第07章 忠心地责备罪恶
§1
第七章 忠心地责备罪恶
§2
Faithfulness in Reproving Sin
§3
上帝不希望让麻木的人保护祂机构和教会的权益，而是希望有活跃作工的人，有能力和敏捷悟性的人，有眼睛而且睁眼能看的人，有心能受祂圣灵感化的人。祂让人在保护巴特尔克里克圣工的利益上负有严格的责任。……{GW92 81.2}
§4
God does not desire wooden men to guard the interests of his institutions and the church, but he wants living, working men,—men who have ability and quick perception, men who have eyes, and open them that they may see, and hearts that are susceptible to the influences of his Spirit. He holds men to a strict accountability in guarding the interests of his cause....{GW92 81.2}
§5
以色列人站在西奈山前，听到了上帝的声音，对祂的神圣临格有那么强烈的印象，以致恐惧退后，对摩西呼喊说：“求你和我们说话，我们必听；不要上帝和我们说话，恐怕我们死亡”（出20:19）。他们在山前严肃立誓要效忠上帝；但在雷声角声和上帝的声音几乎还没有停止的时候，他们就屈膝跪拜一个偶像了。他们的领袖已蒙召离开他们眼前，且被包围在厚云中，与上帝交谈。{GW92 81.3}
§6
As the people stood before Mount Sinai, listening to the voice of God, they were so forcibly impressed with his sacred presence that they retreated in terror, and cried out to Moses, “Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” [Exodus 20:19.] There before the mount they made solemn vows of allegiance to God; but scarcely had the thunders, and the trumpet, and the voice of the Lord ceased, when they were bowed upon their knees before an idol. Their leader had been called away from their sight, and was enveloped in a thick cloud, in converse with God.{GW92 81.3}
§7
摩西不在时，他的同工承担起照顾百姓的重责。这时他听见他们抱怨摩西已抛弃他们，并且口口声声说要回到埃及去；可是他却因害怕得罪百姓而缄默不言。他没有为上帝勇敢地坚立；反而为要讨百姓喜悦，制造了一只金牛犊。他似乎在这恶行开始时懵然不觉。及至背叛的话说出口时，亚伦原可以加以抑制；但他既然如此害怕得罪百姓，就在表面上与他们联合，最后竟被说服而制造了金牛犊给他们敬拜。 {GW92 81.4}
§8
The fellow laborer of Moses, who was left with the solemn charge of the people in his absence, heard them uttering complaints that Moses had left them, and expressing a desire to return to Egypt; yet, through fear of offending the people, he was silent. He did not stand up boldly for God; but to please the people he made a golden calf. He seemed to be asleep to the beginning of the evil. When the first rebellious word was spoken, Aaron might have checked it; but so fearful was he of offending the people, that he apparently united with them, and was finally persuaded to make a golden calf for them to worship. {GW92 81.4}
§9
传道人应该是忠心的守望者，看到罪恶和警告百姓。必须不断将他们的危险摆在他们面前，并使他们深刻理解。对提摩太的告诫乃是：“用百般的忍耐，各样的教训，责备人、警戒人、劝勉人”（提后4:2）。……{GW92 82.1}
§10
Ministers should be faithful watchmen, seeing the evil and warning the people. Their dangers must be set before them continually, and pressed home upon them. The exhortation given to Timothy was, “Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” [2 Timothy 4:2.] ...{GW92 82.1}
§11
上帝要人培养品格的力量。那些只是随波逐流的人们，将来决不会得到丰厚的赏赐。祂要凡参加圣工的人，有精明的感觉和敏捷的悟性。他们应当在饮食方面有节制，在他们的餐桌上不应有丰腻奢侈的食物。在常用脑力而少用体力活动之时，他们应当吃得很少，即使是简单的食物也应如此。但以理之所以思维清晰，志向坚定，且有智力来获得学问，大半是饮食清淡和祷告的生活所致。{GW92 82.2}
§12
God wants men to cultivate force of character. Those who are merely time-servers are not the ones who will receive a rich reward by and by. He wants those who labor in his cause to be men of keen feeling and quick perception. They should be temperate in eating; rich and luxurious food should find no place upon their tables; and when the brain is constantly taxed, and there is a lack of physical exercise, they should eat sparingly, even of plain food. Daniel’s clearness of mind and firmness of purpose, his strength of intellect in acquiring knowledge, were due in a great degree to the plainness of his diet, in connection with his life of prayer.{GW92 82.2}
