第09章 珍珠
§1
第09章 珍珠Chap. 9—The Pearl（根据太13:45,46）
§2
我们的救主把救赎之爱的福惠比作一颗贵重的珍珠。祂用买卖人寻找好珍珠的比喻来说明祂的教训。这个买卖人“遇见一颗重价的珠子，就变卖他一切所有的，买了这颗珠子。”基督本身就是那颗贵重的珍珠。天父的一切荣耀和上帝本性的一切丰盛，都集中在祂里面。圣经的每一页都放射着祂的光辉。基督的义，就像一颗洁白的珍珠，毫无瑕疵和玷污。没有人能够在上帝所赐伟大而宝贵的恩赐上加工改良。祂是毫无缺点的。“所积蓄的一切智慧知识，都在祂里面藏着”（西2:3）。“祂成为我们的智慧，公义，圣洁，救赎”（林后1:30）。在基督里，我们可以找到满足心灵今生来生需要和愿望的一切东西。我们的救赎主是贵重的珍珠。一切别的东西与之相比，都显得毫无价值。{COL 115.1}[1]
§3
This chapter is based on?Matthew 13:45, 46.
§4
The blessings of redeeming love our Saviour compared to a precious pearl. He illustrated His lesson by the parable of the merchantman seeking goodly pearls “who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Christ Himself is the pearl of great price. In Him is gathered all the glory of the Father, the fullness of the Godhead. He is the brightness of the Father’s glory and the express image of His person. The glory of the attributes of God is expressed in His character. Every page of the Holy Scriptures shines with His light. The righteousness of Christ, as a pure, white pearl, has no defect, no stain. No work of man can improve the great and precious gift of God. It is without a flaw. In Christ are “hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”?Colossians 2:3. He is “made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”?1 Corinthians 1:30. All that can satisfy the needs and longings of the human soul, for this world and for the world to come, is found in Christ. Our Redeemer is the pearl so precious that in comparison all things else may be accounted loss.?{COL 115.1}[1]
§5
基督“到自己的地方来，自己的人倒不接待祂”（约1:11）。上帝的光照到世界的黑暗中，“黑暗却不接受光”（约1:5）。但并不是所有的人都对天上的恩赐漠不关心。比喻中的买卖人代表一等诚心爱慕真理的人。在世界各国都有诚恳而有思想的人，在文学、科学和外邦的宗教中探索那能接受作为心灵财宝的东西。在犹太人中间，也有人在寻找他们所缺乏的。他们不满足于形式化的宗教，渴慕一种属灵和能提高心灵的信仰。基督所拣选的门徒属于后一等人。哥尼流和埃塞俄比亚的太监属于前一等人。他们一直渴慕并祈求天国的光明。当基督向他们显现时，他们就欣然接受了。{COL 116.1}[2]
§6
Christ “came unto His own, and His own received Him not.”?John 1:11. The light of God shone into the darkness of the world, and “the darkness comprehended it not.”?John 1:5. But not all were found indifferent to the gift of heaven. The merchantman in the parable represents a class who were sincerely desiring truth. In different nations there were earnest and thoughtful men who had sought in literature and science and the religions of the heathen world for that which they could receive as the soul’s treasure. Among the Jews there were those who were seeking for that which they had not. Dissatisfied with a formal religion, they longed for that which was spiritual and uplifting. Christ’s chosen disciples belonged to the latter class, Cornelius and the Ethiopian eunuch to the former. They had been longing and praying for light from heaven; and when Christ was revealed to them, they received Him with gladness.?{COL 116.1}[2]
§7
比喻中的珍珠并不是一种赠品。买卖人是用重价把它买下来的。许多人对此发出疑问，因为圣经上说基督乃是一种恩赐。祂的确是恩赐，但是只有对于那些毫无保留地献上灵智体给祂的人，祂才是一种恩赐。我们应当献身给基督，在生活上乐意顺从祂的一切要求。凡我们所有的，以及我们的一切才能和财宝都是主的，应当奉献为祂服务。当我们这样完全献身给祂时，基督就会将祂自己，连同天上的一切财富都赐给我们，我们就得到了贵重的珍珠。{COL 116.2}[3]
§8
