Showing posts with label Some sharings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Some sharings. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
人是从哪里来的? 猴子进化来的吗？
关于人的来源，自古以来不外乎两种:
(1） 人是自然而然就有的。2）人是出于一个智慧的设计，智慧的创造。
进化论认为：人是从猴子进化，演化来的。这种说法认为人是自然而然就有的。为什么这样说呢？
持这种说法的人说：“人是从猴子进化来的。”
那么，猿猴是怎么来的？
“猿猴是从哺乳类进化来的”
那么，哺乳类是怎么来的？
“哺乳类是从爬虫类来的”
那么，爬虫类是怎么来的？
“爬虫类是从两栖类进化来的”
那么，两栖类是怎么来的？
“两栖类是从鱼类进化来的”
那么，鱼类是怎么进化来的？
“鱼类是从更低级的，从蛋白质，核酸，之类物质进化来的”
那么，无机物怎么来的？
“无机物是从原子分子来得”
那么，原子分子怎么来的？
“自然而然就有的”
所以他们最后就是说，人是自然而然就有的。
这是对人来源的一种解释，这种解释实际上是一种没有解释的解释。
“人是自然而然就有的",这样的解释给我们一个结论：人生是没有意义的，人活着是没有目的的。
因为根据这个理论，有些东西经过演化，经过碰碰撞撞就变成了无机物，有些通过进一步的演化进化，就变成了有机物，有些碰来碰去就变成了石头，有些碰来碰去就变成了狗，猫，另有些碰来碰去就变成了猴子，变成了人。那么，人生存的意义，跟这些猴子，狗，鱼，猫，甚至跟这些土，石，基本上没有什么本质的差别，全部都是物质的东西，人生存是没有意义，也是没有目的的。这种解释事实上否定了人生存的意义，价值和目的。
（人为什么活着？）
但是从经历来看，从深处的感觉来看，人生是有目的的。
在每一个人内心的深处都有一个“有目的”及“要有目的”的感觉。其实，这种感觉乃是神放在人里面，使人寻求神这位永远者。圣经传道书３：１１说：“神造万物，各按其时成为美好，又将永远安置在人心里。”这里的“永远”乃是指神所栽种，历代以来就在运行的一种要有目的的感觉；日光之下，除神以外，别无什么可以满足这种感觉了。（The Amplified Bible,扩大本圣经）
人活着是为着一个目的。所以进化论说人是自然而然就有的，与我们里面深处“要有目的”的感觉是相违背的，是不合我们里面“要有目的”的感觉。这是第一点。
第二点，进化论说人是自然而然就有的，是自然而然演化而来的。这种解释，事实上是一种不可知论，也就是不知到自己是怎么来的。这就好像桌子上的两个花瓶，甲花瓶问乙花瓶说，“你是怎么来的？”乙花瓶说，“我是自然而然就有的”乙花瓶就反问甲花瓶说，“你是怎么来的？”甲花瓶说，“我也是自然而然就有的。”这样的答案就是不可知论，这两个花瓶在它们自己里面，凭着它们自己，根本不知道它们为什么存在，从哪里来，要到哪里去，为什么会存在于这个桌子上。
其实，要知道这个花瓶为什么存在，从哪里来，到哪里去，最好就是问那位设计制作花瓶的人。那个设计制造花瓶的人可以清楚地告诉我们，他制造这个花瓶是为着何种的目的。他的目的是要把花装在这个花瓶里。
同样的道理，人在自己里面，想要了解自己是从哪里来，自己为什么在这世界上，自己要往哪里去是不可能的。你如果问我，而我在我自己里面，就没有答案。我如果问你，而你在自己里面，就也没有答案；即使有答案，也不过是一种猜测，一种遐想。
（人是神造的）
真正要清楚我们人是从哪里来，就要问造我们的那位造物主。圣经是神的话，是神－－这位创造宇宙万物的神－－给我们启示。圣经非常清楚地启示人的来源；人的来源是神，人是神所创造的。
启示录４：１１：“我们的主，我们的神，你是配得荣耀，尊贵，能力的，因为你创造了万有，并且万有是因你的旨意存在并被创造的。”
整个宇宙的被造和存在，都是这位创造万有的神为着他的目的和他的旨意创造的，不是随随便便，凭空产生出来的。宇宙是出自智慧的设计，智慧的创造，是造物主为着达到他的目的而产生的。宇宙是如此，人更是如此。神创造人是非常有目的的。圣经启示，神创造人是按着他的形象，照着他的样式创造的，他的目的就是他要进到人里面，就好像花瓶被造，是要让花进来一样；人的被造是要让神进来的。人是照着神的形象被造的，就好像手套是照着手的形象被造的。手套的目的，手套存在的意义乃是要让手伸进来；今天人的目的，人的意义乃是要让神进到人里面，为要使人彰显神。
神造人的目的有两方面：
（１）要人彰显神，把这位看不见的神彰显出来，表现出来，显扬出来。这位神的所是，生命，性情，荣耀，美德，要借着他所造的人彰显，表白，显大出来。神乃是为着这样的目的造人
（２）要人代表他，替他掌权管理他所造的宇宙，并代表他对付他的魔鬼撒旦；所以人的被造是非常有目的的。
认为人是自然而然就有的，是进化来的，这种所谓的解释，否定人存在的意义和价值，认为人的生存是没有目的，毫无意义的。相反的，圣经给我们清楚的启示，人是有源头的。人的源头乃是创造万有的神，而且神创造人是有特别地目的的，是为着他的旨意被创造的。
本文摘自：《人啊，你在哪里？－福音问答六十题》－第二十一问
Monday, May 31, 2010
James Chapter 5
12 But above all things, my brothers, do not swear, neither by heaven nor by earth nor with any other oath; but let your yes be yes, and your no, no, lest you fall under judgment.
19 My brothers, if any one among you is led astray from the truth and someone turns him back,
20 Let him know that he who turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save that one's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
19 My brothers, if any one among you is led astray from the truth and someone turns him back,
20 Let him know that he who turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save that one's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
James Chapter 4 - Dealing with Pleasures, the World, and the Devil
