第03章 悔改
§1
第03章 悔改
§2
Chapter 3—Repentance
§3
人怎样才能在上帝面前称义呢？罪人怎样才能成为义人呢？我们只有靠着基督才能与上帝和好，成为圣洁。但我们怎样才能到基督面前来呢？许多人与五旬节的群众发出了同样的问题。他们在认识到自己的罪之后，就喊着说：“我们当怎样行？”彼得回答的第一句话就是“要悔改”。不久以后他又说：“你们当悔改归正，使你们的罪得以涂抹”（徒2:37,38；3:19）。{SC 23.1}[1]
§4
How shall a man be just with God? How shall the sinner be made righteous? It is only through Christ that we can be brought into harmony with God, with holiness; but how are we to come to Christ? Many are asking the same question as did the multitude on the Day of Pentecost, when, convicted of sin, they cried out, “What shall we do?” The first word of Peter’s answer was, “Repent.”?Acts 2:37, 38. At another time, shortly after, he said, “Repent, ... and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”?Acts 3:19.?{SC 23.1}[1]
§5
悔改包括为罪忧伤和离弃罪恶。我们如果没有看到罪的本质，就不会离弃它。如果不从心里离弃罪恶，生活就不可能有真正的改变。{SC 23.2}[2]
§6
Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life.?{SC 23.2}[2]
§7
许多人不明白悔改的真正意义。他们犯了罪以后，就忧愁起来。因害怕罪行所带来的灾祸。他们甚至表面上有所改善。但这并不是圣经所说的悔改。他们悲哀是因为怕受苦，而不是为了罪本身。这就像以扫看到自己永远丧失长子名分时的伤心一样。巴兰在手持利剑拦在路中的天使面前也曾恐惧战惊。他害怕丧命，就承认了自己的罪。但是他没有真正悔改，也没有改变主意，痛恨恶行。加略人犹大在卖主之后也曾喊着说：“我卖了无辜之人的血是有罪了”（太27:4）。{SC 23.3}[3]
§8
There are many who fail to understand the true nature of repentance. Multitudes sorrow that they have sinned and even make an outward reformation because they fear that their wrongdoing will bring suffering upon themselves. But this is not repentance in the Bible sense. They lament the suffering rather than the sin. Such was the grief of Esau when he saw that the birthright was lost to him forever. Balaam, terrified by the angel standing in his pathway with drawn sword, acknowledged his guilt lest he should lose his life; but there was no genuine repentance for sin, no conversion of purpose, no abhorrence of evil. Judas Iscariot, after betraying his?Lord, exclaimed, “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.”?Matthew 27:4.?{SC 23.3}[3]
§9
这种认罪是良心的谴责和惧怕刑罚的心理逼出来的。犯罪的严重后果使犹大满心恐惧。但他不是因出卖了无辜的上帝儿子，拒绝了以色列的圣者而深感悲痛。法老在上帝的刑罚下也曾承认自己的罪，以免受更大的惩罚。但一旦灾难结束，他就故态复萌，无法无天。他们都是为罪的后果悲哀，而不是为罪本身忧伤。{SC 24.1}[4]
§10
The confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a fearful looking for of judgment. The consequences that were to result to him filled him with terror, but there was no deep, heartbreaking grief in his soul, that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God and denied the Holy One of Israel. Pharaoh, when suffering under the judgments of God, acknowledged his sin in order to escape further punishment, but returned to his defiance of Heaven as soon as the plagues were stayed. These all lamented the results of sin, but did not sorrow for the sin itself.?{SC 24.1}[4]
§11
但当人顺从圣灵的感化时，他的良心就会苏醒。有罪的人对于上帝圣律法的深奥和神圣性质就有所领会。这律法是天上地下政权的基础。那“照亮一切生在世上的人”（约1:9）的光，照亮了秘密的心房，显出了暗中的隐情，使人认识到自己罪孽深重。罪人就会感受到耶和华的公义，和自己罪恶污秽的丑态，在鉴察人心的主面前是何等可怕。他会看见上帝的慈爱、圣洁的美和纯洁的快乐，并渴望得到洁净，与上天恢复交往。{SC 24.2}[5]
§12
But when the heart yields to the influence of the Spirit of God, the conscience will be quickened, and the sinner will discern something of the depth and sacredness of God’s holy law, the foundation of His government in heaven and on earth. The “Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,” illumines the secret chambers of the soul, and the hidden things of darkness are made manifest.?John 1:9. Conviction takes hold upon the mind and heart. The sinner has a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah and feels the terror of appearing, in his own guilt and uncleanness, before the Searcher of hearts. He sees the love of God, the beauty of holiness, the joy of purity; he longs to be cleansed and to be restored to communion with Heaven.?{SC 24.2}[5]
