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第六篇　我们给神的限制

启示的事奉

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　　读经：太六9~10，二八18~20。
　
　　关于主今后在台湾的召会和工作该如何带领及发展，我们首先要提起一个点，就是我们需要看见，我们对神有许多的亏欠，并且给神非常大的限制和拦阻。每逢想到主在台湾的召会和工作的前途，我里面就有一个很深、很痛的感觉；我们这些蒙恩的人，在这个时代中，在这个空间里，实在是限制了主，拦阻了主。我们给神的限制太大，拦阻太多，大到一个地步，多到一个地步，我们竟然习以为常。因着习以为常，也就不觉得是严重的事。如果我们在神面前有亮光、有感觉，我们就要看见，限制神，拦阻神，实在是太严重的事了。
　
　　中日战争胜利后，主在国内各处为我们开了敞开又有功效的门，各处的召会都复兴起来，也都逐渐上了轨道。正希望借着主的祝福，在国内为主有所作为时，却因环境变迁来到台湾。初到台湾，我里面时常觉得，在这里有什么可作的呢？所以心里充满了悲痛。一段时间之后，我里面觉得，应该到中南部，看看从大陆各处来台的圣徒。当我看过之后，悲痛的心情就转了。我深深觉得，主在这岛上有祂要作的工；主把我们带到这岛上，有祂美好的意思。
　　那时，主给我看见许多从大陆各省来的人，都集居在这岛上；我们在这里传福音，不只能得着本地的人，还能得着从大陆各省来的人。就地理和语言而论，这里与南洋并东洋相联、相通，所以我们在这里的福音工作，会有四种结果。首先，得着本地人；其次，得着大陆来的人；第三，联着南洋；第四，通着日本。我深觉这是主带领我们来到这里的用意。
　　我将这感觉交通给在台北召会负责的弟兄们。一九四九年夏天，仁爱路的会所造好之后，我们就以台北作全省的中心，开始作工。八月，我们召集了特别造就聚会；可以说，在台湾的工作是从那时开始的。经过二年半的工夫，主在环境中以许多的事实，证明我们的感觉是对的。
　　第一，我们当中有来自中国三十几省的弟兄姊妹，他们在召会中受过带领，受过造就，无论到那里，都能为主显出功用。
　　第二，我们当中有些本地圣徒，向着主有心，愿意为主而活；他们都有负担，要将主的福音传给本地人。
　　第三，在主的安排中，我去过南洋三次。在这三次的访问中，我和当地圣徒在主里有很好蒙福的交通，彼此都得到供应。将来两下在蒙恩上的交通，并在事奉上的配搭，因着主的恩待，必更加强。
　　第四，在我们当中，有好几位爱主的弟兄姊妹都是通日语的。他们将来可能受主引领，到日本为主传福音，作见证。以上这些情形，叫我们非常喜乐，深深觉得主印证了我们的感觉。
　
　　不仅如此，我们也看出主的预备：第一，台湾地方不大，人口集中，环境安定，信仰自由。这对于我们传福音，设立召会非常方便。
　　第二，交通便利。我曾花六天时间，不仅在高雄三个晚上有聚会，还看了五处召会，甚至光是一天的时间，就访问了三个地方。这对传福音太便利了。
　　第三，主从大陆带领许多圣徒来到台湾，借着环境，安排他们散居在各个重要都市。从南到北，全台各大城里，几乎都有我们中间的弟兄姊妹。在人位上，可以说主已有了良好的布署，祂就能借着我们在各处的弟兄姊妹，将主的福音广传出去，使祂的召会得着建立。
　　第四，因着世事的变迁，许多人的心都有了转变，容易接受福音。二十年前我们传福音，一次聚会有十个人表示接受主，就已是相当不容易的事。现在，福音一传，就有几百人、几千人表示要信主。这是因为人的心觉得世上没有什么可倚靠的，所以要寻求主。可以说，在这时候，人心也给主借着环境预备好了。
　　第五，我们推广福音、建立召会所需的财物，主也为我们预备了。在台湾的圣徒，多数是清苦的公教人员，少数作生意的也没有多少发达，所以经济能力非常薄弱。然而，主借着在南洋的圣徒们，在这点上补足了我们的缺欠。
　
　　有了以上这五点的预备，按理我们该为主作出许多事，然而将近三年了，工作成效却不彰。这实在是我们限制了主。主为我们预备的真是齐全，但我们让主出去的路却不宽广。这乃是我们实在的光景。我曾到各处召会探望，之后我一面感谢主，使各地的圣徒有恩典维持祂的见证；一面又觉得，各地圣徒给主的限制太厉害。主为我们的预备太齐全，可惜的是，我们给主的限制太厉害。所以，在本篇信息中，我深觉应该具体的来看我们实在的情形，和主所要我们作的，并且把各地召会真实地情形，没有隐瞒、赤露敞开的摆在主面前，求主光照。
　
　　主在马太六章吩咐门徒要这样祷告：“我们在诸天之上的父，愿你的名被尊为圣，愿你的国来临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。”（太六9~10）到了二十八章，祂从死里复活，对门徒说，“天上地上所有的权柄，都赐给我了。所以你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，将他们浸入父、子、圣灵的名里。”（二八18~19）主在六章说，愿神的旨意行在地上；这说出神的心愿，是要祂的旨意行在地上。神要行在地上的旨意是什么呢？二十八章告诉我们，神要行在地上的旨意就是要叫祂的福音传到普天下。为这缘故，神将天上地上所有的权柄都赐给了主。所以，主吩咐门徒，也就是吩咐召会，带着这权柄去传福音给万民，直到这世代的终结（二八18~20）。
　　从主复活之后，一直到这世代结束之前，主要与召会同在，用这权柄使召会将祂的福音，传到万民中间。主的福音在地上广传，就是叫神的旨意行在地上。只有主的福音在地上传开了，神的旨意才能行在地上，如同行在天上。所以，神的心愿是要我们在台湾作什么呢？乃是要我们在这里将主的福音传开。
　
　　神要我们在这里，把祂的福音广传出去，但我们少有人有这样深的感觉；因此，神的福音从我们众人中间，从我们个人身上，传出去的很有限。虽然我们在一起事奉，常常聚会，也常常祷告愿神的旨意行在地上；但到底我们有多少心愿，要让主的福音从我们身上传出去？我们实际将主的福音传出去有多少？在我们每一个人身上，福音的功用尽出来有多少？神在我们身上有十分福音的托付，却常常有八分被我们扣住，受了限制，受了拦阻。
　　我里面感觉伤痛。我们在这里，就着地理、交通、人位、人心和财力，无论是那一方面，主都给我们预备得实在齐全，配合得实在美好。在我事奉主这二十年的过程里，从没有遇到像今天，主在这里所给我们这么齐全的预备和美好的配合；地方是这样安定、自由，交通是这样普及、方便，人位是这样齐全，人心是如此饥渴，财力也是这样充足，可说是配备得一无所缺。可惜，我们在主的福音上所显出的功用，不过是一点点。
　　我们实在对不起主的配备，亏欠主也限制了主。不要以为我们已经为主作了许多。有弟兄对我说，我们一次受浸人数，比某某会五十年来的人还要多。我们实在不需要和人比较，也不需要在人前夸耀，乃要在神面前谦卑自省。我们没有作出什么，也没有什么可夸耀的，反而我们给了主许多限制，许多拦阻。相信各地圣徒都会承认，我们实在是限制了主，拦阻了主，没有让主从我们中间出去多少。
　
　　我们不仅要承认我们限制主的事实，还要找出我们是在那里限制了主。许多处召会的负责弟兄都对我说，“李弟兄，我们不行，最好从台北召会打发人来。”我到某处召会，那里的弟兄就说，“台北召会留下的人太多，来支援我们的人太少，所以我们这里的召会不行。”各处弟兄们都是这样说，“我们这里不行，我们实在软弱，实在亏欠主。”虽然这是事实，不能否认，但我们不仅要承认这事实，还要找出这事实的难处到底在那里。
　　当然，难处是出在我们自己身上。所以本篇信息，我们要把难处具体的指出来，好使我们都能到主面前，在祂审判的光里蒙光照。有弟兄说，主受限制是因我们不忠心；有弟兄说，是因我们没有把心摆上；有的说，是我们贪爱世界，自私自利；有的说，是我们不肯舍弃，不肯舍己。这些成分的确都有，但这还不够具体，不够中肯。我们中间有好些圣徒，不能说他们没有心，没有舍己，但很明显的，福音从他们身上出去的很少。
　　若是我们在主面前，感觉自己有以上所说的那些情形，就该好好审判，好好定罪。然而，我们常常感觉自己有那些情形，却不审判，不定罪，而听凭其存在；这证明我们的光景是松的。所以，我们给主的限制，是在于我们的“松”。“松”就是我们的难处。什么叫作“松”呢？比方，定规九点聚会，你九点十分才到，这就是松。也许你要说，聚会晚到十分钟算什么？但是请记得，若是你在聚会的时间上这样松，你在什么事上都能松。按规矩，你聚会晚到十分钟，该有很深的感觉，下次定规早到。这证明你是紧的，不是松的。然而，我们中间有多少人是这样紧而不松呢？
　　你若在主的光中，就会看见，你虽然有心，虽然有舍弃，但是很多在聚会中的祝福，在工作上的果效，都给你的松漏掉了。在你的事奉上，你的松不知漏掉了多少祝福。对于那些有事奉的弟兄姊妹，你若说他们不爱主，不舍弃，那是冤屈他们；但他们的事奉所带进的祝福不多，他们的工作所发生的果效也很少，不能达到预期的目的，原因就是他们松。
　　“松”在我们中间，不知误了多少事。你感觉自己有点贪爱世界，却不对付，就是因为你松。你若紧一点，你就要对付你对世界的贪爱，世界就要从你身上去掉。比方，福音聚会人数应该到五百，却只到了三百，你还说很好，并且回家也能安然睡觉；这就证明你是松的人。一个紧的人不会这样；福音聚会应该到五百，却只到了三百，他就觉得这个不行，不能睡平安觉，并使全体弟兄姊妹对此有感觉。这就是紧。你若不能这样，就是因为在你身上有个东西叫作“松”。你从来没有受过压，从来没有紧过。为什么到会的人数这样少，你还说很好？就是因为你“松”。你若是紧，你就不能让它过去，就要找出原因。
　　再比方，许多时候我看见弟兄们传福音，或是和人谈话，就像用直钩钓鱼，听凭愿者自己上钩。甚至有的弟兄根本不用钩，就等着鱼自己跳进来。这是多么松啊！这个松，就叫他们不能将人救来，叫他们失掉许多灵魂。还有的圣徒和人谈话，总是用他们的家乡话。人听不懂，他们也不在意。这也是因为他们松。他们若是紧一点，就要发觉他们说的话，人听不懂，就需要改变他们的说法，使人能听懂，不然，人就不能得帮助。
　　若说我们不爱主，我们不会承认；若说我们不出代价，我们的确出过代价。然而，我们身上的“松”，实在是个厉害的问题。许多该有的祝福，就是给我们一松，就都松掉了。我们不必有大毛病，只要有这个松就够误事了。只要有一个像针眼的小洞，整缸汽油都会漏光。我们这个“松”的小洞，几乎把我们所该得的祝福给漏光了。
　　我们的事奉，一紧就是立体的；一松就是平面的，无论有多少祝福，都会像水一样流光。你若是稍微紧一点，事奉就会变成立体的，一有祝福，就能盛住。
　　许多圣徒属灵的难处不能解决，就是因为松。许多圣徒属灵的关不能过，也是因为松。许多时候，我们的聚会失败，原因也是松；有的是诗歌选的不对，有时诗歌选对了，却晚了一分钟；该祷告不祷告，祷告了又不及时，原因都是松。在我们的聚会里，“松”不知漏了多少属灵的气。许多属灵的工作，给我们一松，里面的气就漏掉了。
　　盼望神带领我们进到祂的光中，给我们看见，我们是多么松的人。在我们身上有十分属灵的功用，却只出去二分。这怎么可以呢？但我们竟然让它过去。我们不定罪自己的松，反而常用“我们不行，我们软弱”这类的话，原谅自己的松。虽然我们不可以骄傲，但是一直说自己不行，并不是谦卑，而是松。你不行，为什么不到神面前拼？你不行，为什么不到神面前哭？你不行，为什么不众人来在一起，禁食禁睡祷告，认真彻底对付？我们一直说不行，却不拼到主面前；一直说不行，却没有一次禁食祷告。我们所以不行，是因为我们松。
　　再者，我们虽然感觉聚会不行，但是我们不拼，不对付，我们听凭。所以，聚会人数一次少过一次。有的弟兄早就觉得福音在他身上不能出去，是因为他爱世界，却一直不肯对付。有的是因血气，有的是心肠狭窄，有的是个性太强，与人合不来；他们对自己这些难处，未尝没有感觉，但是他们不对付，他们听凭。这些都是因为松。就因为我们松，所以我们不对付这些难处。因此在召会中，在工作里，许多的祝福都给我们松掉了，都给我们漏光了。
　　相信主要赐恩给台湾这地方，使许多本地同胞都听见祂的福音，尝到祂的救恩，使许多地方都有祂的召会。但因着我们的松，使祂不能快快的行得通；我们的松叫祂受了限制。各地圣徒若是有够多的人起来紧一点，不知道各地召会要有多大的转变。求主叫我们看见，我们的松给祂多少限制，给祂多少难处。因为我们松，所以主没有出路；因为我们松，所以主的工作不能开展；因为我们松，所以好些圣徒在召会中受不到带领，得不着栽培。他们虽然在我们中间聚会，但他们不好好事奉神，甚至连事奉神的心愿都没有。我们若是紧一点，对这些情形就会看不惯，就会到主面前禁食禁睡祷告。我们若是紧一点，就会到主面前，查问这些情形的原因到底是在那里；我们就会看见我们的错误和亏欠。
　　有时候，我听见有圣徒祷告求主作工，我不能说阿们；因为他们一直求主作工，自己却一直是那样松。今天不是主不作工，乃是我们松得不让祂作工。我们的祷告要改变，我们不必求主作工，我们要求主叫我们不松。实在说，今天的问题不是你求主作工，乃是主求你不松。若是我们光祷告，求主作工，而不对付我们的松，那有什么用处呢？
　　我听见有圣徒祷告：“主啊，求你作工，我们毫无办法。”这样祷告虽然属灵，但是祷告的人却睡到早晨八点才起来，未免太松了。你这样松，主是毫无办法。十年前你就这样祷告了，十年后主还是毫无办法。你从来没有紧一点对付自己，你从来都是放松自己。你稍微紧一点，主就有办法。你稍微紧一点，聚会就要有起色。你稍微紧一点，工作就要蒙祝福。你稍微紧一点，多少灵魂就要得救。你稍微紧一点，许多圣徒就要得着造就。
　　我深深觉得，主的工作在我们身上目前所碰到的难处，就是我们的松。我们虽然爱主，但是我们松。按我们所摆上的，该有很好的结果，但都给我们的松抵销了。我们的松，在我们的事奉和工作上是一个大难处。
　
　　所以我们要进到神面前，仰望祂的光照，使我们看见，我们身上所有的难处都是在于我们松。盼望各地召会负责的弟兄姊妹，肯到神面前蒙光照，受审判，而定罪自己的松。如果我们肯受神的光照，定罪我们的松，我们就要看见，我们所有的问题不能解决，都是因为我们松。我们觉得该好好读经，却不这样读，是因为我们松；我们觉得该常常祷告，却不这样祷告，也是因为我们松。我们觉得该受对付，却不到主面前对付，是因为我们松；我们觉得该接受破碎，却不接受，也是因为我们松。
　　松叫我们不能看见亮光，松叫我们错过学习的机会，松叫我们不能长进，松叫我们失去了神和祂的恩典。慕迪说，他没有看见一个懒惰的人得救。我也没有看见一个松的人能厉害的受神光照，蒙神恩典。许多圣徒没有亮光，缺乏恩典，最大原因就是松。在他们看，什么都可以过去，什么都差不多。请记得，这些可以过去，这些差不多，会叫你一天过一天，失去神的光照，漏掉神的恩典。一松，什么都完了。
　　有的人真是松惯了。饮食起居是松的，读经祷告也是松的。跟随里面的感觉是松的，担负外面的责任也是松的。什么事都是松的，松得习惯成性；像这样习性松惯了的人，不能作厉害的基督徒，只能作马虎的基督徒。我们若要作厉害的基督徒，向神有厉害的事奉，就必须对付我们身上的松。有时，神要你对付你和某弟兄的不睦，你却一天又一天，一直松，一直不肯对付。你若紧一点，肯定罪你的松，神就不能让你过去。你若紧一点，肯定罪你的松，你就要紧出许多事来，就要定罪出许多问题。同时，神就要给你看见，在你身上有许多事需要对付，有许多问题需要解决。你就要觉得你的脾气，你的血气，你的个性，你的显扬，你的喜欢受人称赞，你的种种，使神的福音从你身上不能出去，使你在召会中不能显出该有的功用，不能与弟兄姊妹配搭事奉。你若肯定罪你的松，就要蒙到光照，得着拯救。
　　我们若肯顺服目前已有的亮光，定罪我们的松，就会带进更多的亮光。我们若肯照着我们所有的感觉，对付我们的松，神就要把我们的难处都翻出来，使祂在我们身上所受的限制都除掉。所以，凡是有心要应付神需要的人，都要到神面前对付自己的松。我们在神面前，所有不对的地方，所有不够的地方，都不能放松，都得对付。相信对付到一个时候，神在我们身上的托付，和我们对神的功用，都会显出来。
　　现在我们的出路，就在于我们肯定罪我们的松。我们所有的难处，是在于我们的松；我们所有的出路，是在于我们肯对付我们的松。我们不必祷告得那样属灵，那样高超。我们该直截了当求神对付我们的松。我们该在神审判的光中，不放松自己，并定罪我们身上每一点松的地方。我们若肯厉害的从我们的松对付起，我们就会受到神厉害的光照和带领；否则，我们没有多少出路。
　　请想想看，我们若不审判我们的松，定罪我们的松，对付我们的松，圣灵在我们中间怎能运行作工，彰显祂的权能？尤其是在各地召会负责的弟兄们，若不定罪自己的松，对付自己的松，各地召会怎能有前途？我们都需要主的怜悯，叫我们每一个人都定罪自己的松，对付自己的松。　　
　　一九五二年二月讲于台北
　　原刊于一九五二年三月“话语职事”第九期
　　读经：马太福音六章九至十节，二十八章十八至二十节。
--------本段经节汇集--------
太6:9  
所以你们要这样祷告：我们在诸天之上的父，愿你的名被尊为圣，
太6:10  
愿你的国来临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。
