第05章 信心与行为的平衡
§1
第05章 信心与行为的平衡
§2
Chap. 5—The Balance in Faith and Works
§3
【活的见证】
§4
“人非有信，就不能得上帝的喜悦；因为到上帝面前来的人必须信有上帝，且信祂赏赐那寻求祂的人”（来11:6）。基督教界有许多人声称得救只需要有信心，行为无关紧要，信心是唯一的条件。但圣经告诉我们，信心若没有行为就是死的。{TR42.1}[1]
§5
【A Living Testimony】
§6
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” There are many in the Christian world who claim that all that is necessary to salvation is to have faith; works are nothing, faith is the only essential. But God’s word tells us that faith without works is dead, being alone.?{TR 42.1}[1]
§7
许多人拒绝顺从上帝的诫命，却大谈信心。然而信心必须有根有基。上帝的应许都是有条件的。我们若是遵行祂的旨意，行在真理之中，才可以照我们所愿意的祈求，主必为我们成就。我们若是尽心竭力顺从，上帝就会听我们的恳求；但祂不会在我们不顺从的时候赐福我们。我们若是选择违背祂的诫命，虽然我们可以高呼：“信心，信心，只要有信心，”所得到的回答也必来自上帝之道确切的话语：“没有行为的信心是死的”（雅2:20）。这样的信心只会象鸣的锣的响的钹一般。{TR42.2}[2]
§8
Many refuse to obey God’s commandments, yet they make a great deal of faith. But faith must have a foundation. God’s promises are all made upon conditions. If we do His will, if we walk in truth, then we may ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us. While we earnestly endeavor to be obedient, God will hear our petitions; but He will not bless us in disobedience. If we choose to disobey His commandments, we may cry, “Faith, faith, only have faith,” and the response will come back from the sure word of God, “Faith without works is dead.” Such faith will only be as sounding brass and as a tinkling cymbal.?{TR 42.2}[2]
§9
为了受益于上帝的恩典，我们必须尽自己的本分；我们必须忠心地作工，并且结出果子来与悔改的心相称。我们是与上帝同工的。你们不要懒惰地坐待某个好时机为主作一番大工。你们不要忽视摆在你们道路上的本分，而要善用在你们周围出现的小机会。你必须不断尽力从事生活中较小的工作，努力而忠心地担负起上帝的旨意所安排你的任务。这件工作不论多么微小，你都要象做大事那样周到地去完成。你的忠诚将在天上的册子中得到认可。?{TR42.3}[3]
§10
In order to have the benefits of God’s grace, we must do our part; we must faithfully work, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance. We are workers together with God. You are not to sit in indolence, waiting for some great occasion, in order to do a great work for the Master. You are not to neglect the duty that lies directly in your pathway; but you are to improve the little opportunities that open around you. You must go on doing your very best in the smaller works of life, taking up heartily and faithfully the?work God’s providence has assigned you. However small, you should do it with all the thoroughness with which you would do a larger work. Your fidelity will be approved in the records of heaven.?{TR 42.3}[3]
§11
你不必等待前面的道路修平，就要前去工作，改进所委托你的才干。你不必在意世人怎么看你。你的言行和精神都要成为耶稣的活见证。荣耀主的见证，蕴含着秩序井然的生活和敬虔的言谈。主会关照这种见证，加强和加深它的力量。它的结果在地上也许一直看不到，但却要显示在上帝和天使面前。{TR43.1}[4]
§12
You need not wait for your way to be made smooth before you; go to work to improve your entrusted talents. You have nothing to do with what the world will think of you. Let your words, your spirit, your actions, be a living testimony to Jesus, and the Lord will take care that the testimony for His glory, furnished in a well-ordered life and a godly conversation, shall deepen and intensify in power. Its results may never be seen on earth, but they will be made manifest before God and angels.?{TR 43.1}[4]
§13
【我的责任是什么？】
§14
我们要竭尽所能去打信心美好的仗。我们要全力以赴、努力奋斗、拼命挣扎地进入窄门。我们要始终把主摆在面前。我们要手洁心清地设法在我们一切的作为上尊荣主。在那大有能力施行拯救的主里面已经为我们提供了帮助。真理和亮光的灵必以其不可思议的作为鼓舞和更新我们；因为我们一切属灵的进步都来自上帝而非我们自己。真正的工人必有神能相助，但懒惰的人不会得到上帝之灵的扶助。{TR43.2}[5]
§15
【What Is My Part?】
§16
