第50章 基督的优越性
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第50章 基督的优越性
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Chapter 51—To Mary White
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《文稿》1889年第10号MS - 10 - 18891889年10月Oct. 1889
§4
我非常惊讶，因为我的健康状态很好。我曾很担心夏天的工作会使我在冬天很虚弱，但是赞美上帝，我要说，祂仁慈地提拔我超越了我的软弱。我现在比数月以来好得多，也比去年好得多。{1888 447.1}
§5
I am much surprised that I am as well as I am. I had great fear that my summer’s work would enfeeble me for the winter, but to the praise of God I will say he has mercifully lifted me up above my infirmities. I am very much better than for many months, better than last year. {1888 447.1}
§6
我们正在举行非常好的会议。明尼阿波利斯会议上所表现的精神已荡然无存，大家离开的时候都是和谐一致的。有许多代表出席。早上五点钟的聚会也有许多人参加，会开得很好。我所听到的所有见证都很鼓舞人。他们说过去一年是他们一生中最好的一年；上帝圣言所发出来的光既清晰又明亮——因信称义，基督是我们的义。这些经历一直使人兴致勃勃。{1888 447.2}
§7
We are having most excellent meetings. The spirit that was in the meeting at Minneapolis is not here. All moves off in harmony. There is a large attendance of delegates. Our five o’clock morning meeting is well attended, and the meetings good. All the testimonies to which I have listened have been of an elevating character. They say that the past year has been the best of their life; the light shining forth from the word of God has been clear and distinct—justification by faith, Christ our righteousness. The experiences have been very interesting. {1888 447.2}
§8
除了两次之外，我参加了所有晨会。八点钟，琼斯弟兄讲论了因信称义的题目，大家很感兴趣。人们对我们主救主耶稣基督的信心和认识增强了。许多人以前从来没有机会听过这个题目。他们正在领受，从主的筵席上得享丰盛的佳肴。发言人所作的见证一致认为，临到我们教会的这个真光信息就是现代真理。他们在众教会中不论走到哪里，就一定会把亮光、安慰和上帝的福气带到那里。我们享受了丰盛的筵席。看见大家接受了真光，我们满心快乐，仰望为我们的信心创始成终的耶稣。基督是我们伟大的榜样。我们应当具有祂那样的品格，一切美好的东西都在祂里面。我们应当转离人和一切其它的样式，敞着脸仰望耶稣一切的荣耀。大家心中所充满的就是有关祂美善的念头。一切其它的事物都显得无足轻重了。那些不能促使人们更具耶稣形像的道德规条全都消失了。我看到了我们所能达到的高度和深度，只要我们接受每一线亮光，向着更大的光明前进。末日近了，上帝不许我们在这个时候睡觉。{1888 447.3}
§9
I have attended all but two morning meetings. At eight o’clock Bro. Jones speaks upon the subject of justification by faith, and great interest is manifested. There is a growth in faith and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. There are quite a number who have not had an opportunity to hear upon this subject before but they are taking it in, and are being fed with large morsels from the Lord’s table. The universal testimony from those who have spoken has been that this message of light and truth which has come to our people is just the truth for this time and wherever they go among the churches, light, and relief, and the blessing of God is sure to come in. We have a feast of fat things and when we see souls grasping the light we are rejoiced, looking unto Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Christ is the great pattern; his character must be our character. All excellence is in him. Turning from man and every other model with open face we behold Jesus in all his glory. And their minds are filled with the grand and overpowering ideas of his excellency; every other object sinks into insignificance, and every part of moral discipline is lost which does not promote their likeness to his image. I see heights and depths that we may reach accepting every ray of light and going forward to a greater light. The end is near and God forbid that we shall be asleep at this time. {1888 447.3}
§10
感谢主使我看见从事传道工作的弟兄们愿意亲自研究圣经。现在所极其缺少的正是对圣经的深入研究，把真理的宝石珍藏在心中。我们如果不多方祈祷，切心寻求上帝启示祂圣言的意义，就会蒙受多大的损失啊！ {1888 447.4}
§11
I am so thankful to see with our ministering brethren a disposition to search the scriptures for themselves. There has been a very great lack of deep searching of the scriptures, storing the mind with the gems of truth. How much we all lose because we do not put to the tax our minds to search with much prayer for divine enlightenment to understand his holy word. {1888 447.4}
§12
我相信在我们的信徒中将会有明显的进步和更加诚恳的努力，与第三位天使的信息保持一致的步调。我们可以预料在任何时候撒但都会藉着他的代理提出惊人的新要求，上帝的子民岂不该十分清醒，岂不该靠着大能者的力量变得刚强起来吗？岂不该靠着上帝的智慧聪明起来吗？上帝的政权已临到一个危机，必须采取果断重大的举措。不会再耽延太久。上帝的忿怒不会长久抑制，惟有公义要发言，片刻之间就会有混乱，各种声音、雷轰、闪电、地震、普世荒凉。现在正是我们为善和行善的时候，同时要以十分清醒的理智注意上帝政权的每一举动，心怀忧惧。然而我们的生活和品格若是追求神圣的样式，我们就会与基督一同藏在上帝里面。{1888 447.5}
