第07章 信徒的身份证明
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第07章 信徒的身份证明
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Chapter 7—The Test of Discipleship
§3
“若有人在基督里，他就是新造的人；旧事己过，都变成新的了”（林后5:17）。{SC 57.1}[1]
§4
“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”?2 Corinthians 5:17.?{SC 57.1}[1]
§5
—个人也许说不出自己悔改的具体时间和地点，也无法追溯悔改过程中的一切细节，但这不证明他就没有悔改。基督对尼哥底母说：“风随着意思吹，你听见风的响声，却不晓得从哪里来，往哪里去。凡从圣灵生的，也是如此”（约3:8）。上帝的灵在人心中工作，就像风一样，虽然看不见，其效果却是明显而可以感受的。这种肉眼所不能见的令人更新的能力，在人心中产生了一个新生命，按照上帝的形像创造了一个新人。圣灵的工作虽然无声无息，其功效却是明显的。如果人心已被上帝的灵所更新，他的生活就成了此事的见证。虽然我们无法改变自己的心，使自己与上帝和好，也决不能依靠自己和自己的善行，但是我们的生活仍将证明有没有上帝的恩典住在我们里面。悔改是会表现在人的品格、习惯和爱好上的。只要把人的过去和现在对比一下，就可以看得一清二楚。品格并不表现在偶然的善行和过错上，而是表现在日常言行的倾向上。{SC 57.2}[2]
§6
A person may not be able to tell the exact time or place, or trace all the chain of circumstances in the process of conversion; but this does not prove him to be unconverted. Christ said to Nicodemus, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.”?John 3:8. Like the wind, which is invisible, yet the effects of which are plainly seen and felt, is the Spirit of God in its work upon the human heart. That regenerating power, which no human eye can see, begets a new life in the soul; it creates a new being in the image of God. While the work of the Spirit is silent and imperceptible, its effects are manifest. If the heart has been renewed by the Spirit of God, the life will bear witness to the fact. While we cannot do anything to change our hearts or to bring ourselves into harmony with God; while we must not trust at all to ourselves or our good works, our lives will reveal whether the grace of God is dwelling within us. A change will be seen in the character, the habits, the pursuits. The contrast will be clear and decided between what they have been and what they are. The character is revealed, not?by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds, but by the tendency of the habitual words and acts.?{SC 57.2}[2]
§7
的确，人虽没有体验基督更新的能力，也可能有正直的外表。沽名钓誉的心理也能导致端庄的生活。自尊之心能使我们避免犯罪的形像。自私的心也能作出慷慨之举。那么，我们如何断定自己是哪一等人呢？{SC 58.1}[3]
§8
It is true that there may be an outward correctness of deportment without the renewing power of Christ. The love of influence and the desire for the esteem of others may produce a well-ordered life. Self-respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of evil. A selfish heart may perform generous actions. By what means, then, shall we determine whose side we are on??{SC 58.1}[3]
§9
我们的心是属于谁的呢？我们所思想的是谁呢？我们喜欢谈论的是谁呢？我们最深的感情和最好的侍奉又是属于谁的呢？我们如果是属于基督的，就会思慕祂，把最美好的思想集中在祂身上。我们的身心和我们的一切所有都会奉献给祂。我们必渴望具有祂的形像，充满祂的精神，遵行祂的旨意，并在凡事上求祂喜悦。{SC 58.2}[4]
§10
Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are Christ’s, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.?{SC 58.2}[4]
§11
凡在基督耶稣里新造的人，必要结出圣灵的果子，就是“仁爱，喜乐，和平，忍耐，恩慈，良善，信实，温柔，节制”（加5:22,23）。他们不再效法从前那放纵私欲的样子，却因信上帝的儿子而跟从祂的脚踪，反映祂的品德，并洁净自己，像祂洁净那样。他们一度憎恶的事，如今却喜爱了。从前所喜爱的事，如今却憎恨了。骄傲自恃的人变成心里柔和谦卑了。虚荣傲慢的人，变成严肃慎重了。亵渎变为恭敬，醉酒变为清醒，放荡变为纯洁了。世俗的虚荣和时髦都废除了。基督徒不追求外面的装饰，“只以里面存着长久温柔安静的心为妆饰”（彼前3:3,4）。{SC 58.3}[5]
§12
