1211 個體性
於是耶穌對門徒說，若有人要跟從我，就當舍己，背起他的十字架，來跟從我。《馬太福音16:24》
個體性是環繞內在靈命的堅硬外層，個體性將他人推到一邊，將人們分離和孤立。我們將之視為孩童的主要特徵，也正是如此。當我們將個體性與靈命混為一談時，我們就會保持孤立。個體性的外殼是神創造的自然保護層，旨在保護靈命；但是我們的個體性必須降服於神，如此我們的靈命才能與祂相交。個體性仿冒靈性，就像慾望仿冒愛一樣。神為自己設計了人性，但個體性卻為了自己的目的敗壞了人性。
個體性的特徵是獨立和自我意志。我們不斷地堅持自己的個性，這比其他任何方式都更能阻礙我們的靈命成長。如果你說「我不能相信」，那是因為你的個體性擋住了道路；個體性永遠不可能信。但我們的靈卻不得不信。當神的靈在你身上做工時，要留意自己。祂會把你推向個體性的極限，那時你必須做出選擇。選擇要麼說「我不會降服」，要麼降服，打破個體性的硬殼，讓屬靈生命浮現出來。聖靈每次都會將其縮小到一件事（見馬太福音 5:23-24），是你的個體性拒絕「與你的弟兄和好」（馬太福音 5:24）。神要把你與帶入與祂自己的聯合中，但除非你願意放棄你對自己的權利，否則祂不能那樣作。「…就當舍己…」——否認他對自己的獨立自主權。然後，真正的生命，屬靈生命，才有機會成長。
來自章伯斯的智慧
耶穌對門徒所說的偉大之語是「舍己」。當神把我們帶進門徒的關係中時，我們必須冒險相信祂的話，完全信靠祂，並注意當祂帶我們去冒險時，我們就接受之。《登山寶訓研究》
1211 Individuality
Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself…” —Matthew 16:24
Individuality is the hard outer layer surrounding the inner spiritual life. Individuality shoves others aside, separating and isolating people. We see it as the primary characteristic of a child, and rightly so. When we confuse individuality with the spiritual life, we remain isolated. This shell of individuality is God’s created natural covering designed to protect the spiritual life. But our individuality must be yielded to God so that our spiritual life may be brought forth into fellowship with Him. Individuality counterfeits spirituality, just as lust counterfeits love. God designed human nature for Himself, but individuality corrupts that human nature for its own purposes.
The characteristics of individuality are independence and self-will. We hinder our spiritual growth more than any other way by continually asserting our individuality. If you say, “I can’t believe,” it is because your individuality is blocking the way; individuality can never believe. But our spirit cannot help believing. Watch yourself closely when the Spirit of God is at work in you. He pushes you to the limits of your individuality where a choice must be made. The choice is either to say, “I will not surrender,” or to surrender, breaking the hard shell of individuality, which allows the spiritual life to emerge. The Holy Spirit narrows it down every time to one thing (see Matthew 5:23-24). It is your individuality that refuses to “be reconciled to your brother” (Matthew 5:24). God wants to bring you into union with Himself, but unless you are willing to give up your right to yourself, He cannot. “…let him deny himself…”— deny his independent right to himself. Then the real life-the spiritual life-is allowed the opportunity to grow..
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
The great word of Jesus to His disciples is Abandon. When God has brought us into the relationship of disciples, we have to venture on His word; trust entirely to Him and watch that when He brings us to the venture, we take it.—Studies in the Sermon on the Mount