第09章 给一位非洲布道士的勉言
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第09章 给一位非洲布道士的勉言
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Chap. 9—Counsel to a Missionary in Africa
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【第一封信】（1899年11月9日写于新南威尔士州，梅特兰）
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亲爱的弟兄：... 我们所建立的每一个机构、每一个疗养院和出版社及教会，都应该带有这个铭文：“我们将这个建筑献给主，祂爱了我们，为我们而死，这个建筑的基石和顶石是奉祂宝贵的名安放的。”在装备这些建筑时所做的一切事都要考虑节约。应该建立雅致合理的建筑物，给圣工增光添色，却不应有不必要的开支。上帝旨在使传道工作被视为神圣的。不要以任何方式使这工作有缺点。{TSA 77.1}[1]
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【Letter A】Maitland, N.S.W. Nov. 9, 1899
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Dear Brother_____, ...Every institution we establish, every sanatorium and publishing house and church, should bear the inscription, “To Him who hath loved us, and died for us, we dedicate this building, whose foundation and top stones were laid in His precious name.” Everything that is done in the furnishing of these buildings should be done with reference to economy. Tasteful, appropriate structures should be erected to give character to the work, but there should be no unnecessary outlay of means. God designs that the work of the ministry shall be regarded as sacred. It is not to be in any way demerited.?{TSA 77.1}[1]
§7
上帝的计划是藉着祂的工具，祂所拣选的瓦器作工，而当祂将人任命为祂指定的信使时，他们就有了尊荣。传道的工作，介绍基督作为世界的救赎主被钉十字架，带有神圣的证书，而其神圣性的证据乃在于人心的悔改。并非建起高楼大厦才给圣工增光添色，而是得人归于基督。这印证教师为活的圣言，基督的使徒。这会证明我们在做的工作是上帝的。基督说过：“凭着他们的果子，就可以认出他们来”（太7:20）。{TSA 77.2}[2]
§8
It is God’s plan to work through His instrumentalities, His chosen earthen vessels, and men are honoured when He places them as His appointed messengers. The work of preaching the Word, presenting Christ crucified as the world’s Redeemer, bears the divine credentials, and proof of its sacred character is given in the conversion of souls. It is not the large buildings erected for show that give character to the work, but the winning of souls to Christ. This seals the teacher as a living oracle, as Christ’s apostle. This will demonstrate that the work we are doing is of God. “By their fruits,” Christ said, “ye shall know them.”?{TSA 77.2}[2]
§9
我要对在某地的弟兄们说，在处理某某一家的事上没有运用本应该有的智慧和敏锐的洞察力。这些弟兄投资盖楼并以多种方式维持了圣工，你们也努力使用了他们。确实，他们未免有错误有过失，可是其他人虽有许多更大的亮光，也显出有错误。你们是鼓励了这些弟兄，给他们明智的帮助了呢，还是关闭了他们能藉以得帮助、好与上帝同工的每个条途径了呢？……你们竟任他们随意漂泊了吗？……你们岂没有排挤他们的影响，使他们与你们无分无关吗？比起已经做的，本来能做更多，将他们与工作结合在一起。……要是叫某某家的年轻人参加了上帝的圣工，原能开展多方面的工作。他们也就不会漂到世界去。……I?{TSA 77.3}[3]
§10
I will say to my brethren in _____, there has not been that wisdom and keen foresight used in dealing with the _____ family that there should have beenTrue,?they have not been free from mistakes and errors, but others, who have had much greater light, have revealed that they also erred. Have you given these brethren encouragement and wise, judicious help, or have you closed every avenue whereby they might be helped to be labourers together with God? Have you left them to drift whichever way they would?... Have you not crowded out their influence, that they might have no part or lot with you? Much more might have been done than has been done to bind them up with the work.... Lines of work could have been entered into that would have called the young men of the _____ family to act a part in God’s cause. Then they would not have drifted away into the world....?{TSA 77.3}[3]
§11
自称上帝子民的一方需要举步前进。我们需要亲近上帝，看看是否有嫉妒和恶意的猜测使救主远离我们。自私和自负向耶稣关闭心门，说：“我不想要祢的道路，而要走我的道路。”你们要自卑，服在上帝的手下，祂就必叫你们升高。你们谦卑衷心地承认自己心地刚硬、世故、爱炫耀、爱宴乐，就必蒙上帝垂听，也会以一位圣洁上帝的眼光看见这些罪。出于信心的简单祷告在主听来乃是音乐。但你若不谈论信心并活出信心，就不会有信心。然后你才可以期待大事。圣灵会临到你身上，改变你的身、心、灵，你就会向周围的人表明，你的脸面是转向天国的。你就会受感动付出圣洁的努力。需要有内心的自省和追求上帝。于是上帝就必从你的肉体拿出石心，赐给你一颗温柔的心，是祂能盖印的。愿主用祂的灵帮助、教导、带领和引导我们，以便我们在生活和品格上按照那神圣的模范受塑造。?{TSA 78.1}[4]
