第45章 上帝不偏待人
§1
第四十五章 上帝不偏待人
§2
No Respect of Persons With God
§3
基督的宗教会把接受的人提到思想和行动的更高境界，同时也说明全人类都是上帝慈爱的对象，是祂儿子的牺牲所赎回的。在基督的脚前，贫富智愚同聚一堂，毫无阶级或属世特殊地位的观念。我们若仰望这位为我们的罪而被钉的主，就会忘记各种属世的分门别类。这位在天上受尊崇之主的克己、谦卑和无穷的慈怜，使人类的骄傲、自高和社会阶级观念相形之下不胜羞愧。纯洁无瑕的宗教彰显天国的原则，使因真理而成圣的人同归于一。{GW92 313.1}
§4
The religion of Christ uplifts the receiver to a higher plane of thought and action, while at the same time it presents the whole human race as alike the objects of the love of God, being purchased by the sacrifice of his Son. At the feet of Jesus, the rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, meet together, with no thought of cast or worldly pre-eminence. All earthly distinctions are forgotten as we look upon Him whom our sins have pierced. The self-denial, the condescension, the infinite compassion of him who was highly exalted in heaven, put to shame human pride, self-esteem, and social caste. Pure and undefiled religion manifests its heaven-born principles in bringing into oneness all who are sanctified through the truth.{GW92 313.1}
§5
大家都是主的宝血所买的，都依靠那一位救赎他们到上帝面前的主。主把才干借给人使用。蒙主托以钱财的人应当向主献上钱财。凡拥有感化力的人，应当运用主所赐的感化力。蒙主赋予智慧的人，也应将智慧带到基督的十字架下，为荣耀主而用。穷人也有他们的才干，也许还超过上面提到的人。他们可能拥有纯朴的品德、谦卑，可靠的美德和信靠上帝的心。他们藉着忍耐辛劳和全然信赖上帝，向所交往的人指出他们的救赎主耶稣。他们对穷苦的人充满同情，使贫困受压迫的人有家可归。他们的见证明确地阐述了耶稣对他们的意义。他们寻求荣耀、尊贵和不朽之福。他们的报酬乃是永生。在人类的兄弟情谊中，需要将各种才干的人完美地组合起来。基督的教会是由各种才干、各等各色的人组成的。上帝从来没有意思让人的骄傲瓦解祂本着自己的智慧所设立的机构。这个机构把各种心智、各种才干的人组合成一个完美的整体。不要轻视上帝大工的任何部分，无论其是高是低。人人都有自己的职责，不同程度地传播真光。不可独占属于贫富贵贱、愚昧智慧各色人等的共有财富。不要轻看一缕光线，遮挡一线光明，否认或勉强承认一闪亮光。人人都要为真理和正义尽责。社会各阶级的利益是密不可分的。大家都应团结在人类的大家庭中。我们若不互相同情，就难免受损失。教会中若缺乏同甘共苦，彼此同情的心，就无法保持健康的感化力。{GW92 314.1}
§6
All meet as blood-bought souls, alike dependent upon One who hath redeemed them to God. The Lord has lent them talents to improve. Those whom he has intrusted with money, bring their talent of means to the Master. The men and women of influence use that which God has given them. The ones whom he has endowed with wisdom, bring to the cross of Christ this gift to be used to his glory. And the poor have their talent, which perhaps may be larger than any other mentioned. It may be simplicity of character, humility, tried virtue, and confidence in God. Through patient toil, through their entire dependence upon God, they are pointing those with whom they associate to Jesus, their Redeemer. They have a heart full of sympathy for the poor, a home for the needy and oppressed, and their testimony is clear and decided as to what Jesus is to them. They seek for glory, honor, and immortality, and their reward will be eternal life. In the human brotherhood it takes all classes of talents to make a perfect whole; and the church of Christ is composed of all ranks, all classes, and varied talents. God never designed that the pride of men should dissolve that which his own wisdom had ordained,—the combination of all classes of minds, of all the varied talents that make a complete whole. There should be no depreciating of any part of God’s great work, whether the agencies are higher or lowlier. All have their part to act in diffusing light in different degrees. There should be no monopolizing of what belongs, in a measure, to all, high and low, rich and poor, learned and unlearned. Not a ray of light must be undervalued, not a ray shut out, not a gleam unrecognized or acknowledged reluctantly. Let all act their part for truth and righteousness. The interests of the varied classes of society are indissolubly united. We are all woven together in the great web of humanity, and we cannot without loss withdraw our sympathies from one another. It is impossible for a healthful influence to be maintained in the church when this common interest and sympathy does not exist. {GW92 314.1}
