1557 英翻中(林后5課5章) Motives for ministry 職事的动机 2/5/2026
CHAPTER FIVE MOTIVES FOR MINISTRY 2 Corinthians 5:9–21 第五課 職事的动机 哥林多後书 5:9-21
What we believe and how we behave must always go together. Paul usually connected duty and doctrine, because what God has done for us must motivate us to do something for God. Phillips Brooks said, “Christianity knows no truth which is not the child of love and the parent of duty.” 我们的信仰和行事为人必须始终保持一致。保罗通常将责任和教义联系在一起，因为上帝为我们所做的必须激励我们为上帝做一些事情。菲利 . 布鲁克(Phillips Brooks)说，“基督徒不知道凡不爱兒子和不負起為父责任的真理。”
“You would have preached a marvelous sermon,” a woman said to her pastor, “except for all those ‘therefores’ at the end!” 一位女會友对她的牧师说，“除了后面總帶些‘因此’之外, 你都宣講出很了不起的福音道理，！”
Paul
would have agreed with the pastor, for he usually used “therefores” and
“wherefores” liberally in his letters. In fact, you find them in this section
of 2 Corinthians 5 in verses 9, 11, and 16–17. Paul moved from explanation to
application, and his theme was motivation for ministry. His enemies had accused
him of using the ministry of the gospel for his own selfish purposes, when in
reality they were the ones who were “merchandising” the gospel (see 2 Cor.
What is
the ministry of the Christian? To persuade sinners to be reconciled to God (2
Cor.
基督徒的事工是什么？说服罪人与上帝和好（哥林多后书 5:11, 20）。我们绝不能强迫人们信靠基督，或以某种不正当的方式强迫他们。 “我们给你的信息是真实的，我们的动机是纯洁的，我们的行为是绝对光明正大的”（帖撒罗尼迦前书 2:3，菲利版本）。基督徒工人必须有正确的事工动机和正确的信息。
In this section, Paul stated three acceptable motives for ministry. 在本节中，保罗陈述了三个可接受的職事动机。
1. The Fear of the Lord (5:9–13) 1. 敬畏主（5:9-13）
“Knowing,
therefore, the terror [fear] of the Lord” (2 Cor.
Paul explained this motive by sharing his own testimony in three powerful statements.保罗通过三个有力的陈述，來分享他自己的见证，以解释敬畏主對接納職事的动机的必要。
We
labor (v. 9). This means “we are ambitious.” There is an ambition that is
selfish and worldly, but there is also a holy ambition that honors the Lord.
Paul’s great ambition was to be well pleasing to Jesus Christ. The Judaizers
ministered to please men and enlisted them in their cause; but Paul ministered
to please Jesus Christ alone (Gal.
The
word translated “accepted” (“well pleasing”) is used in several other places in
the New Testament, and each of these references helps us better understand what
it is that pleases the Lord. It is well pleasing to Him when we present our
bodies to Him as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1), and when we live so as to help
others and avoid causing them to stumble (Rom.
There
is nothing wrong with godly ambition. “Yea, so have I strived [been ambitious]
to preach the gospel” was Paul’s testimony in Romans
We must
all appear (v. 10). Not every believer is ambitious for the Lord, but every
believer is going to appear before the Lord; and now is the time to prepare.
The judgment seat of Christ is that future event when God’s people will stand
before the Savior as their works are judged and rewarded (see Rom. 14:8–10).
Paul was ambitious for the Lord because he wanted to meet Him with confidence
and not shame (1 John
The
term “judgment seat” comes from the Greek word bema, which was the platform in
Greek towns where orations were made or decisions handed down by rulers (see
Matt. 27:19; Acts 12:21; 18:12). It was also the place where the awards were
given out to the winners in the annual Olympic Games. This “judgment seat” must
not be confused with the Great White Throne from which Christ will judge the
wicked (Rev. 20:11–15). Because of the gracious work of Christ on the cross,
believers will not face their sins (John
The judgment seat of Christ will be a place of revelation; for the
word appear means “be revealed.” As we live and work here on earth, it is
relatively easy for us to hide things and pretend; but the true character of
our works will be exposed before the searching eyes of the Savior. He will
reveal whether our works have been good or bad (“worthless”). The character of
our service will be revealed (1 Cor.