Those who become new creatures in Christ Jesus will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.”?Galatians 5:22, 23. They will no longer fashion themselves according to the former lusts, but by the faith of the Son of God they will follow in His steps, reflect His character, and purify themselves even as He is pure. The things they once hated they now love, and the things they once loved they hate. The proud and self-assertive become meek and lowly in heart. The vain and supercilious become serious and unobtrusive. The drunken become sober, and the profligate pure. The vain customs and fashions of the world are laid aside. Christians will seek not the “outward adorning,” but “the hidden man of?the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.”?1 Peter 3:3, 4.?{SC 58.3}[5]
§13
人如果没有改变，就不能证明他已经真正悔改了。如果罪人“还人的当头和所抢夺的”（结33:15），承认自己的罪，爱上帝和他的同胞，就可以确知他已经出死入生了。{SC 59.1}[6]
§14
There is no evidence of genuine repentance unless it works reformation. If he restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, confess his sins, and love God and his fellow men, the sinner may be sure that he has passed from death unto life.?{SC 59.1}[6]
§15
当我们这有过犯、有罪孽的人来到基督面前，领受祂赦罪之恩的时候，在我们心中就会萌发出爱来。一切担子都轻省了，因为基督的轭是容易的。我们必乐意负责任和作出牺牲。过去似乎被黑暗所笼罩的道路，在公义日头的照耀之下，成为光明大道。{SC 59.2}[7]
§16
When, as erring, sinful beings, we come to Christ and become partakers of His pardoning grace, love springs up in the heart. Every burden is light, for the yoke that Christ imposes is easy. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness, becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness.?{SC 59.2}[7]
§17
从基督徒的身上，将看到基督品格的美。基督乐意遵行上帝的旨意。爱上帝，为祂的荣耀发热心，是我们救主生活最主要的动机。爱使祂的一举一动显得美丽和高尚。爱是从上帝来的。一颗没有奉献给主的心决不会产生或发动这种爱。唯有一颗有耶稣在里面作王的心，才会有这样的爱。“我们爱，因为上帝先爱我们”（约壹4:19）。在一颗因上帝的恩典而更新的心里，爱是行动的原则。它必塑造人的品格，管理人的意志，控制人的欲望，并操练人的感情。这种爱珍藏在人心中，必使整个人生甘甜，并在周围的人身上发挥高尚的影响。{SC 59.3}[8]
§18
The loveliness of the character of Christ will be seen in His followers. It was His delight to do the will of God. Love to God, zeal for His glory, was the controlling power in our Saviour’s life. Love beautified and ennobled all His actions. Love is of God. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it. It is found only in the heart where Jesus reigns. “We love, because He first loved us.”?1 John 4:19, R.V. In the heart renewed by divine grace, love is the principle of action. It modifies the character, governs the impulses, controls the passions, subdues enmity, and ennobles the affections. This love, cherished in the soul, sweetens the life and sheds a refining influence on all around.?{SC 59.3}[8]
§19
上帝的儿女，尤其是那些刚信靠祂恩典的人，需要特别防止两种错误。第一种是前面提到过的，就是专注于自己的行为，相信能靠自己的努力与上帝和好。其实人想依靠自己遵守律法，使自己成圣，乃是在尝试那不可能的事。离开基督，人无论作什么事，都沾染着自私和罪恶。只有信靠基督的恩典，我们才能成圣。{SC 59.4}[9]
§20
There are two errors against which the children of God—particularly those who have just come to trust in His grace—especially need to guard. The first, already dwelt upon, is that of looking to their?own works, trusting to anything they can do, to bring themselves into harmony with God. He who is trying to become holy by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. All that man can do without Christ is polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, through faith, that can make us holy.?{SC 59.4}[9]
§21
另一种相反的错误也有同样的危险，即认为只要信基督，就可以不遵守上帝的律法；认为既然只有凭着信心，才能领受基督的恩典，我们自己的行为就与得救无关。{SC 60.1}[10]
§22
The opposite and no less dangerous error is that belief in Christ releases men from keeping the law of God; that since by faith alone we become partakers of the grace of Christ, our works have nothing to do with our redemption.?{SC 60.1}[10]
