身體，魂與靈

魂的得救

這個問題──魂的得救──是許多人所忽略的。但是，這是主耶穌教訓中最要緊的一環。我們如果沒有忘記了「凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守」(太廿八20)的話，就我們不能不注意魂的得救和失喪的問題。 不過，要明白這個問題，我們必須先除去我們心中對於某種名詞所定規的意義。就如「得救」和「失喪」是兩個很熟的名詞。我們憧蚧次聽見「得救」兩個字，我們就以為是「得永生」，「上天堂」說的。憧蚧次聽見「失喪」兩個字，我們就以為是指著「沉淪」，「下地獄」說的。豈知不然。 魂的「得救」，並不是指著魂的「上天堂」說的。魂的「失喪」，也不是指著魂的「下地獄」說的。要明白這個問題的人，必須先記牢這個。我們必須虛心的，從我們可稱頌的主的話語中，先找出魂的得救的「得救」，和魂的失喪的「失喪」，到底定義是什麽，然後才能明白主的教訓。 這是主今天的呼召，要我們現在失喪不拯救，好叫我們將來得救不失喪。凡有耳的，就應當聽。 聖經是把我們人分為靈、魂、體三部分的。所以，帖撒羅尼迦前書五章二十三節才說：「你們的靈，與魂，與身子……。」人隻有一個，可是一個人是分作三部分的。不是三個人，乃是一個三而一的人。簡單的說，這個靈，就是人和神交通的部分，是下等動物所沒有的，所以下等動物不能敬拜神。魂就是人思想、主意和情感的機關，是下等動物所同有的一部分。魂，就是我們動物的生命。體，就是人與這物質世界相往來的部分。 但是，因為我們人墮落了，整個的人都被罪浸透了，所以，我們需要神的拯救。我們如果要明白什麽是得救，就得先明白，人墮落之後，他裏麵三部分是處在什麽種的情形，是有什麽樣的需要。 人墮落後，他的靈就死了，與神的生命隔絕了，不能與神交通來往。所以，人需要重生。重生就是靈的重生。神將自己的生命，放在人的靈裏。叫人的靈又活過來，能以再和神交通來往。這是我們憧蚧個信徒在信主耶穌的時候，所共有的經曆。 人墮落後，他魂裏的心思、情感和意誌，就一直望著這世界虛妄的事而去。人終日所追求的，就是隨著心中所喜好的去行，叫自己快樂、舒服、高興。人變作充滿己意，尋求己好，來暢快己心。所以人得了重生之後，還需要天天對付自己，學習如何舍棄自己的意見、思想和喜好，願意遵行神的旨意，而為著主受苦。這個是今天我們魂所該受的對付。(這樣作，就是主所說的失喪魂。) 人墮落之後，他的身體就被死亡的能力所侵入，所以，會軟弱，會病痛，會死亡。雖然今日神也曾對於身體有了救恩上的安排，但是，除去疾病和死亡，乃是在乎將來。(這就是聖經所說的身體得贖。) 我們讀過聖經就知道，對於此三者，憧蚧個真接受主的人，他靈裏得著重生，乃是一件已經確定的事實。他身體的得救贖，乃是一件將來確定的事實。此二者是憧蚧個信徒所共有的，是不因人而異的。但是，關乎今天的失喪魂，和將來的得著魂，就不是沒有分別的了。因為不是憧蚧個信徒都肯舍去自己魂的羨慕，來順服神受苦，而失喪自己魂的快樂的。所以，有的人在今天是失喪了他的魂，來得著主的，但是，有的人是救了他的魂而得罪主的。我們今天所要查考的，就是什麽是魂的得救，什麽是魂的失喪，我們也要看，什麽時候是我們該失喪魂的時候，什麽時候是我們該拯救魂的時候。我們現在要將新約裏頭憧蚧次說到魂得救的地方，都細看一下，好叫我們明白魂得救這一句話是什麽意思？是怎麽一回事？ 〖 馬太福音十六章二十四至二十八節 〗 「於是耶穌對門徒說：若有人要跟從我，就當舍己，背起他的十字架，來跟從我。因為凡要救自己生命的，必喪掉生命；凡為我喪掉生命的，必得著生命。人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有什麽益處呢？人還能拿什麽換生命呢？人子要在他父的榮耀裏，同著眾使者降臨；那時候，他要照各人的行為報應各人。我實在告訴你們，站在這裏的，有人在沒常死味以前，必看見人子降臨在他的國裏。」 「於是耶穌對門徒說」看這句話，就知道主耶穌所說的底下的話，都是對他門徒說的，並非對外人說的。既然是門徒，就是已經得救的人。所以，我們要記得底下的一段話，乃是對已經得救的信徒說的，並非對還未得救的罪人說的。 「若有人要跟從我」「若有人」的意思就是在得救的人中間，若有什麽人要跟從主。這個人還是指著得救的門徒說的，不過他要特別跟從主而已。「跟從我」這句話，叫我們知道底下所說的是跟從主的條件。 「就當舍己」舍己的意思不是克已，乃是不理自己，或否認自己的權利。舍己的意思就是凡事不隨從自己的意思，不以自己為中心，把自己放在一邊，來尋求神的意思。主說，惟有這樣的人，才會跟從他。這是很明顯的，因為要跟從主，就不能跟從自己。 「背起他的十字架來跟從我」這是比舍己更深的。舍己是不顧自己，背十字架是順服神。背十字架是接受神為他所定規的一切，願意照著神的旨意而受苦。我們若舍己，若背十字架，就叫我們能跟從主。 「因為凡要救自己生命的，必喪掉生命；凡為我喪掉生命的，必得著生命」──這裏「生命」兩個字，原文是「仆宿刻」，意思就是「魂」。這節聖經，告訴我們救自己的魂和喪掉魂的事情，這個叫我們得著亮光來照耀我們所要查考的問題。 「因為」是承接上文說的。「因為」，叫我們看見上一節所說的舍己和背十字架來跟從主，和底下所說的救魂和喪掉魂是二而一的。 「因為凡要救自己魂的」意思就是雖然是要跟從主的，但是卻不肯舍己，不背十字架。藉著這個，叫我們明白救自己魂的一點意思，就是說，舍不得不理自己，舍不得否認自己的權利，舍不得叫自己吃苦而來順服神。這一句話，叫我們知道救魂的意思，是與舍己並背十字架相反的。所以，人如果懂得什麽叫作舍已，並背十字架，這個人就懂得什麽叫作救魂。 主告訴我們說，凡人要這樣的顧念自己，不肯舍已，不肯背十字架，不肯受苦，不肯順服神，這樣的要救自己魂的，將來的結局，就是必喪掉魂。喪掉魂的意思，就是他至終要受苦，要失去他自己所喜悅的，要得不到自己所喜悅的。 「凡為我喪掉生命的」這就是上文所說的舍己和背十字架。喪掉魂的意思，和舍己的意思是一樣的。主以為人若為他的緣故，肯舍去一切魂所喜好的，而隨著神的旨意來受苦，就「必得著魂」。意思就是凡人肯為主的緣故，舍去自己的意思，和自己所喜好的，叫自己的心在世界的事物上得不著滿足，並且感受許多的痛苦，就在另一時候，主要叫他能夠得著他心裏所喜好的，能夠得著滿足，能夠享福，能夠快樂。 我們讀了這段聖經以後，就叫我們知道魂的得救到底是什麽意思。這段聖經叫我們看見，魂的得救，意思就是：叫自己能以快樂，能以隨心所欲，能以得著滿足。魂的喪掉的意思就是：自己不能快樂，不能隨心所欲，不能得著滿足。 這樣看來，喪掉魂(喪掉生命)的意思，必定不是我們平常所說的沉淪。主耶穌在這裏給我們看見，救魂的意思，就是不肯舍己背架。喪魂的意思，就是要舍己背架。這個與人平常所說的得救和沉淪，是沒有關係的。這個是頂明顯的，因為如果救魂是指著永生說的，就主耶穌為什麽說應當為他喪掉魂呢？如果魂是指著下火湖說的，就主耶穌要我們為他喪掉魂，難道主耶穌要我們為他下火湖麽？所以這節聖經，一點沒有告訴我們關乎得永生下火湖的事。上一句的喪掉魂，和下一句的喪掉魂，必定是同樣意思的。如果我們以為「凡要救自己魂的，必喪掉魂」，意思是凡不舍己的要下火湖，就底下一句，「凡為我喪掉魂的必得著魂」的意思，必定是凡為我下火湖的，就必定得永生。這是沒有意思的。所以這裏簡單的意思，不過就是指著已經得救的基督徒，如果今天要叫自己的魂(七情)不受苦，就將來他的魂必定要受苦。如果今天肯為主叫自己的魂受苦，就在將來，他的魂必定不受苦。 不但如此，如果魂的得救是指著永生說的，喪掉魂是指著下火湖說的，就主耶穌所說的話與上文不能相聯。因為這裏的話，乃是對門徒說的。他們是已經有永生的。並且一個非基督徒不會舍己，不會背十字架，也不會跟從主。主若是要他們得永生，主就必定叫他們相信。斷不會叫他們去舍己才能得永生。惟有一個已經得永生的人，才有舍己背架跟從主的可能。一個未得永生的罪人，他所當作的，並非要跟從主，乃是當相信主，使他得永生。 「人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有什麽益處呢？人還能拿什麽換生命呢？」這裏的「生命」兩個字，在原文也是「魂」字。我們的主，在這裏就繼續說，人若救了自己的魂而喪掉他的魂是如何不上算的。他的意思是，人若不舍己，不背十字架，不緊緊的跟隨他，而隨著他魂所喜好的去行，叫他的魂得著滿足，甚至連全世界都得著了，但是到了一個時候，他要失去他的魂。這樣的一時得著魂，以致終失去魂，照著主看來，是一點益處都沒有的。人雖然會隨著自己的心意，得著許多的快樂，但是主說，至終是要賠上他的魂。叫他一點不快樂。照著主看，末後的得著魂，是比先前的得著魂更好得無比的。他說，人不能拿什麽換末後魂的滿足。他的意思是人寧可先喪掉魂，不可在末後喪掉魂。 主告訴我們說，凡要救自己魂的，必喪掉魂，是在什麽時候喪掉呢？人若現在救自己的魂，他在什麽時候才喪掉魂呢？主又說，凡為著他喪掉魂的，必得著魂。這又是在什麽時候呢？為著答覆這個問題，他就告訴我們說：「人子要在他父的榮耀裏，同著眾使者降臨，那時候他要照各人的行為報應各人。」 「各人的行為」，意思就是各人在今生的行為。「各人的行為」，是分作在今生為自己救魂的，和在今生為主喪掉魂的兩種。「照各人的行為報應各人」，意思就是要叫救自己魂的喪掉魂，並叫為他喪掉魂的得著魂。主說，在什麽時候救自己魂的人要喪掉魂呢？在什麽時候，為他喪掉魂的人要得著魂呢？他說，就是在他降臨的時候。所以，我們要看準了，人如果在現在體貼自己，使自己喜悅，不肯為主受苦，當主降臨的時候，這樣的人，要受主的責備，得不著主的榮耀，也許還要哀哭切齒。人如果在現在肯舍去自己的權利，完全與世界分開，忠心地順服主的旨意，就在主降臨的時候，他要得著主的稱讚，享受主的安樂，叫他自己心滿意足。 