It will
also be a place of reckoning as we give an account of our ministries (Rom. 14:10 –12). If we have been faithful
it will be a place of reward and recognition (1 Cor. 3:10 –15; 4:1–6). For those of us who have been
faithful, it will be a time of rejoicing as we glorify the Lord by giving our
rewards back to Him in worship and in praise.
當看我们在世上所做事工的时候，审判台也是驗中的地方（罗马书 14：10-12）。如果我们一直忠实，它将成为奖励和认可的地方（哥林多前 書3:10-15；4:1-6）。对于我们这些信實的人来说，它将是欢欣的时刻，因为我们在敬拜和赞美中，将我们的奖赏归还给主，以此歸荣於上帝。
Is the
desire for reward a proper motive for service? The fact that God does promise
rewards is proof that the motive is not a sinful one, even though it may not be
the highest motive. Just as parents are happy when their children achieve
recognition, so our Lord is pleased when His people are worthy of recognition
and reward. The important thing is not the reward itself, but the joy of pleasing
Christ and honoring Him.
對事奉渴望奖赏是正当的动机吗？上帝确实应许奖励基督徒的事奉的應許，這证明了动机不是罪恶的，即使它可能不是最好的动机。就像父母在孩子获得认可时感到高兴一样，当我们的主的子民值得認可和奖励时，祂也會很高兴。重要的不是奖赏本身，而是取悦基督并尊荣祂的喜乐。
We
persuade men (vv. 11–13). If God judges His own people, then what will happen
to the lost? “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly
and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:18). The word terror does not mean fright,
dread, or horror. After all, we are going to see our Savior—and He loves us.
But Paul did not minimize the awesomeness of the occasion. We shall stand
before Christ, “and there is no respect of persons” (Col. 3:23–25). Christ has
commanded us to spread the gospel to all nations, and we must be obedient.
Someone asked the Duke of Wellington
我们勸人（11-13等 节）。如果上帝审判祂自己的子民，那么失丧的人会怎样？ “如果僅僅是义人得救，那不敬虔的和罪人將置放於何地呢？” （彼得前书 4:18）。 “恐怖” 并不意味着恐惧、可怕或可懼。毕竟，会见到我们的救主 — 祂爱我们。但保罗并没有贬低这个场合的可怕之处。我们總是像給基督作的，“而不是看人怎麼說”（歌罗西书 3:23-25）。基督命令我们将福音传播到世界的每個角落，我们必须服从。有人问威灵顿(Wellington)公爵，他对国外宣教的看法，他回答，“你的國外宣教行军命令是什么？”
How can
the Christian prepare for the judgment seat of Christ? To begin with, he must
maintain a clear conscience (2 Cor. 5:11 ).
No doubt some of the enemies at Corinth 1:12 ). The truth about each one of
us shall be revealed, and Jesus Christ will commend us for those things that
have pleased Him.
基督徒如何为面對基督的审判台？首先，他必须保持问心无愧（哥林多后書 5:11）。毫无疑问，哥林多的一些敌人在说，“等着保罗站在主面前吧！”但保罗并不害怕，因为他知道自己的良心是清白的（见 哥林多後书 1:12）。关于我们每人的真相都会被揭示出来，耶稣基督会因为他所喜悦的事情而称赞我们。
Second,
we must take care not to depend on the praise of men (2 Cor. 5:12 ). This verse relates to 2
Corinthians 3:1, where Paul referred to the “letters of commendation” that the
Judaizers prized so highly. If we live only for the praise of men, we will not
win the praise of God at the judgment seat of Christ. To live for man’s praise
is to exalt reputation over character, and it is character that will count when
we see Christ. Actually, the Corinthians should have commended Paul! Instead,
they were “promoting” the Judaizers, who gloried in appearance (see 2 Cor. 11:18 ), but were unspiritual in
heart.
