Our theme for this year is Col 2:6-7, So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  我们今年的主题是歌罗西书2：6-7， 你们既然接受了主基督耶稣，就当遵他而行，2:7 在他里面生根建造，信心坚固，正如你们所领的教训，感谢的心也更增长了。

These words are clearly commanding us to do something after becoming Christians:  这些话是诫命，很明显在告诉我们，成为基督徒后需要做的：A, Continue to继续. (You can’t stop你不能呆着, you can’t cease你不能停止, you’ve gotta continue, continue to do what? 你要继续，继续做什么呢？) B, Live in Him继续住在他里面. C, Being rooted and built up in Him. 扎根并在他里面建造。

So faith is a journey, 所以信心是一个旅程，it’s an ongoing process. 是一个持续不断的过程。God’s eternal purpose for us is not just to go to heaven, 神对我们的永恒目的不仅仅是进天堂， “I’m a Christian, and I can get into heaven. “我是一个基督徒，我可以进入天堂了  so now I can do whatever I like.” 所以现在我可以过自己的日子了。No, 不，This verse tells us that God is looking for a result from us if we keep remaining in Him, 这经文告诉我们，神正在等我们结出果子，which is to bear the fruit of thankfulness in our lives, 那就是我们在所做的每一件事上都结出感恩的心的果子，instead of producing the fruit of complaint or blame or bitterness, or other fruit of the flesh, 而不是结出抱怨、指责、苦毒的果子，或从肉体里出来的其他果子。

In Gal 6:8 tells us, 加拉太书6：8 告诉我们，“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” 顺着情欲撒种的，必从情欲收败坏；顺着圣灵撒种的，必从圣灵收永生。 In other words, we reap what we sow. 换句话说，我们种什么就收什么。 As Christians we have the responsibility to fulfil the eternal purpose God has for our lives. 作为基督徒，对于神为我们生命所制定的永恒目标，我们需要负上自己的责任。 From this we know that our destiny is eternal life. 由此我们知道，我们追求的终极目标就是永生。But what does ‘eternal life’ mean? 但是“永生”是什么意思呢？ Why should it take a process to get there? 为什么要需要一个过程才能到达呢？Why is God’s kingdom both now and yet to come involving a process of life transformation, 为什么神的国，现在的和以后要来的，会涉及到生命的改变，growing into maturity, 要成熟长大，and getting ready in this life? 并要在今生来预备呢？In the next few weeks, 在接下来的几个礼拜里，we’ll touch on the topic “maturity and sonship”, 我们将会触及“儿子的名分与生命的成熟”这个主题，which was first revealed to me by dreams along with the unfolding of His Words 16 years ago, 那是16年前，神借着梦将祂的话语解开， and I was called to live in and preach about it 并呼召我去活在其中并传讲它。 Then, four years ago, 4年多前，again I was instructed to teach this subject to the Mandarin group in a dream. 神再一次借梦指示我去对华语小组传讲这信息， Now I’m so excited about this topic, 我很兴奋可以谈论这话题， coz it’ll open our eyes to see what God’s eternal purpose for us to grow into maturity is, 因为它将开启我们 去认识关于长大成熟在神永恒里的旨意。

 1, What does ‘eternal life’ mean?  “永生”是什么意思？

You may say, “Eternal life is living forever.” 你也许会说，“永生是永远活着。”But that is not exactly what the bible says. 但圣经并不是这样说的。 Let’s go through what the bible says about ‘Eternal life’.  让我们来看看圣经中关于“永生”是怎么说的。John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 约翰福音 3:16 “　神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。You might think Jesus coming to pay the penalty for our sins was just to save us from Hell, 你可能会认为耶稣来为我们的罪付上生命代价只是为了救我们脱离地狱，so that we can go to heaven instead of hell. 这样我们就可以上天堂而不是入地狱。Because it says, “shall not perish.” 因为它说，“不至灭亡”。 But “have eternal life”. “反得永生。” The word “eternal” was translated from the Greek word ‘aionios’,  “永恒”这个词是从希腊语‘aionios’翻译过来的，which was used to describe the Messianic Age, 用来描述弥赛亚的时代， the Kingdom of God. 上帝的国。’Aionios (eternal) life’ is the life of Knowing the One and Only True God and His Son.  “永生”是指认识独一的真神和祂的儿子的生命。 That’s Jesus’ definition of ‘eternal life’: 这是耶稣对“永生”的定义：John 17:3, Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 约 17:3 认识你独一的真神，并且认识你所差来的耶稣基督，这就是永生。

