第1506号 远离政治纷争；真归正的..
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第1506号 远离政治纷争；真归正的..
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MR No. 1506 - Stay Away From Political Strife; The Fruit of True Conversion
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（1897年12月14日写于新南威尔士州，库兰邦，“森尼赛德”）
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当我收到你论到金银、一个政治问题的来信时，我就知道自己说什么话都帮不到你。你的自信会很强，我说什么话都会像把种子撒在岩石上。主并不希望你将天赐的光阴和你的才干都用在错误的渠道上作工。你的工作根本没有把你安置在那条路线上。你和你的任何一位弟兄都一点不要就任何政治问题争辩、写作或参与某一方。上帝因凡与政治有染的人而受了羞辱。{21MR 20.1}[1]
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(Written December 14, 1897, from Sunnyside, Cooranbong, N.S.W.)
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When your letter came to me on the subject of gold and silver, a political question, I knew that I could not help you by any words that I might say. Your self-confidence would be very strong, and any words I might offer would be as seed sown upon the rock. The Lord did not want you to employ your God-given time, and set your talents to work, in wrong channels. Your work has not set you in that line at all. Neither you nor any of your brethren had any work to do in arguing or writing or taking any part whatever in politics. God was dishonored by all who acted any part in politics. {21MR 20.1}[1]
§7
上帝拣选了一班人要向世人宣扬第三位天使的信息。他们要在这个正在违背祂诫命的教会界作一班分别出来的特选的子民。我们有一项特别的工作要做，为有史以来最伟大的事件预备百姓。《但以理书》和《启示录》对我们来说非常重要，应该非常认真地予以研究。“因为你归耶和华你上帝为圣洁的民；耶和华你上帝从地上的万民中拣选你，特作自己的子民。耶和华专爱你们，拣选你们，并非因你们的人数多于别民，原来你们的人数在万民中是最少的。只因耶和华爱你们，又因要守祂向你们列祖所起的誓，就用大能的手领你们出来，从为奴之家救赎你们脱离埃及王法老的手。所以，你要知道耶和华你的上帝，祂是上帝，是信实的上帝；向爱祂、守祂诫命的人守约，施慈爱，直到千代；向恨祂的人当面报应他们，将他们灭绝。凡恨祂的人必报应他们，决不迟延。所以，你要谨守遵行我今日所吩咐你的诫命、律例、典章。……耶和华必使一切的病症离开你；你所知道埃及各样的恶疾，祂不加在你身上，只加在一切恨你的人身上”（申7:6-11,15,）。{21MR 20.2}[2]
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God has chosen a people who are to proclaim the third angels message to the world. They are to be a separate and peculiar people in this world of churches who are transgressing His commandments. We have a special work to do to prepare the people for the greatest event the world has ever seen. The books of Daniel and Revelation are of great consequence to us, and should be studied with great earnestness. [Deuteronomy 7:6-11, 15, quoted.] {21MR 20.2}[2]
§9
主希望让祂的子民成为一班分别出来的特选的子民，带有安息日的记号和印记，坚持第七日这个纪念，主在完成祂的创造之工后，就在这日歇息了。“上帝赐福给第七日，定为圣日；因为在这日，上帝歇了祂一切创造的工，就安息了”（创2:3）。祂将安息日赐给人作为休息的日子，祂的子民可以在这日聚集敬拜祂，与上帝进入亲密的关系。全天庭都关心上帝子民的敬拜。{21MR 20.3}[3]
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The Lord would have His people a separate and peculiar people, bearing the sign and seal of the Sabbath, in preserving the memorial, the seventh day, upon which the Lord rested after His work of creation. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made [Genesis 2:3]. He gave the Sabbath to man as a day of rest, when His people might assemble to worship Him and come in close relationship with God. All heaven is interested in the worship of Gods people. {21MR 20.3}[3]
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当人在基督耶稣里成为新造的人时，他就变得与上帝的性情有分。上帝已藉着祂自己的能力在人里面将人与神联合起来。祂给人类披上了基督的义袍。人便能够看出救主，并藉着仰望变成祂品格的样式。他承认基督的话：“天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了”（太28:18）。认出基督的人是与祂的灵和祂的义有分的人。他有基督住在灵宫里的内在确信。{21MR 20.4}[4]
