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事奉类 › 事奉主者的资格、追求与学习 › 第一篇　事奉主者两面的难处－灰心与骄傲

第一篇　事奉主者两面的难处－灰心与骄傲

事奉主者的资格、追求与学习

📖 研读 📊 汇集 🇬🇧 English 📋 对照
　
　　路十七5~10说，“使徒对主说，求主增加我们的信心。主说，你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就是对这棵桑树说，你得连根拔起，栽在海里，它也必听从你们。〔但是〕你们谁有奴仆耕地或是牧羊，从田里回来，你们会对他说，快过来坐下吃饭？岂不对他说，你给我预备晚饭，束上带子伺候我；等我吃喝完了，你才可以吃喝么？奴仆照所吩咐的去作，主人还谢谢他么？你们也是如此，作完了一切吩咐你们的事，只当说，我们是无用的奴仆，所作的本是我们应当作的。”请注意，这段话不是说门徒对主说，乃是“使徒”对主说。这里是把说话的人，摆在一个事奉的地位；说话的是使徒，是事奉的人，不是仅仅蒙恩的门徒。他们对主说，“求主增加我们的信心。”主就说，“你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就是对这棵桑树说，你得连根拔起，栽在海里，它也必听从你们。”主说完这话，接着说了一个比喻。表面看好像是上文不接下文，然而我们若仔细对照原文，就会看见7节起头原文有一个连接词，可译为“但是”，可见下文与上文是相接的。
　　这段圣经表面看很简单，话语也很平常，但几乎大部分读经的人都承认，很难捉摸主在这几节里所说的意思。因为前后两段话似乎有点上文不接下文，在思路上不容易连接。开头说到蒙主拣选的使徒，就是那些事奉主的人，向主祈求加增他们的信心。然而，主并没有回答他们怎样加增信心，反而说到他们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就能有何等的功效。接着就说，他们乃是像奴仆一样，即使是耕了地，放了羊，作了许多事，当他们回到主人跟前时，并没有什么可居功的。他们还得学习在主人面前服事，让主人先得满足。不仅如此，他们当有一种心情，一个态度，就是承认自己是无用的奴仆。这段话初读之下，很不容易找到它的思路，摸着它真实的意义。甚至可能读了无数次，还是读不通。必须等到我们在事奉里，在主的工作上有过一些经历后，我们才懂得。
　
　　这段圣经，主要的意思无非是给我们看见，一个蒙神拣选事奉主的人，应当学习不灰心，也就是学习有信心。换句话说，常常学习“相信”，因为只有相信能叫人不灰心。我们一同事奉主的人，常常会有一种光景，虽然口头上不说自己灰心，实际上却常困在灰心里面。比方，有些人一直觉得没有从主得着直接的负担；有些人则叹息工作没有什么果效。因此，许多人都不是那么刚强、愉快；反之，都是在一种愁眉不展的光景里。这是一种灰心的情形。
　　我们若不能从灰心里出来，里头就会一直有一种困扰，求主加增我们的信心，像这段圣经所记的一样。使徒们求主加增他们的信心，意思是，主叫他们事奉，但是他们不能，他们的信心不足，所以求主加增他们的信心。希奇的是，主并没有告诉他们如何加增信心；主反而说，只要有信心，就能有信心。对他们而言，是信心太小的问题；对主而言，是有没有信心的问题。主说，你们只要有信心，那怕信心小到一个地步，像一粒芥菜种一样，只要有这一点，即使对一棵桑树说，你得连根拔起，栽在海里，桑树也必听从。
　　这话给我们看见的是正面的，意即事奉主的人，不必求主加增信心。事奉主的人需要从根本看见，在他里头有一个东西，叫作信心。所以不要说，我的信心太小。我们常听见基督徒说，“请为我祷告，使我的信心加增一点。”我们要看见，主在这里一点不摸信心大小的问题。主点出了一个事实，我们是有这信心的。当然，使徒们不会没有这信心，我们这些蒙主呼召的人，也不会没有这信心。我们也许认为自己只有一点信心，但主对使徒的回答指明，只要有一点，就可以了；有这一点，就一定够用。所以，我们要这样相信。我们需要看见，不是我们的信心增加，乃是我们只要有一点信心就可以；而这一点信心，是每一个信徒都有的。
　
　　主说完这话之后，7~8便说，“〔但是〕你们谁有奴仆耕地或是牧羊，从田里回来，你们会对他说，快过来坐下吃饭？岂不对他说，你给我预备晚饭，束上带子伺候我；等我吃喝完了，你才可以吃喝么？”这意思是，无论我们凭着信心作了多少，仍是没有什么可夸的。我们的难处，要么就是落在灰心里，要么就是偏到骄傲里。一骄傲，就看这个不行，那个也不行。所以，主说过信心之后，就用奴仆的事，来摸我们的骄傲。
　　当我们摸着一点窍，看见不是增加信心，而是有没有信心的问题时，我们乃是站在有一点信心的根基上；这能使一棵树连根拔起，栽在海里。因此，我们能作相当的事。换句话说，当我认识在我里头有一点本钱，有一点信心，然后我凭着这个本钱，这个信心，能作一点什么，这个窍一开，立刻我就能作一些事。可惜我们人是这样的麻烦，不是偏于灰心，就是偏到骄傲。这是不能装假的。好比有的弟兄不是灰心，而是骄傲；即便他不是故意骄傲，但他那种自义，显出一种自命不凡的样子，便是骄傲的模样。
　　比方，有两位弟兄作见证，一位说自己圣经读得不好，另一位说感谢主，这些日子自己圣经读得相当不错。又比方两位姊妹，一位说自己怎样没有直接从主得着负担；另一位说她很容易摸到亮光，也很容易接受负担。有人说，自己越过越糊涂，越过越忙，属灵的情形爬不起来，有一种灰心的感觉；另一个人说，他很容易摸着主，并且一祷告就有主的同在。这些情形，都是路十七5~10所描述的光景。主在这里强调的说，你虽然有一点信心，因而有一些成就，但是不要忘记，即使你有信心耕了地，放了羊，你仍旧是个奴仆。这意思是，即使你的信心叫你能撒种传福音，牧养神的群羊，造就圣徒，并且你也都作得相当好，这并没有值得骄傲、夸口的。
　　你不能说，你作了很多，很辛苦，自己应该先得饱足。不，我们还不能有享受，还不能有可夸的。我们耕了地，放了羊，传了福音，带领圣徒，还得回到主跟前事奉祂，并且先让祂得着满足。等祂吃饱喝足、满足了，我们才可以有一点的满足和享受。此外，我们还得在主面前有一个存心，认识我们是无用的奴仆，所作的本是我们应当作的。这一面拯救我们，使我们与主同心；另一面，保守我们一直不灰心，也不骄傲。不灰心是因主已经拣选我，把一点的信心放在我里头，作我的资本、本钱。我就凭这一点事奉祂，作我所该作的事，而有一点的果效。不骄傲是因无论我作了多少，我都认识我不过是个无用的奴仆。
　　这件事必须深深地作到我们里面。你我事奉主，全数不在别的，只在乎主放在我们里面那一点的信心，那是我们的资本。谁能说我们里面一点信心也没有？我们蒙了神的拣选，蒙主呼召，无论我们这人怎样贫穷，在我们里面总还有一点信心，这一点信心就是我们的本钱。我们不必灰心，我们只要有这一点就够了，只要凭着里头这点信心，就能作许多事。然而另一面，主有智慧，祂知道当我们真的开了窍，学了一点功课，凭着信能作一点什么时，我们就会偏到另一面，会骄傲。我们会以为自己能耕地，也能放羊，立刻骄傲、自满都出来了。所以主说，我们即使耕了地，放了羊，回来还不能吃饭。不能吃饭就是不能自满，不贪图自己的享受。我们还得空着肚皮，伺候在主跟前，让祂先享受。不仅如此，我们要谦卑下来，对主说，“主，我是无用的奴仆。我只是耕了地，放了羊，作了一点事，并没有什么可夸的。主，这不过是我应尽的本分，是我应该作的。”
　　在我们一同事奉的人中间，很明显的有两面的难处。有相当一部分同工觉得贫穷，觉得自己不能讲道，什么都不行，所以愁眉不展，打不起精神，也提不起劲。另一面，有少数同工有一个光景，不是路加十七章里谦卑、谦虚的侍立在主跟前，对主说，“主，我是无用的奴仆，就是作了一点工，也不过是应尽的本分，是我自己该作的。”他们反而在那里说，“我耕了地，放了羊；我读经有亮光，有异象；我有负担，能作这个，能作那个。”我们中间，这两种光景是很明显的。有的愁眉不展，有的趾高气昂，自视甚高。这两种情形都需要主的怜悯，因为我们没有可灰心的，也没有可骄傲的。
　
　　我们蒙主怜悯，在我们里面的确有一点东西，像一粒种子，那就是我们的信心。主说我们有一点信心，像一粒芥菜种就够了。这一粒小种子，就是我们事奉的本钱；我们认识这个，凭着这个事奉主。不要在乎我们的无知、我们的软弱，甚至我们的“看不见了”、“记不住了”、“说不出了”。这个“不”字并没有妨碍，即便我们的眼睛完全看不见，甚至即使看过也全数忘了，说起话更是前言不接后语，这都不成问题。
　　我们该知道，每一个蒙主拣选的人，都有信心。一个事奉主之人的难处，不在别的，就在路加十七章这段话里所隐示的灰心和骄傲。我们的难处就是这样，若不是灰心，说自己看不见、记不住、说不出；就是偏向另一面，说自己看得见、记得住、说得出。路加十七章正好拯救我们脱离这两面的难处。我们不需要灰心，在我们里头有一点东西，是主放在我们里面的，是无法去除的。这一点东西，是我们的资本，叫我们能在主面前事奉祂。所以，我们定规能耕地，能放羊，能传福音，能牧养圣徒，牧养主的羊群。
　　然而，等到我们真能作些什么，能耕地，能牧羊，那时便要提防骄傲。千万不要说，我都能了，我现在得饱餐一顿。主说，“不，你们还得谦卑自己，到我面前伺候我。”若是可饱足、可享受，也是主先享受。我们还得在主面前，对主说，“我是无用的奴仆。”请记得，主从来不喜欢人说，“我是没有信心的奴仆。”主欢喜听见：“我是无用的奴仆。”主喜欢我们常常说，“我里头有信心。”主不喜欢我们说，“我没有信心。”主喜欢我们说，“我是无用的奴仆，即使作了一点什么，真是耕了地，牧了羊，那也不过是我应尽的本分，算不得什么。”我们若记得自己是有信心的人，就不会灰心，并且能够站立；我们若记得自己是无用的奴仆，便不会骄傲。我们要一直在主面前，抓住主在这里所说的话。
　　我们不需要灰心，也不需要羡慕人所谓的看见异象，或摸着直接的负担。我们要看见，不是每一个事奉的人，都像使徒保罗那样。在那么多的使徒当中，不过只有－路加一个保罗，虽然西拉、提摩太都很好，但是他们也写不出保罗的书信。不要因为这个灰心，只要看见我们有信心，并且我们的信心虽小，却是我们事奉的本钱。另一面要记住，我们是无用的奴仆，所以要谦卑。我们乃是蒙主怜悯的人，即使作了许多，耕了许多地，牧了许多羊，到末了，我们仍不该居功，也不该贪图劳苦后的享受。我们要到主面前，伺候祂。若是可享受，要让主享受。我们在主面前，不过是个无用的奴仆，我们所作的是我们应尽的本分。这是我们该有的认识。
　　我在养病期间，独自躺在床上安静下来时，我环顾所有事奉者的情形，心里着实难过。有些人的情形就是灰心，有些人是相当自满，相当骄傲。甚至有人很确定的告诉我，他现在有异象，有负担，有亮光，他读经是如何看见启示。这些话听在我里头，并没有一点快乐的感觉，我反而为着他们担忧、伤心，我担心有一天会出事情。我知道他们病了，有难处了；因为在同工中，灰心的人很灰心，骄傲的人很骄傲。
　　我们定规过同工们聚在－路加一起时，要寻求主的同在，各种的情形都要注意。在属灵争战时，我们必须是勇敢、勇猛的，并且担担子是争先恐后、不怕吃苦的。等到大家坐下来时，感觉更应该敏锐，彼此敞开交通。有些弟兄应该说，“我看见这样的事，不知道弟兄们觉得对不对。”有的说，“我也有一点感觉，但害怕是出于我自己，所以我交通给弟兄们，或者弟兄们给我一个平衡，－路加一点改正。”有人则说，“我虽然外面看不见，里头也有一点感觉，但我怕是出于天然的，我愿意和弟兄们交通。”如果我们中间的情形是这样，我们真要敬拜主。
　　然而，在我生病的时候，却感觉同工们中，有些人相当灰心，有些人则相当骄傲；这两种情形都是不正确的。看自己不行的，乃是和别人比较，这明显是在自己里面。我们若是学了功课，没有自己的感觉，不在自己里面，那么有弟兄起来释放亮光，我们就能敬拜主，而不与人作比较。我们只应该敬拜主说，“主，谢谢你，在我们中间兴起这样的弟兄，我们赞美你。”有好些弟兄常说，“我看有的同工作工好，读经好，带领人也好，站讲台更好，我却样样不行。看看他，再看看自己，真是不行。”这就是灰心。另一面，已过一段时日里，也有相当多的同工说，他能耕地，能牧羊，并且有异象，别人在那个地方作工不行，他可以去作作看。这口气就暴露出他是个什么样的人，他的存心是什么。这乃是落到一种不自觉的骄傲里。
　　有些人觉得灰心，因为多年来他们求主加增信心，主却没有加给他们。－路加八年前圣经读不通，今天还是读不通。－路加八年前在主面前没有直接的负担，今天还是没有。某弟兄有，某姊妹有，他就是没有。他一直求主给他加增，却一点也看不到加增，什么都没有加增。然而主说，只要有信心像一小粒芥菜种就可以。我们需要忘记自己的感觉，也不要与别人比较。若不是在我们里头有一点小的信心，在那里顶着、拉着、维持着，相信许多同工都会落下去，灰心了。许多时候，同工们在工作上不振作，甚至不大敢作，没有勇气作，就是因为灰心。另一面，有相当多的人吃饱、喝足了，以为自己治理召会、传福音很有一套，带领圣徒也不错。这样的人，就是违反路加十七章所说的，不在主面前承认自己是无用的奴仆。我们中间相当缺乏谦卑的灵。没有功用的人就灰心，有了功用的人就自满。愿主怜悯我们，这两面我们都不要。
　　实在说，即使我们今天作了很多事，还得承认，－路加一切都是主的怜悯，是祂给了我们一点祝福，－路加一点带领，并且我们所作的还没有尽，我们该作的还有很多。我们都当认识，即使今天带进了主加倍的祝福，我们是连应尽的本分，都还没有完全尽到。我们没有什么可夸的，我们还得俯伏在主面前，说，“主，我们是无用的奴仆。”无论是异象、负担、亮光，还是读经、属灵的认识，或是带领召会、传福音，这一切都是没有止境的。所以，没有一个人可以说，他已经登峰造极。你我都必须谦卑，－路加一面不灰心，－路加一面不自满。
　
　　有人问说，我们在一起，究竟如何显出功用？约十五16~17说，“不是你们拣选了我，乃是我拣选了你们，并且立了你们，要你们前去，并要你们结果子，且要你们的果子常存，使你们在我的名里，无论向父求什么，祂就赐给你们。我将这些事吩咐你们，是要叫你们彼此相爱。”读约翰十五章的人，都注意住在主里面，与主的交通，乃是我们结果子的基本条件。然而约翰十五章的真理，不仅是个人单独与主交通的问题，也是众肢体相爱的问题。－约翰一个是我们与主之间的问题，－约翰一个是我们与众弟兄姊妹的问题。所以，约翰十五章里所说结果子的两个条件，－约翰一个是住在主里面，－约翰一个是彼此相爱。住在主里面，是我们与主交通的问题；彼此相爱，是众人共同的问题。
　　－约翰一般人读约翰十五章，对第一个条件都看见得相当清楚，对第二个条件就相当的忽略。我们以为只要和主交通，就没有问题，岂知圣经中还有另一面。我们和主交通是必要的，但还必须注意另一件事，就是和众肢体彼此相爱。在主这棵葡萄树上，不只有我这一根枝子，还有许多的枝子；按主的身体而言，也不只有我这个肢体，还有许多的肢体。不只我与树的关系要对，我和众枝子的关系也要对。所以我们要住在主里面，也要和众肢体彼此相爱。
　　我们所以有灰心，或自满的情形，有路加十七章中两面的难处，并非我们与主之间缺了交通，多数原因在于我们彼此缺少相爱。若是我们一直实行彼此相爱，我们便不会灰心，也不会自满。彼此相爱是配搭的问题。我们中间该有许多功用，却没有显出来，问题就出在这里。有些人苦于显不出功用，就灰心了。另有些人显出一点功用，却落到骄傲里；这个自满、自傲，破坏了他的功用。这两面情形在我们中间造成很大的亏损，其原因就是缺乏彼此相爱。
　　若是我们这个不行，那个也不行，就只好支取别人所有的。这是很对的，主并没有要我们个个都行。圣经给我们看见，在那么多使徒中，写以弗所书的只有保罗一个，主并没有要人人都作保罗。但是我们看见，却有许多人支取保罗的丰富，提摩太、提多都是如此。真理是平衡的，一面说，每一个事奉主的人，都该学习活在主面前；但另一面，并不是每一个事奉主的人，都直接从主接受负担。比方，提多在各城设立长老（多一5），他的负担不是自己从主接受的，乃是照着使徒保罗所吩咐的。或许今天有弟兄姊妹会说，“我自己还没有这个负担，你既有负担，你自己去作吧。”若是这样，就表示我们没有配搭。什么叫作配搭？乃是有一部分人作眼睛，看见前面汽车来了；还有一部分人作脚，立刻接受眼睛的警告，快快的闪避。看见的是眼睛，不是脚，但还需要脚才能闪避。今天的难处是，大家都想作脚，或者都想作眼睛。这就是没有正确的配搭。
　　主若怜悯我们，今后我们要学习好的配搭。一面说，每个人都要学习活在主面前，与主有交通；但从另一面说，当我们事奉的时候，没有一个人能单独说他看见什么，我们需要学习彼此配搭。比方，一位姊妹应当学习活在主面前，凭着里头那一点的信心，欢喜快乐的投身在事奉里。然而，在事奉的行动上，她该学习接受安排，与人配搭。她没有一个地位，也没有那个恩赐，直接从主接受负担，她的地位就是接受别人的安排，她就该欢乐的从一同配搭的人手中，接受支配与付托。当她实际的去执行时，就会看见主的同在。这并非人意的组织。
　　若是主许可，盼望我们被带到一个地步，连讲台也都是彼此配搭的。以传福音或是主日讲台为例，在释放话语之前，有负担释放话语的弟兄们，可以一起交通。或者有人说，“我有一点感觉，要释放一篇信息。我觉得主今天要说这个，因为弟兄姊妹有这样的需要。”并且把他要如何说，都交通出来，让大家一同来看。也许有人便附和的说一点话，再加上一些需要注意，或需要避免、提防的点；甚至有一同事奉的弟兄，交通出一些实际的情形和难处。这样交通过后，讲台上释放出的信息，必定比没有交通更刚强、更丰富、更明亮，也更实际。
　
　　目前最需要的，就是事奉的人能够完全的配搭，完全的合作；所以，我们要有许多的事奉聚会。实在说，事奉聚会就是来在一起交通。盼望我们能蒙主怜悯到一个地步，在这样的交通里，不怕说到个人的难处。比方，我们可以说到某位弟兄的讲台，还有什么欠缺的。我们彼此交通，互相接受，把那些难处、弱点，借着交通带过；把那些刚强、积极、丰富、正面的，都加上去。若是这样，话语的讲台定规刚强、明亮。虽然主在我们中间的路，并不在于兴起一个会讲道的人，尽更强的话语职事；但我信主的路，乃是带领这些尽话语职事的弟兄们，慢慢调和成为一个。借着一同的交通，虽然仍是某位弟兄作话语出口，但话语却比没有经过交通更刚强、丰富。
　　不仅讲台如此，连探望、召会中的带领、青少年的服事，都当如此。按规矩，作青少年工作的工人、事奉的弟兄姊妹、和长老们，应该一同坐下，好好交通，好好在主面前研究，看看会所里青少年的工作该怎样作。总要祷告再祷告，交通再交通。在交通里，有些人也许并未直接参与服事，但是可以把感觉、难处说出来；结果大家不分彼此，交通、建造在一起。照着主在约翰十五章的话，我们若彼此相爱，定规多结果子。若是我们仍像已往一样，都是各自活在主面前，等到要事奉，也是你作你该作的，我作我该作的；我感觉你作得有些缺欠，我不说；我作得有些差错，你也不讲；你有什么能加给我的，我也不一定接受；大家里头都有故事，彼此间都不通气，结果自然无法有果子。
　　现在我们需要一改从前的作法，实行彼此相爱。我们应当来在－约翰一起，众人把各自的工作逐一交通出来，接受大家的批评、改正，好除去我们的弱点。结果一个人在某地的工作，就是我们全体的工作，因为他工作的眼光，不是他个人的，所带去的也不是他个人的。相当有属于他的东西，但是也相当有属于别人的东西，众人就调在－约翰一起。这样，他讲一篇道，不仅是他自己的看见，还有别人加上去的亮光。众人便一同承当讲道的结果，不是一个人所作的，乃是大家一同作的。或许是两位同工一同配搭，但不只是那两个人去作，而是大家经过交通，－约翰一同作的。如果这样，我们中间会产生彼此相爱的实际，所显出的功用，也是出于彼此相爱。我们不仅是各自住在主里面，与主有交通，更是各个彼此相爱。
　　我们在积极方面很缺乏这种彼此相爱。我们需要积极的往这一面带领弟兄姊妹，使全时间服事者和长老们彼此相爱，到一个地步，在功用上相爱，在同作枝子结果子的事上相爱。不光是一个个枝子住在萄葡树上，并且枝子间都彼此相爱。若是这样，我们的长进必然加多，也会显出许多不同的功用。因为我们有各种样的人，有各种样的功用，有的作手，有的作口，有的作眼睛，有的作脚；有的直接从主接受一点负担，有的在配搭里接受一点安排；有的也许在原则上像使徒保罗那样，有的也许在原则上像提多、提摩太。但这并不抹煞个人与主之间的交通，个人活在主面前的情形。
　　至此，我们的工作才能像样，我们在主面前才能学好功课，并且我们事奉主的两种难处，都能迎刃而解。盼望主怜悯我们，把我们带到这个境地，－约翰一切在工作上的举动，事奉里的活动，都是这样；－约翰一面个人活在主面前，另一面众人都在功用上彼此相爱。
　　最近某个地方召会就有一点这样的作法，弟兄们在释放信息之后，就摆在－约翰一同事奉的同工面前，大家一同来评论。不光是讲过之后一同评，在未讲之前也一同交通。每个人都摆出自己的感觉，甚至对聚会的带领，都交通给弟兄们，结果就交通出实在的东西。到了聚会的时候，众人便有在灵里的默契。这样，就见证他们彼此间的配搭是活的。
　
　　一面，我们因着看见在我们里面有一点的信心，而不灰心；另一面也学习无论作了多少，还得承认，我们仍是无用的奴仆，所作的不过是我们应当作的。不仅如此，在我们尽功用时，需要学习住在主里面，而彼此相爱；在功用上有交通，彼此间有好的配搭。在话语的讲台是如此，探望是如此，聚会带领也是如此，一切的活动都是如此。这样，我们便能配搭起来，彼此加强，得着更多的丰富及平衡，蒙到更大的保障。我们借此都能学得许多美好的功课，并免去不必要的错误。
　　一九六〇年七月十九日讲于台北
　
　　路加十七章五至十节说，“使徒对主说，求主增加我们的信心。主说，你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就是对这棵桑树说，你得连根拔起，栽在海里，它也必听从你们。〔但是〕你们谁有奴仆耕地或是牧羊，从田里回来，你们会对他说，快过来坐下吃饭？岂不对他说，你给我预备晚饭，束上带子伺候我；等我吃喝完了，你才可以吃喝么？奴仆照所吩咐的去作，主人还谢谢他么？你们也是如此，作完了一切吩咐你们的事，只当说，我们是无用的奴仆，所作的本是我们应当作的。”请注意，这段话不是说门徒对主说，乃是“使徒”对主说。这里是把说话的人，摆在一个事奉的地位；说话的是使徒，是事奉的人，不是仅仅蒙恩的门徒。他们对主说，“求主增加我们的信心。”主就说，“你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就是对这棵桑树说，你得连根拔起，栽在海里，它也必听从你们。”主说完这话，接着说了一个比喻。表面看好像是上文不接下文，然而我们若仔细对照原文，就会看见七节起头原文有一个连接词，可译为“但是”，可见下文与上文是相接的。
--------本段经节汇集--------
路17:5  
使徒对主说，求主增加我们的信心。
路17:6  
主说，你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就是对这棵桑树说，你得连根拔起，栽在海里，它也必听从你们。
路17:7  
你们谁有奴仆耕地或是牧羊，从田里回来，你们会对他说，快过来坐下吃饭？
路17:8  
岂不对他说，你给我预备晚饭，束上带子伺候我；等我吃喝完了，你才可以吃喝么？
路17:9  
奴仆照所吩咐的去作，主人还谢谢他么？
路17:10  
你们也是如此，作完了一切吩咐你们的事，只当说，我们是无用的奴仆，所作的本是我们应当作的。
路加福音一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
路17:7  
你们谁有奴仆耕地或是牧羊，从田里回来，你们会对他说，快过来坐下吃饭？
------------------------
　　这段圣经表面看很简单，话语也很平常，但几乎大部分读经的人都承认，很难捉摸主在这几节里所说的意思。因为前后两段话似乎有点上文不接下文，在思路上不容易连接。开头说到蒙主拣选的使徒，就是那些事奉主的人，向主祈求加增他们的信心。然而，主并没有回答他们怎样加增信心，反而说到他们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就能有何等的功效。接着就说，他们乃是像奴仆一样，即使是耕了地，放了羊，作了许多事，当他们回到主人跟前时，并没有什么可居功的。他们还得学习在主人面前服事，让主人先得满足。不仅如此，他们当有一种心情，一个态度，就是承认自己是无用的奴仆。这段话初读之下，很不容易找到它的思路，摸着它真实的意义。甚至可能读了无数次，还是读不通。必须等到我们在事奉里，在主的工作上有过一些经历后，我们才懂得。
　
　　这段圣经，主要的意思无非是给我们看见，一个蒙神拣选事奉主的人，应当学习不灰心，也就是学习有信心。换句话说，常常学习“相信”，因为只有相信能叫人不灰心。我们一同事奉主的人，常常会有一种光景，虽然口头上不说自己灰心，实际上却常困在灰心里面。比方，有些人一直觉得没有从主得着直接的负担；有些人则叹息工作没有什么果效。因此，许多人都不是那么刚强、愉快；反之，都是在一种愁眉不展的光景里。这是一种灰心的情形。　　我们若不能从灰心里出来，里头就会一直有一种困扰，求主加增我们的信心，像这段圣经所记的一样。使徒们求主加增他们的信心，意思是，主叫他们事奉，但是他们不能，他们的信心不足，所以求主加增他们的信心。希奇的是，主并没有告诉他们如何加增信心；主反而说，只要有信心，就能有信心。对他们而言，是信心太小的问题；对主而言，是有没有信心的问题。主说，你们只要有信心，那怕信心小到一个地步，像一粒芥菜种一样，只要有这一点，即使对一棵桑树说，你得连根拔起，栽在海里，桑树也必听从。　　这话给我们看见的是正面的，意即事奉主的人，不必求主加增信心。事奉主的人需要从根本看见，在他里头有一个东西，叫作信心。所以不要说，我的信心太小。我们常听见基督徒说，“请为我祷告，使我的信心加增一点。”我们要看见，主在这里一点不摸信心大小的问题。主点出了一个事实，我们是有这信心的。当然，使徒们不会没有这信心，我们这些蒙主呼召的人，也不会没有这信心。我们也许认为自己只有一点信心，但主对使徒的回答指明，只要有一点，就可以了；有这一点，就一定够用。所以，我们要这样相信。我们需要看见，不是我们的信心增加，乃是我们只要有一点信心就可以；而这一点信心，是每一个信徒都有的。
　
　　主说完这话之后，七至八节便说，“〔但是〕你们谁有奴仆耕地或是牧羊，从田里回来，你们会对他说，快过来坐下吃饭？岂不对他说，你给我预备晚饭，束上带子伺候我；等我吃喝完了，你才可以吃喝么？”这意思是，无论我们凭着信心作了多少，仍是没有什么可夸的。我们的难处，要么就是落在灰心里，要么就是偏到骄傲里。一骄傲，就看这个不行，那个也不行。所以，主说过信心之后，就用奴仆的事，来摸我们的骄傲。　　当我们摸着一点窍，看见不是增加信心，而是有没有信心的问题时，我们乃是站在有一点信心的根基上；这能使一棵树连根拔起，栽在海里。因此，我们能作相当的事。换句话说，当我认识在我里头有一点本钱，有一点信心，然后我凭着这个本钱，这个信心，能作一点什么，这个窍一开，立刻我就能作一些事。可惜我们人是这样的麻烦，不是偏于灰心，就是偏到骄傲。这是不能装假的。好比有的弟兄不是灰心，而是骄傲；即便他不是故意骄傲，但他那种自义，显出一种自命不凡的样子，便是骄傲的模样。　　比方，有两位弟兄作见证，一位说自己圣经读得不好，另一位说感谢主，这些日子自己圣经读得相当不错。又比方两位姊妹，一位说自己怎样没有直接从主得着负担；另一位说她很容易摸到亮光，也很容易接受负担。有人说，自己越过越糊涂，越过越忙，属灵的情形爬不起来，有一种灰心的感觉；另一个人说，他很容易摸着主，并且一祷告就有主的同在。这些情形，都是路加十七章五至十节所描述的光景。主在这里强调的说，你虽然有一点信心，因而有一些成就，但是不要忘记，即使你有信心耕了地，放了羊，你仍旧是个奴仆。这意思是，即使你的信心叫你能撒种传福音，牧养神的群羊，造就圣徒，并且你也都作得相当好，这并没有值得骄傲、夸口的。
