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事奉类 › 事奉主者的资格、追求与学习 › 第四篇　事奉主者工作的两面－让神作工，并根据人实际的属灵需要作工

第四篇　事奉主者工作的两面－让神作工，并根据人实际的属灵需要作工

事奉主者的资格、追求与学习

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　　许多人在得救一段时间后，会忽然开始怀疑自己到底有没有得救，然后竭尽所能要寻找自己得救的凭据和把握。倪柝声弟兄曾说，凡疑惑自己得救的人，都是证明他得救了；凡没有疑惑过自己得救的人，应该知道自己其实没有得救。这意思是，我们不必怀疑自己得救的情形，或怀疑自己究竟得救了没有。
　　每次说到自己的得救，我们都不太觉得是怎样了不起的一件事。一切属灵的经历，就我们而言，几乎一直是起起落落的。初得救时，喜乐又高昂，觉得自己得救了，不一样了。等过了一段时间，就开始怀疑自己到底得救了没有，人跟着落下去了。说到认识自己，奉献自己，接受十字架的功课，出代价跟从主，也都是如此。每一个人仿佛都定规有一个时期，属灵的光景起来时，就事奉神，出代价接受十字架，好像祷告也很摸着神。但是到了一个时候，属灵的光景落下去了。实际上，并不一定是落下去，只是觉得自己这个功课没学好，那个功课也没有学好，这样不行，那样也不行。
　
　　当我们觉得自己真奉献的时候，不一定就是真奉献；当我们觉得自己出代价的时候，也不一定真是出代价。这些都不一定真确。同样的，当我们觉得自己在奉献上有了问题时，也不一定真有了问题；当我们觉得自己不肯出代价时，也不一定是不肯出代价。这的确很奇妙，人的感觉与事实不一定相合。你觉得你是那样出代价，不一定；你觉得你没有出代价，不一定。你觉得你这个人谦卑，不一定；你觉得自己骄傲，恐怕那是你最谦卑的时候。许多时候，事实和你自己所以为的感觉、想像恰恰相反。
　　有时你觉得你和主之间的光景很好，事实上并不那样好。有时你觉得你与主之间关系很差，很不像样，你既不大亲近主，也不爱主；不料，在主眼里，此时却是你和主关系最好的时候。所以我们怎样觉得自己，怎样想像自己，全数是不可靠的。事实完全不是如我们自己所想的。
　　我们所以会这样，有起有落，没有别的原因，全在于我们是在自己里面。当你觉得读经好的时候，要记得那不过是证明你在自己里面。你若不在自己里面，即使读经好，你也不会觉得。你若是不在自己里面，即使你顶谦卑，你都不会觉得自己谦卑。
　　旧约时代，当摩西从西乃山上下来时，他没有看见，也不觉得自己的脸上放光，而是别人看见了（出三四29~30）。所以，当我们觉得自己奉献，出了代价，摸着一点属灵的实际，认识召会，能看见属灵的亮光，读经开窍，祷告有摸着时，这一切的感觉，无非证明我们是在自己里面。过一段时间，可能我们又觉得，自己是相反的情形，觉得自己不行，起不来，觉得自己不是那样积极。请记得，这又证明我们是在自己里面。这些感觉都证明我们在自己里面。我们若不在自己里面，读经读得好也罢，读得差也罢，我们都不会觉得。属灵功课学得好不好，我们也不会有什么觉得。这是很奇妙的事。实在说，事情是在那里，但因为我们脱离了自己，就没有那个“觉得”。所以，你若还觉得这个，觉得那个，就证明你还在自己里头，分析自己属灵不属灵。
　
　　神是很有智慧的，一直把我们摆在人群当中。试想，若是把我们任何一个人，单独摆在一处，每一个人都会觉得自己是世界上最好的。因为在我们眼中，宇宙间只有一位创造的主，和一位受造者─就是“我”，所以我是最完全的。我的骄傲显不出来，因为既没有焦急的环境，也没有可发脾气的事，所以什么都显不出来。然而，事实上不可能有这样的环境，也不会有这样的事情。
　　神所作的是最有智慧的，在我们还没有得救时，就把我们摆在人群中。得救了以后，仍是把我们摆在社会中，借着一层一层的人际关系，显出我们真实的光景。比方，当我们有了家庭，家里还有三个孩子时，请问你还会觉得自己很好么？可能这时我们会想，为什么主不把我们摆在一个环境里，使我们能运用恩赐，一作工，人就爱主，工作就开了？不，主不给我们这个环境。无论我们如何挣扎，都无法逃开这一层一层的人际关系。神就是要把我们摆在这一层层的人际关系里，借此，把你我真实的光景，显得清清楚楚，并且要我们从其中学习真实地功课，有真实地破碎。
　　没有人可以不和其他人发生关系，而能学习破碎的功课。若是有一位圣徒，他没有任何亲人，只有他一个人；他也没有任何同工，就是他一个人作工，请问他能从何处学到破碎的功课，或者他有什么地方需要破碎？请记得，不在人群中学习被破碎，就永远不能把自己真实的光景显出来。
　　一切的破碎，都是在人群中学得的。多一层人际关系，就多一层破碎的需要；多一层人际关系，就多一层破碎的要求。这是定规的。未婚时，少一层破碎；结了婚，就多一层破碎的要求。生了一个孩子，多一点破碎；再多几个孩子，就更多破碎。没有和弟兄们住在一起，就少一层破碎的要求；和弟兄们住在一起，就多一层破碎。没有作负责弟兄，就少一层破碎的要求；一旦作了负责弟兄，就多一层破碎的要求。我们要看见，多一层人际关系，就多一层破碎的要求。若是我们今天在召会中作个弟兄，不作长老，不作执事，不和圣徒配搭，只是自己活在主面前，与主有交通，规规矩矩的读经、祷告，我们就永远不会被破碎。
　　请想想看，如果有这样一位弟兄在我们中间，这个人身上会不会有一点破碎的要求？当然不会。然而，主有祂智慧的安排，祂安排给我们层层的人际关系，使我们无法脱开。你若没有结婚，没有家庭，祂就给你同作肢体的，叫你们一同事奉，一同负责，一同相处。借着层层的人际关系，你就被要求要破碎，你的光景就显出来了。
　
　　当神把我们这些蒙恩的人，摆在一层一层的人际关系里，我们的光景就被显露出来。这不是为着别的，乃是为要破碎我们。的的确确，神并不太注意我们为祂作了什么工；但祂的确在意，祂在我们身上能作多少工。凡没有让神在他身上作过工的，都没有办法为神作什么。因为在宇宙间，神要先作一个工，把祂自己，在祂儿子里，借着祂的灵，作到我们里面。我们肯出代价也罢，不肯出代价也罢；有真实地奉献也罢，没有真实地奉献也罢，这都是小问题。最大的问题是，到底神在我们身上，有没有一个工作，能把祂自己在祂儿子里，借着祂的灵作到我们里面。
　　这个作到我们里面的工作，没有办法不经过破碎。祂若没有破碎我们，就没有办法将祂自己作到我们里面来。我们可以作许多的工，今天在地上，基督教的工作很多，传教士也多，但认真说，神在人身上的工作，却是寥寥无几。的的确确，人是作了宗教的工作，宗教的事业，有许多工作的活动，但在人身上真实的光景并没有显出神。
　　我为那些服事青少年的弟兄姊妹祷告的时候，常有一个感觉：他们在带领少年人时，到底是在作一个什么工作？他们是不是把纯洁的生命，供应给这些少年人？他们能不能把纯洁的生命，供应给这些少年人，端看他们在主面前有没有被主纯洁过、破碎过。作工的果效，不在于用高言大智，解释一篇篇动听的道，那只是鸣的锣，响的钹。真实地果效，乃在于神在我们身上所作的。
　　以目前的光景来说，弟兄姊妹最应该作的，不是去讲一篇篇高言大智的道，乃要好好去作见证。不要讲别的，只要把自己是怎样的人，好好说给弟兄姊妹听。说说这一年半来，自己经过怎样的过程，有怎样的破碎，相信这比一般信息更有果效。原则乃是，只有神在我们身上作过的那一部分，我们才能作到别人身上。神在我们身上没有作过工的，即便我们觉得自己很有口才，很有道理，也讲不到、作不到别人里面，是收不到什么果效的。
　　神的话和宇宙中的定律是铁定的，种的是什么，收的就是什么；撒什么样的种，就长什么样的东西（加六7）。我们都无法否认，一个事奉神的人就是一粒种子。所以，不是我们如何讲、如何作的问题。我们是怎样一粒种子，只会结出和我们一样的果子，这是无法逃避的。中国有句俚语：“有状元徒弟，没有状元师父。”在世界里，不是状元的师父，却有可能教出状元的徒弟，因为没有生命的问题。然而在生命里，不可能如此。要生鸡，就必须是鸡。一只羊生出来的，必定是羊；我们无法叫一只羊生出一只牛。猴子学吃西餐，这是可能的，因为外面的行为是可以教导的。然而请记得，猴子绝没有办法生出人，因为这是生命的问题。在学问上，没有状元师父，也可能产生状元徒弟；但是在属灵生命里，没有这样的事。你就是你，你工作的果效，永远不可能超过你这个人。凡没有让神厉害作过工的人，都无法作好的工。为这缘故，一个在神手里为神所用的人，一生不容易有顺畅的时期。许多事摆在别人身上没有问题，一摆在这样的人身上就是问题。因为神乃是要在这样的人身上，作厉害的工作。
　　当我们留在自己里面时，我们常是满有感觉。比方，属灵情形好一点，属灵情形起来时，真是趾高气昂，非常了不得。等过了一段时间，又垂头丧气，叹息自己不行。这都是因为留在自己里面，而有许多的感觉。所以，神要借着在我们身上作工，破碎我们，对付我们，使我们脱离自己。到一个地步，我们即使在属灵上有所看见，也默不作声；即使里面有什么压制，有什么为难，也像是没有一样。有些事物虽然摸着我们，有的难处虽然压在我们身上，但我们自己的感觉却是轻多了。这就证明，我们已经相当从自己里面出来了。
　　简单的说，我们给神破碎越多，拯救越多，我们留在自己里面就越少。我们留在自己里面越少，自己的感觉就除去得越多，而无所谓骄傲，无所谓情感，无所谓快乐，也无所谓痛苦。既没有多少可夸，也没有多少可灰心，因为我们已相当脱离自己。这些过程没有别的，乃是神来摸我们，以带领、拯救我们。
　
　　我们一再说过，在召会的事奉里，必须有一点属灵的追求。若是我们的事奉，只是在聚会中，按时候事奉配搭，按时候安排事情，而失去属灵的追求，就会落到形式里，成为空的、死的。若要使我们的事奉是活的，并且实际而有路线、有目标、有章程，就必须有属灵的追求。
　　属灵的追求，需要根据两方面的情形。一方面是我们这些事奉的人，在神面前有属灵的学习，不只是得救，并且受过十字架的对付，学十字架破碎的功课，懂得如何交通，如何在圣灵里与人配搭，甚至有合式的建造。我们越学得好，越有属灵的异象，就能看见神在今天所要得着的。这时，我们给人属灵的带领，就是独特的。我们若没有这些学习，便无法带领人有更深的追求。
　　属灵追求的另一面，是需要顾到受带领人实际的情形。比方，你到了一个地方，看见人还没有得救，或是刚得救还没有稳固，就需要给人一个供应，带他追求得救的证实。或是你看见人得救了，已经有得救的把握，只是爱主的情形不够，奉献还没有过关，你就需要带领他有奉献。或者一些弟兄姊妹已将自己奉献给主，但是还没有学习如何与主交通，你就要带他们学习与主交通。
　　总之，属灵的追求，一面是根据带领者所学习的，一面是根据受带领者实际的情形。这如同一个教育家办教育，首先，教育家本身需要先受相当的教育。他若仅仅读过小学，便谈不上办教育，因为中学的他不懂，大学的更不明白。他总得是个有相当教育程度的人，才能办教育。另一面，当他实际办教育时，就必须观察社会中的环境。如果一地有小学，大部分人是小学毕业，就可以接着办中学；若是那里已经有中学，就可以接着办专科或大学；如果完全没有任何教育可言，就得从头作起。一面教育家必须受相当高的教育，另一面必须观察人群社会里，教育程度到了什么地步。根据这两面的情形，就知道该如何带领当地的教育。
　　属灵的带领也是这样。同工们无论在那一个会所，或者那一个地方召会，都得把当地圣徒属灵的光景好好看过。了解他们属灵程度到了什么境地，再带领他们注意那一部分，有那一方面的追求。从同工们的交通中，找出一个结论，再找出人作话语的出口，释放话语，以应付圣徒中间属灵的饥渴，和属灵的需要。比方，我们观察到圣徒们还没有好好学习被圣灵充满，让圣灵有地位、有主权。我们就在事奉交通中交通，等有了结论，就该有人接受负担，用话语开导、启发弟兄姊妹。一面，在讲台上释放一篇一篇的话语，使弟兄姊妹被圣灵充满，让圣灵有地位、有主权。另一面，和长老们或各分家负责弟兄交通时，也要注意这件事，好使弟兄姊妹中间，很快的有一种属天的空气，有一种属灵的气氛，众人都追求圣灵里面的充满，让圣灵在我们里面有地位、有主权。
　　全时间服事的弟兄姊妹需要负起带头作用，不仅自己要这样的追求，有这个祷告，甚至需要禁食祷告。或许有时不要先召集大聚会释放信息，而先召集少数有心的人聚集。这样的聚集，不是正式的聚会，而是非正式的谈一谈，看看圣徒们的光景如何，弟兄姊妹有什么属灵的需要。众人一同交通，一同祷告，把感觉灌输到弟兄姊妹里面，请他们回去祷告，并且和配搭的一同交通，如何在聚会中释放该有的信息。这样过了一段时间，弟兄姊妹差不多都带过来了，到那时，就可再往前进入另一个阶段。
　　各地召会或各会所，若是缺乏属灵追求的空气，事奉就没有中心，没有目标，没有路线，里头自然是空洞、没有进度的。以讲台信息为例，今天我觉得有这样的负担，就讲这么一篇；明天你觉得有那一个负担，就讲那一篇。结果篇篇是好道，众人听来却都是空洞、没有内容的话。若是事奉和聚会没有中心，没有带领，没有一个号筒，发出同样的号声，叫大家能共同跟随，很快的一年、二年过去了，众圣徒属灵的光景不会有任何的进步。
　　这如同办教育一样，小学生读过小学，马上升入初中。这时，无论是给他们国文、数学、化学、或其他一切的学问，都是初中程度的。这里就有一个中心，一个目标，一条路线，教这些学生们。同时很有进度，一年级、二年级、三年级，然后初中毕业了。接着上到高中，一年级、二年级、三年级，高中也毕业了。经过六年，这些青年子弟，在教育上因着有进度，就有了长足的进步。他们不仅读书、识字，并且在教育知识上，有确定的进度。
　　同工们在一个地方会不会作工，讲究相当大。他们可以在一地带一年、二年，甚至三年，却什么也没有带出来。好像办教育的人不懂得教育，不过让人在那里读书，读这个也好，读那个也可以，至于人的程度如何，该有什么进度，什么中心，什么路线，都无所谓。结果，人什么也没有学到。所以，我们必须来在一起，彻底研究圣徒们属灵的程度，了解他们到底到了什么境地，今后需要什么带领。这样研究出一个结论，让尽话语职事的弟兄们接受负担，释放这一方面的信息。这样的信息就有中心，有路线，有目标，能叫弟兄姊妹都起来饥渴的追求。
　　这样作了三个月，众人都有所得着后，再照着那时的情形，定规下一阶段属灵追求的内容。认真说，每一个会所都当如此作，甚至每一个分家的负责都该如此。这完全如同办教育一样，有中心，有路线，有目标，有系统。一天过一天，一年过一年，青年人就会让我们带着往前去。
　　盼望同工们都学会作工，好好研究各会所的情形，有多少人曾经参加聚会，又有多少人经常参加聚会，照着圣徒不同的情形，好好牧养、教导、造就、建造。这的确是一个很大的工作。一天天、一周周、一年年，人被摆在我们手中，我们是有责任的。不要因着一些属灵的开启，就喜出望外；或是因着看自己这个不行，那个不行，就垂头丧气。要知道，高兴没有用，丧气没有用，骄傲没有用，谦卑也没有用。我们要蒙怜悯脱离自己的感觉，在主面前好好接受负担，背负人属灵长进的担子，清楚人属灵的需要，给人属灵的带领，使弟兄姊妹都在意属灵的长进。结果，全会所都能闻到属灵追求的气氛和空气。这就是好的工作。
　　然而，若是同工中没有够多的交通，永远不要盼望能为主作什么工作。同工们必须多有交通，具体的找出圣徒们的需要。但交通的意思，并不是说，我们众人谈好，你照你的负担，用台语释放一篇信息；他照他的负担，讲关于“爱”的话；另一个人讲关于“信”的信息；等再过一周，一个人讲“望”，另一个就讲“忍耐”。要知道，这在属灵上是没有用，是骗人的。从教育的角度来看，这叫“误人子弟”。这不是办教育，而是拿弟兄姊妹开玩笑。我们需要好好观察弟兄姊妹属灵的情形，了解他们究竟需要什么。得到结论后，站讲台的弟兄就接受这个负担，探望的人跟上这个负担，见证、谈论的也照着这个负担，让会所里充满这个属灵的空气。若是这样，我们才是真的作了一点工；我们才能看见，神的灵随着这个一再的祝福我们，使许多人得救，奉献，走前面的道路。
　
　　许多基督的工人一再作工，一再的讲道，作了几年，讲了几年，却没有人清楚得救。这就说出那些讲道的人，不懂什么是作工。我们却不能这样。我们到了一个地方，一看见圣徒对救恩不清楚，就要释放关于救恩的真理，带人相信、清楚自己得救了。不但如此，还要带领人奉献，带领人有对付。等众人都进入了，再带领他们往前去。这样，我们才是会作工，我们的工夫才不白费。请记得，骄傲一点用处都没有用，谦卑一点也不值钱。我们一定要照着弟兄姊妹实际的情形，一同担负弟兄姊妹属灵的担子，研究弟兄姊妹中间属灵的情形，不断地往前。这才能摸着神的心意，才是有价值的工作。
　　在使徒行传里，当使徒保罗来到以弗所，遇见几位门徒，他立刻就问，他们信的时候，受了圣灵没有。他们回答说，他们连圣灵都没有听说过。保罗便立刻向他们陈明，他们所受的是约翰的浸，但他们应当信入那在约翰以后来的，就是耶稣。接着就为他们施浸、按手，使他们接受圣灵的浇灌（十九1~7）。使徒保罗不是喜欢释放那一篇道，就讲那一篇道，他乃是照着人实际的需要，在那里服事。所以，我们要懂得人的需要，给人实际的带领。盼望同工们在这点上要注意，要学会作工。
　
　　什么是会作工？会作工有两面，一面是自己要让神作工，另一面是在作工的技术上有些研究。让神在我们里面作工，就是让神除去我们不该有的、天然的，并带领我们、教导我们学美好的功课。另一面还得在工作的技术上，有一点研究，清楚到底在一般人身上，以及在圣徒中间有什么需要。然后根据人的需要，给人实际的带领，有实际属灵的追求。这样，我们的事奉才能有属灵的味道，才有在生命里的服事，才有中心，有实际，才是活的，有进度、有目标的。愿主怜悯我们，使我们大大的注意这件事，否则时间过去，人经过我们的服事，却没有实际的得着，就太可惜，也太亏欠。
　　一九六〇年八月九日讲于台北
　
　　许多人在得救一段时间后，会忽然开始怀疑自己到底有没有得救，然后竭尽所能要寻找自己得救的凭据和把握。倪柝声弟兄曾说，凡疑惑自己得救的人，都是证明他得救了；凡没有疑惑过自己得救的人，应该知道自己其实没有得救。这意思是，我们不必怀疑自己得救的情形，或怀疑自己究竟得救了没有。　　每次说到自己的得救，我们都不太觉得是怎样了不起的一件事。一切属灵的经历，就我们而言，几乎一直是起起落落的。初得救时，喜乐又高昂，觉得自己得救了，不一样了。等过了一段时间，就开始怀疑自己到底得救了没有，人跟着落下去了。说到认识自己，奉献自己，接受十字架的功课，出代价跟从主，也都是如此。每一个人仿佛都定规有一个时期，属灵的光景起来时，就事奉神，出代价接受十字架，好像祷告也很摸着神。但是到了一个时候，属灵的光景落下去了。实际上，并不一定是落下去，只是觉得自己这个功课没学好，那个功课也没有学好，这样不行，那样也不行。
　
　　当我们觉得自己真奉献的时候，不一定就是真奉献；当我们觉得自己出代价的时候，也不一定真是出代价。这些都不一定真确。同样的，当我们觉得自己在奉献上有了问题时，也不一定真有了问题；当我们觉得自己不肯出代价时，也不一定是不肯出代价。这的确很奇妙，人的感觉与事实不一定相合。你觉得你是那样出代价，不一定；你觉得你没有出代价，不一定。你觉得你这个人谦卑，不一定；你觉得自己骄傲，恐怕那是你最谦卑的时候。许多时候，事实和你自己所以为的感觉、想像恰恰相反。　　有时你觉得你和主之间的光景很好，事实上并不那样好。有时你觉得你与主之间关系很差，很不像样，你既不大亲近主，也不爱主；不料，在主眼里，此时却是你和主关系最好的时候。所以我们怎样觉得自己，怎样想像自己，全数是不可靠的。事实完全不是如我们自己所想的。　　我们所以会这样，有起有落，没有别的原因，全在于我们是在自己里面。当你觉得读经好的时候，要记得那不过是证明你在自己里面。你若不在自己里面，即使读经好，你也不会觉得。你若是不在自己里面，即使你顶谦卑，你都不会觉得自己谦卑。　　旧约时代，当摩西从西乃山上下来时，他没有看见，也不觉得自己的脸上放光，而是别人看见了（出三四29~30）。所以，当我们觉得自己奉献，出了代价，摸着一点属灵的实际，认识召会，能看见属灵的亮光，读经开窍，祷告有摸着时，这一切的感觉，无非证明我们是在自己里面。过一段时间，可能我们又觉得，自己是相反的情形，觉得自己不行，起不来，觉得自己不是那样积极。请记得，这又证明我们是在自己里面。这些感觉都证明我们在自己里面。我们若不在自己里面，读经读得好也罢，读得差也罢，我们都不会觉得。属灵功课学得好不好，我们也不会有什么觉得。这是很奇妙的事。实在说，事情是在那里，但因为我们脱离了自己，就没有那个“觉得”。所以，你若还觉得这个，觉得那个，就证明你还在自己里头，分析自己属灵不属灵。
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出34:29  
摩西手里拿着两块见证的版，下西乃山的时候，不知道自己的面皮因耶和华和他说话就发了光。
出34:30  
亚伦和以色列众人看见摩西的面皮发光，就怕挨近他。
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　　神是很有智慧的，一直把我们摆在人群当中。试想，若是把我们任何一个人，单独摆在一处，每一个人都会觉得自己是世界上最好的。因为在我们眼中，宇宙间只有一位创造的主，和一位受造者─就是“我”，所以我是最完全的。我的骄傲显不出来，因为既没有焦急的环境，也没有可发脾气的事，所以什么都显不出来。然而，事实上不可能有这样的环境，也不会有这样的事情。
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何西阿书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
何西阿书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