§12
There is need of an advance movement on the part of God’s professed people. We need to draw nigh to God, and see if there are not jealousies and evil surmisings that are keeping the Saviour away. Selfishness and self-sufficiency close the door of the heart against Jesus, saying, “I want not thy way but my way.” Humble yourselves under the hand of God, and He will lift you up. Your simple, heartfelt confessions of hard-heartedness, worldliness, and love of display and pleasure will be heard by God, and these sins will be seen as they appear in the sight of a holy God. The simple prayer of faith is music in the ears of the Lord. But you cannot have faith unless you talk faith and live faith. Then you may expect large things. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and convert you, soul, body, and spirit, and you will show to all around you that your face is turned heavenward. You will be moved to holy endeavour. There is need of heart searching and seeking after God. Then God will take the stony heart out of your flesh, and give you a tender heart, which He can impress. May the Lord help and teach and lead and guide us by His Spirit, that in life and character we may be fashioned after the divine pattern.?{TSA 78.1}[4]
§13
我对每一位教会肢体说：要敞开心门让基督进到心灵里。我对每一位工人说：要披戴基督。你们最大的胜利就在于此。每一位传道人，每一个工人在任何战线上都需要披戴基督，并以基督的心为心。对于主的血所买来的产业的情况和真实需要，已显明太缺少深刻洞察力了。人的代价太大了，我们不能对他们粗心大意漠不关心。{TSA 78.2}[5]
§14
I address every church member. Open the door of the heart and let Christ into the soul. I address every labourer: Put on Christ. In this will lie your greatest triumph. Every minister, every worker in any line needs to put on Christ and have the mind which dwelt in Christ. There is revealed too little deep insight into the situation and real necessities of the Lord’s blood-bought heritage. Souls have cost too much for us to be careless and indifferent in regard to them.?{TSA 78.2}[5]
§15
一个可悲的事实是，并非所有来自美国的工人都在南非带来帮助和福气。他们与上帝没有活泼的联络。这使南非损失很大。有些人在做人的思想工作时没有运用智慧，他们太漠不关心了，没有伸出因同情而温暖的手，也没有热切聪明的爱心去帮助那些撒但已设法叫他们为他服务的人。每一个人无论职位如何，都有环境作为实际的试验；而这种试验的实际结果是供世人检查的。基督说：“凭着他们的果子，就可以认出他们来”（太7:20）。?{TSA 79.1}[6]
§16
It is a sad fact that not all the men who have come from America as workers have been a help and blessing in South Africa. They were not living in connection with God. This has cost South Africa much. There are those who have not exercised wisdom in dealing with human minds, who have been too indifferent to reach out a hand warm with sympathy and earnest, intelligent love to help the ones Satan has tried to secure for his service. Circumstances consign every man, whatever his position, to a practical test; and the actual results of this test are offered to the world for inspection. “By their fruits,” Christ said, “ye shall know them.”?{TSA 79.1}[6]
§17
不同的意见总是会存在的，因为每一个人的思想并非同出一辙。要警惕先天与后天的倾向，免得它们在小事上制造冲突。基督的工人必须用温柔的同情与爱心彼此靠近。任何人都不要觉得坚持自己的主张、认定主只把辨别力和直觉力赐给他一个人是一种美德。基督徒的爱心要包容许多的事，而在有的人看来这些可能是缺点。我们需要更多的爱心与更少的批评。当圣灵显然感动传道人和助手的心时，他们就会彰显基督的温柔与爱心。?{TSA 79.2}[7]
§18
Differences of opinion will always exist, for every mind is not constituted to run in the same channel. Hereditary and cultivated tendencies have to be guarded, lest they create controversies over minor matters. Christ’s workers must draw together in tender sympathy and love. Let not any one think it a virtue to maintain his own notions and suppose he is the only one to whom the Lord has given discernment and intuition. Christian charity covers a multitude of that which one may regard as a defect in another. There is need of much love and far less criticism. When the Holy Spirit is manifestly working in the hearts of ministers and helpers, they will reveal the tenderness and love of Christ.?{TSA 79.2}[7]