--------本段经节汇集--------
路17:5  
使徒对主说，求主增加我们的信心。
路17:6  
主说，你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就是对这棵桑树说，你得连根拔起，栽在海里，它也必听从你们。
路17:7  
你们谁有奴仆耕地或是牧羊，从田里回来，你们会对他说，快过来坐下吃饭？
路17:8  
岂不对他说，你给我预备晚饭，束上带子伺候我；等我吃喝完了，你才可以吃喝么？
路17:9  
奴仆照所吩咐的去作，主人还谢谢他么？
路17:10  
你们也是如此，作完了一切吩咐你们的事，只当说，我们是无用的奴仆，所作的本是我们应当作的。
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　　你不能说，你作了很多，很辛苦，自己应该先得饱足。不，我们还不能有享受，还不能有可夸的。我们耕了地，放了羊，传了福音，带领圣徒，还得回到主跟前事奉祂，并且先让祂得着满足。等祂吃饱喝足、满足了，我们才可以有一点的满足和享受。此外，我们还得在主面前有一个存心，认识我们是无用的奴仆，所作的本是我们应当作的。这一面拯救我们，使我们与主同心；另一面，保守我们一直不灰心，也不骄傲。不灰心是因主已经拣选我，把一点的信心放在我里头，作我的资本、本钱。我就凭这一点事奉祂，作我所该作的事，而有一点的果效。不骄傲是因无论我作了多少，我都认识我不过是个无用的奴仆。　　这件事必须深深地作到我们里面。你我事奉主，全数不在别的，只在乎主放在我们里面那一点的信心，那是我们的资本。谁能说我们里面一点信心也没有？我们蒙了神的拣选，蒙主呼召，无论我们这人怎样贫穷，在我们里面总还有一点信心，这一点信心就是我们的本钱。我们不必灰心，我们只要有这一点就够了，只要凭着里头这点信心，就能作许多事。然而另一面，主有智慧，祂知道当我们真的开了窍，学了一点功课，凭着信能作一点什么时，我们就会偏到另一面，会骄傲。我们会以为自己能耕地，也能放羊，立刻骄傲、自满都出来了。所以主说，我们即使耕了地，放了羊，回来还不能吃饭。不能吃饭就是不能自满，不贪图自己的享受。我们还得空着肚皮，伺候在主跟前，让祂先享受。不仅如此，我们要谦卑下来，对主说，“主，我是无用的奴仆。我只是耕了地，放了羊，作了一点事，并没有什么可夸的。主，这不过是我应尽的本分，是我应该作的。”　　在我们一同事奉的人中间，很明显的有两面的难处。有相当一部分同工觉得贫穷，觉得自己不能讲道，什么都不行，所以愁眉不展，打不起精神，也提不起劲。另一面，有少数同工有一个光景，不是路加十七章里谦卑、谦虚的侍立在主跟前，对主说，“主，我是无用的奴仆，就是作了一点工，也不过是应尽的本分，是我自己该作的。”他们反而在那里说，“我耕了地，放了羊；我读经有亮光，有异象；我有负担，能作这个，能作那个。”我们中间，这两种光景是很明显的。有的愁眉不展，有的趾高气昂，自视甚高。这两种情形都需要主的怜悯，因为我们没有可灰心的，也没有可骄傲的。
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路加福音十七章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　我们蒙主怜悯，在我们里面的确有一点东西，像一粒种子，那就是我们的信心。主说我们有一点信心，像一粒芥菜种就够了。这一粒小种子，就是我们事奉的本钱；我们认识这个，凭着这个事奉主。不要在乎我们的无知、我们的软弱，甚至我们的“看不见了”、“记不住了”、“说不出了”。这个“不”字并没有妨碍，即便我们的眼睛完全看不见，甚至即使看过也全数忘了，说起话更是前言不接后语，这都不成问题。　　我们该知道，每一个蒙主拣选的人，都有信心。一个事奉主之人的难处，不在别的，就在路加十七章这段话里所隐示的灰心和骄傲。我们的难处就是这样，若不是灰心，说自己看不见、记不住、说不出；就是偏向另一面，说自己看得见、记得住、说得出。路加十七章正好拯救我们脱离这两面的难处。我们不需要灰心，在我们里头有一点东西，是主放在我们里面的，是无法去除的。这一点东西，是我们的资本，叫我们能在主面前事奉祂。所以，我们定规能耕地，能放羊，能传福音，能牧养圣徒，牧养主的羊群。
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路加福音十七章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
路加福音十七章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　然而，等到我们真能作些什么，能耕地，能牧羊，那时便要提防骄傲。千万不要说，我都能了，我现在得饱餐一顿。主说，“不，你们还得谦卑自己，到我面前伺候我。”若是可饱足、可享受，也是主先享受。我们还得在主面前，对主说，“我是无用的奴仆。”请记得，主从来不喜欢人说，“我是没有信心的奴仆。”主欢喜听见：“我是无用的奴仆。”主喜欢我们常常说，“我里头有信心。”主不喜欢我们说，“我没有信心。”主喜欢我们说，“我是无用的奴仆，即使作了一点什么，真是耕了地，牧了羊，那也不过是我应尽的本分，算不得什么。”我们若记得自己是有信心的人，就不会灰心，并且能够站立；我们若记得自己是无用的奴仆，便不会骄傲。我们要一直在主面前，抓住主在这里所说的话。　　我们不需要灰心，也不需要羡慕人所谓的看见异象，或摸着直接的负担。我们要看见，不是每一个事奉的人，都像使徒保罗那样。在那么多的使徒当中，不过只有一个保罗，虽然西拉、提摩太都很好，但是他们也写不出保罗的书信。不要因为这个灰心，只要看见我们有信心，并且我们的信心虽小，却是我们事奉的本钱。另一面要记住，我们是无用的奴仆，所以要谦卑。我们乃是蒙主怜悯的人，即使作了许多，耕了许多地，牧了许多羊，到末了，我们仍不该居功，也不该贪图劳苦后的享受。我们要到主面前，伺候祂。若是可享受，要让主享受。我们在主面前，不过是个无用的奴仆，我们所作的是我们应尽的本分。这是我们该有的认识。　　我在养病期间，独自躺在床上安静下来时，我环顾所有事奉者的情形，心里着实难过。有些人的情形就是灰心，有些人是相当自满，相当骄傲。甚至有人很确定的告诉我，他现在有异象，有负担，有亮光，他读经是如何看见启示。这些话听在我里头，并没有一点快乐的感觉，我反而为着他们担忧、伤心，我担心有一天会出事情。我知道他们病了，有难处了；因为在同工中，灰心的人很灰心，骄傲的人很骄傲。　　我们定规过同工们聚在一起时，要寻求主的同在，各种的情形都要注意。在属灵争战时，我们必须是勇敢、勇猛的，并且担担子是争先恐后、不怕吃苦的。等到大家坐下来时，感觉更应该敏锐，彼此敞开交通。有些弟兄应该说，“我看见这样的事，不知道弟兄们觉得对不对。”有的说，“我也有一点感觉，但害怕是出于我自己，所以我交通给弟兄们，或者弟兄们给我一个平衡，一点改正。”有人则说，“我虽然外面看不见，里头也有一点感觉，但我怕是出于天然的，我愿意和弟兄们交通。”如果我们中间的情形是这样，我们真要敬拜主。　　然而，在我生病的时候，却感觉同工们中，有些人相当灰心，有些人则相当骄傲；这两种情形都是不正确的。看自己不行的，乃是和别人比较，这明显是在自己里面。我们若是学了功课，没有自己的感觉，不在自己里面，那么有弟兄起来释放亮光，我们就能敬拜主，而不与人作比较。我们只应该敬拜主说，“主，谢谢你，在我们中间兴起这样的弟兄，我们赞美你。”有好些弟兄常说，“我看有的同工作工好，读经好，带领人也好，站讲台更好，我却样样不行。看看他，再看看自己，真是不行。”这就是灰心。另一面，已过一段时日里，也有相当多的同工说，他能耕地，能牧羊，并且有异象，别人在那个地方作工不行，他可以去作作看。这口气就暴露出他是个什么样的人，他的存心是什么。这乃是落到一种不自觉的骄傲里。　　有些人觉得灰心，因为多年来他们求主加增信心，主却没有加给他们。八年前圣经读不通，今天还是读不通。八年前在主面前没有直接的负担，今天还是没有。某弟兄有，某姊妹有，他就是没有。他一直求主给他加增，却一点也看不到加增，什么都没有加增。然而主说，只要有信心像一小粒芥菜种就可以。我们需要忘记自己的感觉，也不要与别人比较。若不是在我们里头有一点小的信心，在那里顶着、拉着、维持着，相信许多同工都会落下去，灰心了。许多时候，同工们在工作上不振作，甚至不大敢作，没有勇气作，就是因为灰心。另一面，有相当多的人吃饱、喝足了，以为自己治理召会、传福音很有一套，带领圣徒也不错。这样的人，就是违反路加十七章所说的，不在主面前承认自己是无用的奴仆。我们中间相当缺乏谦卑的灵。没有功用的人就灰心，有了功用的人就自满。愿主怜悯我们，这两面我们都不要。
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路加福音十七章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　实在说，即使我们今天作了很多事，还得承认，一切都是主的怜悯，是祂给了我们一点祝福，一点带领，并且我们所作的还没有尽，我们该作的还有很多。我们都当认识，即使今天带进了主加倍的祝福，我们是连应尽的本分，都还没有完全尽到。我们没有什么可夸的，我们还得俯伏在主面前，说，“主，我们是无用的奴仆。”无论是异象、负担、亮光，还是读经、属灵的认识，或是带领召会、传福音，这一切都是没有止境的。所以，没有一个人可以说，他已经登峰造极。你我都必须谦卑，一面不灰心，一面不自满。
　
　　有人问说，我们在一起，究竟如何显出功用？约翰十五章十六至十七节说，“不是你们拣选了我，乃是我拣选了你们，并且立了你们，要你们前去，并要你们结果子，且要你们的果子常存，使你们在我的名里，无论向父求什么，祂就赐给你们。我将这些事吩咐你们，是要叫你们彼此相爱。”读约翰十五章的人，都注意住在主里面，与主的交通，乃是我们结果子的基本条件。然而约翰十五章的真理，不仅是个人单独与主交通的问题，也是众肢体相爱的问题。一个是我们与主之间的问题，一个是我们与众弟兄姊妹的问题。所以，约翰十五章里所说结果子的两个条件，一个是住在主里面，一个是彼此相爱。住在主里面，是我们与主交通的问题；彼此相爱，是众人共同的问题。
--------本段经节汇集--------
约15:16  
不是你们拣选了我，乃是我拣选了你们，并且立了你们，要你们前去，并要你们结果子，且要你们的果子常存，使你们在我的名里，无论向父求什么，祂就赐给你们。
约15:17  
我将这些事吩咐你们，是要叫你们彼此相爱。
约翰福音十五章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
约翰福音十五章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
约翰福音十五章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　一般人读约翰十五章，对第一个条件都看见得相当清楚，对第二个条件就相当的忽略。我们以为只要和主交通，就没有问题，岂知圣经中还有另一面。我们和主交通是必要的，但还必须注意另一件事，就是和众肢体彼此相爱。在主这棵葡萄树上，不只有我这一根枝子，还有许多的枝子；按主的身体而言，也不只有我这个肢体，还有许多的肢体。不只我与树的关系要对，我和众枝子的关系也要对。所以我们要住在主里面，也要和众肢体彼此相爱。
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约翰福音十五章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　我们所以有灰心，或自满的情形，有路加十七章中两面的难处，并非我们与主之间缺了交通，多数原因在于我们彼此缺少相爱。若是我们一直实行彼此相爱，我们便不会灰心，也不会自满。彼此相爱是配搭的问题。我们中间该有许多功用，却没有显出来，问题就出在这里。有些人苦于显不出功用，就灰心了。另有些人显出一点功用，却落到骄傲里；这个自满、自傲，破坏了他的功用。这两面情形在我们中间造成很大的亏损，其原因就是缺乏彼此相爱。
--------本段经节汇集--------
路加福音十七章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　若是我们这个不行，那个也不行，就只好支取别人所有的。这是很对的，主并没有要我们个个都行。圣经给我们看见，在那么多使徒中，写以弗所书的只有保罗一个，主并没有要人人都作保罗。但是我们看见，却有许多人支取保罗的丰富，提摩太、提多都是如此。真理是平衡的，一面说，每一个事奉主的人，都该学习活在主面前；但另一面，并不是每一个事奉主的人，都直接从主接受负担。比方，提多在各城设立长老（多一5），他的负担不是自己从主接受的，乃是照着使徒保罗所吩咐的。或许今天有弟兄姊妹会说，“我自己还没有这个负担，你既有负担，你自己去作吧。”若是这样，就表示我们没有配搭。什么叫作配搭？乃是有一部分人作眼睛，看见前面汽车来了；还有一部分人作脚，立刻接受眼睛的警告，快快的闪避。看见的是眼睛，不是脚，但还需要脚才能闪避。今天的难处是，大家都想作脚，或者都想作眼睛。这就是没有正确的配搭。
--------本段经节汇集--------
罗马书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
多1:5  
我从前留你在革哩底，是要你将我所未办完的事办理妥当，又照我所吩咐你的，在各城设立长老。
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　　主若怜悯我们，今后我们要学习好的配搭。一面说，每个人都要学习活在主面前，与主有交通；但从另一面说，当我们事奉的时候，没有一个人能单独说他看见什么，我们需要学习彼此配搭。比方，一位姊妹应当学习活在主面前，凭着里头那一点的信心，欢喜快乐的投身在事奉里。然而，在事奉的行动上，她该学习接受安排，与人配搭。她没有一个地位，也没有那个恩赐，直接从主接受负担，她的地位就是接受别人的安排，她就该欢乐的从一同配搭的人手中，接受支配与付托。当她实际的去执行时，就会看见主的同在。这并非人意的组织。　　若是主许可，盼望我们被带到一个地步，连讲台也都是彼此配搭的。以传福音或是主日讲台为例，在释放话语之前，有负担释放话语的弟兄们，可以一起交通。或者有人说，“我有一点感觉，要释放一篇信息。我觉得主今天要说这个，因为弟兄姊妹有这样的需要。”并且把他要如何说，都交通出来，让大家一同来看。也许有人便附和的说一点话，再加上一些需要注意，或需要避免、提防的点；甚至有一同事奉的弟兄，交通出一些实际的情形和难处。这样交通过后，讲台上释放出的信息，必定比没有交通更刚强、更丰富、更明亮，也更实际。
　
　　目前最需要的，就是事奉的人能够完全的配搭，完全的合作；所以，我们要有许多的事奉聚会。实在说，事奉聚会就是来在一起交通。盼望我们能蒙主怜悯到一个地步，在这样的交通里，不怕说到个人的难处。比方，我们可以说到某位弟兄的讲台，还有什么欠缺的。我们彼此交通，互相接受，把那些难处、弱点，借着交通带过；把那些刚强、积极、丰富、正面的，都加上去。若是这样，话语的讲台定规刚强、明亮。虽然主在我们中间的路，并不在于兴起一个会讲道的人，尽更强的话语职事；但我信主的路，乃是带领这些尽话语职事的弟兄们，慢慢调和成为一个。借着一同的交通，虽然仍是某位弟兄作话语出口，但话语却比没有经过交通更刚强、丰富。　　不仅讲台如此，连探望、召会中的带领、青少年的服事，都当如此。按规矩，作青少年工作的工人、事奉的弟兄姊妹、和长老们，应该一同坐下，好好交通，好好在主面前研究，看看会所里青少年的工作该怎样作。总要祷告再祷告，交通再交通。在交通里，有些人也许并未直接参与服事，但是可以把感觉、难处说出来；结果大家不分彼此，交通、建造在一起。照着主在约翰十五章的话，我们若彼此相爱，定规多结果子。若是我们仍像已往一样，都是各自活在主面前，等到要事奉，也是你作你该作的，我作我该作的；我感觉你作得有些缺欠，我不说；我作得有些差错，你也不讲；你有什么能加给我的，我也不一定接受；大家里头都有故事，彼此间都不通气，结果自然无法有果子。
--------本段经节汇集--------
哈该书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
约翰福音十五章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　现在我们需要一改从前的作法，实行彼此相爱。我们应当来在一起，众人把各自的工作逐一交通出来，接受大家的批评、改正，好除去我们的弱点。结果一个人在某地的工作，就是我们全体的工作，因为他工作的眼光，不是他个人的，所带去的也不是他个人的。相当有属于他的东西，但是也相当有属于别人的东西，众人就调在一起。这样，他讲一篇道，不仅是他自己的看见，还有别人加上去的亮光。众人便一同承当讲道的结果，不是一个人所作的，乃是大家一同作的。或许是两位同工一同配搭，但不只是那两个人去作，而是大家经过交通，一同作的。如果这样，我们中间会产生彼此相爱的实际，所显出的功用，也是出于彼此相爱。我们不仅是各自住在主里面，与主有交通，更是各个彼此相爱。　　我们在积极方面很缺乏这种彼此相爱。我们需要积极的往这一面带领弟兄姊妹，使全时间服事者和长老们彼此相爱，到一个地步，在功用上相爱，在同作枝子结果子的事上相爱。不光是一个个枝子住在萄葡树上，并且枝子间都彼此相爱。若是这样，我们的长进必然加多，也会显出许多不同的功用。因为我们有各种样的人，有各种样的功用，有的作手，有的作口，有的作眼睛，有的作脚；有的直接从主接受一点负担，有的在配搭里接受一点安排；有的也许在原则上像使徒保罗那样，有的也许在原则上像提多、提摩太。但这并不抹煞个人与主之间的交通，个人活在主面前的情形。　　至此，我们的工作才能像样，我们在主面前才能学好功课，并且我们事奉主的两种难处，都能迎刃而解。盼望主怜悯我们，把我们带到这个境地，一切在工作上的举动，事奉里的活动，都是这样；一面个人活在主面前，另一面众人都在功用上彼此相爱。　　最近某个地方召会就有一点这样的作法，弟兄们在释放信息之后，就摆在一同事奉的同工面前，大家一同来评论。不光是讲过之后一同评，在未讲之前也一同交通。每个人都摆出自己的感觉，甚至对聚会的带领，都交通给弟兄们，结果就交通出实在的东西。到了聚会的时候，众人便有在灵里的默契。这样，就见证他们彼此间的配搭是活的。
　
　　一面，我们因着看见在我们里面有一点的信心，而不灰心；另一面也学习无论作了多少，还得承认，我们仍是无用的奴仆，所作的不过是我们应当作的。不仅如此，在我们尽功用时，需要学习住在主里面，而彼此相爱；在功用上有交通，彼此间有好的配搭。在话语的讲台是如此，探望是如此，聚会带领也是如此，一切的活动都是如此。这样，我们便能配搭起来，彼此加强，得着更多的丰富及平衡，蒙到更大的保障。我们借此都能学得许多美好的功课，并免去不必要的错误。　　一九六〇年七月十九日讲于台北
　
ASKING THE LORD TO INCREASE OUR FAITH
　 Luke 17:5-10 says, “The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith. But the Lord said, If you have faith like a mustard seed, you would have said to this sycamine tree, Be uprooted and be planted in the sea; and it would have obeyed you. But which of you, having a slave who is plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, Come immediately and recline at table? Will he not rather say to him, Prepare something that I may dine, and gird yourself and serve me until I eat and drink; and after that you will eat and drink? He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were ordered, does he? So also you, when you do all the things which are ordered you, say, We are unprofitable slaves; we have done what we ought to have done.” This portion of the Word does not say that “the disciples” said to the Lord but that “the apostles” said to the Lord. The speakers were in a position of service. They were apostles, serving ones; they were not merely disciples, saved ones. The serving ones asked the Lord to increase their faith. The Lord replied that if their faith was the size of a mustard seed, they could tell a sycamine tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey them. Then the Lord told them a parable. On the surface the parable seems unrelated to what was being discussed. However, verse 7 begins with the conjunction but. This shows that the two portions are related.
　This portion of the Bible is simple and uses plain words, but most Bible readers admit that it is rather difficult to grasp the meaning in these verses. This portion begins with the apostles chosen by the Lord, His serving ones, asking to have their faith increased. The Lord did not answer them regarding how to increase their faith. Rather, He spoke of the effectiveness of having faith the size of a mustard seed. The Lord continued by speaking of slaves who, after plowing the land, tending the sheep, and doing many things, could not take credit for anything before their master. They needed to learn to serve the master so that he would be satisfied. Not only so, they should have the sense, the attitude, that they are unprofitable slaves. It is not easy to understand the meaning of this portion, even after reading it many times. Only after we have some experience in the Lord’s work, in the service, can we understand the meaning of this portion.
　The main purpose of this portion is to show that a person who is chosen by God to serve Him should not be discouraged; that is, he should learn to have faith. He should learn to believe. Believing saves us from being discouraged. As those who serve the Lord, we often encounter a discouraging situation. Sometimes we feel that we have not received a burden from the Lord, or we lament that we do not see the result of our work. As a result, many serving ones are discouraged instead of being strong and happy.
　If we are always discouraged, we will be inwardly disturbed and continually ask the Lord to increase our faith. When the apostles asked the Lord to increase their faith, they seemed to be saying that they were not able to serve because they were short of faith. Hence, they asked the Lord to increase their faith. Instead of telling them how they could increase their faith, the Lord said that as long as they had faith, that was good enough. The apostles’ concern was that their faith was too small, but the Lord’s concern was related to their thought concerning the absence of faith. The Lord seemed to be saying, “As long as you have faith, even if it is as small as a mustard seed, you can tell this sycamine tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it will obey you.”