In the parable the pearl is not represented as a gift. The merchantman bought it at the price of all that he had. Many question the meaning of this, since Christ is represented in the Scriptures as a gift. He is a gift, but only to those who give themselves, soul, body, and spirit, to Him without reserve. We are to give ourselves to Christ, to live a life of willing obedience to all His requirements. All that we are, all the talents and capabilities we possess, are the Lord’s, to be consecrated to His service. When we thus give ourselves wholly to Him, Christ, with all the treasures of heaven, gives Himself to us. We obtain the pearl of great price.?{COL 116.2}[3]
§9
救恩是白白赐给人的，但它也要经过交易。在经营上帝恩赐的市场上，贵重的珍珠可以不用银钱、不用价值而得到。在这个市场上，所有的人都可以获得天国的货物。真理珠宝的仓库向所有的人敞开。主说：“看哪，我在你面前给你一个敞开的门，是无人能关的”（启3:8）。也没有刀剑把守通往那门的道路。从门内和门口有许多声音发出说：来吧。我们的救主诚恳和蔼地邀请我们：“我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足”（启3:18）。{COL 116.3}[4]
§10
Salvation is a free gift, and yet it is to be bought and sold. In the market of which divine mercy has the management, the precious pearl is represented as being bought without money and without price. In this market all may?obtain the goods of heaven. The treasury of the jewels of truth is open to all. “Behold, I have set before thee an open door,” the Lord declares, “and no man can shut it.” No sword guards the way through this door. Voices from within and at the door say, Come. The Saviour’s voice earnestly and lovingly invites us: “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich.”?Revelation 3:8, 18.?{COL 116.3}[4]
§11
基督的福音是人人都可以获得的福惠。最贫穷的人和最富足的人一样能够购买救恩，因为救恩不是靠任何数量的属世财富来购买的。唯有甘心顺从，献身给基督，作祂所买来的产业，才能得到救恩。教育，即使是最高的教育，也不能使一个人更加接近上帝。法利赛人曾享有各种属世和属灵的特权。他们骄傲地自夸：我们“是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺。”其实他们是“困苦、可怜、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身的”（启3:11）。基督向他们提供贵重的珍珠，他们却不屑一顾。于是基督对他们说：“税吏和娼妓，倒比你们先进上帝的国”（太21:31）。{COL 117.1}[5]
§12
The gospel of Christ is a blessing that all may possess. The poorest are as well able as the richest to purchase salvation; for no amount of worldly wealth can secure it. It is obtained by willing obedience, by giving ourselves to Christ as His own purchased possession. Education, even of the highest class, cannot of itself bring a man nearer to God. The Pharisees were favored with every temporal and every spiritual advantage, and they said with boastful pride, We are “rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing”; yet they were “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”?Revelation 3:17. Christ offered them the pearl of great price; but they disdained to accept it, and He said to them, “The publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”?Matthew 21:31.?{COL 117.1}[5]
§13
我们不能赚取救恩，但我们必须用极大的兴趣和毅力来寻求它，即使为了它而舍弃一切属世的财富。{COL 117.2}[6]
§14
We cannot earn salvation, but we are to seek for it with as much interest and perseverance as though we would abandon everything in the world for it.?{COL 117.2}[6]
§15
我们应当寻求那颗贵重的珍珠，但不是在世界的市场上，用属世的方法去寻求。我们所需要付出的代价不是金银，因为金银本来就是属于上帝的。不要以为拥有属世或属灵方面的有利条件，就会为你赚得救恩。上帝所要的，乃是你乐意的顺从。祂要你放弃罪恶。基督说：“得胜的，我要赐他在我宝座上与我同坐，就如我得了胜，在我父的宝座上与祂同坐一般”（启3:21）。{COL 117.3}[7]
§16
We are to seek for the pearl of great price, but not in worldly marts or in worldly ways. The price we are required to pay is not gold or silver, for this belongs to God. Abandon the idea that temporal or spiritual advantages will win for you salvation. God calls for your willing obedience. He asks you to give up your sins. “To him that overcometh,” Christ declares, “will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”?Revelation 3:21.?{COL 117.3}[7]
