第65章 弟兄中间的爱
§1
第六十五章 弟兄中间的爱Love Among Brethren
§2
“弟兄们，我还有未尽的话：凡是真实的、可敬的、公义的、清洁的、可爱的、有美名的，若有什么德行，若有什么称赞，这些事你们都要思念”（腓4:8）。{GW92 443.1}
§3
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” [Philippians 4:8.]{GW92 443.1}
§4
上帝对待祂子民的做法往往似乎是神秘的。祂的道路不是我们的道路。祂的意念也不是我们的意念。许多时候祂行事的方式与我们的计划和期望相反，令我们感到惊奇困惑。我们不了解自己乖谬的本性，往往在自我满足，随从自己的倾向爱好时，却自以为在实行上帝的心意。因此我们需要查考圣经，多多祷告，让主可以按照祂的应许赐给我们智慧。{GW92 443.2}
§5
The dealings of God with his people often appear mysterious. His ways are not our ways, nor his thoughts our thoughts. Many times his way of dealing is so contrary to our plans and expectations that we are amazed and confounded. We do not understand our perverse natures; and often when we are gratifying self, following our own inclinations, we flatter ourselves that we are carrying out the mind of God. And so we need to search the Scriptures, and be much in prayer, that, according to his promise, the Lord may give us wisdom.{GW92 443.2}
§6
虽然我们各人在上帝面前都有个人的工作和责任，但我们不可随从自己的判断而不顾弟兄们的意见与感情；因为这样行，势必在教会中引起混乱。传道人有责任尊重弟兄们的意见；但是他们彼此间的关系，以及他们所教导的道理，却应受训诲和法度的测试；这样，只要大家都有受教的心，我们当中就不会有分裂了。有一些人是倾向无秩序的，并正在偏离信仰的伟大路标；但上帝却在感动祂的传道人，使他们在道理与精神上合而为一。{GW92 443.3}
§7
Though we have an individual work and an individual responsibility before God, we are not to follow our own judgment, regardless of the opinions and feelings of our brethren; for this course would lead to disorder in the church. It is the duty of ministers to respect the judgment of their brethren; but their relations to one another, as well as the doctrines they teach, should be brought to the test of the law and the testimony; then, if hearts are teachable, there will be no divisions among us. Some are inclined to be disorderly, and are drifting away from the great landmarks of the faith; but God is moving upon his ministers to be one in doctrine and in spirit.{GW92 443.3}
§8
弟兄们有时多年相处，彼此信任，情同手足，亲如一家。这种交往中的舒畅和信任不可能存在于不同信仰的人中间。只要他们保持这种弟兄之爱，那是十分愉快的。但那“控告弟兄的”一旦进入其中一个人的心，控制了他的思维和想象，猜疑和妒忌就产生了。自以为与弟兄相亲相爱的人，发现自己不受信任了，他的动机也遭到了歪曲。那个犯错误的兄弟竟忘记了自己人性的弱点，忘记自己有责任不想坏事，不讲坏话，以免羞辱上帝，并因打击圣徒而伤害基督。他冷酷地提说想象中的每一个缺点，把弟兄的品格描绘得一片漆黑，问题很大。{GW92 443.4}
§9
Brethren sometimes associate together for years, and think they can trust those they know so well, just as they would trust members of their own family. There is a freedom and confidence in this association which could not exist among those not of the same faith. This is very pleasant while brotherly love continues; but let the “accuser of the brethren” gain admittance to the heart of one of these men, controlling the mind and the imagination, and jealousies are created, suspicion and envy are harbored; and he who supposed himself secure in the love and friendship of his brother, finds himself mistrusted, and his motives misjudged. The false brother forgets his own human frailties, forgets his obligation to think and speak no evil lest he dishonor God and wound Christ in the person of his saints; and every defect that can be thought of or imagined is commented upon unmercifully, and the character of a brother is represented as dark and questionable. {GW92 443.4}
§10
这些人背叛了神圣的托付，把别人本着弟兄般的信任所说的话进行歪曲性的复述。每一句话、每一个行动，不论多么单纯和善意，都要受到他们冷酷而妒忌的批评。人们以为这些人十分高贵，绝不会利用弟兄的友谊和信任。他们的心已向怜悯、审慎和上帝的慈爱关闭了，表现出撒但向受害者所显示的冷酷、嘲弄和藐视的精神。{GW92 444.1}
§11
There is a betrayal of sacred trust. The things spoken in brotherly confidence are repeated and misrepresented; and every word, every action, however innocent and well-meaning, is scrutinized by the cold, jealous criticism of those who were thought too noble, too honorable, to take the least advantage of friendly association or brotherly trust. Hearts are closed to mercy, judgment, and the love of God; and the cold, sneering, contemptuous spirit which Satan manifests toward his victim is revealed.{GW92 444.1}
