第60章 接受真理的一个十字架
§1
第60章 接受真理的一个十字架
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Chap. 60 - A Cross in Accepting the Truth
§3
亲爱的U姐妹：我多少了解一些你特殊的性情，你的谨慎，你的担心，你缺乏希望和信心。我同情你内心的痛苦，关于我们的立场和信仰，你无法像你希望的那样看清楚一切。我们知道你是严格凭良心行事的，我一点都不怀疑，要是你能有特权听到现代真理的所有要点，并且亲自权衡所得的证据，你就会得到建立和坚固，稳定下来，以致反对或责备都不会使你从那稳固根基上移动分毫。你既没有特权象其他许多人那样参加聚会，亲自经历在传讲我们所视为神圣的真理时所听到的证据，我们就更加挂念你了。我们的心都牵挂着你，我们对你的关爱是热切真诚的。我们担心你在这末日的危险中信仰破灭。不要因我这样写而心中悲伤。你无法象我这样充分认识到撒但的诡计和诡辩。他的骗术极多；他精心预备了许多网罗，为要绊倒那些不警惕的人和轻信的人。我们希望你能躲避他的诡计。我们希望你能完全站在主这边，怀着爱心忍耐等候，热切渴望我们的救主在天云中显现。【2T.489.1】[1]
§4
Dear Sister U: I am somewhat acquainted with your peculiar temperament, your caution, your fears, your lack of hope and confidence. I sympathize with you in your sufferings of mind, as you cannot see everything in regard to our position and faith as clearly as you could wish. We know you to be strictly conscientious, and have not a doubt that, could you have the privilege of hearing on all points of present truth, and of weighing the evidences for yourself, you would be established, strengthened, settled, so that opposition or reproach would not move you from the sure foundation. As you have not had the privilege, as many others have, of attending meetings and experiencing for yourself the evidences attending the presentation of the truth we hold sacred, we feel the more solicitous for you. Our hearts are drawn out after you, and our love toward you is sincere and fervent. We fear that amid the perils of these last days you may make shipwreck. Be not grieved with me for thus writing. You cannot have a full sense, as I have, of the wiles and sophistry of Satan. His deceptions are many; his snares are carefully and cunningly prepared to entangle the unwary and unsuspecting. We want you to escape his wiles; we want you to be fully on the Lords side, loving, and waiting and earnestly longing for, the appearing of our Saviour in the clouds of heaven. {2T 489.1}[1]
§5
自从你开始努力守安息日，就有许多事情出现要使你感到灰心。但我们希望这些事不会使你的心偏离末世的重要真理。尽管提倡真理的人没有都照所应当的去行，因为他们没有因自己所信奉的真理成圣，但真理依然是真理；它的光彩不会暗淡。尽管这些人可能站在真理和那些还没有充分持定真理的人之间，他们的暗影也可能看似暂时遮掩了真理明亮的光辉，但实际上是遮掩不了的；那源自于天的真理是不会暗淡的。它纯正高尚的性质是不改变的。它活着，因为它是不朽的。【2T.489.2】[2]
§6
Since your first efforts to keep the Sabbath, many things have arisen to discourage you; yet we hope that these things will not divert your mind from the important truths for these last days. Although the advocates of the truth do not all do as they should, because they are unsanctified by the truths they profess, the truth is the same; its luster is undimmed. Although these may stand between the truth and those who have not fully taken hold upon it, and their dark shadow may appear for a time to cloud its bright luster, yet it does not in reality; the truth of heavenly origin is undimmed. Its purity and exalted character are changeless. It lives; for it is immortal. {2T 489.2}[2]
§7
我亲爱的姐妹，你要坚持真理。要亲自获得经验。你拥有一个个性。你只需为你独自使用那照在你路径上的亮光的方式负责。别人缺乏献身精神不会为你开脱。因为他们没有因真理成圣，所以他们用自己的错误行为阻挡真理，这一事实也不会使你少负些责任。你身上有一个严肃的责任，就是要高举真理的旗帜，使之高高飘扬。即使旗手昏倒了，也不要让宝贵的旗帜拖曳到尘埃。要抓紧旗帜，高举它，即使会危及你的美名，你属世的尊荣，如有需要，甚至要冒生命的危险。我非常尊敬的姐妹，我恳劝你要向上仰望，紧紧抓住你天父的手。我们的中保耶稣活着，在为我们代求。无论是谁用自己不圣洁的生活否认信仰，都无法将真理变为虚谎。“然而，上帝坚固的根基立住了。上面有这印记说：‘主认识谁是祂的人’”（提后2:19）。“总要警醒祷告，免得入了迷惑”（太26:41）。我有时会担心你的脚步滑跌，担心你会拒绝谦卑地走在通向荣耀之国中的永生的窄路上。【2T.490.1】[3]
