第11章 一个请求
§1
第11章 一个请求An Appeal
§2
我的弟兄们哪，我能说些什么来提醒你们，使你们从肉体的安全感中觉醒呢？我蒙指示，见到你们的危险。在教会中有信的人，也有不信的人。基督在葡萄树及其枝子的比喻中，提到了这两等的人。祂劝告祂的门徒说：“你们要常在我里面，我也常在你们里面。枝子若不常在葡萄树上，自己就不能结果子；你们若不常在我里面，也是这样。我是葡萄树，你们是枝子；常在我里面的，我也常在他里面，这人就多结果子；因为离了我，你们就不能作什么”（约15:4,5）。{2TT 72.1}[1]
§3
What can I say to you, my brethren, that shall arouse you from your carnal security? I have been shown your perils. There are both believers and unbelievers in the church. Christ represents these two classes in His parable of the vine and its branches. He exhorts His followers: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.”?John 15:4, 5.?{2TT 72.1}[1]
§4
人藉着信心与基督作真实的联络，或是与祂作虚伪的联合，此中的分别是很大的。人自称信仰真理成为教会的信徒，但这并不证明他与活葡萄树有生命的联络。主给我们尺度，可以把真实的门徒与自称为基督徒而又无信心的人，分别出来。一等人是结果子的，另一等人却是不结果子的。一等人常顺服上帝的修剪，以便多结果子；但另一等人却是枝叶枯萎，不久就与活葡萄树截断了。{2TT 72.2}[2]
§5
There is a wide difference between a pretended union and a real connection with Christ by faith. A profession of the truth places men in the church, but this does not prove that they have a vital connection with the living Vine. A rule is given by which the true disciple may be distinguished from those who claim to follow Christ but have not faith in Him. The one class are fruit bearing, the other, fruitless. The one are often subjected to the pruning knife of God that they may bring forth more fruit; the other, as withered branches, are erelong to be severed from the living Vine.?{2TT 72.2}[2]
§6
我深深地渴望我们的信徒，在他们之间要保持活的见证；教会应当保持纯洁，不为不信的分子所沾染。基督说道：“我是葡萄树，你们是枝子。”我们与基督之间的密切关系，还有什么能比此更近、更亲密呢？枝子上的纤维，几乎与树上的相同。由树干和枝子，交流着生命，能力，及结果，这种工作是时刻畅行的。树根将其营养运送到枝子上。真实信徒与基督之间的关系，亦是如此。他是住在基督之内，从祂而吸收营养。{2TT 72.3}[3]
§7
I am deeply solicitous that our people should preserve the living testimony among them, and that the church should be kept pure from the unbelieving element. Can we conceive of a closer, more intimate relation to Christ than is set forth in the words: “I am the Vine, ye are the branches”? The fibers of the branch are almost identical with those of the vine. The communication of life, strength, and fruitfulness from the trunk to the branches is unobstructed and constant.?The root sends its nourishment through the branch. Such is the true believer’s relation to Christ. He abides in Christ and draws his nourishment from Him.?{2TT 72.3}[3]
§8
这种属灵的关系，惟有藉着运用个人的信心，才能建立。这种信心必须在我们最高的选择，完全的信靠，及美满的献身上表显出来。我们的意愿必须完全顺服于神圣的旨意，我们的感情，愿望，兴趣，及荣誉，都应与基督国度的兴盛及祂圣工的尊荣，休戚相关，我们应不断地从基督接受恩典，祂也从我们接受感戴之忱。{2TT 73.1}[4]
§9
This spiritual relation can be established only by the exercise of personal faith. This faith must express on our part supreme preference, perfect reliance, entire consecration. Our will must be wholly yielded to the divine will, our feelings, desires, interests, and honor identified with the prosperity of Christ’s kingdom and the honor of His cause, we constantly receiving grace from Him, and Christ accepting gratitude from us.?{2TT 73.1}[4]
§10
当这种亲密的联络与交往建立之时，我们的罪就放在基督的身上；祂的义也就归与我们了。祂替我们成为罪，好叫我们在祂里面成为上帝的义。我们藉着祂得以接受上帝；我们在祂爱子里被接纳了。无论何人若用言语或行为伤害一个信徒，就是伤害了耶稣。无论何人若是因为一个门徒是上帝的儿女而拿了一杯凉水给他喝，就要被基督看作是给祂自己一样了。{2TT 73.2}[5]
§11