§23
然而要知道顺从不是外表的形式，而是出于爱心的侍奉。上帝的律法是祂本性的表达，是伟大之爱的原则的具体表现。因此也是祂天上地下政权的基础。如果我们的心已经按照上帝的形像更新，上帝的爱已栽培在我们心中，我们在生活上难道不会遵守上帝的律法吗？当爱的原则栽培在人心中，人按照创造主的形像得到更新时，新约的应许就实现了：“我要将我的律法写在他们心上，又要放在他们的里面”（来10:16）。律法既写在心上，难道不会影响生活吗？顺从——出于爱心的侍奉和效忠——是信徒的真正标志。所以经上说，“我们遵守上帝的诫命，这就是爱祂了。”“人若说我认识祂，却不遵守祂的诚命，便是说谎话的，真理也不在他心里了”（约壹5:3；2:4）。信心绝不会解除人顺从的义务。只有信心才能使我们得到主的恩典，并且甘心顺从。{SC 60.2}[11]
§24
But notice here that obedience is not a mere outward compliance, but the service of love. The law of God is an expression of His very nature; it is an embodiment of the great principle of love, and hence is the foundation of His government in heaven and earth. If our hearts are renewed in the likeness of God, if the divine love is implanted in the soul, will not the law of God be carried out in the life? When the principle of love is implanted in the heart, when man is renewed after the image of Him that created him, the new-covenant promise is fulfilled, “I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.”?Hebrews 10:16. And if the law is written in the heart, will it not shape the life? Obedience—the service and allegiance of love—is the true sign of discipleship. Thus the Scripture says, “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” “He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”?1 John 5:3;?2:4. Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith,?and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience.?{SC 60.2}[11]
§25
我们不是靠顺从来赚得救恩，因为救恩是上帝白白的恩赐，要凭着信心去领受。但顺从却是信心的果实。“你们知道主曾显现，是要除掉人的罪。在祂并没有罪。凡住在祂里面的，就不犯罪。凡犯罪的，是未曾看见祂，也未曾认识祂”（约壹3:5,6）。这就是真正的试金石。如果我们住在基督里面，上帝的爱如果住在我们心中，我们的感情、思想、志向、行动就会与上帝表现在祂圣律法中的旨意和谐一致。“小子们哪！不要被人诱惑，行义的才是义人，正如主是义的一样”（约壹3:7）。这义就是上帝圣律法的标准，体现在西奈山所颁布的十诫中。{SC 61.1}[12]
§26
We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. “Ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him.”?1 John 3:5, 6. Here is the true test. If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in us, our feelings, our thoughts, our purposes, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the precepts of His holy law. “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.”?1 John 3:7. Righteousness is defined by the standard of God’s holy law, as expressed in the ten precepts given on Sinai.?{SC 61.1}[12]
§27
那种认为信了基督就可以不顺从上帝的所谓信心，并不是信心，而是妄想。“你们得救是本乎恩，也因着信”（弗2:8）。但是“信心若没有行为，就是死的（雅2:17）。耶稣在降世之前曾论到自己说：“我的上帝啊，我乐意照祢的旨意行，祢的律法在我心里”（诗40:8）。祂升天以前又宣称：“我遵守了我父的命令，常在祂的爱里”（约15:10）。圣经说：“我们若遵守祂的诫命，就晓得是认识祂。……人若说他住在主里面，就该自己照主所行的去行”（约壹2:3-6）。“因为基督也为你们受过苦，给你们留下榜样，叫你们跟随祂的脚踪行”（彼前2:21）。{SC 61.2}[13]
§28
That so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from the obligation of obedience to God, is not faith, but presumption. “By grace are ye saved through faith.” But “faith, if it hath not works, is dead.”?Ephesians 2:8;?James 2:17. Jesus said of Himself before He came to earth, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.”?Psalm 40:8. And just before He ascended again to heaven He declared, “I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.”?John 15:10. The Scripture says, “Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.... He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk even as He walked.”?1 John 2:3-6. “Because Christ also?suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.”?1 Peter 2:21.?{SC 61.2}[13]