§7
上帝按照自己的道运作，预备人成为祂的同工。男男女女的价值不是凭他们所从事的工作来定的，乃是由那位为每一个人付了赎价的主耶稣来定的。凡有基督在心里成了荣耀盼望的人，都应本着仁慈，纯朴和正直与上帝同工。他们是上帝所耕种的田地，所建造的房屋。凡有基督的爱住在心中的人，会显得越来越优雅，因为生命的泉源是对上帝和人的爱。这就是基督教，是“在至高之处荣耀归与上帝，在地上平安喜悦归与人”（路2:14），是上帝旨意的实现。神圣的和谐，符合祂向人所彰显的智慧和怜悯！真正的基督徒会在基督里长大成人。在基督门下受教而获得的真教养和思想行为上的真优雅，比内心不服上帝圣灵的管教，苦心孤诣遵守仪式规则所得的，要好得多了。{GW92 315.1}
§8
God moves in his own way in preparing men to be laborers together with him. The value of men and women is not to be estimated by the class of labor they perform. It is fixed by the Lord Jesus, who paid the same price for every soul. In charity, in simplicity, and integrity, all who have Christ formed within, the hope of glory, are workers together with God. They are God’s husbandry; they are God’s building. The heart in which the love of Christ abides, will constantly manifest more and more refinement, for the spring of the life is love to God and man. This is Christianity. This is “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” [Luke 2:14.] This is the carrying out of God’s purpose. Divine harmony, worthy of the wisdom and mercy which God has manifested to men! True Christian growth tends upward to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. True culture, real refinement of thought and manners, is better obtained through the lessons in the school of Christ, than through the most labored, pains-taking effort to observe forms and set rules, when the heart is not under the holy discipline of the Spirit of God.{GW92 315.1}
§9
跟从基督的人应当不断改进自己的态度、习惯、精神和工作。这不是靠只注重外貌或表面上的成就，而在于仰望那位模范耶稣。他们的思想、精神和品格发生了变化。基督徒是在基督的门下受教，在内心柔和谦卑方面领受祂圣灵的美德，预备自己加入天使的队伍。{GW92 315.2}
§10
The follower of Jesus should be constantly improving in manners, in habits, in spirit, and labor. But this is done by keeping the eye, not on mere outward, superficial attainments, but on Jesus, the model. A transformation takes place in mind, in spirit, in character. The Christian is educated in the school of Christ to cherish the graces of his Spirit in all meekness and lowliness of mind. He is fitting for the society of heavenly angels.{GW92 315.2}
§11
上帝是不分阶级的。祂不理会这一类的事。所有的人在祂眼中都是有价值的。救灵的工作配得最高的荣誉。不管我们从事什么职业，属于或尊或卑哪一个阶级，都不要紧。在上帝看来，这些区别都不会影响工作的真正价值。真诚悔改的人不论多么没有学识，在主眼中都是宝贵的。祂将自己的印记盖在人身上，不是因他们的等级、财富和知识造诣，而是因他们与基督合而为一。没有学识，遭人遗弃，被人奴役的人，只要充分利用了自己的机会和特权，珍惜了上帝所赐的亮光，就已尽到了自己的全部本分。世人也许说他是愚昧无知的，但上帝却称他是智慧良善的。他的名字就这样登记在天上的册子中。上帝使他能够不但在天上、而且在地上尊荣祂。当主来收聚祂的珍宝时，这世界的君王、贵胄和伟人，会很高兴与他交换位置；因为在天国中，他比世上的伟人更大。那时在世上大受尊荣的人就会认为与他为伍是荣幸的。有人不愿意与名字录在羔羊生命册上的人为伍，只因他们在世上是贫穷、没有学问和不受人重视的。上帝责备这样的人。荣耀之主基督所满意的，是心里柔和谦卑的人，不管他们的社会地位和智力水平如何。人人都必须深饮生命的水。基督的灵会生出最高尚的情操。{GW92 315.3}
§12
There is no caste with God. He ignores everything of the kind. All souls are of value with him. Laboring for the salvation of the soul is employment worthy of the highest honor. It matters not what may be the form of our labor, or among what class, whether high or low. In God’s sight these distinctions will not affect its true worth. The sincere, earnest, contrite soul, however ignorant, is precious in the sight of the Lord. He places his own signet upon men, not by their rank, not by their wealth, not by intellectual greatness, but by their oneness with Christ. The unlearned, the outcast, the slave, if he has made the most of his opportunities and privileges, if he has cherished the light given him of God, has done all that is