We are to do all that we can do on our part to fight the good fight of faith. We are to wrestle, to labor, to strive, to agonize to enter in at the strait gate. We are to set the Lord ever before us. With clean hands, with pure hearts, we are to seek to honor God in all our ways. Help has been provided for us in Him who is mighty to save. The spirit of truth and light will quicken and renew us by its mysterious workings; for all our spiritual improvement comes from God, not from ourselves. The true worker will have divine power to aid him, but the idler will not be sustained by the Spirit of God.?{TR 43.2}[5]
§17
从一个方面来说，我们要全力以赴，认真努力地发热心，也要悔改，洁净我们的手与心脱离一切污秽。我们要达到最高的标准，相信上帝必帮助我们的努力。我们若想寻见，就必须寻求，并且要本着信心寻求。我们必须敲门，才会给我们开门。圣经教导说，关乎我们得救的一切都取决于我们自己的做法。假如我们灭亡了，责任必定完全在我们自己身上。既然主已作了预备，我们若接受上帝的条件，就可持定永生。我们必须本着信心来到基督面前。我们必须殷勤，好使我们所蒙的恩召和拣选坚定不移。.{TR43.3}[6]
§18
In one way we are thrown upon our own energies; we are to strive earnestly to be zealous and to repent, to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts from every defilement; we are to reach the highest standard, believing that God will help us in our efforts. We must seek if we would find, and seek in faith; we must knock, that the door may be opened unto us. The Bible teaches that everything regarding our salvation depends upon our own course of action. If we perish, the responsibility will rest wholly upon ourselves. If provision has been made, and if we accept God’s terms, we may lay hold on eternal life. We must come to Christ in faith, we must be diligent to make our calling and election sure.?{TR 43.3}[6]
§19
【无为的信心？】
§20
赦罪之恩是应许给悔改并相信之人的；生命的冠冕必赏赐给至死忠心的人。我们藉着善用已有的恩典，可以在恩典上长进。我们若想在上帝的日子无可指摘，就要保守自己不沾染世俗。信心和行为是携手并进的；它们在得胜的工作中和谐一致地行动。行为没有信心是死的，信心没有行为也是死的。行为决不会救我们；只有基督的功劳才对我们有效。我们信靠基督，祂就会使我们一切不完全的努力得蒙上帝悦纳。我们需要有的信心并不是一种无为的信心；使人得救的信心是生发仁爱并且洁净心灵的。凡愿意无忿怒、无疑惑，举起圣洁的手向上帝祷告的人，必聪明地行在上帝诫命的道路中。{TR44.1}[7]
§21
【A Do-nothing Faith?】
§22
The forgiveness of sin is promised to him who repents and believes; the crown of life will be the reward of him who is faithful to the end. We may grow in grace by improving through the grace we already have. We are to keep ourselves unspotted from the world, if we would be found blameless in the day of God. Faith and works go hand in hand, they act harmoniously in the work of overcoming. Works without faith are dead, and faith without works is dead. Works will never save us; it is the merit of Christ that will avail in our behalf. Through faith in Him, Christ will make all our imperfect efforts acceptable to God. The faith we are required to have is not a do-nothing faith; saving faith is that which works by love, and purifies the soul. He who will lift up holy hands to God without wrath and doubting, will walk intelligently in the way of God’s commandments.?{TR 44.1}[7]
§23
我们若是希望自己的罪得到赦免，就必须先认识到何为罪，以便我们悔改，并且结出果子来与悔改的心相称。我们的信心必须有坚固的根基；必须基于上帝的道，而其结果必表现在顺从上帝明确的旨意上。使徒保罗说：“非圣洁没有人能见主”（来12:14）。{TR44.2}[8]
§24
If we are to have pardon for our sins, we must first have a realization of what sin is, that we may repent, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance. We must have a solid foundation for our faith; it must be founded on the Word of God, and its results will be seen in obedience to God’s expressed will. Says the apostle, “Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.”?{TR 44.2}[8]