3 You ask and do not receive because you ask evilly that you may spend it on your pleasures.
7 Be subject therefore to God; but withstand the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-souled!
12 One is Lawgiver and Judge, who is able to save and destroy. But who are you who judge your neighbor?
14 Whereas you do not know the matter of tomorrow, what your life will be; for you are a vapor, which appears for a little while and then disappears.
15 Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will both live and do this or that.
7 Be subject therefore to God; but withstand the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-souled!
12 One is Lawgiver and Judge, who is able to save and destroy. But who are you who judge your neighbor?
14 Whereas you do not know the matter of tomorrow, what your life will be; for you are a vapor, which appears for a little while and then disappears.
15 Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will both live and do this or that.
James Chapter 3 - Bridling the Tongue
4Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the pilot wills.
5So also the tongue is a little member yet boasts great things. Behold, how great a forest so little a fire ignites!
6And the tongue is a fire; the very world of unrighteousness, the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the whole body and sets on fire the course of life and is set on fire by Gehenna.
7For every nature, both of beasts and of birds, both of reptiles and of creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human nature;
8But the tongue no one among men is able to tame; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made according to the likeness of God.
10Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, ought not to be so.
11Does the spring, out of the same opening, gush forth the sweet and the bitter?
12Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives? Or a vine, figs? Neither can salt water produce sweet.
14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15This wisdom is not that which descends from above, but is earthly, soulish, demonic.
16For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there disorder and every worthless practice are.
17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, forbearing, compliant, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, without hypocrisy.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
5So also the tongue is a little member yet boasts great things. Behold, how great a forest so little a fire ignites!
6And the tongue is a fire; the very world of unrighteousness, the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the whole body and sets on fire the course of life and is set on fire by Gehenna.
7For every nature, both of beasts and of birds, both of reptiles and of creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human nature;
8But the tongue no one among men is able to tame; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made according to the likeness of God.
10Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, ought not to be so.
11Does the spring, out of the same opening, gush forth the sweet and the bitter?
12Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives? Or a vine, figs? Neither can salt water produce sweet.
14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15This wisdom is not that which descends from above, but is earthly, soulish, demonic.
16For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there disorder and every worthless practice are.
17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, forbearing, compliant, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, without hypocrisy.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
James Chapter 2
14 What is the profit, my brothers, if anyone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister 1is without clothing and lacks daily food,
16 And any one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, yet you do not give them the necessities of the body, what is the profit?
17 So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself.
22 You see that faith worked together with his works, and by these works faith was perfected.
26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
15 If a brother or sister 1is without clothing and lacks daily food,
16 And any one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, yet you do not give them the necessities of the body, what is the profit?
17 So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself.
22 You see that faith worked together with his works, and by these works faith was perfected.
26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The Book of James tells us about: the Practical virtues of Christian perfection
1. Enduring trials by faith -- 1:2-12
2. Resisting temptation as God-born ones -- 1:13-18
3. Living a God-fearing life by the implanted word according to the perfect law of freedom -- 1:19-27
4. Having no respect of persons among the brothers -- 2:1-13
5. Being justified by works in relations with the believers -- 2:14-26
6. Bridling the tongue -- 3:1-12
7. Behaving in wisdom -- 3:13-18
8. Dealing with pleasures, the world, and the devil -- 4:1-10
9. Not speaking against the brothers -- 4:11-12
10. Confiding not in self-will but in the Lord -- 4:13-17
11. (Warning to the rich -- 5:1-6) Awaiting the Lord's coming with long-suffering -- 5:7-11
12. Speaking honestly without swearing -- 5:12
13. Healthy practices in the church life -- 5:13-20
2. Resisting temptation as God-born ones -- 1:13-18
3. Living a God-fearing life by the implanted word according to the perfect law of freedom -- 1:19-27
4. Having no respect of persons among the brothers -- 2:1-13
5. Being justified by works in relations with the believers -- 2:14-26
6. Bridling the tongue -- 3:1-12
7. Behaving in wisdom -- 3:13-18
8. Dealing with pleasures, the world, and the devil -- 4:1-10
9. Not speaking against the brothers -- 4:11-12
10. Confiding not in self-will but in the Lord -- 4:13-17
11. (Warning to the rich -- 5:1-6) Awaiting the Lord's coming with long-suffering -- 5:7-11
12. Speaking honestly without swearing -- 5:12
13. Healthy practices in the church life -- 5:13-20
James Chapter 1: Enduring Trials by Faith
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, whenever you fall into various trials,
3 Knowing that the proving of your faith works out endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect work that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and does not reproach, and it will be given to him.
12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, because when he has become approved by testing, he will receive the crown of life, which He promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted of evil, and He Himself tempts no one.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own lusts;
15 Then the lust, having conceived, gives birth to sin; and the sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
19 You know this, my beloved brothers; but let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
20 For the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore putting away all filthiness and the abundance of malice, receive in meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 And become doers of the word and not hearers only, who delude themselves.
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this one's religion is vain.
3 Knowing that the proving of your faith works out endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect work that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and does not reproach, and it will be given to him.
12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, because when he has become approved by testing, he will receive the crown of life, which He promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted of evil, and He Himself tempts no one.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own lusts;
15 Then the lust, having conceived, gives birth to sin; and the sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
19 You know this, my beloved brothers; but let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
20 For the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore putting away all filthiness and the abundance of malice, receive in meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 And become doers of the word and not hearers only, who delude themselves.
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this one's religion is vain.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Hebrews Chapter 13 - Virtues for the Church Life
2 Do not forget hospitality, for through this some, without knowing it, have entertained angels.
5 Let your way of life be without the love of money, being satisfied with the things which are at hand; for He Himself has said, "I shall by no means give you up, neither by any means shall I abandon you'';
6 So that being of good courage, we say, "The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear. What shall man do to me?''
