绝对没有绝对吗？-Richard Ochs

作者：Richard Ochs

翻译：陈鸽

改编：邹光

活在现今这个时代，你免不了面对“后现代”思潮的冲击。迟早你会听见人们说：“真理都是相对的！”或者更普遍的说法：“没有绝对的事！”

很明显，这样的理论是自相矛盾、不堪一击的，因为“没有绝对的”这句话本身就是个绝对的结论，正如“真理都是相对的”这句话，也是个斩钉截铁、绝对的定论。尽管如此，这种不合逻辑的思潮，如今却四处风靡、大行其道。这是为什么呢？当然，有些人是糊里糊涂、随从大流、人云亦云；但还有些人却有意识地接纳了这种“相对论”，好叫他们可以从绝对的道德规范中得到“解脱”。正如一首摇滚乐曲所说的，“现在我可以自由的去做从前不能做的事了！”这句歌词，一语道破，总结了现今文化所流行的思潮。虽然这种观念好像很时尚，但是其后果却不堪想象。让我们来分析一下，接纳这种道德“相对论”所导致的可怕结果。

从道德的角度

道德上，若没有绝对的标准，就没有客观的是非对错了。这表面看来似乎很释放，但其后果却难以想象，因为这样一来，谋杀、强奸、恋童、种族灭绝，都不是绝对邪恶、绝对错误的。反之，这些行为和慷慨、仁慈、良善的行动没什么两样，因为没有分辨是非的绝对标准，所以没人可以说我们应该怎么生活、应该怎么行动，因为世上没有“应该”的准绳、没有伦理的尺度。你可以说：“现在我可以自由的去做从前不能的事”，但别人也可以说同样的话，他也许想要随便虐待你、任意谋杀你。尽管你不喜欢被他杀害，但“客观”来说，你不能说他错了，因为世上没有绝对的事啊！

从真理的角度

让我们从真理和知识的角度来思考这个问题。好，既然所有的真理都是相对的（各人都有自己的“真理”与独到的“认识”），那么所有的知识都是过渡性的、不一定的、不肯定的。然而，你肯定这样的观点吗？若肯定，你就自相矛盾了，因为你的哲学体系中绝对容不下绝对的事！

再者，你若接纳了一个“什么都不一定；什么都不知道”的立场，那么请问，你肯定自己的存在吗？你知道A与B的分别吗？你确定任何结论、任何观点的可靠性吗？若没有绝对，你就什么都不能肯定、不能确信了，那么，真理与知识就会象风一样从你的手指间中流失掉。你的思考过程、你的任何观点（包括你对真理与知识所下的结论）都是毫无意义、毫无价值的了。唯一合乎逻辑的结论就是：一切都是虚空、什么都是胡言、不如保持沉默吧！你若仍要发表自己的“高见”，那么你就是极度狂妄、自以为是、唯我独尊，因为无意识中，你已把自己当做真理的终极裁判者。你以为：除你之外，天下没有绝对的真理了！

从意义的角度

最后，让我们从人生的目的与意义的角度来思考：若我们否定了绝对，我们也就否定了人生的价值与意义，这是很自然、很合理的结论。即便你说，我可以创造自己的人生观、建立自己的价值观，但你不过是在自欺欺人而已，因为你人生没有终极的意义、没有绝对的目标。若你的来源是无意义的，你的归宿是无意义的，那么你现今的存在也是无意义的，甚至你从无意义中寻找意义的意图，都毫无意义可言。

若你要从致力于人类在世上的生存与进步中寻找意义，你这“远大”的理想本身也是毫无意义、毫无价值的，因为记得：你不信有绝对，那么就算你、或人类、或宇宙继续存留一刻又有什么意义呢？答案是：一切都是虚空！因为在一个没有绝对意义的宇宙中，什么都是杂乱无章、漫无目标、毫无价值的。

你不过在历史的一个点上，在一个没有剧本的人生舞台上，扮演一个无足轻重的角色。正如莎士比亚戏剧的一个角色（Macbeth）所说的，人生不过是“白痴在说书，充满了刺激与噪音，表达了混乱的虚空。”没有了绝对的意义与目标，人生就不可理喻，那么疯狂或自杀都是一样，因为什么都没有意义。

一旦否定了绝对，其后果如何呢？后果就是我们会得到不真实的真理、无目标的目的、没价值的价值、无意义的生命。甚至任何理性的讨论都不可理喻！因此，否定了绝对的标准，就是否定一切，就是进入了虚空：绝对的虚空！