§25
【平稳和谐】
§26
信心与行为会使我们保持平稳和谐，且使我们成功地完善基督徒品格。耶稣说：“凡称呼我‘主啊，主啊’的人不能都进天国；惟独遵行我天父旨意的人才能进去”（太7:21）。说到现世的食物，使徒说：“我们在你们那里的时候，曾吩咐你们说，若有人不肯做工，就不可吃饭”（帖后3:10）。同样的规则也适用于我们属灵的食物；若有人想吃永生之饼，就要努力得到它。{TR44.3}[9]
§27
【Evenly Balanced】
§28
Faith and works will keep us evenly balanced, and make us successful in the work of perfecting Christian character. Jesus says, “Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.” Speaking of temporal food, the apostle said, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” The same rule applies to our spiritual nourishment; if any would have the bread of eternal life, let him make efforts to obtain it.?{TR 44.3}[9]
§29
我们正生活在世界历史重要而有意义的时期。我们需要拥有比现在更大的信心；我们需要有更加坚定的来自上面的把握。撒但正在竭尽全力要胜过我们，因为他知道自己的时候不多了。保罗曾恐惧战兢地做成自己得救的工夫；我们岂不也当畏惧，免得应许在我们身上落空，以致我们中间似乎有人赶不上了，证明自己不配得永生吗？我们应该警醒祷告，苦苦努力进入窄门。?{TR44.4}[10]
§30
We are living in an important and interesting period of this earth’s history. We need more faith than we have yet had; we need a firmer hold from above. Satan is working with all power to obtain?the victory over us, for he knows that he has but a short time in which to work. Paul had fear and trembling in working out his salvation; and should not we fear lest a promise being left us, we should any of us seem to come short of it, and prove ourselves unworthy of eternal life? We should watch unto prayer, strive with agonizing effort to enter in at the strait gate.?{TR 44.4}[10]
§31
罪恶或懒惰是无可推诿的。耶稣在前面带路。祂希望我们跟从祂的脚踪行。祂受了苦，做了我们无人能做的牺牲，以便使我们能得到救恩。我们不必灰心。耶稣曾来到我们的世界，把神能带给人，使我们可以靠着祂的恩典被变成祂的样式。{TR45.1}[11]
§32
There is no excuse for sin, or for indolence. Jesus has led the way, and He wishes us to follow in His steps. He has suffered, He has sacrificed as none of us can, that He might bring salvation within our reach. We need not be discouraged. Jesus came to our world to bring divine power to man, that through His grace, we might be transformed into His likeness.?{TR 45.1}[11]
§33
【最好的服务】
§34
当我们在心里归顺上帝，并为此而努力时，耶稣就把这种意向和努力接纳为人类所作的最好服务。祂要用自己神圣的功劳弥补我们的缺欠。但祂决不接纳那些自称信奉祂，而又违抗祂父命令的人。{TR45.2}[12]
§35
【After My Best—What?】
§36
When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man’s best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit. But He will not accept those who claim to have faith in Him, and yet are disloyal to His Father’s commandment.?{TR 45.2}[12]
§37
关于信心，我们已经听得很多了。但我们需要更多地听到关于行为的事。许多人因信奉一种安逸、折中、无须背十字架的宗教而自欺欺人。然而耶稣说：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架，来跟从我”（太16:24）。（《时兆》1890.6.16.1885年9月17日在瑞士巴塞尔的一次晨更讲话。){TR45.3}[13]
§38
We hear a great deal about faith, but we need to hear a great deal more about works. Many are deceiving their own souls by living an easy-going, accommodating, crossless religion. But Jesus says, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”—The Signs of the Times, June 16, 1890. (Morning talk at Basel, Switzerland, Sept. 17, 1885.)?{TR 45.3}[13]
§39
【就象两把桨】
§40
我们若在忠心尽自己的本分，与祂合作，上帝就会藉着我们去实行祂的美意。但我们若不作任何努力，祂就不能藉着我们行事。我们若要获得永生，就必须作工，而且要恳切作工。……我们不要被人们常常发表的主张所欺骗：“你要做的一切就是信。”信心和行为是两支桨，我们若要在不信的急流中逆流而上，就必须同等地使用两支桨。“信心若没有行为就是死的”（雅2:17）。基督徒是有思想有作为的人。他的信心稳稳扎根在基督里。他用信心和好行为保持自己在属灵上强壮健康，他属灵的力量也在他努力做上帝的工作时增长。（《评论与通讯》1901.6.11）?{TR45.4}[14]
§41