You may say, “oh, yeah, I know Jesus.” 你也许会说，“哦，是的，我认识耶稣。Really? “真的吗？” What does the bible mean by the word “know”?《圣经》中所说的“知道”一词是什么意思？ Gen 4:1 explains, “now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived, and bore Cain.” 创世记4：1a解释说：创世记 4:1 有一日，那人和他妻子夏娃同房（认识），夏娃就怀孕，生了该隐...”

Adam didn’t just know Eve intellectually, 亚当不仅仅在头脑理智上认识夏娃，instead, he had an intimate relationship with Eve, then they produced a son. 而且和夏娃有亲密的关系，才生了一个儿子。In the same way, when Jesus said eternal life was knowing God, 同样，当耶稣说永生是认识神时，he was referring to having an intimate, close, personal relationship with God他指的是与上帝有一个亲密、紧密的个人关系，just as a husband and a wife are supposed to become one, 就像夫妻一样合一，we’re supposed to become one (united) with Christ, 我们被呼召与基督成为一，as the goal for the salvation of our souls 作为我们魂得救的终极目标——“I no longer live, but Christ lives in me”. “不再是我，乃是基督在我里面活着”。So eternal life is not just getting into heaven in the future. 永生不仅仅是在死后进入天堂。 It’s something in this life that we need to seek to know better.  而是有更美好的需要我们在今生去追求和认识的。Eternal life involves a dynamic, close, and an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus that we’re to pursue continually in this life, 永生包括与耶稣建立一种活泼的、亲密的、亲密的个人关系，我们要在今生不断追求，so that we may reap what we sow. 这样我们就可以收割我们所种的。

 2, Two dimensions of life. 生命的两个程度

Jesus says this in John 10:10b, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 耶稣在 约翰福音 10:10b 说，我来了，是要叫羊（或作“人”）得生命，并且得的更丰盛。 There are two dimensions of life that we may have after we accept Him as our Saviour. 在我们接受祂作生命救主后，我们会有生命的两个程度。  Firstly, we may have a new life. 首先，我们会有一个新生命。Secondly, we may have it to the full. 其次，我们要追求得丰盛的生命。

In the first dimension of life:  在生命的第一个程度中：

1 John 3:9 tells us, No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 约翰一书 3:9 凡从　神生的，就不犯罪，因　神的道（原文作“种”）存在他心里，他也不能犯罪，因为他是由　神生的。 After being born again, 重生后，we receive the forgiveness of our sins, 我们罪得赦免，we receive the Holy Spirit, 当我们领受了圣灵内住后，and we have the seed of God’s life within us, 在我们里面就有了神生命的种子，so we’re in! 所以我们进入祂国了！We’re baptised into God’s family. 我们受洗成为神家的人。Eph 2:1, As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins… 弗  2:1 你们死在过犯罪恶之中，他叫你们活过来。……4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,   2:4 然而　神既有丰富的怜悯，因他爱我们的大爱，5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.   2:5 当我们死在过犯中的时候，便叫我们与基督一同活过来（你们得救是本乎恩）。8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 2:8 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；9 not by works, so that no one can boast.  2:9 也不是出于行为，免得有人自夸。

