给作家和编辑的勉言(1946)E

第09章 对当局的态度
§1 第09章 对当局的态度
§2 Chapter 9—Attitude to Civil Authorities
§3 《不要攻击》——我们有些弟兄在言论和文字上提到许多事情,被认为是反对政府与法律的表示。这种将自己置身于足以令人误会的情形,实是错误。对政府当局行政上不断地寻差挑错,乃为不智之举。因为非难个人或机关,并不是我们的任务。我们就当极其谨慎,以免被人误会我们是反对政府当局的。固然我们所从事的战争常是采取攻势的。但我们所使的武器,却须基于“耶和华如此说”这一句明白的话。我们的任务乃是要预备一班人,将来能以在上帝的大日站立得住。因此我们千万不要转移阵线,以致在与我们不同信仰的人中间,激起争论,或引致敌对的行为。{CW 68.1}[1]
§4 《Bring No Attack》—By some of our brethren many things have been spoken and written that are interpreted as expressing antagonism to government and law. It is a mistake thus to lay ourselves open to misunderstanding. It is not wise to find fault continually with what is done by the rulers of government. It is not our work to attack individuals or institutions. We should exercise great care lest we be understood as putting ourselves in opposition to the civil authorities. It is true that our warfare is aggressive, but our weapons are to be those found in a plain “Thus saith the Lord.” Our work is to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God. We should not be turned aside to lines that will encourage controversy, or arouse antagonism in those not of our faith.?{CW 68.1}[1]
§5 我们的工作方式绝不应显出叫人误认我们是支持叛逆的。务须从我们的言论和著作中,除去那凡足以为人断章取义,招致误解,以为我们是公然反抗法令与秩序的意见。凡事皆当深思熟虑,以免为我们自己留下鼓励叛国违法的恶名。我们并没有受命公然反抗执政掌权者。虽然到了某一时期,我们要为拥护圣经真理的缘故,被人当作叛逆看待;但我们绝不可用轻妄之举激起仇恨与争斗,而促使这一时期的来到。{CW 68.2}[2]
§6 We should not work in a manner that will mark us out as seeming to advocate treason. We should weed out from our writings and utterances every expression, that, taken by itself, could be so misrepresented as to make it appear antagonistic to law and order. Everything should be carefully considered, lest we place ourselves on record as encouraging disloyalty to our country and its laws. We are not required to?defy authorities. There will come a time when, because of our advocacy of Bible truth, we shall be treated as traitors; but let not this time be hastened by unadvised movements that stir up animosity and strife.?{CW 68.2}[2]
§7 《因我们的言论而被定罪》——时候将到,弟兄中若有人因一时失检,以致偶尔在言论或著作中发表了攻击或非难他人的意见,仇敌就必加以利用,作为定我们罪的根据。这类资料不但会被用以断定那发表这种意见之人的罪,更要被用来控诉整个复临信徒的团体。那控诉我们的人要说,在某一天,有我们的负责人曾如此这般地说过反对政府行政的话。那时许多人将因看到多少事情已被仇敌存记罗织,作为争辩的据点,而感到诧异,也有不少的人要十分惊奇地听到他们自己所说的话,被人牵强附会到莫须有的意义上去,故此本会职工无论在任何时间,任何环境之下,说话都必须仔细检点。但愿大家谨慎,惟恐因冒失的言谈,而在那试炼人心的大危机之前,招致艰难。{CW 69.1}[3]
§8 《Condemned by Our Own Words》—The time will come when unguarded expressions of a denunciatory character, that have been carelessly spoken or written by our brethren, will be used by our enemies to condemn us. These will not be used merely to condemn those who made the statements, but will be charged upon the whole body of Adventists. Our accusers will say that on such and such a day one of our responsible men said thus and so against the administration of the laws of this government. Many will be astonished to see how many things have been cherished and remembered that will give point to the arguments of our adversaries. Many will be surprised to hear their own words strained into a meaning that they did not intend them to have. Then let our workers be careful to speak guardedly at all times and under all circumstances. Let all beware lest by reckless expressions they bring on a time of trouble before the great crisis which is to try men’s souls.?{CW 69.1}[3]
§9 《攻击执政掌权者》——无论是在美国或在别的国家当中,我们直接攻击执政掌权者越少,我们所能完成的工作也就必越多。别的国家将要效法美国的榜样。虽然这事是由美国肇端,但是这同一的危机仍要临到世界各处本会信徒的身上。{CW 69.2}[4]
§10 《Charges against Authorities and Powers》—The less we make direct charges against authorities and powers, the greater work we shall be able to accomplish, both in America and in foreign countries. Foreign nations will follow the example of the United States. Though she leads out, yet the same crisis will come upon our people in all parts of the world.?{CW 69.2}[4]
