第五单元，灵命改变的模式
在还没逐一处理人性的每一个向度前，要在现今的处境中有效探讨灵命塑造，就必须先理清几个基本问题：
1. 处理对于灵命塑造错误的观念
i。观念一：转化成为基督的样式，是不可能达到的目标
－ 其实，是可以预期，可以确实发生的。
FIRST OF ALL, WE must be clear that such a transition as is envisioned in Christian spiritual formation can actually happen, and can actually happen to us. This, today, is not obvious. （97页，3段）
ii。观念二：认为“可怜的罪人“的基督徒 （“miserable sinner” Christian），是自然不过的事。
－存有这种论调的基督徒，有好几个误解所构成的：
a. 他们认为在世上的生活就是这样的软弱和败坏，只有等到我们离开世界才可能完美和完全。
The essential to human beings as such, and therefore remains true until we pass from this life and take a new form. …such a view is false （101页，1段）
b. 他们认为如果不接受“可怜的罪人”的观念，我们就会高举自己，凭自己的功德。
Misunderstanding that, unless the “miserable sinner” account were true, we might rise to a position where we could deal with God on the basis of merit. (101页，2段）
iii。 以上两个观念都错了，每个人都必须得救、被转化成为基督样式的过程上积极参与。但是事实是，这过程中采取主动的永远都是神。
Everyone must be active in the process of their salvation and transformation to Christlikeness. This is an inescapable fact. But the initiative in the process is always God’s, and we would in fact do nothing without his initiative. However, that initiative is not something we are waiting upon. （104页，4段）
－我们堕落的情况，不是没有能力去做，而是没有意愿（意向要）去做。 所以是神主动，我们才能愿意去做。
“Depravity” does not, properly, refer to the inability to act, but to the unwillingness to act and clearly the inability to earn. （104页，3段）
iv。所以，问题的关键在于，我们愿意不愿意去改变。 那些认为不可能改变的论调是错误的。
The issue now concerns what we will do. The idea that we can do nothing is an unfortunate confusion, and those who sponsor it never practice it （104页，4段）
2. General Pattern 符合人性的改变模式
we also need to understand the general pattern that all effective efforts toward personal transformation— not just Christian spiritual formation— must follow.
i。符合人性的灵命塑造模式：Vision（异象／愿景）、Intention（意向／意愿）、Means（途径 )- VIM
A desirable state of being is envisioned (Vision), and an intention to realize it is actuated in decision (Intention). Means are applied to fulfill the intention (and the corresponding decision) by producing the desirable state of being (Means). (108页, 5段)
ii。 两个切实的列子： 学习语言的过程和戒酒者互助会
Example : LEARNING TO SPEAK ARABIC & ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ILLUSTRATES （106 － 109页）
iii。虽然灵命塑造过程依靠神的恩典和圣灵，但不代表不需要人的努力，特别是符合人性的改变模式：Envisioned, Intended, Achieved.
Indeed, this is the pattern of all human accomplishment, even that which— like spiritual formation— can only occur at the initiative and through the constant direction and upholding of God, or through grace. （109页，3段）
iv。没有意识到VIM在灵命塑造上的重要，说明了为什么许多基督徒会停滞不前
In a nutshell, is the explanation of the widespread failure to attain Christian maturity among both leaders and followers. Those who are Christians by profession— and seriously so, we must add— today do not usually have, are not led into, the VIM that would enable them to routinely progress to the point where what Jesus himself did and taught would be the natural outflow of who they really are “on the inside.” Rather, what they are inwardly is left substantially as it was, as it is in non－Christians, and they are left constantly to battle with it. That is why today you find many professing Christians circling back to non－Christian sources to resolve the problems of their inner life. （110页，3段）
2.1 VISION - Vision of life in the Kingdom
i。要有异象和愿景，就必须从认识“神的国”着手。
IF WE ARE CONCERNED about our own spiritual formation or that of others, this vision of the kingdom is the place we must start. Remember, it is the place where Jesus started. It was the gospel he preached. （111页，3段）
ii。神的国，就是神的意志得以有效运行的范畴，祂的旨意得以成就之处。
The kingdom of God is the range of God’s effective will （111页，4段）
iii。神意志得以运行之处的异象，就是我们转化了的灵命，活出基督样式的异象。
The vision that underlies spiritual (trans) formation into Christlikeness is, then, the vision of life now and forever in the range of God’s effective will— that is, partaking of the divine nature (2 Peter 1: 4) through a birth “from above” and participating by our actions in what God is doing now in our lifetime on earth. Thus, “whatever we do, speaking or acting, doing all on behalf of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father” (Colossians 3: 17). In everything we do we are permitted to do his work. What we are aiming for in this vision is to live fully in the kingdom of God and as fully as possible now and here, not just hereafter. （112页，2段）
2.2 INTENTION －Intention to be a Kingdom Person
i。活在神的国的意向，在于“决定”切切实实的顺服和信靠耶稣、效法基督
we intend to live in the kingdom of God by intending to obey the precise example and teachings of Jesus. This is the form that trust in him takes. It does not take the form of merely believing things about him, however true they may be. Indeed, no one can actually believe the truth about him without trusting him by intending to obey him. It is a mental impossibility. To think otherwise is to indulge a widespread illusion that now smothers spiritual formation in Christlikeness among professing Christians （113页，3段）
ii。我们流露的行动，显示出我们有没有真的信靠耶稣基督
To believe them, like believing anything else, means that we are set to act as if they (the right answers) are true and that we will do so in appropriate circumstances. （114页，2段）
iii。可能，今天基督徒最难接受的就是承认在我们里面，还有许多的“不信任”和对基督的“怀疑”。
Perhaps the hardest thing for sincere Christians to come to grips with is the level of real unbelief in their own life: the unformulated skepticism about Jesus that permeates all dimensions of their being and undermines what efforts they do make toward Christlikeness.
… If you don’t intend to follow His advice, you simply don’t trust Him. （114页，3段）
iv。要有意向，就得要下定决心，开始采取行动。
AN INTENTION IS brought to completion only by a decision to fulfill or carry through with the intention. We commonly find people who say they intend (or intended) to do certain things that they do (or did) not do. （115页，1段）
v。没有意向要做决定，就是我们对于异象（Vision) 还很模糊，不够肯定和清晰
the robust intention, with its inseparable decision, can only be formed and sustained upon the basis of a forceful vision. The elements of VIM are mutually reinforcing. （115页，4段）
2.3 MEANS
i. 有了“异象”和“意向”，方法就自然而然的下一步，去寻找可行的途径。
THE VISION AND the solid intention to obey Christ will naturally lead to seeking out and applying the means to that end. Here the means in question are the means for spiritual transformation, for the replacing of the inner character of the “lost” with the inner character of Jesus （116页，2段）
ii。结论：许多时候灵命塑造的课题，我们并非不懂方法和没有资源，原因是没有意向去做决定，没有决定因为没有看到这灵命塑造，活在神的国里在的异象。 他们没有察觉到VIM的基本改变模式。
So the problem of spiritual transformation (the normal lack thereof) among those who identify themselves as Christians today is not that it is impossible or that effectual means to it are not available. The problem is that it is not intended. People do not see it and its value and decide to carry through with it. They do not decide to do the things Jesus did and said. And this in turn is, today, largely due to the fact that they have not been given a vision of life in God’s kingdom within which such a decision and intention would make sense. The entire VIM of Christ’s life and life in Christ is not the intentional substance and framework of their life. （119页，5段）