主的降臨，和他的報應，在這裏是特別指著他在國度裏作王說的。因為當主告訴我們說到他降臨之後，他就接著告訴我們說，他是降臨在那裏。二十八節說：「人子降臨在他的國裏。」所以主的意思是當他來到地上作王一千年時，有的人要和他一同掌權，有的人不能。 所以這段聖經的總意，是將已經信主有永生的門徒分作兩班。一班是舍己背十字架的；一班是不肯舍己，不肯背十字架的。一班是為自己要得著世界的快樂，而不肯喪掉魂的；一班是肯為主舍棄一切並喪掉魂的。一個門徒，是一個從罪人中分別出來的人。但是，主現在又將一個舍己的門徒和不舍己的門徒分出來。我們應當知道，我們將來在國度裏的地位，是照著我們今天的行為而定。今天的得著是什麽意思，將來的得著也是什麽意思。今天的喪掉是什麽意思，將來的喪掉也是什麽意思。如果今天的得著，意思是說，得著世界，不肯受苦；就將來的得著，也必定是得著世界，不必受苦。如果今天的喪掉，意思是說，舍去世界，不隨己意；就將來的喪掉，必定也是失去世界，不得已意。主的意思是說，凡在現在因著世界得著飽足的，將來就要失去與主一同作王的地位。這樣看來，魂的得救，和我們平常所說靈的得救(意即得永生的得救)是大有分別的。 靈怎麽得救的呢？「從靈生的就是靈。」(約三6)約翰福音第三章上下文所告訴我們的，乃是「信的人有永生」，是信的人，靈就得救了。因此，靈得救的意思，就是得了永生。魂怎能得救呢？這段聖經告訴我們說，是為主之故，把魂喪掉了的人，魂才能得救。靈的得救，就是得永生；魂的得救，就是得國度。 靈得救，是靠耶穌替我背十字架；魂得救，是在乎我自己背十字架。 靈得救，是因耶穌替我舍己；魂得救，是在乎我自己舍己，並且還要跟從主。 靈得救，是在乎信，一信，就永遠定規了，再不能搖動了；魂得救，是在乎跟從，這是一生的事，是一條路要走完方可的。 靈得救，是在乎信，因為「信就有永生」；魂得救，是在乎行為，因為「他要照各人的行為報應各人」(太十六27)。靈是得救了，就是地獄裏的鬼魔都起來迷惑我，不能叫我沉淪，就是天上的使者都下來擊打我，也不能叫我沉淪；就是三而一的神，也不能叫我沉淪，因為靈一得救，永生就是保險的了。但是，魂的得救，今天尚不能定規，乃是當主再來時方能得著的。 靈得救，是在乎今天，因為一信就有永生；魂得救，乃是在人子降臨的時候。 靈得救，乃是今天的一個恩賜，因為「神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們」；魂得救，乃是一個賞賜，是一生跟從主，忠心跟從主的人，到主再來時要得的一個賞賜。 魂要得救，必須是靈已經得救的人。靈若沒有得救，魂就沒有得救的可能。我們所常說的靈魂得救這句話，按聖經所說，實在是魂的得救。 〖 馬可福音八章三十一節至三十八節 〗 馬可福音八章三十一至三十八節所記，大多與馬太福音一樣，不過略有不同之點。現在，我要將此不同之點說出來： 「凡為我和福音喪掉魂的，(原文是魂)必救了魂。」(可八35) 這裏加上了「和福音」三字。平常人都想這是指為主傳福音的人了。但若這樣說，就豈非隻有傳道人的魂能得救了。但這裏並不是說「傳福音」，乃是說「福音」。到底這福音是什麽福音呢？就是馬可福音一章一節所說：「神兒子耶穌基督的福音。」這福音就是希伯來書二章二至四節所說的那大救恩，就是「要領許多的兒子進帶耀裏去」的那大救恩(來二10)。這不是出埃及脫離罪奴的福音，乃是進迦南得榮耀的福音。 「為我喪掉魂」(馬太福音)，是受了愛的策勵。「為福音喪掉魂」(馬可福音)，是為自己將來的好處，就是為著國度的緣故。 「凡在這淫亂罪惡的世代，把我和我的道當作可恥的。」(可八38) 這是說一個不肯喪掉魂生命的人，就是一個不肯在今世為主和主的道吃苦的。在淫亂罪惡的世代裏，為著主的道來作見證，是頂需要喪掉魂的。並且一個人若非真喪掉魂，也就不能在這樣的世代裏，不隻為著主作見證，並且一點不羞恥的為著主作見證。許多神的兒女，從來不肯，也不敢在人的麵前為著買他的主作見證，都是因為要保全自己的臉麵，並怕別人的譏誚，這個就是在今生保守自己的魂。這樣的人，在國度的時候，是必定有損失的。沒有一個在今世不肯喪掉魂的，能看見主的榮耀。沒有一個將來與主同作王的，是沒有喪掉魂的。沒有一個在今世喪掉了魂，而在來世得不著魂的。 〖 路加福音十七章二十六節至三十七節 〗 「挪亞的日子怎樣，人子的日子也要怎樣。那時候的人人吃又喝，又娶又嫁，到挪亞進方舟的那日，洪水就來，把他們全都滅了。又好像羅得的日子，人又吃又喝，又真又賣，又耕種又蓋造；到羅得出所多瑪的那日，就有火與硫磺從天上降下來，把他們全都滅了。人子顯現的日子，也要這樣。當那日，人在房上，器具在屋裏，不要下來拿；人在田裏，也不要回家。你們要回想羅得的妻子。凡想要保全生命的，必喪掉生命；凡喪掉生命的，必救活生命。我對你們說，當那一夜，兩個人在一個床上；要取去一個，撇下一個。兩個女人一同推磨；要取去一個，撇下一個。門徒說：主阿，在那裏有這事呢？耶穌說：屍首在那某，鷹也必聚在那裏。」 (這一段的經文，所有「生命」二字，在原文也都是「魂」字。) 這裏也告訴我們，魂的得救與否，是在什麽時候。三十四至三十五節：「我對你們說，當那一夜，兩個人在一個床上；要取去一個，撇下一個。兩個女人一同推磨，要取去一個，撇下一個」的話，是指著被提的時候。這裏的分別，是一個被提，一個被留下。因為「取去」的意思，就是被提上天(創五24)。所以三十三節所說的：「凡想要保全魂的，必喪掉魂；凡喪掉魂的，必救活魂。」意思就是在今世救了自己的魂的，在人子顯現的時候要被留下，在今世喪掉了魂的，在人子顯現的時候要被提。兩個人沒有分別，工作也沒有分別，地方也沒有分別，但是，在被提的事上就有了分別！頃刻之間，要有極大的分別！ 這裏有一嚴肅的問題！凡要被提，要看見主，要進入國度的人，在今世必須先喪掉魂，必須為著主的緣故，舍棄世界，舍棄一切不合乎主旨意的，舍去一切纏累他的，舍去一切叫他的心不能往上麵去的。我們若要保全魂，舍不得舍棄，像羅得的妻子一樣，就我們雖然不會與罪人一同在所多瑪、俄摩拉滅亡，但是，我們也不能到主所要提接我們去的地方。得救，得永生，都可以沒有分別，但被提，卻不能沒有分別。 〖 路加福音十二章十五節至二十一節 〗 喪掉魂是什麽意思呢？我們一讀路加福音十二章十五至二十一節所記的比喻，就可得一個界說了。 「於是對眾人說，你們要謹慎自守，免去一切的貪心；因為人的生命，不在乎家道豐富。就用比喻對他們說：有一個財主，田產豐盛；自己心裏思想說，我的出產沒有地方收藏，怎麽辨呢？又說，我要這麽辦：要把我的倉房拆了，另蓋更大的，在那裏好收藏我一切的糧食和財物。然後要對我的靈魂說，靈魂哪，你有許多財物積存，可作多年的費用；隻管安安逸逸的吃喝快樂吧。神卻對他說：無知的人哪，今夜必要你的靈魂；你所預備的，要歸誰呢？凡為自己積財，在神麵前卻不富足的，也是這樣。」(這裏的「生命」，在原文都是「魂」字。) 因此，我們可以說：「得著魂」，就是叫魂得著滿足、快樂，叫魂有所享受。「喪掉魂」，就是叫魂難受、苦痛、貧窮。這個財主，在今世因為他的糧食財物頂多的緣故，他的魂已經快樂滿足，他的魂已經有所享受，在今世已經得著魂了。 所以，得著魂，就是在今世已叫魂得著快樂。喪掉魂，就是在今世不留下什麽為著魂。我們目所見，耳所聞，手足所接觸，是我們的身體；但是，覺得其中的快樂的乃是魂。 魂，就是我們天然要求的所在；魂，就是叫我們有所感受的，有所享受的。這魂的欲好，是最要得著滿足的。美好的音樂，可以使情感舒適；文學、哲學，可以使思想高尚；但是，如果在今世從這些裏麵得著滿足，在來世就要失去滿足。如果我們在今世已得著這些所給我們的安慰，在來世就要失去國度的榮耀。 所以在今世救了魂的人，就是一個信了主的基督徒，在今世已得著了耳目之歡，心神之樂，所以在來世裏，他就要失去這些歡樂。凡得著今世的，就得不著來世的。在今世有所失的，在來世就有所得看。我們應當明白了魂得救這句話的意思了。得看國哽裏的一切榮耀、喜樂、滿足，就是得看魂。失去國度裏的一切榮耀、喜樂、滿足，就是喪掉魂。 我們得救以後，不會再不得救；但是，我們的行為，卻大有關於我們在國度的地位。你現在所追求的是什麽呢？少年的人，最舍不得世界的快樂。許多的人，要從居所、飲食、衣服、娛樂等得著滿足，但是在今天已經救了自己的魂，就在將來必失去魂。一個已經得救的人，不會再下地獄；但是，在國度裏，卻是有福不能享！ 主不是教我們一個禁欲主義，主乃是要我們不要被這些地上的事吸引了。這些都是合法的；但合法的，不一定都是有益的。所以保羅說：「凡事我都可行，但不都有益處。」無論衣也好，食也好，住也好，在你應當不覺得自己享受什麽，並且隻為著榮耀神才好。當你有所享受時，就有了毛病了。凡一切叫你的魂有所享受的，就是救你的魂了。要緊的，你不應當享受一種不正當的快樂。 愛世界的人，就是救自己魂的人。但是，罪已經入了世界，你不應當再從這有罪的世界得著什麽。 〖 馬太福音十章三十四節至三十九節 〗 三十四節：「你們不要想找來，是叫地上太千；我來，並不是叫地上太平，乃是叫地上動刀兵。」主為什麽說這樣的話呢？是因人都是想，主來是叫地上太平；所以，主就推翻他們這個思想，明明告訴他們說，我來，並不是叫地上太平的。等下，我們要看見，這裏的「太平」，並非指著沒有爭戰說的，乃是指著家庭間一種情形說的。 「我來，並不是叫地上太平，乃是叫地上動刀兵。」這裏所說的刀兵，並非指著爭戰時的刀兵。叫地上動刀兵的意思，按原文是說將一把刀賜給地。這是許多人所承認的。在路加福音二章三十五節，西麵對馬利亞說「你自己的心也要被刀刺透」，就是這裏刀兵的意思，就是說，你一生不能高高興興，乃是有一把像刀的刺入你的心，叫你總覺得難受。主的意思是說，我來，並不是叫你們享福，乃是特意叫你們受傷。 三十五節：「因為我來，是叫人與父親生疏，女兒與母親生疏，媳婦與婆婆生疏。」