　This word shows that those who serve the Lord do not need to ask Him to increase their faith. They only need to see that there is something in them called faith. Therefore, they should not say, “My faith is too small.” Christians often say, “Please pray for me so that my faith would be increased.” In these verses the Lord does not touch the size of our faith. Instead, the Lord points out that we have faith. It was not possible for the apostles not to have faith, nor is it possible for those whom the Lord has called not to have faith. Perhaps we consider that our faith is small, but the Lord’s reply to the apostles shows that even a small measure of faith is sufficient. We must believe the Lord’s word. We need to see that we do not need to increase our faith. We simply need to have faith. Every believer has faith.
　
TWO PROBLEMS FACING THE LORD’S SERVING ONES
　In verses 7 and 8 the Lord continued, “Which of you, having a slave who is plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, Come immediately and recline at table? Will he not rather say to him, Prepare something that I may dine, and gird yourself and serve me until I eat and drink; and after that you will eat and drink?” This means that no matter how much we accomplish by faith, we have no ground for boasting. Our problem is that either we fall into discouragement, or we become proud. Once we become proud, we consider that others are not up to the standard and are not acceptable. Hence, after speaking concerning faith, the Lord gave the example of a slave in order to touch our pride.
　When we realize that it is not a matter of increasing our faith but of seeing that we have faith, then we are standing on a foundation and are equipped to accomplish things. When we realize that even a small amount of faith is our capital, we will be able to accomplish many things by this faith. Once we grasp this key, we will be able to accomplish many things. Regrettably, we still are complicated people, because it is easy to be discouraged or proud. We cannot pretend. A brother who is discouraged can also be proud. Even if he is not intentionally proud, his self-righteous attitude and high regard for himself are expressions of pride.
　Here are some examples. One brother might say that he does not know how to study the Bible, but another brother might give thanks to the Lord and say that he knows how to study the Bible. One sister might say that she does not know how to receive a burden from the Lord, but another sister might say that it is easy for her to be enlightened and receive a burden. One brother might say that he is confused and is not advancing spiritually; hence, he is discouraged. Another brother might say that it is easy for him to touch the Lord and that he always senses the Lord’s presence when he prays. In Luke 17:5-10 the Lord said that even if our faith is small, we will be able to accomplish many things, but we must not forget that we are still slaves. This means that even if our faith enables us to sow the seed of the gospel, to shepherd the flock of God, and to edify the saints, we should not be proud and boast about our service.
　We should not say that since we have accomplished much, we should eat and be satisfied. We cannot enjoy or boast of our achievements yet. After we plow and tend the sheep—that is, preach the gospel and shepherd the saints—we should still serve the Lord in order for Him to be satisfied first. After He is satisfied, we can have a little satisfaction and enjoyment. In addition, we should have the attitude that we are useless slaves and that we have done what we should have done. On the one hand, such an attitude will save us so that we may be one with the Lord. On the other hand, it will preserve us from being discouraged or proud. We are not discouraged, because the Lord has chosen us and given us a small amount of faith as our capital. With this capital we serve Him. If we obtain results, we are not proud, because we realize that no matter what we do, we are unprofitable slaves.
　This matter concerning faith must be deeply wrought into our being. The reason we can serve the Lord is that He has put a small measure of faith within us as our capital, not because of anything else. Who among us can say that he does not have faith? We have been chosen and called by God; hence, no matter how pitiful our condition is, there is faith in us. This small faith is our capital. We must not be discouraged, because it is sufficient to have faith. This faith enables us to do many things. The Lord is wise. He knows that when we are enlightened, have learned some lessons, and gained results, we can veer off to the extreme of being proud. We will think that we are able to plow and tend the sheep, and as a result, our pride and self-content will surface. Hence, the Lord said that even if we plow and tend the sheep, we still cannot eat when we come in. This means that we cannot seek our satisfaction first or desire our own enjoyment. We should wait on the Lord with an empty stomach and allow Him to be satisfied first. Not only so, we should humble ourselves and say, “Lord, I am an unprofitable slave. Even though I plowed and tended the sheep, I have no ground to boast. I did what I should have done.”
　The two problems of being discouraged and being proud are present among those who serve the Lord. A substantial number of co-workers feel that they are pitiful because they cannot give a message or do anything else. Therefore, these ones are worried and discouraged. However, a small number of co-workers have a different situation. Instead of waiting on the Lord humbly and saying, “Lord, we are unprofitable slaves, and we have done only a little,” they say, “We plow and tend the sheep, we receive light and vision when we read the Bible, and we are able to do this and that.” These two attitudes are present among us. Some are worried and discouraged, but others are proud and full of self-esteem. Both situations need the Lord’s mercy, because we have nothing to be discouraged about, and we have nothing to be proud of.
　
BEING DELIVERED FROM BEING DISCOURAGED AND BEING PROUD
　There is a seed within us, which is our faith. The Lord said that our faith needs to be only the size of a mustard seed. Our faith is the capital for our service. We need to serve the Lord with our faith. We should not be concerned with our weaknesses or our inabilities. Whether or not we have insight, can speak eloquently, or can remember the verses in the Bible should not be a problem.
　Every person who is chosen by the Lord has faith. The problem that the Lord’s servants face is that they are either discouraged or proud. We are either discouraged and say that we cannot see, cannot remember, and cannot speak clearly, or we are proud and say that we can see, can remember, and can speak. Luke 17 shows how we can be delivered from these two problems. We should not be discouraged, for the Lord has put faith, our capital, within us. This faith cannot be removed and enables us to serve Him. Hence, we can preach the gospel and can shepherd the saints.
　However, when we are able to preach the gospel or shepherd the saints, we must guard against pride. We should never say that since we can do these things, we deserve to be rewarded. The Lord said that we should humble ourselves, that is, come before Him and serve Him. The Lord should be the first to be satisfied. We must stand before Him and say, “We are unprofitable slaves.” The Lord does not like to hear us say that we are faithless slaves. He likes to hear us say that we are unprofitable slaves. The Lord also likes to hear us say that we have faith, not that we do not have faith. He likes to hear us say that we are unprofitable slaves who preach the gospel and shepherd the saints because it is our service. If we remember that we are people of faith, we will not be discouraged; we will be able to stand. If we remember that we are unprofitable slaves, we will not be proud. We should continually be before the Lord in relation to His words in these verses.
　We should not lose heart, nor should we envy others in their service. Not every serving one can be like the apostle Paul. There were many apostles, but there was only one Paul. Silas and Timothy were both very good, but they could not write the Epistles that Paul wrote. Therefore, as long as we have faith, we should not lose heart. Even though our faith is small, it is enough capital for our service. Furthermore, we must remember that we are unprofitable slaves and should be humble. We have received the Lord’s mercy; hence, we should not take credit for preaching the gospel or shepherding the saints. Rather, we must continue to serve the Lord. The Lord must be satisfied first. We are unprofitable slaves, who have done what we should do. This must be our realization.
　During my recent recuperation from an illness, I considered the condition of the serving ones. Some serving ones are discouraged, but others are self-contented and proud. One serving one told me that he has seen a vision and received a clear burden and that he always receives revelation when he reads the Bible. Upon hearing these words, I was concerned. I fear that one day problems may arise among us. We have a sickness because some of us are discouraged, but others are proud.
　We decided that when the co-workers come together, we will seek the Lord’s presence and fellowship concerning different situations. We must be brave and fierce in order to fight the spiritual warfare. We must also strive to bear the burden and not be afraid of sufferings. When we fellowship, our spirit should be keen, and we should open to one another in order to be balanced and corrected by others. A brother should say that he is not sure how the others feel about a situation. He should say that he has a feeling, but it may be from his natural man; hence, he is seeking to be balanced in fellowship. Among us there should be a situation of open fellowship.
　It is not right for us to be discouraged or to be proud. Those who are discouraged are comparing themselves with others. If we have learned the lesson, we would not be in our feelings. When a brother releases the light that he has received, we would not compare ourselves with him. Rather, we would thank the Lord for raising up such a brother among us. A number of brothers are discouraged because they compare themselves with those who are successful in the work, receive light from the Bible, shepherd the saints, or give messages. There are also a number of brothers who say that they are able to preach the gospel and shepherd the saints. They also say that they have a vision and that they can succeed when others fail. This kind of talk exposes their heart. They have unconsciously fallen into pride.
