第14章 基督徒的成长
§1
第14章 基督徒的成长Christian Growth
§2
我蒙指示，那些有了真理知识而仍容其一切能力专注于世俗的事务的人，乃是不忠实的。他们没有用好行为来使真理之光照耀别人。他们的才干几乎全用来作成精明奸巧的属世之人。他们忘了自己的才干原是上帝所赐，用以推进其圣工的。他们若忠于本分，结果就可拯救许多生灵归于救主；但是许多人却因他们的疏忽而灭亡了。{2TT 96.1}[1]
§3
I have been shown that those who have a knowledge of the truth, and yet allow all their powers to be absorbed in worldly interests, are unfaithful. They are not, by their good works, letting the light of truth shine to others. Nearly all their ability is devoted to becoming sharp, skillful men of the world. They forget that their talents were given them of God to be used in advancing His cause. If they were faithful to their duty, the result would be great gain of souls to the Master; but many are lost through their neglect.?{2TT 96.1}[1]
§4
上帝呼召那些明白祂旨意的人，要作遵行祂话的人。软弱无力，没有诚意，以及犹疑不决，引起了撒但的攻击；凡容让这些恶习生长的人，必然毫无救助地被试探之澎湃波浪所淹没。每位称呼基督之名的人，都必须长大成人，满有基督长成的身量。祂乃是基督徒生命之元首。{2TT 96.2}[2]
§5
God calls upon those who know His will to be doers of His word. Weakness, halfheartedness, and indecision provoke the assaults of Satan; and those who permit these traits to grow will be borne helplessly down by the surging waves of temptation. Everyone who professes the name of Christ is required to grow up to the full stature of Christ, the Christian’s living head.?{2TT 96.2}[2]
§6
我们在经历人生的许多窘隘之处，需要一个领导者，正如同水手在经过砂洲或上溯多礁的河流之时，需要一位领港员一样，这位领导者哪里可以找到呢？亲爱的弟兄们，我向你们指出的，那就是圣经。圣经是出于上帝的默示，由圣人写下来，向老幼之人极其清楚而肯定地指明其本分。它能提高思想，软化人心，并使人的心灵有圣洁之喜乐与愉悦。圣经显明品格的完全标准；它在无论何种环境下，直到生命途程结束之日，均为绝无错误的领导者。应当用圣经作你们的顾问，作你们日常生活的准则。{2TT 96.3}[3]
§7
We all need a guide through the many strait places in life as much as the sailor needs a pilot over the sandy bar or up the rocky river, and where is this guide to be found? We point you, dear brethren, to the Bible. Inspired of God, written by holy men, it points out with great clearness and precision the duties of both old and young. It elevates the mind, softens the heart, and imparts gladness and holy joy to the spirit. The Bible presents a perfect standard of character; it is an infallible guide under all circumstances, even to the end of the journey of life. Take it as the man of your counsel, the rule of your daily life.?{2TT 96.3}[3]
§8
应当殷勤善用各种恩典，使上帝的爱在心灵中充满，多而又多，“使你们能分别是非，作诚实无过的人，直到基督的日子；并靠着耶稣基督结满了仁义的果子”（腓1:10,11）。你们的基督徒生活应当显出强壮勇敢的样式。你们可以达到圣经在你们面前所定的高尚标准，而且如果要作上帝的儿女，便必须如此。你们不能站立不动；若不前进势必后退。你们必须有属灵的知识，以致“能以和众圣徒一同明白基督的爱，是何等长阔高深，”以便“叫上帝一切所充满的，充满了你们”（弗3:18,19）。?{2TT 96.4}[4]
§9
Every means of grace should be diligently improved that?the love of God may abound in the soul more and more, “that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness.”?Philippians 1:10, 11. Your Christian life must take on vigorous and stalwart forms. You can attain to the high standard set before you in the Scriptures, and you must if you would be children of God. You cannot stand still; you must either advance or retrograde. You must have spiritual knowledge, that you “may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ,” that you may “be filled with all the fullness of God.”?Ephesians 3:18, 19.?{2TT 96.4}[4]
§10
许多有真理的优越知识，能用论据为真理辩护的人，对建立基督国度却毫无贡献。我们常常遇到他们；但他们个人在基督徒生活上却没有见证出新的经验；在神圣的战争上也没有新的胜利可陈述。反之，你倒注意他们一仍旧惯，在祈祷及劝导上也是率由陈章。他们的祈祷没有新鲜的语调；在有关上帝的事上表现不出更大的理解，没有更恳切活泼的信心。这等人在主的园中不是活的树，不会发新芽，萌新叶，及吐露圣洁生活的愉快香气。他们不是长进的基督徒。他们的眼光及计划都不远大。没有扩大的思想，在基督徒知识的宝藏上也没有作可贵的充实。他们的能力未运用在这方面上。他们没有学习对于人及事物的看法象上帝的看法一样，并在许多情形之下，那不圣洁的同情心已伤害了人，及大大摧残了上帝的圣工。流行的灵性消沉之气象甚是可怕。许多人过着一种形式上的基督徒生活，声称自己的罪已蒙赦免，其实他们却对基督缺乏真正的认识，正如罪人一样。{2TT 97.1}[5]
§11