何西阿书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　神所作的是最有智慧的，在我们还没有得救时，就把我们摆在人群中。得救了以后，仍是把我们摆在社会中，借着一层一层的人际关系，显出我们真实的光景。比方，当我们有了家庭，家里还有三个孩子时，请问你还会觉得自己很好么？可能这时我们会想，为什么主不把我们摆在一个环境里，使我们能运用恩赐，一作工，人就爱主，工作就开了？不，主不给我们这个环境。无论我们如何挣扎，都无法逃开这一层一层的人际关系。神就是要把我们摆在这一层层的人际关系里，借此，把你我真实的光景，显得清清楚楚，并且要我们从其中学习真实地功课，有真实地破碎。　　没有人可以不和其他人发生关系，而能学习破碎的功课。若是有一位圣徒，他没有任何亲人，只有他一个人；他也没有任何同工，就是他一个人作工，请问他能从何处学到破碎的功课，或者他有什么地方需要破碎？请记得，不在人群中学习被破碎，就永远不能把自己真实的光景显出来。　　一切的破碎，都是在人群中学得的。多一层人际关系，就多一层破碎的需要；多一层人际关系，就多一层破碎的要求。这是定规的。未婚时，少一层破碎；结了婚，就多一层破碎的要求。生了一个孩子，多一点破碎；再多几个孩子，就更多破碎。没有和弟兄们住在一起，就少一层破碎的要求；和弟兄们住在一起，就多一层破碎。没有作负责弟兄，就少一层破碎的要求；一旦作了负责弟兄，就多一层破碎的要求。我们要看见，多一层人际关系，就多一层破碎的要求。若是我们今天在召会中作个弟兄，不作长老，不作执事，不和圣徒配搭，只是自己活在主面前，与主有交通，规规矩矩的读经、祷告，我们就永远不会被破碎。
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提多书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
提多书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
提多书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　请想想看，如果有这样一位弟兄在我们中间，这个人身上会不会有一点破碎的要求？当然不会。然而，主有祂智慧的安排，祂安排给我们层层的人际关系，使我们无法脱开。你若没有结婚，没有家庭，祂就给你同作肢体的，叫你们一同事奉，一同负责，一同相处。借着层层的人际关系，你就被要求要破碎，你的光景就显出来了。
　
　　当神把我们这些蒙恩的人，摆在一层一层的人际关系里，我们的光景就被显露出来。这不是为着别的，乃是为要破碎我们。的的确确，神并不太注意我们为祂作了什么工；但祂的确在意，祂在我们身上能作多少工。凡没有让神在他身上作过工的，都没有办法为神作什么。因为在宇宙间，神要先作一个工，把祂自己，在祂儿子里，借着祂的灵，作到我们里面。我们肯出代价也罢，不肯出代价也罢；有真实地奉献也罢，没有真实地奉献也罢，这都是小问题。最大的问题是，到底神在我们身上，有没有一个工作，能把祂自己在祂儿子里，借着祂的灵作到我们里面。　　这个作到我们里面的工作，没有办法不经过破碎。祂若没有破碎我们，就没有办法将祂自己作到我们里面来。我们可以作许多的工，今天在地上，基督教的工作很多，传教士也多，但认真说，神在人身上的工作，却是寥寥无几。的的确确，人是作了宗教的工作，宗教的事业，有许多工作的活动，但在人身上真实的光景并没有显出神。　　我为那些服事青少年的弟兄姊妹祷告的时候，常有一个感觉：他们在带领少年人时，到底是在作一个什么工作？他们是不是把纯洁的生命，供应给这些少年人？他们能不能把纯洁的生命，供应给这些少年人，端看他们在主面前有没有被主纯洁过、破碎过。作工的果效，不在于用高言大智，解释一篇篇动听的道，那只是鸣的锣，响的钹。真实地果效，乃在于神在我们身上所作的。　　以目前的光景来说，弟兄姊妹最应该作的，不是去讲一篇篇高言大智的道，乃要好好去作见证。不要讲别的，只要把自己是怎样的人，好好说给弟兄姊妹听。说说这一年半来，自己经过怎样的过程，有怎样的破碎，相信这比一般信息更有果效。原则乃是，只有神在我们身上作过的那一部分，我们才能作到别人身上。神在我们身上没有作过工的，即便我们觉得自己很有口才，很有道理，也讲不到、作不到别人里面，是收不到什么果效的。　　神的话和宇宙中的定律是铁定的，种的是什么，收的就是什么；撒什么样的种，就长什么样的东西（加六7）。我们都无法否认，一个事奉神的人就是一粒种子。所以，不是我们如何讲、如何作的问题。我们是怎样一粒种子，只会结出和我们一样的果子，这是无法逃避的。中国有句俚语：“有状元徒弟，没有状元师父。”在世界里，不是状元的师父，却有可能教出状元的徒弟，因为没有生命的问题。然而在生命里，不可能如此。要生鸡，就必须是鸡。一只羊生出来的，必定是羊；我们无法叫一只羊生出一只牛。猴子学吃西餐，这是可能的，因为外面的行为是可以教导的。然而请记得，猴子绝没有办法生出人，因为这是生命的问题。在学问上，没有状元师父，也可能产生状元徒弟；但是在属灵生命里，没有这样的事。你就是你，你工作的果效，永远不可能超过你这个人。凡没有让神厉害作过工的人，都无法作好的工。为这缘故，一个在神手里为神所用的人，一生不容易有顺畅的时期。许多事摆在别人身上没有问题，一摆在这样的人身上就是问题。因为神乃是要在这样的人身上，作厉害的工作。
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加6:7  
不要受迷惑，神是嗤慢不得的，因为人种的是什么，收的也是什么。
加拉太书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
加拉太书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
出埃及记一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
出埃及记一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
加拉太书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　当我们留在自己里面时，我们常是满有感觉。比方，属灵情形好一点，属灵情形起来时，真是趾高气昂，非常了不得。等过了一段时间，又垂头丧气，叹息自己不行。这都是因为留在自己里面，而有许多的感觉。所以，神要借着在我们身上作工，破碎我们，对付我们，使我们脱离自己。到一个地步，我们即使在属灵上有所看见，也默不作声；即使里面有什么压制，有什么为难，也像是没有一样。有些事物虽然摸着我们，有的难处虽然压在我们身上，但我们自己的感觉却是轻多了。这就证明，我们已经相当从自己里面出来了。　　简单的说，我们给神破碎越多，拯救越多，我们留在自己里面就越少。我们留在自己里面越少，自己的感觉就除去得越多，而无所谓骄傲，无所谓情感，无所谓快乐，也无所谓痛苦。既没有多少可夸，也没有多少可灰心，因为我们已相当脱离自己。这些过程没有别的，乃是神来摸我们，以带领、拯救我们。
　
　　我们一再说过，在召会的事奉里，必须有一点属灵的追求。若是我们的事奉，只是在聚会中，按时候事奉配搭，按时候安排事情，而失去属灵的追求，就会落到形式里，成为空的、死的。若要使我们的事奉是活的，并且实际而有路线、有目标、有章程，就必须有属灵的追求。　　属灵的追求，需要根据两方面的情形。一方面是我们这些事奉的人，在神面前有属灵的学习，不只是得救，并且受过十字架的对付，学十字架破碎的功课，懂得如何交通，如何在圣灵里与人配搭，甚至有合式的建造。我们越学得好，越有属灵的异象，就能看见神在今天所要得着的。这时，我们给人属灵的带领，就是独特的。我们若没有这些学习，便无法带领人有更深的追求。　　属灵追求的另一面，是需要顾到受带领人实际的情形。比方，你到了一个地方，看见人还没有得救，或是刚得救还没有稳固，就需要给人一个供应，带他追求得救的证实。或是你看见人得救了，已经有得救的把握，只是爱主的情形不够，奉献还没有过关，你就需要带领他有奉献。或者一些弟兄姊妹已将自己奉献给主，但是还没有学习如何与主交通，你就要带他们学习与主交通。　　总之，属灵的追求，一面是根据带领者所学习的，一面是根据受带领者实际的情形。这如同一个教育家办教育，首先，教育家本身需要先受相当的教育。他若仅仅读过小学，便谈不上办教育，因为中学的他不懂，大学的更不明白。他总得是个有相当教育程度的人，才能办教育。另一面，当他实际办教育时，就必须观察社会中的环境。如果一地有小学，大部分人是小学毕业，就可以接着办中学；若是那里已经有中学，就可以接着办专科或大学；如果完全没有任何教育可言，就得从头作起。一面教育家必须受相当高的教育，另一面必须观察人群社会里，教育程度到了什么地步。根据这两面的情形，就知道该如何带领当地的教育。　　属灵的带领也是这样。同工们无论在那一个会所，或者那一个地方召会，都得把当地圣徒属灵的光景好好看过。了解他们属灵程度到了什么境地，再带领他们注意那一部分，有那一方面的追求。从同工们的交通中，找出一个结论，再找出人作话语的出口，释放话语，以应付圣徒中间属灵的饥渴，和属灵的需要。比方，我们观察到圣徒们还没有好好学习被圣灵充满，让圣灵有地位、有主权。我们就在事奉交通中交通，等有了结论，就该有人接受负担，用话语开导、启发弟兄姊妹。一面，在讲台上释放一篇一篇的话语，使弟兄姊妹被圣灵充满，让圣灵有地位、有主权。另一面，和长老们或各分家负责弟兄交通时，也要注意这件事，好使弟兄姊妹中间，很快的有一种属天的空气，有一种属灵的气氛，众人都追求圣灵里面的充满，让圣灵在我们里面有地位、有主权。
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出埃及记一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　全时间服事的弟兄姊妹需要负起带头作用，不仅自己要这样的追求，有这个祷告，甚至需要禁食祷告。或许有时不要先召集大聚会释放信息，而先召集少数有心的人聚集。这样的聚集，不是正式的聚会，而是非正式的谈一谈，看看圣徒们的光景如何，弟兄姊妹有什么属灵的需要。众人一同交通，一同祷告，把感觉灌输到弟兄姊妹里面，请他们回去祷告，并且和配搭的一同交通，如何在聚会中释放该有的信息。这样过了一段时间，弟兄姊妹差不多都带过来了，到那时，就可再往前进入另一个阶段。　　各地召会或各会所，若是缺乏属灵追求的空气，事奉就没有中心，没有目标，没有路线，里头自然是空洞、没有进度的。以讲台信息为例，今天我觉得有这样的负担，就讲这么一篇；明天你觉得有那一个负担，就讲那一篇。结果篇篇是好道，众人听来却都是空洞、没有内容的话。若是事奉和聚会没有中心，没有带领，没有一个号筒，发出同样的号声，叫大家能共同跟随，很快的一年、二年过去了，众圣徒属灵的光景不会有任何的进步。　　这如同办教育一样，小学生读过小学，马上升入初中。这时，无论是给他们国文、数学、化学、或其他一切的学问，都是初中程度的。这里就有一个中心，一个目标，一条路线，教这些学生们。同时很有进度，一年级、二年级、三年级，然后初中毕业了。接着上到高中，一年级、二年级、三年级，高中也毕业了。经过六年，这些青年子弟，在教育上因着有进度，就有了长足的进步。他们不仅读书、识字，并且在教育知识上，有确定的进度。　　同工们在一个地方会不会作工，讲究相当大。他们可以在一地带一年、二年，甚至三年，却什么也没有带出来。好像办教育的人不懂得教育，不过让人在那里读书，读这个也好，读那个也可以，至于人的程度如何，该有什么进度，什么中心，什么路线，都无所谓。结果，人什么也没有学到。所以，我们必须来在一起，彻底研究圣徒们属灵的程度，了解他们到底到了什么境地，今后需要什么带领。这样研究出一个结论，让尽话语职事的弟兄们接受负担，释放这一方面的信息。这样的信息就有中心，有路线，有目标，能叫弟兄姊妹都起来饥渴的追求。　　这样作了三个月，众人都有所得着后，再照着那时的情形，定规下一阶段属灵追求的内容。认真说，每一个会所都当如此作，甚至每一个分家的负责都该如此。这完全如同办教育一样，有中心，有路线，有目标，有系统。一天过一天，一年过一年，青年人就会让我们带着往前去。　　盼望同工们都学会作工，好好研究各会所的情形，有多少人曾经参加聚会，又有多少人经常参加聚会，照着圣徒不同的情形，好好牧养、教导、造就、建造。这的确是一个很大的工作。一天天、一周周、一年年，人被摆在我们手中，我们是有责任的。不要因着一些属灵的开启，就喜出望外；或是因着看自己这个不行，那个不行，就垂头丧气。要知道，高兴没有用，丧气没有用，骄傲没有用，谦卑也没有用。我们要蒙怜悯脱离自己的感觉，在主面前好好接受负担，背负人属灵长进的担子，清楚人属灵的需要，给人属灵的带领，使弟兄姊妹都在意属灵的长进。结果，全会所都能闻到属灵追求的气氛和空气。这就是好的工作。　　然而，若是同工中没有够多的交通，永远不要盼望能为主作什么工作。同工们必须多有交通，具体的找出圣徒们的需要。但交通的意思，并不是说，我们众人谈好，你照你的负担，用台语释放一篇信息；他照他的负担，讲关于“爱”的话；另一个人讲关于“信”的信息；等再过一周，一个人讲“望”，另一个就讲“忍耐”。要知道，这在属灵上是没有用，是骗人的。从教育的角度来看，这叫“误人子弟”。这不是办教育，而是拿弟兄姊妹开玩笑。我们需要好好观察弟兄姊妹属灵的情形，了解他们究竟需要什么。得到结论后，站讲台的弟兄就接受这个负担，探望的人跟上这个负担，见证、谈论的也照着这个负担，让会所里充满这个属灵的空气。若是这样，我们才是真的作了一点工；我们才能看见，神的灵随着这个一再的祝福我们，使许多人得救，奉献，走前面的道路。
　
　　许多基督的工人一再作工，一再的讲道，作了几年，讲了几年，却没有人清楚得救。这就说出那些讲道的人，不懂什么是作工。我们却不能这样。我们到了一个地方，一看见圣徒对救恩不清楚，就要释放关于救恩的真理，带人相信、清楚自己得救了。不但如此，还要带领人奉献，带领人有对付。等众人都进入了，再带领他们往前去。这样，我们才是会作工，我们的工夫才不白费。请记得，骄傲一点用处都没有用，谦卑一点也不值钱。我们一定要照着弟兄姊妹实际的情形，一同担负弟兄姊妹属灵的担子，研究弟兄姊妹中间属灵的情形，不断地往前。这才能摸着神的心意，才是有价值的工作。　　在使徒行传里，当使徒保罗来到以弗所，遇见几位门徒，他立刻就问，他们信的时候，受了圣灵没有。他们回答说，他们连圣灵都没有听说过。保罗便立刻向他们陈明，他们所受的是约翰的浸，但他们应当信入那在约翰以后来的，就是耶稣。接着就为他们施浸、按手，使他们接受圣灵的浇灌（十九1~7）。使徒保罗不是喜欢释放那一篇道，就讲那一篇道，他乃是照着人实际的需要，在那里服事。所以，我们要懂得人的需要，给人实际的带领。盼望同工们在这点上要注意，要学会作工。
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徒19:1  
亚波罗在哥林多的时候，保罗经过上边一带地方，就来到以弗所，遇见几位门徒，
徒19:2  
问他们说，你们信的时候，受了圣灵没有？他们对他说，我们连有圣灵都没有听说过。
徒19:3  
保罗说，这样，你们受的是什么浸？他们说，是约翰的浸。
徒19:4  
保罗就说，约翰所施的是悔改的浸，告诉百姓，当信入那在他以后来的，就是耶稣。
徒19:5  
他们听了，就浸入主耶稣的名里。
徒19:6  
保罗给他们按手，圣灵便降在他们身上，他们就说方言，又说预言。
徒19:7  
一共约有十二个人。
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　　什么是会作工？会作工有两面，一面是自己要让神作工，另一面是在作工的技术上有些研究。让神在我们里面作工，就是让神除去我们不该有的、天然的，并带领我们、教导我们学美好的功课。另一面还得在工作的技术上，有一点研究，清楚到底在一般人身上，以及在圣徒中间有什么需要。然后根据人的需要，给人实际的带领，有实际属灵的追求。这样，我们的事奉才能有属灵的味道，才有在生命里的服事，才有中心，有实际，才是活的，有进度、有目标的。愿主怜悯我们，使我们大大的注意这件事，否则时间过去，人经过我们的服事，却没有实际的得着，就太可惜，也太亏欠。　　一九六〇年八月九日讲于台北
　
SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES
　After a period of time many believers begin to doubt their salvation and look for proof and assurance of their salvation. Brother Nee once said that the fact a person doubts his salvation is proof that he is saved. A person who has never doubted his salvation has not been saved. This means that we should neither doubt the condition of our salvation or the fact of our salvation.
　Whenever we speak of our own salvation, we do not necessarily feel that it is something tremendous. All our spiritual experiences have ups and downs. After experiencing salvation, a believer is joyful and buoyant, but after a period of time he begins to doubt his salvation and is no longer joyful. Our experiences concerning knowing ourselves, consecration, the cross, and following the Lord are similar to the experiences of a new believer. Every believer goes through a period of time when his spiritual condition is up, a time when he is willing to serve God, to take the cross, and to pray. Then after a point in time his spiritual condition goes down. Actually, his condition may not be going down, but he feels that he has not learned a particular lesson or that he is not acceptable in a particular matter.
　
HAVING MANY FEELINGS INDICATING THAT WE LIVE IN OURSELVES
　When we feel that we have genuinely consecrated ourselves or paid a price, our feelings may not be accurate. Similarly, when we feel that there is a problem with our consecration or that we have not paid a price, these feelings may not be accurate either. Our feelings do not necessarily correspond with our condition. When we feel that we are paying a great price, it may not be so. The same applies to when we feel that we have not paid a price. We may consider ourselves to be humble, but actually we may be very proud. We may consider ourselves to be proud, but actually we may be very humble. Many times our condition is the opposite of our feelings and considerations.
　Sometimes a believer feels that his spiritual condition is good, but his condition before the Lord is not so good. Sometimes he may feel that he cannot touch the Lord or that he does not love the Lord, but this may be the time when his relationship with the Lord is the sweetest. Our considerations are not reliable, and our spiritual condition is not according to our consideration.
　Experiencing spiritual ups and downs shows that we are in the self. When we feel that we are doing well in reading the Bible, we are in the self. When we are not in the self, we often have no sense concerning our reading of the Bible, and when we are not in the self, we often have no feeling concerning our humility.
