第33章 “谁是我的弟兄？”
§1
第33章 “谁是我的弟兄？”
§2
Chap. 33 - Who Are My Brethren?
§3
（本章根据：太12:22-50；可3:20-35）
§4
约瑟的几个儿子很不同情耶稣的工作。有关耶稣生活和工作的消息传到他们耳中时，他们感到惊讶和懊恼。他们听说他常整夜祷告，白天有大群人围着他，自己连吃饭的工夫也没有。耶稣的朋友觉得他不停地操劳，势必筋疲力尽。他们不了解他对法利赛人的态度，有些担心他的理性是否失常。[1]{DA 321.1}
§5
The sons of Joseph were far from being in sympathy with Jesus in His work. The reports that reached them in regard to His life and labors filled them with astonishment and dismay. They heard that He devoted entire nights to prayer, that through the day He was thronged by great companies of people, and did not give Himself time so much as to eat. His friends felt that He was wearing Himself out by His incessant labor; they were unable to account for His attitude toward the Pharisees, and there were some who feared that His reason was becoming unsettled. {DA 321.1}[1]
§6
耶稣的弟兄听见这一切，又听说法利赛人控告他是借撒但的权柄赶鬼。就深怕自己与耶稣的亲属关系而名受誉到牵连。他们知道耶稣的言语和作为，已引起何等的骚动，所以不但对他那大胆率直的话表示惊慌，而且因为他指责文士和法利赛人而心中愤怒。他们决定要劝阻或强令他停止这种工作模式，他们说动马利亚与他们联合。或许耶稣看在他敬爱的母亲的分上，能听他们的劝，更谨慎行事。[2]{DA 321.2}
§7
His brothers heard of this, and also of the charge brought by the Pharisees that He cast out devils through the power of Satan. They felt keenly the reproach that came upon them through their relation to Jesus. They knew what a tumult His words and works created, and were not only alarmed at His bold statements, but indignant at His denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees. They decided that He must be persuaded or constrained to cease this manner of labor, and they induced Mary to unite with them, thinking that through His love for her they might prevail upon Him to be more prudent. {DA 321.2}[2]
§8
在这以前耶稣行了个神迹，医好一个被鬼附身的又瞎又哑的人，法利赛人控告说：“他是靠着鬼王赶鬼。”（太9:34）基督清楚地告诉他们：把圣灵的工作归诸撒但，就是自绝于赐福的泉源。不认识耶稣神圣的品德、而曾在言语上干犯他的人，还能得蒙赦免，因为圣灵或能使他们看出自己的错误而悔改。无论犯了什么罪，只要能悔改相信，所犯的罪就在基督的血中被洗除了。但是抗拒圣灵工作的人，就是把自己置于无法悔改和毫无信心的地步了。上帝差圣灵感化人心，但当人故意拒绝圣灵，说圣灵是由撒但而来的时候，这就是自己切断了上帝与他们交通的渠道。人若拒绝圣灵到底，上帝就不能再为他作什么了。[3]{DA 321.3}
§9
It was just before this that Jesus had a second time performed the miracle of healing a man possessed, blind and dumb, and the Pharisees had reiterated the charge, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. Matthew 9:34. Christ told them plainly that in attributing the 3work of the Holy Spirit to Satan, they were cutting themselves off from the fountain of blessing. Those who had spoken against Jesus Himself, not discerning His divine character, might receive forgiveness; for through the Holy Spirit they might be brought to see their error and repent. Whatever the sin, if the soul repents and believes, the guilt is washed away in the blood of Christ; but he who rejects the work of the Holy Spirit is placing himself where repentance and faith cannot come to him. It is by the Spirit that God works upon the heart; when men willfully reject the Spirit, and declare It to be from Satan, they cut off the channel by which God can communicate with them. When the Spirit is finally rejected, there is no more that God can do for the soul. {DA 321.3}[3]
§10
