第08章 在基督里成长
§1
第08章 在基督里成长
§2
Chapter 8—Growing Up Into Christ
§3
我们藉着内心的改变而成为上帝的儿女，这在圣经中称为重生，又被比作农夫所撒之良种的萌芽。新悔改归向基督的人，如同才生的婴孩，在基督耶稣里“渐长”成人（彼前2:2；弗4:15），又如同下土的良种逐渐生长结实。以赛亚说：“他们被称为公义树，是耶和华所栽的，叫祂得荣耀”（赛61:3）。这些自然生命的比喻，帮助我们更好地理解属灵生命的奥秘真理。{SC 67.1}[1]
§4
The change of heart by which we become children of God is in the Bible spoken of as birth. Again, it is compared to the germination of the good seed sown by the husbandman. In like manner those who are just converted to Christ are, “as new-born babes,” to “grow up” to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.?1 Peter 2:2;?Ephesians 4:15. Or like the good seed sown in the field, they are to grow up and bring forth fruit. Isaiah says that they shall “be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.”?Isaiah 61:3. So from natural life, illustrations are drawn, to help us better to understand the mysterious truths of spiritual life.?{SC 67.1}[1]
§5
人间的一切聪明技巧都无法创造出自然界最小的生命。动物和植物的生存，靠的是上帝亲自所赐的生命。因此惟有来自上帝的生命，才能在人心中产生属灵的生命。“人若不重生”，就不能分享基督来要赐予的生命（约3:3）。{SC 67.2}[2]
§6
Not all the wisdom and skill of man can produce life in the smallest object in nature. It is only through the life which God Himself has imparted, that either plant or animal can live. So it is only through the life from God that spiritual life is begotten in the hearts of men. Unless a man is “born from above,” he cannot become a partaker of the life which Christ came to give.?John 3:3, margin.?{SC 67.2}[2]
§7
生命如此，生长也是如此。上帝使蓓蕾吐芳，花儿结实。祂的能力使种子茁壮成长，“先发苗，后长穗，再后穗上结成饱满的子粒”（可4:28）。先知何西阿论到以色列说，他们“如百合花开放，发旺如五谷，开花如葡萄树”（何14:5,7）。耶稣吩咐我们“想百合花怎样长起来”（路12:27）。草木百花的成长，不是靠本身的操心、忧虑或努力，而是靠领受上帝的恩赐来维持它们的生命。孩童也不是靠自己的忧虑或能力长大的。同样，你们也不可能靠自己的忧虑或努力在属灵上成长。植物和儿童都是靠吸收周围维持生命的空气、阳光和食物而成长的。大自然之赐给动植物的礼物，正如基督赐给信祂之人的礼物一样。祂是他们“永远的光”，“是日头，是盾牌。”祂“向以色列如甘露。”“祂必降临，像雨降在已割的草地上，如甘霖滋润田地”（赛60:19;诗84:11;何14:5;诗72:6）。祂是活水，是“上帝的粮……就是从天上降下来赐生命给世界的”（约6:33）。{SC 67.3}[3]
§8
As with life, so it is with growth. It is God who brings the bud to bloom and the flower to fruit. It is by His power that the seed develops, “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.”?Mark 4:28. And the prophet Hosea says of Israel, that “he shall grow as the lily.” “They shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine.”?Hosea 14:5, 7. And Jesus bids us “consider the lilies how?they grow.”?Luke 12:27. The plants and flowers grow not by their own care or anxiety or effort, but by receiving that which God has furnished to minister to their life. The child cannot, by any anxiety or power of its own, add to its stature. No more can you, by anxiety or effort of yourself, secure spiritual growth. The plant, the child, grows by receiving from its surroundings that which ministers to its life—air, sunshine, and food. What these gifts of nature are to animal and plant, such is Christ to those who trust in Him. He is their “everlasting light,” “a sun and shield.”?Isaiah 60:19;?Psalm 84:11. He shall be as “the dew unto Israel.” “He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass.”?Hosea 14:5;?Psalm 72:6. He is the living water, “the Bread of God ... which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.”?John 6:33.?{SC 67.3}[3]
§9
上帝赐下自己的儿子这个无比的恩赐，就是把整个世界都包围在恩惠的气氛中，如同地球为大气层所包围一样。凡愿意吸取这赐生命之空气的人都必得生，并在基督耶稣里逐渐长大成人。{SC 68.1}[4]
§10
In the matchless gift of His Son, God has encircled the whole world with an atmosphere of grace as real as the air which circulates around the globe. All who choose to breathe this life-giving atmosphere will live and grow up to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.?{SC 68.1}[4]