When this intimacy of connection and communion is formed, our sins are laid upon Christ; His righteousness is imputed to us. He was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. We have access to God through Him; we are accepted in the Beloved. Whoever by word or deed injures a believer thereby wounds Jesus. Whoever gives a cup of cold water to a disciple because he is a child of God will be regarded by Christ as giving to Him.?{2TT 73.2}[5]
§12
在基督将要离开门徒之时，祂赐给他们这美妙的象征，说明祂与信徒的关系。祂久已在他们面前表明与祂密切的联合，能使他们在祂可见的同在撤回之时，仍可维持其属灵的生命。为要加深他们心中的印象起见，祂向他们提到葡萄树，作为最动人最合适的象征。{2TT 73.3}[6]
§13
It was when Christ was about to take leave of His disciples that He gave them the beautiful emblem of His relation to believers. He had been presenting before them the close union with Himself by which they could maintain spiritual life when His visible presence was withdrawn. To impress it upon their minds He gave them the vine as its most striking and appropriate symbol.?{2TT 73.3}[6]
§14
犹太人素来把葡萄树认为最高贵的植物，是一切能力，高贵，及结果的表号。我们的主似乎这样说：“你们素常所重视的这葡萄树，不过是一种表号而已。我乃是真体；我就是真葡萄树。你们全国的人重视葡萄树，照样，你们罪人也当重视我为超乎世间万物之上的。枝子离开了葡萄树就不能存活，你们若不常住在我里面，也是不能存活的。”…….{2TT 73.4}[7]
§15
The Jews had always regarded the vine as the most noble of plants and a type of all that was powerful, excellent, and fruitful. “The vine,” our Lord would seem to say, “which you prize so highly, is a symbol. I am the reality; I am the True Vine. As a nation you prize the vine; as sinners you should prize Me above all things earthly. The branch cannot live separated from the vine; no more can you live unless you are abiding in Me.” ...?{2TT 73.4}[7]
§16
【选择合适的家庭环境】
§17
很少人意识到应当尽可能地远避一切与宗教生活不利之交往的重要性。在选择环境之时，很少人考虑到以灵性的兴盛为第一。{2TT 74.1}[8]
§18
【Choosing Proper Home Environment】
§19
Few realize the importance of shunning, so far as possible, all associations unfriendly to religious life. In choosing their surroundings, few make their spiritual prosperity the first consideration.?{2TT 74.1}[8]
§20
父母和他们的子女聚集到城市，因为他们想象在城市比在乡下更容易获得生计。孩子们放学之后无事可作，就获得了一种街头教育。他们从有害的交往当中学到了邪恶放荡的习惯。父母们见到这一切，但若想要纠正错误，就要作出牺牲，于是他们留在原处，直到撒但完全控制了他们的儿女。最好是牺牲一切世俗的考虑，免得你们奉命养育的宝贵儿女蒙受危险。他们要受到试探的袭击，应当教育他们如何去应付。而你们的责任则是切断各种不良影响，打破每一恶习，挣脱一切束缚，十分自由，坦率，诚心地把你和你的家庭交托给上帝。.{2TT 74.2}[9]
§21
Parents flock with their families to the cities because they fancy it easier to obtain a livelihood there than in the country. The children, having nothing to do when not in school, obtain a street education. From evil associates they acquire habits of vice and dissipation. The parents see all this; but it will require a sacrifice to correct their error, and they stay where they are until Satan gains full control of their children. Better sacrifice any and every worldly consideration than to imperil the precious souls committed to your care. They will be assailed by temptations, and should be taught to meet them; but it is your duty to cut off every influence, to break up every habit, to sunder every tie, that keeps you from the most free, open, and hearty committal of yourselves and your family to God.?{2TT 74.2}[9]
§22
