第16章 仰望耶稣
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第16章 仰望耶稣
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Chap. 16 - Look to Jesus
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在1868年6月12日赐给我的异象中，我蒙指示看到上帝的百姓有指望怀弟兄和怀姐妹的危险，以为必须带着自己的重担去找他们，寻求他们的劝勉。这是不应当的。他们慈悲仁爱的救主邀请他们在劳苦担重担时到祂那里去，祂就必使他们得释放，他们必在祂里面得享安息。他们将自己的困惑和考验带到耶稣那里去，就必发现那有关他们的应许得以实现。他们陷在患难里，感到唯有在耶稣里才能得着的释放时，就会获得一种对他们来说具有最高价值的经验。怀弟兄和怀姐妹正在努力过纯正的生活，努力结出果子以至圣洁；然而他们只是会犯错误的凡人。许多人到我们这来询问：我能作这事吗？我能参加那项事业吗？或者，关于衣服问道，我能穿这件或那件吗？我便回答他们：你们自称是基督的门徒，去研究你们的圣经吧。怀着祈祷的精神，仔细阅读我们亲爱救主的生平，就是祂降世住在人间的那一段经历。效法祂的生活，你们就不会偏离当行的窄路了。我们断然拒绝去作你们的良心。我们若告诉你们去做什么，你们就会指望我们指导，而不是自己直接去找耶稣。你们的经验就会建立在我们身上。你们必须有自己的经验，就是建立在上帝身上的经验。如此，你们才能在末世的危险中屹然站立，并且得以洁净，而不被苦难的烈火所焚灭。这烈火，是每个圣徒预备最终变为不朽，为除去品格瑕疵所必须经过的。【2T.118.3】[1]
§4
In the vision given me June 12, 1868, I was shown the danger of the people of God in looking to Brother and Sister White and thinking that they must come to them with their burdens and seek counsel of them. This ought not so to be. They are invited by their compassionate, loving Saviour to come unto Him, when weary and heavy-laden, and He will relieve them. In Him they will find rest. In taking their perplexities and trials to Jesus, they will find the promise in regard to them fulfilled. When in their distress they feel the relief which is found alone in Jesus they obtain an experience which is of the highest value to them. Brother and Sister White are striving for purity of life, striving to bring forth fruit unto holiness; yet they are only erring mortals. Many come to us with the inquiry: Shall I do this? Shall I engage in that enterprise? Or, in regard to dress, Shall I wear this or that article? I answer them: You profess to be disciples of Christ. Study your Bibles. Read carefully and prayerfully the life of our dear Saviour when He dwelt among men upon the earth. Imitate His life, and you will not be found straying from the narrow path. We utterly refuse to be conscience for you. If we tell you just what to do, you will look to us to guide you, instead of going directly to Jesus for yourselves. Your experience will be founded in us. You must have an experience for yourselves, which shall be founded in God. Then can you stand amid the perils of the last days and be purified and not consumed by the fire of affliction through which all the saints must pass in order to have the impurities removed from their character preparatory to receiving the finishing touch of immortality. {2T 118.3}[1]
§5
我们许多亲爱的弟兄姐妹认为，若怀弟兄和怀姐妹不参加，他们便不能举行大的集会。他们在许多地方认识到，必须有所作为，好推动人们在真理的事工上采取更加热诚坚决的行动。他们中间有传道人为他们辛苦作工，但是他们认识到还有更大的工作必须做成，并指望怀弟兄和怀姐妹去做。我看到，上帝并不愿意这样。首先，我们的一些传道人有缺欠。他们缺乏彻底的精神。他们不承担工作的责任，不出去帮助需要帮助的人。他们没有辨识力，看不出，也感觉不到人们需要纠正、责备、建立和坚固之处。他们中有些人在一个地方工作数周或数月之久，当他们走的时候，要做的事实际上反比他们来的时候更多了。定期捐献也拖延了。传道人有责任保持这部分工作正常进行。但是，因为这项工作给人的感觉并不愉快，有些人便疏忽了他们的责任。他们谈论从上帝圣言而来的真理，却不使人们深感顺从的必要性。所以许多人只是听道，却不行道。人们感到了这种缺乏。他们没有理清这些事，于是便指望怀弟兄和怀姐妹来补足这种缺乏。【2T.119.1】[2]
§6