　When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, he did not know that his face was shining. It was the other Israelites who saw that his face was shining (Exo. 34:29-30). Hence, we must realize that the feelings we have related to our consecration, our paying a price, our touching a certain spiritual reality, our knowing the church, our receiving of spiritual light, our understanding of the Bible, and our touching of the Lord in prayer all come from the self. After a period of time these feelings change. This proves that these feelings come from the self. Whether our feelings are positive or negative, they are from the self. When we are not in the self, we have no feeling concerning reading the Bible or learning a spiritual lesson. On the one hand, not having a feeling about a particular matter or thing is often an indication that we are not in the self. On the other hand, a certain feeling or analysis related to our spiritual condition is often an indication that we are in the self.
　
LEARNING THE LESSON OF BEING BROKEN IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS
　In His wisdom God put us in communities and groups; otherwise, every person would think that he is the best person in the world. Every person thinks that he is the only person in the universe. Without a community our pride would not be exposed, there would not be anxiety in our environment, and we would not be provoked to lose our temper. If we did not live in a community, what is in us would not be exposed.
　God is wise in what He does. Before we were saved, He placed us in communities. After we are saved, He keeps us in communities and uses various human relationships to expose our inner condition. For example, a sister may feel that she is perfect, but after she has three children, she might feel that she is not doing so well. She may wonder why the Lord did not place her in an environment where she can use her gift to stir others up to love Him. The Lord will never allow us to escape from human relationships. God intentionally put us in relationships so that through them our condition would be manifested, and we would learn the lessons of being broken.
　No one can learn the lessons of being broken apart from having relationships with others. How can a saint who does not have relatives, lives alone, and does not have a service with other saints learn the lessons of being broken? If we do not learn to be broken in our relationships, our true condition will not be manifested.
　The lessons of being broken are learned when we are with others. Whenever we encounter a new human relationship, there is the need for us to be broken further. The addition of another human relationship in our lives will increase the demand for us to be broken. When a person is not married, there is not much of a requirement for him to be broken. Once he is married, there is the need to be broken. After he has his first child, there is the need for further breaking. The more children he has, the more breaking he will experience. If a young brother does not live with other brothers, he will not experience much of a demand to be broken. If he lives with other brothers, he will experience some breaking. A brother who does not bear responsibility will have fewer experiences of being broken. Once he becomes a responsible brother, he will have more experiences of being broken. The more human relationships we have, the more demands there are for us to be broken. Single brothers who love the Lord, fellowship with Him, read the Bible, and pray regularly but are not elders or deacons and do not coordinate with other saints will not be broken.
　However, the Lord is wise in His arrangement. He has arranged many human relationships for us from which we cannot escape. If you are not married and do not have relatives, He will give you other members in the Body so that you can serve and bear responsibility together with them. Through such human relationships, we experience being broken, and our spiritual condition is exposed.
　
LETTING GOD FIRST WORK ON US
　Through our various human relationships our condition is exposed. God places us in these human relationships for no reason other than to break us. He is not interested in what we have done for Him. He cares about what He can do in us. Believers who do not allow God to work on them cannot do much for God. God first wants to work Himself in the Son through the Spirit into us. Whether or not we are willing to pay a price in our service and whether or not our consecration is genuine are small matters to Him. However, whether or not He can work Himself into us is of great importance.
　God cannot work Himself into us if we are not broken. Very few Christians, including missionaries, have let God work on them. Hence, even though Christians are engaged in numerous activities, God is not fully expressed in them.
　What kind of work are we doing with the young people? Are we supplying them with His pure life? Whether we can supply the young people with His pure life depends on whether we have been broken and purified by the Lord. The effectiveness of our work does not depend on persuasive messages, which can be sounding brass and a clanging cymbal. The effectiveness of our work depends on the work that God has done in us.
　Our present need is not to deliver messages but to give our testimony. The young believers need to know what kind of person we are. They need to know our experiences of being broken. Such testimonies are more effective than messages. We can shepherd others only to the extent that we have been worked on by God. If we have not been worked on by God in a certain matter, we will not be able to shepherd others in that matter, even if we can speak eloquently.
　God’s word and the law in the universe are definite: what we sow is what we will reap (Gal. 6:7). The seed that is sown will produce the same crop. Every serving one is like a seed. Hence, it does not matter what we say or what we do. We will bear fruit according to the kind of seed that we are. This is unavoidable. It is possible to train someone to surpass us in a skill because only knowledge is involved. However, life limits what can be produced. In order to bring forth a chicken, there must be a hen. Sheep bring forth sheep. We cannot expect sheep to give birth to cows. A monkey can learn to eat with a fork and a knife, because that is a matter of learning an outward behavior. However, a monkey cannot give birth to a human being, because that is a matter of life. It is possible for an average teacher to produce an excellent student, because that is a matter of knowledge. However, this would not be possible in relation to the divine life. The effectiveness of our work cannot surpass what we are. A believer who has not been worked on by God will not be successful in the work. A person who is useful in God’s hand faces many difficulties because God is working in him. Certain matters will be problems to him but not problems to others.
　When we are in ourselves, we are often full of feelings. For example, we become elated and proud when we think that we are doing well spiritually. After a period of time, however, we become dejected and feel that we are not doing so well. These situations show that we are in ourselves. Therefore, God deals with us in order to break us and deliver us from the self. His work will bring us to the point that, whether we are touched by a certain matter or under the pressure of a problem, our feelings would not fluctuate. This indicates that we have been saved from the self.
　The more God works on us to break us, the more we are delivered from the self and our feelings. We will not be focused on whether we are proud, happy, or sorrowful. We will have no ground to boast or to be discouraged, because we have been delivered from the self. This process takes place when God touches us.
　
TWO ASPECTS OF SPIRITUAL PURSUIT
　There must be some spiritual pursuit in the church service. If our service consists merely of making arrangements concerning church affairs without spiritual pursuit, our service will fall into formality and will become empty and dead. If we want our service to be living and practical with a plan and a goal, we must have spiritual pursuit.
　Spiritual pursuit can be carried out according to our situation. There are two aspects to our spiritual pursuit. One aspect is that the serving ones must learn spiritual lessons. It is not sufficient to be saved. We must receive the dealing of the cross in order to be broken, we must know how to fellowship and coordinate with others in the Holy Spirit, and we must be properly built up with others. The more we learn, the more spiritual insight we will have. This will enable us to see what God wants to obtain today. Then we can shepherd the saints. Without such learning, we have no way to shepherd the saints into a deeper pursuit.