听到耶稣这个警告的法利赛人，自己也不相信自己控告耶稣的话。在那些权贵中，没有一个不觉得受救主吸引的。他们心中都已听见圣灵的声音，宣称基督是以色列的受膏者，并力劝他们作主的门徒。在主的圣容之前，他们曾觉察自己的污秽不洁，也曾渴望得到他们自己所不能造就的公义。但在拒绝了基督之后，再接受他为弥赛亚，未免太难堪了。他们既踏上了不信的路，高傲的心就不容许他们承认自己的错误。他们为要避免承认真理，竟千方百计的地想用强暴手段来抗拒救主的教训。耶稣的能力和慈爱的明证，使他们恼羞成怒。他们不能阻止救主行奇事，不能叫他闭口不教训人，就想尽办法诬蔑他的为人，歪曲他的言论。然而上帝使人知罪的灵，仍紧随着他们。他们为要抗拒他的力量，就不得不在心中树立许多壁垒。那能运行在人心上的最大力量，正在与他们相争，无奈他们不肯顺服。[4]{DA 322.1}
§11
The Pharisees to whom Jesus spoke this warning did not themselves believe the charge they brought against Him. There was not one of those dignitaries but had felt drawn toward the Saviour. They had heard the Spirits voice in their own hearts declaring Him to be the Anointed of Israel, and urging them to confess themselves His disciples. In the light of His presence they had realized their unholiness, and had longed for a righteousness which they could not create. But after their rejection of Him it would be too humiliating to receive Him as the Messiah. Having set their feet in the path of unbelief, they were too proud to confess their error. And in order to avoid acknowledging the truth, they tried with desperate violence to dispute the Saviours teaching. The evidence of His power and mercy exasperated them. They could not prevent the Saviour from working miracles, they could not silence His teaching; but they did everything in their power to misrepresent Him and to falsify His words. Still the convicting Spirit of God followed them, and they had to build up many barriers in order to withstand its power. The mightiest agency that can be brought to bear upon the human heart was striving with them, but they would not yield. {DA 322.1}[4]
§12
使人眼瞎或心中刚硬的不是上帝。上帝赐真光纠正人的错误，领人走在安全的路上；人拒绝这光，才会瞎眼、硬心。这个过程往往是不知不觉的逐渐形成的。真光来到人心里，有的是借着上帝的仆人，有的借着上帝的话《圣经》，或由上帝直接的代表圣灵；但人见了一线真光若置之不理，则他属灵的知觉就会麻木一部分。当真光再次显现时，他就不能像第一次那么认得清楚了。因之黑暗逐渐增加，直至心灵成了黑夜。当时犹太领袖们的情况正是如此。他们虽然确信基督有上帝的能力，但为要抗拒真理，就把圣灵的工作归之于撒但。他们这样行，是有意选择谬误。向撒但投降，从此就受撒但权力的完全支配了。[5]{DA 322.2}
§13
It is not God that blinds the eyes of men or hardens their hearts. He sends them light to correct their errors, and to lead them in safe paths; it is by the rejection of this light that the eyes are blinded and the heart hardened. Often the process is gradual, and almost imperceptible. Light comes to the soul through Gods word, through His servants, or by the direct agency of His Spirit; but when one ray of light is disregarded, there is a partial benumbing of the spiritual perceptions, and the second revealing of light is less clearly discerned. So the darkness increases, until it is night in the soul. Thus it had been with 3these Jewish leaders. They were convinced that a divine power attended Christ, but in order to resist the truth, they attributed the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan. In doing this they deliberately chose deception; they yielded themselves to Satan, and henceforth they were controlled by his power. {DA 322.2}[5]
§14
基督警戒人不要干犯圣灵，紧接着又劝人避免闲话和恶言。言为心声：“心里所充满的，口里就说出来。”可是，言语不仅表现品格，而且有左右品格的力量。人是受自己言语影响的。往往因一时的情感冲动，受了撒但的怂恿，就说出自己并不相信的嫉妒、恶意或猜疑的话来；殊不知这话会影响自己的思想。他们被自己的言语所欺，就把撒但唆使之下所说的话当真。他们一经发表的意见或决定，往往为高傲的心所阻，不肯收回，甚至还想证明自己有理，终至确信自己是对的。说怀疑的话是危险的，对上帝的真光表示怀疑或批评，也危险。信口开河和出言不逊的批评习惯能使品格受其影响，以至养成莽撞无礼和猜疑不信的性格。有不少人放纵这种习惯，蹈于危险而不自知。久而久之，养成了批评指责的恶习，继而发展到拒绝圣灵工作的地步。耶稣说：“凡人所说的闲话，当审判的日子，必要句句供出来。因为要凭你的活定你为义；也要凭你的话定你有罪。”[6]{DA 323.1}
