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第三篇 事奉主者需要脱离感觉的生活,向主开启以带进复兴

召会的事奉与复兴的律

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  多年来,我们一直觉得有许多一同事奉的人,还不能分别什么叫作感觉的生活,什么叫作信心的生活。这二者的讲究,在话语上可能还容易分别,但在经历中少有人能够分别。众人多半还是活在感觉里,难得有人真是凭信心生活。许多人事奉的时日并不算短,但能脱离感觉的不太多,能过信心生活的更是稀少。
  我们这样断定,是根据两面的情形:面,有少数圣徒光景活泼、新鲜,常见证主怎样与他们同在,祷告、读经怎样碰着主自己,怎样觉得主甜美。另一面,多数圣徒身上这种甜美的经历已经过去了,现在既不觉得主的同在,也不感觉主的甜美,不但不新鲜活泼,甚至还觉得沉闷受压,想退去不再事奉。这两面的光景,表面看,好像前面一种比较好,后面一种差一点。事实上,这两面都证明一件事,人都是落在感觉的生活里。他们在属灵的路程上,还是随着情感走;他们与主之间的关系,仍建立在情感上。
  凡有属灵经历的人都知道,这样一段情感的生活,或者说感觉的生活,都相当长,几乎没有一个人能在短时间内从其中出来。并且当这样的生活受到试炼时,人差不多都糊涂了。从戴德生(Hudson Taylor)弟兄的传记可以看见,连他也遭遇过同样的试炼。他有好长一段时间,觉得读经不行,祷告不行,和主的交通也不行,里头好像不觉得主的可爱。当他遭遇这种试炼时,也非常惶恐,不懂为什么会这样。你若读过这些属灵人的传记,就会发现几乎每一个人都有这样的过程。头一段时间,在主面前和主有好的交通,觉得非常甜美、新鲜、活泼。但是到了个时候,受到试炼,就下沉、苦闷、不新鲜了。有的人这样的经历,不只一次,乃是多次的;起来了又下去,再起来又下去,过着所谓波浪式的生活。这样起落的次数,和人天然的本性有关;属情感的人这种起落特别重,情感轻的人这种起落轻一点。有的人也许仅仅几次,就脱离了这种生活,但大多数人可能经过不知多少次,还留在这种生活里出不来。
  因此,当我回到主面前寻求时,里面有一个很深的感觉,主要带领我们,共同有一个美好的经历,就是从感觉的生活里出来。因为这种感觉的生活,在我们身上是个相当大的难处。
  雅歌所说属灵的经历,共有六段(歌一2~二7二8~三5三6~五1五2~六13七1~13八1~14)。头一段从章开始,直到二章七节结束,是最基础的一段。读雅歌,若是能把头一段读好,这卷书就容易向我们开启。在头一段,我们必须注意其中一个特点,就是主给人的启示很少,里面的内容差不多都是这个经历主的人,从自己的经历和感觉里说出来的。她头一句话说,“你的爱情比酒更美。”(一2)这是她的经历,也是她的感觉,并不是主的启示。她对主的认识,是由于她的经历,不是由于主的启示。然后,她又说,我的良人像“一袋没药”,又像“一束凤仙花”,也像“苹果树在树林中”(一13~14二3),这些都是她从经历的感觉中说出来的。
  同时,在这一段里,她属灵的追求也都离不开她的感觉。她求问主说,“我心所爱的啊,…你在何处牧放羊群?晌午在何处使羊群歇卧?我何必在你众同伴的羊群旁边,好像蒙着脸的人呢?”(歌一7。)她说这话,意思不是别的,乃是说那些不追求主的人是挨饿的,但她也不饱足;那些不追求主的人是流荡的,但她也没有安息,她和他们同样蒙羞。他们如何,她也没有两样;所以她感觉,何必有这羞辱呢?像她这样追求主的人,应该有满足,能得主的喂养,也应该有安息,能在主使羊群歇卧的地方得着歇卧。
  这给我们看见,这个追求主的人对主的称赞,对主的认识,以及对主的追求,都是从她的感觉里出来的。可以说,在头一段里,这一个人缺少客观的异象和启示,她对主一切的称赞和追求,都是从主观的经历、主观的感觉里发表出来的。在这一段里,不容易找到客观的认识与发表,切都是主观的。“主观”这辞虽是很好的用辞,但所有落在主观里的人不免流于肤浅。我们要作一个深入的人,就必须有客观的异象。异象就是有一个认识,个看见,是从上面来的,从身外来的,从感觉之外来的,是从没有经历过的。然而在雅歌的头一段里,看不见那个追求主的人有这个看见。从一面说,她所说的全数是她的经历,不像今天一般人单讲一些身外空洞的道理;这是相当好的。但从另一面说,她那些经历还很肤浅,仍缺少启示。
 
  在我与圣徒们的接触里,圣灵在我里头给我看见,这么多圣徒当中,难得碰到一个有异象、有启示的人。这些圣徒多年来都是活在情感和感觉的生活里,他们和人之间是情感的,甚至与主之间也是情感的。他们和雅歌头一段里的女子一样,缺少客观的异象。
  有一天,我读雅歌,圣灵忽然在我里头叫我注意一句话:“看哪,他蹿山越岭而来。我的良人好像羚羊,或像小牡鹿。”(歌二8~9)我就看见,在雅歌里,那个客观的异象,高一点的异象,乃是从这里开始看见的。在此之前,这个追求主的人虽然有经历,但缺少异象;她所有的发表,所有的称赞,所有的求告,所有的祈求,都是从自己经历的感觉出来的。这固然宝贝,但若是一直落在这里,就不能往前,也不能向上。
  所以,到了第二段开始时,主进来了。请注意,这一次不是她来求,乃是主来提醒她。我们需要领会这一幅图画。原先这一个追求主的人,她和主之间满有情爱的交通,她饱尝主的香甜,满享主的肥甘。她在头一段说到:“王正坐席的时候,我的哪哒香膏发出香味。我以我的良人为一袋没药,夜里留在我的胸怀间。我以我的良人为一束凤仙花,在隐基底的葡萄园中。”(歌一12~14)“我的良人在男子中,如同苹果树在树林中。我欢欢喜喜地坐在他的荫下,尝他果子的滋味觉得甘甜。他带我进入筵宴所,以爱为旗在我以上。”(二3~4)从她的这些描述,就知道她非常享受主的丰盛,经历主的甘甜。但同时也可以读出,她落在间屋子里,把主关在外面,还不知道。幸好这间屋子有窗户,有一点开启,并不是完全封闭的,所以她能透过窗户看到良人的举动。她看见良人的光景,像一只小牡鹿蹿山越岭而来(二8~9)。我们要意会,在这里并没有甜美的感觉,也没有安息满足的享受。这一幅图画所给她看见的,完全是一个力量、活力、能力的显现。她看见只小牡鹿,在山岭之间蹿来蹿去;山岭是高的,这只小牡鹿却能一直蹿越过来。这里给她的印象不是主观的,也不是经历的,她乃是看见了一个客观的异象。
  我们中间,特别是事奉的人,实在需要看见这个异象。因为普遍的圣徒,直到今天还留在感觉的生活里,留在情感的生活里。众人所盼望的,就是主之于他们能有怎样的甘甜,怎样的满足。然而,现在不如五年前、年前那样新鲜、甜美了,反而里面觉得沉闷、死寂。所以他们觉得,也许是自己出了问题,落下去了,在主手中有毛病了。此外,在环境中,也实实在在满了山岭的光景。有的人肉身上有难处,有的人家庭有难处,有的人事业有难处,有的人在同工中碰到难处,有的人在召会里遇到困难。从前无论生活或是事奉,所遭遇的都是平顺,好像是走平坦大路,片光明;现在不行了,到处都是山岭,这里是高山,那里是峻岭,到处都没有路,叫人实在为难。请记得,在这种光景下,就需要异象,需要有客观的看见,需要对主有进一步的认识。
  多年来,我们对主好像也有过多次进一步的认识,但那些都还没有超出雅歌头一段的经历。无论是我们的赞美、感谢、祷告或是见证,当我们说到与主之间的关系时,都还是在头一段的经历里。我们只认识这一位主是可爱的,是叫人得满足的。然而,只有这一种对主的认识是不够的,我们需要对主有进一步的认识。我要着重的强调,我们需要对主有雅歌第二段的经历。
  在这第二段的经历里,不是主叫你安息、得满足的问题,乃是你看见祂是一位复活的主,在祂身上有一个能力、活力,能蹿山越岭而行动。前面是那个追求的女子向主求说,“我心所爱的啊,求你告诉我,你在何处…?”(歌一7。)她要到主那里得满足,得安息。现在不是她去求,乃是主来呼召,说,“我的美人,起来,与我同去。”(二10)这里不是享受的问题,乃是行动的问题。享受需要满足,需要安息;行动需要能力,需要活力。主说,“起来,与我同去;因为冬天已过,雨水也止住过去了。地上百花开放,鸟鸣叫的时候已经来到;斑鸠的声音在我们境内也听见了。…与我同去。”(歌10下~13)切都是复活的气象,切都是新鲜的光景;主要追求者起来,与祂同去。
 
  主虽这样呼召,但这个女子接下来所说的话,仍是留恋在自己里面。她说,“我的良人属我,我也属他;他在百合花中牧放群羊。”(歌二16)她还没有忘记主之于她,是作她的享受,她还丢不掉享受的问题。这一幅图画,应用在我们身上,实在非常恰切。许多弟兄姊妹留在情感的生活里,实在够久了,以致变得非常陈旧、死寂,却还不肯出来,仍要留在那里,回头去享受那些旧日的感觉与时光。常有人说,“我们不如八年前,不如五年前了,那时候真好,和弟兄们祷告交通起来何等甜美。现在不行了,即使有一点感觉,味道也不足了。”这都说出众人心里还留恋从前的光景。这一种留恋,完全是在自己里面,是在自己的感觉和情感里。
  这种留恋是没有用的,到末了,不只在感觉上没有主的同在,在实际上也会失去主的同在,因为主不能一直留在那里。所以,雅歌第二段一开始,那女子从前的经历没有用了。因为一开始她所看见的,根本不在她身内,不在她的感觉里,也不在她的想像里。她看见外面有些东西,所以她说,“看哪,他蹿山越岭而来。我的良人好像羚羊,或像小牡鹿。”(歌二8~9)这是她的异象;这没有别的,乃是主要我们脱离情感、感觉的生活,而不再那样只是为着享受,为着满足,为着安息。我们必须脱离这些,看见主在复活里的光景,而进一步认识主的复活。
  有这样头一段经历的人,要脱离这种感觉和享受相当不容易。我们已经说过,在第二段的经历里,主给她异象,叫她看见主是一只蹿山越岭的小牡鹿;主也呼召她,要她起来,与主同去(歌二8~13)。然而她还在那里说,“我的良人属我,我也属他;他在合花中牧放群羊。”(16)她说了这话之后,主就离去不见了。她还在床上留恋着那属灵的享受,但找不着主了(歌三1)。因着找不到,才逼着她离开享受的地位,开门出外,到街道上寻找(三2)。起先她没有寻见主,后来主忽然出来,再给她遇着,她还想把主抓住,拖主到她的享受里(三4)。由此可见,她很不容易脱离这种享受的生活。
  这种感觉的生活,在每一个人身上都相当的长,也相当的深。这些日子,也许有的人会得到一点新的经历,有新的复兴,然而我担心你们刚得复兴,又是旧戏重演,拖着主和主一同享受。所有读雅歌的人都承认,三5节那段沉默的时间相当长,这个女子有很长一段时间,停留在那里。换句话说,这个人又回头停留在情感的生活里。等这一段长时间过去,到了6节第三段开始,这个女子的光景才改换了。这时她的情形像烟柱(歌三6样,是腾空、超越的;并且她又是所罗门王的一乘华轿(三9),这意思是,她是能行动的。所以到这时候,毫无疑问,她已经脱离了享受的生活,而在行动里有了经历。这就是人进一步认识复活之后所有的改变。
 
  现今,我们个个几乎都需要这复活的异象。我们唯有看见这个异象,才能蹿山越岭,胜过周围的环境。我们心里的难处、家庭中的难处、环境中的难处、召会中的难处,都是山岭,不是我们借着享受主的甘甜和丰盛,就能蹿越过去的。这需要我们有复活的异象,看见这位复活的主是何等的超越,祂不受这些难处的阻隔;如此,我们才能蹿越一切的难处。
  相信这些时日,有人会在里面看见这样的异象。主要带你从情感的生活、感觉的生活里出来,叫你今后和主之间的关系不是感觉的、情感的,乃是有启示、有异象的。你看见祂在复活里,而祂今天住在你里面。这一位复活的主在你里面,作了复活的能力。这个异象一显在你里面,你就蒙拯救,能像主一样蹿山越岭,即使遇到再强烈的反对,再深的为难,再重的疾病,再大的风波,再多的折磨,都不能困住你。因为你所经历的主,不是像一袋没药,一束凤仙花,而是像一只小牡鹿,蹿山越岭,是环境无法阻隔的。一袋没药虽馨香,一束凤仙花虽美丽,但是没有能力;能力乃是在小牡鹿身上,是在复活里。
  多年来,你我的问题就在于,只认识主如何叫我们满足,叫我们安息,我们还没有看见祂是在复活里,是一位复活的主,而祂复活的能力就在你我里面。你缺少这个看见,所以你一直停留在感觉的生活里,停留在情感的起伏里。好一点时你就兴奋,差一点时你就沉闷。摸着主的同在时,你就喜乐;摸不着主的同在时,你觉得痛苦。环境平顺时,你赞美感谢;环境崎岖时,你怨天尤人。这一切都证明你亟需一个看见,亟需有客观的异象,看见在复活里的基督。只要你有一天稍微看见这异象,你立刻能说,“艰难可以再多一点,山岭可以再高一点,我仍旧能超越。”你能腾空,你能像一根烟柱一样,在那里行动。你不受里头荒凉光景的限制,也不受外面环境的难为。所有的风波、搅扰,都在你脚下,你在上面是蹿山越岭的。这一个异象,这一个经历,实在是我们每一个人所急切需要的。
 