§13
以利原是一个好人，品德纯洁；然而他却过分宽容。因他没有使自己品格上的弱点转弱为强，就招致了上帝的不悦。他不想伤害任何一个人的情感，也缺乏道德勇气指斥和谴责罪恶。他的两个儿子是恶人；可是他却没有使他们离开负责的岗位。这两个儿子亵渎了上帝的家。他虽知道这事，也为这事的后果感到悲哀，因为他喜爱纯洁和公义；但他却没有足够的道德力量压制邪恶。他贪爱平安和睦，以致对于秽行与罪行越来越没有感觉了。但伟大的上帝亲自把这事揽到了自己手中。当上帝的责备藉着一个小孩子临到以利头上时，他接受了，认为这是自己应受的。他没有向上帝的使者撒母耳显出任何的怨恨；他一如既往地爱撒母耳，却谴责了自己。{GW92 82.3}
§14
Eli was a good man, pure in morals; but he was too indulgent. He incurred the displeasure of God because he did not strengthen the weak points in his character. He did not want to hurt the feelings of any one, and had not the moral courage to rebuke and reprove sin. His sons were vile men; yet he did not remove them from their position of trust. These sons profaned the house of God. He knew this, and felt sad in consequence of it, for he loved purity and righteousness; but he had not sufficient moral force to suppress the evil. He loved peace and harmony, and became more and more insensible to impurity and crime. But the great God takes the matter in hand himself. When the rebuke falls upon him, through the instrumentality of a child, he accepts it, feeling that it is what he deserves. He does not show any resentment toward Samuel, the messenger of God; he loves him as he has done, but condemns himself. {GW92 82.3}
§15
以利的两个有罪的儿子在战场上被杀了。他能忍受儿子被杀的消息，却忍受不了上帝的约柜被掳的消息。他知道自己没能支持正义和抑制邪恶的疏忽之罪终于使以色列丧失了她的力量和荣耀。死亡的苍白显在他的脸上，他就向后跌倒，断气了。{GW92 83.1}
§16
The guilty sons of Eli were slain in battle. He could endure to hear that his sons were slain, but he could not bear the news that the ark of God was taken. He knew that his sin of neglect in failing to stand for the right and restrain wrong had at last deprived Israel of her strength and glory. The pallor of death came upon his face, and he fell backward and died.{GW92 83.1}
§17
在这里我们有多么适合青少年的父母和监护人以及侍奉上帝的传道人的教训啊。当人们因为太少勇气责备错误，或因太少兴趣或太懒惰以致不愿费力付出恳切的努力去净化家庭或上帝的教会，以致现有的邪恶没有得到对付和受到抑制时，他们就要对怠职的结果所导致的罪恶负责。对于我们本来可以藉着责备，警告，藉着运用父母或牧者的权威所能抑制的别人的罪行，我们是要负责任的，就象我们自己犯下这些罪行一样。{GW92 83.2}
§18
What a lesson have we here for parents and guardians of youth, and for those who minister in the service of God. When existing evils are not met and checked, because men have too little courage to reprove wrong, or because they have too little interest or are too indolent to tax their own powers in putting forth earnest efforts to purify the family or the church of God, they are accountable for the evil which may result in consequence of neglect to do their duty. We are just as accountable for evils that we might have checked in others, by reproof, by warning, by exercise of parental or pastoral authority, as if we were guilty of the acts ourselves.{GW92 83.2}
§19
以利原应该先藉着适度的措施努力抑制罪恶；若是这样做无效，他就应该用极严厉的措施抑制错行。必须庄严地保持上帝的尊荣，即使这会使我们与最近的亲属分离。一个在其它方面有才干之人的一个缺陷，就可能摧毁他在今生的效用，且使他在上帝的日子听到不受欢迎的话：“你们这些作恶的人，离开我去吧”（太7:23）！ {GW92 83.3}
§20