§13
大卫犯罪以后的祈祷，表达了真心为罪忧伤的情形。他的悔改是真诚而深刻的。他没有文过饰非，也不想逃避惩罚。他的祷告是真心的。他只看到自己罪的可憎，并看到自己的心灵受到了污染。他对自己的罪深恶痛绝。他不单祈求赦罪，也求心得到洁净。他渴望圣洁的喜乐，与上帝重归于好，恢复交往。下面是他的心声：{SC 24.3}[6]
§14
The prayer of David after his fall, illustrates the nature of true sorrow for sin. His repentance was sincere and deep. There was no effort to palliate?his guilt; no desire to escape the judgment threatened, inspired his prayer. David saw the enormity of his transgression; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart. He longed for the joy of holiness—to be restored to harmony and communion with God. This was the language of his soul:?{SC 24.3}[6]
§15
“得赦免其过，遮盖其罪的，这人是有福的，凡心里没有诡诈，耶和华不算为有罪的，这人是有福的”（诗32:1,2）。{SC 25.1}[7]
§16
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,?whose sin is covered.?Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord?imputeth not iniquity,?And in whose spirit there is no guile.”Psalm 32:1, 2.?{SC 25.1}[7]
§17
“上帝啊，求祢按祢的慈爱怜恤我，”按祢丰盛的慈悲涂抹我的过犯……，因为我知道我的过犯，我的罪常在我面前……求祢用牛藤草洁净我，我就干净，求祢洗涤我，我就比雪更白……。上帝啊，求祢为我造清洁的心，使我里面重新有正直的灵，不要丢弃我，使我离开祢的面。不要从我收回祢的圣灵，求祢使我仍得救恩之乐，赐我乐意的灵扶持我……。上帝啊，祢是拯救我的上帝，求祢救我脱离流人血的罪，我的舌头就高声歌唱祢的公义”（诗51:1-14）。{SC 25.2}[8]
§18
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving-kindness:According unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions....For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me....Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow....Create in me a clean heart, O God;And renew a right spirit within me.Cast me not away from Thy presence;And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;And uphold me with Thy free spirit....Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation:And my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness.”Psalm 51:1-14.?{SC 25.2}[8]
§19
这样的悔改，非我们力所能及的。只有那升入高天，施恩与人的基督才能成就。{SC 25.1}[9]
§20
A repentance such as this, is beyond the reach of our own power to accomplish; it is obtained only from Christ, who ascended up on high and has given gifts unto men.?{SC 25.3}[9]
§21
许多人认为自己如果不先悔改，就不能到基督面前来。只有悔改了，才能得到赦罪。这种错误的认识使他们得不到基督所希望给予他们的帮助。悔改确实是在赦罪之先，因为只有痛悔的心才会感到需要一位救主。但罪人难道非要等到悔改以后才到耶稣面前来吗？如果这样，悔改不就成为罪人与救主之间的障碍了吗？{SC 26.1}[10]
§22
Just here is a point on which many may err, and hence they fail of receiving the help that Christ desires to give them. They think that they cannot come to Christ unless they first repent, and that repentance prepares for the forgiveness of their sins. It is true that repentance does precede the forgiveness of sins; for it is only the broken and contrite heart that will feel the need of a Saviour. But must the sinner wait till he has repented before he can come to Jesus? Is repentance to be made an obstacle between the sinner and the Saviour??{SC 26.1}[10]
§23
圣经并没有教导说罪人必须先悔改才能接受基督的邀请：“凡劳苦担重担的人可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息”（太11:28）。人真心悔改，要靠基督的帮助。彼得在向以色列人演讲的时候，曾说明了这一点：“上帝且用右手将祂高举，叫祂作君王，作救主，将悔改的心和赦罪的恩赐给以色列人”（徒5:31）。要不是基督的灵唤醒我们的良心，我们是不可能悔改的。正如我们离开了基督，就得不到赦罪一样。{SC 26.2}[11]
§24
The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed the invitation of Christ, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”?Matthew 11:28. It is the virtue that goes forth from Christ, that leads to genuine repentance. Peter made the matter clear in his statement to the Israelites when he said, “Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”?Acts 5:31. We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience than we can be pardoned without Christ.?{SC 26.2}[11]
