Today, we’ll continue to look at this topic in 今天我们要在加拉太书 4：1-7继续探讨这个主题  Gal加 4:1-7, What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 我 说 那 承 受 产 业 的 ， 虽 然 是 全 业 的 主 人 ， 但 为 孩 童 的 时 候 ， 却 与 奴 仆 毫 无 分 别 。2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees (stewards, kjv) until the time set by his father. 乃 在 师 傅 和 管 家 的 手 下 ， 直 等 他 父 亲 预 定 的 时 候 来 到3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 我 们 为 孩 童 的 时 候 ， 受 管 于 世 俗 小 学 之 下 ， 也 是 如 此 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 及 至 时 候 满 足 ， 神 就 差 遣 他 的 儿 子 ， 为 女 子 所 生 ， 且 生 在 律 法 以 下  5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 要 把 律 法 以 下 的 人 赎 出 来 ， 叫 我 们 得 着 儿 子 的 名 分6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 你 们 既 为 儿 子 ， 神 就 差 他 儿 子 的 灵 ， 进 入 你 们 （ 原 文 作 我 们 ） 的 心 ， 呼 叫 阿 爸 ， 父7 therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 可 见 ， 从 此 以 后 ， 你 不 是 奴 仆 ， 乃 是 儿 子 了 。 既 是 儿 子 ， 就 靠 着 神 为 后 嗣。

1, Original meaning for the original recipients. 给原始收信人的含义

Remember, whenever we read the bible, 请记住，每当我们读经时，we can’t ignore the context, 我们都不能忽略背景，what the original meaning is for that context.在当时的背景下原来的意思是什么呢？ Paul was writing to the Christians in Galatia,保罗写信给加拉太的信徒， helping them understand that faith in Jesus is to develop a relationship with God to become mature sons like Christ,帮助他们了解，信基督就是与神建立亲密的关系，长成成熟儿子的身量，成为基督的样式， through obeying the leading of the Spirit by Grace乃是靠恩典顺服圣灵的带领， not to return to legalism by observing the law and doing ‘good’ works in the flesh.不是回到律法主义，靠自己做善事。 So here Paul the apostle began to use the idea of being an heir to make his point clear to the Galatian believers. 所以在这里，使徒保罗开始用继承人的说法来向加拉太信徒阐明他的观点。 

 
In Greek culture back in Paul’s day, 在保罗时代的希腊文化中， a child, an heir of a wealthy family lived with very little freedom, 一个富有家庭里被指定为继承人的孩子，几乎没有自由， he was under certain stewards to be trained. 他被交在管家手下接受训练。 And his position as the heir didn’t entitle him to the freedom to decide where to go or what to do, 他继承人的身份并没有赋予他权利自由地决定去哪里或做什么， until he reached the appointed time set by his father. 直到他父亲预定的时候来到。Similarly, 同样的，in v.3-4, 在3-4节中，Paul used this as a metaphor to tell the Galatian believers, 保罗用这个比喻告诉加拉太信徒，that before Christ came, 在基督降世之前，the Jewish believers had been living under the law of Moses,犹太信徒一直活在摩西的律法之下，but now through Christ they were placed into sonship through the Holy Spirit. 但现在藉着圣灵内驻，他们在基督里得着了儿子的名分。v.5-7 and Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba,  Father.” 罗8:15你 们 所 受 的 不 是 奴 仆 的 心 ， 仍 旧 害 怕 。 所 受 的 乃 是 儿 子 的 心 ， 因 此 我 们 呼 叫 阿 爸 ， 父 。They refer to exactly the same thing. 它们说的正是同一件事。

Paul says that it’s the Holy Spirit who placed us into sonship through faith in Christ Jesus, 保罗说圣灵叫我们因着信在基督里得了儿子的名分，so that we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 因此我们呼叫“阿爸，父”，and so, we should continue to deny the work of the flesh,因此我们当持续否定旧人，and to be led by the Holy Spirit in faith,而在信心里顺服圣灵的带领，in other words, 换句话说，to surrender to the Holy Spirit, not the flesh, 顺从圣灵，不顺从肉体， so that we may reach our destiny of being made mature sons of God.这样我们就可以成为上帝成熟的儿子。