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When man is created anew in Christ Jesus, he becomes a partaker of the divine nature. God has, through His own power, united in man the human and the divine. He clothes humanity with the robe of Christs righteousness. Man is enabled to discern the Saviour, and by beholding he is changed into the likeness of His character. He recognizes the words of Christ, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. He who discerns Christ is a partaker of His Spirit and His righteousness. He has the inward assurance that Christ is abiding in the soul-temple. {21MR 20.4}[4]
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人类的得赎吸引他们远离政治纷争，好在上帝里面得安息、平安和宁静。凡默想这事的人会确实有基督的心，会得以穿上基督之义的衣服。凡这样蒙福的人必热情地呼叫：“我们也见过祂的荣光，正是父独生子的荣光，充充满满的有恩典有真理。”{21MR 20.5}[5]
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The redemption of men draws them away from political strife to rest and peace and quietude in God. All who contemplate this will indeed have the mind of Christ, will be clothed with the garments of Christs righteousness. And all who are thus blessed will, with ardor, cry, We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. {21MR 20.5}[5]
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这里向人心呈现出属灵的荣光。“道成了肉身，住在我们中间，充充满满的有恩典有真理”（约1:14）。我们可以体验与上帝何等亲近啊！我们可以获得对天国怎样的见解啊！然而对凡向上帝活的人来说，最重要的是，他们要明白自己每天为耶稣基督从事的服务，在内心的柔和谦卑上、在为善和行善上表现祂的品格。{21MR 21.1}[6]
§16
Here was presented to the human mind spiritual and glorious light. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us . . . full of grace and truth. What nearness to God we may experience! What views of heaven we may obtain! But that which is of the greatest importance to all who live their life to God is for them to understand their daily service for Jesus Christ, in representing His character in meekness and lowliness of heart, and in being good and doing good. {21MR 21.1}[6]
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“凡靠着祂进到上帝面前的人，祂都能拯救到底；因为祂是长远活着，替他们祈求”（来7:25）。已经被错误的影响误导，且因和那些与上帝的心意和品格相反的人交往而变得与罪恶有分的人不必绝望。“像这样圣洁、无邪恶、无玷污、远离罪人、高过诸天的大祭司，原是与我们合宜的”（来7:26）。基督不仅是祭司和为我们的罪代求的人，而且是祭物。祂只一次将自己献上，就把这事成全了。{21MR 21.2}[7]
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Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. The soul that has been misled by wrong influences and has become a partaker of sin through association with others to do contrary to the mind and character of God, need not despair. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens [Hebrews 7:26]. Christ is not only priest and intercessor for our sins, but the offering. He offered Himself once for all. {21MR 21.2}[7]
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那些归顺上帝之人行事为人必与他们归正之前不同。使徒保罗对腓立比人说的话是：“只要你们行事为人与基督的福音相称，叫我或来见你们，或不在你们那里，可以听见你们的景况，知道你们同有一个心志，站立得稳，为所信的福音齐心努力”（腓1:27）。{21MR 21.3}[8]
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The conversation of those who are converted to God will not be the same as before their conversion. The words of the apostle Paul to the Philippians are, Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel [Philippians 1:27]. {21MR 21.3}[8]