终极的绝对

然而，真的没有“绝对”吗？当然有！我们每个人的良知都知道有！我们都知道残忍与仁道的区别；我们都知道谋杀、强奸是错误的；虐待儿童是不对的；我们都知道天下一定有公理。我们都知道：我们自己是存在的，而且知道我们的存在是有意义、有价值的，因圣经告诉我们，神已将他绝对的标准，写在人的良心上、刻在人的心版上（罗1:18-32；2：14-16）。然而，问题出在：在我们追求道德的自主时，我们压抑了心中不可泯灭的良知；在我们放任个人的私欲时，我们抹煞了神所赐的是非之心；在我们寻求自我独立时，我们弃绝了那位终极的“绝对者”（上帝），他就是一切是非对错的绝对权威、终极裁判。若你不以这位无限的、有位格的、并且藉着圣经向我们启示的神为起点，你就不可能有任何绝对的标准。正如一位哲学家所言，“若没有一个无限的支点为基础，其它一切有限的点都难以衡量，也没有意义了。”

总而言之，你若不以这位终极的绝对者（上帝）为你生命的起点，那么你就没有人生的归宿，没有道德的规范，没有意义的定义，没有知识的价值，你就啥都没有了。

你也许会说，那我就自由了！没错，自由！但那是个可怕的“自由”：自由成为无所是、无所知、无所从。你若真要活出这样的“自由”，你就会经历到真正的捆绑：偏差的捆绑、绝望、虚空！

然而，你可以知道绝对的标准，因为那绝对者（神）已经向人类自我启示了。更重要的，你可以认识这位神，因为他已经差遣了他的儿子耶稣来到世上了。真自由在这里才能找到！正如耶稣告诉他的门徒说：「你们若常常遵守我的道，就真是我的门徒；你们必晓得真理，真理必叫你们得以自由。」（约翰 8:31-32）

注：正统的基督信仰与任何形式的“高压极权主义”（不论是希特勒或毛泽东的强权、或世俗主义、十字军东征、天主教庭的暴政）都是完全对立、水火不容的。基督绝对反对他们的狂妄自大、唯我独尊、目空一切、自以为义、打压异己。

? Lake Road Chapel | www.lakeroadchapel.org 1

Are There No Absolutes?  by Richard Ochs

One cannot go very long in our so-called “postmodern” world without being exposed to the

thought that “all truth is relative,” or as it is more commonly put, “There are no absolutes.” It takes

very little insight to see that such statements are self-contradictory. “There are no absolutes” is

itself an absolute statement, as is the statement that “all truth is relative.” Though logically invalid,

such concepts continue to float freely in our society. Why is this? Some may hold such views because

of a lack of clear thinking, but for many others the reason for embracing this relativistic view

is that it supposedly liberates them from having any moral absolutes imposed on them. “I’m free

to do what I want any old time,” says the Rolling Stones song, in a good summation of the moral

relativism that permeates our culture. This sounds very appealing, but the idea of “no absolutes” is,

in fact, one of the most terrifying concepts imaginable. Consider the awful implications that flow

logically from this position.

Morals

In the area of morals, if there are no absolutes, nothing is really objectively right or wrong.

What at first glance seems liberating is actually frightening beyond description. Murder, rape,

child abuse, and genocide are not truly wrong or evil, because there are no absolutes. In fact, these

things are on the same plane as acts of generosity, kindness, and love because there is no ethical

standard to distinguish between good and evil. No one can say that we ought to live and act in a

certain way because there is no basis for “oughtness” anywhere. You may say you are “free to do

what you want any old time,” but so is the next person, and he may want to torture and murder

you. You may not like torture or murder, but they are not objectively wrong or evil, because there

are no absolutes.

Truth

Or consider the concepts of truth and knowledge. Since all truth is relative, we are told we can

have “truths” but no “Truth” with a capital “T.” Knowledge is always tentative and uncertain. But

are you certain about that? If so, you are holding an absolute your system denies. More importantly,

you have embraced a position in which you can know nothing and say nothing for certain.

Do you know that you exist? Do you know that the letter “A” is not the same as the letter “B”? Do

you know that any statement about anything has any validity? You don’t if there are no absolutes.

So knowledge and truth slip through your fingers like the wind. Your thought processes and propositional

statements about anything (including truth and knowledge) are utter nonsense. The only

logical consequence is silence or babble. Anything beyond these is actually pure arrogance because

you have set yourself up as an arbitrary absolute. Without realizing it, you have made yourself the

ultimate reference point of all reality. There is no absolute truth except what you say!