這一節，起頭就說「因為」，可見是解釋上一節的意思，就是解釋上文所說叫地上動刀兵的意思。本來家庭裏彼此的關係是頂甜的，現在，父子生疏了，女兒與母親生疏了，媳婦與婆婆生疏了。 三十六節：「人的仇敵，就是自己家裏的人。」有仇敵，就有苦味了。你所愛的家裏的人，現在翻過臉來使你傷心了。在你的家裏，有了仇恨苦毒了。 三十七節：「愛父母過於愛我的，不配作我的門徒；愛兒女過於愛我的，不配作我的門徒。」這一節裏，兩次說到「不配」。你們曾想到為什麽必須愛主要過於愛自己的父母兒女嗎？在全世界裏，隻要你愛一個人是過於愛主，你就不能作主的門徒。要作主的門徒，就必須完全愛主。這是一個作門徒的條件。你不能同時愛主又愛人，這是作不來的。 三十八節：「不背著他的十字架跟從我的，也不配作我的門徒。」這一節，是將前頭所說的那些意思總結的一說──這是一個十字架！什麽叫作背十字架呢？主沒有說，不背著他的重擔跟從我的，不配作我的門徒；主是說，不背著他的十字架跟從我的，不配作我的門徒。重擔，並不是十字架。重擔，是人所不能免的；背十字架，是人可以揀選的。 第一個十字架是如何，以後千百的小十字架也是如何。當初的十字架如何是主揀選的，就我們今日的十字架也如何是我們應當揀選的。 有的人當他落到一種艱難裏，或者遇見什麽困苦缺乏，他就以為是背十字架了。其實不然。因為這些事，就是他不信主，天然也會有的。所有的十字架，都是自己揀選的。但是，有一個錯誤是應當防備的，就是不要為自己造一個十字架。我們是應當背十架的，不是去造一個十字架。 人將一切臨到他的，都當作是背十字架，這是一個錯誤。凡是自己找苦吃，造出一個十字架來的，也是一個錯誤。這都不是背十字架。 什麽是十字架呢？必須像主耶穌說，「父阿，隻要成就你的意思。」主求父不要照自己的意思，隻要照父的意思，這是十字架。背十字架，就是揀選父所定規的旨意。我說一句實話，如果我們不天天揀選十字架，就沒有十字架給我們背。如果主是等十字架臨到他身上才背的話，就怎能有一個十字架到天上去給他背呢？主是揀選了十字架！他反倒虛己，取了奴仆的形像，成為人的樣式；既有人的樣子，就自己卑微，存心順服，以至於死，且死在十字架上。主說：「沒有人奪我的命去，是我自己舍的。我有權柄舍了，也有權柄取回來。」所以，我們的十字架，都是自己揀選的。 在我們的衣、食、住這些事情中，我們也都有一個揀選。我們可以揀選穿什麽，吃什麽，住什麽。但是，這些隻能以供給我們天然的需要為度。如果我們的情感，想從這些東西得著滿意，暢心，就不是背十字架了。我們不能限定誰隻應當穿那一種衣服，吃那一種東西，住那一種房子，但是，隻要誰是要從衣、食、住的上麵來得著滿足，就不是背十字架了。絕對沒人敢說你是應當如何，或者不應當如何。但是，要問你所衣，所食，所住，是不是叫你的魂有所享受，得著飽足？ 無論那一種的東西，隻要是供給你的需要的，都是神所許的。衣、食、住都是應當的。在舊約裏，我們要看見神是怎樣為以色列人預備這些，注重這些。但是，神完全沒有叫他的兒女在這些裏麵有所享受，連一點都沒有。若在衣、食、住這些事情上有所享受，就不是背十字架了。 多少時候，人的衣，並非為著護身；食，並非為著充饑，不過是為著享受而已。凡天然的要求，都是應當供給的；但是，若由於情感的要求，要有所享受的，就不應當了。過一點都不可以。 神也幹涉到人的衣、食、住，以及一切的往來麽？是的。這是十字架。我們引一個例：亞當在樂園的時候，凡是當供給他的，都供給他了。各樣樹上的果子都可以隨意吃，但是，有一棵樹的果子不可吃，就是分別善惡樹的果子。如果不是因為要補滿天然的需要，不過因為這棵樹上的果子又好看，又好吃，又能分別善惡而吃的話，這就是「欲」了。神所許的，隻限於天然的要求，過一點就不應當。我們對於世界所有一切──衣、食、住等，隻可供給需用，而不可補滿欲好。對於這些事，當絕對的以神的旨意為依歸。不然，我們隨著肉體的私意自苦己身，以為自己比別人聖潔；其實力是歌羅西書二章的禁欲主義，於克製肉體情欲毫無功效。同時，我們應當記得神並沒有應許我們在世上恣情的享用世物。 三十九節：「得著魂的，將要失喪魂，為我失喪魂的，將要得著魂。」這一節是結束這一段聖經。什麽叫作背十字架呢？背十字架，就是「為我失喪魂」。傷心，情感難受，這叫失喪魂。有人不肯傷心，不肯抑製情感，而使他的魂有所享受，他就要失去魂。為主失喪魂，就是沒有叫魂得著飽足、要求、喜歡。我們頂喜歡的，頂要求的，要為主之故而不去得，這就是為主失去魂。 這樣看來，我們今天得著魂是什麽意思，就將來得著魂也是什麽意思。今天失喪魂是什麽意思，就將來失喪魂也是什麽意思。兩者必定是一樣的。 為主失喪魂，就是不肯在今生叫魂得著滿足，得著享受。將來失喪魂，就是在國度裏，他的魂得不著飽足，得不著享受。到那天，有一等人的魂要得著飽足，有一等的人要得不著。凡在今生，叫他的魂已得著滿足，萬事如意了，所得的供給，過於天然的要求，滿有所享受的，將來在國度裏，他就得不著什麽。凡在今生為著主的緣故，失去了這些的，神要叫他在國度裏得著飽足。憧蚧個得勝世界的，要在國度裏得著滿足。這是定規的。 靈的得救，是當我們一信主就定規了。魂的得救，要看我們今日如何。如果你愛穿就穿，愛吃就吃，愛朋友就有朋友，一切都有了，我就藉著主的權柄告訴你，那在國度裏的榮耀，你就得不著了。路加福音裏說，「哀哭的人有福了……飽足的人有禍了。」飽足的人如何有禍呢？是因為他們已經得著飽足。哀哭的人如何有福呢？是因他們將來要得著飽足。有禍有福，是如此分別的。 〖 路加福音十四章二十五節至三十五節 〗 二十五節：「有極多的人和耶穌同行；他轉過來對他們說。」為什麽有極多的人和耶穌同行呢？因為主剛才傳了福音，就是上文那一個比喻所說的，請了許多人來，凡是要吃的人都來了。基督徒是頂多的；得救是頂快樂的。得了救，有了神的恩典，是何等的好呢。這些人和主同行，主轉過來要對他們有所說了。主的意思是：你們是得救了；但是，若要跟從我，就得有條件。主是將真理的程度舉起來，不肯因人多而降低神所定規的程度。我們也不能因著講到國度、作王等真理是太高，就為著人的緣故不講。 信耶穌得救，門是大的；但是，跟從主，要與主同得榮耀，門就窄了。「到我這裏來的，我總不去棄他。」(約六37)這是得救。但是，若有人要跟從主，作主的門徒，就有條件了。 二十六節：「人到我這裏來，若不愛我勝過愛自己的父母、妻子、兒女、弟兄、姐妹，和自己的魂，就不能作我的門徒。」主在此，又把魂的問題再提起。主先說了父母、妻子、兒女、弟兄、姐妹等，最後就說到魂。如果人能不把自己的魂看為寶貴，就什麽都好了。凡能叫你的魂歡喜快樂的，都當放下來才可以。 主不是說，你要趕出你的父母、妻子、女兒、弟兄，姐妹；乃是說，要把你天然的生命除去，就是把愛他們的都拿來愛主。這是必需的。當人要跟從主之先，主就把一個極大的攔阻放在人麵前。這個關如果過得去，就將來什麽都過得去了；不是等到進了門再給你難關。一起頭，就是頂難的。能過去，方能作主的門徒。 基督救了人，頭一步放在門口的，就是這條件，不是等到人得救了三年或五年，才給人這條件。能不能作主的門徒，是一起頭就要定規的。 二十七節：「凡不背著自己十字架跟從我的，也不能作我的門徒。」這是解釋上文的意思是什麽──就是背十字架。 底下，主講三個比喻，來表明背十字架。 〖 蓋樓的比喻（28-30節） 〗 「你們那一個要蓋一座樓，不先坐下算計花費，能蓋成不能呢？」 主在這裏說算計花費的話，我們豈不是想無此費，就不必蓋此樓麽？這樣，豈不是主沒有召這許多人跟從他麽？豈不是因錢不夠，就不必蓋樓麽？不是。憧蚧個若拿出所有的錢都必定夠，沒有一個敢說不夠的。主的意思是人如果要蓋樓，肯不肯把錢都拿出來蓋。比方說，蓋一座樓要五百元，但是，這個人隻肯拿出三百元來，留下二百元不拿出來，就不能說是錢不夠了。是留下一部分作別種的用處，所以不夠了。留下愛為著別的人，就不能愛基督了。人必須恨自己的父母、妻子、兒女、弟兄、姐妹等，把你的心從他們那裏拿出來。基督不是說你給他多少，乃是問你有沒有完全給他。 二十九至三十節：「恐怕安了比基，不能成功，看見的人都笑話他，說，這個人開了工，卻不能完工。」這是不肯完全愛主的人的結果。因為有所留下不肯給主，就隻好有了地基不蓋樓阿。 〖 打仗的比喻（31-32節） 〗 三十一節：「或是一個王，出去和別的王打仗，豈不先坐下酌量，能用一萬兵，去敵那領二萬兵來攻打他的麽？」用一萬兵，不是說所有的兵隻有一萬，乃是說隻用一萬。如果肯傾國而出的話，就必定可以得勝。 三十一節：「若是不能，趁敵人還遠的時候，派使者去求和息的條款。」這是說，如果不肯用所有的兵，還不如趁早去求和，承認自己是失敗好了。 憧蚧個人如果肯把所有的都拿出來蓋樓，來打仗的話，就剛好；如果留下一點不拿出來，就剛剛不夠。比方我到聖書公會去買聖書，一本的價錢是六角。我有六角錢，若隻付人一角，當然不夠；若我付人五角九分，留下一分來，仍是不夠的。凡不背著自己的十字架跟從主的，是不配，也是不能作主的門徒，這是定規的。 愛世界多一點的人，不配進神的國；但是，手已經扶犁的人，若是向後去看，就也不配進神的國。 不是不夠多，乃是少一點也不能。這是十字架。我們必須背十字架，必須將所有的都放在十字架上。或者有人問怎麽知道這個比喻是教訓應當將一切放在十字架上呢？因為主自己在下文是這樣說： 三十三節：「這樣，你們無論什麽人，若不撇下一切所有的，就不能作我的門徒。」這一節，是承接著上文說的。主說，以上二人不是因為沒有，乃是不肯都撇下。我們往往兩麵都要，常是三心二意的一麵愛世界，一麵愛主。完全愛主，作不來；完全愛世界，又不好意思，好像對不起主。一切拿出來蓋樓既不肯，一點不拿出來也不好，就隻好安一下地基，讓樓不成功。用所有的兵既不肯，就隻好留下些兵去失敗，去向人求和。這樣的人，就不必打算作主的門徒。若要作主的門徒，就得撇下一切所有的。不能一手拉著世界，一手又拉著主。