3. Manna issue 88 - Knowledge of the Son of God 認識神子
Adapted from a sermon by Barnabas Chong—Singapore 節錄自新加坡 Barnabas Chong 講道
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul urges God’s elect to
“all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”
(Eph 4:13).
What is the knowledge of the Son of God?
How can we, as God’s elect, mature into the stature of the fullness of Christ?
保羅在給以弗所書信中，敦促神的選民
“13直等到我們眾人在真道上同歸於一，認識神的兒子，得以長大成人，滿有基督長成的身量，”
〈弗 4:13〉
什麼是神子的知識？
作為神的選民，我們如何才會成熟到，滿有基督完美的狀態呢？
To have the stature of Christ,
we must know Him and what He has done, and continues to do, for us.
As Jesus said in His prayer, the gift He came to give was eternal life,
so that we may know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He sent
(Jn 17:3).
The concept of eternity is difficult enough to understand,
let alone understanding what it means to receive eternal life.
Hence, the Gospel of John links eternal life to knowing Jesus.
But what is it specifically that John is telling us we should know about Jesus,
in order to gain and embrace our eternal life?
要擁有基督的身量，
我們必須了解祂，以及他為我們所做的事，並將繼續進行的事。
就如同耶穌在禱告文說的那樣，祂來賜予的禮物，就是永生，
這樣我們才會認識這獨一真神，和祂差遣而來耶穌基督
（約 17：3）。
永恆的概念很難理解，
更不用說，要能了解什麼是獲得永生的意義。
因此，約翰福音將永生的概念，與認識耶穌連結在一起。
但是為了擁有永生，
約翰特別告訴我們，該去了解的耶穌事蹟，到底是什麼呢
？
KNOW JESUS AS OUR SAVIOR 明白神是我們的救主
We must know and believe that Jesus is our Savior and giver of redemptive grace.
This is the fundamental tenet of our Christian faith.
Beyond knowing this fact, we need to accept it as a promise.
Paul writes:
我們必須知道並相信，耶穌是我們的救世主，以及救贖恩典的給予者。
這是我們基督教信仰的基本教義。
除了知道這一事實之外，還需要接受它作為承諾。
保羅寫道：
That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection,
and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
(Phil 3:10–11)
10使我認識基督，曉得他復活的大能，並且曉得和他一同受苦，效法他的死，
11或者我也得以從死裡復活。
(腓 3：10-11)
Eternal life is resurrection from death and,
in relation to our knowledge of Jesus,
it is understood in two parts.
永生能從死亡中復活，
與我們對耶穌的了解有關，
它分為兩個部分來解析。
Power of Resurrection 復活的能力
First, we need to know the power of Jesus’ resurrection.
Jesus did not resurrect simply to impress future generations of Christians with His supernatural abilities.
We must seek to understand what this power actually means for us,
as the elect of God today.
Paul elaborates:
首先，我們需要知道，耶穌復活的能力。
耶穌並沒有單憑祂超自然的能力，經由復活讓後世的基督徒震驚。
作為今日神的選民，我們必須試著了解，
這種力量實際上對我們而言，意味著什麼。
保羅詳細說明：
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies
through His Spirit who dwells in you.
(Rom 8:11)
11然而，叫耶穌從死裡復活者的靈若住在你們心裡，
那叫基督耶穌從死裡復活的，也必藉著住在你們心裡的聖靈，
使你們必死的身體又活過來。
(羅 8：11)
The resurrection of Jesus can been seen as a telescope and a mirror.
It is a prophecy and reflection of the core and common Christian hope,
that one day we will rise from our mortality,
as Jesus did, and gain new life with God.
This verse also tells us that Jesus rose from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Likewise, this is the same power that will raise us up.
If the same Holy Spirit dwells in us today, it means we, too,
are bound for that final and glorious resurrection.
Conversely, without the Holy Spirit in us,
we will not receive eternal life on the last day.
This is a key reason why we emphasize that every believer must receive the Holy Spirit.
