跟隨基督的充滿愛心的家庭 (New)

在一個充滿動盪和不確定性的世界中，安全的家園是確保兒童成長的必不可少的社會基礎制度。 因此，必須確保夫妻之間的良好關係。 聖經的確在這方面有很好的教導。

(1) 首先，關於丈夫對自己心愛的妻子的角色和舉止：
以弗所書 5:25-33, 25 你們做丈夫的，要愛你們的妻子，正如基督愛教會，為教會捨己， 26 要用水藉著道把教會洗淨，成為聖潔， 27 可以獻給自己，做個榮耀的教會，毫無玷汙、皺紋等類的病，乃是聖潔沒有瑕疵的。 28 丈夫也當照樣愛妻子，如同愛自己的身子，愛妻子便是愛自己了。 29 從來沒有人恨惡自己的身子，總是保養顧惜，正像基督待教會一樣， 30 因我們是他身上的肢體。 31 為這個緣故，人要離開父母，與妻子聯合，二人成為一體。 32 這是極大的奧祕，但我是指著基督和教會說的。 33 然而你們各人都當愛妻子，如同愛自己一樣；妻子也當敬重她的丈夫。

(2) 其次，妻子方面：以弗所書 5:22-24, 22 你們做妻子的，當順服自己的丈夫，如同順服主； 23 因為丈夫是妻子的頭，如同基督是教會的頭，他又是教會全體的救主。 24 教會怎樣順服基督，妻子也要怎樣凡事順服丈夫。
 

必須強調的是，聖保羅通過基督與他的新娘（即教會）之間的關係來塑造表達人類的婚姻。 婚姻制度是上帝所命定的。 也就是說，它是在天堂由上帝創造的，而不是由人類不適當和不道德的解釋/制度所造。 根據上帝的教導，夫妻成為一體是來面對世界挑戰的。
 

丈夫要珍惜自己的妻子，因為這是上帝創造宇宙的旨意。創世記 2:22-23
22 耶和華神就用那人身上所取的肋骨造成一個女人，領她到那人跟前。 23 那人說：「這是我骨中的骨、肉中的肉！可以稱她為女人，因為她是從男人身上取出來的。」
確實，亞當的內心只有一個夏娃，他比珍惜自己，更珍惜她。 只有一個亞當和一個夏娃。 上帝如此明確地教導我們有關其在創造中的意義。
 

對於公元21世紀的你我，我們必須絕對保護我們的婚姻免受自由主義者的正面攻擊，以及免受惡魔的嚴重欺騙性歪曲。 魔鬼非常清楚：一個跟隨基督的充滿愛心的家庭，將使他欺騙人類社會的欺騙手段無效！

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A loving family which follows Christ (New)
In a world of chaos and uncertainty, a safe home is an essential societal infrastructure to ensure a nurturing  place for children. Thus, it is imperative to ensure a great relationship between husband and wife.  The Bible indeed has great teachings on this subject. 

(1) First, on the husband’s role and manners towards his beloved wife:
Ephesians 5:25-33, 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

(2) Secondly on the wife’s part:
Ephesians  5:22-24, 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

It is important to emphasize that Saint Paul patterns the human marriage with the relationship between Christ and His Bride (i.e, the Church). The marriage system is ordained by God. That is, it is made in heaven by God and  not by human’s  inadequate and immoral opinions/laws. According to the divine teaching, husband and wife become one flesh in facing the challenges of the world.

Husband shall cherish his wife because this is the will of God in His creation of the universe.
Genesis 2:22-23
22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
23 And Adam said:
“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”

Indeed, there was only one Eve in the Adam’s heart and mind, and he cherished her better than anything in him. There is only one Adam and one Eve. God made it so to teach us so clearly as to its implications in the creation. 

For you and me in the 21th century AD, we need to absolutely protect our marriage against frontal attacks by the liberals, and against serious deceptive perversions by the devil. The devil and his cohorts know it very well: A loving family which follows Christ, will nullify his deceptive schemes in corrupting the human being society! 

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Futile Political Correctness Living 政治正確性的虛妄生活

 1 Peter 1:18  knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers

彼得前書 1:18  知道你們得贖，脫去你們祖宗所傳流虛妄的行為...

Do you know what is the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors? Obviously handed down to us from our ancestors means traditions, cultures, and customs. Certainly not all handed down to us are the empty way of life. You might ask what is the empty way of life? New American Standard Version called it “your futile way of life”. New King James Version called it “your aimless conduct received by tradition”. Thus, we were redeemed from the empty way of life, from  our futile way of life, and from our aimless conduct. These unfruitful ways of life came from traditions inherited from our ancestors. What are they? Anything that is not lasting, anything that is futile, and anything that is temporal without eternal value.

您知道祖先傳給您虛妄的生活方式是什麼嗎？ 顯然，祖先傳給我們的是傳統，文化和習俗。 當然，並非所有傳給我們的都是虛妄的生活方式。 您可能會問什麼是虛妄的生活方式？ 新的美國標準版本將其稱為“您徒勞的生活方式”。 新國王詹姆斯版本將其稱為“您的傳統所接受的毫無目的的行為”。 因此，我們是從空虛的生活方式，徒勞的生活方式和漫無目的的行為中得到了救贖。 這些虛妄的生活方式來自我們祖先的傳統。 這些是什麼？ 任何不持久的東西，任何無用的文化，任何暫時的，沒有永恆價值的傳統。

Best way to understand this is by examples.
Example 1. The futile way of worshipping the gentile idols. There are millions of people in this category.
Example 2. The aimless conducts of political correction to silent conscience of right and wrong. This category includes millions of people living and being deceived by political doctrinarians such as political dictatorship or religious dictatorship like jihadists, and political correctness in various societies.
理解這一點的最佳方法是通過示例。
示例1.  崇拜外邦偶像的徒勞方式。 此類別有數百萬人。 發生在亞洲無處不在的寺廟。
例子2.  跟隨政治正確，破壞和沈默了對與錯的良知。 此類別包括數以百萬計的人，這些人生活在政治專制和宗教專制的社會之中和政治正確性里邊.

Thus, we were redeemed from idol worship. We were redeemed from political correctness.
We were redeemed from corruptions of this world. Do not sell our souls for lusts, power, and money. Our God provides all necessary provisions and grace for His children to live a decent and holy lives in this perishing world.

因此，我們是從偶像崇拜中得到了救贖。 我們是從政治上的正確性習俗中得到了救贖。
我們是從這個世界的腐敗中得救贖了。 不要為了慾望，力量和金錢而賣掉我們的靈魂。 我們的上帝為他的孩子們提供了一切必要的準備和恩典，以使他的孩子們在這個滅亡的世界上能夠過敬虔聖潔的生活。

We all know that this pandemic causes shutdown of businesses in the world. Most businesses temporarily closes down and millions of people lose their jobs. For the people with immune system deficiencies, especially seniors, consequences of being affected by this virus are very severe including death.
我們都知道，這種流行病導致世界各地的企業倒閉。 大多數企業暫時關閉，數百萬人失業。 對於免疫系統缺陷的人，尤其是老年人，受此病毒影響的後果非常嚴重，包括死亡。

But in addition to physical health, the impacts of this pandemic also include mental health issues such as fears, depressions, extreme loneliness due to isolation, and loss of group fellowship such as traditional church activities and family gatherings.
但是，除了身體健康外，這種大流行的影響還包括心理健康問題，例如恐懼，沮喪，由於孤立而導致的極端孤獨，以及團體團契的喪失，例如傳統的教堂活動和家庭聚會。

This virus has caused severe disruptions of normal daily activities including shopping, driving, schooling, and commercial/medical behaviors. In fact, there are many doubts, uncertainties, and stresses in our families, schools, and societies. For example, lots of confusing information on the effectiveness of masks and gloves cause further confusions and stresses.
該病毒已嚴重破壞了正常的日常活動，包括購物，開車，上學和商業/醫療行為。 實際上，我們的家庭，學校和社會存在許多疑慮，不確定性和壓力。 例如，關於口罩和手套有效性的許多令人困惑的信息會引起進一步的混亂和壓力。

With all the damages and difficulties of this pandemic, how we maintain calms and deal with this difficult time? How to maintain a positive attitude toward this situation at home? How to live our lives in a manner consisting with our belief? How to support each other, particularly members of our families?
在這場大流行帶來的所有損害和困難之後，我們如何保持冷靜並應對這一艱難時期？ 如何在家中對這種情況保持積極態度？ 如何以一種與信仰相伴的方式生活？ 如何互相支持，特別是我們的家庭成員？

In a distressful time like this, we, as Christians, should even spend more times in prayers and look to our Merciful Lord Jesus Christ, who loves us to the end, to protect us, to strengthen us, and to lead us through this pandemic disaster. We need to pray, help, and support for each other as well!
在這樣一個令人痛苦的時刻，我們作為基督徒，應該花更多的時間禱告，並仰望愛我們到底仁慈的主耶穌基督，來保護我們，加強我們，並帶領我們度過這場大流行災害 。 我們也需要互相祈禱,幫助和支持！

The Bible teaches us how to handle all the difficulties in our lives. List below are a few examples:
聖經教導我們如何處理生活中的所有困難。 下面列出了一些示例：

1.  Hebrews 4:14-16,
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 
希伯來書 4:14-16 
大祭司耶穌能體恤人的軟弱
14 我們既然有一位已經升入高天尊榮的大祭司，就是神的兒子耶穌，便當持定所承認的道。 15 因我們的大祭司並非不能體恤我們的軟弱，他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。 16 所以我們只管坦然無懼地來到施恩的寶座前，為要得憐恤，蒙恩惠，做隨時的幫助。

2.  2 Peter 1: 3-11
Confirming One’s Calling and Election
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
彼得後書 1:3-11 
當在各等德行上求進步
3 神的神能已將一切關乎生命和虔敬的事賜給我們，皆因我們認識那用自己榮耀和美德召我們的主。 4 因此，他已將又寶貴又極大的應許賜給我們，叫我們既脫離世上從情慾來的敗壞，就得與神的性情有份。 5 正因這緣故，你們要分外地殷勤：有了信心，又要加上德行；有了德行，又要加上知識； 6 有了知識，又要加上節制；有了節制，又要加上忍耐；有了忍耐，又要加上虔敬； 7 有了虔敬，又要加上愛弟兄的心；有了愛弟兄的心，又要加上愛眾人的心。 8 你們若充充足足地有這幾樣，就必使你們在認識我們的主耶穌基督上，不至於閒懶不結果子了。 9 人若沒有這幾樣，就是眼瞎，只看見近處的，忘了他舊日的罪已經得了潔淨。 10 所以弟兄們，應當更加殷勤，使你們所蒙的恩召和揀選堅定不移。你們若行這幾樣，就永不失腳。 11 這樣，必叫你們豐豐富富地得以進入我們主救主耶穌基督永遠的國。

3.  1 Peter 5:7-11
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
彼得前書 5:7-11 須將憂慮卸給神
7 你們要將一切的憂慮卸給神，因為他顧念你們。 8 務要謹守、警醒，因為你們的仇敵魔鬼如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。 9 你們要用堅固的信心抵擋它，因為知道你們在世上的眾弟兄也是經歷這樣的苦難。 10 那賜諸般恩典的神，曾在基督裡召你們得享他永遠的榮耀，等你們暫受苦難之後，必要親自成全你們，堅固你們，賜力量給你們。 11 願權能歸給他，直到永永遠遠！阿們。

4.  Philippians 4:4-7 Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
腓立比書 4:4-7 門徒當在主裡喜樂
4 你們要靠主常常喜樂，我再說，你們要喜樂！ 5 當叫眾人知道你們謙讓的心。主已經近了。 6 應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝，將你們所要的告訴神。 7 神所賜出人意外的平安，必在基督耶穌裡保守你們的心懷意念。

5. Psalm. 23

A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

詩篇 23 耶和華為牧者

23 大衛的詩。

1 耶和華是我的牧者，我必不致缺乏。
2 他使我躺臥在青草地上，領我在可安歇的水邊。
3 他使我的靈魂甦醒，為自己的名引導我走義路。
4 我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷，也不怕遭害，因為你與我同在，你的杖、你的竿都安慰我。
5 在我敵人面前，你為我擺設筵席，你用油膏了我的頭，使我的福杯滿溢。
6 我一生一世必有恩惠、慈愛隨著我，我且要住在耶和華的殿中，直到永遠。

所謂取悅四面八方的好好先生

當然，我們都知道那些試圖”取悅包括世界在內的所有人”的所謂基督教精英領袖。 他們玩政治正確，並聲稱自己是保護教會和平純潔的精英。 讓提醒我們自己，聖經在這方面的教導，是非常有啟發性的：

1. 我們的主所揭示我們與世界鬥爭的性質
約翰福音 3:19-21, 作惡的恨光
19 「光來到世間，世人因自己的行為是惡的，不愛光倒愛黑暗，定他們的罪就是在此。 20 凡作惡的便恨光，並不來就光，恐怕他的行為受責備； 21 但行真理的必來就光，要顯明他所行的是靠神而行。」

2.我們的主被世人恨惡，世人也恨他的追隨者
約翰福音 15:18-19, 恨主者必恨信主的
18 「世人若恨你們，你們知道，恨你們以先已經恨我了。 19 你們若屬世界，世界必愛屬自己的。只因你們不屬世界，乃是我從世界中揀選了你們，所以世界就恨你們。

3. 如果你是基督信徒，你不能取悅所有人
約翰一書 2:15-17
15 不要愛世界和世界上的事。人若愛世界，愛父的心就不在他裡面了。 16 因為凡世界上的事，就像肉體的情慾、眼目的情慾並今生的驕傲，都不是從父來的，乃是從世界來的。 17 這世界和其上的情慾都要過去，唯獨遵行神旨意的，是永遠常存。

So-called pleaser on all sides

Surely we all know about those so-called elite christian leaders who try to please everybody including the world. They play political correctness and claime that they protect the peace and purity of the churches. It is very enlightened to remind ourselves about the teaching of the Bible in this area:

1. Nature of our conflicts with the world as revealed by our Lord
John 3:19-21, “19 And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed. 21 But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God.”

2.  Our Lord has been hated by the world and the world also hates His followers
John 15:18-19, Disciples’ Relation to the World
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”

3.  You can not be a pleaser of all  if you are a Christ believer
1 John 2:15-17, Do Not Love the World
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.
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In 2015, we added this new web page called "For the believers" in order to deal with issues which are of interest to our day-to-day struggles in this perverted generation and in this wicked world.  We  will discuss the issues  in this web page from the perspective of the believers in Jesus Christ our Lord. In other words, we assume the readers of this web page holding the fundamental view  of the Scripture as stated in the right column,(Reminder Section),  of the home web page.

在2015年，我們增加這個名為“給信徒們”新網頁，來面對一些、天天在這個悖謬的世代及邪惡的世界中奮鬥生活的人，想解決的議題。我們會、從我們的主耶穌基督的信徒的角度、來討論在本網頁的問題。換句話說，我們假設這個網頁的讀者持有如主網頁的右半頁中（提醒節）所示對聖經的基本立場。

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This is my Father’s world. O let me never forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heaven be one.

這是天父世界：求主叫我不忘，
罪勢凶狠，好像得勝，天父卻仍作王。
這是天父世界：戰爭還沒有完；
受死基督，得勝滿足，天地歸主掌權。
 

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每天的禱告--祈求 我們每天殷勤讀經，使自己沒有玷汙，無可指摘，安然見主--"在我們主救主耶穌基督的恩典和知識上有長進。願榮耀歸給他，從今直到永遠！阿們。"

Daily Prayer-- Please let us diligently study the Bible everyday and may we grow in  grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.

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This Section contains the following: 本網頁的內容包含如下:

1. Know the cultures of our days and Know where we stand

    瞭解我們這時代的文化，知道我們所處的的位置。

2. Self denial is taught by our Lord to His disciples.(4/2015)

    捨己是我們的主教導祂的門徒的課題。(4/2015)

3. Lesson learnt from Adam and Eve
    從亞當和夏娃學到的教訓 (4/2015)

4. How to live your Christian Life?
    你如何過基督徒的生活？(5/2015)

5. True or Fake Vine  

    真的、還是假的葡萄樹(6/2015)

6. Is that all there is for this life?      

    那是今生、所有的一切嗎？(7/2015)

7. The Pilgrim's Heart

    朝聖者的心(8/2015 New)

8. Stop to reorient towards our Heavenly Home 

    停下腳步，重整方向，邁向我們天家！(10/2015)

9. Whose servants/maids are we? (11/2015)

    我們是誰的僕人呢？(11/2015)

10. Know what we have (11/2015)
     瞭解我們的擁有(11/2015)

11. The 2015 Year End Reflection
      2015年終的反思(12/2015)

12. Looking Forward in 2016  (1/2016)                                                  

      展望2016年

13. In the world but not of the world  (1/2016) 

      在世界裡，但不屬於世界

14. An enduring question 一個存在很久的問題 (3/2016)

15. Simple yet Profound 簡單而深奧(4/2016)

16. Live as Christians! 什麼是基督徒的生活！(4/2016)

17. By All Means  Save Some 無論如何 總要救些人(8/2016)

18. Our Mission 我們的使命 (9/2016)

19. In Christ  在基督裡 (5/2017)

20. To Glory Christ Jesus Our Lord 榮耀我們主耶穌基督 (5/17)

21. Free will 自由意志 (6/17)

22. Surviving Well 保守生活 (6/2017)

23. A Tale of Two Natures 兩種本性的故事

24. On Temptation and Evil 誘惑和邪惡 (11/17)

25. Corruption and Pollution腐敗與污染(3/18) 

26. Information Overload 資訊爆炸(5/18)

27. Human Relationship in a Chaotic World  混亂世界中的人際關係(12/18) 

Know the cultures of our days and Know where we stand

It is very important for a believer to know the cultures of this wicked world. First of all, we live in an era of post-modernism. This era is characterized by the following:

    1. Extreme liberalism characterized by self-ism. 
    2. Rejection of traditional values such as traditional marriage
    3. Rejection of any absolutes such as God and the Bible
    4. Grand scale social experiments on any life-styles, and any values
    5. Entitlement mindset and ungrateful to friends, parents, society,  country, and God
    6. Technology based instant gratification mind set. Tomorrow is too far to even think about.
    7. Easy frustrated without patience and always blame others

Do not blame on others because we also are pre-conditioned to some of these traits. So we should know the following:

    a. Christian values are no longer the main stream values of the societies as portrayed by the liberal media. However, the silent majority of the Euro-american public still holds truth to the biblical values.
    b. Believers are the minority of the society as again pertrayed by the media and are being marginalized by the main stream media and  educational institutes.
    c. We should look to the Bible for guidance rather than political leaders for guidance
    d. Be watchful always on the information so readily available in the internet. Internet does provide all kinds of information (right or wrong, good or bad, all kinds of biases).

How to live in this world and true to our conviction to our belief is the driving force behind this web page. May you pray to our Lord to ask His divine provision to guide us that we can provide in this web page with reminders  to honor Him in our daily activities.

It is actually beneficial to assess where we stand at many social/political/cultural issues. Are you a conservative or liberal on an issue? You may say that you are biblical. That is fine until you actually know what are the biblical standards for various issues. But just to know your position on many issues will help you to see if you are taking the prevalent world views on those issues or not. 

One thing is for sure. It is very difficult to change ourselves unless that we are really honoring Jesus Christ our Lord and willing to correct ourselves for His Name sake. We definitely need right view of the Scripture to guide us. The following are a few suggestions:

    1. Try to have a few faithful Christian friends to form a small group to discuss issues and support each other.
    2. Try to find out where the die-hard orthodox Christian leaders stand on those issues. 
    3. Try to find out where the main stream media stand on the issues.
    4. What are the position of the Church in history on those issues. Check a few bible commentaries as well.
    5. Try to find out what we say here in this web site
    6. Do compare everything including your own to the Scripture
    7. Do pray and meditate and be patient for divine illumination and guidance

When we come to the truth finding, be professional. That means only one thing-- Right knowledge through right training, right tools, and right way of seeking it. Just think about how a plumber will fix a pipe leak comparing with how you will fix it. You will surely get the picture of "What is the meaning of professionalism".

瞭解我們這時代的文化，知道我們所處的的位置。

一個信徒要知道這個邪惡世界的文化是非常重要的。首先，我們生活在後現代主義的時代。這個時代的特徵如下：
    
1. 極端自由主義並以自我主義為特徵。
2. 拒絕傳統價值觀，如傳統的婚姻。
3. 拒絕任何的絕對標準，如上帝和聖經
4. 將各式的生活型態及價值觀，作大規模的社會實驗
5. 追求名利的心態和忘恩負義的對待朋友，父母，社會，國家，上帝
6. 享受高科技、即時行樂的思維態度。明天是太遠，不必去思慮
7. 容易沮喪、沒有耐心；總是錯在他人、歸罪別人

不要怨天尤人，因為我們也同樣被影響、有其中的一些特質。所以，我們應該了解以下的現狀：
     

     a. 雖然主流媒體大大地宣告基督教價值觀不再是主流價值觀, 但大多數歐美洲不作聲的公眾仍舊保持基督教的價值觀。
     b. 信徒是社會的少數，被主流媒體和教育機構邊緣化。
     c. 我們應該以聖經為指導，而不是政治領袖的指導
     d. 要小心看待、網路上隨手可得的信息。網路確實提供了各種信息（對或錯，好或壞，各種偏見）。

如何生活在這個世界上、並忠實於我們的信仰，是我們推動這網頁、背後的動力。願你祈求我們的主、祈求祂指導我們，讓我們可以提供在這個網頁上，提醒我們、在每日生活中榮耀祂。

從許多社會/政治/文化問題上，定位我們的立場，實際上是有益的。在某個問題上，你是一個保守主義，還是自由主義呢？你可能會說，你是以聖經的思維態度為準。這是好的，直到你真正知道、在各種問題上，聖經的標準是什麼。雖然如此, 知道你在許多問題的立場，將幫你判斷、你是否持著這個世界的觀念立場、在看待這些問題。

有一件事是肯定的；就是我們很難改變自己，除非我們真心榮耀我們的主耶穌基督，並願意因祂珍貴的名緣故、改正自己。我們一定要以聖經的正確觀念、來指導我們。下面是一些建議：

      1. 儘量有一些忠實的基督徒朋友，形成一個小團體討論問題，相互支持。
      2. 嘗試找出在這些問題上，鐵桿正統的基督教領袖的主張立場。
      3. 嘗試找出、主流媒體在這些問題的立場。
      4. 什麼是歷史上教會、在這些問題上的立場。同樣也要查看一些聖經評論。
      5. 嘗試找出、我們在這個網站的說法
      6. 要以聖經來比較一切主張立場，包括你自己的立場
      7. 要祈禱，默想和耐心等待神的照明和指導你的心

當我們追求真理，要有專業的態度。這意味著只有一件事，即經過正確的訓練、合適的工具、和尋求真相的正確的方式來追求真理。試想想，專業修水管工人如何修復漏水，與你修理水管漏水的方法相比。你一定會懂得專業的態度是什麼了。

There are many things in life frustrated us, Part of that is due to our inability to battle our corrupted nature. The best way is to  follow the teaching of the Bible. Battle of wills are one of the key life-long lessons for the self-denial teaching. This is especially true for a believer to learn in the nurture of his/her relationship with family members particularly with his/her spouse.

在生活中，有很多事情讓我們感到挫折與失意，大部分原因是我們無法克服、我們受汙染的人性。最好的辦法、是遵循聖經的教導。減少意志之戰是，學習捨己的終身課題。對信徒而言，在學習培育與家人、特別是培育與配偶的關係時，這是特別重要的。

First of all, battle of wills may not even come from bad or evil motives. They can simply come from a conflict due to personal habits etc. For example,  during a trip to the supermarket, a wife may want to take a particular route or  a husband may want to park in a particular section of the parking lot. By taking the wrong route or parking at a different section may be interpreted by a party that the other party deliberately try to "hurt" him/her. You may think this type of reaction may be extreme and is a manifestation of other more serious underlined issues. Be it as it may, battle of wills is indeed a major cause of numerous events  contributing to many sour relationships. One of the key factors in battle of wills may be due to the fact that one party may not even think about it or even think it matters to anything. But it is certainly very sensitive to the other party to cause a conflict. Why there are so many divorces in our society-- more than 50% of newly wed will get  a divorce in California and in many other places as well. A simple consideration to the loved one's "will" or "feeling" will certainly go a long way to a happy marriage.

