2021-11-21 Understand the Kingdom 明白神的国(2)

Last time we talked about God’s kingdom on earth in the past, in the present, and in the future上周我们分享了神的国度在过去、现在和将来的降临。Jesus came to bring salvation through his death and resurrection, 耶稣藉着祂的死和复活赐给我们的救恩， which isn’t simply for us to die and go to heaven. 不是单单让我们死后去天堂。Jesus never gave a message about believing in Him and going to heaven. 耶稣从未讲过一篇关于“信他就去天堂”的道。He came to bring us the good news of the Kingdom. 祂来，是带给我们关乎国度的好消息。 He talked about the Kingdom with its values, ways, and principles, 祂讲论神国的价值观、法则和原则，which is opposite to the values, ways, and principles of this world 与这个世界的价值观、法则和原则是相背的。

He taught us to change. 祂教导我们要改变。And Jesus also talked about eternal rewards for those who participate in His divine nature and finish his appointed work faithfully. 耶稣也讲到那些与神的性情有份、并忠心做成祂托付之工的人将要得着永恒的奖赏。 Despite challenges and persecutions 尽管有挑战、有逼迫，Jesus’ teaching on eternal rewards gives us huge motivation 耶稣的教导关于“永恒奖赏” 给我们极大的激励，to live a Kingdom focused lifestyle on earth. 使我们在地上过以神国度为中心的生活。Last time we talked about 【2Peter 彼后1：3-11】 briefly, 上周我们简略提到了彼后1:3-11, today we’re looking into it carefully:  今天我们来细细查考这段经文：

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 3　神的神能已将一切关乎生命和虔敬的事赐给我们，皆因我们认识那用自己荣耀和美德召我们的主。4因此，他已将又宝贵、又极大的应许赐给我们，叫我们既脱离世上从情欲来的败坏，就得与　神的性情有份。5正因这缘故，你们要分外地殷勤。有了信心，又要加上德行；有了德行，又要加上知识；6有了知识，又要加上节制；有了节制，又要加上忍耐；有了忍耐，又要加上虔敬；7有了虔敬，又要加上爱弟兄的心；有了爱弟兄的心，又要加上爱众人的心。8你们若充充足足地有这几样，就必使你们在认识我们的主耶稣基督上不至于闲懒不结果子了。9人若没有这几样，就是眼瞎，只看见近处的，忘了他旧日的罪已经得了洁净。10所以弟兄们，应当更加殷勤，使你们所蒙的恩召和拣选坚定不移。你们若行这几样，就永不失脚。11这样，必叫你们丰丰富富地得以进入我们主救主耶稣基督永远的国。

1, Why should we pursue personal growth? 为什么我们要追求个人生命的成长？

From v.8 to v.10, there are three “ifs’, 第8节到第10节共有三个“若”，which make it clear 这三个“若”清楚地表明，that the promise of receiving a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of Christ is conditional. 主所应许的“丰丰富富地得以进入基督永恒的国”是带条件的。In the nkjv version, it says,  nkjv版本这样说 “an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 直译：必赐你们一个丰丰富富地入口进入我们主救主耶稣基督永远的国。 In other words, 换句话说，if we wanna be rewarded with an entrance that is abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of God, 我们若想丰丰富富从这通往神永恒国度的入口进去，we need to show a changed and abundant life in Christ 我们需要有在基督里更新的、丰盛的生命and gain praise from God. 并得着神的称许。

【John约10:10】 Jesus says, 约10:10耶稣说： “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.我来了，是要叫羊（或作“人”）得生命，并且得的更丰盛。 Jesus has promised Christians two dimensions of life: 耶稣应许基督徒有两个层面的生命: a new life and an abundant life. 新生命和丰盛的生命。What dimension we have, 我们所处的层面，affects our eternal status and rewards. 会影响我们将来永恒的地位和赏赐。 If we only have a new life, 我们若只得了一个新生命，and if our inner man hasn’t been transformed into the character of Christ’s likeness, 内心却没有改变成为基督的样式， we are unable to receive a rich welcome. 我们就不能丰丰富富地进入国度。 For instance, 比如，one of the criminals who was crucified with Jesus believed in Jesus, 那个与耶稣一同钉十字架的罪犯信了耶稣，he was welcomed by Jesus into His Kingdom. 他被迎进耶稣的国度。 But he was unable to receive the same welcome as the twelve apostles or other faithful servants throughout history.  但是他不可能得着像十二使徒或历世历代作主忠心的仆人那样的接待。The promise of a rich welcome (or having an abundant entrance) into the Kingdom of Heaven is conditional. “丰丰富富的欢迎（或有丰富的入口）进入属天国度”的应许是带条件的。V. 10-11 reveals to us, 10-11节告诉我们， that a rich welcome is related to confirming your calling and election. 得丰丰富富的欢迎与“对你所蒙的恩召和拣选坚定不移”有关系。 What is that referring to? 这是指什么呢?