　The second aspect of spiritual pursuit concerns taking care of the spiritual condition of those who are under our care. For example, if a brother goes to a certain place and notices that there are not many new believers or that the new believers are not established, he will need to supply the saints by leading them to know the assurance of salvation. If he notices that some of the saints are assured of their salvation but have not consecrated themselves, he will need to lead them into consecration. If some saints have consecrated themselves to the Lord but have not yet learned to fellowship with the Lord, he will need to lead them into fellowshipping with the Lord.
　Spiritual pursuit is based on what the serving ones learn concerning the spiritual condition of the saints. A teacher should first receive adequate education. If he has only an elementary education, his endeavors to teach high-school students will not amount to much, because he does not have a high-school or college education. A person must receive an adequate amount of education in order for him to teach others. Furthermore, he must observe the need of his students. On the one hand, he must receive a substantially high education, and on the other hand, he must observe the need of his students. Then he will be a good teacher.
　The co-workers who serve in a local church must observe the spiritual condition of the saints. They need to understand where the saints are in order to lead the saints in their spiritual pursuit. Through fellowship the co-workers should determine which brothers should minister the word to meet the spiritual need of the saints. Suppose the saints have not learned how to be filled by the Holy Spirit or how to give the Holy Spirit the ground in them. The co-workers should fellowship concerning this matter during their service meeting. Some brothers will receive the burden to speak a word to enlighten the saints and open their understanding. On the one hand, many messages can be given concerning being filled with the Holy Spirit or concerning allowing the Holy Spirit to have the ground in us. On the other hand, the co-workers should also focus on this matter when they fellowship with the elders and the responsible ones. In this way a spiritual atmosphere will be raised up among the saints, and they will be brought into being filled with the Holy Spirit and giving Him the ground.
　The full-time serving ones must bear the burden of taking the lead. They should have a spiritual pursuit, and they should also pray, even fast and pray, concerning the saints. Perhaps giving a message should not be the first step in leading the saints. Perhaps the first step should be to gather the saints into smaller groups, not for an official meeting but to fellowship in order to determine where the saints are and what their spiritual needs are. Then the co-workers should fellowship and pray concerning how to infuse the saints with a particular burden. This is the way to lead the saints step by step in their spiritual pursuit.
　If the churches lack an atmosphere of spiritual pursuit, our service will lose its content and goal, and we will not make progress. For example, suppose today Brother A has a burden and gives a message according to that burden, and tomorrow Brother B has a different burden and gives a message according to his burden. Even if the messages are good, the saints may not get the help. If there is no leading in our service and meetings, that is, if there is no trumpeting of the same tune, the saints will not be able to follow, and their spiritual condition will not improve.
　In terms of educational development, a student continues to junior high school after finishing elementary school. The subjects he learns in junior high school are at a junior-high level. Hence, there is a goal and a schedule in his education. After graduating from junior high school, he proceeds to high school and studies there for four years in order to graduate. After being educated in this way, a young person will have made substantial progress. He will not only know how to read and write but also have a certain amount of advanced knowledge.
　It makes a big difference whether or not a co-worker knows how to serve. A co-worker can stay in the same place for three years and not have results. Such a situation can be compared to a student who studies many subjects but does not progress. The co-workers must come together and fellowship concerning the spiritual condition of the saints, the need of the saints, and how to lead the saints. Then the brothers who minister the word will have the same burden. In this way the messages will have a goal and will stir up the saints to pursue the Lord.
　After three months the saints will have received much benefit, and the co-workers can consider the content for the next stage of spiritual pursuit. This should be the practice in every church, and every responsible one should practice this. This is similar to the educational system. Then every year we will perfect many young people.
　I hope that the co-workers will learn how to work. They should study the situation in every locality and find out how many saints attend at least one meeting and how many attend the meetings regularly. Based on the various conditions of the saints, the co-workers can properly shepherd, teach, perfect, and build up the saints. This is a great work. The saints have been placed in our hands, and we are accountable for them. We should not be overjoyed when we are enlightened, nor should we be discouraged and consider ourselves incapable. We must realize that being overjoyed, discouraged, proud, or humble are of no avail. We must receive mercy and be delivered from our feelings. We must receive a burden before the Lord to bear the responsibility for the spiritual growth of the saints. We should know their spiritual needs and shepherd them into caring for their spiritual growth. Eventually, every church will be filled with an atmosphere of spiritual pursuit. This is the proper way to work.
　Without adequate fellowship the co-workers should not expect to be able to work for the Lord. The co-workers must have much fellowship in order to determine the needs of the saints. Fellowship does not mean that the co-workers agree that this week there is a message concerning love, next week a message concerning faith, and the following week a message concerning hope or endurance. Such messages would not be fruitful; they would not educate the saints. From the viewpoint of education, this is misleading. The co-workers must observe the spiritual condition of the saints in order to understand what the saints truly need. Then the brothers responsible for ministering the word can receive a burden, and the brothers responsible for visitation should pick up the same burden. Everything the co-workers say should follow the same burden. In this way the churches will be filled with a spiritual atmosphere. When we work in this way, we will see that the Spirit will follow us and bless our labor. Many people will be saved and will consecrate themselves to take this way.
　
OUR WORK BEING TO OBSERVE THE SPIRITUAL NEED
　Many Christian workers labor and give messages, yet after many years those whom they gain are not clearly saved. This is an indication that those workers do not know how to work. We cannot follow that way. If we notice that the saints are not clear concerning salvation, we should give messages concerning the truth of salvation in order to lead the saints to know that they are saved. Not only so, we should lead the saints into consecration, as well as into having some dealings. When the saints enter into one matter, we can then help them to go further. This is the way we should work so that our labor is not in vain. Pride and humility are of no avail. We must bear the spiritual burden of the saints according to their actual condition. Hence, we must constantly study their spiritual condition so that they can advance. Then we will touch God’s heart’s desire, and our work will be valuable.
　When the apostle Paul was in Ephesus, he met a number of disciples and immediately asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit. They replied that they did not even hear whether there was a Holy Spirit. After learning that they had received John’s baptism, Paul explained to them their need to believe into the One who came after John, that is, into Jesus. Then Paul baptized them and laid his hands on them so that they might receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7). Paul did not give a message according to his burden; rather, he served according to the need of the people he met. We must learn to know the need of the people we are with so that our leading is practical. I hope that the co-workers will pay attention to this matter and learn how to work.
　
TWO ASPECTS OF OUR WORK
　There are two aspects to knowing how to work: letting God work in us and studying the techniques of working. To let God work in us means that we allow God to deal with what is natural and to lead us and teach us various lessons. We should also spend time to study and improve our techniques and to understand the needs of people in general, as well as the needs of the saints. We can shepherd the saints and the people around us based on their actual need. Then our service will have a spiritual flavor and will be in life. Furthermore, our service will have a goal and will be living and practical. May the Lord have mercy on us so that we may pay full attention to these matters. Otherwise, we may serve the saints, but they will not receive any benefit. This would be a great loss.
 