Eli should have first attempted to restrain evil by mild measures; but if that would not avail, he should have subdued the wrong by the sternest measures. God’s honor must be sacredly preserved, even if it separates us from the nearest relative. One defect in a man otherwise talented may destroy his usefulness in this life, and cause him to hear in the day of God the unwelcome words, “Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” [Matthew 7:23.]{GW92 83.3}
§21
以利为人温柔、仁慈、和蔼，而且真正关怀对上帝的服务和祂圣工的兴旺。他在祷告方面也大有能力。他从未起而反抗上帝的圣言。可是他仍有缺欠；他缺少品格上的坚毅来谴责罪恶，并向犯罪的人秉公执法，藉此使上帝可以倚赖他保守以色列民纯洁。他没有在信心上加上勇敢和毅力，得以在适当的时间和适当的场合说出一个“不”字。罪是罪；义是义。必须吹响警告的号声。我们正生活在一个非常邪恶的时代。若非在每一个岗位上都有十分清醒的人，对上帝的敬拜就会变得败坏。现在不是任何一个人埋头于自私的安逸的时候。不可容上帝所说的任何一句话落空。—4T.513-517. {GW92 83.4}
§22
Eli was gentle, loving, and kind, and had a true interest in the service of God and the prosperity of his cause. He was a man who had power in prayer. He never rose up in rebellion against the words of God. But he was wanting; he did not have firmness of character to reprove sin and execute justice against the sinner, so that God could depend upon him to keep Israel pure. He did not add to his faith the courage and power to say “No” at the right time and in the right place. Sin is sin; righteousness is righteousness. The trumpet note of warning must be sounded. We are living in a fearfully wicked age. The worship of God will become corrupted unless there are wide-awake men at every post of duty. It is no time now for any to be absorbed in selfish ease. Not one of the words which God has spoken must be allowed to fall to the ground.—Testimonies for the Church 4:513. {GW92 83.4}
§23
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§24
我蒙指示回顾过去，看到在上帝的子民所采取的每一个重要行动，做出的每一个决定或走出的每一步中，都有人起来把事情引向极端，以一种过分的方式行事，使不信的人厌烦，使上帝的子民忧伤，并使上帝的圣工声誉扫地。上帝在如今末日所引导的子民也必遭遇这样的困扰。但基督的传道人如果同心同德，在行动计划中联合起来，团结一致地努力，就会避免许多恶事。若是他们愿意站在一起，彼此支持，忠心地督责并责备错误，他们很快就会使错误消亡。但撒但已大大控制了这些事。平信徒甚至是传道人都已向因错行受了责备的人表同情，结果就有了分裂的情绪。冒险站出来尽自己不讨人喜欢的责任，忠心对付错误和错行的人，却感到忧伤，受了伤害，因为他没有得到传道弟兄的充分同情。他在履行这些痛苦的职责上灰心泄气了，就放下了十字架，扣留了中肯的见证。他的心灵关闭在黑暗之中，教会也失去了上帝计划在祂子民中作出的见证。当忠心的见证受到压制时，撒但的目的就达到了。那些同情错行的人认为这是一种美德；但他们却没有认识到自己正在发挥分散的影响，而他们自己也在帮助实现撒但的计划。{GW92 84.1}
§25
I was pointed back, and saw that in every important move, every decision made or point gained by God’s people, some have arisen to carry matters to extremes, and to move in an extravagant manner, which has disgusted unbelievers, distressed God’s people, and brought the cause of God into disrepute. The people whom God is leading out in these last days will be troubled with just such things. But much evil will be avoided if the ministers of Christ will be of one mind, united in their plans of action, and united in effort. If they will stand together, sustain one another, and faithfully reprove and rebuke wrong, they will soon cause it to wither. But Satan has controlled these matters very much. Private members and even preachers have sympathized with disaffected ones who have been reproved for their wrongs, and division of feeling has been the result. The one who has ventured out and discharged his disagreeable duty by faithfully meeting error and wrong, is grieved and wounded that he