首先，意志之戰、甚至可能不是來自、壞的或邪惡的動機。他們可能來自個人的生活習慣差別等，所引起的一個衝突。例如，去一趟超市時，妻子可能要走特定的路線，或者丈夫可能要在停車場的特定地區停車。只要走錯了路線或在不同位置停車，當事人可能會隨意解釋成，對方刻意地要“傷害”他/她。你可能會認為、這類型的反應是極端的例子，且是有其他背後、更嚴重的問題，而引發出來的衝突。意志之戰確實是、造成了許多酸辣關係的一個重要原因。一個意志之戰的主要關鍵因素，可能是生活習慣差別，即一方可能沒有去想到它，甚至沒有認為它會影響到其他的事。但對方肯定非常敏感、在意，而引起衝突。為什麼在我們的社會中，有這麼多的離婚--- 在加州，其他地方也一樣，50%的新婚夫妻離婚。一長長久久的幸福婚姻之鑰是在生活中,更多的考慮、照顧到，自己心愛人的“想法”或“感受”.

Self denial is taught by our Lord to His disciples. Actually, Jesus gave a new command to His disciples (that is to you and me) in  John 13:34
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

We know very well that many people are not very lovable and to some that  may include ourselves as well. So the only way to love a not-so-lovable person, particularly your loved ones, is through self-denial devotion. Why call this devotion? Because it takes great effort in self denial of your will to even close to be able to practice this aspect of love.

捨己是我們的主教導祂的門徒的課題。事實上，耶穌在約13:34給了一個新的命令給祂的門徒（也就是你和我）
34 我賜給你們一條新命令，乃是叫你們彼此相愛，我怎樣愛你們，你們也要怎樣相愛。
我們很清楚，很多人都是、很不可愛的，包括我們自己也是如此。所以，要愛一個不那麼、可愛的人，尤其是你的親人，唯一的辦法就是、通過捨己的奉獻。為什麼叫這個為奉獻？因為它需要巨大的努力，來自我否定、你的意願,才能夠做到捨己這個方面的愛。

Interesting enough, the Bible actually gives us examples in this area. For example, eating meat which was offered to idols caused many conflicts in early churches. In 1 Corinthians 8:9-13

9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idols temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

有趣的是，聖經實際上、給了我們在這方面的例子。例如，這是吃祭偶像之肉，在早期教堂、引起了許多衝突的。
在哥林多前書8：9-13
9 只是你們要謹慎，恐怕你們這自由竟成了那軟弱人的絆腳石。 10 若有人見你這有知識的在偶像的廟裡坐席，這人的良心若是軟弱，豈不放膽去吃那祭偶像之物嗎？ 11 因此，基督為他死的那軟弱弟兄，也就因你的知識沉淪了。 12 你們這樣得罪弟兄們，傷了他們軟弱的良心，就是得罪基督。 13 所以，食物若叫我弟兄跌倒，我就永遠不吃肉，免得叫我弟兄跌倒了。

It should be pointed out to practice this love is not a small matter because substantial portion of the meat sold in a pagan market in that time came from the meat sacrificed to idols. That means you do not eat meat at that time of the church history. It is also very important to remind you that if our liberty or our ignorance causes our brothers to stumble, we sin against Christ. So be particularly patient to your love ones for the love of Christ indeed.

應該指出，實踐這個愛是一個不小的問題，因為在那段時間、異教徒的市場所銷售的肉，大部分來自於為、祭拜偶像而犧牲的肉。這意味著，你可能，不會在、教會歷史上的那個時候吃肉。這也是非常重要的提醒你，如果我們任意的或我們無知的，讓我們的兄弟絆倒，我們就得罪基督。所以為了愛我們的基督，對你所愛的人、應該要特別有耐心。

You can think many circumstances like this. Another example given in the Scripture is the washing of dirty feet by our Lord to His disciples just prior to His going to the cross as described in John 13.

" Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. " (John 13:1)

你可以想到、很多同樣的情況。在聖經中的另外一個例子是、在約翰福音13描述，我們的主、在去十字架之前，為祂的門徒洗了骯髒的腳。
逾越節以前，耶穌知道自己離世歸父的時候到了。他既然愛世間屬自己的人，就愛他們到底。( 約13:1)

In a postmodernism world of our days, it is even more important to practice self denials. Following is a few scriptural reminders:

1. Self denial of your pride of your knowledge : Apostle Paul reminded us in 1  Corinthians 8: 1-3

 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet     known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

現在我們的日子、是在後現代主義的世界中，實踐捨己是更重要的。以下是幾個聖經的提醒：

1.捨己是捨棄、你自己的知識的驕傲：使徒保羅、在哥林多前書8：1-3 提醒我們   
論到祭偶像之物，我們曉得「我們都有知識」。但知識是叫人自高自大，唯有愛心能造就人。 2 若有人以為自己知道什麼，按他所當知道的，他仍是不知道。 3 若有人愛神，這人乃是神所知道的。

2. Self denial of your positional privileges

    (1) Ephesians 4:1-3
    4 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing     tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
    (2) 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
    4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who also     made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

    (3) 2 Cor 6:1
     And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain

2.自我捨棄、你地位的特權
     (1) 以弗所書 4：1-3
我為主被囚的勸你們：既然蒙召，行事為人就當與蒙召的恩相稱， 2 凡事謙虛、溫柔、忍耐，用愛心互相寬容， 3 用和平彼此聯絡，竭力保守聖靈所賜合而為一的心。
    
     (2) 哥林多後書 3：4-6
4 我們因基督，所以在神面前才有這樣的信心。 5 並不是我們憑自己能承擔什麼事，我們所能承擔的，乃是出於神。 6 他叫我們能承當這新約的執事，不是憑著字句，乃是憑著精意；因為那字句是叫人死，精意[a]是叫人活。
    
      (3) 哥林多後書 6：1    
我們與神同工的，也勸你們不可徒受他的恩典。

3. Self denial of your fleshy desires
    (1) Col 2: 9-11
    9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11 and in Him you were also     circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;
    (2) John 6:63
    63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
    (3) Romans 8:5-8
    5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death,     but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and     those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

3.自我捨棄、你肉體的情慾   
     (1) 西 2：9-11
       9 因為神本性一切的豐盛，都有形有體地居住在基督裡面； 10 你們在他裡面也得了豐盛。他是各樣執政掌權者的元首。 11 你們在他裡面也受了不是人手所行的割禮，乃是基督使你們脫去肉體情慾的割禮。    
      (2) 約翰福音 6:63    
63 叫人活著的乃是靈，肉體是無益的。我對你們所說的話就是靈，就是生命。   
     (3) 羅馬書 8:5-8    
5 因為隨從肉體的人，體貼肉體的事；隨從聖靈的人，體貼聖靈的事。 6 體貼肉體的就是死，體貼聖靈的乃是生命、平安。 7 原來體貼肉體的就是與神為仇，因為不服神的律法，也是不能服； 8 而且屬肉體的人不能得神的喜歡。

4. Self denial of the sharpness of your tongue--According to Chinese word character of  "tongue", a tongue is equal to one thousand of mouths. So keep your tongue in check to your mouth only. More importantly, 
    (1) Col 4:5-6
     5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
    (2) James 3:5
    5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.
    See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
    (3) Ps 19:14
    14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    Be acceptable in Your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
    (4) Matt 12:36-37
    36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will     be condemned.

4.自我捨棄、你的舌頭的伶俐度 - 據中國字“舌頭”，一個舌頭等於1000張嘴巴。因此，要將你的舌頭、只保持在你的一​張嘴內。
更重要的是，
    (1) 西 4：5-6      
    5 你們要愛惜光陰，用智慧與外人交往。 6 你們的言語要常常帶著和氣，好像用鹽調和，就可知道該怎樣回答各人。
    (2) 雅各書 3:5
    5 這樣 ,舌頭在百體裡也是最小的，卻能說大話。看哪，最小的火能點著最大的樹林。
    (3) 詩 篇 19:14
    14 耶和華─我的磐石，我的救贖主啊，願我口中的言語、心裡的意念在你面前蒙悅納。
    (4) 馬 太 福 音 12:36-37
    36 我又告訴你們，凡人所說的閒話，當審判的日子，必要句句供出來；
    37 因為要憑你的話定你為義，也要憑你的話定你有罪。

5. Self denial of the traps of this perverted world

    (1) 1 John 2:16-17
    16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and  also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.   
    (2) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 
    19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price:  therefore glorify God in your body.

    (3) Galatians 5:16-17 
    16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

5.自我捨棄、這個變態的世界的陷阱
     (1) 約翰一書 2：16-17    
    16 因為凡世界上的事，就像肉體的情慾、眼目的情慾並今生的驕傲，都不是從父來的，乃是從世界來的。 17 這世界和其上的情慾都要過去，唯獨遵行神旨意的，是永遠常存。
    
      (2) 哥林多前書 6：19-20    
    19 豈不知你們的身子就是聖靈的殿嗎？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。

    
      (3) 加 5：16-17
    16 我說，你們當順著聖靈而行，就不放縱肉體的情慾了。 17 因為情慾和聖靈相爭，聖靈和情慾相爭，這兩個是彼此相敵，使你們不能做所願意做的。

Adam and Eve were created by God with full provision of almighty God in a paradise. Adam and Eve were to manage the created world per God's instruction. Because of the Devil's  deceptive scheme, Adam and Eve sinned and hence lost their privilege in God's paradise.
 

亞當和夏娃是全能的上帝所創造的，把他們安置在供應富裕的樂園裡。上帝並且任命亞當和夏娃、來管理所創造的世界。因為魔鬼的欺騙計劃，亞當和夏娃犯了罪，因此失去了他們、在上帝的樂園裡的特權。
 

Once being evicted out of the paradise, Adam was forced to survive in a corrupted world. Life was tough indeed for him and Eve. You can read Genesis Chapter 3 and 4 to get a glimpse of the family life then. Furthermore, they had to endure a family tragedy : one of their children was murdered by his brother. All in all, the life after the  loss of the paradise was indeed very bad. Men were forced to survive in a sinful world. 
 

一旦被驅逐出了樂園，亞當被迫生存在一個已被罪腐敗、損壞的世界中。他和夏娃的生活、的確實是艱難的。您可以閱讀創世記第三章和第四章，來一瞥他們的家庭生活。此外，他們也得面對、忍受家庭悲劇：他們的一個孩子、被哥哥謀殺了。總而言之，失去、離開天堂後的生活確實很辛苦的。人們被迫在一個罪惡的世界中生存。
 

The lesson of Adam and Eve was " Do not wait till you lost it to cherish what you have. Take all necessary watchfulness and diligence to cherish and protect it". For example, do not abuse your health until you lose it. This lesson should be heeded  so that we have a better quality of life.

亞當和夏娃的教訓是：“不要等到你失去了它，才珍惜你所曾擁有的。採取一切必要的警覺和勤奮、來珍惜和保護它” 。例如，不要濫用、傷害你的身體，直到你失去了健康。這個教訓應該得到警惕重視，我們才會有更好的生活品質。
 

Lately, a Christian friend told me that his principle of living is 3F--faith, family, and fitness and he has been very active in protecting his principle by living in it. Not bad, isn't it?
 

最近，一個基督徒朋友告訴我，他生活的原則是三個F--信仰(Faith)，家庭(Family)和健身(Fitness)；他一直在生活中、很積極地、保持自己的原則。很好呀！不是嗎？
 

The world is so full of deceptive schemes that we need to continuously watch out things and traps that affect our faith. The society is so wicked in promoting " lust of eyes,  lust of flesh, and prides of this life"  that we do need to protect our family very hard from all the pollutions.
 

世界是如此、充滿欺騙的計劃，我們需要不斷注意、影響我們的信心的事情和陷阱。社會正邪惡地、推動 “眼目情慾，肉體情慾，今生的驕傲"，因此、我們確實需要、努力保護我們的家庭遠離所有的污染。

So do cherish your faith and work at it everyday to be in Christ so that we would not wonder away and deceive ourselves without noticing it. Do invest time and energy to protect our family to avoid being in the broken family's statistics. And do exercise and watch what you eat to keep yourself and your family healthy.
 

所以，千萬珍惜你的信心、和每天在基督裡、增強我們的信心；這樣，我們就不會遠離主道、而欺騙自己而不自覺。該多花些時間和精力、來保護我們的家庭，以免被歸之於、破碎家庭的統計數據裡。也要多做做運動，注意飲食安全，以保持自己和家人的健康。

You may think that Adam and Eve 's lesson was easy to learn. This is certainly not true either individually or collectively. The statistics of divorce rate is one in two in newly weds. In last century, we had two world wars. We have numerous regional wars even today.
 

你可能會認為，亞當和夏娃的教訓是簡單易學。但不論個體或群體上來看、都不是正確的。離婚率統計數據是，在兩個新婚夫婦、一個會離婚。在上個世紀​​裡，我們經歷了兩次世界大戰。即使在今天，我們仍有許多區域性戰爭。

Sadly to say even to this day, there are still numerous people who chose not to recognize God as God.  They do not acknowledge God, let alone thank God for His provisions for their daily lives. We should never forget this: the post-modernism society of today continues to devaluate Christian values as revealed in the Bible.
 

即使到了今天、很悲哀的說，仍然有許多人選擇、不把上帝當上帝看待。他們不承認上帝，更不用說、為上帝給他們的日常生活的供應、而感謝祂。我們永遠不應該忘記這一點：今天的後現代主義社會，是在不斷地貶低、在聖經中所啟示基督教的價值。
 

Since this article is for the believers, do you know the status of your faith.  Are you very seriously in pursuing holiness or are you still in full speed in pursuing worldliness. Many people are deceiving themselves in playing the game of being a Christian in Sundays only and are not pondering on God's word from Monday to Saturday. 
 

由於這篇文章是寫給信徒們，你知道你的信仰狀態嗎？你是否很認真地、追求聖潔，或你是否、還在全速地追求世俗。很多人在欺騙自己，玩著、只有週日方是一個基督徒的遊戲，從週一到週六、並不琢磨上帝的話。

Just being a religion leader may or may not lead you to  Jesus Christ's heavenly kingdom. The Bible reminds us that two thousand years ago, it was the so called very religious leaders in the  apostate Jewish establishment who were  bitterly against Jesus Christ. So we need a quiet time to exam whether we are in faith or not.
 

單是一個宗教領袖的地位、可能會或可能不會引導你到耶穌的天國。聖經兩千年前提醒我們，人們所謂虔誠的背道猶太教宗教領袖們、在當時是嚴厲地反對耶穌基督。因此，我們需要一個安靜的時間、來省察我們是否在真正的信仰裡。

Here are a few reminders for our meditation:

1. We are so busy that we forget God all together during the week?

2. We see nothing wrong with the world and do not exercise our due diligence to protect

    and fight for our faith.

3. Do we constantly protect our family and ourselves  from the debase pollutions of this

    world?

4. Do we keep Jesus Christ's commandments?

5. Do we rely on ourselves or are we really trusting our Lord Jesus Christ?

6. Do we really know Jesus Christ?

7. Do we know that being a Christian, we have the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Do we

    know the Holy Spirit? If not, how can we be led by the Holy Spirit in our daily life?

8. Do we know our heavenly Father?

9. Do we hate our sinful bends?

10. Do we grief over the evil things of this world?

11. Do we evangelize whenever the opportunity arises?

12. Do you love the Church? Not just "your" church but all the saints that our Lord loves.
 

這裡有一些提醒來幫助我們的沉思默想：

1. 我們是否如此忙，而在週間完全地、忘記了上帝？

2. 我們認為這個世界沒有錯，而沒有認真地鍛煉自己，以保護和維持我們的信心。

3. 我們是否不斷地保護我們的家人和我們自己、遠離這世界低俗的污染？

4. 我們是否、聽從耶穌基督的誡命？

5. 我們是否相信自己、還是真正的信靠我們的主耶穌基督？

6. 我們是否、真的認識耶穌基督？

7. 我們應該知道 作為一個基督徒，我們有聖靈內住。我們認識聖靈嗎？如果沒有，我們怎麼能由

    聖靈主導我們的日常生活？

8. 我們知道我們的天父嗎？

9. 我們恨我們自己罪惡的傾向嗎？

10. 我們傷痛、這世界的邪惡事物嗎？

11. 我們只要有機會的話，就會傳福音嗎？

12. 我們愛教會嗎？不只是“我們”的教會，而是包括、所有我們的主所愛的聖徒。

It is all boiling down to either you are in Christ or not. It all comes down to this: Do you obey Jesus Christ commandments or not.  If you are not sure, then from now on, take your faith seriously as the top priority of your life. You may ask how? Excellent question. Pray to our Lord who is the source of wisdom and who is our creator and who is our redeemer and who is our sanctifier and who is our precious almighty Lord and who is our adoration and joy and who is our Savior who died for us at His first coming and will give us glory in His second coming. Why don't all of us pray to Him and ask Him. Do you know that He has promised us to answer our questions and fulfill our requests in His precious Name? You may ask how do you know that. A great question! Here is the answer revealed in the Holy Scripture:

總之，一切都歸結到這一點：你是否在基督裏，也就是你是否聽從耶穌基督的誡命。如果你不能確定，那麼從現在開始，認真地、把你的信仰視為、你生命中的頭等大事。你可能會問，如何做？非常好的問題。向我們的主祈求，祂是我們智慧之源泉，祂是我們的創造者，祂是我們的救贖，祂是我們的成聖，祂是我們的全能的尊主，祂是我們的崇拜和喜悅，祂是我們的救主、在首次降臨這世界時、祂為我們而死，在祂的第二次降臨時、祂會給我們帶來榮耀。為什麼我們不都向祂祈禱，並向祂求。你知道，祂已經答應會回答我們以祂的珍貴聖名求的問題和需求嗎？你可能會問，你怎麼知道這個應許。一個很好的問題！以下是在聖經裡透露的答案：

John 14:13-15
13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. 15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
 

約翰福音 14: 13-15
13 你們奉我的名無論求什麼，我必成就，叫父因兒子得榮耀。 14 你們若奉我名求告什麼，我必成就。 15 你們若愛我，就必遵守我的命令。
 

Please meditate on these precious verses and find out their context and  their meaning and apply them to your life.  
請默想這些珍貴經文，並找出他們的背景和他們的意義，並把它們應用到你的生活中。

How to live your Christian Life?
你如何過基督徒的生活？

For many of us, we do not like to be told what to do. This presents a great problem for adults. For small children, they go to school to be taught by teachers from Monday to Friday of each week. For adults who became Christians, there is no mandatory school for them to attend. As a matter of fact, they are encouraged to attend Sunday adult Bible study. Some are active in learning the Bible. Others are just going to church for worship service only.
 

如同許多人，我們都不喜歡、被告知該怎麼做。這是成年人的很大問題。兒童們，每週有五天，他們會上學到學校，去接受教師的教導。對成為基督徒的成年人們，沒有強制他們必須參加的學校。事實上，只能鼓勵他們參加週日的、成人聖經學習班。有些人熱心、認真的學習聖經。其他人，則只是去教堂作禮拜而已。

If we are not involved in bible study groups, chances are that it will take a long time for us to know enough of the Bible to help us grow in Christ. This is indeed a very unsatisfied situation. We cannot become a soldier  without a formal basic camp training. We cannot be resourceful and rejoice in the Lord without  meditating on God's word. We cannot mediate on God's word unless we first know the God word to be meditated.

如果我們不參與聖經學習小組；會需要很長的時間，我們才會有機會、知道足夠的聖經，來幫助我們在基督裡成長。這確實是一個、讓人很不滿意的情況。沒有經歷一個正式的基本訓練營，我們不能成為一個真正的軍人。沒有好好、默想神的話語，我們不能成為有能力的事奉，不能與主同樂。我們無法默想上帝的話語，除非我們先知道什麼是、該沉思的上帝話語。

We are not talking here about becoming a seminary student. We are talking about studying the bible to help us grow in Christ.
在這裡我們不是在談論、如何成為一名神學院的學生。我們正在談論、如何學習聖經，幫助我們在基督裡成長。

We need God word to grow is just like that a newborn baby needs milk to grow. If you ever be a parent, then you know that a baby needs to be fed every 4 to six hours round the clock day and night. The Bible tells us the following:

1. 1 Peter 2:1-2  As Newborn Babes
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
   

2. Key attributes of God word, Ps 19: 7-11
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.

我們需要神的話語、來幫助我們成長；如同新生嬰兒、需要奶粉才能發育長大。如果你曾是養育兒女的父母，你就知道需要每天不分晝夜、每4到6個小時、餵食嬰兒。聖經告訴我們以下的指導：

1.  彼得前書2：1-2作為新生寶貝
所以，你們既除去一切的惡毒、詭詐，並假善、嫉妒和一切毀謗的話， 2 就要愛慕那純淨的靈奶，像才生的嬰孩愛慕奶一樣，叫你們因此漸長，以至得救。

2. 上帝話語的關鍵屬性，詩篇 19: 7-11
       7 耶和華的律法全備，能甦醒人心。耶和華的法度確定，能使愚人有智慧。
       8 耶和華的訓詞正直，能快活人的心。耶和華的命令清潔，能明亮人的眼目。
9 耶和華的道理潔淨，存到永遠。耶和華的典章真實，全然公義。
10 都比金子可羨慕，且比極多的精金可羨慕；比蜜甘甜，且比蜂房下滴的蜜甘甜。
11 況且你的僕人因此受警戒，守著這些便有大賞。

So it is imperative that we form a habit of reading the Bible, say half a hour every day. I would suggest that we do it preferably first thing in the morning after we pray to God our heavenly Father for blessing and guidance for the day. For a late riser, do it in the evening last thing before you pray to thank our heavenly Father  for His providence and protection for the day.
因此，當務之急是我們養成閱讀聖經的習慣，譬如說每天一個半小時。我建議最好在早上，向上帝祈禱、我們的天父祝福及指導我們的一天後，我們所做的第一件事。對於晚起床者，你在晚禱、感謝我們的天父一天的眷顧和保護前，所做晚上的最後一件事。

Following your church guidance of reading the Bible. If your church does not have the bible reading guidance. Ask your pastor for the guidance. If not, we suggest that you read the four gospels first to get to know our Lord first. Then the Acts and the epistles to know the teaching of apostles concerning churches.
照著你的教會的閱讀聖經指導。如果你的教會沒有閱讀聖經的指導，請你的牧師來指導。如果不是這樣，我們建議您首先閱讀四福音書，來認識、了解我們主；接著是使徒行傳和使徒書信，以了解使徒們、有關教會的教導。

As a new Christian, we need to read the Bible and learn to pray to our God everyday. As we grow in grace, we  need even more to read the Bible and learn to pray not only for ourselves, our family, our friends, others in need,  our nation, and our brothers and sisters in faith in other part of the world who are suffering because of their faith.
作為一個新的基督徒，我們需要每天閱讀聖經和學習向我們的上帝禱告。隨著我們在恩典中成長，我們需要閱讀更多的聖經和學習禱告，不僅為我們自己，我們的家人，我們的朋友，有需要的人，我們的國家，以及我們在世界的各地、因為他們的信仰上帝而受苦難的、兄弟姐妹們。

The following are a few reminders from the Bible concerning this matter:
 

1.  Ephesians 2:19-22
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of Gods household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

2. Read Ps 119

3. John 17:16-17
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

4. 1 John 2:14-15
14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

5. John 15:7-8
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

 以下是聖經關於這一問題的一些提醒：

 1.    以弗所書2：19-22
19 這樣，你們不再做外人和客旅，是與聖徒同國，是神家裡的人了。 20 並且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶穌自己為房角石， 21 各[a]房靠他聯絡得合式，漸漸成為主的聖殿， 22 你們也靠他同被建造，成為神藉著聖靈居住的所在。

2. 讀詩篇119 

3.約翰福音17：16-17
16 他們不屬世界，正如我不屬世界一樣。 17 求你用真理使他們成聖，你的道就是真理。

4. 約翰一書2：14-15
14 父老啊，我曾寫信給你們，因為你們認識那從起初原有的。少年人哪，我曾寫信給你們，因為你們剛強，神的道常存在你們心裡，你們也勝了那惡者。 15 不要愛世界和世界上的事。人若愛世界，愛父的心就不在他裡面了。

5. 約翰福音15：7-8
7 你們若常在我裡面，我的話也常在你們裡面，凡你們所願意的，祈求，就給你們成就。 8 你們多結果子，我父就因此得榮耀，你們也就是我的門徒了。

True or Fake Vine  
Throughout human history, there have been cases after cases of people claimed to be Messiah. Even today in 21 century, same scheme has been used. False prophets, false teachers, and false Christ are abound. When we look at the artificial flowers for example, they are colorful and some even touch like a real flower. But fake flowers do not have life in them no matter how real they look like  real ones. 

真的、還是假的葡萄樹

在整個人類歷史上，陸續有人騙術不斷地、聲稱自己是彌賽亞。即使在21世紀的今天，同樣的戲碼、也一再被使用。假先知、假教師、假基督，比比皆是。例如，當我們看人造花時，它們是多彩多姿，甚至有些的觸感，也如同真正的花。但是假花，是沒有生命的；不管他們如何的以假亂真，看起來像真花。
In John 15:1-2, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.".  This teaching is taken traditionally as part of the Upper Room Discourse our Lord gave to His disciples in the night before His crucifixion.  His disciples would be shocked to hear this statement because their prevailing understanding was that the vine generally referred to the nation of Israel. For example, Isaiah 5:7 indicates:

For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel
And the men of Judah His delightful plant.
Thus He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed;
For righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.
 