太28:18  
耶稣进前来，对他们说，天上地上所有的权柄，都赐给我了。
太28:19  
所以你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，将他们浸入父、子、圣灵的名里，
太28:20  
凡我所吩咐你们的，无论是什么，都教训他们遵守；看哪，我天天与你们同在，直到这世代的终结。
------------------------
　
　　关于主今后在台湾的召会和工作该如何带领及发展，我们首先要提起一个点，就是我们需要看见，我们对神有许多的亏欠，并且给神非常大的限制和拦阻。每逢想到主在台湾的召会和工作的前途，我里面就有一个很深、很痛的感觉；我们这些蒙恩的人，在这个时代中，在这个空间里，实在是限制了主，拦阻了主。我们给神的限制太大，拦阻太多，大到一个地步，多到一个地步，我们竟然习以为常。因着习以为常，也就不觉得是严重的事。如果我们在神面前有亮光、有感觉，我们就要看见，限制神，拦阻神，实在是太严重的事了。
　
　　中日战争胜利后，主在国内各处为我们开了敞开又有功效的门，各处的召会都复兴起来，也都逐渐上了轨道。正希望借着主的祝福，在国内为主有所作为时，却因环境变迁来到台湾。初到台湾，我里面时常觉得，在这里有什么可作的呢？所以心里充满了悲痛。一段时间之后，我里面觉得，应该到中南部，看看从大陆各处来台的圣徒。当我看过之后，悲痛的心情就转了。我深深觉得，主在这岛上有祂要作的工；主把我们带到这岛上，有祂美好的意思。　　那时，主给我看见许多从大陆各省来的人，都集居在这岛上；我们在这里传福音，不只能得着本地的人，还能得着从大陆各省来的人。就地理和语言而论，这里与南洋并东洋相联、相通，所以我们在这里的福音工作，会有四种结果。首先，得着本地人；其次，得着大陆来的人；第三，联着南洋；第四，通着日本。我深觉这是主带领我们来到这里的用意。　　我将这感觉交通给在台北召会负责的弟兄们。一九四九年夏天，仁爱路的会所造好之后，我们就以台北作全省的中心，开始作工。八月，我们召集了特别造就聚会；可以说，在台湾的工作是从那时开始的。经过二年半的工夫，主在环境中以许多的事实，证明我们的感觉是对的。　　第一，我们当中有来自中国三十几省的弟兄姊妹，他们在召会中受过带领，受过造就，无论到那里，都能为主显出功用。　　第二，我们当中有些本地圣徒，向着主有心，愿意为主而活；他们都有负担，要将主的福音传给本地人。　　第三，在主的安排中，我去过南洋三次。在这三次的访问中，我和当地圣徒在主里有很好蒙福的交通，彼此都得到供应。将来两下在蒙恩上的交通，并在事奉上的配搭，因着主的恩待，必更加强。　　第四，在我们当中，有好几位爱主的弟兄姊妹都是通日语的。他们将来可能受主引领，到日本为主传福音，作见证。以上这些情形，叫我们非常喜乐，深深觉得主印证了我们的感觉。
　
　　不仅如此，我们也看出主的预备：第一，台湾地方不大，人口集中，环境安定，信仰自由。这对于我们传福音，设立召会非常方便。　　第二，交通便利。我曾花六天时间，不仅在高雄三个晚上有聚会，还看了五处召会，甚至光是一天的时间，就访问了三个地方。这对传福音太便利了。　　第三，主从大陆带领许多圣徒来到台湾，借着环境，安排他们散居在各个重要都市。从南到北，全台各大城里，几乎都有我们中间的弟兄姊妹。在人位上，可以说主已有了良好的布署，祂就能借着我们在各处的弟兄姊妹，将主的福音广传出去，使祂的召会得着建立。　　第四，因着世事的变迁，许多人的心都有了转变，容易接受福音。二十年前我们传福音，一次聚会有十个人表示接受主，就已是相当不容易的事。现在，福音一传，就有几百人、几千人表示要信主。这是因为人的心觉得世上没有什么可倚靠的，所以要寻求主。可以说，在这时候，人心也给主借着环境预备好了。　　第五，我们推广福音、建立召会所需的财物，主也为我们预备了。在台湾的圣徒，多数是清苦的公教人员，少数作生意的也没有多少发达，所以经济能力非常薄弱。然而，主借着在南洋的圣徒们，在这点上补足了我们的缺欠。
　
　　有了以上这五点的预备，按理我们该为主作出许多事，然而将近三年了，工作成效却不彰。这实在是我们限制了主。主为我们预备的真是齐全，但我们让主出去的路却不宽广。这乃是我们实在的光景。我曾到各处召会探望，之后我一面感谢主，使各地的圣徒有恩典维持祂的见证；一面又觉得，各地圣徒给主的限制太厉害。主为我们的预备太齐全，可惜的是，我们给主的限制太厉害。所以，在本篇信息中，我深觉应该具体的来看我们实在的情形，和主所要我们作的，并且把各地召会真实地情形，没有隐瞒、赤露敞开的摆在主面前，求主光照。
　
　　主在马太六章吩咐门徒要这样祷告：“我们在诸天之上的父，愿你的名被尊为圣，愿你的国来临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。”（太六9~10）到了二十八章，祂从死里复活，对门徒说，“天上地上所有的权柄，都赐给我了。所以你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，将他们浸入父、子、圣灵的名里。”（二八18~19）主在六章说，愿神的旨意行在地上；这说出神的心愿，是要祂的旨意行在地上。神要行在地上的旨意是什么呢？二十八章告诉我们，神要行在地上的旨意就是要叫祂的福音传到普天下。为这缘故，神将天上地上所有的权柄都赐给了主。所以，主吩咐门徒，也就是吩咐召会，带着这权柄去传福音给万民，直到这世代的终结（二八18~20）。
--------本段经节汇集--------
马太福音六章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
太6:9  
所以你们要这样祷告：我们在诸天之上的父，愿你的名被尊为圣，
太6:10  
愿你的国来临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。
马太福音二十八章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
太28:18  
耶稣进前来，对他们说，天上地上所有的权柄，都赐给我了。
太28:19  
所以你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，将他们浸入父、子、圣灵的名里，
马太福音六章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
太28:18  
耶稣进前来，对他们说，天上地上所有的权柄，都赐给我了。
太28:19  
所以你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，将他们浸入父、子、圣灵的名里，
太28:20  
凡我所吩咐你们的，无论是什么，都教训他们遵守；看哪，我天天与你们同在，直到这世代的终结。
------------------------
　　从主复活之后，一直到这世代结束之前，主要与召会同在，用这权柄使召会将祂的福音，传到万民中间。主的福音在地上广传，就是叫神的旨意行在地上。只有主的福音在地上传开了，神的旨意才能行在地上，如同行在天上。所以，神的心愿是要我们在台湾作什么呢？乃是要我们在这里将主的福音传开。
　
　　神要我们在这里，把祂的福音广传出去，但我们少有人有这样深的感觉；因此，神的福音从我们众人中间，从我们个人身上，传出去的很有限。虽然我们在一起事奉，常常聚会，也常常祷告愿神的旨意行在地上；但到底我们有多少心愿，要让主的福音从我们身上传出去？我们实际将主的福音传出去有多少？在我们每一个人身上，福音的功用尽出来有多少？神在我们身上有十分福音的托付，却常常有八分被我们扣住，受了限制，受了拦阻。　　我里面感觉伤痛。我们在这里，就着地理、交通、人位、人心和财力，无论是那一方面，主都给我们预备得实在齐全，配合得实在美好。在我事奉主这二十年的过程里，从没有遇到像今天，主在这里所给我们这么齐全的预备和美好的配合；地方是这样安定、自由，交通是这样普及、方便，人位是这样齐全，人心是如此饥渴，财力也是这样充足，可说是配备得一无所缺。可惜，我们在主的福音上所显出的功用，不过是一点点。　　我们实在对不起主的配备，亏欠主也限制了主。不要以为我们已经为主作了许多。有弟兄对我说，我们一次受浸人数，比某某会五十年来的人还要多。我们实在不需要和人比较，也不需要在人前夸耀，乃要在神面前谦卑自省。我们没有作出什么，也没有什么可夸耀的，反而我们给了主许多限制，许多拦阻。相信各地圣徒都会承认，我们实在是限制了主，拦阻了主，没有让主从我们中间出去多少。
　
　　我们不仅要承认我们限制主的事实，还要找出我们是在那里限制了主。许多处召会的负责弟兄都对我说，“李弟兄，我们不行，最好从台北召会打发人来。”我到某处召会，那里的弟兄就说，“台北召会留下的人太多，来支援我们的人太少，所以我们这里的召会不行。”各处弟兄们都是这样说，“我们这里不行，我们实在软弱，实在亏欠主。”虽然这是事实，不能否认，但我们不仅要承认这事实，还要找出这事实的难处到底在那里。　　当然，难处是出在我们自己身上。所以本篇信息，我们要把难处具体的指出来，好使我们都能到主面前，在祂审判的光里蒙光照。有弟兄说，主受限制是因我们不忠心；有弟兄说，是因我们没有把心摆上；有的说，是我们贪爱世界，自私自利；有的说，是我们不肯舍弃，不肯舍己。这些成分的确都有，但这还不够具体，不够中肯。我们中间有好些圣徒，不能说他们没有心，没有舍己，但很明显的，福音从他们身上出去的很少。　　若是我们在主面前，感觉自己有以上所说的那些情形，就该好好审判，好好定罪。然而，我们常常感觉自己有那些情形，却不审判，不定罪，而听凭其存在；这证明我们的光景是松的。所以，我们给主的限制，是在于我们的“松”。“松”就是我们的难处。什么叫作“松”呢？比方，定规九点聚会，你九点十分才到，这就是松。也许你要说，聚会晚到十分钟算什么？但是请记得，若是你在聚会的时间上这样松，你在什么事上都能松。按规矩，你聚会晚到十分钟，该有很深的感觉，下次定规早到。这证明你是紧的，不是松的。然而，我们中间有多少人是这样紧而不松呢？　　你若在主的光中，就会看见，你虽然有心，虽然有舍弃，但是很多在聚会中的祝福，在工作上的果效，都给你的松漏掉了。在你的事奉上，你的松不知漏掉了多少祝福。对于那些有事奉的弟兄姊妹，你若说他们不爱主，不舍弃，那是冤屈他们；但他们的事奉所带进的祝福不多，他们的工作所发生的果效也很少，不能达到预期的目的，原因就是他们松。　　“松”在我们中间，不知误了多少事。你感觉自己有点贪爱世界，却不对付，就是因为你松。你若紧一点，你就要对付你对世界的贪爱，世界就要从你身上去掉。比方，福音聚会人数应该到五百，却只到了三百，你还说很好，并且回家也能安然睡觉；这就证明你是松的人。一个紧的人不会这样；福音聚会应该到五百，却只到了三百，他就觉得这个不行，不能睡平安觉，并使全体弟兄姊妹对此有感觉。这就是紧。你若不能这样，就是因为在你身上有个东西叫作“松”。你从来没有受过压，从来没有紧过。为什么到会的人数这样少，你还说很好？就是因为你“松”。你若是紧，你就不能让它过去，就要找出原因。　　再比方，许多时候我看见弟兄们传福音，或是和人谈话，就像用直钩钓鱼，听凭愿者自己上钩。甚至有的弟兄根本不用钩，就等着鱼自己跳进来。这是多么松啊！这个松，就叫他们不能将人救来，叫他们失掉许多灵魂。还有的圣徒和人谈话，总是用他们的家乡话。人听不懂，他们也不在意。这也是因为他们松。他们若是紧一点，就要发觉他们说的话，人听不懂，就需要改变他们的说法，使人能听懂，不然，人就不能得帮助。　　若说我们不爱主，我们不会承认；若说我们不出代价，我们的确出过代价。然而，我们身上的“松”，实在是个厉害的问题。许多该有的祝福，就是给我们一松，就都松掉了。我们不必有大毛病，只要有这个松就够误事了。只要有一个像针眼的小洞，整缸汽油都会漏光。我们这个“松”的小洞，几乎把我们所该得的祝福给漏光了。　　我们的事奉，一紧就是立体的；一松就是平面的，无论有多少祝福，都会像水一样流光。你若是稍微紧一点，事奉就会变成立体的，一有祝福，就能盛住。　　许多圣徒属灵的难处不能解决，就是因为松。许多圣徒属灵的关不能过，也是因为松。许多时候，我们的聚会失败，原因也是松；有的是诗歌选的不对，有时诗歌选对了，却晚了一分钟；该祷告不祷告，祷告了又不及时，原因都是松。在我们的聚会里，“松”不知漏了多少属灵的气。许多属灵的工作，给我们一松，里面的气就漏掉了。　　盼望神带领我们进到祂的光中，给我们看见，我们是多么松的人。在我们身上有十分属灵的功用，却只出去二分。这怎么可以呢？但我们竟然让它过去。我们不定罪自己的松，反而常用“我们不行，我们软弱”这类的话，原谅自己的松。虽然我们不可以骄傲，但是一直说自己不行，并不是谦卑，而是松。你不行，为什么不到神面前拼？你不行，为什么不到神面前哭？你不行，为什么不众人来在一起，禁食禁睡祷告，认真彻底对付？我们一直说不行，却不拼到主面前；一直说不行，却没有一次禁食祷告。我们所以不行，是因为我们松。　　再者，我们虽然感觉聚会不行，但是我们不拼，不对付，我们听凭。所以，聚会人数一次少过一次。有的弟兄早就觉得福音在他身上不能出去，是因为他爱世界，却一直不肯对付。有的是因血气，有的是心肠狭窄，有的是个性太强，与人合不来；他们对自己这些难处，未尝没有感觉，但是他们不对付，他们听凭。这些都是因为松。就因为我们松，所以我们不对付这些难处。因此在召会中，在工作里，许多的祝福都给我们松掉了，都给我们漏光了。　　相信主要赐恩给台湾这地方，使许多本地同胞都听见祂的福音，尝到祂的救恩，使许多地方都有祂的召会。但因着我们的松，使祂不能快快的行得通；我们的松叫祂受了限制。各地圣徒若是有够多的人起来紧一点，不知道各地召会要有多大的转变。求主叫我们看见，我们的松给祂多少限制，给祂多少难处。因为我们松，所以主没有出路；因为我们松，所以主的工作不能开展；因为我们松，所以好些圣徒在召会中受不到带领，得不着栽培。他们虽然在我们中间聚会，但他们不好好事奉神，甚至连事奉神的心愿都没有。我们若是紧一点，对这些情形就会看不惯，就会到主面前禁食禁睡祷告。我们若是紧一点，就会到主面前，查问这些情形的原因到底是在那里；我们就会看见我们的错误和亏欠。　　有时候，我听见有圣徒祷告求主作工，我不能说阿们；因为他们一直求主作工，自己却一直是那样松。今天不是主不作工，乃是我们松得不让祂作工。我们的祷告要改变，我们不必求主作工，我们要求主叫我们不松。实在说，今天的问题不是你求主作工，乃是主求你不松。若是我们光祷告，求主作工，而不对付我们的松，那有什么用处呢？　　我听见有圣徒祷告：“主啊，求你作工，我们毫无办法。”这样祷告虽然属灵，但是祷告的人却睡到早晨八点才起来，未免太松了。你这样松，主是毫无办法。十年前你就这样祷告了，十年后主还是毫无办法。你从来没有紧一点对付自己，你从来都是放松自己。你稍微紧一点，主就有办法。你稍微紧一点，聚会就要有起色。你稍微紧一点，工作就要蒙祝福。你稍微紧一点，多少灵魂就要得救。你稍微紧一点，许多圣徒就要得着造就。　　我深深觉得，主的工作在我们身上目前所碰到的难处，就是我们的松。我们虽然爱主，但是我们松。按我们所摆上的，该有很好的结果，但都给我们的松抵销了。我们的松，在我们的事奉和工作上是一个大难处。
　
　　所以我们要进到神面前，仰望祂的光照，使我们看见，我们身上所有的难处都是在于我们松。盼望各地召会负责的弟兄姊妹，肯到神面前蒙光照，受审判，而定罪自己的松。如果我们肯受神的光照，定罪我们的松，我们就要看见，我们所有的问题不能解决，都是因为我们松。我们觉得该好好读经，却不这样读，是因为我们松；我们觉得该常常祷告，却不这样祷告，也是因为我们松。我们觉得该受对付，却不到主面前对付，是因为我们松；我们觉得该接受破碎，却不接受，也是因为我们松。　　松叫我们不能看见亮光，松叫我们错过学习的机会，松叫我们不能长进，松叫我们失去了神和祂的恩典。慕迪说，他没有看见一个懒惰的人得救。我也没有看见一个松的人能厉害的受神光照，蒙神恩典。许多圣徒没有亮光，缺乏恩典，最大原因就是松。在他们看，什么都可以过去，什么都差不多。请记得，这些可以过去，这些差不多，会叫你一天过一天，失去神的光照，漏掉神的恩典。一松，什么都完了。　　有的人真是松惯了。饮食起居是松的，读经祷告也是松的。跟随里面的感觉是松的，担负外面的责任也是松的。什么事都是松的，松得习惯成性；像这样习性松惯了的人，不能作厉害的基督徒，只能作马虎的基督徒。我们若要作厉害的基督徒，向神有厉害的事奉，就必须对付我们身上的松。有时，神要你对付你和某弟兄的不睦，你却一天又一天，一直松，一直不肯对付。你若紧一点，肯定罪你的松，神就不能让你过去。你若紧一点，肯定罪你的松，你就要紧出许多事来，就要定罪出许多问题。同时，神就要给你看见，在你身上有许多事需要对付，有许多问题需要解决。你就要觉得你的脾气，你的血气，你的个性，你的显扬，你的喜欢受人称赞，你的种种，使神的福音从你身上不能出去，使你在召会中不能显出该有的功用，不能与弟兄姊妹配搭事奉。你若肯定罪你的松，就要蒙到光照，得着拯救。　　我们若肯顺服目前已有的亮光，定罪我们的松，就会带进更多的亮光。我们若肯照着我们所有的感觉，对付我们的松，神就要把我们的难处都翻出来，使祂在我们身上所受的限制都除掉。所以，凡是有心要应付神需要的人，都要到神面前对付自己的松。我们在神面前，所有不对的地方，所有不够的地方，都不能放松，都得对付。相信对付到一个时候，神在我们身上的托付，和我们对神的功用，都会显出来。　　现在我们的出路，就在于我们肯定罪我们的松。我们所有的难处，是在于我们的松；我们所有的出路，是在于我们肯对付我们的松。我们不必祷告得那样属灵，那样高超。我们该直截了当求神对付我们的松。我们该在神审判的光中，不放松自己，并定罪我们身上每一点松的地方。我们若肯厉害的从我们的松对付起，我们就会受到神厉害的光照和带领；否则，我们没有多少出路。　　请想想看，我们若不审判我们的松，定罪我们的松，对付我们的松，圣灵在我们中间怎能运行作工，彰显祂的权能？尤其是在各地召会负责的弟兄们，若不定罪自己的松，对付自己的松，各地召会怎能有前途？我们都需要主的怜悯，叫我们每一个人都定罪自己的松，对付自己的松。　　　　一九五二年二月讲于台北　　原刊于一九五二年三月“话语职事”第九期