§19
与外表的形式有关的许多事在圣经中并没有明确规定，而是未处理的；个人对于这些事的偏好却常常受到太强烈的怂恿。当每一细则与信徒团体的其他一些人不一致时，不要让分歧演变成怨忿，引起分裂。我们达到某些目的的方法和措施不总是完全一样。关于要如何行动，我们奉命要使用理智和判断。经验会表明在现有的情况下采取什么措施最合适。不要就琐事起争论。如果每个人都愿意将心灵的窗户向天国敞开，向世界关闭，爱的精神和我们主耶稣基督的恩典就会使人心连心。{TSA 79.3}[8]
§20
Many things which have reference to outward forms are not all defined in the Scriptures, but are left unsettled; and personal preferences have often been urged too strongly over these matters. When every item is not in accordance with the practice of some other of the body of believers, let not little variances swell into grievances and cause disunion. The methods and measures by which we reach certain ends are not always precisely the same. We are required to use reason and judgment as to how we shall move. Experience will show what is the fittest course to pursue under existing circumstances. Let not controversy arise over trifles. The spirit of love and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will bind heart to heart, if each will open the windows of the heart heavenward and close them earthward.?{TSA 79.3}[8]
§21
不可让圣经中所标出的罪进入生活中，当作无关的紧要的事。我们若是愿意忠心地行在上帝的话语和旨意的光中，就必须下定决心不要藉着松懈散慢的做法凌辱上帝。情况往往是，一个国家的习惯和风气造成一种事态，会让另一个国家受不了。必须做出更好的改变，但最好不要太生硬。真理被接到心中就使接受的人成圣。上帝恩典的能力为人所成就的，超过一生的争论。藉着真理的大能，多少问题得到解决；年深月久的争端用更好的方法平息下来了。相信基督的人若与上帝同工，就必远为更好地实践那伟大庄严的原则：“在地上平安喜悦归与人”（路2:14）。于是一些人常挂在嘴上的、圣经没有授权解决的一切小事，就不会被夸张渲染为大事了。{TSA 79.4}[9]
§22
The sins marked out in the Word of God must not be allowed to enter the life, as of little consequence. If we would faithfully walk in the light of God’s word and will, we must be determined that we will not dishonour God by a lax, loose course of action. It?is often the case that the customs and climate of a country make a condition of things that would not be tolerated in another country. Changes for the better must be made, but it is not best to be abrupt. The truth received into the heart sanctifies the receiver. The power of the grace of God will do more for the soul than controversy will do in a lifetime. By the power of the truth how many things might be adjusted, and controversies hoary with age find quietude in the admission of better ways. The great, grand principle, “Peace on earth and good will to men,” will be far better practised when those who believe in Christ are labourers together with God. Then all the little things which some are ever harping upon, which are not authoritatively settled by the Word of God, will not be magnified into important matters.?{TSA 79.4}[9]
§23
南非在宗教方面的大需要，是每一个工人和每一个机构都更加清晰地意识到上帝的同在。上帝的纯正圣洁乃是伟大的主题，必定使人意识到真悔改的必要性。一方面有危险潜伏在狭隘的哲学和正统信仰严厉冷淡的规则里，另一方面，有更大的危险在淡漠不纯的自由主义里。始终要摆在人们面前的伟大主题，是上帝住在人心里与人同工，就是基督的话中所表达的：“所以，你们要完全，像你们的天父完全一样”（太5:48）。{TSA 80.1}[10]
§24
The great want in South Africa in religious lines is a clearer sense of the presence of God in every agency and in every enterprise. The purity and holiness of God is the great subject which must awaken the senses to the necessity of true conversion. While on one hand danger lurks in a narrow philosophy and a hard, cold rule of orthodoxy, on the other hand, there is great danger in a careless, impure liberalism. The great theme ever to be kept before people is the indwelling and co-working of divinity, expressed by Christ in the words, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”?{TSA 80.1}[10]