§12
如果撒但能利用那些自称为信徒的人去控告弟兄，他就十分高兴，因为凡这样做的人，实际上是在事奉他，就象犹大出卖基督的时候那样，尽管他们做这事可能是出于不知。撒但现在与基督的日子一样积极活动。那些为他工作的人，必表现他的精神。{GW92 444.2}
§13
If Satan can employ professed believers to act as accusers of the brethren, he is greatly pleased; for those who do this are just as truly serving him as was Judas when he betrayed Christ, although they may be doing it ignorantly. Satan is no less active now than in Christ’s day, and those who lend themselves to do his work will manifest his spirit.{GW92 444.2}
§14
谣言往往会破坏弟兄的团结。有些人热中于打探流言蜚语。他们所收集的原本是一些琐碎小事，但是经过重复和夸张就成了大罪了。他们的座右铭似乎是“告他吧，我们也要告他”（耶20:10）。这些搬弄是非的人是在以令人惊奇的忠诚为撒但工作，完全不知道他们的行为是多么地得罪上帝。他们如果愿意用做这种不圣洁工作的一半精力和热情省察自己的心，就会发现他们有许多洁净心灵污秽的工作要做，根本没有时间或意向去批评弟兄，他们就不会落在这种试探的权势之下了。他们的心也会对“他们说”或“我听说”关闭了门户。为什么我们不从心中排除嫉妒或恶意的猜测，把所听到不利于弟兄品格和影响的事，坦率而善意地告诉他们，然后与他们一起为他们祷告呢？虽然我们无法对基督的死敌表示仁爱和友好，我们仍当培养我们救主温柔和慈爱的精神。这种爱心不思想人的恶，不轻易发怒。{GW92 444.3}
§15
Floating rumors are often the destroyers of unity among brethren. There are some who watch with open mind and ears to catch flying scandal. They gather up little incidents which may be trifling in themselves, but which are repeated and exaggerated until a man is made an offender for a word. Their motto seems to be, “Report, and we will report it.” These tale-bearers are doing Satan’s work with surprising fidelity, little knowing how offensive their course is to God. If they would spend half the energy and zeal that is given to this unholy work in examining their own hearts, they would find so much to do to cleanse their souls from impurity that they would have no time or disposition to criticise their brethren, and they would not fall under the power of this temptation. The door of the mind should be closed against “They say” or “I have heard.” Why should we not, instead of allowing jealousy or evil surmising to come into our hearts, go to our brethren, and after frankly but kindly setting before them the things we have heard detrimental to their character and influence, pray with and for them? While we cannot fellowship those who are the bitter enemies of Christ, we should cultivate that spirit of meekness and love that characterized our Master,—a love that thinketh no evil, and is not easily provoked. {GW92 444.3}
§16
我们正生活在末后日子的危险中，应该防守撒但藉以用试探接近我们的每一条通道。一种致命的迷惑抓住了那些已经拥有大光和宝贵机会、但却没有行在光中也没有善用上帝所赐机会的人。黑暗临到他们身上；他们没能以基督为他们的力量，很容易就成了那欺骗者网罗的掠物。仅仅赞成真理绝不会拯救一个灵魂脱离死亡。我们必须因真理成圣；必须胜过每一个品格缺陷，否则它就会胜过我们，成为一种为恶的支配性能力。{GW92 445.1}
§17
We are living amid the perils of the last days, and we should guard every avenue by which Satan can approach us with his temptations. A fatal delusion seizes those who have had great light and precious opportunities, but who have not walked in the light nor improved the opportunities which God has given them. Darkness comes upon them; and they fail to make Christ their strength, and fall an easy prey to the snares of the deceiver. A mere assent to the truth will never save a soul from death. We must be sanctified through the truth; every defect of character must be overcome, or it will overcome us and become a controlling power for evil.{GW92 445.1}
§18
你们的品格无论怎样，都要培养得与基督的品格和谐一致。要珍爱那些真实的、正直的、公义的、纯洁的、可爱的和有美名的；但要抛弃凡不象我们救赎主的。自私已被珍爱到很少人认识到的程度；无论何时何地都要提防它。不要原谅自己的任何错误。你若有一个讨厌的特性，是你发现很难克服的，就不要谈论你的弱点好像那是别人必须容忍的东西似的。不要用这种想法安抚你的良心：你无法克服那些使你的品格变形的癖性，也不要听撒但暗示说那些癖性不是很严重。你是决不可能在罪里得救的。每一个得到永生的人必须象基督一样，“圣洁、无邪恶、无玷污、远离罪人”（来7:26）。跟从基督的人必须象明灯一样发光照耀在弯曲悖谬的世代中。{GW92 445.2}
§19