Many of our dear brethren and sisters think that they cannot have a large gathering unless Brother and Sister White attend. In many places they realize that something must be done to move the people to more earnestness and decided action in the work and cause of truth. They have had ministers to labor among them, yet they realize that a greater work must be done, and look to Brother and Sister White to do it. This, I saw, was not as God would have it. In the first place, there is a deficiency with some of our ministers. They lack thoroughness. They do not take on the burden of the work and reach out to lift just where the people need help. They do not possess discernment to see and feel just where the people need to be corrected, reproved, built up, and strengthened. Some of them labor weeks and months in a place, and there is actually more to do when they leave than when they commenced. Systematic benevolence is dragging. It is one part of the ministers labor to keep up this branch of the work; but, because this is not agreeable, some neglect their duty. They talk the truth from the word of God, but do not impress the people with the necessity of obedience. Therefore many are hearers, but not doers. The people feel the deficiency. Things are not set in order among them, and they look to Brother and Sister White to make up the deficiency. {2T 119.1}[2]
§7
我们有些传道的弟兄没有深入工作，抓住百姓的心，便一闪而过。他们用这种想法为自己开脱：怀弟兄和怀姐妹会带来这里所缺乏的东西；他们特别适合这工作。这些人虽工作了，却没有按着正确的方法。他们没有负起担子来。他们没有在需要帮助的地方提供帮助。在别人需要帮助的时候帮助他人。他们也没有改正需要改正的缺点。他们并没有尽心、尽性、尽力投入到满足人们需要的工作当中去。时光流逝，他们一事无成。他们规避的重担落在我们身上。他们鼓励人们仰望我们，提出观点说除非有我们特别的证言，就什么事也作不成。上帝对此事不悦。传道人应该负起更大的责任来，他们不应接受这种想法，以为自己无法传给人们信息，提供他们所需要的帮助。他们若无法作到此事，就应留在耶路撒冷，直到充满了从上头来的能力。他们不应从事自己做不了的工作。他们应当带着宝贵的种子流泪出去撒种，将来必欢呼收割，带着他们的禾捆回来。【2T.120.1】[3]
§8
Some of our ministering brethren have glided along without settling deep into the work and getting hold of the hearts of the people. They have excused themselves with the thought that Brother and Sister White would bring up the things that were lacking; that they were specially adapted to the work. These men have labored, but not in the right way. They have not borne the burden. They have not helped where help was needed. They have not corrected deficiencies which needed to be corrected. They have not entered, whole heart, and soul, and energies, into the wants of the people. Time has passed, and they have nothing to show for it. The burden of their deficiencies falls back on us. And they encourage the people to look to us, presenting the idea that nothing will accomplish the work but our special testimony. God is not pleased with this. Ministers should take greater responsibilities and not entertain the thought that they cannot bear that message which will help the people where they need help. If they cannot do this, they should tarry in Jerusalem till they are endowed with power from on high. They should not engage in a work which they cannot perform. They should go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, and return from their effort rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them. {2T 120.1}[3]
§9