7 Remember the ones leading you, who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the issue of their manner of life, imitate their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes, even forever.
9 Do not be carried away by various strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be confirmed by grace, not by the food of sacrifices, by which those who walk were not profited.
15 Through Him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise continually to God, that is, the fruit of lips confessing His name.
16 But do not forget doing good and sharing with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey the ones leading you and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who will render an account, that they may do this with joy and not groaning; for this would be unprofitable to you.
5 Let your way of life be without the love of money, being satisfied with the things which are at hand; for He Himself has said, "I shall by no means give you up, neither by any means shall I abandon you'';
6 So that being of good courage, we say, "The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear. What shall man do to me?''
7 Remember the ones leading you, who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the issue of their manner of life, imitate their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes, even forever.
9 Do not be carried away by various strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be confirmed by grace, not by the food of sacrifices, by which those who walk were not profited.
15 Through Him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise continually to God, that is, the fruit of lips confessing His name.
16 But do not forget doing good and sharing with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey the ones leading you and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who will render an account, that they may do this with joy and not groaning; for this would be unprofitable to you.
Hebrews Chapter 12: The Fifth Warning -- Run the Race and Do Not Fall Away from Grace
1 Therefore let us also, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, put away every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us and run with endurance the race which is set before us,
2 Looking away unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down on the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For compare Him who has endured such contradiction by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary, fainting in your souls.
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons. For what son is there whom the father does not discipline?
8 But if you are without discipline, of which all sons have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
11 Now no discipline at the present time seems to be a matter of joy, but of grief; but afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised by it.
15 Looking carefully lest anyone fall away from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and through this many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one meal gave up his own birthright.
28 Therefore receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us have grace, through which we may serve God well-pleasingly with piety and fear;
2 Looking away unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down on the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For compare Him who has endured such contradiction by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary, fainting in your souls.
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons. For what son is there whom the father does not discipline?
8 But if you are without discipline, of which all sons have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
11 Now no discipline at the present time seems to be a matter of joy, but of grief; but afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised by it.
15 Looking carefully lest anyone fall away from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and through this many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one meal gave up his own birthright.
28 Therefore receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us have grace, through which we may serve God well-pleasingly with piety and fear;
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Hebrews Chapter 11 enjoyment - FAITH
Definition of faith:
1 Now faith is the substantiation of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Witness of faith:
6 But without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to Him, for he who comes forward to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents because they saw that the child was lovely, and they did not fear the king's decree.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,
25 Choosing rather to be ill treated with the people of God than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin,
26 Considering the reproach of the Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked away to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he persevered as one seeing the unseen One.
28 By faith he instituted the Passover and the pouring out of the blood so that the bone destroying the firstborn would not touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as through dry land, in which the Egyptians, while making the attempt, were swallowed up.
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 Who through faith overcame kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong in weakness, became mighty in war, routed the armies of foreigners.
39 And these all, having obtained a good testimony through their faith, did not obtain the promise,
40 Because God has provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
1 Now faith is the substantiation of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Witness of faith:
6 But without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to Him, for he who comes forward to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents because they saw that the child was lovely, and they did not fear the king's decree.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,
25 Choosing rather to be ill treated with the people of God than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin,
26 Considering the reproach of the Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked away to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he persevered as one seeing the unseen One.
28 By faith he instituted the Passover and the pouring out of the blood so that the bone destroying the firstborn would not touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as through dry land, in which the Egyptians, while making the attempt, were swallowed up.
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 Who through faith overcame kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong in weakness, became mighty in war, routed the armies of foreigners.
39 And these all, having obtained a good testimony through their faith, did not obtain the promise,
40 Because God has provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
Hebrews reveal FIVE warnings to us... :) Give heed....