§25
基督是一切善念的源头。只有祂才能将抵抗罪恶的意念栽种在人的心中。追求真理和纯洁的每一愿望，自知有罪的每一感觉，都证明祂的灵运行在我们心上。{SC 26.3}[12]
§26
Christ is the source of every right impulse. He is the only one that can implant in the heart enmity against sin. Every desire for truth and purity, every conviction of our own sinfulness, is an evidence that His Spirit is moving upon our hearts.?{SC 26.3}[12]
§27
耶稣说：“我若从地上被举起来，就要吸引万人来归我”（约12:32）。基督要向罪人表明自己是为世人的罪而死的救主。当我们仰望上帝的羔羊在髑髅地的十字架上时，救赎的奥秘就开始向我们的心显明，上帝的恩典就引导我们悔改。基督为罪人受死，表现了过于人所能测度的爱。当罪人注视这爱时，这爱就会熔化感服他的心，使他产生忏悔之念。{SC 26.4}[13]
§28
Jesus has said, “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.”?John 12:32. Christ must be revealed to the sinner as the Saviour dying for the sins of the world; and as we behold the Lamb of?God upon the cross of Calvary, the mystery of redemption begins to unfold to our minds and the goodness of God leads us to repentance. In dying for sinners, Christ manifested a love that is incomprehensible; and as the sinner beholds this love, it softens the heart, impresses the mind, and inspires contrition in the soul.?{SC 26.4}[13]
§29
人在意识到被吸引归顺基督之前，有时确实也能自愧已罪，并放弃一些恶习。但无论何时，只要他们立志归正，存心行义，都是基督的能力在吸引他们。一种他们意识不到的感化力运行在他们心上，唤醒他们的良心，改变他们的生活。当基督吸引他们仰望祂的十字架，看看祂是如何为他们的罪被刺时，他们对上帝的圣诫就有了深刻的认识。他们生活中的罪恶，心灵中根深蒂固的罪孽，都暴露在他们面前。他们开始对基督的义有所领会，于是感叹说：“为了救赎被罪所害的人，竟要作出这么重大的牺牲！救主竟要付出如此的爱心，如此的受苦，如此的屈辱，才使我们不至灭亡反得永生！”{SC 27.1}[14]
§30
It is true that men sometimes become ashamed of their sinful ways, and give up some of their evil habits, before they are conscious that they are being drawn to Christ. But whenever they make an effort to reform, from a sincere desire to do right, it is the power of Christ that is drawing them. An influence of which they are unconscious works upon the soul, and the conscience is quickened, and the outward life is amended. And as Christ draws them to look upon His cross, to behold Him whom their sins have pierced, the commandment comes home to the conscience. The wickedness of their life, the deep-seated sin of the soul, is revealed to them. They begin to comprehend something of the righteousness of Christ, and exclaim, “What is sin, that it should require such a sacrifice for the redemption of its victim? Was all this love, all this suffering, all this humiliation, demanded, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life?”?{SC 27.1}[14]
§31
罪人可以抗拒这种爱心，拒绝基督的吸引。但只要他不加拒绝，就会被吸引到耶稣面前。他们既认识了救恩的计划，就会来到十字架跟前痛悔自己的罪。这罪曾使上帝的爱子受苦受难。{SC 27.2}[15]
§32
The sinner may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he does not resist he will be drawn to Jesus; a knowledge of the plan of salvation will lead him to the foot of the cross in repentance for his sins, which have caused the sufferings of God’s dear Son.?{SC 27.2}[15]
§33
上帝运行在自然万物中的旨意，也在向人心发言，使他们对尚未拥有的事物，产生一种说不出来的渴慕。属世的事物不能满足这种愿望。圣灵恳劝他们去追求那唯一能带来平安和安息的事物。那就是基督的恩惠、圣洁的喜乐。我们的救主藉着或明或暗的感化力，时常吸引人心离开那不能使人满足的罪中之乐，而追求在祂里面的无穷福气。上帝向那些徒然想从世界破裂之池取饮的人发出信息说：“口渴的人也当来；愿意的，都可以白白取生命的水喝”（启22:17）。{SC 28.1}[16]
§34
The same divine mind that is working upon the things of nature is speaking to the hearts of men and creating an inexpressible craving for something they have not. The things of the world cannot satisfy their longing. The Spirit of God is pleading with them to seek for those things that alone can give peace and rest—the grace of Christ, the joy of holiness. Through influences seen and unseen, our Saviour is constantly at work to attract the minds of men from the unsatisfying pleasures of sin to the infinite blessings that may be theirs in Him. To all these souls, who are vainly seeking to drink from the broken cisterns of this world, the divine message is addressed, “Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”?Revelation 22:17.?{SC 28.1}[16]
