第23章 祈求赦罪
§1
第23章 祈求赦罪
§2
Chap. 23—Prayer for Forgiveness
§3
祈求赦罪总是立即应允——在我们求世俗的福惠时，上帝可能迟迟不答应我们的祈求，或者赐给一些我们所没有求的其他的东西，但我们若求祂救我们脱离罪恶，就不是如此。祂的旨意是要洗除我们的罪孽，使我们作祂的儿女，并赐我们能力得以过一种圣洁的生活。“基督照我们父上帝的旨意为我们的罪舍已，要救我们脱离这罪恶的世代。”“我们若照祂的旨意求什么，祂就听我们，这是我们向祂所存坦然无惧的心。既然知道祂听我们一切所求的，就知道我们所求于祂的无不得着”（加1:4；约壹5:14、15）。“我们若认自己的罪，上帝是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义”（约壹1:9）。（DA 266）{Pr 238.1}[1]
§4
The Prayer for Forgiveness Is Always Answered Immediately—When we pray for earthly blessings, the answer to our prayer may be delayed, or God may give us something other than we ask, but not so when we ask for deliverance from sin. It is His will to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. Christ “gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.”?Galatians 1:4. And “this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.”?1 John 5:14, 15. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”?1 John 1:9.—(The Desire of Ages, 266.){Pr 238.1}[1]
§5
上帝的儿女一接近施恩的宝座，便立时成为那位伟大“辩护者”的当事人了。他在初次表示悔罪并恳求赦免时，基督便将他的案件当作祂自己的案件，将他的恳求当作祂自己的请求呈达天父面前。（6T 364）?{Pr 238.2}[2]
§6
No sooner does the child of God approach the mercy seat than he becomes the client of the great Advocate. At his first utterance of penitence and appeal for pardon Christ espouses his case and makes it His own, presenting the supplication before His?Father as His own request.—(Testimonies for the Church 6:364.)?{Pr 238.2}[2]
§7
要诚恳地将你的需要告诉耶稣。你无须与上帝作冗长的谈话，或向上帝讲一篇道理，却要怀着痛悔已罪的心说：“主啊！救我，不然我就灭亡了。”这样的人必有指望。他们要寻找，他们要祈求，他们要叩门，他们就必寻见。当耶稣挪除那压碎心灵的罪担时，你必体验到基督所赐平安的福惠。 (OHC.131.){Pr 239.1}[3]
§8
Tell Jesus your wants in the sincerity of your soul. You are not required to hold a long controversy with, or preach a sermon to, God, but with a heart of sorrow for your sins, say, “Save me, Lord, or I perish.” There is hope for such souls. They will seek, they will ask, they will knock, and they will find. When Jesus has taken away the burden of sin that is crushing the soul, you will experience the blessedness of the peace of Christ.—(Our High Calling, 131.){Pr 239.1}[3]
§9
我们既见到罪之罪孽沉重，便无助地倒在十字架前，祈求赦免和能力，我们的祷告便蒙垂听和应允。那些奉基督的名呈上自己的请求的人，决不会遭到拒绝。主说：“到我这里来的，我总不丢弃他”（约6:37）。“祂垂听穷人的祷告”（诗102:17）。我们的帮助来自那用双手托住万有的主。祂所赐的平安乃是祂爱我们的保证。{Pr 239.2}[4]
§10
As, seeing the sinfulness of sin, we fall helpless before the cross, asking forgiveness and strength, our prayer is heard and answered. Those who present their petitions to God in Christ’s name will never be turned away. The Lord says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in nowise cast out.”“He will regard the prayer of the destitute.” Our help comes from Him who holds all things in His hands. The peace that He sends is the assurance of His love to us.{Pr 239.2}[4]
§11
最无助却最无敌的人，莫过于认识到自己的虚无并且全然倚赖一位被钉而又复活之救主的功劳的人了。上帝会差派全天庭的天使去帮助一个全然依赖基督的人，而不是让他被战胜。(ST. 1902.10.29){Pr 239.3}[5]
§12
Nothing can be more helpless and yet more invincible than the soul that feels its nothingness, and relies wholly upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. God would send every angel in heaven to the aid of the one who places his whole dependence on Christ, rather than allow him to be overcome.—(The Signs of the Times, October 29, 1902.){Pr 239.3}[5]
§13