【Like Two Oars】
§42
If we are faithful in doing our part, in cooperating with Him, God will work through us [to do] the good pleasure of His will. But God cannot work through us if we make no effort. If we gain eternal life, we must work, and work earnestly. ... Let us not be deceived by the oft-repeated assertion, “All you have to do is to believe.” Faith and works are two oars which we must use equally if we [would] press our way up the stream against the current of unbelief. “Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” The?Christian is a man of thought and practice. His faith fixes its roots firmly in Christ. By faith and good works he keeps his spirituality strong and healthy, and his spiritual strength increases as he strives to work the works of God.—The Review and Herald, June 11, 1901.?{TR 45.4}[14]
§43
【传达平衡的信息】
§44
弟兄们在向人讲述信心与行为的题目时要十分小心，免得造成思想的混乱。……{TR46.1}[15]
§45
【Present a Balanced Message】
§46
Let my brethren be very careful how they present the subject of faith and works before the people, lest minds become confused. ...?{TR 46.1}[15]
§47
人不要以为在战胜罪恶的大工中是无事可做的，因为若没有人的配合，上帝就不能为他作什么。也不要说，当你做完力所能及的工作之后，耶稣才会帮助你。基督说：“离了我，你们就不能做什么”（约15:5）。人自始至终都必须与上帝合作。如果圣灵不在我们心中作工，我们每一步都会跌倒。单单人的努力是毫无价值的。但是我们若与基督合作，就能取得胜利。……{TR46.2}[16]
§48
Let no man present the idea that man has little or nothing to do in the great work of overcoming; for God does nothing for man without his cooperation. Neither say that after you have done all you can on your part, Jesus will help you. Christ has said, “Without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). From first to last man is to be a laborer together with God. Unless the Holy Spirit works upon the human heart, at every step we shall stumble and fall. Man’s efforts alone are nothing but worthlessness; but cooperation with Christ means a victory. ...?{TR 46.2}[16]
§49
决不要给人留下印象，使人觉得他不需要做什么。而当教导人与上帝合作，以致成功地取得胜利。{TR46.3}[17]
§50
Never leave the impression on the mind that there is little or nothing to do on the part of man; but rather teach man to cooperate with God, that he may be successful in overcoming.?{TR 46.3}[17]
§51
不要说你的行为与你在上帝面前的地位没有关系。在审判的时候，判决是依据人已经做过或被撇下没有做的事来决定的（太25:34-40）。{TR46.4}[18]
§52
Let no one say that your works have nothing to do with your rank and position before God. In the judgment the sentence pronounced is according to what has been done or to what has been left undone (Matthew 25:34-40).?{TR 46.4}[18]
§53
接受上帝恩典的人需要付出努力，因为树木的性质是由它的果子表现出来的。虽然不信耶稣，人的善行就像该隐的祭物一样无用，但是人的善行若披上基督的功劳，就证明行善之人有资格承受永生。世人所视为有道德的事达不到上帝的标准，在上天眼中就象该隐的祭物一样没有价值。（《信息选粹》卷一379-382页。377至379页为一封致某传道人的信，警告他不要片面的表述）{TR46.5}[19]
§54
Effort and labor are required on the part of the receiver of God’s grace; for it is the fruit that makes manifest what is the character of the tree. Although the good works of man are of no more value without faith in Jesus than was the offering of Cain, yet covered with the merit of Christ, they testify [to] the worthiness of the doer to inherit eternal life. That which is considered morality in the world does not reach the divine standard and has no more merit before Heaven than had the offering of Cain.—Selected Messages 1:379-382. For a letter to a preacher warning against a one-sided presentation see pages?377-379.?{TR 46.5}[19]