§35
如果你的心向往比这世界所能赐更好的事物，就当把这种愿望看作是上帝向你心灵所发的声音。你要恳求祂使你悔改，把基督无穷的慈爱和完全的圣洁向你显示。上帝律法的原则——爱神爱人——在救主的一生中完全彰显出来了。仁慈和无私之爱是祂心里的生命。只有救主光照我们，使我们看见祂，我们才能看见自己心中的罪恶。{SC 28.2}[17]
§36
You who in heart long for something better than this world can give, recognize this longing as the voice of God to your soul. Ask Him to give you repentance, to reveal Christ to you in His infinite love, in His perfect purity. In the Saviour’s life the principles of God’s law—love to God and man—were perfectly exemplified. Benevolence, unselfish love, was the life of His soul. It is as we behold Him, as the light from our Saviour falls upon us, that we see the sinfulness of our own hearts.?{SC 28.2}[17]
§37
我们可能像尼哥底母一样，自以为行为正直，品格端方，不必像一般罪人那样在上帝面前自卑。但当基督的光照入我们的内心时，我们就会看出自己是多么污秽，认识到自私的动机和对上帝的敌意，是如何玷污了我们生活的一举一动。这样，我们就明白自己的义如污秽的衣服。只有基督的血才能洗净罪污，按照祂自己的形像更新我们的心。{SC 28.3}[18]
§38
We may have flattered ourselves, as did Nicodemus, that our life has been upright, that our moral character is correct, and think that we need not humble the heart before God, like the common sinner: but when the light from Christ shines into our souls, we shall see how impure we are; we shall discern the selfishness of motive, the enmity against God, that has defiled every act of life. Then we shall know that our own righteousness is indeed as filthy rags, and that the blood of Christ alone can cleanse us from the defilement of sin, and renew our hearts in His own likeness.?{SC 28.3}[18]
§39
上帝荣耀的一线光芒，基督纯洁的一束光辉假如透入人心，就会揭露一切污点，显示人品格的缺欠和软弱，使不圣洁的欲念、自私的动机和污秽的嘴唇全都暴露无遗。罪人藐视上帝律法的不忠诚行为，也要呈现在他面前。他的心在圣灵的鉴察之下，必大为忧伤痛苦。他一看到救主圣洁无疵的品格，就不得不自怨自恨了。{SC 29.1}[19]
§40
One ray of the glory of God, one gleam of the purity of Christ, penetrating the soul, makes every spot of defilement painfully distinct, and lays bare the deformity and defects of the human character. It makes apparent the unhallowed desires, the infidelity of the heart, the impurity of the lips. The sinner’s acts of disloyalty in making void the law of God, are exposed to his sight, and his spirit is stricken and afflicted under the searching influence of the Spirit of God. He loathes himself as he views the pure, spotless character of Christ.?{SC 29.1}[19]
§41
当先知但以理看见那奉差遣而来的天使所围绕的荣光时．就深深感到自己的软弱和缺欠。他描写这奇妙异象的影响说：“我见了这大异象，便浑身无力，面貌失色，毫无气力”（但10:8）。凡有了这种感受的人，必痛恨自私，憎恶自爱，并依靠基督的义，追求内心的纯洁，好与上帝的律法和基督的品德和谐。{SC 29.2}[20]
§42
When the prophet Daniel beheld the glory surrounding the heavenly messenger that was sent unto him, he was overwhelmed with a sense of his own weakness and imperfection. Describing the effect of the wonderful scene, he says, “There remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.”?Daniel 10:8. The soul thus touched will hate its selfishness, abhor its self-love, and will seek, through Christ’s righteousness, for the purity of heart that is in harmony with the law of God and the character of Christ.?{SC 29.2}[20]
§43
保罗说，“就律法上的义说”——按外表的行为而论——他是“无可指摘的”（腓3:6）。但当他认识到律法的属灵性质之后，就看出自己是一个罪人。按照律法的字句来判断他外表的生活，他确实是无罪的。但当他深入探讨圣诫的意义，按照上帝的眼光看自己时，就谦卑地下俯承认了自己的罪。他说：“我以前没有律法是活着的。但是诫命来到，罪又活了，我就死了”（罗7:9）。他既明白律法的属灵性质，就看出了罪的狰狞面目。他的自高之心也就消失了。{SC 29.3}[21]
§44