　Scripture Reading: Matt. 6:9-10; 28:18-20
　We have greatly limited and hindered God in the leading and future growth of the churches and in the work in Taiwan. We are greatly indebted to God. When I consider the future of the churches and the work in Taiwan, I bear a heavy burden. We have been saved by grace, but we are limiting and hindering the Lord in this age, and yet we consider our situation to be normal. We do not sense that this is a serious matter. If we would be enlightened, we would see that it is a serious matter to limit and hinder God.
　
THE LORD’S LEADING
　After the Sino-Japanese War the Lord opened a great and efficacious door across mainland China for us. The churches were revived and gradually brought onto the right track. We were anticipating that the Lord would accomplish something great in China, but because of the change in the political environment, we came to Taiwan. When I arrived in Taiwan, my heart was full of sorrow because I felt that there was not much to do. After a while I visited the saints who had come from different parts of mainland China and who were then in central and southern Taiwan. After visiting the saints, I realized that the Lord had a work to do here. The Lord had a wonderful purpose in bringing us to Taiwan.
　The Lord showed me that many people from different provinces on the mainland had gathered in Taiwan. Hence, if we would preach the gospel, we could gain not only local people but also people from all over mainland China. In terms of geographical location and language, Taiwan is in close proximity to Northeast and Southeast Asia. Therefore, our gospel work would also give us access to Southeast Asia as well as to Japan. I feel strongly that this is the Lord’s intention in bringing us to Taiwan.
　I shared this feeling with the responsible brothers in the church in Taipei. After the meeting hall on Ren Ai Road had been completed in the summer of 1949, we began the work from Taipei as the center. In August we held a special edification conference. This was the formal beginning of the work in Taiwan. In the last two and a half years the Lord has used the environment to confirm our feeling.
　Among us there were brothers and sisters from more than thirty provinces in China. These saints had been under our leading and edification, and they could function for the Lord wherever they went. Among us there were also local saints who had a heart for the Lord and who were willing to live for the Lord. They had a burden to preach the gospel to local people.
　The Lord arranged for me to visit Southeast Asia three times. During those visits I fellowshipped with the saints there, and we were mutually supplied. By the Lord’s grace, the fellowship and coordination between Taiwan and Southeast Asia will be strengthened in the future.
　Among us there are also a few saints who love the Lord and who can understand the Japanese language. In the future they might be led by the Lord to preach the gospel and bear His testimony in Japan. Through these situations the Lord has confirmed our feeling and made us joyful.
　
THE LORD’S PREPARATIONS
　The Lord also prepared Taiwan. Although this is a small island, it has a concentrated population, a stable environment, and religious freedom. These conditions make it very convenient for us to preach the gospel and establish churches.
　The Lord also has prepared convenient transportation in Taiwan. In six days I had three meetings in Kaohsiung and visited five churches. I have even visited three places in one day. The transportation is extremely convenient for the gospel.
　The Lord led many saints from mainland China to Taiwan, and He has used the environment to scatter these saints throughout the major cities. Our brothers and sisters can be found in most of the major cities in Taiwan. The Lord has prepared the manpower. Now He can use these saints to spread the gospel for the establishment of His churches.
　Many people have had a turn in their heart and are now open to the gospel because of the changes in the world situation. Twenty years ago ten people may have received the Lord when we preached the gospel. Now when we preach the gospel, thousands of people want to receive the Lord. These people know in their heart that they cannot depend on anything in the world, so they are seeking the Lord. The Lord has used the environment to prepare people’s hearts.
　The Lord has even prepared the necessary funds for us to spread the gospel and establish churches. Most of the saints in Taiwan are government workers or school teachers, and the saints who are businessmen are not so prosperous. Therefore, our financial capacity is very weak. However, the Lord has used the saints in Southeast Asia to make up our lack in this aspect.
　
LIMITING THE LORD
　The Lord has prepared Taiwan with its transportation system, and He has prepared the manpower, the funds, and people in general. Hence, we should have accomplished many things for the Lord. However, even after three years the result in the work is not satisfactory because we have limited the Lord. The Lord provided for us, but we have not given Him a way to move. I know that this is our condition, because I have visited all the churches. On the one hand, I am thankful to the Lord because saints are maintaining His testimony in every place by His grace. On the other hand, I feel that we have limited the Lord. The Lord has prepared the environment, the manpower, and the people, but we have limited Him. We need to consider the condition of all the churches and the Lord’s desire in the light of His provision.
　
GOD’S DESIRE
　In Matthew 6 the Lord charged the disciples to pray, “Our Father who is in the heavens, Your name be sanctified; Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth” (vv. 9-10). After the Lord was raised from the dead, He said to the disciples, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and disciple all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (28:18-19). In chapter 6 the Lord prayed for God’s will to be done on earth, because this is God’s desire, and in chapter 24 the Lord spoke of His desire for the gospel to be preached in the whole inhabited earth (v. 14). This is the reason that all authority in heaven and on earth was given to the Lord Jesus. Possessing this authority, the Lord charged the disciples to preach the gospel to all the nations until the consummation of this age (28:18-20). This is also His charge to the church.
　The Lord has been with the church since the time of His resurrection. He is exercising His authority so that the church can preach His gospel to all the nations. When we spread the gospel, God’s will is being done on earth. Only by spreading the gospel can God’s will be done on earth as it is being done in heaven. Therefore, God desires that we would spread the gospel in Taiwan.