传道人应让人们感到必须付出个人的努力。信徒若不作工，教会就不可能兴旺。哪里有传道人兴起，哪里也应有信徒兴起。我看到，若不使信徒感到自己身上的责任，各地教会就无法完成持久的工作。基督身体的每一个肢体都应感到，自己灵魂的得救有赖于自己个人的努力。若不努力，就没有人能够得救。传道人救不了百姓。他可以成为上帝藉以传光给祂百姓的导管；亮光传出之后，就由百姓去运用那光，并将之反照在别人身上。百姓应感到自己身上有一种个人的责任，不仅要拯救自己的灵魂，也要热心参与拯救那些仍然陷在黑暗里的人。他们不应指望怀弟兄和怀姐妹去帮助他们出离黑暗，而应认真自助。他们若开始留心寻找那些比他们遭遇更差的人，并努力帮助他们，就会帮助自己比用其它任何方法更快地进入光明中。如果百姓倚靠怀弟兄和怀姐妹，只信赖他们，上帝就会让他们降卑，或将他们从你们中间除去。你们必须仰望上帝，单单信赖祂。要倚靠祂，祂必不丢弃你们。祂不会任你们灭亡。上帝的圣言是宝贵的。“你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生”（约5:39）。这是基督亲口说的话。你们若怀着祈祷的精神，仔细研究灵感之言，并实际顺从之，就会得着彻底的预备，行各样的善事。传道人和信徒都必须仰望上帝。【2T.120.2】[4]
§10
Ministers should impress upon the people the necessity of individual effort. No church can flourish unless its members are workers. The people must lift where the ministers lift. I saw that nothing lasting can be accomplished for churches in different places unless they are aroused to feel that a responsibility rests upon them. Every member of the body should feel that the salvation of his own soul depends upon his own individual effort. Souls cannot be saved without exertion. The minister cannot save the people. He can be a channel through which God will impart light to His people; but after the light is given, it is left with the people to appropriate that light, and, in their turn, let it shine forth to others. The people should feel that an individual responsibility rests upon them, not only to save their own souls, but to earnestly engage in the salvation of those who remain in darkness. Instead of looking to Brother and Sister White to help them out of their darkness, they should be earnestly engaged in helping themselves. If they should begin to hunt up those worse off than themselves, and should try to help them, they would help themselves into the light sooner than in any other way. If the people lean upon Brother and Sister White, and trust in them, God will humble them among you or remove them from you. You must look to God and trust in Him. Lean upon Him, and He will not forsake you. He will not leave you to perish. Precious is the word of God. Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life. These are the words of Christ. The words of inspiration, carefully and prayerfully studied and practically obeyed, will thoroughly furnish you unto all good works. Ministers and people must look to God. {2T 120.2}[4]
§11
我们生活在一个邪恶的世代。末世的危险在我们身边有增无已。只因不法的事增多，许多人的爱心才渐渐冷淡了。以诺与上帝同行三百年。现今时日的短促理应成为我们寻求公义的动力。岂不有必要将上帝可畏的大日摆在我们面前，以便迫使我们采取正确的行动吗？以诺的例子摆在我们面前。他与上帝同行三百年。他生活在一个败坏的世代，道德的堕落如潮水般充斥在他周围。然而他训练自己思想敬虔，热爱纯洁。他的言语全都在谈属天的事情。他训练自己思慕天上的事，于是便带有神圣的印记。他因耶稣脸上照出的亮光而容光焕发。以诺也有许多试探，与我们一样。他身处的社会不比我们现在的社会更爱慕公义。他呼吸的空气也和现在一样，被罪恶和腐败所污染了；然而他过了圣洁的一生。他没有沾染所生活之代盛行的罪恶。所以我们也能保持纯洁，不受玷污。以诺是那生活在末世危险和腐败中圣徒的代表。他因为忠心顺服上帝而得以变化升天。所以，凡活着存留的信徒也会得以变化升天。他们将离开这个罪恶腐败的世界，前往纯洁喜乐的天国。【2T.121.1】[5]
§12
We are living in an evil age. The perils of the last days thicken around us. Because iniquity abounds, the love of many waxes cold. Enoch walked with God three hundred years. Now the shortness of time seems to be urged as a motive to seek righteousness. Should it be necessary that the terrors of the day of God be held before us in order to compel us to right action? Enochs case is before us. Hundreds of years he walked with God. He lived in a corrupt age, when moral pollution was teeming all around him; yet he trained his mind to devotion, to love purity. His conversation was upon heavenly things. He educated his mind to run in this channel, and he