第95章 顺从真理
§1
第95章 顺从真理
§2
Chap.95 - Obedience to the Truth
§3
亲爱的D弟兄：1865年12月25日，我在纽约州罗切斯特的异象中蒙指示看到了几个人。我想起其中有你的面容。我看到你躲在背后。你的理智认定我们拥有真理，但你还没有体验到真理成圣的感化力。你没有紧紧跟随我们救赎主的脚步，所以你没有预备好照祂所行的去行。当你听到真理的话语时，你的理智认定它是对的，是不能反驳的，但你未成圣的心立刻就说：“这些事甚难，谁能听呢？你最好不要努力与上帝的子民保持同步，因为不断会有新奇而令人难堪的事发生；有一天你将不得不停下来，而你最好现在就停下来，比更进一步要好。” {1T 543.1}[1]
§4
Dear Brother D: I recollect your countenance among several others that were shown me in vision in Rochester, New York, December 25, 1865. I was shown that you were upon the background. Your judgment is convinced that we have the truth, but you have not as yet experienced its sanctifying influence. You have not followed closely the footsteps of our Redeemer, therefore you are unprepared to walk even as He walked. As you listen to the words of truth, your judgment says that it is correct, it cannot be gainsaid; but immediately the unsanctified heart says: These are hard sayings, who can hear them? you would better give up your efforts to keep pace with the people of God, for new and strange and trying things will be continually arising; you will have to stop sometime, and you may just as well stop now, and better than to go further.{1T 543.1}[1]
§5
你不愿意承认和实行真理。你一直佩服与信仰一致的人生。我蒙指示看到一本书，上面有你和许多别人的名字。你名字下有一个污点。你正看着它说：“抹不掉了。”耶稣在其上举起祂钉伤的手说：“唯有我的血能抹掉它。你从今以后若愿选择谦卑顺服的道路，唯独依赖我宝血的功劳以遮盖你以往的过犯，我就会涂抹你的过犯，遮盖你的罪。但你若选择罪人的道路，就必得到罪人的报应。罪的工价乃是死。” {1T 543.2}[2]
§6
You cannot consent to profess the truth and not live it; you have ever admired a life consistent with profession. I was shown a book in which was written your name with many others. Against your name was a black blot. You were looking upon this and saying: It can never be effaced. Jesus held His wounded hand above it and said: My blood alone can efface it. If thou wilt from henceforth choose the path of humble obedience, and rely solely upon the merits of My blood to cover thy past transgressions, I will blot out thy transgressions, and cover thy sins. But if you choose the path of transgressors you must reap the transgressors reward. The wages of sin is death.{1T 543.2}[2]
§7
我看到恶天使们包围着你，试图使你的心转离基督，看上帝是一位公义的上帝，却忽略被钉之救主的仁爱、同情和怜悯。凡到祂面前来的人，祂必拯救到底。天使说：“若有人犯罪，在父那里我们有一位中保，就是那义者耶稣基督”（约壹2:1）。{1T 543.3}[3]
§8
I saw evil angels surrounding you seeking to divert your mind from Christ, causing you to look upon God as a God of justice and to lose sight of the love, compassion, and mercy of a crucified Saviour who will save to the uttermost all that come unto Him. Said the angel: If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.{1T 543.3}[3]
§9
当你处在精神焦虑的压力之下，听从撒但的建议并牢骚抱怨时，一位服役的天使就会受命带给所需的救援，使你不信的心所说的话抱愧蒙羞。你不信任上帝，不相信祂拯救到底的能力。你用这种难堪的不信羞辱了上帝，也使你受了许多不必要的痛苦。我看到天使在围绕着你，驱退恶天使，并且同情而悲伤地望着你，向你指出天国，就是那不朽的冠冕说：“经过斗争才会赢得胜利。” {1T 544.1}[4]
§10
When you are under the pressure of mental anxieties, when you are hearkening to the suggestions of Satan and murmuring and complaining, a ministering angel is commissioned to bear you the succor you need and put to shame the language of your unbelieving mind. You distrust God; you disbelieve in His power to save to the uttermost. You dishonor God by this cruel unbelief and cause yourself much needless suffering. I saw heavenly angels surrounding you, driving back the evil angels, and looking with pity and sorrow upon you, and pointing you to heaven, the crown of immortality, saying: He that would win must fight.{1T 544.1}[4]
§11