其次，我们必须注意不要依赖于人的赞美（哥林多後书 5:12）。这节经文与哥林多后书 3 章第 1 节有关，其中保罗提到了犹太律法師如此看重的“表扬信”。如果我们只为人的赞美而活，我们就不会在基督的审判台上赢得上帝的赞美。为人的赞美而活就是高举声誉而不是品格，当我们看到基督时，品格才是最重要的。事实上，哥林多人应该称赞保罗！相反，他们“推销”了犹太律法師，他们在外表上很自豪（參见 哥林多後书 11:18），但内心却不属灵。
Finally,
we must ignore the criticisms of men (2 Cor. 5:13 ). Paul’s enemies said that he was crazy. Paul said
that he was “mad” when he was persecuting the church (Acts 26:11), but his
enemies said he was mad since he had become a believer himself (Acts 26:24).
But people said that our Lord was mad, so Paul was in good company (see Mark 3:21 ). “If I am mad,” Paul was
saying, “it is for your good and the glory of God— so that makes it
worthwhile!”
最后，我们必须忽略來自人的批评（哥林多後书5:13）。保罗的敌人说他疯了。保罗说他在迫害教会时“疯了”（使徒行传 26:11），但他的敌人说他疯了，因为他自己也成為基督徒（使徒行传 26:24）。但人们说我们的主疯了，所以保罗和他相处得很好（參见 马可福音 3:21）。保罗说，“如果我疯了，那是为了你和上帝和好的荣耀 — 所以值得！”
When
Dwight L. Moody was ministering at his large Sunday school and church in Chicago
当慕迪 (Dwight L. Moody) 在他位于芝加哥的大型主日学校和教堂传道时，人们经常称他为“疯狂的慕廸”。在未得救的世界眼中，慕廸疯狂地放弃了成功的商业生涯，成为一名主日学工人和布道者；但时间证明他的决定是明智的。今天，我们不知道嘲笑他的人的名字，但我们知道 — 并且尊重 — D.L. 慕廸的名字。
It behooves every Christian to examine his own life regularly to see
if he is ready for the judgment seat of Christ. Wanting to give a good account
before Christ is a worthy motive for Christian service.
每个基督徒都应该定期检查 自己的生活，看看他是否准备好接受基督的审判台的審查。想要在基督面前好好的交账，是基督徒事奉，有价值的动机。
3. The Love of Christ
(2 Cor. 5:14–17)
3. 基督的爱（哥林多後书 5:14-17）
How can such opposite emotions as fear and love dwell in the same
heart? Certainly they are found in the hearts of children who love their
parents and yet respect them and their authority. “Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling” (Ps. 2:11 ).
像恐惧和爱对立的情绪，怎么樣会存在于同一个人的心裡呢？ 肯定，它们存在于爱父母，但又尊重他们，和順服他们的权威的孩子们的心中。 “要战兢地事奉耶和华，要帶著战兢的欢乐”（诗篇 2:11）。
The phrase “the love of Christ” means His love for us as seen in His
sacrificial death. “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19 ). He loved us when we were unlovely;
in fact, He loved us when we were ungodly, sinners, and enemies (see Rom. 3:16 ), the church (Eph. 5:25 ), and individual sinners (Gal. 2:20 ). When you consider the reasons
why Christ died, you cannot help but love Him.