　　许多人在得救一段时间后，会忽然开始怀疑自己到底有没有得救，然后竭尽所能要寻找自己得救的凭据和把握。倪柝声弟兄曾说，凡疑惑自己得救的人，都是证明他得救了；凡没有疑惑过自己得救的人，应该知道自己其实没有得救。这意思是，我们不必怀疑自己得救的情形，或怀疑自己究竟得救了没有。

　　每次说到自己的得救，我们都不太觉得是怎样了不起的一件事。一切属灵的经历，就我们而言，几乎一直是起起落落的。初得救时，喜乐又高昂，觉得自己得救了，不一样了。等过了一段时间，就开始怀疑自己到底得救了没有，人跟着落下去了。说到认识自己，奉献自己，接受十字架的功课，出代价跟从主，也都是如此。每一个人仿佛都定规有一个时期，属灵的光景起来时，就事奉神，出代价接受十字架，好像祷告也很摸着神。但是到了一个时候，属灵的光景落下去了。实际上，并不一定是落下去，只是觉得自己这个功课没学好，那个功课也没有学好，这样不行，那样也不行。
 
　After a period of time many believers begin to doubt their salvation and look for proof and assurance of their salvation. Brother Nee once said that the fact a person doubts his salvation is proof that he is saved. A person who has never doubted his salvation has not been saved. This means that we should neither doubt the condition of our salvation or the fact of our salvation.

