第十三篇　合于圣经并合于圣灵

用话与灵带领少年人

📖 研读 📊 汇集 🇬🇧 English 📋 对照

　　读经的人都承认，歌罗西和以弗所这两卷书，可以称为姊妹书。这两卷书是并行的，其中有很多相同的地方。譬如，西三16~17说，我们若充满了主的话，就能感谢赞美；弗五18~20则说，我们若充满了圣灵，就能感谢赞美。很明显，这两处是并行的，说到一件事两方面的因素。我们若要充满赞美和感谢，就必须充满主的话，也必须充满主的灵。并且我们把这两点对照起来，就能领会，主的话就是灵。人若充满主的话，也就充满主的灵。人要充满主的灵，就必须先充满主的话。因为主的话就是主的灵，主的灵也就是主的话。

　　研究食物营养的人告诉我们，食物里头有热量，以卡路里为单位。我们每一天都要消耗许多卡路里，因此我们每一天必须好好的吃东西，从食物里去吸收热量。站讲台讲信息是相当消耗体力的一件事，不只消耗里头的灵，也消耗身体里的热量。因此，每逢要讲道的时候，我特别吃含热量多的食物，因为热量就在食物里。主的话好比食物，主的灵就好比食物中的热量。你若要满有热量，就必须吃够食物。同样，你若要充满主的灵，就必须充满主的话。

　　使徒保罗在这两卷并行的书里，所以这样说到主的灵和主的话，我信就是这个意思。主的灵和主的话，二者是缺一不可的。主的灵是在于主的话，主的话也是在于主的灵。一个得救的人所该注意的，就是外面的圣经，和里面的圣灵。感谢神，今天在我们手中有一本圣经，里面都是神的话；另一面在我们里面，也有一位圣灵。这实在是一件太宝贝的事。因此，弟兄姊妹要学习以神为生命，而活在神里面，就必须一面会对待手中的圣经，另一面也会对待里面的圣灵。这两面都是不可缺少的。

　　可惜，有许多信徒没有兼顾这两面。有的是偏重在圣经的一面，他们完全用头脑来研究圣经，读圣经，背圣经，结果圣经在他们手中，就成了死的字句。好好读圣经是对的，但是忽略了圣灵，里头就死了。相反的，又有人偏重在圣灵的一面。他们虽然也信圣经，但是他们很少读。他们就是去读也读不通，读不懂。他们最喜欢祷告，一祷告起来就阿利路亚，真是在地若天，非常甜美。但要他们读圣经，他们说，“这些全是死的字句，有什么用处，只要祷告就好了。”他们说，你若祷告到圣灵充满，什么问题都解决了。我承认我们该祷告，该被圣灵充满。但是一个人如果光是祷告，光是祷告到被圣灵充满，却不好好读经，这就如同火车的锅炉烧得很旺，里头的蒸气很足，却没有铁轨，结果就非常危险。

　　曾有人讲很多理由来和我们辩论说，“在我里面的圣灵，绝不会把我带领错了。所以我只要有活的圣灵就够了，不必去注意死的字句。”这样的人非常坚持自己的见地，但是没有几年，就发生难处，落入极端的错误里。

　　所以光注意圣灵，而忽略圣经是很危险的。我们必须同等的对待手中的圣经，和里面的圣灵。正如以色列人在旷野行路的时候，日间有云柱，夜间有火柱引导他们（出十三21~22）。实在说来，云柱和火柱就是一件东西，白天显出是云柱，夜间显出是火柱。你去读旧约圣经的时候，能清楚地读出来，云柱在那里，神就在那里；火柱在那里，神也就在那里。神自己就在云柱和火柱里。

　　云预表圣灵，照亮的火预表圣经。当日神如何在云柱和火柱里，带领以色列人在旷野中走路，今天神也是在圣灵和圣经里引导我们。这实在是一个很好的预表。当我们的光景如同白日的时候，我们可以跟随里面的圣灵。当我们的光景黑暗，摸不着里面圣灵所给的感觉的时候，我们就该跟随火柱，也就是手中的圣经。盼望大家都好好在这两面跟随主。一面好好读圣经，天天读，时时默想，另一面也时时跟随里面的圣灵。

　　现在，我要说一点怎样对待、接触圣经和圣灵。一个正常的基督徒，他和圣经的关系是正常的，他和圣灵的关系也是正常的。什么时候你和圣经不合了，你作基督徒一定有了毛病。同样，什么时候你和圣灵不合了，你作基督徒也定规有毛病了。要作一个正确的基督徒，必须在外面和圣经是合的，也必须在里面和圣灵是合的。

要合于圣经的话

　　关于要合于圣经的这一面，举例来说，我们现在都悔改了，也都信主了。这就是我们合于圣经所说，当悔改信入主耶稣的话（可一15，路二四47，徒二十21，约三16）。如果我们天天读圣经，却不悔改，也不信入主，那就是我们不合于圣经的话。感谢主，在这一点上，我们是与圣经相合了。

　　请想想看，圣经说过了当悔改信入主之后，还说了些什么？我们跟那些合不合？圣经不只说，当悔改信入主耶稣，圣经还说，“信的人有永远的生命。”（六47）又说，“我将这些话写给你们信入神儿子之名的人，要叫你们晓得自己有永远的生命。”（约壹五13）我们既然已经合于圣经所说的：悔改与相信，那么我们有没有永远的生命？我信你们都要说，有。你们怎么知道自己有永远的生命呢？有弟兄说，因为有神在他里面。那么我再问，你怎么知道神在你里面？他说，因为他觉得里面是喜乐的、满足的。同时，什么时候作一点错事，里面就不平安了。这很对。我愿意告诉你，这就是今天你里面很明亮，云柱看得很清楚。也许过了一些时候，这些感觉没有了，你里面黑暗了，云柱看不见了，好像一点感觉不到你里面有神，到这时候怎么办？请记得，云柱没有了，还有火柱。你里面的感觉失去了，似乎不觉得里面有圣灵，但请不要忘记，你手中还有一本圣经。圣经说，“信的人有永远的生命。”这是神说的话。虽然你的感觉黑暗到一个地步，你一点不觉得里面有神作生命，但是神说，人信入了神的儿子，就有永远的生命。神说有就有。这就是火柱在黑夜光照你，叫你得以走前面的路。

　　比方，这里有一张纸币，面额是十元，你一看就知道这是十元。如果我问你，你怎么知道它是十元？你一定说，它上面明明写着十元。哦，圣经乃是神无限的宝藏，其中所写的无论是什么，都是真实地，都是可以兑现的，正如一张纸币一样。所以，你我必须认识圣经。如果你我对圣经没有认识，我们就要吃大亏。正如你我若不认识纸币，也许会把十元当作五元花掉了，甚至把十元当作一元用出去了，那真是可惜。

　　我们怎么能认识圣经呢？这就要我们天天来接触它，读它，并且背它。你背得越多越好。你不只要会背约三16，还要会背十四、15节主所说的：“摩西在旷野怎样举蛇，人子也必照样被举起来，叫一切信入祂的都得永远的生命。”我们怎能知道自己有永远的生命？就是因为主在这里说，“叫一切信入祂的都得永远的生命。”我们既然信了，定规就有永远的生命。如果你信了，却说你没有永远的生命，这是一件不得了的事，因为你把主当作说谎的。主说信的人有永远的生命，但你却说，你信了而没有永远的生命。我请问，是你说的可靠呢，还是主说的可靠？我这样说，我想弟兄姊妹应该清楚了。我们该信主的话；我们若不信主的话，就是把主当作说谎的。