你虽然一直处在怀疑困惑中，却不敢完全切断自己与上帝子民之间的链环。可是你没有为真理的缘故献上一切；你没有献上自己，没有献上你自己的意志。你害怕把自己和自己所有的一切都放在上帝的坛上，唯恐祂要你向祂交回祂所借给你之物的某部分。天使熟悉你的言语和行为，甚至熟悉你的心思意念。亲爱的弟兄啊，你担心真理会使你付出太多，但这乃是撒但的一个暗示。让真理拿走你所拥有的一切吧，代价不会太多；所领受的价值若予以正确地估计，乃是极重无比永远的荣耀。所要求于我们的乃是多么少啊！与我们神圣的主为我们所做的牺牲相比，我们所能做出的牺牲是多么少啊！可是一种抱怨的精神却抓住了你，皆因永生要付的代价。你和某地的其他弟兄都与众生的大敌有过剧烈的冲突。你有几次几乎要放弃这场冲突了，但你妻子和长女的影响却得胜了。你家庭的这些成员若是有你的影响支撑她们，就会全心顺从真理。{1T 544.2}[5]
§12
Although you have been in doubt and perplexity, you have not dared to entirely sever the connecting link between yourself and Gods commandment-keeping people. Yet you have not yielded all for the truths sake; you have not yielded yourself, your own will. You fear to lay yourself and all that you have upon the altar of God, lest you may be required to yield back to Him some portion of that which He has lent you. Heavenly angels are acquainted with our words and actions, and even with the thoughts and intents of the heart. You, dear brother, fear that the truth will cost you too much, but this is one of Satans suggestions. Let it take all that you possess, and it does not cost too much; the value received, if rightly estimated, is an eternal weight of glory. How little is required of us! How small the sacrifice that we can make in comparison with that which our divine Lord made for us! And yet a spirit of murmuring comes over you because of the cost of everlasting life. You, as well as others of your brethren at -----, have had severe conflicts with the great adversary of souls. You have several times nearly yielded the conflict, but the influence of your wife and eldest daughter has prevailed. These members of your family would obey the truth with the whole heart could they have your influence to sustain them.{1T 544.2}[5]
§13
你的女儿们看你为一个榜样，因为他们以为自己的父亲必是对的。她们的得救大大有赖于你所采取的做法。你若停止为永生奋斗，就会发挥一种影响力，使你的孩子与你一道放弃，你就会压低你忠实妻子的精神，粉碎她的盼望，削弱她对人生的把握。在审判时，你怎能面对这些事，证明你的不忠造成了她们的毁灭呢？{1T 545.1}[6]
§14
Your daughters look to you for an example, for they think their father must be right. Their salvation depends much upon the course which you pursue. If you cease striving for everlasting life, you will exert a powerful influence to carry your children with you, you will bow down the spirit of your faithful wife, crush her hopes, and lessen her hold on life. How can you in the judgment meet these to testify that your unfaithfulness proved their ruin?{1T 545.1}[6]
§15
我看到你有几次听从撒但的暗示，不再努力实行真理，因为那试探者告诉你说，你做出的最佳努力也会失败，因为你既有一切的软弱和过失，就不可能保持一种献身的生活。我蒙指示看到你的妻子和长女一直是你的好天使，为你担忧，在一定程度上鼓励你抗拒撒但的强烈建议。你对她们的爱使你再次努力把你战兢的信心固定在上帝的应许上。撒但正等着要推翻你，以便因你的垮台而欢喜雀跃。那些践踏上帝律法的人因你而加强了背叛的力量。你在采取坚定的真理立场之前，是不可能坚强起来的。{1T 545.2}[7]
§16
I saw that you had several times yielded to the suggestions of Satan to cease striving to live out the truth, for the tempter told you that you would fail with the best endeavors you might make, that with all your weakness and failings it was impossible for you to maintain a life of devotion. I was shown that your wife and eldest daughter have been your good angels, to grieve over you, to encourage you to resist in a measure the powerful suggestions of Satan; and through your love for them you have been induced to try again to fix your trembling faith upon the promises of God. Satan is waiting to overthrow you that he may exult over your downfall. Those who are trampling underfoot the law of God are strengthened by you in their rebellion. It is impossible for you to be strong until you take a decided stand for the truth.{1T 545.2}[7]
§17
