第61章 与上帝立约
§1
第61章 与上帝立约
§2
Chap. 61 - A Contract With God
§3
我们在弟兄们面前立约捐献定额的款项，无论是口头的还是书面的，这些弟兄就是我们与上帝所立之约的见证人。这约不是向人立的，乃是向上帝立的，是如同我们向邻居所写的字据一样。基督徒既向上帝立了约，就负有付款的义务，比合法的契约更具约束力。{CS 315.1}[1]
§4
When a verbal or written pledge has been made in the presence of our brethren, to give a certain amount, they are the visible witnesses of a contract made between ourselves and God. The pledge is not made to man, but to God, and is as a written note given to a neighbor. No legal bond is more binding upon the Christian for the payment of money, than a pledge made to God. {CS 315.1}[1]
§5
人与同胞这样立下了誓约，一般不会想要解约。我们向赐人万般恩典的上帝所许的愿是更为重大的，我们为什么设法要废弃向上帝所许的愿呢？人岂可因为是向上帝应许的，就认为没有什么约束力呢？难道因为这愿不必在法庭受审，就缺少效力吗？自命为耶稣基督无穷牺牲的宝血所救赎的人，岂可“夺取上帝”的物呢？他所许的愿和他的行动，岂不要在天庭的公义天平中过秤吗？ {CS 315.2}[2]
§6
Persons who thus pledge to their fellow men do not generally think of asking to be released from their pledges. A vow made to God, the giver of all favors, is of still greater importance; then why should we seek to be released from our vows to God? Will man consider his promise less binding because made to God? Because his vow will not be put to trial in courts of justice, is it less valid? Will a man who professes to be saved by the blood of the infinite sacrifice of Jesus Christ, rob God? Are not his vows and his actions weighed in the balances of justice in the heavenly courts? {CS 315.2}[2]
§7
我们每一个人的案件都在天上的法庭中待决。我们的行动是否抵消那与我们不利的证据呢？亚拿尼亚和撒非拉的案件具有罪大恶极的性质。他们扣留一部分地价，便欺哄了圣灵。照样，每一个人按着犯罪的程度，罪名也就成立了。{CS 315.3}[3]
§8
Each of us has a case pending in the court of heaven. Shall our course of conduct balance the evidence against us? The case of Ananias and Sapphira was of the most aggravated character. In keeping back part of the price, they lied to the Holy Ghost. Guilt likewise rests upon every individual in proportion to like offenses. {CS 315.3}[3]
§9
上帝的灵临格软化人心之时，人就容易受圣灵的感动，立志为上帝的圣工克己牺牲。在上帝的亮光非常清明有力地射进人的心房之时，人生来的性情就要被克服，自私在心中无力；并且激起热切的愿望，想要实行克己和慈善，来效法那模范，就是耶稣基督。这样，生性自私的人，就要爱惜可怜迷失的罪人；且向上帝立下庄严的约，象亚伯拉罕及雅各所行的一样。在这种场合中，天上的使者也在场。爱上帝和爱人的心胜过了自私自利和贪爱世界的心。这种情形在主讲的人有圣灵和上帝权能同在，提出天上大君在十字架的牺牲上所奠立的救赎计划时，尤为显然。从下述几段圣经中，我们可以看出上帝如何看待人许愿的事： {CS 315.4}[4]
§10
When the hearts of men are softened by the presence of the Spirit of God, they are more susceptible to the impressions of the Holy Spirit, and resolves are made to deny self and to sacrifice for the cause of God. It is when divine light shines into the chambers of the mind with unusual clearness and power, that the feelings of the natural man are overcome, that selfishness loses its power upon the heart, and that desires are awakened to imitate the Pattern, Jesus Christ, in practicing self-denial and benevolence. The disposition of the naturally selfish man then becomes kind and pitiful toward lost sinners, and he makes a solemn pledge to God, as did Abraham and Jacob. Heavenly angels are present on such occasions. The love of God and love for souls triumph over selfishness and love of the world. Especially is this the case when the speaker, in the Spirit and power of God, presents the plan of redemption, laid by the Majesty of heaven in the sacrifice of the cross. By the following scriptures we may see how God regards the subject of vows: {CS 315.4}[4]