receives not the fullest sympathy of his preaching brethren. He becomes discouraged in discharging these painful duties, lays down the cross, and withholds the pointed testimony. His soul is shut up in darkness, and the church suffers for the lack of the very testimony which God designed should live among his people. Satan’s object is gained when the faithful testimony is suppressed. Those who so readily sympathize with the wrong, consider it a virtue; but they realize not that they are exerting a scattering influence, and that they themselves help to carry out Satan’s plans. {GW92 84.1}
§26
我看到许多人的灵魂因他们弟兄不智的同情而毁灭了。他们唯一的希望就是看到并充分认识到自己的错误。但他们若急于接受弟兄不明智的同情，就会觉得自己受了亏待。即便他们想要回头，也是半心半意。他们按自己本性的情感分析问题，反而指摘责备他们的人，来平息事务。他们没有从根本上解决问题，没有得到医治，又陷入同样的错误中，因为他们没有认识到自己错误的程度，在上帝面前自卑，让祂来建立他们。错误的同情者与基督和服役的天使背道而行。{GW92 85.1}
§27
I saw that many souls have been destroyed because their brethren unwisely sympathized with them, when their only hope was to be left to see and realize the full extent of their wrongs. But as they eagerly accept the sympathy of unwise brethren, they receive the idea that they are abused; and if they attempt to retrace their steps, they make half-hearted work. They divide the matter to suit their natural feelings, lay blame upon the reprover, and so patch up the matter. It is not probed to the bottom, and is not healed, and they again fall into the same wrong, because they were not left to feel the extent of their wrong, and humble themselves before God and let him build them up. False sympathizers have worked in direct opposition to the mind of Christ and ministering angels.{GW92 85.1}
§28
基督的传道人应该兴起，全力从事上帝的工作。上帝的仆人若是回避率直的证言，就是无可推诿的。他们应当督责并责备错误，不容忍弟兄身上的罪。—1T.212，213.{GW92 85.2}
§29
Ministers of Christ should arise and engage in the work of God with all their energies. God’s servants are not excused if they shun pointed testimony. They should reprove and rebuke wrong, and not suffer sin upon a brother.—Testimonies for the Church 1:212.{GW92 85.2}
§30
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§31
从来没有什么时候比现今更需要忠实的警告和督责，以及严谨率直的行动了。撒但已带着大能力下来，知道自己的时候不多了。他在使世界充斥着乖巧捏造的虚言。上帝的子民也喜爱人向他们说柔和的话（赛30:10）。他们不再痛恨罪恶和罪孽了。我蒙指示，上帝的子民必须做出更加坚决的努力，击退正在来袭的黑暗势力。如今空前需要上帝之灵的积极工作。我们必须抛弃愚蠢的行为。我们必须从昏睡中醒来。我们若不抗拒昏睡，就会在昏睡中灭亡。撒但对于人心有一种强大的控制力量。传道人和信徒都有站在黑暗权势一边的危险。如今没有中间的立场。我们大家要么坚定地支持正义，要么坚定的支持错误。基督说：“不与我相合的，就是敌我的；不同我收聚的，就是分散的”（太12:30）。 {GW92 85.3}
§32
Never was there greater need of faithful warnings and reproofs, and close, straight dealing, than at this very time. Satan has come down with great power, knowing that his time is short. He is flooding the world with pleasing fables, and the people of God love to have smooth things spoken to them. Sin and iniquity are not abhorred. I was shown that God’s people must make more firm, determined efforts to press back the incoming darkness. The close work of the Spirit of God is needed now as never before. Stupidity must be shaken off. We must arouse from the lethargy that will prove our destruction unless we resist it. Satan has a powerful, controlling influence upon minds. Preachers and people are in danger of being found upon the side of the powers of darkness. There is no such thing now as a neutral position. We are all decidedly for the right, or decidedly with the wrong. Christ said, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” [Matthew 12:30.] {GW92 85.3}