　　对待这一本圣经，并不需要太用力气，只要它怎样说，你怎样承认就够了。它说当悔改，你就承认并悔改。它说当信入主，你就相信接受。它说信的人有永远的生命，你就说，“阿们，感谢赞美主，我信了，我有永远的生命。”怎么知道的呢？因为圣经这样说。有的人说，“圣经这样说是不错的，但是我不觉得自己有永远的生命，这怎么办？”我愿意告诉这样问的人：“你觉不觉得并不要紧，只要圣经这样说就够了。”比方，当我在这里讲道，讲得很紧张的时候，我什么都忘了。也许我的口袋里装了一两百元，但我根本不觉得我口袋里有一两百元。所以，感觉常常是不可靠的。有的时候，你觉得你口袋里有一百元，那知道你口袋里的一百元，早已给人偷走了。等你要拿出来用的时候，才发现口袋里是空空的。

　　所以，重点根本不在乎你觉不觉得，全在乎有没有事实。这个事实，就是圣经说，“信的人有永远的生命。”你是一个信的人，你就要承认你有永远的生命。你不能一面读这本圣经，－约翰一面又不承认这个事实。这样，你就和圣经合不起来了。你若不管你的感觉，简单地信神在圣经里所说的话，神说，“信的人有永远的生命，”你就对神说，“阿们，我信了，我有永远的生命。”这就够了。所以，我们只该相信神的话，不该管自己的感觉。要承认神永远不会说谎。你若说你信了，却不信你有永远的生命，你就是把神的话当作谎言，把神当作说谎的。因此，要跟圣经合得来，首先要不凭自己的感觉，只相信圣经的话。神这样说了，你就这样信了。

要合于圣灵

　　另一面，我们还要跟圣灵合得来。罗八16说，“那灵自己同我们的灵见证我们是神的儿女。”圣灵在我们灵里和我们的灵一同作见证，证明我们是神的儿女。怎么知道圣灵在我们里面证明我们是神的儿女？因为我们祷告的时候，圣灵带领我们称神作“阿爸，父”（15）。林前十二3说，“若不是在圣灵里，也没有人能说，主，耶稣！”当我们祷告的时候，有时候称呼神作父，有时候称呼耶稣作主。我们所以能这样称呼，就是因为圣灵在我们里面了。

　　这是一件很希奇的事，每一个信主的人，当他来祷告主的时候，总是很喜欢称呼耶稣作主，也十分乐意称呼神作阿爸父。这完全是因着圣灵在我们里面的缘故。没有一个人肯随便称呼一个人作父。我们若勉勉强强的称一个人作父，味道就很不好。但是当我们呼喊自己生身父亲的时候，里面就非常甜美，也很自然。同样，我信弟兄姊妹都要说，当我们称神作父的时候，里面也实在是感觉甜美，感觉自然。如果你去祷告的时候，称神作父觉得很勉强，我就怕你还没有得救，圣灵还没有进到你的里面。如果你一喊“父阿”，里面就感觉甜美，再喊几声“父阿”，里面更舒服，更释放，请你记得，这就是圣灵在你里面，和你的灵一同作见证。

　　曾有一个人来问一位弟兄：“罗八16说，那灵自己同我们的灵见证我们是神的儿女，这是什么意思？”他就转问那人说，“你结婚了没有？”他说，“结婚了。”他又问说，“那么你头一次和你太太到岳家去，看见你岳父的时候，你称呼他作什么？”那人想了一想说，“那真是一件为难的事。那一次我们去的时候，我太太在前面走，我在后面跟。等到见了她的父亲，她就叫爸爸。那时，我勉强也跟着喊了一声爸爸，我整个脸都红了。”于是，那一位弟兄就接着问说，“你在家里叫你父亲‘爸爸’的时候，也脸红么？”他说，“不，那是很自然的。”那位弟兄就说，“这就是你的心在里面证明你是你父亲的儿女。同样，当你来祷告神的时候，你所以能称神为父，而没有一点勉强和不自然，也是因为圣灵同你的灵作见证，证明你是神的儿女。”

　　我再说一个故事。有一天，我们几个人带着一个不信的朋友跪下祷告。我们几个人在祷告中赞美神说，“神啊，我们感谢赞美你，你是我们的父。父啊，你真是恩待我们。”等我们祷告完了，这一位朋友对我们说，“信主耶稣很好，但是祷告我作不来。”他又说，“我听见你们那样喊神啊，父啊，阿爸，我真替你们感到肉麻，你们怎么不觉得难为情？”弟兄姊妹，请你听，他这样说，就是证明他里头还没有生命的圣灵，还没有被神重生，还不是神的儿女。

　　亲爱的弟兄姊妹，我们不只有－罗马一本圣经，其中的话，都是我们在基督里得基业的凭据，并且我们里面还有一位奥秘的圣灵，是一个活的凭据，使我们确确实实的知道，神在基督里所应许的一切产业都是我们的。所以我们要好好读这本是神话语的圣经，也要好好的跟随这位圣灵。这本在我们手中的圣经乃是圣灵的话，这位在我们里面的圣灵乃是生命的灵，这二者在我们里外互相呼应。当我们读主话语的时候，圣灵就在我们里头感动我们。当圣灵感动我们的时候，祂又总是叫我们想起主的话来。这二者在我们里外相互响应，就叫我们能活在生命里。

　　－罗马一九五九年七月三十一日讲于香港青年特会

　　原刊于一九六〇年二月“话语职事”第一百零四期

要充满主的话，也要充满主的灵

西3:16

当用各样的智慧，让基督的话丰丰富富地住在你们里面，用诗章、颂辞、灵歌，彼此教导，互相劝戒，心被恩感歌颂神；

西3:17

凡你们所作的，无论是什么，或说话，或行事，都要在主耶稣的名里，借着祂感谢父神。

弗5:18

不要醉酒，醉酒使人放荡，乃要在灵里被充满，

弗5:19

用诗章、颂辞、灵歌，彼此对说，从心中向主歌唱、颂咏，

弗5:20

凡事要在我们主耶稣基督的名里，时常感谢神与父，

------------------------
　　研究食物营养的人告诉我们，食物里头有热量，以卡路里为单位。我们每一天都要消耗许多卡路里，因此我们每一天必须好好的吃东西，从食物里去吸收热量。站讲台讲信息是相当消耗体力的一件事，不只消耗里头的灵，也消耗身体里的热量。因此，每逢要讲道的时候，我特别吃含热量多的食物，因为热量就在食物里。主的话好比食物，主的灵就好比食物中的热量。你若要满有热量，就必须吃够食物。同样，你若要充满主的灵，就必须充满主的话。　　使徒保罗在这两卷并行的书里，所以这样说到主的灵和主的话，我信就是这个意思。主的灵和主的话，二者是缺一不可的。主的灵是在于主的话，主的话也是在于主的灵。一个得救的人所该注意的，就是外面的圣经，和里面的圣灵。感谢神，今天在我们手中有一本圣经，里面都是神的话；另一面在我们里面，也有一位圣灵。这实在是一件太宝贝的事。因此，弟兄姊妹要学习以神为生命，而活在神里面，就必须一面会对待手中的圣经，另一面也会对待里面的圣灵。这两面都是不可缺少的。　　可惜，有许多信徒没有兼顾这两面。有的是偏重在圣经的一面，他们完全用头脑来研究圣经，读圣经，背圣经，结果圣经在他们手中，就成了死的字句。好好读圣经是对的，但是忽略了圣灵，里头就死了。相反的，又有人偏重在圣灵的一面。他们虽然也信圣经，但是他们很少读。他们就是去读也读不通，读不懂。他们最喜欢祷告，一祷告起来就阿利路亚，真是在地若天，非常甜美。但要他们读圣经，他们说，“这些全是死的字句，有什么用处，只要祷告就好了。”他们说，你若祷告到圣灵充满，什么问题都解决了。我承认我们该祷告，该被圣灵充满。但是一个人如果光是祷告，光是祷告到被圣灵充满，却不好好读经，这就如同火车的锅炉烧得很旺，里头的蒸气很足，却没有铁轨，结果就非常危险。　　曾有人讲很多理由来和我们辩论说，“在我里面的圣灵，绝不会把我带领错了。所以我只要有活的圣灵就够了，不必去注意死的字句。”这样的人非常坚持自己的见地，但是没有几年，就发生难处，落入极端的错误里。　　所以光注意圣灵，而忽略圣经是很危险的。我们必须同等的对待手中的圣经，和里面的圣灵。正如以色列人在旷野行路的时候，日间有云柱，夜间有火柱引导他们（出十三21~22）。实在说来，云柱和火柱就是一件东西，白天显出是云柱，夜间显出是火柱。你去读旧约圣经的时候，能清楚地读出来，云柱在那里，神就在那里；火柱在那里，神也就在那里。神自己就在云柱和火柱里。
--------本段经节汇集--------