  主呼召我们从感觉里出来,实在说,就是要我们从自己里面出来。所以在雅歌第二段末了,主逼这一个追求祂的人到一个地步,叫她不光从床上起来,也从屋里出来(歌三1~2)。那就是主逼她脱离情感的生活,脱离感觉的生活,也就是脱离她的自己。
  试问,我们今天的光景,有多少人不是关在自己的房间里?恐怕我们许多人都是把自己关得紧紧的;无论是参加聚会,或是探望圣徒,常常是关闭的。原因就在于我们仍活在情感的生活里,活在感觉的生活里。7年前,众人来在起,你觉得甜美,我也觉得甜美,所以大家很敞开、很释放。可是到了今天,再来在起,你不觉得甜美,我也不觉得甜美,活泼新鲜的味道没有了,结果众人就把自己关起来,关在自己里面,不肯敞开。这两面都证明我们没有脱离感觉的生活。
 
  若是我们众人盼望得着复兴,有一个新的开头,再新鲜起来,唯一的路就是开启、敞开。不能再把自己保留在里面,扣在里面,乃要把自己开起来,释放出来。开启自己的路很简单,当你来到弟兄跟前,可以这样对他说,“弟兄,我里头沉闷,我里头陈旧。”你不要把沉闷的自己关在里面,乃要把你沉闷的感觉释放出来。试试看,若是你来找我敞开,我找你敞开,大家一见面都敞开,我们中间定规会有一个复兴。今天在召会中,许多一同事奉的人,面说真是熟悉,因为天天见面;另一面说,点不熟悉,因为你把自己关住,我也把自己关住;我里头属灵的光景从没有向你打开,你里头属灵的光景也从没有让我知道。在这种光景中,怎能有复兴?
  历代求复兴的人,开头都是求从天上有个复兴降下来,盼望从天上降下一个能力,像倾盆大雨一样降在他们身上。然而,他们越经历复兴,到末了越能见证,那真实的复兴并不是从天降下的,乃是从他们里面出来的。因为复活的主乃是那灵,就住在他们里面。即使是最荒凉、堕落的弟兄或姊妹,这位圣灵仍住在他们里面,并且这位在他们里面的圣灵,还满有基督一切的丰富。所以这个复兴的能力不是从天上,从客观的地位降下来的,乃是根本就已经住在我们里面。现在的问题是在于这能力有没有出来,或者说我们让不让它出来。
  人常常愚笨至极,不明白主的话。罗马十章明说,““你不要心里说,谁要升到天上?”就是要领下基督来,或说,“谁要下到无底坑?”就是要领基督从死人中上来。…“这话与你相近,就在你口里,也在你心里。”…你若口里认耶稣为主,心里信神叫祂从死人中复活,就必得救。”(罗十6~9)这里说人若是要得救,要找基督,不必上天,也不必下地;这话离人不远,就在人的口里,也在人的心里。人只要一信,承认,就得救了。这话是对没有得救经历,没有圣灵在里面的人说的。若是对他们都这样容易,更何况是对我们这些已经得救,早已有圣灵住在里面的人呢?若是我们要求复兴,难道这个复兴还要远远的从天上,或从地下临到我们么?或者是只要从我们里面流出来,就可以了?读历代召会复兴的历史,我们得着一个印象,人在初期总是盼望从上头有一个复兴降下,但有经历的人会发现,那从天上降下来的能力,乃是从人里面涌流出来的。所以复兴的关键不在于降下,乃在于开起来。在我们里面早已含蓄着一个能力,个爆炸的力量,只要我们肯开起来,让它从我们里面爆炸出来,那就是一个厉害的复兴。
  有许多人说,要复兴应该多祷告,这是不错。但我要一再的说,复兴的关键和秘诀,不在于求主赐下什么,乃在于向主开启,让祂出来。近来,我曾花相当多的工夫,在主面前思想这事。我越想越清楚,当圣灵在个人身上作工时,基本的原则就是要这个人敞开。人越保守,越关闭,就越无法蒙恩。2三十年前,在中国北方,曾一度盛行一种“灵恩运动”,专一注重叫人接受圣灵浇灌。在这个运动里,有许多地方太极端,甚至成了异端。但是另一面,照我的观察,他们有一个作法是对的,就是专专鼓动那些关闭、保守的人都敞开。
  比方,他们带人认罪,就是和人一同跪下,帮助人一项一项的认。他们在旁边问那个人:“你有没有罪?”他说,“有罪。”“什么罪?”“我得罪父母。”“什么事得罪父母?”就这样在旁边一直指点,点到末了,罪认完了,人也开启了。常常到这时候,圣灵就浇灌在那人身上。若说这是人工,我也承认,但是到末了,人工引进天工,圣灵浇灌了。我确实知道,有人这样经历浇灌之后,不良的嗜好、陋习、罪恶就都丢弃了。这里有一个很大的原则,就是人一开启,就容易蒙恩。
  我们目前的难处就在这里,圣徒们来在起,或者交通,或者聚会,关闭的情形非常严重。比方,每周二晚上,各分家都有祷告聚会,但来聚会的圣徒,多半是取关闭的态度,都是打定主意,来了就是不祷告、不开口。这样的祷告聚会怎能强呢?所以我觉得或许我们需要敞开的道,无论是祷告聚会,或是擘饼聚会,都讲敞开的道,定要众人都敞开。开头的时候,可能有人会觉得勉强,说,“圣灵没有感动,我讲什么?”但奇妙的是,你只要一敞开,感动就来了。你越不敞开,就越不会敞开;你越等候感动,感动就越跑掉。
  我们必须看见,在我们里头有一个宝贝,有一个丰富的源头,被我们扣住了、闭塞了。切的问题都不在于你软弱,我刚强;你冷淡,我热心。要看见,我热心,我里头有这源头;你冷淡,你里头还是有这个源头。这个源头没有改变,没有两样,问题只在于你让不让它流出来。
  比方,我小时候常喜欢玩一种游戏,就是把几十支爆竹摆在起,用针把这些爆竹前端引信的包纸挑破,使火药暴露出来。然后拿一支香,把其中的一两支爆竹点着,使它爆炸。这一爆炸,火星就跳到其他爆竹上,引燃那些挑破的引信,结果这几十支爆竹就一齐爆炸,非常热闹好玩。用这事比喻基督徒非常恰切。我们一个个都是一支爆竹,而炸药就是我们里面的基督。现在的难处是我们一个个把基督包得牢牢的,不肯破碎,不肯开启。我们祷告主求复兴,但自己却包得紧紧的。这是行不通的。我们来聚会,最多不过是把我们这些包起来的爆竹打开来看,看了一个半钟头,末了又照样包起来,然后散会。到下一次聚会再打开来看,然后又包起来。像这样包着,再过十年也不会爆炸,即使大家恳切祷告也没有用。实在说,不必求那么多,如果要求,应该求主叫我们开启。回想那些所谓的灵恩运动,他们聚会的那种光景、举动和空气,都是叫人开起来的。即使有时候似乎很野蛮,但原则还是对的。可惜我们今天的聚会却是叫人关闭,叫人受捆绑。
 
  我们要服下来,谦卑的求主叫我们看见这一个异象。不是我们享受、满足,有甜美的感觉而已,乃是要看见主是在复活里。我们需要这一个复活的异象,叫我们能蹿山越岭。尽管我们的心灵有重压,我们的环境有艰难,但我们要看见,在我们里头的主是活泼、刚强、蹿山越岭的。若是我们里头对复活有这一个认识,同时是开启的,我们就是一个被挑破的爆竹。请记得,一个开启的人,就能把别人开启。我开启了,就烧到别人,别人也就开了,他又回过来烧我。这样大家彼此燃烧,结果就是一个真实的复兴。不要留恋已往的经历,也不要把自己一直关起来,这两面的结果都是死。越留恋已往越死,越关闭也越死;乃要学习开启。起头你也许不太习惯,也不太信得来;但请试试看,在任何场合都学习开启。你就会发现,无限的供应要从你里面涌出来,属灵的复兴要从你里头爆发出来。
  然而,这个开启并不是敞开说直话,指责别人。如果是这样,那就是开坟墓,倒垃圾,把死亡、污秽完全倒出来。开启乃是把自己倒出来,把自己真实的光景说出来,无论是感觉软弱,感觉自己败坏,有亏欠,或者感觉自己爬不起来,不活、不新鲜,都敞开说出来。要知道,主就在你里面,当你把自己倒出来时,主也出来了。复兴的秘诀就在这里。追查召会历史所有的复兴,其秘诀都在这里。为什么要多有祷告?就是为叫自己开启。为什么需要能力?就是为叫别人开启。开启了就有复兴。若是我们认识这个窍,肯开启,肯在各种聚会中开启,在弟兄姊妹的交通中开启,这是何等美好的事!你我一开启,聚会就活了,主就有出路了。
  但愿这些话能影响众人,从这时候起就学习把自己开启,让主出来。这是带来复兴一个铁定的原则。  
  原刊于一九六〇年十一月“话语职事”第一百十三期
 