§11 我们的任务是要将上帝的律法高举并发扬光大;要使上帝圣言所有的真理,彰显出来。我们要高擎圣经为人生的准则。我们要凡事谦逊,存心感恩,并在上帝的爱中,向人指出上帝为创造天地的主宰,第七日为耶和华的圣安息日。{CW 70.1}[5]
§12 It is our work to magnify and exalt the law of God. The truth of God’s holy word is to be made manifest. We are to hold up the Scriptures as the rule of life. In all modesty, in the spirit of grace, and in the love of God, we are to point men to the fact that the Lord God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord.?{CW 70.1}[5]
§13 我们要依赖耶和华的名往前走,扬起祂的旌旗,表彰祂的真道。一旦执政者下令叫我们停止这种工作,并禁止传布上帝的诫命和耶稣的真道,那时,我们就需要象使徒们一般说:“听从你们,不听从上帝,这在上帝面前合理不合理,你们自己酌量吧!我们所看见、听见的,不能不说”(徒4:19,20)。{CW 70.2}[6]
§14 In the name of the Lord we are to go forward, unfurling His banner, advocating His word. When the authorities command us not to do this work; when they forbid us to proclaim the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, then it will be necessary for us to say as did the apostles: “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”?Acts 4:19, 20.?{CW 70.2}[6]
§15 真理原需依赖圣灵的能力而传开,惟其如此,方能使我们的话语生效。只有借着圣灵的能力,才可以获得并且保持胜利。人必须受上帝灵的激励。凡为上帝作工的人,必须借着得救的信心而得蒙上帝能力的保守。他们必须具有神圣的智慧,以免发出什么言论,会引起人们闭塞我们的路。借着属灵真理的教导,我们要预备一班人,若有世上最高执政掌权者问他们心中信仰的缘由时,能以温柔敬畏的心回答各人。{CW 70.3}[7]
§16 The truth is to be set forth in the power of the Holy Spirit. This alone can make our words effective. Only through the Spirit’s power will victory be gained and held. The human agent must be worked by the Spirit of God. The workers must be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. They must have divine wisdom, that nothing may be uttered which would stir up men to close our way. Through the inculcation of spiritual truth we are to prepare a people who shall be able, in meekness and fear, to give a reason for their faith before the highest authorities in our world.?{CW 70.3}[7]
§17 我们需要表现真理的纯洁,提倡实际的敬虔;这一切都应本着基督的精神去行。因为这种精神的表现,不但能使我们个人的心灵受到良好的影响,也能对别人发生一种令人信服的力量。要给主借着祂自己的代理人而工作的机会。不要妄想你自己能为将来作何计划;总要随时随在承认是由上帝在为你掌舵,祂要利用各种合适的方法来维持,增加,并且建立祂自己的子民。{CW 70.4}[8]
§18 We need to present the truth in its simplicity, to advocate practical godliness; and we should do this in the spirit of Christ. The manifestation of such a spirit will have the best influence upon our own souls, and it will have a convincing power upon others.?Give the Lord opportunity to work through His own agents. Do not imagine that it will be possible for you to lay out plans for the future; let God be acknowledged as standing at the helm at all times and under every circumstance. He will work by means that will be suitable, and will maintain, increase, and build up His own people.?{CW 70.4}[8]
§19 《不要促成暴风雨来临》——主的仆人应具有成圣的热心,就是一种完全在祂指挥之下的热心。暴风雨即将贸然来临,然而你我自己却不应采取什么行动来促成它。那行将临到的艰难,具有一种特质,要驱策凡愿全然属于上帝之人来归向祂。在未经苦难洪炉的考验之前,我们自己如何,尚未明了,因此不宜去衡量他人品格的好歹,更不必去斥责那还未获得第三位天使信息之亮光的人。{CW 71.1}[9]
§20 《Hasten Not the Stormy Times》—The Lord’s agents should have a sanctified zeal, a zeal that is wholly under His control. Stormy times will come rapidly enough upon us, and we should take no course of our own that will hasten them. Tribulation will come of a character that will drive to God all who wish to be His, and His alone. Until tested and proved in the furnace of trial, we do not know ourselves, and it is not proper for us to measure the characters of others and to condemn those who have not yet had the light of the third angel’s message.?{CW 71.1}[9]
§21 如果我们想要别人也信服我们所相信的,这种能圣化心灵,改变品格的真理,那么,我们就不宜继续不断地去激烈控告别人。倘如此行,我们就会迫使他们得到这样的结论:认为我们所宣传的道理既未使自己造就成为和善而谦恭有礼的人,那就决不会是基督的道理了。因为基督教是决不会借拳击似的控诉与非难而表达出来的。{CW 71.2}[10]