Paul the apostle said in 【Phi腓3:14】, 使徒保罗在腓3:14说：I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.向着标竿直跑，要得　神在基督耶稣里从上面召我来得的奖赏。What is that prize he was referring to? 他说的“奖赏”指什么? V.11 he made it clear, 11节他说得很清楚，【Phi腓3:11】, by any means, I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  或者我也得以从死里复活。Greek word “Exanastasis” means the resurrection prior to the general resurrection. 希腊词Exanastasis意思是“普遍复活之前的复活”。It’s talking about the first resurrection, 这是指第一次复活，which is associated with the Millennial reign of Christ on earth when He returns (Rev 20:5-6). 与基督再来地上掌权一千年有关(启 20:5-6)。

Therefore, 因此，a rich welcome refers to fulfilling God’s original purpose, “丰丰富富的欢迎”是指成就神最初的旨意， that those mature sons will be in partnership with God to reign on earth, 就是和那些成熟的儿子在地上与神一同作王，as we talked about last time. 就如我们上周所讲的。Maturity is a result of being obedient to the Holy Spirit.  成熟是顺服圣灵的结果。“because those who are led by the Holy Spirit are sons of God.”因为凡被　神的灵引导的，都是　神的儿子。【Rom罗8:14】             A testimony一个见证：God gave a dream to a brother from our home church, four years before his death. 家里教会有一个弟兄，神在他死去的四年前曾给他一个梦。He went to heaven 梦中他去了天堂，where there were three doors, 看见那里有三道门， which is just as it is written in the book of Revelation 21. 正如启示录21章所写的。He was welcomed to enter through the first two doors, 他被欢迎进入前两道门，because an Angel of God announced that his name was in the first two books. 因为有神的天使说 前两本册子里有他的名字。But as he reached the third door, 但是当他走到第三道门时，an Angel said, 一个天使说: “Your name isn’t found in this book.”“你的名字不在这本册子里。” Meanwhile, 就在那时，he saw the third door with the word ‘overcomers’ written on it gradually closing in front of him, 他看见第三道门上写着“得胜者”几个字，那门在他面前正要关上了。he cried out desperately, 他拼命的地呼叫 “Lord, give me another chance…”“主啊，再给我一次机会……” then, he woke up, crying. 然后他醒了，哭啊。 He wanted to overcome, 他想要得胜，but the desire of sleeping with prostitutes overwhelmed the desire of being victorious with Jesus. 但是“与妓女上床”的欲望压倒了“与耶稣一同得胜”的心志。He died strangely 后来他奇异的死了，and failed the battle, 在属灵争战中失败了，that’s a long story. 这是一个很长的故事。But God isn’t unjust 但是神不是不公义，and didn’t forget the good things he had done at the beginning as a Christian. 神没有忘记这位弟兄作为一个基督徒起初所行的善。 He was welcomed他受到了欢迎， but he wasn’t welcomed richly into the Kingdom. 然而却不是丰丰富富地被欢迎进入神的国。

The NT says, 新约圣经说，our body is a temple of God (1 Cor 6:19). 我们的身体是神的殿(林前6:19)。It’s like having the outer court, 就好像身体里有“外院”， the holy place, 有“圣所” and the holy of holies within us. 和“至圣所”。 By the blood of Christ, 靠着基督的宝血，we enter the door of the outer court and the holy place, 我们得以进入外院和圣所， to worship and serve God with the talents we’ve been given, 用神给我们的恩赐敬拜和侍奉祂，just as the OT priests came in and out to serve God. 好像旧约的祭司忙里忙外侍奉神一般。But to enter the Holy of holies, 但若要进入至圣所， although Jesus’ death and resurrection has torn the veil 虽然耶稣的死里复活使幔子裂开，and made a way for us, 为我们开了道路，we still need to make every effort to yield to the desires of the Spirit 我们仍需要竭力顺服圣灵的心意，by denying the desires of the flesh, 丧掉肉体的私欲，to unite with Him. 与主联合。Why? 为什么？