§17
有些人看上去好像在不断地寻找天国的珍珠。但是他们没有完全放弃自己的不良习惯。他们没有向自己死去，使基督可以在他们里面活着。因此他们找不到那颗宝贵的珍珠。他们没有克服不圣洁的野心和对于世俗引诱的留恋。他们没有背起十字架而在克己牺牲的道路上跟从基督。他们几乎是基督徒，但不完全是基督徒。他们看上去离天国很近，但是不能进去。几乎得救而没有完全得救，所意味的不是几乎灭亡，而是完全灭亡了。{COL 118.1}[8]
§18
There are some who seem to be always seeking for the heavenly pearl. But they do not make an entire surrender of their wrong habits. They do not die to self that Christ may live in them. Therefore they do not find the precious pearl. They have not overcome unholy ambition and their love for worldly attractions. They do not take up the cross and follow Christ in the path of self-denial and sacrifice. Almost Christians, yet not fully Christians, they seem near the kingdom of heaven, but they cannot enter there. Almost but not wholly saved, means to be not almost but wholly lost.?{COL 118.1}[8]
§19
买卖人寻找好珠子的比喻具有双重的意义。它不但说明人对天国的寻求，也是说明基督寻找祂所失丧的产业。基督是寻找好珠子的天上买卖人。祂从丧亡的人类身上看到了贵重的珍珠。祂从被罪恶玷污败坏的人身上，看出了救赎的可能性。那些曾经成为与撒但斗争之战场的心灵，经过爱的能力拯救之后，在救赎主看来，要比从未堕落的生灵更加宝贵。上帝看人，并不看他的卑劣和不配，而是看到他在基督里面，看到他藉着救赎之爱所能达到的状况。祂收集了宇宙间所有的财宝，用来购买那颗珍珠。耶稣找到了这颗珍珠，就把它镶嵌在自己的冠冕上。“因为他们必像冠冕上的宝石，高举在祂的地以上”（亚9:16）。万军之耶和华说：“在我所定的日子，他们必属我，特特归我”（玛3:17）。{COL 118.2}[9]
§20
The parable of the merchantman seeking goodly pearls has a double significance: it applies not only to men as seeking the kingdom of heaven, but to Christ as seeking His lost inheritance. Christ, the heavenly merchantman seeking goodly pearls, saw in lost humanity the pearl of price. In man, defiled and ruined by sin, He saw the possibilities of redemption. Hearts that have been the battleground of the conflict with Satan, and that have been rescued by the power of love, are more precious to the Redeemer than are those who have never fallen. God looked upon humanity, not as vile and worthless; He looked upon it in Christ, saw it as it might become through redeeming love. He collected all the riches of the universe, and laid them down in order to buy the pearl. And Jesus, having found it, resets it in His own diadem. “For they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon His land.”?Zechariah 9:16. “They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels.”?Malachi 3:17.?{COL 118.2}[9]
§21
但是我们所最需要思考的题目，乃是那比作贵重珍珠的基督，以及我们获得这天国财宝的权利。圣灵向人显明这颗好珠子的价值。圣灵能力显示的时候，也就是人寻找并寻见这天上礼物的时候。在基督的时代，许多人听见了福音，可是他们的思想被虚假的教训蒙蔽了，没有看出这卑贱的加利利教师乃是上帝所差来的。基督升天之后。祂登上中保王位的信号就是圣灵的沛降。圣灵在五旬节赐下了。基督的见证人们宣布了复活之救主的大能。天国的亮光就照进了被基督仇敌的欺骗所蒙蔽的心。这时他们看出祂已经被高举“作君王，作救主，将悔改的心和赦罪的恩赐给以色列人”（徒5:31）。他们看见祂被天上的荣耀所环绕。在祂的手中有无穷的财宝要赐给一切愿意转离叛逆道途的人。当使徒们将父独生子的荣耀彰显出来时，当下就有三千人悔改。他们都看出了自己的罪恶污秽的本相，也看出基督是他们的朋友和救赎主。藉着降在人身上的圣灵的能力，基督得到了高举和荣耀。这些信徒凭着信心看到祂遭受侮辱、痛苦和死亡，乃是叫他们不至灭亡，反得永生。圣灵所带给他们有关基督的启示，使他们深深体会到祂的能力和威严。他们伸出信心之手说：“我相信。”{COL 118.3}[10]
§22
But Christ as the precious pearl, and our privilege of possessing this heavenly treasure, is the theme on which we most need to dwell. It is the Holy Spirit that reveals to men the preciousness of the goodly pearl. The time of the?Holy Spirit’s power is the time when in a special sense the heavenly gift is sought and found. In Christ’s day many heard the gospel, but their minds were darkened by false teaching, and they did not recognize in the humble?Teacher of Galilee the Sent of God. But after