　
OUR LIMITATION
　God wants us to spread His gospel, but very few saints have such a deep feeling. Therefore, we are spreading the gospel in a limited manner, both corporately and individually. Although we serve together, meet frequently, and pray that God’s will would be done on earth, do we have a strong desire to preach the gospel? How much do we fulfill our function by preaching the gospel? God has commissioned us with the gospel, but we have hindered Him, held Him back, and limited Him.
　The Lord has prepared the geographical location, transportation, manpower, people’s hearts, and financial support for us. These items are in wonderful coordination together. In the past twenty years of my service to the Lord, I have not seen a situation in which the Lord provided so much. The place where we are is stable and free, transportation is accessible and convenient, the manpower is adequate, people’s hearts are hungry, and the financial support is sufficient. However, our function in the gospel is minimal, even though there is no lack.
　We have failed the Lord and limited Him; hence, we are indebted to Him. We should not think that we have done so much for the Lord. A brother recently said to me, “The number of baptisms in one of our meetings exceeds the number baptized in fifty years in a certain denomination.” We do not need to compare ourselves with others, nor do we need to boast. We need to humble ourselves and examine ourselves before God. We did not accomplish anything, and we have nothing for which to boast. On the contrary, we have limited and hindered the Lord. I believe that all the saints would admit that we have limited and hindered the Lord, because we have not allowed Him to flow through us adequately.
　
OUR LOOSENESS LIMITING THE LORD
　On the one hand, we need to acknowledge that we have limited the Lord, but on the other hand, we must know how we limit Him. The responsible brothers in the churches often tell me that they are incapable; therefore, they ask me to send brothers from Taipei to help them. They say that the churches are not doing well because no one is sent to help. The responsible brothers say that they are incapable and weak. It is good to admit that we are incapable and weak, but still we must know the source of our problem.
　The problem is in us. We need to consider the specific aspects of this problem so that we can go to the Lord and be enlightened through His judgment. Some brothers say that the Lord is limited by our unfaithfulness and by our unwillingness to give Him our heart. Others say that we love the world, are selfish, and are unwilling to abandon and give up the self. Although these factors are present, they are not the source. If we consider the saints among us, we cannot say that they do not have a heart or have not given up the self. Nevertheless, they are not that active in the gospel.
　If we sense before the Lord that the above points apply to us, we should judge and condemn these things. Although we often sense that we have these problems, we let them go instead of judging and condemning them. This shows that we are loose. Therefore, the Lord is limited by our looseness. This is our problem. Here is an example of looseness. The meeting is scheduled to begin at nine o’clock, but a brother arrives at ten minutes after nine. Perhaps the brother would say that it does not matter that he is ten minutes late to the meeting. However, if we are loose in relation to the time of a meeting, we will be loose in everything. If we are ten minutes late to a meeting, then as a rule, we should have a deep feeling concerning this and come early for the next meeting. Such a response shows that we are strict with ourselves, not loose. How many among us are strict in this way?
　If we are under the Lord’s light, we will see that even though we love the Lord and have surrendered ourselves to Him, the meetings are not blessed and the work lacks fruit because of our looseness. Many blessings have slipped away in our service because of our looseness. We cannot say that the saints who serve do not love the Lord or have not surrendered themselves to Him. To say this would be an injustice to them. However, their service does not bring in much blessing, and their work does not produce much fruit, nor does it meet the expected goal, because of looseness.
　Many things among us have been delayed because of our looseness. When we sense that we still love the world, we do not deal with it because of looseness. If we were stricter, we would deal with our love of the world, and the world would fall away from us. For example, when we anticipate that five hundred people will attend a gospel meeting, but only three hundred attend, we are still satisfied and peaceful. This response shows that we are loose. A strict person would not respond in this way. He would not be peaceful. This is strictness. If we do not have such a response to the low attendance, there is looseness in our being. We have never been pressed or constricted. Because we are loose, we can be satisfied when the attendance is low. If we were strict, we would find the cause instead of letting the matter go.
　I have often seen brothers preaching the gospel as if they had a fishing rod and were waiting for the fish to bite the hook. Some brothers do not even use a hook; they wait for the fish to jump into the net. How loose this is! Because of such looseness, they are unable to bring people to salvation, and they miss the opportunities to save many souls. Some saints always use their own dialect when speaking with people. They do not care that others may not understand. This shows that these saints are loose. If they were strict, they would realize that people do not understand their dialect and would speak so that others could understand and receive help.
　Those who serve the Lord have indeed paid a price and love the Lord. However, our looseness is a serious problem that has caused us to lose many blessings that we should have received. Our looseness can ruin everything. We should not look for a great problem. As long as there is a hole in a one-gallon bucket, a gallon of gasoline will leak out, even if the hole is as small as the eye of a needle. Our little hole of looseness has caused many blessings to leak out.
　When we are strict, our service becomes three-dimensional. When we are loose, our service becomes two-dimensional, and all the blessings leak out. If we would be a little stricter with ourselves, our service would become three-dimensional, and the blessings would be kept.
　Many saints are unable to solve their spiritual problems because they are loose; they cannot cross over a spiritual threshold because they are loose. Because we are loose, our meetings often are not up to the standard. Sometimes the wrong hymn is called, or sometimes the correct hymn is called a few minutes late. Sometimes no prayer is offered when there should be prayer, or prayer is offered at the wrong time. This is an indication of looseness. Looseness causes the spiritual “air” to leak out of our spiritual service.