出13:21

耶和华在他们前面行，日间在云柱中领他们的路；夜间在火柱中光照他们，使他们日夜都可以行走。

出13:22

日间云柱，夜间火柱，总不离开百姓的面前。

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　　云预表圣灵，照亮的火预表圣经。当日神如何在云柱和火柱里，带领以色列人在旷野中走路，今天神也是在圣灵和圣经里引导我们。这实在是一个很好的预表。当我们的光景如同白日的时候，我们可以跟随里面的圣灵。当我们的光景黑暗，摸不着里面圣灵所给的感觉的时候，我们就该跟随火柱，也就是手中的圣经。盼望大家都好好在这两面跟随主。一面好好读圣经，天天读，时时默想，另一面也时时跟随里面的圣灵。　　现在，我要说一点怎样对待、接触圣经和圣灵。一个正常的基督徒，他和圣经的关系是正常的，他和圣灵的关系也是正常的。什么时候你和圣经不合了，你作基督徒一定有了毛病。同样，什么时候你和圣灵不合了，你作基督徒也定规有毛病了。要作一个正确的基督徒，必须在外面和圣经是合的，也必须在里面和圣灵是合的。

要合于圣经的话

　　关于要合于圣经的这一面，举例来说，我们现在都悔改了，也都信主了。这就是我们合于圣经所说，当悔改信入主耶稣的话（可一15，路二四47，徒二十21，约三16）。如果我们天天读圣经，却不悔改，也不信入主，那就是我们不合于圣经的话。感谢主，在这一点上，我们是与圣经相合了。
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可1:15

时期满了，神的国已经临近了。你们要悔改，相信福音。

路24:47

并且人要靠着祂的名，传悔改以得赦罪之道，从耶路撒冷起，直到万邦。

徒20:21

又对犹太人和希利尼人郑重作见证，当悔改归向神，信入我们的主耶稣。

约3:16

神爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信入祂的，不至灭亡，反得永远的生命。

------------------------
　　请想想看，圣经说过了当悔改信入主之后，还说了些什么？我们跟那些合不合？圣经不只说，当悔改信入主耶稣，圣经还说，“信的人有永远的生命。”（六47）又说，“我将这些话写给你们信入神儿子之名的人，要叫你们晓得自己有永远的生命。”（约壹五13）我们既然已经合于圣经所说的：悔改与相信，那么我们有没有永远的生命？我信你们都要说，有。你们怎么知道自己有永远的生命呢？有弟兄说，因为有神在他里面。那么我再问，你怎么知道神在你里面？他说，因为他觉得里面是喜乐的、满足的。同时，什么时候作一点错事，里面就不平安了。这很对。我愿意告诉你，这就是今天你里面很明亮，云柱看得很清楚。也许过了一些时候，这些感觉没有了，你里面黑暗了，云柱看不见了，好像一点感觉不到你里面有神，到这时候怎么办？请记得，云柱没有了，还有火柱。你里面的感觉失去了，似乎不觉得里面有圣灵，但请不要忘记，你手中还有一本圣经。圣经说，“信的人有永远的生命。”这是神说的话。虽然你的感觉黑暗到一个地步，你一点不觉得里面有神作生命，但是神说，人信入了神的儿子，就有永远的生命。神说有就有。这就是火柱在黑夜光照你，叫你得以走前面的路。
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约壹5:13

我将这些话写给你们信入神儿子之名的人，要叫你们晓得自己有永远的生命。

约翰一书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　比方，这里有一张纸币，面额是十元，你一看就知道这是十元。如果我问你，你怎么知道它是十元？你一定说，它上面明明写着十元。哦，圣经乃是神无限的宝藏，其中所写的无论是什么，都是真实地，都是可以兑现的，正如一张纸币一样。所以，你我必须认识圣经。如果你我对圣经没有认识，我们就要吃大亏。正如你我若不认识纸币，也许会把十元当作五元花掉了，甚至把十元当作一元用出去了，那真是可惜。　　我们怎么能认识圣经呢？这就要我们天天来接触它，读它，并且背它。你背得越多越好。你不只要会背约翰三章十六节，还要会背十四、十五节主所说的：“摩西在旷野怎样举蛇，人子也必照样被举起来，叫一切信入祂的都得永远的生命。”我们怎能知道自己有永远的生命？就是因为主在这里说，“叫一切信入祂的都得永远的生命。”我们既然信了，定规就有永远的生命。如果你信了，却说你没有永远的生命，这是一件不得了的事，因为你把主当作说谎的。主说信的人有永远的生命，但你却说，你信了而没有永远的生命。我请问，是你说的可靠呢，还是主说的可靠？我这样说，我想弟兄姊妹应该清楚了。我们该信主的话；我们若不信主的话，就是把主当作说谎的。
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约3:16

神爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信入祂的，不至灭亡，反得永远的生命。

约3:15

叫一切信入祂的都得永远的生命。

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　　对待这一本圣经，并不需要太用力气，只要它怎样说，你怎样承认就够了。它说当悔改，你就承认并悔改。它说当信入主，你就相信接受。它说信的人有永远的生命，你就说，“阿们，感谢赞美主，我信了，我有永远的生命。”怎么知道的呢？因为圣经这样说。有的人说，“圣经这样说是不错的，但是我不觉得自己有永远的生命，这怎么办？”我愿意告诉这样问的人：“你觉不觉得并不要紧，只要圣经这样说就够了。”比方，当我在这里讲道，讲得很紧张的时候，我什么都忘了。也许我的口袋里装了一两百元，但我根本不觉得我口袋里有一两百元。所以，感觉常常是不可靠的。有的时候，你觉得你口袋里有一百元，那知道你口袋里的一百元，早已给人偷走了。等你要拿出来用的时候，才发现口袋里是空空的。　　所以，重点根本不在乎你觉不觉得，全在乎有没有事实。这个事实，就是圣经说，“信的人有永远的生命。”你是一个信的人，你就要承认你有永远的生命。你不能一面读这本圣经，一面又不承认这个事实。这样，你就和圣经合不起来了。你若不管你的感觉，简单地信神在圣经里所说的话，神说，“信的人有永远的生命，”你就对神说，“阿们，我信了，我有永远的生命。”这就够了。所以，我们只该相信神的话，不该管自己的感觉。要承认神永远不会说谎。你若说你信了，却不信你有永远的生命，你就是把神的话当作谎言，把神当作说谎的。因此，要跟圣经合得来，首先要不凭自己的感觉，只相信圣经的话。神这样说了，你就这样信了。

