恩典的操练
The Discipline of Grace
杰里·布里奇斯 / Jerry Bridges
简介 Summary
布里奇斯在这部灵修经典中探讨了基督徒生活中的核心悖论：如何在恩典中操练敬虔。他平衡地阐述了神的恩典与人的责任之间的关系，反对既依赖行为称义也反对廉价恩典的极端立场。作者强调真正的灵修必须建立在对福音恩典的深度理解之上，同时需要信徒的积极回应和持续操练。这本书为避免律法主义和放任主义的陷阱，提供了实用而深刻的指导。
Bridges explores Christianity's central paradox in this devotional classic: how to pursue godliness within grace. He provides balanced exposition of the relationship between God's grace and human responsibility, opposing both works-righteousness and cheap grace extremes. Bridges emphasizes that true spirituality must be built upon deep understanding of gospel grace while requiring believers' active response and continued discipline. This book offers practical yet profound guidance for avoiding both legalistic and antinomian pitfalls.
📑 章节 Chapters
The Paradox of Grace
布里奇斯开篇提出基督教灵修生活的核心悖论：我们既要完全依靠恩典，又要积极追求敬虔。他解释这种张力不是矛盾，而是福音的本质——我们因恩典得救，也在恩典中成长。
Bridges opens by presenting the central paradox of Christian spiritual life: we must both completely depend on grace and actively pursue godliness. He explains this tension is not contradiction but the gospel's essence—we are saved by grace and grow in grace.
“训练自己的目标是敬虔（提摩太前书4:7），但这种训练必须在恩典的土壤中进行。Train yourself to be godly (1 Timothy 4:7), but this training must take place in the soil of grace.”
“恩典不是敬虔生活的对立面，而是敬虔生活的动力源泉。没有恩典，我们的操练就会退化为律法主义。Grace is not the opposite of godly living, but its power source. Without grace, our disciplines degenerate into legalism.”
The Gospel as Motivation, Not Threat
作者强调福音应该成为基督徒追求圣洁的动力，而非威胁。我们顺服神不是为了赚取他的爱，而是因为已经得到了他完全的爱。这种理解改变了我们操练敬虔的动机和方式。
The author emphasizes the gospel should motivate, not threaten, Christians in pursuing holiness. We obey God not to earn His love but because we have already received His complete love. This understanding transforms our motivation and method for practicing godliness.
“我们与神的关系不是基于表现，而是基于恩典。这释放我们去追求敬虔，不是出于恐惧，而是出于感恩。Our relationship with God is not based on performance but on grace. This frees us to pursue godliness not from fear but from gratitude.”
“律法说："你必须做这些来赚取神的接纳。"恩典说："因为神已经在基督里接纳了你，所以你现在可以做这些。"The law says, "You must do these things to earn God's acceptance." Grace says, "Because God has already accepted you in Christ, you can now do these things."”
Depending on the Spirit's Power
布里奇斯解释真正的灵修操练必须依靠圣灵的能力，而不是人的意志力。他分析了加拉太书5章中肉体与圣灵的争战，强调靠圣灵行事是得胜的关键。
Bridges explains that true spiritual discipline must depend on the Spirit's power, not human willpower. He analyzes the flesh vs. Spirit conflict in Galatians 5, emphasizing that walking by the Spirit is key to victory.
“我们必须靠着圣灵治死身体的恶行（罗马书8:13）。这不是消极被动，而是积极依赖圣灵的能力。We must by the Spirit put to death the misdeeds of the body (Romans 8:13). This is not passive but actively depending on the Spirit's power.”
“自我努力和依靠圣灵不是对立的。我们要努力，但要依靠圣灵的能力来努力。Self-effort and depending on the Spirit are not opposites. We are to work, but to work in dependence on the Spirit's power.”
Sanctification as God's Work
深入探讨成圣的神学基础，说明成圣既是神的工作，也需要人的配合。布里奇斯平衡地阐述了腓立比书2:12-13的教导：我们要战战兢兢地作成得救的功夫，因为是神在我们里面运行。
Deeply exploring sanctification's theological foundation, showing it is both God's work and requires human cooperation. Bridges provides balanced exposition of Philippians 2:12-13: work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you.
“神既是成圣的发起者，也是成圣的成全者。我们的责任是与他同工，而不是独自工作。God is both the initiator and perfecter of sanctification. Our responsibility is to work with Him, not work alone.”
“成圣的进步不是我们努力的结果，而是神恩典工作的结果。但神选择通过我们的努力来成就他的工作。Progress in sanctification is not the result of our effort but of God's gracious work. But God chooses to accomplish His work through our effort.”