在約翰福音15：1-2，「我是真葡萄樹，我父是栽培的人。 2 凡屬我不結果子的枝子，他就剪去；凡結果子的，他就修理乾淨，使枝子結果子更多」。這經節、在傳統上被認為是頂樓論道的一部分; 我們的主、在祂被釘十字架的前一晚，賜給祂的門徒們教導的一部分。祂的門徒聽到這種說法，會感到震驚；因為他們的普遍理解是，葡萄樹一般是影射以色列國。例如，以賽亞書5：7指示：

7 萬軍之耶和華的葡萄園就是以色列家，

他所喜愛的樹就是猶大人。

他指望的是公平，誰知倒有暴虐；

指望的是公義，誰知倒有冤聲。

Yet, there are many examples that Israel in Old Testament time often wandered off from God. Hosea 10:1 rebuked Israel for forsaking their role as a vine.

Israel is a luxuriant vine;
He produces fruit for himself.
The more his fruit,
The more altars he made;
The richer his land,
The better he made the sacred pillars.

然而，也有很多的例子，顯示舊約的時期的以色列，常常徘徊、迷失、離開了上帝。何西阿書 10:1嚴責以色列崇偽拜像

以色列是茂盛的葡萄樹，結果繁多。

果子越多，就越增添祭壇；地土越肥美，就越造美麗的柱像。

The function of a true vine is to produce much fruits to glorify God, not to glorify itself or pagan gods. When a nation wanders away from God, it may still have all the external rites and religion form. Yet, there is no life in it and hence it can not produce fruits to honor God.
一個真正的葡萄樹的功能，是產生多的果實、來榮耀上帝，不是為了榮耀自己或異教神。當一個民族、徘徊遠離神，它可能仍然可以擁有、所有的外在儀式和宗教的形式。然而，沒有生命在其中；因此它不能產生果子、來榮耀上帝。

Our Lord further teaches us in John 15:5 
" I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."
我們的主還在約翰福音15：5教導我們
"我是葡萄樹，你們是枝子。常在我裡面的，我也常在他裡面，這人就多結果子；因為離了我，你們就不能做什麼。"

We are the branches of the vine. Thus it is very important that we are truly the branches of the true vine. You may ask what do you means by that. Make sure that we are not attached to a religion with all its external forms and rites but not really connected to Jesus Christ the true Vine. Make sure that we are not just go through the motions. Let say that I go to church on Sundays but I have vague idea who Jesus is and I do not know or care to know what His redemption work. Worse then, I live on my own term Monday through Friday pursuing the world entertainment in my spare time. I have no interest in Bible and I do not treasure God 's word. What do you think where this branch of me is attached to?
我們是葡萄樹的枝子。因此，這是非常重要的，我們是真正的、真葡萄樹的枝子。你可能會問，你如此說的意思、是什麼？ 我們要確保自已不是參與到、只有外在形式和儀式的宗教，但沒有真正連接到耶穌基督真葡萄樹。確保我們、不是走走過場作表面功夫而已。譬如說，星期日我去教會，但我對耶穌是誰、只有模糊的概念，我不知道或不在意去知道、祂的救贖工作。更糟糕的是，從星期一到星期五、我照我自己的方式過活，在我的閒暇時間、追求世界娛樂。我對聖經沒有興趣，我不珍惜神的教誨。你覺得我是連接到哪個葡萄樹？

There are so many deceptions in the religion world today. Make sure that we truly attach to Jesus Christ of the Bible the true Vine. How do you know who is the Jesus Christ of the Bible? Well, the first step is to take an intense interest in the Bible. And do spend time in reading it and ponder on it. Actually, if you truly treasure your eternal life, then you will do it.
在當今的宗教世界裡，有這麼多的欺騙。要確保我們真正、連接到聖經中的耶穌基督的真葡萄樹。你怎麼知道、誰是聖經中的耶穌基督？那麼，第一步是要對聖經有濃厚的興趣。並且花時間，閱讀它，思考它。其實，如果你真的珍惜、你的永恆的生命，那麼你一定會這麼做。

It is interesting to note the following:

1. Young children ask a lot of questions "Why this?" and "What that?"
2. Young people likes to explore many places to experience the life?
3. The more age we have, the less questions we raise. Most of old people appear to accept the life as is and seldom to ask "Why?"

觀察到下面幾個有趣的情況：

1. 年幼的孩子們，很喜歡問“為什麼呢？”和“那是什麼？”
2. 年輕人喜歡去探索很多地方，體驗不用的生活？
3. 年紀越大，提出的問題越來越少。大多數老人似乎接受了、生活的一切，很少問“為什麼？”

Lately, it bothered me that people live and people dies, yet many people are kind of resigning to the fate of death. If we open our eyes to observe this world, we see that contents of life among each generation or each century  are quite similar. Societal issues are similar as well. Life consists of the following:

    1. A growth process from baby, child, teens, adult, middle age, and old age.
    2. Life activities include education, working, family building, recreation, and relationships.
    3. Societal issues are food, clothing, sheltering, laws, transportation, wealth distribution, education, health, environmental protection, and justice.
    4. Conflicts are from local, region, to global scale. Also from individual to society to nation. Scope of conflicts could be racial, cultural, moral, religion, economic, territory, and gender, etc.

最近，有關生老病死；我注意到，有很多人是順服著死亡的命運的態度，令人擔心。如果我們用眼睛，仔細去觀察這個世界，我們會看到，每一代人或每個世紀中生活的內容十分相似。社會各種問題也相似。生命包括以下內容：
1. 從嬰兒，兒童，青少年，成人，中年，老年的一個成長的過程。
2. 生命的活動包括接受教育，工作創業，建立家庭，生養兒女，娛欒，交誼。
3. 社會的議題，包括食品，服裝，居住，法律，交通運輸，財富分配，教育，健康衛
   生，環保，和正義。
4. 衝突包括從本地，區域，全球引發的不同規模。也從個人到社會到民族。衝突範圍可
   以種族，文化，道德，宗教，經濟，地域，性別等。

Yet, out of all hustling  and bustling activities of all lives, the mother of all questions for an individual is still "the eternality of life" question or put  it in another way, "Is that all there is for this life?

It seems OK for young people to avoid the question for a while. But living in deteriorating health environment for older folks, it is quite urgent, time wise, that they need to get a firm foundation to their lives. Yet, it is sad that not many old folks have energy or inclination to pursue this key issue! It appears that they are heavily laden and  were beaten down by the wear and tear process of this life.

然而，從所有忙亂和繁華的生活活動中，一個人所有的問題的來源，仍然是“生命永恆”問題，或者以另一種方式說，“那是此生所有的一切嗎？”
對年輕人而言，這似乎可以暫時、避免面對的問題。但是，生活在健康狀況漸漸惡化的環境的老年人來說，這是相當緊迫的，要把握時間；因為他們的生命，需要得到一個堅實的基礎。然而，這是可悲的，沒有多少老人有精力或意願、去追求這個關鍵問題！看來，他們是有著沉重的負擔，和被今生、磨損的生活過程打倒了。

From the historical evidences that all men die, it is futile to seek the solution to this question individually or collectively within human wisdom, rationality, and experience.  Yet, the pursuit of this key question depends heavily upon your perception of the reality of human life.

從所有的人都會死去的歷史證據看來，不管單獨或集體，用人類的智慧、理性和經驗，去尋求解決這個問題的辦法，這是徒勞無功的。然而、尋找解決這一關鍵問題，很大程度上是依靠、你在人類生命現實性上的感知。

If you think that life is of only materialistic aspect, then there is no eternally of life since we all die. However, if you think life consists of flesh, soul, and spirit, then there are something beyond the physical life of our body. That is where the issue of faith coming in.

如果你覺得這樣的生命、只有物質的一面，那麼，就沒有永恆的生命，因為我們都死了。
不過，如果你認為生命是由肉體、魂和靈組成，那麼，有些東西是、超出我們肉體的生命。這就引出信心的議題來了。

If you accept that life ends when last breath is taken or last heart beat done, then you do not have to ponder this issue. You might as well stop reading this article and do what you think is best for you. But if you think that there is life beyond this life, then you cannot just do nothing and resign to what you are now.

如果你接受、當吐出最後一口氣或最後一個心臟搏動停止時、就是生命終止了，；那麼你不必去思考這個問題。你也許可停止閱讀這篇文章，去做你覺得什麼是最適合你的事。但是，如果你認為還有生命、超越今生的生命，那麼你不可以、不採取任何行動、乖乖地認命於目前的你是什麼了。

As Christians, we believe what our Creator reveals to us as recorded in the Bible concerning His purpose of creation of life, nature of life, and eternity of His blessed fellowship with us. 

So let ask again "is that all there is in this life?" Now if you are not yet believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and take Him as your ultimate treasure in this world, we beseech you to check it out. You owe yourself to seek Him out. If your life and relationships are perfect without regrets, and you do not want to have an end to your party, then you need to seek Him out as your blessed Lord. If your life and circumstances are hard, misfortunate, and full of frustrations, then it is even more important to check Jesus out to have His blessing for this life and beyond! In any event, we are all like people standing in the check-out line of a supermarket. it is not the question of "if" but "when" our turn of checkout will arrive soon.

作為基督徒，我們相信我們的造物主、記載在聖經中、所向我們揭示，有關祂的創造生命的本意、生命的本質、以及祂賜與我們、願與我們永恆交通的祝福。
因此，讓我們再來問這個”這是此生所有的一切嗎？”現在，如果你還沒有相信耶穌基督為你的救主，把祂當為這個世界上你最終的寶藏，我們懇求你要尋求真象。你自己要去找祂了。如果你的生命和各種關係是如此完美無缺，你不希望你的聚會有一個結束；那麼你需要尋求祂，作為賜福給你的主。如果你的生活和環境是艱苦、不幸的、充滿坎坷；那就更重要，去尋求耶穌賜給你、今生及超越今生的祝福！在任何情況下，我們都像是在一家超市、等待付帳的排隊上。這不就表示是不是會輪到我結帳，而是很快就輪到我們結帳了。

For Christians, we need to ask the same question in a different light, do we live in the abundance of life prepared for us by our merciful, and kind, and loving Lord Jesus Christ or are we still wasting our lives away because we have not joyfully obeyed Him.
對於基督徒來說，我們要常常、不時地用不同亮光不同角度來問同樣的問題，我們是否生活在仁慈、善良、熱愛我們的主耶穌基督，為我們準備豐盛的生活中；還是我們仍然在浪費我們的生命，因為我們沒有全然歡欣地服從了祂。

Perhaps. it is worthy to ponder what does eternal life means? It is true that eternality does not have an end. One thing we need to be reminded of: who care the eternality if it is lonely, hard, and suffering. But the eternal life Jesus gives us is full of His peace, joy, love, and glory to share with us. Furthermore, if you have Son, you have Father and Holy Spirit as well. Another thing needs to be clear; we shall experience the eternal life in this life. We need to rejoice in the Lord and have a sweet fellowship with our God in this life and then we will have unshakable faith to lead us toward our heavenly home.  
也許。應該值得來思考什麼是永生的意義？當然，永恆是沒有結束的。我們要提醒的：誰會關心永恆，如果它是孤獨的、艱辛的、和痛苦的。但主耶穌給我們的永生是，充滿了祂與我們分享的平安、喜樂、愛心、榮耀。此外，如果你有了聖子，你也就同樣有了天父和聖靈。另一件事需要明確指出：我們要在今生、體驗永恆的生命。我們要在今生中，與主同樂、並與我們的上帝有甜蜜團契的經歷；然後我們將有不可動搖的信心，帶領我們走向我們在天上的家。

This is why our Lord define eternal life as:
這就是為什麼我們的主定義永生為：

John 17:1-3 
The High Priestly Prayer
1 Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, 2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. 3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 

約翰福音17：1-3

大祭司禱告

17 耶穌說了這話，就舉目望天說：「父啊，時候到了，願你榮耀你的兒子，使兒子也榮耀你！ 2 正如你曾賜給他權柄管理凡有血氣的，叫他將永生賜給你所賜給他的人。 3 認識你獨一的真神，並且認識你所差來的耶穌基督，這就是永生。

The Truth Will Make You Free
John 8:31-32 
31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
真理叫人得以自由

約翰福音8：31-32 
31 耶穌對信他的猶太人說：「你們若常常遵守我的道，就真是我的門徒， 32 你們必曉得真理，真理必叫你們得以自由。」

Believe in Jesus Christ and you will have eternal life
John 6:39-40
39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

信耶穌的人得永生
約翰福音6：39-40
39 差我來者的意思就是：他所賜給我的，叫我一個也不失落，在末日卻叫他復活。 40 因為我父的意思是叫一切見子而信的人得永生，並且在末日我要叫他復活。」

The more we ponder the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, the more we get the understanding that this life of ours is indeed a pilgrimage towards our heavenly Father's home. From a Christian's perspective, God created heavens and the earth and the mankind ancestors Adam and Eve. The purpose of our lives on this earth is to grow in the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13) and to glorify Him in our body. This means that we should have Christ-like attitudes and Christ-like mercies and grace in our daily life.(see Philippians 2:5)
我們越思考、我們的主耶穌基督的教導，我們越得到的理解是我們這一生的生活、確實是對著我們天父家的朝聖。從一個基督徒的角度來看，神創造天地萬物和人類的祖先亞當和夏娃。我們生活在這個地球上的目的，是長大成人、滿有基督長成的身量（以弗所書4:13），和在我們的身體中、榮耀祂。這意味著，我們應該在我們的日常生活中，當以基督耶穌的心為心，有基督般的態度、和基督般的憐憫和恩典。（見腓2：5）

As Christians, we should always take our heavenly citizenship very seriously just as the Holy Scripture instructs us in Ephesians 2:19, " So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of Gods household."  Our Lord clearly teaches us in John 17:16-19,  "16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth."
作為基督徒，我們要始終非常重視、我們在天上的公民身份，正如聖經在以弗所書2:19教導我們，“19 這樣，你們不再做外人和客旅，是與聖徒同國，是神家裡的人了”。我們的主在約翰福音17：16-19，明確地告訴我們，“16 他們不屬世界，正如我不屬世界一樣。 17 求你用真理使他們成聖，你的道就是真理。 18 你怎樣差我到世上，我也照樣差他們到世上。 19 我為他們的緣故，自己分別為聖，叫他們也因真理成聖”。

Thus, it is essential that we know who we are. This means by our nature we are the temple of the living God:(2 Corinthians 6: 16-18)
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. 18 And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me, Says the Lord Almighty.

因此，至關重要的是，我們知道我們是誰。從我們的本質看來，我們是永生神的殿。（哥林多後書6：16-18）
16 神的殿和偶像有什麼相同呢？因為我們是永生神的殿，就如神曾說：「我要在他們中間居住，在他們中間來往；我要做他們的神，他們要做我的子民。」 17 又說：「你們務要從他們中間出來，與他們分別，不要沾不潔淨的物，我就收納你們。」 18 「我要做你們的父，你們要做我的兒女。」這是全能的主說的。

Thus, we should  be "but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,"(2 Corinthians 6:4).
因此，我們應該 “4 反倒在各樣的事上表明自己是神的用人，就如在許多的忍耐，患難，窮乏，困苦，”（哥林多後書6：4）。

As we are still in this world, we should really have the attitude of a pilgrim through this world. When we go away for vacation, we always have the sense of going home after the vacation. This understanding is so crucial in our spiritual maturity and our day-to-day outlooks that we should have this sense everyday as we travel through this world. May all of us cherish this great Grace from our Lord Jesus Christ and may He be praised from our lips and from our hearts evermore in our journeys towards our heavenly home, Amen!

當我們仍然在這個世界上時，我們確實應該有、是這個世界中、一個朝聖者的態度。當我們離​​家渡假，我們總有在休假後，想要回家的心願。這種理解、在我們"長大成人、滿有基督長成的身量"成熟上和我們日復一日的展望中，是如此重要；當在這個世界旅行時，我們每天應該有這個心態。願我們大家珍惜、我們主耶穌基督的這個偉大恩典；願在我們邁向我們天家的旅程中，我們的言語、我們的內心，持續不停地、讚揚祂直到永遠，阿們！

John 16:28 - I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

約 翰 福 音 16:28 - 我 從 父 出 來 ， 到 了 世 界 ； 我 又 離 開 世 界 ， 往 父 那 裡 去 。

One of the key natures of the Jesus Christ's followers is our sense of belonging to our heavenly home. This point is very clear in our Lord's teaching in the Upper Room Discourse recorded in the gospel of John from Chapter 13 to Chapter 17. This sense of belonging is proportional to our faith. We all know that we are prone to wander off in this world. Many Christians sometimes concentrate on many church activities. But we sometimes forget this sense of belonging to our heavenly home.
作為一個耶穌基督信徒的關鍵本性之一，是我們歸屬於我們天家的感受。這一點我們的主、在樓房談道教學中很清楚地記錄在約翰福音第13章到第17章。這歸屬感與我們的信心成正比。我們都知道，我們很容易在這個世界上徘徊、迷失方向。許多基督徒有時會專注於很多教會活動。但是，我們有時會忘記歸屬於我們天家的本性。

You may ask why is it so important. Our Lord teaches us that we do not belong to this world. You may ask what does it means. It means that we are like an ambassador to a foreign country. Now an ambassador to a foreign country represents the home country. The ambassador does not belong to the foreign country. Furthermore, if you are the ambassador to a hostile country, you will be hated and prosecuted for sure. But you will be prepared because it comes with who you are.
你可能會問，為什麼歸屬感是如此重要。我們的主教導我們，我們不屬於這個世界，你可能會問這是什麼意思。這意味著，我們就像一個大使，被派到了外國。大使到外國、代表本國，大使不屬於外國。更進一步說，如果你是到敵對的國家當大使，你是肯定的、會被憎恨和論罪廹害。但是，你將心裡有數有所準備，因為它是與你的工作身份有關。

Since we do not belong to the world, we are like a pilgrim in this world. We are just traveling through and continue traveling towards our heavenly home. So we are not part of the fads of the world. Besides, we are chosen by our Lord to do His work just like an ambassador residing in a foreign country is to do the work assigned by the home country.

由於我們不屬於這個世界，我們就像在這個世界上的朝聖者。我們只是路過，並繼續駛往我們在天上的家。所以，我們不是世界的潮流的一部分。此外，我們主選擇了我們做他的工作，就像居住在國外的大使是做了本國交辦的工作。

So at the end of each day we may be asking ourselves what happened today and are we walking with Jesus Christ today. This is indeed a good question. We are not talking about perfection. Sometimes, we may forget God for many days and wonder off onto our own way for many days or even months. Now we can be sure that this will not happen if we have a sense of belonging about who we are and whom do we belong to.

因此，在每一天結束時，我們可能會問自己，今天發生的事情，並且檢討我們今天是否與耶穌基督同行。這的確是一個很好的問題。我們不是談我們是否完美。有時，我們可能會好幾天忘記了神，甚至偏行己路數月遠離神。但是，我們可以肯定，如果我們深知我們是誰，和我們屬於誰，這事將不會發生。

This is why Apostle Paul admonishes us the following:

A. Philippians 3:20         New King James Version (NKJV)

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

B. 2 Timothy 2:15-16          New King James Version (NKJV)

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

C. 1 Timothy 6:11-12        New King James Version (NKJV)

The Good Confession
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

這就是為什麼使徒保羅告誡我們以下：

A. 腓 立 比 書 3:20          

門徒是天上的國民
20 我們卻是天上的國民，並且等候救主，就是主耶穌基督，從天上降臨。

B. 提 摩 太 後 書 2:15-16                      
15 你當竭力在神面前得蒙喜悅，做無愧的工人，按著正意分解真理的道。 16 但要遠避世俗的虛談，因為這等人必進到更不敬虔的地步。

C. 提 摩 太 前 書 6:11-12
當持定永生
11 但你這屬神的人要逃避這些事，追求公義、敬虔、信心、愛心、忍耐、溫柔。 12 你要為真道打那美好的仗，持定永生；你為此被召，也在許多見證人面前已經作了那美好的見證。

May all of us keep this sense of belonging in each day of our journey towards our heavenly home.
在我們天家的的旅程中，願我們所有的人每一天保持這種歸屬感。
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Psalm 36:9      New King James Version (NKJV)

9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

詩 篇 36:9
因為在你那裡有生命的源頭，在你的光中我們必得見光。

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In a postmodern me generation, even saying “whose servant/maid are we?” will offend somebody. Many people think that they are of their own free persons and subject to nobody. But this is not what the Bible says. According to the Bible, I am either slave to the devil who is the prince of air of this world or I am a bond servant to our Lord Jesus Christ by our own choice.

在我們這個後現代的自我世代，只要談到，“我們是誰的僕人呢？”，就可能會、得罪了某些人。

很多人認為他們是，自己的自由人，不受任何人支配的。但是，這不是聖經所說的。根據聖經，我或是這個世界空中掌權者、魔鬼的奴隸，或是自己選擇甘心是一個屬於我們主耶穌基督的僕人。

According to Ephesians 2: 1-3, I was a slave to my sins and indeed a captive slave of the devil.
根據以弗所書2：1-3，我過去是我所犯過罪的奴隸，而且的的確確是、一個被魔鬼所俘虜的奴隸。

Ephesians 2:1-3
2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

以弗所書2:1-3 
2你們死在過犯罪惡之中，他叫你們活過來。2那時你們在其中行事為人，隨從今世的風俗，順服空中掌權者的首領，就是現今在悖逆之子心中運行的邪靈。3我們從前也都在他們中間，放縱肉體的私慾，隨著肉體和心中所喜好的去行，本為可怒之子，和別人一樣。

Actually, these Bible verses describe pretty well many unbelievers in this world although they may not aware what kind of spiritual state that they are in.
其實，這些經文相當正確的描述了、這個世界上許多不信的人；儘管他們可能不知道、自己是什麼樣的屬靈狀態。

According to a media survey several years ago, their survey found that there was not too much difference in divorce rate among the people called themselves Christians  as compared with the general public. This could not possibly be true. After reviewing the surveying data, they classified people as Christians if they answered that they attended church regularly. Obviously, false classification would result in wrong survey result. But this brings out a good question. What are Christians?  
根據幾年前媒體調查發現，離婚率、在自稱是基督徒和廣大市民之間、並無太多差別。這不可能是真的。在仔細瞭解調查的數據後，發現調查者、是將人歸類為基督徒，如果他們回答說、他們常去教堂做拜。很顯然，錯誤的分類、將導致錯誤的調查結果。但是，這帶來了一個很好的問題，什麼是基督徒？

A Christian believes in Jesus Christ as his/her personal Lord and Savior. According to Ephesians 2:1-3, before one became a Christian, he/she spiritually was dead in trespasses and sins and cannot respond to any spiritual  truth. That is why the Scripture says that we need to be born again before we can see the kingdom of God. To be born again is not due to our effort just as our first birth  was not due to our own will or merit. But to be born spiritually means that we need to be born by the Holy Spirit. This means that within us there is a new inner man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.(see Ephesians 4:24) This means that if we were born again by the Holy Spirit, we could not possibly still live in sins continuously like before our conversion.
基督徒相信耶穌基督、為他/她個人的主和救主。根據以弗所書2：1-3，一個人在成為基督徒之前，他/她在靈性上是、死於過罪與過犯之中，無法對任何屬靈的真理、作出反應。這就是為什麼聖經說，我們需要重生、我們才能看到神的國。重生不是因為我們的努力，就像我們的第一次誕生、不是由於我們自己的意願或功績。但屬靈的重生，意味著我們需要經由聖靈誕生。這表示著，在我們的裹面，有一個由上帝按照真理的仁義和聖潔、新創造的內人。（弗4:24），這意味著，如果我們是聖靈重生，我們就不可能還繼繒不斷活在罪孽中、就像我們轉換之前的狀態。

So whose servants are we? To be a servant means that we need to follow our Lord’s calling and do His commands. Let us suppose that during a single day there are 20 things happened to a person and at the end of the day this person never in an instant think about Jesus Christ once in dealing with the 20 things during the day. Let we suppose that this person deals with all 20 things by himself/herself. What do you think whose servant/maid this person belongs to? How can we be servants of Jesus Christ if we never follow His wills?
因此，我們是誰的僕人？要成為一個僕人，意味著我們需要服從我們的主的呼召，執行祂的指示。讓我們假設在一天內，一個人發生了20項事件、這個人必須親自處理的；那麼這個人可能白天就忙著處理這20個事件、在處理這20個事件中，整天沒有任何一瞬間、想到耶穌基督在這20個事件中的旨意是什麼。直到在一天將結束時，你覺得這個人是誰的僕人/婢女？我們怎麼可能是耶穌基督的僕人，如果我們從來沒有去遵循祂的意思。

Here are a few Scripture verses for our meditation on the pattern and example of our Lord Jesus Christ:
這裡有一些經文，讓我們來默想、我們的主耶穌基督的給我們的榜樣和模式：

John 7:18
18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
約翰7:18
18 人憑著自己說，是求自己的榮耀；唯有求那差他來者的榮耀，這人是真的，在他心裡沒有不義。

John 5:30
30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
約翰5:30
30 我憑著自己不能做什麼，我怎麼聽見就怎麼審判。我的審判也是公平的，因為我不求自己的意思，只求那差我來者的意思。

John 12:49-50
49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
約翰 12:49-50
49 因為我沒有憑著自己講，唯有差我來的父已經給我命令，叫我說什麼、講什麼。 50 我也知道他的命令就是永生。故此，我所講的話正是照著父對我所說的。

As people grow older, sometime they forget what they have. Every year, we heard of the situation of older folks living very poorly because they forget that they  have bank accounts. As a Christian, do we know what we have been provided by our loving God to assist us in our pilgrim journey towards our heavenly home.
In His upper discourse given by our precious Lord during the evening before He went to the cross to complete His redemption work for us, He did make many great promises to His disciples and those who believe Him through the witness of the disciples throughout the church age.  One of the blessed promises is to send the Holy Spirit to dwell with each believer as recorded in John 14:16-18.

