第02章 罪人需要基督
§1
第02章 罪人需要基督
§2
Chapter 2—The Sinner’s Need of Christ
§3
人本来赋有高尚的才能和均衡的心智。他身心完备，与上帝和谐；思想纯洁，志向圣善。但由于不顺从，他的才能败坏了。自私代替了爱心。他的本性因罪而削弱，靠自己的力量无法对抗邪恶的势力。要不是上帝的特别拯救，他将永远作撒但的奴仆。魔鬼的目的，就是破坏上帝创造人类的计划，使地球充满灾难和荒凉。他还把这一切祸患说成是上帝创造人类的后果。{SC 17.1}[1]
§4
Man was originally endowed with noble powers and a well-balanced mind. He was perfect in his being, and in harmony with God. His thoughts were pure, his aims holy. But through disobedience, his powers were perverted, and selfishness took the place of love. His nature became so weakened through transgression that it was impossible for him, in his own strength, to resist the power of evil. He was made captive by Satan, and would have remained so forever had not God specially interposed. It was the tempter’s purpose to thwart the divine plan in man’s creation, and fill the earth with woe and desolation. And he would point to all this evil as the result of God’s work in creating man.?{SC 17.1}[1]
§5
人在无罪的时候，常与“一切智慧知识都在祂里面藏着”（西2:3）的上帝快乐交往。但自从他犯罪以后，就再也得不到圣洁中的喜乐，却要躲避上帝的面。心灵未经更新的人，至今仍是如此。他与上帝格格不入，不能从同祂的交往中得到喜乐。罪人在上帝面前是不愉快的。他害怕与圣洁的生灵相交。即使让他进入天国，也是绝无乐趣。弥漫天庭的无私之爱的精神，就是那与无穷慈爱的主心心相印的精神，在他心中引不起共鸣。他的思想、兴趣和动机与天国无罪的居民迥然不同。他将是天国佳音中的不谐之音。天国在他乃是一个受苦的地方。他要设法躲避天庭之光，喜乐之源——上帝。不是上帝强令将恶人赶出天国，实是因为他们不适合进去而自拒门外。上帝的荣耀对于他们乃是烈火。他们甘愿灭亡，以求躲避那舍命救赎他们之主的面。{SC 17.2}[2]
§6
In his sinless state, man held joyful communion with Him “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”?Colossians 2:3. But after his sin, he could no longer find joy in holiness, and he sought to hide from the presence of God. Such is still the condition of the unrenewed heart. It is not in harmony with God, and finds no joy in communion with Him. The sinner could not be happy in God’s presence; he would shrink from the companionship of holy beings. Could he be permitted to enter heaven, it would have no joy for him. The spirit of unselfish love that reigns there—every heart responding to the heart of Infinite Love—would touch no answering chord in his soul. His thoughts, his interests, his motives, would be alien to?those that actuate the sinless dwellers there. He would be a discordant note in the melody of heaven. Heaven would be to him a place of torture; he would long to be hidden from Him who is its light, and the center of its joy. It is no arbitrary decree on the part of God that excludes the wicked from heaven; they are shut out by their own unfitness for its companionship. The glory of God would be to them a consuming fire. They would welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem them.?{SC 17.2}[2]
§7
我们陷入罪恶的深坑，不能自拔。我们的心是恶的，自己无法改变。“谁能使洁净之物出于污秽之中呢？无论谁也不能。”“原来体贴肉体的，就是与上帝为仇；因为不服上帝的律法，也是不能服”（伯14:4；罗8:7）。教育、文化、意志的操练、人为的努力，虽然有一定的作用，在这个问题上却是无能为力。这一切可以塑造正直的外表，却不能改变人的内心，洁净生命的源头。人要离罪成圣，必须有一种内在的能力，有一个从上头来的新生命。这能力就是基督。只有祂的恩典，才能唤醒人心中没有生气的机能，使之归向上帝，成为圣洁。{SC 18.1}[3]
§8
It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them. “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.” “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”?Job 14:4;?Romans 8:7. Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life. There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness.?{SC 18.1}[3]
§9
救主说：“人若不重生”，不接受一个新的愿望，新的意志，新的宗旨，度一种新的生活，“就不能见上帝的国”（约3:3）。那种认为只须发展人本性之善良的想法，乃是一种致命的错误观念。“属血气的人不领会上帝圣灵的事，反倒以为愚拙，并且不能知道，因为这些事惟有属灵的人才能看透。”“我说‘你们必须重生’，你不要以为希奇”（林前2:14；约3:7）。圣经论到基督说，“生命在祂里头，这生命就是人的光”。“除祂以外，别无拯救，因为在天下人间没有赐下别的名，我们可以靠着得救”（约1:4；徒4:12）。{SC 18.2}[4]
§10