§8
My beloved sister, cling to the truth. Obtain an experience for yourself. You have an individuality. You are accountable only for the manner in which you, independent of all others, use the light that shines upon your pathway. The lack of consecration in others will be no excuse for you. The fact that they pervert the truth by their wrong course of action, because they are unsanctified by it, will not render you less responsible. A solemn obligation rests upon you to exalt the standard of truth, to bear it aloft. Even if the standard-bearer faints and falls, do not leave the precious standard to trail in the dust. Seize it, and bear it aloft, even at the peril of your good name, your worldly honor, and your life, if required. My much-respected sister, I entreat you to look up. Cling fast to your heavenly Fathers hand. Jesus, our Advocate, lives to make intercession for us. Whoever may deny the faith by their unholy lives, it does not change the truth into a lie. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. At times I fear that your feet will slide, that you will refuse to walk in the humble, straight, and narrow way which leads to eternal life in the kingdom of glory. {2T 490.1}[3]
§9
我将我们神圣之主那克己、谦卑、自我牺牲的生活呈现在你面前。天上的至尊，荣耀的王，竟撇下祂的丰富、光辉、尊贵和荣耀，而且，为了拯救罪人，不惜屈尊降卑，甘愿度卑微、贫穷，与羞辱的人生；“祂因那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦难”（来12:2）。唉，我们的主既已给我们留下这种榜样，为什么我们对于试炼与责骂，羞辱与苦难还这么敏感呢？是谁想进来享受他主人的快乐，却不愿分担祂的痛苦呢？什么！作仆人的竟不愿担负主人毫不自私地为他所承担的谦卑、羞耻和责骂！作仆人的对于他能最终藉以获得极重无比永远的奖赏，有利于他自己永远幸福的一种谦卑牺牲的生活，竟然畏缩不前，望而却步！我由衷的话语乃是：我愿与基督一同受苦，以便最后和祂同得荣耀。【2T.490.2】[4]
§10
I present before you the life of self-denial, humility, and sacrifice of our divine Lord. The Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, left His riches, His splendor, His honor and glory, and, in order to save sinful man, condescended to a life of humility, poverty, and shame; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame. Oh, why are we so sensitive to trial and reproach, to shame and suffering, when our Lord has given us such an example? Who would wish to enter into the joy of their Lord while they were unwilling to partake of His sufferings? What! the servant unwilling to bear the humility and shame and reproach which the Master bore unselfishly for him! the servant shrinking from a life of humility and sacrifice which is for his own eternal happiness, by which he may finally obtain an exceedingly great, an eternal reward! The language of my heart is: Let me be a partaker with Christ of His sufferings, that I may finally share with Him the glory. {2T 490.2}[4]
§11
这个世界从来都不欢迎上帝的真理。人心的自然倾向始终是与真理背道而驰的。我感谢上帝，因为我们必须断绝爱世界的心，骄傲的心和一切趋向于拜偶像的事物，才能跟随那位在髑髅地受难的人子。那些顺从真理的人决不会受到世人的爱戴和尊荣。从那位曾在人间谦卑行走的神圣教师口中听到的话是：若有人要跟从我，就当背起他的十字架来跟从我。是的，要跟从我们的模范。祂是否寻求世人的赞誉和尊荣呢？不！那我们又怎能去追求属世的荣耀或称赞呢？【2T.491.1】[5]
§12