Meaning

Lastly, consider the area of the meaning and purpose of life. To say that there are no absolutes

is to say that there is no absolute meaning or purpose to life. This leads (if one is consistent and

honest) to the conclusion that there is no meaning or purpose to life at all. You may say that you

can create your own meaning, but if there is no ultimate meaning to life, you are just deceiving

yourself. If your origin is meaningless and your destiny is meaningless, your present existence is

also meaningless, and any attempt to somehow manufacture meaning from meaninglessness is utter futility.

Suppose you take the position of trying to find meaning and purpose in the preservation and

betterment of the human species or of the earth. Remember there are no absolutes, so these “noble”

goals have no real purpose or meaning or value. What does it matter if you or the human race or

the universe itself continues for one more moment? The answer is, “Nothing!” It matters nothing

because nothing matters in a universe that has no absolute meaning or purpose. You are a point in

time playing a pointless role in a meaningless existence without a plot. As Shakespeare’s Macbeth

puts it, life is “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Without absolutes

in the area of meaning and purpose, life is absurd. Insanity or suicide makes as much sense as anything,

because nothing makes sense.

So what have we come to in this renunciation of absolutes? We have truths that are not true,

purposes that have no purpose, values that have no value, and life that has no meaning. Even rational

discourse is negated. To renounce absolutes is to renounce everything and end with nothing. Absolutely  nothing.

The Ultimate Absolute

But, are there no absolutes? Yes, there are, and deep down everyone knows it. Each of us

knows that there is a real difference between cruelty and non-cruelty. We know that murder, rape,

and child abuse are wrong. We know that we know some things for certain. For instance, we know

that we exist as self-conscious individuals and that our existence must have meaning and value.

According to the Bible, God has written His absolutes on the human heart. (Romans 1:18-32;

2:14-16) Our problem is that in seeking autonomous moral freedom (“I’m free to do what I want.”),

we have suppressed this inescapable knowledge of right and wrong and have sought to live without

reference to the One Ultimate Absolute that is the basis of all others. If you do not begin with the

infinite-personal God who has communicated to us in the Bible, it is impossible logically to have

any absolutes. As one philosopher said, “No finite point has meaning without an infinite reference

point.”

It comes down to this. If you don’t start with God, the ultimate absolute, you end with nothing:

Nothing in the area of morality, nothing in the area of meaning, nothing in the area of knowledge.

You may say, “I still have freedom.” Yes, but what a terrible freedom: Freedom to be nothing, to

know nothing, to live for nothing. The more consistently you try to live out this so-called “freedom,”

the more bondage to sin, despair, and futility you will experience.

There are absolutes and you can know them because God has spoken. But far more importantly,

you can know God because of what He has done in sending His Son into the world. This is

where real freedom is found. As Jesus told those who followed Him, “If you continue in My word,

then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

(John 8:31-32)

True faith in Christ is diametrically opposed to any form of oppressive absolutism, whether it

is the secular absolutism of a Hitler or a Mao, or the religious absolutism of the Crusades or the

Inquisition. Christ spoke strongly against such things as arrogance, oppressive intolerance, selfrighteousness,and judgmentalism.

得救之道-A. W. Pink

作者：John E. Marshall
翻译：陈鸽  

改编：邹光

我当做什么才能得救呢？从什么中得救呢？再请问一次：你盼望从什么当中得到拯救呢？地狱吗？

这是废话！谁想下地狱！其实，神与人之间真正的阻隔是【偏差】。你愿意从偏差中得拯救吗？

偏差是什么？偏差是反叛上帝的一种表现。偏差是自我中心，我行我素，对上帝置之不理；对他的旨意漠不关心。

上帝救人之前，先要光照他，让他认识到自己是个有偏差的人。我的意思不是说，叫他跟着大家一块儿说：“没错，我们都是有偏差的人啊！我知道啦！” 不！我的意思乃是说，圣灵会叫我从内心深处觉悟到：我这一辈子都偏行己路、背弃了神；我真有巨大偏差啊！因此，我恐惧战兢，害怕自己出的偏差太多、太大、太黑，以至于超越了神怜悯的限度了。

你曾经历过这样的绝望吗？你看见自己全然败坏，不配进天国，不配见如此圣洁的上帝吗？你认识自己里面一无是处、无善足称吗？你看见自己一向以来：所爱慕的都是神所恨恶的，所恨恶的却是神所喜悦的吗？你看见了吗？

如此的看见，曾否令你在神面前心灵破碎呢？你竟藐视他的圣日、忽略他的话语、将他置之脑后、完全不放心上。你是否因此忧伤痛悔呢？如果你仍不痛不痒、无动于衷，那么至少目前为止，你还无可救药，因为神说：“你们若不悔改，都要如此灭亡。”（路13:3）你若死在现今的景况中，你就会永远的失落啦！