Because Jesus says, “The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing” 因此耶稣说“叫 人 活 着 的 乃 是 灵 ， 肉 体 是 无 益 的 。”It seems to say, 它像是在说：“Don’t try to earn God’s favour by observing the law or ‘doing good’ in your own strength, “不要想通过守律法或者靠自己做好事来得神的喜悦，that can help you to reach God’s goal’.这样是无法达到神赐的目标的。” Last Sunday,上主日 we looked at Romans 8:18,我们看到罗马书8:18， it tells us that at the end, 告诉我们“the glory will be revealed in us,” “将 来 要 显 于我 们 的（里面的） 荣 耀 ，”  The word “in us” implies that to receive our full adoption to sonship requires transformation from the inside out – the transformation of the heart.  “我们里面的”这个词意味着要完全得着儿子的产业，需要从内到外的改变 – 关乎心的转变。

2, Become Mature – Under control by guardians and stewards until the time set by the Father (v.2)生命的成熟-在师傅和管家的手下 ， 直到他父亲预定的时候

v. 1-3, What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 我 说 那 承 受 产 业 的 ， 虽 然 是 全 业 的 主 人 ， 但 为 孩 童 的 时 候 ， 却 与 奴 仆 毫 无 分 别 。 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees (stewards, kjv) until the time set by his father. 乃 在 师 傅 和 管 家 的 手 下 ， 直 等 他 父 亲 预 定 的 时 候 来 到 。 Paul here was using a Roman legal process to explain sonship and inheritance, which was well known by the original recipients. 保罗在这里使用罗马的法律程序来解释儿子的名分和继承权，这是原始收信人所熟知的。 According to Roman law, 根据罗马的法律， the heir was under the control of tutors and guardians under the age of 14, 14岁以前，继承人仍在师傅和管家的看管下。 These tutors and guardians were selected by his Father. 这些人是由他的父亲亲自选的。After undertaking a process of preparation,在预备的过程以后， until the time set by the Father, 直 等 他 父 亲 预 定 的 时 候 来 到 the father will determine whether the heir was mature enough to be in charge of all his possessions. 父亲会决定儿子是否够成熟去管理他的一切财产。

This is also the Kingdom protocol, 这也是神国的律， that it’s the Father’s responsibility to determine and judge his maturity. 是天父的责任来决定和判断儿子是否成熟。 The Son’s responsibility is to obediently do what the Father says.儿子的责任则是顺服父。

v.1 clearly says, an underage heir ‘techon’ isn’t qualified to inherit his Father’s possessions. 1节清楚说到，年幼的“孩童”是不能继承父亲的产业的。Because he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 虽 然 是 全 业 的 主 人，却 与 奴 仆 毫 无 分 别。He must grow.他必须长大。 You wouldn’t give your fancy car's key to your 9 year old son.你不会把你豪车的钥匙给你九岁的儿子。 Similarly, a technon isn’t qualified to inherit all the possessions of the Father,同样的，一个孩童是不能继承父亲的产业， only mature sons do. 唯有成熟的儿子可以。

We see this also in the story of the Prodigal son,在浪子的故事里我们也看到这点， when the lost son came back, 当浪子回到家，the Father graciously embraced him with love, 父亲慷慨慈爱地拥抱他， because his young son was still in the maturing process,因为小儿子还在经历成熟的过程 ，and his elder brother was angry,但大儿子很生气 ，then, the Father said to his older son,然后父亲对大儿子说 “‘My son,’ ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 儿 阿 ， 你 常 和 我 同 在 ， 我 一 切 所 有 的 ， 都 是 你 的 。 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. 只 是 你 这 个 兄 弟 是 死 而 复 活 ， 失 而 又 得 的 ， 所 以 我 们 理 当 欢 喜 快 乐 。’” Here, the word ‘my son’, 在这里，is the Greek word ‘my technon’, an immature child. ‘我儿’是希腊语“technon” ，指年幼不成熟的孩子。In the Father’s eyes,在父亲眼中 ，although the older son’s physical age was mature,虽然大儿子的年纪已经是成年了， yet his inner life was still immature, 但里面的生命依旧幼小，so he still couldn’t represent the Father’s heart correctly,所以他无法以父的心为心 ，and of course, he still wasn’t given the whole inheritance to look after by his father. 当然父亲也就不能把产业完全交给他来管理。Both the sons were still in the process of maturing.两个儿子都还在成长的过程中。 Think about it, 想想看，even the original son of God, 即使是神最初的儿子， Adam still needed to go through the maturing process亚当也需要经历这个成熟过程，of surrendering himself to God to truly rule over the earth, 就是降服与神，才可以真正治理全地，but he failed.但他失败了。