Congratulations! 祝贺你！ Most of us have life now. 现在我们多数人都得了生命。The first dimension of life only requires us to believe and accept Jesus. 进入这生命的第一个程度，只需要我们信而接受耶稣，You don’t have to come to the church to do cooking for others, 你不需要来教会煮饭，nor to give a tithe, 不需要十一奉献，nor to do any good works to get saved. 也无需做任何好事，才能得救。 No! Salvation is a gift from God. 都不需要！救恩是神白白的礼物，We can’t earn it. 我们无法挣得，We don’t deserve it. 我们也不配得， It was paid for with the blood of Jesus. 是耶稣的宝血买来的，That’s why it’s called Grace.  这是称为“恩典”的原因。If someone gives you a gift, 要是有人送礼物给你， you don’t have to pay for it but just accept it, 你收下不用付钱，that’s grace. 那是白白的恩典。We’re dead in the flesh and all we do in the flesh is unclean in God’s eyes (Romans 8:6-7). 我们在肉体里是死的，肉体里所行的一切在神眼里都为不洁（罗8：6-7），So Jesus has done all the redemptive work for us, 因此耶稣为我们完成了救赎的全部工作， and we’re justified freely through faith (see Romans 3:24). 使我们白白称义（罗3：24）， That’s God’s grace towards us. 这是神所赐的恩典。At this stage, you only need to declare with your mouth, that Jesus is Lord, 在这个阶段，你只需要口里承认耶稣是主，and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, 心里相信神叫他从死里复活，and you will be saved (Romans 10:9).就得救了（罗10：9）

Remember? 记得吗？One of the robbers who was crucified with Christ believed in Jesus? 其中一个和耶稣同钉十字架的强盗信了耶稣？ And Jesus said to him, 耶稣对他说， ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” “我实在告诉你，今日你要同我在乐园里了。”What does that mean? 是什么意思？ He was barely saved and still able to get into heaven. 他虽是仅仅得救，仍可以进天堂John 20:31 also says, “but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. 但记这些事要叫你们信耶稣是基督，是　神的儿子，并且叫你们信了他，就可以因他的名得生命。(约翰福音 20:31) Jesus himself testified, 耶稣自己见证说， “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 差我来者的意思就是：他所赐给我的，叫我一个也不失落，在末日却叫他复活。（约 6:39） All believers will be resurrected at the end. 所有信徒在末日都要复活，Thus, the first dimension of life is to do with escaping from the punishment of the eternal fire (the second death). (see Rev 20:14). 这样说来，永生的第一阶段就是关乎脱离永火的刑罚（第二次的死）（见启20：14）。

But God’s eternal purpose for us is more than that! 但神向我们在永恒里的旨意不止于此！If you read the bible carefully, 你若仔细读圣经， you’ll find out that so many things will happen before the new earth and the new heaven comes (before all the saints go to heaven), 就会发现在新天新地到来前（就是全部圣徒进入天堂前）还会发生很多事，and that God will reward his faithful followers. 就是神会奖赏祂忠心的跟随者。There’ll be a wedding feast of the Lamb as a reward for those who are qualified among the believers (Rev 19:7), 合资格的信徒将参加羔羊的婚宴（启19：7）， before the Kingdom of Christ reigns on earth for a thousand years. 这在基督的千年国度到来之前，In the parable of the ten virgins, 在十个童女的比喻中，we see that Five wise virgins are eligible to get in五个聪明的童女可以进到婚宴， and five foolish virgins who don’t have enough oil aren’t qualified to get in (Matt 25:1-13).五个愚拙的童女的油不够，进不到婚宴（太25：1-13）After the feast, 羔羊的婚宴之后，Satan will be bound for a thousand years (Rev 20:1-2), 撒旦要被捆绑一千年（启20：1-2）， Then, comes the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ on earth with all the overcomers, 然后就是耶稣基督和得胜者在地上掌权的千年国度，who will be raised in the first resurrection (Rev 20:4-6). 得胜者将经历头一次的复活（启20：4-6）。The First Resurrection is given as a prize to be won by believers, 头一次复活是赐给信徒去赢得的奖赏，as Paul the apostle testified that he was pressing on toward that heavenward goal. 正如使徒保罗说的，他是向着从上面召他来得的奖赏而奔跑。We’ll come back to this point in detail later. 我们迟点再详细讲这点。 And during the thousand years reign of Christ on earth, 并且在基督在地上的千年国度期间，God will restore Creation back to its original state just as it was before the fall of Adam.，神会将万有恢复到亚当堕落前的起初状态。For instance, Isaiah 11:6-9 tells us, 例如，赛11：6-9说， at that time, the wolf and the lamb will live in harmony, 在那个时候，豺狼和绵羊和睦同居，the leopard, the lion and the calf will play together, 豹子、狮子和家畜同群，a little child will lead them without being bitten, 小孩子牵引它们不会被咬，and an infant will play with snakes without being harmed. 婴孩和蛇一同玩耍而不会被伤害。 What a beautiful picture of Creation and Restoration!  这是何等多美的被修复的万物的画面！ Sin will no longer exist to destroy Creation then. 那时不再有罪，去破坏全地。Christ will completely restore Creation and bring everlasting peace to this world during His glorious (millennial) reign on earth. 当千年国度荣耀降临在地上时，基督将完全恢复万有的秩序，并带来祂的和睦在全地。for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea! 因为认识耶和华的知识要充满遍地， 好像水充满洋海一般。（赛 11:9） What a great hope we have!何等盼望！ This is what I hope for and live for.这是我的盼望，我为此而活。