　Some serving ones are discouraged because they have been asking the Lord to increase their faith, but the Lord has not answered their prayer. Even though many years have passed, they have not been able to get through in their Bible reading, and they have not received any burden directly from the Lord. The Lord says that it is sufficient for our faith to be the size of a little mustard seed. We must forget our feelings and not compare ourselves with others. If it were not for our small faith that upholds and maintains us, many co-workers would have fallen down discouraged. The co-workers often do not rise up in the work, because they are disheartened. There are also co-workers who consider themselves capable of administrating the church, preaching the gospel, and shepherding the saints. They do not acknowledge that they are unprofitable slaves. We lack the spirit of humility. Those whose functions are not manifested are discouraged, but those whose functions are manifested are self-contented. May the Lord have mercy on us. We do not want to fall into either of these two categories.
　No matter how many things we accomplish, we still must admit that it is by the Lord’s mercy and that it is He who has blessed us and led us. Furthermore, we must also acknowledge that there are many things that we have not accomplished. We should realize that even if the blessing we received from the Lord were doubled, we still would not have done enough. There is nothing that we can boast of. We must prostrate ourselves before the Lord and say that we are unprofitable slaves. There is no limit to the progress we can make in regard to visions, burdens, light, reading the Bible, spiritual knowledge, leading the church, or preaching the gospel. Hence, no one can say that he has reached the peak and can go no further. We should humble ourselves. We should not be discouraged, nor should we be proud.
　
THE PROBLEM BEING OUR LACK OF MUTUAL LOVE
　A brother asked how we should manifest our functions when we are together. John 15:16-17 says, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and I set you that you should go forth and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you. These things I command you that you may love one another.” According to John 15, the basic condition for bearing fruit is abiding in the Lord and fellowshipping with Him. However, this chapter concerns not only a believer’s personal fellowship with the Lord but also the members’ loving one another; that is, it concerns our relationship with the Lord and our relationship with the other brothers and sisters. Hence, there are two conditions for bearing fruit: abiding in the Lord and loving one another. Abiding in the Lord is a matter of our fellowshipping with Him, and loving one another involves all the saints.
　Most believers see the first condition, but they often neglect the second condition. They think that as long as they fellowship with the Lord, they will not have problems. They do not realize that there is another condition in the Bible. It is necessary that we fellowship with the Lord; however, we must also love the other members. The Lord is the vine tree, and one member is not the only branch; there are many other branches. None of us is the only member in the Lord’s Body; there are many other members. We should maintain a proper relationship not only with the vine tree but also with the other branches. We need to abide in the Lord and also to love the other members.
　We become discouraged or proud, not because we lack fellowship with the Lord but because we are short of love for one another. If we practice loving one another, we will not become discouraged or proud. Loving one another is a matter of coordination. Many of us should manifest our function. The fact that we are not manifesting our function indicates that there is a problem in our coordination. While some are discouraged because their function is not being manifested, others are proud because their function is being manifested. Being proud and self-content destroys a person’s function. Both being discouraged and being proud cause us to suffer a great loss. Both of these problems are the issue of not loving one another.
　The Lord does not require all of us to be capable. There were many apostles, but only Paul wrote Ephesians. The Lord does not intend for each of us to be like Paul. Many believers, including Timothy and Titus, received help from Paul. The truth is balanced. On one hand, every serving one should learn to live before the Lord, but on the other hand, not all the serving ones receive burdens directly from the Lord. For example, Titus appointed elders in every city, but he did not receive this burden directly from the Lord. Instead, he was charged to do so by the apostle Paul (Titus 1:5). Perhaps some would say that they do not have the burden to preach the gospel; hence, those who have the burden should preach the gospel. This thought indicates that we are not in coordination. Coordination means that some members are eyes, and others are feet. The eyes have the function of seeing, but they need the feet in order to move. Our problem is that we want to be both the feet as well as the eyes. This means that we do not have proper coordination.
　If the Lord would have mercy on us, we must learn to coordinate. On one hand, we should learn to live before the Lord and fellowship with Him. On the other hand, we should learn to coordinate with one another. A sister should learn to live before the Lord and to serve joyfully by means of her faith. Nevertheless, in anything related to her service, she should learn to coordinate with others and accept the arrangement. She has neither the position nor the gift to receive a burden directly from the Lord. Her position is to accept the arrangement in the work. She should also joyfully receive whatever is assigned and entrusted to her from those with whom she coordinates. Then she will have the Lord’s presence. We are not an organization that operates according to human opinions.
　If the Lord allows, even the speaking from the podium will be in coordination. Before the word is released on the Lord’s Day, the brothers who are burdened to release the word should come together to fellowship concerning the content of the message and concerning their situations. Someone may say, “I have some feeling to release a message. I feel that the Lord desires to speak concerning this matter, because this is the need of the brothers and sisters.” He may also fellowship how he will speak so that others can consider it. Perhaps another brother may support it with a supplementary word, and still some others may add a word concerning what he needs to avoid or guard against. Some brothers serving together with him may even share something from their own experience. After this kind of fellowship, the message that is released will definitely be stronger, richer, and more practical than a message that is given without fellowship.
　
COORDINATION BEING TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER
　In order for the serving ones to be in coordination, we must have many service meetings. The purpose of these meetings is for the serving ones to come together and fellowship. I hope that every serving one would receive the Lord’s mercy so that we could frankly discuss any matter. For example, the serving ones should be able to fellowship concerning the shortages in a message given by a brother. Through such fellowship the lack in the message will be covered, and strong, positive, and rich points can be added. This will strengthen and enrich the speaking. The way the Lord has taken among us does not depend on raising up one good speaker who manifests a strong ministry of the word. The Lord’s way is to lead all the brothers who are responsible for the ministry of the word to be blended into one. Such mutual fellowship will strengthen and enrich the word that is released.
　We should fellowship not only concerning the ministry of the word but also concerning visiting the saints, leading the church, and the young people’s work. The full-time workers, the serving saints, and the elders should have thorough fellowship concerning how to carry out the young people’s work. They should pray and fellowship together. Even saints who are not directly involved in a service can still fellowship concerning that service. As a result, all the saints will be brought into fellowship and built together; there will not be a distinction between those who are involved and those who are not. According to the Lord’s word in John 15, if we love one another, we will bear much fruit. If we continue to live before the Lord individually, we will serve individually and not be balanced in our service. As a result, there will not be fruit.
　We must change our way and practice loving one another. We should come together and fellowship concerning our service. When we receive correction from other members, our weaknesses are removed. The result of this kind of fellowship is that one person’s work becomes everyone’s work, because he no longer works according to his personal view but according to the view of all the serving ones. Thus, we will be blended together. Then when a brother gives a message, the message will contain not only the light he saw but also the light from the other brothers, and the serving ones will bear the result of his message. The message is not given by one person but by many brothers. Perhaps only two co-workers carry out a certain task, but all the co-workers are involved through fellowship. Thus, a practical expression of loving one another will be produced among us, and any function that is manifested will come out of mutual love. We will not only abide in the Lord, having fellowship with Him, but we will also love one another.
　We lack mutual love that comes out of coordination. We need to lead the saints to pursue fellowship so that all the full-time serving ones and the elders will have the expression of loving one another in their service and in bearing fruit as co-branches. Every branch not only abides in the vine tree but also loves the other branches. Then we will grow in life, and our various functions will be manifested. Every member of the Body has a different function, just as our body has hands, a mouth, eyes, and feet. Some members receive burdens directly from the Lord, but others accept the coordination in the work. Some members may be like the apostle Paul. Others may be like Titus and Timothy. Nevertheless, none of these functions will override our personal fellowship with the Lord or our living before the Lord.
　When our service is in coordination, our work will be successful, and we will have learned the lessons. Furthermore, the two problems in our service will be resolved. May the Lord have mercy on us and lead us into this stage so that in all our service in the work we would live before Him and love one another.
　The saints in a certain local church are learning to live before the Lord and serve in coordination. After the brothers minister the word, they fellowship with all the co-workers concerning what was spoken. They also fellowship before the message is delivered. Everyone expresses his feelings. The brothers also fellowship concerning the direction of the meeting. As a result, there is an understanding among the saints, and they are in coordination.
　
CONCLUSION
　On one hand, we are not discouraged, because we realize that we have faith. On the other hand, no matter how much we accomplish, we still must acknowledge that we are unprofitable slaves. Not only so, in our service we should learn to abide in the Lord and love one another. We should fellowship and coordinate with one another. This is the way we should serve in the ministry of the word, in visiting the saints, in leading the meetings, and in all the other services. Through coordination we will be strengthened, enriched, balanced, and protected. This is the way to learn many wonderful lessons and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
 