The first warning -- Give heed to what is spoken concerning the Son
The second warning -- Do not come short of the promised rest
The third warning -- Be brought on to maturity
The fourth warning -- Come forward to the Holy of Holies and do not shrink back to Judaism
The fifth warning -- Run the race and do not fall away from grace
The second warning -- Do not come short of the promised rest
The third warning -- Be brought on to maturity
The fourth warning -- Come forward to the Holy of Holies and do not shrink back to Judaism
The fifth warning -- Run the race and do not fall away from grace
Hebrews Chapter 9 enjoyment
Hebrews 9
26 Since then He would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested for the putting away of sin through the sacrifice of Himself.
27 And inasmuch as it is reserved for men to die once, and after this comes judgment,
28 So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time to those who eagerly await Him, apart from sin, unto salvation.
26 Since then He would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested for the putting away of sin through the sacrifice of Himself.
27 And inasmuch as it is reserved for men to die once, and after this comes judgment,
28 So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time to those who eagerly await Him, apart from sin, unto salvation.
Hebrews Chapter 2 enjoyment
Hebrews 2:1 [Therefore we ought to give heed more abundantly to the things which have been heard lest perhaps we drift away]
Hebrews Chapter 1 enjoyment
Hebrews 1:9 [You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of exultant joy above Your partners]
Hebrews Chapter 10 enjoyment
8 Saying above, "Sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You did not desire nor delight in'' (which are offered according to the law),
9 He then has said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will.'' He takes away the first that He may establish the second,
10 By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily, ministering and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never remove sins;
12 But this One, having offered one sacrifice for sins, sat down forever on the right hand of God,
13 Henceforth waiting until His enemies are made the footstool for His feet.
14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after having said,
16 "This is the covenant which I will covenant with them after those days, says the Lord: I will impart My laws upon their hearts, and upon their mind I will inscribe them,''
17 He then says, "And their sins and their lawlessnesses I shall by no means remember anymore.''
18 Now where forgiveness of these is, there is no longer an offering for sin.
29 By how much do you think he will be thought worthy of worse punishment who has trampled underfoot the Son of God and has considered the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay''; and again, "The Lord will judge His people.''
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But call to mind the former days, in which, having been enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings;
33 On one hand, being made a spectacle both in reproaches and in afflictions, and on the other, having become partakers with those who are treated the same.
34 For you both sympathized with those in bonds and accepted with joy the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better possession and one that abides.
35 Do not cast away therefore your boldness, which has great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance in order that, having done the will of God, you may obtain the promise.
37 "For in yet a very little while the Coming One will come and will not delay.
38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul does not delight in him.''
39 But we are not of those who shrink back to ruin but of them who have faith to the gaining of the soul.
9 He then has said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will.'' He takes away the first that He may establish the second,
10 By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily, ministering and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never remove sins;
12 But this One, having offered one sacrifice for sins, sat down forever on the right hand of God,
13 Henceforth waiting until His enemies are made the footstool for His feet.
14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after having said,
16 "This is the covenant which I will covenant with them after those days, says the Lord: I will impart My laws upon their hearts, and upon their mind I will inscribe them,''
17 He then says, "And their sins and their lawlessnesses I shall by no means remember anymore.''
18 Now where forgiveness of these is, there is no longer an offering for sin.
29 By how much do you think he will be thought worthy of worse punishment who has trampled underfoot the Son of God and has considered the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay''; and again, "The Lord will judge His people.''
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But call to mind the former days, in which, having been enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings;
33 On one hand, being made a spectacle both in reproaches and in afflictions, and on the other, having become partakers with those who are treated the same.
34 For you both sympathized with those in bonds and accepted with joy the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better possession and one that abides.
35 Do not cast away therefore your boldness, which has great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance in order that, having done the will of God, you may obtain the promise.
37 "For in yet a very little while the Coming One will come and will not delay.
38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul does not delight in him.''
39 But we are not of those who shrink back to ruin but of them who have faith to the gaining of the soul.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Hebrews chapter 6 - Be diligent :) We have the anchor in us, both secure n firm
10 For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name in having ministered to the saints and in ministering still.