Paul says that as “touching the righteousness which is in the law”—as far as outward acts were concerned—he was “blameless” (Philippians 3:6); but when the spiritual character of the law was discerned, he saw himself a sinner. Judged by the letter of the law as?men apply it to the outward life, he had abstained from sin; but when he looked into the depths of its holy precepts, and saw himself as God saw him, he bowed in humiliation and confessed his guilt. He says, “I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.”?Romans 7:9. When he saw the spiritual nature of the law, sin appeared in its true hideousness, and his self-esteem was gone.?{SC 29.3}[21]
§45
在人看来，罪有轻重之分。在上帝看来，也是如此。但尽管有一些错误在人眼中是无关紧要的，在上帝眼中却没有一件罪是小的。人的判断是有偏见而不全面的，但上帝权衡万事总是照着实情。人们看不起酒徒，认为他的罪会妨碍他进天国。可是人们往往没有责备骄傲、自私和贪婪。其实这些罪是特别得罪上帝的，因为与祂善良的品德和从未堕落的宇宙所充满的无私之爱背道而驰。陷在一些较明显之罪中的人或许会感觉到自己的羞耻和贫乏，而需要基督的恩典，但骄傲的心，却感觉不到自己的需要，以致关闭心门，拒绝基督和祂来要赐予的无穷福气。{SC 30.1}[22]
§46
God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude; there are degrees of guilt in His estimation, as well as in that of man; but however trifling this or that wrong act may seem in the eyes of men, no sin is small in the sight of God. Man’s judgment is partial, imperfect; but God estimates all things as they really are. The drunkard is despised and is told that his sin will exclude him from heaven; while pride, selfishness, and covetousness too often go unrebuked. But these are sins that are especially offensive to God; for they are contrary to the benevolence of His character, to that unselfish love which is the very atmosphere of the unfallen universe. He who falls into some of the grosser sins may feel a sense of his shame and poverty and his need of the grace of Christ; but pride feels no need, and so it closes the heart against Christ and the infinite blessings He came to give.?{SC 30.1}[22]
§47
那个可怜的税吏祈祷说：“上帝啊，开恩可怜我这个罪人”（路18:13）。他认为自己罪大恶极，别人也这样看他。但他却感觉到自己的需要，背负着自己的罪担，满怀羞愧地来到上帝面前，求祂怜悯。他敞开心门让圣灵施恩运行，救他脱离罪的权势。但法利赛人傲慢而自以为义的祷告，表明他向圣灵的感化是关闭心门的。他因为远离上帝，就感觉不到在上帝的圣洁纯全之前，自己是何等相形见绌。他既没有感觉需要，所以什么也得不到。{SC 30.2}[23]
§48
The poor publican who prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13), regarded himself as a very wicked man, and others looked upon him in the same light; but he felt his need, and with his burden of?guilt and shame he came before God, asking for His mercy. His heart was open for the Spirit of God to do its gracious work and set him free from the power of sin. The Pharisee’s boastful, self-righteous prayer showed that his heart was closed against the influence of the Holy Spirit. Because of his distance from God, he had no sense of his own defilement, in contrast with the perfection of the divine holiness. He felt no need, and he received nothing.?{SC 30.2}[23]
§49
如果你看出了自己的罪，就不要等到自己先去改善。许多人都以为自己不够好，不配到基督面前来。你想靠自己的努力来改良自己吗？“古实人岂能改变皮肤呢？豹岂能改变斑点呢？若能，你们这习惯行恶的便能行善了”（耶13:23）。上帝是我们唯一的帮助。我们不必等待更大的信心、更好的机会和更圣洁的性情。我们自己不能做什么，只须带着现状来到基督面前。{SC 31.1}[24]
§50
If you see your sinfulness, do not wait to make yourself better. How many there are who think they are not good enough to come to Christ. Do you expect to become better through your own efforts? “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.”?Jeremiah 13:23. There is help for us only in God. We must not wait for stronger persuasions, for better opportunities, or for holier tempers. We can do nothing of ourselves. We must come to Christ just as we are.?{SC 31.1}[24]
§51
但是不要自欺，以为上帝本着祂的大爱和怜悯，连拒绝祂恩典的人也会拯救。罪的狰狞面目，只有在十字架的光照之下，才能识别。那些声称上帝非常善良，不会抛弃罪人的人应当仰望髑髅地。因为除此之外，别无拯救。没有这样的牺牲，人就不可能脱离罪的权势，与圣洁的生灵恢复交往。如果不是基督亲自担当叛逆之人的罪，代替罪人受苦，我们就不可能重新得到属灵的生命。上帝儿子的慈爱、受苦和受死都证明罪的穷凶极恶，说明人心只有顺服基督，才能脱离罪的权势，有希望度更高尚的生活。{SC 31.2}[25]