§29
得永生的条件始终是一样的，现在与我们始祖堕落之先在伊甸园中并无不同，就是完全服从上帝的律法，完全行义。如果得永生的条件达不到这一点，全宇宙的幸福势必遭到破坏，并为罪恶打开出路，伴随而来的是一连串绵绵无尽期的灾难和祸患。{SC 62.1}[14]
§30
The condition of eternal life is now just what it always has been,—just what it was in Paradise before the fall of our first parents,—perfect obedience to the law of God, perfect righteousness. If eternal life were granted on any condition short of this, then the happiness of the whole universe would be imperiled. The way would be open for sin, with all its train of woe and misery, to be immortalized.?{SC 62.1}[14]
§31
亚当在堕落以前，本来可以藉着顺从上帝的律法来造就公义的品格，但是他没有这样做。由于他的罪，我们的本性堕落了，无法使自己成为义的。我们既是有罪不洁的，就无法完全顺从圣洁的律法。我们自己没有义可以满足律法的要求。但是基督已为我们开辟了一条逃生之路。祂在地上经受了我们所经受的种种试炼和试探。祂度着无罪的生活，为我们舍命。如今祂又要除去我们的罪孽，将祂的义赐给我们。如果你献身给祂，接受祂为你的救主，你以往不管有多大的罪孽，上帝必因基督的缘故称你为义。基督的品格代替了你的品格。你被接纳到上帝面前，就像没有犯罪一样。{SC 62.2}[15]
§32
It was possible for Adam, before the fall, to form a righteous character by obedience to God’s law. But he failed to do this, and because of his sin our natures are fallen and we cannot make ourselves righteous. Since we are sinful, unholy, we cannot perfectly obey the holy law. We have no righteousness of our own with which to meet the claims of the law of God. But Christ has made a way of escape for us. He lived on earth amid trials and temptations such as we have to meet. He lived a sinless life. He died for us, and now He offers to take our sins and give us His righteousness. If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous. Christ’s character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.?{SC 62.2}[15]
§33
基督还改变了你的心，并因你的信而住在你心中。你要藉着信心与基督保持这种关系，继续将自己的意志顺服与祂。只要你这样做，祂就会使你立志行事都符合祂的美意。于是你就可以说：“我如今在肉身活着，是因信上帝的儿子而活；祂是爱我，为我舍己”（加2:20）。因此耶稣对祂的门徒说：“不是你们自己说的，乃是你们父的灵在你们里头说的”（太10:20）。基督既在你心中作工，你就会表现出祂的精神和祂的行为，就是公义和顺从的行为。{SC 62.3}[16]
§34
More than this, Christ changes the heart. He abides in your heart by faith. You are to maintain this connection with Christ by faith and the continual surrender of your will to Him; and so long as you do this, He will work in you to will and to do?according to His good pleasure. So you may say, “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”?Galatians 2:20. So Jesus said to His disciples, “It is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”?Matthew 10:20. Then with Christ working in you, you will manifest the same spirit and do the same good works—works of righteousness, obedience.?{SC 62.3}[16]
§35
所以我们本身毫无可夸之处，没有理由自高自大。我们唯一的盼望，在于基督的义赐给我们，在于祂的灵运行在我们心中，藉我们工作。{SC 63.1}[17]
§36
So we have nothing in ourselves of which to boast. We have no ground for self-exaltation. Our only ground of hope is in the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and in that wrought by His Spirit working in and through us.?{SC 63.1}[17]
§37
我们在谈到论信心的时候，必须留心加以区别。有一种所谓的信，是与信心毫不相关的。上帝的存在与权能，祂话语的真实性，是连撒但和他的党羽也无法否认的事实。圣经说：“鬼魔也信，却是战惊”（雅2:19）。但这不是信心。真正的信心，不但相信上帝的话，而且甘心顺从祂。我们乐意顺服祂，感情就会集中在祂身上。这是那生发仁爱并洁净心灵的信心。藉着这样的信心，我们的心能按照上帝的形像更新。在我们的心未经更新的时候，是不服上帝的律法，也是不能服的，但如今却喜爱这圣洁的诫命，并与诗人同说：“我何等爱慕祢的律法．终日不住地思想”（诗119:97）。律法的义便成就在我们“这不随从肉体，只随从圣灵的人身上”（罗8:4）。{SC 63.2}[18]
§38