要合于圣灵

罗8:16

那灵自己同我们的灵见证我们是神的儿女。

罗8:15

你们所受的不是奴役的灵，仍旧害怕；所受的乃是儿子名分的灵，在这灵里，我们呼叫：阿爸，父。

林前12:3

所以我要你们知道，在神的灵里说话的，没有人说，受咒诅的，耶稣！若不是在圣灵里，也没有人能说，主，耶稣！

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　　这是一件很希奇的事，每一个信主的人，当他来祷告主的时候，总是很喜欢称呼耶稣作主，也十分乐意称呼神作阿爸父。这完全是因着圣灵在我们里面的缘故。没有一个人肯随便称呼一个人作父。我们若勉勉强强的称一个人作父，味道就很不好。但是当我们呼喊自己生身父亲的时候，里面就非常甜美，也很自然。同样，我信弟兄姊妹都要说，当我们称神作父的时候，里面也实在是感觉甜美，感觉自然。如果你去祷告的时候，称神作父觉得很勉强，我就怕你还没有得救，圣灵还没有进到你的里面。如果你一喊“父阿”，里面就感觉甜美，再喊几声“父阿”，里面更舒服，更释放，请你记得，这就是圣灵在你里面，和你的灵一同作见证。　　曾有一个人来问一位弟兄：“罗马八章十六节说，那灵自己同我们的灵见证我们是神的儿女，这是什么意思？”他就转问那人说，“你结婚了没有？”他说，“结婚了。”他又问说，“那么你头一次和你太太到岳家去，看见你岳父的时候，你称呼他作什么？”那人想了一想说，“那真是一件为难的事。那一次我们去的时候，我太太在前面走，我在后面跟。等到见了她的父亲，她就叫爸爸。那时，我勉强也跟着喊了一声爸爸，我整个脸都红了。”于是，那一位弟兄就接着问说，“你在家里叫你父亲‘爸爸’的时候，也脸红么？”他说，“不，那是很自然的。”那位弟兄就说，“这就是你的心在里面证明你是你父亲的儿女。同样，当你来祷告神的时候，你所以能称神为父，而没有一点勉强和不自然，也是因为圣灵同你的灵作见证，证明你是神的儿女。”
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罗8:16

那灵自己同我们的灵见证我们是神的儿女。

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　　我再说一个故事。有一天，我们几个人带着一个不信的朋友跪下祷告。我们几个人在祷告中赞美神说，“神啊，我们感谢赞美你，你是我们的父。父啊，你真是恩待我们。”等我们祷告完了，这一位朋友对我们说，“信主耶稣很好，但是祷告我作不来。”他又说，“我听见你们那样喊神啊，父啊，阿爸，我真替你们感到肉麻，你们怎么不觉得难为情？”弟兄姊妹，请你听，他这样说，就是证明他里头还没有生命的圣灵，还没有被神重生，还不是神的儿女。　　亲爱的弟兄姊妹，我们不只有一本圣经，其中的话，都是我们在基督里得基业的凭据，并且我们里面还有一位奥秘的圣灵，是一个活的凭据，使我们确确实实的知道，神在基督里所应许的一切产业都是我们的。所以我们要好好读这本是神话语的圣经，也要好好的跟随这位圣灵。这本在我们手中的圣经乃是圣灵的话，这位在我们里面的圣灵乃是生命的灵，这二者在我们里外互相呼应。当我们读主话语的时候，圣灵就在我们里头感动我们。当圣灵感动我们的时候，祂又总是叫我们想起主的话来。这二者在我们里外相互响应，就叫我们能活在生命里。　　一九五九年七月三十一日讲于香港青年特会　　原刊于一九六〇年二月“话语职事”第一百零四期

BEING FILLED WITH THE WORD AND THE SPIRIT

　Nutritionists tell us that food contains energy that can be measured in calories. Every day we need to consume many calories; hence, we must eat well in order to absorb energy from our food. Speaking on the podium consumes much energy because energy is required for the exercise of the spirit and the cooperation of the physical body. Hence, whenever I give a message, I need to eat food in order to have the energy to speak. The Lord’s word can be compared to food, and the Spirit can be likened to the energy in the food. If we want to be full of energy, we must take in a sufficient amount of food. Similarly, if we want to be filled with the Spirit, we must be filled with the Lord’s word.

　I believe this is what Paul had in mind when he spoke of the Lord’s word and the Spirit in Colossians and Ephesians. Both the word and the Spirit are indispensable. The Spirit depends on the Lord’s word, and the Lord’s word depends on the Spirit. A believer should pay attention to the Scriptures without and to the Holy Spirit within. Thank God that we have the Bible in our hand and the Holy Spirit in our spirit. This is very precious. In order to learn to take God as life, we need to know how to deal with the Bible and how to deal with the Holy Spirit. Both the Bible and the Spirit are indispensable.

　Regrettably, many believers do not take care of both aspects equally. Some emphasize the Bible to the neglect of the Spirit. They use their mind to study the Bible, read the Bible, and memorize the Bible. As a result, the Bible becomes dead letter to them. It is not wrong to diligently read the Bible, but if we neglect the Spirit, the letter will quickly deaden us. Others emphasize the Spirit to the neglect of the Bible. Although they believe that the Bible is God’s Word, they rarely read it, and when they read it, they do not comprehend or understand it. Instead, they focus on spiritual practices, such as praying. When they pray, they are full of Hallelujahs and touch a sweet inner feeling that seems to give them a sense of living in heaven. However, when we speak of reading the Bible, they say, “The words in the Bible are dead letters. What good is there to read it? It is sufficient to pray. All our problems are solved when we pray and are filled with the Holy Spirit.” While we should pray and be filled with the Holy Spirit, the consequences of neglecting the Bible can be dangerous. Such a condition can be likened to a train with a boiling steam engine but with no train tracks to direct its motion. This is a dangerous situation.

　Once some people came to debate with us, saying, “The Holy Spirit in us will never lead us in a wrong way. As long as we have the Holy Spirit living in us, this is enough. We do not have to pay attention to the dead letter.” These people were very insistent concerning their views, but within a few years they fell into serious errors.

　It is dangerous to pay attention only to the Spirit but neglect the Bible. We must pay equal attention to the Bible in our hand and to the Spirit within us. When the children of Israel journeyed in the wilderness, they were led by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire during the night (Exo. 13:21-22). Actually, the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire were the same leading of God. During the day this leading appeared as a pillar of cloud, and during the night it appeared as a pillar of fire. The Old Testament clearly reveals that God was present in both the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. God Himself is in the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. The cloud typifies the Spirit, and the enlightening fire typifies the Bible. Just as God led the children of Israel in the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire as they journeyed in the wilderness, He leads us in the Spirit and in the Word. This is a very good type. When our condition is as bright as the day, we have the clear leading of the Spirit within us. When our condition is darker and we cannot touch the sense of the Spirit within us, we should follow the pillar of fire, the Bible. I hope that we all would follow the Lord by reading and meditating on the Bible diligently every day and by following the Holy Spirit within us moment by moment.

　A normal Christian should have a normal relationship with both the Word and the Spirit. Whenever our being does not correspond with the Word, something is wrong. Similarly, whenever our being does not correspond with the Spirit, something is wrong. In order to be a proper Christian, our being must correspond to the Word without and to the Spirit within.