§33
总是有人会同情犯错误的人。撒但在天上也曾有同情者，且有大批的天使与他站在一起。上帝、基督和天使站在一边，撒但站在另外一边。虽然上帝和基督具有无限的能力和尊严，天使还是变得不满了。撒但的暗示发生了效力，天使竟然相信圣父和圣子是他们的仇敌，而把撒但当成了他们的恩主。撒但现在拥有同样的能力，且对人心有同样的控制力，只是这些能力因运用和经验而增加了百倍。今天的男女世人都受到了欺骗，因撒但的暗示和诡计而变得盲目，并且对此毫无所知。他们因在上帝的工作上屈从疑惑和不信，并因心中怀藏不信任和残忍的嫉妒，便在预备自己完全受骗。他们对胆敢指出他们错误，责备他们罪恶的人生出苦毒的情绪。—3T.327，328.{GW92 86.1}
§34
There are ever to be found those who will sympathize with those who are wrong. Satan had sympathizers in heaven, and took large numbers of the angels with him. God and Christ and heavenly angels were on one side, and Satan on the other. Notwithstanding the infinite power and majesty of God and Christ, angels became disaffected. The insinuations of Satan took effect, and they really came to believe that the Father and the Son were their enemies, and that Satan was their benefactor. Satan has the same power and the same control over minds now, only it has increased a hundred-fold by exercise and experience. Men and women today are deceived, blinded by his insinuations and devices, and know it not. By giving place to doubts and unbelief in regard to the work of God, and by cherishing feelings of distrust and cruel jealousies, they are preparing themselves for complete deception. They rise up with bitter feelings against the ones who dare to speak of their errors and reprove their sins.—Testimonies for the Church 3:327.{GW92 86.1}
§35
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§36
上帝的仆人应该表现出温柔怜悯的精神，向众人显明他们在对待百姓的事上不是受任何个人动机促动的，他们并不乐于奉主的名发出忿怒的信息。但他们决不畏于指出正在败坏自称上帝子民之人的罪恶，也不停止力争影响他们转离错误，顺从上帝。 {GW92 86.2}
§37
The servants of God should manifest a tender, compassionate spirit, and show to all that they are not actuated by any personal motives in their dealings with the people, and that they do not take delight in giving messages of wrath in the name of the Lord. But they must never flinch from pointing out the sins that are corrupting the professed people of God, nor cease striving to influence them to turn from their errors and obey the Lord. {GW92 86.2}
§38
那些想要掩护罪恶，使犯罪的人看罪不是很严重的人，是在做假先知的工作，可以料到上帝报应的忿怒会随着这种行径而来。主决不会使自己的作风迎合败坏之人的心愿。假先知谴责耶利米用严厉的指责使百姓痛苦，试图藉着应许兴盛使百姓安心，以为不应常使可怜的人们想起自己的罪和用惩罚威胁他们。这种做法鼓励人们反抗真先知的劝勉，增强了他们对他的敌意。{GW92 87.1}
§39
Those who seek to cloak sin, and make it appear less aggravated to the mind of the offender, are doing the work of the false prophets, and may expect the retributive wrath of God to follow such a course. The Lord will never accommodate his ways to the wishes of corrupt men. The false prophet condemned Jeremiah for afflicting the people with his severe denunciations; and he sought to reassure them by promising them prosperity, thinking that the poor people should not be continually reminded of their sins and threatened with punishment. This course strengthened the people to resist the true prophet’s counsel, and intensified their enmity toward him.{GW92 87.1}
§40