Wise Principles for Discipline
提供实用的属灵操练指导原则，包括如何设定现实的目标、如何处理失败、以及如何在恩典中坚持。作者强调操练应该适度，避免极端的苦行主义，也避免属灵的懒惰。
Providing practical guidance principles for spiritual disciplines, including setting realistic goals, handling failure, and persevering in grace. The author emphasizes disciplines should be moderate, avoiding extreme asceticism and spiritual laziness.
“属灵操练的目标不是苦行，而是敬虔。我们追求的不是自我惩罚，而是与神更亲密的关系。The goal of spiritual disciplines is not asceticism but godliness. We seek not self-punishment but a closer relationship with God.”
“失败不应该使我们绝望，而应该使我们更深地依靠恩典。每一次跌倒都是重新发现神慈爱的机会。Failure should not make us despair but depend more deeply on grace. Every fall is an opportunity to rediscover God's mercy.”
Grace in Prayer
专门讨论祷告这一核心属灵操练，强调祷告不是赚取神恩宠的手段，而是享受与神关系的特权。布里奇斯探讨了如何在祷告中经历恩典，包括承认软弱、依靠圣灵代求。
Specifically discussing prayer as the core spiritual discipline, emphasizing prayer is not a means to earn God's favor but a privilege of enjoying relationship with God. Bridges explores experiencing grace in prayer, including acknowledging weakness and depending on the Spirit's intercession.
“我们祷告不是因为配得神的注意，而是因为基督已经为我们赢得了来到神面前的权利。We pray not because we deserve God's attention, but because Christ has won for us the right to come before God.”
“圣灵帮助我们祷告，因为我们不知道当怎样祷告（罗马书8:26）。连我们的祷告都需要恩典。The Spirit helps us pray because we do not know how to pray (Romans 8:26). Even our prayers need grace.”
Grace in Bible Study
探讨如何在恩典的光照下研读圣经，避免律法主义的圣经阅读方式。作者强调每段经文都应该通过基督和福音的透镜来理解，让神的话语成为恩典的管道而非定罪的工具。
Exploring how to study Scripture under grace's illumination, avoiding legalistic Bible reading. The author emphasizes every passage should be understood through the lens of Christ and the gospel, making God's Word a channel of grace rather than a tool of condemnation.
“圣经不是一本规则手册，而是一部救赎历史。它的每一页都指向基督和他的恩典。The Bible is not a rule book but a redemptive history. Every page points to Christ and His grace.”
“我们读经的目的不是找到更多需要遵守的律法，而是更深地认识赐恩典的神。We study the Bible not to find more laws to obey but to know more deeply the God of grace.”
Grace in Fellowship
强调基督徒群体生活是恩典操练的重要环境。布里奇斯讨论了如何在教会关系中既给予恩典也接受恩典，包括彼此饶恕、互相担当、以及在爱中说诚实话。
Emphasizing that Christian community life is an important environment for grace disciplines. Bridges discusses how to both give and receive grace in church relationships, including mutual forgiveness, bearing one another's burdens, and speaking truth in love.
“我们需要群体来操练恩典，因为恩典不是抽象概念，而是在关系中实践的现实。We need community to practice grace, because grace is not an abstract concept but a reality practiced in relationships.”
“在基督的身体里，我们既是恩典的接受者，也是恩典的管道。每个信徒都需要给予和接受恩典。In the body of Christ, we are both recipients and channels of grace. Every believer needs to give and receive grace.”
Grace in Trials
探讨如何在苦难和试炼中经历并操练恩典。作者指出苦难往往是神深化我们对恩典理解的工具，也是我们学习更深依靠神的机会。布里奇斯提供在试炼中持守信心的实用指导。
Exploring how to experience and practice grace in suffering and trials. The author notes suffering is often God's tool for deepening our understanding of grace and an opportunity to learn deeper dependence on God. Bridges provides practical guidance for maintaining faith in trials.
“神在试炼中的恩典不是免除苦难，而是在苦难中赐给我们够用的恩典。God's grace in trials is not exemption from suffering but sufficient grace in suffering.”
“苦难揭示了我们对恩典的真正需要，也揭示了恩典的真正充足。Suffering reveals our true need for grace and grace's true sufficiency.”
Growing in Grace
总结全书主题，强调基督徒生活是一个在恩典中持续成长的过程。布里奇斯鼓励读者既要有现实的期望，又要有坚定的盼望，相信神会完成他在我们生命中开始的工作。
Summarizing the book's theme, emphasizing Christian life as a continuous growth process in grace. Bridges encourages readers to have both realistic expectations and firm hope, believing God will complete the work He began in our lives.
“在恩典中成长意味着更深地认识我们的罪，同时也更深地认识神的爱。Growing in grace means knowing our sin more deeply while also knowing God's love more deeply.”
“神开始在我们心里动了善工的，必成全这工，直到耶稣基督的日子（腓立比书1:6）。这是我们最大的安慰和确据。He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). This is our greatest comfort and assurance.”