初信造就 › 第二篇　往事的了结

第二篇　往事的了结

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　　今天我们要提起一个问题，就是人信主之后，怎样了结一切的过去？一个人信主之后，总有许多已往的事没有了，他应当怎样将它一起了结？
　
　　全部圣经，从旧约到新约，特别是新约，神不注重一个人没有信主之前的那些事。你试从马太一章想到启示录二十二章，你能找到几处地方，讲到信主的人对于他已往的事该如何了结？你如果去读，你要说，实在难找得很。就是像书信里提到我们已往行为不对的地方，也都是说从今以后该怎样，并没有说对于从前需要怎样。你们看以弗所书，歌罗西书，帖撒罗尼迦前书，都提到我们的已往如何，但是没有讲到那些已往的应该如何了结，只讲到从今以后应该如何。
　　你们记得，有人到施浸约翰那里去，问他说，“我们当作什么呢？”约翰回答说，“有两件衣裳的，就分给那没有的。有食物的，也当这样行。”你看，这不是说已往，乃是说今后。又有收税的人来问约翰该作什么？约翰说，“除了例定的数目，不要多取。”又有当兵的人来问约翰说，“我们当作什么呢？”约翰说，“不要以强暴待人，也不要讹诈人，自己有钱粮就当知足。”（路三11~14）这给我们看见，就是传悔改的约翰，也是注重今后如何，不是注意已往如何。
　　再看保罗的书信，他也总是注重人以后如何，并不提人对已往该如何。这是什么缘故？因为一切都在宝血底下。我们稍微不小心，就会把福音弄错了，把主的路弄坏了，把悔改的路弄坏了，把赔偿的路弄坏了。这一个问题我们必须好好的解决。
　　林前六9~11：“你们岂不知，不义的人不能承受神的国么？不要自欺；无论是淫乱的，拜偶像的，奸淫的，作娈童的，亲男色的，偷窃的，贪婪的，醉酒的，辱骂的，勒索的，都不能承受神的国。你们中间也有人从前是这样。”他讲到他们从前有这些事，但是他没有讲这些事应当如何去解决。“但如今你们奉主耶稣基督的名，并借着我们神的灵，已经洗净，成圣称义了。”这一个着重点，不是在对付已往。因为有一位救主已经替我们对付了所有的已往。今天着重的点，是以后该如何？得救之后的人，是已经洗净，成圣称义的人。
　　弗二1~5：“你们死在过犯罪恶之中，祂叫你们活过来；那时，你们在其中行事为人随从今世的风俗，顺服空中掌权者的首领，就是现今在悖逆之子心中运行的邪灵；我们从前（还是讲到从前）也都在他们中间，放纵肉体的私欲，随着肉体和心中所喜好的去行，本为可怒之子，和别人一样；然而神既有丰富的怜悯；因祂爱我们的大爱，当我们死在过犯中的时候，便叫我们与基督一同活过来。”这里不是说从前那么多属乎肉体的事该如何去了结；这里只有一个了结，就是我们的主根据于神爱我们的大爱，根据于神丰富的怜悯，祂替我们解决了。
　　弗四17~24，也是讲到我们从前的光景：“所以我说，且在主里确实地说，你们行事，不要再像外邦人存虚妄的心行事；他们心地昏昧，与神所赐的生命隔绝了，都因自己无知，心里刚硬；良心既然丧尽，就放纵私欲，贪行种种的污秽。…就要脱去你们从前行为上的旧人；这旧人是因私欲的迷惑，渐渐变坏的；又要将你们的心志改换一新；并且穿上新人；这新人是照着神的形像造的，有真理的仁义，和圣洁。”
　　四25~31：“所以你们要弃绝谎言。”这是今后的事。没有说从前撒的谎怎么对付，不过说从今以后别撒谎了。今天要“各人与邻舍说实话；…生气却不要犯罪；不可含怒到日落；也不可给魔鬼留地步。”这些话都不是讲从前，乃是讲今后。“从前偷窃的，不要再偷。”他没有说从前偷窃的要去退还，他的着重点还是在今后。从前偷的该怎么还，那是另外一个问题。“总要劳力，亲手作正经事，…污秽的言语，一句不可出口，只要随事说造就人的好话，叫听见的人得益处。不要叫神的圣灵担忧；…一切苦毒，恼恨，忿怒，嚷闹，毁谤，并一切的恶毒，都当从你们中间除掉。”
　　五3~4：“至于淫乱，并一切污秽，或是贪婪，在你们中间连提都不可，方合圣徒的体统。淫词，妄语，和戏笑的话，都不相宜，总要说感谢的话。”这些话还是刚才的原则，都是讲到从今以后的事，信主以后的事，而不是讲信主以前的事该如何了结。
　　你把所有的书信看过之后，你能够找出一个顶奇妙的真理──神所注重的，乃是一个人信主以后该怎么作。对于信主以前的事，神没有注重，没有对我们说该怎么作。这是根基的问头。
　　因为有许多错误的福音，过度的注重对付已往，结果有许多人陷在捆绑里。我们不是不对付已往，有几件事情我们是要对付，但是根基不是这一个。神所着重的点，总是我们已往的罪都在血底下；因着主耶稣替我们死，我们完全得着赦免，我们得救了。我们的得救并不根据如何对付已往。人不是靠已往的好行为得救，人也不是因为悔改已往不好的行为得救。人是靠着主耶稣十字架的拯救得救。这是根基，我们要把得牢。
　
　　那么我们对于已往的事究竟该怎么办呢？我在读新约的时候花了很多的工夫，一直问说，人信了主，他的已往该如何了结？我只找到几个地方提起一点，但都不是教训，而是榜样。
　
　　帖前一9：“离弃偶像归向神。”一个人信主的时候，偶像的事必须解决。请你记得，你是圣灵的殿。神的殿和偶像有什么相同呢？连使徒约翰看见那些信徒的时候，也得对他们说，“小子们哪！你们要自守，远避偶像。”（约壹五21）所以这一个问题，不像我们所以为的那么简单。
　　一件事你们必须注意的，就是说，一切的东西，神都禁止人作它的像。任何人造的东西，你不能有一个意思说，它是活的。你一这样想，那个东西就变作偶像。当然偶像是算不得什么，但是你如果以为它是活的，就不对了。所以对于这些东西的敬拜是禁止的，连心里倾向它也是禁止的。禁止造像是十条诫命里的一条（申五8）。
　　申十二30说，“不可访问他们的神，说，这些国民怎样事奉他们的神。”这给我们知道，连查问这些外邦神是怎样敬拜的，都是不应该作的事。那些头脑好奇的人喜欢在那里研究，他们是怎么办的？他们是怎么事奉的？神禁止我们查问这些。因为你若去查问，跟着第二步就要照着去行。所以要禁止好奇。
　　林后六章说，“神的殿和偶像有什么相同呢？”（16。）这意思是相当明显。基督徒不能到庙宇里去。除非到荒山上去实在找不到地方保护，碰见寺庙去住宿，那是另外一件事。总归信徒是不应该参观庙宇的。因为林后六章明显的说，你们的身体是圣灵的殿；同时说，偶像与圣灵的殿没有什么相同。在环境上或有什么特别的遭遇，我们不敢说；但是故意去游玩，与它们接近，定规是不合宜的事。约翰说，“小子们哪！你们要自守，远避偶像。”远避的意思就是不要接近。
　　诗十六4说，“我嘴唇也不提别神的名号。”所以连在讲台上，除了没有法子要题比方之外，别神的名字我们要留意避免它。还有各种迷信的事，为着命运而有的顾忌，怕这个，怕那个的意思，话语，都不该有。许多信徒还在那里注意说，他的命运如何，他的相貌如何，他的前途如何，这些关于算命看相一类的事，也要禁止的。－诗篇一切在偶像范围里的东西，都应当在神面前一了百了，完全脱离关系。
　　初信的人，第一天就必须脱离偶像。它们的名字必须不提，不能有私人的命运，不能与庙宇接近。对于有形像的东西，不只不可拜，连动意念都不可，所有其他的宗教，他们怎么敬拜，我们不能问。这是已往的，我们应当解决。凡是属于这一类的东西，要摔掉，不要卖掉。应当毁灭，消灭，除掉。关于这一件事，我盼望初信的人，要相当看重，不能随便，因为神对于偶像是非常忌邪的。
　　对于偶像的事，今天你如果站不牢，将来你在地上会碰着最大的偶像，就逃不过。不只泥塑木雕的不能敬拜，就是活的也不能敬拜。的的确确有活的偶像，那大罪人（帖后二3）也是偶像。请你们记得，任何的偶像都不能拜，任何的偶像都应当拒绝。连主耶稣的像，马利亚的像都不能拜。
　　我们必须把这一件事对付得彻底。不然的话，就要走另外一条路。因为我们不是在肉体中事奉，乃是在灵里事奉。神是寻找用灵事奉祂的人，不是用肉体事奉祂的人。神是一个灵，不是一个像。弟兄姊妹若这样作，将来就不会落在罗马教的势力下。有一天，敌基督的要来，罗马教的势力要大大的发展。
　　这是圣经里对付已往的第一件事──要拒绝已往的偶像。人要拒绝偶像，等候神的儿子第二次降临。连主耶稣的像也不应该保留。那不是主耶稣真的样子，没有任何的价值。在罗马的博物馆里头，有二千多种主耶稣的像，根本都是画家的理想。在外国，有许多画家常是到处跑，看见有一个像耶稣的，就给他一点钱，叫他坐下，把他画下来。我告诉你们，这是亵渎的事。神是忌邪的神，神不能让这些事存在。任何的迷信都不能有。比方人说，这几天气色不大好，运气坏得很，这种话完全是地狱里出来的。神的儿女第一天就得把它扫光，彻底的解决，不能让偶像的气味进来。
　
　　徒十九19：“平素行邪术的，也有许多人把书拿来，堆积在众人面前焚烧；他们算计书价，便知道共合五万块钱。”这一件事也是初信的人应当了结和对付的。
　　但这并不是命令，不是教训，乃是圣灵工作的结果。圣灵作工到一个地步，他们把不该有的东西拿出来。这里说五万块钱，可见是相当值钱。不是说把它卖了给教会用，而是把它烧了。如果有犹大在，一定不肯。这不只是三十两银子可以周济穷人。但主喜欢把它用火烧掉。
　　此外有许多可疑惑的东西，也要解决。有的东西，明知道是和罪有关系的，如各种赌具，不正当地书画，非烧掉毁掉不可。也许还有许多奢侈品，过分享受的东西，虽然不能把它焚烧，但也得对付。不过焚烧是一个原则。
　　一个人信主之后，就应当回家去检查他自己的东西。在一个不信的人家里，已往总是有一些东西是与罪有关的，有的也许是与圣徒的体统不合的。与罪有关系的东西不能卖，要毁掉，烧掉。奢侈的东西能改用就改一改来用，不能改用就把它卖掉。
　　利未记十三，十四章讲到长大麻风的衣裳，是一个很好的比方。有的衣服查出来是大麻风，不能洗的就把它烧掉，能洗的就洗一洗再用。有的衣裳样子不对，改一改。有的也许太短，改长一点；有的也许太奇怪，改得平常一点；有的根本不可救药，有罪恶在里面，就得烧掉。有的或者卖掉，把钱送给穷人。
　　对于不正当地东西，应当有一个了结。如果个个初信的人，都把他的东西彻底整理一下，他是起了一个很好的头。迷信的东西要烧掉。有的东西要改一改再用，或者改一改再卖掉。我告诉你们，第一次学了功课，－利未记一辈子忘不了。要知道作基督徒是一件实在的事，不是到礼拜堂去听听道就算数的。
　
　　路十九8：“撒该站着，对主说，主啊！我把所有的一半给穷人；我若讹诈了谁，就还他四倍。”撒该这样作，不是出于道理的教训，乃是由于圣灵的感动。如果是道理的教训，就不能多，也不能少。若是圣灵的感动，就多一点也可以，少一点也可以。撒该说，我若讹诈了谁，就还他四倍；其实还二倍也可以。利未记的原则是加上五分之一，一千块钱就还一千二。不过在受感动的时候，就看主的灵要你怎样作。感动你还四倍也可以，感动你还十倍也可以。在这里只讲原则。所以你们读圣经的时候要清楚，这不是讲教训，这是圣灵作工的时候所引导的。
　　你在信主之前，在已往的时候，如果有什么地方勒索人，欺诈人，偷了人，或者用其他不正当地手续得了不应当得的东西，现在主在你里面作工，你在这些事上就要去好好的对付。这对于你在主面前的得赦免没有关系，可是与你的见证有关系。
　　比方说，我在不信的时候偷了某某人一千块钱；我信了主之后，如果不和他对付清楚，我怎么能对他传福音？我在那里讲，也许他心里一直记得那一千块钱。不错，你在神面前得了赦免；但是，你在他面前没有见证。你不能说，神赦免我了，我不还也没有关系。不，这和你的见证发生关系。
　　请你们记得，撒该拿出四倍来，乃是为着见证。当时大家都说，主怎么能够到这一个罪人家里去？这一个人勒索了多少人，这一个人讹诈了多少人！大家都不佩服。这时撒该站起来说，我如果勒索了什么人，我就还他四倍。这一个四倍的归还，不是作亚伯拉罕子孙的条件。这一个四倍的归还，不是神的救恩临到这一家的条件。这一个四倍的归还，乃是神的救恩临到这一家的结果。这一个四倍的归还，乃是作了亚伯拉罕子孙的结果。因为有这一个恢复的行为的缘故，所以在人面前就有见证。这就是见证的根基。
　　我认识一位弟兄，当他没有信主之前，对于钱财的事不是太清楚，他的同学相当多都是所谓中上阶级的人。他信主之后，相当热心要带领同学归主，但是不行。虽然他非常热心的向他们传福音，但是他们说，那有这样的事！他的钱如何了？他的已往在他们面前没有挪开。这一个弟兄从来没有作撒该。他的罪在神面前是赦免了，什么问题都解决了，可是在同学面前没有解决。他必须承认已往的错，说出已往的错，赔出已往的错，然后才能作见证。见证的恢复，乃是在乎他已往之事的了结。
　　我刚才说过，撒该不是用赔偿四倍来作亚伯拉罕的子孙，撒该不是用赔偿四倍来得着救恩。是因撒该是亚伯拉罕的子孙，所以赔偿四倍。是因撒该是得救的，所以赔偿四倍。他赔偿四倍的用处，是叫别人的嘴被封住，不能说话。这一个四倍，是超越过了他所亏欠的，叫人没有话说，叫见证能恢复。
　　所以弟兄姊妹，你在信主以前有没有对不起人的地方？有没有在东西上亏欠人的地方？有没有把什么东西乱拿到家里来？有没有用不正当地手续把什么东西拿来？如果有，都应当弄清楚。基督徒的悔改，是要认已往的错。普通人的悔改，光是悔改行为。比方说，我这一个人是发脾气的，现在我不发就行了。但基督徒就是现在不发脾气了，对于已往的脾气还得承认是错。不只要在神面前不发，并且要在人面前承认已往发脾气的错。这样，这一件事才算了结。
　　就着你在神面前的问题来说，你从前是偷东西的，今天不偷就了了。你曾带了别人的东西回家，从今天起你不偷了，这一个问题就了了。可是，在人中间不行。就是三年之久你没有再偷，人还要说某人是小偷。所以你信主之后，还要到人面前作见证，解决已往的错误，然后你的地位就清楚了。
　　在这里有一个困难的问题。假定说，我偷了一万钱，现在我连一千块钱都没有，怎么办？这一件事，在原则上你总得向人承认，坦白的说，我已往是偷了，现在我不能赔。赔不赔是另外一件事情，话总得说，见证总得作。不然的话，一辈子不能作见证。
　　请你记得，当你作见证的时候，虽然你个人有难处，但是不能因为有难处的缘故，就不对付，你还是要对付，等你对付了，你在人面前才有见证。
　　有的人曾杀过人，怎么办？这也算作已往的事。这样的事怎么办？在圣经里，有两个得救的人，一个是有直接杀人行为的，一个是有间接杀人行为的。有直接行为的，就是十字架上的强盗。那一个强盗，在希腊文里相当的明显，不只是普通的强盗，乃是杀人放火的强盗。他不是小偷，乃是谋财害命的人。他信了主，罪得了赦免，圣经没有提他已往的事怎么了。还有一个是保罗，保罗没有直接杀人，可是当人杀司提反的时候，他是帮凶，又看守害死司提反之人的衣服。当保罗得救之后，你也没有看见他怎样对付这件事。
　　所以我相信，在原则上，如果有杀人的人信了主，他的罪还是过去的事。没有一个罪，血不能洗净。像那一个强盗，没有去了结这件事，当然也没有机会去了结这些事。主就对他说，“今日你要同我在乐园里了。”（路二三43）所以我们碰着这样的事的时候，不应该把太重的良心重担加在人身上，除非神在他里面作工。因为新约里有两个人，一个是直接杀过人，一个是间接杀过人，神都没有注意挽回已往。不过，我相信有的人良心不平安，是神在那里作工，不是普通的控告；那么，如果对于受害人的家属有什么表示，我们不拦阻。
　
　　一个人得救的时候，在他手里定规有许许多多俗务没有了。好像很容易拦阻他来跟从主，这到底应该怎么办？太八22：“耶稣说，任凭死人埋葬他们的死人，你跟从我吧！”这也是圣经里了结已往的事的一个方法。在这里有一个人来对主耶稣说，“主啊，容我先回去埋葬我的父亲。”主说，“任凭死人埋葬他们的死人，你跟从我吧。”这一个“他们”是指着第一个“死人”。第二个“死人”是指着他的父亲。第一个死人是指着属灵的意思，世界上的人在神面前都是死人。主的意思是说，你的父亲让那些死人去埋，你尽管来跟从我吧！
　　我不是劝初信的人，不要替父亲办丧事；是说让死人去埋葬死人，那一个原则要抓住，许多末了的事让他们去了。如果我们要等办好了这些事，我们一辈子也没有工夫作基督徒。家庭里的事没有了，父亲的事没有了，生活的事没有了，在我们身上有几千几百件的事没有了，谁能作基督徒？所以，那一个原则只有一句话，这些都是死人。你让死人去埋葬死人吧！你让那些属灵上是死人的人，肉体上是死人的人，去处理那些死人的事吧！这是一个原则。这并不是劝初信的人，从今以后不管家里的事；乃是说，不要等到世界的事都办了才来。若是这样的话，你没有法子跟从主了。
　　有许多人要把他的事务弄好了才信主，那就没有机会信主了。这些都是死人的事，你不要被它拖牢。从我们的眼光来看，就是以不了了之。你如果要了了才来跟从主，那你就不得了。你在偶像的事情上，不正当地东西上，亏欠人的事情上，都得彻底对付。至于其他不能了的事，就以不了了之吧！
　　在神的话语里，按着我所能找出来的，大概就是这四类，是一个初信的人对付已往的事所应持的态度。其余许许多多例外的事，我们没有了，就以不了了之。像家庭的本分，我们就让死人去料理，我们没有工夫，我们要跟从主。那些事不是你去了的，让死人去料理就是。许多在属灵上是死的人，让他们去作。
　
　　有弟兄问：得罪了一个人，如果那一个人不知道，是不是也要向他承认？
　　答：问题是有没有物质上的亏欠。有的时候是他们所知道的，像撒该的对付。有的时候是他们不知道的，但如果是物质上的亏欠，还得去承认。不过，最好能和教会一起作，让有经验的弟兄帮你解决，因为他们知道，采用什么样的方法对人更有益处。
　　今天我们要提起一个问题，就是人信主之后，怎样了结一切的过去？一个人信主之后，总有许多已往的事没有了，他应当怎样将它一起了结？
　
　　全部圣经，从旧约到新约，特别是新约，神不注重一个人没有信主之前的那些事。你试从马太一章想到启示录二十二章，你能找到几处地方，讲到信主的人对于他已往的事该如何了结？你如果去读，你要说，实在难找得很。就是像书信里提到我们已往行为不对的地方，也都是说从今以后该怎样，并没有说对于从前需要怎样。你们看以弗所书，歌罗西书，帖撒罗尼迦前书，都提到我们的已往如何，但是没有讲到那些已往的应该如何了结，只讲到从今以后应该如何。
　　你们记得，有人到施浸约翰那里去，问他说，“我们当作什么呢？”约翰回答说，“有两件衣裳的，就分给那没有的。有食物的，也当这样行。”你看，这不是说已往，乃是说今后。又有收税的人来问约翰该作什么？约翰说，“除了例定的数目，不要多取。”又有当兵的人来问约翰说，“我们当作什么呢？”约翰说，“不要以强暴待人，也不要讹诈人，自己有钱粮就当知足。”（路三11~14）这给我们看见，就是传悔改的约翰，也是注重今后如何，不是注意已往如何。
　　再看保罗的书信，他也总是注重人以后如何，并不提人对已往该如何。这是什么缘故？因为一切都在宝血底下。我们稍微不小心，就会把福音弄错了，把主的路弄坏了，把悔改的路弄坏了，把赔偿的路弄坏了。这一个问题我们必须好好的解决。
　　林前六9~11：“你们岂不知，不义的人不能承受神的国么？不要自欺；无论是淫乱的，拜偶像的，奸淫的，作娈童的，亲男色的，偷窃的，贪婪的，醉酒的，辱骂的，勒索的，都不能承受神的国。你们中间也有人从前是这样。”他讲到他们从前有这些事，但是他没有讲这些事应当如何去解决。“但如今你们奉主耶稣基督的名，并借着我们神的灵，已经洗净，成圣称义了。”这一个着重点，不是在对付已往。因为有一位救主已经替我们对付了所有的已往。今天着重的点，是以后该如何？得救之后的人，是已经洗净，成圣称义的人。
　　弗二1~5：“你们死在过犯罪恶之中，祂叫你们活过来；那时，你们在其中行事为人随从今世的风俗，顺服空中掌权者的首领，就是现今在悖逆之子心中运行的邪灵；我们从前（还是讲到从前）也都在他们中间，放纵肉体的私欲，随着肉体和心中所喜好的去行，本为可怒之子，和别人一样；然而神既有丰富的怜悯；因祂爱我们的大爱，当我们死在过犯中的时候，便叫我们与基督一同活过来。”这里不是说从前那么多属乎肉体的事该如何去了结；这里只有一个了结，就是我们的主根据于神爱我们的大爱，根据于神丰富的怜悯，祂替我们解决了。
　　弗四17~24，也是讲到我们从前的光景：“所以我说，且在主里确实地说，你们行事，不要再像外邦人存虚妄的心行事；他们心地昏昧，与神所赐的生命隔绝了，都因自己无知，心里刚硬；良心既然丧尽，就放纵私欲，贪行种种的污秽。…就要脱去你们从前行为上的旧人；这旧人是因私欲的迷惑，渐渐变坏的；又要将你们的心志改换一新；并且穿上新人；这新人是照着神的形像造的，有真理的仁义，和圣洁。”
　　四25~31：“所以你们要弃绝谎言。”这是今后的事。没有说从前撒的谎怎么对付，不过说从今以后别撒谎了。今天要“各人与邻舍说实话；…生气却不要犯罪；不可含怒到日落；也不可给魔鬼留地步。”这些话都不是讲从前，乃是讲今后。“从前偷窃的，不要再偷。”他没有说从前偷窃的要去退还，他的着重点还是在今后。从前偷的该怎么还，那是另外一个问题。“总要劳力，亲手作正经事，…污秽的言语，一句不可出口，只要随事说造就人的好话，叫听见的人得益处。不要叫神的圣灵担忧；…一切苦毒，恼恨，忿怒，嚷闹，毁谤，并一切的恶毒，都当从你们中间除掉。”
　　五3~4：“至于淫乱，并一切污秽，或是贪婪，在你们中间连提都不可，方合圣徒的体统。淫词，妄语，和戏笑的话，都不相宜，总要说感谢的话。”这些话还是刚才的原则，都是讲到从今以后的事，信主以后的事，而不是讲信主以前的事该如何了结。
　　你把所有的书信看过之后，你能够找出一个顶奇妙的真理──神所注重的，乃是一个人信主以后该怎么作。对于信主以前的事，神没有注重，没有对我们说该怎么作。这是根基的问头。
　　因为有许多错误的福音，过度的注重对付已往，结果有许多人陷在捆绑里。我们不是不对付已往，有几件事情我们是要对付，但是根基不是这一个。神所着重的点，总是我们已往的罪都在血底下；因着主耶稣替我们死，我们完全得着赦免，我们得救了。我们的得救并不根据如何对付已往。人不是靠已往的好行为得救，人也不是因为悔改已往不好的行为得救。人是靠着主耶稣十字架的拯救得救。这是根基，我们要把得牢。
　
　　那么我们对于已往的事究竟该怎么办呢？我在读新约的时候花了很多的工夫，一直问说，人信了主，他的已往该如何了结？我只找到几个地方提起一点，但都不是教训，而是榜样。
　
　　帖前一9：“离弃偶像归向神。”一个人信主的时候，偶像的事必须解决。请你记得，你是圣灵的殿。神的殿和偶像有什么相同呢？连使徒约翰看见那些信徒的时候，也得对他们说，“小子们哪！你们要自守，远避偶像。”（约壹五21）所以这一个问题，不像我们所以为的那么简单。
　　一件事你们必须注意的，就是说，一切的东西，神都禁止人作它的像。任何人造的东西，你不能有一个意思说，它是活的。你一这样想，那个东西就变作偶像。当然偶像是算不得什么，但是你如果以为它是活的，就不对了。所以对于这些东西的敬拜是禁止的，连心里倾向它也是禁止的。禁止造像是十条诫命里的一条（申五8）。
　　申十二30说，“不可访问他们的神，说，这些国民怎样事奉他们的神。”这给我们知道，连查问这些外邦神是怎样敬拜的，都是不应该作的事。那些头脑好奇的人喜欢在那里研究，他们是怎么办的？他们是怎么事奉的？神禁止我们查问这些。因为你若去查问，跟着第二步就要照着去行。所以要禁止好奇。
　　林后六章说，“神的殿和偶像有什么相同呢？”（16。）这意思是相当明显。基督徒不能到庙宇里去。除非到荒山上去实在找不到地方保护，碰见寺庙去住宿，那是另外一件事。总归信徒是不应该参观庙宇的。因为林后六章明显的说，你们的身体是圣灵的殿；同时说，偶像与圣灵的殿没有什么相同。在环境上或有什么特别的遭遇，我们不敢说；但是故意去游玩，与它们接近，定规是不合宜的事。约翰说，“小子们哪！你们要自守，远避偶像。”远避的意思就是不要接近。
　　诗十六4说，“我嘴唇也不提别神的名号。”所以连在讲台上，除了没有法子要题比方之外，别神的名字我们要留意避免它。还有各种迷信的事，为着命运而有的顾忌，怕这个，怕那个的意思，话语，都不该有。许多信徒还在那里注意说，他的命运如何，他的相貌如何，他的前途如何，这些关于算命看相一类的事，也要禁止的。－诗篇一切在偶像范围里的东西，都应当在神面前一了百了，完全脱离关系。
　　初信的人，第一天就必须脱离偶像。它们的名字必须不提，不能有私人的命运，不能与庙宇接近。对于有形像的东西，不只不可拜，连动意念都不可，所有其他的宗教，他们怎么敬拜，我们不能问。这是已往的，我们应当解决。凡是属于这一类的东西，要摔掉，不要卖掉。应当毁灭，消灭，除掉。关于这一件事，我盼望初信的人，要相当看重，不能随便，因为神对于偶像是非常忌邪的。