For this reason, Jesus promises us another dimension of life to seek, 因这个原因，耶稣基督应许我们给另一阶段的生命，去追求that is to have it to the full, 就是得更丰盛的生命；which is to do with sonship and God’s reward这与儿子的名分和神的奖赏有关。 (Luke 6:35, Rev 21:7). (路 6:35, 启 21:7).

The other (soul) dimension of life:生命的另一阶段（魂得拯救的阶段）：

This is a process of soul salvation, 这是魂得拯救的阶段，also known as spiritual growth or maturity (overcoming) or the sanctification aspect of eternal life. 也被称为灵性的成长或成熟，或成圣阶段。It involves showing our faith with deeds (see James 2:17, 1Peter 1:5-9), 这个阶段涉及到信心因行为得成全（见各2：17，彼前1：5-9）and surrender and obedience to the Word of God by denying the self, 并涉及到降服神，顺服神的话，否定己， in order that we may be united with Christ as one, 目的是与基督合而为一， through being obedient to the Spirit of truth, 借着顺服真理的圣灵， just as the Son and the Father and the Holy Spirit are One, 如同父、子、圣灵合而为一， to get ready for the reign with Christ in the millennial Kingdom as a reward (Rev 3:21).   预备得着奖赏，在千年国度与基督一同掌权（启3：21）。

At this stage, eternal life for us is not static, 在这个阶段，我们的生命不是静止的，but a dynamic and growing relationship with God. 而是一个动态和成长的、与神相交的关系。It’s not automatic but requires us to pay a price to pursue this. 它不会自动前进，需要我们付代价去追求。Think about it, 想一想， if the two Marys hadn’t gone to the tomb early on that Sunday morning, 要是两个玛丽亚周日早上没有早早去到坟墓那里， if they had been like everyone else still sleeping at home, 要是她们像别人那样还在睡觉， would they have met with the risen Lord? 还会遇到复活的主吗？ No, they wouldn’t have. 不会，他们遇不到主。There’s a price we need to pay, 我们需要付代价， if we wanna have more of Jesus and win the prize of reigning with Christ. 我们若想得着更多的耶稣并赢得与基督一同掌权为奖赏。

One of the robbers was barely saved but he didn’t have the chance to be transformed to be more like Jesus, 那个与主同钉十字架的强盗，只是仅仅得救，却没有机会改变像耶稣，and to win the prize of the upward calling. 也不会得到上头来的呼召的奖赏。 And of course, there’s no enteral reward for him to receive. 当然，没有永恒的赏赐让他可得。 We’ll come back to this point by looking at 1 Cor 3:8-15 next time. 下次我们分享林前3：8-15节时会再次分享。

After we believe, God wants to develop a closer relationship with us through our faith in the gospel. 信主后，神希望借着我们信福音，与我们建立更亲密的关系。Christians will have different degrees or realms of life in Christ. 基督徒在基督里的生命，程度不一样，领域也不一样。Some Christians have a more intimate relationship with the Lord than others, 有的基督徒和神的关系更为亲密，because they see the Lord as more beautiful than money or fame or self-esteem, 因他们看主比钱财、名声、自尊更美丽，and they consider everything a loss to gain Jesus like Paul did, 像保罗那样，他们为得着基督看万事为有损的，therefore, they have a richer experience of eternal life. 因此，对永生他们有更丰富的经历。The soul dimension of life (spiritual maturity) will result in a reward.魂层面的生命程度（灵性成熟）将带来赏赐。