然而，你若意识到：出偏差是你最大的灾殃，偏离神是你最大的痛苦；反之，荣耀神是你最大的心愿、讨神喜悦是你最大的满足；那么，你还有指望。“人子来，为要寻找拯救失丧的人。”（路19:10）他乐意拯救你，只要你愿向他投降、缴械、臣服、顺从，认他为你的主宰、你的君王。

他的血能洗净最污秽的有偏差的人，他的恩能扶持最软弱不配的人。他的能力能拯救一切饱经试炼的人。“看哪！现在正是悦纳的时候；现在正是拯救的日子。”（林后 6:2）现在，就向基督屈膝称臣吧！让他在你心中掌权，让他掌管你的生命，信靠他为你十架舍命。你要尽心尽意的爱他，全心全意的顺服他，他必带领你安然进入天城。

                                       「当信主耶稣，你和你一家都必得救。」 （徒16:31）

The Way of Salvation A. W. Pink


What must I do to be saved? Saved from what? What is it you wish to be saved from? Hell?
That proves nothing. Nobody wants to go there. The issue between God and man is SIN. Do you wish to be saved from it?
What is sin? Sin is a species of rebellion against God. It is self-pleasing: it is utter ignoring of God’s claims: being completely indifferent whether my conduct pleases or displeases Him.
Before God saves a man He convicts him of his sinnership. By this I do not mean that he says with everybody else, “O yes we are all sinners, I know that.” Rather do I mean that the Holy Spirit makes me feel in my heart that I have been a life-long rebel against God, and that my sins are so many, so great, so black, that I fear that I have transgressed beyond the reach of Divine mercy.
Have you ever had that experience? Have you seen yourself to be totally unfit for heaven?
For the presence of a Holy God? Do you now perceive that there is no good thing in you, nothinggood credited to your account, that all the way through you have loved the things God hates and hated the things God loves?
Has the realization of this broken your heart before God? Has it made you mourn that you have so despised His Sabbaths, neglected His Word, and given Him no real place at all in your thoughts,affections and life? If you have not yet seen and felt this personally, then at present there is no hope for you, for God says, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” —Luke 13:3. And if you die in your present condition you will be lost forever.
But if you have been brought to the place where sin is your greatest plague, where offending God is your greatest grief and where your deepest desire is now to please and honor Him; then there is hope for you. “The Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost” —Luke 19:10. And He will save you providing you are ready and willing to throw down the weapons of your warfare against Him, bow to His Lordship, and surrender yourself to His control.
His blood can wash the foulest clean. His grace can support and uphold the weakest. His power can deliver the tried and tempted. “Behold now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” —II Corinthians 6:2. Yield yourself to Christ’s claims. Give Him the throne of your heart. Turn over to Him the regulation of your life. Trust in His atoning death. Love Him with all your soul. Obey Him with all your might and He will conduct you to heaven.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” —Acts 16:31.

你够坏成为基督徒吗？-John E. Marshall

作者：John E. Marshall

翻译：陈鸽  

改编：邹光

      1、 基督的福音是为有偏差的人预备的。

圣经说： “基督……为有偏差的人死。……基督在我们还作有偏差的人的时候为我们死。……基督耶稣降世，为要拯救有偏差的人。”（罗 5:6、8；提前 1:15） 

2、 有人以为自己“心地善良”所以不需要信基督了。

“有一宗人，自以为清洁，却没有洗去自己的污秽。”（箴 30:12）这些人不读经、不祷告、不听道，他们根本没空去听耶稣基督的福音，因他们自以为义，自以为善良，所以就不需要救主了。他们以为：死后会到一个更美好的地方，天堂的大门会向他们敞开，所以他们坦然无惧，不怕死亡。

3、 这样的人是无知的人。

第一，  他们对那圣洁公义的神一无所知。

第二，  他们对神的话（圣经）也一无所知。经上记着说：“没有义人，连一个也没有！”（罗3:10）

第三，  他们对自己更一无所知；他们不认识自己的真实光景：原来在神的眼中，人的“义行”（最好的行为）都像“污秽的衣服”，破烂不堪。（赛64:6）

4、还有人以为自己偏差太深重了，以至于不能成为基督徒。

然而，岂不知耶稣只拯救有偏差的人吗？他从不拯救自以为义的人。基督的大能足以将有巨大偏差的人救拔出来；基督的宝血足以将有巨大偏差的人赎买回来。尽管你偏差巨大，只要你诚恳乞怜，基督的慈爱，绝不会将你拒之门外。