Because we’re told in Philippians 1:15-17, 保罗在腓1:15-17告诉我们, even people who preach Christ can have impure motives of envy, rivalry, 就算人传讲基督都可以怀着“嫉妒纷争”的动机，“I’m better than…”, “我比..好”， and selfish ambition, 怀着自私的野心, “I wanna become famous…” “我想出名…”The secret place in our hearts is like the Holy of Holies, 我们心里的隐秘处就如同“至圣所”，where our motives which drive us to do things come from, 里面出来的动机驱使我们做各样事，and where God wants us to cooperate with Him 神要我们在那里与祂配合，to exchange our pride, 除去骄傲，our motives of pleasing ourselves and people除去讨自己和他人喜悦的动机， for His righteousness and divine love to please Him just like Christ. 效法基督，让神的义和爱来掌权 讨祂的喜悦。

2, Living under the blessing of life or the influence of the curse of the flesh活在生命的祝福里还是在肉体咒诅的影响下？

V. 8-9 reveals a truth, 8-9节揭示了一个真理，that only possessing these qualities in increasing measure 就是唯有“充充足足地有这几样”，will result in a fruit-bearing life, 才能有结果子的生命、 a productive life, 多产的生命、an abundant life. 丰盛的生命。 And only will those people see and prepare diligently for the future hope to come.  唯有这样的人能看见将来的盼望，并为之殷勤地预备。Proverbs 箴12:24  Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labour. 殷勤人的手必掌权，懒惰的人必服苦。 V.8-9 tells us, 8-9节告诉我们， Christians can reap the fruit of laziness: 基督徒会结出懒惰的果子：Being ineffective and unproductive, 闲懒不结果子，being near-sighted and blind, 眼瞎，只看见近处的， forgetting who you are. 忘记自己的身份。What does that really mean? 这到底是什么意思呢? It means God is Loving but Just. 意思是，神是慈爱的，但也是公义的。The conditional word “if” shows that Christians can still live under two powers: “若”这个字表明新约的基督徒仍然有可能活在两种力量之下：the power of the blessing of new life from Jesus Christ, 活在从耶稣基督而来的充满祝福的新生命， or the influence of the curse of the flesh from Adam. 或者活在从亚当来的肉体的咒诅的影响下。The fruit of the influence from the curse of the flesh is infertile, 肉体诅咒影响的果子是不能生养、barren, worthless, unproductive, and blind (v.8-9). 贫瘠、无用、不结果子、眼瞎(8-9节)。The fruit of the blessing of new life is to grow and mature in Christ and be made more like Christ (v5-7). 新生命祝福的果子是在基督里长大成熟，更像基督(5-7节)。

People may argue, 有人会说： “Gal 3:13 says, “加3:13说了 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),基督既为我们受了咒诅（“受”原文作“成”），就赎出我们脱离律法的咒诅，因为经上记着：“凡挂在木头上都是被咒诅的。” How can you say we still can live under the influence of a curse?” 你怎么还说我们会活在诅咒的影响下呢?” Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from the curse of sin, 耶稣死在十架上把我们从罪的诅咒中拯救出来， it doesn’t mean we’re justified to continue in the way of the flesh, 但并不意味着我们有理由继续行在自己的道上，and still live under the control of the self 仍活在旧人的控制下，and be an enemy of God. 与神为仇。Because因为 “The sinful nature is hostile to God.”原来体贴肉体的，就是与　神为仇【Rom罗8:7】. Yes, our faith in Christ can save us, 是的，我们在基督里的信心能救我们，but James also tells us 但雅各也告诉我们，that our faith is made complete by what we do. 我们的信心因我们有行为才能成为完全。John the Baptist said, 施洗约翰说 “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and throw into the fire.”现在斧子已经放在树根上，凡不结好果子的树，就砍下来丢在火里。【Matt太3:10】 This does not just speak to the Jews, 这话不是单对犹太人说，but also to NT Christians. 也对新约信徒说。That’s why the Holy Spirit urges the churches in在启示录中圣灵催促教会 【Rev启2:11】, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will be not hurt (harmed) at all by the second death.”圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听。得胜的，必不受第二次死的害。” In other words 换句话说，Christians whose name is written in the book of life will not taste the second death, 名字记在生命册上的基督徒，不会第二次死， eternal hell, 永远的地狱， the lake of fire is the second death这火湖就是第二次的死。【Rev启20:14】But barren, unproductive, near-sighted and blind Christians, 但枯干不结果子、只看近处、瞎眼的基督徒，who fail and stumble to the end, 到最终都是跌倒失败的，will be hurt (or harmed) by the second death (or by the fire)  会受第二次死（火）的害。