  多年来,我们一直觉得有许多一同事奉的人,还不能分别什么叫作感觉的生活,什么叫作信心的生活。这二者的讲究,在话语上可能还容易分别,但在经历中少有人能够分别。众人多半还是活在感觉里,难得有人真是凭信心生活。许多人事奉的时日并不算短,但能脱离感觉的不太多,能过信心生活的更是稀少。  我们这样断定,是根据两面的情形:一面,有少数圣徒光景活泼、新鲜,常见证主怎样与他们同在,祷告、读经怎样碰着主自己,怎样觉得主甜美。另一面,多数圣徒身上这种甜美的经历已经过去了,现在既不觉得主的同在,也不感觉主的甜美,不但不新鲜活泼,甚至还觉得沉闷受压,想退去不再事奉。这两面的光景,表面看,好像前面一种比较好,后面一种差一点。事实上,这两面都证明一件事,人都是落在感觉的生活里。他们在属灵的路程上,还是随着情感走;他们与主之间的关系,仍建立在情感上。  凡有属灵经历的人都知道,这样一段情感的生活,或者说感觉的生活,都相当长,几乎没有一个人能在短时间内从其中出来。并且当这样的生活受到试炼时,人差不多都糊涂了。从戴德生(Hudson Taylor)弟兄的传记可以看见,连他也遭遇过同样的试炼。他有好长一段时间,觉得读经不行,祷告不行,和主的交通也不行,里头好像不觉得主的可爱。当他遭遇这种试炼时,也非常惶恐,不懂为什么会这样。你若读过这些属灵人的传记,就会发现几乎每一个人都有这样的过程。头一段时间,在主面前和主有好的交通,觉得非常甜美、新鲜、活泼。但是到了一个时候,受到试炼,就下沉、苦闷、不新鲜了。有的人这样的经历,不只一次,乃是多次的;起来了又下去,再起来又下去,过着所谓波浪式的生活。这样起落的次数,和人天然的本性有关;属情感的人这种起落特别重,情感轻的人这种起落轻一点。有的人也许仅仅几次,就脱离了这种生活,但大多数人可能经过不知多少次,还留在这种生活里出不来。  因此,当我回到主面前寻求时,里面有一个很深的感觉,主要带领我们,共同有一个美好的经历,就是从感觉的生活里出来。因为这种感觉的生活,在我们身上是个相当大的难处。  雅歌所说属灵的经历,共有六段(歌一2~二7,二8~三5,三6~五1,五2~六13,七1~13,八1~14)。头一段从一章开始,直到二章七节结束,是最基础的一段。读雅歌,若是能把头一段读好,这卷书就容易向我们开启。在头一段,我们必须注意其中一个特点,就是主给人的启示很少,里面的内容差不多都是这个经历主的人,从自己的经历和感觉里说出来的。她头一句话说,“你的爱情比酒更美。”(一2)这是她的经历,也是她的感觉,并不是主的启示。她对主的认识,是由于她的经历,不是由于主的启示。然后,她又说,我的良人像“一袋没药”,又像“一束凤仙花”,也像“苹果树在树林中”(一13~14,二3),这些都是她从经历的感觉中说出来的。
--------本段经节汇集--------
歌一2~二7(略,若需要被汇集,请勾选“不忽略整章”)
歌二8~三5(略,若需要被汇集,请勾选“不忽略整章”)
歌三6~五1(略,若需要被汇集,请勾选“不忽略整章”)
歌五2~六13(略,若需要被汇集,请勾选“不忽略整章”)
歌7:1  
王女啊,你的脚在鞋中何等美丽!你的大腿圆润,好像珍宝,是巧匠的手作成的。
歌7:2  
你的肚脐如圆杯,不缺调和的酒;你的肚腹如一堆麦子,周围有百合花。
歌7:3  
你的两乳好像一对小羚羊,就是母羚羊双生的。
歌7:4  
你的颈项如象牙楼;你的眼目像希实本、巴特拉并门旁的水池;你的鼻子仿佛朝着大马色的利巴嫩楼。
歌7:5  
你的头在你身上好像迦密山;你头上的发像紫色。王被这下垂的发绺监禁了。
歌7:6  
我所爱的啊,你何等美丽!何等优雅可悦!
歌7:7  
你这身量好像棕树,你的两乳如同累累下垂的果子。
歌7:8  
我说,我要上这棕树,抓住枝子;愿你的两乳好像葡萄累累下垂,你鼻子的气味香如苹果;
歌7:9  
你的口如上好的酒──为我的良人下咽舒畅,流入睡觉人的嘴中。
我属我的良人,他也恋慕我。
我的良人,来吧,你我可以出到田间;你我可以在村庄住宿。
我们清晨起来往葡萄园去,看看葡萄发芽开花没有,石榴放蕊没有;我在那里要将我的爱情给你。
风茄放香,在我们的门口有各样新陈佳美的果子。我的良人,这些都是我为你存留的。
歌8:1  
哦,巴不得你像我的兄弟,像吃我母亲奶的兄弟!我在外头遇见你就与你亲嘴,谁也不轻看我。
歌8:2  
我必引导你,领你进我母亲的家;我领受了她的教训;我要使你喝石榴汁酿的香酒。
歌8:3  
他的左手必在我头下,他的右手必将我抱住。
歌8:4  
耶路撒冷的众女子啊,我郑重地嘱咐你们,不要惊动,不要叫醒我所爱的,等她自己情愿。
歌8:5  
那从旷野上来,靠着她良人的是谁呢?我在苹果树下叫醒你:你母亲在那里为你劬劳;生你的在那里为你劬劳。
歌8:6  
求你将我放在你心上如印记,带在你臂上如戳记;因为爱如死之坚强,嫉妒如阴间之残忍;所闪的光是火的闪光,是耶和华的烈焰。
歌8:7  
这爱,众水不能熄灭,洪水也不能淹没。若有人拿家中所有的财宝要换这爱,就全被藐视。
歌8:8  
我们有一小妹;她的两乳尚未长成:当我们的妹妹被人提亲的日子,我们当为她怎样办理?
歌8:9  
她若是墙,我们要在其上建造银的城垛;她若是门,我们要用香柏木板围护她。
我是墙,我的两乳像其上的楼;那时,我在他眼中像得着平安的人。
所罗门在巴力哈们有一葡萄园:他将这葡萄园交给看守的人,每人要为其中的果子交一千舍客勒银子。
我自己的葡萄园在我面前。所罗门哪,一千舍客勒归你,二百舍客勒归看守果子的人。
你这住在园中的,我的同伴都要听你的声音,求你使我也得听见。
我的良人哪,愿你快来,如羚羊或小牡鹿在香草山上。
雅歌一章(略,若需要被汇集,请勾选“不忽略整章”)
歌1:2  
愿他用口与我亲嘴!因你的爱情比酒更美。
我以我的良人为一袋没药,夜里留在我的胸怀间。
我以我的良人为一束凤仙花,在隐基底的葡萄园中。
歌2:3  
我的良人在男子中,如同苹果树在树林中。我欢欢喜喜地坐在他的荫下,尝他果子的滋味觉得甘甜。
------------------------
  同时,在这一段里,她属灵的追求也都离不开她的感觉。她求问主说,“我心所爱的啊,…你在何处牧放羊群?晌午在何处使羊群歇卧?我何必在你众同伴的羊群旁边,好像蒙着脸的人呢?”(歌一7。)她说这话,意思不是别的,乃是说那些不追求主的人是挨饿的,但她也不饱足;那些不追求主的人是流荡的,但她也没有安息,她和他们同样蒙羞。他们如何,她也没有两样;所以她感觉,何必有这羞辱呢?像她这样追求主的人,应该有满足,能得主的喂养,也应该有安息,能在主使羊群歇卧的地方得着歇卧。
--------本段经节汇集--------
歌1:7  
我心所爱的啊,求你告诉我,你在何处牧放羊群?晌午在何处使羊群歇卧?我何必在你众同伴的羊群旁边,好像蒙着脸的人呢?
------------------------
  这给我们看见,这个追求主的人对主的称赞,对主的认识,以及对主的追求,都是从她的感觉里出来的。可以说,在头一段里,这一个人缺少客观的异象和启示,她对主一切的称赞和追求,都是从主观的经历、主观的感觉里发表出来的。在这一段里,不容易找到客观的认识与发表,一切都是主观的。“主观”这辞虽是很好的用辞,但所有落在主观里的人不免流于肤浅。我们要作一个深入的人,就必须有客观的异象。异象就是有一个认识,一个看见,是从上面来的,从身外来的,从感觉之外来的,是从没有经历过的。然而在雅歌的头一段里,看不见那个追求主的人有这个看见。从一面说,她所说的全数是她的经历,不像今天一般人单讲一些身外空洞的道理;这是相当好的。但从另一面说,她那些经历还很肤浅,仍缺少启示。
 
  在我与圣徒们的接触里,圣灵在我里头给我看见,这么多圣徒当中,难得碰到一个有异象、有启示的人。这些圣徒多年来都是活在情感和感觉的生活里,他们和人之间是情感的,甚至与主之间也是情感的。他们和雅歌头一段里的女子一样,缺少客观的异象。  有一天,我读雅歌,圣灵忽然在我里头叫我注意一句话:“看哪,他蹿山越岭而来。我的良人好像羚羊,或像小牡鹿。”(歌二8~9)我就看见,在雅歌里,那个客观的异象,高一点的异象,乃是从这里开始看见的。在此之前,这个追求主的人虽然有经历,但缺少异象;她所有的发表,所有的称赞,所有的求告,所有的祈求,都是从自己经历的感觉出来的。这固然宝贝,但若是一直落在这里,就不能往前,也不能向上。
--------本段经节汇集--------
歌2:8  
听啊,是我良人的声音;看哪,他蹿山越岭而来。
歌2:9  
我的良人好像羚羊,或像小牡鹿。他站在我们墙壁后,从窗户往里观看,从窗棂往里探视。
------------------------
  所以,到了第二段开始时,主进来了。请注意,这一次不是她来求,乃是主来提醒她。我们需要领会这一幅图画。原先这一个追求主的人,她和主之间满有情爱的交通,她饱尝主的香甜,满享主的肥甘。她在头一段说到:“王正坐席的时候,我的哪哒香膏发出香味。我以我的良人为一袋没药,夜里留在我的胸怀间。我以我的良人为一束凤仙花,在隐基底的葡萄园中。”(歌一12~14)“我的良人在男子中,如同苹果树在树林中。我欢欢喜喜地坐在他的荫下,尝他果子的滋味觉得甘甜。他带我进入筵宴所,以爱为旗在我以上。”(二3~4)从她的这些描述,就知道她非常享受主的丰盛,经历主的甘甜。但同时也可以读出,她落在一间屋子里,把主关在外面,还不知道。幸好这间屋子有窗户,有一点开启,并不是完全封闭的,所以她能透过窗户看到良人的举动。她看见良人的光景,像一只小牡鹿蹿山越岭而来(二8~9)。我们要意会,在这里并没有甜美的感觉,也没有安息满足的享受。这一幅图画所给她看见的,完全是一个力量、活力、能力的显现。她看见一只小牡鹿,在山岭之间蹿来蹿去;山岭是高的,这只小牡鹿却能一直蹿越过来。这里给她的印象不是主观的,也不是经历的,她乃是看见了一个客观的异象。
--------本段经节汇集--------
王正坐席的时候,我的哪哒香膏发出香味。
我以我的良人为一袋没药,夜里留在我的胸怀间。
我以我的良人为一束凤仙花,在隐基底的葡萄园中。
歌2:3  
我的良人在男子中,如同苹果树在树林中。我欢欢喜喜地坐在他的荫下,尝他果子的滋味觉得甘甜。
歌2:4  
他带我进入筵宴所,以爱为旗在我以上。
雅歌一章(略,若需要被汇集,请勾选“不忽略整章”)
歌2:8  
听啊,是我良人的声音;看哪,他蹿山越岭而来。
歌2:9  
我的良人好像羚羊,或像小牡鹿。他站在我们墙壁后,从窗户往里观看,从窗棂往里探视。
雅歌一章(略,若需要被汇集,请勾选“不忽略整章”)
------------------------
  我们中间,特别是事奉的人,实在需要看见这个异象。因为普遍的圣徒,直到今天还留在感觉的生活里,留在情感的生活里。众人所盼望的,就是主之于他们能有怎样的甘甜,怎样的满足。然而,现在不如五年前、八年前那样新鲜、甜美了,反而里面觉得沉闷、死寂。所以他们觉得,也许是自己出了问题,落下去了,在主手中有毛病了。此外,在环境中,也实实在在满了山岭的光景。有的人肉身上有难处,有的人家庭有难处,有的人事业有难处,有的人在同工中碰到难处,有的人在召会里遇到困难。从前无论生活或是事奉,所遭遇的都是平顺,好像是走平坦大路,一片光明;现在不行了,到处都是山岭,这里是高山,那里是峻岭,到处都没有路,叫人实在为难。请记得,在这种光景下,就需要异象,需要有客观的看见,需要对主有进一步的认识。  多年来,我们对主好像也有过多次进一步的认识,但那些都还没有超出雅歌头一段的经历。无论是我们的赞美、感谢、祷告或是见证,当我们说到与主之间的关系时,都还是在头一段的经历里。我们只认识这一位主是可爱的,是叫人得满足的。然而,只有这一种对主的认识是不够的,我们需要对主有进一步的认识。我要着重的强调,我们需要对主有雅歌第二段的经历。  在这第二段的经历里,不是主叫你安息、得满足的问题,乃是你看见祂是一位复活的主,在祂身上有一个能力、活力,能蹿山越岭而行动。前面是那个追求的女子向主求说,“我心所爱的啊,求你告诉我,你在何处…?”(歌一7。)她要到主那里得满足,得安息。现在不是她去求,乃是主来呼召,说,“我的美人,起来,与我同去。”(二10)这里不是享受的问题,乃是行动的问题。享受需要满足,需要安息;行动需要能力,需要活力。主说,“起来,与我同去;因为冬天已过,雨水也止住过去了。地上百花开放,百鸟鸣叫的时候已经来到;斑鸠的声音在我们境内也听见了。…与我同去。”(歌10下~13)一切都是复活的气象,一切都是新鲜的光景;主要追求者起来,与祂同去。
--------本段经节汇集--------
歌1:7  
我心所爱的啊,求你告诉我,你在何处牧放羊群?晌午在何处使羊群歇卧?我何必在你众同伴的羊群旁边,好像蒙着脸的人呢?
我良人回应我说,我的佳偶,我的美人,起来,与我同去;
雅歌一章(略,若需要被汇集,请勾选“不忽略整章”)
雅歌一章(略,若需要被汇集,请勾选“不忽略整章”)
------------------------
 