5、 若你承认自己有偏差，那么：

第一，  即刻求神因耶稣基督的缘故怜悯你。（路18:13）

第二，  求神拯救你脱离偏差的权势与刑罚。（徒2:21）

第三，  记得：有病的人才需要医生。同理，心灵有病的人（有偏差的人）才需要救主。（太9:12）基督来是为了医治心灵有病的人。

第四，  记得，正因为你如此之坏，所以你需要一位一位如此之大、如此之善的救主；你迫切的需要耶稣基督，因为他若不救你，你就没救了！你绝不能自救！

第五，  请听神的话：“凡靠著他进到神面前的人，他都能拯救到底……。”（来7:25） 

 原文：Are You Bad Enough...to Become a Christian?  （by John E. Marshall）

1. The Christian Gospel Is for Bad People

The Bible says “Christ died for the ungodly, Christ died for sinners, Jesus Christ came into the

world to save sinners.” (Romans 5:6, 1 Timothy 1:15)

2. Some Men Think They Are So Good They Have No Need of Jesus Christ

“There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, and yet is not washed from its filthiness.”

(Proverbs 30:12) People do not read the Bible, do not pray, never listen to the preaching of the

gospel, never have time to hear about Jesus Christ. This is because they think they are so good,

that they have no need of a Savior. Such people think that when they die they will be accepted in

heaven. They are not worried about dying because it will lead them to a better place.

3. Such People Are Ignorant

I) They are ignorant of God, who is holy and just.

II) They are ignorant of the Bible which says that there is “none righteous, no not one.” (Romans

3:10)

III) They are ignorant of themselves; they do not know how they appear in the sight of God. Even

the good deeds of men appear as “filthy rags” in God’s sight. (Isaiah 64:6)

4. Some Think They Are Too Bad to Become Christians

But it is only bad men whom Jesus saves. He never saves anyone so long as they think they are

good. Christ’s power is great enough to deliver very wicked men from the power of sin. Christ’s

blood is sufficient to atone for the sins of very wicked men and women. Christ’s mercy is so great

that bad men and women, who truly cry for mercy from him, are never refused.

5. If You Know You Are Bad, Then

First Call upon God to have mercy upon you for the sake of Jesus Christ. (Luke 18:33)

Second Call upon God to save you from the power and guilt of your sins. (Acts 2:21)

Third Remember, it is those who are sick who need doctors, and those who are spiritually sick who

need a Savior. (Matthew 9:12) Christ came to heal the spiritually sick.

Fourth Remember that because you are so bad you need a very powerful and very kind Savior. You

need Jesus Christ desperately, because if He does not save you there is no one else who can. (Acts

4:12) You can never save yourself.

Fifth Hear what the Bible says: “He is able to save to the uttermost those that come unto God by

Him.” (Hebrews 7:25)

这圣经

这本圣经蕴藏了上帝的心意、人类的景况、得救的途径、有偏差的人的下场、与信徒的福祉。它的教训是圣善的，诫命是确定的，历史是真实的，判语是不变的。你读它，就得着智慧；相信它，就得享平安；遵行它，就成为圣洁，因其中的真光可指引你，灵粮可供养你，恩言可安慰你。它是旅游者的地图，天路客的手杖，飞行员的指南，争战者的宝剑，更是基督徒的宪章。它开启了天国的路；更显明了阴间的门。

它要介绍的主角，是耶稣基督；它写作的目的，是为了人类的幸福；它的终极目标，是为了神的荣耀。它应当充满我们的头脑，管理我们的心思，引导我们的脚步。我们当慢慢的读它、经常的读它，更带着祷告的心虔诚的读它，因它是隐藏的宝藏、灵魂的良药、与生命的江河。审判之日，这本书要开启，也要永远坚立，因它启示了人类最崇高的本分，也要赏赐人类一切的劳苦，更要定所有轻忽它的人的偏差。

“我实实在在的告诉你们，那听我话、又信差我来者的，就有永生；不至於被责备，是已经出死入生了。”（约翰 5:24） 

查考圣经

千万不要忽略你的圣经。有本好书固然好，但你若有了圣经，你就有了“书之之书”。世上所有的书加在一块儿，还不如这一本圣经！因它是神在向你说话，它是生命之道（参考：约翰 1:1-2）。今天太多人轻看读经的重要性，所以我觉得责无旁贷，我必须严严的警戒你：你若要进入天国，就必须查考圣经，否则你如何明白神要你干什么？你如何明白天堂与地狱什么样？又如何知道进入天堂的道路呢？