Many who have an intelligent knowledge of the truth, and are able to defend it by arguments, are doing nothing for the upbuilding of Christ’s kingdom. We meet them from time to time; but they bear no fresh testimonies of personal experience in the Christian life; they relate no new victories gained in the holy warfare. Instead of this you notice the same old routine, the same expressions in prayer and exhortation. Their prayers have no new note; they express no greater intelligence in the things of God, no more earnest, living faith. Such persons are not living plants in the garden of the Lord, sending forth fresh shoots and new foliage, and the grateful fragrance of a holy life. They are not growing Christians. They have limited views and plans, and there is no expansion of mind, no valuable additions to the treasures of Christian knowledge. Their powers have not been taxed in this direction. They have not learned to view men and things as God views them, and in many cases unsanctified sympathy has injured souls and greatly crippled the cause of God. The spiritual stagnation that prevails is terrible. Many lead a formal Christian life and claim that their sins have been forgiven, when they are as destitute of any real knowledge of Christ as is the sinner.?{2TT 97.1}[5]
§12
【成长没有限制】
§13
弟兄们哪，你们在基督徒的生长上是愿意受限制呢，还是愿意在神圣的生活上有健旺的进步呢？何处有属灵的健康，何处就有生长。上帝的儿女要在基督里生长，满有男女成人的身量。他的进步是无止境的。何时上帝的爱在人的心灵中成了一种活的原理，就不会有狭窄及拘泥的见解；在警告与责备中就必有仁爱与忠实；也就有热诚的工作及负责尽职的意向。2TT98.1}[6]
§14
【No Limit to Improvement】
§15
Brethren, will you have a stinted Christian growth, or will you make healthy progress in the divine life? Where there is spiritual health there is growth. The child of God grows up to the full stature of a man or woman in Christ. There is no limit to his improvement. When the love of God is a living principle in the soul, there are no narrow, confined views; there is love and faithfulness in warnings and reproofs; there is earnest work and a disposition to bear burdens and take responsibilities.?{2TT 98.1}[6]
§16
有些人不愿作克己的工作。在人劝勉他们去担负些责任之时，他们就表现出不耐烦地说：“加增知识及经验，究竟有何必要呢？”此语道破了一切。他们觉得自己是“富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺，”其实上天却宣布他们是困苦，可怜，贫穷，瞎眼，赤身的。那诚信真实见证者对这些人说道：“我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足；又买白衣穿上，叫你赤身的羞耻不露出来；又买眼药擦你的眼睛，使你能看见”（启3:17,18）。你们的自满自足，显明你们是样样都缺少。你们是属灵的病人，需要耶稣作你们的医师。{2TT 98.2}[7]
§17
Some are not willing to do self-denying work. They show real impatience when urged to take some responsibility. “What need is there,” say they, “of an increase of knowledge and experience?” This explains it all. They feel that they are “rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing,” while heaven pronounces them poor, miserable, blind, and naked. To these the True Witness says: “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”?Revelation 3:17, 18. Your very self-complacency shows you to be in need of everything. You are spiritually sick and need Jesus as your physician.?{2TT 98.2}[7]
§18
在圣经中埋藏有千万真理的珍宝，是肤浅的寻求者所找不到的。真理的矿藏是永不衰竭的。你们越多虚心地查究圣经，你们的兴趣也就越大，并要越想与保罗一样感叹：“深哉，上帝丰富的智慧和知识。祂的判断何其难测！祂的踪迹何其难寻”（罗11:33）！I{2TT 98.3}[8]
§19
In the Scriptures thousands of gems of truth lie hidden from the surface seeker. The mine of truth is never exhausted. The more you search the Scriptures with humble hearts, the greater will be your interest, and the more you will feel like exclaiming with Paul: “O, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!”?Romans 11:33.?{2TT 98.3}[8]
§20
你们每日当从圣经中学习一些新的知识。寻找它们象寻找隐藏的财宝一样，因为其中含有永生之道。应当祈求智慧及聪明，以便明了这些神圣的著作。你们若肯这样行，就必从上帝的话中找到新的荣光；你们也会觉得自己在与真理有关的题目上，已得了新鲜宝贵的亮光，并且在你们的估量中，圣经要不断地得到新的价值。?{2TT 98.4}[9]
§21
Every day you should learn something new from the Scriptures. Search them as for hid treasure, for they contain?the words of eternal life. Pray for wisdom and understanding to comprehend these holy writings. If you would do this you would find new glories in the word of God; you would feel that you had received new and precious light on subjects connected with the truth, and the Scriptures would be constantly receiving a new value in your estimation.?{2TT 98.4}[9]
§22
“耶和华的大日临近，临近而且甚快”（番1:14）。耶稣说：“看哪，我必快来”（启22:7）。这些话我们当时常铭记在心，并且在行动上表示实在相信主来甚近，而我们只是在地上作旅客及寄居的。上帝教会的主要精力，都必须活泼运用在自我革新的这个大目标上；每位教友当作上帝的活泼代表。“因为我们两下藉着祂被一个圣灵所感，得以进到父面前。这样，你们不再作外人和客旅，是与圣徒同国，是上帝家里的人了。并且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶稣自己为房角石，各房靠祂联络得合式，渐渐成为主的圣殿。你们也靠祂同被建造，成为上帝藉着圣灵居住的所在”（弗2:18-22）。这是一种特别的工作，必须在完全的和谐，团结的精神，及和平的联络之下进行。不可给批评，怀疑，及不信留地步。……{2TT 99.1}[10]