  主虽这样呼召,但这个女子接下来所说的话,仍是留恋在自己里面。她说,“我的良人属我,我也属他;他在百合花中牧放群羊。”(歌二16)她还没有忘记主之于她,是作她的享受,她还丢不掉享受的问题。这一幅图画,应用在我们身上,实在非常恰切。许多弟兄姊妹留在情感的生活里,实在够久了,以致变得非常陈旧、死寂,却还不肯出来,仍要留在那里,回头去享受那些旧日的感觉与时光。常有人说,“我们不如八年前,不如五年前了,那时候真好,和弟兄们祷告交通起来何等甜美。现在不行了,即使有一点感觉,味道也不足了。”这都说出众人心里还留恋从前的光景。这一种留恋,完全是在自己里面,是在自己的感觉和情感里。
--------本段经节汇集--------
我的良人属我,我也属他;他在百合花中牧放群羊。
------------------------
  这种留恋是没有用的,到末了,不只在感觉上没有主的同在,在实际上也会失去主的同在,因为主不能一直留在那里。所以,雅歌第二段一开始,那女子从前的经历没有用了。因为一开始她所看见的,根本不在她身内,不在她的感觉里,也不在她的想像里。她看见外面有些东西,所以她说,“看哪,他蹿山越岭而来。我的良人好像羚羊,或像小牡鹿。”(歌二8~9)这是她的异象;这没有别的,乃是主要我们脱离情感、感觉的生活,而不再那样只是为着享受,为着满足,为着安息。我们必须脱离这些,看见主在复活里的光景,而进一步认识主的复活。
--------本段经节汇集--------
歌2:8  
听啊,是我良人的声音;看哪,他蹿山越岭而来。
歌2:9  
我的良人好像羚羊,或像小牡鹿。他站在我们墙壁后,从窗户往里观看,从窗棂往里探视。
------------------------
  有这样头一段经历的人,要脱离这种感觉和享受相当不容易。我们已经说过,在第二段的经历里,主给她异象,叫她看见主是一只蹿山越岭的小牡鹿;主也呼召她,要她起来,与主同去(歌二8~13)。然而她还在那里说,“我的良人属我,我也属他;他在百合花中牧放群羊。”(16)她说了这话之后,主就离去不见了。她还在床上留恋着那属灵的享受,但找不着主了(歌三1)。因着找不到,才逼着她离开享受的地位,开门出外,到街道上寻找(三2)。起先她没有寻见主,后来主忽然出来,再给她遇着,她还想把主抓住,拖主到她的享受里(三4)。由此可见,她很不容易脱离这种享受的生活。
--------本段经节汇集--------
歌2:8  
听啊,是我良人的声音;看哪,他蹿山越岭而来。
歌2:9  
我的良人好像羚羊,或像小牡鹿。他站在我们墙壁后,从窗户往里观看,从窗棂往里探视。
我良人回应我说,我的佳偶,我的美人,起来,与我同去;
因为冬天已过,雨水也止住过去了。
地上百花开放,百鸟鸣叫的时候已经来到;斑鸠的声音在我们境内也听见了。
无花果树的果子渐渐成熟,葡萄树开花放香。我的佳偶,我的美人,起来,与我同去。
我的良人属我,我也属他;他在百合花中牧放群羊。
歌3:1  
我夜夜在床上寻找我心所爱的;我寻找他,却寻不见。
歌3:2  
我说,我要起来,绕行城中,在街道上,在宽阔处,寻找我心所爱的。我寻找他,却寻不见。
歌3:4  
我刚离开他们,就遇见我心所爱的;我拉住他,不让他走,直到领他进我母家,到怀我者的内室。
------------------------
  这种感觉的生活,在每一个人身上都相当的长,也相当的深。这些日子,也许有的人会得到一点新的经历,有新的复兴,然而我担心你们刚得复兴,又是旧戏重演,拖着主和主一同享受。所有读雅歌的人都承认,三章五节那段沉默的时间相当长,这个女子有很长一段时间,停留在那里。换句话说,这个人又回头停留在情感的生活里。等这一段长时间过去,到了六节第三段开始,这个女子的光景才改换了。这时她的情形像烟柱(歌三6)一样,是腾空、超越的;并且她又是所罗门王的一乘华轿(三9),这意思是,她是能行动的。所以到这时候,毫无疑问,她已经脱离了享受的生活,而在行动里有了经历。这就是人进一步认识复活之后所有的改变。
--------本段经节汇集--------
歌3:5  
耶路撒冷的众女子啊,我指着羚羊或田野的母鹿郑重地嘱咐你们,不要惊动,不要叫醒我所爱的,等她自己情愿。
歌3:6  
那从旷野上来,形状如烟柱,以没药和乳香,并商人各样香粉薰的,是谁呢?
歌3:6  
那从旷野上来,形状如烟柱,以没药和乳香,并商人各样香粉薰的,是谁呢?
雅歌一章(略,若需要被汇集,请勾选“不忽略整章”)
歌3:9  
所罗门王用利巴嫩木,为自己制造一乘华轿。
------------------------
 
  现今,我们个个几乎都需要这复活的异象。我们唯有看见这个异象,才能蹿山越岭,胜过周围的环境。我们心里的难处、家庭中的难处、环境中的难处、召会中的难处,都是山岭,不是我们借着享受主的甘甜和丰盛,就能蹿越过去的。这需要我们有复活的异象,看见这位复活的主是何等的超越,祂不受这些难处的阻隔;如此,我们才能蹿越一切的难处。  相信这些时日,有人会在里面看见这样的异象。主要带你从情感的生活、感觉的生活里出来,叫你今后和主之间的关系不是感觉的、情感的,乃是有启示、有异象的。你看见祂在复活里,而祂今天住在你里面。这一位复活的主在你里面,作了复活的能力。这个异象一显在你里面,你就蒙拯救,能像主一样蹿山越岭,即使遇到再强烈的反对,再深的为难,再重的疾病,再大的风波,再多的折磨,都不能困住你。因为你所经历的主,不是像一袋没药,一束凤仙花,而是像一只小牡鹿,蹿山越岭,是环境无法阻隔的。一袋没药虽馨香,一束凤仙花虽美丽,但是没有能力;能力乃是在小牡鹿身上,是在复活里。  多年来,你我的问题就在于,只认识主如何叫我们满足,叫我们安息,我们还没有看见祂是在复活里,是一位复活的主,而祂复活的能力就在你我里面。你缺少这个看见,所以你一直停留在感觉的生活里,停留在情感的起伏里。好一点时你就兴奋,差一点时你就沉闷。摸着主的同在时,你就喜乐;摸不着主的同在时,你觉得痛苦。环境平顺时,你赞美感谢;环境崎岖时,你怨天尤人。这一切都证明你亟需一个看见,亟需有客观的异象,看见在复活里的基督。只要你有一天稍微看见这异象,你立刻能说,“艰难可以再多一点,山岭可以再高一点,我仍旧能超越。”你能腾空,你能像一根烟柱一样,在那里行动。你不受里头荒凉光景的限制,也不受外面环境的难为。所有的风波、搅扰,都在你脚下,你在上面是蹿山越岭的。这一个异象,这一个经历,实在是我们每一个人所急切需要的。
 
  主呼召我们从感觉里出来,实在说,就是要我们从自己里面出来。所以在雅歌第二段末了,主逼这一个追求祂的人到一个地步,叫她不光从床上起来,也从屋里出来(歌三1~2)。那就是主逼她脱离情感的生活,脱离感觉的生活,也就是脱离她的自己。
--------本段经节汇集--------
歌3:1  
我夜夜在床上寻找我心所爱的;我寻找他,却寻不见。
歌3:2  
我说,我要起来,绕行城中,在街道上,在宽阔处,寻找我心所爱的。我寻找他,却寻不见。
------------------------
  试问,我们今天的光景,有多少人不是关在自己的房间里?恐怕我们许多人都是把自己关得紧紧的;无论是参加聚会,或是探望圣徒,常常是关闭的。原因就在于我们仍活在情感的生活里,活在感觉的生活里。七、八年前,众人来在一起,你觉得甜美,我也觉得甜美,所以大家很敞开、很释放。可是到了今天,再来在一起,你不觉得甜美,我也不觉得甜美,活泼新鲜的味道没有了,结果众人就把自己关起来,关在自己里面,不肯敞开。这两面都证明我们没有脱离感觉的生活。
 
  若是我们众人盼望得着复兴,有一个新的开头,再新鲜起来,唯一的路就是开启、敞开。不能再把自己保留在里面,扣在里面,乃要把自己开起来,释放出来。开启自己的路很简单,当你来到弟兄跟前,可以这样对他说,“弟兄,我里头沉闷,我里头陈旧。”你不要把沉闷的自己关在里面,乃要把你沉闷的感觉释放出来。试试看,若是你来找我敞开,我找你敞开,大家一见面都敞开,我们中间定规会有一个复兴。今天在召会中,许多一同事奉的人,一面说真是熟悉,因为天天见面;另一面说,一点不熟悉,因为你把自己关住,我也把自己关住;我里头属灵的光景从没有向你打开,你里头属灵的光景也从没有让我知道。在这种光景中,怎能有复兴?
--------本段经节汇集--------
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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  历代求复兴的人,开头都是求从天上有个复兴降下来,盼望从天上降下一个能力,像倾盆大雨一样降在他们身上。然而,他们越经历复兴,到末了越能见证,那真实的复兴并不是从天降下的,乃是从他们里面出来的。因为复活的主乃是那灵,就住在他们里面。即使是最荒凉、堕落的弟兄或姊妹,这位圣灵仍住在他们里面,并且这位在他们里面的圣灵,还满有基督一切的丰富。所以这个复兴的能力不是从天上,从客观的地位降下来的,乃是根本就已经住在我们里面。现在的问题是在于这能力有没有出来,或者说我们让不让它出来。  人常常愚笨至极,不明白主的话。罗马十章明说,““你不要心里说,谁要升到天上?”就是要领下基督来,或说,“谁要下到无底坑?”就是要领基督从死人中上来。…“这话与你相近,就在你口里,也在你心里。”…你若口里认耶稣为主,心里信神叫祂从死人中复活,就必得救。”(罗十6~9)这里说人若是要得救,要找基督,不必上天,也不必下地;这话离人不远,就在人的口里,也在人的心里。人只要一信,一承认,就得救了。这话是对没有得救经历,没有圣灵在里面的人说的。若是对他们都这样容易,更何况是对我们这些已经得救,早已有圣灵住在里面的人呢?若是我们要求复兴,难道这个复兴还要远远的从天上,或从地下临到我们么?或者是只要从我们里面流出来,就可以了?读历代召会复兴的历史,我们得着一个印象,人在初期总是盼望从上头有一个复兴降下,但有经历的人会发现,那从天上降下来的能力,乃是从人里面涌流出来的。所以复兴的关键不在于降下,乃在于开起来。在我们里面早已含蓄着一个能力,一个爆炸的力量,只要我们肯开起来,让它从我们里面爆炸出来,那就是一个厉害的复兴。
--------本段经节汇集--------
罗马书十章(略,若需要被汇集,请勾选“不忽略整章”)
但那本于信的义如此说,你不要心里说,“谁要升到天上?”就是要领下基督来,
或说,“谁要下到无底坑?”就是要领基督从死人中上来。
这义到底怎么说?它说,“这话与你相近,就在你口里,也在你心里。”这就是我们所传信主的话,
就是你若口里认耶稣为主,心里信神叫祂从死人中复活,就必得救;
罗马书一章(略,若需要被汇集,请勾选“不忽略整章”)
罗马书一章(略,若需要被汇集,请勾选“不忽略整章”)
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  有许多人说,要复兴应该多祷告,这是不错。但我要一再的说,复兴的关键和秘诀,不在于求主赐下什么,乃在于向主开启,让祂出来。近来,我曾花相当多的工夫,在主面前思想这事。我越想越清楚,当圣灵在一个人身上作工时,基本的原则就是要这个人敞开。人越保守,越关闭,就越无法蒙恩。二、三十年前,在中国北方,曾一度盛行一种“灵恩运动”,专一注重叫人接受圣灵浇灌。在这个运动里,有许多地方太极端,甚至成了异端。但是另一面,照我的观察,他们有一个作法是对的,就是专专鼓动那些关闭、保守的人都敞开。  比方,他们带人认罪,就是和人一同跪下,帮助人一项一项的认。他们在旁边问那个人:“你有没有罪?”他说,“有罪。”“什么罪?”“我得罪父母。”“什么事得罪父母?”就这样在旁边一直指点,点到末了,罪认完了,人也开启了。常常到这时候,圣灵就浇灌在那人身上。若说这是人工,我也承认,但是到末了,人工引进天工,圣灵浇灌了。我确实知道,有人这样经历浇灌之后,不良的嗜好、陋习、罪恶就都丢弃了。这里有一个很大的原则,就是人一开启,就容易蒙恩。  我们目前的难处就在这里,圣徒们来在一起,或者交通,或者聚会,关闭的情形非常严重。比方,每周二晚上,各分家都有祷告聚会,但来聚会的圣徒,多半是取关闭的态度,都是打定主意,来了就是不祷告、不开口。这样的祷告聚会怎能强呢?所以我觉得或许我们需要敞开的道,无论是祷告聚会,或是擘饼聚会,都讲敞开的道,一定要众人都敞开。开头的时候,可能有人会觉得勉强,说,“圣灵没有感动,我讲什么?”但奇妙的是,你只要一敞开,感动就来了。你越不敞开,就越不会敞开;你越等候感动,感动就越跑掉。  我们必须看见,在我们里头有一个宝贝,有一个丰富的源头,被我们扣住了、闭塞了。一切的问题都不在于你软弱,我刚强;你冷淡,我热心。要看见,我热心,我里头有这源头;你冷淡,你里头还是有这个源头。这个源头没有改变,没有两样,问题只在于你让不让它流出来。  比方,我小时候常喜欢玩一种游戏,就是把几十支爆竹摆在一起,用针把这些爆竹前端引信的包纸挑破,使火药暴露出来。然后拿一支香,把其中的一两支爆竹点着,使它爆炸。这一爆炸,火星就跳到其他爆竹上,引燃那些挑破的引信,结果这几十支爆竹就一齐爆炸,非常热闹好玩。用这事比喻基督徒非常恰切。我们一个个都是一支爆竹,而炸药就是我们里面的基督。现在的难处是我们一个个把基督包得牢牢的,不肯破碎,不肯开启。我们祷告主求复兴,但自己却包得紧紧的。这是行不通的。我们来聚会,最多不过是把我们这些包起来的爆竹打开来看,看了一个半钟头,末了又照样包起来,然后散会。到下一次聚会再打开来看,然后又包起来。像这样包着,再过十年也不会爆炸,即使大家恳切祷告也没有用。实在说,不必求那么多,如果要求,应该求主叫我们开启。回想那些所谓的灵恩运动,他们聚会的那种光景、举动和空气,都是叫人开起来的。即使有时候似乎很野蛮,但原则还是对的。可惜我们今天的聚会却是叫人关闭,叫人受捆绑。
 