Last Sunday, 上周主日， we talked about the biggest obstacle for us to grow during the maturing process, 我们分享了生命成熟过程中最大的障碍。There’s a cost to follow Jesus. 跟随耶稣要付代价，There’s a cost to surrender. 降服要付代价， But have you ever thought about what it costs Jesus to adopt us? 但你想过耶稣为收养我们付了什么代价吗？ Adoption is costly. 收养儿子代价甚大， It costs Jesus’ precious blood. 需付出耶稣的宝血， It is rooted in the cross of Jesus Christ. 这代价就是十字架， It costs his sacrificial obedience. 他付出了顺服乃至牺牲自己的代价；Even Christ the Son put himself “under the law” to redeem us on that cross.甚至神儿子也伏在‘律法’以下，被挂在十字架上，才能赎买我们。In Luke chapter 2, 路加福音2章里，when Jesus was 12 years old as a technon, 12岁的孩童耶稣，he was in the temple, 来到神的殿中， sitting among the teachers, 坐在教师中间，listening to them and asking them questions. 一面听，一面问。What was Jesus doing there? 耶稣在干什么？His parents came to look for him, Jesus said,他父母来找他，他却说， “Didn’t you know that I must be about My Father’s business?” “岂不知我应当以我父的事为念吗？”（路2：49）

He positioned himself under tutors and guardians, 十二岁时，他把自己放在教师和监护人以下，he positioned himself under tutorship, 放在辅导下，who understood the law and taught the law, at age of 12, 就是那些懂律法、教律法的人， to go through the development process to full sonship for us. 为我们去经历得儿子名分的旅程。But his earthly parents didn’t understand what he was saying to them. 但耶稣地上的父母不明白他说的是什么意思， They just wanted him to go with them. 只想要他跟他们回家。Jesus didn’t say, 耶稣没有说，“You don’t understand my Father’s will.” “你们不明白我们父的心意。”Instead, he paid the price to surrender to them.相反，他为顺服他们付出代价。

What if God put you under someone’s leadership who isn’t spiritual in your eyes? 要是神把你放在一个看起来不属灵的人手下，你会如何？“He doesn’t understand God’s will, why should I obey him?” “他连神的旨意是什么都不知道，我为什么要听他？”But Jesus obeyed his earthly parents who didn’t understand the Father’s will. 耶稣却顺服了肉身的父母，尽管他们不明白神的旨意。Jesus paid the cost of surrender to put himself under tutorship, 耶稣把自己放在人的监管之下，为降服付上代价，in order to receive the Father’s affirmation as a mature son. 为要得着父来肯定他是成熟儿子的时候来到， It didn’t happen until the age of 30. 这事一直到30岁才成就。 Imagine that? 想想看？30 years isn’t a short time! 三十年的时间可不短！

In Matt 3:13, 太3：13， it says Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan river to be baptised by John. 耶稣从加利利来到约旦河，要受约翰的洗。I checked google, 我查了一下google，it takes 4 hours and 42 minutes from Galilee to the Jordan river by bus, 从加利利到约旦河搭巴士要花4小时42分钟，how many hours did it take for Jesus to get to the Jordan all the way from Galilee on foot? 耶稣走路要花多长时间？Why did Jesus submit to John the Baptist?耶稣为什么要顺服施洗约翰？He said, 耶稣说，“it’s proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” “我们理当这样尽诸般的义（或作“礼”）。”（太3：15） In other words, 换句话说， Jesus is saying this is God’s order, 耶稣在说，这是天父的吩咐， I must submit to it. 我必须顺服。