OUR BEING CORRESPONDING TO THE WORDS IN THE BIBLE

　In addition to the Bible speaking of repenting and believing into the Lord, it also says, “He who believes has eternal life” (6:47). Furthermore, the Bible says, “I have written these things to you that you may know that you have eternal life, to you who believe into the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). We need to ask ourselves whether or not we are experiencing eternal life. I believe that many of us would respond that we have eternal life because God is in us. But how can we know that God is in us? We can know because there is a sense of joy and satisfaction in our inner being, but if this sense of peace is lacking for any reason, we will not be able to see the pillar of cloud clearly. Even if our inner being becomes darkened so that we cannot clearly see the pillar of cloud, we should remember that we also have a pillar of fire. When we do not have a clear inner sense and it seems as if the Spirit is not present, we should not forget that we still have the Bible. The Bible says, “Everyone who believes...would have eternal life” (John 3:16). This is the Word of God. Although we may feel dark within, even to the point that we have no sense of God within us as life, the Word still says that those who have believed into the Son of God have eternal life. If God says this, it is so. This is the Word, like the pillar of fire, shining in a dark night to enable us to go forward on our path.

　We know that a ten-dollar bill is worth ten dollars because we can plainly see the words ten dollars. The Bible is God’s unlimited treasure house, and the value of its content is real and can be received by us, just as we can receive ten dollars worth of goods when we have a ten-dollar bill. If we do not know the words in the Bible, we will suffer a big loss. This would be like using a ten-dollar bill to receive only five dollars worth of goods. This would be quite regrettable.

　In order to know the Bible, we should read it every day and even memorize it. The more we memorize, the better it will be. We should memorize not only John 3:16 but also the Lord’s words in verses 14 and 15: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that everyone who believes into Him may have eternal life.” We know that we have eternal life because the Lord said, “Everyone who believes into Him may have eternal life.” Since we have believed, we have eternal life. If a person who has believed into Him says that he does not have eternal life based on his feelings alone, he is calling the Lord a liar. Who is more reliable—the Lord who says that everyone who believes may have eternal life or the person who says that he does not have eternal life based on his feelings? We should believe the Lord’s word; otherwise, we are treating Him as if He were a liar.

　It does not require much effort to have a proper regard for the Bible. It is enough to simply acknowledge what the Bible says. When the Bible says that we should repent, we should acknowledge this and repent. When it speaks of believing into the Lord, we should simply believe and receive. When it speaks of having eternal life, we should say, “Amen. Praise the Lord! We have believed, and we have eternal life.” We know these things because they are spoken of in the Bible. Some may say, “Even though the Bible says that I have eternal life, I do not feel as if I have eternal life. What should I do?” To those who ask such a question, we should respond, “Your feelings do not matter, and they cannot change the truth in the Bible.” When I am speaking, I concentrate my whole being on my speaking, and therefore, I do not necessarily feel a ten-dollar bill in my pocket, but it is still there. Our feelings are not reliable. Sometimes we may feel that we have a one-hundred-dollar bill in our pocket but realize that it has been stolen only when we reach into our pocket.

　It is not our feelings that matter but the facts in the Bible that matter. The Bible says, “Everyone who believes into Him may have eternal life.” Since we are believers, we must acknowledge that we have eternal life. We should not read the Bible but ignore the facts in the Bible. If this is our situation, our being will not correspond with the Word. It is sufficient to simply believe the words in the Bible. Since God says in His Word, “Everyone who believes into Him may have eternal life,” we should say to Him, “Amen! I believe! I have eternal life.” We should not rely on our feelings. God never lies. If we say that we have believed but do not believe that we have eternal life, we are regarding God’s words as a lie and God as a liar. Hence, in order for our being to correspond to the Bible, we should not rely on our feelings but believe in the words in the Bible. When God speaks, we should believe.

OUR BEING CORRESPONDING TO THE SPIRIT

　When a believer prays to the Lord, he often addresses Him as Lord, and when he turns to God, he often addresses God as Father. We come to Jesus as our Lord and to God as our Father because the Spirit is in us. No one calls another person father in a casual way. Even when we force ourselves to address someone in this way, we do not have a pleasant sense within us. However, when we spontaneously address our father in the flesh as father, we have a sweet inward sense. In the same way, I believe that all the brothers and sisters spontaneously have a sweet inward sense when they call God their Father. The sweet inward feeling that we have when we call, “O Father,” is the witnessing of the Holy Spirit with our spirit.

　A brother once asked, “What does Romans 8:16 mean when it says that the Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God?” Another brother responded by asking him if he was married. When the first brother said that he was married, the second brother asked, “When you went with your wife to meet her parents for the first time, what did you call your father-in-law?” The first brother thought for a moment and said, “It was a difficult situation. When I first met him, my wife called him ‘Dad’ as soon as she saw him. I called him ‘Dad’ as well but rather reluctantly, and my face turned red.” Then the second brother asked, “When you call your own father ‘Dad,’ does your face turn red?” When the first brother said that his face did not turn red, the second brother said, “That is because your heart is witnessing that you are your father’s child. In the same way, when we pray to God, we are able to call Him Father without any sense of embarrassment because the Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are His children.”

　Let me relate another story. One day a few of us knelt down to pray with an unbelieving friend. We were praising God in our prayer, saying, “O Father, we praise You. Thank You for being our gracious Father.” When we finished praying, the unbeliever said, “I think that it is good to believe in Jesus, but I cannot pray like you. When I heard you calling God your Father, I was uncomfortable. Why were you not uncomfortable as well?” His comment proved that the Spirit was not in him and that he had not yet been born of God to be a child of God.

　The Bible is not merely a book of words; the words in the Bible are the pledge of our inheritance in Christ. Moreover, the Spirit is a living pledge in us, enabling us to know with certainty all the things promised by God in Christ. Hence, we should read the Bible diligently and follow the Spirit faithfully. The Bible in our hand is the word of the Spirit, whereas the Spirit in us is the Spirit of life. These two correspond to each other. As we read the Lord’s words, the Holy Spirit moves within us to touch us, and the Spirit touches us by reminding us of the Lord’s words. These two correspond with each other and enable us to be in life.

要充满主的话，也要充满主的灵

　　读经的人都承认，歌罗西和以弗所这两卷书，可以称为姊妹书。这两卷书是并行的，其中有很多相同的地方。譬如，歌罗西三章十六至十七节说，我们若充满了主的话，就能感谢赞美；以弗所五章十八至二十节则说，我们若充满了圣灵，就能感谢赞美。很明显，这两处是并行的，说到一件事两方面的因素。我们若要充满赞美和感谢，就必须充满主的话，也必须充满主的灵。并且我们把这两点对照起来，就能领会，主的话就是灵。人若充满主的话，也就充满主的灵。人要充满主的灵，就必须先充满主的话。因为主的话就是主的灵，主的灵也就是主的话。

　　研究食物营养的人告诉我们，食物里头有热量，以卡路里为单位。我们每一天都要消耗许多卡路里，因此我们每一天必须好好的吃东西，从食物里去吸收热量。站讲台讲信息是相当消耗体力的一件事，不只消耗里头的灵，也消耗身体里的热量。因此，每逢要讲道的时候，我特别吃含热量多的食物，因为热量就在食物里。主的话好比食物，主的灵就好比食物中的热量。你若要满有热量，就必须吃够食物。同样，你若要充满主的灵，就必须充满主的话。