  我们要服下来,谦卑的求主叫我们看见这一个异象。不是我们享受、满足,有甜美的感觉而已,乃是要看见主是在复活里。我们需要这一个复活的异象,叫我们能蹿山越岭。尽管我们的心灵有重压,我们的环境有艰难,但我们要看见,在我们里头的主是活泼、刚强、蹿山越岭的。若是我们里头对复活有这一个认识,同时是开启的,我们就是一个被挑破的爆竹。请记得,一个开启的人,就能把别人开启。我开启了,就烧到别人,别人也就开了,他又回过来烧我。这样大家彼此燃烧,结果就是一个真实的复兴。不要留恋已往的经历,也不要把自己一直关起来,这两面的结果都是死。越留恋已往越死,越关闭也越死;乃要学习开启。起头你也许不太习惯,也不太信得来;但请试试看,在任何场合都学习开启。你就会发现,无限的供应要从你里面涌出来,属灵的复兴要从你里头爆发出来。  然而,这个开启并不是敞开说直话,指责别人。如果是这样,那就是开坟墓,倒垃圾,把死亡、污秽完全倒出来。开启乃是把自己倒出来,把自己真实的光景说出来,无论是感觉软弱,感觉自己败坏,有亏欠,或者感觉自己爬不起来,不活、不新鲜,都敞开说出来。要知道,主就在你里面,当你把自己倒出来时,主也出来了。复兴的秘诀就在这里。追查召会历史所有的复兴,其秘诀都在这里。为什么要多有祷告?就是为叫自己开启。为什么需要能力?就是为叫别人开启。开启了就有复兴。若是我们认识这个窍,肯开启,肯在各种聚会中开启,在弟兄姊妹的交通中开启,这是何等美好的事!你我一开启,聚会就活了,主就有出路了。  但愿这些话能影响众人,从这时候起就学习把自己开启,让主出来。这是带来复兴一个铁定的原则。    原刊于一九六〇年十一月“话语职事”第一百十三期
 
REVIVAL BEING A LAW OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
 After studying the biographies of many spiritual men and the revivals that we have experienced in the past, we have come to the conclusion that revival is a law of the spiritual life.
 Every organism has its own laws. Biology is the study of the laws of various organisms, including the phenomena and the issue of the operation of these laws. Our spiritual life also has many laws. For example, Romans 8:2 speaks of “the law of the Spirit of life,” and Hebrews 8:10 speaks of the laws that God will inscribe on our hearts. There is another law of the spiritual life related to revival. Although I have observed revivals and also experienced revivals, I never considered that revival is a law. Therefore, I have not given any messages concerning the law of revival.
 In Christianity the word revival is often used in the context of a spiritual reawakening. This understanding is applied to a Christian who becomes cold, stumbles, goes back to the world, or falls into sin, but if he later rises up again to love and pursue the Lord, he has experienced a reawakening, a revival. This, however, is not what the Bible reveals as a revival in the normal experience of a Christian. It is true that a person who stumbles, becomes cold, or backslides needs to be revived. However, even if a person does not stumble, become cold, or backslide, he still needs a revival, because being revived is a law of the spiritual life.
 
REVIVAL BEING THE METABOLISM OF OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE
 The revivals in our spiritual life have the same function as the metabolism of an animal or a plant. In both the animal life and the plant life there is a metabolic function. The ability of an organism to grow and mature depends on the law of metabolism. If the metabolic function stops, the growth of life will also stop. The continual growth of a tree also depends on the seasonal cycles of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Under normal conditions a tree needs metabolic processes in order to grow well.
 This principle applies also to our human life, which is the highest form of the created life. Medical doctors know that every cell in the human body is completely renewed about every seven years. This renewing requires that the metabolic functions in our body operate daily; that is, new nutrients must be absorbed to supply us, and old nutrients must be discharged. The old nutrients are discharged and replaced by the new nutrients. This is metabolism. Our body grows and becomes strong through this process, which is a law of the human life.
 If we compare what the Bible says concerning revival with the experiences of believers, we can see that the spiritual life also includes a “metabolic” process. This process is a cycle that is repeated continuously. In our spiritual experience there is a beginning, a course, and an ending, after which we experience another beginning with another course and another ending. This cycle repeats itself, and each repetition takes us forward. The beginning, course, and ending are a spiritual metabolism. This is also a law of revival. Every new beginning is a new revival and is followed by a course. When the course reaches its fullness, the experiences in that stage come to an end. Then another beginning will ensue with another course and another ending. This is the cycle of revival.
 
KNOWING THE LAW
 If we know the law, or secret, to doing something, we will have the assurance of doing it well. Revivals are not an exception. If we understand the law of revival and touch the secret to revivals, it will be easy for us to experience a revival. For example, the people in a village in northern China contracted night blindness. Later, it was discovered that if they ate the liver of a certain fish, known locally as flatfish, their eyesight would be restored. From that time onward, those who were diagnosed with this disease were healed by eating the flatfish liver. Studies have shown that night blindness is due to the shortage of vitamin A in the body and that the flatfish liver is rich in vitamin A; hence, it was possible to cure the disease. This is an example of a law. As soon as this law was discovered, it was easy to cure the disease. Those who had the disease did not need to worry or fear. As long as they applied the law, they would be healed. Once a law is discovered, it is possible for help to be rendered.
 
THE ISSUE OF NOT KNOWING THE LAW OF REVIVAL
 Some saints have spiritual “night blindness.” They are always in anguish and feel oppressed. They long to rise up, but they are unable because they have not touched the law that can cure their disease. For the last ten years we have given messages concerning the aspects of our spiritual life, but we missed the matter of revival, the law of revival. Without this teaching we have suffered much and sustained much loss. We suffer, feel oppressed, and are not released, because we neither know the law of revival, nor do we know how to apply this law.
 Several years ago many saints entered into the pause after the end of a revival and began to feel oppressed, weak, and in darkness. When they examined their situation, however, they realized that they had not stumbled and that they were stronger in the Lord. Nevertheless, they did not sense the same sweetness, freshness, or vitality. These saints remained in this condition for more than five years and could not find a way to be released. They suffered because we had not discovered the law of revival. Even though some saints were refreshed occasionally and could rise up when they touched the Lord, the help that they received was general.
 
MORE REVIVALS RESULTING IN FASTER GROWTH
 After the end of a revival it is not necessary to experience a pause for a prolonged period of time. According to the law in our spiritual life, every revival has a course, after which there is a sense of being unsatisfied. This prepares us for a new revival. Hence, we should not feel weak and oppressed for a long time. We must remember that such feelings indicate that another revival will come. Furthermore, such feelings indicate that we need a new supply. This new supply is a revival. This is according to the law of revival.
 Genuine growth in life is gained in the cycle of being revived, feeling unsatisfied for a period of time after the end of a revival, and then being revived again. This is also the way for our spiritual stature to increase. No matter how thorough a revival may be, it is not possible to gain every spiritual experience and become full grown in one revival. We must experience many revivals in our spiritual journey. This is the way for us to receive a fresh spiritual supply and to grow in the spiritual life. Those who do not pass through many spiritual cycles will grow slowly and will not gain much stature. In contrast, those who pass through this process many times will grow quickly and will mature.
 In the physical realm a person needs to exercise in order to accelerate his metabolism. A person with a fast metabolism will experience proper growth and will be strong. This principle can be applied to our spiritual life. A person who passes through more cycles of being revived will grow fast. Regrettably, many saints have been in an oppressed situation for up to six years, and they have not experienced a new cycle of revival. Hence, their spiritual life is stagnant; they do not have much growth, nor are they learning new lessons. We could say that they have learned to be patient, but this may not be a genuine lesson, because even an unbeliever who is in a difficult situation for up to six years can learn to be patient without being spiritually experienced. Some saints have indeed made progress in their conduct, in the way they take care of matters, in their temperament, and in their habits. However, such progress might not be spiritual growth; it is possible that it is merely the outcome of being tried under difficult circumstances. There is a big difference between this experience and spiritual progress.
 Genuine spiritual growth depends on the renewing of the inner life. This renewing in life is a revival. When we experience a revival, we will know and receive more spiritual things. After a period of time, what we know and have received will become old, and we will feel unsatisfied and weak. This means that it is time for us to be revived again in order to see and gain something new, that is, for the spiritual element to increase in us and for our spiritual stature to increase. Thus, another cycle will ensue, after which we will again become old and unsatisfied. Hence, we are renewed, become old, and are renewed again. Through this process we receive more spiritual elements. The new spiritual elements eliminate and swallow up some of the old elements in us. The more we are revived, the more spiritual elements will be added to us, and the more our natural elements will be swallowed up. The element of the self is discharged, and the element of God is added to us; we decrease, and the Lord increases. It is only through such a cycle of revival that we can grow.
 
KNOWING OURSELVES
 When we are in the pause after a cycle of revival, that is, when we are not satisfied, we gain a particular knowledge concerning ourselves. This is also a law. We do not see ourselves in the time of revival, because everyone who is in a revival is like a person who is drunk with wine. We become clearer when we enter into the time of being unsatisfied at the end of a revival. When a person is low, his being tends to be still. It is during this quiet time that he becomes clearer. This is true not only in spiritual matters. This principle also applies to the physical realm. When we are excited, we are not as clear about the condition of things. We tend to be optimistic and feel good about everything. When we are calm after the excitement, we become sober within and are able to see things clearly. We see the advantages and disadvantages, the benefits and the harm, the right and the wrong, and the gain and the loss.
 For example, when two people become friends, they initially cannot see each other’s condition clearly, because they are excited and affectionate. When the heat of the excitement dies down and they are calm, they will be able to see each other’s weaknesses and shortcomings. Similarly, during the time of a revival, a person is unclear about himself. He may feel that he has no problems and that all is well with him. Only when he is down will he see something particular related to his condition. In other words, when we are not satisfied, our real condition is partially exposed. As a result, we feel weak or short in the matter that is exposed.
 While a person is in a revival, he will often testify, “I am absolutely for the Lord; I am willing to pay any price for Him. My whole being—every drop of sweat, every ounce of blood, and every cell in my body—is for the Lord. My time is for the Lord, and my money is also for the Lord. I am willing to give Him my all.” We should not be so quick to give such a testimony. Perhaps in another six months the mood of our consecration will change. Perhaps we earn two hundred thousand dollars, and the Lord wants us to give two thousand for a particular need. We might count the two thousand dollars over and over, and eventually, we give only one thousand because we feel the pain in giving. Then we realize that we cannot easily overcome money. It seems as if the Lord can ask us for anything but not our money.
 A brother may be irritable and quick to lose his temper. Then he is revived and testifies in the meeting, “Thank the Lord! He has delivered me from my temper. In the past weeks I encountered many trying situations in which I would have become extremely angry. But to my amazement I did not lose my temper, not even once. Praise the Lord! My temper has gone; it is a thing of the past and has been cast into the sea. I have been freed from my temper.” This testimony is true, and it is also false. This can be compared to seeing a mirage. While playing by the sea, a person might see a city in the sky with houses and streets. We cannot say that he did not see a city, but those who understand physics know that this is a phenomenon of the refraction of light, reflecting a distant city such that it appears to be in the sky. The city looks real, but it is false. A person who is revived can be compared to a person seeing a mirage. Although he sees something, there is no reality to what he sees. He sees that his temper is over, but when the atmosphere of revival ends, and he is no longer satisfied, he will discover that his temper is more difficult to deal with than he had thought. Although he may love the Lord more, he cannot overcome his temper. This will puzzle him.
 A person knows himself better when he is down. When a person is down, his weaknesses and problems become manifest. This can be likened to a reef near the surface of the sea. At high tide the reef is submerged in the water and cannot be seen, but at low tide the reef is visible. When we are revived, the high tide of revival covers our weaknesses, and our real condition is not visible. However, as the high tide of revival recedes, our real condition will gradually appear, and our weaknesses will be clearly manifested. If we love money, our love for money will be manifested. If we are quick-tempered, our temper will be manifested. This is a law. After a revival our real condition will be manifested, and we will see our weaknesses.
 
