四月六日
我們也當出到營外，就了他去……（來13:13）
耶穌背著他的十字架到城門外受刑。基督徒離開世上的罪惡和宗教到營外的理由，不是因為他們性喜孤獨，而是因為耶穌曾經這樣作過；主的門徒必須跟隨主。基督原“不屬世界”，他的生活和見證永久不與世界同流合污、共相起伏。他對人類的愛是絕無僅有的，但他仍與罪人遠隔。屬基督的人也當這樣：“就了他去。”他們的地位必須“出到營外”，正像為真理作見證的人一樣。前面的道路或直或曲，或平坦或崎嶇，他們都必須準備走上前去。他們必須有勇毅的、大無畏的、雄獅一般的心胸，先愛基督，次愛他的真道，並且愛基督和他的真理要超過世界一切所有的。耶穌要他的民“出到營外”，把自己分別為聖。你若與世界同流合污，就不能在恩典上有什麼長進。分別的生活雖或是一種苦痛的生活，但卻是安全的大道；分別的生活雖然使你付出許多痛苦的代價，天天有爭戰，但至終那是一種快樂的生活。沒有一個人的快樂能超過基督精兵的快樂！耶穌必滿有恩惠地把自己彰顯出來，加添戰士們的心力，使他們重新振刷精神。他們每天爭戰後所得到的平安和寧靜，是那些日落而息的人所及不上的。聖潔的道路乃是交通的道路。我們要因神的恩典忠心地跟基督“出到營外”，惟有這樣我們才能得冠冕。榮耀的冠冕必隨分別的十架而來。暫時的羞辱必代以永遠的尊榮。當我們“和主永遠同在”的時候，那末這短時的見證就算不得什麼了。
April 6
“Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp.”
–Hebrews 13:13
Jesus, bearing His cross, went forth to suffer without the gate. The
Christian’s reason for leaving the camp of the world’s sin and religion is not
because he loves to be singular, but because Jesus did so; and the disciple
must follow his Master. Christ was “not of the world:” His life and
His testimony were a constant protest against conformity with the world. Never
was such overflowing affection for men as you find in Him; but still He was
separate from sinners. In like manner Christ’s people must “go forth unto
Him.” They must take their position “without the camp,” as
witness-bearers for the truth. They must be prepared to tread the straight and
narrow path. They must have bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts, loving Christ
first, and His truth next, and Christ and His truth beyond all the world. Jesus
would have His people “go forth without the camp” for their own
sanctification. You cannot grow in grace to any high degree while you are
conformed to the world. The life of separation may be a path of sorrow, but it
is the highway of safety; and though the separated life may cost you many
pangs, and make every day a battle, yet it is a happy life after all. No joy
can excel that of the soldier of Christ: Jesus reveals Himself so graciously,
and gives such sweet refreshment, that the warrior feels more calm and peace in
his daily strife than others in their hours of rest. The highway of holiness is
the highway of communion. It is thus we shall hope to win the crown if we are
enabled by divine grace faithfully to follow Christ “without the
camp.” The crown of glory will follow the cross of separation. A moment’s
shame will be well recompensed by eternal honour; a little while of
witness-bearing will seem nothing when we are “for ever with the Lord.”