　　对于偶像的事，今天你如果站不牢，将来你在地上会碰着最大的偶像，就逃不过。不只泥塑木雕的不能敬拜，就是活的也不能敬拜。的的确确有活的偶像，那大罪人（帖后二3）也是偶像。请你们记得，任何的偶像都不能拜，任何的偶像都应当拒绝。连主耶稣的像，马利亚的像都不能拜。
　　我们必须把这一件事对付得彻底。不然的话，就要走另外一条路。因为我们不是在肉体中事奉，乃是在灵里事奉。神是寻找用灵事奉祂的人，不是用肉体事奉祂的人。神是一个灵，不是一个像。弟兄姊妹若这样作，将来就不会落在罗马教的势力下。有一天，敌基督的要来，罗马教的势力要大大的发展。
　　这是圣经里对付已往的第一件事──要拒绝已往的偶像。人要拒绝偶像，等候神的儿子第二次降临。连主耶稣的像也不应该保留。那不是主耶稣真的样子，没有任何的价值。在罗马的博物馆里头，有二千多种主耶稣的像，根本都是画家的理想。在外国，有许多画家常是到处跑，看见有一个像耶稣的，就给他一点钱，叫他坐下，把他画下来。我告诉你们，这是亵渎的事。神是忌邪的神，神不能让这些事存在。任何的迷信都不能有。比方人说，这几天气色不大好，运气坏得很，这种话完全是地狱里出来的。神的儿女第一天就得把它扫光，彻底的解决，不能让偶像的气味进来。
　
　　徒十九19：“平素行邪术的，也有许多人把书拿来，堆积在众人面前焚烧；他们算计书价，便知道共合五万块钱。”这一件事也是初信的人应当了结和对付的。
　　但这并不是命令，不是教训，乃是圣灵工作的结果。圣灵作工到一个地步，他们把不该有的东西拿出来。这里说五万块钱，可见是相当值钱。不是说把它卖了给教会用，而是把它烧了。如果有犹大在，一定不肯。这不只是三十两银子可以周济穷人。但主喜欢把它用火烧掉。
　　此外有许多可疑惑的东西，也要解决。有的东西，明知道是和罪有关系的，如各种赌具，不正当地书画，非烧掉毁掉不可。也许还有许多奢侈品，过分享受的东西，虽然不能把它焚烧，但也得对付。不过焚烧是一个原则。
　　一个人信主之后，就应当回家去检查他自己的东西。在一个不信的人家里，已往总是有一些东西是与罪有关的，有的也许是与圣徒的体统不合的。与罪有关系的东西不能卖，要毁掉，烧掉。奢侈的东西能改用就改一改来用，不能改用就把它卖掉。
　　利未记十三，十四章讲到长大麻风的衣裳，是一个很好的比方。有的衣服查出来是大麻风，不能洗的就把它烧掉，能洗的就洗一洗再用。有的衣裳样子不对，改一改。有的也许太短，改长一点；有的也许太奇怪，改得平常一点；有的根本不可救药，有罪恶在里面，就得烧掉。有的或者卖掉，把钱送给穷人。
　　对于不正当地东西，应当有一个了结。如果个个初信的人，都把他的东西彻底整理一下，他是起了一个很好的头。迷信的东西要烧掉。有的东西要改一改再用，或者改一改再卖掉。我告诉你们，第一次学了功课，－利未记一辈子忘不了。要知道作基督徒是一件实在的事，不是到礼拜堂去听听道就算数的。
　
　　路十九8：“撒该站着，对主说，主啊！我把所有的一半给穷人；我若讹诈了谁，就还他四倍。”撒该这样作，不是出于道理的教训，乃是由于圣灵的感动。如果是道理的教训，就不能多，也不能少。若是圣灵的感动，就多一点也可以，少一点也可以。撒该说，我若讹诈了谁，就还他四倍；其实还二倍也可以。利未记的原则是加上五分之一，一千块钱就还一千二。不过在受感动的时候，就看主的灵要你怎样作。感动你还四倍也可以，感动你还十倍也可以。在这里只讲原则。所以你们读圣经的时候要清楚，这不是讲教训，这是圣灵作工的时候所引导的。
　　你在信主之前，在已往的时候，如果有什么地方勒索人，欺诈人，偷了人，或者用其他不正当地手续得了不应当得的东西，现在主在你里面作工，你在这些事上就要去好好的对付。这对于你在主面前的得赦免没有关系，可是与你的见证有关系。
　　比方说，我在不信的时候偷了某某人一千块钱；我信了主之后，如果不和他对付清楚，我怎么能对他传福音？我在那里讲，也许他心里一直记得那一千块钱。不错，你在神面前得了赦免；但是，你在他面前没有见证。你不能说，神赦免我了，我不还也没有关系。不，这和你的见证发生关系。
　　请你们记得，撒该拿出四倍来，乃是为着见证。当时大家都说，主怎么能够到这一个罪人家里去？这一个人勒索了多少人，这一个人讹诈了多少人！大家都不佩服。这时撒该站起来说，我如果勒索了什么人，我就还他四倍。这一个四倍的归还，不是作亚伯拉罕子孙的条件。这一个四倍的归还，不是神的救恩临到这一家的条件。这一个四倍的归还，乃是神的救恩临到这一家的结果。这一个四倍的归还，乃是作了亚伯拉罕子孙的结果。因为有这一个恢复的行为的缘故，所以在人面前就有见证。这就是见证的根基。
　　我认识一位弟兄，当他没有信主之前，对于钱财的事不是太清楚，他的同学相当多都是所谓中上阶级的人。他信主之后，相当热心要带领同学归主，但是不行。虽然他非常热心的向他们传福音，但是他们说，那有这样的事！他的钱如何了？他的已往在他们面前没有挪开。这一个弟兄从来没有作撒该。他的罪在神面前是赦免了，什么问题都解决了，可是在同学面前没有解决。他必须承认已往的错，说出已往的错，赔出已往的错，然后才能作见证。见证的恢复，乃是在乎他已往之事的了结。
　　我刚才说过，撒该不是用赔偿四倍来作亚伯拉罕的子孙，撒该不是用赔偿四倍来得着救恩。是因撒该是亚伯拉罕的子孙，所以赔偿四倍。是因撒该是得救的，所以赔偿四倍。他赔偿四倍的用处，是叫别人的嘴被封住，不能说话。这一个四倍，是超越过了他所亏欠的，叫人没有话说，叫见证能恢复。
　　所以弟兄姊妹，你在信主以前有没有对不起人的地方？有没有在东西上亏欠人的地方？有没有把什么东西乱拿到家里来？有没有用不正当地手续把什么东西拿来？如果有，都应当弄清楚。基督徒的悔改，是要认已往的错。普通人的悔改，光是悔改行为。比方说，我这一个人是发脾气的，现在我不发就行了。但基督徒就是现在不发脾气了，对于已往的脾气还得承认是错。不只要在神面前不发，并且要在人面前承认已往发脾气的错。这样，这一件事才算了结。
　　就着你在神面前的问题来说，你从前是偷东西的，今天不偷就了了。你曾带了别人的东西回家，从今天起你不偷了，这一个问题就了了。可是，在人中间不行。就是三年之久你没有再偷，人还要说某人是小偷。所以你信主之后，还要到人面前作见证，解决已往的错误，然后你的地位就清楚了。
　　在这里有一个困难的问题。假定说，我偷了一万钱，现在我连一千块钱都没有，怎么办？这一件事，在原则上你总得向人承认，坦白的说，我已往是偷了，现在我不能赔。赔不赔是另外一件事情，话总得说，见证总得作。不然的话，一辈子不能作见证。
　　请你记得，当你作见证的时候，虽然你个人有难处，但是不能因为有难处的缘故，就不对付，你还是要对付，等你对付了，你在人面前才有见证。
　　有的人曾杀过人，怎么办？这也算作已往的事。这样的事怎么办？在圣经里，有两个得救的人，一个是有直接杀人行为的，一个是有间接杀人行为的。有直接行为的，就是十字架上的强盗。那一个强盗，在希腊文里相当的明显，不只是普通的强盗，乃是杀人放火的强盗。他不是小偷，乃是谋财害命的人。他信了主，罪得了赦免，圣经没有提他已往的事怎么了。还有一个是保罗，保罗没有直接杀人，可是当人杀司提反的时候，他是帮凶，又看守害死司提反之人的衣服。当保罗得救之后，你也没有看见他怎样对付这件事。
　　所以我相信，在原则上，如果有杀人的人信了主，他的罪还是过去的事。没有一个罪，血不能洗净。像那一个强盗，没有去了结这件事，当然也没有机会去了结这些事。主就对他说，“今日你要同我在乐园里了。”（路二三43）所以我们碰着这样的事的时候，不应该把太重的良心重担加在人身上，除非神在他里面作工。因为新约里有两个人，一个是直接杀过人，一个是间接杀过人，神都没有注意挽回已往。不过，我相信有的人良心不平安，是神在那里作工，不是普通的控告；那么，如果对于受害人的家属有什么表示，我们不拦阻。
　
　　一个人得救的时候，在他手里定规有许许多多俗务没有了。好像很容易拦阻他来跟从主，这到底应该怎么办？太八22：“耶稣说，任凭死人埋葬他们的死人，你跟从我吧！”这也是圣经里了结已往的事的一个方法。在这里有一个人来对主耶稣说，“主啊，容我先回去埋葬我的父亲。”主说，“任凭死人埋葬他们的死人，你跟从我吧。”这一个“他们”是指着第一个“死人”。第二个“死人”是指着他的父亲。第一个死人是指着属灵的意思，世界上的人在神面前都是死人。主的意思是说，你的父亲让那些死人去埋，你尽管来跟从我吧！
　　我不是劝初信的人，不要替父亲办丧事；是说让死人去埋葬死人，那一个原则要抓住，许多末了的事让他们去了。如果我们要等办好了这些事，我们一辈子也没有工夫作基督徒。家庭里的事没有了，父亲的事没有了，生活的事没有了，在我们身上有几千几百件的事没有了，谁能作基督徒？所以，那一个原则只有一句话，这些都是死人。你让死人去埋葬死人吧！你让那些属灵上是死人的人，肉体上是死人的人，去处理那些死人的事吧！这是一个原则。这并不是劝初信的人，从今以后不管家里的事；乃是说，不要等到世界的事都办了才来。若是这样的话，你没有法子跟从主了。
　　有许多人要把他的事务弄好了才信主，那就没有机会信主了。这些都是死人的事，你不要被它拖牢。从我们的眼光来看，就是以不了了之。你如果要了了才来跟从主，那你就不得了。你在偶像的事情上，不正当地东西上，亏欠人的事情上，都得彻底对付。至于其他不能了的事，就以不了了之吧！
　　在神的话语里，按着我所能找出来的，大概就是这四类，是一个初信的人对付已往的事所应持的态度。其余许许多多例外的事，我们没有了，就以不了了之。像家庭的本分，我们就让死人去料理，我们没有工夫，我们要跟从主。那些事不是你去了的，让死人去料理就是。许多在属灵上是死的人，让他们去作。
　
　　有弟兄问：得罪了一个人，如果那一个人不知道，是不是也要向他承认？
　　答：问题是有没有物质上的亏欠。有的时候是他们所知道的，像撒该的对付。有的时候是他们不知道的，但如果是物质上的亏欠，还得去承认。不过，最好能和教会一起作，让有经验的弟兄帮你解决，因为他们知道，采用什么样的方法对人更有益处。
　　今天我们要提起一个问题，就是人信主之后，怎样了结一切的过去？一个人信主之后，总有许多已往的事没有了，他应当怎样将它一起了结？
　
　　全部圣经，从旧约到新约，特别是新约，神不注重一个人没有信主之前的那些事。你试从马太一章想到启示录二十二章，你能找到几处地方，讲到信主的人对于他已往的事该如何了结？你如果去读，你要说，实在难找得很。就是像书信里提到我们已往行为不对的地方，也都是说从今以后该怎样，并没有说对于从前需要怎样。你们看以弗所书，歌罗西书，帖撒罗尼迦前书，都提到我们的已往如何，但是没有讲到那些已往的应该如何了结，只讲到从今以后应该如何。
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启示录二十二章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　你们记得，有人到施浸约翰那里去，问他说，“我们当作什么呢？”约翰回答说，“有两件衣裳的，就分给那没有的。有食物的，也当这样行。”你看，这不是说已往，乃是说今后。又有收税的人来问约翰该作什么？约翰说，“除了例定的数目，不要多取。”又有当兵的人来问约翰说，“我们当作什么呢？”约翰说，“不要以强暴待人，也不要讹诈人，自己有钱粮就当知足。”（路三11~14）这给我们看见，就是传悔改的约翰，也是注重今后如何，不是注意已往如何。
--------本段经节汇集--------
路3:11  
约翰回答他们说，有两件里衣的，就分给那没有的，有食物的，也当这样行。
路3:12  
又有税吏来要受浸，问他说，夫子，我们当作什么？
路3:13  
他说，除了给你们规定的，不要多取。
路3:14  
又有当兵的问他说，我们当作什么？他说，不要以强暴待人，也不要讹诈人，自己有粮饷就当知足。
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　　再看保罗的书信，他也总是注重人以后如何，并不提人对已往该如何。这是什么缘故？因为一切都在宝血底下。我们稍微不小心，就会把福音弄错了，把主的路弄坏了，把悔改的路弄坏了，把赔偿的路弄坏了。这一个问题我们必须好好的解决。　　林前六章九至十一节：“你们岂不知，不义的人不能承受神的国么？不要自欺；无论是淫乱的，拜偶像的，奸淫的，作娈童的，亲男色的，偷窃的，贪婪的，醉酒的，辱骂的，勒索的，都不能承受神的国。你们中间也有人从前是这样。”他讲到他们从前有这些事，但是他没有讲这些事应当如何去解决。“但如今你们奉主耶稣基督的名，并借着我们神的灵，已经洗净，成圣称义了。”这一个着重点，不是在对付已往。因为有一位救主已经替我们对付了所有的已往。今天着重的点，是以后该如何？得救之后的人，是已经洗净，成圣称义的人。
--------本段经节汇集--------
林前6:9  
你们岂不知，不义的不能承受神的国么？不要受迷惑，无论是淫乱的、拜偶像的、奸淫的、作娈童的、同性恋的、
林前6:10  
偷窃的、贪婪的、醉酒的、辱骂的、勒索的，都不能承受神的国。
林前6:11  
你们中间有人从前也是这样，但在主耶稣基督的名里，并在我们神的灵里，你们已经洗净了自己，已经圣别了，已经称义了。
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　　以弗所二章一至五节：“你们死在过犯罪恶之中，祂叫你们活过来；那时，你们在其中行事为人随从今世的风俗，顺服空中掌权者的首领，就是现今在悖逆之子心中运行的邪灵；我们从前（还是讲到从前）也都在他们中间，放纵肉体的私欲，随着肉体和心中所喜好的去行，本为可怒之子，和别人一样；然而神既有丰富的怜悯；因祂爱我们的大爱，当我们死在过犯中的时候，便叫我们与基督一同活过来。”这里不是说从前那么多属乎肉体的事该如何去了结；这里只有一个了结，就是我们的主根据于神爱我们的大爱，根据于神丰富的怜悯，祂替我们解决了。
--------本段经节汇集--------
弗2:1  
而你们原是死在过犯并罪之中，
弗2:2  
那时，你们在其中行事为人，随着这世界的世代，顺着空中掌权者的首领，就是那现今在悖逆之子里面运行之灵的首领；
弗2:3  
我们众人从前也都在他们中间，在我们肉体的私欲里，行事为人，行肉体和思念所意欲的，生来就是可怒的儿女，和其余的人一样；
弗2:4  
然而神富于怜悯，因祂爱我们的大爱，
弗2:5  
竟然在我们因过犯死了的时候，便叫我们一同与基督活过来（你们得救是靠着恩典），
以弗所书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　以弗所四章十七至二十四节，也是讲到我们从前的光景：“所以我说，且在主里确实地说，你们行事，不要再像外邦人存虚妄的心行事；他们心地昏昧，与神所赐的生命隔绝了，都因自己无知，心里刚硬；良心既然丧尽，就放纵私欲，贪行种种的污秽。…就要脱去你们从前行为上的旧人；这旧人是因私欲的迷惑，渐渐变坏的；又要将你们的心志改换一新；并且穿上新人；这新人是照着神的形像造的，有真理的仁义，和圣洁。”
--------本段经节汇集--------
弗4:17  
所以我这样说，且在主里见证，你们行事为人，不要再像外邦人在他们心思的虚妄里行事为人，
弗4:18  
他们在悟性上既然昏暗，就因着那在他们里面的无知，因着他们心里的刚硬，与神的生命隔绝了；
弗4:19  
他们感觉既然丧尽，就任凭自己放荡，以致贪行种种的污秽。
弗4:20  
但你们并不是这样学了基督；
弗4:21  
如果你们真是听过祂，并在祂里面，照着那在耶稣身上是实际者，受过教导，
弗4:22  
在从前的生活样式上，脱去了旧人，这旧人是照着那迷惑的情欲败坏的；
弗4:23  
而在你们心思的灵里得以更新，
弗4:24  
并且穿上了新人，这新人是照着神，在那实际的义和圣中所创造的。
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　　四章二十五至三十一节：“所以你们要弃绝谎言。”这是今后的事。没有说从前撒的谎怎么对付，不过说从今以后别撒谎了。今天要“各人与邻舍说实话；…生气却不要犯罪；不可含怒到日落；也不可给魔鬼留地步。”这些话都不是讲从前，乃是讲今后。“从前偷窃的，不要再偷。”他没有说从前偷窃的要去退还，他的着重点还是在今后。从前偷的该怎么还，那是另外一个问题。“总要劳力，亲手作正经事，…污秽的言语，一句不可出口，只要随事说造就人的好话，叫听见的人得益处。不要叫神的圣灵担忧；…一切苦毒，恼恨，忿怒，嚷闹，毁谤，并一切的恶毒，都当从你们中间除掉。”　　五章三至四节：“至于淫乱，并一切污秽，或是贪婪，在你们中间连提都不可，方合圣徒的体统。淫词，妄语，和戏笑的话，都不相宜，总要说感谢的话。”这些话还是刚才的原则，都是讲到从今以后的事，信主以后的事，而不是讲信主以前的事该如何了结。　　你把所有的书信看过之后，你能够找出一个顶奇妙的真理──神所注重的，乃是一个人信主以后该怎么作。对于信主以前的事，神没有注重，没有对我们说该怎么作。这是根基的问头。　　因为有许多错误的福音，过度的注重对付已往，结果有许多人陷在捆绑里。我们不是不对付已往，有几件事情我们是要对付，但是根基不是这一个。神所着重的点，总是我们已往的罪都在血底下；因着主耶稣替我们死，我们完全得着赦免，我们得救了。我们的得救并不根据如何对付已往。人不是靠已往的好行为得救，人也不是因为悔改已往不好的行为得救。人是靠着主耶稣十字架的拯救得救。这是根基，我们要把得牢。
　
　　那么我们对于已往的事究竟该怎么办呢？我在读新约的时候花了很多的工夫，一直问说，人信了主，他的已往该如何了结？我只找到几个地方提起一点，但都不是教训，而是榜样。
　
　　帖前一章九节：“离弃偶像归向神。”一个人信主的时候，偶像的事必须解决。请你记得，你是圣灵的殿。神的殿和偶像有什么相同呢？连使徒约翰看见那些信徒的时候，也得对他们说，“小子们哪！你们要自守，远避偶像。”（约壹五21）所以这一个问题，不像我们所以为的那么简单。
--------本段经节汇集--------
帖前1:9  
因为他们自己正在传报关于我们的事，就是我们是怎样地进到了你们那里，你们又是怎样离弃了偶像转向神，来服事又活又真的神，
帖撒罗尼迦前书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
约壹5:21  
孩子们，你们要保守自己，远避偶像。
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　　一件事你们必须注意的，就是说，一切的东西，神都禁止人作它的像。任何人造的东西，你不能有一个意思说，它是活的。你一这样想，那个东西就变作偶像。当然偶像是算不得什么，但是你如果以为它是活的，就不对了。所以对于这些东西的敬拜是禁止的，连心里倾向它也是禁止的。禁止造像是十条诫命里的一条（申五8）。
--------本段经节汇集--------
申5:8  
不可为自己雕制偶像，也不可雕制任何上天、下地和地底下水中之物的像。
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　　申命记十二章三十节说，“不可访问他们的神，说，这些国民怎样事奉他们的神。”这给我们知道，连查问这些外邦神是怎样敬拜的，都是不应该作的事。那些头脑好奇的人喜欢在那里研究，他们是怎么办的？他们是怎么事奉的？神禁止我们查问这些。因为你若去查问，跟着第二步就要照着去行。所以要禁止好奇。
--------本段经节汇集--------
申12:30  
那时你要谨慎，不可在他们从你面前被除灭之后，随从他们，以致陷入网罗，也不可寻求他们的神，说，这些国民怎样事奉他们的神，我也要照样行。
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　　林后六章说，“神的殿和偶像有什么相同呢？”（16。）这意思是相当明显。基督徒不能到庙宇里去。除非到荒山上去实在找不到地方保护，碰见寺庙去住宿，那是另外一件事。总归信徒是不应该参观庙宇的。因为林后六章明显的说，你们的身体是圣灵的殿；同时说，偶像与圣灵的殿没有什么相同。在环境上或有什么特别的遭遇，我们不敢说；但是故意去游玩，与它们接近，定规是不合宜的事。约翰说，“小子们哪！你们要自守，远避偶像。”远避的意思就是不要接近。
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哥林多后书六章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
林后6:16  
神的殿同偶像有什么一致？因为我们是活神的殿，就如神曾说，“我要在他们中间居住，在他们中间行走；我要作他们的神，他们要作我的子民。”
哥林多后书六章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　诗篇十六篇四节说，“我嘴唇也不提别神的名号。”所以连在讲台上，除了没有法子要题比方之外，别神的名字我们要留意避免它。还有各种迷信的事，为着命运而有的顾忌，怕这个，怕那个的意思，话语，都不该有。许多信徒还在那里注意说，他的命运如何，他的相貌如何，他的前途如何，这些关于算命看相一类的事，也要禁止的。一切在偶像范围里的东西，都应当在神面前一了百了，完全脱离关系。
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诗16:4  
以别神代替耶和华的，他们的愁苦必加增；他们所浇奠的血我不献上，我嘴唇也不提别神的名号。
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　　初信的人，第一天就必须脱离偶像。它们的名字必须不提，不能有私人的命运，不能与庙宇接近。对于有形像的东西，不只不可拜，连动意念都不可，所有其他的宗教，他们怎么敬拜，我们不能问。这是已往的，我们应当解决。凡是属于这一类的东西，要摔掉，不要卖掉。应当毁灭，消灭，除掉。关于这一件事，我盼望初信的人，要相当看重，不能随便，因为神对于偶像是非常忌邪的。　　对于偶像的事，今天你如果站不牢，将来你在地上会碰着最大的偶像，就逃不过。不只泥塑木雕的不能敬拜，就是活的也不能敬拜。的的确确有活的偶像，那大罪人（帖后二3）也是偶像。请你们记得，任何的偶像都不能拜，任何的偶像都应当拒绝。连主耶稣的像，马利亚的像都不能拜。
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帖后2:3  
不要让任何人用任何方法诱骗你们；因为那日子以前，必有背道的事先来，并有那不法的人，就是灭亡之子，显露出来；
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　　我们必须把这一件事对付得彻底。不然的话，就要走另外一条路。因为我们不是在肉体中事奉，乃是在灵里事奉。神是寻找用灵事奉祂的人，不是用肉体事奉祂的人。神是一个灵，不是一个像。弟兄姊妹若这样作，将来就不会落在罗马教的势力下。有一天，敌基督的要来，罗马教的势力要大大的发展。　　这是圣经里对付已往的第一件事──要拒绝已往的偶像。人要拒绝偶像，等候神的儿子第二次降临。连主耶稣的像也不应该保留。那不是主耶稣真的样子，没有任何的价值。在罗马的博物馆里头，有二千多种主耶稣的像，根本都是画家的理想。在外国，有许多画家常是到处跑，看见有一个像耶稣的，就给他一点钱，叫他坐下，把他画下来。我告诉你们，这是亵渎的事。神是忌邪的神，神不能让这些事存在。任何的迷信都不能有。比方人说，这几天气色不大好，运气坏得很，这种话完全是地狱里出来的。神的儿女第一天就得把它扫光，彻底的解决，不能让偶像的气味进来。
　
　　行传十九章十九节：“平素行邪术的，也有许多人把书拿来，堆积在众人面前焚烧；他们算计书价，便知道共合五万块钱。”这一件事也是初信的人应当了结和对付的。
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徒19:19  