“基督的爱”意味着祂对我们的爱，正如祂牺牲的死亡所顯現給人看到的那样。 “我们爱祂，是因为祂先爱我们”（约翰一书 4:19）。当我们不可爱时，祂爱我们；事实上，当我们還是不敬虔、罪人，和敌人时，祂就爱我们（见 罗马书 5：6-10）。当基督死在十字架上时，证明了祂对世界（约翰福音 3:16）、教会（弗 5:25）和个别罪人（加拉太書 2:20）的爱。当你想到基督死的原因时，你会情不自禁地爱祂。
He died that we might die (v. 14). The tense of the verb gives the
meaning “then all died.” This truth is explained in detail in Romans 6, the
believer’s identification with Christ. When Christ died, we died in Him and
with Him. Therefore, the old life should have no hold on us today. “I am
crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:20 ).
He died that we might live (vv. 15–17). This is the positive aspect
of our identification with Christ: we not only died with Him, but we also were
raised with Him that we might “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). Because we
have died with Christ, we can overcome sin; and because we live with Christ, we
can bear fruit for God’s glory (Rom.
基督为我们獲得新生命而死（15-17 节）。这是我们与基督认同的积极方面：我们不仅与祂同死，而且与祂一同复活，以便我们可以“在新的生命里行事為人”（罗馬書 6:4）。因为我们与基督同死，所以我们可以胜过罪；因为我们与基督同活，我们才能为神的荣耀结出果子（罗馬書 7:4）。
He died that we might live through Him: “God sent his only begotten
Son into the world, that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9). This is our
experience of salvation, eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. But He
also died that we might live for Him, and not live unto ourselves (2 Cor. 5:15 ). This is our experience of
service. It has well been said, “Christ died our death for us that we might live
His life for Him.” If a lost sinner has been to the cross and been saved, how
can he spend the rest of his life in selfishness?
基督死了，我们可以藉由祂活着：“上帝差祂的独生子到世上，叫我们可以靠祂而活着”（约翰一书 4:9）。这就是我们因信耶稣基督而得救和永生的经历。但基督也死了，我们可以为祂而活，而不是为自己而活（哥林多后書 5:15）。这是我们的事奉的经验。有句话说得好：“基督为我们的死而死，好叫我们为祂的命而活。”如果失丧的罪人已经上了十字架而得救了，他怎么能再在自私中度过余生呢？
In 1858, Frances Ridley Havergal visited Germany with her father, who
was getting treatment for his afflicted eyes. While in a pastor’s home, she saw
a picture of the crucifixion on the wall, with the words under it: “I did this
for thee. What hast thou done for Me?” Quickly she took a piece of paper and
wrote a poem based on that motto; but she was not satisfied with it, so she
threw the paper into the fireplace. The paper came out unharmed! Later, her
father encouraged her to publish it; and we sing it today to a tune composed by
Philip P. Bliss.
1858 年，弗郎斯. 悅得利 . 哈佛加(Frances Ridley Havergal) 和她的父亲一起访问德国，她的父亲因接受治疗眼睛住在牧师家中，她看到墙上挂着一张耶穌受难的照片，下面写着：“这是我为你做的。你为我做了什么？”她很快拿起一张纸，根据那句格言写了一首诗。但她不满意，就把纸扔进了壁炉。寫上詩的纸拿出来时毫发无伤！后来，她的父亲鼓励她出版；今天我们用 腓利 . 比力斯(Philip P. Bliss) 附上他创作的曲子，唱这首歌.
I gave My life for thee, 我为你献出生命，
My precious blood I
shed, 我流了我宝贵的血
That thou might’st
ransomed be, 你可能会被赎回,
I gave, I gave My
life for thee, 我给了，我为你献出了我的生命，
What hast thou
given for Me? 你为我付出了什么？
Christ died that we might live through Him and for Him, and that we
might live with Him. “Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we
should live together with him” (1 Thess. 5:10 ).
Because of Calvary , believers are going to
heaven to live with Christ forever!