bore the impress of the divine. His countenance was lighted up with the light which shineth in the face of Jesus. Enoch had temptations as well as we. He was surrounded with society no more friendly to righteousness than is that which surrounds us. The atmosphere he breathed was tainted with sin and corruption, the same as ours; yet he lived a life of holiness. He was unsullied with the prevailing sins of the age in which he lived. So may we remain pure and uncorrupted. He was a representative of the saints who live amid the perils and corruptions of the last days. For his faithful obedience to God he was translated. So, also, the faithful, who are alive and remain, will be translated. They will be removed from a sinful and corrupt world to the pure joys of heaven. {2T 121.1}[5]
§13
上帝子民的进程应该向前向上，直至胜利。那比约书亚更大的一位正在带领以色列军队。有一位住在我们中间，就是我们救恩的元帅，祂鼓励我们说：“凡我所吩咐你们的，都教训他们遵守，我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了”（太28:20）。“你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界”（约16:33）。祂会带领我们直至必然的胜利。凡上帝所应许的，无论何时祂都能实现。祂吩咐祂子民去作的工，祂能藉着他们完成。如果我们过一种完全顺从的生活，祂的应许就会实现在我们身上。【2T.122.1】[6]
§14
The course of Gods people should be upward and onward to victory. A greater than Joshua is leading on the armies of Israel. One is in our midst, even the Captain of our salvation, who has said for our encouragement: Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. He will lead us on to certain victory. What God promises, He is able at any time to perform. And the work He gives His people to do, He is able to accomplish by them. If we live a life of perfect obedience, His promises will be fulfilled toward us. {2T 122.1}[6]
§15
上帝要求祂的子民在这世界上如明灯发光。这不仅是给传道人的要求，也是给基督每一个门徒的。他们的谈话应该是属天的。当他们享受与上帝的交通时，他们就渴望去与自己的同胞交流，以便藉着自己的言语行为表达鼓舞他们内心的上帝之爱。这样，他们就会成为世上的光，而藉着他们传出去的亮光不会熄灭，不会被夺走。这光对于那些不行在其中的人确实会成为黑暗，但对于那些顺从并行在光中的人，这光必照在他们的路上，越照越明。【2T.122.2】[7]
§16
God requires His people to shine as lights in the world. It is not merely the ministers who are required to do this, but every disciple of Christ. Their conversation should be heavenly. And while they enjoy communion with God they will wish to have intercourse with their fellow men in order to express by their words and acts the love of God which animates their hearts. In this way they will be lights in the world, and the light transmitted through them will not go out or be taken away. It will indeed become darkness to those who will not walk in it, but it will shine with increasing brightness on the path of those who will obey and walk in the light. {2T 122.2}[7]
§17
上帝的话彰显出祂的精神、智慧和良善，这些都要藉着基督的门徒体现出来，并要因此定这世界的罪。上帝是按照赐给祂子民的恩典和真理要求他们的。祂所有的公义要求都必须完全得到满足。每一个有责任的人都要行在照在他们身上的亮光中。他们若没能作到这一点，他们的光就必变为黑暗，他们的光有多丰富，他们的黑暗也有多浓重。不断有光照在上帝的子民身上，但许多人忽略了，不跟从这光，为此，他们陷于极大的属灵软弱状态。【2T.123.1】[8]
§18
The spirit, wisdom, and goodness of God, revealed in His word, are to be exemplified by the disciples of Christ, and are thus to condemn the world. God requires of His people according to the grace and truth given them. All His righteous demands must be fully met. Accountable beings must walk in the light that shines upon them. If they fail to do this, their light becomes darkness, and their darkness is great in the same degree as their light was abundant. Accumulated light has shone upon Gods people; but many have neglected to follow the light, and for this reason they are in a state of great spiritual weakness. {2T 123.1}[8]