The Saviour said, “Except a man be born from above,” unless he shall receive a new heart, new desires, purposes, and motives, leading to a new life, “he cannot see the kingdom of God.”?John 3:3, margin. The idea that it is necessary only to develop the good that?exists in man by nature, is a fatal deception. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”?1 Corinthians 2:14;?John 3:7. Of Christ it is written, “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men”—the only “name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”?John 1:4;?Acts 4:12.?{SC 18.2}[4]
§11
只看到上帝的仁爱，看到祂良善的品格和慈父般的怜恤，这是不够的。只认识到上帝律法的智慧和公义，看到它以永远之爱的原则为基础，这也是不够的。使徒保罗认识到这一切之后感叹说，“我就应承律法是善的。……律法是圣洁的，诫命也是圣洁、公义、良善的。”但他又痛心绝望地说：“我是属肉体的，是已经卖给罪了。”他渴望得到自己所无法获得的圣洁和公义，喊着说：“我真是苦啊，谁能救我脱离这取死的身体呢”（罗7:16,12,14,24）？历代以来，各处负重之人的心灵，都发出这样的呼吁。其唯一的答案就是：“看哪，上帝的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的”（约1:29）。{SC 19.1}[5]
§12
It is not enough to perceive the loving-kindness of God, to see the benevolence, the fatherly tenderness, of His character. It is not enough to discern the wisdom and justice of His law, to see that it is founded upon the eternal principle of love. Paul the apostle saw all this when he exclaimed, “I consent unto the law that it is good.” “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” But he added, in the bitterness of his soul-anguish and despair, “I am carnal, sold under sin.”?Romans 7:16, 12, 14. He longed for the purity, the righteousness, to which in himself he was powerless to attain, and cried out, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?”?Romans 7:24, margin. Such is the cry that has gone up from burdened hearts in all lands and in all ages. To all, there is but one answer, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”?John 1:29.?{SC 19.1}[5]
§13
圣灵用许多表号来说明这个真理，将它显示给希望摆脱罪担的人。雅各在犯了欺骗以扫的罪以后，怀着沉重的负疚感，逃离了父家。这个孤苦伶仃的逃亡者心中最大的恐惧，就是担心他的罪会使他与上帝隔绝，而被上天所撇弃。他忧心忡忡地躺在地上休息。四面尽是荒山，天上繁星闪烁。在他睡觉的时候，有一道奇异的光射入他的梦乡。他看到一架高大的梯子，从他躺卧的地方，一直架到天门。在梯子上，上帝的使者上去下来。从至高荣耀之处，上帝的声音传来了希望和安慰的信息。这就使雅各明白了，一位救主，那能满足他心灵的愿望和需要。他怀着喜乐和感恩的心看见了一条通路，好让他这个罪人能与上帝恢复交往。他所梦见神秘的梯子代表耶稣。祂是上帝与人之间唯一的通道。{SC 19.2}[6]
§14
Many are the figures by which the Spirit of God has sought to illustrate this truth, and make it plain to souls that long to be freed from the burden of guilt. When, after his sin in deceiving Esau, Jacob fled from his father’s home, he was weighed down with a sense?of guilt. Lonely and outcast as he was, separated from all that had made life dear, the one thought that above all others pressed upon his soul, was the fear that his sin had cut him off from God, that he was forsaken of Heaven. In sadness he lay down to rest on the bare earth, around him only the lonely hills, and above, the heavens bright with stars. As he slept, a strange light broke upon his vision; and lo, from the plain on which he lay, vast shadowy stairs seemed to lead upward to the very gates of heaven, and upon them angels of God were passing up and down; while from the glory above, the divine voice was heard in a message of comfort and hope. Thus was made known to Jacob that which met the need and longing of his soul—a Saviour. With joy and gratitude he saw revealed a way by which he, a sinner, could be restored to communion with God. The mystic ladder of his dream represented Jesus, the only medium of communication between God and man.?{SC 19.2}[6]
§15