§11
花朵如果朝着太阳，阳光就会增进它的美丽和匀称。同样，如果我们转向公义的日头，天国的光就会照耀在我们身上，使我们的品格发展成基督的样式。{SC 68.2}[5]
§12
As the flower turns to the sun, that the bright beams may aid in perfecting its beauty and symmetry, so should we turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven’s light may shine upon us, that our character may be developed into the likeness of Christ.?{SC 68.2}[5]
§13
耶稣也这样教导我们说：“你们要常在我里面。枝子若不常在葡萄树上，自己就不能结果子。你们若不常在我里面，也是这样。……因为离了我，你们就不能做什么”（约15:4,5）。你必须依靠基督才能度圣洁的生括，正像枝条必须连在树干上才能生长结实一样。离开祂，你就没有生命，没有能力去抵抗试探，并在恩典与圣洁里生长。如果你常在祂里面，就会欣欣向荣。从祂身上吸取生命，就不会枯干而不结果子。你就会像一棵树，栽在溪水旁。{SC 68.3}[6]
§14
Jesus teaches the same thing when He says, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.... Without Me ye?can do nothing.”?John 15:4, 5. You are just as dependent upon Christ, in order to live a holy life, as is the branch upon the parent stock for growth and fruitfulness. Apart from Him you have no life. You have no power to resist temptation or to grow in grace and holiness. Abiding in Him, you may flourish. Drawing your life from Him, you will not wither nor be fruitless. You will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.?{SC 68.3}[6]
§15
许多人认为自己必须单独做一份工作。他们曾在赦罪的事上信靠基督，但如今他们却要靠自己的努力过正直的生活。但这种努力注定是要失败的。耶稣说：“离了我，你们就不能做什么。”我们在恩典中成长，我们的喜乐，我们的成就，都是靠与基督的联合。我们只有每日每时与祂联合，常在祂里面，才能在恩典中成长。祂不仅是我们信心的创始者，也是我们信心的成终者。祂是始，祂是终，是贯于一切的主。祂不仅在我们道路的起点和终点与我们同在，而且一路上步步与我们同在。大卫说：“我将耶和华常摆在我面前。因祂在我右边，我便不至摇动”（诗16:8）。{SC 69.1}[7]
§16
Many have an idea that they must do some part of the work alone. They have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sin, but now they seek by their own efforts to live aright. But every such effort must fail. Jesus says, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness,—all depend upon our union with Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily, hourly,—by abiding in Him,—that we are to grow in grace. He is not only the Author, but the Finisher of our faith. It is Christ first and last and always. He is to be with us, not only at the beginning and the end of our course, but at every step of the way. David says, “I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”?Psalm 16:8.?{SC 69.1}[7]
§17
你要问：“我怎样才能常在基督里面呢？”要像你当初接受祂那样。“你们既然接受了主基督耶稣，就当遵祂而行。”“义人必因信得生”（西2:6；来10:38）。你已经献身于上帝，完全归祂，侍奉祂，顺从祂，并接受基督为你的救主。你虽然不能赎回自己的罪，改变自己的心，但你既已献身给祂，就当相信上帝因基督的缘故已经为我们成就了这一切。你既因着信成为基督徒，也当因着信在祂里面成长，一面奉献，一面领受。你应当献上一切，包括你的心灵、意志和侍奉，把你自己献给祂，顺从祂的一切吩咐。你还要领受一切，就是基督这最丰盛的福气，让祂常住在你心中，成为你的力量、你的公义和你永远的帮助者。祂必赐给你顺从的力量。{SC 69.2}[8]
§18
Do you ask, “How am I to abide in Christ?” In the same way as you received Him at first. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.” “The just shall live by faith.”?Colossians 2:6;?Hebrews 10:38. You gave yourself to God, to be His wholly, to serve and obey Him, and you took Christ as your Saviour. You could not yourself atone for your sins or change your heart; but having given?yourself to God, you believe that He for Christ’s sake did all this for you. By?faith?you became Christ’s, and by faith you are to grow up in Him—by giving and taking. You are to?give?all,—your heart, your will, your service,—give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must?take?all,—Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, to be your strength, your righteousness, your everlasting helper,—to give you power to obey.?{SC 69.2}[8]
§19