Cultivate whatever in your character is in harmony with the character of Christ. Cherish those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report; but put away whatever is unlike our Redeemer. Selfishness is cherished to an extent that few realize; guard against it at all times and in all places. Do not excuse yourself in any error. If you have one objectionable trait, which you find it difficult to subdue, do not talk of your weakness as something that others must bear with. Do not soothe your conscience with the thought that you cannot overcome the peculiarities that deform your character, nor listen to Satan’s suggestion that they are not very grievous. There is no way by which you may be saved in sin. Every soul that gains eternal life must be like Christ, “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.” [Hebrews 7:26.] The followers of Christ must shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. {GW92 445.2}
§20
有些人想要控制自己周围的事物，以为要是自己被安置在有利的位置，品格中的劣根性就不会得到发展。但上帝整饬着我们的环境，而祂必把我们安置在要一次次考验我们的地方，好验明我们内心如何。我们会再三被带入困境，好知道我们是确实已经与基督同钉十字架还是完全爱自己的。这种考验我们各人的过程怎么会结束呢？黑暗之君会竭尽全力要把我们留在他的权下；但我们有一位大能的帮助者。{GW92 446.1}
§21
Some seek to control their surroundings, thinking that if they are placed in favorable positions, the bad traits in their character will not be developed. But God orders our surroundings, and he will place us where we shall have test after test, to prove us and to reveal what is in our hearts. Again and again we shall be brought into strait places, that it may be known whether we are indeed crucified with Christ or full of self-love. How will this testing process end with each of us? The prince of darkness will put forth all his power to retain us in his possession; but we have a mighty Helper.{GW92 446.1}
§22
爱自己的心会提出比上帝的道要证明的好得多的自我观；因为“人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢”（耶17:9）？上帝的道是我们都众人必须达到的标准。请教感觉或信任我们自己的心是不安全的；智慧人宣布：“心中自是的，便是愚昧人”（箴28:26）。{GW92 446.2}
§23
Self-love will prompt to a much better opinion of self than the word of God will warrant; for “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” [Jeremiah 17:9.] God’s word is the standard that we must all reach. It is unsafe to consult feeling or to trust to our own heart; the wise man declares, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool.” [Proverbs 28:26.]{GW92 446.2}
§24
教友身份不会保证我们进天国。我们必须住在基督里，而祂的爱必须住在我们里面。我们必须每天进步，形成匀称的品格。“所以，你们要完全，象你们的天父完全一样”（太5:48）。上帝怎样在祂的范围内完全，我们也要照样在我们自己的范围内完全。有一项大工摆在我们个人面前，要达到这个崇高的标准。我们的成就必要按照我们所做出的努力，我们的品格也必是我们所选择要使它成为的样子；因为藉着所应许我们的上帝的帮助，我们能得胜。耶稣“知道我们的本体，思念我们不过是尘土”（诗103:14）。祂必本着慈怜赐给我们所需要的帮助和力量。{GW92 446.3}
§25
Church membership will not guarantee us heaven. We must abide in Christ, and his love must abide in us. We must every day make advancement in the formation of symmetrical character. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” [Matthew 5:48.] As God is perfect in his sphere, so are we required to be perfect in ours. There is a great work before us individually, to reach this high standard. Our attainments will be just in accordance with the effort we make, our character just what we choose to make it; for through the divine aid promised us, we can overcome. Jesus “knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” [Psalm 103:14.] In pitying tenderness he will give us the help and strength we need. {GW92 446.3}
§26
但愿我们都勤勉地培养基督福音的纯洁原则。这种宗教不是出于自尊自负，而是出于仁爱、温柔与谦卑之心。这样，我们就会爱我们的弟兄，并且看他们比自己强。我们的心思就不会关注流言蜚语和道听途说了。“凡是真实的、可敬的、公义的、清洁的、可爱的、有美名的，若有什么德行，若有什么称赞，’我们‘都要思念’”（腓4:8）。{GW92 447.1}
§27
Let us diligently cultivate the pure principles of the gospel of Christ,—the religion, not of self-esteem, but of love, meekness, and lowliness of heart. Then we shall love our brethren, and esteem them better than ourselves. Our minds will not dwell on the dark side of their character; we shall not feast on scandal and flying reports. But “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,” we shall “think on these things.” [Philippians 4:8.]{GW92 447.1}