§22 If we wish men to be convinced that the truth we believe sanctifies the soul and transforms the character, let us not be continually charging them with vehement accusations. In this way we shall force them to the conclusion that the doctrine we profess cannot be the Christian doctrine, since it does not make us kind, courteous, and respectful. Christianity is not manifested in pugilistic accusations and condemnation.?{CW 71.2}[10]
§23 我们中间有许多人有一种危险,企图将控制权用在别人身上,如此便使他们的同伴受到压迫。还有一种危险,却是一般受托担负责任的人只承认一种权势,就是那未成圣之意志的权势。有的人曾经肆意滥用这种权势,以致在主所使用的人身上造成了极大的困苦。世上最大祸患之一(即在教会与社会中亦到处可见)即是崇尚极权。人们都汲汲于攫取权势和牢笼人心。这种精神发现在遵守安息日之人中,实在是我们的羞耻和忧患。须知:惟有在基督门下学得柔和谦卑的人,才能获得属灵的成功。{CW 71.3}[11]
§24 Many of our people are in danger of trying to exercise a controlling power upon others, and of bringing oppression upon their fellow men. There is danger that those who are entrusted with responsibilities will acknowledge but one power,—the power of an?unsanctified will. Some have exercised this power unscrupulously, and have caused great discomfiture to those whom the Lord is using. One of the greatest curses in our world (and it is seen in churches and in society everywhere) is the love of supremacy. Men become absorbed in seeking to secure power and popularity. This spirit has manifested itself in the ranks of Sabbathkeepers, to our grief and shame. But spiritual success comes only to those who have learned meekness and lowliness in the school of Christ.?{CW 71.3}[11]
§25 我们当记得世人要按我们所表现的来判断我们。但愿凡立意代表基督的人谨慎自守,不要在品格上显出矛盾的现象。当我们尚未受众人注视之先,应确有把握得知已蒙从上面来的圣灵浇灌。既有如此情形,我们就必给人传达一种确定的信息,并不象某些人所传讲的一般,具有谴责的性质,而且凡相信的人,也必对于那与我们作对之人的得救问题,表示分外的关心。至于谴责执政掌权者的事,则应全然听凭上帝处理。我们当作忠心的守望者,用温柔和爱心,维护那在耶稣里的真理原则。……{CW 72.1}[12]
§26 We should remember that the world will judge us by what we appear to be. Let those who are seeking to represent Christ be careful not to exhibit inconsistent features of character. Before we come fully to the front, let us see to it that the Holy Spirit is poured upon us from on high. When this is the case, we shall give a decided message, but it will be of a far less condemnatory character than that which some have been giving; and all who believe will be far more earnest for the salvation of our opponents. Let God have the matter of condemning authorities and governments wholly in His own keeping. In meekness and love, let us as faithful sentinels defend the principles of truth as it is in Jesus....?{CW 72.1}[12]
§27 《温和地讲述真理》——真理应该用神圣的温柔和敏锐的洞察力来描述,它应当是出自一颗亲切并有同情的心。我们当与上帝亲密的交流,以免自以为傲,像耶户一样;滔滔不绝地讲话是与我们不相符的,它不是露水,也不是持续地使枯树复苏的阵雨,让我们的言语温和,在我们寻找拯救一个灵魂的时候,上帝将会给那寻求智慧的人泉源。{CW 72.2}[13]
§28 《Present Truth with Gentleness》—The truth should be presented with divine tact, gentleness, and tenderness. It should come from a heart that has been softened and made sympathetic. We need to have close communion with God, lest self rise up, as it did in Jehu, and we pour forth a torrent of words that are unbefitting, that are not as dew, or as the still showers that revive the withering plants. Let?our words be gentle as we seek to win souls. God will be wisdom to him who seeks for wisdom from a divine source....?{CW 72.2}[13]
§29 《对待敌人的态度》——上帝的计划是首先要到达人心,讲出真理,并且让祂施行改革的力量和原则,不要理会敌人的话,唯独让真理向前推进,真理会直达要点,以朴实坦率的话显示它的威严。——《教会证言》卷六394-400页,1900年{CW 73.1}[14]
§30 《Attitude Toward Opponents》—God’s plan is first to get at the heart. Speak the truth, and let Him carry forward the reformatory power and principle. Make no reference to what opponents say; but let the truth alone be advanced. The truth can cut to the quick. Plainly unfold the word in all its impressiveness.—Testimonies for the Church 6:394-400 (1900).?{CW 73.1}[14]
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