隨著人們年齡的增長，有時候他們忘記了自己所擁有的。我們每年會聽到，有關老人家過著貧困的生活，因為他們忘了自己還有銀行的存款賬戶的故事。作為一個基督徒，我們是否知道，在我們的天家朝聖之旅中，我們慈愛的上帝已經提供給我們的協助。在祂走上十字架來完成祂的救贖工作的前晚，我們寶貴的主在給我們的樓閣論道中，祂做了許多偉大的承諾給祂的門徒和整個教會時代的見證信徒們。其中一個祝福的應許是派保惠師，內住在每一位信徒，如約翰福音14：16-18所述。

John 14:16-18

16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

約翰福音14：16-18
應許賜保惠師
16「我要求父，父就另外賜給你們一位保惠師，叫他永遠與你們同在，17就是真理的聖靈，乃世人不能接受的，因為不見他，也不認識他。你們卻認識他，因他常與你們同在，也要在你們裡面。18我不撇下你們為孤兒，我必到你們這裡來。

This is indeed an amazing grace of God towards His children. A resident Teacher to guide, to teach, and to encourage us along us in our journey towards our heavenly home. Our precious Lord who loves us to the end promised us that He will come to live within us in Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit will lead us into all the truth and that the truth will set us free from all the traps of this wicked world.

這的確是上帝給祂的孩子們的的奇異恩典。在我們邁向天家的旅程中，有位內住我們的教師隨時指引，教導和鼓勵我們。我們寶貴的主，永遠愛我們的主，向我們承諾，祂將以聖靈保惠師，來內住在我們。此外，聖靈保惠師將帶領我們進入一切的真理，此真理必叫我們脫離這個邪惡的世界上所有的陷阱。

Our Lord told us in the Upper Room discourse that the world will hate us because the world hated Him first. Why? Our Lord taught us very clearly  in John 15:18-19.

我們的主在樓閣論道中，告訴我們世界會恨我們，因為世界已先恨祂。為什麼？我們的主在約翰15：18-19，很清楚告訴我們。

John 15:18-19

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

約翰15：18-19
恨主者必恨信主的
18「世人若恨你們，你們知道，恨你們以先已經恨我了。19你們若屬世界，世界必愛屬自己的。只因你們不屬世界，乃是我從世界中揀選了你們，所以世界就恨你們。

Furthermore, our Lord told us that we will have tribulation in this world and encouraged us to be steady and confident in our journey towards our heavenly home.

此外，我們的主告訴我們；在這個世界上，我們將有苦難並鼓勵我們在邁向我們天家的旅程中，要穩定，有信心。

John 16:33

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

約翰福音16:33
33我將這些事告訴你們，是要叫你們在我裡面有平安。在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。」

We need all the resources that our precious Lord have provided us to be of good cheer in this world. He commanded us to love our brothers and sisters in this world to march towards our heavenly home together.

我們需要珍貴的主提供給我們的資源，才能有在這個世界上可以放心。祂吩咐我們要愛，在這個世界上與我們一起邁向天家的兄弟姐妹們。

Apostle Paul instructed us in Romans 8:5-6 to closely follow our indwelling Teacher to live our daily life.

使徒保羅在羅馬書8：5-6中指示我們，在日常生活中，要緊緊跟隨內住我們的保惠師。

Romans 8:5-6

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

羅馬書8：5-6
隨從肉體與隨從聖靈的比較
5因為隨從肉體的人，體貼肉體的事；隨從聖靈的人，體貼聖靈的事。6體貼肉體的就是死，體貼聖靈的乃是生命、平安。

We need to learn to follow the Holy Spirit closely in each moment of our life. Why? because our unredeemed flesh will lead us astray if we do not follow our indwelling Holy Spirit closely.

 我們需要學會，在我們生活中的每一刻，緊跟聖靈保惠師。為什麼？因為我們尚未被救贖的肉體會導致我們誤入歧途，如果我們不緊緊跟隨我們內住的聖靈保惠師。

As we all know, the Holy Spirit is God and has unsurpassed power to lead us in our sanctification process and in our blessed pursuit to know our Lord Jesus Christ more and more. 

大家都知道，聖靈就是神，具有無與倫比的力量，引領我們在成聖過程中和追隨神聖的主中，能越來越多的瞭解我們的主耶穌基督。

So do not like some old folks who lives in poor conditions just because they forget what they have in their bank accounts. So to us Christians, we shall not forget that that we have an indwelling powerful Comforter who will lead us home safely and joyfully.
所以，不要像一些老人家住在惡劣的環境下生活，僅僅因為他們忘記了他們擁有銀行存款賬戶。所以我們基督徒，我們不應忘記，我們所擁有內住強大的保惠師，將會帶領我們平安，歡天喜地回家。

May each of us know and be grateful for who we are and the unsurpassed resource we have in the Holy Spirit.

願我們每個人都知道，並感激我們是基督徒，以及我們擁有無與倫比的資源，內住我們的聖靈。

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Luke 6:23

23 Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.

路 加 福 音 6:23

23 當那日 ，你們要歡喜跳躍，因為你們在天上的賞賜是大的。他們的祖宗待先知 也是這樣 。

The 2016 is upon us. Many people take this opportunity in making new year resolutions to get a fresh start. This is all good. However, it is more beneficial to have right attitudes towards the new year. From a Christian perspective, we should remind us the following:
2016年已經來到。很多人在這個一元之始，立志新年的計劃、作為嶄新的開始。這是很好的事。但是，更有益的事是，有正確的態度邁向新的一年。

從一個基督徒的角度來看，我們應該提醒自己以下的重點：

1. One of the key problems in this world is the ungratefulness of the people towards their Creator. This is indeed the underlining cause of so much evils in this world which in turn cause tears and sufferings. Romans 1: 20-23 clearly warn us about this issue;
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not [a]honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
1.這個世界的關鍵問題之一，就是人們對他們的造物主的忘恩負義。這的確是種下了因，造成這個世界上這麼多的罪惡、導致淚水和痛苦的來源。羅馬書1：20-23 清楚地警告我們這個問題;
20自從造天地以來，神的永能和神性是明明可知的，雖是眼不能見，但藉著所造之物就可以曉得，叫人無可推諉。21因為他們雖然知道神，卻不當做神榮耀他，也不感謝他，他們的思念變為虛妄，無知的心就昏暗了。22自稱為聰明，反成了愚拙， 23將不能朽壞之神的榮耀變為偶像，彷彿必朽壞的人和飛禽、走獸、昆蟲的樣式。

Even when God sent His Son Jesus Christ to the earth to redeem mankind, people still refuse to accept Him and instead killed the Prince of Peace as recorded in the Bible.
John 1:9-13
9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

即使當上帝派祂的兒子耶穌基督到人間來救贖人類時，人們仍然拒絕接受祂，反而是殺害和平之君，如聖經中記載。
約翰書 1：9-13
9那光是真光，照亮一切生在世上的人。 10他在世界，世界也是藉著他造的，世界卻不認識他。11他到自己的地方來，自己的人倒不接待他。12凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就賜他們權柄做神的兒女。 13這等人不是從血氣生的，不是從情慾生的，也不是從人意生的，乃是從神生的。

We Christians are the ones that accepted God’s Son Jesus Christ as our Redeemer and received Him to be our Lord in our hearts. This is indeed a greatest blessing towards each of us; giving us the faith of a great hope to receive our eternal life as promised in the Bible;
1 Peter 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

我們基督徒是接受上帝的兒子耶穌基督為我們的救贖主，並接待祂是我們心中的主。這確實是給我們每個人的最大祝福；給我們一個很大的信心，能得到如在聖經所承諾的，我們永生的希望;

彼得前書1：3-5
3 願頌讚歸於我們主耶穌基督的父神！他曾照自己的大憐憫，藉著耶穌基督從死裡復活，重生了我們，叫我們有活潑的盼望， 4 可以得著不能朽壞、不能玷汙、不能衰殘、為你們存留在天上的基業。 
5 你們這因信蒙神能力保守的人，必能得著所預備、到末世要顯現的救恩。

So what we should do in 2016 is to live each day of 2016 with thanksgiving and gratefulness. We all know that some of the 2016 days are going to be great. We need to thank our Lord for His guidances and provisions. Try to enjoy our blessings with gratefulness. All good things come from our Heavenly Father. When we feel that this is a good life, do humble ourselves before our Mighty God and express our thanks and love towards our Lord Jesus Christ.
所以，2016年我們應該做的是，在2016年每一天的生活、都懷著感恩和感激的心。我們都知道，2016年的有些天將是很棒的。我們要感謝我們的主，為祂給我們的指導和準備。盡量享受我們的祝福與感恩。所有的好東西都來自我們的天父。當我們感受到這個美好的生活，就要在我們全能上帝的面前謙卑，並對我們的主耶穌基督表示感謝和愛。

Now what happen if some of our days of 2016 are frustrated, difficulties, and sufferings? Read 1 Peter because it was written to encourage the churches which were under prosecution and sufferings. We need to know what are the God’s promises to us and need to grip the hope tightly to His promises because we trust our Holy God who can not lie. In those dark days, we still need to thank our God for His protection and provisions to walk with us in time of needs.
如果我們在2016年的一些日子中，感到沮喪、困難和痛苦，但該怎麼辦？請閱讀彼得前書，因為它是鼓勵、給正在被逼迫、受苦難的教會。我們需要知道、什麼是上帝給我們的應許，要緊緊握住祂所承諾的希望；因為我們相信、我們神聖的上帝是不會說謊的。在那些黑暗的日子裡，我們還是要感謝我們的上帝，在我們困難、有需要的時侯陪伴我們，給我們祂的保護和準備。

2. We need to have joys of fellowship with our Lord. Our Lord Jesus Christ promised us that Holy Spirit will walk along us as His representative- a Comforter in-dwelling in our hearts- to reveal the glorious unsurpassed richness of Jesus Christ our Lord. That is why King David expressed so joyfully in Psalm 27:4.
One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple.

2.我們要為能追隨我們的主，感到喜悅。我們的主耶穌基督應許我們，派遣聖靈代表 祂與我們同行，成為內住我們心中的保惠師，揭示我們主耶穌基督無與倫比的豐富榮美。這就是為什麼大衛王在詩篇27：4中，表達得如此的快樂。
有一件事，我曾求耶和華，我仍要尋求，就是一生一世住在耶和華的殿中，瞻仰他的榮美，在他的殿裡求問。

God is Love and God is Almighty. That is why in the Upper Room discourse in the last evening before going to the cross to redeem us, our Lord promised to give us His peace in a perverted evil world. So in 2016, we should seek our Lord with all our heart, our mind, and our strength. He is indeed a fountain of spring that those who go to Him should not thirst. This fellowship is sweet and inspirational, and unceasing joys. 
上帝是愛，上帝是萬能的。這就是為什麼在上十字架來救贖我們的前一個晚上，在閣樓論道的話語中，我們的主答應，在這邪惡變態的世界中、送給我們祂的平安。因此，在2016年，我們應該全心、全意、全力來尋求我們的主。他確實是活水的泉源，讓尋找到祂的人、不會口渴的。這個團契是甜美的、鼓舞人心的，持續的喜樂。

3. We should take heeds to avoid the snares and  fleshly traps of this world. Try to live Romans 12:1-2 everyday of 2016.
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

3.我們要小心、要避免這世界的誘惑和肉體的陷阱。試試2016年的每一天，過著如羅馬書12：1-2所述的生活。
12所以弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們，將身體獻上，當做活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的，你們如此侍奉乃是理所當然的。 2不要效法這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。

As the Bible tells us in 1 John 3:1-3, what a privilege and a unsurpassed blessing to be a Christian!
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

正如聖經在約翰一書3：1-3告訴我們，成為基督徒，是擁有特殊恩典和無與倫比的祝福！
3你看父賜給我們是何等的慈愛，使我們得稱為神的兒女，我們也真是他的兒女！世人所以不認識我們，是因未曾認識他。 2親愛的弟兄啊，我們現在是神的兒女，將來如何，還未顯明。但我們知道，主若顯現，我們必要像他，因為必得見他的真體。3凡向他有這指望的，就潔淨自己，像他潔淨一樣。

In Summary, we should remind ourselves the following for 2016;
1. Live one day at a time with thanksgiving and with steady faith for  our merciful Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Seek our Lord to know Him more and more for His unsurpassed riches and glory. Live each day with Him as preeminence in our daily life.
3. Have a keen understanding of the fleshly trappings of the perverted world. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus Christ our Lord and He will free us from many useless wonderings of wasting our lives. We certainly need to learn self-denial in order to obtain more excellent and rewarding life. Always remember that our Lord teaches us in John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
May 2016 is the year that we truly love our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus precious name we pray . Amen.
綜上所述，在2016年、我們應該提醒自己以下各點;
1.以感恩過著每一天，並且對我們仁慈的主耶穌基督有穩定信心的生活。
2.尋求我們的主，越來越瞭解祂無與倫比的豐富和榮耀。每天為祂而活，過著尊主為聖的日常生活。
3.對這變態的世界的肉體陷阱、要有深刻理解。我們需要定睛在耶穌基督上，祂讓我們免於許多無用的徬徨、浪費我們的生命。當然，我們需要學會捨己，以獲得更豐盛和有意義的生命。一定要記住，我們的主在約翰福音6:63教導我們“63叫人活著的乃是靈，肉體是無益的。我對你們所說的話就是靈，就是生命。“
在2016年一年中，願我們真正地的愛我們的主耶穌基督。以耶穌的珍貴名，我們祈禱。阿們！

In our precious Lord’s high priestly prayer of John 17 :14-16, He prayed for us  “14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”. So all true Christians are in the world but not of the world. This “ in the world but not of the world” nature of our lives has great implication about our lives.
在約翰福音17章:14-16裡，記錄著我們珍貴主的大祭司禱告，祂為我們祈求“14我已將你的道賜給他們，世界又恨他們，因為他們不屬世界，正如我不屬世界一樣。15我不求你叫他們離開世界，只求你保守他們脫離那惡者。16他們不屬世界，正如我不屬世界一樣”。因此，所有真正的基督徒都在世界裡但不屬於世界。我們“在這個世界裡，但不屬於世界”的生命本質，對我們生命有很大的影響。

Before we present the truth for our meditation, we need to know a few things about this world. According to the Scripture, the world we live in has been usurped by the devil who was called the prince of this world in John 14:30, and the ruler of the kingdom of the air in Ephesians 2:2. Per 1 John 5:19, “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” Thus, we know that this world is under the power of the devil.
在談到真理給我們深思之前，我們需要知道這個世界上的幾件事情。根據聖經，我們生活的世界已經被魔鬼篡奪。這魔鬼在約翰14:30中、號稱為這個世界的王；在以弗所書2:2中、號稱為空中掌權者的首領。由約翰一書5:19記錄，“我們知道我們是屬神的，全世界都臥在那惡者手下”。因此，我們知道、這個世界是在惡魔的掌控中。

While He was in His first coming to the Earth to die for us to redeem us, our Lord was in the world but not of the world and hence was prosecuted by the world. And He warned all His followers that they are in the world but not of this world while they live in this world. Thus, they will be prosecuted as well.
雖然主在祂第一次降臨到地球為救贖我們而死，我們的主是在世界、但不屬於世界的，因此被世界所迫害。祂還警告說所有祂的追隨者，當他們活在這個世界上時，他們是在世界裡，但不屬於這個世界。因此，他們將同樣被迫害。

It is therefore very important for us Christians to realize, sooner the better, the following:  we are journeying towards our heavenly home through this world which is indeed not friendly at all to us. It was so throughout the history and you can get a realistic view just looking at the Christians today in Middle East and other places of this world.
這是件我們基督徒非常重要的事，要認識、且越早越好的瞭解，下面所述：我們在邁向天國之家的旅程中，路過這個、對我們很不友善的世界。在歷史上，它是如此。而且看著當今基督徒在中東及其他世界各地的遭遇，也可得到一個真實的看法。

You may ask what does it means to be in the world but not of the world. To be in the world part is very easy to understand because we live in this world.  The “but not of the world”  part is a little bit harder to fully understand. A better explanation would be as follows; since we are not part of this corrupt world system, we are not following its worldview, its value system, and its fads. The real issue is not what we understand but what are our deeds in this world. The Bible clearly states that if we love the world and its things, then we do not love God. You may ask “could not we love both the world and God?” The Bible says No. Why? Because there is no darkness in light. We can not have fellowship with God if we are in darkness.
你可能會問這“在世界裡，但不屬於世界的”是什麼意思。“在世界裡”，這部分是很容易理解，因為我們生活在這個世界上。“但不屬於這世界”的部分，是有點難以完全理解。一個更好的解釋是如下：因為我們不屬於這個腐敗世界的系統，我們沒有追隨它的世界觀、它的價值體系、它的流行風尚。真正的問題，不在我們的理解，而是我們在這個世界上的作為。聖經中明確指出，如果我們愛世界及它的東西，那麼我們是不愛上帝的。你可能會問“可不可以，我們同時愛這世界和上帝？”。聖經說 “不可能”，為什麼？因為在光明中沒有黑暗。我們不能在黑暗中與神團契。

It is indeed a grave mistake of ours if we think that we could base upon ourselves to resist all the traps and all  the dots from the Evil One. This is a cosmic spiritual war which involves  both physical and spiritual worlds. The warfare of this cosmic spiritual war are very complicated. It involves self-consciousness versus God-consciousness  in every aspects of our lives such as cultural, education, commerce, and many  other fields. If we keep all our eyes on all things on the earth and try to use will, mind, feeling, and rationale to be not of this world, we are missing the whole point.  Why? because we will be deeper and deeper of the world just like a man can not fight the sinking sands to save himself from sinking sands. He needs outside help.
這的確是我們的一個嚴重的錯誤，如果我們認為我們可以靠自己的力量，抵抗所有的陷阱，及魔鬼的詭計。這是一個宇宙心靈的戰爭，既包括物質和精神心靈的世界。這個宇宙心靈之戰的鬥爭是非常複雜的。它包括自我意識與上帝意識在我們生活的各個方面的鬥爭，如文化，教育，商業等諸多領域。如果我們把所有的眼光、持續放在地球上的一切事物，並試圖用意志，心態，情感，和理性，分離出、不屬於這個世界，我們是全盤皆輸。為什麼？因為我們會陷入這世界、且越陷越深；就像一個身陷流沙的人，是無法靠自己、用力抓緊向下沉的沙子，來拯救自己逃離的。他需要外界的幫助。

You may ask what kind of outside help do we need to be not of this world? Let us see what the Bible teaches us on this subject.
你可能會問，我們需要什麼樣的外部援助，讓我們不屬於這個世界？讓我們看看聖經在這個問題上，如何教導我們。

1. What kind of this cosmic spiritual war is it?
Ephesians 6:10-12, 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
So this warfare is not just in the physical and materialistic realm. This should not be a big surprise since  the devil is a fallen archangel and he carried one third of the angelic force in his revolt against God. Since this warfare involves both physical and spiritual elements, we need to put on full armor of God in fighting to be not of the world.

1.這個宇宙心靈的戰爭，是什麼樣的戰爭呢？
以弗所書6：10-12，10我還有末了的話，你們要靠著主，倚賴他的大能大力做剛強的人。11要穿戴神所賜的全副軍裝，就能抵擋魔鬼的詭計。12因我們並不是與屬血氣的爭戰，乃是與那些執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的，以及天空屬靈氣的惡魔爭戰。
所以這個戰爭不只是在身體和物質境界。這並不令人驚奇，因為魔鬼是墮落的天使，他帶領著三分之一的天使與上帝對抗。由於此戰既包括物質和精神層面，我們需要穿戴神所賜的全副軍裝來抗爭，讓我們不要屬於這世界。

2. How big or extent of this war?

Per Ephesians 6:12, our enemies include the rulers, the powers, the world forces of this darkness, and the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. In other word, they  are the whole dark empire organizational elements. Just a simple example will help us observe other elements of this warfare. 1 John 2:16  tells us clearly the following; “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.” Now just take the lust of eyes for example, the advertisement of many commerce activities are here in this war. Similarly, the whole human sex trafficking, and whole pornography industry are the schemes of the devil to prevent us from seeing the true light of the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord. Please do not think that we just refer to all the illegitimate businesses. Lust to control other people and nature world may permeate throughout many cultural, political, religious,  and educational systems.

2. 這個戰爭有多大、多廣的程度？

根據以弗所書6:12，我們的敵人包括執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的，以及天空屬靈氣的惡魔。換句話說，他們是整個黑暗帝國的組織要素。只是一個簡單的例子，就可以幫助我們觀察這種戰爭的其他層面。約翰一書2:16清楚地告訴我們以下; “因為凡世界上的事，就像肉體的情慾、眼目的情慾並今生的驕傲，都不是從父來的，乃是從世界來的”。現在只要以眼目的情慾為例，許多商業活動的廣告就在這場戰爭中。同樣，整個人類販賣人口的性交易，以及整個色情行業是魔鬼的詭計，以防止我們看到了我主耶穌基督福音的榮耀真光。請不要認為我們只是指所有的非法企業。用慾望控制其他人與自然世界，已經滲透了各國各地的許許多多文化，政治，宗教和教育體系。

3. What is the real situation of this war?

Many of us including pastors tend to underestimate the seriousness  and extent of of this warfare.  For example, many of our failures involve the pride of this life indeed. Just like an animal trapped in a cage, people who are trapped by addictions such as gambling, pornography, sexual immoralities,  stealing, greeds, power hungry, alcoholics, and drugs, can not get out of the traps by their will, mind, and fleshy powers.

3.什麼是這場戰爭的真實情況？
許多人，包括牧師，往往低估了這個戰爭的嚴重性和程度。例如，我們的很多的失敗，確實都涉及了這一生的驕傲。就像被困在籠中的動物，人是沉迷、困在賭博，色情，不倫，偷竊，貪欲，權力飢渴，酗酒和藥癮；無法靠自己的意志、心態、和身體的力量走出陷阱。

4. What is the way, the truth and the life then?
Although our enemies are powerful and extremely cunning, our God is almighty and supreme. Just remember that  the Devil was created by our God as an archangel before his pride of life corrupted him. Since no one is  greater than our God, either within time and space or beyond time and space, we just need to rely solely on God rather than on ourselves. That is why it is so crucial that we cultivate this lifesaving habit of meditating the scripture verses (one at a time, day and night) to reinforce our faith daily.
4.什麼是道路，真理，生命呢？
雖然我們的敵人是強大的，非常狡猾奸詐的，我們的上帝是萬能和至尊的。只要記住，魔鬼是我們的上帝創造的；在他沒被生命的驕傲腐敗損壞之前、是一個大天使。既然沒有人比我們的上帝更偉大，無論是在時間和空間或超越時間和空間，我們只需要全然的依靠上帝，而不是依靠我們自己。這就是為什麼它是如此重要，我們養成，每天沉思經文（一次一個，白天和晚上)的救生習慣，來加強我們的信仰。

Apostle Paul recognized this warfare clearly. He exhorted us to put on the whole armor of God in this war. Furthermore, he personally experienced the trench fights of this war that he showed us the way in Romans Chapter 7.