 3, God will Reward us for our spiritual maturity 灵性成熟必得神赏赐

Paul the apostle says, 使徒保罗说， “when I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child, when I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 1 Cor 13:11” 11我作孩子的时候，话语像孩子，心思像孩子，意念像孩子，既成了人，就把孩子的事丢弃了。（林前13：11）God’s grace is not just that ‘He forgives me, 神的恩典不只是‘赦免我的罪，and He loves me’, 祂是爱我’，it’s also about helping us put the ways of  “self” behind us. 就帮助我们丢弃“我，我，我”的道路。Actually that’s not pleasant, 实际上那个过程很不舒服，because it’s about pain and sacrifice and surrender and transformation因它有痛苦、牺牲、降服、转变， and getting ready for the Kingdom to come; 为神的国到来预备自己； and God’s grace for us is also about empowering us to overcome, 神的恩典还关乎加我们力量去胜过， overcome our weaknesses, overcome temptations and Satan. 胜过软弱，胜过试探，胜过撒旦。And God’s grace is to help us to be conformed to the likeness of His Son Christ (Romans 8:29), 神的恩典是帮助我们效法基督神儿子的模样（罗8：29），the word ‘conform’ means to be made similar in nature or character, “效法”的意思是使性情或性格变得相似，so that we can fulfil God’s eternal purpose in our lives on earth.使我们在地上能以成就神向我们所怀的旨意。

Jesus himself says this, 耶稣自己说， For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. Matthew 16:27. 27人子要在他父的荣耀里，同着众使者降临；那时候，他要照各人的行为报应各人。（太16：27） "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. Rev 22:12. 12“看哪，我必快来！赏罚在我，要照各人所行的报应他。（启22：12）See? 看到吗？Our God is just. 神是公平的。It tells us that God is holding us accountable for what we are and what to do in this life, 它说神会让我们为今生我们所是、所作付上自己的责任，and at the end, whether we fulfil what we’re called to be or to do determines whether we’ll get a reward or not. 最终，我们是否成为神召我们所成为的人、完成神召我们所做的事，决定了我们能否得赏赐。

So brothers and sisters, 弟兄姊妹， if you serve in the church, 你若在教会服事、intercede for others, 或为他人代祷、or help with something in the church, 或在某方面服务教会、 or giving offerings或奉献， or whatever you do, do it for the Lord, 无论何事，都为主而做，and He will reward everyone for whatever good work they have done (see Eph 6:8). 祂会按个人所行的善赏赐各人（弗6：8）For our God is a Rewarder. 因我们的神是赏赐者。

In Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 【来11:6】人非有信，就不能得　神的喜悦；因为到　神面前来的人，必须信有　神，且信他赏赐那寻求他的人。It tells us ‘who God is’ 这话告诉我们神是谁、and ‘how we can please Him’. 我们如何能得祂的喜悦。Firstly, 首先，God exists, 神是真实存在的，because God exists, 因祂真实存在，we’re not orphans. 我们就不是孤儿。 He is Our Father the Creator of All. 祂是我们的父-万物的创造者。 We can call on His name to help us overcome anytime, 任何时候我们可以呼求祂的名来帮助我们胜过困难， instead of simply accepting anger, fear, worry or bitterness. 而不是直接就去顺从愤怒、惧怕、忧虑或苦毒。Secondly, 其次， we must believe that God is a Rewarder.我们必须相信神是赏赐者。 His reward is the result if we put our hope in Him to seek Him diligently. 我们若仰望祂、殷勤寻求祂，就必得着祂的赏赐。For instance, 比如， if you’re going to sit an exam, 你如果要去参加一个考试，and you’re looking forward to passing it 你期待能考过or to winning a prize, 或能得奖，that motivation causes you to work hard to look forward to achieving your goal. 这个动机会促使你去努力来实现你的目标。 Similarly, 同样地， God wants us to believe and to look forward to His Reward, 神要我们信而盼望得着祂的赏赐，so that we may have the right motive to endure hardship 这样我们就有正确的动机可以忍受苦难，and to achieve the goal of being conformed to the image of His Son以达到“成为祂儿子模样”的目标。 (see Romans 8:29). （见罗8:29）