每日早晨的第一件事，就是献身给上帝。你要祈求说：“主啊，收纳我，我完全是属于祢的。我把我的全部计划都摆在祢的脚前。求祢今天使用我为祢服务。求祢与我同在，使我的一切工作在祢里面完成。”这是每日的大事。每天清晨。都要为这一天献身给上帝。你的一切打算都要服从于祂。或实行，或放弃，都要按照祂的旨意而定。你这样日复一日把自己的生命交在上帝手中，你的生命也就塑造成越来越像基督的生命。{SC 70.1}[9]
§20
Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.” This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.?{SC 70.1}[9]
§21
在基督里的生活是一种安静的生活。它不会有狂喜的情绪，只会有持久而坚定的信靠。你的希望不在自己身上，而是在基督身上。你的软弱连结于祂的刚强；你的愚昧连结于祂的智慧；你的无能连结于祂的恒久的大能。因此你不要看自己，也不要让心思专注于自己身上，而要仰望基督。你的思想要集中在祂的慈爱和祂优美完全的品格上。基督的克已、谦卑、纯洁、神圣与无比之爱，成了你思考的主题。如果你爱祂，效法祂，完全依靠祂，你就会变成祂的样式。{SC 70.2}[10]
§22
A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might. So you are not to look to yourself, not to let the mind dwell upon self, but look to Christ. Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection, of His character. Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His humiliation, Christ in?His purity and holiness, Christ in His matchless love—this is the subject for the soul’s contemplation. It is by loving Him, copying Him, depending wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His likeness.?{SC 70.2}[10]
§23
耶稣说：“常在我里面。”这句话体现了安息、稳定和信靠。祂还邀请我们：“可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息”（太11:28）。诗人的话也表达了这个意思：“当默然依靠耶和华，耐性等候祂”（诗37:7）。以赛亚保证说，“你们得力在乎平静安稳”（赛30:15）。这种安息并不是闲着不动；因为在救主的邀请中，安息的应许是与作工的呼召结合在一起的：“你们当负我的轭，……这样，你们心里就必得享安息”（太11:29）。我们的心越充分地安息在基督里面，就越满腔热情地积极为祂作工。{SC 71.1}[11]
§24
Jesus says, “Abide in Me.” These words convey the idea of rest, stability, confidence. Again He invites, “Come unto Me, ... and I will give you rest.”?Matthew 11:28. The words of the psalmist express the same thought: “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” And Isaiah gives the assurance, “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.”?Psalm 37:7;?Isaiah 30:15. This rest is not found in inactivity; for in the Saviour’s invitation the promise of rest is united with the call to labor: “Take My yoke upon you: ... and ye shall find rest.”?Matthew 11:29. The heart that rests most fully upon Christ will be most earnest and active in labor for Him.?{SC 71.1}[11]
§25
人的心如果专注于自己，就会离开能力和生命的源头基督。所以撒但不断设法引诱人的视线转离救主，以阻碍人心与基督的联合与交通。世俗的娱乐，生活的挂虑，忧愁和悲伤，别人的过错，或自己的缺点错误，都是撒但想用来转移人心思的。我们不要上他的当。许多诚实而愿意为主生活的人，也常被撒但诱导而专注于自己的过失和软弱。他希望用这种办法使他们与基督隔绝，而让他取得胜利。我们不要以自己为中心，忧虑担心自己是否得救的问题。这都会使我们的心转离能力的源头。要把你的心交给上帝保守，信靠祂。要谈论耶稣，默想耶稣，使自己消失在祂里面。要抛开一切疑惑，驱除你的恐惧。使徒保罗说：“现在活着的不再是我，乃是基督在我里面活着，并且我如今在肉身活着，是因信上帝的儿子而活，祂是爱我，为我舍己”（加2:20）。要安息在上帝里面。祂能保守你所托付祂的。如果你将自己交在祂手中，祂就会藉着那爱你的救主，使你得胜有余。{SC 71.2}[12]
§26
When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. The pleasures of the world, life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections—to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices. Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell upon their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Christ he hopes to?gain the victory. We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength. Commit the keeping of your soul to God, and trust in Him. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him. Put away all doubt; dismiss your fears. Say with the apostle Paul, “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and 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. Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him. If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you off more than conqueror through Him that has loved you.?{SC 71.2}[12]
§27