§52
But let none deceive themselves with the thought that God, in His great love and mercy, will yet save even the rejecters of His grace. The exceeding sinfulness of sin can be estimated only in the light of the cross. When men urge that God is too good to cast off the sinner, let them look to Calvary. It was because there was no other way in which man could be saved, because without this sacrifice it was impossible for the human race to escape from the defiling power of sin, and be restored to communion with holy beings,—impossible for them again to become partakers?of spiritual life,—it was because of this that Christ took upon Himself the guilt of the disobedient and suffered in the sinner’s stead. The love and suffering and death of the Son of God all testify to the terrible enormity of sin and declare that there is no escape from its power, no hope of the higher life, but through the submission of the soul to Christ.?{SC 31.2}[25]
§53
不愿悔改的人为了原谅自己，有时指着那些自命为基督徒的人说：“我的行为并不比他们差。他们也不比我更克已，更谨慎，更正直。他们也爱宴乐，好纵欲，和我没有什么两样。”他们就是这样用别人的过失，来原谅自己对责任的疏忽。但别人的罪恶和缺点，不能作为推诿之词。因为上帝并没有让易于犯错的人给我们效仿。祂赐下无瑕疵的爱子作我们的榜样。人既指摘自命为基督徒者的过错，就应该有更加高尚的生活，树立更好的榜样。他们对基督徒的要求既然这么高，自己的罪岂不显得更加严重了吗？他们明知什么是对的，却不去做。{SC 32.1}[26]
§54
The impenitent sometimes excuse themselves by saying of professed Christians, “I am as good as they are. They are no more self-denying, sober, or circumspect in their conduct than I am. They love pleasure and self-indulgence as well as I do.” Thus they make the faults of others an excuse for their own neglect of duty. But the sins and defects of others do not excuse anyone, for the Lord has not given us an erring human pattern. The spotless Son of God has been given as our example, and those who complain of the wrong course of professed Christians are the ones who should show better lives and nobler examples. If they have so high a conception of what a Christian should be, is not their own sin so much the greater? They know what is right, and yet refuse to do it.?{SC 32.1}[26]
§55
切不要拖延时机。不要耽搁抛弃罪恶与靠耶稣洁净心灵的工作。千万人就是因为拖延而酿成永久的损失。我不必多说人生的短促或无定。但迟延不听圣灵恳劝的声音，留恋罪中的生话，真的存在极大的危险。这种危险是人们未能充分了解的。罪恶无论在表面上看多么轻微，如果纵而不改，都会造成无限的损失。我们所胜不过的罪恶，终必制胜我们，毁灭我们。{SC 32.2}[27]
§56
Beware of procrastination. Do not put off the work of forsaking your sins and seeking purity of heart through Jesus. Here is where thousands upon thousands have erred to their eternal loss. I will not here dwell upon the shortness and uncertainty of life; but there is a terrible danger—a danger not sufficiently understood—in delaying to yield to the pleading voice of God’s Holy Spirit, in choosing to live in sin; for such this delay really is. Sin, however?small it may be esteemed, can be indulged in only at the peril of infinite loss. What we do not overcome, will overcome us and work out our destruction.?{SC 32.2}[27]
§57
亚当和夏娃原以为吃禁果只是小事，不会造成上帝所说的可怕后果。但正是这件小事却违犯了上帝不变的圣律法，使人类与上帝隔绝，并打开了闸门，让死亡和无数灾祸涌向我们的世界。由于人类的叛逆，历代以来，悲伤的哭喊声不断从地上响起。一切受造之物，莫不同声劳苦叹息。连天上也感受到这次背逆上帝的后果。髑髅地就是救赎违背上帝律法所必须作出之惊人牺牲的纪念。我们切不可把犯罪看作小事。{SC 33.1}[28]
§58
Adam and Eve persuaded themselves that in so small a matter as eating of the forbidden fruit there could not result such terrible consequences as God had declared. But this small matter was the transgression of God’s immutable and holy law, and it separated man from God and opened the floodgates of death and untold woe upon our world. Age after age there has gone up from our earth a continual cry of mourning, and the whole creation groaneth and travaileth together in pain as a consequence of man’s disobedience. Heaven itself has felt the effects of his rebellion against God. Calvary stands as a memorial of the amazing sacrifice required to atone for the transgression of the divine law. Let us not regard sin as a trivial thing.?{SC 33.1}[28]