§13
I believe there will be a decided advance among our people, a more earnest endeavor to keep pace with the third angel’s message. We may expect at any time new and startling claims from Satan through his agents, and shall not the people of God be wide awake, shall they not become strong in the strength of the mighty one? Wise in the wisdom of God? A crisis has arrived in the government of God in which something great and decisive must be done. The delay will not be prolonged long. The wrath of 448God will not be long withheld, justice is only to speak the word and in a moment what confusion there will be. Voices and thunderings, and lightnings and earthquakes, and universal desolation. Now is our time to be good and to do good, while with wide awake senses we watch every movement in the government of God, with apprehension. But if our life and character is after the divine model we shall be hid with Christ in God. {1888 447.5}
§14
世界满了上帝爱堕落人类的证据。我们有限的心思永远无法测量祂爱了我们多少，我们没有线铊用来探测它，没有标准用来比较它，但我们可以和约翰一起说：“祂如此爱了世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，”以便藉着基督给予我们永生。这个主题充满了我的心思，而且它如此宏大，如此引人向上，以致我一想到它就心夺神移。{1888 448.1}
§15
The world is full of evidences of God’s love for fallen man. How much he loved us we can never with our finite minds measure, we have no line with which to fathom, no standard with which to compare it, but with John we may say, “He so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son,” that through Christ he might confer on us everlasting life. This subject fills my mind and it is so grand, so elevating, that I am entranced as I think of it. {1888 448.1}
§16
这是一次可以取得进步的会议，但是，缺乏工人啊。我一想到这一点就心疼。四面八方都有求助的呼声。马其顿的呼声正传进来：“请过来帮助我们”（徒16:9）。我们需要献上极其恳切的祷告，求主差派工人进入祂的葡萄园。祂能以祂神圣的智慧亲自作出选择，使我们的智慧默默无闻，但无论上帝怎样做，我们都要欣然接受。这是一个严肃的时期；我们正设法竭尽所能使人们深感其责任的分量。要祈求圣灵的洗临到工人们身上，使他们能在一切的工作中把耶稣基督表明出来。现在当我们需要力量和能力好拯救周围正在灭亡的生灵时，为什么有那么大的软弱呢？有一个世界要接触，有一个世界要接受试验，而谁能站得住呢？{1888 448.2}
§17
This is a conference where advancement will be made, but O, the want of workers. How my heart aches as I think of it. Calls for help come from every quarter. The Macedonian cry is coming in, “Come over and help us.” We need to offer up most earnest prayer that the Lord will send laborers into his vineyard. He can himself make a selection in his divine wisdom that will put our wisdom in the shade, but whatever God does we want to accept willingly. It is a solemn time; we are trying to the best of our ability to impress the people with the weight of their responsibility. Oh for the baptism of the Holy Spirit to come upon the workers that they may represent Jesus Christ in all their labors. Oh why is there so great weakness now when we need strength and power to save souls that are perishing around us. There is a world to be reached, a world to be tested, and who shall be able to stand? {1888 448.2}
§18
自从开会以来，这里的天气一直很好。今天的天气很温和。这样的天气最适合开会了。{1888 448.3}
§19
We have had very pleasant weather here since the meeting. It has been very mild today. We could not have had a more favorable time for the conference. {1888 448.3}
§20
这个时代流行的各种教义不能正确地代表基督。我们的救主代表了天父。祂使浓重的黑暗离开了上帝的宝座，那凶恶的阴影是撒但投下的，要使人看不见也不认识上帝。基督显明了上帝的宝座，向世人显明天父乃是光和爱。祂以人性披覆了自己的神性，以光的明证带来了那种爱，叫人类能领悟它；使人能象摩西那样祈求说：“求祢显出祢的荣耀给我看”（出33:18）。要记住主的耳听我们的祷告。“你们祈求，就给你们；寻找，就寻见。”“你们虽然不好，尚且知道拿好东西给儿女；何况天父，岂不更将圣灵给求祂的人吗”（太7:7；路11:13）？既然如此，我们为何不照上帝的话接受祂呢？为何不尽心尽意尽性相信祂呢？为何不凭信把握上帝的性情呢？这是我们的特权。在信的人凡事都能。我今天早上很感恩，因为我有一位永活的救主。赞美上帝，一切的福惠从祂而来！我们最能羞辱上帝的，就是不信靠祂了。我们必须从不灰心。我们必须忍耐、仁慈，必须凭信领受那丰富的供应，因为上帝乐于赐福，并要凭信服侍主，相信祂会做我们祈求祂的事。这种凭信服侍主需要加以培养，因为它导致极大的属灵恩典，并且使我们从新得力，如鹰一样。他要展翅上腾，就是说，凭着信心。我祈愿上帝帮助我们。我们的志向必须向上天升得更高更近。要寻求那在上面的事。我们必须兴起，脱离低地，上升到更高的能力，更可爱的亮光。我们必须爱得更高，而且过得更高。基督徒若是满载着今生的思虑或随身携带自己所宠爱的罪，就达不到最高的造诣。我们能够也应该呼吸更纯净的空气，品尝更属天的喜乐。我们每一天都需要耶稣，靠祂的力量我们可以得到力量，确实在恩典上长进，应付更严峻的斗争，对属天的事获得灵感的观点。我们神圣夫子曾被钉穿的手向我们发着信号，要我们上到更高。“我只有一件事，就是忘记背后，努力面前的，向着标竿直跑，要得上帝在基督耶稣里从上面召我来得的奖赏”（腓3:13,14）。甚愿我们能兴起，发光，因为我们的光已经来到，耶和华的荣耀发现照耀着我们（赛60:1）。我们越紧密地效法那模范，就越有祂无比可爱的智慧和聪明。{1888 448.4}
§21