大使徒保羅清楚的認識到了這一戰爭。他告誡我們在這戰爭中、要穿戴神所賜的全副軍裝。此外，他還親身經歷了這場戰爭的溝渠戰鬥，描述在羅馬書第7章。

Apostle John knew this warfare well.  In 1 John 3:9, he told us clearly “9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”. In order to be “ in the world and not of the world” , we need to be first born again.  That is , to be “of God” first in order to be “not of the world”.  Who are the children of God?  We became children of God because we were redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ and belong to Him. Here is the truth and the unsurpassed power in crushing the devil’s schemes: Romans 8:5-11, 
5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 

大使徒約翰非常瞭解這個戰爭。在約翰一書3：9，他清楚地告訴我們，“9凡從神生的，就不犯罪，因神的道存在他心裡；他也不能犯罪，因為他是由神生的”。為了成為“在世界裡，而不屬於世界的”，我們首先需要重生。也就是說，是先是“屬於上帝的”，才能是“不屬於世界”。誰是神的兒女？我們成了神的兒女，因為我們被我們的主耶穌基督救贖和屬於祂。這是真理和無與倫比的力量，來粉碎魔鬼的詭計：羅馬書8：5-11，5因為隨從肉體的人，體貼肉體的事；隨從聖靈的人，體貼聖靈的事。6體貼肉體的就是死，體貼聖靈的乃是生命、平安。7原來體貼肉體的就是與神為仇，因為不服神的律法，也是不能服；8而且屬肉體的人不能得神的喜歡。9如果神的靈住在你們心裡，你們就不屬肉體，乃屬聖靈了。人若沒有基督的靈，就不是屬基督的。10基督若在你們心裡，身體就因罪而死，心靈卻因義而活。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。

Please mediate these Bible verses very carefully with conviction and gratitude towards our God because quality and joy of our lives depend on our union with Christ.
請以堅定的信念和對上帝的感謝心，小心地、好好沉思這些經文；因為我們生命的品質和喜悅，是依賴於我們與基督的合而為一。

In summary,  back to the great encouragement of the teaching of our Lord in the upper room discourse,
總之，回到我們的主在閣樓論道，所給我們極大鼓舞的教誨：

John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
約翰福音14：6
6耶穌說：「我就是道路、真理、生命。若不藉著我，沒有人能到父那裡去。

John 15: 5
5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
約翰福音15：5
5我是葡萄樹，你們是枝子。常在我裡面的，我也常在他裡面，這人就多結果子；因為離了我，你們就不能做什麼。

Just remember that Our Lord is the means and the truth and the life back to our heavenly Father.  The holy Bible clearly states that in  1 Corinthians 1:30
30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

請記住，我們的主是道路、真理、生命，讓我們回到我們的天父。聖經中明確指出，在哥林多前書1:30，30但你們得在基督耶穌裡，是本乎神，神又使他成為我們的智慧、公義、聖潔、救贖。

What a blessing to all Christians! We are His workmanship. Our Lord will take us home safely.  We just need to trust Him, thank Him, and adore Him in every breath of our lives. Amen!

對所有基督徒是多麼好的祝福！我們是祂的作品。我們的主會帶我們安全地回天家。我們只需要相信祂，感謝祂，崇拜祂在我們生命的每一次呼吸中。阿們！

When I was a bit younger, I remembered that  it was a great desire of mine to ask  someone (especially people who have long experience in following  our Lord Jesus Christ) what He is like. My question was not what our Lord looks like or sounds like but rather what He is like in their relationships with Him. Originally, I was thinking about asking pastors, but somehow I did not, probably because that they may be offended by my question. 

當我還有點年輕時，我記得我有一個很大的願望，想要問別人（尤其是那些已有很長經驗、追隨我們的主耶穌基督很久的人），祂是什麼樣的。我的問題不是我們的主看起來還是聽起來如何，而是在他們與主的關係中，主是什麼樣的。本來我想要問牧師，但不知何故，我沒有；可能是怕我的問題會讓他們有被冒犯的感覺。

But the question is still very valid today for me.  But the table turns around, it is more valid to ask myself rather than others because He is my Lord and I should know.  Through the years, I learned that we should not be presumptuous and forget what we are — a finite created being which was corrupted with a sinful nature. So whatever I ponder about anything of infinity nature, I know that my view would be of a very limited scope and nature. If my view on things of infinity nature is already so limited, let alone try to comprehend an infinite being. But this question is of such enduring nature and will certainly impact one’s spiritual growth and joy of unceasing nature, I need to try to know my Lord Jesus Christ more and more every day.
但問題在今天對我來說,仍然是持續存在的。但是時光的轉變，現在讓我要反躬問自己，而不是問別人，因為祂是我的主，我應該知道祂。這些年來，我也學到，我們不應該自以為是，而忘記了我們是— 有限被造物，有著被罪惡損壞的本性。所以，無論我如何思考、任何具有無限性質的事物，我知道我的看法、會是一個非常有限的範圍和性質。如果我對無限自然事物的看法已經很有限，更不用說要試圖理解擁有無限的主。但這個問題是這樣的持久性的，肯定會影響到一個人的心靈成長和不斷的喜悅，我需要試著、每天越來越多的認識我主耶穌基督。
 

One of the world biggest problems is that we human beings forget our Creator. Just look at our human history, no lacks of politicians, philosophers, kings, queens, premiers, prime ministers, presidents, chancellors, witches, dictators, and wise gurus throughout different eras all tried to solve the world’s problems and the results were not effective. You may ask why? It is because that we have forsaken our Creator who created this universe with unlimited power and wisdom, and resources.
一個世界上最大的問題是，我們人類忘了我們的創造者。只要看看我們的人類歷史，從不缺乏政治家，哲學家，國王，王后，總理， ​​首相，總統，校長，巫婆，獨裁者和智慧大師，在各個不同的時代都試圖解決世界上的問題，其結果是無效。你可能會問，為什麼？這是因為我們離棄我們的造物主，祂用無限的力量和智慧，資源創造了這個宇宙。
 

More importantly on an individual basis, our biggest personal problem is not trying our best effort to know our own Lord Jesus Christ. It seems to me the more I know my Lord the more that I will love Him.  And the more I love Him, the more that I will know Him. This may be why Apostle Peter said in 2 Peter 1:2 “2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” and why Apostle John said in 1 John 1:3-4, “3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
更重要的是在個人基礎上，我們最大的個人的問題是，沒有用我們最大的努力、來認識我們的主耶穌基督。在我看來，我越認識我的主，我會愛祂更多。而我更愛祂，我就認識祂更深。這可能就是為什麼大使徒彼得在彼得後書1:2說：“2 願恩惠、平安因你們認識神和我們主耶穌多多地加給你們！”。以及為什麼大使徒約翰在約翰一書1:3-4說：“3 我們將所看見、所聽見的傳給你們，使你們與我們相交；我們乃是與父並他兒子耶穌基督相交的。4 我們將這些話寫給你們，使你們的喜樂充足。“

Come to think about it . The best resources of knowing our Lord are through (1) the revelation in the Bible, and (2) through our indwelling Holy Spirit’s illumination of the Scripture and personal guidance in our individual life. In this short article, I would like to share with just a very important nature of our Lord Jesus Christ— His uniqueness. You may ask what do you means by that. He is unique in many aspects and a few of them are as described below:
總而言之。認識我們的主最好的資源是通過（1）在聖經啟示，和（2）通過內住我們的聖靈，明示聖經與給我們個體生命的特別指導。在這篇短文中，我只想要分享我們的主耶穌基督、一個非常重要的獨特性質。您可能會問你指什麼事。祂在很多方面的獨特性質, 如下所述是一部分的獨特性質：
 
1. He is the one and only Savior of the mankind

Actually, this was predicted in Genesis 3:14-15 when the talking snake, the Devil, was  cursed. There is only one seed of woman who is Jesus Christ born of Mary through the virgin birth as stated in Luke 1:26-35. So Jesus Christ our Lord is the Son of God incarnated as stated in John 1:14.
The Word Becomes Flesh
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

1. 祂是獨一無二的人類的救主 
其實，這是個預言在創世紀3：14-15，當談到上帝詛咒會說話的蛇(表示魔鬼)，預言的。世界上只有一個女人的種子是通過童女瑪麗亞出生的耶穌，如在路加福音1：26-35所述的處女生子。因此，我們的主耶穌基督是上帝的兒子道成肉身，如約翰福音 1:14所述:
14 道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。

創世記 3:14-15
14 耶和華神對蛇說：「你既做了這事，就必受咒詛，比一切的牲畜野獸更甚！你必用肚子行走，終身吃土。 15 我又要叫你和女人彼此為仇，你的後裔和女人的後裔也彼此為仇，女人的後裔要傷你的頭，你要傷他的腳跟。」

路加福音 1:26-35
加百列預言耶穌的生
26 到了第六個月，天使加百列奉神的差遣往加利利的一座城去，這城名叫拿撒勒； 27 到一個童女那裡，是已經許配大衛家的一個人，名叫約瑟，童女的名字叫馬利亞。 28 天使進去，對她說：「蒙大恩的女子，我問你安，主和你同在了！」 29 馬利亞因這話就很驚慌，又反覆思想這樣問安是什麼意思。 30 天使對她說：「馬利亞，不要怕，你在神面前已經蒙恩了。 31 你要懷孕生子，可以給他起名叫耶穌。 32 他要為大，稱為至高者的兒子；主神要把他祖大衛的位給他， 33 他要做雅各家的王，直到永遠；他的國也沒有窮盡。」 34 馬利亞對天使說：「我沒有出嫁，怎麼有這事呢？」 35 天使回答說：「聖靈要臨到你身上，至高者的能力要蔭庇你。因此，所要生的聖者必稱為神的兒子。

Our Lord is so unique that He is the only human being born without sinful corrupt nature. He is the only Lamb of God to redeem us (John 1: 29)
 

The Lamb of God
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
我們的主是如此獨特，祂​​是唯一的人、天生就沒有罪惡腐朽的本質。祂是神救贖我們的唯一神的羔羊（約翰福音1：29）
約翰福音 1:29
29 次日，約翰看見耶穌來到他那裡，就說：「看哪，神的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的！

Just ponder that my Creator who created cosmos, galaxies, and our solar system just by His Word even came to die for me at the Cross! His boundless love for me indeed is worthy of my adoration, and praises, and worship forever and ever!
Just ponder about this: Of all billions of the human beings past, present, and future, He is unique and no other human being is like Him. 
Actually, there was a very moving description of uniqueness of His Person and Work as stated in Rev 5:1-14. Please read that precious passage.

只要想想，我們的創造者、只是用祂的的話語、就創造了宇宙，銀河星系和我們的太陽系；居然降世為我而死在十字架上！祂對我是無限的愛，的確值得我頌讚，和讚美，和崇拜，直到永遠！
讓我們思考這個問題：過去，現在和未來，所有的人類中，祂是獨一無二的，沒有其他人像祂。
其實，在啟示錄 5：1-14，有非常動人的描述祂的人與工作的獨特性。請閱讀這珍貴的傳述。

啟示錄 5：1-14
七印封嚴的書卷
5 我看見坐寶座的右手中有書卷，裡外都寫著字，用七印封嚴了。 2 我又看見一位大力的天使大聲宣傳說：「有誰配展開那書卷，揭開那七印呢？」 3 在天上、地上、地底下，沒有能展開、能觀看那書卷的。 4 因為沒有配展開、配觀看那書卷的，我就大哭。 5 長老中有一位對我說：「不要哭。看哪，猶大支派中的獅子，大衛的根，他已得勝，能以展開那書卷、揭開那七印！」

唯有羔羊配開
6 我又看見寶座與四活物並長老之中有羔羊站立，像是被殺過的，有七角七眼，就是神的七靈，奉差遣往普天下去的。 7 這羔羊前來，從坐寶座的右手裡拿了書卷。 8 他既拿了書卷，四活物和二十四位長老就俯伏在羔羊面前，各拿著琴和盛滿了香的金爐。這香就是眾聖徒的祈禱。 9 他們唱新歌，說：「你配拿書卷，配揭開七印，因為你曾被殺，用自己的血從各族、各方、各民、各國中買了人來，叫他們歸於神， 10 又叫他們成為國民做祭司，歸於神，在地上執掌王權。」

稱讚神和羔羊
11 我又看見且聽見寶座與活物並長老的周圍有許多天使的聲音，他們的數目有千千萬萬， 12 大聲說：「曾被殺的羔羊是配得權柄、豐富、智慧、能力、尊貴、榮耀、頌讚的！」 13 我又聽見在天上、地上、地底下、滄海裡和天地間一切所有被造之物都說：「但願頌讚、尊貴、榮耀、權勢都歸給坐寶座的和羔羊，直到永永遠遠！」 14 四活物就說：「阿們！」眾長老也俯伏敬拜。

2. His Name is unique and supreme.

During our Lord’s first coming to this earth, He declared God the Father through His Person and Work. His obedience to His Father is complete and perfect. Please listen to Holy Spirit’s declaration in Philippians 2:5-8.
The Humbled and Exalted Christ
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

2.祂的名字是獨一無二的，至高無上的。
在我們的主第一次降臨到這個地球上，祂通過祂個人和工作宣揚父上帝。祂對祂父親的服從是完整且完善。請聽聖靈在腓立比書2：5-8的闡述。
腓立比書 2:5-8
謙卑的基督上人
5 你們當以基督耶穌的心為心。 6 他本有神的形象，不以自己與神同等為強奪的，7 反倒虛己，取了奴僕的形象，成為人的樣式； 8 既有人的樣子，就自己卑微，存心順服以至於死，且死在十字架上。

Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

腓立比書 2:9-11
無不口稱耶穌為主
9 所以神將他升為至高，又賜給他那超乎萬名之上的名， 10 叫一切在天上的、地上的和地底下的，因耶穌的名無不屈膝， 11 無不口稱耶穌基督為主，使榮耀歸於父神。

Therefore His Name is unique and supreme. This Name was given to Him above every name.
Acts 4:12 “12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

因此，祂的名字是唯一的和絕對優越的。祂的這個名字是高於每個名字之上。
使徒行傳 4:12
12 除他以外，別無拯救，因為在天下人間，沒有賜下別的名我們可以靠著得救。

Do you know that during His Ministry on the earth, He protected His disciples except the son of perdition  through this name given by the Father? Similarly, even today, you and me are protected by this powerful Name. (See John 17:11-12.)
你知道祂在世上傳道期間，祂是靠天父所賜給祂的名保護祂的門徒，除了那滅亡之子嗎？同樣，即使在今天，你和我是通過這個強大的名稱保護。 （見約翰福音17：11-12）
約翰福音 17:11-12
11 從今以後，我不在世上，他們卻在世上，我往你那裡去。聖父啊，求你因你所賜給我的名保守他們，叫他們合而為一，像我們一樣。 12 我與他們同在的時候，因你所賜給我的名保守了他們，我也護衛了他們，其中除了那滅亡之子，沒有一個滅亡的，好叫經上的話得應驗。

3. He is uniquely everything to you and me. Listed below are just a few for your mediation;
    a. He loves us to the end eternally (John 13:1, Romans 8:34-35)
    b. In Him, we are children of God and will inherent eternal life.(John 1:12)
    c.  He is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.(1 Corinthians 1:30)
    d. We overcome this world temptations through Him( Romans 7:24-25; 8:37-39)

3. 祂是你和我唯一有之一切。
下面列出一些，提供您仔細思考;
a. 祂愛我們到底（約13：1，羅馬書8：34-35）
b. 在祂看來，我們是神的孩子，將固有的永生。（約翰福音1:12）
c. 他是我們的智慧，公義，聖潔和救贖。（哥林多前書1:30）
d. 我們通過祂克服了這個世界的誘惑（羅馬書7：24-25; 8：37-39）

約翰福音 13:1
耶穌洗門徒的腳做榜樣
13 逾越節以前，耶穌知道自己離世歸父的時候到了。他既然愛世間屬自己的人，就愛他們到底。

羅馬書 8:34-35
34 誰能定他們的罪呢？有基督耶穌已經死了，而且從死裡復活，現今在神的右邊，也替我們祈求。35 誰能使我們與基督的愛隔絕呢？難道是患難嗎？是困苦嗎？是逼迫嗎？是飢餓嗎？是赤身露體嗎？是危險嗎？是刀劍嗎？

約翰福音 1:12
12 凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就賜他們權柄做神的兒女。

哥林多前書 1:30
30 但你們得在基督耶穌裡，是本乎神，神又使他成為我們的智慧、公義、聖潔、救贖。

羅馬書 7:24-25
24 我真是苦啊！誰能救我脫離這取死的身體呢？ 25 感謝神！靠著我們的主耶穌基督就能脫離了。這樣看來，我以內心順服神的律，我肉體卻順服罪的律了。

羅馬書 8:37-39
37 然而，靠著愛我們的主，在這一切的事上已經得勝有餘了。 38 因為我深信：無論是死，是生，是天使，是掌權的，是有能的，是現在的事，是將來的事， 39 是高處的，是低處的，是別的受造之物，都不能叫我們與神的愛隔絕；這愛是在我們的主基督耶穌裡的。

What we should do? I would like to quote Jude 20-21 and his benediction Jude 24-25 because his message is fitting for our apostate situations in this 21 century modern societies.

(1)Jude 20-21  Maintain Your Life with God
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

(2)Jude 24-25   Glory to God

24 Now to Him who is able to keep you[a] from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,[b]
Who alone is wise,[c]
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,[d]
Both now and forever.
Amen.

我們應該做些什麼？我想引用猶大書20-21和他的祝福在猶大書24-25，因為他的信息，適用在我們這個21世紀叛教的現代社會。

(1).猶大書 20-21 21 保持自己常在神的愛中
20 親愛的弟兄啊，你們卻要在至聖的真道上造就自己，在聖靈裡禱告， 21 保守自己常在神的愛中，仰望我們主耶穌基督的憐憫，直到永生。

(2).猶大書 24-25 榮耀歸於上帝
24 那能保守你們不失腳，叫你們無瑕無疵、歡歡喜喜站在他榮耀之前的我們的救主獨一的神， 25 願榮耀、威嚴、能力、權柄因我們的主耶穌基督歸於他，從萬古以前並現今，直到永永遠遠！阿們。

I am always amazed by the profound truth declared so simply and concisely in the Holy Scripture. For example,  description of the fallen world of ours  is so vivid and simple, yet so profoundly accurate in 1 John 2:16 that the infinite wisdom of our Creator is indeed being displayed in front of our eyes.  Of all the activities of the fallen world, the Bible clearly summarizes its essence for us in a simple sentence. Amazing indeed! If you think that I  exaggerate it, just check it out that it takes 9 pages to deal with the word “evil” in the Catholic encyclopedia. 
我總是驚訝於，聖經能如此簡單且簡潔的宣告、闡述深奧的真理。例如，在約翰一書2:16中，如此生動、簡單、卻又如此深刻準確的，描述我們墮落的世界。我們造物主的無窮智慧，確確實實地、顯示在我們的眼前。聖經清楚地、只用簡單的句子，就概括了、我們墮落世界裡一切活動的本質。確實驚人！如果你覺得我誇張，請看看、天主教百科全書是用9頁來討論“邪惡”，作為對比。

1 John 2:16-17
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
約翰一書2：16-17
16 因為凡世界上的事，就像肉體的情慾、眼目的情慾並今生的驕傲，都不是從父來的，乃是從世界來的。 17 這世界和其上的情慾都要過去，唯獨遵行神旨意的，是永遠常存。

For us Christians, it is essential that we clearly understand the reality of our lives. Without the clear picture of what this world is all about, we are very easily being led astray by the cunning schemes of this world. We may say that we are not naive and have tons of experience in detecting deceptions. Before we place too much confidence on ourselves, let us remind ourselves how many times that our Lord comes to rescue us in our mistakes and ignorance. That is why studying the Bible and particularly the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ is so essential in our wellbeing.
作為基督徒的我們而言，至關重要的是，我們要清楚地、認識到我們生命的現實。沒有清楚地瞭解、這個世界所有的真實畫面，我們很容易被這個世界的狡猾框架、引入歧途。我們可以說，我們並不幼稚和有大量的經驗來檢測欺騙。在我們對自己過於自信之前，讓我們提醒自己有多少次，我們的主來營救我們的錯誤和無知。這就是為什麼要學習聖經，尤其是我們主耶穌基督的教導、對我們身心的安寧是如此重要。

There are so many traps in this world that one can fall into it. Take “the boastful pride of life” for example. I can list a whole bunch of my mistakes and ignorance in this area. And if I add amount of time in my life that I wasted, the relationships that I lost, and joy that I could have, the penalty is indeed staggering. And this is because that I did not follow the teaching of 1 John 2:16. The Bible to an extent can be taken as a mirror to reflect one’s own life. As a good exercise, why not make a list of our own evil deeds or serious mistakes in this area. Come to think of it; millions of millions of people fell as victims to the boastful pride of life of the despots in the human history. Conflicts within a family and wars between nations are also the results of “the boastful pride of life” as well.
這個世界上有這麼多的陷阱，一個不小心就可能落入。以“今生的驕傲”為例。我就可以列出在這個區域中，一大堆我的錯誤和無知。如果加上，我生命中所浪費的時間，我曾失去的關係，所失去可能有的歡樂時；所受的處罰、的確是驚人的。這是因為，我沒有按照約翰一書2:16的教導。聖經在一定程度上、可以作為一面鏡子，反映自己的生命。作為一個很好的作業，為什麼不來列出，在這方面、我們自己的惡行或嚴重失誤。試著想想，人類歷史上，因暴君豪強、自負的今生驕傲，而讓百萬千萬的人民跌入痛苦的深淵、受苦受難。家庭內部的衝突和國家之間的戰爭，也是“今生的驕傲”的結果。

You may ask how about the lust of the eyes. Just survey the schemes used in the commercial advertisement will tell the story. The world wants to convince us that this is all innocent and no serious harms can come out of it. Don’t believe the lies. There are always  great penalties not only in this world. But more importantly for us Christians, the purposes of our lives are as a top priority to glorify our Lord in our lives. Try to learn not to waste our lives.
你可能會問、怎麼樣去了解眼目的情慾。只要查看商業廣告所用的方法、便可知。世界希望說服我們，這些全部是無辜的、不會造成嚴重的危害。不要相信這種謊言。在這個世界上，總要付出很大的代價。而且更重要的是身為基督徒，我們生命的首要目的，是在生命中榮耀我們的主。試著學習不要浪費我們的生命。

Then, how about the lust of the flesh? There are so many traps in this area that we need to pray  for the protection of our Lord. Drugs and illicit sex are just a few examples that have ruined so many lives. Never forget that there are millions of victims in these traps. There are whole industries in promoting each of the traps. Just think about how many marriages are ruined because of them. The cost of human suffering is indeed beyond description.
那麼，如何面對肉體的情慾？在這方面有如此多的陷阱，我們需要祈求、我們主的保護。毒品和非法的性行業，只是幾個例子、毀了這麼多的生命。永遠不要忘記，有成千上萬的人是這些陷阱的受害者。整個行業，全力在促銷每一陷阱。試想想，有多少婚姻是因為它們而毀了。人類苦難的代價，的確是難以形容、無法估計。

You may wander why we talk about this. Please read Romans Chapter 7 which describes clearly the struggles of all Christians including you and me in this world, particularly relative to our old fallen nature.
你可能好奇為什麼我們談論這個題目。請閱讀羅馬書第7章，它清楚地描述了所有基督徒，包括你和我，在這個世界上的掙扎，特別是針對、我們舊有墮落的本性。

May we ponder on the teachings of the Bible and live our life with peace and joys of our Lord Jesus Christ who loves each of us always to the end. Indeed, blessed are  those who are in Christ overcoming the world through the Holy Spirit.
但願我們好好思考聖經的教導，擁有主耶穌基督、所賜給的平安與喜悅。主耶穌基督確實愛我們每一個人到底的。上帝確確實實賜福那些依靠聖靈、在基督裡，克服了世界的人。

As  Christians, the main goal of our lives is to follow our Lord Jesus Christ ; to do His commandment of sharing the gospel to people around us; and most importantly,  to abide in His love and to worship Him forever and ever. But in our daily life, we all know that there are many factors preventing us from this goal. To be a Christian is to belong to Jesus Christ our Lord. You may ask what are the main obstacles of our spiritual growth.Main obstacles are the time and life wasted by us in pursuing the lust of eyes, the lust of flesh, and the boastful pride of this life.  Of course, this is one of the schemes of the devil, who would do anything to blind people’s eyes from seeing the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
作為基督徒，我們生活的主要目標是追隨我們的主耶穌基督；依照祂的指示、命令，將福音傳播、分享給我們周圍的人。最重要的是住在祂的愛裡，永遠、永遠的崇拜祂。但是在我們的日常生活中，我們都知道，有很多因素阻礙我們、不能達到這個目標。要成為一個基督徒，就是要歸屬於我們的主耶穌基督。你可能會問、什麼是我們心靈成長的主要障礙？主要障礙是我們浪費時間和生命，在追求眼目的情慾、肉體的情慾、並自誇今生的驕傲。當然，這就是魔鬼所使出、做出許多詭計之一，蒙蔽了人的眼睛而無法看到、耶穌基督福音的榮耀。