必須放下一邊──不是世界，就是基督。 〖 鹽的比喻（34-35節） 〗 這個比喻，是講到以上兩等人的結局。「鹽」，照馬太福音五章十三節「你們是世上的鹽」，是指著基督徒說的。 三十四節：「鹽本是好的；鹽若失了味，可用什麽叫它再鹹呢？」鹽本是好的，是有益於人的。「味」，是分別成聖的意思。一個基督徒最要緊的，是與人分別出來。鹽若失了味，就不能叫它再鹹了。比方，有人真了一塊肉，想用鹽醃之使鹹。有肉沒有鹽，還有法子想；有肉也有鹽，鹽卻是失去了味的，就沒法想了。 三十五節：「或用在田裏，或堆在糞裏，都不合式；隻好去在外麵。」如果我們失去了味，失去了分別，結局就是像這一節所論到的。 「田裏」，是表明國度。把一個失了味的基督徒，放在神的國度裏是不合式的。 「糞裏」，是汙穢不潔的地方，就是地獄，就是火湖。但是，把一個失了味的基督徒放在地獄裏也不合式，因為他已經得救了。 「隻好丟在外麵」。國度裏既不配，地獄裏也不合式，就隻好把他丟在外麵，就是把他丟在國度榮耀之外阿。 「有耳可聽的，就應當聽。」這是一句警告的話。凡一切叫我們與基督脫節的，就是叫我們失去味的。有味就有力，沒味就無力。這件事是頂嚴肅的！我們必須不愛世界，必須完全愛主。不然，國度就與我們無幹了。不是問我們作了什麽，乃是問是不是放在祭壇上了？今天奉獻給主才可以，到那天，就太遲了。 這三個比喻，就是告訴我們一個在今生不失喪魂的信徒的生活。不拿所有的錢蓋樓，不用所有的兵打仗，與世界調和，作了失味的鹽，都是因為愛自己的魂，舍不得自己受苦，舍不得世界的可愛。將來國度的榮耀，在這樣的人身上，是頂迷楜不清的，所以，他們隻顧念眼前的。如果我們肯拒絕我們魂的要求，願意舍己，願意背十字架，願意遵行神旨，就蓋樓，打仗，並非頂難的事；恨惡自己的父母、妻子、兒女、弟兄、姐妹，也不是難事；與世界完全隔離，作個有味的鹽，也不是難事。我們如果沒有失喪魂，在今生的時候，就要隨著自己所喜好的去行；如果我們的奉獻不完全，就我們到國度來到的時候，隻好被丟在外麵受人家的譏誚，因為我們作主的門徒作得不像。 〖 路加福音二十一章五節至十九節 〗 我們從五節讀到十九節，就知道這段聖經，又講到魂得救的問題。「你們常存忍耐，就必得著魂。」(原文)我已經說過，聖經論到我們的得救，都是說相信。但是，這裏是說常存忍耐，才能得著魂。所以，魂的得救與靈的得救必定是有分別的。 如果我記得不錯，約翰福音有三十五次說到信就有永生。新約全書有一百五十次說到信就得稱為義，信就有永生，信就得救等。但這裏是說到忍耐，這是一個行為，不是相信。所以，魂的得救與得永生是大有分別。 我們要看此段聖經如何講到魂的得救： 五至七節：「有人談論聖殿是用美石和供物妝飾的；耶穌就說：論到你們所看見的這一切，將來日子到了，在這裏沒有一塊石頭留在石頭上，不被拆毀了。他們問他說：夫子，什麽時候有這事呢？這事將到的時候，有什麽預兆呢？」聖殿，就是在耶路撒冷的聖殿。你們，是指門徒。這事就是指第六節主耶穌所說將來日子到了，在這裏沒有一塊石頭留在石頭上的事，就是聖殿將要被毀滅的事。第七節，要引起一個注意。這裏的問句，和馬太福音二十四章所說的頂像。但是，其中有大不同，我們現在來比較一下。 馬太福音二十四章三節：「耶穌在橄欖山上坐著，門徒暗暗的來說，請告訴我們，什麽時候有這些事？你降臨和世代(原文)的末了，有什麽預兆呢？」在這裏，我們看見馬丸福音不隻講到耶路撒冷被毀滅的事，並且也講到主的降臨和世代末了的事。路加福音二十一章是專講耶路撒冷被毀滅這一件事。在路加福音，門徒是問什麽時候有這事──聖殿被毀的事；這事將到的時候，有什麽預兆，沒有一句問到主的降臨和世代的末了。我們要記牢，馬太福音是問到三件事：第一，什麽時候有這件事？第二、第三，你降臨和世代的末了有什麽預兆？路加福音隻問到一件事，就是什麽時候有這事？這事將到的時候，有什麽預兆？路加福音所記的問句，是和馬太福音所記頭一個問句一樣的。 耶路撒冷被毀滅，在主後七十年已經應驗了。主所說一塊石頭都不留在石頭上的話，已經應驗了。 八至九節：「耶穌說，你們要謹慎，不要受迷惑；因為將來有好些人冒我的名來，說：我是基督；又說：時候近了；你們不要跟從他們。你們聽見打仗和擾亂的事，不要驚惶；因為這些事必須先有，隻是末期不能立時就到。」這是主教訓門徒當耶路撒冷被毀時所要謹慎的。按教會曆史的證明，主升天後，是有人冒名自稱為基督的事。主的意思是將來會有人對你們說我是基督，並且你們聽見有打仗和擾亂的事發生，但是，你們要知道，末期並沒有來到。 十至十二節：「當時耶穌對他們說，民要攻打民，國要攻打國；地要大大震動，多處必有饑荒瘟疫，又有可怕的異象和大神跡，從天上顯現。但這一切的事以先，人要下手拿住你們，逼迫你們，把你們交給會堂，並且收在監裏，又為我的名拉你們到君王諸候麵前。」這在使徒時代已經應驗了。他們是被人捉拿，逼迫，鞭打，監禁過。他們曾被人帶到君王諸候麵前過。 十三節：「但這些事終必為你們的見證。」他們那樣受苦，卻都給他們機會作了見證。他們在會堂作了見證，在巡撫腓力斯麵前作了見證，在羅馬作了見證。 十四至十八節：「所以，你們當立定心意，不要預先思想怎樣分訴；因為我必賜你們口才智慧，是你們一切敵人所敵不住，駁不倒的。連你們的父母、弟兄、親族、朋友，也要把你們交官；你們也有被害死的。你們要為我的名，被眾人恨惡；然而你們之一根頭發，也必不損壞。」這是主預言他們所要經曆的。 十九節：「你們常存忍耐，就必得著魂。」這最後一件事，是他們要負責的，就是當以上那些苦難逼迫臨到他們時，他們應當常存忍耐。這樣他們就能得著魂。 得著魂，就是當主回來，我們要同他一同掌權，一同享受榮耀。如果得著魂是與得永生一樣，就這裏所說，你們常存忍耐，就必得著魂的話就講不通了。那裏是說當極艱難的時候，如果能常存忍耐，就必得著魂。信，就有永生，就已經得救；但是，這裏告訴我們，若要得著魂，就必須忍耐經過那些苦難。 〖 約翰福音十二章二十五節 〗 「愛惜自己魂的，就失喪魂；在這世上恨惡自己魂的，就要保守魂到永生。」 主在此說一件事，就是魂會失去。失喪魂，隻因一個緣故，就是他愛惜自己的魂。 什麽叫愛惜自己的魂呢？就是叫我們的喜好得著滿足，使我們的情感得著舒適。比方：主召我們離開一件事，我們要順服主，就要將自己放下。憧蚧次要順服主，憧蚧次都得將自己放下。當遵行主旨時，若愛惜自己的魂，就必定不成功。或者主要你舍棄你所喜悅的事，舍棄你所喜悅的人，舍棄你所喜悅的物，你若愛惜自己的魂，就必定不成功。多少時候，我們不是被什麽人纏住了，就是被什麽事，或是什麽物纏住了。許多人被朋友纏住了，他寧可要朋友，也不肯使他的魂在今世失去滿足。 我們不必說作許多不好的事是罪，這個我們知道。但是，我們平日所最喜歡的，我們竟然會被它抓住了。錢之一字，我們知道是卑鄙不足道的，但是，許多人竟然舍不得。一衣一食，都會把自己抓住。人為什麽舍不得不愛惜自己的魂呢？因為不愛惜自己的魂，就要使魂難受。愛惜自己的魂，就是不肯讓自己的魂難受。所以，愛惜自己的魂，就是不叫自己的魂吃苦，不叫自己的魂難受。但是，這樣的人，必要失去他的魂！因為他已經體貼了他的魂，已經使他的魂有了享受。 何時要失喪魂呢？就是在主立國度的時候。凡在今世愛惜自己的魂的，那個時候就不能與主同享榮耀，同享王權。我們相信得永生是定規的，我們將來上天堂也是定規的。但是，要在千年國度時作王，使魂有所享受，今天就必須不愛惜自己的魂。 弟兄姊妹！我們曾說過，現在再說，神是把天堂和地獄放在罪人麵前，讓罪人揀選。如果一個罪人看清楚了，他就必定揀選天堂。現在，神是把國度和世界放在基督徒麵前，讓基督徒揀選。我們是揀選國度呢？還是揀選世界？可憐！一個罪人歡喜揀選天堂，許多基督徒卻寧可揀選世界！我們以為得救了，就夠了；但是，你得救了，神卻把將來的國度放在你麵前要你揀選。 現在得了飽足的，在榮耀裏就要失去飽足，無所享受。主說，愛惜自己魂的，就要失喪魂；在這世上恨惡自己魂的，就要保守魂到永生。「世上」，就是世界，我們的魂是和世界相聯的。在這世界愛魂的，就是在這世界喜歡體貼自己。吃好的，穿好的，有朋友，多快樂，得人讚美，享大名聲，這都是好的，但是，這些都是滋養自己的魂，好像飲食滋養人一樣。現在滋養自己的魂的，在國度裏，就要失喪魂。 失喪魂，不是下地獄，乃是叫魂難受，不能同主掌權。在國度時代，主要給十座城或者五座城與我們管理。這個時候，按舊約先知所說的光景是何等好。在此等光景中，管理十座城，或者五座城，是何等好呢？但是，在這個世界得著了他的魂的，在國度裏，就要失喪他的魂。這是頂莊嚴的！凡在今世得了飽足，叫魂有所喜悅的，在國度裏，就一點都得不著。我說了多次，我還要說，一直說。在這世上恨惡自己魂的，就是在今世沒有讓魂得著飽足，有所享受，以背向世，以麵向神，無論如何以受苦的心誌當作兵器的，在國度裏就要得著魂。這邊有所得，那邊就必有所失。不是有，就是無。今天有，將來就無。將來要有所得，今天就必須有所失。 得救有永生，這是定規的，將來憧蚧個信徒，都必進到新耶路撒冷。但是，天地尚未過去之先，有的信徒，在國度裏必定無分。因為，「在這世界上恨惡自己魂的，就要保守魂到永生。」所以，請你們注意！主恨兩件事：第一，恨我們的罪；第二，恨我們的魂，就是我們的己。主恨我們的罪，所以主替我們死，我們信就得永生。主恨我們的魂，所以，他要除去我們的魂(是除去魂的生命，不是除去魂的功用)。 魂和罪的分別在此，就是魂所喜愛的不一定都是罪。說謊、驕傲、嫉妒等等是罪。衣不當如此衣而衣了，食不當如此食而食了，這是魂。穿好的，吃好的，不能說是罪，花錢多不能說是罪，但是，魂卻有所享受了。 蓋恩夫人是十七世紀時，在主裏頂深的一個人。她頂明白罪和魂的分別。雖然她不是這樣的說法，她的經曆卻是如此。她生長在法國，她的家和貴族有來往，她有夫人的稱號。她憧蚧次到巴黎都頂怕，因為她裏麵會因所看見的而動心。