To operate in Kingdom authority and become mature sons we need to submit to God’s orders, 要行在天国权柄里，要成为长大成熟的儿子，我们须服从天父的吩咐；as long as Christ fulfilled God’s order, the Father affirmed,当基督履行完父的吩咐，父就肯定他说，“This is my Son (Huios), whom I love, with him I am well pleased. Matt 3:17” “这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的。”（太3：17） In other words, 换句话说， “this is my full-grown son, “这就是我完全成熟长大的儿子，in whom I’m well pleased. 我所喜悦的。Now all of My Fullness, My authority and My power over the sea, over the wind, over sickness and death will be revealed through him.” 藉着他，我的丰满、我掌管风和海、胜过疾病和死亡的权柄、能力，将要显明出来。” Some say, 有的人说，“we are the same as Christ, “我们和基督一样，the Father also says to us, 天父也对我们说， ‘with you I’m well pleased.’” ” ‘你是我所喜悦的。’” That’s totally not the case! 完全不是同一回事！ “Only in My full-grown Son, in whom I’m well pleased. “唯有成熟长大的儿子，是我所喜悦的。” Romans 8:8 clearly says, 罗8：8节明明白白地说，“those who are in the realm of the flesh can’t please God. 8而且属肉体的人不能得　神的喜欢。（罗8：8）

God loves us神爱我们， but if we live under the influence of natural feelings (negative imaginations), 但我们若仍受天然的感觉感受（负面的想象）影响，and reactions of the flesh, 照肉体的样式行事为人，we won’t please God. 就不得神的喜悦。That’s why the maturing process is needed for us to reach full sonship. 这就是为什么我们需要经历这个成熟长大的过程， “Only My full-grown son, in whom I’m well pleased".“唯有成熟长大的儿子，是我所喜悦的”，We’re in the maturing process. 我们还在成熟的过程中。

The Son didn’t need to get water baptized because he was sinless, 神儿子圣洁无罪，本不需要洗礼；but at the moment he submitted to the ministry of John, 但当他服从约翰， the heavens opened, 天就开了，the Holy Spirit came on him, 圣灵降临在他身上；the Father was pleased,父喜悦子，because the Son submitted to the maturing process paying the cost of surrender. 因子顺服这被磨长大的安排，付上了降服的代价。The Son Christ didn’t do what he wanted, 基督神的儿子没有想做什么就做什么， “I’m the Son, “我是神儿子，I can start my ministry any time I want, 我想什么时候开始事工就什么时候开始…” No! 不！that’s not the way of the Kingdom. 这不是天国的道路。Jesus Christ overcame Satan, the world and the self because of his complete surrender to the Father’s will.耶稣基督胜过撒旦、胜过世界、胜过自我，皆因他全然顺服父旨意。 Heb 5:8 though He was a Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.他虽然为儿子，还是因所受的苦难学了顺从。（来5：8）

How about us? 我们呢？ if we want to grow into full sonship, 我们若想长大成为成熟的儿子，we need to come under tutors or leaders, 就必须服在教师或领袖下， to be taught and guarded, to be equipped and empowered; 受教导，被引导，被装备、被授权；and we may be put under someone’s ministry, 神或许把我们放下某人的事工下面， to learn to surrender during the preparation process that God has designed for us. 为要我们在神定的预备过程中学习顺服，Even if the leader isn’t as spiritual as you would like. 哪怕那个领袖不是你想的那么属灵。

A year ago, 一年前，I met a young Christian leader who told me, 我遇见了一位年青的基督徒领袖，那人告诉我,“I hate to be taught during bible study?” “我讨厌在查经里被教导。”  If an immature leader hates to be taught the word of God, 不成熟的领袖如果讨厌被人教导，will this person lead any one to overcome pride? That’s impossible. 还能领人胜过骄傲吗？绝不可能。 1 Peter 2:1-2, Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 1所以，你们既除去一切的恶毒（或作“阴毒”）、诡诈，并假善、嫉妒，和一切毁谤的话， 2就要爱慕那纯净的灵奶，像才生的婴孩爱慕奶一样，叫你们因此渐长，以致得救。（彼前2：1-2）  In other words, 换句话说， unless we’re willing to be taught the word of God, 除非我们甘心被神的话教导， and allow our hearts to be changed, 除非甘愿内心被改变，and cast out all these former attitudes, 若非甘愿除去从前的想法态度，like bitterness, unforgiveness, jealousy, pride, and lies from our hearts which oppose love, 就是从内心里除去抵挡爱的苦毒、不饶恕、嫉妒、骄傲、谎言等， we can’t grow! 我们就不能成长！ Unless the older son gets rid of jealousy and insecurity from his heart, 那个大儿子若不从心里除去嫉妒和不安全感，and is united with the Father’s love to love the prodigal son, 连于天父的爱去爱那浪子， he can’t grow into the Father’s likeness.就不能长成天父的样式。Living out agape love is a mark of our maturity. 活出神的爱是成熟的标记。