The popular doctrines of this age cannot correctly represent Jesus. Our Saviour represented the Father. He rolled away the thick darkness from the throne of God, the hellish shadow which Satan had cast to hide God from sight and from knowledge. Christ reveals the throne of God and reveals to the world the Father as light and love. His clothing his divinity with humanity brings that love in clear evidence of light that humanity can comprehend it; that will indite the petition in the heart to pray as did Moses, “I beseech thee, show me thy glory.” Remember the ear of the Lord is open to our prayers. “Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and ye shall find.” “If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children,” how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.” Then why not take God at his word? Why not believe with all the heart and mind and soul. Why not by faith take hold of the divine nature. It is our privilege. All things shall be done for him that believeth. I am so grateful this morning that I have a living Saviour. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! How can we dishonor God more decidedly than to distrust him? We must never be discouraged. We must be patient, kind, we must by faith be receiving that abundant supply as God is willing to bestow and wait by faith on the Lord 449believing he will do the things we ask him. This waiting on the Lord by faith needs to be cultivated for it leads to great spiritual grace, and renews our strength as the eagles. He shall mount up with wings, that is by faith. God help us is my prayer. We must rise higher and nearer to heaven in our aspirations. Seek things that are above. We must rise from the lowlands of earth to a higher power, lovelier light. We must love higher, and live higher. No Christian reaches the highest point of attainment that overloads himself with worries about this world or in carrying his pet sins along with him. We can and should breathe a purer atmosphere and taste more heavenly joys. We need Jesus every day and with his strength we may gain strength, yes grow in grace for heavier conflicts and obtain inspiring views of heavenly things. The pierced hand of our divine Master holds the signal for us to come up higher. “This one thing I do, forgetting these things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those which are before, I press towards the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. “O that we might arise and shine for our light has come and the glory of the Lord hath arisen upon us. The more closely we copy the pattern the more wisdom and intelligence we will have of his matchless loveliness. {1888 448.4}
§22
我刚从早上五点钟的晨会回来。主赐给了我们恳求的灵，使我们恳求更大的福气，并叫居于负责岗位的人有上帝的同在和能力。许多人患病，被软弱所困，上帝会救拔他们，象祂救拔了我一样。祂已赐给我健康、力量和恩典，祂也会将这一切赐给祂所有的工人。甚愿每一个在我们的机构中身负重责的人都能知道，耶稣是他们患难中随时的帮助。他们需要摆脱自我，更加亲近上帝，以便用他们所得的安慰去安慰别人。{1888 449.1}
§23
I have just returned from Five O’clock morning meeting. The spirit of supplication was imparted to us for a larger blessing and that the men in responsible positions might have the presence and the power of God. Many are sick, compassed with infirmities, and God will lift them up as he has lifted me. He has given me health, and strength, and grace, and he will give the same to all his workers. Oh that every one in responsible positions of trust in our institutions may know that Jesus is to them a present help in every time of need. They want to be drawn up from themselves nearer to God that they may comfort others with that consolation wherewith they are comforted. {1888 449.1}
§24
我们对上帝差祂的儿子降世为罪人而死的奇妙之爱所有的认识，应使我们在十字架的荣耀下心碎，升华。我们的心融化了！“我的心哪，你要称颂耶和华，凡在我里面的，也要称颂祂的圣名”（诗103:1）！我的姐妹啊，我祈愿主用祂的恩典丰富地赐福给你。（《文稿》1889年第10号）{1888 449.2}
§25
We want to get such views of the wondrous love of God in sending his Son into the world to die for sinners that the heart is broken at the glory of the cross, uplifted. The hearts are melted! Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me praise his holy name. May the Lord by his grace bless you my sister abundantly, Is my prayer. {1888 449.2}