Dear friend, the dark night of the soul is temporary! The intense struggle against sin does not last forever! If we are in Christ, we will be victorious! Let us observe this truth in Romans 8:

亲爱的朋友，灵魂的黑夜是暂时的！与罪的激战不会永远持续！如果我们在基督里，我将会得胜！让我们在罗马书第8章里评述这个真理：

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

如今那些在基督耶稣里的，就不定罪了。 罗马书8:1

Friend, how wonderful to know that this shining sentence, declaring "no condemnation," follows Romans 7, where the intense war with sin is pictured. What do those who battle sin, and lose often, dread the most? Condemnation! And here Paul declares that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

朋友，罗马书第7章描述了与罪的激烈争战，之后就学习到这句让人眼前一亮的句子，宣告“不定人们的罪”，这是何等的奇妙。那些与罪争战、经常失败的人们最害怕的是什么？定罪！保罗在这里宣告那些在基督里的就不定罪了。

Question 1

问题 1

Do you sense the joy in the placement of this verse?

你能感觉到这一节里的喜乐吗？

because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

因为赐生命圣灵的律在基督耶稣里释放了我，使我脱离罪和死的律了。罗马书8:2

Talk about "setting captives free"! Paul is a released captive, set free from the law of sin and death. Not only is he not condemned, but he is also not enslaved. 

The Holy Spirit came to Paul, set him free from habitual sin, and enabled him to triumph over it. With God, life always triumphs over death! In the Bible, whenever Jesus attended a funeral, he raised the dead to life.

讲论“释放被虏的灵魂”吧！保罗是一个被释放的俘虏，从罪和死的律中被释放了。不仅是他不被定罪了，他也不再被奴役了。

圣灵临到了保罗，把他从习惯性的罪中释放，使他胜过它。与神同在，生命始终胜过死亡！在圣经里，当耶稣参加葬礼的时候，他使死人复活。

Question 2

问题2

Where are you right now? Are you under "the law of sin and death," or are you a freed captive, enjoying life and victory?

你现在哪里？是在“罪和死的律”以下，还是已经获释的俘虏，享受着生命和得胜？

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man. Romans 8:3

律法既因肉体软弱，有所不能行的，神就差遣自己的儿子成为罪身的形状，作了赎罪祭，在肉体中定了罪案。 罗马书8:3

This is an important concept: the law was powerless. It could command me to cease viewing pornography, but could not enable me to do so. 

It was powerless to change my heart, give me new desires, or release me from the trap of the devil. But what the law could not do, God did! And how did He do it?

这是一个很重要的观念：律法是无力的。它可以命令我停止浏览色情，但是不能使我这样行。

它无力改变我的心，给我新的渴望，或是把我从魔鬼的网罗中释放出来。然而律法做不到的，神能！而祂是如何作成的呢？

Question 3

问题 3

God did what the law could not do—free us from sin's power. How did God do this?

神做了律法所不能行的 ―― 把我们从罪的权势中释放。神是如何成就的？

祂颁布了新的律法来释放

祂命令我们停止

祂差遣耶稣基督来

Friend, the death of Jesus Christ has everything to do with our freedom from sexual sin! 

Jesus took our sin upon Himself; therefore, we are neither condemned nor enslaved! He breaks the power of canceled sin! He sets the captive free.

朋友，耶稣基督的死与我们从性罪行中得释放所需的一切休戚相关！耶稣把我们的罪全归到祂的身上；因此，我们不被定罪，也不受奴役了！祂打破了已被撤销的罪的权势！祂使被掳的得到了释放。

in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:4

使律法的义成就在我们这不随从肉体，只随从圣灵的人身上 罗马书8:4

Again, we see that Jesus’ death has done something magnificent. It not only frees us from sin's penalty and sin's power, but it also fulfills the law in us. 

You see, the law said, "Do this or die." The law, requiring death for sin, was fulfilled when Jesus died. He died in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us! And now, we who are in Christ are counted as law-keepers.

再一次，我们看到了耶稣的死所成的奇妙大工。这不仅使我们从罪的惩罚和权势中得到释放，更为我们成全了律法。

你看，律法说，“这样作或是死亡。”按照律法，罪的工价就是死，在耶稣死的时候已经付上了。祂死了以至于我们完全达到了律法所要求的公义！而现在，我们这些在基督里的人就被算做守律法的人了。

Question 4

问题 4

Verse 4 above describes those in Christ as living a certain way. What way is it?

以上第4节描述了在那些基督里的人就像是生活在一条确定的路上，那条路是什么？

跟随圣灵

他们从不犯罪

他们持守律法

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 

7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 

8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8

5因为随从肉体的人体贴肉体的事；随从圣灵的人体贴圣灵的事。

6体贴肉体的就是死，体贴圣灵的乃是生命平安。

7原来体贴肉体的，就是与神为仇，因为不服神的律法，也是不能服。

8而且属肉体的人不能得　神的喜欢。罗马书8:5-8

Question 5

问题 5

Please list out everything the above passages states about those who live according to the flesh. I'll write the first one:

请列出以上章节中所说的随从肉体的人们的事，我先写出第一个：

1. They have their minds set on what the flesh desires

1.他们体贴肉体的事

Question 6

问题 6

What do verses 5-8 say about those who live according to the Spirit?