应该离开拥挤的城市，寻找僻静的地方，使孩子们尽量免受试探的袭击，训练教育他们成为有用的人。以西结先知列举导致所多玛人犯罪灭亡的原因是：“心骄气傲，粮食饱足，大享安逸，并没有扶助困苦和穷乏人的手”（结16:49）。凡欲逃避所多玛厄运的人，必须远离那使上帝惩罚这个罪恶城市的行为。{2TT 74.3}[10]
§23
Instead of the crowded city seek some retired situation where your children will be, so far as possible, shielded from temptation, and there train and educate them for usefulness. The prophet Ezekiel thus enumerates the causes that led to Sodom’s sin and destruction: “Pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” All who would escape the doom of Sodom must shun the course that brought God’s judgments upon that wicked city.?{2TT 74.3}[10]
§24
我的弟兄们哪，你们忽略将自己及儿女奉献给上帝，这正是漠视祂最神圣的要求。你们许多人受世上财宝的吸引，倾注全神于自私的利益上，竟以虚伪的安全感为依靠。你们不怕灾祸；似乎离开危险很远。其实你们若不觉悟悔改而深切谦卑地归向主，你们就要被欺骗，遭迷惑，而终至于永远灭亡。?{2TT 74.4}[11]
§25
My brethren, you are disregarding the most sacred claims of God by your neglect to consecrate yourselves and your children to Him. Many of you are reposing in false security, absorbed in selfish interests, and attracted by earthly treasures. You fear no evil. Danger seems a great way off. You will be deceived, deluded, to your eternal ruin unless you?arouse and with penitence and deep humiliation return unto the Lord.?{2TT 74.4}[11]
§26
从天上一再有声音发出警告你们。你们肯听从这声音么？你们愿听那诚信真实见证者的忠言，去寻求火炼的金子，白衣，和眼药么？金子就是信心及爱心，白衣就是基督的义，眼药就是属灵的眼光，使你能看透撒但的诡计而远避之，察觉罪恶而厌恶之，看明真理而顺从之。{2TT 75.1}[12]
§27
Again and again has the voice from heaven addressed you. Will you obey this voice? Will you heed the counsel of the True Witness to seek the gold tried in the fire, the white raiment, and the eyesalve? The gold is faith and love, the white raiment is the righteousness of Christ, the eyesalve is that spiritual discernment which will enable you to see the wiles of Satan and shun them, to detect sin and abhor it, to see truth and obey it.?{2TT 75.1}[12]
§28
世界死沉沉的昏迷情形正在麻木你们的感觉。罪恶之所以看来不那么可憎了，是因为你们被撒但弄瞎了眼目。上帝的刑罚快要倾降地上。上帝使者的警告乃是：“逃命吧”（创19:17）！但是另一方面也有声音说：“不要大惊小怪吧，没有什么事故值得特别警惕的。”当天上宣告毁灭快要临到犯罪的人时，那些在锡安城中饱享安逸的人却喊说“平安稳妥。”青年人，轻浮的人，贪爱宴乐的人，都把这些警告当作无稽之谈而一笑置之。父母们也倾向于以为儿女们对这事的看法是对的，因此大家都安然酣睡。古代所多玛蛾摩拉二城遭火毁灭之时，情形就是如此。在降火毁灭的前夕，这平原上的城市，正在狂欢纵乐着。罗得因为担忧而发出警告，竟被人讥诮。但后来被烈火灭亡的，却正是这些讥诮者。当夜那怜悯之门就向所多玛犯罪作恶无法无天的居民永远关闭了。{2TT 75.2}[13]
§29
The deadly lethargy of the world is paralyzing your senses. Sin no longer appears repulsive because you are blinded by Satan. The judgments of God are soon to be poured out upon the earth. “Escape for thy life” (Genesis 19:17) is the warning from the angels of God. Other voices are heard saying: “Do not become excited; there is no cause for special alarm.” Those who are at ease in Zion cry “Peace and safety,” while heaven declares that swift destruction is about to come upon the transgressor. The young, the frivolous, the pleasure loving, consider these warnings as idle tales and turn from them with a jest. Parents are inclined to think their children about right in the matter, and all sleep on at ease. Thus it was at the destruction of the old world and when Sodom and Gomorrah were consumed by fire. On the night prior to their destruction the cities of the plain rioted in pleasure. Lot was derided for his fears and warnings. But it was these scoffers that perished in the flames. That very night the door of mercy was forever closed to the wicked, careless inhabitants of Sodom.?{2TT 75.2}[13]