When we speak of faith, there is a distinction that should be borne in mind. There is a kind of belief that is wholly distinct from faith. The existence and power of God, the truth of His word, are facts that even Satan and his hosts cannot at heart deny. The Bible says that “the devils also believe, and tremble;” but this is not faith.?James 2:19. Where there is not only a belief in God’s word, but a submission of the will to Him; where the heart is yielded to Him, the affections fixed upon Him, there is faith—faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Through this faith the heart is renewed in the image of God. And the heart that in its unrenewed state is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, now delights in its holy precepts, exclaiming with the psalmist, “O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day.”?Psalm 119:97. And the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us, “who?walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”?Romans 8:1.?{SC 63.2}[18]
§39
有些人明知基督赦罪的爱，并真心希望作上帝的儿子。但他们看到自己品格的残缺和生活中的过错，就怀疑自己的心没有被圣灵所更新。我要对这样的人说，切莫灰心后退。我们有过失，有错误，不免经常在耶稣脚前俯伏哭泣。但我们不要因此而沮丧。即使我们被仇敌所胜，也不致被上帝抛弃拒绝。基督在上帝的右边为我们代求。蒙爱的约翰说：“我将这些话写给你们，是要叫你们不犯罪。若有人犯罪，在父那里我们有一位中保，那就是那义者耶稣基督”（约壹2:1）。更不要忘记基督的话：“父自己爱你们”（约16:27）。祂希望你回到祂身边，反映祂的神圣和纯洁。只要你愿意顺服祂，那在你心中已经动了善工的主，就必成全这工，直到耶稣基督的日子。要更加热切地祈求，更加真诚地信靠。我们既不依靠自己的力量，就当信靠我们救赎主的大能。我们要赞美祂，因为祂是我们脸上的光荣。{SC 64.1}[19]
§40
There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Said the beloved John, “These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”?1 John 2:1. And do not forget the words of Christ, “The Father Himself loveth you.”?John 16:27. He desires to restore you to Himself, to see His own purity and holiness reflected in you. And if you will but yield yourself to Him, He that hath begun a good work in you will carry it forward to the day of Jesus Christ. Pray more fervently; believe more fully. As we come to distrust our own power, let us trust the power of our Redeemer, and we shall praise Him who is the health of our countenance.?{SC 64.1}[19]
§41
你越亲近耶稣，就越看出自己的污秽，因为你的视线更加明晰了。在基督完美品格的对比之下，你会清楚地看到自己的种种缺欠。这就证明撒但欺骗的权势已经失效。上帝圣灵赐生命的能力正在振奋着你。{SC 64.2}[20]
§42
The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature. This is evidence that Satan’s delusions have lost their?power; that the vivifying influence of the Spirit of God is arousing you.?{SC 64.2}[20]
§43
凡不认识自己罪孽的心，是不会对耶稣产生深厚感情的。只有基督的恩典所改变了的心，才会爱慕祂神圣的品格。但如果我们没有看到自己品格上的缺陷，就表明我们还没有看到基督的荣美和高尚。{SC 65.1}[21]
§44
No deep-seated love for Jesus can dwell in the heart that does not realize its own sinfulness. The soul that is transformed by the grace of Christ will admire His divine character; but if we do not see our own moral deformity, it is unmistakable evidence that we have not had a view of the beauty and excellence of Christ.?{SC 65.1}[21]
§45
我们越少看重自己，就越多地看到我们救主的无限纯洁和慈爱。我们看见了自己的罪，就会亲近那一位能赦免罪孽的救主。当我们意识到自己的无助，而向基督求助的时候，祂就会显示自己的权能。我们越觉得自己的贫乏而投奔救主和上帝的道，我们对祂的品德，就会有越高的认识。我们也就更加充分地反映祂的形像。{SC 65.2}[22]
§46
The less we see to esteem in ourselves, the more we shall see to esteem in the infinite purity and loveliness of our Saviour. A view of our sinfulness drives us to Him who can pardon; and when the soul, realizing its helplessness, reaches out after Christ, He will reveal Himself in power. The more our sense of need drives us to Him and to the word of God, the more exalted views we shall have of His character, and the more fully we shall reflect His image.?{SC 65.2}[22]