Jesus also said this in 耶稣说，【Matt太5:22】, But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.只是我告诉你们：凡向弟兄动怒的，难免受审判（有古卷在“凡”字下添“无缘无故地”五字）。凡骂弟兄是拉加的，难免公会的审断；凡骂弟兄是魔利的，难免地狱的火。 In other words, 换句话说，you have a choice to release our anger, 你可选择发怒，or restrain it; 或者止息怒气；You have a choice to deal with your anger by trusting in Jesus’ judgment, and forgiving others from your heart, 你可以选择，信耶稣的判断，并从心里饶恕他人，or not; 也可以不这样行；You have a choice to love the self or to love Jesus. 你可以选择爱自己或爱耶稣。But there’s always consequences to follow. 但你总要为自己的选择承担后果. God is worthy to be revered. 神是配得敬畏的He wants us to be blessed abundantly祂盼望我们都得丰满的祝福. But to receive His abundant blessings we need to walk in God’s way但要得着这丰满的祝福，我们需要行在祂的道上.  【1Cor林前16:22-23】 If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 若有人不爱主，这人可诅可咒。主必要来。愿主耶稣基督的恩常与你们众人同在。 What does the word “cursed” mean in the eyes of the Lord? 主眼里的“咒诅“是什么意思？Don’t scare yourself by your own imagination! 不要自己想象吓自己We’ve gotta always come back to the Word of God我们当常回到神的话中. Remember? 还记得吗？A fig tree had withered and could no longer bear any fruit after Jesus cursed it. 主耶稣咒诅无花果树，那树就枯干了。That’s the result of a curse in God’s eyes. 这就是在神眼里的咒诅的后果。A barren and unfruitful life, 枯干不结果的生命，because that person loves the desires of the self rather than Jesus, 是因那人爱私欲过于爱耶稣，and doesn’t do what He says. 不照主吩咐行；An unproductive life without bearing fruit is nearly cursed. 闲散不结果子的生命，近乎咒诅。

It’s our choice to have a fruitful life, 拥有结果子的生命，or an unproductive life. 或闲散的生命，这是我们的选择。The seed of the Kingdom has been sowed. 天国的种子已经播下，To become people with shallow soil or thorny soil and unable to grow and mature, 成为浅土、荆棘土，以至于不能长大成熟，or to become people with good soil, 或是成为好土，and be welcomed richly when the Millennial Kingdom of Christ comes. 丰丰富富进入基督的千年国度。You choose. 是你的选择。But your choice will affect your eternal status.而这选择影响你永生里的地位。

3, What are the things we need to keep practicing? 你需要持续操练什么？

A rich welcome will be measured by whether we qualify for it or not. 能否丰丰富富进入神的国，取决于我们合不合格。To qualify for it, we must meet the conditions.合格就是要满足条件。 11, For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 你们若充充足足地有这几样，就……永不失脚。Then那样， you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 必叫你们丰丰富富地得以进入我们主救主耶稣基督永远的国。 The word ‘if’ indicates that it’s a conditional promise. “若“这个词表示这应许是有条件的，So, what are “these things”? “这几样”指的是哪几样？Let’s look at v.5 to v.7.让我们来看5-7节， v.5, make every effort to add to your faith goodness…你们要分外地殷勤，有了信心，又要加上德行…… “making every effort” means we need to pursuit life transformation deliberately. “分外殷勤”意味着生命的更新 是需要特别去追求的 We’ve gotta do these things for growth and maturity intentionally. 是需要为成熟长大而有意识的去行这几样事的。 To add to your faith goodness, 有了信心，又要加上德行， it means it’s not enough for us to have an initial faith, 仅仅有起初的信是不够的，which we receive from God in the very beginning when we’re born again. 起初的信是我们重生时从神所得的信。