第5-8节说体贴圣灵的人怎样？ 

You, however, are controlled not by the flesh but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Romans 8:9

如果神的灵住在你们心里，你们就不属肉体，乃属圣灵了。人若没有基督的灵，就不是属基督的。 罗马书8:9

This verse makes it clear that if God's spirit is living in us, He will control us. While I was viewing pornography and involved in sexual sin, my flesh controlled me. That is what characterized me. But now, God's Spirit lives in me and controls me.

这一节清楚地说明如果神的灵住在我们里面，他将约束我们。当我在浏览色情或是陷入性罪行中，我的肉体控制了我。那是我的特征。但是现在，神的灵住在我里面掌管着我。

Question 7

问题7

Overall, would you say you are controlled by the Spirit of God, or by your flesh?

总的说来，你觉得自己是被神的灵所掌管，还是你的肉体？

10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 

11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:10-11

10基督若在你们心里，身体就因罪而死，心灵却因义而活。

11然而叫耶稣从死里复活者的灵，若住在你们心里，那叫基督耶稣从死里复活的，也必藉着住在你们心里的圣灵，使你们必死的身体又活过来。 罗马书8:10-11

According to verse 10, Christians are characterized by "dead flesh." Their bodies are dead because of sin. In other words, they are not characterized by sinning, but by being controlled by the Spirit of God.

根据第10节，基督徒是以“肉体的死”为特征的。他们的身体因罪而死。换句话说，他们的特征不再是犯罪，而是被神的灵所掌管。

It's interesting that Paul juxtaposes our "dead flesh" with our assurance of eternal life. Our bodies are dead because of sin, but will live forever through the Spirit of Christ who lives in us. 

Those who know that their flesh is crucified also know that they will live forever with Christ.

有趣的是，保罗把“肉体的死”和我们永生的确据相提并论。我们的身体因罪而死，但是通过住在我们里面基督的灵而将永远活着。那些明白他们的身体被钉死的人也知道他们将永远与基督同活。

12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation - but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 

13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 

14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14

12弟兄们，这样看来，我们并不是欠肉体的债，去顺从肉体活着。

13你们若顺从肉体活着必要死，若靠着圣灵治死身体的恶行必要活着。

14因为凡被神的灵引导的，都是神的儿子。罗马书8:12-14

This chapter started out with "no condemnation" (verse 1) and ends with "no separation" (verses 35-39). 

But here in the middle, it says that we have "no obligation" to live according to the flesh.When our flesh cries out to be satisfied, we have no obligation to gratify it.

这一章以“不定罪”开始（第1节）并以“不分离”结束（第35-39 节）。但是在中间，他说我们“不欠债”要顺从肉体活着。当我们的肉体哭喊着要得到满足的时候，我们没有义务去放纵它。

Question 8

问题 8

According to verse 13 above, what will happen if we live to gratify our flesh?

根据以上第13节，如果我们活着是为了放纵肉体，会怎么样？

Question 9

问体 9

What are we to do with the misdeeds of the body?

我们应该对身体的罪行做什么？

Paul started this discourse by describing his freedom from sin, and here he instructs us to put to death the misdeeds of the body. Freedom from habitual sin requires crucifying our flesh. 

Paul said "I die daily"—he put his flesh to death each day. Our flesh is to be crucified, not gratified.

保罗是通过描写他从罪中得释放来展开这段论述的，他在这里也命令我们要治死身体的恶性。从习惯性的罪中得释放要求我们钉死自己的肉体。

保罗说“我每天都死”－ 他每天治死自己的肉体。我们的肉体是用来被钉死的，不是被放纵的。

Question 10

问题 10

Is God giving you grace to crucify your flesh, or are you gratifying it?

神正给你恩典来治死你的肉体，还是你正在放纵它？

There's no denying it, Friend: crucifying our flesh is a painful process. Denying ourselves self-gratification when we are burning with desire is extremely uncomfortable, even painful. Read how one student describes this pain:

不可否认的是，朋友，治死我们的肉体是一个痛苦的过程。当欲火中烧的时候拒绝自我放纵是非常难受，甚至是痛苦的。请看看一位学员是如何形容这种痛苦的：

Please know that the gain is worth the pain. Our bodies adjust, our habits change, and soon we are no longer even thinking of self-gratification.

Don't believe the false notion that we must gratify the flesh in order to relieve tension—God didn't design our bodies to require us to sin in order to stay healthy.

要知道为了收获，这种痛苦是值得的。我们的身体得到调整，我们的习惯被改变，并且很快的我们不再想着自我放纵。

不要相信那错误的概念说我们必须使肉体得到满足来纾解压力 － 神设计我们的身体不是用来让我们为了健康而朝向罪。

Question 11

问题11

Please summarize today's teaching.