　　使徒保罗在这两卷并行的书里，所以这样说到主的灵和主的话，我信就是这个意思。主的灵和主的话，二者是缺一不可的。主的灵是在于主的话，主的话也是在于主的灵。一个得救的人所该注意的，就是外面的圣经，和里面的圣灵。感谢神，今天在我们手中有一本圣经，里面都是神的话；另一面在我们里面，也有一位圣灵。这实在是一件太宝贝的事。因此，弟兄姊妹要学习以神为生命，而活在神里面，就必须一面会对待手中的圣经，另一面也会对待里面的圣灵。这两面都是不可缺少的。

　　可惜，有许多信徒没有兼顾这两面。有的是偏重在圣经的一面，他们完全用头脑来研究圣经，读圣经，背圣经，结果圣经在他们手中，就成了死的字句。好好读圣经是对的，但是忽略了圣灵，里头就死了。相反的，又有人偏重在圣灵的一面。他们虽然也信圣经，但是他们很少读。他们就是去读也读不通，读不懂。他们最喜欢祷告，一祷告起来就阿利路亚，真是在地若天，非常甜美。但要他们读圣经，他们说，“这些全是死的字句，有什么用处，只要祷告就好了。”他们说，你若祷告到圣灵充满，什么问题都解决了。我承认我们该祷告，该被圣灵充满。但是一个人如果光是祷告，光是祷告到被圣灵充满，却不好好读经，这就如同火车的锅炉烧得很旺，里头的蒸气很足，却没有铁轨，结果就非常危险。

　　曾有人讲很多理由来和我们辩论说，“在我里面的圣灵，绝不会把我带领错了。所以我只要有活的圣灵就够了，不必去注意死的字句。”这样的人非常坚持自己的见地，但是没有几年，就发生难处，落入极端的错误里。

　　所以光注意圣灵，而忽略圣经是很危险的。我们必须同等的对待手中的圣经，和里面的圣灵。正如以色列人在旷野行路的时候，日间有云柱，夜间有火柱引导他们（出十三21~22）。实在说来，云柱和火柱就是一件东西，白天显出是云柱，夜间显出是火柱。你去读旧约圣经的时候，能清楚地读出来，云柱在那里，神就在那里；火柱在那里，神也就在那里。神自己就在云柱和火柱里。

　　云预表圣灵，照亮的火预表圣经。当日神如何在云柱和火柱里，带领以色列人在旷野中走路，今天神也是在圣灵和圣经里引导我们。这实在是一个很好的预表。当我们的光景如同白日的时候，我们可以跟随里面的圣灵。当我们的光景黑暗，摸不着里面圣灵所给的感觉的时候，我们就该跟随火柱，也就是手中的圣经。盼望大家都好好在这两面跟随主。一面好好读圣经，天天读，时时默想，另一面也时时跟随里面的圣灵。

　　现在，我要说一点怎样对待、接触圣经和圣灵。一个正常的基督徒，他和圣经的关系是正常的，他和圣灵的关系也是正常的。什么时候你和圣经不合了，你作基督徒一定有了毛病。同样，什么时候你和圣灵不合了，你作基督徒也定规有毛病了。要作一个正确的基督徒，必须在外面和圣经是合的，也必须在里面和圣灵是合的。

　All Bible students acknowledge that Colossians and Ephesians are sister books because they have many similar utterances. For example, Colossians 3:16-17 speaks of giving thanks and praise when we are filled with the Lord’s word, and Ephesians 5:18-20 speaks of giving thanks and praise when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. These two portions refer to two aspects of one thing. If we want to be filled with praise and thanksgiving, we must be filled with the Lord’s word as well as with the Spirit. Moreover, if we compare these two portions, we will understand that the Lord’s word is the Spirit. When we are filled with the Lord’s word, we are filled with the Spirit. In order to be filled with the Spirit, we first must be filled with the Lord’s word, because the Lord’s word is the Spirit, and the Spirit is the Lord’s word.

　Nutritionists tell us that food contains energy that can be measured in calories. Every day we need to consume many calories; hence, we must eat well in order to absorb energy from our food. Speaking on the podium consumes much energy because energy is required for the exercise of the spirit and the cooperation of the physical body. Hence, whenever I give a message, I need to eat food in order to have the energy to speak. The Lord’s word can be compared to food, and the Spirit can be likened to the energy in the food. If we want to be full of energy, we must take in a sufficient amount of food. Similarly, if we want to be filled with the Spirit, we must be filled with the Lord’s word.

　I believe this is what Paul had in mind when he spoke of the Lord’s word and the Spirit in Colossians and Ephesians. Both the word and the Spirit are indispensable. The Spirit depends on the Lord’s word, and the Lord’s word depends on the Spirit. A believer should pay attention to the Scriptures without and to the Holy Spirit within. Thank God that we have the Bible in our hand and the Holy Spirit in our spirit. This is very precious. In order to learn to take God as life, we need to know how to deal with the Bible and how to deal with the Holy Spirit. Both the Bible and the Spirit are indispensable.

　Regrettably, many believers do not take care of both aspects equally. Some emphasize the Bible to the neglect of the Spirit. They use their mind to study the Bible, read the Bible, and memorize the Bible. As a result, the Bible becomes dead letter to them. It is not wrong to diligently read the Bible, but if we neglect the Spirit, the letter will quickly deaden us. Others emphasize the Spirit to the neglect of the Bible. Although they believe that the Bible is God’s Word, they rarely read it, and when they read it, they do not comprehend or understand it. Instead, they focus on spiritual practices, such as praying. When they pray, they are full of Hallelujahs and touch a sweet inner feeling that seems to give them a sense of living in heaven. However, when we speak of reading the Bible, they say, “The words in the Bible are dead letters. What good is there to read it? It is sufficient to pray. All our problems are solved when we pray and are filled with the Holy Spirit.” While we should pray and be filled with the Holy Spirit, the consequences of neglecting the Bible can be dangerous. Such a condition can be likened to a train with a boiling steam engine but with no train tracks to direct its motion. This is a dangerous situation.

　Once some people came to debate with us, saying, “The Holy Spirit in us will never lead us in a wrong way. As long as we have the Holy Spirit living in us, this is enough. We do not have to pay attention to the dead letter.” These people were very insistent concerning their views, but within a few years they fell into serious errors.

　It is dangerous to pay attention only to the Spirit but neglect the Bible. We must pay equal attention to the Bible in our hand and to the Spirit within us. When the children of Israel journeyed in the wilderness, they were led by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire during the night (Exo. 13:21-22). Actually, the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire were the same leading of God. During the day this leading appeared as a pillar of cloud, and during the night it appeared as a pillar of fire. The Old Testament clearly reveals that God was present in both the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. God Himself is in the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. The cloud typifies the Spirit, and the enlightening fire typifies the Bible. Just as God led the children of Israel in the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire as they journeyed in the wilderness, He leads us in the Spirit and in the Word. This is a very good type. When our condition is as bright as the day, we have the clear leading of the Spirit within us. When our condition is darker and we cannot touch the sense of the Spirit within us, we should follow the pillar of fire, the Bible. I hope that we all would follow the Lord by reading and meditating on the Bible diligently every day and by following the Holy Spirit within us moment by moment.

　A normal Christian should have a normal relationship with both the Word and the Spirit. Whenever our being does not correspond with the Word, something is wrong. Similarly, whenever our being does not correspond with the Spirit, something is wrong. In order to be a proper Christian, our being must correspond to the Word without and to the Spirit within.