耶稣说：“我就是道路、真理、生命；若不藉著我，没有人能到父那里去。”（约翰 14:6）你看，若我没有在新约中读到主耶稣所留下的这些话，我怎能知道这些事呢？在圣经中，我们明白了主耶稣的旨意，又晓得遵行他话语的人所要继承的产业。除了圣经之外，天下还有哪本书能给你这样的应许呢？若你不研读查考圣经，你怎能明白当如何行呢？

若你还没有圣经，赶快找一本；若你已拥有一本，赶快去读它。别吧它搁在书架上，或忘在角落里，你要随身携带它。与其顺手拿起报章杂志来读，你要带本圣经，随时读段经文。若你想要蒙福，想要进入天国，想要为主得人，那么你就得殷勤的读经。若你想要成为耶稣基督真正的仆人，你必须读圣经。

The Bible

This book contains: The mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrine is holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise; believe it to be safe; and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here Heaven is opened, and the gates of Hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, health to the soul, and a river of life, will be opened at the Judgment, and is established forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

(John 5:24).

Search the Scriptures

Do not neglect your Bible. A good book is all right in its place, but if you have the Bible, you have the Book of books; you have more than all others put together, because it is God’s own word to you, and it is life. See St. John 1:1-2. There is so much of the neglect of reading the Bible these days; therefore I feel it my duty to warn you. So if you want to go to heaven, you must search the

Bible, or else how will you ever find out what the Lord wants you to do, what heaven is and what hell is, and the way to get to heaven? Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Well, how would I know this if Jesus had not said it and I found it in the New Testament that He left for us? In the Bible we see what is left for us in Jesus’ will, what we will inherit if we keep His sayings and do them. What book besides the Bible promises you this? How are you to know what to do if you don’t read and search it? If you have none, get one at once; and if you have, read it. Don’t lay it on the shelf or in a place where it is unhandy; have it with you wherever you go. Instead of picking up a paper or book, take your

Bible and read a portion. If you wish to live happy and want to go to heaven, and if you want to win souls for Jesus, read your Bible and be faithful. If you want to be a true servant of Jesus Christ, read the Bible.

摘自网络

改编：邹光

你重生了吗？- A. W. Pink

你重生了吗？这是生命中最重大的问题之一。耶稣说：「……人若不重生，就不能见神的国。」（约3:3）

仅仅说：“我去教会；我想我是基督徒吧！”不够！今天有成千上万的挂名基督徒，生命中却显不出任何重生的明证、重生的特征。这些特征是记在圣经中的，约翰一书中就记载了一些重生者的特征。

首先，约翰写到： “凡从神生的，就不出偏差……”。（约一3:9） “……凡从神生的，必不出偏差……。”（约一 5:18）

意思是，一个重生（从神得到新生命）的人，不再习惯性地出偏差；他不再全心地投入偏差中。可能从前，他从没考虑过他的言行是否有偏差，就算出了偏差也不一定觉得有愧，因他与偏差同流合污、与偏差彼此为友。然而，如今，他成了真基督徒了，所以他厌恶偏差、逃避偏差、抵挡偏差。他对偏差难以容忍。当偏差临近时，他灵里哀叹；当偏差侵扰时，他心痛如绞。他多么渴望从偏差中全然得释，因偏差不再给他快感，他也不能等闲视之。反之，他对偏差深恶痛绝、恨之入骨。然而，哀哉！他却摆脱不了偏差存在他肉身中的事实。

若他说自己无偏差，便是自欺了（ 约一1:8），但他却可以说自己恨恶偏差，他从内心深处迫切地渴望不出偏差。尽管他的思想言行当中仍然免不了亏欠与瘕疵，尽管他深知“原来我们在许多事上都有过失”（各3:2），然而他可以真诚的在神面前说：偏差令他忧伤、令他懊丧、令他反感、令他心碎。请问，约翰的话符合你的经历吗？你是否重生了？

第二，约翰写道：“凡信耶稣是基督的，都是从神而生……”（约一5:1）。

重生（就是从神而生）的人，相信耶稣基督是他生命独一的救主，他相信父神指派了他的独生子降世，就是为要拯救世人。除他以外，别无拯救。虽在他自己里面一无是处，但在基督里，因着他全然的信靠、全然的交托，所以他的偏差也得到了全然的赦免，因基督已经在十架上舍命代偏差，成了救赎的大工。如今，他已因信在神面前被称为义，所以，他可以坦然地面对死亡，无惧地迎接审判。  