你认为定期捐款计划是不必要的；你忽视了它来自上帝的事实，祂的智慧是不会犯错的。这个计划是祂命定的，为要免掉混乱，纠正贪婪、贪财、自私和偶像崇拜。这个方法使担子轻轻地可是却以适当的分量落在大家身上。人类的救恩花费了昂贵的代价，就是荣耀之主的生命，是祂白白舍的，要提拔人脱离堕落退化，使之尊贵，配承受那世界。上帝已如此命定，要人在救赎的大工中帮助自己的同胞。凡推脱此责的人，不愿舍己以使他人同享属天利益的人，乃是证明自己不配来生，不配付出那么大的牺牲换来的天上的财宝。上帝不想要不乐意的奉献，勉强的牺牲。那些彻底悔改，重视上帝工作的人，会高高兴兴奉献所要求于他们的那点钱财，以捐赠为一种特权。{1T 545.3}[8]
§18
Systematic benevolence looks to you as needless; you overlook the fact that it originated with God, whose wisdom is unerring. This plan He ordained to save confusion, to correct covetousness, avarice, selfishness, and idolatry. This system was to cause the burden to rest lightly, yet with due weight, upon all. The salvation of man cost a dear price, even the life of the Lord of glory, which He freely gave to lift man from degradation and to exalt him to become heir of the world. God has so ordained that man shall aid his fellow man in the great work of redemption. He who excuses himself from this, who is unwilling to deny himself that others may become partakers with him of the heavenly benefit, proves himself unworthy of the life to come, unworthy of the heavenly treasure which cost so great a sacrifice. God wants no unwilling offering, no pressed sacrifice. Those who are thoroughly converted and who appreciate the work of God will give cheerfully the little required of them, considering it a privilege to bestow.{1T 545.3}[8]
§19
天使说：“要禁戒肉体的私欲；这私欲是与灵魂争战的”（彼前2:11）。你已在健康改良上绊跌了。你看它是真理的一个不必要的附属品。它不是这样的；它乃是真理的一部分。这里有一项工作摆在你面前，比你过去所担当的任何工作都更加严峻和艰难。你在犹豫退后，没能持住你有特权领受的福气时，就遭受了损失。你正绊跌在天国放在你道路上、要减少你前进困难的福气上。撒但把最敌对的意见告诉你，使你抵制对你最有好处，对你的身体和属灵健康都有益处的亮光。在所有的人中，你当成为一个因健康改良而受益的人；在这个改良问题上所领受的每一点真理都具有最大的利益。你是一个会因节食受益的人。你有在片刻之间瘫痪的危险。你身体的一半会失去感觉。抵制食欲对你来说乃是拯救，可是你却视它为一大欠缺。{1T 546.1}[9]
§20
Said the angel: Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. You have stumbled at the health reform. It appears to you to be a needless appendix to the truth. It is not so; it is a part of the truth. Here is a work before you which will come closer and be more trying than anything which has yet been brought to bear upon you. While you hesitate and stand back, failing to lay hold upon the blessing which it is your privilege to receive, you suffer loss. You are stumbling over the very blessing which Heaven has placed in your path to make your progress less difficult. Satan presents this before you in the most objectionable light, that you may combat that which would prove the greatest benefit to you, which would be for your physical and spiritual health. Of all men you are one to be benefited by health reform; the truth received on every point in this matter of reform will be of the greatest advantage. You are a man whom a spare diet will benefit. You were in danger of being stricken down in a moment by paralysis, one half of you becoming dead. A denial of appetite is salvation to you, yet you view it as a great privation.{1T 546.1}[9]
§21
当代的青少年没有更多宗教倾向的原因，乃是他们所受的教育有缺陷。允许孩子们放纵情欲，或者在他们违背父母的家规时不予惩罚，并不是以真爱待他们。“嫩枝怎样弯，树就怎样长。”母亲在努力为自己的孩子打下良好基督徒品格的根基时，应该总是与父亲合作。一位溺爱的父亲不应因为纠正孩子的过失会引起不愉快就闭眼不看他们的过失。你们二人都应醒悟，并以坚定而不是苛刻的态度，用坚决的意志让你们的孩子知道他们必须顺从你们。{1T 546.2}[10]
§22
The reason why the youth of the present age are not more religiously inclined is because of the defect in their education. It is not true love exercised toward children which permits in them the indulgence of passion, or allows disobedience of parental laws to go unpunished. Just as the twig is bent the tree is inclined. The mother should ever have the co-operation of the father in her efforts to lay the foundation of a good Christian character in her children. A doting father should not close his eyes to the faults of his children because it is not pleasant to administer correction. You both need to arouse and with firmness, not in a harsh manner, but with determined purpose, let your children know they must obey you.{1T 546.2}[10]