　　路加十七章五至十节说，“使徒对主说，求主增加我们的信心。主说，你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就是对这棵桑树说，你得连根拔起，栽在海里，它也必听从你们。〔但是〕你们谁有奴仆耕地或是牧羊，从田里回来，你们会对他说，快过来坐下吃饭？岂不对他说，你给我预备晚饭，束上带子伺候我；等我吃喝完了，你才可以吃喝么？奴仆照所吩咐的去作，主人还谢谢他么？你们也是如此，作完了一切吩咐你们的事，只当说，我们是无用的奴仆，所作的本是我们应当作的。”请注意，这段话不是说门徒对主说，乃是“使徒”对主说。这里是把说话的人，摆在一个事奉的地位；说话的是使徒，是事奉的人，不是仅仅蒙恩的门徒。他们对主说，“求主增加我们的信心。”主就说，“你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就是对这棵桑树说，你得连根拔起，栽在海里，它也必听从你们。”主说完这话，接着说了一个比喻。表面看好像是上文不接下文，然而我们若仔细对照原文，就会看见七节起头原文有一个连接词，可译为“但是”，可见下文与上文是相接的。

　　这段圣经表面看很简单，话语也很平常，但几乎大部分读经的人都承认，很难捉摸主在这几节里所说的意思。因为前后两段话似乎有点上文不接下文，在思路上不容易连接。开头说到蒙主拣选的使徒，就是那些事奉主的人，向主祈求加增他们的信心。然而，主并没有回答他们怎样加增信心，反而说到他们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就能有何等的功效。接着就说，他们乃是像奴仆一样，即使是耕了地，放了羊，作了许多事，当他们回到主人跟前时，并没有什么可居功的。他们还得学习在主人面前服事，让主人先得满足。不仅如此，他们当有一种心情，一个态度，就是承认自己是无用的奴仆。这段话初读之下，很不容易找到它的思路，摸着它真实的意义。甚至可能读了无数次，还是读不通。必须等到我们在事奉里，在主的工作上有过一些经历后，我们才懂得。
 