　Whenever we speak of our own salvation, we do not necessarily feel that it is something tremendous. All our spiritual experiences have ups and downs. After experiencing salvation, a believer is joyful and buoyant, but after a period of time he begins to doubt his salvation and is no longer joyful. Our experiences concerning knowing ourselves, consecration, the cross, and following the Lord are similar to the experiences of a new believer. Every believer goes through a period of time when his spiritual condition is up, a time when he is willing to serve God, to take the cross, and to pray. Then after a point in time his spiritual condition goes down. Actually, his condition may not be going down, but he feels that he has not learned a particular lesson or that he is not acceptable in a particular matter.
　　当我们觉得自己真奉献的时候，不一定就是真奉献；当我们觉得自己出代价的时候，也不一定真是出代价。这些都不一定真确。同样的，当我们觉得自己在奉献上有了问题时，也不一定真有了问题；当我们觉得自己不肯出代价时，也不一定是不肯出代价。这的确很奇妙，人的感觉与事实不一定相合。你觉得你是那样出代价，不一定；你觉得你没有出代价，不一定。你觉得你这个人谦卑，不一定；你觉得自己骄傲，恐怕那是你最谦卑的时候。许多时候，事实和你自己所以为的感觉、想像恰恰相反。

　　有时你觉得你和主之间的光景很好，事实上并不那样好。有时你觉得你与主之间关系很差，很不像样，你既不大亲近主，也不爱主；不料，在主眼里，此时却是你和主关系最好的时候。所以我们怎样觉得自己，怎样想像自己，全数是不可靠的。事实完全不是如我们自己所想的。

　　我们所以会这样，有起有落，没有别的原因，全在于我们是在自己里面。当你觉得读经好的时候，要记得那不过是证明你在自己里面。你若不在自己里面，即使读经好，你也不会觉得。你若是不在自己里面，即使你顶谦卑，你都不会觉得自己谦卑。

　　旧约时代，当摩西从西乃山上下来时，他没有看见，也不觉得自己的脸上放光，而是别人看见了（出三四29~30）。所以，当我们觉得自己奉献，出了代价，摸着一点属灵的实际，认识召会，能看见属灵的亮光，读经开窍，祷告有摸着时，这一切的感觉，无非证明我们是在自己里面。过一段时间，可能我们又觉得，自己是相反的情形，觉得自己不行，起不来，觉得自己不是那样积极。请记得，这又证明我们是在自己里面。这些感觉都证明我们在自己里面。我们若不在自己里面，读经读得好也罢，读得差也罢，我们都不会觉得。属灵功课学得好不好，我们也不会有什么觉得。这是很奇妙的事。实在说，事情是在那里，但因为我们脱离了自己，就没有那个“觉得”。所以，你若还觉得这个，觉得那个，就证明你还在自己里头，分析自己属灵不属灵。
 
　When we feel that we have genuinely consecrated ourselves or paid a price, our feelings may not be accurate. Similarly, when we feel that there is a problem with our consecration or that we have not paid a price, these feelings may not be accurate either. Our feelings do not necessarily correspond with our condition. When we feel that we are paying a great price, it may not be so. The same applies to when we feel that we have not paid a price. We may consider ourselves to be humble, but actually we may be very proud. We may consider ourselves to be proud, but actually we may be very humble. Many times our condition is the opposite of our feelings and considerations.

　Sometimes a believer feels that his spiritual condition is good, but his condition before the Lord is not so good. Sometimes he may feel that he cannot touch the Lord or that he does not love the Lord, but this may be the time when his relationship with the Lord is the sweetest. Our considerations are not reliable, and our spiritual condition is not according to our consideration.

　Experiencing spiritual ups and downs shows that we are in the self. When we feel that we are doing well in reading the Bible, we are in the self. When we are not in the self, we often have no sense concerning our reading of the Bible, and when we are not in the self, we often have no feeling concerning our humility.

　When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, he did not know that his face was shining. It was the other Israelites who saw that his face was shining (Exo. 34:29-30). Hence, we must realize that the feelings we have related to our consecration, our paying a price, our touching a certain spiritual reality, our knowing the church, our receiving of spiritual light, our understanding of the Bible, and our touching of the Lord in prayer all come from the self. After a period of time these feelings change. This proves that these feelings come from the self. Whether our feelings are positive or negative, they are from the self. When we are not in the self, we have no feeling concerning reading the Bible or learning a spiritual lesson. On the one hand, not having a feeling about a particular matter or thing is often an indication that we are not in the self. On the other hand, a certain feeling or analysis related to our spiritual condition is often an indication that we are in the self.
　　神是很有智慧的，一直把我们摆在人群当中。试想，若是把我们任何一个人，单独摆在一处，每一个人都会觉得自己是世界上最好的。因为在我们眼中，宇宙间只有一位创造的主，和一位受造者─就是“我”，所以我是最完全的。我的骄傲显不出来，因为既没有焦急的环境，也没有可发脾气的事，所以什么都显不出来。然而，事实上不可能有这样的环境，也不会有这样的事情。

　　神所作的是最有智慧的，在我们还没有得救时，就把我们摆在人群中。得救了以后，仍是把我们摆在社会中，借着一层一层的人际关系，显出我们真实的光景。比方，当我们有了家庭，家里还有三个孩子时，请问你还会觉得自己很好么？可能这时我们会想，为什么主不把我们摆在一个环境里，使我们能运用恩赐，一作工，人就爱主，工作就开了？不，主不给我们这个环境。无论我们如何挣扎，都无法逃开这一层一层的人际关系。神就是要把我们摆在这一层层的人际关系里，借此，把你我真实的光景，显得清清楚楚，并且要我们从其中学习真实地功课，有真实地破碎。

　　没有人可以不和其他人发生关系，而能学习破碎的功课。若是有一位圣徒，他没有任何亲人，只有他一个人；他也没有任何同工，就是他一个人作工，请问他能从何处学到破碎的功课，或者他有什么地方需要破碎？请记得，不在人群中学习被破碎，就永远不能把自己真实的光景显出来。

　　一切的破碎，都是在人群中学得的。多一层人际关系，就多一层破碎的需要；多一层人际关系，就多一层破碎的要求。这是定规的。未婚时，少一层破碎；结了婚，就多一层破碎的要求。生了一个孩子，多一点破碎；再多几个孩子，就更多破碎。没有和弟兄们住在一起，就少一层破碎的要求；和弟兄们住在一起，就多一层破碎。没有作负责弟兄，就少一层破碎的要求；一旦作了负责弟兄，就多一层破碎的要求。我们要看见，多一层人际关系，就多一层破碎的要求。若是我们今天在召会中作个弟兄，不作长老，不作执事，不和圣徒配搭，只是自己活在主面前，与主有交通，规规矩矩的读经、祷告，我们就永远不会被破碎。

　　请想想看，如果有这样一位弟兄在我们中间，这个人身上会不会有一点破碎的要求？当然不会。然而，主有祂智慧的安排，祂安排给我们层层的人际关系，使我们无法脱开。你若没有结婚，没有家庭，祂就给你同作肢体的，叫你们一同事奉，一同负责，一同相处。借着层层的人际关系，你就被要求要破碎，你的光景就显出来了。
 
　In His wisdom God put us in communities and groups; otherwise, every person would think that he is the best person in the world. Every person thinks that he is the only person in the universe. Without a community our pride would not be exposed, there would not be anxiety in our environment, and we would not be provoked to lose our temper. If we did not live in a community, what is in us would not be exposed.

　God is wise in what He does. Before we were saved, He placed us in communities. After we are saved, He keeps us in communities and uses various human relationships to expose our inner condition. For example, a sister may feel that she is perfect, but after she has three children, she might feel that she is not doing so well. She may wonder why the Lord did not place her in an environment where she can use her gift to stir others up to love Him. The Lord will never allow us to escape from human relationships. God intentionally put us in relationships so that through them our condition would be manifested, and we would learn the lessons of being broken.

　No one can learn the lessons of being broken apart from having relationships with others. How can a saint who does not have relatives, lives alone, and does not have a service with other saints learn the lessons of being broken? If we do not learn to be broken in our relationships, our true condition will not be manifested.

　The lessons of being broken are learned when we are with others. Whenever we encounter a new human relationship, there is the need for us to be broken further. The addition of another human relationship in our lives will increase the demand for us to be broken. When a person is not married, there is not much of a requirement for him to be broken. Once he is married, there is the need to be broken. After he has his first child, there is the need for further breaking. The more children he has, the more breaking he will experience. If a young brother does not live with other brothers, he will not experience much of a demand to be broken. If he lives with other brothers, he will experience some breaking. A brother who does not bear responsibility will have fewer experiences of being broken. Once he becomes a responsible brother, he will have more experiences of being broken. The more human relationships we have, the more demands there are for us to be broken. Single brothers who love the Lord, fellowship with Him, read the Bible, and pray regularly but are not elders or deacons and do not coordinate with other saints will not be broken.

