
教導說,聖靈充滿是賜給基督徒
為了要提供 "服事的能力",
這是在教導真理,但不是全部的真理!
服事的能力只是那經歷的一個效果,
並且我會毫不猶豫地說,
它是種種效果中最小的。
與大多數人的想法不同,
"服事這個時代"
並不是基督徒的首要責任,
也不是人類的主要目的。
聖靈首要的工作是,使失喪的靈魂,
透過重生的洗,恢復與神親密的交通。
為要達成這個,祂先向悔改的心啟示基督,
然後繼續以來自基督的面上,那更明亮的光
來照亮新生的靈魂,並且引領願意的心,
進入那神聖的認識與相交之深度和高處中。
神需要敬拜者優先於工人;
的確,唯一神所認可的工人,
是那些已經學會了已失落之敬拜藝術的人。
難以想像,一位至高和聖潔的神,
會如此缺乏工人,以至於祂會不顧德性的素質,
而強徵任何被賦予權力的人,來為祂效力。
如果有需要,連石頭都會讚美祂,並且
一千營多的天使也會飛躍而來,執行祂的旨意。
聖靈一定願意給予服事的能力和恩賜;
但聖潔和屬靈的敬拜,必須擺在第一位。
To teach that the filling with the Holy Spirit is given
the Christian to provide "power for service"
is to teach truth, but not the whole truth!
Power for service is but one effect of
the experience, and I do not hesitate to say
that it is the least of several effects.
Contrary to the popular belief,
"to serve this present age" is not
the Christian‵s first duty
nor the chief end of man.
The primary work of the Holy Spirit is to restore
the lost soul to intimate fellowship with God through
the washing of regeneration. To accomplish this
He first reveals Christ to the penitent heart. He then
goes on to illuminate the newborn soul with brighter rays
from the face of Christ and leads the willing heart into
depths and heights of divine knowledge and communion.
God wants worshipers before workers;
indeed the only acceptable workers are those
who have learned the lost art of worship.
It is inconceivable that a sovereign and holy God
should be so hard up for workers that He would
press into service anyone who had been empowered
regardless of his moral qualifications.
The very stones would praise Him if the need arose and
a thousand legions of angels would leap to do His will!
Gifts and power for service
the Spirit surely desires to impart;
but holiness and spiritual worship come first!
- 陶恕 (A. W. Tozer, 1897-1963)
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