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“祂所赐的，有使徒，有先知，有传福音的，有牧师和教师，为要成全圣徒，各尽其职，建立基督的身体，直等到我们众人在真道上同归于一，认识上帝的儿子，得以长大成人，满有基督长成的身量，使我们不再作小孩子，中了人的诡计和欺骗的法术，被一切异教之风摇动，飘来飘去，就随从各样的异端；惟用爱心说诚实话，凡事长进，连于元首基督”（弗4:11-15）。{21MR 21.4}[9]
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And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, many grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ [Ephesians 4:11-15]. {21MR 21.4}[9]
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这就是我们应当献给上帝的服务。我们既本着爱心说诚实话，就要凡事长进，连于元首基督。“全身都靠祂联络得合式，百节各按各职，照着各体的功用彼此相助，便叫身体渐渐增长，在爱中建立自己。所以我说，且在主里确实的说，你们行事不要再像外邦人存虚妄的心行事”（16,17节）。{21MR 21.5}[10]
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This is the service we are to render to God. Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind [verses 16, 17]. {21MR 21.5}[10]
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这一章充满了教导。“不要叫上帝的圣灵担忧；你们原是受了祂的印记，等候得赎的日子来到。一切苦毒、恼恨、忿怒、嚷闹、毁谤，并一切的恶毒（或作：阴毒），都当从你们中间除掉；并要以恩慈相待，存怜悯的心，彼此饶恕，正如上帝在基督里饶恕了你们一样”（30-32节）。{21MR 22.1}[11]
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This chapter is full of instruction. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you [verses 30-32]. {21MR 22.1}[11]
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这是真归正的果子。我的弟兄和姐妹，我请你们计算代价。基督要求你们将灵与魂与身子献给祂。祂在髑髅地的十字架上流的血使这事成为了可能。要进行诚实的计算。要把耶稣，就是生命、真理、天国放在天平的一边；而把世界所能供给的一切吸引人的东西放在天平的另一边。在一边放上你所丧失的灵魂，在另一边放上那足与上帝生命相比的生命。要为今生和来生好好衡量。当你这样做的时候，基督就发言。祂说什么呢？“人就是赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有什么益处呢？人还能拿什么换生命呢”（可8:36,37）？你会怎么回答呢？{21MR 22.2}[12]
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This is the fruit of true conversion. I ask you, my dear brother and sister, to count the cost. Christ requires that you give soul, body, and spirit to Him. He shed His blood on Calvarys cross to make this possible. Make an honest reckoning. Put into one scale Jesus, which means life, truth, and heaven, and into the other put every attraction the world may offer. Into the one put the loss of your soul, and in the other a life that measures with the life of God. Weigh them well; weigh for the present time and for eternity. While you are thus engaged, Christ speaks. What does He say? What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? [Mark 8:36, 37]. What will your answer be? {21MR 22.2}[12]
§29
你可以有圣灵的见证，证明你的行为蒙上帝的悦纳。这是藉着相信上帝的圣言，用圣言供应自己的心灵而实现的。这就是吃生命的粮，必带来永生。要将经文和经文进行对照。要研究上帝的圣言所描写真正基督徒的人生。{21MR 22.3}[13]
§30
You may have the witness of the Spirit that your ways please God. This is obtained by believing in the Word of God, by appropriating that Word to your own soul. This is eating of the bread of life, and this will bring eternal life. Compare scripture with scripture. Study the representation of the life of a true Christian as delineated in the Word of God. {21MR 22.3}[13]
§31
上帝的律法是公义的伟大标准。使徒称之为圣洁、公义、良善的。大卫说：“耶和华的律法全备，能苏醒人心”（诗19:7）。基督说：“你们若爱我，就必遵守我的命令。”“你们若常在我里面，我的话也常在你们里面，凡你们所愿意的，祈求，就给你们成就”（约14:15;15:7）。{21MR 22.4}[14]
§32
The law of God is the great standard of righteousness. This the apostle declares is holy, just, and good. David says, The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. Christ says, If ye love Me, keep My commandments. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. {21MR 22.4}[14]