§30
人类的命运是操于上帝的手中。祂不会永远被人讥诮，也不会永远受人轻慢。祂的刑罚已临到地上了。狂烈可怖的暴风雨，使毁灭及死亡忙碌不息。灭亡之火已降及荒林与闹市。狂涛骇浪及舟破船沉在等待着海上的旅客，各种的意外和灾难也威胁着在陆地上旅行的人。飓风，地震，刀兵，饥荒，迅速接踵而来。然而人心还是刚硬不悟。他们不认识上帝警告之声，也不离开酝酿着的暴风雨，而逃进唯一的避难所中。?{2TT 75.3}[14]
§31
It is God who holds in His hands the destiny of souls. He will not always be mocked; He will not always be trifled with. Already His judgments are in the land. Fierce and awful tempests leave destruction and death in their wake. The devouring fire lays low the desolate forest and the crowded city. Storm and shipwreck await those who journey?upon the deep. Accident and calamity threaten all who travel upon the land. Hurricanes, earthquakes, sword and famine, follow in quick succession. Yet the hearts of men are hardened. They recognize not the warning voice of God. They will not flee to the only refuge from the gathering storm.?{2TT 75.3}[14]
§32
许多被安置在锡安城墙上的人，原应有如鹰一般锐敏的眼光，注意危险临到，而扬声警告的，但他们自己却睡着了。当此危急之时，本该最活动而警醒的人，却疏忽了自己的本分，而使众人的血归于自己的身上。（5T228-234.1882年）?{2TT 76.1}[15]
§33
Many who have been placed upon the walls of Zion, to watch with eagle eye for the approach of danger and lift the voice of warning, are themselves asleep. The very ones who should be most active and vigilant in this hour of peril are neglecting their duty and bringing upon themselves the blood of souls.?{2TT 76.1}[15]
§34
你没有给儿女所需要的关心和鼓励。你没有用慈爱的绳索，把他们的心与你的系在一起。你的事务占据了你大部分的时间和精力，使你忽略了家庭的责任。但你却对这个重担习以为常，以致认为卸下它才是重大的损失；然而你若能放下，就会对你属灵的利益和你儿女的福乐与道德，都大有益处。你最好能放下这些烦恼的挂虑，到乡间找一处僻静之所，那里对于青年人的道德，不会有很强烈的败坏影响。{2TT 76.2}[16]
§35
You have failed to give your children the attention and encouragement they need. You have not bound them to your heart by the tenderest cords of love. Your business is a great tax upon your time and energies, and causes you to neglect home duties. Yet you have become so accustomed to this burden that it would seem a great sacrifice to lay it down; still, if you could do this, it would be for your spiritual interest and for the happiness and morals of your children. It would be well for you to lay by your perplexing cares and find a retreat in the country, where there is not so strong an influence to corrupt the morals of the young.?{2TT 76.2}[16]
§36
不错，你在乡间也不可能完全脱离烦恼与困惑；但你在那里就能避免许多罪恶，并堵塞住势将制胜你儿女心志的试探之洪流。他们需有可作之工和多样的变化。家中千篇一律的单调情形，足以使他们局促不安、浮躁不宁，因而日趋堕落，染上当地行为不端的年轻人的恶习，如此便领受了街头的教育。（4T.135，136.1876年）{2TT 76.3}[17]
§37
True, you would not be entirely free from annoyances and perplexing cares in the country; but you would there avoid many evils, and close the door against a flood of temptations which threaten to overpower the minds of your children. They need employment and variety. The sameness of their home makes them uneasy and restless, and they have fallen into the habit of mingling with the vicious lads of the town, thus obtaining a street education.—1876,?Testimonies for the Church 4:135, 136.?{2TT 76.3}[17]