又有许多行巫术的人，把书拿来，堆在众人面前烧毁了。他们计算书价，便知道共合五万银币。
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　　但这并不是命令，不是教训，乃是圣灵工作的结果。圣灵作工到一个地步，他们把不该有的东西拿出来。这里说五万块钱，可见是相当值钱。不是说把它卖了给教会用，而是把它烧了。如果有犹大在，一定不肯。这不只是三十两银子可以周济穷人。但主喜欢把它用火烧掉。　　此外有许多可疑惑的东西，也要解决。有的东西，明知道是和罪有关系的，如各种赌具，不正当地书画，非烧掉毁掉不可。也许还有许多奢侈品，过分享受的东西，虽然不能把它焚烧，但也得对付。不过焚烧是一个原则。　　一个人信主之后，就应当回家去检查他自己的东西。在一个不信的人家里，已往总是有一些东西是与罪有关的，有的也许是与圣徒的体统不合的。与罪有关系的东西不能卖，要毁掉，烧掉。奢侈的东西能改用就改一改来用，不能改用就把它卖掉。　　利未记十三，十四章讲到长大麻风的衣裳，是一个很好的比方。有的衣服查出来是大麻风，不能洗的就把它烧掉，能洗的就洗一洗再用。有的衣裳样子不对，改一改。有的也许太短，改长一点；有的也许太奇怪，改得平常一点；有的根本不可救药，有罪恶在里面，就得烧掉。有的或者卖掉，把钱送给穷人。
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利未记十三章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
利未记十四章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　对于不正当地东西，应当有一个了结。如果个个初信的人，都把他的东西彻底整理一下，他是起了一个很好的头。迷信的东西要烧掉。有的东西要改一改再用，或者改一改再卖掉。我告诉你们，第一次学了功课，一辈子忘不了。要知道作基督徒是一件实在的事，不是到礼拜堂去听听道就算数的。
　
　　路加十九章八节：“撒该站着，对主说，主啊！我把所有的一半给穷人；我若讹诈了谁，就还他四倍。”撒该这样作，不是出于道理的教训，乃是由于圣灵的感动。如果是道理的教训，就不能多，也不能少。若是圣灵的感动，就多一点也可以，少一点也可以。撒该说，我若讹诈了谁，就还他四倍；其实还二倍也可以。利未记的原则是加上五分之一，一千块钱就还一千二。不过在受感动的时候，就看主的灵要你怎样作。感动你还四倍也可以，感动你还十倍也可以。在这里只讲原则。所以你们读圣经的时候要清楚，这不是讲教训，这是圣灵作工的时候所引导的。
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路19:8  
撒该站着，对主说，主啊，看哪，我把家业的一半给穷人，我若讹诈了谁，就还他四倍。
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　　你在信主之前，在已往的时候，如果有什么地方勒索人，欺诈人，偷了人，或者用其他不正当地手续得了不应当得的东西，现在主在你里面作工，你在这些事上就要去好好的对付。这对于你在主面前的得赦免没有关系，可是与你的见证有关系。　　比方说，我在不信的时候偷了某某人一千块钱；我信了主之后，如果不和他对付清楚，我怎么能对他传福音？我在那里讲，也许他心里一直记得那一千块钱。不错，你在神面前得了赦免；但是，你在他面前没有见证。你不能说，神赦免我了，我不还也没有关系。不，这和你的见证发生关系。　　请你们记得，撒该拿出四倍来，乃是为着见证。当时大家都说，主怎么能够到这一个罪人家里去？这一个人勒索了多少人，这一个人讹诈了多少人！大家都不佩服。这时撒该站起来说，我如果勒索了什么人，我就还他四倍。这一个四倍的归还，不是作亚伯拉罕子孙的条件。这一个四倍的归还，不是神的救恩临到这一家的条件。这一个四倍的归还，乃是神的救恩临到这一家的结果。这一个四倍的归还，乃是作了亚伯拉罕子孙的结果。因为有这一个恢复的行为的缘故，所以在人面前就有见证。这就是见证的根基。　　我认识一位弟兄，当他没有信主之前，对于钱财的事不是太清楚，他的同学相当多都是所谓中上阶级的人。他信主之后，相当热心要带领同学归主，但是不行。虽然他非常热心的向他们传福音，但是他们说，那有这样的事！他的钱如何了？他的已往在他们面前没有挪开。这一个弟兄从来没有作撒该。他的罪在神面前是赦免了，什么问题都解决了，可是在同学面前没有解决。他必须承认已往的错，说出已往的错，赔出已往的错，然后才能作见证。见证的恢复，乃是在乎他已往之事的了结。　　我刚才说过，撒该不是用赔偿四倍来作亚伯拉罕的子孙，撒该不是用赔偿四倍来得着救恩。是因撒该是亚伯拉罕的子孙，所以赔偿四倍。是因撒该是得救的，所以赔偿四倍。他赔偿四倍的用处，是叫别人的嘴被封住，不能说话。这一个四倍，是超越过了他所亏欠的，叫人没有话说，叫见证能恢复。　　所以弟兄姊妹，你在信主以前有没有对不起人的地方？有没有在东西上亏欠人的地方？有没有把什么东西乱拿到家里来？有没有用不正当地手续把什么东西拿来？如果有，都应当弄清楚。基督徒的悔改，是要认已往的错。普通人的悔改，光是悔改行为。比方说，我这一个人是发脾气的，现在我不发就行了。但基督徒就是现在不发脾气了，对于已往的脾气还得承认是错。不只要在神面前不发，并且要在人面前承认已往发脾气的错。这样，这一件事才算了结。　　就着你在神面前的问题来说，你从前是偷东西的，今天不偷就了了。你曾带了别人的东西回家，从今天起你不偷了，这一个问题就了了。可是，在人中间不行。就是三年之久你没有再偷，人还要说某人是小偷。所以你信主之后，还要到人面前作见证，解决已往的错误，然后你的地位就清楚了。　　在这里有一个困难的问题。假定说，我偷了一万钱，现在我连一千块钱都没有，怎么办？这一件事，在原则上你总得向人承认，坦白的说，我已往是偷了，现在我不能赔。赔不赔是另外一件事情，话总得说，见证总得作。不然的话，一辈子不能作见证。　　请你记得，当你作见证的时候，虽然你个人有难处，但是不能因为有难处的缘故，就不对付，你还是要对付，等你对付了，你在人面前才有见证。　　有的人曾杀过人，怎么办？这也算作已往的事。这样的事怎么办？在圣经里，有两个得救的人，一个是有直接杀人行为的，一个是有间接杀人行为的。有直接行为的，就是十字架上的强盗。那一个强盗，在希腊文里相当的明显，不只是普通的强盗，乃是杀人放火的强盗。他不是小偷，乃是谋财害命的人。他信了主，罪得了赦免，圣经没有提他已往的事怎么了。还有一个是保罗，保罗没有直接杀人，可是当人杀司提反的时候，他是帮凶，又看守害死司提反之人的衣服。当保罗得救之后，你也没有看见他怎样对付这件事。　　所以我相信，在原则上，如果有杀人的人信了主，他的罪还是过去的事。没有一个罪，血不能洗净。像那一个强盗，没有去了结这件事，当然也没有机会去了结这些事。主就对他说，“今日你要同我在乐园里了。”（路二三43）所以我们碰着这样的事的时候，不应该把太重的良心重担加在人身上，除非神在他里面作工。因为新约里有两个人，一个是直接杀过人，一个是间接杀过人，神都没有注意挽回已往。不过，我相信有的人良心不平安，是神在那里作工，不是普通的控告；那么，如果对于受害人的家属有什么表示，我们不拦阻。
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路23:43  
耶稣对他说，我实在告诉你，今日你要同我在乐园里了。
路加福音一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
路加福音一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　一个人得救的时候，在他手里定规有许许多多俗务没有了。好像很容易拦阻他来跟从主，这到底应该怎么办？马太八章二十二节：“耶稣说，任凭死人埋葬他们的死人，你跟从我吧！”这也是圣经里了结已往的事的一个方法。在这里有一个人来对主耶稣说，“主啊，容我先回去埋葬我的父亲。”主说，“任凭死人埋葬他们的死人，你跟从我吧。”这一个“他们”是指着第一个“死人”。第二个“死人”是指着他的父亲。第一个死人是指着属灵的意思，世界上的人在神面前都是死人。主的意思是说，你的父亲让那些死人去埋，你尽管来跟从我吧！
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太8:22  
耶稣说，让死人埋葬他们的死人，你跟从我吧。
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　　我不是劝初信的人，不要替父亲办丧事；是说让死人去埋葬死人，那一个原则要抓住，许多末了的事让他们去了。如果我们要等办好了这些事，我们一辈子也没有工夫作基督徒。家庭里的事没有了，父亲的事没有了，生活的事没有了，在我们身上有几千几百件的事没有了，谁能作基督徒？所以，那一个原则只有一句话，这些都是死人。你让死人去埋葬死人吧！你让那些属灵上是死人的人，肉体上是死人的人，去处理那些死人的事吧！这是一个原则。这并不是劝初信的人，从今以后不管家里的事；乃是说，不要等到世界的事都办了才来。若是这样的话，你没有法子跟从主了。　　有许多人要把他的事务弄好了才信主，那就没有机会信主了。这些都是死人的事，你不要被它拖牢。从我们的眼光来看，就是以不了了之。你如果要了了才来跟从主，那你就不得了。你在偶像的事情上，不正当地东西上，亏欠人的事情上，都得彻底对付。至于其他不能了的事，就以不了了之吧！　　在神的话语里，按着我所能找出来的，大概就是这四类，是一个初信的人对付已往的事所应持的态度。其余许许多多例外的事，我们没有了，就以不了了之。像家庭的本分，我们就让死人去料理，我们没有工夫，我们要跟从主。那些事不是你去了的，让死人去料理就是。许多在属灵上是死的人，让他们去作。
　
　　有弟兄问：得罪了一个人，如果那一个人不知道，是不是也要向他承认？　　答：问题是有没有物质上的亏欠。有的时候是他们所知道的，像撒该的对付。有的时候是他们不知道的，但如果是物质上的亏欠，还得去承认。不过，最好能和教会一起作，让有经验的弟兄帮你解决，因为他们知道，采用什么样的方法对人更有益处。
　Today we come to the question of how a person deals with his past after believing in the Lord. After believing in the Lord, a person still carries many things of the past with him. How should he terminate these things?
　
Ⅰ
　
The teaching of the Bible being concerned with what one does after salvation
　The entire Bible, both the Old Testament and the New Testament, but especially the New Testament, shows that God does not pay attention to what a person does before he believes in the Lord. Try to find a verse from Matthew 1 to Revelation 22 on how believers should terminate their past, and you will see how hard it is to find something on this subject. Even the Epistles, which touch on our wrongdoings in the past, mainly tell us what we should do hereafter, not what we should do about our past. The books of Ephesians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians all cover something about our past, but they do not tell us how we should terminate our past; they only tell us how we should go on.
　You may recall that someone asked John the Baptist, "What then shall we do?" John answered, "He who has two tunics, let him share with the one who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise." He did not talk about their past but about their future. Some tax collectors came to John and asked what they should do. John answered, "Exact nothing more than what you have been ordered to." Some soldiers also asked, "What shall we do?" John replied, "Extort nothing from anyone by force, nor take anything by false accusation, and be content with your wages" (Luke 3:10-14). This shows us that John, who preached repentance, emphasized the things that we should do hereafter, not the things of the past.
　Let us also consider Paul's Epistles. He always emphasized what we should do in the future, not what we should do regarding the past, because everything of the past has been covered under the precious blood. If we err a little in this matter, we will corrupt the gospel; we will corrupt the way of the Lord, the way of repentance, and the way of restitution. We must deal with this subject carefully.
　"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be led astray; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor effeminate nor homosexuals nor thieves nor the covetous, not drunkards, not revilers, not the rapacious will inherit the kingdom of God. And these things were some of you" (1 Cor. 6:9-11a). Here Paul speaks of the believers' past conduct, but he does not say how they should deal with it. "But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:11b). The emphasis here is not on dealing with the past, because we have a Savior who has already dealt with all our past. Today the emphasis is on what we should do hereafter. A saved person is already washed, sanctified, and justified.
　"And you, though dead in your offenses and sins, in which you once walked according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, of the spirit which is now operating in the sons of disobedience; among whom we also all conducted ourselves once in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest; but God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ" (Eph. 2:1-5). These verses do not tell us how we should terminate the things of the flesh. There is only one termination — our Lord's termination of everything for us based upon the great love with which God loved us and the rich mercy of God.
　Ephesians 4:17-24 also speaks of our past condition. "This therefore I say and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance which is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lasciviousness to work all uncleanness in greediness...that you put off, as regards your former manner of life, the old man, which is being corrupted according to the lusts of the deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new man, which was created according to God in righteousness and holiness of the reality."
　"Therefore having put off the lie" (Eph. 4:25a). This refers to the things hereafter. It does not tell us how to deal with our past falsehood but that henceforth we should no longer remain in falsehood. Today we must "speak truth each one with his neighbor...Be angry, yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your indignation, neither give place to the devil" (Eph. 4:25b-27). These verses do not refer to the past but to the future. "He who steals should steal no more" (Eph. 4:28a). Paul did not say that he who steals needs to return what was stolen. His emphasis is still on hereafter. What was stolen in the past is another matter. "But rather should labor, working with his own hands in that which is respectable...Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but only that which is good for building up, according to the need, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God...Let all bitterness and anger and wrath and clamor and evil speaking be removed from you, with all malice" (Eph. 4:28b-31).
　"But fornication and all uncleanness or greediness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints, and obscenity and foolish talking or sly, filthy jesting, which are not becoming, but rather the giving of thanks" (Eph. 5:3-4). These words are still in the same principle. They speak of things after one believes in the Lord. They are not about the termination of things done before one believes in the Lord.
　After reading all the Epistles, we find a marvelous truth: God pays attention only to what a person should do after he has believed in the Lord. He does not pay attention to the things he has done in his past. He does not tell us what to do with them. This is a basic principle.