In Luke 4:1, 路4：1， until the age of 30,直到三十岁，right after the Father affirmed Christ Jesus as a Huio (mature son), 就在天父肯定耶稣基督是祂成熟长大的儿子之后，Christ left the Jordan full of the Holy Spirit! 他被圣灵充满离开约旦河！But he was led into the wilderness to be tempted, 他被带到旷野经历试探，yet he came out with the power of the Spirit, 却带着圣灵的能力从旷野出来， he overcame with the power of God! 他靠神的大能胜过了！ Do you wanna become a person full of the Holy Spirit? 你愿意被圣灵充满吗？To overcome temptation like Christ did? 你愿意像耶稣那样胜过试探吗？Follow His way! 跟从他的脚踪！Surrender to the maturing process until the Father affirms you! 降服于父为你所定的成熟过程直到得着父的肯定！That’s Jesus’ way! 这是基督的道路！We’re called to follow His way, 我们蒙召跟从耶稣，so that we can become like Him – a mature son! 以成为祂的样式，成为成熟的儿子！

Ten years ago, 十年前，I was affirmed in a dream that I’ve become a young man (neaniskos, 1 John 2:14). 神在梦里肯定了我成为了少年人（neaniskos,  约壹2：14）In the dream, I was walking on two snakes, 在梦里，我脚踩两条蛇走路，with a large snake under my right foot, 大蛇踩在右脚下，and a smaller one under my left foot,一条小一点的蛇踩在左脚下。 wherever I went, 无论走到哪里，the snakes were trampled under my feet.我都是脚踏着那些蛇走路。The dream was over.梦没有了。 Actually, at that moment事实上那时， I was ministering to a woman who had been oppressed by demons for 18 years. 我正在服侍一个被鬼附18年的女人。Praise the Lord, 赞美主，she eventually has been set free. 她最后得了完成释放。Now, another 10 years passed, 现在这已经过去十多年了，I’m still in the process of getting from a neanisko to a huio. 我还在这个neanisko 到huio 的过程中。I’m not sure whether my left foot has more spiritual strength to trample on a larger snake,我不知道左脚下有没有踩大一点的蛇， God hasn’t evaluated yet.神还没有作出评估。 In 1 John 2:14, "…I write to you, young men (neaniskos), because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 少 年 人 哪（neaniskos),),  ， 我 曾 写 信 给 你 们 ； 因 为 ， 你 们 刚 强 ， 神 的 道 常 存 在 你 们 心 里 ； 你 们 也 胜 了 那 恶 者 。 ‘Neaniskos sons’ have the Word dwelt in them and demonstrate a capacity to overcome the enemy. Neaniskos儿子阶段 是有神的话住在人心中，有能力胜过恶者。At this stage, Neaniskos sons learn to serve valid Apostolic ministry practically. 在这个阶段Neaniskos 儿子们学习操练使徒性的服事。God is alive! 神活着！God will evaluate 神会评估， we should wait for him to judge.我们当等候神断定。

3, Being set free from slavery into sonship (v.3-5).脱离奴仆地位，成为儿子（3-5节）

v.3-5, 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 3我们为孩童的时候，受管于世俗小学之下，也是如此。 4及至时候满足，　神就差遣他的儿子，为女子所生，且生在律法以下， 5要把律法以下的人赎出来，叫我们得着儿子的名分。

It implies that there is a transformation that must occur in the maturing of God’s adopted sons. 这告诉我们真得着儿子的产业就必须有一个成熟转变的过程。We’re sealed with the Holy Spirit, 我们受了圣灵为印记， we don’t have the fullness yet, 但我们还未完全， we just have a down payment on it through the indwelling Holy Spirit. (Ehp 1:13-14)只是藉着圣灵的内住，好像只是首期款， we’ve gotta fight the good fight, 我们要去打那美好的仗，to tear down strongholds, 拆毁一切的营垒，and take captive every thought which is of the world and of the self, 将属世界和自我的所有的心意夺回，to make it obedient to Christ. 使它都顺服基督。The maturing process is a process of allowing the Kingdom of God to expand its territory and rulership in our hearts! 这个成熟的过程就是让神的国度在我们心中扩张和掌权的过程! A test of faith will prove whether our attitudes and motives and actions are led by the Holy Spirit, 信心的试验将显明我们的态度、动机和行为是被圣灵引导， or by the flesh. 还是被肉体引导。 For those who are led by the Spirit are Sons (Huios) of God. 因为凡被神的灵引导的，都是神的儿子。