§25
“要爱你们的仇敌，为那逼迫你们的祷告。这样就可以作你们天父的儿子；因为祂叫日头照好人，也照歹人；降雨给义人，也给不义的人”（太5:44,45）。{TSA 80.2}[11]
§26
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”?{TSA 80.2}[11]
§27
“所以，你们该效法上帝，好像蒙慈爱的儿女一样。也要凭爱心行事，正如基督爱我们，为我们舍了自己，当作馨香的供物和祭物，献与上帝。至于淫乱并一切污秽，或是贪婪，在你们中间连提都不可，方合圣徒的体统。淫词、妄语，和戏笑的话都不相宜；总要说感谢的话”（弗5:1-4）。?{TSA 80.3}[12]
§28
“Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”?{TSA 80.3}[12]
§29
但愿自称相信现代真理的人研究这一整章的内容。要向基督的恩典敞开心门。我们在哀叹错误的时候，也要接受主耶稣赐给我们的宝贵教训。上帝要求每一个人心中都充满纯净、清白、圣洁、基督化的爱。我们的人性中切不可失去基督的爱。我们是与上帝同工的。你们是上帝所耕种的田地，所建造的房屋。基督宣布：“离了我，你们就不能做什么”（约15:5）。那么就敞开心扉让耶稣进来吧。祂既是大工师也是立法者。我们各教会的肢体需要醒悟，意识到他们必须毫无自我全是耶稣。我们必须与主耶稣合作。心灵要觉悟，满心渴望大声呼求永生上帝。但愿你膨胀昂扬的心因渴望圣灵的内住而破碎。但愿每一个在基督里的生活有经验的人都表明自己恳切相信上帝是真正的工人。要表明你认识到自己不过是上帝藉以作工的一个渠道。要赏识这个事实：上帝是我们的功效。我们既不记得这一点，就丧失了许多宗教经验。我们自己作工取代了让圣灵的能力作工。我们忘了自己不过是媒介。{TSA 80.4}[13]
§30
Let this entire chapter be studied by those who claim to believe the truth for this time. Open the heart to the grace of Christ. While we lament deplorable errors, let us receive the precious lessons of instruction the Lord Jesus has given us. God?requires every heart to be filled with pure, clean, sanctified, Christlike love. The love of Christ must not be lost out of our humanity. We are labourers together with God. Ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building. Christ declares, “Without me ye can do nothing.” Then open the door of the heart and let Jesus in. He is the great worker as well as the lawgiver. The members of our churches need to awake to the realization that they must have none of self and all of Jesus. We must co-operate with the Lord Jesus. The soul is to be awakened to cry aloud with every aspiration for the living God. Let your swelling, struggling heart break for the longing it has for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Let every one who has had an experience in their life in Christ show an earnest faith in God as the true worker. Show that you realize that you are only a channel through which God works. Appreciate the fact that God is our efficiency. We do not remember this, and therefore we lose much in religious experience. We work ourselves in place of being worked by the Holy Spirit’s power. We forget to regard ourselves as merely agents.?{TSA 80.4}[13]
§31
我们要默想基督。我们要在我们各自的地方做上帝赐给我们的工作，并用我们自己的榜样唤起教会的活力，奋力与天上的媒介合作；因为是上帝在我们里面运行，使我们立志行事为要成就祂的美意。我们若是承认自己的罪，并从那些若不是因自称跟从基督之人所采取的不完全的做法就会愿意作基督徒之人的道路上除掉每一块绊脚石，从而扫清道路，上帝就必尊荣祂自己的名。?{TSA 81.1}[14]
§32
We are to contemplate Christ. We are to do our God-given work in our respective places, and by our own example call out the energies of the church to a strenuous co-operation with heavenly agencies; for it is God that worketh in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. God will honour His own name if we will clear the way by confessing our sins and removing every stumbling block out of the path of those who would be Christians were it not for the imperfect course of action pursued by those who claim to be followers of Christ.?{TSA 81.1}[14]
§33
我们时常陷入的错误是将应该归给上帝的归给了人。这是主不能照祂所渴望的荣耀祂自己圣名的一大原因。祂若这么做了，人就会变得极为自负，自高自大。人们就会将应该惟独归给上帝的尊荣归给自己和自己人的力量。我们需要谦卑地与上帝同行。作为教师，我们应该非常小心，为我们的脚修直道路，免得瘸子差路。在与神圣的媒介联合时，我们要有成功的盼望和保证，而不要将一点荣耀归与人。既藉着信心，就是活泼、孜孜不倦、不屈不挠的信心得到全能者的合作，人们就必不犯这种错误：——如今在各教会中看到的大软弱的原因——以为是他们自己的良善和他们自己的功劳成就了这项大工。当人怀有这种情绪时，自高就进来，羞辱了上帝。自我将上帝应有的荣耀据为己有。作为上帝在人间的媒介，我们要以不懈的殷勤作工，竭尽属灵的力量持住一种在我们之外的超乎我们自己的能力。主耶稣就在我们身边，准备握住那伸向祂的手，祂是全能的。当我们的希望实现时，自我便与基督一同藏在上帝里面，全部荣耀都归给我们救恩的元帅，祂藉着自己的神效用喜乐油膏了我们。那么我们就出发吧，像受上帝灵感的工人一样与祂同工。{TSA 81.2}[15]