基督披上人性，就用爱的纽带把人类与自己连结起来。这根纽带是永不会被任何力量割断的，除非人自行切断。撒但不断地引诱我们切断这根纽带，而与基督隔绝。我们需要警醒、努力、祈祷，不要让任何事物引诱我们去侍奉别的主。因为我们随时都有这样的可能性。我们要注视基督，祂就会保守我们。仰望耶稣，我们就得平安。没有什么人能把我们从祂手中夺去。只要我们时常仰望祂，我们“就变成主的形状，荣上加荣，如同从主的灵变成的”（林后3:18）。
§28
When Christ took human nature upon Him, He bound humanity to Himself by a tie of love that can never be broken by any power save the choice of man himself. Satan will constantly present allurements to induce us to break this tie—to choose to separate ourselves from Christ. Here is where we need to watch, to strive, to pray, that nothing may entice us to?choose?another master; for we are always free to do this. But let us keep our eyes fixed upon Christ, and He will preserve us. Looking unto Jesus, we are safe. Nothing can pluck us out of His hand. In constantly beholding Him, we “are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”?2 Corinthians 3:18.?{SC 72.1}[13]
§29
早期的门徒就是这样获得了亲爱救主的形像。这些门徒听到耶稣的话语时，就感觉需要祂。他们寻找，寻见，并跟从了他。他们在家里，在筵席上，在密室和田野常与祂同在，好像学生跟着老师，每天从祂那里领受圣洁真理的教训。他们又像仆人仰望主人，向祂学习自己的责任。这些门徒是与我们一样性情的人（雅5:17）。他们同样要与罪恶作斗争。为了度圣洁的生活，他们需要同样的恩典。{SC 72.2}[14]
§30
It was thus that the early disciples gained their likeness to the dear Saviour. When those disciples heard the words of Jesus, they felt their need of Him. They sought, they found, they followed Him. They?were with Him in the house, at the table, in the closet, in the field. They were with Him as pupils with a teacher, daily receiving from His lips lessons of holy truth. They looked to Him, as servants to their master, to learn their duty. Those disciples were men “subject to like passions as we are.”?James 5:17. They had the same battle with sin to fight. They needed the same grace, in order to live a holy life.?{SC 72.2}[14]
§31
蒙爱的门徒约翰最能充分地反映救主的形像。但他也不是生来就具有可爱品格的。他不但骄傲自逞，贪图虚荣，而且性情急躁，一受亏损，就怀恨在心。但当神圣夫子的品德向他显示时，他就看出了自己的缺点。他因这种认识而自卑了。他在上帝儿子的日常生活上所看到的权能和温慈，威严和柔和，力量和忍耐，使他满心敬佩爱慕。他的心天天为基督所吸引，直到因爱他的夫子而把自己完全忘记了。他那报复和贪求的性情熔化在基督塑造的大能中。圣灵重生的能力更新了他的心。基督的爱改变了他的品格。这就是与耶稣联合的真实结果。当基督在人心里时，人的全部性情都改变了。基督的灵和祂的爱能软化人心，制服灵魂，使人的思想和愿望都倾向天国和上帝。{SC 73.1}[15]
§32
Even John, the beloved disciple, the one who most fully reflected the likeness of the Saviour, did not naturally possess that loveliness of character. He was not only self-assertive and ambitious for honor, but impetuous, and resentful under injuries. But as the character of the Divine One was manifested to him, he saw his own deficiency and was humbled by the knowledge. The strength and patience, the power and tenderness, the majesty and meekness, that he beheld in the daily life of the Son of God, filled his soul with admiration and love. Day by day his heart was drawn out toward Christ, until he lost sight of self in love for his Master. His resentful, ambitious temper was yielded to the molding power of Christ. The regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit renewed his heart. The power of the love of Christ wrought a transformation of character. This is the sure result of union with Jesus. When Christ abides in the heart, the whole nature is transformed. Christ’s Spirit, His love, softens the heart, subdues the soul, and raises the thoughts and desires toward God and heaven.?{SC 73.1}[15]
§33
基督升天之时，祂的门徒仍感受到祂的同在。那是一种个人的同在，充满仁爱和光明。救主耶稣曾与他们同行共语，一同祈祷，并曾向他们的心说希望与安慰的话。当平安的信息尚在祂口中时，祂就从他们中间被接升天了。大队的天使迎接祂的时候，祂对门徒说：“我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了”（太28:20）。耶稣已经带着人的形体升天了。门徒确知祂在上帝的宝座前，依然是他们的救主和良友。祂的同情也是永不改变的。祂仍与受苦的人类在一起。祂把自己流血的功劳呈在上帝面前，并伸出祂那受伤的手脚，作为救赎罪人所付之代价的纪念。他们知道祂已升到天上为他们预备地方，也必再来接他们到祂那里去。{SC 73.2}[16]
§34