尽管有时他仍有惊恐怀疑，甚至还告诉你：他觉得自己一点信心都没有；然而，再问问他是否愿意背弃基督、信靠别神？看看他怎么回应！再问问他：是否愿意将永生的盼望寄托于自己的善行？自己的功德？自己的祈祷？或他的牧师？他的教会？再听听他如何回应！好！再问一次，约翰的话符合你的经历吗？你重生了吗？

第三，约翰写道：“……凡行公义之人都是他所生的。”（约一2:29）

重生（从神而生）的人，也是个圣洁公义的人。他竭力想要按着神的旨意生活，遵行神所喜悦的事，远避神所厌恶的事。他愿不断地仰望救主，效法基督，遵行主命，来证明自己是基督的朋友。虽他深知自己的不完全、自己与生俱来的败坏，虽在他里面有个“偏差的律”与神的恩争战不休，千方百计要使他的心偏于邪，虽他不免挣扎，但是他不甘堕落，他仍要向上攀登。

虽然他有时觉得自己如此低沉，甚至怀疑自己的救恩，但他仍可以与约翰牛顿一同共鸣：“虽我不像我应该有的样子，也不如我盼望成的样子，更不及将来（在天国）我会变为的样子；但我不再是从前的样子了。然而，我今日成了何等人，是蒙神的恩才成的。”约翰的话符合你吗？你重生了吗？

第四，约翰写道：“我们因为爱弟兄，就晓得是已经出死入生了……。”（约一3:14）

  

重生的人，对基督里的真信徒有种特殊的感情。正如他的天父，虽他对普世的众人，广施慈爱；但对信靠基督的人，他却特别地关爱。正如他的救主，虽他爱怜有偏差的人，甚至为有巨大偏差的人悲哀哭泣，但对信靠他的人，他更有一份独特的钟爱。在信靠基督的人当中，他宾至如归，倍感温馨。

他深感他们是他一个家中的骨肉兄弟；他们是他的同仇敌忾的战友；他们是他同奔天路的伴侣。他们彼此体恤，彼此理解。虽然他们的身份、地位、背景可能非常悬殊，然而这些都无关紧要，因为他们都是天父的儿女，所以他情不自禁要爱他们。请问，约翰的话符合你的经历吗？你重生了吗？

第五，约翰写道： “因为凡从神生的，就胜过世界……。”（约一5:4）

从神而生的人不以世界的准绳为判断是非的标准。他不怕顶着世俗的潮流，激流勇进、逆流而上。他不在乎世人说他好或说他歹。他已胜过了世界的好恶。别人看重的事，他却视如粪土；别人迷恋的物，他却嗤之以鼻，因他永恒的心灵已脱离了尘世的喧哗。

他宁要神的称许，不要人的夸赞。他不怕冒犯人，只怕冒犯神。他只求讨神喜悦，不在意人的褒贬。他惟愿尊主为大。请问，约翰的话反映你吗？你重生了吗？

第六，约翰写道：“……从神生的，必保守自己……。”（约一5:18） 

那从神生的，必为自己的灵魂时刻警醒。他不仅小心翼翼地离开偏差；更远避一切的试探引诱。他也在交友上谨慎自守，因他知道滥交朋友，自取败坏；人学坏容易，学好难；正如传染疾病容易，维持健康困难。所以，他珍惜每寸光阴，不敢蹉跎分秒。

正如一个全副武装、面临强敌的士兵，他随时提高警觉，预备抵挡试探。他不住地祷告、时刻地警醒、谦卑地仰望。请问，约翰的话形容你吗？你重生了吗？

这就是重生了的基督徒的六个特征。

当然，这些特征，在不同人身上，不同程度上，会有不同的彰显。某些人也许表现的极其微弱；另些人则显露的清晰无疑。而且，在某个人身上，一些特征会更突出，另些特征则不明朗，几乎没一个人样样齐全的。无论如何，在这儿，约翰为我们清楚的描绘了重生的六个特征。

我们当如何回应呢？只有一个正确的回应：就是，唯有重生者有这六个特征；没这些特征的人，就没有重生。这似乎是约翰要我们下的唯一合理的结论。最后，请扪心自问，你重生了吗？

Are You Born Again? by J. C. Ryle (1816-1900)






Are you born again? This is one of life’s most important questions. Jesus Christ said, “Excepta man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

It is not enough to reply, “I belong to the church; I suppose I’m a Christian.” Thousands of nominal Christians show none of the signs of being born again which the Scriptures have given us—many listed in the First Epistle of John.