KNOWING OURSELVES IN ORDER TO EXPERIENCE CHRIST AND HAVE A REVIVAL
 We normally feel that our weaknesses are terrible. However, our knowledge and experience of Christ are based on the knowledge of our weaknesses. If we do not learn more concerning our weaknesses, it will be hard for us to know more concerning Christ. Hearing messages concerning Christ and reading verses in the Bible that speak of Christ will not give us genuine knowledge concerning Christ. In order to genuinely know Christ, we must first discover our weaknesses. The weaknesses that we discover will reflect a certain characteristic of Christ. We can then experience and gain Christ according to this particular characteristic. Hence, our experience and gaining of Christ depend on our knowing our weaknesses. Many Christians can testify to this fact.
 While preaching the gospel, a brother may speak a clear word concerning the redemption of the Lord Jesus on the cross. Not everyone who hears and understands this word has a genuine knowledge of Christ, because what they hear is knowledge, theory, and doctrine; it is not genuine knowledge. The Holy Spirit must shine in a person’s conscience and even test him so that he may see that he is corrupt and sinful and that he is a hopeless sinner. Then the Holy Spirit will enlighten him further to see that all his sins were borne by Christ on the cross. It is after this that he will truly know the effectiveness of Christ’s redemption and will experience peace from the forgiveness of his sins. Hence, a person must recognize his sins in order to know and experience Christ’s redemption. Unless we recognize our sins, the messages that we hear concerning Christ’s redemption are useless to us. Our experience of Christ is reflected in what we know of ourselves. When we see a weakness in ourselves, we will also see a particular characteristic of Christ.
 Let us use another example. We have heard many messages concerning Christ being our life and concerning Christ having the power of resurrection, but these truths may be mere doctrine to us. One day the Lord will bring us to the point that we are surrounded and besieged by mountains and hills in our environment. Instead of there being a smooth highway before us, we will be faced with obstructions and will be pressed beyond our power within and without. This situation may last for several years. Then one day, when we are in a low and deadened condition, we may hear a message concerning the resurrected and transcendent Christ, who is not held by death but rather has broken through death. Although we may have heard such a message before, it did not have any effect on us because we lacked knowledge of our condition and of Christ’s characteristics. This time, however, we realize that Christ has indeed broken through death, has ascended, is exalted, and is transcendent over everything. When we begin to know this aspect of Christ, we are released and transcendent, and we enter into a new revival.
 We must remember that a revival is not a once-for-all experience. Every revival will come to an end, and we will again enter a time of being unsatisfied. However, during the time of being unsatisfied, we will discover another natural condition; that is, we recognize another natural weakness. This weakness will cause us to see a certain characteristic of Christ and experience Christ in this characteristic. Thus, we will again be revived and will know, experience, and gain more of Christ. The more we are revived, the more we will know Christ. If we stop being revived, our knowledge of Christ will also stop.
 Hence, it is good that we have weaknesses, for our weaknesses enable us to see the characteristics of Christ. It is difficult for us to know the characteristics of Christ if we do not know our own weaknesses. We discover our weaknesses after a revival. At such a time our heart is downcast, and there is a matching difficult environment, which is the discipline of the Holy Spirit. These cause us to gain a deeper knowledge of ourselves. The Holy Spirit often raises up a special situation in our environment to coordinate with His discipline so that we can discover our weaknesses or our problems. What we see becomes a kind of reflection that enables us to see a particular characteristic of Christ that can deal with our weakness. When we see and receive this characteristic, we will immediately be revived.
 
  多年来,我们一直觉得有许多一同事奉的人,还不能分别什么叫作感觉的生活,什么叫作信心的生活。这二者的讲究,在话语上可能还容易分别,但在经历中少有人能够分别。众人多半还是活在感觉里,难得有人真是凭信心生活。许多人事奉的时日并不算短,但能脱离感觉的不太多,能过信心生活的更是稀少。

  我们这样断定,是根据两面的情形:一面,有少数圣徒光景活泼、新鲜,常见证主怎样与他们同在,祷告、读经怎样碰着主自己,怎样觉得主甜美。另一面,多数圣徒身上这种甜美的经历已经过去了,现在既不觉得主的同在,也不感觉主的甜美,不但不新鲜活泼,甚至还觉得沉闷受压,想退去不再事奉。这两面的光景,表面看,好像前面一种比较好,后面一种差一点。事实上,这两面都证明一件事,人都是落在感觉的生活里。他们在属灵的路程上,还是随着情感走;他们与主之间的关系,仍建立在情感上。

  凡有属灵经历的人都知道,这样一段情感的生活,或者说感觉的生活,都相当长,几乎没有一个人能在短时间内从其中出来。并且当这样的生活受到试炼时,人差不多都糊涂了。从戴德生(Hudson Taylor)弟兄的传记可以看见,连他也遭遇过同样的试炼。他有好长一段时间,觉得读经不行,祷告不行,和主的交通也不行,里头好像不觉得主的可爱。当他遭遇这种试炼时,也非常惶恐,不懂为什么会这样。你若读过这些属灵人的传记,就会发现几乎每一个人都有这样的过程。头一段时间,在主面前和主有好的交通,觉得非常甜美、新鲜、活泼。但是到了一个时候,受到试炼,就下沉、苦闷、不新鲜了。有的人这样的经历,不只一次,乃是多次的;起来了又下去,再起来又下去,过着所谓波浪式的生活。这样起落的次数,和人天然的本性有关;属情感的人这种起落特别重,情感轻的人这种起落轻一点。有的人也许仅仅几次,就脱离了这种生活,但大多数人可能经过不知多少次,还留在这种生活里出不来。

  因此,当我回到主面前寻求时,里面有一个很深的感觉,主要带领我们,共同有一个美好的经历,就是从感觉的生活里出来。因为这种感觉的生活,在我们身上是个相当大的难处。

  雅歌所说属灵的经历,共有六段(歌一2~二7,二8~三5,三6~五1,五2~六13,七1~13,八1~14)。头一段从一章开始,直到二章七节结束,是最基础的一段。读雅歌,若是能把头一段读好,这卷书就容易向我们开启。在头一段,我们必须注意其中一个特点,就是主给人的启示很少,里面的内容差不多都是这个经历主的人,从自己的经历和感觉里说出来的。她头一句话说,“你的爱情比酒更美。”(一2)这是她的经历,也是她的感觉,并不是主的启示。她对主的认识,是由于她的经历,不是由于主的启示。然后,她又说,我的良人像“一袋没药”,又像“一束凤仙花”,也像“苹果树在树林中”(一13~14,二3),这些都是她从经历的感觉中说出来的。

  同时,在这一段里,她属灵的追求也都离不开她的感觉。她求问主说,“我心所爱的啊,…你在何处牧放羊群?晌午在何处使羊群歇卧?我何必在你众同伴的羊群旁边,好像蒙着脸的人呢?”(歌一7。)她说这话,意思不是别的,乃是说那些不追求主的人是挨饿的,但她也不饱足;那些不追求主的人是流荡的,但她也没有安息,她和他们同样蒙羞。他们如何,她也没有两样;所以她感觉,何必有这羞辱呢?像她这样追求主的人,应该有满足,能得主的喂养,也应该有安息,能在主使羊群歇卧的地方得着歇卧。

  这给我们看见,这个追求主的人对主的称赞,对主的认识,以及对主的追求,都是从她的感觉里出来的。可以说,在头一段里,这一个人缺少客观的异象和启示,她对主一切的称赞和追求,都是从主观的经历、主观的感觉里发表出来的。在这一段里,不容易找到客观的认识与发表,一切都是主观的。“主观”这辞虽是很好的用辞,但所有落在主观里的人不免流于肤浅。我们要作一个深入的人,就必须有客观的异象。异象就是有一个认识,一个看见,是从上面来的,从身外来的,从感觉之外来的,是从没有经历过的。然而在雅歌的头一段里,看不见那个追求主的人有这个看见。从一面说,她所说的全数是她的经历,不像今天一般人单讲一些身外空洞的道理;这是相当好的。但从另一面说,她那些经历还很肤浅,仍缺少启示。
 
 After studying the biographies of many spiritual men and the revivals that we have experienced in the past, we have come to the conclusion that revival is a law of the spiritual life.

 Every organism has its own laws. Biology is the study of the laws of various organisms, including the phenomena and the issue of the operation of these laws. Our spiritual life also has many laws. For example, Romans 8:2 speaks of “the law of the Spirit of life,” and Hebrews 8:10 speaks of the laws that God will inscribe on our hearts. There is another law of the spiritual life related to revival. Although I have observed revivals and also experienced revivals, I never considered that revival is a law. Therefore, I have not given any messages concerning the law of revival.

 In Christianity the word revival is often used in the context of a spiritual reawakening. This understanding is applied to a Christian who becomes cold, stumbles, goes back to the world, or falls into sin, but if he later rises up again to love and pursue the Lord, he has experienced a reawakening, a revival. This, however, is not what the Bible reveals as a revival in the normal experience of a Christian. It is true that a person who stumbles, becomes cold, or backslides needs to be revived. However, even if a person does not stumble, become cold, or backslide, he still needs a revival, because being revived is a law of the spiritual life.
  在我与圣徒们的接触里,圣灵在我里头给我看见,这么多圣徒当中,难得碰到一个有异象、有启示的人。这些圣徒多年来都是活在情感和感觉的生活里,他们和人之间是情感的,甚至与主之间也是情感的。他们和雅歌头一段里的女子一样,缺少客观的异象。

  有一天,我读雅歌,圣灵忽然在我里头叫我注意一句话:“看哪,他蹿山越岭而来。我的良人好像羚羊,或像小牡鹿。”(歌二8~9)我就看见,在雅歌里,那个客观的异象,高一点的异象,乃是从这里开始看见的。在此之前,这个追求主的人虽然有经历,但缺少异象;她所有的发表,所有的称赞,所有的求告,所有的祈求,都是从自己经历的感觉出来的。这固然宝贝,但若是一直落在这里,就不能往前,也不能向上。

  所以,到了第二段开始时,主进来了。请注意,这一次不是她来求,乃是主来提醒她。我们需要领会这一幅图画。原先这一个追求主的人,她和主之间满有情爱的交通,她饱尝主的香甜,满享主的肥甘。她在头一段说到:“王正坐席的时候,我的哪哒香膏发出香味。我以我的良人为一袋没药,夜里留在我的胸怀间。我以我的良人为一束凤仙花,在隐基底的葡萄园中。”(歌一12~14)“我的良人在男子中,如同苹果树在树林中。我欢欢喜喜地坐在他的荫下,尝他果子的滋味觉得甘甜。他带我进入筵宴所,以爱为旗在我以上。”(二3~4)从她的这些描述,就知道她非常享受主的丰盛,经历主的甘甜。但同时也可以读出,她落在一间屋子里,把主关在外面,还不知道。幸好这间屋子有窗户,有一点开启,并不是完全封闭的,所以她能透过窗户看到良人的举动。她看见良人的光景,像一只小牡鹿蹿山越岭而来(二8~9)。我们要意会,在这里并没有甜美的感觉,也没有安息满足的享受。这一幅图画所给她看见的,完全是一个力量、活力、能力的显现。她看见一只小牡鹿,在山岭之间蹿来蹿去;山岭是高的,这只小牡鹿却能一直蹿越过来。这里给她的印象不是主观的,也不是经历的,她乃是看见了一个客观的异象。

  我们中间,特别是事奉的人,实在需要看见这个异象。因为普遍的圣徒,直到今天还留在感觉的生活里,留在情感的生活里。众人所盼望的,就是主之于他们能有怎样的甘甜,怎样的满足。然而,现在不如五年前、八年前那样新鲜、甜美了,反而里面觉得沉闷、死寂。所以他们觉得,也许是自己出了问题,落下去了,在主手中有毛病了。此外,在环境中,也实实在在满了山岭的光景。有的人肉身上有难处,有的人家庭有难处,有的人事业有难处,有的人在同工中碰到难处,有的人在召会里遇到困难。从前无论生活或是事奉,所遭遇的都是平顺,好像是走平坦大路,一片光明;现在不行了,到处都是山岭,这里是高山,那里是峻岭,到处都没有路,叫人实在为难。请记得,在这种光景下,就需要异象,需要有客观的看见,需要对主有进一步的认识。

  多年来,我们对主好像也有过多次进一步的认识,但那些都还没有超出雅歌头一段的经历。无论是我们的赞美、感谢、祷告或是见证,当我们说到与主之间的关系时,都还是在头一段的经历里。我们只认识这一位主是可爱的,是叫人得满足的。然而,只有这一种对主的认识是不够的,我们需要对主有进一步的认识。我要着重的强调,我们需要对主有雅歌第二段的经历。

  在这第二段的经历里,不是主叫你安息、得满足的问题,乃是你看见祂是一位复活的主,在祂身上有一个能力、活力,能蹿山越岭而行动。前面是那个追求的女子向主求说,“我心所爱的啊,求你告诉我,你在何处…?”(歌一7。)她要到主那里得满足,得安息。现在不是她去求,乃是主来呼召,说,“我的美人,起来,与我同去。”(二10)这里不是享受的问题,乃是行动的问题。享受需要满足,需要安息;行动需要能力,需要活力。主说,“起来,与我同去;因为冬天已过,雨水也止住过去了。地上百花开放,百鸟鸣叫的时候已经来到;斑鸠的声音在我们境内也听见了。…与我同去。”(歌10下~13)一切都是复活的气象,一切都是新鲜的光景;主要追求者起来,与祂同去。
 
 The revivals in our spiritual life have the same function as the metabolism of an animal or a plant. In both the animal life and the plant life there is a metabolic function. The ability of an organism to grow and mature depends on the law of metabolism. If the metabolic function stops, the growth of life will also stop. The continual growth of a tree also depends on the seasonal cycles of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Under normal conditions a tree needs metabolic processes in order to grow well.