§33
“有了我的命令又遵守的，这人就是爱我的；爱我的必蒙我父爱他，我也要爱他，并且要向他显现”（约14:21）。这是圣灵最确实的见证。“你们多结果子，我父就因此得荣耀，你们也就是我的门徒了。我爱你们，正如父爱我一样；你们要常在我的爱里。你们若遵守我的命令，就常在我的爱里，正如我遵守了我父的命令，常在祂的爱里”（约15:8-10）。{21MR 22.5}[15]
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He that hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him [John 14:21]. This is most assuredly the witness of the Spirit. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments [from the heart], ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Fathers commandments, and abide in His love [John 15:8-10]. {21MR 22.5}[15]
§35
遵从上帝旨意的人，今生不会有艰难痛苦的时期。请再听听基督的话：“这些事我已经对你们说了，是要叫我的喜乐存在你们心里，并叫你们的喜乐可以满足”（约15:11）。这是人人有权得到的见证——把握上帝的圣言，以它为生命之粮，相信圣言，并把基督的要求带到实际生活中，从而心中有基督的喜乐。相信基督的每一句话，相信祂，以活泼的信心与祂联合，就有满足的指望。人有了这种经验，就不再在律法之下，因为律法不再定他的行为有罪了。{21MR 23.1}[16]
§36
Those who are obedient to the will of God will not have a hard and miserable time in this life. Hear again the words of Christ: These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full [verse 11]. This is the witness which it is the privilege of all to have--the joy of Christ in the soul through appropriating the Word of God, eating it as the bread of life, believing the Word, and bringing the requirements of Christ into the practical life. There is full assurance of hope in believing every word of Christ, believing in Him, being united to Him by living faith. When this is his experience, the human being is no longer under the law, for the law no longer condemns his course of action. {21MR 23.1}[16]
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圣经对真基督徒的描述，符合圣灵在人心中和生活中的工作。上帝的儿女立即知道他们心中拥有证据，证明他们是从上帝而生的。基督说：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我”（可8:34）。羔羊无论往何处去，他们都跟随祂，这意味着深刻而广泛的经验。通往上帝大牧场窄门的道路会始终呈现舍己和牺牲。{21MR 23.2}[17]
§38
The Word of God gives the description of a true Christian, which corresponds with the work of the Holy Spirit on the heart and life. The children of God know at once they have the evidence in their own hearts that they are born of God. He that will come after me, says Christ, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me [Mark 8:34]. It means depth and breadth of experience to follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. Self-denial and self-sacrifice will always be found in the path that leads through the strait gate to the broad meadows of the Lords pastures. {21MR 23.2}[17]
§39
基督对于相信的人是宝贵的。祂的灵运行在信徒的心思意念之中，与圣言的记载完全一致。圣灵与圣言完全和谐。圣灵就这样与我们的心同证我们是从上帝生的。{21MR 23.3}[18]
§40
To them that believe, Christ is precious. His Spirit moving upon the mind and heart of the believer is in perfect agreement with that which is written in the Word. The Spirit and the Word agree perfectly. Thus the Spirit beareth witness with our spirit that we are born of God. {21MR 23.3}[18]
§41
凡心中不符合圣经伟大公义道德标准的人，是得不到基督承认的。他们的语言和思想与上帝的灵不一致。他们的信仰表白是虚伪的。你没有看到奶油总是浮在水面之上吗？心灵必须获得基督生命气息的活泼影响，才能在言语中表现出基督在心里成了有荣耀的盼望。在荆棘中是摘不到葡萄的。基督徒的话语要符合他们在基督里的喜乐。那些不断谈论疑惑，要求额外见证来驱散他们不信疑云的人不是在圣经之上建造。他们的信心是取决于临时的环境，是建立在感情之上的。但感情不论多么美好，都不是信心。上帝的话才是我们建立天国盼望的基础。{21MR 23.4}[19]
§42