祈求赦罪的人自己必须有宽恕的态度——当我们向上帝祈求怜悯和福分的时候，心中须怀有仁爱和饶恕人的精神。我们怎么能一边祷告“免我们的债。如同我们免了人的债”(太6:12)，一边又抱着不肯饶恕人的精神呢？如果我们希望自己的祷告得蒙垂听。我们要得到饶恕，就得以同样的态度，在同样的范围里饶恕别人。（SC 97）{Pr 239.4}[6]
§14
Those Seeking Forgiveness Must Themselves Have a Forgiving Attitude—When we come to ask mercy and blessing from God we should have a spirit of love and forgiveness in our own hearts. How can we pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” and yet indulge an unforgiving spirit??Matthew 6:12. If we expect our own prayers to be heard we must forgive others in the same manner and to the same extent as we hope to be forgiven.—(Steps to Christ, 97.){Pr 239.4}[6]
§15
耶稣在讲完主祷文之后说：“你们饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必饶恕你们的过犯，你们不饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必不饶恕你们的过犯”（太6:14,15）。不肯饶恕人的人，乃是切断了领受上帝怜悯的唯一通道。我们不要以为，如果伤害我们的人不先向我们认错，我们就可以不饶恕他们。他们无疑是应该悔改认罪而自卑。但不论得罪我们的人有没有认错，我们都要对他们怀有同情怜悯的精神。(FLB. 131.)?{Pr 239.5}[7]
§16
After completing the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus added: “If ye forgive?men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”?Matthew 6:14, 15. He who is unforgiving cuts off the very channel through which alone he can receive mercy from God. We should not think that unless those who have injured us confess the wrong we are justified in withholding from them our forgiveness. It is their part, no doubt, to humble their hearts by repentance and confession; but we are to have a spirit of compassion toward those who have trespassed against us, whether or not they confess their faults.—(The Faith I Live By, 131.)?{Pr 239.5}[7]
§17
基督在教导门徒们如何祈祷时请求：免我们的债，如同我们免了人的债。我们不能心里复述着这句祷词，却胆敢不饶恕人，因为我们也恳求上帝赦免我们得罪祂的过犯，正如我们饶恕那些得罪我们之人的过犯一样。然而，很少有人意识到这个祈祷的真正含义。倘若那些不肯饶恕人的人确实领会了这个祈祷的深刻含义，他们便不敢再次这样祈祷，也不敢恳求上帝像他们对待自己的同胞一样对待他们了。(3T.95.){Pr 240.1}[8]
§18
In the prayer that Christ taught His disciples was the request: Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. We cannot repeat this prayer from the heart and dare to be unforgiving, for we ask the Lord to forgive our trespasses against Him in the same manner that we forgive those who trespass against us. But few realize the true import of this prayer. If those who are unforgiving did comprehend the depth of its meaning they would not dare to repeat it and ask God to deal with them as they deal with their fellow mortals.—(Testimonies for the Church 3:95.){Pr 240.1}[8]
§19
我们需要省察己心，作为到主面前祷告的一个预备工作，以便知道自己是出于怎样的精神。我们若是不饶恕那些得罪我们的人，我们求赦罪的祷告就不蒙垂听。“免我们的债，如同我们免了人的债”（太6:12）。我们作为罪人接近施恩座时，若不在内心饶恕凡伤害过我们的人，就无法表达这一请求的观点。耶稣对这一请求作了注释：“你们饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必饶恕你们的过犯；你们不饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必不饶恕你们的过犯”（太6:14,15）。(ST, 1884.8.21){Pr 240.2}[9]
§20
We need to examine our hearts as a preparation for coming before God in prayer, that we may know what manner of spirit we are of. If we do not forgive those who have trespassed against us, our prayers for forgiveness will not be heard. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” When as sinners we approach the mercy-seat, we cannot express the sentiment of this petition without forgiveness in our hearts for all who have done us an injury. Upon this petition Jesus makes a comment: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”(The Signs of the Times, August 21, 1884.){Pr 240.2}[9]