　May the Lord lead us into His light so that we may see the extent of our looseness. We fulfill only twenty percent of our spiritual function, but we are not concerned. Instead of condemning our looseness, we excuse ourselves by saying that we are incapable and that we are weak. We should not be proud, but to continually say that we are incapable is looseness, not humility. If we are incapable, we should weep desperately before God and pray together with others with fasting so that we would deal with our incapability in a serious and thorough way. We say that we are incapable, but we are not desperate before the Lord, and we do not fast and pray. We are incapable because we are loose.
　We say that our meetings are not up to standard, but we are satisfied instead of being desperate. As a result, the attendance in the meetings continues to drop. Some brothers say that they cannot preach the gospel because of their love for the world, but they do not deal with the world. Some brothers are fleshly, some have a narrow heart, and some cannot coordinate. The brothers may have some feeling concerning their problems, but they do not deal with the problems. This is the result of looseness. Because we are loose, we do not deal with our problems. As a result, in the church and in the work many blessings are lost.
　I believe that the Lord will bless Taiwan. Many local people will hear the gospel and taste His salvation, and churches will be established in various localities. However, our looseness prevents Him from moving freely and quickly. Our looseness limits Him. If a few saints in every locality would be strict with themselves, there would be a drastic change in the local churches. May the Lord enlighten us to see how much our looseness limits Him. Because of our looseness, the Lord has no way to move, His work cannot propagate, and many saints in the church do not receive shepherding or nurturing. The saints attend the meetings, but they do not have the heart to serve God. If the responsible saints were stricter, we would be dissatisfied with our situation. We would pray with fasting and seek the Lord concerning the source of our problems. Then we would see our mistakes and our lack.
　Often, because we are so loose, I cannot say Amen to prayers that ask the Lord to work. The Lord wants to work, but our looseness frustrates Him. Our prayers need to change. We do not need to ask the Lord to work; we need to ask Him to shine on our looseness. This is the root of the problem. How can the Lord work if we do not deal with our looseness?
　A saint once prayed that we have no way if the Lord does not work. Such a prayer is spiritual, but the person who uttered this prayer does not get up until eight o’clock in the morning. This is looseness. If we are loose, the Lord has no way to move. We have been praying for the Lord to work for ten years, but the Lord still does not have a way. Instead of dealing strictly with ourselves, we are relaxed. If we would be a little stricter, the Lord would have a way, our meetings would improve, the work would be blessed, more souls would be saved, and many saints would be edified.
　The Lord’s work in us is hindered by our looseness. We love the Lord, but we are loose. According to what we have offered to the Lord, we should have very good results, but our looseness has canceled everything. Our looseness is a great problem in our service and work.
　
CONDEMNING OUR LOOSENESS
　We need to come forward to God and seek His shining so that we would see that all our problems are the result of our looseness. I hope that the responsible saints in every local church would be willing to be enlightened and judged by God and to condemn their looseness. If we would be willing to be enlightened and to condemn our looseness, we would see that our problems are unresolved because of our looseness. We know that we should read the Bible diligently, but we do not do so because of our looseness. We know that we should pray frequently, but we do not do so because of our looseness. We know that we need to be dealt with, but we do not go to the Lord because of our looseness. We know that we need to be broken, but we are not because of our looseness.
　Because of our looseness, we cannot see the light, we miss opportunities to learn, we do not make progress, and we miss God and His grace. D. L. Moody once said that he never saw a lazy person be saved. I have never seen a loose person receive light or enjoy grace in a rich way. Many saints lack light and grace primarily because they are loose. They are satisfied with every situation. Everything is the same to them. If we are satisfied with any situation, we will lose God’s light and grace. Then we have no way to go on.
　Some people are habitually loose. They are loose in their daily living. They are loose when they read the Bible and pray. They are loose when following the inner sense and when bearing responsibilities. They are loose in everything that they do; looseness has become their habit. Such people cannot be strong Christians. They can only be casual Christians. If we want to be strong Christians and have a strong service, we must deal with our looseness. The Lord may want us to deal with the discord that exists between us and a brother, but we are so loose that we put off dealing with it for many days. If we would be a little stricter and condemn our looseness, the Lord would not let us go. He would shine on many things that need to be dealt with and on the problems that we need to address. We would be enlightened to see that our temper, flesh, disposition, boastfulness, and desire to be praised frustrate the gospel and hinder us from fulfilling our proper function in the church and from coordinating with other saints in the service. If we would be willing to condemn our looseness, we would be enlightened and delivered.
　If we are willing to obey the light and condemn our looseness, we will receive more light. If we are willing to condemn our looseness, the Lord will expose our problems and remove the limitations. If we desire to meet God’s need, we should go to Him and deal with our looseness. We should not be loose in dealing with our wrongdoings or shortcomings. While we are dealing with our wrongdoings and shortcomings, God’s commission and our function will be manifested.
　Our way to go on depends on our willingness to condemn our looseness. All our problems are the result of looseness. Dealing with our looseness is the only way out of our problems. We do not need spiritual prayers. We should simply ask the Lord to deal with our looseness. Instead of being loose with ourselves, we should, under the light of God’s judgment, condemn all the looseness in our being. If we are willing to be strict and to deal with our looseness, God will shine in us and lead us in a strong way. Otherwise, we will have no way to advance.
　If we do not judge, condemn, and deal with our looseness, how can the Spirit move or work among us, and how can His power and authority be manifested? If the responsible brothers do not condemn and deal with their looseness, how can the churches have a future? We need the Lord’s mercy so that we would be willing to condemn and deal with our looseness.
 