要合于圣经的话

　　关于要合于圣经的这一面，举例来说，我们现在都悔改了，也都信主了。这就是我们合于圣经所说，当悔改信入主耶稣的话（可一15，路二四47，徒二十21，约三16）。如果我们天天读圣经，却不悔改，也不信入主，那就是我们不合于圣经的话。感谢主，在这一点上，我们是与圣经相合了。

　　请想想看，圣经说过了当悔改信入主之后，还说了些什么？我们跟那些合不合？圣经不只说，当悔改信入主耶稣，圣经还说，“信的人有永远的生命。”（六47）又说，“我将这些话写给你们信入神儿子之名的人，要叫你们晓得自己有永远的生命。”（约壹五13）我们既然已经合于圣经所说的：悔改与相信，那么我们有没有永远的生命？我信你们都要说，有。你们怎么知道自己有永远的生命呢？有弟兄说，因为有神在他里面。那么我再问，你怎么知道神在你里面？他说，因为他觉得里面是喜乐的、满足的。同时，什么时候作一点错事，里面就不平安了。这很对。我愿意告诉你，这就是今天你里面很明亮，云柱看得很清楚。也许过了一些时候，这些感觉没有了，你里面黑暗了，云柱看不见了，好像一点感觉不到你里面有神，到这时候怎么办？请记得，云柱没有了，还有火柱。你里面的感觉失去了，似乎不觉得里面有圣灵，但请不要忘记，你手中还有一本圣经。圣经说，“信的人有永远的生命。”这是神说的话。虽然你的感觉黑暗到一个地步，你一点不觉得里面有神作生命，但是神说，人信入了神的儿子，就有永远的生命。神说有就有。这就是火柱在黑夜光照你，叫你得以走前面的路。

　　比方，这里有一张纸币，面额是十元，你一看就知道这是十元。如果我问你，你怎么知道它是十元？你一定说，它上面明明写着十元。哦，圣经乃是神无限的宝藏，其中所写的无论是什么，都是真实地，都是可以兑现的，正如一张纸币一样。所以，你我必须认识圣经。如果你我对圣经没有认识，我们就要吃大亏。正如你我若不认识纸币，也许会把十元当作五元花掉了，甚至把十元当作一元用出去了，那真是可惜。

　　我们怎么能认识圣经呢？这就要我们天天来接触它，读它，并且背它。你背得越多越好。你不只要会背约翰三章十六节，还要会背十四、十五节主所说的：“摩西在旷野怎样举蛇，人子也必照样被举起来，叫一切信入祂的都得永远的生命。”我们怎能知道自己有永远的生命？就是因为主在这里说，“叫一切信入祂的都得永远的生命。”我们既然信了，定规就有永远的生命。如果你信了，却说你没有永远的生命，这是一件不得了的事，因为你把主当作说谎的。主说信的人有永远的生命，但你却说，你信了而没有永远的生命。我请问，是你说的可靠呢，还是主说的可靠？我这样说，我想弟兄姊妹应该清楚了。我们该信主的话；我们若不信主的话，就是把主当作说谎的。

　　对待这一本圣经，并不需要太用力气，只要它怎样说，你怎样承认就够了。它说当悔改，你就承认并悔改。它说当信入主，你就相信接受。它说信的人有永远的生命，你就说，“阿们，感谢赞美主，我信了，我有永远的生命。”怎么知道的呢？因为圣经这样说。有的人说，“圣经这样说是不错的，但是我不觉得自己有永远的生命，这怎么办？”我愿意告诉这样问的人：“你觉不觉得并不要紧，只要圣经这样说就够了。”比方，当我在这里讲道，讲得很紧张的时候，我什么都忘了。也许我的口袋里装了一两百元，但我根本不觉得我口袋里有一两百元。所以，感觉常常是不可靠的。有的时候，你觉得你口袋里有一百元，那知道你口袋里的一百元，早已给人偷走了。等你要拿出来用的时候，才发现口袋里是空空的。

　　所以，重点根本不在乎你觉不觉得，全在乎有没有事实。这个事实，就是圣经说，“信的人有永远的生命。”你是一个信的人，你就要承认你有永远的生命。你不能一面读这本圣经，一面又不承认这个事实。这样，你就和圣经合不起来了。你若不管你的感觉，简单地信神在圣经里所说的话，神说，“信的人有永远的生命，”你就对神说，“阿们，我信了，我有永远的生命。”这就够了。所以，我们只该相信神的话，不该管自己的感觉。要承认神永远不会说谎。你若说你信了，却不信你有永远的生命，你就是把神的话当作谎言，把神当作说谎的。因此，要跟圣经合得来，首先要不凭自己的感觉，只相信圣经的话。神这样说了，你就这样信了。

　We can illustrate the need for our being to correspond to the Bible with the matter of repenting and believing in the Lord. The Bible says that we should repent and believe into the Lord (Acts 20:21; John 3:16). If we read the Bible but do not have a daily experience of repenting and believing into the Lord, our being will not correspond to the words in the Bible. Thank the Lord that we are in accord with the Bible on this point.

　In addition to the Bible speaking of repenting and believing into the Lord, it also says, “He who believes has eternal life” (6:47). Furthermore, the Bible says, “I have written these things to you that you may know that you have eternal life, to you who believe into the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). We need to ask ourselves whether or not we are experiencing eternal life. I believe that many of us would respond that we have eternal life because God is in us. But how can we know that God is in us? We can know because there is a sense of joy and satisfaction in our inner being, but if this sense of peace is lacking for any reason, we will not be able to see the pillar of cloud clearly. Even if our inner being becomes darkened so that we cannot clearly see the pillar of cloud, we should remember that we also have a pillar of fire. When we do not have a clear inner sense and it seems as if the Spirit is not present, we should not forget that we still have the Bible. The Bible says, “Everyone who believes...would have eternal life” (John 3:16). This is the Word of God. Although we may feel dark within, even to the point that we have no sense of God within us as life, the Word still says that those who have believed into the Son of God have eternal life. If God says this, it is so. This is the Word, like the pillar of fire, shining in a dark night to enable us to go forward on our path.

　We know that a ten-dollar bill is worth ten dollars because we can plainly see the words ten dollars. The Bible is God’s unlimited treasure house, and the value of its content is real and can be received by us, just as we can receive ten dollars worth of goods when we have a ten-dollar bill. If we do not know the words in the Bible, we will suffer a big loss. This would be like using a ten-dollar bill to receive only five dollars worth of goods. This would be quite regrettable.

　In order to know the Bible, we should read it every day and even memorize it. The more we memorize, the better it will be. We should memorize not only John 3:16 but also the Lord’s words in verses 14 and 15: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that everyone who believes into Him may have eternal life.” We know that we have eternal life because the Lord said, “Everyone who believes into Him may have eternal life.” Since we have believed, we have eternal life. If a person who has believed into Him says that he does not have eternal life based on his feelings alone, he is calling the Lord a liar. Who is more reliable—the Lord who says that everyone who believes may have eternal life or the person who says that he does not have eternal life based on his feelings? We should believe the Lord’s word; otherwise, we are treating Him as if He were a liar.

　It does not require much effort to have a proper regard for the Bible. It is enough to simply acknowledge what the Bible says. When the Bible says that we should repent, we should acknowledge this and repent. When it speaks of believing into the Lord, we should simply believe and receive. When it speaks of having eternal life, we should say, “Amen. Praise the Lord! We have believed, and we have eternal life.” We know these things because they are spoken of in the Bible. Some may say, “Even though the Bible says that I have eternal life, I do not feel as if I have eternal life. What should I do?” To those who ask such a question, we should respond, “Your feelings do not matter, and they cannot change the truth in the Bible.” When I am speaking, I concentrate my whole being on my speaking, and therefore, I do not necessarily feel a ten-dollar bill in my pocket, but it is still there. Our feelings are not reliable. Sometimes we may feel that we have a one-hundred-dollar bill in our pocket but realize that it has been stolen only when we reach into our pocket.