　 Luke 17:5-10 says, “The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith. But the Lord said, If you have faith like a mustard seed, you would have said to this sycamine tree, Be uprooted and be planted in the sea; and it would have obeyed you. But which of you, having a slave who is plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, Come immediately and recline at table? Will he not rather say to him, Prepare something that I may dine, and gird yourself and serve me until I eat and drink; and after that you will eat and drink? He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were ordered, does he? So also you, when you do all the things which are ordered you, say, We are unprofitable slaves; we have done what we ought to have done.” This portion of the Word does not say that “the disciples” said to the Lord but that “the apostles” said to the Lord. The speakers were in a position of service. They were apostles, serving ones; they were not merely disciples, saved ones. The serving ones asked the Lord to increase their faith. The Lord replied that if their faith was the size of a mustard seed, they could tell a sycamine tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey them. Then the Lord told them a parable. On the surface the parable seems unrelated to what was being discussed. However, verse 7 begins with the conjunction but. This shows that the two portions are related.

　This portion of the Bible is simple and uses plain words, but most Bible readers admit that it is rather difficult to grasp the meaning in these verses. This portion begins with the apostles chosen by the Lord, His serving ones, asking to have their faith increased. The Lord did not answer them regarding how to increase their faith. Rather, He spoke of the effectiveness of having faith the size of a mustard seed. The Lord continued by speaking of slaves who, after plowing the land, tending the sheep, and doing many things, could not take credit for anything before their master. They needed to learn to serve the master so that he would be satisfied. Not only so, they should have the sense, the attitude, that they are unprofitable slaves. It is not easy to understand the meaning of this portion, even after reading it many times. Only after we have some experience in the Lord’s work, in the service, can we understand the meaning of this portion.

　The main purpose of this portion is to show that a person who is chosen by God to serve Him should not be discouraged; that is, he should learn to have faith. He should learn to believe. Believing saves us from being discouraged. As those who serve the Lord, we often encounter a discouraging situation. Sometimes we feel that we have not received a burden from the Lord, or we lament that we do not see the result of our work. As a result, many serving ones are discouraged instead of being strong and happy.

　If we are always discouraged, we will be inwardly disturbed and continually ask the Lord to increase our faith. When the apostles asked the Lord to increase their faith, they seemed to be saying that they were not able to serve because they were short of faith. Hence, they asked the Lord to increase their faith. Instead of telling them how they could increase their faith, the Lord said that as long as they had faith, that was good enough. The apostles’ concern was that their faith was too small, but the Lord’s concern was related to their thought concerning the absence of faith. The Lord seemed to be saying, “As long as you have faith, even if it is as small as a mustard seed, you can tell this sycamine tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it will obey you.”

　This word shows that those who serve the Lord do not need to ask Him to increase their faith. They only need to see that there is something in them called faith. Therefore, they should not say, “My faith is too small.” Christians often say, “Please pray for me so that my faith would be increased.” In these verses the Lord does not touch the size of our faith. Instead, the Lord points out that we have faith. It was not possible for the apostles not to have faith, nor is it possible for those whom the Lord has called not to have faith. Perhaps we consider that our faith is small, but the Lord’s reply to the apostles shows that even a small measure of faith is sufficient. We must believe the Lord’s word. We need to see that we do not need to increase our faith. We simply need to have faith. Every believer has faith.
　　这段圣经，主要的意思无非是给我们看见，一个蒙神拣选事奉主的人，应当学习不灰心，也就是学习有信心。换句话说，常常学习“相信”，因为只有相信能叫人不灰心。我们一同事奉主的人，常常会有一种光景，虽然口头上不说自己灰心，实际上却常困在灰心里面。比方，有些人一直觉得没有从主得着直接的负担；有些人则叹息工作没有什么果效。因此，许多人都不是那么刚强、愉快；反之，都是在一种愁眉不展的光景里。这是一种灰心的情形。

　　我们若不能从灰心里出来，里头就会一直有一种困扰，求主加增我们的信心，像这段圣经所记的一样。使徒们求主加增他们的信心，意思是，主叫他们事奉，但是他们不能，他们的信心不足，所以求主加增他们的信心。希奇的是，主并没有告诉他们如何加增信心；主反而说，只要有信心，就能有信心。对他们而言，是信心太小的问题；对主而言，是有没有信心的问题。主说，你们只要有信心，那怕信心小到一个地步，像一粒芥菜种一样，只要有这一点，即使对一棵桑树说，你得连根拔起，栽在海里，桑树也必听从。

　　这话给我们看见的是正面的，意即事奉主的人，不必求主加增信心。事奉主的人需要从根本看见，在他里头有一个东西，叫作信心。所以不要说，我的信心太小。我们常听见基督徒说，“请为我祷告，使我的信心加增一点。”我们要看见，主在这里一点不摸信心大小的问题。主点出了一个事实，我们是有这信心的。当然，使徒们不会没有这信心，我们这些蒙主呼召的人，也不会没有这信心。我们也许认为自己只有一点信心，但主对使徒的回答指明，只要有一点，就可以了；有这一点，就一定够用。所以，我们要这样相信。我们需要看见，不是我们的信心增加，乃是我们只要有一点信心就可以；而这一点信心，是每一个信徒都有的。
 
　In verses 7 and 8 the Lord continued, “Which of you, having a slave who is plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, Come immediately and recline at table? Will he not rather say to him, Prepare something that I may dine, and gird yourself and serve me until I eat and drink; and after that you will eat and drink?” This means that no matter how much we accomplish by faith, we have no ground for boasting. Our problem is that either we fall into discouragement, or we become proud. Once we become proud, we consider that others are not up to the standard and are not acceptable. Hence, after speaking concerning faith, the Lord gave the example of a slave in order to touch our pride.

　When we realize that it is not a matter of increasing our faith but of seeing that we have faith, then we are standing on a foundation and are equipped to accomplish things. When we realize that even a small amount of faith is our capital, we will be able to accomplish many things by this faith. Once we grasp this key, we will be able to accomplish many things. Regrettably, we still are complicated people, because it is easy to be discouraged or proud. We cannot pretend. A brother who is discouraged can also be proud. Even if he is not intentionally proud, his self-righteous attitude and high regard for himself are expressions of pride.

　Here are some examples. One brother might say that he does not know how to study the Bible, but another brother might give thanks to the Lord and say that he knows how to study the Bible. One sister might say that she does not know how to receive a burden from the Lord, but another sister might say that it is easy for her to be enlightened and receive a burden. One brother might say that he is confused and is not advancing spiritually; hence, he is discouraged. Another brother might say that it is easy for him to touch the Lord and that he always senses the Lord’s presence when he prays. In Luke 17:5-10 the Lord said that even if our faith is small, we will be able to accomplish many things, but we must not forget that we are still slaves. This means that even if our faith enables us to sow the seed of the gospel, to shepherd the flock of God, and to edify the saints, we should not be proud and boast about our service.

　We should not say that since we have accomplished much, we should eat and be satisfied. We cannot enjoy or boast of our achievements yet. After we plow and tend the sheep—that is, preach the gospel and shepherd the saints—we should still serve the Lord in order for Him to be satisfied first. After He is satisfied, we can have a little satisfaction and enjoyment. In addition, we should have the attitude that we are useless slaves and that we have done what we should have done. On the one hand, such an attitude will save us so that we may be one with the Lord. On the other hand, it will preserve us from being discouraged or proud. We are not discouraged, because the Lord has chosen us and given us a small amount of faith as our capital. With this capital we serve Him. If we obtain results, we are not proud, because we realize that no matter what we do, we are unprofitable slaves.

　This matter concerning faith must be deeply wrought into our being. The reason we can serve the Lord is that He has put a small measure of faith within us as our capital, not because of anything else. Who among us can say that he does not have faith? We have been chosen and called by God; hence, no matter how pitiful our condition is, there is faith in us. This small faith is our capital. We must not be discouraged, because it is sufficient to have faith. This faith enables us to do many things. The Lord is wise. He knows that when we are enlightened, have learned some lessons, and gained results, we can veer off to the extreme of being proud. We will think that we are able to plow and tend the sheep, and as a result, our pride and self-content will surface. Hence, the Lord said that even if we plow and tend the sheep, we still cannot eat when we come in. This means that we cannot seek our satisfaction first or desire our own enjoyment. We should wait on the Lord with an empty stomach and allow Him to be satisfied first. Not only so, we should humble ourselves and say, “Lord, I am an unprofitable slave. Even though I plowed and tended the sheep, I have no ground to boast. I did what I should have done.”

　The two problems of being discouraged and being proud are present among those who serve the Lord. A substantial number of co-workers feel that they are pitiful because they cannot give a message or do anything else. Therefore, these ones are worried and discouraged. However, a small number of co-workers have a different situation. Instead of waiting on the Lord humbly and saying, “Lord, we are unprofitable slaves, and we have done only a little,” they say, “We plow and tend the sheep, we receive light and vision when we read the Bible, and we are able to do this and that.” These two attitudes are present among us. Some are worried and discouraged, but others are proud and full of self-esteem. Both situations need the Lord’s mercy, because we have nothing to be discouraged about, and we have nothing to be proud of.
　　主说完这话之后，七至八节便说，“〔但是〕你们谁有奴仆耕地或是牧羊，从田里回来，你们会对他说，快过来坐下吃饭？岂不对他说，你给我预备晚饭，束上带子伺候我；等我吃喝完了，你才可以吃喝么？”这意思是，无论我们凭着信心作了多少，仍是没有什么可夸的。我们的难处，要么就是落在灰心里，要么就是偏到骄傲里。一骄傲，就看这个不行，那个也不行。所以，主说过信心之后，就用奴仆的事，来摸我们的骄傲。

　　当我们摸着一点窍，看见不是增加信心，而是有没有信心的问题时，我们乃是站在有一点信心的根基上；这能使一棵树连根拔起，栽在海里。因此，我们能作相当的事。换句话说，当我认识在我里头有一点本钱，有一点信心，然后我凭着这个本钱，这个信心，能作一点什么，这个窍一开，立刻我就能作一些事。可惜我们人是这样的麻烦，不是偏于灰心，就是偏到骄傲。这是不能装假的。好比有的弟兄不是灰心，而是骄傲；即便他不是故意骄傲，但他那种自义，显出一种自命不凡的样子，便是骄傲的模样。

　　比方，有两位弟兄作见证，一位说自己圣经读得不好，另一位说感谢主，这些日子自己圣经读得相当不错。又比方两位姊妹，一位说自己怎样没有直接从主得着负担；另一位说她很容易摸到亮光，也很容易接受负担。有人说，自己越过越糊涂，越过越忙，属灵的情形爬不起来，有一种灰心的感觉；另一个人说，他很容易摸着主，并且一祷告就有主的同在。这些情形，都是路加十七章五至十节所描述的光景。主在这里强调的说，你虽然有一点信心，因而有一些成就，但是不要忘记，即使你有信心耕了地，放了羊，你仍旧是个奴仆。这意思是，即使你的信心叫你能撒种传福音，牧养神的群羊，造就圣徒，并且你也都作得相当好，这并没有值得骄傲、夸口的。

　　你不能说，你作了很多，很辛苦，自己应该先得饱足。不，我们还不能有享受，还不能有可夸的。我们耕了地，放了羊，传了福音，带领圣徒，还得回到主跟前事奉祂，并且先让祂得着满足。等祂吃饱喝足、满足了，我们才可以有一点的满足和享受。此外，我们还得在主面前有一个存心，认识我们是无用的奴仆，所作的本是我们应当作的。这一面拯救我们，使我们与主同心；另一面，保守我们一直不灰心，也不骄傲。不灰心是因主已经拣选我，把一点的信心放在我里头，作我的资本、本钱。我就凭这一点事奉祂，作我所该作的事，而有一点的果效。不骄傲是因无论我作了多少，我都认识我不过是个无用的奴仆。

　　这件事必须深深地作到我们里面。你我事奉主，全数不在别的，只在乎主放在我们里面那一点的信心，那是我们的资本。谁能说我们里面一点信心也没有？我们蒙了神的拣选，蒙主呼召，无论我们这人怎样贫穷，在我们里面总还有一点信心，这一点信心就是我们的本钱。我们不必灰心，我们只要有这一点就够了，只要凭着里头这点信心，就能作许多事。然而另一面，主有智慧，祂知道当我们真的开了窍，学了一点功课，凭着信能作一点什么时，我们就会偏到另一面，会骄傲。我们会以为自己能耕地，也能放羊，立刻骄傲、自满都出来了。所以主说，我们即使耕了地，放了羊，回来还不能吃饭。不能吃饭就是不能自满，不贪图自己的享受。我们还得空着肚皮，伺候在主跟前，让祂先享受。不仅如此，我们要谦卑下来，对主说，“主，我是无用的奴仆。我只是耕了地，放了羊，作了一点事，并没有什么可夸的。主，这不过是我应尽的本分，是我应该作的。”

　　在我们一同事奉的人中间，很明显的有两面的难处。有相当一部分同工觉得贫穷，觉得自己不能讲道，什么都不行，所以愁眉不展，打不起精神，也提不起劲。另一面，有少数同工有一个光景，不是路加十七章里谦卑、谦虚的侍立在主跟前，对主说，“主，我是无用的奴仆，就是作了一点工，也不过是应尽的本分，是我自己该作的。”他们反而在那里说，“我耕了地，放了羊；我读经有亮光，有异象；我有负担，能作这个，能作那个。”我们中间，这两种光景是很明显的。有的愁眉不展，有的趾高气昂，自视甚高。这两种情形都需要主的怜悯，因为我们没有可灰心的，也没有可骄傲的。
 
　There is a seed within us, which is our faith. The Lord said that our faith needs to be only the size of a mustard seed. Our faith is the capital for our service. We need to serve the Lord with our faith. We should not be concerned with our weaknesses or our inabilities. Whether or not we have insight, can speak eloquently, or can remember the verses in the Bible should not be a problem.