When Christ ascended to heaven, the sense of His presence was still with His followers. It was a?personal presence, full of love and light. Jesus, the Saviour, who had walked and talked and prayed with them, who had spoken hope and comfort to their hearts, had, while the message of peace was still upon His lips, been taken up from them into heaven, and the tones of His voice had come back to them, as the cloud of angels received Him—“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”?Matthew 28:20. He had ascended to heaven in the form of humanity. They knew that He was before the throne of God, their Friend and Saviour still; that His sympathies were unchanged; that He was still identified with suffering humanity. He was presenting before God the merits of His own precious blood, showing His wounded hands and feet, in remembrance of the price He had paid for His redeemed. They knew that He had ascended to heaven to prepare places for them, and that He would come again and take them to Himself.?{SC 73.2}[16]
§35
基督升天之后，门徒聚在一起，奉耶稣的名热切地向父祈祷。他们严肃敬畏地跪下祷告，并重复提述祂的应许：“你们若向父求什么，祂必因我的名赐给你们。向来你们没有奉我的名求什么，如今你们求，就必得着，叫你们的喜乐可以满足”（约16:23,24）。他们凭着以下有力的理由高高伸出信心之手：“有基督耶稣已经死了，而且从死里复活，现今在上帝的右边，也替我们祈求”（罗8:34）。到了五旬节，保惠师就降临在他们中间。基督论到保惠师说：“祂要在你们里面。”祂又进一步说：“我去是与你们有益的。我若不去，保惠师就不到你们这里来。我若去，就差祂来”（约14:17；16:7）。从此，基督就藉着圣灵常住在祂的子民心中。他们与祂的联合，比祂亲自与他们同在时还要亲密。那藏在基督里面的真光、慈爱和能力，藉着他们照耀出来，使一切看见的人都“希奇，认明他们是跟过耶稣的”（徒4:13）。{SC 74.1}[17]
§36
As they met together after the ascension they were eager to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus. In solemn awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”?John 16:23, 24. They extended the hand of faith higher and higher with the mighty argument, “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”?Romans 8:34. And Pentecost brought them the presence of the Comforter, of whom?Christ had said, He “shall be in you.” And He had further said, “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.”?John 14:17;?16:7. Henceforth through the Spirit, Christ was to abide continually in the hearts of His children. Their union with Him was closer than when He was personally with them. The light, and love, and power of the indwelling Christ shone out through them, so that men, beholding, “marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”?Acts 4:13.?{SC 74.1}[17]
§37
基督怎样对待祂的门徒，祂也要照样对待祂今日的儿女。因为祂最后一次与少数门徒聚集的时候祷告说：“我不但为这些人祈求，也为那些因他们的话信我的人祈求”（约17:20）。{SC 75.1}[18]
§38
All that Christ was to the disciples, He desires to be to His children today; for in that last prayer, with the little band of disciples gathered about Him, He said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word.”?John 17:20.?{SC 75.1}[18]
§39
耶稣为我们祈求。祂希望我们与祂合而为一，就像祂与天父合一那样。这是多么神奇的联合啊！救主论到自己说：“子凭着自己不能做什么。”“乃是住在我里面的父做祂自己的事”（约5:19；14:10）。如果基督住在我们心中，祂就会使我们“立志行事……为要成就祂的美意”（腓2:13）。我们要做祂所做的事，表现祂所表现的精神。这样，我们因爱祂并住在祂里面，就“凡事长进，连于元首基督”（弗4:15）。{SC 75.2}[19]
§40
Jesus prayed for us, and He asked that we might be one with Him, even as He is one with the Father. What a union is this! The Saviour has said of Himself, “The Son can do nothing of Himself;” “the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.”?John 5:19;?14:10. Then if Christ is dwelling in our hearts, He will work in us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”?Philippians 2:13. We shall work as He worked; we shall manifest the same spirit. And thus, loving Him and abiding in Him, we shall “grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”?Ephesians 4:15.?{SC 75.2}[19]