　It is not our feelings that matter but the facts in the Bible that matter. The Bible says, “Everyone who believes into Him may have eternal life.” Since we are believers, we must acknowledge that we have eternal life. We should not read the Bible but ignore the facts in the Bible. If this is our situation, our being will not correspond with the Word. It is sufficient to simply believe the words in the Bible. Since God says in His Word, “Everyone who believes into Him may have eternal life,” we should say to Him, “Amen! I believe! I have eternal life.” We should not rely on our feelings. God never lies. If we say that we have believed but do not believe that we have eternal life, we are regarding God’s words as a lie and God as a liar. Hence, in order for our being to correspond to the Bible, we should not rely on our feelings but believe in the words in the Bible. When God speaks, we should believe.

要合于圣灵

　　另一面，我们还要跟圣灵合得来。罗马八章十六节说，“那灵自己同我们的灵见证我们是神的儿女。”圣灵在我们灵里和我们的灵一同作见证，证明我们是神的儿女。怎么知道圣灵在我们里面证明我们是神的儿女？因为我们祷告的时候，圣灵带领我们称神作“阿爸，父”（15）。林前十二章三节说，“若不是在圣灵里，也没有人能说，主，耶稣！”当我们祷告的时候，有时候称呼神作父，有时候称呼耶稣作主。我们所以能这样称呼，就是因为圣灵在我们里面了。

　　这是一件很希奇的事，每一个信主的人，当他来祷告主的时候，总是很喜欢称呼耶稣作主，也十分乐意称呼神作阿爸父。这完全是因着圣灵在我们里面的缘故。没有一个人肯随便称呼一个人作父。我们若勉勉强强的称一个人作父，味道就很不好。但是当我们呼喊自己生身父亲的时候，里面就非常甜美，也很自然。同样，我信弟兄姊妹都要说，当我们称神作父的时候，里面也实在是感觉甜美，感觉自然。如果你去祷告的时候，称神作父觉得很勉强，我就怕你还没有得救，圣灵还没有进到你的里面。如果你一喊“父阿”，里面就感觉甜美，再喊几声“父阿”，里面更舒服，更释放，请你记得，这就是圣灵在你里面，和你的灵一同作见证。

　　曾有一个人来问一位弟兄：“罗马八章十六节说，那灵自己同我们的灵见证我们是神的儿女，这是什么意思？”他就转问那人说，“你结婚了没有？”他说，“结婚了。”他又问说，“那么你头一次和你太太到岳家去，看见你岳父的时候，你称呼他作什么？”那人想了一想说，“那真是一件为难的事。那一次我们去的时候，我太太在前面走，我在后面跟。等到见了她的父亲，她就叫爸爸。那时，我勉强也跟着喊了一声爸爸，我整个脸都红了。”于是，那一位弟兄就接着问说，“你在家里叫你父亲‘爸爸’的时候，也脸红么？”他说，“不，那是很自然的。”那位弟兄就说，“这就是你的心在里面证明你是你父亲的儿女。同样，当你来祷告神的时候，你所以能称神为父，而没有一点勉强和不自然，也是因为圣灵同你的灵作见证，证明你是神的儿女。”

　　我再说一个故事。有一天，我们几个人带着一个不信的朋友跪下祷告。我们几个人在祷告中赞美神说，“神啊，我们感谢赞美你，你是我们的父。父啊，你真是恩待我们。”等我们祷告完了，这一位朋友对我们说，“信主耶稣很好，但是祷告我作不来。”他又说，“我听见你们那样喊神啊，父啊，阿爸，我真替你们感到肉麻，你们怎么不觉得难为情？”弟兄姊妹，请你听，他这样说，就是证明他里头还没有生命的圣灵，还没有被神重生，还不是神的儿女。

　　亲爱的弟兄姊妹，我们不只有一本圣经，其中的话，都是我们在基督里得基业的凭据，并且我们里面还有一位奥秘的圣灵，是一个活的凭据，使我们确确实实的知道，神在基督里所应许的一切产业都是我们的。所以我们要好好读这本是神话语的圣经，也要好好的跟随这位圣灵。这本在我们手中的圣经乃是圣灵的话，这位在我们里面的圣灵乃是生命的灵，这二者在我们里外互相呼应。当我们读主话语的时候，圣灵就在我们里头感动我们。当圣灵感动我们的时候，祂又总是叫我们想起主的话来。这二者在我们里外相互响应，就叫我们能活在生命里。

　　一九五九年七月三十一日讲于香港青年特会

　　原刊于一九六〇年二月“话语职事”第一百零四期

　Our being should also correspond to the Spirit. Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God.” The Spirit in our spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God. We know that the Spirit is witnessing in this way because when we pray, the Spirit leads us to call God, “Abba, Father” (v. 15). First Corinthians 12:3 says, “No one can say, Jesus is Lord! except in the Holy Spirit.” When we pray, sometimes we call God our Father, and at other times we declare that Jesus is Lord. We call and declare this because the Spirit is in us.

　When a believer prays to the Lord, he often addresses Him as Lord, and when he turns to God, he often addresses God as Father. We come to Jesus as our Lord and to God as our Father because the Spirit is in us. No one calls another person father in a casual way. Even when we force ourselves to address someone in this way, we do not have a pleasant sense within us. However, when we spontaneously address our father in the flesh as father, we have a sweet inward sense. In the same way, I believe that all the brothers and sisters spontaneously have a sweet inward sense when they call God their Father. The sweet inward feeling that we have when we call, “O Father,” is the witnessing of the Holy Spirit with our spirit.

　A brother once asked, “What does Romans 8:16 mean when it says that the Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God?” Another brother responded by asking him if he was married. When the first brother said that he was married, the second brother asked, “When you went with your wife to meet her parents for the first time, what did you call your father-in-law?” The first brother thought for a moment and said, “It was a difficult situation. When I first met him, my wife called him ‘Dad’ as soon as she saw him. I called him ‘Dad’ as well but rather reluctantly, and my face turned red.” Then the second brother asked, “When you call your own father ‘Dad,’ does your face turn red?” When the first brother said that his face did not turn red, the second brother said, “That is because your heart is witnessing that you are your father’s child. In the same way, when we pray to God, we are able to call Him Father without any sense of embarrassment because the Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are His children.”

　Let me relate another story. One day a few of us knelt down to pray with an unbelieving friend. We were praising God in our prayer, saying, “O Father, we praise You. Thank You for being our gracious Father.” When we finished praying, the unbeliever said, “I think that it is good to believe in Jesus, but I cannot pray like you. When I heard you calling God your Father, I was uncomfortable. Why were you not uncomfortable as well?” His comment proved that the Spirit was not in him and that he had not yet been born of God to be a child of God.

　The Bible is not merely a book of words; the words in the Bible are the pledge of our inheritance in Christ. Moreover, the Spirit is a living pledge in us, enabling us to know with certainty all the things promised by God in Christ. Hence, we should read the Bible diligently and follow the Spirit faithfully. The Bible in our hand is the word of the Spirit, whereas the Spirit in us is the Spirit of life. These two correspond to each other. As we read the Lord’s words, the Holy Spirit moves within us to touch us, and the Spirit touches us by reminding us of the Lord’s words. These two correspond with each other and enable us to be in life.

第十三篇 合于圣经并合于圣灵

用话与灵带领少年人