There are many traps of this deceptive world; fame, pride, and power to control on one hand and greed, pornography, drugs, and alcohols on the other hand. Tens of millions of people were and are being deceived by all kind of ideologies including religious extremisms. Religious terrorism is the worst because it traps people to harm themselves and others with no concerns of innocent lives at all. Since the deceptions are so complex and sophisticated that we urgently need the guidance of the Bible to lead us through this treacherous world.
在這騙人的世界裡，有有許多陷阱：一方面是名譽，驕傲和權力的追求；另一方面是貪婪，色情，毒品和酒精的泛濫。千百萬人已經、或正在被各種意識形態，包括宗教極端主義的欺騙。宗教恐怖主義是最糟糕的，因為它陷害人們完全無視無辜的生命，去傷害自己和他人。因為欺騙的作為是如此複雜和精密，我們迫切需要聖經的指導，來引領我們通過這個變化莫測的世界。

It is important to realize that with our corrupt human nature, we all are prone to wonder off into various traps in this world. All Christians are reminded that we are in the world but not of the world.  In other word, we have been separated from the world to belong to our Lord Jesus Christ. Christians do not have to sin because we are no longer under the tyranny of sin. 
這是非常重要的，要體認到我們人類已經腐敗的本質；大家不小心、很容易就逛入這個世界的各種陷阱。要提醒所有的基督徒，我們是在世界上，但不屬於這世界。換句話說，我們已經從這世界分別為聖，而屬於我們的主耶穌基督。基督徒不必然要再犯罪，因為我們已不在罪的暴政權勢之下。

To be a Christian is to have a new nature,  to have a different world view, and to have a different life style. Let us learn from the Bible the following:

1. What kind of the new nature?
In John 3, our Lord taught us that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born again (John 3:3). WE need to heed our Lord’s teaching:
John 3:5-6, 
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
要成為一個基督徒，是要有一個新的本質，有不同的世界觀，並有不同的生活方式。讓我們從聖經中學習如下：
1. 新的本質是什麼？
在約翰福音第3章，我們的主教導我們說：沒有人可以進入神的國，除非他重生（約翰福音3：3）。我們需要聽從我們主的教導:
約翰福音 3;5-6
5耶穌說：「我實實在在地告訴你：人若不是從水和聖靈生的，就不能進神的國。 6從肉身生的就是肉身，從靈生的就是靈。

Thus, unless we were born again with new nature, we can not be a Christian. We may ask what kind of new nature is it? The question was answer in another part of the Bible. In Ephesians  4:20-24.we were told as follows;
20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
因此，除非我們重生、有新的本質，我們不能成為一個基督徒。我們可能會問，新的本質是什麼呢？這問題，聖經在以弗所書4：20-24裡、有一部分答案，告知我們如下：
穿上新人
20 你們學了基督，卻不是這樣。 
21如果你們聽過他的道，領了他的教，學了他的真理， 22就要脫去你們從前行為上的舊人，這舊人是因私慾的迷惑漸漸變壞的； 
23 又要將你們的心志改換一新， 
24並且穿上新人，這新人是照著神的形象造的，有真理的仁義和聖潔。

Thus, we were born again into a new nature which was created in righteousness and holiness of the truth in the likeness of God. That is why Apostle Peter encouraged us in 1 Peter 1:15-16:
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
因此，我們重生、而有了新的本質。這是依神的形像所創造出，一個有真理的仁義和聖潔的新本質。這就是為什麼、大使徒彼得在彼得前書1：15-16，如此鼓勵我們：
15那召你們的既是聖潔，你們在一切所行的事上也要聖潔。 
16因為經上記著說：「你們要聖潔，因為我是聖潔的。」

It is noted that to be born again is not due to our own doing. It is all grace upon grace from our Lord Jesus Christ! Please read Ephesians 2:8-10;
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

值得注意的是，重生是不能靠我們自己來做、來完成的，乃是神所賜的。所有一切，都是來自我們的主耶穌基督的恩典！請閱讀以弗所書2:8-10;
8你們得救是本乎恩，也因著信。這並不是出於自己，乃是神所賜的； 
9也不是出於行為，免得有人自誇。 
10我們原是他的工作，在基督耶穌裡造成的，為要叫我們行善，就是神所預備叫我們行的。

2. A New World View
When we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Bible tells us that we were delivered from the darkness of this world as indicated in Colossians 1:13-14.
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

We have a new world view and no longer followed our old path of life but rather begin the journey towards our heavenly home. See the following verses:

2.1 Ephesians 2:11-13
Brought Near by His Blood
11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
2.2 Ephesians 4:17-24
The New Man
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 
22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 
23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 
24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

2.新的世界觀
當我們相信耶穌基督、作為我們的救主，聖經告訴我們，我們是從這個黑暗的世界脫離，如歌羅西書 1:13-14 所示：
13 他救了我們脫離黑暗的權勢，把我們遷到他愛子的國裡；
14 我們在愛子裡得蒙救贖，罪過得以赦免。

我們有一個新的世界觀，不再循走我們以前生活的老路，而是開始邁向我們天家的旅程。請參見下面的經句：

2.1 以弗所書2：11-13
從前門徒不知道神，靠著祂的血得親近
11所以你們應當記念：你們從前按肉體是外邦人，是稱為沒受割禮的，這名原是那些憑人手在肉身上稱為受割禮之人所起的； 
12那時你們與基督無關，在以色列國民以外，在所應許的諸約上是局外人，並且活在世上沒有指望，沒有神。 
13你們從前遠離神的人，如今卻在基督耶穌裡，靠著他的血，已經得親近了。

2.2 以弗所書4：17-24
凡事效法基督
17所以我說，且在主裡確實地說：你們行事不要再像外邦人，存虛妄的心行事。 18他們心地昏昧，與神所賜的生命隔絕了，都因自己無知，心裡剛硬； 
19良心既然喪盡，就放縱私慾，貪行種種的汙穢。
穿上新人
20 你們學了基督，卻不是這樣。 
21如果你們聽過他的道，領了他的教，學了他的真理， 
22就要脫去你們從前行為上的舊人，這舊人是因私慾的迷惑漸漸變壞的； 
23 又要將你們的心志改換一新， 
24並且穿上新人，這新人是照著神的形象造的，有真理的仁義和聖潔。

3. A New Life Style

Listen carefully to the Bible guidance in this area. In Romans 12:1-2, the Bible teaches us the following: Romans 12:1-2
Living Sacrifices to God
12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

So what should our life style look like? First, we do not conform to this world fads and life styles. Secondly, we strive to be like our Lord. That is ,we shall humble ourselves  per Philippians 2:5-8, “5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Thirdly, we shall serve our Lord willingly as indicated in Philippians 2:14-16, 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

3.新的生活方式
仔細聽聽聖經在這方面的指導。在羅馬書12：1-2，聖經告訴我們以下幾點：
羅馬書12：1-2
12 所以弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們，將身體獻上，當作活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的；你們如此 事奉乃是理所當然的。
2 不要效法這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意 。

那麼，我們的生活方式是什麼樣子？首先，我們不體貼順應這個世界的時尚和生活的方式。其次，我們要努力像我們的主。也就是說，我們要謙卑、如腓立比書2：5-8所示：
5 你們當以基督耶穌的心為心。 
6他本有神的形象，不以自己與神同等為強奪的， 
7反倒虛己，取了奴僕的形象，成為人的樣式； 
8既有人的樣子，就自己卑微，存心順服以至於死，且死在十字架上。
第三，我們應該心甘情願地、服侍我們的主，如腓立比書2：14-16所示：
門徒如明光照耀
14 凡所行的，都不要發怨言、起爭論， 15使你們無可指摘，誠實無偽，在這彎曲悖謬的世代做神無瑕疵的兒女。你們顯在這世代中，好像明光照耀， 
16將生命的道表明出來，叫我在基督的日子好誇我沒有空跑，也沒有徒勞。

In essence, to be a Christian is not  on the church membership, not on the knowledge of the church or religion, and not even on the position you have/had in the church. To be a Christian is to show a life style, a world view, a new nature powered by God grace. Our Lord promised His disciples in the upper room discourse that “18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18). Indeed, our Lord did send Holy Spirit to dwell in each believer and will guide each Christian into the truth as indicated in the Bible;
John 14:16-17
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
重要的是，要成為一個基督徒，不是靠上教會、不是靠成為教會會員，也不是靠擁有教會或宗教的知識，甚至也不是靠你在教會裡的位置。要成為一個基督徒是要展現由上帝的恩典所賦予而有的一種生活方式，一種世界觀，一種新的本質。我們的主在頂樓傳道，應許祂的門徒說：“18我不撇下你們為孤兒，我必到你們這裡來。“（約翰福音14:18）。事實上，我們的主派遣聖靈內住每個信徒心中，來引導每個基督徒明白聖經中所指出的真理。如聖經所示：
約翰福音14：16-17 應許賜保惠師
16「我要求父，父就另外賜給你們一位保惠師，叫他永遠與你們同在， 
17就是真理的聖靈，乃世人不能接受的，因為不見他，也不認識他。你們卻認識他，因他常與你們同在，也要在你們裡面。

With the help of the Holy Spirit, each Christian can be sanctified. With our own strength and will and knowledge, we can not make it.
Thus a key principle of this born again life is that we live according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh. We may ask what this life style look like again?
在聖靈的掌管幫助下，每一個基督徒可以成聖。我們憑藉自身的力量、意志和知識，我們無法完成的。因此，這個重生生活方式的一個關鍵原則是，我們要隨從聖靈而活，而不是隨從肉體活著。我們可能會再問，什麼是這樣的生活方式？

A. According to the Spirit
According to Romans 8:5, 
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

B. Works of the flesh
We may further ask what are the things of the flesh? They are defined in Galatians 5:21;
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

C. Things of the Spirit
Things of the Spirit are closely related with the works of the Holy Spirit. They are;
a. Sanctification of all believers into the truth.(See John 16:13)
b. Convicts the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. (See John 16:8)
c. Glorifies Jesus Christ our Lord (See  John 16:14)
d. Empower us overcome the flesh (Romans 8:1-2)

e. Pray for us in our weakness to strenghen us(Romans 8:26-27)
f. Seal us and keep us in Christ(Ephesus 4:30, 2 Cor 1:22)

A. 隨從聖靈
根據羅馬書8：5，
隨從肉體與隨從聖靈的比較
5因為隨從肉體的人，體貼肉體的事；隨從聖靈的人，體貼聖靈的事

B. 情慾的事
我們還可以問什麼是情慾的事呢？在加拉太書5:19-21的定義是;
加拉太書5：19-21
19情慾的事都是顯而易見的，就如姦淫、汙穢、邪蕩、 
20拜偶像、邪術、仇恨、爭競、忌恨、惱怒、結黨、紛爭、異端、 
21嫉妒、醉酒、荒宴等類。我從前告訴你們，現在又告訴你們：行這樣事的人必不能承受神的國。

C. 聖靈的事
聖靈的事都與聖靈的工作緊密相關。他們是;
    a.幫所有信徒成聖，明白真理。（見約翰福音16:13）
      13只等真理的聖靈來了，他要引導你們明白一切的真理，因為他不是憑自己說的，乃是把他所聽
       見的都說出來，並要把將來的事告訴你們。
    b.裁定世人的罪，為義，為審判。 （見約翰福音16：8）
       8他既來了，就要叫世人為罪、為義、為審判，自己責備自己。
    c.榮耀我們的主耶穌基督（見約翰福音16:14）
       14他要榮耀我，因為他要將受於我的告訴你們。
    d.賦我們力量克服情慾(羅馬書 8:1-2)
       8:1 如今，那些在基督耶穌裡的就不定罪了。 
       2 因為賜生命聖靈的律在基督耶穌裡釋放了我，使我脫離罪和死的律了。

   e. 聖靈幫助、替我們禱告(羅 8:26-27)
    f.  聖靈印記我們、得救憑據(弗4:30, 林後!:22)

In conclusion, it is our faith that demonstrates our true identity. Our new nature, our world view,  and our living according to the Spirit manifest that “16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,”(Romans 8:16). We are in Christ if the Holy Spirit lives in us. It is indeed grace upon grace showering so lavishly onto all the believers by Jesus Christ our Lord. Finally, praises be onto God for It is indeed God’s grace that we are in Christ Jesus;

1 Corinthians 1:30
30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

It is very important to realize that people commit sins because they are sinners first. Similarly, Christians are instrument of righteousness because they are born again to be new creatures after God's image first.

May all of us love our God more and more every day and worship God for His love onto us which is so wide, so high, so deep, so rich and  beyond our comprehension!  

總之，基督徒是依靠我們的信心，證明了我們的真實身份。我們是依靠新的本質，新的世界觀，和我們隨從聖靈新的生活方式，來體現了如羅馬書8:16所示“16聖靈與我們的心同證我們是神的兒女”。如果聖靈內住我們，我們就是在基督裡。這的確是我們的主耶穌基督給所有信徒豐盛的、層層的恩典。最後，讚美上帝，的確是上帝的恩典，讓我們得在基督耶穌裡;

哥林多前書1:30
30但你們得在基督耶穌裡，是本乎神，神又使他成為我們的智慧、公義、聖潔、救贖。

我們要清楚的了解，是因先有罪人的本質，人才會犯罪。同樣地，基督徒成為義的工具，是因先重生成了有神的形象、新造的人。

願我們大家每天越來越熱愛和崇拜上帝，因為祂給我們的愛是如此之長闊高深，如此豐盛，遙遠超出我們所能理解的！

Apostle Paul is a great example of a Christian who loved Christ and loved Church. Just as  he said in 1 Corinthians 9:26, “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; “, he determined to serve the Lord and His Church in a focused way. In our era, we must learn from Paul’s never ceasing determination to serve the Lord.

使徒保羅是，愛基督和教會的基督徒，的一個很好榜樣。正如他在哥林多前書9:26說，“所以，我奔跑不像無定向的，我鬥拳不像打空氣的“。他立志專心一意的侍奉主和祂的教會。在我們的時代，我們必須學習，保羅用不停止的決心，來侍奉主。

Let us listen to what he said:
    By All Means  Save Some
    1 Corinthians 9:22-23 
    22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

讓我們聽聽他說的話：
無論如何 總要救些人
哥林多前書9：22-23
22向軟弱的人，我就做軟弱的人，為要得軟弱的人。向什麼樣的人，我就做什麼樣的人，無論如何總要救些人。23凡我所行的，都是為福音的緣故，為要與人同得這福音的好處。

One may ask why?
There are at least two good reasons to  react that way.
First, every Christian was called by our Lord Jesus Christ for a purpose. Each saint is like a branch of the vine to bear fruit. We are branches and Christ is the vine. We are provided and supplied with all the nutrition from the vine to grow to bear fruits. This has been a clear teaching from our Lord in the Upper room discourse. See John 15: 1-8  below:
Jesus Is the Vine—Followers Are Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

有人可能會問，為什麼？
至少有兩個理由，來證明他的述說。
首先，我們的主耶穌基督，呼喚每一個基督徒是有一個目的。每個聖徒像葡萄樹的一個枝子，來結出碩果。我們就是葡萄樹枝子，而主耶穌基督是葡萄樹。祂從葡萄樹提供所有的營養供給我們，讓我們成長結果實。主耶穌基督在頂樓講道，已經給我們清楚的教導。見約翰福音15：1-8如下：
耶穌是真葡萄樹，追隨者是分枝。
15「我是真葡萄樹，我父是栽培的人。2凡屬我不結果子的枝子，他就剪去；凡結果子的，他就修理乾淨，使枝子結果子更多。3現在你們因我講給你們的道，已經乾淨了。4你們要常在我裡面，我也常在你們裡面。枝子若不常在葡萄樹上，自己就不能結果子；你們若不常在我裡面，也是這樣。5我是葡萄樹，你們是枝子。常在我裡面的，我也常在他裡面，這人就多結果子；因為離了我，你們就不能做什麼。6人若不常在我裡面，就像枝子丟在外面枯乾，人拾起來扔在火裡燒了。7你們若常在我裡面，我的話也常在你們裡面，凡你們所願意的，祈求，就給你們成就。8你們多結果子，我父就因此得榮耀，你們也就是我的門徒了。

Secondly, all of us Christians were purchased by our Lord with a very heavy price— His precious blood at  Cavalry. We belong to Him and are not of ourselves. Just as Paul said,
    1 Corinthians 15:9-10
    9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

其次，我們所有的基督徒，是我們的主，在Cavalry用一個非常沉重的代價-祂的寶血，將我們贖回的。我們屬於祂，是不是我們自己。正如保羅所說，
哥林多前書15：9-10
9我原是使徒中最小的，不配稱為使徒，因為我從前逼迫神的教會。10然而我今日成了何等人，是蒙神的恩才成的，並且他所賜我的恩不是徒然的；我比眾使徒格外勞苦，這原不是我，乃是神的恩與我同在。

We can all ask ourselves this simple question: who am I even getting this amazing grace?
Next , our resolutions, if like St. Paul's, are even more precious! Can we each try our best in spreading the gospel to bring people to the Lord that the grace of God with each of us did not prove vain.

我們都可以，問自己這個簡單的問題：我是誰，居然得到這麼不可思議驚人的恩典？接下來，我們如有像保羅的決心，更是彌足珍貴！我們每個人都要盡我們所能傳福音領人歸主，才能證明上帝給與我們每個人的恩典，是沒有白費。

Thus, back to the beginning of this article, by the grace of God with each of us by all means save some. And let us remember also, just as Apostle Paul taught us “it is not me but the grace of God with me.”  May all of us live as all Christians suppose to live, be in Christ to bear fruits to honor our heavenly Father, amen!

因此，回到本文的開頭，用上帝給我們每個人的恩典，無論如何總要救些人。我們也要記住，正如使徒保羅告訴我們“這不是我，而是上帝給與我的恩典"。願我們大家，都如同所有基督徒該活的方式生活著，在基督裡結成果實，榮耀我們的天父，阿們！

Our mission is "in God's Grace for God's Glory", we pray that this website will serve as a reminder  of the following truth to all in this evil wicked world ;

    * A Living God shall be received as the Living God with reverend, trust, obedience, and adoration  because He is our Mighty Creator with supreme sovereignty and He loves all of us. When we were reconciled with God through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, God promises "He who overcomes, will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son." Hence, the most important action in our daily life is being satisfied in God through our Lord Jesus Christ because it glorifies God to do so.

    * Our Lord Jesus Christ loves us believers to the end. He even died for us at the Cross and purchased us with His precious blood. We shall love Him each day with all of our heart, our mind, and our strength. He is our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption. We shall learn from Apostle Paul "For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him Crucified","I count all as loss and dung for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ and to be found in Him", and "May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge"!  We shall also listen to Apostle Peter's last exhortation to all saints  to whom he wrote "but  grow in grace, and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

    * The Holy Spirit who dwells in each believer will guide us into all truth. The Bible which is the Word of the Living God is the only light we need to guide us in this perverted generation and through this deceiving world. We must study the Bible each day and pay great attention to the Holy Spirit’s illumination of the Bible passages to be applied to our lives.

    * Our transformation to holiness comes from beholding the glory of God revealed to us in the face of Jesus Christ through the Bible. Joy and Peace of our Lord are necessary to resist temptation and are the result of our being union with Christ as His branches of the True Vine to bear fruits to glorify God. It is imperative that we have an active prayer life and meditate on the grace upon grace extended so lavishly to us each day in Christ. After our prayers, let us have the faith to follow our Lord Jesus Christ to spread His Gospel to the world.

我們的使命是"在上帝的恩典中榮耀上帝"，我們祈禱，這個網站能提醒在這個邪惡世界的所有人，下述的重點;

* 永生上帝是應該被接受為永生的上帝，所有人應該尊敬，信賴，服從和崇拜上帝。因為祂是至高無上主權的統治者與全能的創造者，而且祂愛我們所有的人。當我們經由主耶穌基督的寶血得與上帝和好，上帝這樣的應許我們『得勝的、必承受這些為業．我要作他的上帝、他要作我的兒子』。因此，在日常生活中最重要的事，是要經由主耶穌基督，我們的全人在上帝裡得到滿足，因為這是榮耀上帝的事。

* 我們的主耶穌基督，永遠愛著我們信徒到底。祂甚至為我們死在十字架上和用祂的寶血救贖我們。我每天應該全心、全意、全力來愛祂。祂是我們的智慧，我們的公義，我們的聖潔與我們的救贖。每天務要學習大使徒保羅『只知道耶穌基督、並他釘十字架』、『為要得着基督、並且得以在他裏面』、『並且能以和衆聖徒一同明白基督的愛、是何等長闊高深、並知道這愛是過於人所能測度的』! 並要聽從大使徒彼得最後對聖徒的叮嚀『你們卻要在我們主救主耶基督的恩典和知識上有長進。願榮耀歸給他、從今直到永遠。阿們。』

* 內駐在每一個信徒裡的聖靈，將引導我們進入一切的真理。聖經是永生上帝的話。在這彎曲背逆的世代，聖經是我們唯一需要的光，來引導我們通過這欺詐的世界。我們必須每天學習聖經，重視聖靈對所讀聖經經文的光照啟示，來應用到我們的生活上。

* 我們能轉變成聖潔，是來自我們通過聖經啟示，看見上帝的榮耀，顯在耶穌基督的面上。 我們擁有，主給我們的喜樂和平安，我們才能抵制誘惑，也讓我們能與基督聯合，作為祂真葡萄樹的枝子結果實，來榮耀上帝。至關重要的是，我們有一個積極的禱告生活，默想上帝每天在主耶穌裡所賜給我們恩上加恩的豐富。我們的祈禱後，要大有堅定的信心，追隨我們主耶穌基督，傳播祂的福音到世界各地。

As a Christian, we need to know who we are, where we stand in this world, what is our purpose in life, what is our mission,  where we are going, and who is our true strength. It is indeed mouthful to ask so many questions. But do you truly understand each of the above questions.

作為基督徒，我們需要知道我們是誰，我們在這個世界中的位置在哪裡，我們生命的目標是什麼，我們的使命是什麼，我們將往何處要去，誰是我們真正力量的來源。確實，一口氣問了這麼多問題。但是，您是否真正了解上述每個問題。

It is indeed a great blessing to be a Christian because we are blessed  without bounds to be children of  the Creator and Almighty God. The world does not conform to the biblical standard. In other words, the world does not know God and Jesus Christ sent by Him to save the lost. Thus, the world hates Jesus Christ and also Christians. That is why we are taught in John 16:33,

" 33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

成為基督徒，確實是一個偉大的祝福。因為我們享有沒有界限的祝福，而成為創造者及全能上帝之孩子們。這世界沒有遵循聖經的準則。換句話說，世界不認識上帝和祂所差遣、來拯救迷失者的耶穌基督。因此，世界恨耶穌基督和基督徒。這就是為什麼在約翰福音16:33 主說:
" 33 我將這些事告訴你們，是要叫你們在我裡面有平安。在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。"

Today, we know that Christians in some regions of the world are under severe prosecutions including cruelties, beheadings, discriminations, and evictions from home. Indeed, waves of refugees in the Middle East region testify to this grave situation. So all Christians should know that the world hates Jesus Christ and the world hates all Christians

今天，我們知道，在世界某些地區的基督徒，受到嚴重的迫害，包括被殘害，斬首，歧視和驅離家園。事實上，中東地區的難民潮，證明了這個嚴重的局面。所以所有的基督徒都應該知道，世界恨耶穌基督，世界恨所有的基督徒。

Just as our Lord  instructed us in John 16:33 our way of peace is to be in Christ in dealing with the world. Of course, we need to know what in Christ means in practical living. In order to be in Christ, we need to know who He is and What He did and how much He loves us. To be in Christ is not by our feeling or our fancies but is of our faith. As you know, our faith in Christ has its contents of believing Jesus Christ as revealed in the Holy Scripture. This faith is handed down throughout  history from saints going back to the apostles  who were eye-witnesses of our Lord.
正如我們的主，在約翰福音16:33中指示我們一樣。我們平安的方法，是要在基督裡，來面對這世界。當然，我們需要知道，在實際生活中，在基督裡的意義。為了在基督裡，我們需要知道祂是誰，祂做了什麼，祂愛我們多少。在基督裡，不是靠我們的感覺或我們的幻想，而是我們的信仰。正如你所知，我們對基督信仰的內容、是相信如聖經中所描述的耶穌基督。這信仰是通過歷世歷代的聖徒、溯及親眼見證我們主的使徒們，傳給我們。

Just remember this truth and we need to contemplate it everyday—“ These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world”.  May all of us abide by our Lord teaching and His love all the days of our lives in this wicked world! Please read the Gospel of John; Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 if you are confused or in doubt of understanding the questions posed in the first sentence of this article. May our merciful Lord bless us to serve Him joyfully and faithfully in our lives. In Jesus precious Name we pray, Amen.