§19
上帝的子民现在灭亡不是因为缺乏知识。他们不会因为不晓得道路、真理、生命而被定罪。他们所轻忽或拒绝的已经明白的真理，已经照在他们心灵上的亮光，要定他们的罪。那些从未得到亮光的人既无可拒绝，也就不被定罪了。上帝为祂葡萄园所作之外，还有什么可作的呢？宝贵的亮光已经照在上帝的子民身上，但除非他们同意因光得拯救，完全实践这光，并将之传给坐在黑暗里的人，这光就不能救他们。上帝呼召祂的子民行动起来。承认并离弃罪恶，悔改归向主，是个人必须做成的工作，一个人无法为另一个人做这工作。宗教的知识在增加，其相应的义务也在增加。大光已经照耀在教会中，教会也因此被定罪，因为他们不肯行在光中。他们若是瞎眼的，就没有罪。但他们看见了光，并听到了许多真理，却不智慧也不圣洁。许多人已经多年没有在知识和真实的圣洁上取得任何进步。他们是属灵的侏儒。他们非但不向前追求完全，反倒后退进入黑暗，回到埃及的奴役中去。他们没有操练自己的心思直至敬虔和真实的圣洁。【2T.123.2】[9]
§20
It is not for lack of knowledge that Gods people are now perishing. They will not be condemned because they do not know the way, the truth, and the life. The truth that has reached their understanding, the light which has shone on the soul, but which has been neglected or refused, will condemn them. Those who never had the light to reject will not be in condemnation. What more could have been done for Gods vineyard than has been done? Light, precious light, shines upon Gods people; but it will not save them unless they consent to be saved by it, fully live up to it, and transmit it to others in darkness. God calls upon His people to act. It is an individual work of confessing and forsaking sins and returning unto the Lord that is needed. One cannot do this work for another. Religious knowledge has accumulated, and this has increased corresponding obligations. Great light has been shining upon the church, and by it they are condemned because they refuse to walk in it. If they were blind they would be without sin. But they have seen light and have heard much truth, yet are not wise and holy. Many have for years made no advancement in knowledge and true holiness. They are spiritual dwarfs. Instead of going forward to perfection, they are going back to the darkness and bondage of Egypt. Their minds are not exercised unto godliness and true holiness. {2T 123.2}[9]
§21
上帝的以色列民会觉醒吗？所有自称敬虔之人愿意努力除去每一个错误，向上帝承认每一个隐秘的罪，并在祂面前刻苦己心吗？他们愿以极大的谦卑审查自己每一个行动的动机，知道上帝的眼目鉴查一切，查明一切隐藏的事吗？愿他们的工作彻底，愿他们完全献身于上帝。无论我们有什么，无论我们是什么，上帝要求我们完全降伏于祂。传道人和信徒需要重新悔改，转变思想。否则我们就不是活的香气叫人活，而是死的香气叫人死了。上帝的子民拥有极大的特权。他们已经承受了大光，好使他们达成在基督耶稣里所蒙的崇高恩召。但是他们没有成为上帝原本愿意让他们成为的人，也没有成为祂计划他们应该成为的人。【2T.124.1】[10]
§22
Will the Israel of God awake? Will all who profess godliness seek to put away every wrong, to confess to God every secret sin, and afflict the soul before Him? Will they, with great humility, investigate the motives of every action, and know that the eye of God reads all, searches out every hidden thing? Let the work be thorough, the consecration to God entire. He calls for a full surrender of all that we have and are. Ministers and people need a new conversion, a transformation of the mind, without which we are not savors of life unto life, but of death unto death. Great privileges belong to the people of God. Great light has been given them, that they may attain to their high calling in Christ Jesus; yet they are not what God would have them to be and what He designs they shall be. {2T 124.1}[10]