耶穌的複活，可以看作是經由望遠鏡和鏡子看見。
這預言和鏡象，是基督徒的信仰核心與共同的盼望，
有一天，我們將從死亡中復活，
像耶穌所經歷的，並與神同享新生命。
這節經文還告訴我們，耶穌藉著聖靈的能力從死裡復活。
同樣，這同樣的能力亦將使我們復活。
如果今天有同樣的聖靈住在我們裡面，
那代表了，我們也必定要承受那最後榮耀的復活。
相反地，若我們沒有聖靈，末日我們就不會得到永生。
這就是為什麼，我們強調每個信徒都必須受聖靈的主要原因。
Moreover, once we believe in Christ, are baptized,
and receive the Holy Spirit,
we should constantly and carefully prepare ourselves for that final day
when we will rise again, as Christ did.
Elder James tells us:
而且，一旦我們信了基督，接受洗禮，
並且領受聖靈，
當我們像基督那樣復活的時候，
就應該不斷警醒，為最後的日子做好準備。
雅各長老告訴我們：
Therefore submit to God.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
(Jas 4:7–8)
7故此，你們要順服神。務要抵擋魔鬼，魔鬼就必離開你們逃跑了。
8你們親近神，神就必親近你們。有罪的人哪，要潔淨你們的手！
心懷二意的人哪，要清潔你們的心！
(雅 4：7-8)
Submitting to God is both a momentous, life-changing occasion,
and a lifelong journey that improves with practice.
We should thoughtfully and sincerely begin in submission,
and continue in the same spirit.
In order to put to death the deeds of the flesh,
we must rely on God.
By submitting to God, we are submitting to all the teachings of the Holy Bible.
順服神不只是重要的時機，改變生命的時刻，
並隨著今生旅程的實踐，而不斷改進。
我們應該完完全全誠心誠意，以順服的態度，本著同樣的精神，開始並繼續下去。
為了治死肉體的行為，
就必須依靠神。
經由順服神，同時也順服所有聖經的教導。
Take anger, for instance.
It is one thing to understand that anger is bad,
but it is another to accept that our anger is our responsibility.
We cannot lay the blame on others and accuse them of inciting our wrath.
If we do so, then we have not submitted to God.
Though weak and prone to sin,
those who truly gives themselves to God know that He has the power to strengthen them
—as long as they wholeheartedly rely on Him.
以憤怒為例。
了解憤怒有害，是一回事，
但是要接受憤怒是我們的責任，是另外一回事。
我們不能責怪他人，並指責他們引起我們憤怒。
如果我們這樣做，那麼就是沒有順服神。
雖然虛弱且容易犯罪，
那些真正捨身給神的人，知道祂有能力加添他們力量
-只要他們全心全意依靠神。
Another piece of practical advice we should heed is when Jesus says,
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.
The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”
(Mt 26:41).
First, we need to watch,
which means we have the intent to overcome our weakness.
Second, we need to pray
—to rely on God.
It is a very simple, but effective, action.
Many a time, we pray,
but we are not vigilant in our thoughts and our actions.
If these do not align with the Bible,
then our prayers will have little effect on our weaknesses.
另一條我們應該要注意的實用建議，是當耶穌說：
41總要儆醒禱告，免得入了迷惑。你們心靈固然願意，肉體卻軟弱了。
(太 26：41)
首先，我們需要注意
這代表我們用心要克服自己的弱點。
其次，我們要禱告
-依靠神。
這是一個非常簡單但有效的行動。
很多時候，我們祈禱，
但是我們自己內心和行為，並不警醒。
如果內心行為與聖經不一致，
那麼我們的祈禱，對自已的弱點幾乎沒有幫助。
Fellowship of Christ’s Sufferings 基督苦難的團契
Second, we need to know the Lord Jesus through the fellowship of His sufferings.
Christians suffer as all men do,
but we suffer differently.
We suffer with Jesus Christ.
This seems very different from the messages of peace and blessings that we hear.
Not many will preach that we must have fellowship with Christ in suffering,
and, at the end, be conformed to His death.
It does not sit well with us, and we start asking:
Does it really need to be like that?
The reality is that Christians need to suffer as Christ suffered.
Hence, whenever we undergo trials, persecution and sorrow,
we need to have this deeper understanding of our fellowship with Christ.