上帝毫不同情行恶的人。祂没有给任何一个人自由去掩盖祂子民的罪恶，说：“平安了，平安了”（耶6:14），其实祂已宣布“恶人必不得平安”（赛48:22）！那些怂恿人反抗上帝所差传达祂信息的仆人的人，是在反抗耶和华的话。—4T. 185.{GW92 87.2}
§41
God has no sympathy with the evil-doer. He gives no one liberty to gloss over the sins of his people, nor to cry, “Peace! peace!” when he has declared that there shall be no peace for the wicked. Those who stir up rebellion against the servants whom God sends to deliver his messages, are rebelling against the word of the Lord.—Testimonies for the Church 4:185.{GW92 87.2}
§42
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§43
传扬现代真理的传道人，切不可忽略给老底嘉教会的严肃信息。真实见证者的证言不是一道平静的信息。主没有对他们说：“你们基本上是对的；你们受了不该受的警告和责备；你们因严厉的话而产生不必要的灰心；你们并没有犯所责备你们的罪过。” {GW92 87.3}
§44
Ministers who are preaching present truth should not neglect the solemn message to the Laodiceans. The testimony of the True Witness is not a smooth message. The Lord does not say to them, “You are about right; you have borne chastisement and reproof that you never deserved; you have been unnecessarily discouraged by severity; you are not guilty of the wrongs and sins for which you have been reproved.”{GW92 87.3}
§45
真实的见证者宣布，在你们自以为兴旺发达的时候，你们却样样都缺。传道人单单宣传理论是不够的。他们应该宣讲实用的题目，研究基督给门徒的实际教训，切实将这些教训应用在自己和别人身上。这道责备的证言是基督所发的，难道我们能说祂对自己的子民缺少温柔的爱吗？不！祂曾舍命救赎人类脱离死亡，用神圣的爱去爱他们，并责备祂所疼爱的人。“凡我所疼爱的，我就责备管教”（启3:19）。—3T. 257. {GW92 87.4}
§46
The True Witness declares that when you suppose you are really in a good condition of prosperity, you are in need of everything.... Because Christ bears this rebuking testimony, shall we suppose that he is destitute of tender love to his people?—O, no! He who died to redeem man from death, loves with a divine love, and those whom he loves he rebukes. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” [Revelation 3:19.]—Testimonies for the Church 3:257. {GW92 87.4}
§47
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§48
（引自给个人的证言）你自称是锡安城墙上的守望者，羊群的牧人，可是你却看着可怜的羊被撕裂被分散而不发出任何警告。“人子啊，我立你作以色列家守望的人，所以你要听我口中的话，替我警戒他们。我何时指着恶人说：他必要死；你若不警戒他，也不劝戒他，使他离开恶行，拯救他的性命，这恶人必死在罪孽之中；我却要向你讨他丧命的血。倘若你警戒恶人，他仍不转离罪恶，也不离开恶行，他必死在罪孽之中，你却救自己脱离了罪。”“倘若你警戒义人，使他不犯罪，他就不犯罪；他因受警戒就必存活，你也救自己脱离了罪”（结3:17-19,21）。……守望者若是不注意邪恶并发出警告，要他有什么用呢？牧人若不注意每一危险免得羊被狼伤害毁灭，要他有什么用呢？牧人若让羊群偏离真正的牧场，被狼撕裂分散并吞吃，有什么可以推诿的呢？牧人说羊把他带入歧途，这种藉口怎能站得住呢？他们离开了真正的牧场，把他带出正路了？这种藉口会有力地证明牧人没有能力看守羊群。不可再信任他能做忠心的牧人照顾羊群，并在他们可能偏离正路时把他们带回来。—1T. 313，314.{GW92 88.1}
§49
You profess to be a watchman on the walls of Zion, [From a Personal Testimony] a shepherd to the flock, yet you saw the poor sheep torn and scattered, and gave no warning. “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” “Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” [Ezekiel 3:17-19, 21.] .... What is a watchman for, unless it be to watch for evil and give the warning? What is a shepherd for, unless it be to watch for every danger lest the sheep be harmed and destroyed by wolves? What excuse could a shepherd plead for suffering the flock to stray from the true pasture, and be torn and scattered and devoured by wolves? How would an excuse stand made by the shepherd that the sheep led him astray? that they left the true pasture, and led him out of the way? Such a plea would tell with force against that shepherd’s ability to watch over the sheep. No more confidence could be placed in him as a faithful shepherd to care for the sheep, and bring them back as they might stray from the right path.—Testimonies for the Church 1:313.{GW92 88.1}