§34
Constantly we fall into the error of imputing to the human agent that which should be ascribed to God. This is one great reason why the Lord cannot glorify His name as He longs to do. If He did, the human agent would become self-sufficient, self-exalted. Men would ascribe to themselves and to their human energies the honour that should be given to God alone. We need to walk humbly with God. As teachers, we should be very careful to make straight paths for our feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way. In union with divine agencies, we shall have hope and assurance of success, but not a jot of the glory is to be ascribed to man. Having through faith, living, unwearied, persevering faith, secured the co-operation of an all-powerful agency, men must not?make the mistake—... now the reason of the great feebleness seen in the churches—that it is their goodness and their merits that have done this great work. When this feeling is cherished, self-exaltation comes in and dishonours God. Self appropriates to itself the glory that God should have. As God’s human agents we are to work with unremitting diligence, straining every spiritual sinew and muscle to lay hold of a power out of and above ourselves. Only thus can we accomplish our work. The Lord Jesus is beside us, ready to grasp the hand that is outstretched to Him who is omnipotent. When our hopes are fulfilled, self is hid with Christ in God, and all glory is given to the Captain of our salvation, who has anointed us with the oil of gladness by His divine efficiency. Then we go forth, working like inspired labourers together with God.?{TSA 81.2}[15]
§35
在上帝的工作中总会有条件。每一个人都蒙召要毫无保留地将自己献给上帝，灵与魂与身子都献上。他要在舍己和考验、挫折和苦难中，以殉道者的忠诚和英雄的勇气持定那永不放弃的手，说：我必不灰心，也不丧胆。……{TSA 82.1}[16]
§36
There will always be conditions in God’s work. Every man is called upon to dedicate himself unreservedly to God, soul, body, and spirit. Amid self-denial and trial, discouragement and suffering, with the devotion of a martyr and the courage of a hero, he is to hold fast to that hand that never lets go, saying, I will not fail nor be discouraged....?{TSA 82.1}[16]
§37
想到要是所有进入那个传道园地的人都是谦卑、忠诚、献身的工人，原能成就的事，就令我忧心。{TSA 82.2}[17]
§38
It grieves my heart to think of what might have been if the ones who enter the missionary field had been humble, devoted, consecrated workers.?{TSA 82.2}[17]
§39
进入主大葡萄园任何一个部分作工的人都应该明白，他们自以为获得的才能不会使他们在工作中取得成功。太重视自我会使一个人处于这种地步：他必独自一人，可怕的独自一人，没有弟兄们的合作，也没有天上媒介的合作。{TSA 82.3}[18]
§40
Those who enter any portion of the Lord’s vast vineyard should understand that their supposed acquired abilities will not give them success in their work. A too great recognition of self will place one where he will be alone, terribly alone, without the co-operation of his brethren, and without the co-operation of heavenly agencies.?{TSA 82.3}[18]
§41
从美国派到非洲的一些工人已经成了障碍而不是帮助。上帝的日子必显明他们作工的结果。他们造成混乱，因为他们没有悔改。自我在作工，没有纯洁的真代表的能力。要是这些工人是圣洁的、纯净的、脱离了一切的自私和自我优越感，要是他们在上帝的事上有真正的经验，要是他们的榜样和影响是正确的，非洲就不会是现在的样子。真理宏大广传的影响力就会涵盖其它地区。……?{TSA 82.4}[19]
§42
Some of the workers... (from America) have been hindrances and not helps. The day of God will reveal the results of their work. They made confusion because they were not converted. Self was working without the power of the pure, true agency. Had these workers been sanctified, purified, and cleansed from all selfishness and self-superiority, had they had a genuine experience in the things of God, had their example and influence been right, Africa would not be what it is today. The grand, far-reaching influence of the truth would have embraced other territories....?{TSA 82.4}[19]