§11
“摩西晓谕以色列各支派的首领，说，耶和华所吩咐的乃是这样：人若向耶和华许愿，或起誓，要约束自己，就不可食言，必要按口中所出的一切话行”（民30:1-2）。{CS 316.1}[5]
§12
And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded. If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. Numbers 30:1, 2. {CS 316.1}[5]
§13
“不可任你的口使肉体犯罪；也不可在祭司面前说是错许了；为何使上帝因你的声音发怒，败坏你手所作的呢”（传5:6）？ {CS 316.2}[6]
§14
Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? Ecclesiastes 5:6. {CS 316.2}[6]
§15
“我要用燔祭进祢的殿，向祢还我的愿，就是在急难时我嘴唇所发的，口中所许的”（诗66:13-14）。{CS 316.3}[7]
§16
I will go into Thy house with burnt offerings; I will pay Thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble. Psalm 66:13, 14. {CS 316.3}[7]
§17
“人冒失说，这是圣物，许愿之后才查问，就是自陷网罗”（箴20:25）。“你向耶和华你的上帝许愿，偿还不可迟延，因为耶和华你的上帝必定向你追讨，你不偿还就有罪。你若不许愿，倒无罪。你嘴里所出的，就是你口中应许，甘心所献的，要照你向耶和华你上帝所许的愿谨守遵行”（申23:21-23）。{CS 316.4}[8]
§18
It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry. Proverbs 20:25. When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God. thou shalt not slack to pay it; for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth. Deuteronomy 23:21-23. {CS 316.4}[8]
§19
“你们许愿，当向耶和华你们的上帝还愿；在祂四面的人都应当拿贡物献给那可畏的主”（诗76:11）。{CS 317.1}[9]
§20
Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God; let all that be round about Him bring presents unto Him that ought to be feared. Psalm 76:11. {CS 317.1}[9]
§21
“你们却亵渎我的名，说，耶和华的桌子是污秽的，其上的食物是可藐视的。你们又说，这些事何等烦琐；并嗤之以鼻；这是万军之耶和华说的。你们把抢夺的，瘸腿的，有病的，拿来献上为祭；我岂能从你们手中收纳呢？这是耶和华说的。行诡诈的在群中有公羊，他许愿却用有残疾的献给主，这人是可咒诅的；因为我是大君王，我的名在外邦中是可畏的；这是万军之耶和华说的”（玛1:12-14）。{CS 317.2}[10]
§22
But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the Lord is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible. Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord. But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing; for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and My name is dreadful among the heathen. Malachi 1:12-14. {CS 317.2}[10]
§23
“你向上帝许愿，偿还不可迟延；因祂不喜悦愚昧人；所以你许的愿应当偿还。你许愿不还，不如不许”（传5:4-5）。（《证言》卷四第470-472页）{CS 317.3}[11]
§24
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldst not vow, than that thou shouldst vow and not pay. Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5.--4T 470-472. {CS 317.3}[11]
§25
【接受上帝应许的条件】
§26
在大聚会的特殊场合中，曾为了上帝的圣工对自称基督门徒的人发出呼吁。于是人心受到感动；许多人立下保证要支援圣工。可是不少作出保证的人却没有在上帝面前诚实。他们因疏忽而没有履行对他们创造主的保证。人既然漠视对上帝的承诺，还能指望上帝在人不履行条件的情况下实现祂的应许吗？你最好要对同胞和上帝诚实。（《评论与通讯》1889年12月17日）{CS 317.4}[12]
§27
【Conditions for Receiving Gods Promises】
§28
There have been special occasions at large gatherings, when appeals have been made to the professed followers of Christ, for the cause of God, and hearts have been stirred, and many have made pledges to sustain the work. But many of those who pledged have not dealt honorably with God. They have been negligent, and have failed to redeem their pledges to their Maker. But if man is so indifferent about his promises to God, can he expect that the Lord will fulfill a promise made on conditions that have never been kept? It is best to deal honestly with your fellow men and with God.--R. & H., Dec. 17, 1889. {CS 317.4}[12]