　　读经：马太福音六章九至十节，二十八章十八至二十节。
 
　Scripture Reading: Matt. 6:9-10; 28:18-20

　We have greatly limited and hindered God in the leading and future growth of the churches and in the work in Taiwan. We are greatly indebted to God. When I consider the future of the churches and the work in Taiwan, I bear a heavy burden. We have been saved by grace, but we are limiting and hindering the Lord in this age, and yet we consider our situation to be normal. We do not sense that this is a serious matter. If we would be enlightened, we would see that it is a serious matter to limit and hinder God.
　　关于主今后在台湾的召会和工作该如何带领及发展，我们首先要提起一个点，就是我们需要看见，我们对神有许多的亏欠，并且给神非常大的限制和拦阻。每逢想到主在台湾的召会和工作的前途，我里面就有一个很深、很痛的感觉；我们这些蒙恩的人，在这个时代中，在这个空间里，实在是限制了主，拦阻了主。我们给神的限制太大，拦阻太多，大到一个地步，多到一个地步，我们竟然习以为常。因着习以为常，也就不觉得是严重的事。如果我们在神面前有亮光、有感觉，我们就要看见，限制神，拦阻神，实在是太严重的事了。
 
　After the Sino-Japanese War the Lord opened a great and efficacious door across mainland China for us. The churches were revived and gradually brought onto the right track. We were anticipating that the Lord would accomplish something great in China, but because of the change in the political environment, we came to Taiwan. When I arrived in Taiwan, my heart was full of sorrow because I felt that there was not much to do. After a while I visited the saints who had come from different parts of mainland China and who were then in central and southern Taiwan. After visiting the saints, I realized that the Lord had a work to do here. The Lord had a wonderful purpose in bringing us to Taiwan.

　The Lord showed me that many people from different provinces on the mainland had gathered in Taiwan. Hence, if we would preach the gospel, we could gain not only local people but also people from all over mainland China. In terms of geographical location and language, Taiwan is in close proximity to Northeast and Southeast Asia. Therefore, our gospel work would also give us access to Southeast Asia as well as to Japan. I feel strongly that this is the Lord’s intention in bringing us to Taiwan.

　I shared this feeling with the responsible brothers in the church in Taipei. After the meeting hall on Ren Ai Road had been completed in the summer of 1949, we began the work from Taipei as the center. In August we held a special edification conference. This was the formal beginning of the work in Taiwan. In the last two and a half years the Lord has used the environment to confirm our feeling.

　Among us there were brothers and sisters from more than thirty provinces in China. These saints had been under our leading and edification, and they could function for the Lord wherever they went. Among us there were also local saints who had a heart for the Lord and who were willing to live for the Lord. They had a burden to preach the gospel to local people.

　The Lord arranged for me to visit Southeast Asia three times. During those visits I fellowshipped with the saints there, and we were mutually supplied. By the Lord’s grace, the fellowship and coordination between Taiwan and Southeast Asia will be strengthened in the future.

　Among us there are also a few saints who love the Lord and who can understand the Japanese language. In the future they might be led by the Lord to preach the gospel and bear His testimony in Japan. Through these situations the Lord has confirmed our feeling and made us joyful.
　　中日战争胜利后，主在国内各处为我们开了敞开又有功效的门，各处的召会都复兴起来，也都逐渐上了轨道。正希望借着主的祝福，在国内为主有所作为时，却因环境变迁来到台湾。初到台湾，我里面时常觉得，在这里有什么可作的呢？所以心里充满了悲痛。一段时间之后，我里面觉得，应该到中南部，看看从大陆各处来台的圣徒。当我看过之后，悲痛的心情就转了。我深深觉得，主在这岛上有祂要作的工；主把我们带到这岛上，有祂美好的意思。

　　那时，主给我看见许多从大陆各省来的人，都集居在这岛上；我们在这里传福音，不只能得着本地的人，还能得着从大陆各省来的人。就地理和语言而论，这里与南洋并东洋相联、相通，所以我们在这里的福音工作，会有四种结果。首先，得着本地人；其次，得着大陆来的人；第三，联着南洋；第四，通着日本。我深觉这是主带领我们来到这里的用意。

　　我将这感觉交通给在台北召会负责的弟兄们。一九四九年夏天，仁爱路的会所造好之后，我们就以台北作全省的中心，开始作工。八月，我们召集了特别造就聚会；可以说，在台湾的工作是从那时开始的。经过二年半的工夫，主在环境中以许多的事实，证明我们的感觉是对的。

　　第一，我们当中有来自中国三十几省的弟兄姊妹，他们在召会中受过带领，受过造就，无论到那里，都能为主显出功用。

　　第二，我们当中有些本地圣徒，向着主有心，愿意为主而活；他们都有负担，要将主的福音传给本地人。

　　第三，在主的安排中，我去过南洋三次。在这三次的访问中，我和当地圣徒在主里有很好蒙福的交通，彼此都得到供应。将来两下在蒙恩上的交通，并在事奉上的配搭，因着主的恩待，必更加强。

　　第四，在我们当中，有好几位爱主的弟兄姊妹都是通日语的。他们将来可能受主引领，到日本为主传福音，作见证。以上这些情形，叫我们非常喜乐，深深觉得主印证了我们的感觉。
 
　The Lord also prepared Taiwan. Although this is a small island, it has a concentrated population, a stable environment, and religious freedom. These conditions make it very convenient for us to preach the gospel and establish churches.

　The Lord also has prepared convenient transportation in Taiwan. In six days I had three meetings in Kaohsiung and visited five churches. I have even visited three places in one day. The transportation is extremely convenient for the gospel.

　The Lord led many saints from mainland China to Taiwan, and He has used the environment to scatter these saints throughout the major cities. Our brothers and sisters can be found in most of the major cities in Taiwan. The Lord has prepared the manpower. Now He can use these saints to spread the gospel for the establishment of His churches.

　Many people have had a turn in their heart and are now open to the gospel because of the changes in the world situation. Twenty years ago ten people may have received the Lord when we preached the gospel. Now when we preach the gospel, thousands of people want to receive the Lord. These people know in their heart that they cannot depend on anything in the world, so they are seeking the Lord. The Lord has used the environment to prepare people’s hearts.

　The Lord has even prepared the necessary funds for us to spread the gospel and establish churches. Most of the saints in Taiwan are government workers or school teachers, and the saints who are businessmen are not so prosperous. Therefore, our financial capacity is very weak. However, the Lord has used the saints in Southeast Asia to make up our lack in this aspect.
　　不仅如此，我们也看出主的预备：第一，台湾地方不大，人口集中，环境安定，信仰自由。这对于我们传福音，设立召会非常方便。

　　第二，交通便利。我曾花六天时间，不仅在高雄三个晚上有聚会，还看了五处召会，甚至光是一天的时间，就访问了三个地方。这对传福音太便利了。

　　第三，主从大陆带领许多圣徒来到台湾，借着环境，安排他们散居在各个重要都市。从南到北，全台各大城里，几乎都有我们中间的弟兄姊妹。在人位上，可以说主已有了良好的布署，祂就能借着我们在各处的弟兄姊妹，将主的福音广传出去，使祂的召会得着建立。

　　第四，因着世事的变迁，许多人的心都有了转变，容易接受福音。二十年前我们传福音，一次聚会有十个人表示接受主，就已是相当不容易的事。现在，福音一传，就有几百人、几千人表示要信主。这是因为人的心觉得世上没有什么可倚靠的，所以要寻求主。可以说，在这时候，人心也给主借着环境预备好了。

　　第五，我们推广福音、建立召会所需的财物，主也为我们预备了。在台湾的圣徒，多数是清苦的公教人员，少数作生意的也没有多少发达，所以经济能力非常薄弱。然而，主借着在南洋的圣徒们，在这点上补足了我们的缺欠。
 
　The Lord has prepared Taiwan with its transportation system, and He has prepared the manpower, the funds, and people in general. Hence, we should have accomplished many things for the Lord. However, even after three years the result in the work is not satisfactory because we have limited the Lord. The Lord provided for us, but we have not given Him a way to move. I know that this is our condition, because I have visited all the churches. On the one hand, I am thankful to the Lord because saints are maintaining His testimony in every place by His grace. On the other hand, I feel that we have limited the Lord. The Lord has prepared the environment, the manpower, and the people, but we have limited Him. We need to consider the condition of all the churches and the Lord’s desire in the light of His provision.
　　有了以上这五点的预备，按理我们该为主作出许多事，然而将近三年了，工作成效却不彰。这实在是我们限制了主。主为我们预备的真是齐全，但我们让主出去的路却不宽广。这乃是我们实在的光景。我曾到各处召会探望，之后我一面感谢主，使各地的圣徒有恩典维持祂的见证；一面又觉得，各地圣徒给主的限制太厉害。主为我们的预备太齐全，可惜的是，我们给主的限制太厉害。所以，在本篇信息中，我深觉应该具体的来看我们实在的情形，和主所要我们作的，并且把各地召会真实地情形，没有隐瞒、赤露敞开的摆在主面前，求主光照。
 
　In Matthew 6 the Lord charged the disciples to pray, “Our Father who is in the heavens, Your name be sanctified; Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth” (vv. 9-10). After the Lord was raised from the dead, He said to the disciples, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and disciple all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (28:18-19). In chapter 6 the Lord prayed for God’s will to be done on earth, because this is God’s desire, and in chapter 24 the Lord spoke of His desire for the gospel to be preached in the whole inhabited earth (v. 14). This is the reason that all authority in heaven and on earth was given to the Lord Jesus. Possessing this authority, the Lord charged the disciples to preach the gospel to all the nations until the consummation of this age (28:18-20). This is also His charge to the church.