First of all, John wrote: “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin” (I John 3:9). “Whosoever is born of God sinneth not” (5:18).
A person who has been born again, or regenerated, does not habitually commit sin. He no longer sins with his heart and will and whole inclination. There was probably a time when he did not think about whether his actions were sinful or not, and he did not always feel grieved after doing evil. There was no quarrel between him and sin; they were friends. But the true Christian hates sin, flees from it, fights against it, considers it his greatest plague, resents the burden of its presence,mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be completely delivered from it. Sin no longer pleases him, nor is it even a matter of indifference to him; it has become a horrible thing
which he hates. However, he cannot eliminate its presence within him.
If he said that he had no sin, he would be lying (I John 1:8). But he can say that he hates sin and that the great desire of his soul is not to commit sin at all. He cannot prevent bad thoughts from entering his mind, or shortcomings, omissions, and defects from appealing in both his words
and his actions. He knows that “in many things we offend all” (James 3:2). But he can truly say, in the sight of God, that these things cause him grief and sorrow and that his whole nature does not consent to them. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Second, John wrote: “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (I John 5:1).
A man who is born again, or regenerated, believes that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour who can pardon his soul, that He is the divine person appointed by God the Father for this very purpose, and beside Him there is no Saviour at all. In himself he sees nothing but unworthiness. But he has full confidence in Christ, and trusting in Him, he believes that his sins are all forgiven. He believes that,because he has accepted Christ’s finished work and death on the cross, he is considered righteous in God’s sight, and he may look forward to death and judgment without alarm.
He may have fears and doubts. He may sometimes tell you that he feels as if he had no faith at all. But ask him if he is willing to trust in anything instead of Christ, and see what he will say.
Ask him if he will rest his hope of eternal life on his own goodness, his own works, his prayers,his minister, or his church, and listen to his reply. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Third, John wrote: “Every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him” (I John 2:29).
The man who is born again, or regenerated, is a holy man. He endeavors to live according to God’s will, to do the things that please God and to avoid the things that God hates. He wishes to continually look to Christ as his example as well as his Saviour and to prove himself to be Christ’s friend by doing whatever He commands. He knows he is not perfect. He is painfully aware of his
indwelling corruption. He finds an evil principle within himself that is constantly warring against grace and trying to draw him away from God. But he does not consent to it, though he cannot prevent its presence.
Though he may sometimes feel so low that he questions whether or not he is a Christian at all,he will be able to say with John Newton, “I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be,I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.” What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Fourth, John wrote: “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren” (I John 3:14).
A man who is born again has a special love for all true disciples of Christ. Like his Father in heaven, he loves all men with a great general love, but he has a special love for those who share his faith in Christ. Like his Lord and Saviour, he loves the worst of sinners and could weep over them; but he has a peculiar love for those who are believers. He is never so much at home as when
he is in their company.
He feels they are all members of the same family. They are his fellow soldiers, fighting against the same enemy. They are his fellow travelers, journeying along the same road. He understands them, and they understand him. They may be very different from himself in many ways—in rank,in station and in wealth. But that does not matter. They are his Father’s sons and daughters and he cannot help loving them. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Fifth, John wrote: “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world” (I John 5:4).
A man who is born again does not use the world’s opinion as his standard of right and wrong.
He does not mind going against the world’s ways, ideas and customs. What men think or say no longer concerns him. He overcomes the love of the world. He finds no pleasure in things which seem to bring happiness to most people. To him they seem foolish and unworthy of an immortal being.
He loves God’s praise more than man’s praise. He fears offending God more than offending man. It is unimportant to him whether he is blamed or praised; his first aim is to please God. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Sixth, John wrote: “He that is begotten of God keepeth himself’ (I John 5:18).
A man who is born again is careful of his own soul. He tries not only to avoid sin but also to avoid everything which may lead to it. He is careful about the company he keeps. He knows that evil communications corrupt the heart and that evil is more catching than good, just as disease is more infectious than health. He is careful about the use of his time; his chief desire is to spend it profitable.
He desires to live like a soldier in an enemy country—to wear his armor continually and to be prepared for temptation. He is diligent to be a watchful, humble, prayerful man. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?
These are the six great marks of a born again Christian.
There is a vast difference in the depth and distinctness of these marks in different people. In some they are faint and hardly noticeable. In others they are bold, plain and unmistakable, so anyone may read them. Some of these marks are more visible than others in each individual. Seldom are all equally evident in any one person.
But still, after every allowance, here we find boldly painted six marks of being born of God.
How should we react to these things? We can logically come to only one conclusion—only those who are born again have these six characteristics, and those who do not have these marks are not born again. This seems to be the conclusion to which the apostle intended us to come. Do you have these characteristics? Are you born again?
摘自网络
改编：邹光