We see this in Paul the apostle’s Christian life, 我们从使徒保罗的基督徒生命中看到了这一点，he didn't only write about the Gospel of Sonship which was revealed to him, 他不仅写出了神所启示的关乎神儿子名分的福音，he lived it out. 他也活了出来。In Phi 3:1-14, Paul said, 在腓立比书3:1-14中，保罗说，he considered everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord.他将万事当作有损的，因他以认识主基督耶稣为至宝。

He said, 他说， “I consider them rubbish. “我看它们为粪土。 Money, fame, and recognition, 钱财、名声、人的好评…they are just rubbish, if they hinder me from gaining the fullness of Christ to reign in me.” 如果它们拦阻我得着基督的丰盛在我里面掌权，它们不过是垃圾。”His goal is very clear, 他的目标非常明确， that is to become one with Christ. 那就是与基督合一。Now, what motived him to be so crazy for Jesus? 是什么让他为耶稣如此癫狂？ V.10,12-14 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection (anastasis), and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection (exanastasis) from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 【腓3:10-14】10使我认识基督，晓得他复活的大能，并且晓得和他一同受苦，效法他的死，11或者我也得以从死里复活。12这不是说我已经得着了，已经完全了，我乃是竭力追求，或者可以得着基督耶稣所以得着我的（“所以得着我的”或作“所要我得的”）。13弟兄们，我不是以为自己已经得着了，我只有一件事，就是忘记背后，努力面前的，14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。

There’re two things Paul pointed out, 保罗指出了两件事，which motived him to lay down everything to pursue his goal: 激励他放下一切去追求他的目标: a, the prize to be won (v.14). a, 将要赢得的奖赏(14节)。Paul identifies it as a heavenward call, 保罗认定这是属天的呼召，a calling from on high to him and to every Christian. 是天上来的对他和每一个基督徒的呼召。But he goes on to explain this, 但他继续解释说, “I haven’t made it yet, “我还没有得着， I’m not even sure I’ll get there, 我甚至不确定我可以得着， but I’m pursuing it now, 但我在追求，I’m running towards what God has called me to be and to do…” 我在朝着神呼召我所成为的、所做的直跑……”Paul has followed Jesus, 保罗已经跟随了耶稣，he has gone through challenges, difficulties, and sufferings, 他经受了挑战，困难，困苦， but here, he still isn’t sure whether he will qualify for his reward. 但在这里，他仍不确定自己是否有资格得着这奖赏。What is the reward Paul is referring to here?  这里保罗所指的“奖赏”是什么呢？

b, attain the resurrection (the out-resurrection). 得着复活。The Greek word for “resurrection” throughout the NT is ‘anastasis’. 新约中“复活”这个词的希腊文是“anastasis”。It’s made of two Greek word, 它由两个希腊词组成， “ana” which means “up,” 一个是“ana”，意思是向上， and ‘stasis’, which means “to rise,” or “to stand.” 另一个是“stasis”，意思是上升或升起。  So, anastasis means “to rise up” or “to stand up.”所以，anastasis的意思是“上升”或“升起”。The resurrection of Jesus, anastasis. 耶稣的复活用anastasis。However, when Paul said, 然而，当保罗说：“I may attain to the resurrection”. “或者我也得以从死里复活”。This’s another Greek word, “exanastasis”. 这里的“复活”用的是另一个词“exanastasis”。‘ex’ means ‘out of’, “ex”的意思是“出”，so exanastasis means “to stand up out of (general) resurrection. 所以“exanastasis”的意思是“从（一般的）复活中站出来。”