Eph弗2:8-9】 tells us, for it is by grace you have been saved through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.你们得救是本乎恩，也因着信；这并不是出于自己，乃是　神所赐的；也不是出于行为，免得有人自夸。 Martha had this initial faith to believe in Jesus, she said to Jesus, 马大有起初的信，她对耶稣说， “I believe that you are the Christ. the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”马大说：“主啊，是的，我信你是基督，是　神的儿子，就是那要临到世界的。” 【John约11:27】 But this initial faith needed to grow, 但起初的信需要成长，because it couldn’t make Martha a peaceful and obedient vessel to God. 它不足以使马大成为 大有平安、顺服神的器皿。She worried about lots of things她为许多的事愁烦，and tried to manipulate Jesus into listening to her when she was busy serving.并在忙着服事时 还想操纵主耶稣听她的；Another time, 又有一次，before the tomb of dead Lazarus, 在拉撒路坟前，when Jesus asked them to remove the stone, 耶稣吩咐他们挪开坟墓前的石头，Martha refused to do it, 她也不去做，exposing her unbelief, and said 反而说出不信的话“No…the body must be smelly, for it has been there for four days.” “不……他现在必是臭了，因为他死了已经四天了。”

“Covid is at your doorway!” “新冠来了！”“Your neighbours have caught the virus!” “你的邻居中招了！”“Oh, dear, will I be next?” “啊，我会不会是下一个？” Our hearts are easily affected by the circumstances around us, 我们的心轻易就被周围环境影响，we fear, we worry, we get disappointed! 就害怕、忧虑、无望！Let’s be diligent! 要殷勤！We’ve got great things Jesus has already prepared for us. 主耶稣已为我们预备了极大极好的事，Jesus has done his work on the cross, 祂的工在十字架上已经成了，the promises have been made available by Jesus, 神的应许在基督里已成为可能，but diligence is our role to play. 而我们该做的就是殷勤。It says, 这里说到：goodness, 德行、knowledge, 知识、self-control, 节制、perseverance, 忍耐、godliness, 虔敬、brotherly love, 爱弟兄的心、Agape love. 爱众人的心。

Eph弗5:9】 tells us, for the fruit of the light is in all goodness, righteousness and truth.光明所结的果子就是一切良善、公义、诚实。Goodness reveals the Light of Jesus, 德行显明耶稣的光，goodness is God’s nature. 良善是神的性情，In this life, we need to change. 今生我们需要改变，We need to be purified for our motives to do things by the guidance of the Spirit. 需要藉着圣灵的引导洁净我们做事的动机；When we learn to be led by the Spirit a little bit, 当我们能被圣灵引导一点，we grow a little bit in the knowledge of God and of His Kingdom. 就在认识神和祂的国上成长一点。

Pursuing knowledge means we need to be diligent in studying the word of God, 追求知识，指的是殷勤学习神的话，praying about and mediating on the word of God, 殷勤祷告、默想神的话，and allowing the word of God to transform our thoughts and actions. 让神的话改变我们思想行为。Then, self-control. 接着是节制，We’re not called to study the word of God but still live by our feelings. 我们蒙召不是学了神的话，却仍然凭感觉行事为人，“When I feel angry, I must blame others. “我只要生气，就非得怪责他人；When I feel like buying impulsively, I must do it.” 我只要冲动，说买就一定要买。” Paul the apostle said, 使徒保罗说，“No, I beat my body and make it my slave.”我是攻克己身，叫身服我【1Cor林前9:27】 In other words, 换句话说，he was saying, 他是在说，that the desires of the body were controlled by the Holy Spirit whom he was yielding to. 他因操练降伏圣灵，就使自己的欲望受了管制。Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. 节制是圣灵的果子，It comes when we yield to the Spirit of God intentionally. 要有意识地去顺服圣灵才得着节制。 Then, perseverance. 接着是忍耐，It means long-suffering, 意思是恒久忍受，which is part of God’s nature. 是神的性情。Jesus loves us耶稣爱我们, who are difficult people, grumpy people, sinners 这些难相处的，暴躁的罪人 He shed his blood for us, 祂爱我们，为我们流血舍命，and He patiently waits for us to grow 祂忍耐等候我们成长。

It reminds me of a story that God instructed a man to push against a heavy stone 我想到一个故事，就是神叫一个人去推大石头 The man pushed on it day after day这人一天又一天的推啊，推, and he failed to move the stone a single inch石头没有被推动一点点. Then, he lost his patience他失去了信心, and was disappointed很沮丧. But God said to him但神却对他说, “Look at your muscles in your whole body看你全是的肌肉you’ve grown stronger than what you used to be你比从前强壮了很多.”  Rom罗5:3-5 …because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame,因为知道患难生忍耐，忍耐生老练，老练生盼望，盼望不至于羞耻；