§15
Closely connected with Christs warning in regard to the sin against the Holy Spirit is a warning against idle and evil words. The words are an indication of that which is in the heart. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. But the words are more than an indication of character; they have power to react on the character. Men are influenced by their own words. Often under a momentary impulse, prompted by Satan, they give utterance to jealousy or evil surmising, expressing that which they do not really believe; but the expression reacts on the thoughts. They are deceived by their words, and come to believe that true which was spoken at Satans instigation. Having once expressed an opinion or decision, they are often too proud to retract it, and try to prove themselves in the right, until they come to believe that they are. It is dangerous to utter a word of doubt, dangerous to question and criticize divine light. The habit of careless and irreverent criticism reacts upon the character, in fostering irreverence and unbelief. Many a man indulging this habit has gone on unconscious of danger, until he was ready to criticize and reject the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. {DA 323.1}[6]
§16
于是耶稣对于那些受他感动、乐于听他的话、但还未立志献身给圣灵居住的人，又加了几句警告的话。一个人的灭亡，不仅是由于抗拒圣灵，而且还是由于自己的疏忽。耶稣说：“污鬼离了人身，就在无水之地过来过去，寻求安歇之处，却寻不着。于是说:‘我要回到我所出来的屋里去。’到了，就看见里面空闲，打扫干净，修饰好了。便去另带了‘七个比自己更恶的鬼’来，都进去住在那里。”[7]{DA 323.2}
§17
Then He added a warning to those who had been impressed by His words, who had heard Him gladly, but who had not surrendered themselves for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is not only by resistance but by neglect that the soul is destroyed. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, said Jesus, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. {DA 323.2}[7]
§18
基督在世时，许多人像今日一样，暂时脱离了撒但的辖制。因上帝的恩典，从控制他们心灵的污鬼权下释放出来。他们在上帝的爱里喜乐；可是，正像基督在比喻中所讲那撒在石头地上的种子，他们没有留在他的爱中，没有天天献身与上帝，使基督得以住在他们心中；及至先前的污鬼，“带了七个比自己更恶的鬼”，卷土重来时，他们就完全被罪恶的势力所控制。[8]{DA 323.3}
§19
There were many in Christs day, as there are today, over whom the control of Satan for the time seemed broken; through the grace of God they were set free from the evil spirits that had held dominion over 3the soul. They rejoiced in the love of God; but, like the stony-ground hearers of the parable, they did not abide in His love. They did not surrender themselves to God daily, that Christ might dwell in the heart; and when the evil spirit returned, with seven other spirits more wicked than himself, they were wholly dominated by the power of evil. {DA 323.3}[8]
§20
当人归从基督时，就有新的能力来支配他的新心，使他发生绝非自己所能成就的改变。这改变是超自然的工作，给人本性上加了超自然的成分。人投靠基督，便成了基督在叛变的世界上所设置的堡垒。他定意：除他以外，不容许其它威权存在其中。像这样由上天权力所保护的人，撒但是攻不破的。我们若不将自己交给基督管理，就必被那恶者控制。如今有两大势力正在争夺世界的主权，我们势必受其中之一的管辖。若要受黑暗之国的管辖，就无需主动选择，只要疏忽与光明之国携手就够了。若不与天庭合作，撒但就必占据我们的心，使之成为他的住所。抵御罪恶的唯一保障，就是因信基督的义，而有基督住在心里。我们若不与上帝密切联结，就不能抵御专爱自己、放纵私欲和罪恶诱惑的邪恶影响。我们或许能除掉许多恶习，也能暂时与撒但绝交。但我们若不时刻献身与上帝，同他建立牢不可破的联络，就必被撒但所胜。我们若不亲自认识基督，与他不断来往，终究必处在仇敌权下，照他所吩咐的去行。[9]{DA 324.1}