§29
【撒但的反对】
§30
上帝所托付给人的财产，其中的十分之一是上帝所指定属于祂的一份。至于人是否要多献，则可由各人自行决定。但每当人心受圣灵感动而立志特别捐出一部分钱财时，那么这一部分钱财就是归主为圣的，那人就再没有权利自己支配。在人与人的关系上，这一类的诺言尚且有效，何况人对上帝所立的诺言岂不更当遵守吗？人在良心的法庭上所立的契约，难道还不如人与人之间所签定的契约那么神圣吗？{CS 318.1}[13]
§31
【Satans Protest】
§32
Of the means entrusted to men, God claims a certain portion,--the tenth. He leaves all free to say whether or not they will give more than this. But when the heart is stirred by the influence of the Holy Spirit, and a vow is made to give a certain amount, the one who vows has no longer any right to the consecrated portion. Promises of this kind made to men would be looked upon as binding; are those not more binding that are made to God? Are promises tried in the court of conscience less binding than written agreements of men? {CS 318.1}[13]
§33
当上帝的光特别清楚而有力地照在人心上时，人们习惯成性的私心便会松手，而乐意捐输维持圣工。但任何人莫想他能履行自己的诺言而不遭撒但的反对。撒但极不愿看见救赎主的国度在地上建立起来，所以他要向捐献的人示意说，你认捐的数字太大了，你可能受到影响，以致不能再购置产业或满足家庭的要求。（《使徒行述》74，75页）{CS 318.2}[14]
§34
When divine light is shining into the heart with unusual clearness and power, habitual selfishness relaxes its grasp, and there is a disposition to give to the cause of God. But none need think that they will be allowed to fulfill the promises then made, without a protest on the part of Satan. He is not pleased to see the Redeemers kingdom on earth built up. He suggests that the pledge made was too much, that it may cripple them in their efforts to acquire property or gratify the desires of their families.--AA 74, 75. {CS 318.2}[14]
§35
【需要良知觉醒】
§36
我们这班人对于这件事也应当觉悟。现今只有少数的人会因为忽略捐款的本分而觉得良心难过，也只有少数的人因自己天天劫夺上帝之物而觉得心中悔恨。{CS 318.3}[15]
§37
【Need for an Aroused Conscience】
§38
There must be an awakening among us as a people upon this matter. There are but few men who feel conscience stricken if they neglect their duty in beneficence. But few feel remorseful of soul because they are daily robbing God. {CS 318.3}[15]
§39
一个基督徒若在有意或无意之中少付了邻人的钱，或是拒绝偿还正当的债务，他的良心若未被烙惯，就必使他忧苦；即使除他自己之外，并无别人知道此事，他也总是不得安心。然而今日漠视自己所许的愿，未清付所立之约的人，为数很多，但为此事而心地不安的，却是很少；觉得自己有未尽本分之罪的人是多么的少啊！ {CS 318.4}[16]
§40
If a Christian deliberately or accidentally underpays his neighbor, or refuses to cancel an honest debt, his conscience, unless seared, will trouble him; he cannot rest although no one may know but himself. There are many neglected vows and unpaid pledges, and yet how few trouble their minds over the matter; how few feel the guilt of this violation of duty. {CS 318.4}[16]
§41
我们必须对这个问题有新的更深刻的觉悟。我们应当激发良心，恳切注意此事；因为在末日之时，我们一定要向上帝交账，并且祂的要求必须满足。（《证言》卷四第468页）{CS 319.1}[17]
§42
We must have new and deeper convictions on this subject. The conscience must be aroused, and the matter receive earnest attention; for an account must be rendered to God in the last day, and His claims must be settled.--4T 468. {CS 319.1}[17]