後來她得勝了這個，但是，她怕另一件的事，就是照鏡子。她人是頂美的，她越照鏡子，就越以為自己是如何美，她以為她連走路都比別人的姿式好。這就是魂。魂是人天然的性情，就是人、動物的那種性情。 人信主，勝罪，就能進天堂。除去魂，勝過魂，就能進國度。神所以不許我們在今世穿得太好，吃得太好，住得太好，是因這些已經有了世界的傳染，得著這些，就必沾染了世界。現在一衣一食，都最容易落到世界裏去。到了國度裏，就是盡力去看天然美景，也不過叫我們更讚美神的造化；就是看自己的好處，也不過叫我們讚美神的救恩。在國度裏，沒有罪痕，因為魔鬼被拘留，罪不在世上了。 神的兒子在世上，隻接受了一個十字架，其餘都是借的。牛槽是借的，客店是借的，進耶路撒冷的驢是借的，吃逾越節的那間房子是借的，最後的墳墓也是借的。主在世上沒有一樣不是借的。我們太不像他了！ 勝罪的上天堂，勝世的入國度，這是定規的。神在我們中間呼召一件事，就是要我們不要世界，專要國度。要我們恨惡自己，追求國度。 〖 希伯來書十章三十八節至三十九節 〗 「隻是義人必因信得生。」這裏的義人，就是信耶穌得救的人，就是你和我。「得生」，當譯作「而活」。義人必因信得生的意思，就是得救的，必一天過一天因信心而活著。許多人問我，稱義是因著信，稱義的人，還要因信而活，就有兩個信了。這第二個信的意思，等下我要講，在這裏，我們要記得憧蚧個義人，都得因信活著就是了。 「他若退後，我心裏就不喜歡他。」他，指義人，指信徒。是一個信徒，才有退後的可能。這義人雖已得救了，但尚有退後的可能。我，指神。一個退後的義人，神就不喜歡他。 「我們卻不是退後入敗壞(原文)的那等人，乃是有信心以致魂(原文)得救的人。」退後到何種地步呢？到敗壞的地步。我們信的人是不至滅亡反有永生的了，但是，我們仍有退後到敗壞的地步的可能。什麽叫作敗壞呢？就是所有的都落空，都拆光，都不牢。「乃是有信心以致魂得救的人」，這裏又是講到魂的得救了。退後就到敗壞的地步，進前就到魂得救的地步。我們不是退後到敗壞，就是進前到魂得救。 有人以為退後到敗壞這話不好聽，就說，也許不是指基督徒說的。但是，惟是基督徒才會退後；罪人已經後到不可再後了，還退到那裏去呢？凡不信子的，他的罪已經定了。惟獨基督徒才有退後的可能。一個信徒本來在世所作的一切都應當得賞，隻因他退後，就都要落空。雖然他曾奉主的名傳道，奉主的名趕鬼，奉主的名行許多異能神跡；但是，主要一點不承認，並且要對他說：我從來不認識你，你這惡仆離開我吧。 但是，「我們不是退後入敗壞的那等人，乃是有信心以致魂得救的人。」這裏講到魂得救是因著信，這信，是什麽信呢？有信心以致魂得救，是什麽意思呢？我們要讀十一章一節：「信就是所望之事的實底，是未見之事的確據。」這是魂得救的信；這是義人所靠著而活的信。十一章是當緊接在十章之末的。此信，是「所望之事的實底」，不是信耶穌。此信能叫你的魂得救。此信，是「未見之事的確據」，並非主耶穌基督。約翰福音幾十次講到信子的有永生，是講到信主；這裏是講到信的事情。 什麽事情呢？我們讀十一章十三至十六節：「這些人都是存著信心死的，並沒有得著所應許的，卻從遠處望見，且歡喜迎接，又承認自己在世上是客旅，是寄居的。說這樣話的人，是表明自己要找一個家鄉。他們是想念所離開的家鄉，還有可以回去的機會。他們卻羨慕一個更美的家鄉，就是在天上的；所以神被稱為他們的神，並不以為恥；因為他已經給他們預備了一座城。」我們看見麽？這裏講到這個信是什麽信呢？就是信神在國度裏為他們預備了城。信他們在這個世界，不過是客旅，是寄居的。信他們的家鄉不在此世。信他們所有的是在乎將來，不在乎今世。「堅固城」是不會倒塌的。義人天天如此信，是靠此信而活。魂是靠此信得救。可惜多少信徒忘了他在今世是一個客旅，是一個寄居的！ 〖 雅各書一章十七至二十一節 〗 十七至十八節：「各樣美善的恩賜，和各樣全備的恩賜(原文)，都是從上頭來的；從眾光之父那裏降下來的；在他並沒有改變，也沒有轉動的影兒。他按自己的旨意，用真道生了我們，叫我們在他所造的萬物中，好像初熟的果子。」十七節說到恩賜；十八節說到神用真道生了我們，叫我們在他所造的萬物中，好像初熟的果子，這兩節是相合的。十七節是說神給我們恩賜，十八節是說這恩賜，就是神給我們的永生。可見接受雅各這本書信的人，已經得了這個恩賜，已經是初熟的果子，已經被神用真道生了，已經得救了。 十九至二十一節：「我親愛的弟兄們，這是你們所知道的；但你們各人要快快的聽，慢慢的說，慢慢的動怒；因為人的怒氣，並不成就神的義。所以你們要脫去一切的汙穢，和盈餘的邪惡，存溫柔的心，領受那所栽種的道，就是能救你們魂的道。」十九節稱親愛的弟兄，可見是已經得救了的。雅各的意思，重生得救的事，你們已經有了，也已經知道了，但是這不夠，還要「存溫柔的心，領受那所栽種的道，就是能救你們魂的道。」雅各給我們看見的頂清楚，一個人得重生了，但是，他的魂還沒有得救，必須再領受能救他魂的道才可。魂得救是在重生後加上的一件事。沒有重生，魂就沒有得救的可能。神是把道傳給我們，就是國度的福音。我們要今天失喪自己的魂。我已經講過兩次，許多事，我們一點作不來，但是，如果我們肯讓聖靈作工，他是作得來的。得永生與魂得救是一樣的。如果罪人不要得救，神並不把罪人放到天堂去。固然願意的都可白白取生命的水喝；但是，不肯到主麵前來的人，主也沒法救他。如果我們不肯失喪自己的魂，主也不肯把我們放進國度裏去。必須你求主使你到一肯失喪自己魂的地步，主才有法子。 〖 彼得前書一章三節至九節 〗 三至四節：「願頌讚歸與我們主耶穌基督的父神，他曾照自己的大憐憫，藉耶穌基督從死裏複活，重生了我們，叫我們有活潑的盼望，可以得著不能朽壞，不能玷汙，不能衰殘，為你們存留在天上的基業。」我們讀了這兩節，就知道接受此書的人，是已經得救了。 五節：「你們這因信蒙神能力保守的人，必能得著所預備，到末世要顯現的救恩。」這裏所說的信是什麽信呢？是和希伯來書十章三十八節因信而活的信一樣的。他們雖然已經得救了；但是，末世要顯現的救恩，他們還沒有得著。得著重生了是好，但是還不夠，還應當得著末世要顯現的救恩才好。 六至八節：「因此，你們是大有喜樂，但如今，在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁；叫你們的信心既被試驗，就比那被火試驗，仍然能壞的金子，更顯寶貴；可以在耶穌基督顯現的時候，得著稱義、帶耀、尊貴。你們雖然沒有見過他，卻是愛他，如今雖不得看見，卻因信他就有說不出來，滿有榮光的大喜樂。」這幾節是講到因著將來有救恩的緣故，所以就是經過百般的試煉，卻仍然是大有喜樂。 九節：「並且得著你們信心的果效，就是魂(原文)的救恩。」這一節又明明說到魂的得救了。彼得也是說已得重生的人，還要得一救恩，就是魂的得救。這救恩是在何時得著的呢？末世。就是從主耶穌顯現在地上起頭的。我們憧蚧個得救的人，最後的結局是一樣，但是在國度裏卻有不同。我們信主得救了是真的，但是，魂也應當得救。 〖 彼得前書二章十一節 〗 「親愛的弟兄阿，你們是寄居的；我勸你們要禁戒肉體的私欲；這私欲是與魂爭戰的。」私欲與魂爭戰就是叫魂得不著好處。 〖 彼得前書二章二十五節 〗 「你們從前好像迷路的羊；如今卻歸到你們魂的牧人監督了。」這一節我們要抓牢，我們的魂是有一個牧人監督的。 彼得前書四章十七節至十九節及彼得後書一章十至十一節 最後，我還有兩段聖經提出來，請我們注意： 彼得前書四章十七至十九節：「因為時候到了，審判要從神的家起首。若是先從我們起首，那不信從神福音的人，將有何等的結局呢？若是義人僅僅得救，那不虔敬和犯罪的人，將有何地可站呢？所以那照神旨意受苦的人，要一心為善，將自己魂交與那信實造化之主。」願我們抓牢神的話。我們已經成功神的家；但是，審判是從神的家起首的。有的義人，是不過僅僅得救的！所以，弟兄姊妹們，你和我要照神的旨意受苦，要將自己的魂交與那信實的造化之主！我們要定規不肯留下什麽為著自己的魂，不肯使魂有所享受，要照神的旨意而受苦。 彼得後書一章十至十一節：「所以弟兄們，應當更加殷勤，使你們所蒙的恩召和揀選堅定不移；你們若行這幾樣，就永不失腳。這樣，必叫你們豐豐富富的，得以進入我們主救主耶穌基督永遠的國！」這裏稱他們為弟兄，可見是已經得救了；但是，還應當更加殷勤，才可到一堅定不移的地步。得永生，是不移的；但是，在國度裏，有的人要被移動。 我們要比較兩句話，就是僅僅得救與豐豐富富進入基督永遠的國。一個是僅僅得救，比得救多一點都沒有。好比考試定規七十分及格，考後剛剛七十分，比七十分多一點都沒有。這隻是得救了一半，我們要作一豐豐富富進入國度的人。 在此，我要講一個故事，來表明這個意思。歐戰方結束，在倫敦城有一個盛大的舉動，參觀的人在倫敦是有史以來沒有那麽多的。這是因歐戰告終，兵士返國作凱旋的遊行，受國內人士的歡迎。當兵士經過之地，有鼓掌、有稱讚。在一般人的心目中，以為若不是他們這樣忠勇，就不能救英國。那些兵士一步一步向前走，鼓掌稱讚的聲浪是一直不絕。這樣一排一排向前走，到了一個時候，鼓掌稱讚的聲浪格外大了，甚至多人流淚，甚至貴族都致敬，甚至君皇之尊都脫冕，這是什麽緣故呢？是因緊接在後的，一車一車的兵士，不是這個斷一腕，就是那個傷一足；不是這裏缺一肢，就是那裏傷一體！他們是在戰爭時受了創傷的。當這樣的傷兵經過時，真是享受了極隆重的尊敬與讚美。哦！前麵的那些兵士是過去了，但是，他們所得的榮耀，是遠不及後者那些受傷的兵士的。 我們許多僅僅得救的，到了將來，天堂是進得去的，但是，不能豐豐富富進入神的國。如果曾在世受過苦，為著主的緣故有所舍的，他們在那天，要像那些受傷的兵士凱旋的時候所享受的，鼓掌的聲音大，讚美的聲音大，榮耀也大。我們憧蚧個都當吃苦，為主有所損失；那一天，就有冠冕加在我們頭上。我們的魂，必須得救。但願我們更貧窮，更受苦，更為主的緣故舍棄一切。但願神祝福我們。