§21
When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitably be under the control of the one or the other of the two great powers that are contending for the supremacy of the world. It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light. If we do not co-operate with the heavenly agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and will make it his abiding place. The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end. {DA 324.1}[9]
§22
耶稣说：“那人末后的景况比先前更不好了。这邪恶的世代也要如此。”人心地刚硬，再没有比那些轻视慈爱的邀请和干犯施恩之圣灵的人更甚了。干犯圣灵最常见的表现，就是倔犟地蔑视上天召唤人悔改的呼声。拒绝基督一步，就是走向拒绝救恩和干犯圣灵一步。[10]{DA 324.2}
§23
The last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so, said Jesus, shall it be also unto this wicked generation. There are none so hardened as those who have slighted the invitation of mercy, and done despite to the Spirit of grace. The most common manifestation of the sin against the Holy Spirit is in persistently slighting Heavens invitation to repent. Every step in the rejection of Christ is a step toward the rejection of salvation, and toward the sin against the Holy Spirit. {DA 324.2}[10]
§24
犹太人拒绝基督，终于犯了不可赦免的重罪；我们因拒绝慈爱的邀请，也会铸成同样的大错。不肯听从基督所委派的使者，而听从那想要引人离弃基督的撒但的爪牙时，我们就是在侮辱生命之君，就是在撒但的会中和全宇宙前羞辱基督。人这样做下去，就不得希望或赦免，终必丧失一切愿与上帝和好的心意。[11]{DA 324.3}
§25
In rejecting Christ the Jewish people committed the unpardonable sin; and by refusing the invitation of mercy, we may commit the same 3error. We offer insult to the Prince of life, and put Him to shame before the synagogue of Satan and before the heavenly universe when we refuse to listen to His delegated messengers, and instead listen to the agents of Satan, who would draw the soul away from Christ. So long as one does this, he can find no hope or pardon, and he will finally lose all desire to be reconciled to God. {DA 324.3}[11]
§26
耶稣在教训人时，门徒来报信说，他母亲和弟兄在外边，要与他说话。耶稣知道他们的心事，就回答说：“谁是我的母亲？谁是我的弟兄？”就伸手指着门徒说：“看哪！我的母亲，我的弟兄。凡遵行我天父旨意的人，就是我的弟兄姐妹和母亲了。”[12]{DA 325.1}
§27
While Jesus was still teaching the people, His disciples brought the message that His mother and His brothers were without, and desired to see Him. He knew what was in their hearts, and He answered and said unto him that told Him, Who is My mother? and who are My brethren? And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother. {DA 325.1}[12]
§28
凡因信而愿意接受基督的人，都同他有一种比人间亲情更密切的关系。他们与他合而为一，正像他与父合而为一样。他的母亲若能相信并实行他的话，则与他在救赎上的关联，会比肉身的母子关系更为密切。耶稣的弟兄若不接受他为他们个人的救主，那么虽与他有弟兄的关系，也得不到什么益处。[13]{DA 325.2}
§29
All who would receive Christ by faith were united to Him by a tie closer than that of human kinship. They would become one with Him, as He was one with the Father. As a believer and doer of His words, His mother was more nearly and savingly related to Him than through her natural relationship. His brothers would receive no benefit from their connection with Him unless they accepted Him as their personal Saviour. {DA 325.2}[13]
§30
基督属世的亲属若相信他是从天上来的，并与他同作上帝的工，基督将得到何等的帮助啊！他们的不信在耶稣的人间生活上投下了一片阴影。这也是他为人类所喝苦杯中的一口苦汁。[14]{DA 325.3}
§31