 This principle applies also to our human life, which is the highest form of the created life. Medical doctors know that every cell in the human body is completely renewed about every seven years. This renewing requires that the metabolic functions in our body operate daily; that is, new nutrients must be absorbed to supply us, and old nutrients must be discharged. The old nutrients are discharged and replaced by the new nutrients. This is metabolism. Our body grows and becomes strong through this process, which is a law of the human life.

 If we compare what the Bible says concerning revival with the experiences of believers, we can see that the spiritual life also includes a “metabolic” process. This process is a cycle that is repeated continuously. In our spiritual experience there is a beginning, a course, and an ending, after which we experience another beginning with another course and another ending. This cycle repeats itself, and each repetition takes us forward. The beginning, course, and ending are a spiritual metabolism. This is also a law of revival. Every new beginning is a new revival and is followed by a course. When the course reaches its fullness, the experiences in that stage come to an end. Then another beginning will ensue with another course and another ending. This is the cycle of revival.
  主虽这样呼召,但这个女子接下来所说的话,仍是留恋在自己里面。她说,“我的良人属我,我也属他;他在百合花中牧放群羊。”(歌二16)她还没有忘记主之于她,是作她的享受,她还丢不掉享受的问题。这一幅图画,应用在我们身上,实在非常恰切。许多弟兄姊妹留在情感的生活里,实在够久了,以致变得非常陈旧、死寂,却还不肯出来,仍要留在那里,回头去享受那些旧日的感觉与时光。常有人说,“我们不如八年前,不如五年前了,那时候真好,和弟兄们祷告交通起来何等甜美。现在不行了,即使有一点感觉,味道也不足了。”这都说出众人心里还留恋从前的光景。这一种留恋,完全是在自己里面,是在自己的感觉和情感里。

  这种留恋是没有用的,到末了,不只在感觉上没有主的同在,在实际上也会失去主的同在,因为主不能一直留在那里。所以,雅歌第二段一开始,那女子从前的经历没有用了。因为一开始她所看见的,根本不在她身内,不在她的感觉里,也不在她的想像里。她看见外面有些东西,所以她说,“看哪,他蹿山越岭而来。我的良人好像羚羊,或像小牡鹿。”(歌二8~9)这是她的异象;这没有别的,乃是主要我们脱离情感、感觉的生活,而不再那样只是为着享受,为着满足,为着安息。我们必须脱离这些,看见主在复活里的光景,而进一步认识主的复活。

  有这样头一段经历的人,要脱离这种感觉和享受相当不容易。我们已经说过,在第二段的经历里,主给她异象,叫她看见主是一只蹿山越岭的小牡鹿;主也呼召她,要她起来,与主同去(歌二8~13)。然而她还在那里说,“我的良人属我,我也属他;他在百合花中牧放群羊。”(16)她说了这话之后,主就离去不见了。她还在床上留恋着那属灵的享受,但找不着主了(歌三1)。因着找不到,才逼着她离开享受的地位,开门出外,到街道上寻找(三2)。起先她没有寻见主,后来主忽然出来,再给她遇着,她还想把主抓住,拖主到她的享受里(三4)。由此可见,她很不容易脱离这种享受的生活。

  这种感觉的生活,在每一个人身上都相当的长,也相当的深。这些日子,也许有的人会得到一点新的经历,有新的复兴,然而我担心你们刚得复兴,又是旧戏重演,拖着主和主一同享受。所有读雅歌的人都承认,三章五节那段沉默的时间相当长,这个女子有很长一段时间,停留在那里。换句话说,这个人又回头停留在情感的生活里。等这一段长时间过去,到了六节第三段开始,这个女子的光景才改换了。这时她的情形像烟柱(歌三6)一样,是腾空、超越的;并且她又是所罗门王的一乘华轿(三9),这意思是,她是能行动的。所以到这时候,毫无疑问,她已经脱离了享受的生活,而在行动里有了经历。这就是人进一步认识复活之后所有的改变。
 
 If we know the law, or secret, to doing something, we will have the assurance of doing it well. Revivals are not an exception. If we understand the law of revival and touch the secret to revivals, it will be easy for us to experience a revival. For example, the people in a village in northern China contracted night blindness. Later, it was discovered that if they ate the liver of a certain fish, known locally as flatfish, their eyesight would be restored. From that time onward, those who were diagnosed with this disease were healed by eating the flatfish liver. Studies have shown that night blindness is due to the shortage of vitamin A in the body and that the flatfish liver is rich in vitamin A; hence, it was possible to cure the disease. This is an example of a law. As soon as this law was discovered, it was easy to cure the disease. Those who had the disease did not need to worry or fear. As long as they applied the law, they would be healed. Once a law is discovered, it is possible for help to be rendered.
  现今,我们个个几乎都需要这复活的异象。我们唯有看见这个异象,才能蹿山越岭,胜过周围的环境。我们心里的难处、家庭中的难处、环境中的难处、召会中的难处,都是山岭,不是我们借着享受主的甘甜和丰盛,就能蹿越过去的。这需要我们有复活的异象,看见这位复活的主是何等的超越,祂不受这些难处的阻隔;如此,我们才能蹿越一切的难处。

  相信这些时日,有人会在里面看见这样的异象。主要带你从情感的生活、感觉的生活里出来,叫你今后和主之间的关系不是感觉的、情感的,乃是有启示、有异象的。你看见祂在复活里,而祂今天住在你里面。这一位复活的主在你里面,作了复活的能力。这个异象一显在你里面,你就蒙拯救,能像主一样蹿山越岭,即使遇到再强烈的反对,再深的为难,再重的疾病,再大的风波,再多的折磨,都不能困住你。因为你所经历的主,不是像一袋没药,一束凤仙花,而是像一只小牡鹿,蹿山越岭,是环境无法阻隔的。一袋没药虽馨香,一束凤仙花虽美丽,但是没有能力;能力乃是在小牡鹿身上,是在复活里。

  多年来,你我的问题就在于,只认识主如何叫我们满足,叫我们安息,我们还没有看见祂是在复活里,是一位复活的主,而祂复活的能力就在你我里面。你缺少这个看见,所以你一直停留在感觉的生活里,停留在情感的起伏里。好一点时你就兴奋,差一点时你就沉闷。摸着主的同在时,你就喜乐;摸不着主的同在时,你觉得痛苦。环境平顺时,你赞美感谢;环境崎岖时,你怨天尤人。这一切都证明你亟需一个看见,亟需有客观的异象,看见在复活里的基督。只要你有一天稍微看见这异象,你立刻能说,“艰难可以再多一点,山岭可以再高一点,我仍旧能超越。”你能腾空,你能像一根烟柱一样,在那里行动。你不受里头荒凉光景的限制,也不受外面环境的难为。所有的风波、搅扰,都在你脚下,你在上面是蹿山越岭的。这一个异象,这一个经历,实在是我们每一个人所急切需要的。
 
 Some saints have spiritual “night blindness.” They are always in anguish and feel oppressed. They long to rise up, but they are unable because they have not touched the law that can cure their disease. For the last ten years we have given messages concerning the aspects of our spiritual life, but we missed the matter of revival, the law of revival. Without this teaching we have suffered much and sustained much loss. We suffer, feel oppressed, and are not released, because we neither know the law of revival, nor do we know how to apply this law.

 Several years ago many saints entered into the pause after the end of a revival and began to feel oppressed, weak, and in darkness. When they examined their situation, however, they realized that they had not stumbled and that they were stronger in the Lord. Nevertheless, they did not sense the same sweetness, freshness, or vitality. These saints remained in this condition for more than five years and could not find a way to be released. They suffered because we had not discovered the law of revival. Even though some saints were refreshed occasionally and could rise up when they touched the Lord, the help that they received was general.
  主呼召我们从感觉里出来,实在说,就是要我们从自己里面出来。所以在雅歌第二段末了,主逼这一个追求祂的人到一个地步,叫她不光从床上起来,也从屋里出来(歌三1~2)。那就是主逼她脱离情感的生活,脱离感觉的生活,也就是脱离她的自己。

  试问,我们今天的光景,有多少人不是关在自己的房间里?恐怕我们许多人都是把自己关得紧紧的;无论是参加聚会,或是探望圣徒,常常是关闭的。原因就在于我们仍活在情感的生活里,活在感觉的生活里。七、八年前,众人来在一起,你觉得甜美,我也觉得甜美,所以大家很敞开、很释放。可是到了今天,再来在一起,你不觉得甜美,我也不觉得甜美,活泼新鲜的味道没有了,结果众人就把自己关起来,关在自己里面,不肯敞开。这两面都证明我们没有脱离感觉的生活。
 
 After the end of a revival it is not necessary to experience a pause for a prolonged period of time. According to the law in our spiritual life, every revival has a course, after which there is a sense of being unsatisfied. This prepares us for a new revival. Hence, we should not feel weak and oppressed for a long time. We must remember that such feelings indicate that another revival will come. Furthermore, such feelings indicate that we need a new supply. This new supply is a revival. This is according to the law of revival.

 Genuine growth in life is gained in the cycle of being revived, feeling unsatisfied for a period of time after the end of a revival, and then being revived again. This is also the way for our spiritual stature to increase. No matter how thorough a revival may be, it is not possible to gain every spiritual experience and become full grown in one revival. We must experience many revivals in our spiritual journey. This is the way for us to receive a fresh spiritual supply and to grow in the spiritual life. Those who do not pass through many spiritual cycles will grow slowly and will not gain much stature. In contrast, those who pass through this process many times will grow quickly and will mature.

 In the physical realm a person needs to exercise in order to accelerate his metabolism. A person with a fast metabolism will experience proper growth and will be strong. This principle can be applied to our spiritual life. A person who passes through more cycles of being revived will grow fast. Regrettably, many saints have been in an oppressed situation for up to six years, and they have not experienced a new cycle of revival. Hence, their spiritual life is stagnant; they do not have much growth, nor are they learning new lessons. We could say that they have learned to be patient, but this may not be a genuine lesson, because even an unbeliever who is in a difficult situation for up to six years can learn to be patient without being spiritually experienced. Some saints have indeed made progress in their conduct, in the way they take care of matters, in their temperament, and in their habits. However, such progress might not be spiritual growth; it is possible that it is merely the outcome of being tried under difficult circumstances. There is a big difference between this experience and spiritual progress.

 Genuine spiritual growth depends on the renewing of the inner life. This renewing in life is a revival. When we experience a revival, we will know and receive more spiritual things. After a period of time, what we know and have received will become old, and we will feel unsatisfied and weak. This means that it is time for us to be revived again in order to see and gain something new, that is, for the spiritual element to increase in us and for our spiritual stature to increase. Thus, another cycle will ensue, after which we will again become old and unsatisfied. Hence, we are renewed, become old, and are renewed again. Through this process we receive more spiritual elements. The new spiritual elements eliminate and swallow up some of the old elements in us. The more we are revived, the more spiritual elements will be added to us, and the more our natural elements will be swallowed up. The element of the self is discharged, and the element of God is added to us; we decrease, and the Lord increases. It is only through such a cycle of revival that we can grow.
  若是我们众人盼望得着复兴,有一个新的开头,再新鲜起来,唯一的路就是开启、敞开。不能再把自己保留在里面,扣在里面,乃要把自己开起来,释放出来。开启自己的路很简单,当你来到弟兄跟前,可以这样对他说,“弟兄,我里头沉闷,我里头陈旧。”你不要把沉闷的自己关在里面,乃要把你沉闷的感觉释放出来。试试看,若是你来找我敞开,我找你敞开,大家一见面都敞开,我们中间定规会有一个复兴。今天在召会中,许多一同事奉的人,一面说真是熟悉,因为天天见面;另一面说,一点不熟悉,因为你把自己关住,我也把自己关住;我里头属灵的光景从没有向你打开,你里头属灵的光景也从没有让我知道。在这种光景中,怎能有复兴?