请总结今天的教导。

Question 12

问题12

What is going on in your life right now?

你的生活现在怎样？

Thoughts to consider today:

今日思想：

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. 

This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Colossians 1:22-23

但如今他藉着基督的肉身受死，叫你们与自己和好，都成了圣洁，没有瑕疵，无可责备，把你们引到自己面前。

只要你们在所信的道上恒心，根基稳固，坚定不移，不至被引动失去（原文作“离开”）福音的盼望，这福音就是你们所听过的，也是传与普天下万人听的（“万人”原文作“凡受造的”）。我保罗也作了这福音的执事。 歌罗西书1:22-23

And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior's blood

这会是我从救主的宝血所得的益处吗？

Died He for me, who caused His pain?

祂为我而死，是我让祂受了苦待

For me, who Him to death pursued?

为了我，祂甘愿承受死亡

He left His Father's throne above,

祂离开天父的宝座，

so free, so infinite His grace!

白白赐下的，是他无尽的恩典

Emptied Himself of all but love,

只将祂的爱全部倾倒下来

and bled for Adam's helpless race.

为亚当无助的后裔而流血。

No condemnation now I dread;

如今我不再惧怕被定罪；

I am my Lord's and He is mine:

我属我主，祂也属我：

Alive in Him, my living Head,

活在祂里面，我永活的主，

and clothed in righteousness divine.

穿戴祂的圣洁公义。

Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

奇妙的爱！袮，我的神，怎会为我而死？

19 But I will bring the people of Israel back to their own pasture. They will eat on Mount Carmel and in Bashan. They will eat and be full on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead. 

20 The LORD says, "At that time people will try to find Israel's guilt, but there will be no guilt. People will try to find Judah's sins, but no sins will be found, because I will leave a few people alive from Israel and Judah, and I will forgive their sins. Jeremiah 50:19-20

19我必再领以色列回他的草场，他必在迦密和巴珊吃草，又在以法莲山上和基列境内得以饱足。

20耶和华说：当那日子，那时候，虽寻以色列的罪孽，一无所有，虽寻犹大的罪恶，也无所见，因为我所留下的人，我必赦免。” 耶利米书50:19-20

We must rest ourselves upon his power; we must be confident of this, that Christ can make us clean. 

No guilt is so great but that there is a sufficiency in his righteousness to atone for it; no corruption so strong, but there is a sufficiency in his grace to subdue it.

我们必靠他的大能得安息；我们必须对此满怀信心，就是基督能够洗净我们。没有什么罪大到他的公义不足抵偿；没有什么败坏强到他的恩典无法征服。

To clarify what the first accountability question means, we have included the following explanation. 

为了厘清第一个责任问题的涵义，我们给出以下的解释。 

What does "feasting" mean?"

Feasting" is more than just reading the Bible; it is a term to express the nourishing of our souls in Jesus Christ. 

It means that we are sitting at the feet of Jesus, hearing His Word and believing it, for the purpose of implementing the truths into our lives. It means we are receiving spiritual nourishment and we are delighting our souls in His grace and truth. 

This may be done in reading our Bibles, hearing God's Word preached, interacting with others in the Scriptures, and studying through this course, etc. This definition is at least a start; further explanation is included in the lessons. 

什么是“享用筵宴”？

这里的“享用筵宴”不仅仅是读圣经。                                                  

这是一个表示我们的灵魂在耶稣基督里得到喂养的词。这表示我们坐在耶稣的脚前，听祂的道，笃信之，目的是要把真理行在我们的生活中；这表示我们得到灵里的滋养，在主的恩典和真理中心灵得喜乐。

这可以是读经、听讲道、与他人就经文互动，以及通过这个课程来学习等等。这里只给出一个初步的定义，将来的课程里会有进一步的解释。  

Have you been feasting on God's word?

你享用神的话了吗？ 

Yes是   No 否

If so, when was the last time you feasted? And how? In other words, how did you enjoy God? Reading? Prayer? Worship? Fellowship? Witnessing? 

如果是，你最近一次是什么时候？怎样做的？换句话说，你是怎样靠神喜乐的？是读经、祷告、崇拜、团契，还是做见证？ 

These next, tough, accountability questions apply to the entire period since you did your last lesson. 

接下来那些棘手的责任问题，会在整个课程中出现，要根据你上节课以来的情况来回答。 

Were you free from pornography since you did the last lesson?

上节课以来，你离开色情了吗？ 

Yes是  No否

Were you free from self-gratification since you did the last lesson?

上节课以来，你戒除自我放纵了吗？ 

Yes是  No 否

Were you free from sexual immorality since you did the last lesson?

上节课以来，你远离了淫乱了吗？ 

Yes是  No否

If you answered "no" to any of the above questions, tell us what led to your fall. If you answered "yes" to the above questions, you may use this area for questions or additional comments. 

如果任何一个问题的答案是“否”，请告诉我们是什么导致你的跌倒。如果对以上问题你回答了“是”，你可以在此提出你的问题或其他的评论。