　Many people are in bondage because they have accepted a wrong gospel. Such a gospel places too much stress on dealing with one's past. This does not mean that we do not need to deal with our past. Certain things of our past must be dealt with, but such a dealing is not the foundation of our going on. God always draws our attention to the fact that our past sins are under the blood. We are fully forgiven and saved because the Lord Jesus has died for us. Our salvation is not based on how we deal with the past. Man is not saved by repentance for his past bad deeds, just as he is not saved by trusting in his past good deeds. Man is saved through the salvation accomplished by the Lord on the cross. We should hold fast to this foundation.
　
Ⅱ
　
New Testament examples of dealing with the past
　What then should we do with the things of our past? In reading the New Testament, I have spent much time to find out how one should terminate his past after believing in the Lord. I found only a few passages where the subject is mentioned briefly. However, they are not teachings but examples.
　
A
　
Matters related to idols needing to be dealt with thoroughly
　First Thessalonians 1:9 says, "You turned to God from the idols." When a person believes in the Lord, he must deal with all idols. Please remember that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. What agreement does the temple of God have with idols? Even the apostle John, in addressing the believers, said, "Little children, guard yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21). Hence, this is not as simple a matter as many may think.
　One thing we must take note of is that God forbids man to make an image of anything. We cannot consider a man-made object to be living. The moment we have such a thought, the object becomes an idol to us. Of course, idols are nothing, but if we consider them to be living, we fall into error. This is why God forbids the worship of such things. Even an inclination in the heart towards them is forbidden. One of the Ten Commandments forbids the making of idols (Deut. 5:8).
　Deuteronomy 12:30 says, "Be careful...lest you seek after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods?" This shows us that we should not even inquire how the Gentiles worship their gods. Some who are curious like to study how the nations worship and serve their gods. But God forbids us to inquire about such matters. If we inquire about them, the next thing we will do is worship their gods. Hence, we are forbidden from being curious.
　Second Corinthians 6:16 says, "What agreement does the temple of God have with idols?" The meaning here is quite obvious. Christians should not visit temples. There are exceptions of course, such as when a person is stranded on a deserted mountain and cannot find a place for shelter at night and there is only a temple for lodging. But generally speaking, believers should not visit any temple. This is because 2 Corinthians 6:16 says clearly that we are the temple of the living God. It also says that there is no agreement between idols and the temple of the living God. Unless one is pressed by special occasion or circumstance, it is inadvisable to go near or purposely tour any temple. John says, "Little children, guard yourselves from idols." Guarding ourselves from idols means staying away from them.
　Psalm 16:4 says, "Nor will I take up their names upon My lips." Even at the pulpit, we should carefully avoid the names of other gods except in the case of a necessary illustration. We should not hold on to any superstition, fear of misfortune, or taboo for certain associations or words. Many believers still pay attention to fortunes, the reading of facial features, and destinies. Everything related to fortune-telling or horoscopes is prohibited. Everything in the realm of idolatry should be dealt with thoroughly before God. We should sever our relationship with it completely.
　A new believer must give up his idols from the very first day of his salvation. He should not mention the names of idols, be involved with fortune-telling, or visit any temples. We cannot worship anything with an image. Even the thought of worshipping such things is forbidden. We cannot inquire about the worship of other religions. All these things belong to the past, and we should deal with them. Anything that falls into these categories should be destroyed; they should not even be sold. We should destroy, exterminate, and remove them. I hope that new believers will not take this matter lightly; they have to be very careful about these things, for God is extremely jealous of idols.
　If you cannot take a strong stand against idols today, you will have a hard time escaping the greatest idol on earth in the future. Of course, we should not worship idols made of clay or wood. But even if there is an idol that is living, we must not worship it. There are actually living idols — the man of lawlessness (2 Thes. 2:3) being one. Please remember that you cannot worship any idols; you must reject all of them, even images of the Lord Jesus and Mary.
　We must deal with this matter thoroughly. Otherwise, we will be distracted to follow another way. We are those who serve not in the flesh but in spirit. God is seeking those who serve Him in spirit, not in the flesh. God is Spirit, not an image. If all the brothers and sisters take care of this matter, they will not fall into the hands of Roman Catholicism in the future. One day Antichrist will come, and the power of Roman Catholicism will be greatly expanded.
　In the Bible, the first thing one has to do in dealing with his past is to reject all former idols. We must turn away from idols and wait for the coming of the Son of God. We should not even keep any picture of the Lord Jesus. Such pictures are not the real image of the Lord Jesus; they are worthless. In the museums in Rome, there are over two thousand different images of the Lord Jesus. All of them represent the imagination of the artists. In some countries artists often look for people who resemble their idea of Jesus and then pay them to pose for portraits of Jesus. This is blasphemous. Our God is a jealous God, and He will not tolerate such things among us. There should not be any kind of superstition. Some people like to say, "It is not a good day today; there are bad omens." Such remarks are directly from hell. God's children should get rid of these ideas from the very first day and deal with them in a thorough way. They should not allow any flavor of idolatry to come in.
　
B
　
Improper objects needing to be terminated
　"And a considerable number of those who practiced magic brought their books together and burned them before all; and they counted up the price of them and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver" (Acts 19:19). This is another matter which new believers should deal with and terminate.
　This is not a command or a teaching; it is the result of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit moved in such a strong way that the Ephesians brought out all the improper books in their possession. Here it says the price was "fifty thousand pieces of silver," which is a considerable sum. They did not sell their books and give the money to the church. Instead, the books were burned. If Judas had been present, he certainly would not have allowed this. This was much more than thirty pieces of silver which could have been given to the poor. But the Lord was pleased to have them burned.
　Apart from the kind of objects mentioned above, there are many other questionable objects that need to be dealt with. Some of them are clearly related to sins. Gambling instruments and improper books and pictures are some examples. These must be burned or destroyed. There may be many luxury items and objects of indulgence which cannot be burned. However, they still need to be removed. Burning, however, is the general principle in dealing with these things.
　After a person believes in the Lord, he should go home and check through his personal belongings. In an unbeliever's home, there is always something related to sin. He may have things which do not befit the saints. Things related to sin must be burned or destroyed; they cannot be sold. Luxury items should be converted and altered if possible. If they cannot be altered, we must sell them.
　The garments of the lepers in Leviticus 13 and 14 are a good illustration. Garments which have become leprous and cannot be washed must be burned. However, those which can be washed should be washed for reuse. If the style of our clothes is unbecoming, we can alter them. Some garments may be too short, and we can lengthen them; others are odd-looking, and we can make them look more inconspicuous. Some objects cannot be salvaged; they have the element of sin in them, in which case we have to burn them. Those that can be sold should be sold, and the money should be given to the poor.
　There should be a termination of improper things. If every new believer will go through all his belongings thoroughly, he will have a very good start. Superstitious objects have to be burned. Others can be altered or sold after being altered. Once we learn this lesson, we will not forget it for the rest of our lives. We must realize that being a Christian is a very practical matter; it is not just a matter of going to "church" and listening to some sermons.
　
C
　
Repaying debts
　"And Zaccheus stood and said to the Lord, Behold, the half of my possessions, Lord, I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore four times as much" (Luke 19:8). Zaccheus did not do this as a result of doctrinal teaching; he did this as a result of the working of the Holy Spirit. If it had been the result of doctrinal teaching, only the exact amount would have been repaid, no more and no less. But since it was the working of the Holy Spirit, the amount could vary; it could be a little more or a little less. Zaccheus said, "If I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore four times as much." Actually, a double compensation would have been more than adequate. The principle in the book of Leviticus is to add one-fifth to the original amount. For one thousand dollars, you would have to repay one thousand two hundred dollars. But if one is touched, he can pay as much as the Lord's Spirit directs him to pay. He can be moved to repay four times or ten times as much. What is spoken of here is only a principle. In reading the Bible, we must be clear that what is covered is not a mere teaching. It is the result of the leading of the Holy Spirit when He operates in man.