11 But we desire earnestly that each of you show the same diligence unto the full assurance of our hope until the end,
12 That you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and long-suffering are inheriting the promises
18 In order that by two unchangeable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us,
19 Which we have as an anchor of the soul, both secure and firm and which enters within the veil
20 here the Forerunner, Jesus, has entered for us, having become forever a High Priest according to the border of Melchisedec.
Those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come have already laid the foundation, at the time they believed. If they fall away and turn back, there is no need for them to lay the foundation again (v. 1); there is only the need to go on, to be brought on to perfection, to maturity. There is no need for them to repeat repentance, for it is impossible for them to renew themselves unto repentance. Verse 1 indicates that it is not needed; v. 4 says that it is not possible; and vv. 7-8 show that it is not right.
11 But we desire earnestly that each of you show the same diligence unto the full assurance of our hope until the end,
12 That you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and long-suffering are inheriting the promises
18 In order that by two unchangeable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us,
19 Which we have as an anchor of the soul, both secure and firm and which enters within the veil
20 here the Forerunner, Jesus, has entered for us, having become forever a High Priest according to the border of Melchisedec.
Those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come have already laid the foundation, at the time they believed. If they fall away and turn back, there is no need for them to lay the foundation again (v. 1); there is only the need to go on, to be brought on to perfection, to maturity. There is no need for them to repeat repentance, for it is impossible for them to renew themselves unto repentance. Verse 1 indicates that it is not needed; v. 4 says that it is not possible; and vv. 7-8 show that it is not right.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
oneness of the body
Ephesian 4:3-6 [Being diligent to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace; One Body and one Spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism; One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.]
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Favourite maxims :)
日子是拿来过的，而不是拿来算的。
别为了过去而放弃现在。：）
什么都可以输，就是不可以输掉信心。
要摸清它，自然就会仲意它!
Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.
Beginning today, I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experience. I will meet new people. I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else. Perfection does not exist in an imperfect world. But i will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.
Beginning today, I will be responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy... admire the beautiful wonder of nature, listen to my favourite music, soak in a bubble bath, lay down on the grass, walk by the lake....
Pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.
Beginning today, I will learn something different. I will savour all the various flavours life has to offer. I will change what I can and the rest I will let go.
Hebrews 1:9 [You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of exultant joy above Your partners]
Hebrews 2:1 [Therefore we ought to give heed more abundantly to the things which have been heard lest perhaps we drift away]
Perfect through sufferings~~
Running water does not flow back. So is life, make it happy. :)
Let the doctors handle your body, let God handles your life, but be in charge of your own moods.
Before middle age, DO NOT FEAR. After middle age, DO NOT REGRET.
If worry can cure your sickness, go ahead and worry;
If worry can prolong your life, go ahead and worry;
If worry can exchange for happiness, go ahead and worry.
Matthew 11:22-24 ["Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours]
Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears.
If you wish to succeed, you should use persistence as your good friend, experience as your reference, prudence as your brother and hope as your sentry.
It is no use doing what you like; you have got to like what you do.
Lord, be with me in whatever I am doing now. Thanks for being so available to me that I can simply take you in by a simple turn to the Spirit. :)
别为了过去而放弃现在。：）
什么都可以输，就是不可以输掉信心。
要摸清它，自然就会仲意它!
Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.
Beginning today, I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experience. I will meet new people. I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else. Perfection does not exist in an imperfect world. But i will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.
Beginning today, I will be responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy... admire the beautiful wonder of nature, listen to my favourite music, soak in a bubble bath, lay down on the grass, walk by the lake....
Pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.
Beginning today, I will learn something different. I will savour all the various flavours life has to offer. I will change what I can and the rest I will let go.
Hebrews 1:9 [You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of exultant joy above Your partners]
Hebrews 2:1 [Therefore we ought to give heed more abundantly to the things which have been heard lest perhaps we drift away]
Perfect through sufferings~~
Running water does not flow back. So is life, make it happy. :)
Let the doctors handle your body, let God handles your life, but be in charge of your own moods.
Before middle age, DO NOT FEAR. After middle age, DO NOT REGRET.