  历代求复兴的人,开头都是求从天上有个复兴降下来,盼望从天上降下一个能力,像倾盆大雨一样降在他们身上。然而,他们越经历复兴,到末了越能见证,那真实的复兴并不是从天降下的,乃是从他们里面出来的。因为复活的主乃是那灵,就住在他们里面。即使是最荒凉、堕落的弟兄或姊妹,这位圣灵仍住在他们里面,并且这位在他们里面的圣灵,还满有基督一切的丰富。所以这个复兴的能力不是从天上,从客观的地位降下来的,乃是根本就已经住在我们里面。现在的问题是在于这能力有没有出来,或者说我们让不让它出来。

  人常常愚笨至极,不明白主的话。罗马十章明说,““你不要心里说,谁要升到天上?”就是要领下基督来,或说,“谁要下到无底坑?”就是要领基督从死人中上来。…“这话与你相近,就在你口里,也在你心里。”…你若口里认耶稣为主,心里信神叫祂从死人中复活,就必得救。”(罗十6~9)这里说人若是要得救,要找基督,不必上天,也不必下地;这话离人不远,就在人的口里,也在人的心里。人只要一信,一承认,就得救了。这话是对没有得救经历,没有圣灵在里面的人说的。若是对他们都这样容易,更何况是对我们这些已经得救,早已有圣灵住在里面的人呢?若是我们要求复兴,难道这个复兴还要远远的从天上,或从地下临到我们么?或者是只要从我们里面流出来,就可以了?读历代召会复兴的历史,我们得着一个印象,人在初期总是盼望从上头有一个复兴降下,但有经历的人会发现,那从天上降下来的能力,乃是从人里面涌流出来的。所以复兴的关键不在于降下,乃在于开起来。在我们里面早已含蓄着一个能力,一个爆炸的力量,只要我们肯开起来,让它从我们里面爆炸出来,那就是一个厉害的复兴。

  有许多人说,要复兴应该多祷告,这是不错。但我要一再的说,复兴的关键和秘诀,不在于求主赐下什么,乃在于向主开启,让祂出来。近来,我曾花相当多的工夫,在主面前思想这事。我越想越清楚,当圣灵在一个人身上作工时,基本的原则就是要这个人敞开。人越保守,越关闭,就越无法蒙恩。二、三十年前,在中国北方,曾一度盛行一种“灵恩运动”,专一注重叫人接受圣灵浇灌。在这个运动里,有许多地方太极端,甚至成了异端。但是另一面,照我的观察,他们有一个作法是对的,就是专专鼓动那些关闭、保守的人都敞开。

  比方,他们带人认罪,就是和人一同跪下,帮助人一项一项的认。他们在旁边问那个人:“你有没有罪?”他说,“有罪。”“什么罪?”“我得罪父母。”“什么事得罪父母?”就这样在旁边一直指点,点到末了,罪认完了,人也开启了。常常到这时候,圣灵就浇灌在那人身上。若说这是人工,我也承认,但是到末了,人工引进天工,圣灵浇灌了。我确实知道,有人这样经历浇灌之后,不良的嗜好、陋习、罪恶就都丢弃了。这里有一个很大的原则,就是人一开启,就容易蒙恩。

  我们目前的难处就在这里,圣徒们来在一起,或者交通,或者聚会,关闭的情形非常严重。比方,每周二晚上,各分家都有祷告聚会,但来聚会的圣徒,多半是取关闭的态度,都是打定主意,来了就是不祷告、不开口。这样的祷告聚会怎能强呢?所以我觉得或许我们需要敞开的道,无论是祷告聚会,或是擘饼聚会,都讲敞开的道,一定要众人都敞开。开头的时候,可能有人会觉得勉强,说,“圣灵没有感动,我讲什么?”但奇妙的是,你只要一敞开,感动就来了。你越不敞开,就越不会敞开;你越等候感动,感动就越跑掉。

  我们必须看见,在我们里头有一个宝贝,有一个丰富的源头,被我们扣住了、闭塞了。一切的问题都不在于你软弱,我刚强;你冷淡,我热心。要看见,我热心,我里头有这源头;你冷淡,你里头还是有这个源头。这个源头没有改变,没有两样,问题只在于你让不让它流出来。

  比方,我小时候常喜欢玩一种游戏,就是把几十支爆竹摆在一起,用针把这些爆竹前端引信的包纸挑破,使火药暴露出来。然后拿一支香,把其中的一两支爆竹点着,使它爆炸。这一爆炸,火星就跳到其他爆竹上,引燃那些挑破的引信,结果这几十支爆竹就一齐爆炸,非常热闹好玩。用这事比喻基督徒非常恰切。我们一个个都是一支爆竹,而炸药就是我们里面的基督。现在的难处是我们一个个把基督包得牢牢的,不肯破碎,不肯开启。我们祷告主求复兴,但自己却包得紧紧的。这是行不通的。我们来聚会,最多不过是把我们这些包起来的爆竹打开来看,看了一个半钟头,末了又照样包起来,然后散会。到下一次聚会再打开来看,然后又包起来。像这样包着,再过十年也不会爆炸,即使大家恳切祷告也没有用。实在说,不必求那么多,如果要求,应该求主叫我们开启。回想那些所谓的灵恩运动,他们聚会的那种光景、举动和空气,都是叫人开起来的。即使有时候似乎很野蛮,但原则还是对的。可惜我们今天的聚会却是叫人关闭,叫人受捆绑。
 
 When we are in the pause after a cycle of revival, that is, when we are not satisfied, we gain a particular knowledge concerning ourselves. This is also a law. We do not see ourselves in the time of revival, because everyone who is in a revival is like a person who is drunk with wine. We become clearer when we enter into the time of being unsatisfied at the end of a revival. When a person is low, his being tends to be still. It is during this quiet time that he becomes clearer. This is true not only in spiritual matters. This principle also applies to the physical realm. When we are excited, we are not as clear about the condition of things. We tend to be optimistic and feel good about everything. When we are calm after the excitement, we become sober within and are able to see things clearly. We see the advantages and disadvantages, the benefits and the harm, the right and the wrong, and the gain and the loss.

 For example, when two people become friends, they initially cannot see each other’s condition clearly, because they are excited and affectionate. When the heat of the excitement dies down and they are calm, they will be able to see each other’s weaknesses and shortcomings. Similarly, during the time of a revival, a person is unclear about himself. He may feel that he has no problems and that all is well with him. Only when he is down will he see something particular related to his condition. In other words, when we are not satisfied, our real condition is partially exposed. As a result, we feel weak or short in the matter that is exposed.

 While a person is in a revival, he will often testify, “I am absolutely for the Lord; I am willing to pay any price for Him. My whole being—every drop of sweat, every ounce of blood, and every cell in my body—is for the Lord. My time is for the Lord, and my money is also for the Lord. I am willing to give Him my all.” We should not be so quick to give such a testimony. Perhaps in another six months the mood of our consecration will change. Perhaps we earn two hundred thousand dollars, and the Lord wants us to give two thousand for a particular need. We might count the two thousand dollars over and over, and eventually, we give only one thousand because we feel the pain in giving. Then we realize that we cannot easily overcome money. It seems as if the Lord can ask us for anything but not our money.

 A brother may be irritable and quick to lose his temper. Then he is revived and testifies in the meeting, “Thank the Lord! He has delivered me from my temper. In the past weeks I encountered many trying situations in which I would have become extremely angry. But to my amazement I did not lose my temper, not even once. Praise the Lord! My temper has gone; it is a thing of the past and has been cast into the sea. I have been freed from my temper.” This testimony is true, and it is also false. This can be compared to seeing a mirage. While playing by the sea, a person might see a city in the sky with houses and streets. We cannot say that he did not see a city, but those who understand physics know that this is a phenomenon of the refraction of light, reflecting a distant city such that it appears to be in the sky. The city looks real, but it is false. A person who is revived can be compared to a person seeing a mirage. Although he sees something, there is no reality to what he sees. He sees that his temper is over, but when the atmosphere of revival ends, and he is no longer satisfied, he will discover that his temper is more difficult to deal with than he had thought. Although he may love the Lord more, he cannot overcome his temper. This will puzzle him.

 A person knows himself better when he is down. When a person is down, his weaknesses and problems become manifest. This can be likened to a reef near the surface of the sea. At high tide the reef is submerged in the water and cannot be seen, but at low tide the reef is visible. When we are revived, the high tide of revival covers our weaknesses, and our real condition is not visible. However, as the high tide of revival recedes, our real condition will gradually appear, and our weaknesses will be clearly manifested. If we love money, our love for money will be manifested. If we are quick-tempered, our temper will be manifested. This is a law. After a revival our real condition will be manifested, and we will see our weaknesses.
  我们要服下来,谦卑的求主叫我们看见这一个异象。不是我们享受、满足,有甜美的感觉而已,乃是要看见主是在复活里。我们需要这一个复活的异象,叫我们能蹿山越岭。尽管我们的心灵有重压,我们的环境有艰难,但我们要看见,在我们里头的主是活泼、刚强、蹿山越岭的。若是我们里头对复活有这一个认识,同时是开启的,我们就是一个被挑破的爆竹。请记得,一个开启的人,就能把别人开启。我开启了,就烧到别人,别人也就开了,他又回过来烧我。这样大家彼此燃烧,结果就是一个真实的复兴。不要留恋已往的经历,也不要把自己一直关起来,这两面的结果都是死。越留恋已往越死,越关闭也越死;乃要学习开启。起头你也许不太习惯,也不太信得来;但请试试看,在任何场合都学习开启。你就会发现,无限的供应要从你里面涌出来,属灵的复兴要从你里头爆发出来。

  然而,这个开启并不是敞开说直话,指责别人。如果是这样,那就是开坟墓,倒垃圾,把死亡、污秽完全倒出来。开启乃是把自己倒出来,把自己真实的光景说出来,无论是感觉软弱,感觉自己败坏,有亏欠,或者感觉自己爬不起来,不活、不新鲜,都敞开说出来。要知道,主就在你里面,当你把自己倒出来时,主也出来了。复兴的秘诀就在这里。追查召会历史所有的复兴,其秘诀都在这里。为什么要多有祷告?就是为叫自己开启。为什么需要能力?就是为叫别人开启。开启了就有复兴。若是我们认识这个窍,肯开启,肯在各种聚会中开启,在弟兄姊妹的交通中开启,这是何等美好的事!你我一开启,聚会就活了,主就有出路了。

  但愿这些话能影响众人,从这时候起就学习把自己开启,让主出来。这是带来复兴一个铁定的原则。  

  原刊于一九六〇年十一月“话语职事”第一百十三期
 
 We normally feel that our weaknesses are terrible. However, our knowledge and experience of Christ are based on the knowledge of our weaknesses. If we do not learn more concerning our weaknesses, it will be hard for us to know more concerning Christ. Hearing messages concerning Christ and reading verses in the Bible that speak of Christ will not give us genuine knowledge concerning Christ. In order to genuinely know Christ, we must first discover our weaknesses. The weaknesses that we discover will reflect a certain characteristic of Christ. We can then experience and gain Christ according to this particular characteristic. Hence, our experience and gaining of Christ depend on our knowing our weaknesses. Many Christians can testify to this fact.

 While preaching the gospel, a brother may speak a clear word concerning the redemption of the Lord Jesus on the cross. Not everyone who hears and understands this word has a genuine knowledge of Christ, because what they hear is knowledge, theory, and doctrine; it is not genuine knowledge. The Holy Spirit must shine in a person’s conscience and even test him so that he may see that he is corrupt and sinful and that he is a hopeless sinner. Then the Holy Spirit will enlighten him further to see that all his sins were borne by Christ on the cross. It is after this that he will truly know the effectiveness of Christ’s redemption and will experience peace from the forgiveness of his sins. Hence, a person must recognize his sins in order to know and experience Christ’s redemption. Unless we recognize our sins, the messages that we hear concerning Christ’s redemption are useless to us. Our experience of Christ is reflected in what we know of ourselves. When we see a weakness in ourselves, we will also see a particular characteristic of Christ.

 Let us use another example. We have heard many messages concerning Christ being our life and concerning Christ having the power of resurrection, but these truths may be mere doctrine to us. One day the Lord will bring us to the point that we are surrounded and besieged by mountains and hills in our environment. Instead of there being a smooth highway before us, we will be faced with obstructions and will be pressed beyond our power within and without. This situation may last for several years. Then one day, when we are in a low and deadened condition, we may hear a message concerning the resurrected and transcendent Christ, who is not held by death but rather has broken through death. Although we may have heard such a message before, it did not have any effect on us because we lacked knowledge of our condition and of Christ’s characteristics. This time, however, we realize that Christ has indeed broken through death, has ascended, is exalted, and is transcendent over everything. When we begin to know this aspect of Christ, we are released and transcendent, and we enter into a new revival.

 We must remember that a revival is not a once-for-all experience. Every revival will come to an end, and we will again enter a time of being unsatisfied. However, during the time of being unsatisfied, we will discover another natural condition; that is, we recognize another natural weakness. This weakness will cause us to see a certain characteristic of Christ and experience Christ in this characteristic. Thus, we will again be revived and will know, experience, and gain more of Christ. The more we are revived, the more we will know Christ. If we stop being revived, our knowledge of Christ will also stop.

 Hence, it is good that we have weaknesses, for our weaknesses enable us to see the characteristics of Christ. It is difficult for us to know the characteristics of Christ if we do not know our own weaknesses. We discover our weaknesses after a revival. At such a time our heart is downcast, and there is a matching difficult environment, which is the discipline of the Holy Spirit. These cause us to gain a deeper knowledge of ourselves. The Holy Spirit often raises up a special situation in our environment to coordinate with His discipline so that we can discover our weaknesses or our problems. What we see becomes a kind of reflection that enables us to see a particular characteristic of Christ that can deal with our weakness. When we see and receive this characteristic, we will immediately be revived.