　Suppose that before you became a believer, you had extorted or defrauded others, stolen from them, or obtained things by improper means. Now that the Lord is working within, you have to deal with these things in a proper manner. This has nothing to do with the forgiveness you received from the Lord, but it is very much related to your testimony.
　Suppose I stole a thousand dollars from someone before I was saved. If I have not dealt with the matter clearly, how can I preach the gospel to that person after I am saved? While I am preaching to him, his heart may still be on the thousand dollars. No doubt, I have received forgiveness from God, but I do not have a proper testimony before man. I cannot say, "Since God has forgiven me, it does not matter whether or not I repay him." No, this matter is related to my testimony.
　Please remember that Zaccheus restored four times as much for the sake of his testimony. At that time everyone was saying, "How could the Lord lodge in this sinner's home? He has extorted and defrauded many people!" They were all indignant. While they were saying this, Zaccheus stood up and said, "If I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore four times as much." This fourfold restoration was neither a requirement for becoming a son of Abraham nor a requirement for God's salvation coming to Zaccheus's house. This fourfold restoration was the result of God's salvation coming to Zaccheus's house and of his becoming a son of Abraham. Due to this act of restoration, Zaccheus had a testimony before man. This was the basis of his testimony.
　I knew a brother who was not very upright in financial matters before he believed in the Lord. Many of his classmates were upper middle-class people. After he believed in the Lord, he became rather zealous in leading his classmates to the Lord. But he did not see much fruit. Although he earnestly preached the gospel to them, they said in their heart, "What is this? What about all the money?" His past had not been eradicated from them. This brother did not follow the example of Zaccheus. His sins were forgiven before God. All his problems were solved. But the matter concerning his money before his classmates was not resolved. He had to confess and make recompense for all his past wrongdoings before he could testify to others. The restoration of his testimony depended on the termination of his past.
　As I have mentioned, Zaccheus did not become a son of Abraham by restoring four times as much. Neither did he gain salvation by restoring four times as much. Rather, he restored four times as much because he was a child of Abraham. He restored four times as much because he was saved. By restoring four times as much, he shut the mouths of others. They could no longer say anything. His fourfold restoration went far beyond what he owed, thus shutting the mouths of others and restoring his testimony.
　Brothers and sisters, did you wrong anyone in any way before you became a believer? Do you owe anyone anything? Have you taken things home which belong to others? Have you taken anything by improper means? If so, you have to deal with all these things properly. The repentance of a Christian has to do with confessing his past wrongdoings, whereas the repentance of ordinary men only involves a change in his present conduct. For example, as a human being, if I have a bad temper, I need only to refrain from my temper. But as a Christian, in addition to refraining from my temper, I have to apologize for my former temper. Apart from not losing my temper before God, I must also apologize for my former temper before men. Only then can this matter be terminated.
　Suppose you stole from others in the past. Your problem before God is settled as long as you no longer steal. Likewise, if you have ever taken things that belonged to others, your problem is settled once you stop doing it. However, this is not enough for you to have a testimony before men. Even if you have not stolen anything in three years, others may still consider you as a thief. After believing in the Lord, you must testify before men; you must deal with all your mistakes in the past. Only then will your position be clear.
　But here is a difficult problem. Suppose you stole ten thousand dollars from someone. What should you do if you do not even have one thousand dollars now? In principle you have to confess to the person from whom you have stolen. You should tell him frankly that you cannot repay him at the present time. Whether or not you can repay him immediately is another matter; you should still confess and testify to him. If you do not testify now, you will not be able to testify for the rest of your life.
　Please remember that in the course of giving your testimony, you may be affected by personal problems. But you cannot avoid dealing with these problems. You still must deal with the problems. You can have a testimony before men only after you have dealt with your problems.
　Some have committed murder in the past. What should they do now? This is a part of their past. In the Bible there are two murderers who were saved. One was involved directly with the act of murder, while the other murdered indirectly. The first one was the robber on the cross. It is clear in the Greek language that the word robber does not just mean an ordinary robber; it means a criminal who engages in such acts as murder and arson. He was not just a thief but one who robbed and killed. After he believed in the Lord, his sins were forgiven. The Bible does not tell us how he terminated his past. The other person is Paul. He was not involved in any direct murder. However, he was an accomplice in the murder of Stephen, and he watched over the garments of those who killed Stephen. After Paul was saved, nothing was said about how he dealt with this matter.
　In principle I believe that once a murderer has believed in the Lord, his sins are behind him. There is no sin which cannot be cleansed by the blood. The robber did not have to do anything to terminate his past. In fact, he had no opportunity to do anything. The Lord said to him, "Today you shall be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). Therefore, when we encounter such cases, we should not overly burden the conscience of others, unless of course God has first worked in that person's heart. This is because in the two New Testament cases that deal with murder — one directly and the other indirectly — God did not pay attention to the rectification of the past. However, I believe that some have no peace in their conscience, not because they are suffering from ordinary accusations, but because God is working in them. In such cases, we should not stop them from expressing their regrets to the victim's family.
　
D
　
The termination of unsettled matters
　When a person is saved, he surely has many unsettled secular matters at hand. These may easily hinder him from following the Lord. What should he do? "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead" (Matt. 8:22). This is another biblical case of terminating the past. Here, a man came to Jesus and said to Him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father" (v. 21). The Lord said, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead." The word their refers to the first use of the word dead, whereas the second dead refers to the man's father. The first dead refers to those who are spiritually dead. In God's eyes those in the world are spiritually dead. The Lord was saying that the man should let the dead bury his father, while he should follow the Lord.
　I am not exhorting new believers to not make funeral arrangements for their fathers. I am saying that the dead should bury their own dead. We must lay hold of this principle. We should let go of unfinished business. If we wait until we have finished settling them before we become Christians, we will never have the time. There are hundreds and thousands of items of unfinished business in our families, with our fathers, and in our lives. Who then could become a Christian? There is only one word to describe the principle behind all of these things — these are dead people. Let the dead bury their dead. Let the spiritually dead handle the matters of the dead! This is the principle. This is not to exhort new believers to neglect their family. It means that they should not wait until they have settled all their earthly matters before coming to the Lord. If they do, they will not be able to follow the Lord.
　Many people want to settle all of their affairs before they believe in the Lord. If so, they will have no opportunity to believe in Him. We should not be bound by matters of the dead. Instead, we should just regard the unsettled matters as settled. If we want to settle them before following the Lord, we will never make it. Matters concerning idols, improper things, and debts must be dealt with thoroughly. As for other unsettled matters, we should just let them go!
　With regard to the attitude of a new believer towards his past, I can only find the above four categories of things in the Word of God. As for many other unsettled affairs, we should regard them as settled. As to family duties, we should let the dead take care of the dead. We have no time to deal with them. We want to follow the Lord. Those things are not for us to settle; they are for the dead to take care of. Let the ones who are spiritually dead handle them.
　
A question
　A brother asked: If I have offended a person and he is not aware of it, must I also confess to him?
　Answer: It all depends on whether or not he has suffered material loss. If the other party is aware of this loss, you should deal with the matter by following Zaccheus's example. Even if he is unaware of this loss, you should still confess to him, especially when material loss is involved. It is best to bring the matter to the church and let the more experienced brothers help you solve it because they know what is most expedient.
 