基督死了，我们可以藉由祂的死，并为祂而活，并且我们可以与祂一起活。 “谁为我们而死，无论我们醒来还是睡觉，我们都应该与他一起生活”（帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:10）。因为髑髅地，信徒们将去天堂与基督永远同住！
He died that we might die, and He died that we might live. But He
also died that we might share in the new creation (2 Cor. 5:16 –17). Our new relationship to Christ has brought
about a new relationship to the world and the people around us. We no longer
look at life the way we used to. To know Christ “after the flesh” means to
evaluate Him from a human point of view. But “the days of his flesh” are ended
(Heb. 5:7) because He has ascended to heaven and is now glorified at the
Father’s right hand.
祂为我们死，祂为我们活着而死。但他也死了，我们可以分享新的创造（2 Cor. 5:16-17）。我们与基督的新关系带来了与世界和我们周围人的新关系。我们不再像过去那样看待生活。 “按着肉体”认识基督，就是从人的角度来评价他。但“他肉身的日子”结束了（来 5:7），因为他已经升天，现在在父的右边得着荣耀。
Adam was the head of the old creation, and Christ (the Last Adam, 1
Cor. 15:45 ) is the Head of
the new creation. The old creation was plunged into sin and condemnation
because of the disobedience of Adam. The new creation means righteousness and
salvation because of the obedience of Jesus Christ. (See Rom. Adams .”)
Because we are a part of the new creation, everything has become new.
亚当是旧造的元首，而基督（最后的亚当，林前 15:45）是新造的元首。因为亚当的不顺服，旧造陷入了罪恶和定罪。由于耶稣基督的顺服，新造意味着公义和救恩。 （关于“两个亚当”的解释，见罗马书 5：12-21。）因为我们是新造的一部分，所以一切都变得新了。
For one thing, we have a new view of Christ. It is unfortunate that
too great an emphasis is given in music and art on Christ “after the flesh.”
The facts about the earthly life of Jesus are important, because the Christian
message is grounded in history. But we must interpret the manger by the throne.
We do not worship a Babe in a manger; we worship a glorified Savior on the
throne.
一方面，我们对基督有了新的认识。不幸的是，音乐和艺术过分强调“按照肉身”的基督。关于耶稣在地上生活的事实很重要，因为基督教的信息是以历史为基础的。但我们必须用宝座来解释马槽。我们不崇拜马槽里的婴儿；我们在宝座上敬拜荣耀的救主。
Because “all things are become new,” we also have a new view of
people around us. We see them as sinners for whom Christ died. We no longer see
them as friends or enemies, customers or coworkers; we see them the way Christ
sees them, as lost sheep who need a shepherd. When you are constrained by the
love of Christ, you want to share His love with others.
因为“万物皆新”，我们对身边的人也有了新的认识。我们将他们视为基督为之而死的罪人。我们不再将他们视为朋友或敌人、客户或同事；我们以基督看待他们的方式看待他们，就像迷失的羊，需要一个牧羊人。当你受到基督的爱的约束时，你想与他人分享他的爱。
During an especially controversial presidential election, a church
officer came into a Sunday school class wearing a large pin that promoted one
of the candidates. The pastor stopped him and advised him to take it off until
he was out of church.
在一次特别有争议的总统选举中，一位教会官员戴着一枚大别针进入主日学班，该别针为一位候选人助選。牧师阻止了他，并建议他在离开教堂之前把它取下来。
“Why take it off?” he argued. “He’s a perfectly good candidate!”
他争辩道，“为什么要脱下来？他是非常好的候选人！”
“But suppose the pin is seen by an unsaved man of the other party?”
the pastor replied. “Will it upset him and maybe keep him from hearing the Word
and getting saved?”
牧師答道，“但假设别针被对方未得救的人看到了？这会让他心烦意乱，也许会让他听不到神的话而得救吗？”
Sullenly, the man removed the pin; and then he smiled and said, “I
guess I should remember that people aren’t Republicans or Democrats. They’re
sinners who need a Savior—and that’s more important than winning an election.”
立刻那人闷闷不乐地取下了别针；然后他笑着说，“我想应该记住，人不是共和党人，也不是民主党人。 他們是需要拯救的罪人 — 這比中選要重要得多。”
But we should also look at other Christians as a part of the new
creation, and not evaluate them on the bases of education, race, finances, or
position in society. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor
free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus”
(Gal. 3:28 ).