Body, Soul, And Spirit

Saturday, February 18th, 2012

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebr. 4:12-13)

Some people view the soul and body interchangeably, while others think the soul and spirit are the same. But it’s more accurate to think of them as separate components. Our soul is the conscious part of us, composed of mind (intellect), will, and emotions. It makes choices and controls our behavior by giving orders to the body. Our spirit is the subconscious part, an internal adviser to the conscious soul. It’s our conscience.

Both our soul and our spirit are intangible and eternal and are housed in our body which is tangible and temporal. Our body is designed for use in this life, and when we die we leave it behind. Paul described our body as our earthly dwelling and spoke of how we long to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling. Believers don’t desire so much to be rid of our earthly bodies, he said, as to receive our heavenly ones. He said receiving our heavenly body is the very purpose for which we were created, and that’s why God gave us the Holy Spirit at the first moment of our belief. He’s a deposit guaranteeing what is to come, which is the exchange of our earthly dwelling for our heavenly one. (2 Cor. 5:1-5)

It Wasn’t Always Like That

I believe Adam and Eve were created with a heavenly alignment of body, soul, and spirit. Their body was submissive to their soul which was submissive to their spirit which was one with the Spirit of God. But at the fall this alignment was perverted and through Satan’s influence the soul began to assert itself over the spirit. Both were contaminated by sin and the direct link to God was broken. In the time after the fall the soul became more assertive as man entered the period between Adam and Noah that some call the Dispensation of Conscience. Man was left to decide for himself what was right but because of the misalignment that came with the fall, things got progressively worse until God had to wipe the slate clean and start over. This experience has been repeated again and again . Even the time of Israel’s dominance in the world, when the communication link with God was formally re-opened, ended in failure. During that period Prophets were appointed to speak to the people for God and Priests to speak to God for the people. But it wasn’t enough.

The problem was that the spirit of unsaved man is confused and uncertain because of the effects of sin and often gives bad advice to his soul, which is also contaminated by sin, making it impossible for him to please God.

The cross changed all that. Now, when we are born again our spirit becomes one with the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 6:17) and the confusion and uncertainty clears up. Our spirit again knows right and wrong as absolutes, and as our conscience it begins to serve as a reliable guide to our soul, which is still sin infested.

The difference that being born again makes in us is so profound that we can only understand God’s word after we become believers. The natural man cannot comprehend it. (1 Cor 2:14) This explains why the Lord’s disciples were often confused about His teaching, and failed to understand much of it. They didn’t receive the Holy Spirit until the night of His resurrection. (John 20:22)

This is also why Jesus told us that our righteousness has to surpass that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. Not being born again, their efforts at keeping the law were acts of will and were often in conflict with what their spirits were advising them to do. In other words, it was still a matter of their soul asserting itself over their spirit. They just knew the law well enough to know when their spirits were giving them bad advice. In Isaiah 29:13 the Lord had said, “These people come near to me with their lips (governed by the soul), but their hearts (spirits) are far from me.” Jesus accused them of looking like whitewashed tombs, beautiful on the outside, but inside full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean (Matt. 23:27) Their obedience to the law was only intellectual assent backed up by will power. Their spirit was still infested with sin.

Back To Hebrews 4

But the Lord pays special attention to the motives of our heart and judges us on our intentions, not our actions. This is what the writer to the Hebrews meant when he said that the word of God can divide soul (behavior) and spirit (motive). He’s not fooled by man’s attempts at good behavior. He knows the thoughts and attitudes of our heart. Nothing is hidden from His sight. Commenting on ceremonial cleanliness He said that it’s not what goes into us that makes us unclean, but what comes out of us. “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” (Matt. 15:17-19) Jeremiah wrote that the heart of man is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. (Jere. 17:9) After sinning with Bathsheba, David prayed that God would create in him a pure heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within him. (Psalm 51:10) This is what happens when we’re born again and the Holy Spirit unites with our spirit. It renews a steadfast spirit with in us. It’s what David longed for, but it couldn’t happen before the cross. (John 7:39)

In effect, the Holy Spirit works through our spirit to repossess our soul from its bondage to sin. But since it’s not the conscious part of us, our spirit can only work to influence our decisions. Our soul must choose to heed the advice of our spirit, in whose “ear” the Holy Spirit is whispering. This is what Paul meant when he told us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (soul) (Romans 12:2). This transformation consists of consciously choosing to allow the Holy Spirit to become the primary influence in determining our actions. This is the heavenly alignment again. God’s Spirit to our spirit, to our soul, and to our body. This is why the Pharisees were criticized. God’s Spirit was not within them, and so their obedience was a product of their intellect, their soul. Their spirit remained unregenerate. It looked good on the outside, but inside it was all out of order. It was form without substance, and it produced self righteousness, not humility.