required. The world may call him ignorant, but God calls him wise and good, and thus his name stands registered in the books of heaven. God will fit him up to do him honor, not only in heaven, but on the earth. The princes of this world, the honored and great men, would be glad to exchange places with him when the Lord comes to make up his jewels; for in the kingdom of heaven he is greater than the great men of the world. The great and worldly honored would then consider it an honor to be in his company. The divine rebuke is upon him who refuses the companionship of those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, simply because they are not rich, learned, and honored in this world. Christ, the Lord of glory, is satisfied with those who are meek and lowly in heart, however humble may be their calling, whatever their rank or degree of intelligence. To drink deeply of the waters of life is essential for all. The Spirit of Christ will beget sentiments of the highest order. {GW92 315.3}
§13
在上帝的圣工中，多少有效而受人尊重的工人曾在人生最卑微的职责上受过训练啊！摩西虽曾是埃及未来的统治者，但上帝没有立即把他从宫廷中召出来作分派给他的工。直到他做了四十年忠心的牧人之后，才奉差遣去拯救他的同胞。基甸在打麦场上被召作上帝的工具，去救援以色列的军队。以利沙蒙召放下耕犁，去做上帝所吩咐的事。阿摩司在上帝派他去传扬信息时，乃是一个种地的农民。{GW92 316.1}
§14
How many useful and honored workers in God’s cause have received a training amid the humble duties of the most lowly positions in life. Moses was the prospective ruler of Egypt, but God could not take him from the king’s court to do the work appointed him. Only when he had been for forty years a faithful shepherd was he sent to be the deliverer of his people. Gideon was taken from the threshing of wheat to be the instrument in the hands of God for delivering the armies of Israel. Elisha was called to leave the plow and do the bidding of God. Amos was husbandman, a tiller of the soil, when God gave him a message to proclaim. {GW92 316.1}
§15
那些为上帝的圣工培训工人的人应该记住这些教训。凡要成为基督同工的人，要做大量与自己性情不合的艰难工作，所以要智慧地选择他们所学习的功课，以适应他们品格的特性和所从事的工作。{GW92 317.1}
§16
These lessons should be kept in view by those who have to do with the training of workers for the cause of God. All who become co-workers with Christ will have a great deal of hard, uncongenial labor to perform, and their lessons of instruction should be wisely chosen, and adapted to their peculiarities of character, and the work which they are to pursue.{GW92 317.1}
§17
主曾多方多次指示我该如何慎重地对待青年。做人的思想工作，需要最精细的辨别力。每一位从事教育和训练青年工作的人，都必须在生活上贴近那位大教师，感染祂的精神，采用祂的工作方法。所传授的功课将影响他们的品格和一生的工作。{GW92 317.2}
§18
The Lord has presented to me in many ways, and at various times, how carefully we should deal with the young,—that it requires the finest discrimination to deal with minds. Every one who has to do with the education and training of youth, needs to live very close to the Great Teacher, to catch his spirit and manner of work. Lessons are to be given which will affect their character and life-work.{GW92 317.2}
§19
要教导他们，基督的福音容不得等级的观念，也容不得无情地论断别人，抬高自己。耶稣的宗教绝不会降低接受的人，也不会使他变得粗鲁野蛮，或使他对基督所代死的人抱有不友善的思想感情。{GW92 317.3}
§20
They should be taught that the gospel of Christ tolerates no spirit of caste, that it gives no place to unkind judgment of others, which tends directly to self-exaltation. The religion of Jesus never degrades the receiver, nor makes him coarse and rough; nor does it make him unkind in thought and feeling toward those for whom Christ died.{GW92 317.3}
§21
有一种危险，就是过分注重礼节，化太多的时间教导对许多青年没有多大用处的礼仪和形式。一些人有视外观最为重要，过高估计习俗价值之虞。结果证明，所化的精力和光阴是得不偿失的。一些受过训练重视这方面的人，对于各种事物，只要是不符合他们的习俗，不论其多么优秀，也不予以尊重和认同。任何助长百般挑剔、吹毛求疵的做法都是错误的。因为它会滋生与基督的品格相反的猜疑和不信，使人的思想受到损害。凡参与这种工作的人，必渐渐离开基督教的真精神。福音虽然不断圣化和提高接受的人，却不会使我们怀有自私的想法，以为自己高人一等，更有价值。福音决不助长骄傲自大。每一个看见耶稣真体的人，必降卑自己，必高举救主为“超乎万人之上，”“全然可爱”（歌5:10,16）的那一位。{GW92 317.4}