　　今天我们要提起一个问题，就是人信主之后，怎样了结一切的过去？一个人信主之后，总有许多已往的事没有了，他应当怎样将它一起了结？
 
　Today we come to the question of how a person deals with his past after believing in the Lord. After believing in the Lord, a person still carries many things of the past with him. How should he terminate these things?
　　全部圣经，从旧约到新约，特别是新约，神不注重一个人没有信主之前的那些事。你试从马太一章想到启示录二十二章，你能找到几处地方，讲到信主的人对于他已往的事该如何了结？你如果去读，你要说，实在难找得很。就是像书信里提到我们已往行为不对的地方，也都是说从今以后该怎样，并没有说对于从前需要怎样。你们看以弗所书，歌罗西书，帖撒罗尼迦前书，都提到我们的已往如何，但是没有讲到那些已往的应该如何了结，只讲到从今以后应该如何。

　　你们记得，有人到施浸约翰那里去，问他说，“我们当作什么呢？”约翰回答说，“有两件衣裳的，就分给那没有的。有食物的，也当这样行。”你看，这不是说已往，乃是说今后。又有收税的人来问约翰该作什么？约翰说，“除了例定的数目，不要多取。”又有当兵的人来问约翰说，“我们当作什么呢？”约翰说，“不要以强暴待人，也不要讹诈人，自己有钱粮就当知足。”（路三11~14）这给我们看见，就是传悔改的约翰，也是注重今后如何，不是注意已往如何。

　　再看保罗的书信，他也总是注重人以后如何，并不提人对已往该如何。这是什么缘故？因为一切都在宝血底下。我们稍微不小心，就会把福音弄错了，把主的路弄坏了，把悔改的路弄坏了，把赔偿的路弄坏了。这一个问题我们必须好好的解决。

　　林前六章九至十一节：“你们岂不知，不义的人不能承受神的国么？不要自欺；无论是淫乱的，拜偶像的，奸淫的，作娈童的，亲男色的，偷窃的，贪婪的，醉酒的，辱骂的，勒索的，都不能承受神的国。你们中间也有人从前是这样。”他讲到他们从前有这些事，但是他没有讲这些事应当如何去解决。“但如今你们奉主耶稣基督的名，并借着我们神的灵，已经洗净，成圣称义了。”这一个着重点，不是在对付已往。因为有一位救主已经替我们对付了所有的已往。今天着重的点，是以后该如何？得救之后的人，是已经洗净，成圣称义的人。

　　以弗所二章一至五节：“你们死在过犯罪恶之中，祂叫你们活过来；那时，你们在其中行事为人随从今世的风俗，顺服空中掌权者的首领，就是现今在悖逆之子心中运行的邪灵；我们从前（还是讲到从前）也都在他们中间，放纵肉体的私欲，随着肉体和心中所喜好的去行，本为可怒之子，和别人一样；然而神既有丰富的怜悯；因祂爱我们的大爱，当我们死在过犯中的时候，便叫我们与基督一同活过来。”这里不是说从前那么多属乎肉体的事该如何去了结；这里只有一个了结，就是我们的主根据于神爱我们的大爱，根据于神丰富的怜悯，祂替我们解决了。

　　以弗所四章十七至二十四节，也是讲到我们从前的光景：“所以我说，且在主里确实地说，你们行事，不要再像外邦人存虚妄的心行事；他们心地昏昧，与神所赐的生命隔绝了，都因自己无知，心里刚硬；良心既然丧尽，就放纵私欲，贪行种种的污秽。…就要脱去你们从前行为上的旧人；这旧人是因私欲的迷惑，渐渐变坏的；又要将你们的心志改换一新；并且穿上新人；这新人是照着神的形像造的，有真理的仁义，和圣洁。”

　　四章二十五至三十一节：“所以你们要弃绝谎言。”这是今后的事。没有说从前撒的谎怎么对付，不过说从今以后别撒谎了。今天要“各人与邻舍说实话；…生气却不要犯罪；不可含怒到日落；也不可给魔鬼留地步。”这些话都不是讲从前，乃是讲今后。“从前偷窃的，不要再偷。”他没有说从前偷窃的要去退还，他的着重点还是在今后。从前偷的该怎么还，那是另外一个问题。“总要劳力，亲手作正经事，…污秽的言语，一句不可出口，只要随事说造就人的好话，叫听见的人得益处。不要叫神的圣灵担忧；…一切苦毒，恼恨，忿怒，嚷闹，毁谤，并一切的恶毒，都当从你们中间除掉。”

　　五章三至四节：“至于淫乱，并一切污秽，或是贪婪，在你们中间连提都不可，方合圣徒的体统。淫词，妄语，和戏笑的话，都不相宜，总要说感谢的话。”这些话还是刚才的原则，都是讲到从今以后的事，信主以后的事，而不是讲信主以前的事该如何了结。

　　你把所有的书信看过之后，你能够找出一个顶奇妙的真理──神所注重的，乃是一个人信主以后该怎么作。对于信主以前的事，神没有注重，没有对我们说该怎么作。这是根基的问头。

　　因为有许多错误的福音，过度的注重对付已往，结果有许多人陷在捆绑里。我们不是不对付已往，有几件事情我们是要对付，但是根基不是这一个。神所着重的点，总是我们已往的罪都在血底下；因着主耶稣替我们死，我们完全得着赦免，我们得救了。我们的得救并不根据如何对付已往。人不是靠已往的好行为得救，人也不是因为悔改已往不好的行为得救。人是靠着主耶稣十字架的拯救得救。这是根基，我们要把得牢。
 
　The entire Bible, both the Old Testament and the New Testament, but especially the New Testament, shows that God does not pay attention to what a person does before he believes in the Lord. Try to find a verse from Matthew 1 to Revelation 22 on how believers should terminate their past, and you will see how hard it is to find something on this subject. Even the Epistles, which touch on our wrongdoings in the past, mainly tell us what we should do hereafter, not what we should do about our past. The books of Ephesians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians all cover something about our past, but they do not tell us how we should terminate our past; they only tell us how we should go on.

　You may recall that someone asked John the Baptist, "What then shall we do?" John answered, "He who has two tunics, let him share with the one who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise." He did not talk about their past but about their future. Some tax collectors came to John and asked what they should do. John answered, "Exact nothing more than what you have been ordered to." Some soldiers also asked, "What shall we do?" John replied, "Extort nothing from anyone by force, nor take anything by false accusation, and be content with your wages" (Luke 3:10-14). This shows us that John, who preached repentance, emphasized the things that we should do hereafter, not the things of the past.

　Let us also consider Paul's Epistles. He always emphasized what we should do in the future, not what we should do regarding the past, because everything of the past has been covered under the precious blood. If we err a little in this matter, we will corrupt the gospel; we will corrupt the way of the Lord, the way of repentance, and the way of restitution. We must deal with this subject carefully.

　"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be led astray; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor effeminate nor homosexuals nor thieves nor the covetous, not drunkards, not revilers, not the rapacious will inherit the kingdom of God. And these things were some of you" (1 Cor. 6:9-11a). Here Paul speaks of the believers' past conduct, but he does not say how they should deal with it. "But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:11b). The emphasis here is not on dealing with the past, because we have a Savior who has already dealt with all our past. Today the emphasis is on what we should do hereafter. A saved person is already washed, sanctified, and justified.

　"And you, though dead in your offenses and sins, in which you once walked according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, of the spirit which is now operating in the sons of disobedience; among whom we also all conducted ourselves once in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest; but God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ" (Eph. 2:1-5). These verses do not tell us how we should terminate the things of the flesh. There is only one termination — our Lord's termination of everything for us based upon the great love with which God loved us and the rich mercy of God.

　Ephesians 4:17-24 also speaks of our past condition. "This therefore I say and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance which is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lasciviousness to work all uncleanness in greediness...that you put off, as regards your former manner of life, the old man, which is being corrupted according to the lusts of the deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new man, which was created according to God in righteousness and holiness of the reality."