The man who finds in his heart no resemblance to the great moral standard of righteousness, the Word of God, has no Christ to confess. His language, his thoughts, are not in harmony with the Spirit of Christ. His profession of faith is a counterfeit one. Do you ever find cream rising on water? The soul must have the vivifying influences of the breath of life from Christ in order to reveal in his conversation that Christ is formed within, the hope of glory. Men never gather grapes from thistles. The words of a Christian will be in accordance with his enjoyment of Christ. Those who are perpetually talking doubts and demanding additional evidence to banish their cloud of unbelief do not build on the Word. Their faith rests on haphazard circumstances; it is founded in feeling. But feeling, be it ever so pleasing, is not faith. Gods Word is the foundation upon which our hopes of heaven must be built. {21MR 23.4}[19]
§43
长期作一个怀疑者，眼目和思想始终关注自己，这乃是极大的不幸。你注目自己，以此为你思想和谈话的主题时，你是无法指望变得与基督的形像一致的。自我不是你的救主。你自己没有救赎的能力。“自我”是你的信心登上的一艘漏水的船。你怎样确实相信这艘船，它也怎样确实会沉没。救生艇，上救生艇！这是你惟一的安全保障。耶稣乃是救生艇的船长，祂从未放弃一个乘客。{21MR 23.5}[20]
§44
It is a great misfortune to be a chronic doubter, keeping the eye and thoughts on self. While you are beholding self, while this is the theme of thought and conversation, you cannot expect to be conformed to the image of Christ. Self is not your saviour. You have no redeeming qualities in yourself. I is a very leaky boat for your faith to embark in. Just as surely as you trust yourself in it, it will founder. The lifeboat, to the lifeboat! This is your only safety. Jesus is the Captain of the lifeboat, and He has never lost a passenger. {21MR 23.5}[20]
§45
灰心的怀疑者呀，你怎能指望自己的心因基督的爱而火热呢？你在默想且以自己不完全的品格为食时，怎能指望祂的喜乐留在你里面，使你喜乐满足呢？基督说：“人若爱我，就必遵守我的道；我父也必爱他，并且我们要到他那里去，与他同住”（约14:23）。你相信基督说的是实话吗？你若相信，就谈论信心，谈论希望，谈论勇气吧！{21MR 24.1}[21]
§46
Discouraged doubters, how can you expect to find your heart glowing with the love of Christ; how can you expect His joy to remain in you and your joy to be full, while you are meditating and feeding upon your own imperfect characters? Says Christ, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him [John 14:23]. Do you believe Christ tells the truth? If you do, talk faith, talk hope, talk courage. {21MR 24.1}[21]
§47
我们要对你们周期性的怀疑者和爱抱怨的人说什么呢？消化不良是一个考验，然而不要藉着抱怨环境来使它更糟。要拿起你们的圣经和赞美诗，阅读、唱诗和祈祷，并且去作工，帮助某个身体患病或心灵沮丧的可怜人。要本着信心祈求主帮助他和你们。你们在设法恢复时，不要摆出忧郁哀怨的态度，好像你们被关在狱墙之内，与阳光完全隔绝了似的。要做满有应许之言的简短容易的祷告，你们就会发现自己出黑暗入光明了。{21MR 24.2}[22]
§48
What shall we say to you who are periodically doubters and grumblers? Indigestion is a trial, but do not make it worse by quarrelling with circumstances. Get your Bibles and hymnbooks, and read and sing and pray, and go to work to help some poor soul who is in bodily suffering or despondency of soul. Pray in faith for the Lord to help both him and you. Do not, as you try to recover, put on a dismal, mourning attitude as though prison walls enclose you and shut out every ray of sunlight. Pray short, easy prayers full of words of promise, and you will find yourselves out of the darkness into the light. {21MR 24.2}[22]
§49
你有本分与压抑的思想和忧郁的感觉作战，就像你有责任祷告一样。你有责任反抗仇敌的手段，坚定地勒住自己的舌头和思想。你一生中需要恩典供应的时候，就是你敏感发炎的消化器官在工作，而你闷闷不乐非常疲倦的时候。你可能觉得这样很奇怪，但你因挑剔和阴郁的指责而不断激怒和刺激别人乃是一种咒骂。这一阵阵的消化不良是难受的，但你要勒紧嚼环，以便你不会咒骂你最好的朋友或仇敌。{21MR 24.3}[23]
§50