Why don’t we like hardship为什么我们不喜欢困境？ Because we wanna see things going our way因为我们希望事情照我们的意思来, and we wanna see getting jobs done well我们希望人把事情做好. Otherwise不然 we lose our patience我们就失去耐心. But God looks at our growth in character, faith, and appreciation through the little thing we do in life但神看的是，我们在做小事上，在祂的性情，信心和感恩上成长. When we lay down our pride,当我们放下骄傲 and learn to humble before Him学习谦卑在祂面前, and when our intention is in line with God’s当我们的意思和神的旨意对齐, we grow in patience.我们就在忍耐上成长 God enjoys the process when we give up the old self and grow in Him.祂享受我们放下自己，在祂里面成长的过程。Then, godliness, 接着是，虔敬、A godly life is to live a life of worshipping and pleasing God alone. 虔敬的生命就是敬拜神、单讨神喜悦的生命，In which we also respect delegated authority. 尊重神设立的权柄。Jesus was a man under authority. 耶稣在人的权柄之下。To operate the Kingdom power on earth, 要在地上行使神国权柄，we need to fear God and respect people. 我们要敬畏神、尊敬人。Brotherly love, 爱弟兄的心we love one another, we serve one another. 我们彼此相爱, 彼此服事。Last，Agape Love. 最后，是神一样的爱众人的心。

We practice living in sacrificial love, forgive and love our enemies. 最后，操练牺牲的爱，饶恕和爱仇敌。Agape is the ultimate goal for personal growth. 神一样的爱众人的心是个人成长的终极目标。These are the seven qualities that we must have as we grow into maturity in the Kingdom of God: 这是生命在神国成熟长大过程中必须得着的七个品质：initial faith, 起初的信，goodness, 德行，knowledge, 知识，self-control, 节制，perseverance, 忍耐，godliness, 虔敬，brotherly love, 爱弟兄的心，Agape love.爱众人的心。

Brothers and sisters, 弟兄姊妹，v.10 says, 10节说，“be even more diligent to make your call and election sure 应当更加殷勤，使你们所蒙的恩召和拣选坚定不移 for if you do these things, you will never stumble你们若行这几样，就永不失脚。Do you stumble frequently? 你常常失脚吗？Are you going around in circles? 你正在兜圈子吗？Fail and repent, repent and fail again? 总是跌倒又悔改，悔改又跌倒？Be diligent!  要殷勤起来！If we do these things, we will never stumble! 我们若行这几样，就永不跌倒！And we’ll receive a rich welcome into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! 就能丰丰富富进入我们主救主耶稣永远的国！

Concluding Prayer: 结束祷告：

Father, we thank You for Your everlasting love that never fails. 天父，我们感谢你的爱，永不止息。Thank You for Christ Jesus’ sacrificial love for us, that He defeated the power of sin and the grave, 感谢基督耶稣爱我们的舍命大爱，战胜了罪和死亡的权势，and gave us new life and great hope. 赐给我们新的生命和极大的盼望。Through Christ our Lord, overcoming sin and temptation and Satan has been made available for us. 借着主基督，使胜过罪、试探和撒但为我们成为可能。What a wonderful Saviour we have! We thank You Jesus!  何等奇妙的救主耶稣！我们感谢你！

Would you please open your mouths with your eyes closed and thank Him?….现在你能闭上眼睛，开口感谢祂吗？.... Thank Him for His unfailing love for you through the shedding of His own blood. 感谢祂借着流出自己的宝血，显明对你永恒不变的爱。 Thank Him for calling you to be partakers in His divine nature from His own glory and goodness. 感谢祂用自己的荣耀和美德召你，让你与祂神的性情上有份。Thank Him for calling you to run the race and to win the prize with diligence through His sufficient Grace …感谢祂呼召你向标杆奔跑，靠着祂够用的恩典 去分外殷勤地得上面来的赏赐……God is so good! 神真好！Let’s honour Him with our praise and thank Him... 让我们用赞美和感恩来尊崇祂。