　"Therefore having put off the lie" (Eph. 4:25a). This refers to the things hereafter. It does not tell us how to deal with our past falsehood but that henceforth we should no longer remain in falsehood. Today we must "speak truth each one with his neighbor...Be angry, yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your indignation, neither give place to the devil" (Eph. 4:25b-27). These verses do not refer to the past but to the future. "He who steals should steal no more" (Eph. 4:28a). Paul did not say that he who steals needs to return what was stolen. His emphasis is still on hereafter. What was stolen in the past is another matter. "But rather should labor, working with his own hands in that which is respectable...Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but only that which is good for building up, according to the need, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God...Let all bitterness and anger and wrath and clamor and evil speaking be removed from you, with all malice" (Eph. 4:28b-31).

　"But fornication and all uncleanness or greediness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints, and obscenity and foolish talking or sly, filthy jesting, which are not becoming, but rather the giving of thanks" (Eph. 5:3-4). These words are still in the same principle. They speak of things after one believes in the Lord. They are not about the termination of things done before one believes in the Lord.

　After reading all the Epistles, we find a marvelous truth: God pays attention only to what a person should do after he has believed in the Lord. He does not pay attention to the things he has done in his past. He does not tell us what to do with them. This is a basic principle.

　Many people are in bondage because they have accepted a wrong gospel. Such a gospel places too much stress on dealing with one's past. This does not mean that we do not need to deal with our past. Certain things of our past must be dealt with, but such a dealing is not the foundation of our going on. God always draws our attention to the fact that our past sins are under the blood. We are fully forgiven and saved because the Lord Jesus has died for us. Our salvation is not based on how we deal with the past. Man is not saved by repentance for his past bad deeds, just as he is not saved by trusting in his past good deeds. Man is saved through the salvation accomplished by the Lord on the cross. We should hold fast to this foundation.
　　那么我们对于已往的事究竟该怎么办呢？我在读新约的时候花了很多的工夫，一直问说，人信了主，他的已往该如何了结？我只找到几个地方提起一点，但都不是教训，而是榜样。
 
　What then should we do with the things of our past? In reading the New Testament, I have spent much time to find out how one should terminate his past after believing in the Lord. I found only a few passages where the subject is mentioned briefly. However, they are not teachings but examples.
　　帖前一章九节：“离弃偶像归向神。”一个人信主的时候，偶像的事必须解决。请你记得，你是圣灵的殿。神的殿和偶像有什么相同呢？连使徒约翰看见那些信徒的时候，也得对他们说，“小子们哪！你们要自守，远避偶像。”（约壹五21）所以这一个问题，不像我们所以为的那么简单。

　　一件事你们必须注意的，就是说，一切的东西，神都禁止人作它的像。任何人造的东西，你不能有一个意思说，它是活的。你一这样想，那个东西就变作偶像。当然偶像是算不得什么，但是你如果以为它是活的，就不对了。所以对于这些东西的敬拜是禁止的，连心里倾向它也是禁止的。禁止造像是十条诫命里的一条（申五8）。

　　申命记十二章三十节说，“不可访问他们的神，说，这些国民怎样事奉他们的神。”这给我们知道，连查问这些外邦神是怎样敬拜的，都是不应该作的事。那些头脑好奇的人喜欢在那里研究，他们是怎么办的？他们是怎么事奉的？神禁止我们查问这些。因为你若去查问，跟着第二步就要照着去行。所以要禁止好奇。

　　林后六章说，“神的殿和偶像有什么相同呢？”（16。）这意思是相当明显。基督徒不能到庙宇里去。除非到荒山上去实在找不到地方保护，碰见寺庙去住宿，那是另外一件事。总归信徒是不应该参观庙宇的。因为林后六章明显的说，你们的身体是圣灵的殿；同时说，偶像与圣灵的殿没有什么相同。在环境上或有什么特别的遭遇，我们不敢说；但是故意去游玩，与它们接近，定规是不合宜的事。约翰说，“小子们哪！你们要自守，远避偶像。”远避的意思就是不要接近。

　　诗篇十六篇四节说，“我嘴唇也不提别神的名号。”所以连在讲台上，除了没有法子要题比方之外，别神的名字我们要留意避免它。还有各种迷信的事，为着命运而有的顾忌，怕这个，怕那个的意思，话语，都不该有。许多信徒还在那里注意说，他的命运如何，他的相貌如何，他的前途如何，这些关于算命看相一类的事，也要禁止的。一切在偶像范围里的东西，都应当在神面前一了百了，完全脱离关系。

　　初信的人，第一天就必须脱离偶像。它们的名字必须不提，不能有私人的命运，不能与庙宇接近。对于有形像的东西，不只不可拜，连动意念都不可，所有其他的宗教，他们怎么敬拜，我们不能问。这是已往的，我们应当解决。凡是属于这一类的东西，要摔掉，不要卖掉。应当毁灭，消灭，除掉。关于这一件事，我盼望初信的人，要相当看重，不能随便，因为神对于偶像是非常忌邪的。

　　对于偶像的事，今天你如果站不牢，将来你在地上会碰着最大的偶像，就逃不过。不只泥塑木雕的不能敬拜，就是活的也不能敬拜。的的确确有活的偶像，那大罪人（帖后二3）也是偶像。请你们记得，任何的偶像都不能拜，任何的偶像都应当拒绝。连主耶稣的像，马利亚的像都不能拜。

　　我们必须把这一件事对付得彻底。不然的话，就要走另外一条路。因为我们不是在肉体中事奉，乃是在灵里事奉。神是寻找用灵事奉祂的人，不是用肉体事奉祂的人。神是一个灵，不是一个像。弟兄姊妹若这样作，将来就不会落在罗马教的势力下。有一天，敌基督的要来，罗马教的势力要大大的发展。

　　这是圣经里对付已往的第一件事──要拒绝已往的偶像。人要拒绝偶像，等候神的儿子第二次降临。连主耶稣的像也不应该保留。那不是主耶稣真的样子，没有任何的价值。在罗马的博物馆里头，有二千多种主耶稣的像，根本都是画家的理想。在外国，有许多画家常是到处跑，看见有一个像耶稣的，就给他一点钱，叫他坐下，把他画下来。我告诉你们，这是亵渎的事。神是忌邪的神，神不能让这些事存在。任何的迷信都不能有。比方人说，这几天气色不大好，运气坏得很，这种话完全是地狱里出来的。神的儿女第一天就得把它扫光，彻底的解决，不能让偶像的气味进来。
 
　First Thessalonians 1:9 says, "You turned to God from the idols." When a person believes in the Lord, he must deal with all idols. Please remember that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. What agreement does the temple of God have with idols? Even the apostle John, in addressing the believers, said, "Little children, guard yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21). Hence, this is not as simple a matter as many may think.

　One thing we must take note of is that God forbids man to make an image of anything. We cannot consider a man-made object to be living. The moment we have such a thought, the object becomes an idol to us. Of course, idols are nothing, but if we consider them to be living, we fall into error. This is why God forbids the worship of such things. Even an inclination in the heart towards them is forbidden. One of the Ten Commandments forbids the making of idols (Deut. 5:8).

　Deuteronomy 12:30 says, "Be careful...lest you seek after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods?" This shows us that we should not even inquire how the Gentiles worship their gods. Some who are curious like to study how the nations worship and serve their gods. But God forbids us to inquire about such matters. If we inquire about them, the next thing we will do is worship their gods. Hence, we are forbidden from being curious.

　Second Corinthians 6:16 says, "What agreement does the temple of God have with idols?" The meaning here is quite obvious. Christians should not visit temples. There are exceptions of course, such as when a person is stranded on a deserted mountain and cannot find a place for shelter at night and there is only a temple for lodging. But generally speaking, believers should not visit any temple. This is because 2 Corinthians 6:16 says clearly that we are the temple of the living God. It also says that there is no agreement between idols and the temple of the living God. Unless one is pressed by special occasion or circumstance, it is inadvisable to go near or purposely tour any temple. John says, "Little children, guard yourselves from idols." Guarding ourselves from idols means staying away from them.

　Psalm 16:4 says, "Nor will I take up their names upon My lips." Even at the pulpit, we should carefully avoid the names of other gods except in the case of a necessary illustration. We should not hold on to any superstition, fear of misfortune, or taboo for certain associations or words. Many believers still pay attention to fortunes, the reading of facial features, and destinies. Everything related to fortune-telling or horoscopes is prohibited. Everything in the realm of idolatry should be dealt with thoroughly before God. We should sever our relationship with it completely.

　A new believer must give up his idols from the very first day of his salvation. He should not mention the names of idols, be involved with fortune-telling, or visit any temples. We cannot worship anything with an image. Even the thought of worshipping such things is forbidden. We cannot inquire about the worship of other religions. All these things belong to the past, and we should deal with them. Anything that falls into these categories should be destroyed; they should not even be sold. We should destroy, exterminate, and remove them. I hope that new believers will not take this matter lightly; they have to be very careful about these things, for God is extremely jealous of idols.

　If you cannot take a strong stand against idols today, you will have a hard time escaping the greatest idol on earth in the future. Of course, we should not worship idols made of clay or wood. But even if there is an idol that is living, we must not worship it. There are actually living idols — the man of lawlessness (2 Thes. 2:3) being one. Please remember that you cannot worship any idols; you must reject all of them, even images of the Lord Jesus and Mary.

　We must deal with this matter thoroughly. Otherwise, we will be distracted to follow another way. We are those who serve not in the flesh but in spirit. God is seeking those who serve Him in spirit, not in the flesh. God is Spirit, not an image. If all the brothers and sisters take care of this matter, they will not fall into the hands of Roman Catholicism in the future. One day Antichrist will come, and the power of Roman Catholicism will be greatly expanded.

　In the Bible, the first thing one has to do in dealing with his past is to reject all former idols. We must turn away from idols and wait for the coming of the Son of God. We should not even keep any picture of the Lord Jesus. Such pictures are not the real image of the Lord Jesus; they are worthless. In the museums in Rome, there are over two thousand different images of the Lord Jesus. All of them represent the imagination of the artists. In some countries artists often look for people who resemble their idea of Jesus and then pay them to pose for portraits of Jesus. This is blasphemous. Our God is a jealous God, and He will not tolerate such things among us. There should not be any kind of superstition. Some people like to say, "It is not a good day today; there are bad omens." Such remarks are directly from hell. God's children should get rid of these ideas from the very first day and deal with them in a thorough way. They should not allow any flavor of idolatry to come in.
　　行传十九章十九节：“平素行邪术的，也有许多人把书拿来，堆积在众人面前焚烧；他们算计书价，便知道共合五万块钱。”这一件事也是初信的人应当了结和对付的。

　　但这并不是命令，不是教训，乃是圣灵工作的结果。圣灵作工到一个地步，他们把不该有的东西拿出来。这里说五万块钱，可见是相当值钱。不是说把它卖了给教会用，而是把它烧了。如果有犹大在，一定不肯。这不只是三十两银子可以周济穷人。但主喜欢把它用火烧掉。

　　此外有许多可疑惑的东西，也要解决。有的东西，明知道是和罪有关系的，如各种赌具，不正当地书画，非烧掉毁掉不可。也许还有许多奢侈品，过分享受的东西，虽然不能把它焚烧，但也得对付。不过焚烧是一个原则。

　　一个人信主之后，就应当回家去检查他自己的东西。在一个不信的人家里，已往总是有一些东西是与罪有关的，有的也许是与圣徒的体统不合的。与罪有关系的东西不能卖，要毁掉，烧掉。奢侈的东西能改用就改一改来用，不能改用就把它卖掉。

　　利未记十三，十四章讲到长大麻风的衣裳，是一个很好的比方。有的衣服查出来是大麻风，不能洗的就把它烧掉，能洗的就洗一洗再用。有的衣裳样子不对，改一改。有的也许太短，改长一点；有的也许太奇怪，改得平常一点；有的根本不可救药，有罪恶在里面，就得烧掉。有的或者卖掉，把钱送给穷人。

　　对于不正当地东西，应当有一个了结。如果个个初信的人，都把他的东西彻底整理一下，他是起了一个很好的头。迷信的东西要烧掉。有的东西要改一改再用，或者改一改再卖掉。我告诉你们，第一次学了功课，一辈子忘不了。要知道作基督徒是一件实在的事，不是到礼拜堂去听听道就算数的。
 
　"And a considerable number of those who practiced magic brought their books together and burned them before all; and they counted up the price of them and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver" (Acts 19:19). This is another matter which new believers should deal with and terminate.

　This is not a command or a teaching; it is the result of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit moved in such a strong way that the Ephesians brought out all the improper books in their possession. Here it says the price was "fifty thousand pieces of silver," which is a considerable sum. They did not sell their books and give the money to the church. Instead, the books were burned. If Judas had been present, he certainly would not have allowed this. This was much more than thirty pieces of silver which could have been given to the poor. But the Lord was pleased to have them burned.

　Apart from the kind of objects mentioned above, there are many other questionable objects that need to be dealt with. Some of them are clearly related to sins. Gambling instruments and improper books and pictures are some examples. These must be burned or destroyed. There may be many luxury items and objects of indulgence which cannot be burned. However, they still need to be removed. Burning, however, is the general principle in dealing with these things.

　After a person believes in the Lord, he should go home and check through his personal belongings. In an unbeliever's home, there is always something related to sin. He may have things which do not befit the saints. Things related to sin must be burned or destroyed; they cannot be sold. Luxury items should be converted and altered if possible. If they cannot be altered, we must sell them.

　The garments of the lepers in Leviticus 13 and 14 are a good illustration. Garments which have become leprous and cannot be washed must be burned. However, those which can be washed should be washed for reuse. If the style of our clothes is unbecoming, we can alter them. Some garments may be too short, and we can lengthen them; others are odd-looking, and we can make them look more inconspicuous. Some objects cannot be salvaged; they have the element of sin in them, in which case we have to burn them. Those that can be sold should be sold, and the money should be given to the poor.