What a support Christ would have found in His earthly relatives if they had believed in Him as one from heaven, and had co-operated with Him in doing the work of God! Their unbelief cast a shadow over the earthly life of Jesus. It was a part of the bitterness of that cup of woe which He drained for us. {DA 325.3}[14]
§32
人心对福音所怀的敌意，是上帝的儿子所深深感觉得到的；而最使他痛心的，是他自己的家中也有这种现象。他心中充满了仁爱，并体会到家庭关系的亲切；可是他的弟兄要他依从他们的主张；若依着他们，那就必与他神圣的使命背道而驰。他们认为耶稣需要他们的指教。他们用俗人的眼光来批判他，认为只要他讲文士和法利赛人中意的话，就能避免不愉快的争论。耶稣自称有神圣的威权，并当面斥责拉比们的罪恶，他们就认为他是精神错乱了。他们知道法利赛人在找把柄要控告他，就觉得他已经给了法利赛人充分的机会。[15]{DA 326.1}
§33
The enmity kindled in the human heart against the gospel was keenly felt by the Son of God, and it was most painful to Him in His home; for His own heart was full of kindness and love, and He appreciated tender regard in the family relation. His brothers desired that He should concede to their ideas, when such a course would have been utterly out of harmony with His divine mission. They looked upon Him as in need of their counsel. They judged Him from their human point of view, and thought that if He would speak only such things as would be acceptable to the scribes and Pharisees, He would avoid the disagreeable controversy that His words aroused. They thought that He was beside Himself in claiming divine authority, and in placing Himself before the rabbis as a reprover of their sins. They knew that the Pharisees were seeking occasion to accuse Him, and they felt that He had given them sufficient occasion. {DA 326.1}[15]
§34
他们短浅的尺度怎能测量基督所要成全的使命呢？故此在他的试炼中，他们不能同情他。他们那粗鲁无礼、毫不体谅的话，显明他们未曾确实认识到耶稣的品格，也没有辨明他是兼有人性与神性的。他们常见他满脸愁容，可是他们在态度和言语上非但没有安慰他，反而伤了他的心。他那敏感的天性受了伤痛，他的动机被人误会，他的工作没有人理解。[16]{DA 326.2}
§35
With their short measuring line they could not fathom the mission which He came to fulfill, and therefore could not sympathize with Him in His trials. Their coarse, unappreciative words showed that they had no true perception of His character, and did not discern that the divine blended with the human. They often saw Him full of grief; but instead of comforting Him, their spirit and words only wounded His heart. His sensitive nature was tortured, His motives were misunderstood, His work was uncomprehended. {DA 326.2}[16]
§36
耶稣的弟兄往往提出法利赛人那种陈腐不堪的哲学，以为自己可以教训那明白一切真理并洞悉一切奥秘的主。他们任意否定自己所不明白的事物。他们的责难使耶稣听了觉得忧心痛苦。他们自称信仰上帝，以为自己是在维护上帝，而成了肉身的上帝正住在他们中间，他们竟不认识他。[17]{DA 326.3}
§37
His brothers often brought forward the philosophy of the Pharisees, which was threadbare and hoary with age, and presumed to think that they could teach Him who understood all truth, and comprehended all mysteries. They freely condemned that which they could not understand. Their reproaches probed Him to the quick, and His soul was wearied and distressed. They avowed faith in God, and thought they were vindicating God, when God was with them in the flesh, and they knew Him not. {DA 326.3}[17]
§38
这些事使耶稣所走的路布满了荆棘。家人的不理解和不体谅使耶稣非常伤心，所以来到没有这种情形的地方，就觉得轻松多了。有一户人家是他所喜欢去的，就是拉撒路、马利亚和马大的家。在那有信心和爱心的气氛中，他的精神得着安息。然而在地上没有一个人能体会到他神圣的使命，或明白他为人类所挑的重担。往往只有他在独自与天父交往时才能获得安慰。[18]{DA 326.4}
§39