　Every person who is chosen by the Lord has faith. The problem that the Lord’s servants face is that they are either discouraged or proud. We are either discouraged and say that we cannot see, cannot remember, and cannot speak clearly, or we are proud and say that we can see, can remember, and can speak. Luke 17 shows how we can be delivered from these two problems. We should not be discouraged, for the Lord has put faith, our capital, within us. This faith cannot be removed and enables us to serve Him. Hence, we can preach the gospel and can shepherd the saints.

　However, when we are able to preach the gospel or shepherd the saints, we must guard against pride. We should never say that since we can do these things, we deserve to be rewarded. The Lord said that we should humble ourselves, that is, come before Him and serve Him. The Lord should be the first to be satisfied. We must stand before Him and say, “We are unprofitable slaves.” The Lord does not like to hear us say that we are faithless slaves. He likes to hear us say that we are unprofitable slaves. The Lord also likes to hear us say that we have faith, not that we do not have faith. He likes to hear us say that we are unprofitable slaves who preach the gospel and shepherd the saints because it is our service. If we remember that we are people of faith, we will not be discouraged; we will be able to stand. If we remember that we are unprofitable slaves, we will not be proud. We should continually be before the Lord in relation to His words in these verses.

　We should not lose heart, nor should we envy others in their service. Not every serving one can be like the apostle Paul. There were many apostles, but there was only one Paul. Silas and Timothy were both very good, but they could not write the Epistles that Paul wrote. Therefore, as long as we have faith, we should not lose heart. Even though our faith is small, it is enough capital for our service. Furthermore, we must remember that we are unprofitable slaves and should be humble. We have received the Lord’s mercy; hence, we should not take credit for preaching the gospel or shepherding the saints. Rather, we must continue to serve the Lord. The Lord must be satisfied first. We are unprofitable slaves, who have done what we should do. This must be our realization.

　During my recent recuperation from an illness, I considered the condition of the serving ones. Some serving ones are discouraged, but others are self-contented and proud. One serving one told me that he has seen a vision and received a clear burden and that he always receives revelation when he reads the Bible. Upon hearing these words, I was concerned. I fear that one day problems may arise among us. We have a sickness because some of us are discouraged, but others are proud.

　We decided that when the co-workers come together, we will seek the Lord’s presence and fellowship concerning different situations. We must be brave and fierce in order to fight the spiritual warfare. We must also strive to bear the burden and not be afraid of sufferings. When we fellowship, our spirit should be keen, and we should open to one another in order to be balanced and corrected by others. A brother should say that he is not sure how the others feel about a situation. He should say that he has a feeling, but it may be from his natural man; hence, he is seeking to be balanced in fellowship. Among us there should be a situation of open fellowship.

　It is not right for us to be discouraged or to be proud. Those who are discouraged are comparing themselves with others. If we have learned the lesson, we would not be in our feelings. When a brother releases the light that he has received, we would not compare ourselves with him. Rather, we would thank the Lord for raising up such a brother among us. A number of brothers are discouraged because they compare themselves with those who are successful in the work, receive light from the Bible, shepherd the saints, or give messages. There are also a number of brothers who say that they are able to preach the gospel and shepherd the saints. They also say that they have a vision and that they can succeed when others fail. This kind of talk exposes their heart. They have unconsciously fallen into pride.

　Some serving ones are discouraged because they have been asking the Lord to increase their faith, but the Lord has not answered their prayer. Even though many years have passed, they have not been able to get through in their Bible reading, and they have not received any burden directly from the Lord. The Lord says that it is sufficient for our faith to be the size of a little mustard seed. We must forget our feelings and not compare ourselves with others. If it were not for our small faith that upholds and maintains us, many co-workers would have fallen down discouraged. The co-workers often do not rise up in the work, because they are disheartened. There are also co-workers who consider themselves capable of administrating the church, preaching the gospel, and shepherding the saints. They do not acknowledge that they are unprofitable slaves. We lack the spirit of humility. Those whose functions are not manifested are discouraged, but those whose functions are manifested are self-contented. May the Lord have mercy on us. We do not want to fall into either of these two categories.

　No matter how many things we accomplish, we still must admit that it is by the Lord’s mercy and that it is He who has blessed us and led us. Furthermore, we must also acknowledge that there are many things that we have not accomplished. We should realize that even if the blessing we received from the Lord were doubled, we still would not have done enough. There is nothing that we can boast of. We must prostrate ourselves before the Lord and say that we are unprofitable slaves. There is no limit to the progress we can make in regard to visions, burdens, light, reading the Bible, spiritual knowledge, leading the church, or preaching the gospel. Hence, no one can say that he has reached the peak and can go no further. We should humble ourselves. We should not be discouraged, nor should we be proud.
　　我们蒙主怜悯，在我们里面的确有一点东西，像一粒种子，那就是我们的信心。主说我们有一点信心，像一粒芥菜种就够了。这一粒小种子，就是我们事奉的本钱；我们认识这个，凭着这个事奉主。不要在乎我们的无知、我们的软弱，甚至我们的“看不见了”、“记不住了”、“说不出了”。这个“不”字并没有妨碍，即便我们的眼睛完全看不见，甚至即使看过也全数忘了，说起话更是前言不接后语，这都不成问题。

　　我们该知道，每一个蒙主拣选的人，都有信心。一个事奉主之人的难处，不在别的，就在路加十七章这段话里所隐示的灰心和骄傲。我们的难处就是这样，若不是灰心，说自己看不见、记不住、说不出；就是偏向另一面，说自己看得见、记得住、说得出。路加十七章正好拯救我们脱离这两面的难处。我们不需要灰心，在我们里头有一点东西，是主放在我们里面的，是无法去除的。这一点东西，是我们的资本，叫我们能在主面前事奉祂。所以，我们定规能耕地，能放羊，能传福音，能牧养圣徒，牧养主的羊群。

　　然而，等到我们真能作些什么，能耕地，能牧羊，那时便要提防骄傲。千万不要说，我都能了，我现在得饱餐一顿。主说，“不，你们还得谦卑自己，到我面前伺候我。”若是可饱足、可享受，也是主先享受。我们还得在主面前，对主说，“我是无用的奴仆。”请记得，主从来不喜欢人说，“我是没有信心的奴仆。”主欢喜听见：“我是无用的奴仆。”主喜欢我们常常说，“我里头有信心。”主不喜欢我们说，“我没有信心。”主喜欢我们说，“我是无用的奴仆，即使作了一点什么，真是耕了地，牧了羊，那也不过是我应尽的本分，算不得什么。”我们若记得自己是有信心的人，就不会灰心，并且能够站立；我们若记得自己是无用的奴仆，便不会骄傲。我们要一直在主面前，抓住主在这里所说的话。

　　我们不需要灰心，也不需要羡慕人所谓的看见异象，或摸着直接的负担。我们要看见，不是每一个事奉的人，都像使徒保罗那样。在那么多的使徒当中，不过只有一个保罗，虽然西拉、提摩太都很好，但是他们也写不出保罗的书信。不要因为这个灰心，只要看见我们有信心，并且我们的信心虽小，却是我们事奉的本钱。另一面要记住，我们是无用的奴仆，所以要谦卑。我们乃是蒙主怜悯的人，即使作了许多，耕了许多地，牧了许多羊，到末了，我们仍不该居功，也不该贪图劳苦后的享受。我们要到主面前，伺候祂。若是可享受，要让主享受。我们在主面前，不过是个无用的奴仆，我们所作的是我们应尽的本分。这是我们该有的认识。

　　我在养病期间，独自躺在床上安静下来时，我环顾所有事奉者的情形，心里着实难过。有些人的情形就是灰心，有些人是相当自满，相当骄傲。甚至有人很确定的告诉我，他现在有异象，有负担，有亮光，他读经是如何看见启示。这些话听在我里头，并没有一点快乐的感觉，我反而为着他们担忧、伤心，我担心有一天会出事情。我知道他们病了，有难处了；因为在同工中，灰心的人很灰心，骄傲的人很骄傲。

　　我们定规过同工们聚在一起时，要寻求主的同在，各种的情形都要注意。在属灵争战时，我们必须是勇敢、勇猛的，并且担担子是争先恐后、不怕吃苦的。等到大家坐下来时，感觉更应该敏锐，彼此敞开交通。有些弟兄应该说，“我看见这样的事，不知道弟兄们觉得对不对。”有的说，“我也有一点感觉，但害怕是出于我自己，所以我交通给弟兄们，或者弟兄们给我一个平衡，一点改正。”有人则说，“我虽然外面看不见，里头也有一点感觉，但我怕是出于天然的，我愿意和弟兄们交通。”如果我们中间的情形是这样，我们真要敬拜主。

　　然而，在我生病的时候，却感觉同工们中，有些人相当灰心，有些人则相当骄傲；这两种情形都是不正确的。看自己不行的，乃是和别人比较，这明显是在自己里面。我们若是学了功课，没有自己的感觉，不在自己里面，那么有弟兄起来释放亮光，我们就能敬拜主，而不与人作比较。我们只应该敬拜主说，“主，谢谢你，在我们中间兴起这样的弟兄，我们赞美你。”有好些弟兄常说，“我看有的同工作工好，读经好，带领人也好，站讲台更好，我却样样不行。看看他，再看看自己，真是不行。”这就是灰心。另一面，已过一段时日里，也有相当多的同工说，他能耕地，能牧羊，并且有异象，别人在那个地方作工不行，他可以去作作看。这口气就暴露出他是个什么样的人，他的存心是什么。这乃是落到一种不自觉的骄傲里。

　　有些人觉得灰心，因为多年来他们求主加增信心，主却没有加给他们。八年前圣经读不通，今天还是读不通。八年前在主面前没有直接的负担，今天还是没有。某弟兄有，某姊妹有，他就是没有。他一直求主给他加增，却一点也看不到加增，什么都没有加增。然而主说，只要有信心像一小粒芥菜种就可以。我们需要忘记自己的感觉，也不要与别人比较。若不是在我们里头有一点小的信心，在那里顶着、拉着、维持着，相信许多同工都会落下去，灰心了。许多时候，同工们在工作上不振作，甚至不大敢作，没有勇气作，就是因为灰心。另一面，有相当多的人吃饱、喝足了，以为自己治理召会、传福音很有一套，带领圣徒也不错。这样的人，就是违反路加十七章所说的，不在主面前承认自己是无用的奴仆。我们中间相当缺乏谦卑的灵。没有功用的人就灰心，有了功用的人就自满。愿主怜悯我们，这两面我们都不要。

　　实在说，即使我们今天作了很多事，还得承认，一切都是主的怜悯，是祂给了我们一点祝福，一点带领，并且我们所作的还没有尽，我们该作的还有很多。我们都当认识，即使今天带进了主加倍的祝福，我们是连应尽的本分，都还没有完全尽到。我们没有什么可夸的，我们还得俯伏在主面前，说，“主，我们是无用的奴仆。”无论是异象、负担、亮光，还是读经、属灵的认识，或是带领召会、传福音，这一切都是没有止境的。所以，没有一个人可以说，他已经登峰造极。你我都必须谦卑，一面不灰心，一面不自满。
 
　A brother asked how we should manifest our functions when we are together. John 15:16-17 says, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and I set you that you should go forth and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you. These things I command you that you may love one another.” According to John 15, the basic condition for bearing fruit is abiding in the Lord and fellowshipping with Him. However, this chapter concerns not only a believer’s personal fellowship with the Lord but also the members’ loving one another; that is, it concerns our relationship with the Lord and our relationship with the other brothers and sisters. Hence, there are two conditions for bearing fruit: abiding in the Lord and loving one another. Abiding in the Lord is a matter of our fellowshipping with Him, and loving one another involves all the saints.

　Most believers see the first condition, but they often neglect the second condition. They think that as long as they fellowship with the Lord, they will not have problems. They do not realize that there is another condition in the Bible. It is necessary that we fellowship with the Lord; however, we must also love the other members. The Lord is the vine tree, and one member is not the only branch; there are many other branches. None of us is the only member in the Lord’s Body; there are many other members. We should maintain a proper relationship not only with the vine tree but also with the other branches. We need to abide in the Lord and also to love the other members.