基督与拿但业谈话的时候所说“你们将要看见天开了。上帝的使者在人子身上上去下来”（约1:51），指的就是这个表号。罪人因叛逆而与上帝隔绝。地和天就分离了。它们之间犹如深渊相隔，无法交通。但藉着基督，地与天重新联系起来了。基督用自己的功劳，构架了一座跨越罪恶深渊的桥梁，使服役的天使能与人类交通。基督把软弱无助的堕落人类与无穷能力的“源头”连结起来。{SC 20.1}[7]
§16
This is the same figure to which Christ referred in His conversation with Nathanael, when He said, “Ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”?John 1:51. In the apostasy, man alienated himself from God; earth was cut off from heaven. Across the gulf that lay between, there could be no communion. But through Christ, earth is again linked with heaven. With His own merits, Christ has bridged the gulf which sin had made, so that the ministering angels can hold communion with man. Christ connects fallen man in his weakness and helplessness with the Source of infinite power.?{SC 20.1}[7]
§17
但如果人忽略了堕落人类希望和帮助的唯一泉源，他们追求进步的理想和超越人性的努力就都是徒然的。“各样美善的恩赐和各样全备的赏赐”（雅1:17），都是从上帝那里来的。离了祂，人不可能有真正高尚的品德。到上帝那里去的唯一道路，就是基督。祂说：“我就是道路、真理、生命，若不藉着我，没有人能到父那里去”（约14:6）。{SC 21.1}[8]
§18
But in vain are men’s dreams of progress, in vain all efforts for the uplifting of humanity, if they neglect the one Source of hope and help for the fallen race. “Every good gift and every perfect gift” (James 1:17) is from God. There is no true excellence of character apart from Him. And the only way to God is Christ. He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”?John 14:6.?{SC 21.1}[8]
§19
上帝以比死亡更坚强的爱心顾念着地上的儿女。祂既赐下自己的儿子，就是把整个天庭都赐给了我们。救主的生活，受死，为我们代求，天使的服务，圣灵的感化，天父超乎一切、又贯于万有的工作，上天众生的不住关怀——这一切都是为了人类的救赎。{SC 21.2}[9]
§20
The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death. In giving up His Son, He has poured out to us all heaven in one gift. The Saviour’s life and death and intercession, the ministry of angels, the pleading of the Spirit, the Father working above and through all, the unceasing interest of heavenly beings,—all are enlisted in behalf of man’s redemption.?{SC 21.2}[9]
§21
我们应当思考为我们所作的奇异牺牲，感激上天为挽救丧亡之人返回父家所耗的辛劳。这么伟大的动机，这么大能的作为，实在是无与伦比的。上帝对于善行的重大赏赐，天国的喜乐，与天使的交往，与上帝和祂儿子的交通，享受主的慈爱，以及在永恒的岁月里我们一切才能的提高和发展——这一切难道不足以激发我们凭着爱心去侍奉创造和救赎我们的主吗？{SC 21.3}[10]
§22
Oh, let us contemplate the amazing sacrifice that has been made for us! Let us try to appreciate the labor and energy that Heaven is expending to reclaim the lost, and bring them back to the Father’s house. Motives stronger, and agencies more powerful, could never be brought into operation; the exceeding rewards for right-doing, the enjoyment of heaven, the society of the angels, the communion and love of God and His Son, the elevation and extension of all our powers throughout eternal ages—are these not mighty incentives and encouragements to urge us to give the heart’s loving service to our Creator and Redeemer??{SC 21.3}[10]
§23
在另一方面，圣经也说明了上帝对罪的惩罚，恶人的报应，我们品格的败坏，以及最后的毁灭，警告我们不要为撒但服务。{SC 21.4}[11]
§24
And, on the other hand, the judgments of God pronounced against sin, the inevitable retribution, the?degradation of our character, and the final destruction, are presented in God’s word to warn us against the service of Satan.{SC 21.4}[11]
§25
我们难道不应该珍视上帝的恩典吗？祂已经为我们仁至义尽了。我们应当与主建立正常的关系，因为祂以奇异的爱爱了我们。要运用祂为我们所提供的方法，使自己变成祂的形像，与服役的天使恢复交往，与圣父和圣子和睦交通。{SC 22.1}[12]
§26
Shall we not regard the mercy of God? What more could He do? Let us place ourselves in right relation to Him who has loved us with amazing love. Let us avail ourselves of the means provided for us that we may be transformed into His likeness, and be restored to fellowship with the ministering angels, to harmony and communion with the Father and the Son.?{SC 22.1}[12]