§59
每一次犯罪，每一次疏忽和抗拒基督的恩典，都会对你产生不利的影响，使你心地刚硬，意志薄弱，悟性麻木，不但失去顺从圣灵慈怜恳劝的心愿，也失去顺从的可能。{SC 33.2}[29]
§60
Every act of transgression, every neglect or rejection of the grace of Christ, is reacting upon yourself; it is hardening the heart, depraving the will, benumbing the understanding, and not only making you less inclined to yield, but less capable of yielding, to the tender pleading of God’s Holy Spirit.?{SC 33.2}[29]
§61
许多人受了良心的谴责以后，就安慰自己，说自己随时都能弃邪归正；可以一再忽略慈悲的邀请，而又一再重新受感。他们以为自己藐视施恩的圣灵，完全投入撒但一边之后，到了危急关头，仍能改弦更张。但事情并不是那么简单。一生的教育和经验已经彻底塑造了他的品格。他是很难再接受耶稣的形像了。{SC 33.3}[30]
§62
Many are quieting a troubled conscience with the thought that they can change a course of evil when they choose; that they can trifle with the invitations of mercy, and yet be again and again impressed. They think that after doing despite to the Spirit of grace, after casting their influence on the side of Satan, in a moment of terrible extremity they can change their course. But this is not so easily done. The experience,?the education, of a lifetime, has so thoroughly molded the character that few then desire to receive the image of Jesus.?{SC 33.3}[30]
§63
品格上的每一个不良特性和罪恶欲念，如果坚持不改，都会最终抵消福音的全部能力。每一次放纵罪恶，都使人与上帝更加离心离德。顽梗不信、藐视上帝真理的人，只能自食其果。圣经中严肃警告人不可与罪恶周旋的话，莫过于智者所说的了：罪人“必被自己的罪恶如绳索缠绕”（箴5:22）。{SC 34.1}[31]
§64
Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire, persistently cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel. Every sinful indulgence strengthens the soul’s aversion to God. The man who manifests an infidel hardihood, or a stolid indifference to divine truth, is but reaping the harvest of that which he has himself sown. In all the Bible there is not a more fearful warning against trifling with evil than the words of the wise man that the sinner “shall be holden with the cords of his sins.”?Proverbs 5:22.?{SC 34.1}[31]
§65
基督要拯救我们脱离罪恶。但祂并不勉强人的意志。如果我们坚持犯罪，思想完全倾向罪恶，不希望得自由，不愿意领受祂的恩典，祂还能为我们做什么呢？我们决意拒绝祂的爱，就是自取沉沦。“看哪，现在正是悦纳的时候，现在正是拯救的日子，你们今日若听祂的话，就不可硬着心”（林后6:2；来3:7,8）。{SC 34.2}[32]
§66
Christ is ready to set us free from sin, but He does not force the will; and if by persistent transgression the will itself is wholly bent on evil, and we do not?desire?to be set free, if we?will?not accept His grace, what more can He do? We have destroyed ourselves by our determined rejection of His love. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.”?2 Corinthians 6:2;?Hebrews 3:7, 8.?{SC 34.2}[32]
§67
“人是看外貌，耶和华是看内心”（撒上16:7），就是这颗忧喜交加，漂荡无定，藏垢纳污，诡诈奸猾的心。祂知道人心中的意念、动机和欲望。你就带着这颗罪迹斑斑的心到祂面前来吧！要像诗人那样向洞察一切的救主敞开心怀说：“上帝啊，求祢鉴察我，知道我的心思，试炼我，知道我的意念，看在我里面有什么恶行没有，引导我走永生的道路”（诗139:23,24）。{SC 34.3}[33]
§68
“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart”—the human heart, with its conflicting emotions of joy and sorrow; the wandering, wayward heart, which is the abode of so much impurity and deceit.?1 Samuel 16:7. He knows its motives, its very intents and purposes. Go to Him with your soul all stained as it is. Like the psalmist, throw its chambers open to the all-seeing eye, exclaiming, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know?my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”?Psalm 139:23, 24.?{SC 34.3}[33]
§69