　The Lord has been with the church since the time of His resurrection. He is exercising His authority so that the church can preach His gospel to all the nations. When we spread the gospel, God’s will is being done on earth. Only by spreading the gospel can God’s will be done on earth as it is being done in heaven. Therefore, God desires that we would spread the gospel in Taiwan.
　　主在马太六章吩咐门徒要这样祷告：“我们在诸天之上的父，愿你的名被尊为圣，愿你的国来临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。”（太六9~10）到了二十八章，祂从死里复活，对门徒说，“天上地上所有的权柄，都赐给我了。所以你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，将他们浸入父、子、圣灵的名里。”（二八18~19）主在六章说，愿神的旨意行在地上；这说出神的心愿，是要祂的旨意行在地上。神要行在地上的旨意是什么呢？二十八章告诉我们，神要行在地上的旨意就是要叫祂的福音传到普天下。为这缘故，神将天上地上所有的权柄都赐给了主。所以，主吩咐门徒，也就是吩咐召会，带着这权柄去传福音给万民，直到这世代的终结（二八18~20）。

　　从主复活之后，一直到这世代结束之前，主要与召会同在，用这权柄使召会将祂的福音，传到万民中间。主的福音在地上广传，就是叫神的旨意行在地上。只有主的福音在地上传开了，神的旨意才能行在地上，如同行在天上。所以，神的心愿是要我们在台湾作什么呢？乃是要我们在这里将主的福音传开。
 
　God wants us to spread His gospel, but very few saints have such a deep feeling. Therefore, we are spreading the gospel in a limited manner, both corporately and individually. Although we serve together, meet frequently, and pray that God’s will would be done on earth, do we have a strong desire to preach the gospel? How much do we fulfill our function by preaching the gospel? God has commissioned us with the gospel, but we have hindered Him, held Him back, and limited Him.

　The Lord has prepared the geographical location, transportation, manpower, people’s hearts, and financial support for us. These items are in wonderful coordination together. In the past twenty years of my service to the Lord, I have not seen a situation in which the Lord provided so much. The place where we are is stable and free, transportation is accessible and convenient, the manpower is adequate, people’s hearts are hungry, and the financial support is sufficient. However, our function in the gospel is minimal, even though there is no lack.

　We have failed the Lord and limited Him; hence, we are indebted to Him. We should not think that we have done so much for the Lord. A brother recently said to me, “The number of baptisms in one of our meetings exceeds the number baptized in fifty years in a certain denomination.” We do not need to compare ourselves with others, nor do we need to boast. We need to humble ourselves and examine ourselves before God. We did not accomplish anything, and we have nothing for which to boast. On the contrary, we have limited and hindered the Lord. I believe that all the saints would admit that we have limited and hindered the Lord, because we have not allowed Him to flow through us adequately.
　　神要我们在这里，把祂的福音广传出去，但我们少有人有这样深的感觉；因此，神的福音从我们众人中间，从我们个人身上，传出去的很有限。虽然我们在一起事奉，常常聚会，也常常祷告愿神的旨意行在地上；但到底我们有多少心愿，要让主的福音从我们身上传出去？我们实际将主的福音传出去有多少？在我们每一个人身上，福音的功用尽出来有多少？神在我们身上有十分福音的托付，却常常有八分被我们扣住，受了限制，受了拦阻。

　　我里面感觉伤痛。我们在这里，就着地理、交通、人位、人心和财力，无论是那一方面，主都给我们预备得实在齐全，配合得实在美好。在我事奉主这二十年的过程里，从没有遇到像今天，主在这里所给我们这么齐全的预备和美好的配合；地方是这样安定、自由，交通是这样普及、方便，人位是这样齐全，人心是如此饥渴，财力也是这样充足，可说是配备得一无所缺。可惜，我们在主的福音上所显出的功用，不过是一点点。

　　我们实在对不起主的配备，亏欠主也限制了主。不要以为我们已经为主作了许多。有弟兄对我说，我们一次受浸人数，比某某会五十年来的人还要多。我们实在不需要和人比较，也不需要在人前夸耀，乃要在神面前谦卑自省。我们没有作出什么，也没有什么可夸耀的，反而我们给了主许多限制，许多拦阻。相信各地圣徒都会承认，我们实在是限制了主，拦阻了主，没有让主从我们中间出去多少。
 
　On the one hand, we need to acknowledge that we have limited the Lord, but on the other hand, we must know how we limit Him. The responsible brothers in the churches often tell me that they are incapable; therefore, they ask me to send brothers from Taipei to help them. They say that the churches are not doing well because no one is sent to help. The responsible brothers say that they are incapable and weak. It is good to admit that we are incapable and weak, but still we must know the source of our problem.

　The problem is in us. We need to consider the specific aspects of this problem so that we can go to the Lord and be enlightened through His judgment. Some brothers say that the Lord is limited by our unfaithfulness and by our unwillingness to give Him our heart. Others say that we love the world, are selfish, and are unwilling to abandon and give up the self. Although these factors are present, they are not the source. If we consider the saints among us, we cannot say that they do not have a heart or have not given up the self. Nevertheless, they are not that active in the gospel.

　If we sense before the Lord that the above points apply to us, we should judge and condemn these things. Although we often sense that we have these problems, we let them go instead of judging and condemning them. This shows that we are loose. Therefore, the Lord is limited by our looseness. This is our problem. Here is an example of looseness. The meeting is scheduled to begin at nine o’clock, but a brother arrives at ten minutes after nine. Perhaps the brother would say that it does not matter that he is ten minutes late to the meeting. However, if we are loose in relation to the time of a meeting, we will be loose in everything. If we are ten minutes late to a meeting, then as a rule, we should have a deep feeling concerning this and come early for the next meeting. Such a response shows that we are strict with ourselves, not loose. How many among us are strict in this way?

　If we are under the Lord’s light, we will see that even though we love the Lord and have surrendered ourselves to Him, the meetings are not blessed and the work lacks fruit because of our looseness. Many blessings have slipped away in our service because of our looseness. We cannot say that the saints who serve do not love the Lord or have not surrendered themselves to Him. To say this would be an injustice to them. However, their service does not bring in much blessing, and their work does not produce much fruit, nor does it meet the expected goal, because of looseness.

　Many things among us have been delayed because of our looseness. When we sense that we still love the world, we do not deal with it because of looseness. If we were stricter, we would deal with our love of the world, and the world would fall away from us. For example, when we anticipate that five hundred people will attend a gospel meeting, but only three hundred attend, we are still satisfied and peaceful. This response shows that we are loose. A strict person would not respond in this way. He would not be peaceful. This is strictness. If we do not have such a response to the low attendance, there is looseness in our being. We have never been pressed or constricted. Because we are loose, we can be satisfied when the attendance is low. If we were strict, we would find the cause instead of letting the matter go.

　I have often seen brothers preaching the gospel as if they had a fishing rod and were waiting for the fish to bite the hook. Some brothers do not even use a hook; they wait for the fish to jump into the net. How loose this is! Because of such looseness, they are unable to bring people to salvation, and they miss the opportunities to save many souls. Some saints always use their own dialect when speaking with people. They do not care that others may not understand. This shows that these saints are loose. If they were strict, they would realize that people do not understand their dialect and would speak so that others could understand and receive help.

　Those who serve the Lord have indeed paid a price and love the Lord. However, our looseness is a serious problem that has caused us to lose many blessings that we should have received. Our looseness can ruin everything. We should not look for a great problem. As long as there is a hole in a one-gallon bucket, a gallon of gasoline will leak out, even if the hole is as small as the eye of a needle. Our little hole of looseness has caused many blessings to leak out.

　When we are strict, our service becomes three-dimensional. When we are loose, our service becomes two-dimensional, and all the blessings leak out. If we would be a little stricter with ourselves, our service would become three-dimensional, and the blessings would be kept.

　Many saints are unable to solve their spiritual problems because they are loose; they cannot cross over a spiritual threshold because they are loose. Because we are loose, our meetings often are not up to the standard. Sometimes the wrong hymn is called, or sometimes the correct hymn is called a few minutes late. Sometimes no prayer is offered when there should be prayer, or prayer is offered at the wrong time. This is an indication of looseness. Looseness causes the spiritual “air” to leak out of our spiritual service.

　May the Lord lead us into His light so that we may see the extent of our looseness. We fulfill only twenty percent of our spiritual function, but we are not concerned. Instead of condemning our looseness, we excuse ourselves by saying that we are incapable and that we are weak. We should not be proud, but to continually say that we are incapable is looseness, not humility. If we are incapable, we should weep desperately before God and pray together with others with fasting so that we would deal with our incapability in a serious and thorough way. We say that we are incapable, but we are not desperate before the Lord, and we do not fast and pray. We are incapable because we are loose.

　We say that our meetings are not up to standard, but we are satisfied instead of being desperate. As a result, the attendance in the meetings continues to drop. Some brothers say that they cannot preach the gospel because of their love for the world, but they do not deal with the world. Some brothers are fleshly, some have a narrow heart, and some cannot coordinate. The brothers may have some feeling concerning their problems, but they do not deal with the problems. This is the result of looseness. Because we are loose, we do not deal with our problems. As a result, in the church and in the work many blessings are lost.

　I believe that the Lord will bless Taiwan. Many local people will hear the gospel and taste His salvation, and churches will be established in various localities. However, our looseness prevents Him from moving freely and quickly. Our looseness limits Him. If a few saints in every locality would be strict with themselves, there would be a drastic change in the local churches. May the Lord enlighten us to see how much our looseness limits Him. Because of our looseness, the Lord has no way to move, His work cannot propagate, and many saints in the church do not receive shepherding or nurturing. The saints attend the meetings, but they do not have the heart to serve God. If the responsible saints were stricter, we would be dissatisfied with our situation. We would pray with fasting and seek the Lord concerning the source of our problems. Then we would see our mistakes and our lack.

　Often, because we are so loose, I cannot say Amen to prayers that ask the Lord to work. The Lord wants to work, but our looseness frustrates Him. Our prayers need to change. We do not need to ask the Lord to work; we need to ask Him to shine on our looseness. This is the root of the problem. How can the Lord work if we do not deal with our looseness?

　A saint once prayed that we have no way if the Lord does not work. Such a prayer is spiritual, but the person who uttered this prayer does not get up until eight o’clock in the morning. This is looseness. If we are loose, the Lord has no way to move. We have been praying for the Lord to work for ten years, but the Lord still does not have a way. Instead of dealing strictly with ourselves, we are relaxed. If we would be a little stricter, the Lord would have a way, our meetings would improve, the work would be blessed, more souls would be saved, and many saints would be edified.