§50
我看见当使者们进入一个新地区时，他们若不作明白中肯的见证，就比不作工还糟糕。他们应该保持基督的教会与有名无实之自称信主者的区别。某地（引自给个人的证言）在这方面失败了。……应向他们强调我们所拥有的真理是至关重要的，他们永恒的利益取决于他们在此所做的决定；为了藉着真理成圣，他们应该放弃自己的偶像，承认自己的罪，并且结出果子来与悔改的心相称。{GW92 89.1}
§51
I saw that when the messengers enter a new place, their labor is worse than lost unless they bear a plain, pointed testimony. They should keep up the distinction between the church of Christ and formal, dead professors. There was a failure in this respect in----[From a Personal Testimony] .... It should have been urged upon the people that we possess truths of vital importance, and that their eternal interest depended upon the decision they there made; that in order to be sanctified through the truth, they would have to give up their idols, confess their sins, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance.{GW92 89.1}
§52
那些从事传扬第三位天使信息之严肃工作的人，必须果断地开始行动，本着上帝的灵与能力无畏地传讲真理，让它刺入剖开。他们应该高举真理的标准，并且督促人们达到这标准。真理的标准常被降低以迎合人们黑暗罪恶的状况。那率直的见证要使他们做出决定。和平的见证不会成就这事。人们有权听从通俗的讲台发出的这种教导；但上帝已托付严肃可畏信息的仆人应作明白率直的见证，这信息要为基督的降临产生并装备一班人。我们的真理要远比名义上信主之人的真理严肃，就象天高过地一样。{GW92 89.2}
§53
Those who engage in the solemn work of bearing the third angel’s message, must move out decidedly, and in the Spirit and power of God fearlessly preach the truth, and let it cut. They should elevate the standard of truth, and urge the people to come up to it. It has too frequently been lowered to meet the people in their condition of darkness and sin. It is the pointed testimony that will bring them up to decide. A peaceful testimony will not do this. The people have the privilege of listening to this kind of teaching from popular pulpits; but those servants to whom God has intrusted the solemn, fearful message which is to bring out and fit up a people for the coming of Christ, should bear a plain, pointed testimony. Our truth is as much more solemn than that of nominal professors, as the heavens are higher than the earth.{GW92 89.2}
§54
人们在他们的罪中沉睡，需要被警告才能摆脱这种嗜睡症。他们的传道人讲了柔和的话；但上帝的仆人既传讲神圣重要的真理，就应大声喊叫，不可止息，以便真理扯掉安全的外衣，得到门路进入人心。—1T. 248，249.{GW92 89.3}
§55
The people are asleep in their sins, and need to be alarmed before they can shake off this lethargy. Their ministers have preached smooth things; but God’s servants, who bear sacred, vital truths, should cry aloud and spare not, that the truth may tear off the garment of security, and find its way to the heart.—Testimonies for the Church 1:248.{GW92 89.3}
§56
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§57
那些被推出来做清楚率直的见证，本着对上帝的敬畏责备错误，以自己的全部精力作工，为要造就上帝子民，并使他们在现代真理的要点上坚固的人，却往往受到责难而不是同情和帮助，然而那些象你一样（引自给个人的证言）采取了暧昧的立场的人，却被人认为是献身的人，有温柔的精神。上帝并不这样看他们。基督第一次降临的先锋就是一个说话非常坦率的人。他斥责罪恶，直指罪名。他把斧子放在树根上。他这样对一班来到约旦河受洗的自称悔改的人说：“毒蛇的种类！谁指示你们逃避将来的忿怒呢？你们要结出果子来，与悔改的心相称……现在斧子已经放在树根上，凡不结好果子的树就砍下来，丢在火里”（太3:7,8,10）。{GW92 89.4}
§58