§22
There is danger of attaching too much importance to the matter of etiquette, and diverting much time to education upon the subject of manner and form, that can never be of any great use to many youth. Some are in danger of making the externals all-important, of overestimating the value of mere conventionalities. The results will not warrant the expenditure of time and thought given to these matters. Some who are trained to give much attention to these things, will manifest little true respect or sympathy for anything, however excellent, that in any way fails to meet their standard of conventionality. Anything that would encourage ungenerous criticism, a disposition to notice and expose every defect or error, is wrong. It fosters distrust and suspicion, which are contrary to the character of Christ, and detrimental to the mind thus exercised. Those who are engaged in this work, gradually depart from the true spirit of Christianity. While the gospel constantly sanctifies and ennobles the receiver, it will never lead us to cherish selfish and exalted ideas of our own ability or merit in contrast with that of others. It never nurtures pride and self-esteem. Every soul who sees Christ as he is, will abase self. He will exalt the Saviour as the “chiefest among ten thousand,” the One “altogether lovely.” [Song of Solomon 5:10, 16.]{GW92 317.4}
§23
最重要而持久的教育，就是培养人更高尚的品质、增进人博爱的精神，引导青年不去想别人的过失，免得误会别人的动机，误解别人的言行。化时间进行这样的教育，必结出永生的果子。{GW92 318.1}
§24
The most essential, enduring education is that which will develop the nobler qualities, which will encourage a spirit of universal kindliness, leading the youth to think no evil of any one lest they shall misjudge motives and misinterpret words and actions. The time devoted to this kind of instruction will yield fruit to everlasting life.{GW92 318.1}
§25
应当预备我们中间的年轻人去为主从事拯救基督代死之人的工作。对纯属习俗的关注，甚至对改善智力和增进社交的关注，应该被视为次要事项。这些事虽然在形成品格时有其地位，但我们应当记住，世界处在浓重的黑暗中；无信仰、恶习和堕落现象正在稳步增强和增多；每一个教师都应衷心感到他所照管之人的大需要，乃是心中有上帝之灵使人重生的能力、生活实践、预备达到更高的基督徒造诣。这种教育会使人得到来自基督自己的软化人、精炼人的品格色彩。这些恩典会使人有美好的品格，温柔的仪态，是外表光鲜而时髦的社交所决比不上的。{GW92 318.2}
§26
The young people among us should be preparing to work for the Master in the saving of souls for whom Christ died. Attention to mere conventionalities, or even to mental and social improvement, should be regarded as of secondary importance. These things have their place in the formation of character, but we should remember that the world is in gross darkness; irreligion, vice, and depravity are steadily strengthening and increasing; every teacher should feel in his very soul that the great needs of those under his care, are the regenerating power of God’s Spirit in the heart, the living practice, the preparation for higher Christian attainments. This education will give to the character those softening, refining touches that proceed from Christ himself. These graces will give a sweetness of character, a gentleness of manner, which can never be equaled by the superficial polish of fashionable society. {GW92 318.2}
§27
要让每一个为基督工作的人都以得人归于上帝为最高目标，而不是受指望只教导肤浅的成就。要把你的精力用来为上帝的殿造就合适的活石。—MS.{GW92 319.1}
§28
Let every worker for Christ make it his highest aim to win souls to God, rather than to be looking at and teaching mere superficial acquirements. Direct your energies to the fitting of living stones for the building of God’s temple.—MS.{GW92 319.1}