　However, the Lord is wise in His arrangement. He has arranged many human relationships for us from which we cannot escape. If you are not married and do not have relatives, He will give you other members in the Body so that you can serve and bear responsibility together with them. Through such human relationships, we experience being broken, and our spiritual condition is exposed.
　　当神把我们这些蒙恩的人，摆在一层一层的人际关系里，我们的光景就被显露出来。这不是为着别的，乃是为要破碎我们。的的确确，神并不太注意我们为祂作了什么工；但祂的确在意，祂在我们身上能作多少工。凡没有让神在他身上作过工的，都没有办法为神作什么。因为在宇宙间，神要先作一个工，把祂自己，在祂儿子里，借着祂的灵，作到我们里面。我们肯出代价也罢，不肯出代价也罢；有真实地奉献也罢，没有真实地奉献也罢，这都是小问题。最大的问题是，到底神在我们身上，有没有一个工作，能把祂自己在祂儿子里，借着祂的灵作到我们里面。

　　这个作到我们里面的工作，没有办法不经过破碎。祂若没有破碎我们，就没有办法将祂自己作到我们里面来。我们可以作许多的工，今天在地上，基督教的工作很多，传教士也多，但认真说，神在人身上的工作，却是寥寥无几。的的确确，人是作了宗教的工作，宗教的事业，有许多工作的活动，但在人身上真实的光景并没有显出神。

　　我为那些服事青少年的弟兄姊妹祷告的时候，常有一个感觉：他们在带领少年人时，到底是在作一个什么工作？他们是不是把纯洁的生命，供应给这些少年人？他们能不能把纯洁的生命，供应给这些少年人，端看他们在主面前有没有被主纯洁过、破碎过。作工的果效，不在于用高言大智，解释一篇篇动听的道，那只是鸣的锣，响的钹。真实地果效，乃在于神在我们身上所作的。

　　以目前的光景来说，弟兄姊妹最应该作的，不是去讲一篇篇高言大智的道，乃要好好去作见证。不要讲别的，只要把自己是怎样的人，好好说给弟兄姊妹听。说说这一年半来，自己经过怎样的过程，有怎样的破碎，相信这比一般信息更有果效。原则乃是，只有神在我们身上作过的那一部分，我们才能作到别人身上。神在我们身上没有作过工的，即便我们觉得自己很有口才，很有道理，也讲不到、作不到别人里面，是收不到什么果效的。

　　神的话和宇宙中的定律是铁定的，种的是什么，收的就是什么；撒什么样的种，就长什么样的东西（加六7）。我们都无法否认，一个事奉神的人就是一粒种子。所以，不是我们如何讲、如何作的问题。我们是怎样一粒种子，只会结出和我们一样的果子，这是无法逃避的。中国有句俚语：“有状元徒弟，没有状元师父。”在世界里，不是状元的师父，却有可能教出状元的徒弟，因为没有生命的问题。然而在生命里，不可能如此。要生鸡，就必须是鸡。一只羊生出来的，必定是羊；我们无法叫一只羊生出一只牛。猴子学吃西餐，这是可能的，因为外面的行为是可以教导的。然而请记得，猴子绝没有办法生出人，因为这是生命的问题。在学问上，没有状元师父，也可能产生状元徒弟；但是在属灵生命里，没有这样的事。你就是你，你工作的果效，永远不可能超过你这个人。凡没有让神厉害作过工的人，都无法作好的工。为这缘故，一个在神手里为神所用的人，一生不容易有顺畅的时期。许多事摆在别人身上没有问题，一摆在这样的人身上就是问题。因为神乃是要在这样的人身上，作厉害的工作。

　　当我们留在自己里面时，我们常是满有感觉。比方，属灵情形好一点，属灵情形起来时，真是趾高气昂，非常了不得。等过了一段时间，又垂头丧气，叹息自己不行。这都是因为留在自己里面，而有许多的感觉。所以，神要借着在我们身上作工，破碎我们，对付我们，使我们脱离自己。到一个地步，我们即使在属灵上有所看见，也默不作声；即使里面有什么压制，有什么为难，也像是没有一样。有些事物虽然摸着我们，有的难处虽然压在我们身上，但我们自己的感觉却是轻多了。这就证明，我们已经相当从自己里面出来了。

　　简单的说，我们给神破碎越多，拯救越多，我们留在自己里面就越少。我们留在自己里面越少，自己的感觉就除去得越多，而无所谓骄傲，无所谓情感，无所谓快乐，也无所谓痛苦。既没有多少可夸，也没有多少可灰心，因为我们已相当脱离自己。这些过程没有别的，乃是神来摸我们，以带领、拯救我们。
 
　Through our various human relationships our condition is exposed. God places us in these human relationships for no reason other than to break us. He is not interested in what we have done for Him. He cares about what He can do in us. Believers who do not allow God to work on them cannot do much for God. God first wants to work Himself in the Son through the Spirit into us. Whether or not we are willing to pay a price in our service and whether or not our consecration is genuine are small matters to Him. However, whether or not He can work Himself into us is of great importance.

　God cannot work Himself into us if we are not broken. Very few Christians, including missionaries, have let God work on them. Hence, even though Christians are engaged in numerous activities, God is not fully expressed in them.

　What kind of work are we doing with the young people? Are we supplying them with His pure life? Whether we can supply the young people with His pure life depends on whether we have been broken and purified by the Lord. The effectiveness of our work does not depend on persuasive messages, which can be sounding brass and a clanging cymbal. The effectiveness of our work depends on the work that God has done in us.

　Our present need is not to deliver messages but to give our testimony. The young believers need to know what kind of person we are. They need to know our experiences of being broken. Such testimonies are more effective than messages. We can shepherd others only to the extent that we have been worked on by God. If we have not been worked on by God in a certain matter, we will not be able to shepherd others in that matter, even if we can speak eloquently.

　God’s word and the law in the universe are definite: what we sow is what we will reap (Gal. 6:7). The seed that is sown will produce the same crop. Every serving one is like a seed. Hence, it does not matter what we say or what we do. We will bear fruit according to the kind of seed that we are. This is unavoidable. It is possible to train someone to surpass us in a skill because only knowledge is involved. However, life limits what can be produced. In order to bring forth a chicken, there must be a hen. Sheep bring forth sheep. We cannot expect sheep to give birth to cows. A monkey can learn to eat with a fork and a knife, because that is a matter of learning an outward behavior. However, a monkey cannot give birth to a human being, because that is a matter of life. It is possible for an average teacher to produce an excellent student, because that is a matter of knowledge. However, this would not be possible in relation to the divine life. The effectiveness of our work cannot surpass what we are. A believer who has not been worked on by God will not be successful in the work. A person who is useful in God’s hand faces many difficulties because God is working in him. Certain matters will be problems to him but not problems to others.

　When we are in ourselves, we are often full of feelings. For example, we become elated and proud when we think that we are doing well spiritually. After a period of time, however, we become dejected and feel that we are not doing so well. These situations show that we are in ourselves. Therefore, God deals with us in order to break us and deliver us from the self. His work will bring us to the point that, whether we are touched by a certain matter or under the pressure of a problem, our feelings would not fluctuate. This indicates that we have been saved from the self.

　The more God works on us to break us, the more we are delivered from the self and our feelings. We will not be focused on whether we are proud, happy, or sorrowful. We will have no ground to boast or to be discouraged, because we have been delivered from the self. This process takes place when God touches us.
　　我们一再说过，在召会的事奉里，必须有一点属灵的追求。若是我们的事奉，只是在聚会中，按时候事奉配搭，按时候安排事情，而失去属灵的追求，就会落到形式里，成为空的、死的。若要使我们的事奉是活的，并且实际而有路线、有目标、有章程，就必须有属灵的追求。

　　属灵的追求，需要根据两方面的情形。一方面是我们这些事奉的人，在神面前有属灵的学习，不只是得救，并且受过十字架的对付，学十字架破碎的功课，懂得如何交通，如何在圣灵里与人配搭，甚至有合式的建造。我们越学得好，越有属灵的异象，就能看见神在今天所要得着的。这时，我们给人属灵的带领，就是独特的。我们若没有这些学习，便无法带领人有更深的追求。

　　属灵追求的另一面，是需要顾到受带领人实际的情形。比方，你到了一个地方，看见人还没有得救，或是刚得救还没有稳固，就需要给人一个供应，带他追求得救的证实。或是你看见人得救了，已经有得救的把握，只是爱主的情形不够，奉献还没有过关，你就需要带领他有奉献。或者一些弟兄姊妹已将自己奉献给主，但是还没有学习如何与主交通，你就要带他们学习与主交通。

　　总之，属灵的追求，一面是根据带领者所学习的，一面是根据受带领者实际的情形。这如同一个教育家办教育，首先，教育家本身需要先受相当的教育。他若仅仅读过小学，便谈不上办教育，因为中学的他不懂，大学的更不明白。他总得是个有相当教育程度的人，才能办教育。另一面，当他实际办教育时，就必须观察社会中的环境。如果一地有小学，大部分人是小学毕业，就可以接着办中学；若是那里已经有中学，就可以接着办专科或大学；如果完全没有任何教育可言，就得从头作起。一面教育家必须受相当高的教育，另一面必须观察人群社会里，教育程度到了什么地步。根据这两面的情形，就知道该如何带领当地的教育。

　　属灵的带领也是这样。同工们无论在那一个会所，或者那一个地方召会，都得把当地圣徒属灵的光景好好看过。了解他们属灵程度到了什么境地，再带领他们注意那一部分，有那一方面的追求。从同工们的交通中，找出一个结论，再找出人作话语的出口，释放话语，以应付圣徒中间属灵的饥渴，和属灵的需要。比方，我们观察到圣徒们还没有好好学习被圣灵充满，让圣灵有地位、有主权。我们就在事奉交通中交通，等有了结论，就该有人接受负担，用话语开导、启发弟兄姊妹。一面，在讲台上释放一篇一篇的话语，使弟兄姊妹被圣灵充满，让圣灵有地位、有主权。另一面，和长老们或各分家负责弟兄交通时，也要注意这件事，好使弟兄姊妹中间，很快的有一种属天的空气，有一种属灵的气氛，众人都追求圣灵里面的充满，让圣灵在我们里面有地位、有主权。

　　全时间服事的弟兄姊妹需要负起带头作用，不仅自己要这样的追求，有这个祷告，甚至需要禁食祷告。或许有时不要先召集大聚会释放信息，而先召集少数有心的人聚集。这样的聚集，不是正式的聚会，而是非正式的谈一谈，看看圣徒们的光景如何，弟兄姊妹有什么属灵的需要。众人一同交通，一同祷告，把感觉灌输到弟兄姊妹里面，请他们回去祷告，并且和配搭的一同交通，如何在聚会中释放该有的信息。这样过了一段时间，弟兄姊妹差不多都带过来了，到那时，就可再往前进入另一个阶段。

　　各地召会或各会所，若是缺乏属灵追求的空气，事奉就没有中心，没有目标，没有路线，里头自然是空洞、没有进度的。以讲台信息为例，今天我觉得有这样的负担，就讲这么一篇；明天你觉得有那一个负担，就讲那一篇。结果篇篇是好道，众人听来却都是空洞、没有内容的话。若是事奉和聚会没有中心，没有带领，没有一个号筒，发出同样的号声，叫大家能共同跟随，很快的一年、二年过去了，众圣徒属灵的光景不会有任何的进步。

　　这如同办教育一样，小学生读过小学，马上升入初中。这时，无论是给他们国文、数学、化学、或其他一切的学问，都是初中程度的。这里就有一个中心，一个目标，一条路线，教这些学生们。同时很有进度，一年级、二年级、三年级，然后初中毕业了。接着上到高中，一年级、二年级、三年级，高中也毕业了。经过六年，这些青年子弟，在教育上因着有进度，就有了长足的进步。他们不仅读书、识字，并且在教育知识上，有确定的进度。

　　同工们在一个地方会不会作工，讲究相当大。他们可以在一地带一年、二年，甚至三年，却什么也没有带出来。好像办教育的人不懂得教育，不过让人在那里读书，读这个也好，读那个也可以，至于人的程度如何，该有什么进度，什么中心，什么路线，都无所谓。结果，人什么也没有学到。所以，我们必须来在一起，彻底研究圣徒们属灵的程度，了解他们到底到了什么境地，今后需要什么带领。这样研究出一个结论，让尽话语职事的弟兄们接受负担，释放这一方面的信息。这样的信息就有中心，有路线，有目标，能叫弟兄姊妹都起来饥渴的追求。

　　这样作了三个月，众人都有所得着后，再照着那时的情形，定规下一阶段属灵追求的内容。认真说，每一个会所都当如此作，甚至每一个分家的负责都该如此。这完全如同办教育一样，有中心，有路线，有目标，有系统。一天过一天，一年过一年，青年人就会让我们带着往前去。