　There should be a termination of improper things. If every new believer will go through all his belongings thoroughly, he will have a very good start. Superstitious objects have to be burned. Others can be altered or sold after being altered. Once we learn this lesson, we will not forget it for the rest of our lives. We must realize that being a Christian is a very practical matter; it is not just a matter of going to "church" and listening to some sermons.
　　路加十九章八节：“撒该站着，对主说，主啊！我把所有的一半给穷人；我若讹诈了谁，就还他四倍。”撒该这样作，不是出于道理的教训，乃是由于圣灵的感动。如果是道理的教训，就不能多，也不能少。若是圣灵的感动，就多一点也可以，少一点也可以。撒该说，我若讹诈了谁，就还他四倍；其实还二倍也可以。利未记的原则是加上五分之一，一千块钱就还一千二。不过在受感动的时候，就看主的灵要你怎样作。感动你还四倍也可以，感动你还十倍也可以。在这里只讲原则。所以你们读圣经的时候要清楚，这不是讲教训，这是圣灵作工的时候所引导的。

　　你在信主之前，在已往的时候，如果有什么地方勒索人，欺诈人，偷了人，或者用其他不正当地手续得了不应当得的东西，现在主在你里面作工，你在这些事上就要去好好的对付。这对于你在主面前的得赦免没有关系，可是与你的见证有关系。

　　比方说，我在不信的时候偷了某某人一千块钱；我信了主之后，如果不和他对付清楚，我怎么能对他传福音？我在那里讲，也许他心里一直记得那一千块钱。不错，你在神面前得了赦免；但是，你在他面前没有见证。你不能说，神赦免我了，我不还也没有关系。不，这和你的见证发生关系。

　　请你们记得，撒该拿出四倍来，乃是为着见证。当时大家都说，主怎么能够到这一个罪人家里去？这一个人勒索了多少人，这一个人讹诈了多少人！大家都不佩服。这时撒该站起来说，我如果勒索了什么人，我就还他四倍。这一个四倍的归还，不是作亚伯拉罕子孙的条件。这一个四倍的归还，不是神的救恩临到这一家的条件。这一个四倍的归还，乃是神的救恩临到这一家的结果。这一个四倍的归还，乃是作了亚伯拉罕子孙的结果。因为有这一个恢复的行为的缘故，所以在人面前就有见证。这就是见证的根基。

　　我认识一位弟兄，当他没有信主之前，对于钱财的事不是太清楚，他的同学相当多都是所谓中上阶级的人。他信主之后，相当热心要带领同学归主，但是不行。虽然他非常热心的向他们传福音，但是他们说，那有这样的事！他的钱如何了？他的已往在他们面前没有挪开。这一个弟兄从来没有作撒该。他的罪在神面前是赦免了，什么问题都解决了，可是在同学面前没有解决。他必须承认已往的错，说出已往的错，赔出已往的错，然后才能作见证。见证的恢复，乃是在乎他已往之事的了结。

　　我刚才说过，撒该不是用赔偿四倍来作亚伯拉罕的子孙，撒该不是用赔偿四倍来得着救恩。是因撒该是亚伯拉罕的子孙，所以赔偿四倍。是因撒该是得救的，所以赔偿四倍。他赔偿四倍的用处，是叫别人的嘴被封住，不能说话。这一个四倍，是超越过了他所亏欠的，叫人没有话说，叫见证能恢复。

　　所以弟兄姊妹，你在信主以前有没有对不起人的地方？有没有在东西上亏欠人的地方？有没有把什么东西乱拿到家里来？有没有用不正当地手续把什么东西拿来？如果有，都应当弄清楚。基督徒的悔改，是要认已往的错。普通人的悔改，光是悔改行为。比方说，我这一个人是发脾气的，现在我不发就行了。但基督徒就是现在不发脾气了，对于已往的脾气还得承认是错。不只要在神面前不发，并且要在人面前承认已往发脾气的错。这样，这一件事才算了结。

　　就着你在神面前的问题来说，你从前是偷东西的，今天不偷就了了。你曾带了别人的东西回家，从今天起你不偷了，这一个问题就了了。可是，在人中间不行。就是三年之久你没有再偷，人还要说某人是小偷。所以你信主之后，还要到人面前作见证，解决已往的错误，然后你的地位就清楚了。

　　在这里有一个困难的问题。假定说，我偷了一万钱，现在我连一千块钱都没有，怎么办？这一件事，在原则上你总得向人承认，坦白的说，我已往是偷了，现在我不能赔。赔不赔是另外一件事情，话总得说，见证总得作。不然的话，一辈子不能作见证。

　　请你记得，当你作见证的时候，虽然你个人有难处，但是不能因为有难处的缘故，就不对付，你还是要对付，等你对付了，你在人面前才有见证。

　　有的人曾杀过人，怎么办？这也算作已往的事。这样的事怎么办？在圣经里，有两个得救的人，一个是有直接杀人行为的，一个是有间接杀人行为的。有直接行为的，就是十字架上的强盗。那一个强盗，在希腊文里相当的明显，不只是普通的强盗，乃是杀人放火的强盗。他不是小偷，乃是谋财害命的人。他信了主，罪得了赦免，圣经没有提他已往的事怎么了。还有一个是保罗，保罗没有直接杀人，可是当人杀司提反的时候，他是帮凶，又看守害死司提反之人的衣服。当保罗得救之后，你也没有看见他怎样对付这件事。

　　所以我相信，在原则上，如果有杀人的人信了主，他的罪还是过去的事。没有一个罪，血不能洗净。像那一个强盗，没有去了结这件事，当然也没有机会去了结这些事。主就对他说，“今日你要同我在乐园里了。”（路二三43）所以我们碰着这样的事的时候，不应该把太重的良心重担加在人身上，除非神在他里面作工。因为新约里有两个人，一个是直接杀过人，一个是间接杀过人，神都没有注意挽回已往。不过，我相信有的人良心不平安，是神在那里作工，不是普通的控告；那么，如果对于受害人的家属有什么表示，我们不拦阻。
 
　"And Zaccheus stood and said to the Lord, Behold, the half of my possessions, Lord, I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore four times as much" (Luke 19:8). Zaccheus did not do this as a result of doctrinal teaching; he did this as a result of the working of the Holy Spirit. If it had been the result of doctrinal teaching, only the exact amount would have been repaid, no more and no less. But since it was the working of the Holy Spirit, the amount could vary; it could be a little more or a little less. Zaccheus said, "If I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore four times as much." Actually, a double compensation would have been more than adequate. The principle in the book of Leviticus is to add one-fifth to the original amount. For one thousand dollars, you would have to repay one thousand two hundred dollars. But if one is touched, he can pay as much as the Lord's Spirit directs him to pay. He can be moved to repay four times or ten times as much. What is spoken of here is only a principle. In reading the Bible, we must be clear that what is covered is not a mere teaching. It is the result of the leading of the Holy Spirit when He operates in man.

　Suppose that before you became a believer, you had extorted or defrauded others, stolen from them, or obtained things by improper means. Now that the Lord is working within, you have to deal with these things in a proper manner. This has nothing to do with the forgiveness you received from the Lord, but it is very much related to your testimony.

　Suppose I stole a thousand dollars from someone before I was saved. If I have not dealt with the matter clearly, how can I preach the gospel to that person after I am saved? While I am preaching to him, his heart may still be on the thousand dollars. No doubt, I have received forgiveness from God, but I do not have a proper testimony before man. I cannot say, "Since God has forgiven me, it does not matter whether or not I repay him." No, this matter is related to my testimony.

　Please remember that Zaccheus restored four times as much for the sake of his testimony. At that time everyone was saying, "How could the Lord lodge in this sinner's home? He has extorted and defrauded many people!" They were all indignant. While they were saying this, Zaccheus stood up and said, "If I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore four times as much." This fourfold restoration was neither a requirement for becoming a son of Abraham nor a requirement for God's salvation coming to Zaccheus's house. This fourfold restoration was the result of God's salvation coming to Zaccheus's house and of his becoming a son of Abraham. Due to this act of restoration, Zaccheus had a testimony before man. This was the basis of his testimony.

　I knew a brother who was not very upright in financial matters before he believed in the Lord. Many of his classmates were upper middle-class people. After he believed in the Lord, he became rather zealous in leading his classmates to the Lord. But he did not see much fruit. Although he earnestly preached the gospel to them, they said in their heart, "What is this? What about all the money?" His past had not been eradicated from them. This brother did not follow the example of Zaccheus. His sins were forgiven before God. All his problems were solved. But the matter concerning his money before his classmates was not resolved. He had to confess and make recompense for all his past wrongdoings before he could testify to others. The restoration of his testimony depended on the termination of his past.

　As I have mentioned, Zaccheus did not become a son of Abraham by restoring four times as much. Neither did he gain salvation by restoring four times as much. Rather, he restored four times as much because he was a child of Abraham. He restored four times as much because he was saved. By restoring four times as much, he shut the mouths of others. They could no longer say anything. His fourfold restoration went far beyond what he owed, thus shutting the mouths of others and restoring his testimony.

　Brothers and sisters, did you wrong anyone in any way before you became a believer? Do you owe anyone anything? Have you taken things home which belong to others? Have you taken anything by improper means? If so, you have to deal with all these things properly. The repentance of a Christian has to do with confessing his past wrongdoings, whereas the repentance of ordinary men only involves a change in his present conduct. For example, as a human being, if I have a bad temper, I need only to refrain from my temper. But as a Christian, in addition to refraining from my temper, I have to apologize for my former temper. Apart from not losing my temper before God, I must also apologize for my former temper before men. Only then can this matter be terminated.

　Suppose you stole from others in the past. Your problem before God is settled as long as you no longer steal. Likewise, if you have ever taken things that belonged to others, your problem is settled once you stop doing it. However, this is not enough for you to have a testimony before men. Even if you have not stolen anything in three years, others may still consider you as a thief. After believing in the Lord, you must testify before men; you must deal with all your mistakes in the past. Only then will your position be clear.

　But here is a difficult problem. Suppose you stole ten thousand dollars from someone. What should you do if you do not even have one thousand dollars now? In principle you have to confess to the person from whom you have stolen. You should tell him frankly that you cannot repay him at the present time. Whether or not you can repay him immediately is another matter; you should still confess and testify to him. If you do not testify now, you will not be able to testify for the rest of your life.

　Please remember that in the course of giving your testimony, you may be affected by personal problems. But you cannot avoid dealing with these problems. You still must deal with the problems. You can have a testimony before men only after you have dealt with your problems.

　Some have committed murder in the past. What should they do now? This is a part of their past. In the Bible there are two murderers who were saved. One was involved directly with the act of murder, while the other murdered indirectly. The first one was the robber on the cross. It is clear in the Greek language that the word robber does not just mean an ordinary robber; it means a criminal who engages in such acts as murder and arson. He was not just a thief but one who robbed and killed. After he believed in the Lord, his sins were forgiven. The Bible does not tell us how he terminated his past. The other person is Paul. He was not involved in any direct murder. However, he was an accomplice in the murder of Stephen, and he watched over the garments of those who killed Stephen. After Paul was saved, nothing was said about how he dealt with this matter.

　In principle I believe that once a murderer has believed in the Lord, his sins are behind him. There is no sin which cannot be cleansed by the blood. The robber did not have to do anything to terminate his past. In fact, he had no opportunity to do anything. The Lord said to him, "Today you shall be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). Therefore, when we encounter such cases, we should not overly burden the conscience of others, unless of course God has first worked in that person's heart. This is because in the two New Testament cases that deal with murder — one directly and the other indirectly — God did not pay attention to the rectification of the past. However, I believe that some have no peace in their conscience, not because they are suffering from ordinary accusations, but because God is working in them. In such cases, we should not stop them from expressing their regrets to the victim's family.
　　一个人得救的时候，在他手里定规有许许多多俗务没有了。好像很容易拦阻他来跟从主，这到底应该怎么办？马太八章二十二节：“耶稣说，任凭死人埋葬他们的死人，你跟从我吧！”这也是圣经里了结已往的事的一个方法。在这里有一个人来对主耶稣说，“主啊，容我先回去埋葬我的父亲。”主说，“任凭死人埋葬他们的死人，你跟从我吧。”这一个“他们”是指着第一个“死人”。第二个“死人”是指着他的父亲。第一个死人是指着属灵的意思，世界上的人在神面前都是死人。主的意思是说，你的父亲让那些死人去埋，你尽管来跟从我吧！

　　我不是劝初信的人，不要替父亲办丧事；是说让死人去埋葬死人，那一个原则要抓住，许多末了的事让他们去了。如果我们要等办好了这些事，我们一辈子也没有工夫作基督徒。家庭里的事没有了，父亲的事没有了，生活的事没有了，在我们身上有几千几百件的事没有了，谁能作基督徒？所以，那一个原则只有一句话，这些都是死人。你让死人去埋葬死人吧！你让那些属灵上是死人的人，肉体上是死人的人，去处理那些死人的事吧！这是一个原则。这并不是劝初信的人，从今以后不管家里的事；乃是说，不要等到世界的事都办了才来。若是这样的话，你没有法子跟从主了。

　　有许多人要把他的事务弄好了才信主，那就没有机会信主了。这些都是死人的事，你不要被它拖牢。从我们的眼光来看，就是以不了了之。你如果要了了才来跟从主，那你就不得了。你在偶像的事情上，不正当地东西上，亏欠人的事情上，都得彻底对付。至于其他不能了的事，就以不了了之吧！

　　在神的话语里，按着我所能找出来的，大概就是这四类，是一个初信的人对付已往的事所应持的态度。其余许许多多例外的事，我们没有了，就以不了了之。像家庭的本分，我们就让死人去料理，我们没有工夫，我们要跟从主。那些事不是你去了的，让死人去料理就是。许多在属灵上是死的人，让他们去作。
 
　When a person is saved, he surely has many unsettled secular matters at hand. These may easily hinder him from following the Lord. What should he do? "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead" (Matt. 8:22). This is another biblical case of terminating the past. Here, a man came to Jesus and said to Him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father" (v. 21). The Lord said, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead." The word their refers to the first use of the word dead, whereas the second dead refers to the man's father. The first dead refers to those who are spiritually dead. In God's eyes those in the world are spiritually dead. The Lord was saying that the man should let the dead bury his father, while he should follow the Lord.

　I am not exhorting new believers to not make funeral arrangements for their fathers. I am saying that the dead should bury their own dead. We must lay hold of this principle. We should let go of unfinished business. If we wait until we have finished settling them before we become Christians, we will never have the time. There are hundreds and thousands of items of unfinished business in our families, with our fathers, and in our lives. Who then could become a Christian? There is only one word to describe the principle behind all of these things — these are dead people. Let the dead bury their dead. Let the spiritually dead handle the matters of the dead! This is the principle. This is not to exhort new believers to neglect their family. It means that they should not wait until they have settled all their earthly matters before coming to the Lord. If they do, they will not be able to follow the Lord.

　Many people want to settle all of their affairs before they believe in the Lord. If so, they will have no opportunity to believe in Him. We should not be bound by matters of the dead. Instead, we should just regard the unsettled matters as settled. If we want to settle them before following the Lord, we will never make it. Matters concerning idols, improper things, and debts must be dealt with thoroughly. As for other unsettled matters, we should just let them go!

　With regard to the attitude of a new believer towards his past, I can only find the above four categories of things in the Word of God. As for many other unsettled affairs, we should regard them as settled. As to family duties, we should let the dead take care of the dead. We have no time to deal with them. We want to follow the Lord. Those things are not for us to settle; they are for the dead to take care of. Let the ones who are spiritually dead handle them.
　　有弟兄问：得罪了一个人，如果那一个人不知道，是不是也要向他承认？

　　答：问题是有没有物质上的亏欠。有的时候是他们所知道的，像撒该的对付。有的时候是他们不知道的，但如果是物质上的亏欠，还得去承认。不过，最好能和教会一起作，让有经验的弟兄帮你解决，因为他们知道，采用什么样的方法对人更有益处。
 
　A brother asked: If I have offended a person and he is not aware of it, must I also confess to him?

　Answer: It all depends on whether or not he has suffered material loss. If the other party is aware of this loss, you should deal with the matter by following Zaccheus's example. Even if he is unaware of this loss, you should still confess to him, especially when material loss is involved. It is best to bring the matter to the church and let the more experienced brothers help you solve it because they know what is most expedient.

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