但我们也应该将其他基督徒视为新造的人，而不是根据教育、种族、财务或社会地位来评估他们。 “没有犹太人，也没有希腊人，也没有为奴的，也没有自主的，也没有男的，也没有女的，因为你们在基督耶稣里都成为一了”（加 拉太書 3:28）。
4. The Commission of
Christ (5:18 –21)
4. 基督的使命摧逼（5:18-21）
The key idea in this paragraph is reconciliation. Because of his
rebellion, man was the enemy of God and out of fellowship with Him. Through the
work of the cross, Jesus Christ has brought man and God together again. God has
been reconciled and has turned His face in love toward the lost world. The
basic meaning of the word reconcile is “to change thoroughly.” It refers to a
changed relationship between God and the lost world.
本段的关键思想是和解。因着亞當的悖逆，人与神为敌，与神隔绝。通过耶稣基督在十字架的工作，祂将人與上帝重新結合。上帝已经與世人和好，并带着爱将脸转向迷失的世界。调和的基本意思是“彻底改变”。它指的是上帝与失落的世界之间的关系发生了变化。
God does not have to be reconciled to man, because that was
accomplished by Christ on the cross. It is sinful man who must be reconciled to
God. “Religion” is man’s feeble effort to be reconciled to God, efforts that
are bound to fail. The Person who reconciles us to God is Jesus Christ, and the
place where He reconciles us is His cross.
上帝不必与人和好，因为那是基督在十字架上完成的。罪人必须与上帝和好。 “宗教”是人为的微弱努力，要做出与上帝和好，这种努力注定会失败。使我们与上帝和好的人是耶稣基督，祂使我们與上帝和好的地方，就是祂的十字架。
Another key idea in this section is imputation. This is a word
borrowed from banking; it simply means “to put to one’s account.” When you
deposit money in the bank, the computer (or the clerk) puts that amount to your
account, or to your credit. When Jesus died on the cross, all of our sins were
imputed to Him—put to His account. He was treated by God as though He had
actually committed those sins.
本节的另一个关键思想是歸入某人的帳戶，这是从银行业借来的單词；简单意思是“记在某人的账上”。当你将钱存入银行时，计算机（或店员）将该金额存入你的帐户或你的可支取存款下。当耶稣死在十字架上时，我们所有的罪都归罪于 — 归于祂的账上。上帝对待耶穌，就好像祂确实犯了那些罪一样。
The result? All of those sins have been paid for, and God no longer
holds them against us, because we have trusted Christ as our Savior. But even
more: God has put to our account the very righteousness of Christ! “For he hath
made him [Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5:21 ).
结果如何？ 所有这些罪孽都已得到偿还，上帝不再記得我们的罪孽，因为我们已经信靠基督为我们的救主。但更重要的是：上帝已经将基督的义记在了我们的账上！ “因为上帝已使祂（基督）承擔了我们的罪；好叫我们在祂里面做成上帝的义”（哥林多前书 5:21）。
Reconciliation is based on imputation: because the demands of God’s
holy law have been fully met on the cross, God can be reconciled to sinners.
Those who believe on Jesus Christ as their Savior will never have their sins
imputed against them again (Ps. 32:1–2; Rom.