Christ’s ascension His enthronement in His mediatorial kingdom was signalized by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit was given. Christ’s witnesses proclaimed the power of the risen Saviour. The light of heaven penetrated the darkened minds of those who had been deceived by the enemies of Christ. They now saw Him exalted to be “a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”?Acts 5:31. They saw Him encircled with the glory of heaven, with infinite treasures in His hands to bestow upon all who would turn from their rebellion. As the apostles set forth the glory of the Only-Begotten of the Father, three thousand souls were convicted. They were made to see themselves as they were, sinful and polluted, and Christ as their friend and Redeemer. Christ was lifted up, Christ was glorified, through the power of the Holy Spirit resting upon men. By faith these believers saw Him as the One who had borne humiliation, suffering, and death that they might not perish but have everlasting life. The revelation of Christ by the Spirit brought to them a realizing sense of His power and majesty, and they stretched forth their hands to Him by faith, saying, “I believe.”?{COL 118.3}[10]
§23
于是这位复活之救主的喜信传遍了天涯地极。教会眼见悔改的人从各处蜂拥而至。本来信主的人重新悔改了。罪人和信徒联合起来，一同去寻找那贵重的珍珠。先知以下的预言应验了：软弱的人“必如大卫，”而大卫的家必如“耶和华的使者”（亚12:8）。那时每一个基督徒都能从弟兄身上看出上帝慈爱和眷爱的显示。在门徒中间只有一个兴趣，一个目标，淹没了其它一切的兴趣。大家同心合意。信徒唯一的愿望乃是表现与基督相似的品格，为扩展祂的国度而努力。“那许多信的人都是一心一意的。……使徒大有能力，见证主耶稣的复活，众人也都蒙大恩”（徒4:32,33）。“主将得救的人，天天加给他们”（徒2:47）。基督的灵振奋了全体会众；因为他们已经找到了那颗贵重的珍珠。{COL 120.1}[11]
§24
Then the glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the uttermost bounds of the inhabited world. The church beheld converts flocking to her from all directions. Believers were reconverted. Sinners united with Christians in seeking the pearl of great price. The prophecy was fulfilled, The weak shall be “as David,” and the house of David “as the angel of the Lord.”?Zechariah 12:8. Every Christian saw in his brother the divine similitude of benevolence and love. One interest prevailed. One object swallowed up all others. All hearts beat in harmony. The only ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness?of Christ’s character, and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom. “The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.... With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all.”?Acts 4:32, 33. “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”?Acts 2:47. The Spirit of Christ animated the whole congregation; for they had found the pearl of great price.?{COL 120.1}[11]
§25
这样的画面将以更大的能力重演。五旬节圣灵的沛降乃是早雨，但晚雨的下降将更加丰盛。圣灵正等着我们去祈求和领受。基督将藉着圣灵的能力再度丰丰富富地展现出来。人们要看出珍珠的价值，与使徒保罗一同说：“我先前以为与我有益的，我现在因基督都当作有损的。不但如此，我也将万事当作有损的，因我以认识我主基督耶稣为至宝”（腓3:7,8）。{COL 121.1}[12]
§26
These scenes are to be repeated, and with greater power. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was the former rain, but the latter rain will be more abundant. The Spirit awaits our demand and reception. Christ is again to be revealed in His fulness by the Holy Spirit’s power. Men will discern the value of the precious pearl, and with the apostle Paul they will say, “What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.”?Philippians 3:7, 8.?{COL 121.1}[12]