我們要記住這個真理，而且要每天想到 這ㄧ真理，即是 “我將這些事告訴你們，是要叫你們在我裡面有平安。在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界“。願我們所有的人，活在這邪惡世界的每一天，遵守我們主的教訓和生活在祂的愛裡！如果您在理解本文第一句中提出的問題、感到困惑或疑慮時，請閱讀約翰福音書第13至17章。願我們仁慈的主祝福我們，在我們的生活中、快樂而忠心地服侍祂。我們以耶穌寶貴的名、祈禱，阿們。

All Christians know that Christ will resurrect us and glorify us when He returns. Romans 8:28-30 clearly teach us that God through Christ will glorify us at the end.Romans 8:28-30:

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

所有的基督徒都知道、基督將復活我們，而且當祂再重返時，將榮耀我們。羅馬書8：28-30清楚地教導我們，上帝通過主耶穌基督，將在末日叫我們得榮耀。

羅馬書8：28-30

28我們曉得萬事都互相效力，叫愛神的人得益處，就是按他旨意被召的人。 

29因為他預先所知道的人，就預先定下效法他兒子的模樣，使他兒子在許多弟兄中做長子； 

30預先所定下的人又召他們來，所召來的人又稱他們為義，所稱為義的人又叫他們得榮耀。

However, not many Christians convict themselves that the main purpose of Christians’ lives is to glorify Christ. To glorify Christ is to complete the mission that He gives each of us to do in our lives. This is a clear teaching from Christ our Lord as revealed in the following:

然而，沒有多少基督徒認定，自己的基督徒生命的主要目的、是要榮耀基督。要榮耀基督，是完成祂在我們生命中、所託付我們每個人去執行的使命。這是主耶穌基督給我們的清楚教導，如下所示：

A. John 15:16

16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

A. 約翰福音 15:16

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，使你們奉我的名無論向父求什麼，他就賜給你們。

B. In His High Priestly Prayer in John 17, our Lord shows by His example what to glorify His Father means in John 17:4,

4 I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.

B.在約翰福音17章、祂的大祭司禱告中，我們的主以祂榮耀祂父的方式，作為例子榜樣、顯示了在約翰福音17：4中:

4我在地上已經榮耀你，你所託付我的事，我已成全了。

C. Our Lord further teaches us how we shall glorify His Father in John 15:8,

8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

C.我們的主更進一步，在約翰福音15章8節教導我們，如何榮耀祂的父，

8.你們多結果子，我父就因此得榮耀，你們也就是我的門徒了。

D. Our Lord also confirms that He has been glorified in His disciples in John 17:10.

10 and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them.

D.在約翰福音17:10中，我們的主也證實，祂已經祂的門徒得了榮耀。

10.凡是我的都是你的，你的也是我的，並且我因他們得了榮耀。

It is indeed the greatest honor of each Christian that he/she was chosen by our Lord and sent by our Lord to bear fruit to honor Him and His Father. Let us pray that He will strengthen each of us to be faithful in completing the work that He sent us to do and that each of us will have the conviction to carry out the main purpose of our lives each day.

這的確是、每個基督徒最大的榮幸，就是他/她是被我們的主所選擇，並由我們的主派來結果子、來榮耀祂及祂的父親。讓我們祈禱，祂將強化我們每個人、忠實地完成、祂要我們所做的工作；我們每個人都有信念、每天履行我們生命的主要目的。

First of all, what is free will. Free will means to live according to individual’s will. To live means to deal with all matters related with life. So what is wrong with free will. Actually, there is nothing inherently wrong with free will because free will was part of God’s creation on all animal world including human being. However, when the free wills of individuals cause conflicts, then peaceful living becomes impossible for the world. So in order to keep peace, free wills of individuals are subject to societal laws. Furthermore, our Creator also sets the boundary for human free wills. In other word, mankind need to listen to God’s commandments.

首先，讓我們來探討什麼是自由意志。自由意志是根據個人的意願來生活、即所謂隨心所欲的生活。生活就是，要面對與處理、和生命有關的一切事務。那麼自由意志，有什麼問題或錯誤呢？其實，自由意志並沒有什麼本質上的錯誤，因為自由意志是，上帝創造的所有動物世界、包括人類在內、的一部分。但是，當每個人的自由意志產生衝突時，世界就不可能有和平的生活。所以為了保持和平，個人的自由意志、必須要受到社會法規的約束。而且，我們的創造者也為人類自由意志設定了界限。換句話說，人類需要聽神的誡命。

We all know what it will become in a lawlessness society. In that society, evils of wicked men will rampage just as there is no justice for all in a  dictatorship regime. You may ask where the evil begins? Evil began when  a human being puts his/her will above the commandments of God. In other word just as Romans 1: 18-23 clearly state that evil began when men do not recognize God as God and elevated himself/herself as god in rebelling against their Creator.

我們都知道，無法無天的社會將會如何！在這個社會，邪惡的人的罪惡就會橫行，就像獨裁政權中、不可能有人人正義平等一樣。你可以問邪惡從何開始？當一個人將他/她的意志，超乎上帝的誡命之上時，邪惡開始了。換句話說，正如羅馬書1：18-22所說明的那樣，邪惡開始於人類不認識上帝，並將自己當作上帝，不承認、反叛了他們的造物主。

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

上帝對人性罪惡的憤怒
18原來，神的憤怒從天上顯明在一切不虔不義的人身上，就是那些行不義阻擋真理的人。 19 神的事情人所能知道的，原顯明在人心裡，因為神已經給他們顯明。20自從造天地以來，神的永能和神性是明明可知的，雖是眼不能見，但藉著所造之物就可以曉得，叫人無可推諉。

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

21因為他們雖然知道神，卻不當做神榮耀他，也不感謝他，他們的思念變為虛妄，無知的心就昏暗了。22自稱為聰明，反成了愚拙，23將不能朽壞之神的榮耀變為偶像，彷彿必朽壞的人和飛禽、走獸、昆蟲的樣式。

If you looks at the world carefully, you can see clearly that free wills of evil men and women are main causes for all the problems of the world. Here are a few examples:

1. crimes are committed by criminals in their wills against societal laws.
2. all wars are due to conflicts caused by  a country’s will against another country’s will.
3. divorce comes from conflicts of wills between husband and wife.

如果仔細觀察世界，就可以清楚的看到，邪惡的男人和女人的自由意志，是世界上所有問題的主要原因。以下是幾個例子:

1.罪犯行為，是犯罪份子橫行、違反了社會法律的意志。
2.所有的戰爭，都是因為一個國家與另一個國家的意志有衝突而造成 。
3.離婚，是來自丈夫和妻子之間的意志衝突。

We do not need any more examples. Just look at the conflicts in Middle East and it will show you clearly the effects of evil wills. Since men have not be able to live peacefully throughout the human history, conflicts will remain with us in our age as well. You may ask what should we do then? We do need to return to our Creator. This means that we need to be taught by His truth as revealed by His word in the Bible. One thing we can do right away to improve our lives is to be aware of "how we exercise our wills". Just to admit the limitation of our will will be a great start in improving our relationship with others in our midst. More importantly we need to obey God’s commandments as revealed in the Bible. That is why our Lord Jesus Christ taught us to deny ourselves and follow Him.

我們不需要更多的例子。只要看中東的衝突，就會清楚地顯示邪惡意志的影響。由於在整個人類歷史上，人類無法和平地生活。在我們這個時代，衝突也一樣的、將與我們同在。你可以問，我們該怎麼辦？我們確實需要回到我們的創造主。這意味著，我們需要通過聖經、祂的話語所揭示的真理，來教導我們。我們可以做一件、立即改善生活的事，就是意識到、我們要如何行使我們的意願。只要承認我們自由意志是有所局限的，將是改善我們人際關係的一個偉大開始。更重要的是，我們需要遵守上帝在聖經中所揭示透露的誡命。這就是為什麼我們的主耶穌基督教導，我們要捨己，追隨祂。

Matthew 16:24
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

馬太福音16:24
當背起自己的十字架跟從主
24於是，耶穌對門徒說：「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。

That is why He preached repentance in Matthew 4:17
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

這就是為什麼祂在馬太福音4:17中傳講悔改。

17從那時候，耶穌就傳起道來，說：「天國近了，你們應當悔改！」

May we all hear the call of Jesus Christ: Repent! Deny ourselves and follow Him.

願我們都聽見耶穌基督的呼召：悔改！捨己，跟隨祂。

How do you survive well in a rapidly changing evil world?
Answer: By maintaining fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the word of life. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

在一個快速變化的邪惡世界中，你如何活得好好的？
答案：與耶穌基督、我們的主保持交通團契。祂就是生命。在祂裡面是生命，那個生命是全人類的光。

In this website, we reminded you many times about characteristics of the post modernism world in which we live. Particularly, we warned you frequently about hidden agenda of information sources. With so much talks without meanings and so many TV pundits without absolute moral standards, watch your time carefully and be watchful that we are not led away from the fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord. 

在這個網站上，我們常常提醒你，我們所生活、這個後現代主義世界的特徵。特別是，我們經常提醒您，有關信息來源的隱藏居心與目的。當有太多沒有意義的談論時，及有如此多的電視專家、不具有絕對的道德標準時，請小心把握你的時間，注意我們不要被牽引而離開了，與耶穌基督、我們的主的交通團契。

Relative rationalism is the fads of the age. Confusion is the order of the days. We need to protect our mind. Saint Paul warned us in Romans 12:1-2 and please do not be ignorant of it:

Romans 12:1-2, New International Version (NIV)
A Living Sacrifice
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
相對的理性主義是時代潮流。日子的秩序就是一團混亂。我們需要保護我們的心靈。請不要疏忽、不理會，聖保羅在羅馬書12：1-2中警告我們：

羅馬書12：1-2
獻己於主當做活祭
12所以弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們，將身體獻上，當做活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的，你們如此侍奉乃是理所當然的。 2不要效法這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。

Please watch out our transformation in Romans 12:2 is a passive mode. We are not renewed ourselves by our intellect or by our rationalism, let alone by the pundits’ garbage. As Christians, we have indwelling Highly Spirit who will guide us into fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord.
請注意，我們在羅馬書12：2中的轉變是一種被動模式。我們的心意更新是不能靠、我們自己的智慧或我們的理性推理，更不必說靠專家的垃圾了。作為基督徒，我們有內在的聖靈，將引導保守我們、與我們主耶穌基督的交通團契。

Here are a few reminders from the Scripture.
A. Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 John 1:1-4
New International Version  
The Incarnation of the Word of Life
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, 
Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make your joy complete.

這裡是聖經中的一些提醒。
A.我們的交通團契 是、與我們的父和祂的兒子耶穌基督、我們主的交通團契。
約翰一書1：1-4
生命之道的化身: 太初有道 道成肉身
1論到從起初原有的生命之道，就是我們所聽見、所看見、親眼看過、親手摸過的。 2這生命已經顯現出來，我們也看見過，現在又作見證，將原與父同在且顯現於我們那永遠的生命傳給你們。 
3我們將所看見、所聽見的傳給你們，使你們與我們相交；我們乃是與父並他兒子耶穌基督相交的。 
4我們將這些話寫給你們，使你們的喜樂充足。

B. We are led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Choose life over death! Choose light over darkness! Choose love over hate. 
Romans 8:5-9
New International Version  
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

B.我們是由內在的聖靈帶領的。選擇生命勝於死亡！選擇光明勝於黑暗！選擇愛勝於恨。

羅馬書8：5-9
隨從肉體與隨從聖靈的比較
5.因為隨從肉體的人，體貼肉體的事；隨從聖靈的人，體貼聖靈的事。 
6.體貼肉體的就是死，體貼聖靈的乃是生命、平安。 
7原來體貼肉體的就是與神為仇，因為不服神的律法，也是不能服； 
8 而且屬肉體的人不能得神的喜歡。 
9如果神的靈住在你們心裡，你們就不屬肉體，乃屬聖靈了。人若沒有基督的靈，就不是屬基督的。

C. Christians are concerning life and yes, eternal life which is in Jesus Christ our Lord. 
John 1:1-4
New International Version 
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

C.基督徒是關乎生命的，是關乎在耶穌基督、我們的主內之永生。
約翰福音1：1-4
施洗約翰為真光作見證
1 太初有道，道與神同在，道就是神。 
2 這道太初與神同在。 
3萬物是藉著他造的；凡被造的，沒有一樣不是藉著他造的。 
4 生命在他裡頭，這生命就是人的光。

May you survive well as indicated by the following precious Bible verse.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 
9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)

願你保守生存得很好，如以下寶貴的聖經經文所示。
以弗所書5：8-10:
當像光明的子女
8從前你們是暗昧的，但如今在主裡面是光明的，行事為人就當像光明的子女 
9光明所結的果子就是一切良善、公義、誠實
10總要察驗何為主所喜悅的事

The life of every Christian can be viewed as a tale of two natures. This is not true for persons who are not Christians. You may ask what do you means? Since this is a very important subject, it is important that each of us clearly understand this subject.
每個基督徒的生命，都可以看成是一個、兩種本性的故事。對於不是基督徒的人來說，這不是真的。你可能會問你是什麼意思？既然這是一個非常重要的主題，我們每個人都要清楚地、瞭解這個重要課題。

Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us in John chapter 3 that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. When we were born again, the Holy Spirit created a new nature in each of us. Thus, all Christians have a two natures just as John 3:6, “ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”. Apostle Paul described this situation as “Old Man” and “New Man” inside each of us.
我們的主耶穌基督、在約翰福音第3章教導我們，”除非他們重生，否則沒有人能看到神的國度”。當聖靈重生我們時，聖靈在我們每個人內、創造了一種新的本性。因此，所有的基督徒都有兩種本性，正如約翰福音3：6所說，“6 從肉身生的就是肉身，從靈生的就是靈”。使徒保羅將這種情況描述為我們裡面的“舊人”和“新人”。

Our old man’s nature was corrupted by sins. Our new man’s nature was born of God— “ to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesian 4:24) These two natures within each of believers are against each other. Let understand a little bit more about these two natures.
我們的舊人的本性，是因罪而敗壞了。我們新人的本性，是由上帝生的 —“24 並且穿上新人，這新人是照著神的形象造的，有真理的仁義和聖潔”。（以弗所書 4:24）每個信徒中的這兩種本性，是相互抵觸衝突的。讓我們更進一步、了解這兩種本性。

(1) Our old nature is following the lusts of the flesh. So when I am following my old nature, I live according to the flesh and I set my mind, my time, and my energy on what the flesh desires. I would forget about the Bible teaching and I would shy away from my prayer life. It is important to know the true color of my old nature.  

   (i) There is no good about this old nature just as “ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18) 

   (ii) Worst, The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. (Romans 8:7)  That is why a Christian may be deceived by the flesh and wonder away from the teaching of the Bible and committed sins in offending his/her loving Lord.

（1）我們的舊本性是隨從肉體的慾望。所以當我跟從我的舊本性時，我是過體貼肉體的生活，而且我把我的心思、我的時間、以及我的精力，都放在肉體慾望上。我會忘記聖經的教訓，我會避開我的禱告生活。知道我古老本性的真實色彩，是很重要的。                                                                  （i）古老的本性是沒有良善，就像“18 我也知道，在我裡頭，就是我肉體之中，沒有良善。因為立志為善由得我，只是行出來由不得我。“（羅馬書7:18)                                                                          (ii) 最糟糕的是，”原來體貼肉體的就是與神為仇，因為不服神的律法，也是不能服。” (羅馬書8:7)。這就是為什麼一個基督徒，可能被肉體所欺騙，並遠離聖經的教導，而且犯了、冒犯他/她所愛的上帝的罪。

   (2) Our new nature is from God and the Holy Spirit caused us to know that we are children of God because every child of God is dwelt by the Holy Spirit. This new nature can not and will not sin. That is why Apostle John taught us “ We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.” (1 John 5:18).
    (i) There is no power of living this new nature by myself. That is why I need to be led by the Holy Spirit. That is why Romans 7 taught us that our Lord Jesus delivered us from the deeds of the old natures. Romans 7:22-25:  For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
   (ii) All children of God are truly blessed because our God will encourage us and enable us to abide with this new nature.
Romans 8:6 
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

（2）我們的新本性是來自上帝，聖靈讓我們知道、我們是上帝的兒女，因為上帝的每一個孩子、都有聖靈內住。這新本性、不能也不會犯罪。這就是為什麼使徒約翰教導我們，“18 我們知道凡從神生的，必不犯罪，從神生的必保守自己，那惡者也就無法害他。“（約翰一書5:18）。
     （i）我自己是無能力推動、這新本性的生活。這就是為什麼、我需要由聖靈領導。這就是為什麼、羅馬書第7章告訴我們，是依靠主耶穌、讓我們脫離了舊本性的行為。
羅馬書7:22-25，22 因為按著我裡面的意思，我是喜歡神的律， 23 但我覺得肢體中另有個律和我心中的律交戰，把我擄去，叫我附從那肢體中犯罪的律。 24 我真是苦啊！誰能救我脫離這取死的身體呢？ 25 感謝神！靠著我們的主耶穌基督就能脫離了。這樣看來，我以內心順服神的律，我肉體卻順服罪的律了。
        (ii) 所有上帝的孩子都真的有福，因為我們的上帝一定鼓勵我們，讓我們能夠遵行這個新的本性。
羅馬書8:6，6 體貼肉體的就是死，體貼聖靈的乃是生命、平安。

    (3) It is important to recognize that there is different fruit associated with the deeds of the old nature and the deeds of new nature respectively. That is why we can recognize a person’s true nature not by words of profession but by the fruit of individual’s life. We need to pay attention to the following scripture verses. 
1 John 2:28-29, 
And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of Him.
 （3）我們要清楚地瞭解到、舊本性和新本性的行為，結著不同的果實。這就是為什麼我們不是通過口嘴 的話，而是通過個人的生命的果實，來認識一個人的真實本性。我們需要注意以下經文。
約翰一書2：28-29，
行公義的都是主所生的
28 小子們哪，你們要住在主裡面。這樣，他若顯現，我們就可以坦然無懼，當他來的時候在他面前也不至於慚愧。 29 你們若知道他是公義的，就知道凡行公義之人都是他所生的。

Thus, a Christian life is a tale of the conflicts of the two natures. Are we following the Holy Spirit or are we following the lust of the flesh? And the answer is in the Scripture and this is the sanctification process of our lives.
This is why Apostle John encouraged each of us by the verses:
1 John 2:14, 
I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father.I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
This is why Apostle Paul encouraged us in the following verse:
Gal 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
And this is also why Apostle Peter encouraged us in the following verses:
1 Peter 1:22-25,
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,
“All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.
因此，基督徒的生命是、兩種本性鬥爭矛盾的故事。我們該遵循聖靈，還是遵循肉體的慾望？答案是在聖經中，而且這是我們成聖生命的過程。
這就是為什麼，使徒約翰用下列經文、鼓勵我們每一個人：
約翰一書2：14，
親愛的小朋友哪，我曾寫信給你們，因為你們知道天父。父老啊，我曾寫信給你們，因為你們認識那從起初原有的。少年人哪，我曾寫信給你們，因為你們剛強，神的道常存在你們心裡，你們也勝了那惡者。 
這就是為什麼，使徒保羅在以下經文中、鼓勵我們：
加拉太書2:20，
20 我已經與基督同釘十字架，現在活著的不再是我，乃是基督在我裡面活著。並且我如今在肉身活著，是因信神的兒子而活，他是愛我，為我捨己。
這也是為什麼，使徒彼得在以下經文中、鼓勵我們：
彼得前書1：22-25，
22 你們既因順從真理潔淨了自己的心，以致愛弟兄沒有虛假，就當從心裡彼此切實相愛。 23 你們蒙了重生，不是由於能壞的種子，乃是由於不能壞的種子，是藉著神活潑常存的道。 24 因為，「凡有血氣的盡都如草，他的美榮都像草上的花。草必枯乾，花必凋謝， 25 唯有主的道是永存的。」所傳給你們的福音就是這道。

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Part 2— What should we do
第二部分-- 我們應該做什麼？
So what should we do. It is very important to know that our old nature is hostile to God and our flesh always lives according to fleshly lust even towards death as Romans 8:6 warning us: “6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,”. Thus, we cannot rely upon ourselves to overcome the world’s temptations. Then, what should we do !

我們應該這麼做。這是非常重要的，要知道，我們老的本質對上帝是充滿敵意的。我們的肉體、總是隨著肉體的慾望而活，甚至至死。羅馬書8：6警告我們：“6體貼肉體的就是死，體貼聖靈的乃是生命、平安”。因此，我們不能依靠自己，來克服的世界的誘惑。所以，什麼是我們應該做的！

Let listen to what the Bible teaches us.  You may ask why we keep going back to the Bible. Because the truth set us free and the Word of God is the truth. We need to meditate on John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

讓我們聽聽，聖經給我們的教導。您可能會問，為什麼我們常常回到聖經。因為真理讓我們自由，而上帝的話語就是真理。我們需要好好思考約翰·17:17，“17求你用真理使他們成聖，你的道就是真理”。

1. First,  let us get a pointer from St. Paul, an Apostle to us, the gentile.  In Romans 7:21-25, he taught us essence of the conflict between our two natures:  ”21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”. Thus, The only solution is “through Jesus Christ our Lord”.  We need by our prayers and petitions to ask our Lord Jesus Christ to fulfill our true desire  which is to be like our Lord Jesus Christ. We need to follow Philippians 4:6-7, “6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Indeed, we need to trust our Lord. He will do it for His own because He is the finisher of our faith as revealed in Hebrews 12:2,”2 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.” Praise our Lord indeed !

1.首先，讓我們從”外邦人的大使徒”聖保羅、得到一個指示。在羅馬人7：21-25，他教導我們兩個本質之間的衝突：“21我覺得有個律，就是我願意為善的時候，便有惡與我同在。22因為按著我裡面的意思，我是喜歡神的律，23但我覺得肢體中另有個律和我心中的律交戰，把我擄去，叫我附從那肢體中犯罪的律。24我真是苦啊！誰能救我脫離這取死的身體呢？25感謝神！靠著我們的主耶穌基督就能脫離了。這樣看來，我以內心順服神的律，我肉體卻順服罪的律了”。因此，唯一的解決方案是“通過耶穌基督我們的主”。我們需要經由我們的祈禱和請願，請求我們的主耶穌基督，滿足我們的真正的慾望:那就是要像我們的主耶穌基督。我們需要遵循腓立比書4：6-7，“6應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝，將你們所要的告訴神。7神所賜出人意外的平安，必在基督耶穌裡保守你們的心懷意念”。事實上，我們需要信任我們的主。祂會為屬祂自己的人做到這一點，是的，因為他是我們信仰的創始成終者，揭示在希伯來書12：2，“2仰望為我們信心創始成終的耶穌。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”。確確實實地，讚美我們的主！

2. Secondly, we must get a pointer from St. John. 1 John 3:9 teaches us: “9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.” Thus, by who we are through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, we will rely on the power of God and not by ourselves to overcome the world. The following is a very precious promise in 1 John 3:1-3,”3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”  We are God’s workmanship: our Lord will finish our sanctification for us because He is our sanctification as revealed in 1 Corinthians 1:30. Praise the Lord indeed! Our Lord further instructed us in John 13:14 to wash each other feet. In other words, to be accounted for each other and to mutually cleanse each other in words of God. We need to be a keeper of other believers who come to our lives. And even more importantly, we need to cleanse ourselves daily with words of God.
2.其次，我們必須從聖約翰，得到一個指針。約翰一書3：9教導我們：“9凡從神生的，就不犯罪，因神的道存在他心裡；他也不能犯罪，因為他是由神生的”。因此，我們是經由聖靈的更新，我們是依賴上帝的力量，而不是靠自己，來克服世界的。下面是一個非常珍貴的應許承諾，在約翰一書3：1-3，稱為神的兒女是蒙父何等慈愛，“3你看父賜給我們是何等的慈愛，使我們得稱為神的兒女，我們也真是他的兒女！世人所以不認識我們，是因未曾認識他。2親愛的弟兄啊，我們現在是神的兒女，將來如何，還未顯明。但我們知道，主若顯現，我們必要像他，因為必得見他的真體。3凡向他有這指望的，就潔淨自己，像他潔淨一樣”。我們是神的作品，我們的主將完成我們的成聖，因為祂是我們的成聖，揭示在哥林多前書2:30，"30但你們得在基督耶穌裡，是本乎神，神又使他成為我們的智慧、公義、聖潔、救贖"。確確實實地，讚美神！我們的主進一步指示我們，在約翰13:14，要去洗彼此的腳。"14我是你們的主、你們的夫子，尚且洗你們的腳，你們也當彼此洗腳"。換句話說，我們要互為依靠，並相互以上帝的話潔淨彼此。我們是，來到我們的生命中的其他信徒的、一個守護者。更重要的是，我們需要每天用上帝的話，來清潔我們自己。

3. Also, We must get a pointer from St. Peter as well  from 1 Peter 4:7-8, “7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”  Thus, If you really love your brothers/sisters in the faith, you will not hate them and stir up strifes in church. If you really love your spouse or your children, you will not hurt them by the deeds of your flesh. One of the key powers of darkness is to seduce us to only care about “me” without regarding to the needs of others.  Listen to St. Peter teaching in 1 Peter 4:1-3, “4 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.” We know from our previous ways and from our own experience: nothing good will come out of evil. Enough is enough. We do love our Lord Jesus Christ who died for each of us. This love whether we know or not is part of our essence and we love our Lord Jesus Christ as St. Peter shows us in 1 Peter 1:8, “8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”

3.此外，我們也必須從聖彼得得到一個指針. 彼得前書4：7-8，愛能遮罪。"7萬物的結局近了，所以你們要謹慎自守，警醒禱告。8最要緊的是彼此切實相愛，因為愛能遮掩許多的罪“。因此，如果你真的愛、你的主內兄弟/姐妹們，你將不憎恨他們，你也不在教會裡、挑起爭吵。如果你真的愛、你的配偶或你的孩子，你不會行情慾的事、傷害他們。黑暗的一個關鍵力量，就是勾引我們、只關心“我”，不考慮到他人的需要。聽聖彼得的教導，在彼得前書4：1-3，不可從人的情慾只從神的旨意，"4基督既在肉身受苦，你們也當將這樣的心志作為兵器，因為在肉身受過苦的，就已經與罪斷絕了。2你們存這樣的心，從今以後就可以不從人的情慾，只從神的旨意在世度餘下的光陰。3因為往日隨從外邦人的心意，行邪淫、惡慾、醉酒、荒宴、群飲並可惡拜偶像的事，時候已經夠了”。我們從、我們以前的作法及我們自己的經驗，知道："沒什麼好事、是來自邪惡的"。我們該覺醒。我們愛、我們的主耶穌基督，祂為我們每個人而死。這個愛，不管我們知道或不知道，是屬於我們的本質。我們愛、我們的主耶穌基督，如聖彼得描述我們，在彼得前書1：8，未見基督卻是愛他。"8你們雖然沒有見過他，卻是愛他；如今雖不得看見，卻因信他就有說不出來、滿有榮光的大喜樂"。

4. This is what our Lord teaches us in John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” Listen to our Lord who is our Creator. He knows each of us very well indeed. That is, why He said in Matthew 16:24-26, “24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Clearly, self denial is the key to put to death the deeds of flesh. Each of us should define for himself or herself what is self denial means relative to what  weaknesses we have had in each of us !