和好是基于归算：因为上帝神圣律法的要求在十字架上已经完全满足，上帝可以与罪人和好。那些相信耶稣基督是他们的救主的人，将永远不会再将他们的罪归咎于他们（诗篇 32:1-2；罗马书 4:1-8）。就他们的记录而言，他们分享耶稣基督的义！
There is a lovely illustration of this truth in the little letter
Paul wrote to his friend Philemon. Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, stole from his
master and then fled to Rome
保罗写给他的朋友腓利门的那封小信很好地说明了这个真理。腓利门的奴隶阿尼西母从他的主人那里偷了东西，然后逃到了罗马。因为他的罪行，他本可以被钉死在十字架上。但在上帝的安排下，阿尼西母遇见了保罗，并因他信了耶穌。保罗写给腓利门的信鼓励他的朋友原谅阿尼西母并接他回家。 “接受他如同我自己，”保罗写道（腓利门书 17）； “如果他……欠你什么，就把它记在我的账上”（腓利門书 18 章）。保罗愿意付账（归罪），以便阿尼西母和腓利门和好。
How does this wonderful doctrine of reconciliation motivate us to
serve Christ? We are ambassadors with a message. God has committed to us the ministry
and the word of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18 –19).
这个奇妙的和好教义如何激励我们事奉基督？ 我们是传达福音信息的大使。上帝已将和好的事工和话语交托给我们（哥林多后書 5:18-19）。
In the Roman Empire, there were two kinds of provinces: senatorial
provinces and imperial provinces. The senatorial provinces were made up of
people who were peaceful and not at war with Rome Rome Rome
在罗马帝国，有两种行省：元老院行省和帝国行省。元老院行省由和平而不与罗马交战的人组成。他们已经投降，并歸屬於羅馬。但是帝国各省并不是和平的歸屬。他们很危险，因为如果可以的话，他们会反抗罗马。罗马有必要向帝国各省派遣大使以确保叛乱不会爆发。
Since Christians in this world are the ambassadors of Christ, this
means that the world is in rebellion against God. This world is an “imperial
province” as far as God is concerned. He has sent His ambassadors into the
world to declare peace, not war. “Be ye reconciled to God!” We represent Jesus
Christ (John 20:21 ; 2 Cor.
4:5). If sinners reject us and our message, it is Jesus Christ who is actually
rejected. What a great privilege it is to be heaven’s ambassadors to the
rebellious sinners of this world!
由于这个世界上的基督徒是耶穌基督的使者，这意味着这世界正在背叛上帝。就上帝而言，这世界是一个“帝国的省份”。祂已派遣祂的使者到世上宣告和平，而不是宣战。 “你们要与上帝和好！”我们代表耶稣基督（约翰福音 20:21; 哥林多後書 4:5）。如果罪人拒绝我们和我们的信息，那么实际上是拒绝耶稣基督。成为天上对世上叛逆罪人的使者是何等的荣幸！
When I was a young pastor, it used to embarrass me somewhat to make
visits and confront people with the claims of Christ. Then it came to me that I
was a privileged person, an ambassador of the King of Kings! There was nothing
to be embarrassed about. In fact, the people I visited should have been
grateful that one of Christ’s ambassadors came to see them.
当我还是年轻的牧师时，去拜访并用基督的宣告来面对人時，會让我感到有些尴尬。然后我突然想到，我是多麼有榮幸的人，是万王之王的使者！没有什么可尴尬的。事实上，我拜访的人应该感谢基督，祂差一位使者来看他们。
God has not declared war on the world; at the cross He declared
peace. But one day, He will declare war; and then it will be too late for those
who have rejected the Savior (2 Thess. 1:3–10). Satan is seeking to tear
everything apart in this world, but Christ and His church are involved in the
ministry of reconciliation, bringing things back together again, and back to
God.
上帝没有向世界宣战；祂在十字架上宣告了和平。但总有一天，祂要宣战；然后对于那些拒绝救主的人来说，为时已晚（帖撒罗尼迦后书 1:3-10）。撒但试图将这个世界上的一切都撕裂，但基督和他的教会参与了和好的事工，将一切重新组合在一起，回到上帝面前。
Ministry is not easy. If we are to succeed, we must be motivated by
the fear of the Lord, the love of Christ, and the commission that He has given
to us. What a privilege it is to serve Him!
職事并不容易。如果要成功，我们必须存有对主敬畏的動機、对基督的爱以及祂的職事给我们的使命的激励。侍奉祂是何等的荣幸！
謝謝上帝。