This is separate from the second resurrection which will take place at Rev 20:11-15. 这是和发生在启示录20章11-15节的第二次复活区别开来的。This is a unique resurrection. 这是一次特别的复活。This is the resurrection that Paul refers to as the first resurrection, 这个复活是保罗所指的第一次复活，which is written in Rev 20:5-6, 写在启20:5-6 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. 5这是头一次的复活。其余的死人还没有复活，直等那一千年完了。6在头一次复活有份的有福了、圣洁了，第二次的死在他们身上没有权柄。他们必作　神和基督的祭司，并要与基督一同作王一千年。The first resurrection is an out- from resurrection 第一次复活区别于第二次复活，which is the prize to be won for those who are overcoming (mature) sons. 是那些得胜的（成熟的）儿子们所要得着的奖赏。 V.6，the first resurrection results in reigning with Christ 第一次复活的结果是与基督一同作王，as the reward in Christ’s Millennial Kingdom on earth. 作为基督在地上千年国度时的奖赏。Thus, 因此， sonship actually means rulership! 儿子的名分实际上意味着统治权! It’s a call for every Christian 这是对每一个基督徒的呼召，to get ready to rule with Christ forever. 要预备好与基督一同作王直到永远。Hebrew 2 :10 says, 希伯来书2:10说，He wants to bring many sons to glory. 祂要领许多的儿子进荣耀里去。God wants a family of sons to rule with Him forever! 神想要一个有许多儿子组成的大家庭和祂一同作王直到永远！

That's what we were created for! 这就是我们被创造的目的! For this great reward from on high, 为着这个天上来的巨大奖赏，Paul was motivated, 保罗被激励，in v.10, he seemed to say, 第10节他似乎在说：“this is what I’m pursuing during the maturing process, 这就是在这个成熟的过程中我所追求的, I’m in fellowship with his suffering 我和祂一同受苦，by taking up my cross to deny the self, 背起自己的十字架，舍己。when I face rejection, 面对拒绝， I choose to forgive and to love; 我选择饶恕和爱；when I face misunderstanding, 面对误解，I choose to entrust the Father who judges justly; 我选择信靠按公义审判的父； when I face injustice, 面对被不公平对待， I choose to surrender to the Father’s good will like Joseph did.我选择像约瑟那样降服于天父美好的旨意……My eyes gaze upon Him, 我的眼目定睛于祂， I surrender to His Lordship, 我向祂的主权降服，I press on toward the goal,我向着标竿直跑， for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus…要得神在基督耶稣里从上面召我来得的奖赏……therefore, I don’t run like a man aimlessly, 因此，我不是漫无目的地奔跑， I fight against my own thoughts, 我和自己的意念争战，and make them obedient to Jesus, 使它都顺服耶稣， I’m gaining more of Christ every single day through everything I do, 藉着我每天所做的，让我每一天更多得着基督，so that I may be qualified for the prize...” 使我能得着那奖赏……”

But by the time Paul was writing Philippians 3, 所以我们看到，在保罗写腓立比书3章的时候，he still wasn’t sure whether he would win the prize, 他还是不确定他是否可以得着那奖赏，so he said, 所以他说： “I may attain to the exanastasis from the dead.” “或者我也得以从死里复活。” But after undergoing the maturing process obediently and faithfully to God, 但在他顺服又忠心地走过了成熟的过程之后，soon before he was to be killed by an “axe”, 在他即将被斩首之前，Paul wrote this to encourage the young leader Timothy,保罗写了这话来鼓励年轻的领袖提摩太， and also to all of us,也给我们所有的人：

“7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness…..And not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. “【提后4:7-8】那美好的仗我已经打过了，当跑的路我已经跑尽了，所信的道我已经守住了。8从此以后，有公义的冠冕为我存留…不但赐给我，也赐给凡爱慕他显现的人。” What are you longing for? 你在爱慕什么? Life is too short! 生命太短暂! God’s reward is too great! 神的赏赐太大了！Are you longing for Him to appear? 你是否盼望祂的显现What will you look like when He appears? 当祂显现时你会是什么样子?Will you be fully like Him? 是完全地像祂？ Or just a little bit? 或只是一点点像? Or a half? 还是一半？Or 80 percent? 还是80% ?Let’s continue to fight against the desires of the self, 让我们继续与己的私欲争战， let’s run the race, 让我们跑那当跑的路，let’s keep the faith! 让我们守住所信的道！