ.
However, as long as we are alive
and the grace of God is with us, we
have not finished the race. We must
run until the day Jesus receives us
back into heaven. We must know
where the finishing line is, and we
must never look back to count what
we have done for God in the past.
If we rest on the laurels of our past
achievements, we may stop running
the race and hinder our own spiritual
growth. We may forget that we are
still weak in the flesh and that we
have yet to complete the race.
因著神的恩典，我們之中許多人已經信主很久了。
因為他的慈愛，保守我們活在祂救贖的恩典之中。
有許人會為主作更多的工，帶領許多人來教會信主，或是為主奉獻大筆的金錢，或是靜靜的幫助一些其他的信徒。
因為他們有基督的愛，就作了上面全部的事。
然而，只要我們活著，神的恩典就和我們同在，雖然我們還沒跑完賽程。
我們一定要一直奔跑，直到有一天，耶穌領我們回天國。
我們也一定要知道，那裡才是終點線，我們一定不要回頭去數算，過去我們為了神作了些什麼。
若是我們因為緬懷過去的成就和榮耀，就可能停了下來，妨礙了我們自已靈性的成長。
我們可能會忘記，自已在肉體上仍然很軟弱，而且我們也還沒跑完比賽。
RELY ON JESUS, ENDURE TO THE END 依靠耶穌，忍耐跑到最後
When we believe in Jesus Christ,
we join the race of faith. Our goal is
to receive this imperishable crown.
Hence, we must know where our
starting point is and what the rules
are. All the “warm-ups” we do
before the race, no matter how much
effort we put in, only help us to run
the race well—they do not guarantee
that we can win the prize.
當我們相信耶穌基督的時候，就加入了信仰的旅程。
我們的目標，就是要領受那永不損壞的冠冕。
因此，我們一定要知道，那裡是我們的起跑點，什麼是比賽的規則。
在比賽之前，所有一切的暖身運動，不論我們投入了多少的努力，幫助我們來好好完成這場比賽-
這一切都不會保証，我們就一定能贏得比賽。
In Paul’s last letter, he stated: “I
endure all things for the sake of the
elect, that they also may obtain the
salvation which is in Christ Jesus
with eternal glory” (2 Tim 2:10).
This was Paul’s race, which Christ
had given him so that he could win
the crown of righteousness. Finally,
Paul reminds the elect that “this is
a faithful saying: For if we died with
Him, we shall also live with Him. If we
endure, we shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him, He also will deny
us. If we are faithless, He remains
faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2
Tim 2:11–13).
在保羅最後的書信中，他說"
10所以我為選民凡事忍耐，叫他們也可以得著那在基督耶穌裡的救恩和永遠的榮耀。(提後 2：10)
這就是保羅的比賽，是基督所交託他的比賽，也因為這樣，他才能得到公義的冠冕。
最後，保羅提醒被選召的人們，"
11有可信的話說：我們若與基督同死，也必與他同活；
12我們若能忍耐，也必和他一同作王；我們若不認他，他也必不認我們；
13我們縱然失信，他仍是可信的，因為他不能背乎自己。"
(提後 2：11-13)
The elect are those whom the
Lord has chosen for salvation. Only
when we die with Christ, will we be
ready to live with Him. Only when
we endure, can we reign with Him.
God’s virtues and attributes will never
change—even when we deny Him
and are faithless, He remains faithful.
When we trust in God, we can
complete this race. May we all rely
on Christ and on the cleansing power
of His blood so that we will abide in
God’s grace until the very end and
receive the imperishable crown.
被召的人，就是那些主所選擇要救贖的人。
只有我們和基督同死，我們才能夠準備與他同活。
只有我們忍耐到底，我們才能夠和祂一同掌權。
神的美德和特質，是永遠不會改變的，即使當我們否認祂的時候，或是沒有信心的時候，他仍然是信實的。
只有當我們信靠神，我們才能完成這個比賽。
願我們所有的人，都能依靠基督，和他寶血潔淨罪惡的能力，有一天我們才能同住在神的恩典之中，直到最後，並且領受那永不朽壞的冠冕。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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