许多人所接受的，只是宗教的理论，徒有虔诚的外表，心灵却没有得到洁净。你却要祈祷说：“上帝啊，求祢为我造清洁的心，使我里面重新有正直的灵”（诗51:10）。务要诚实对待自己的心。要恳切、坚持，犹如身临生死关头。这是你与上帝之间所要解决的问题，涉及永恒的命运。空洞的希望，只能造成你的毁灭。{SC 35.1}[34]
§70
Many accept an intellectual religion, a form of godliness, when the heart is not cleansed. Let it be your prayer, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”?Psalm 51:10. Deal truly with your own soul. Be as earnest, as persistent, as you would be if your mortal life were at stake. This is a matter to be settled between God and your own soul, settled for eternity. A supposed hope, and nothing more, will prove your ruin.?{SC 35.1}[34]
§71
要怀着祈祷的精神研究圣经。圣经从上帝的律法和基督的生活中向你显示伟大圣洁的原则。非此，就“没有人能见主”（来12:14）。圣经使人认识到自己的罪，显明得救的道路。你要留意倾听，因为这是上帝在对你的心灵说话。{SC 35.2}[35]
§72
Study God’s word prayerfully. That word presents before you, in the law of God and the life of Christ, the great principles of holiness, without which “no man shall see the Lord.”?Hebrews 12:14. It convinces of sin; it plainly reveals the way of salvation. Give heed to it as the voice of God speaking to your soul.?{SC 35.2}[35]
§73
当你认识到罪的可怕本质和自己的真相时，切不可灰心绝望。基督就是来拯救罪人的。不是我们自己设法使上帝与我们和好。“上帝却在基督里叫世人与自己和好”（林后5:19）。这是何等奇妙的慈爱！祂正在温柔地吸引祂浪子的心。世上没有一个父母能像上帝对待祂所设法拯救的人那样容忍儿女的过失，没有一个人像上帝那样诚恳地劝告犯错的人，也没有人比上帝更加柔和地劝导迷路的人。上帝的每一个应许和每一个警告都是祂莫可言喻之爱的表达。{SC 35.3}[36]
§74
As you see the enormity of sin, as you see yourself as you really are, do not give up to despair. It was sinners that Christ came to save. We have not to reconcile God to us, but—O wondrous love!—God in Christ is “reconciling the world unto Himself.”?2 Corinthians 5:19. He is wooing by His tender love the hearts of His erring children. No earthly parent could be as patient with the faults and mistakes of his children, as is God with those He seeks to save. No one could plead more tenderly with the transgressor. No human lips ever poured out more tender entreaties to the wanderer than does He. All His promises, His warnings, are but the breathing of unutterable love.?{SC 35.3}[36]
§75
当撒但对你说，你是个大罪人时，你就要仰望你的救赎主，述说祂的功劳。仰望祂的荣光对你是有帮助的。你当承认自己的罪，但要告诉仇敌：“基督耶稣降世，为要拯救罪人”（提前1:15）。祂无比之爱必要拯救你。耶稣曾问西门有关两个债户的问题。一个欠主人的钱少，另一个欠很多。但主人都赦免了他们。基督问西门，哪一个债户更爱他的主人。西门回答说：“我想是那多得恩免的人”（路7:34）。我们本来是大罪人。但基督受死使我们得蒙赦免。祂为我们将祂牺牲的功劳呈在天父面前。那些蒙赦免最多的人必最爱祂，并最靠近祂的施恩宝座，颂赞祂伟大的慈爱和无穷的牺牲。我们充分理解上帝的慈爱，就会对罪的实质有完全的认识。当我们看到为我们垂下的链索有多么长，明白了基督为我们所作的无穷牺牲时，我们的心就会软化而痛悔。{SC 35.4}[37]
§76
When Satan comes to tell you that you are a?great sinner, look up to your Redeemer and talk of His merits. That which will help you is to look to His light. Acknowledge your sin, but tell the enemy that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” and that you may be saved by His matchless love.?1 Timothy 1:15. Jesus asked Simon a question in regard to two debtors. One owed his Lord a small sum, and the other owed him a very large sum; but he forgave them both, and Christ asked Simon which debtor would love his Lord most. Simon answered, “He to whom he forgave most.”?Luke 7:43. We have been great sinners, but Christ died that we might be forgiven. The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf. Those to whom He has forgiven most will love Him most, and will stand nearest to His throne to praise Him for His great love and infinite sacrifice. It is when we most fully comprehend the love of God that we best realize the sinfulness of sin. When we see the length of the chain that was let down for us, when we understand something of the infinite sacrifice that Christ has made in our behalf, the heart is melted with tenderness and contrition.?{SC 35.4}[37]