If worry can cure your sickness, go ahead and worry;
If worry can prolong your life, go ahead and worry;
If worry can exchange for happiness, go ahead and worry.
Matthew 11:22-24 ["Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours]
Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears.
If you wish to succeed, you should use persistence as your good friend, experience as your reference, prudence as your brother and hope as your sentry.
It is no use doing what you like; you have got to like what you do.
Lord, be with me in whatever I am doing now. Thanks for being so available to me that I can simply take you in by a simple turn to the Spirit. :)
Friday, March 12, 2010
Why is there a need for Word to become flesh as mentioned in John 1:14? What is the reason for Christ's incarnation and death?
John 1:14 [And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us (and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only Begotten from the Father), full of grace and reality.]
John 1: 16-17 [For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and reality came through Jesus Christ. ]
John 1:14 tells us that the Word became flesh. The Word is God Himself. The Word became flesh to dispense God into us. Incarnation is for dispensing. If God had never become incarnated, He would have remained in His divinity, and there would have been no way for Him to dispense Himself into us. Incarnation was the initiation of the divine dispensing; it was the first step of God's dispensing of Himself into us. When God was incarnated, He came full of grace and reality. He did not come empty-handed.
Grace is God enjoyed by us. Reality is God gained by us. In the entire universe, nothing is real. Solomon told us that everything is vanity. Houses and cars are vanity; they are not reality. Only God gained by us is reality. In His incarnation God came to us full of grace and reality for us to receive.
John 1:29 [The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!]
John 19:34 [But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water.]
After His incarnation, Christ lived on this earth for more than thirty years. Then He went to the cross and was crucified there. This was the second step of God's dispensing.
Fist, in His crucifixion, Christ as the Lamb of God first took away our sin.
Second, as the brass serpent, Christ destroyed Satan, the source of death and the ruler of this world.
Third, as the grain of wheat, Christ released the divine life within Him for the producing of the many believers by imparting, that is, dispensing, the divine life into them. By this He made all the believers His members and the many grains of wheat.
Many Christian do not realize that Christ's death, like His incarnation, was for His dispensing. He died on the cross to release His divine life for His dispensing.
At the cross, when the soldier pierced the side of Christ, blood and water came out. The blood symbolizes the redeeming aspect of Christ's all-inclusive death, and the water that came out of Christ symbolizes the life-imparting aspect of Christ's all-inclusive death. This one death did two works: it redeemed us from our sins, and it released the divine life of God into believers.
The death on the cross was the release of God and the termination of man and all negative things. In Christ's death God passed through death in man to be released, and man died in God to be terminated.
The cross is not only the center but also the circumference of God's holy building. The cross is implied in the gate, in the eating of the sacrifices, in the boiling houses, and in the tables on which the sacrifices are slain. Thus, the cross spreads in every direction and to every corner of God's building. If we wish to contact God and enjoy his riches in His house, we must pass through the cross.
Chapter twenty of the Gospel of John, tells us after His death, this Christ entered into resurrection, and in resurrection He changed His form and became a life-giving Spirit. In incarnation He changed His form from the form of God to the form of man. In resurrection, He as the last Adam changed His form again, from the form of the human flesh to the life-giving Spirit.
The word life-giving implies dispensing, because to give is to dispense. Christ as the life-giving Spirit is dispensing life as food to His believers. Within our physical food there is medicine; the nourishment in the food kills germs. Within Christ as the food there is the real "medicine" that kills all the spiritual germs.
On the night of His resurrection, the Lord came back to visit His believers. He did not give them a message of any teaching or instruction. He did only one thing: He breathed into them (John 20:22). By breathing into them, He breathed Himself into them. At that time Christ was the life-giving Spirit. Thus, by Christ's breathing, all the disciples received Him as the life-giving Spirit.
Reference: The Economy and Dispensing of God.