Those who have been thrust out to bear a plain, pointed testimony, in the fear of God to reprove wrong, to labor with all their energies to build up God’s people, and to establish them upon important points of present truth, have too often received censure instead of sympathy and help, while those who, like yourself, [From a Personal Testimony] have taken a non-committal position, are thought to be devoted, and to have a mild spirit. God does not thus regard them. The forerunner of Christ’s first advent was a very plain-spoken man. He rebuked sin, and called things by their right names. He laid the ax at the root of the tree. He thus addressed one class of professed converts who came to be baptized of him in Jordan: “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.... And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” [Matthew 3:7-10.] {GW92 89.4}
§59
在这个可怕的时期，就在基督复临之前，上帝忠心的传道人将不得不做比施洗的约翰所做的更为率直的见证。一项负责的重要工作摆在他们面前；而那些说柔和话的人，上帝不会承认为祂的牧人。一种可怕的祸患在他们身上。—1T. 321.{GW92 90.1}
§60
In this fearful time, just before Christ is to come the second time, God’s faithful preachers will have to bear a still more pointed testimony than was borne by John the Baptist. A responsible, important work is before them; and those who speak smooth things, God will not acknowledge as his shepherds. A fearful woe is upon them.—Testimonies for the Church 1:321.{GW92 90.1}
§61
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§62
现代真理的传道人在作率直的见证，责备个人的错误，力求从以色列的营中除掉偶像时，应该表现出忍耐自制。他们应当本着真理的严肃和重要性传讲之，如果这样的讲道得到门路进入了人心，就会为领受的人成就别无他法可以成就的事。然而若是以圣灵的明证讲出的真理没有剪除偶像，它在谴责和征服个人上就没有效力。或许看来某些人是与他们的偶像联合的，然而我看到我们应该很不情愿放弃那些可怜的受骗的人。我们应该总是谨记，我们都是犯错的凡人，而且基督向我们的软弱多施怜悯，虽然我们犯错，祂还是爱我们。若是上帝照我们常常彼此相待的方式待我们，我们就会被消灭了。当传道人传讲清楚扎心的真理时，他们必须让真理做切割的工作，而不是自己去做。他们应该把斧子，就是上帝之道的真理，放在树根上，就会有所成就了。要照上帝的圣言直接倾诉证言，以一颗充满温暖的心，祂圣灵苏醒人心的感化力，满怀温柔地渴望生灵，在上帝子民的中间的工作就会有效。—1T. 383. {GW92 90.2}
§63
Ministers of the present truth, while they bear a pointed testimony, reproving individual wrongs and seeking to tear away the idols from the camp of Israel, should manifest forbearance. They should preach the truth in its solemnity and importance, and if this finds its way to the heart, it will accomplish that for the receiver which nothing else can. But if the truth spoken in the demonstration of the Spirit, does not cut away the idols, it will be of no avail to denounce and bear down upon the individual. It may appear that some are joined to their idols, yet I saw that we should be very reluctant to give up the poor, deceived ones. We should ever bear in mind that we are all erring mortals, and that Christ exercises much pity for our weakness, and loves us although we err. If God should deal with us as we often deal with one another, we should be consumed. While ministers preach the plain, cutting truth, they must let the truth do the cutting and hewing, not do it themselves. They should lay the ax—the truths of God’s word—at the root of the tree, and something will be accomplished. Pour out the testimony just as straight as it is found in the word of God, with a heart full of the warming, quickening influence of his Spirit, all in tenderness, yearning for souls, and work among God’s people will be effectual.—Testimonies for the Church 1:383. {GW92 90.2}