It is your duty to war against oppressive thoughts and melancholy feelings, just as much as it is your duty to pray. It is your duty to counterwork the agencies of the enemy, to place a firm hold upon the bridle of your tongue as well as your thoughts. Of all the times in your life when you need a supply of grace, it is when the sensitive, inflamed digestive organs are at work and you are worried and tired out. You may look surprised at this, but it is a species of swearing to be constantly irritated and irritating others by your fault-finding and gloomy reflections. These fits of indigestion are trying, but hold fast to the bridle, that you shall not swear to those who are your best friends or to those who are your enemies. {21MR 24.3}[23]
§51
可怜受苦的人哪，你的责任是来到伟大的医治者面前。祂今日因你的苦难而同受苦难，与祂在地上的时候一样。祂同情人类所有的祸患。祂说：“天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了”（太28:18）。那么就来找你的救主吧，祂能医治你一切的疾病。祂已战胜了死亡。祂是复活的救主，生命的主。你愿意按着你的现状来到祂面前，本着信心祈求祂医治各样的疾病，各样使心灵和身体痛苦的灾病吗？要将你的信心深刻地牢固地集中在耶稣基督身上，以致任何环境都不会搅扰你的信心。要让你的生命与基督一同藏在上帝里面。{21MR 24.4}[24]
§52
It is your duty, poor, afflicted soul, to come to the great Healer. He is as much afflicted by your afflictions today as when He was upon the earth. He sympathized with all human woe. All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth, He says. Then come to your Saviour who can heal all your sicknesses and all your diseases. He conquered death. He is the risen Saviour, the Lord of life. Will you come just as you are, and pray in faith to be healed of all manner of diseases, of all maladies which afflict the soul and the body? Center your faith so deeply and securely in Jesus Christ that no circumstance of any kind will jostle your faith. Let your life be hid with Christ in God. {21MR 24.4}[24]
§53
不要将你的思想浪费在细想别人的品格缺陷上。这不会治愈你的品格缺陷。藉着细想别人的错误，你会被变成同样的形像。每当你受试探要谈论别人的愚妄，或因他们对你造成的伤害而责备他们时，要考虑他们已经在基督的圣徒身上伤了基督的心。那么就拿起你的圣经，在上帝面前打开它，祈求祂平安的医治香膏吧。{21MR 25.1}[25]
§54
Do not waste your thoughts in dwelling upon the defective characters of others. This will not cure your defects of character. By dwelling upon the wrongs of others, you will be changed into the same image. Whenever you are tempted to talk of others follies, or blame them for injuries they have done to you, consider that they have wounded the heart of Christ in the person of His saints. Then take your Bible, and open it before God, and plead with Him for the healing balm of His peace. {21MR 25.1}[25]
§55
主希望我们代表基督，并向世人表明祂有吸引力的品格。我们若是肯听从祂的命令，就可以在主里享有喜乐。我们若是确实拥有天上的公民身份，有权利得到一份不朽的基业，一份永恒的资产，就要有那种生发仁爱并且洁净心灵脱离一切属灵污秽的信心。{21MR 25.2}[26]
§56
The Lord would have us represent Christ, and show to the world His attractive character. We may have joy in the Lord if we will keep His commandments. If we indeed have our citizenship above, and a title to an immortal inheritance, an eternal substance, then let us have that faith that works by love and purifies the soul from every spiritual defilement. {21MR 25.2}[26]
§57
我们的公民身份若是在天上，还有什么权利从事政治纷争呢？我们并没有蒙召从事这种服务。主“又说：你们务要从他们中间出来，与他们分别；不要沾不洁净的物，我就收纳你们。我要作你们的父；你们要作我的儿女。这是全能的主说的”（林后6:17,18）。我们还能要求什么呢？我们要作王室的成员，天上君王的儿女，上帝的后嗣，与基督同作后嗣，承受一份不朽的基业。我们要拥有那永不衰残的生命冠冕。{21MR 25.3}[27]
§58