§43
要是在非洲有献身的工人推进到未开垦的园地，有负责之人的全力合作，这项工作的影响原会给主的国增加大批人数。然而在巴特尔克里克犯的错误在非洲也犯了，——以大笔开支使一个地方成了中心，而主葡萄园本应开垦的其它地方却被忽略了。上帝将在祂的工作中使用谦卑的人，他们并不认为自己很有用以致倚赖自己的判断和效能。{TSA 83.1}[20]
§44
If in Africa there had been consecrated workers to push their way into unworked fields, with the full co-operation of the men who are bearing responsibilities, the influence of this work would have added large numbers to the Lord’s kingdom. But the same error has been committed in Africa that was committed in Battle Creek,—a centre was made in one place at a large outlay of means, while other portions of the Lord’s vineyard which should have been worked were neglected. God will use in His work humble men who do not think themselves so useful that they trust to their own judgment and efficiency.?{TSA 83.1}[20]
§45
在非洲有那些因为自己的谦卑而被人认为做不了多少工作的人。基督与这些人同工。上帝给了他们智慧。但被人认为聪明的人却束缚了工作，没有鼓励工作的进展。……要是做了需要做成的工作，有才干的人原会得到真理的知识，他们原能将我们的书籍翻译成不同的语言。花在美国用来楼上加楼的每一块钱都是原能进入却没进入的园地所需要的，因为派到南非的许多工人是不圣洁的。他们不能理解形势。他们不愿舍己，背十字架，走耶稣所带领的道路。……?{TSA 83.2}[21]
§46
In Africa there were those who because of their humility were supposed to be unable to do much. Christ worked with these men. God gave them wisdom. But supposedly wiser men bound about the work, and gave little encouragement for it to advance.... Had the work been done that needed to be done, men of talent would have come to a knowledge of the truth, men who could have translated our books into different languages. Every dollar expended in America in adding building to building was needed in the fields that might have been entered but were not because many of the workers sent to South Africa were not sanctified. They were unable to take in the situation. They were not willing to deny self, lift the cross, and follow where Jesus led the way....?{TSA 83.2}[21]
§47
人能带给上帝以尊崇祂的主权的最大赞美，乃是使自己成为献身的管道，祂能藉以作工。主的工作是要做成的，祂要求祂公司的成员作为听命的仆人尽自己的本分。他们若是因所领受的恩典而适合服务，就是与上帝同工的人，然而他们若是没有领受这种恩典，就只会成为障碍。历代以来，人们行事与上帝相反，像巴兰一样，因为他们将自私和贪婪带进了工作中，将上帝置于自己的心思与计划之外。天使急于而且渴望把上帝的资源带给人，为了使人悔改，好使主得荣耀。然而却有许多男人和女人没有天天向上帝归正。他们将自我和自己的计划交织在圣工中，他们就成了障碍。上帝能赐福献身的人性器皿，他们乐于让神圣的感化力使用他们包围世界，可是当人们用自己的计划和方法阻碍祂工作的道路时，上天就在等待。上帝说：要拿掉绊脚石；让出地方让我行事；要预备主的道，修直祂的路。（《信函》1899年183号）?{TSA 83.3}[22]
§48
The greatest praise men can bring to God to exalt His sovereignty is to make themselves consecrated channels through which He can work. The Lord’s work is to be done, and He calls upon the members of His firm to act their part as obedient servants. If they have been fitted for service by the grace they have received, they are labourers together with God, but if they have not received this grace, they will be only hindrances. Through all the ages men have worked contrary to God, as did Balaam, because they have brought selfishness and covetousness into the work, leaving God out of their hearts and plans. The angelic agencies are represented as eager and longing to bring divine resources to human agencies for the conversion of souls that the Lord may be glorified. But here are many men and women who are not daily converted to God. They weave self and their own plans into the sacred work, and they are hindrances. God could bless consecrated human instrumentalities who are willing to let?the divine influences use them to encircle the world, yet heaven waits while men get in the way of His work with their own plans and methods. God says, Take up the stumbling blocks; make room for Me to work; prepare the way of the Lord and make His paths straight.—Letter 183, 1899.?{TSA 83.3}[22]