In Heb 11:25 tells us, 希伯来书11:25告诉我们： Moses chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a short time. 【来11:25】他（摩西）宁可和　神的百姓同受苦害，也不愿暂时享受罪中之乐。 Moses had money, power, 摩西有钱，有权，and everything people desired, 有人所渴望的一切，but he gave it up all 但他放下了一切所有的，and chose to fix his eyes on something that God had shown him, 选择定睛于神要给他的，something that wasn’t temporary but eternal. 不是暂时的，而是永恒的。V. 26 says, because he was looking forward ahead to his reward. 【来11:26下】…因他想望所要得的赏赐。Moses was motivated by the hope of reward. 摩西被神要赐奖赏的盼望而激励，It caused him to look forward to something这赏赐的盼望使他有期待。Actually, there’s list of men and women of faith in Hebrew 11, 事实上，在希伯来书11章里，有一堆信心伟人，who were also motivated living a life of laying down themselves for the will of God by the hope of eternal reward. 他们也都因被永恒的赏赐激励，为神的旨意放下今生。Hope causes us looking forward. 盼望使我们有期待。

Jesus himself also talked a lot about the rewards of spiritual maturity in the four gospels. 耶稣自己也在四福音中多次谈论关于灵命成熟的赏赐。At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, 在耶稣传道之初， he taught the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, 1   他在马太福音第5章中教导八福： “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”. 【太5：5】温柔的人有福了！因为他们必承受地土。Then it goes on,接着， “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 【太5：11-12】11人若因我辱骂你们，逼迫你们，捏造各样坏话毁谤你们，你们就有福了！ 12应当欢喜快乐，因为你们在天上的赏赐是大的。在你们以前的先知，人也是这样逼迫他们。” They’re all talking about reward. 说的都是赏赐。

Inheriting the earth means to reign with Christ. 承受地土的意思是与基督一同作王。 If you wanna be given a greater reward, 如果你想要得着更大的赏赐， God says, 神说，you need to develop a meek heart, 你需要培养一颗温柔的心， a humble and forgiving heart, 一颗谦卑、饶恕的心，you need a transformed heart. 你的心需要改变。This is not talking about being barely saved, 这里谈论的不是关乎得救，but the core heart values of the kingdom, 而是关乎国度的核心价值观， which result in inheriting the land, 最终可以承受地土，and reigning with Christ. 和基督一同作王。

In the Old Testament the Israelites were delivered from the wrath of Egypt by their faith in the blood of the Passover Lamb. 在旧约中，以色列人因信靠逾越节羔羊的血而从神击杀埃及长子的忿怒中被拯救出来。This symbolises the first dimension of life that they were saved. 这预表他们的生命被拯救的第一个层面。 Then, in their journey through the wilderness, 然后在旷野的旅程中，they had to learn how to put their trust in the Lord in order to take possession of the promised Land. 他们必须学习如何信靠神，以得着应许之地。 This is a symbol of having an abundant life in Christ to inherit the Kingdom. 这预表他们得着基督完全的生命以承受神的国。For Eph 5:5 says, For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 因为以弗所书5：5 说，因为你们确实地知道，无论是淫乱的，是污秽的，是有贪心的，在基督和神的国里都是无分的。有贪心的，就与拜偶像的一样。

The Greek word “Kleronomia” for inheritance means “an inheritance; or property received by inheritance; 希腊文‘份’这个词是“Kleronomia”，意思是 “一个产业，继承产业or what is given to one as a possession”. 或受到继承的财物和财产。So in other words, 换句话说， if you persist in these behaviours until you die, 你若到死都继续在这些行为中， like committing in sexual sin, 像犯淫乱的罪，or greed, 贪婪拜偶像 or other inappropriate attitudes或其他不合基督的心理，as a result of refusing to grow into maturity by paying a price是因为不愿意付代价去得成熟的生命， you’ll become an eternal poor man without possession forever. 你就会成为永远的无产业的穷人。 Oh, that’s serious!哇，这事严重了！ Does anyone want to be a poor man without possession forever? 你想成为永世里无产业的穷人吗？