§23
父亲不可象小孩子一样，单凭冲动行事。家中的每个人都以父亲为中心。“丈夫”的真正含义是把全家人都联合起来。他是立定家规的人，以自己的男子汉气概来示范严格意义的美德，活力，正直，诚实和实际的效用。在某种意义上，父亲乃是家庭的祭司，在上帝的祭坛上早晚献祭，妻子和儿女则在祷告和赞美中团结在一起。耶稣必逗留在这样的家庭中，藉着祂振奋人心的影响力，将会在更为尊贵的场面中听到父母充满喜乐地感叹说：“看哪，我与上帝所给我的儿女”（来2:13）。得救了，得救了，永远得救了！脱离了这世上因情欲而来的败坏，并且藉着基督的功劳承受了不朽！我看到只有很少的父亲认识到自己的责任。他们没有学会控制自己，在他们学会这个功课之前，他们在管教自己的儿女上必定是拙劣的。完美的自制会对家人有一种吸引力。当获得完全的自制时，也就获得了伟大的胜利。那时他们就能教育自己的儿女自制了。{1T 547.1}[11]
§24
A father must not be as a child, moved merely by impulse. He is bound to his family by sacred, holy ties. Every member of the family centers in the father. His name, house-band, is the true definition of husband. He is the lawmaker, illustrating in his own manly bearing the sterner virtues, energy, integrity, honesty, and practical usefulness. The father is in one sense the priest of the household, laying upon the altar of God the morning and evening sacrifice, while the wife and children unite in prayer and praise. With such a household Jesus will tarry, and through His quickening influence the parents joyful exclamations shall yet be heard amid more exalted scenes, saying: Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me. Saved, saved, eternally saved! freed from the corruption that is in the world through lust, and through the merits of Christ made heirs of immortality! I saw that but few fathers realize their responsibility. They have not learned to control themselves, and until this lesson is learned they will make poor work in governing their children. Perfect self-control will act as a charm upon the family. When this is attained, a great victory is gained. Then they can educate their children to self-control.{1T 547.1}[11]
§25
我的心想念在某地的教会，因为在那里有一项工作要完成。上帝的计划是要在那里有一班子民。那里有组成一个好教会的材料，但有相当多的工作要做成，好消除粗糙的棱角，预备他们规规矩矩地按次序工作，使大家都能团结一致地作工，齐心协力。迄今的情况一直是，当有一或两个人觉得有必要醒起，团结一致地站立，更为坚定地站在真理的高尚立场上时，其他人却不做任何站起来的努力。撒但把一种反叛的精神放在他们里面，要使那些愿意前进的人灰心泄气。当他们受到激励要奋勇作工时，就有一种顽梗的精神临到某些人，于是这些人在应该提供帮助时反成了障碍。有些人不愿顺从上帝的刨刀。当它经过他们时，那不平的表面受到打扰，他们就抱怨这工作太严格太剧烈了。他们想要脱离上帝的工场，好保留自己的缺点不受打扰。他们似乎丝毫不知自己的状况；但他们唯一的盼望乃是留在可以见到并补救其基督徒品格缺陷之处。{1T 547.2}[12]
§26
My heart yearns over the church at -----, for there is a work to be accomplished there. It is Gods design to have a people in that place. There is material there for a good church, but there is considerable work to be done to remove the rough edges and prepare them for working order, that all may labor unitedly and draw in even cords. It has hitherto been the case that when one or two felt the necessity of arousing and standing unitedly and more firmly upon the elevated platform of truth, others would make no effort to arise. Satan puts in them a spirit to rebel, to discourage those who would advance. They brace themselves when urged to take hold of the work, a stubborn spirit comes upon some, and when they should help they hinder. Some will not submit to the planing knife of God. As it passes over them, and the uneven surface is disturbed, they complain of too close and severe work. They wish to get out of Gods workshop, where their defects may remain undisturbed. They seem to be asleep as to their condition; but their only hope is to remain where the defects in their Christian character will be seen and remedied.{1T 547.2}[12]
§27