　　盼望同工们都学会作工，好好研究各会所的情形，有多少人曾经参加聚会，又有多少人经常参加聚会，照着圣徒不同的情形，好好牧养、教导、造就、建造。这的确是一个很大的工作。一天天、一周周、一年年，人被摆在我们手中，我们是有责任的。不要因着一些属灵的开启，就喜出望外；或是因着看自己这个不行，那个不行，就垂头丧气。要知道，高兴没有用，丧气没有用，骄傲没有用，谦卑也没有用。我们要蒙怜悯脱离自己的感觉，在主面前好好接受负担，背负人属灵长进的担子，清楚人属灵的需要，给人属灵的带领，使弟兄姊妹都在意属灵的长进。结果，全会所都能闻到属灵追求的气氛和空气。这就是好的工作。

　　然而，若是同工中没有够多的交通，永远不要盼望能为主作什么工作。同工们必须多有交通，具体的找出圣徒们的需要。但交通的意思，并不是说，我们众人谈好，你照你的负担，用台语释放一篇信息；他照他的负担，讲关于“爱”的话；另一个人讲关于“信”的信息；等再过一周，一个人讲“望”，另一个就讲“忍耐”。要知道，这在属灵上是没有用，是骗人的。从教育的角度来看，这叫“误人子弟”。这不是办教育，而是拿弟兄姊妹开玩笑。我们需要好好观察弟兄姊妹属灵的情形，了解他们究竟需要什么。得到结论后，站讲台的弟兄就接受这个负担，探望的人跟上这个负担，见证、谈论的也照着这个负担，让会所里充满这个属灵的空气。若是这样，我们才是真的作了一点工；我们才能看见，神的灵随着这个一再的祝福我们，使许多人得救，奉献，走前面的道路。
 
　There must be some spiritual pursuit in the church service. If our service consists merely of making arrangements concerning church affairs without spiritual pursuit, our service will fall into formality and will become empty and dead. If we want our service to be living and practical with a plan and a goal, we must have spiritual pursuit.

　Spiritual pursuit can be carried out according to our situation. There are two aspects to our spiritual pursuit. One aspect is that the serving ones must learn spiritual lessons. It is not sufficient to be saved. We must receive the dealing of the cross in order to be broken, we must know how to fellowship and coordinate with others in the Holy Spirit, and we must be properly built up with others. The more we learn, the more spiritual insight we will have. This will enable us to see what God wants to obtain today. Then we can shepherd the saints. Without such learning, we have no way to shepherd the saints into a deeper pursuit.

　The second aspect of spiritual pursuit concerns taking care of the spiritual condition of those who are under our care. For example, if a brother goes to a certain place and notices that there are not many new believers or that the new believers are not established, he will need to supply the saints by leading them to know the assurance of salvation. If he notices that some of the saints are assured of their salvation but have not consecrated themselves, he will need to lead them into consecration. If some saints have consecrated themselves to the Lord but have not yet learned to fellowship with the Lord, he will need to lead them into fellowshipping with the Lord.

　Spiritual pursuit is based on what the serving ones learn concerning the spiritual condition of the saints. A teacher should first receive adequate education. If he has only an elementary education, his endeavors to teach high-school students will not amount to much, because he does not have a high-school or college education. A person must receive an adequate amount of education in order for him to teach others. Furthermore, he must observe the need of his students. On the one hand, he must receive a substantially high education, and on the other hand, he must observe the need of his students. Then he will be a good teacher.

　The co-workers who serve in a local church must observe the spiritual condition of the saints. They need to understand where the saints are in order to lead the saints in their spiritual pursuit. Through fellowship the co-workers should determine which brothers should minister the word to meet the spiritual need of the saints. Suppose the saints have not learned how to be filled by the Holy Spirit or how to give the Holy Spirit the ground in them. The co-workers should fellowship concerning this matter during their service meeting. Some brothers will receive the burden to speak a word to enlighten the saints and open their understanding. On the one hand, many messages can be given concerning being filled with the Holy Spirit or concerning allowing the Holy Spirit to have the ground in us. On the other hand, the co-workers should also focus on this matter when they fellowship with the elders and the responsible ones. In this way a spiritual atmosphere will be raised up among the saints, and they will be brought into being filled with the Holy Spirit and giving Him the ground.

　The full-time serving ones must bear the burden of taking the lead. They should have a spiritual pursuit, and they should also pray, even fast and pray, concerning the saints. Perhaps giving a message should not be the first step in leading the saints. Perhaps the first step should be to gather the saints into smaller groups, not for an official meeting but to fellowship in order to determine where the saints are and what their spiritual needs are. Then the co-workers should fellowship and pray concerning how to infuse the saints with a particular burden. This is the way to lead the saints step by step in their spiritual pursuit.

　If the churches lack an atmosphere of spiritual pursuit, our service will lose its content and goal, and we will not make progress. For example, suppose today Brother A has a burden and gives a message according to that burden, and tomorrow Brother B has a different burden and gives a message according to his burden. Even if the messages are good, the saints may not get the help. If there is no leading in our service and meetings, that is, if there is no trumpeting of the same tune, the saints will not be able to follow, and their spiritual condition will not improve.

　In terms of educational development, a student continues to junior high school after finishing elementary school. The subjects he learns in junior high school are at a junior-high level. Hence, there is a goal and a schedule in his education. After graduating from junior high school, he proceeds to high school and studies there for four years in order to graduate. After being educated in this way, a young person will have made substantial progress. He will not only know how to read and write but also have a certain amount of advanced knowledge.

　It makes a big difference whether or not a co-worker knows how to serve. A co-worker can stay in the same place for three years and not have results. Such a situation can be compared to a student who studies many subjects but does not progress. The co-workers must come together and fellowship concerning the spiritual condition of the saints, the need of the saints, and how to lead the saints. Then the brothers who minister the word will have the same burden. In this way the messages will have a goal and will stir up the saints to pursue the Lord.

　After three months the saints will have received much benefit, and the co-workers can consider the content for the next stage of spiritual pursuit. This should be the practice in every church, and every responsible one should practice this. This is similar to the educational system. Then every year we will perfect many young people.

　I hope that the co-workers will learn how to work. They should study the situation in every locality and find out how many saints attend at least one meeting and how many attend the meetings regularly. Based on the various conditions of the saints, the co-workers can properly shepherd, teach, perfect, and build up the saints. This is a great work. The saints have been placed in our hands, and we are accountable for them. We should not be overjoyed when we are enlightened, nor should we be discouraged and consider ourselves incapable. We must realize that being overjoyed, discouraged, proud, or humble are of no avail. We must receive mercy and be delivered from our feelings. We must receive a burden before the Lord to bear the responsibility for the spiritual growth of the saints. We should know their spiritual needs and shepherd them into caring for their spiritual growth. Eventually, every church will be filled with an atmosphere of spiritual pursuit. This is the proper way to work.

　Without adequate fellowship the co-workers should not expect to be able to work for the Lord. The co-workers must have much fellowship in order to determine the needs of the saints. Fellowship does not mean that the co-workers agree that this week there is a message concerning love, next week a message concerning faith, and the following week a message concerning hope or endurance. Such messages would not be fruitful; they would not educate the saints. From the viewpoint of education, this is misleading. The co-workers must observe the spiritual condition of the saints in order to understand what the saints truly need. Then the brothers responsible for ministering the word can receive a burden, and the brothers responsible for visitation should pick up the same burden. Everything the co-workers say should follow the same burden. In this way the churches will be filled with a spiritual atmosphere. When we work in this way, we will see that the Spirit will follow us and bless our labor. Many people will be saved and will consecrate themselves to take this way.
　　许多基督的工人一再作工，一再的讲道，作了几年，讲了几年，却没有人清楚得救。这就说出那些讲道的人，不懂什么是作工。我们却不能这样。我们到了一个地方，一看见圣徒对救恩不清楚，就要释放关于救恩的真理，带人相信、清楚自己得救了。不但如此，还要带领人奉献，带领人有对付。等众人都进入了，再带领他们往前去。这样，我们才是会作工，我们的工夫才不白费。请记得，骄傲一点用处都没有用，谦卑一点也不值钱。我们一定要照着弟兄姊妹实际的情形，一同担负弟兄姊妹属灵的担子，研究弟兄姊妹中间属灵的情形，不断地往前。这才能摸着神的心意，才是有价值的工作。

　　在使徒行传里，当使徒保罗来到以弗所，遇见几位门徒，他立刻就问，他们信的时候，受了圣灵没有。他们回答说，他们连圣灵都没有听说过。保罗便立刻向他们陈明，他们所受的是约翰的浸，但他们应当信入那在约翰以后来的，就是耶稣。接着就为他们施浸、按手，使他们接受圣灵的浇灌（十九1~7）。使徒保罗不是喜欢释放那一篇道，就讲那一篇道，他乃是照着人实际的需要，在那里服事。所以，我们要懂得人的需要，给人实际的带领。盼望同工们在这点上要注意，要学会作工。
 
　Many Christian workers labor and give messages, yet after many years those whom they gain are not clearly saved. This is an indication that those workers do not know how to work. We cannot follow that way. If we notice that the saints are not clear concerning salvation, we should give messages concerning the truth of salvation in order to lead the saints to know that they are saved. Not only so, we should lead the saints into consecration, as well as into having some dealings. When the saints enter into one matter, we can then help them to go further. This is the way we should work so that our labor is not in vain. Pride and humility are of no avail. We must bear the spiritual burden of the saints according to their actual condition. Hence, we must constantly study their spiritual condition so that they can advance. Then we will touch God’s heart’s desire, and our work will be valuable.

　When the apostle Paul was in Ephesus, he met a number of disciples and immediately asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit. They replied that they did not even hear whether there was a Holy Spirit. After learning that they had received John’s baptism, Paul explained to them their need to believe into the One who came after John, that is, into Jesus. Then Paul baptized them and laid his hands on them so that they might receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7). Paul did not give a message according to his burden; rather, he served according to the need of the people he met. We must learn to know the need of the people we are with so that our leading is practical. I hope that the co-workers will pay attention to this matter and learn how to work.
　　什么是会作工？会作工有两面，一面是自己要让神作工，另一面是在作工的技术上有些研究。让神在我们里面作工，就是让神除去我们不该有的、天然的，并带领我们、教导我们学美好的功课。另一面还得在工作的技术上，有一点研究，清楚到底在一般人身上，以及在圣徒中间有什么需要。然后根据人的需要，给人实际的带领，有实际属灵的追求。这样，我们的事奉才能有属灵的味道，才有在生命里的服事，才有中心，有实际，才是活的，有进度、有目标的。愿主怜悯我们，使我们大大的注意这件事，否则时间过去，人经过我们的服事，却没有实际的得着，就太可惜，也太亏欠。

　　一九六〇年八月九日讲于台北
 
　There are two aspects to knowing how to work: letting God work in us and studying the techniques of working. To let God work in us means that we allow God to deal with what is natural and to lead us and teach us various lessons. We should also spend time to study and improve our techniques and to understand the needs of people in general, as well as the needs of the saints. We can shepherd the saints and the people around us based on their actual need. Then our service will have a spiritual flavor and will be in life. Furthermore, our service will have a goal and will be living and practical. May the Lord have mercy on us so that we may pay full attention to these matters. Otherwise, we may serve the saints, but they will not receive any benefit. This would be a great loss.

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