§23
“The great day of the Lord is near; it is near, and hasteth greatly.”?Zephaniah 1:14. Jesus says: “Behold, I come quickly.” We should keep these words ever in mind, and act as though we do indeed believe that the coming of the Lord is nigh, and that we are pilgrims and strangers upon the earth. The vital energies of the church of God must be brought into active exercise for the great object of self-renovation; every member must be an active agent for God. “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief Cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”?Ephesians 2:18-22. This is a particular work, which must be carried forward in all harmony, in unity of spirit, and in the bonds of peace. No place should be given to criticisms, doubts, and unbelief. ...?{2TT 99.1}[10]
§24
【割断世俗的情感】
§25
弟兄们哪，你们的本分，幸福，未来的贡献，及最后的得救，都在催促你们把自己情意的卷发从世俗及败坏的诸事上割断。有一种不圣洁的同情心，是与害相思病的伤感主义本性有份，是属地的，属情欲的。你们有些人若要胜过这种情形及改变人生的行径，决非怯弱之挣扎所能奏效的，因为你们尚未使自己与“以色列的保障”相联，并且你们的全部官能也都衰弱了。现今主大声招呼你们，要殷勤利用各种的恩赐，俾能变化品格，并在基督耶稣里长大成人，满有成年男女的身量。?{2TT 99.2}[11]
§26
【Sever Earthly Affections】
§27
Brethren, your duty, happiness, future usefulness, and final salvation call upon you to sever the tendrils of your affections from everything earthly and corruptible. There is an unsanctified sympathy that partakes of the nature of lovesick sentimentalism and is earthly, sensual. It will require no feeble effort for some of you to overcome this and change the course of your life, for you have not placed yourselves in?connection with the Strength of Israel and have become enfeebled in all your faculties. Now you are loudly called upon to be diligent in the use of every means of grace, that you may be transformed in character and may grow to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.?{2TT 99.2}[11]
§28
我们有大胜利可以获致，若得不到，就必失去天国。必须钉死属肉体的心；因为有道德败坏的倾向，而其终局便是死亡。只有福音赐人生命之感化力，才能帮助人。应当祈求圣灵的伟大活力，挟其一切苏醒，复原，及变化之能而俱来，象一道电流般刺激麻木的心魂，使每根神经有新生的震动，使人从死亡，属地，及情欲的情况中，复原到灵性健全的境遇。这样，你们就得与上帝的性情有份，脱离世上从情欲来的败坏；并且必在你们的心魂上返照那为你们受鞭伤而使你们得医治之主的形象。（5T263-267.1885年）{2TT 100.1}[12]
§29
We have great victories to gain, and a heaven to lose if we do not gain them. The carnal heart must be crucified; for its tendency is to moral corruption, and the end thereof is death. Nothing but the life-giving influences of the gospel can help the soul. Pray that the mighty energies of the Holy Spirit, with all their quickening, recuperative, and transforming power, may fall like an electric shock on the palsy-stricken soul, causing every nerve to thrill with new life, restoring the whole man from his dead, earthly, sensual state to spiritual soundness. You will thus become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust; and in your souls will be reflected the image of Him by whose stripes you are healed.?{2TT 100.1}[12]
§30
基督说：“你们若遵行我所吩咐的，就是我的朋友了”（约15:14）。这是所加的条件；这是证实人们品格的考验。感觉常常会骗人，情绪也不是可靠的保障；因为它们是变化无常且受外界环境左右的。许多人因为依赖令人感情激动的印象而受了迷惑。考验的标准是：你在为基督做什么呢？你在做出什么牺牲呢？你在赢得什么胜利呢？克服一种自私的精神，抵抗一次忽视本分的试探，制服情欲，并且甘心乐意顺从基督的旨意，是远比一暴十寒的虔诚和情感冲动的宗教更大的证据，证明你是上帝的一个孩子。（4T188.1876年）{2TT 100.2}[13]
§31
Says Christ: “Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”?John 15:14. This is the condition imposed; this is the test that proves men’s characters. Feelings are often deceiving, emotions are no sure safeguard; for they are variable and subject to external circumstances. Many are deluded by relying on sensational impressions. The test is: What are you?doing?for Christ? What sacrifices are you making? What victories are you gaining? A selfish spirit overcome, a temptation to neglect duty resisted, passion subdued, and willing, cheerful obedience rendered to the will of Christ are far greater evidences that you are a child of God than spasmodic piety and emotional religion.—1876,?Testimonies for the Church 4:188.?{2TT 100.2}[13]