Today, we’re told, “be diligent! Be diligent!” 但今天，祂忠告我们，要殷勤！要分外殷勤！Without doing “these things”, 如果不行“这几样”，without possessing these seven qualities, 如果不拥有这七种品质，we will stumble frequently. 我们就会经常失脚。If anyone is struggling to read the bible, 如果有人在读经上很挣扎， or to develop a personal daily devotional habit, 或在培养个人日常灵修的习惯很挣扎，or you haven’t started to practice these things yet, 或者你还没有开始操练行这几样事情，or you lack the passion or strength to do it, 或者你内心正缺乏情热或力量去操练，but you desire a rich welcome into the future Kingdom, 但你却又盼望以后能丰丰富富的进入神的国，let’s ask Him,   让我们一起来祈求祂，

“Holy Spirit, help me to understand Your words with my heart not just with my head, “圣灵，求你帮助我，用心明白你的话，而不仅仅是用我的头脑，help me to love You just as You loved me. 帮助我爱你，就像你爱我那样。You’re passionate about me, 你对我充满火热，help me to be passionate about You and Your word! 帮助我对你和你的话也充满火热！Your Kingdom operates according to Your Word. 你的国度是照你的话运行的。Without growing in the word of God, 如果不在神你的话上长进，my life becomes unproductive and ineffective, 我的生命就闲懒不结果子了，which is not reflecting Your glory. 这样就不能荣耀你。Lord, help me.” 主啊，求你帮助我。”

If you always fill your time with other stuff rather than the Word of God, 如果你总是用其他的东西代替神的话来打发时间，Ask the Lord to forgive you, 求主赦免你，“Lord, forgive me and renew me…“主啊，赦免我，更新我。I ask a fresh fire of the Holy Spirit to come upon me,我祈求圣灵的新火降临到我身上， to burn away all my ungodly and worldly and selfish desires of the flesh. 烧毁我所有肉体里的不虔敬、世俗和自私的欲望。They are just stumbling blocks to me!  它们只是拦阻我前进的绊脚石！Lord, I re-surrender myself to You. 主啊，我再次向你降伏。Holy Spirit, tear down every barrier that hinders me from reading Your word; 圣灵，求你拆除每一个拦阻我读你话语的障碍；Tear down every stronghold that causes me to lack self-control with impulsive eating, drinking, thinking, buying, and doing things; 拆毁每一个坚固营垒，让我不能节制，随私欲吃、喝、思想、买东西、做事情，Tear down every stronghold of bitterness and negative thoughts, 拆毁每一个苦毒和负面思想的坚固营垒， which misinterpret and blame the thing or the people, 让我曲解误解、责怪事，责怪人的，and cause me to lose the opportunity to grow in perseverance. 让我因此失去生出忍耐的机会的。In the name of Jesus I cast out all those dark powers of ignorance, blindness, and laziness from my heart. 我奉耶稣的名，斥责一切无知、瞎眼和懒惰的黑暗力量 从我心里面出去。Fill me with a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit…求圣灵新鲜的恩膏充满我...Restore me to overflow with a passionate love for You and Your Word, 恢复我，让我对你和你的话语爱火满溢，and a love for the people You’ve brought into my life, 修复我里面对身边的人有爱心，and a love for all the people You created. 以及对你所造的众人有爱心。Love fulfils the law. 爱完全律法。Love conquers. 爱胜过许多的罪。Let Your divine love rule in my heart to love……” 让神 你的爱在我心中掌权去爱……”

Father, we thank You for being with us today, 天父，感谢你今天与我们同在，and letting us understand the association between the seven qualities and whether we can receive a rich welcome into the Kingdom of the second coming of Jesus Christ. 让我们明白 七种品质，和耶稣基督第二次降临时，我们是否能丰丰富富进入你永远的国的关联。This heavenly calling is not about our selfish gain. 这属天的恩召并不是为让我们自私的老我得益处。It’s all about dying to our selfish desires and allowing Your divine and sacrificial nature to rule in us. 而是为了让我们丧掉私欲，让你神圣和舍己的性情在我们里面掌权。It’s all about transforming us into more of Your goodness, more of Your kindness, and more of Your likeness, to fulfil Your original plan that You wanna bring many sons to Glory.  这一切都是为了让我们变的 有更多你的德行，你的善良，你的样式，去成就你最初的计划，就是要领许多儿子进到荣耀里去。Help us to be diligent, humble, and obedient to this high calling. 帮助我们殷勤，谦卑，顺服这一神圣崇高的恩召。May we possess these seven qualities in increasing measure in this life, 愿我们在这一生中越来越多地拥有这七种品质，to bring glory to Your Mighty name. Amen!  给荣耀你的圣名。阿门