The biggest problem we have is that our soul is still struggling with its bondage to sin, and therefore must constantly choose to submit to our renewed spirit. Remember the soul is where our behavioral decisions are made. Our spirit is one with the Spirit of God, but can only advise. Paul described our dilemma poignantly in Romans 7:14-25, saying that he had the desire to do good but could not carry it out. His spirit was one with God, but his soul sometimes rebelled. Inwardly he could delight in God’s Law, but outwardly he would sometimes conform to the law of sin and death.

It’s actually the opposite of the Pharisees’ problem. They looked good on the outside but were full of evil thoughts and intentions. While the Lord condemned them, he directs no condemnation toward us (Romans 8:1) because although our soul often betrays us, our spirit is one with God. He goes so far as to separate the behavior from the believer saying that it’s not we who sin, but the sin nature that dwells within us. (Romans 7:20)

Will This Ever End?

When we die or are raptured, our transformation will be complete, and the Holy Spirit’s work of repossessing our soul will be finished. The heavenly alignment will be permanently restored, our regenerated soul in perpetual submission to our spirit which is one with God. Only then will we be ready for our resurrection bodies. It will no longer occur to us to behave in a manner contrary to God’s will, and we’ll finally be fit to dwell with Him forever.

The new body we receive will compare to the old one only in physical characteristics. The old one is corrupt and doomed to perish. The new one will be incorruptible and will never perish. (1 Cor. 15:53) We’ll recognize each other and will know God as we are known by Him. (1 Cor.13:12) No longer will things be hidden from our understanding or beyond our comprehension because our soul, where understanding and comprehension take place, will finally be freed from the bondage of sin. The immeasurable creative capacity with which the human mind was created will finally be unleashed for our eternal use and enjoyment. The tiny nuggets of talent and ability in the arts and sciences that we can only faintly glimpse now will become rich veins to be mined for all eternity.

And best of all, we’ll finally achieve our heart’s true desire, to be one with our Creator, body, soul, and spirit. Selah 02-18-12

Body And Spirit

 Wednesday, October 18th, 2006

• Life After Death
• Resurrection

Job 14:12, Dan. 12:13, John 3:13, 5:28 and some others seem to indicate we are asleep until awakened at the resurrection. How do you understand these scriptures? True the bible says absent from the body present with the lord, but when?

 

Q. Job 14:12, Dan. 12:13, John 3:13, 5:28 and some others seem to indicate we are asleep until awakened at the resurrection. How do you understand these scriptures? True the bible says absent from the body present with the lord, but when? When we awake at his calling. John 3:13 says no one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven etc.

A. Before the cross the spirits of believers went to a place called Sheol or Paradise, to await the Lord’s atoning death. After the resurrection, He took them to heaven. In John 3:13 He could say no one had ever gone to heaven, because at that time it was true. He hadn’t been sacrificed for their sins yet.

Since the cross, when believers die our spirits go immediately to be with the Lord, (2 Cor. 5:8) and our bodies go into the ground. At the Resurrection our bodies are made new and our spirits inhabit them again. Job 14, Daniel 12 and John 5 all refer to the resurrection of the body.

Remember the part of us that’s really us and is eternal is our spirit. Our earthly body is just the place where our spirit lives while on Earth. When it wears out it’s discarded. The Resurrection body we get will be eternal just like our spirit.

More On The Soul And Spirit

 Monday, August 8th, 2011

• Life After Death
• Resurrection

Q. Some Christians believe that the spirit and soul go to heaven at the time of physical death.  Others say that the spirit goes to heaven but the soul sleeps until the resurrection. I find this a confusing issue as I believe that the spirit and soul are in inseparable and both go to heaven.  Is there Bible passages that clarify this?

 

A. I don’t believe the Bible gives us any reason to believe in the concept of soul sleep.  Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God can separate soul and spirit but it’s in the context of determining where our motives originate, not separation of the two upon death. I believe both go to heaven together and will receive a new physical body in the rapture (1 Thes.4:16).

To be honest, I’ve never understood the importance of this issue.  To me it’s a holdover from the days before we learned that spiritual beings are not governed by time in the way physical beings are and don’t need a way to pass the time between their death and their resurrection. Paul said to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:6-8), and to me that means every part of us except for our physical body goes to be with the Lord at the time of our physical death.

Answering The Soul Sleep Argument

 Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

• Faith

I have been studying the doctrines of soul sleep lately and while they do not seem convincing, there are three interesting arguments they always use.

 

Q. I have been studying the doctrines of soul sleep lately and while they do not seem convincing, there are three interesting arguments they always use:

The first is the term “last day” as used in John 11:24, they conclude that there is not resurrection until the last day which would be at the second coming of Christ.

The second argument (and the more interesting one) is this: when Lazarus died (John 11:11-14), where did he go? The “soul sleep” advocates ask this question then follow up by saying, if Lazarus went to heaven, how come when Jesus raised him from the dead, he did not mention anything about his experience. They conclude that since Lazarus or for that matter anybody else who Jesus raised from the dead did not say anything about an experience after life, they must’ve went into soul sleep.

A third argument that soul sleep advocates use is Acts (2:29-34). They say that since “David did not ascend to heaven” (Acts 2:34) he must therefore be in his tomb “awaiting” resurrection.

In order to form a rebuttal to the “away from the body present with Christ” teaching, they say that a person in “soul sleep” does not know the passing of time and therefore it will only seem like a second later when they are resurrected. Further they say that Paul never said, to be away from the body is to be at home with the Lord, he said to be at home in the body is to be away from the Lord and so we are standing on an assumption when using that verse to support our belief.

A. As with all believers who died before Jesus made His atoning sacrifice, Lazarus didn’t go to Heaven. He went to a place the Jews called Paradise, or Abraham’s Bosom. In the Greek it’s called Hades. Jesus went there when He died. After His resurrection the gates of Heaven were opened and those who had been in Paradise waiting went to Heaven with Him. Since that time the Spirits of all who die in faith go directly to be with the Lord in Heaven, as Paul explained in 2 Cor. 5:6-8 where in verse 8 he did in fact say that to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord.

Basing their conclusion on the fact that Lazarus didn’t say anything about his experience doesn’t hold water. Paul did visit heaven and was forbidden to talk about it. (2 Cor. 12:1-4) And when Jesus spoke of the Resurrection at the last day, He was speaking of a bodily resurrection where the spirits of dead believers will be re-united with resurrection bodies.

The Acts 2:29-34 reference is being used out of context. Peter was explaining that the quotes from the Psalms he was using were prophecies of the Messiah, since they all knew that David had died long ago was was buried nearby. His point was that David wasn’t physically raised from the dead before his body could decay, and didn’t visibly ascend to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God, as Jesus had just done.

The Soul Versus The Spirit

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Many find it hard to believe that a born again believer can have a demonic spirit simply they don't understand the difference between the soul and the spirit of a man. They believe everything is made new the moment a person accepts Jesus (which is true for the man's spirit), but they naturally accept the fact that a person can be born again yet they can still be in bondage to sin (darkness or evil).

 

The soul and the spirit are not the same

Even though our Bible uses the words soul and spirit interchangeably, there is a very distinct difference that we cannot ignore. These passages in God's Word that make a very clear distinction between the soul and the spirit:

 

Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

 

1 Thessalonians 5:23, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

 

So what is the difference between the soul and the spirit?

We are a spirit being, we live in a body and we possess a soul. The real person inside of us is our spirit. Our soul consists of our mind, will and emotions. Our bodies are obviously what we live in while we are here on earth. How did demonic spirits vex and possess (control) people in the Bible? It was through their souls (minds, as in mental illness and insanity), and their bodies (as in the woman who had the spirit of infirmity).

 

Example of physical (bodily) demonic affliction: Luke 13:11, "And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself."

 

Example of mental (soul) demonic affliction: Matthew 17:15,18, "Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water... And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour."

 

Our spirits ARE born again!

The moment we accept Christ, our spirits become brand new. We are a completely new person, we are born of God, and we are made alive with God:

 

2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

This is speaking of our spirits, which are instantly made new the moment we accept Christ.

The Bible even tells us that the old man in us has died with Christ, and that we are raised to new life through Christ's resurrection:

 

Romans 6:2-6, "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him (our spirits that were alive to sin), that the body of sin might be destroyed (speaking of the evil in our souls), that henceforth we should not serve sin."

Even though we have died to sin, and been raised to new life through Christ Jesus, our souls (that is, our minds) still need to be transformed and purified by the washing of the Word:

 

Ephesians 5:26, "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word."

 

Our souls are NOT born again!

The Bible is clear that even though our spirits are born of incorruptible seed, our minds (souls) still need to be purified, that is, cleansed:

 

1 Peter 1:22-23, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever."

Our spirit is instantly reborn and made new the moment we accept Christ, but the soul is not born again. Our souls are transformed by the renewing of our minds:

 

Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

 

Some closing thoughts

Our spirits are made right with God, and raised to new life the moment we accept Jesus, but our souls (minds) can carry much spiritual grime and dirt over from our past lifestyles. Our souls are transformed by the renewing of our minds and by the washing of the Word, as the Bible makes clear. This is why so many believers can continue to struggle with sin even after accepting Christ. Their souls still contain grime and dirt that needs to be removed and washed clean.

Demonic spirits can also remain in our souls, and must be driven out as Jesus and the early church went about doing. If all a person had to do was accept Jesus and all their unclean spirits departed, then what would be the point in casting demons out of anybody? If all we would had to do was get people saved and their demons would automatically shed, then casting out demons would be sort of pointless, wouldn't it? However, the practice of casting out demons didn't end when Jesus ascended into heaven. It was a popular ministry that was carried right into the early church, and is still in full swing today. After all, before Jesus went to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made it clear that them who believe will be casting out demons!

 

Mark 16:17, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..."

There is a very real need for the ministry of deliverance. I have seen lives practically flipped upside-down through deliverance! Many tears of joy and freedom are shed, and people walk away never to be the same again!

Bible Study Discussions with Gary Panell

Question: After a person dies does his/her soul go to heaven right away or does it sleep until Christ comes again. Also, does the person remember what he/she was on earth while in heaven?