If our citizenship is above, what right have we to be engaging in political strife? We are not called to any such service. Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty [2 Corinthians 6:17, 18]. What more could we ask? We shall be members of the royal family, children of a heavenly King, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ to an immortal inheritance. We shall have the crown of life that fadeth not away. {21MR 25.3}[27]
§59
我们正前往天国。那么我们为什么不表明我们信仰的有吸引力的部分呢？我们为什么要像一群有残疾的送丧者那样，在前往父家的路上呻吟怨叹？基督在离开门徒之前，对他们说：“你们心里不要忧愁，也不要胆怯”（约14:27）。“你们心里不要忧愁；你们信上帝，也当信我。在我父的家里有许多住处；若是没有，我就早已告诉你们了。我去原是为你们预备地方去。我若去为你们预备了地方，就必再来接你们到我那里去，我在哪里，叫你们也在那里”（1-3节）。{21MR 25.4}[28]
§60
We are heaven bound. Then why should we not show the attractive part of our faith? Why should we go as a crippled band of mourners, groaning and complaining all along the journey to our Fathers house? Just before He left, He said to His disciples, Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid [John 14:27]. Ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also [verses 1-3]. {21MR 25.4}[28]
§61
要赞美主；赞美祂；因为祂是我们的救主，并且长远活着，为我们代求。“因为上帝赐给我们，不是胆怯的心，乃是刚强、仁爱、谨守的心。你不要以给我们的主作见证为耻，也不要以我这为主被囚的为耻；总要按上帝的能力，与我为福音同受苦难。上帝救了我们，以圣召召我们，不是按我们的行为，乃是按祂的旨意和恩典；这恩典是万古之先，在基督耶稣里赐给我们的，但如今藉着我们救主基督耶稣的显现才表明出来了。祂已经把死废去，藉着福音，将不能坏的生命彰显出来”（提后1:7-10）。{21MR 25.5}[29]
§62
Praise the Lord; praise Him; for He is our Saviour, and liveth to make intercession for us. [2 Timothy 1:7-10, quoted]. {21MR 25.5}[29]
§63
从此时起就相信主凡事都能做，祂能使你成为一名始终如一的基督徒，在家庭生活中穿着祂属天品格的荣美。一个爱人又可爱的基督徒乃是支持真理最有力的论据。要爱你的救主。让你的心充满那从两棵橄榄树倒出来的圣油（亚4:11-14）。我们每天需要从橄榄树倒进我们心里的油。这样，我们的舌头才会说出赞美我们上帝的话。我们既仰望耶稣，感染祂脸上的光辉，祂公义的光辉，就能将我们讲话的缺陷、愠怒和我们许多的言辞变成纯正的话语，我们品格的缺陷就会消除。{21MR 25.6}[30]
§64
From this time believe that the Lord can do all things, that He can make you a consistent Christian who wears the beauty of His heavenly character in the home life. A loving, lovable Christian is the most powerful argument in favor of the truth. Love your Saviour. Have your heart saturated with the holy oil that is emptied from the two olive trees (Zechariah 4:11-14). We want that oil emptied from the olive trees into our hearts every day. Then our tongues will speak forth the praise of our God. Looking unto Jesus, catching the light of His countenance, the light of His righteousness, we can turn deformity and sullenness and our many words of speech, into sound words, and our deformity of character will be removed. {21MR 25.6}[30]
§65
“弟兄们，我还有未尽的话：凡是真实的、可敬的、公义的、清洁的、可爱的、有美名的，若有什么德行，若有什么称赞，这些事你们都要思念”（腓4:8）。{21MR 26.1}[31]
§66
Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things [Philippians 4:8]. {21MR 26.1}[31]
§67
“我曾与他立生命和平安的约。我将这两样赐给他，使他存敬畏的心，他就敬畏我，惧怕我的名。真实的律法在他口中，他嘴里没有不义的话。他以平安和正直与我同行，使多人回头离开罪孽。祭司的嘴里当存知识，人也当由他口中寻求律法，因为他是万军之耶和华的使者”（玛2:5-7）。（《信函》1897年11号）怀爱伦著作托管委员会1990年5月10日全文发表于马里兰州银泉市。{21MR 26.2}[32]
§68
My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared Me, and was afraid before My name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with Me in peace and equity, and did turn man away from iniquity. For the priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts [Malachi 2:5-7].--Letter 11, 1897. Ellen G. White Estate Silver Spring, Maryland May 10, 1990. Entire Letter. {21MR 26.2}[32]