　We become discouraged or proud, not because we lack fellowship with the Lord but because we are short of love for one another. If we practice loving one another, we will not become discouraged or proud. Loving one another is a matter of coordination. Many of us should manifest our function. The fact that we are not manifesting our function indicates that there is a problem in our coordination. While some are discouraged because their function is not being manifested, others are proud because their function is being manifested. Being proud and self-content destroys a person’s function. Both being discouraged and being proud cause us to suffer a great loss. Both of these problems are the issue of not loving one another.

　The Lord does not require all of us to be capable. There were many apostles, but only Paul wrote Ephesians. The Lord does not intend for each of us to be like Paul. Many believers, including Timothy and Titus, received help from Paul. The truth is balanced. On one hand, every serving one should learn to live before the Lord, but on the other hand, not all the serving ones receive burdens directly from the Lord. For example, Titus appointed elders in every city, but he did not receive this burden directly from the Lord. Instead, he was charged to do so by the apostle Paul (Titus 1:5). Perhaps some would say that they do not have the burden to preach the gospel; hence, those who have the burden should preach the gospel. This thought indicates that we are not in coordination. Coordination means that some members are eyes, and others are feet. The eyes have the function of seeing, but they need the feet in order to move. Our problem is that we want to be both the feet as well as the eyes. This means that we do not have proper coordination.

　If the Lord would have mercy on us, we must learn to coordinate. On one hand, we should learn to live before the Lord and fellowship with Him. On the other hand, we should learn to coordinate with one another. A sister should learn to live before the Lord and to serve joyfully by means of her faith. Nevertheless, in anything related to her service, she should learn to coordinate with others and accept the arrangement. She has neither the position nor the gift to receive a burden directly from the Lord. Her position is to accept the arrangement in the work. She should also joyfully receive whatever is assigned and entrusted to her from those with whom she coordinates. Then she will have the Lord’s presence. We are not an organization that operates according to human opinions.

　If the Lord allows, even the speaking from the podium will be in coordination. Before the word is released on the Lord’s Day, the brothers who are burdened to release the word should come together to fellowship concerning the content of the message and concerning their situations. Someone may say, “I have some feeling to release a message. I feel that the Lord desires to speak concerning this matter, because this is the need of the brothers and sisters.” He may also fellowship how he will speak so that others can consider it. Perhaps another brother may support it with a supplementary word, and still some others may add a word concerning what he needs to avoid or guard against. Some brothers serving together with him may even share something from their own experience. After this kind of fellowship, the message that is released will definitely be stronger, richer, and more practical than a message that is given without fellowship.
　　有人问说，我们在一起，究竟如何显出功用？约翰十五章十六至十七节说，“不是你们拣选了我，乃是我拣选了你们，并且立了你们，要你们前去，并要你们结果子，且要你们的果子常存，使你们在我的名里，无论向父求什么，祂就赐给你们。我将这些事吩咐你们，是要叫你们彼此相爱。”读约翰十五章的人，都注意住在主里面，与主的交通，乃是我们结果子的基本条件。然而约翰十五章的真理，不仅是个人单独与主交通的问题，也是众肢体相爱的问题。一个是我们与主之间的问题，一个是我们与众弟兄姊妹的问题。所以，约翰十五章里所说结果子的两个条件，一个是住在主里面，一个是彼此相爱。住在主里面，是我们与主交通的问题；彼此相爱，是众人共同的问题。

　　一般人读约翰十五章，对第一个条件都看见得相当清楚，对第二个条件就相当的忽略。我们以为只要和主交通，就没有问题，岂知圣经中还有另一面。我们和主交通是必要的，但还必须注意另一件事，就是和众肢体彼此相爱。在主这棵葡萄树上，不只有我这一根枝子，还有许多的枝子；按主的身体而言，也不只有我这个肢体，还有许多的肢体。不只我与树的关系要对，我和众枝子的关系也要对。所以我们要住在主里面，也要和众肢体彼此相爱。

　　我们所以有灰心，或自满的情形，有路加十七章中两面的难处，并非我们与主之间缺了交通，多数原因在于我们彼此缺少相爱。若是我们一直实行彼此相爱，我们便不会灰心，也不会自满。彼此相爱是配搭的问题。我们中间该有许多功用，却没有显出来，问题就出在这里。有些人苦于显不出功用，就灰心了。另有些人显出一点功用，却落到骄傲里；这个自满、自傲，破坏了他的功用。这两面情形在我们中间造成很大的亏损，其原因就是缺乏彼此相爱。

　　若是我们这个不行，那个也不行，就只好支取别人所有的。这是很对的，主并没有要我们个个都行。圣经给我们看见，在那么多使徒中，写以弗所书的只有保罗一个，主并没有要人人都作保罗。但是我们看见，却有许多人支取保罗的丰富，提摩太、提多都是如此。真理是平衡的，一面说，每一个事奉主的人，都该学习活在主面前；但另一面，并不是每一个事奉主的人，都直接从主接受负担。比方，提多在各城设立长老（多一5），他的负担不是自己从主接受的，乃是照着使徒保罗所吩咐的。或许今天有弟兄姊妹会说，“我自己还没有这个负担，你既有负担，你自己去作吧。”若是这样，就表示我们没有配搭。什么叫作配搭？乃是有一部分人作眼睛，看见前面汽车来了；还有一部分人作脚，立刻接受眼睛的警告，快快的闪避。看见的是眼睛，不是脚，但还需要脚才能闪避。今天的难处是，大家都想作脚，或者都想作眼睛。这就是没有正确的配搭。

　　主若怜悯我们，今后我们要学习好的配搭。一面说，每个人都要学习活在主面前，与主有交通；但从另一面说，当我们事奉的时候，没有一个人能单独说他看见什么，我们需要学习彼此配搭。比方，一位姊妹应当学习活在主面前，凭着里头那一点的信心，欢喜快乐的投身在事奉里。然而，在事奉的行动上，她该学习接受安排，与人配搭。她没有一个地位，也没有那个恩赐，直接从主接受负担，她的地位就是接受别人的安排，她就该欢乐的从一同配搭的人手中，接受支配与付托。当她实际的去执行时，就会看见主的同在。这并非人意的组织。

　　若是主许可，盼望我们被带到一个地步，连讲台也都是彼此配搭的。以传福音或是主日讲台为例，在释放话语之前，有负担释放话语的弟兄们，可以一起交通。或者有人说，“我有一点感觉，要释放一篇信息。我觉得主今天要说这个，因为弟兄姊妹有这样的需要。”并且把他要如何说，都交通出来，让大家一同来看。也许有人便附和的说一点话，再加上一些需要注意，或需要避免、提防的点；甚至有一同事奉的弟兄，交通出一些实际的情形和难处。这样交通过后，讲台上释放出的信息，必定比没有交通更刚强、更丰富、更明亮，也更实际。
 
　In order for the serving ones to be in coordination, we must have many service meetings. The purpose of these meetings is for the serving ones to come together and fellowship. I hope that every serving one would receive the Lord’s mercy so that we could frankly discuss any matter. For example, the serving ones should be able to fellowship concerning the shortages in a message given by a brother. Through such fellowship the lack in the message will be covered, and strong, positive, and rich points can be added. This will strengthen and enrich the speaking. The way the Lord has taken among us does not depend on raising up one good speaker who manifests a strong ministry of the word. The Lord’s way is to lead all the brothers who are responsible for the ministry of the word to be blended into one. Such mutual fellowship will strengthen and enrich the word that is released.

　We should fellowship not only concerning the ministry of the word but also concerning visiting the saints, leading the church, and the young people’s work. The full-time workers, the serving saints, and the elders should have thorough fellowship concerning how to carry out the young people’s work. They should pray and fellowship together. Even saints who are not directly involved in a service can still fellowship concerning that service. As a result, all the saints will be brought into fellowship and built together; there will not be a distinction between those who are involved and those who are not. According to the Lord’s word in John 15, if we love one another, we will bear much fruit. If we continue to live before the Lord individually, we will serve individually and not be balanced in our service. As a result, there will not be fruit.

　We must change our way and practice loving one another. We should come together and fellowship concerning our service. When we receive correction from other members, our weaknesses are removed. The result of this kind of fellowship is that one person’s work becomes everyone’s work, because he no longer works according to his personal view but according to the view of all the serving ones. Thus, we will be blended together. Then when a brother gives a message, the message will contain not only the light he saw but also the light from the other brothers, and the serving ones will bear the result of his message. The message is not given by one person but by many brothers. Perhaps only two co-workers carry out a certain task, but all the co-workers are involved through fellowship. Thus, a practical expression of loving one another will be produced among us, and any function that is manifested will come out of mutual love. We will not only abide in the Lord, having fellowship with Him, but we will also love one another.

　We lack mutual love that comes out of coordination. We need to lead the saints to pursue fellowship so that all the full-time serving ones and the elders will have the expression of loving one another in their service and in bearing fruit as co-branches. Every branch not only abides in the vine tree but also loves the other branches. Then we will grow in life, and our various functions will be manifested. Every member of the Body has a different function, just as our body has hands, a mouth, eyes, and feet. Some members receive burdens directly from the Lord, but others accept the coordination in the work. Some members may be like the apostle Paul. Others may be like Titus and Timothy. Nevertheless, none of these functions will override our personal fellowship with the Lord or our living before the Lord.

　When our service is in coordination, our work will be successful, and we will have learned the lessons. Furthermore, the two problems in our service will be resolved. May the Lord have mercy on us and lead us into this stage so that in all our service in the work we would live before Him and love one another.

　The saints in a certain local church are learning to live before the Lord and serve in coordination. After the brothers minister the word, they fellowship with all the co-workers concerning what was spoken. They also fellowship before the message is delivered. Everyone expresses his feelings. The brothers also fellowship concerning the direction of the meeting. As a result, there is an understanding among the saints, and they are in coordination.
　　目前最需要的，就是事奉的人能够完全的配搭，完全的合作；所以，我们要有许多的事奉聚会。实在说，事奉聚会就是来在一起交通。盼望我们能蒙主怜悯到一个地步，在这样的交通里，不怕说到个人的难处。比方，我们可以说到某位弟兄的讲台，还有什么欠缺的。我们彼此交通，互相接受，把那些难处、弱点，借着交通带过；把那些刚强、积极、丰富、正面的，都加上去。若是这样，话语的讲台定规刚强、明亮。虽然主在我们中间的路，并不在于兴起一个会讲道的人，尽更强的话语职事；但我信主的路，乃是带领这些尽话语职事的弟兄们，慢慢调和成为一个。借着一同的交通，虽然仍是某位弟兄作话语出口，但话语却比没有经过交通更刚强、丰富。

　　不仅讲台如此，连探望、召会中的带领、青少年的服事，都当如此。按规矩，作青少年工作的工人、事奉的弟兄姊妹、和长老们，应该一同坐下，好好交通，好好在主面前研究，看看会所里青少年的工作该怎样作。总要祷告再祷告，交通再交通。在交通里，有些人也许并未直接参与服事，但是可以把感觉、难处说出来；结果大家不分彼此，交通、建造在一起。照着主在约翰十五章的话，我们若彼此相爱，定规多结果子。若是我们仍像已往一样，都是各自活在主面前，等到要事奉，也是你作你该作的，我作我该作的；我感觉你作得有些缺欠，我不说；我作得有些差错，你也不讲；你有什么能加给我的，我也不一定接受；大家里头都有故事，彼此间都不通气，结果自然无法有果子。

　　现在我们需要一改从前的作法，实行彼此相爱。我们应当来在一起，众人把各自的工作逐一交通出来，接受大家的批评、改正，好除去我们的弱点。结果一个人在某地的工作，就是我们全体的工作，因为他工作的眼光，不是他个人的，所带去的也不是他个人的。相当有属于他的东西，但是也相当有属于别人的东西，众人就调在一起。这样，他讲一篇道，不仅是他自己的看见，还有别人加上去的亮光。众人便一同承当讲道的结果，不是一个人所作的，乃是大家一同作的。或许是两位同工一同配搭，但不只是那两个人去作，而是大家经过交通，一同作的。如果这样，我们中间会产生彼此相爱的实际，所显出的功用，也是出于彼此相爱。我们不仅是各自住在主里面，与主有交通，更是各个彼此相爱。

　　我们在积极方面很缺乏这种彼此相爱。我们需要积极的往这一面带领弟兄姊妹，使全时间服事者和长老们彼此相爱，到一个地步，在功用上相爱，在同作枝子结果子的事上相爱。不光是一个个枝子住在萄葡树上，并且枝子间都彼此相爱。若是这样，我们的长进必然加多，也会显出许多不同的功用。因为我们有各种样的人，有各种样的功用，有的作手，有的作口，有的作眼睛，有的作脚；有的直接从主接受一点负担，有的在配搭里接受一点安排；有的也许在原则上像使徒保罗那样，有的也许在原则上像提多、提摩太。但这并不抹煞个人与主之间的交通，个人活在主面前的情形。

　　至此，我们的工作才能像样，我们在主面前才能学好功课，并且我们事奉主的两种难处，都能迎刃而解。盼望主怜悯我们，把我们带到这个境地，一切在工作上的举动，事奉里的活动，都是这样；一面个人活在主面前，另一面众人都在功用上彼此相爱。

　　最近某个地方召会就有一点这样的作法，弟兄们在释放信息之后，就摆在一同事奉的同工面前，大家一同来评论。不光是讲过之后一同评，在未讲之前也一同交通。每个人都摆出自己的感觉，甚至对聚会的带领，都交通给弟兄们，结果就交通出实在的东西。到了聚会的时候，众人便有在灵里的默契。这样，就见证他们彼此间的配搭是活的。
 
　On one hand, we are not discouraged, because we realize that we have faith. On the other hand, no matter how much we accomplish, we still must acknowledge that we are unprofitable slaves. Not only so, in our service we should learn to abide in the Lord and love one another. We should fellowship and coordinate with one another. This is the way we should serve in the ministry of the word, in visiting the saints, in leading the meetings, and in all the other services. Through coordination we will be strengthened, enriched, balanced, and protected. This is the way to learn many wonderful lessons and avoid unnecessary mistakes.

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