4.這是我們主的教導，在約翰·6：63-64，“63叫人活著的乃是靈，肉體是無益的。我對你們所說的話就是靈，就是生命"。要聽我們主的話，祂是我們的創建者。他確實非常瞭解、知道我們每個人。也就是說，為什麼祂在馬太福音16：24-26說，當背起自己的十字架跟從主。"24於是，耶穌對門徒說：「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。 25因為凡要救自己生命的，必喪掉生命；凡為我喪掉生命的，必得著生命。26人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有什麼益處呢？人還能拿什麼換生命呢？“。顯然，捨己是去拒絕、處死肉體行為的關鍵。我們每個人應該、定義自己的捨己，相對於自己弱點的意義！

5. One of the most precious desires in Christians’ lives is the continuing fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ every moment in our lives. One of the key wisdoms is to know and to cherish  the preciousness in life . For example, life is priceless. So why I throw it away by flirting with temptations?  Just as our Lord teaches us “what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Why then should we waste our lives in heinous corruptions of “power,  sex, fames, money, and drugs” at all. Consequences of not protecting the few preciousness dear to our heart are disasters of the first degree. If Adam and Eve really cherished God preciously and enjoyed the paradise preciously, they would not exchange their love for God and blessing from God for anything at all. Consequence of losing fellowship with God cannot be measured at all. If one truly treasures one’s spouse, one will steer away from all things/deeds impacting one’s marriage! How joyful we should be when we are healthy and not contaminated with a disease. How beautiful it is when we are in light !

5.基督徒生活中，最寶貴的願望之一，是在我們生活中每一刻，與我們的主耶穌基督、持續交往團契。關鍵的智慧之一是，要認識和珍惜生命中的寶貴。例如，生命是無價的。那麼為什麼，我要被誘惑調戲，來扔掉生命呢？正如我們的主教導我們，“一個人要拿什麼來回報他的靈魂？”。為什麼、我們要在“權力，性，財富，金錢和毒品”的惡毒腐敗中，浪費我們的生命？不保護我們心中，少數最愛的寶貴之後果，是第一等級的災難。如果亞當和夏娃，珍貴地珍惜上帝、珍貴地享受的伊甸樂園，就完全不會、將他們對上帝的愛和來自神的祝福，去交換其他東西。失去與上帝的團契的後果，根本無法衡量。如果一個人、真正珍惜他的配偶，就會擺脫影響婚姻的所有事物/行為！當我們健康，不被疾病污染時，我們是如何的快樂。當我們活在光明時，它是多麼美麗！

6. Our salvation is from grace upon grace of God. Being a limited/depraved/mortal man, there is nothing we can do or claim to have a right to have relationship with the infinite God. So the fellowship with God is not due to any merit of our own doing. It is the greatest gift from God to give His Son to save us. John 3:16,  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” We need to regard the fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ is priceless and protect/cherish it with every ounce of energy we have !

6. 我們的救贖，是來自上帝的層層恩典。作為一個有限的/墮落的/會死的凡人，我們無法做任何事情、或聲稱有權，與無限上帝保持聯繫。所以與上帝的交往，並不是、由於我們自己做的任何優點及好事。這完全是上帝給祂兒子救我們的、最大的恩賜。約翰福音3:16，神愛世人，“16神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的不致滅亡，反得永生”。我們需要把、與我們的主耶穌基督的團契關係，視為無價之寶，要用我們每一盎司的能量、來珍惜保護！

7. A final thought. 
In Old Testament time, it was imperative to bring sacrifices to the temple in order to be able to draw near God. God mandated that only after the oxen, or lambs were killed and the priests brought their blood into the sanctuary, then, sins can be forgiven by God. So it was impossible indeed to be able to draw near God in Old Testament time without blood sacrifices. 
In New Testament time, we are able to pray to God and to have fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ because our Lord Jesus Christ died for each of us at the cross and His precious blood continually cleanses us. We also know that our Lord is the heavenly High Priest serving in the heavenly temple and we are His royal priests on the earth. Now, a function of the priests is to offer sacrifices. Because our Lord Jesus Christ is the sin offer once for all, we cannot do any sacrifices for sins. However, we can offer our sinful body as a living sacrifice on the altar just as Romans 12:1-2 to fulfill our priestly duty. Romans 12:1-2, “12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” 。
7.結語
在舊約的時代，為了能夠親近上帝，是必須、帶來犧牲品到聖殿奉獻。神命令、只有在牛，或羔羊被殺害後和祭司帶了他們的血進入聖所，然後，罪孽才可以被神原諒豁免。所以，在舊約的時代、沒有流血犧牲，確實是不可能親近上帝。
在新約時代，我們能夠祈求上帝，並與我們的主耶穌基督團契，是因為我們的主耶穌基督、為我們每個人死在十字架上，和他的寶血不斷潔淨我們。我們也知道，我們的主是神聖的屬天大祭司，服事在天上的聖殿，而我們是祂在地上君尊的祭司。我們知道，一個祭司的功能是提供犧牲。因為我們的主耶穌基督是已為所有的罪、完成了最後一次的犧牲，我們不能再為罪孽，做任何的犧牲。然而，我們可以獻上我們的身體，作為壇上的一個活祭，正如羅馬書12：1-2所述，獻己於主當做活祭。"12所以弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們，將身體獻上，當做活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的，你們如此侍奉乃是理所當然的。2不要效法這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意"。

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,  do you know what living sacrifice means? In Old Testament, the altar is sacred, any sacrifice which touches the altar becomes sacred. (See Exodus 29:37, Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it, and the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar shall become holy.) So our sinful body became sacred once on the altar as a living sacrifice. To be sacred means to belong to God. This clearly means that our body belongs to God. This is a great blessing! The Holy Spirit dwells in our body and our body becomes the temple of God. Our life belongs to God and is to serve God. This is why Galatians 2:20 “20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Now,  ”What I have been crucified with Christ” means? Clearly this is what Galatians 5:24 means, “24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” In other words, our old self was crucified and we no longer live according to the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and  pride of this life.

親愛的主內弟兄姐妹，你知道活祭的意義嗎？在舊約，壇是神聖的，凡挨著壇的任何犧牲、都成為聖。（請參閱出埃及記29:37，"37要潔淨壇七天，使壇成聖，壇就成為至聖。凡挨著壇的都成為聖。")。所以我們、有罪的身體，一旦上壇、作為一個活祭，就成為神聖。成為神聖的犧牲，表示歸屬於神。這清楚的指示，我們的身體是屬於神。這是一個偉大的祝福！聖靈居住在我們的身體和我們的身體成為上帝的殿堂。我們的生命屬於上帝，將為上帝服務。這就是為什麼加拉太書2:20說，基督在保羅裡面活著，”20我已經與基督同釘十字架，現在活著的不再是我，乃是基督在我裡面活著。並且我如今在肉身活著，是因信神的兒子而活，他是愛我，為我捨己”。現在，”我已經與基督同釘十字架“的意義是什麼？顯然，這就是加拉太書5:24所說的，”24凡屬基督耶穌的人，是已經把肉體連肉體的邪情私慾同釘在十字架上了“。換句話說，我們的舊我、已被釘在十字架上，我們不再根據，眼目的慾望、肉體的慾望、和今生的驕傲生活。

In conclusion, we shall cherish our Lord because He loves us to the end (See John 13:1). He offered himself as the propitiation for our sin so that we can be back to our heavenly Father’s love just like a repented prodigal son coming home. May we love our Lord Jesus Christ with all our heart and may we have sweet fellowship with the Father and His beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord. May we also have a sweet fellowship with each other believer to enjoy Ephesians 3:14-21 Amen.

總之，我們應珍惜我們的主，因祂愛我們到底，(見約翰13：1，"13逾越節以前，耶穌知道自己離世歸父的時候到了。他既然愛世間屬自己的人，就愛他們到底"。)。祂提供了自己，為我們的罪做了挽回祭，這樣我們才可以返回到我們天父的愛，就像一個後悔的浪子、回到父家。願我們全心全意、愛我們的主耶穌基督，願我們與上帝和祂心愛的兒子主耶穌基督、有甜蜜的團契。願我們和其他信徒、也有一個甜蜜的團契，同享以弗所書3：14-21，阿們！

以弗所書3：14-21
基督有莫測之愛
14 因此，我在父面前屈膝，
15 天上地上的各家，都是從他得名，
16他按著他豐盛的榮耀，藉著他的靈，叫你們心裡的力量剛強起來， 
17使基督因你們的信住在你們心裡，叫你們的愛心有根有基， 
18 能以和眾聖徒一同明白基督的愛是何等長闊高深， 
19並知道這愛是過於人所能測度的，便叫神一切所充滿的充滿了你們。
20神能照著運行在我們心裡的大力，充充足足地成就一切，超過我們所求所想的。 
21但願他在教會中，並在基督耶穌裡得著榮耀，直到世世代代，永永遠遠！阿們。

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One of central issues of life is “eternal life”. Every person in history regardless of race, culture, and gender has this problem. Actually, all activities of human race are related to this problem. You may ask why is it so? The following is just a few examples:
1. Whole medical care system such as doctors, nurses, hospitals, nursing homes, pharmaceutical industry, insurance companies, etc., exists for maintaining and extending lives of patients.
2. People form family, society, nation, united nations, etc. to protect lives from enemies.
3. Whole employment system is for individuals to earn a living to sustain and nurture lives.
4. Whole entertainment industry including sports, movies, music, art, etc is for the enjoyment and hence sustenance of life.

生命的一個中心問題，是“永恆的生命”。歷史上的每一個人，無論其種族、文化、性別的不同，都有這個問題。事實上，人類的所有活動，都與此相關。您可能會問，為什麼是如此呢？以下是只是幾個例子：
1.整個醫療系統，如醫生、護士、醫院、療養院、製藥行業、保險公司等的存在，就是為了要照護和延長病患的生命。
2.人們組成家庭、社會、國家、聯合國等，就是要抵抗敵人、保護生命，。
3.整個就業系統，是讓個人可以謀生，有能力來、維持和滋養生命。
4.整個娛樂行業，包括運動、電影、音樂、藝術等，是在生活中享受娛樂，進而充實、豐富生命。

Ever since the beginning of our lives, we learned by observations, and lessons told us by our family, teachers, and recorded history. Most people know that people live and die. However, due to harshnes of life, most people struggle to survive in day to day living issues and tend to ignore the ultimate mother of all issues - the eternal life issue. The real problem is still the eternal life whether we avoid it or not.

從我們生命之始，我們就用觀察及接受我們家庭、老師、歷史記載的教導、傳承的經驗來學習。大多數人知道，人有生、也有死。然而，由於生活的困頓，大多數人在日常生活中，只能掙扎求生存，往往忽略了、所有問題的終極的源頭，即永生的問題。真實的問題，仍然是永恆的生命，不管我們避免與否。

There are many philosophers, politicians, religion gurus inventing many isms, and religions to solve the problem. This situation even causes more confusion because people need to sort out deceptions and evils from the truth which leads to eternal life.

有很多的哲學家、政治家、宗教大師，發明許多理論和宗教，想要來解決問題。這種情況下，甚至會導致更多的混亂，因為人們還需要先分辨出、排除去，欺騙和罪惡，才能得到導致永生的真理。

It is easy to convince a person to go to see a doctor for his/her medical problem to solve a temporary issue of life than to bring a person to the Bible which leads us to eternal life through the only Savior Jesus Christ our Lord. You may ask why this is so?

我們能很容易地、說服一個人，去看醫生、來解決他/她生活上的一個、臨時性的醫療問題。卻很不容易、讓一個人接受聖經，通過唯一的救主、耶穌基督而得到我們永恆的生命。您可能會問、為什麼這是這樣？

We believe this is due to ignorance of corruption and pollution issues of life.
1. Pollution Issue is a health issue
Here we refer the pollution as the contamination to our physical bodies. Pollution  includes environmental pollutions such as air pollution and water pollution. But it also includes societal and cultural impacts to our living styles such as junk foods, and drug addictions etc. Basically, pollutions affect our health and our ability to serve our Lord.
2. Corruption Issue is a faith issue
Here we refer the corruption as the contamination to our soul. That is corruption to our hearts. The issues here are spiritual. Corruption issues can not be solved by human means. That is why the Scripture tells us repeatedly that a person needs to be born again in order to see the Kingdom of God. Otherwise, we live in Ephesians 2:1-3 and are dead in trespasses.

我們相信，這是由於我們忽略了生活中，腐敗和污染問題。
1.污染問題是一個健康問題
在這裡，我們所談的污染，是指對我們身體的污染。污染包括環境的污染，如空氣污染和水污染。但它也包括社會和文化的影響到我們的生活風格，如垃圾食品和藥物成癮等。基本上，污染影響我們的健康和我們服務我們的主的能力。
2.腐敗問題是一個信仰問題
在這裡，我們所談的腐敗，是指對我們心靈的污染。這就是我們心靈的腐敗。是靈性上的問題。這個腐敗問題是，無法用人類的手段解決。這就是，為什麼聖經一再告訴我們，一個人需要重生，才能見到神的國。否則，我們活在、以弗所書第2章：1-3所述，是死於過犯罪惡之中。
以弗所書 2:1-3，得救是本乎恩也因著信
2 你們死在過犯罪惡之中，他叫你們活過來。 2 那時你們在其中行事為人，隨從今世的風俗，順服空中掌權者的首領，就是現今在悖逆之子心中運行的邪靈。 3 我們從前也都在他們中間，放縱肉體的私慾，隨著肉體和心中所喜好的去行，本為可怒之子，和別人一樣。

Here are examples of the Bible verses which are very helpful to us.

1.  Where corruption starts and when the death comes from 
James 1:15, 
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

這裡的例子，是對我們非常有益的聖經經文。
1.腐敗開始處和死亡來到時。
雅各書1:15
15 私慾既懷了胎，就生出罪來；罪既長成，就生出死來。

2. One cannot have eternal life unless be born again.
John 3:3-5, 
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

2. 人是不能有永生，除非是重生。
約翰·3：3-5
3耶穌回答說：「我實實在在地告訴你：人若不重生，就不能見神的國。」4尼哥迪慕說：「人已經老了，如何能重生呢？豈能再進母腹生出來嗎？」5耶穌說：「我實實在在地告訴你：人若不是從水和聖靈生的，就不能進神的國。」

3. How to be born again: Need to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord.
John1:10-13
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

3.如何重生：需要接受耶穌基督為，您的個人救主和主。
約翰一書 1:10-13
10他在世界，世界也是藉著他造的，世界卻不認識他。11他到自己的地方來，自己的人倒不接待他。12凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就賜他們權柄做神的兒女。13這等人不是從血氣生的，不是從情慾生的，也不是從人意生的，乃是從神生的。

4. Unless we were born again and separated from corruption, we can not fellowship with God
2 Peter 1:3-4
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

4.除非我們重生、遠離腐敗，我們不能與神交通團契。
彼得後書1：3-4 
3神的神能已將一切關乎生命和虔敬的事賜給我們，皆因我們認識那用自己榮耀和美德召我們的主。4因此，他已將又寶貴又極大的應許賜給我們，叫我們既脫離世上從情慾來的敗壞，就得與神的性情有份。

5 That is Why We need to pursue holiness because we need to in Christ to be able to fellowship with our Lord.

1 John 3:1-3
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

5.這就是為什麼、我們需要追求聖潔，因為我們需要在基督裡，才能與我們的主交通團契。

約翰一書 3:1-3
稱為神的兒女是蒙父何等慈愛
3你看父賜給我們是何等的慈愛，使我們得稱為神的兒女，我們也真是他的兒女！世人所以不認識我們，是因未曾認識他。2親愛的弟兄啊，我們現在是神的兒女，將來如何，還未顯明。但我們知道，主若顯現，我們必要像他，因為必得見他的真體。 3凡向他有這指望的，就潔淨自己，像他潔淨一樣。

1 Peter 1:13-17
13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

彼得前書 1:13-17 應當聖潔因主是聖潔的13所以要約束你們的心，謹慎自守，專心盼望耶穌基督顯現的時候所帶來給你們的恩。14你們既做順命的兒女，就不要效法從前蒙昧無知的時候那放縱私慾的樣子。15那召你們的既是聖潔，你們在一切所行的事上也要聖潔。16因為經上記著說：「你們要聖潔，因為我是聖潔的。」17你們既稱那不偏待人、按各人行為審判人的主為父，就當存敬畏的心度你們在世寄居的日子。

In a post-modernism era with information overload, we are bombarded day and night, 24x7, with all kinds of information. This situation is in fact very serious and harmful to us. I do not know if you realize this situation. In our daily struggles to make a living, we believe that not many people recognize the harmful effects of information overload.
在後現代化的世代裡，有超多的資訊。我們每天24小時，不分晝夜，被各式各樣的訊息轟炸著。這種情況，實際上對我們有非常嚴重的害處。我不知道你是否意識到這種情況。在我們每天掙扎謀生的過程中，我們相信沒有多少人，認識到信息過載的有害影響。

It is interesting to note that when the air is polluted with pollens and harmful pollutants, our physical body will exhibit bad reactions such as sneezing and severe coughing to warn us. Just talk with people with severe allergies will tell you how miserable the suffering could be.
值得注意的是，當空氣被花粉和有害污染物污染時，我們的身體會出現不良反應，如打噴嚏和嚴重咳嗽，來警告我們。與有嚴重過敏的人聊聊，他們會告訴你、有多麼悲慘的痛苦。

Now do you have a warning signal telling you that you are in deep troubles with the current day information overload? Some of you may think that what is the big deal with information overload? Why not just tune it off! This is easy say than done. For example, you may say what is the big deal with air pollution: just do not go out of your home or just do not breathe the bad air!
現在，你有得到一個警告或信號，告訴你在當前信息過多、超載的情況下，你正處於嚴重的困境中？你們中有些人，可能會認為信息超載有什麼大不了的？為什麼不是只要把它關掉就沒事！這說起來容易，做起來難。例如，你可能會說空氣污染問題：只是不要離開你的家，或者不要呼吸不良的空氣，就解決問題嗎！

We would like to remind you a few things about the current situation of information overload:

1. Most of people have learned the habit of google “something”. We all know that there are tons of information in the internet; good, bad, and ugly. So how to tell the difference when we are trying to learn a new thing or try to get an answer to our question is in itself a big deal.

2. One of the big impacts to quality of our lives is the effort needed to sort out  the good from the bad, and the ugly. The trouble is that most of information is a mixture of good, bad,  and ugly.

3. The biggest concerns are the issues of pollutions to our minds. We are part of the products of our cultural/societal influences. This is specially relevant that how do we be faithful to our Christian belief.

我們想提醒你一些關於信息過載的現狀：

1. 大多數人都學習用谷歌、去瞭解一些"事物"的習慣。我們都知道，在互聯網上有大量，不分好，壞，醜的信息。所以，當我們試圖學習新事物或試圖獲得對我們問題的答案時，如何區分這種差異，本身就是一件大事。

2.對我們生活質量的重大影響之一，是需要努力從壞的和醜陋的中挑選好的東西。麻煩的是，大部分信息都是好的，壞的和醜陋的混合物。

3.最大的擔憂，是我們心靈受到污染的問題。我們是我們文化/社會影響力的一部分。這與我們如何忠實於我們的基督教信仰，有特別相關的。

This reminds me of a Bible verse of Ephesians 5: 16, “16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”  I used to wonder why making the most of my time has to do with “the days are evil”. Now I know when the days are evil, the evil system wants to waste most of our time. So we need to be smart and watchful about where our time goes in each day. May we all are skillful in protect our precious time!!

這讓我想起以弗所書5章16節的聖經節，“16 要愛惜光陰，因為現今的世代邪惡”。以前我曾好奇，為什麼要愛惜光陰，與現今的世代邪惡有關。現在我知道在邪惡的世代裡，邪惡的系統想要浪費我們大部分的時間。所以我們需要聰明，注意每天的時間。願我們都能熟練保護我們寶貴的時間！

我們神是獨一的主

以色列阿，你要聽！耶和華 ─ 我們神是獨一的主。

你要盡心, 盡性、盡力愛耶和華─你的神。(申6:4-5)

There is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.(See 1 Coringthians 8:6)

然而我們只有一位神,就是父,

萬物都本於他,我們也歸於他.

並有一位主,就是耶穌基督,

萬物都是藉著他有的, 我們也是藉著他有的。(歌林多前書 8:6)

Supremacy of Jesus Christ our Lord - Phil 2:9-11; Col 1:15-20

The name which is above every name that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

主耶穌的絕對優越性—無不口稱耶穌為主 (西 1:15-20)

所以，神將他升為至高，

又賜給他那超乎萬名之上的名， 叫一切在天上的、地上的，和地底下的，因耶穌的名無不屈膝，無不口稱耶穌基督為主，使榮耀歸與父神。(腓2:9-11)

Inerrancy of Holy Scripture - Psalm 19:7-9, Matt 5:18

Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

聖經的精確性(詩 19:7-9)

Glorious Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ which demonstrates the love of God - John 3:16-18

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of Go

主耶穌榮耀無比的十字架

神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不至滅亡，反得永生。 因為神差他的兒子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。 信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。

(約翰福音 3:16-18)



Obedience to God is much better than offering sacrifices - Hos 6:6

我喜愛良善（或譯：憐恤），

不喜愛祭祀；

喜愛認識神，勝於燔祭。

(何西阿書 6:6)

For I delight in loyalty 

 rather than sacrifice. 

And in the knowledge of 
God rather than burnt 
offerings. 

(Hos 6:6)

The righteous shall live by faith alone - Habbakuk 2:4

義人因信得生  迦勒底人自高自大，心不正直；惟義人因信得生。(哈巴谷書2:4)

Self-denial and be patient in enduring afflictions are the God's ways for us in following Jesus Christ our Lord - Matthew 16:24

於是耶穌對門徒說：若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。

(馬太福音 16:24)

Goal of Redemption is in Sanctification of the Spirit, through Obedience to Jesus Christ, and be Holy to the LORD. Be Ye Holy, For I am Holy.

(1 Peter 1:15-16; Lev 11:45)

救贖的目的是藉著聖靈，順服耶穌基督，歸耶和華為聖。 你們要聖潔，因為我是聖潔的。（彼得前書1:15-16; 利11:45）

 pastor@reminderfromapastor.org 
(925) 482-6458