As Paul writes:
第二，我們需要通過與神的苦難聯合，來認識主耶穌。
基督徒像所有人一樣受苦，
但是我們受苦的方式不同。
我們與耶穌基督一起受苦。
這似乎與我們所聽到的平安與受祝福的福音，有所不同。
沒有多少人會宣揚說，我們必須要在苦難中，與基督相交，
並且最終順服至死。
若我們在這種境遇中適應不良，就會開始問：
真的需要作到那樣嗎？
真實情況是，基督徒需要像基督一同受苦。
因此，每當我們受到試煉，逼迫和悲傷的時候，
就需要對基督裡團契的意義，要有更深入的了解。
正如保羅所寫：
For when we were still without strength,
in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die;
yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
(Rom 5:6–9)
6因我們還軟弱的時候，基督就按所定的日期為罪人死。
7為義人死，是少有的；為仁人死、或者有敢做的。
8惟有基督在我們還作罪人的時候為我們死，神的愛就在此向我們顯明了。
9現在我們既靠著他的血稱義，就更要藉著他免去神的忿怒。
(羅 5：6-9)
Have we ever pondered why Paul describes the love of God in this way?
Paul’s description demonstrates his mature understanding;
he does not simply say, "God loves me."
Instead, he invites us to think:
Why would this Man die for us while we were still sinners?
How should we respond?
我們是否曾經思考過，保羅為什麼用這種方式描寫神的愛？
保羅的描述表明了他成熟的理解；
他不只是說：“神愛我”。
相反地，他邀請我們一起思考：
為何當我們還是罪人時，這個人會為我們而死？
我們應該如何回應呢？
God has called us to swim against the currents of the world,
to stand defiant and rooted against society’s waves of conformity.
We have been promised persecution.
But that is just one half of the promise.
Above all, we have also been promised a family and a faith to hold on to during these persecutions.
Today, this family is the True Jesus Church.
To know Jesus is to know of Him through the love, service and ministry of the church
—to be a living member of this great body.
On one hand, Jesus’ death was a tragedy,
but on the other, it was the greatest act of love since creation.
神召集我們對抗世上的浪潮逆勢而行，
敢於反抗，根基穩固，不要效法社會的潮流。
我們已註定要受迫害。
但這只是應許的一半。
更重要的是，我們還得到保證，在迫害之時，要堅守家庭和信仰。
今日，這個家庭就是真耶穌教會。
要能認識耶穌，就是經由教會的慈愛，服事和事奉來了解耶穌，
成為這偉大身軀體裡，有活力的肢體。
一方面，耶穌的死是一場悲劇，
但另一方面，
這是自創世以來，最偉大愛的行動。
LIVE FOR CHRIST 為主而活
Our sinfulness has brought us to God’s church,
in the hope of salvation.
Christ’s sacrifice keeps us here.
And it is our duty to know that God loves us,
and understand how His love manifests in our lives.
Additionally, we must share this indefatigable love with those around us.
We must “all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God”
(Eph 4:13).
我們的罪孽把我們帶到了神的教會，
希望得到救贖。
基督的犧牲使我們留在這裡。
我們有責任知道神愛我們，
並了解到祂的慈愛，是如何在我們的生活中體現出來。
此外，我們必須與周圍的人，分享這份永不磨滅的愛。
我們必須
13直等到我們眾人在真道上同歸於一，認識神的兒子
(弗 4：13)
Today, we may simply thank God for loving us.
How many of us have considered:
Why does God love me? Am I worthy of His love?
Paul even went one step further:
Since God loves me so much, what should I do?
今天，我們可能只有感謝神愛我們。
我們中，有多少人想過：
神為什麼愛我？ 我值得祂的疼愛嗎？
保羅甚至更進一步問到：
既然神是如此的愛我，我該作些什麼呢？
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)
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)
Paul describes how the love of Christ compels and motivates us all.
These are the indisputable truths we hold dear to our hearts.
What do they tell us?
That through the knowledge of the Son of God and His resurrection,
we have no greater commission nor higher calling than to live for Him.
We must no longer conform to the ways of the world.
With the power of the Holy Spirit,
we need to resolve to put to death the deeds of our body
(Rom 8:13).
In short, we should no longer live for ourselves,
but aspire to live up to the greatness of the death and resurrection that save us.
Amen.
保羅描述，基督的愛，是如何強迫激勵我們所有的人。
這一切就是那真理，無可爭辯為我們所重視。
他們向我們說了什麼呢？
經由認識神的兒子，以及之後的複活，
除了為祂而活，我們沒有其他更大的使命及更高的呼召。
我們必須不再效法世界的方式。
有了聖靈的力量，我們需要下定決心，治死自已身體的行為。
(羅 8:13）
簡而言之，我們不應再為自己而活，
但抱著期待，能不辜負那拯救我們而復活，脫離死亡的偉大。
阿們。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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