13.3    在这一争战中，虽然败坏的残余或许一时得胜1，可是，靠着那使人成圣的基督之灵所不断供给的力量，重生的部分终必得胜2；因此，圣徒会在恩典中长进3，因着敬畏上帝，得以逐渐成圣4。1罗7:23；2罗6:14；约壹5:4；弗4:15、16；3彼后3:18；林后3:18；4林后7:1

13.3   In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail;1 yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome;2 and so, the saints grow in grace,3 perfecting holiness in the fear of God.4

1 Rom 7:23; 2 Rom 6:14; 1 Jn 5:4; Eph 4:15–16;  3 2 Pet 3:18; 2 Cor 3:18;  4 2 Cor 7:1.

成圣有时被称为基督徒变成基督徒的过程。在这个过程中，信徒的内心被圣灵之权威转变，从中变得越来越像基督，在罪恶上死亡，并在个人的公义与圣洁上成长。使徒保罗贴切地宣告到“我们众人既然敞着脸得以看见主的荣光，好像从镜子里返照，就变成主的形状，荣上加荣，如同从主的灵变成的”（林后3:18），这不疑是指着成圣。如我们所承认的，所有真实的信徒都“在恩典中长进”，并“因着敬畏上帝，得以逐渐成圣”。

Sanctification is sometimes known as the Christianising of the Christian. It is the process by which the believer is internally transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit so that he becomes more and more like Christ as he dies unto sin and grows in personal righteousness and holiness. The apostle Paul is no doubt referring to sanctification when he declares felicitously, “we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor 3:18). All true believers, as we are given to confess, are “[growing] in grace” and “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

但是，我们千万不能以为这成长是直线般的增长。虽然区别于称义与成圣的比喻能帮助我们的理解，我们实际上并不像那些能够被装满的瓶子。事实上，即使圣洁不断地被倒进我们里面，我们也不会自然变得更圣洁，最后也达不到充满圣洁的地步。非也，非也；事实上这会更如一场争战。它就是我们的灵与肉体之间、旧人与新人之间或“重生的部分”与“败坏的残余”之间的争战。代表灵的军队将会取得胜利，因为我们的君王已获胜。肉体将会衰残，因为撒旦已被打败。但是这场争战中会有许多战斗；而有时，当我们让步于试探，肉体会在战斗里打败灵。确实，我们有时可以灵命倒退，甚至肉体似乎在取得战胜。但总体上，战线都会向残留的败坏的方向移动着。

However, we must not assume that this growth is a linear growth. Despite the helpful illustration to distinguish between justification and sanctification, we are not really like bottles that can be filled. We do not, as it were, become more holy as holiness is poured into us to fill us up at a constant rate so that we eventually become full of holiness. No, no; the reality is more like a war. It is a war between our spirit and our flesh, between the new man and the old man, or between the “regenerate part” of us and our “remaining corruption.” The army representing the spirit will win because our King has triumph. The flesh will fail because Satan has already been defeated. But there are many battles in this war; and sometimes the flesh will win the battle over the spirit as we give in to temptation. Indeed, sometimes we may even backslide so much that the flesh seems to be winning the war. But overall, the battle lines are moving against the remnant of our corruption.

这就是我们所承认的事实，因为“靠着那使人成圣的基督之灵所不断供给的力量，重生的部分终必得胜；因此，圣徒会在恩典中长进，因着敬畏上帝，得以逐渐成圣”。换言之，基督徒拥有与罪奋斗中获胜的潜力。关于这胜利，保罗就在罗马书6:14讲道：“罪必不能做你们的主，因你们不在律法之下，乃在恩典之下。”约翰肯定这点，“因为凡从神生的，就胜过世界。使我们胜了世界的，就是我们的信心”（约壹5:4）。“被打败的基督徒”是个矛盾的字词，因为即使罪恶留着，它再也不是王。

This is the reality we are given to confess, for: “through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome, and so the saint grows in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.” In other words, the Christian has the capacity to be victorious in his struggle against sin. Paul speaks about this victory in Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” John confirms: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 Jn 5:4). A defeated Christian is a contradiction of terms, for though sin remains, it no longer reins (*reigns?).

亲爱的弟兄们，你们有与罪打战吗？如果有，感谢上帝已在你心里动了成圣之工。即使有时你似乎没有获胜，你也不要灰心。一直仰望你的救赎之船长耶稣。一直征求基督圣灵的帮助，求祂供应你战斗所需的，以让你不断在成圣的过程中进展。记得：“靠着爱我们的主，在这一切的事上已经得胜有余了”（罗8:37）！

Are you battling against sin, beloved brethren? If you are, thank God that a work of sanctification has begun in you. Do not be discouraged when at times you seem to have no victory. Keep looking to Christ the Captain of your Salvation. Keep seeking the help of the Spirit of Christ to supply what you need for your battles so that you will progressively make gains in your sanctification. Remember: “We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Rom 8:37)!