§21
认罪必须具体——真正的认罪总是具体的性质和具体的内容。有些性质的罪必须带到上帝面前。有些罪必须向受损害的个人承认。或具有普遍性，应该在会众面前承认的。但无论如何，认罪的时候，必须明确承认你所犯的罪。（5T 639.)?{Pr 240.3}[10]
§22
Confession Must Be Specific—True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins. They may be?of such a nature as only to be brought before God, they may be wrongs that should be confessed before individuals who have suffered injury through them, or they may be of a general kind that should be made known in the congregation of the people. But all confession should be definite and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you are guilty.—(Testimonies for the Church 5:639.)?{Pr 240.3}[10]
§23
耶稣会垂听祈求赦罪的简单祈祷——每一个人不一定都确知自己罪蒙赦免的时间。要教导儿女自幼就把自己的错误和过失带给耶稣。要教导他们每天为自己所犯的罪求祂赦免。耶稣一定会垂听悔改之心的简单祈祷。祂要赦免和接纳他们，就象祂当年在地上接纳带到祂面前的儿童一样。（CG 494, 495.){Pr 241.1}[11]
§24
Jesus Hears the Simple Prayer for Forgiveness—It is not essential that all shall be able to specify to a certainty when their sins were forgiven. The lesson to be taught the children is that their errors and mistakes are to be brought to Jesus in their very childhood of life. Teach them to ask His forgiveness daily for any wrong that they have done, and that Jesus does hear the simple prayer of the penitent heart, and will pardon, and receive them, just as He received the children brought to Him when He was upon earth.—(Child Guidance, 494, 495.){Pr 241.1}[11]
§25
孩子们，到耶稣面前来吧。要把你最宝贵的礼物献给上帝，那就是你的心。祂对你说：“我的儿子，我女儿，要把你的心给我。你的罪虽像朱红，必变成雪白，因为我要用我自己的血洁净你们。我要使你们成为我家庭的成员，作天上大君的儿女。要接受我的赦免，和我白白赐你的平安。我要使你披戴我自己的义，就是婚宴的礼服，使你去参加羔羊的婚筵。你如果披上了我的义，借着祈祷、儆醒和勤奋研究我的话，就能达到崇高的标准。你将明白真理，让神圣的感化力陶冶你的品格，因为上帝的旨意是使你成为圣洁。”(3BC.1162.){Pr 241.2}[12]
§26
Then, children, come to Jesus. Give to God the most precious offering that it is possible for you to make; give Him your heart. He speaks to you saying, “My son, My daughter, give Me thine heart. Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them white as snow; for I will cleanse you with My own blood. I will make you members of My family—children of the heavenly King. Take My forgiveness, My peace which I freely give you. I will clothe you with My own righteousness,—the wedding garment,—and make you fit for the marriage supper of the Lamb. When clothed in My righteousness, through prayer, through watchfulness, through diligent study of My word, you will be able to reach a high standard. You will understand the truth, and your character will be moulded by a divine influence; for this is the will of God, even your sanctification.”(The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 3:1162.){Pr 241.2}[12]
§27
我们非常需要祷告，以便获得来自上头的力量，好看见并抵挡仇敌的试探；然而撒但总是设法阻止人们祷告，要么藉着使他们的心充满业务或娱乐，要么诱导他们陷入邪恶中以致不想祷告。主耶稣已使天国成了凡愿意来到祂面前的人都能进去的地方，祂邀请儿童和青少年到祂这里来。祂说过：“让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们；因为在上帝国的，正是这样的人”（可10:14）。耶稣希望儿童和青少年怀着与对他们的父母一样的信任到祂面前来。一个小孩饥饿的时候怎样向自己的母亲或父亲求饼，主也希望你照样向祂求你所需要的东西。如果你的罪重压在你心上，你就要来到上帝面前，说：“为了基督的缘故，请赦免我的罪。”每一真诚的祈祷都必在天上蒙垂听，每一求恩典和力量的恳切请求也都必蒙应允。(YI.1892.7.7)?{Pr 241.3}[13]
§28