Answer: Yes, they go right to heaven, Paul taught that the moment our spirit left the body it went to heaven. “ We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8) Then too, he said under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Philippians 1:23, 24)

Some Christians have confused body sleep with soul sleep. There is no such thing as soul sleep. Jesus did talk often about the body sleeping. Also, the Apostle Paul said our bodies will sleep if we die. But when Jesus comes for us in the Rapture, our bodies will be resurrected also. “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 1:14-18)

Our spirit goes to be with the Lord immediately when we die, but our body sleeps until the Rapture takes place. As this passage in 1 Thessalonians points out, those who died will be resurrected a split second before us who are alive. Jesus will bring their spirit back from heaven put it into their new resurrected body, and then we who are alive will meet them in the air with our new resurrected body. Praise the Lord! This could happen any second, be ready!

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory." (1 Corinthians 15:50-55)

 

‘O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"

Yes, also, we will remember what we were on earth; our senses will be enhanced to a degree you cannot imagine. We will be better off there, not worse. Please check out this true story that we give in 2 Corinthians. "On the way home from a conference, Don Piper's car was crushed by a semi that crossed into his lane. Medical personnel said he died instantly. While his body lay lifeless inside the ruins of his car, Piper experienced the glories of heaven, awed by its beauty and music.

"When I died, I didn't flow through a long, dark tunnel. I had no sense of fading away or of coming back. I never felt my body being transported into the light. I heard no voices calling to me or anything else.

"Simultaneous with my last recollection of seeing the bridge and the rain, a light enveloped me, with a brilliance beyond earthly comprehension or description. Only that. In my next moment of awareness, I was standing in heaven.

"Joy pulsated through me as I looked around, and at that moment I became aware of a large crowd of people. They stood in front of a brilliant, ornate gate. I have no idea how far away they were; such things as distance didn't matter.

"As the crowd rushed toward me, I didn't see Jesus, but I did see people I had known. As they surged toward me, I knew instantly that all of them had died during my lifetime. Their presence seemed absolutely natural.

"They rushed toward me, and every person was smiling, shouting, and praising God. Although no one said so, intuitively I knew they were my celestial welcoming committee. It was as if they had all gathered just outside heaven's gate, waiting for me.

"The first person I recognized was Joe Kulbeth, my grandfather. He looked exactly as I remembered him, with his shock of white hair and what I called a big banana nose. He stopped momentarily and stood in front of me. A grin covered his face. I may have called his name, but I'm not sure.

"Donnie!" (That's what my grandfather always called me.) His eyes lit up, and he held out his arms as he took the last steps toward me. He embraced me, holding me tightly. He was once again the robust, strong grandfather I had remembered as a child.

"After being hugged by my grandfather, I don't remember who was second or third. The crowd surrounded me. Some hugged me and a few kissed my check, while others pumped my hand. Never had I felt more loved.

"More and more people reached for me and called me by name. I felt overwhelmed by the number of people who had come to welcome me to heaven. There were so many of them, and I had never imagined anyone being as happy as they all were. Their faces radiated a serenity I had never seen on earth. All were full of life and expressed radiant joy.

"Time had no meaning. However, for clarity, I'll relate this experience in terms that refer to time. I saw my great-grandfather, heard his voice, and felt his embrace as he told me how excited he was that I had come to join them. I saw Barry Wilson, who had been my classmate in high school but later drowned in a lake. Barry hugged me, and his smile radiated a happiness I didn't know was possible.

"He and everyone who followed praised God and told me how excited they were to see me and to welcome me to heaven and to the fellowship they enjoyed. Just then, I spotted two teachers who had loved me and often talked to me about Jesus Christ.

"As I walked among them, I became aware of the wide variety of ages-old and young and every age in between. Many of them hadn't known each other on earth, but each had influenced my life in some way. Even though they hadn't met on earth, they seemed to know each other now.

"As I try to explain this, my words seem weak and hardly adequate, because I have to use earthly terms to refer to unimaginable joy, excitement, warmth, and total happiness. Everyone continually embraced me, touched me, spoke to me, laughed, and praised God. This seemed to go on for a long time, but I didn't tire of it.

"My father is one of eleven children. Some of his brothers and sisters had as many as thirteen children. When I was a kid, our family reunions were so huge we rented an entire city park in Monticello, Arkansas. We Pipers are affectionate, with a lot of hugging and kissing whenever we come together.

"None of those earthly family reunions, however, prepared me for the sublime gathering of saints I experienced at the gates of heaven. Those who had gathered at Monticello were some of the same people waiting for me at the gates of heaven. Heaven was many things, but without a doubt, it was the greatest family reunion of all.

"Everything I experienced was like a first-class buffet for the senses. I had never felt such powerful embraces or feasted my eyes on such beauty. Heaven's light and texture defy earthly eyes or explanation. Warm, radiant light engulfed me. As I looked around, I could hardly grasp the vivid, dazzling colors. Every hue and tone surpassed anything I had ever seen.

"With all the heightened awareness of my senses, I felt as if I had never seen, heard, or felt anything so real before. I don't recall that I tasted anything, yet I knew that if I had, that too would have been more glorious than anything I had eaten or drunk on earth.

"The best way I can explain it is to say that I felt as if I were in another dimension. Never, even in my happiest moments, had I ever felt so fully alive. I stood speechless in front of the crowd of loved ones, still trying to take in everything.

"Over and over I heard how overjoyed they were to see me and how excited they were to have me among them. I'm not sure if they actually said the words or not, but I knew they had been waiting and expecting me, yet I also knew that in heaven there is no sense of time passing.

"I wasn't conscious of anything I'd left behind and felt no regrets about leaving family or possessions. It was as if God had removed anything negative or worrisome from my consciousness, and I could only rejoice at being together with these wonderful people.

"They looked exactly as I once knew them-although they were more radiant and joyful than they'd ever been on earth.

"My great-grandmother, Hattie Mann, was Native American. As a child I saw her only after she had developed osteoporosis. Her head and shoulders were bent forward, giving her a humped appearance. I especially remember her extremely wrinkled face. The other thing that stands out in my memory is that she had false teeth-which she didn't wear often.

"Yet when she smiled at me in heaven, her teeth sparkled. I knew they were her own, and when she smiled, it was the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.

"Then I notice something else-she wasn't slumped over. She stood strong and upright, and the wrinkles had been erased from her face. I have no idea what age she was, and I didn't even think about that. As I stared at her beaming face, I sensed that age has no meaning in heaven.

"Age expresses time passing, and there is no time there. All of the people I encountered were the same age they had been the last time I had seen them-except that all the ravages of living on earth had vanished. Even though some of their features may not have been considered attractive on earth, in heaven every feature was perfect, beautiful, and wonderful to gaze at.

"I felt loved-more loved than ever before in my life. They didn't say they loved me. I don't remember what word they spoke. When they gazed at me, I knew what the Bible means by perfect love. It emanated from every person who surrounded me.

"I stared at them, and as I did I felt as if I absorbed their love for me. At some point, I looked around and the sight overwhelmed me. Everything was brilliantly intense. Coming out from the gate-a short distance ahead-was a brilliance that was brighter than the light that surrounded us, utterly luminous. As soon as I stopped gazing at the people's faces, I realized that everything around me glowed with a dazzling intensity.

"In trying to describe the scene, words are totally inadequate, because human words can't express the feelings of awe and wonder at what I beheld. Everything I saw glowed with intense brightness. The best I can describe it is that we began to move toward that light.

"No one said it was time to do so, and yet we all started forward at the same time. As I stared ahead, everything seemed to grow taller-like a gentle hill that kept going upward and never stopped. I had expected to see some darkness behind the gate, but as far ahead as I could see, there was absolutely nothing but intense, radiant light.

"A holy awe came over me as I stepped forward. I had no idea what lay ahead, but I sensed that with each step I took, it would grow more wondrous. Then I heard the music. As a young boy I spent a lot of time out in the country and woods. When walking through waist-high dried grass, I often surprised a covey of birds and flushed them out of their nests on the ground.

"A whooshing sound accompanied their wings as they flew away. My most vivid memory of heaven is what I heard. I can only describe it as a holy swoosh of wings. But I'd have to magnify that thousands of times to explain the effect of the sound in heaven.

"It was the most beautiful and pleasant sound I've ever heard, and it didn't stop. It was like a song that goes on forever. I felt awestruck, wanting only to listen. I didn't just hear music. It seemed as if I were part of the music-and it played in and through my body. I stood still, and yet I felt embraced by the sounds.

"As aware as I became of the joyous sounds and melodies that filled the air, I wasn't distracted. I felt as if the heavenly concert permeated every part of my being, and at the same time I focused on everything else around me.

"A second sound remains, even today, the single most vivid memory I have of my entire heavenly experience. I call it music, but it differed from anything I had ever heard or ever expect to hear on the earth. The melodies of praise filled the atmosphere. The nonstop intensity and endless variety overwhelmed me.

"The praise was unending, but the most remarkable thing to me was that hundreds of songs were being sung at the same time-all of them worshiping God. As I approached the large, magnificent gate, I heard them from every direction and realized that each voice praised God. 

"I write voice, but it was more than that. Some sounded instrumental, but I wasn't sure-and I wasn't concerned. Praise was everywhere, and all of it was musical, yet comprised of melodies and tones I'd never experienced before.

"Hallelujah!" "Praise!" "Glory to God!" "Praise to the King!" Such words rang out in the midst of all the music. I don't know if angels were singing them or if they came from humans. I felt so awestruck and caught up in the heavenly mood that I didn't look around.

"My heart filled with the deepest joy I've ever experienced. I wasn't a participant in the worship, yet I felt as if my heart ran out with the same kind of joy and exuberance.

"If we played three CDs of praise at the same time, we'd have a cacophony of noise that would drive us crazy. This was totally different. Every sound blended, and each voice or instrument enhanced the others.

"As strange as it may seem, I could clearly distinguish each song. It sounded as if each hymn of praise was meant for me to hear as I moved inside the gates.

"Many of the old hymns and choruses I had sung at various times in my life were part of the music-along with hundreds of songs I had never heard before. Hymns of praise, modern sounding choruses, and ancient chants filled my ears and brought not only a deep peace but the greatest feeling of joy I've ever experienced.

"The celestial tunes surpassed any I had ever heard. I couldn't calculate the number of songs-perhaps thousands-offered up simultaneously, and yet there was no chaos, because I had the capacity to hear each on and discern the lyrics and melody.

"Obviously, I can't really know how God feels, but I find joy and comfort in thinking that He must be pleased and blessed by the continuous sounds of praise." I will leave the book right there because I don't want to spoil it for you. Please get it and read the rest, it will truly encourage your soul! (90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN by Don Piper, Revell Grand Rapids, Michigan)

Thanks for the questions,

Brother Gary