有些人正在放纵那与灵魂争战的贪婪食欲，不断地拦阻自己灵性上的进步。他们时刻良心有愧，你若是宣讲率直的真理，便立刻得罪了他们。他们受到良心的责备，却又觉得别人是特别选出这些题目去指责他们，因此感到十分难过和受到伤害，只好离席，退出圣徒的集会。他们拒绝赴会，为要免得良心那么不安。不久之后，他们便失去了赴会的兴趣和爱慕真理的热忱。他们若不完全悔改，还会回去与反叛之徒采取同一的立场，站在撒但的黑旗之下。其实，这些人若将那与灵魂争战的肉体情欲钉死在十字架上，就会打开出路，而真理之箭也不会伤害到他们了。但当他们放纵贪婪食欲因而心怀偶像之时，他们就使自己成为真理之箭的攻击目标，只要一说出真理，他们就必受伤。有些人以为自己无法改良，以为自己要是尝试放弃喝茶、吸烟，不再吃肉食，就会牺牲掉健康。这乃是撒但的暗示。正是这些有害的刺激品在确实破坏他们的体质，使身体系统易生急性病，因为这些饮食削弱生命力的精细机能，摧毁她所建立要抵抗疾病和早衰的防御工事。{1T 548.1}[13]
§28
Some are indulging lustful appetite which wars against the soul and is a constant hindrance to their spiritual advancement. They constantly bear an accusing conscience, and if straight truths are talked they are prepared to be offended. They are self-condemned and feel that subjects have been purposely selected to touch their case. They feel grieved and injured, and withdraw themselves from the assemblies of the saints. They forsake the assembling of themselves together, for then their consciences are not so disturbed. They soon lose their interest in the meetings and their love for the truth, and, unless they entirely reform, will go back and take their position with the rebel host who stand under the black banner of Satan. If these will crucify fleshly lusts which war against the soul, they will get out of the way, where the arrows of truth will pass harmlessly by them. But while they indulge lustful appetite, and thus cherish their idols, they make themselves a mark for the arrows of truth to hit, and if truth is spoken at all, they must be wounded. Some think that they cannot reform, that health would be sacrificed should they attempt to leave the use of tea, tobacco, and flesh meats. This is the suggestion of Satan. It is these hurtful stimulants that are surely undermining the constitution and preparing the system for acute diseases by impairing Natures fine machinery and battering down her fortifications erected against disease and premature decay.{1T 548.1}[13]
§29
那些作出改变，放弃这些不自然刺激品的人，会暂时觉得受了损失，并因没有它们而相当痛苦，就象酒鬼离不开自己的酒一样。若拿走那醉人的酒，他就会非常痛苦。但他若坚持住，不久就会战胜这种可怕的失落感。自然的生命力会来帮助他，并且忠于职守，直到他再次用虚假的物品取代她。有些人已使自然的精细感觉变得非常麻木，以致需要给她一点时间来做恢复的工作，脱离她一直因人的有罪习惯、放纵后天养成的堕落食欲而受到的虐待，这种食欲已压抑并削弱了她的能力。要给身体自然的生命力一个机会，她就会重整旗鼓，再次高尚地很好地履行自己的职责。人采用非天然的刺激品，乃是损害健康，对于头脑亦有麻痹的影响，使其不能赏识永恒的事物。凡爱惜这些偶像的人们，是不能正确地重视救恩的价值的。这救恩乃是基督用克己自制的生活，长经忧患与耻辱，终至牺牲自己无罪的生命，来救将亡之人脱离死亡，而为他们作成的。{1T 549.1}[14]
§30
Those who make a change and leave off these unnatural stimulants will for a time feel their loss and suffer considerably without them, as does the drunkard who is wedded to his liquor. Take away intoxicating drinks and he suffers terribly. But if he persists he will soon overcome the dreadful lack. Nature will come to his aid and remain at her post until he again substitutes the false prop in her place. Some have so benumbed the fine sensibilities of Nature that it may require a little time for her to recover from the abuse she has been made to suffer through the sinful habits of man, the indulgence of an acquired, depraved appetite, which has depressed and weakened her powers. Give Nature a chance, and she will rally and again perform her part nobly and well. The use of unnatural stimulants is destructive to health and has a benumbing influence upon the brain, making it impossible to appreciate eternal things. Those who cherish these idols cannot rightly value the salvation which Christ has wrought out for them by a life of self-denial, continual suffering and reproach, and by finally yielding His own sinless life to save perishing man from death. {1T 549.1}[14]