It is very necessary that we should pray in order that we may have strength from above to see and resist the temptations of the?enemy; but Satan ever seeks to prevent men from praying, by filling up their time with business or pleasure, or by leading them into such wickedness that they will have no desire to pray. The Lord Jesus has made heaven accessible to all who will come unto Him, and He invites the children and the youth to come. He said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.” Jesus would have the children and the youth come to Him with the same confidence with which they go to their parents. As a child asks his mother or father for bread when he is hungry, so the Lord would have you ask Him for the things which you need. If your sins are heavy upon your heart, you are to come to God and say, “For Christ’s sake, forgive my sins.” Every sincere prayer will be heard in heaven, and every earnest petition for grace and strength will be answered.—(The Youth’s Instructor, July 7, 1892.)?{Pr 241.3}[13]
§29
求赦免的祈祷必须表明是真诚的——“不要丢弃我，使我离开祢的面；不要从我收回祢的圣灵”（诗51:11）。悔改与赦免都是上帝藉着基督赐下的恩赐。在圣灵的感动下，我们认识到自己的罪，感到需要赦免。只有悔悟的人才能得蒙赦免。但使人心悔悟的是上帝的恩典。祂熟悉我们的一切软弱，愿意帮助我们。祂必垂听出于信心的祈祷；但我们惟有藉着努力使自己符合那将要检验各人品格的伟大道德标准，才能证明我们祈祷的真诚。我们需要向圣灵的感化敞开心怀，体验其改变人心的能力。(RH.1884.6.24){Pr 242.1}[14]
§30
The Prayer for Forgiveness Must Be Shown to Be Sincere—“Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.” Repentance as well as forgiveness is the gift of God through Christ. It is through the influence of the Holy Spirit that we are convinced of sin, and feel our need of pardon. None but the contrite are forgiven; but it is the grace of the Lord that makes the heart penitent. He is acquainted with all our weaknesses and infirmities, and He will help us. He will hear the prayer of faith; but the sincerity of prayer can be proved only by our efforts to bring ourselves into harmony with the great moral standard which will test every man’s character. We need to open our hearts to the influence of the Spirit, and to experience its transforming power.—(The Review and Herald, June 24, 1884.){Pr 242.1}[14]
§31
“你们祈求，就给你们；寻找，就寻见；叩门，就给你们开门”（太7:7）。我们为何不照着上帝的话接受祂呢？祈求与领受是紧密相连的。你若本着信心求上帝已应许的东西，就必得着。要指望从耶稣得着你所需要的东西。要向祂求赦罪，而当你本着信心祈求时，你的心就会变软，你就会饶恕那些伤害过你的人，你的请求就会以爱的馨香升到上帝那里。随着祈祷而来的是警醒祷告，每一思想、言语和行为都将与你要改革人生的恳切祈求相符。出于信心的祈祷会带来相应的回报。然而仅仅有一套言辞，却没有求帮助的恳切真诚和热切的愿望，并不指望得着什么，祷告就会毫无用处。这样祈祷的人不要以为自己会从主得着什么。凡到上帝面前来的人，必须信祂，并且相信祂赏赐凡殷勤寻求祂的人。(RH. 1912.3.28)?{Pr 242.2}[15]
§32
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you,” Why is it that we do not take God at His word? Asking and receiving are closely linked together. If you ask in faith for the things that God has promised, you will receive. Look to Jesus for the things that you need. Ask Him for?forgiveness of sins, and as you ask in faith your heart will be softened, and you will forgive those who have injured you, and your petitions will go up to God fragrant with love. With praying comes watching unto prayer, and every thought and word and act will be in harmony with your earnest petition for reformation in life. The prayer of faith will bring corresponding returns. But a mere form of words, without earnest sincerity and fervent desire for help, with no expectation of receiving, will avail nothing. Let not such a petitioner think he shall receive anything of the Lord. Those who come to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.—(The Review and Herald, March 28, 1912.)?{Pr 242.2}[15]