Ten years ago, 十年前，I ministered to a brother 我服事过一位弟兄，who was a true born-again Christian, 他是重生的基督徒，but he refused to go further with Jesus, 但他不愿意跟随耶稣，生命更深一点，when Jesus called him in dreams to “follow me”, 当耶稣在梦中向他呼唤“跟随我”时， he replied many times to Jesus, 他却一次一次回应耶稣说： “Lord, the cross means pain to me, “主啊，十字架对我来说太苦了，I wanna enjoy this life.” 我要享受人生。” therefore he fell into multiple temptations, 因此他陷入了各样的诱惑，like sleeping with street girls, 和妓女上床、greed and stealing, 贪就偷、 harbouring hatred, and so on, 心怀仇恨等，and he eventually was overtaken by a family curse, 最终他被家族的诅咒胜过， and died of bowel cancer at 33. 33岁就死于肠癌。 Before his death, he said, 临死前，他说: “I’ve forgiven everyone who hurt me, “凡伤害我的人我都饶恕了，except for my mother-in-law 惟独不饶恕我的岳母，who despises me deeply.” 因她深深藐视我。” He died with this unforgiveness. 他带着这样的不饶恕死了。Did he experience the full blessing of God on earth? 他在地上经历了神完全的祝福吗？No. 没有。he suffered the torture of family curses他遭受家族诅咒的折磨， because of his choice to live for himself因他选择为自己活， rather than for the Lord. 不肯为主而活。Will he receive the great reward 他会不会领受大赏赐，to be called a son of the Most High? 被称为“至高者的儿子”呢? According to Luke 6:35, 按照路加福音6:35，we know he won’t. 我们知道他不会。

Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. 【路6：35】你们倒要爱仇敌，也要善待他们，并要借给人不指望偿还，你们的赏赐就必大了，你们也必作至高者的儿子。Forgiving, loving, blessing those who hurt or offend you, 饶恕、爱、祝福那些伤害或冒犯你的人， growing into maturity like Christ the Son’s Character, 长大成人如同神儿子的性情，will be greatly rewarded by God, 必会得着神极大的赏赐，that is to be called sons of God. 那就是被称为“神的儿子”。Because it carries the heart of the Kingdom and the heart of the King! 因它承载着国度的心和王的心！It represents the Father correctly! 它实在的在地上代表了天父！

Jesus clearly declared in Luke 6:35, 主耶稣在路加福音6:35明明地说， if you love your enemies, 你若爱你的仇敌and do this and that…行这样行那样…THEN, as a result, consequently, 然后，结果就是 “your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High”. “你们的赏赐就必大了，你们也必作至高者的儿子。” If we choose to embrace the pain and unforgiveness until the end of this life, 我们若直到人生的尽头仍选择拥抱自己的痛和不饶恕，rather than pray earnestly 却不愿切切去祷告，to get the strength to do what God says 得着能力去行神的话，just as the Son Christ did, 如同神儿子基督所行的， will we receive the great reward of sonship? 我们能得着神儿子的名分这大赏赐吗？If your answer is a yes, 如果你的回答是可以的，then your God wouldn’t be just. 那么你的神就是不公义。 Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 【加6：7】不要自欺，　神是轻慢不得的。人种的是什么，收的也是什么。 John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.【约3：7】小子们哪，不要被人诱惑。行义的才是义人，正如主是义的一样。

This is motivating! 这话何等鼓舞人心！ God’s grace is not just to forgive me, 神的恩典不仅仅是饶恕我，but for me to overcome, 更是使我得胜，and for me to yield to Christ and become one with Christ 和使我顺服基督，与祂成为一。

We start from equality, 我们始于相同的起点，we’re all invited, 我们同被邀请，we’re all gifted, 我们都有恩赐， we’re all called, 我们同被呼召， we’re all children of God, 我们都是神的儿女， but we can end up in different realms of intimacy with Jesus, 但最终我们会与耶稣有不同的亲密关系，which will impact us to be rewarded differently. 这也决定我们会得到不同的赏赐。Some may fail to fill with their lamps like the five foolish virgins, 有人会如同那五个灯没有装满油的愚拙童女，some may be greatly rewarded as sons of the Most High, 有人会成为至高者的儿子，得着极大的赏赐，what is your pursuit in this life?  你这一生要追求什么呢？