These things made His path a thorny one to travel. So pained was Christ by the misapprehension in His own home that it was a relief to Him to go where it did not exist. There was one home that He loved to visit,--the home of Lazarus, and Mary, and Martha; for in the atmosphere of faith and love His spirit had rest. Yet there were none on earth who could comprehend His divine mission, or know the burden which He bore in behalf of humanity. Often He could find relief only in being alone, and communing with His heavenly Father. {DA 326.4}[18]
§40
蒙召为基督受苦，甚至在自己家里也遭受误会和猜忌的人，若想到耶稣也曾忍受同样的苦，就可得安慰了。主向他们动慈心，劝他们以他为知己，学他的样式，在与天父交通中找到欣慰。[19]{DA 327.1}
§41
Those who are called to suffer for Christs sake, who have to endure misapprehension and distrust, even in their own home, may find comfort in the thought that Jesus has endured the same. He is moved with compassion for them. He bids them find companionship in Him, and relief where He found it, in communion with the Father. {DA 327.1}[19]
§42
凡接受基督为救主的人，必不至被撇下为孤儿，独自应付人生的考验。基督接受他们为天上家庭的一分子，嘱咐他们称他的天父为他们的父。他们是上帝的子女，是上帝所疼爱的，与上帝有最亲密的永恒关系。上帝对他们有无限的温柔慈爱，与地上的父母对与软弱无助的婴儿所有的怜爱相比，有天壤之别。[20]{DA 327.2}
§43
Those who accept Christ as their personal Saviour are not left as orphans, to bear the trials of life alone. He receives them as members of the heavenly family; He bids them call His Father their Father. They are His little ones, dear to the heart of God, bound to Him by the most tender and abiding ties. He has toward them an exceeding tenderness, as far surpassing what our father or mother has felt toward us in our helplessness as the divine is above the human. {DA 327.2}[20]
§44
基督与他子民的关系，在上帝为以色列人所定的律法中，有个美妙的例证。当一个希伯来人因贫穷不得不变卖祖传的产业，或卖身为奴后，赎回他和他产业的责任，就落在他至近的亲属身上（利25:25,47-49；得2:20）。照样，赎回我们和我们因罪而丧失的产业的责任，就落在我们“本家的近支”基督身上。为了赎我们，他成了我们的亲人。救主比父亲、母亲、兄弟、朋友、爱人还亲。他说：“你不要害怕，因为我救赎了你。我曾提你的名召你，你是属我的。”“我看你为宝为尊，又因我爱你，所以我使人代替你，使列邦人替换你的生命。”（赛43:1,4）[21]{DA 327.3}
§45
Of Christs relation to His people, there is a beautiful illustration in the laws given to Israel. When through poverty a Hebrew had been forced to part with his patrimony, and to sell himself as a bondservant, the duty of redeeming him and his inheritance fell to the one who was nearest of kin. See Leviticus 25:25, 47-49; Ruth 2:20. So the work of redeeming us and our inheritance, lost through sin, fell upon Him who is near of kin unto us. It was to redeem us that He became our kinsman. Closer than father, mother, brother, friend, or lover is the Lord our Saviour. Fear not, He says, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Isaiah 43:1, 4. {DA 327.3}[21]
§46
基督爱那些环绕他宝座的天使，但他为什么用那么大的爱来爱我们呢？我们不能理解；但我们在自己的经验上确知这是真的。如果我们与基督实有亲属关系，就应以何等亲切的感情来善待我们在主里的弟兄姐妹啊！我们难道不该火急承地认我们的神圣关系吗？我们既被收为上帝家里的人，岂不应当尊敬我们的父和我们的亲属么？[22]{DA 327.4}
§47
Christ loves the heavenly beings that surround His throne; but what shall account for the great love wherewith He has loved us? We cannot understand it, but we can know it true in our own experience. And if we do hold the relation of kinship to Him, with what tenderness should we regard those who are brethren and sisters of our Lord! Should we not be quick to recognize the claims of our divine relationship? Adopted into the family of God, should we not honor our Father and our kindred? {DA 327.4}[22]