　The Lord’s work in us is hindered by our looseness. We love the Lord, but we are loose. According to what we have offered to the Lord, we should have very good results, but our looseness has canceled everything. Our looseness is a great problem in our service and work.
　　我们不仅要承认我们限制主的事实，还要找出我们是在那里限制了主。许多处召会的负责弟兄都对我说，“李弟兄，我们不行，最好从台北召会打发人来。”我到某处召会，那里的弟兄就说，“台北召会留下的人太多，来支援我们的人太少，所以我们这里的召会不行。”各处弟兄们都是这样说，“我们这里不行，我们实在软弱，实在亏欠主。”虽然这是事实，不能否认，但我们不仅要承认这事实，还要找出这事实的难处到底在那里。

　　当然，难处是出在我们自己身上。所以本篇信息，我们要把难处具体的指出来，好使我们都能到主面前，在祂审判的光里蒙光照。有弟兄说，主受限制是因我们不忠心；有弟兄说，是因我们没有把心摆上；有的说，是我们贪爱世界，自私自利；有的说，是我们不肯舍弃，不肯舍己。这些成分的确都有，但这还不够具体，不够中肯。我们中间有好些圣徒，不能说他们没有心，没有舍己，但很明显的，福音从他们身上出去的很少。

　　若是我们在主面前，感觉自己有以上所说的那些情形，就该好好审判，好好定罪。然而，我们常常感觉自己有那些情形，却不审判，不定罪，而听凭其存在；这证明我们的光景是松的。所以，我们给主的限制，是在于我们的“松”。“松”就是我们的难处。什么叫作“松”呢？比方，定规九点聚会，你九点十分才到，这就是松。也许你要说，聚会晚到十分钟算什么？但是请记得，若是你在聚会的时间上这样松，你在什么事上都能松。按规矩，你聚会晚到十分钟，该有很深的感觉，下次定规早到。这证明你是紧的，不是松的。然而，我们中间有多少人是这样紧而不松呢？

　　你若在主的光中，就会看见，你虽然有心，虽然有舍弃，但是很多在聚会中的祝福，在工作上的果效，都给你的松漏掉了。在你的事奉上，你的松不知漏掉了多少祝福。对于那些有事奉的弟兄姊妹，你若说他们不爱主，不舍弃，那是冤屈他们；但他们的事奉所带进的祝福不多，他们的工作所发生的果效也很少，不能达到预期的目的，原因就是他们松。

　　“松”在我们中间，不知误了多少事。你感觉自己有点贪爱世界，却不对付，就是因为你松。你若紧一点，你就要对付你对世界的贪爱，世界就要从你身上去掉。比方，福音聚会人数应该到五百，却只到了三百，你还说很好，并且回家也能安然睡觉；这就证明你是松的人。一个紧的人不会这样；福音聚会应该到五百，却只到了三百，他就觉得这个不行，不能睡平安觉，并使全体弟兄姊妹对此有感觉。这就是紧。你若不能这样，就是因为在你身上有个东西叫作“松”。你从来没有受过压，从来没有紧过。为什么到会的人数这样少，你还说很好？就是因为你“松”。你若是紧，你就不能让它过去，就要找出原因。

　　再比方，许多时候我看见弟兄们传福音，或是和人谈话，就像用直钩钓鱼，听凭愿者自己上钩。甚至有的弟兄根本不用钩，就等着鱼自己跳进来。这是多么松啊！这个松，就叫他们不能将人救来，叫他们失掉许多灵魂。还有的圣徒和人谈话，总是用他们的家乡话。人听不懂，他们也不在意。这也是因为他们松。他们若是紧一点，就要发觉他们说的话，人听不懂，就需要改变他们的说法，使人能听懂，不然，人就不能得帮助。

　　若说我们不爱主，我们不会承认；若说我们不出代价，我们的确出过代价。然而，我们身上的“松”，实在是个厉害的问题。许多该有的祝福，就是给我们一松，就都松掉了。我们不必有大毛病，只要有这个松就够误事了。只要有一个像针眼的小洞，整缸汽油都会漏光。我们这个“松”的小洞，几乎把我们所该得的祝福给漏光了。

　　我们的事奉，一紧就是立体的；一松就是平面的，无论有多少祝福，都会像水一样流光。你若是稍微紧一点，事奉就会变成立体的，一有祝福，就能盛住。

　　许多圣徒属灵的难处不能解决，就是因为松。许多圣徒属灵的关不能过，也是因为松。许多时候，我们的聚会失败，原因也是松；有的是诗歌选的不对，有时诗歌选对了，却晚了一分钟；该祷告不祷告，祷告了又不及时，原因都是松。在我们的聚会里，“松”不知漏了多少属灵的气。许多属灵的工作，给我们一松，里面的气就漏掉了。

　　盼望神带领我们进到祂的光中，给我们看见，我们是多么松的人。在我们身上有十分属灵的功用，却只出去二分。这怎么可以呢？但我们竟然让它过去。我们不定罪自己的松，反而常用“我们不行，我们软弱”这类的话，原谅自己的松。虽然我们不可以骄傲，但是一直说自己不行，并不是谦卑，而是松。你不行，为什么不到神面前拼？你不行，为什么不到神面前哭？你不行，为什么不众人来在一起，禁食禁睡祷告，认真彻底对付？我们一直说不行，却不拼到主面前；一直说不行，却没有一次禁食祷告。我们所以不行，是因为我们松。

　　再者，我们虽然感觉聚会不行，但是我们不拼，不对付，我们听凭。所以，聚会人数一次少过一次。有的弟兄早就觉得福音在他身上不能出去，是因为他爱世界，却一直不肯对付。有的是因血气，有的是心肠狭窄，有的是个性太强，与人合不来；他们对自己这些难处，未尝没有感觉，但是他们不对付，他们听凭。这些都是因为松。就因为我们松，所以我们不对付这些难处。因此在召会中，在工作里，许多的祝福都给我们松掉了，都给我们漏光了。

　　相信主要赐恩给台湾这地方，使许多本地同胞都听见祂的福音，尝到祂的救恩，使许多地方都有祂的召会。但因着我们的松，使祂不能快快的行得通；我们的松叫祂受了限制。各地圣徒若是有够多的人起来紧一点，不知道各地召会要有多大的转变。求主叫我们看见，我们的松给祂多少限制，给祂多少难处。因为我们松，所以主没有出路；因为我们松，所以主的工作不能开展；因为我们松，所以好些圣徒在召会中受不到带领，得不着栽培。他们虽然在我们中间聚会，但他们不好好事奉神，甚至连事奉神的心愿都没有。我们若是紧一点，对这些情形就会看不惯，就会到主面前禁食禁睡祷告。我们若是紧一点，就会到主面前，查问这些情形的原因到底是在那里；我们就会看见我们的错误和亏欠。

　　有时候，我听见有圣徒祷告求主作工，我不能说阿们；因为他们一直求主作工，自己却一直是那样松。今天不是主不作工，乃是我们松得不让祂作工。我们的祷告要改变，我们不必求主作工，我们要求主叫我们不松。实在说，今天的问题不是你求主作工，乃是主求你不松。若是我们光祷告，求主作工，而不对付我们的松，那有什么用处呢？

　　我听见有圣徒祷告：“主啊，求你作工，我们毫无办法。”这样祷告虽然属灵，但是祷告的人却睡到早晨八点才起来，未免太松了。你这样松，主是毫无办法。十年前你就这样祷告了，十年后主还是毫无办法。你从来没有紧一点对付自己，你从来都是放松自己。你稍微紧一点，主就有办法。你稍微紧一点，聚会就要有起色。你稍微紧一点，工作就要蒙祝福。你稍微紧一点，多少灵魂就要得救。你稍微紧一点，许多圣徒就要得着造就。

　　我深深觉得，主的工作在我们身上目前所碰到的难处，就是我们的松。我们虽然爱主，但是我们松。按我们所摆上的，该有很好的结果，但都给我们的松抵销了。我们的松，在我们的事奉和工作上是一个大难处。
 
　We need to come forward to God and seek His shining so that we would see that all our problems are the result of our looseness. I hope that the responsible saints in every local church would be willing to be enlightened and judged by God and to condemn their looseness. If we would be willing to be enlightened and to condemn our looseness, we would see that our problems are unresolved because of our looseness. We know that we should read the Bible diligently, but we do not do so because of our looseness. We know that we should pray frequently, but we do not do so because of our looseness. We know that we need to be dealt with, but we do not go to the Lord because of our looseness. We know that we need to be broken, but we are not because of our looseness.

　Because of our looseness, we cannot see the light, we miss opportunities to learn, we do not make progress, and we miss God and His grace. D. L. Moody once said that he never saw a lazy person be saved. I have never seen a loose person receive light or enjoy grace in a rich way. Many saints lack light and grace primarily because they are loose. They are satisfied with every situation. Everything is the same to them. If we are satisfied with any situation, we will lose God’s light and grace. Then we have no way to go on.

　Some people are habitually loose. They are loose in their daily living. They are loose when they read the Bible and pray. They are loose when following the inner sense and when bearing responsibilities. They are loose in everything that they do; looseness has become their habit. Such people cannot be strong Christians. They can only be casual Christians. If we want to be strong Christians and have a strong service, we must deal with our looseness. The Lord may want us to deal with the discord that exists between us and a brother, but we are so loose that we put off dealing with it for many days. If we would be a little stricter and condemn our looseness, the Lord would not let us go. He would shine on many things that need to be dealt with and on the problems that we need to address. We would be enlightened to see that our temper, flesh, disposition, boastfulness, and desire to be praised frustrate the gospel and hinder us from fulfilling our proper function in the church and from coordinating with other saints in the service. If we would be willing to condemn our looseness, we would be enlightened and delivered.

　If we are willing to obey the light and condemn our looseness, we will receive more light. If we are willing to condemn our looseness, the Lord will expose our problems and remove the limitations. If we desire to meet God’s need, we should go to Him and deal with our looseness. We should not be loose in dealing with our wrongdoings or shortcomings. While we are dealing with our wrongdoings and shortcomings, God’s commission and our function will be manifested.

　Our way to go on depends on our willingness to condemn our looseness. All our problems are the result of looseness. Dealing with our looseness is the only way out of our problems. We do not need spiritual prayers. We should simply ask the Lord to deal with our looseness. Instead of being loose with ourselves, we should, under the light of God’s judgment, condemn all the looseness in our being. If we are willing to be strict and to deal with our looseness, God will shine in us and lead us in a strong way. Otherwise, we will have no way to advance.

　If we do not judge, condemn, and deal with our looseness, how can the Spirit move or work among us, and how can His power and authority be manifested? If the responsible brothers do not condemn and deal with their looseness, how can the churches have a future? We need the Lord’s mercy so that we would be willing to condemn and deal with our looseness.

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