John 1: 16-17 [For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and reality came through Jesus Christ. ]
John 1:14 tells us that the Word became flesh. The Word is God Himself. The Word became flesh to dispense God into us. Incarnation is for dispensing. If God had never become incarnated, He would have remained in His divinity, and there would have been no way for Him to dispense Himself into us. Incarnation was the initiation of the divine dispensing; it was the first step of God's dispensing of Himself into us. When God was incarnated, He came full of grace and reality. He did not come empty-handed.
Grace is God enjoyed by us. Reality is God gained by us. In the entire universe, nothing is real. Solomon told us that everything is vanity. Houses and cars are vanity; they are not reality. Only God gained by us is reality. In His incarnation God came to us full of grace and reality for us to receive.
John 1:29 [The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!]
John 19:34 [But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water.]
After His incarnation, Christ lived on this earth for more than thirty years. Then He went to the cross and was crucified there. This was the second step of God's dispensing.
Fist, in His crucifixion, Christ as the Lamb of God first took away our sin.
Second, as the brass serpent, Christ destroyed Satan, the source of death and the ruler of this world.
Third, as the grain of wheat, Christ released the divine life within Him for the producing of the many believers by imparting, that is, dispensing, the divine life into them. By this He made all the believers His members and the many grains of wheat.
Many Christian do not realize that Christ's death, like His incarnation, was for His dispensing. He died on the cross to release His divine life for His dispensing.
At the cross, when the soldier pierced the side of Christ, blood and water came out. The blood symbolizes the redeeming aspect of Christ's all-inclusive death, and the water that came out of Christ symbolizes the life-imparting aspect of Christ's all-inclusive death. This one death did two works: it redeemed us from our sins, and it released the divine life of God into believers.
The death on the cross was the release of God and the termination of man and all negative things. In Christ's death God passed through death in man to be released, and man died in God to be terminated.
The cross is not only the center but also the circumference of God's holy building. The cross is implied in the gate, in the eating of the sacrifices, in the boiling houses, and in the tables on which the sacrifices are slain. Thus, the cross spreads in every direction and to every corner of God's building. If we wish to contact God and enjoy his riches in His house, we must pass through the cross.
Chapter twenty of the Gospel of John, tells us after His death, this Christ entered into resurrection, and in resurrection He changed His form and became a life-giving Spirit. In incarnation He changed His form from the form of God to the form of man. In resurrection, He as the last Adam changed His form again, from the form of the human flesh to the life-giving Spirit.
The word life-giving implies dispensing, because to give is to dispense. Christ as the life-giving Spirit is dispensing life as food to His believers. Within our physical food there is medicine; the nourishment in the food kills germs. Within Christ as the food there is the real "medicine" that kills all the spiritual germs.
On the night of His resurrection, the Lord came back to visit His believers. He did not give them a message of any teaching or instruction. He did only one thing: He breathed into them (John 20:22). By breathing into them, He breathed Himself into them. At that time Christ was the life-giving Spirit. Thus, by Christ's breathing, all the disciples received Him as the life-giving Spirit.
Reference: The Economy and Dispensing of God.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Why do Christians call on the name of the Lord?
There is the basis, definition, history, purpose and practice of calling on the Lord in the website below:
http://www.callingonthelord.org/index.html
I think it's a really good site to share with our friends who might be wondering why we call on the Lord so much. There is even a chart http://www.callingonthelord.org/basis/ot.html which lists all the instances in the Bible where people called on the Lord's name.
http://www.callingonthelord.org/basis/ot.html -- old testament
http://www.callingonthelord.org/basis/nt.html -- new testament
Praise the Lord for such a simple way, we can turn to Him just by calling on His precious name. O Lord Jesus! :)
http://www.callingonthelord.org/index.html
I think it's a really good site to share with our friends who might be wondering why we call on the Lord so much. There is even a chart http://www.callingonthelord.org/basis/ot.html which lists all the instances in the Bible where people called on the Lord's name.
http://www.callingonthelord.org/basis/ot.html -- old testament
http://www.callingonthelord.org/basis/nt.html -- new testament
Praise the Lord for such a simple way, we can turn to Him just by calling on His precious name. O Lord Jesus! :)
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