The truth of God has never been popular with the world. The natural heart is ever averse to the truth. I thank God that we must renounce the love of the world, and pride of heart, and everything which tends to idolatry, in order to be followers of the Man of Calvary. Those who obey the truth will never be loved and honored by the world. From the lips of the divine Teacher, as He walked in humility among the children of men, were heard the words: Whosoever will be My disciple, let him take up his cross, and follow Me. Yes, follow our Exemplar. Was He seeking for praise and honor of men? Oh, no! Shall we then seek for honor or praise from worldlings? {2T 491.1}[5]
§13
那些不爱上帝的人也不会爱上帝的儿女。请听那属天的教训：“人都说你们好的时候，你们就有祸了”（路6:26）。“人为人子恨恶你们，拒绝你们，辱骂你们，弃掉你们的名，以为是恶，你们就有福了。当那日，你们要欢喜跳跃，因为你们在天上的赏赐是大的”（路6:22-23）。“但你们富足的人有祸了，因为你们受过你们的安慰”（路6:24）。我们在《约翰福音》中又看到了基督的话：“我这样吩咐你们，是要叫你们彼此相爱。世人若恨你们，你们知道恨你们以先，已经恨我了。你们若属世界，世界必爱属自己的；只因你们不属世界，乃是我从世界中拣选了你们，所以世界就恨你们。你们要记念我从前对你们所说的话：‘仆人不能大于主人。’他们若逼迫了我，也要逼迫你们；若遵守了我的话，也要遵守你们的话”（约15:17-20）。“我已将祢的道赐给他们，世界又恨他们；因为他们不属世界，正如我不属世界一样。我不求祢叫他们离开世界，只求祢保守他们脱离那恶者。他们不属世界，正如我不属世界一样”（约17:14-16）。【2T.491.2】[6]
§14
Those who have no love for God will not love the children of God. Listen to the words of heavenly instruction: Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of mans sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. In the Gospel of John we again find the words of Christ: These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. I have given them Thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. {2T 491.2}[6]
§15
我们在《约翰壹书》2:15中读到：“不要爱世界和世界上的事。” 保罗在写给罗马人的书信中，以上帝的慈悲劝他们，将身体献上，当作活祭，是圣洁的，是上帝所喜悦的，他们如此侍奉，是理所当然的。“不要效法这个世界，只要心意更新而变化，叫你们察验何为上帝的善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意”（罗12:2）。雅各宣布：“岂不知与世俗为友就是与上帝为敌吗？所以凡想要与世俗为友的，就是与上帝为敌了”（雅4:4）。【2T.492.1】[7]
§16
In First John we read: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. In Pauls Epistle to the Romans he beseeches them, by the mercies of God, that they present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is their reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. And James declares: Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. {2T 492.1}[7]
§17
我劝你要仔细思考保罗写给加拉太信徒的教训：“我现在是要得人的心呢，还是要得上帝的心呢？我岂是讨人的喜欢吗？若仍旧讨人的喜欢，我就不是基督的仆人了”（加1:10）。我担心你处在使信心破灭的大危险中。你认为要顺从真理就得作出牺牲。我们相信你已作出一些牺牲，但你若在这事上更加彻底，你的脚现在就不会绊跌，你的信心也不会动摇。我现在提到的并非是钱财上的牺牲，而是指来得比金钱更要紧的，指会比放弃你的钱财使你作出更痛苦的斗争的事，指那些特别触及自我的事。你还没有放弃自己的骄傲，你喜爱一个不信之世界的赞许。你喜欢让别人称赞你。【2T.492.2】[8]
§18
I entreat you to carefully consider the instructions in Pauls Epistle to the Galatians: For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. I fear that you are in great danger of making shipwreck of faith. You consider that you have sacrifices to make to obey the truth. We believe that you have made some sacrifices, but had you been more thorough in this work, your feet would not now be stumbling, your faith wavering. I do not refer now to sacrifice of means, but to what comes closer than this, to that which would cause you a more painful conflict than to give your means, to that which touches self especially. You have not yielded your pride, your love of the approbation of an unbelieving world. You love to have men speak well of you. {2T 492.2}[8]
§19
你还没有本着真理的纯朴领会和实践真理。我担心你有点觉得好像你接受安息日的复临信徒所提倡的不受欢迎的真理乃是屈尊俯就。你在相当大的程度上谋求既保留世界的精神又采纳真理。这是绝对行不通的。基督只愿接受整个的心，全部的爱。与世界为友就是与上帝为敌。当你想要过避免责备和耻辱的生活时，你就是在谋求一个比你那受苦之主更高的地位；而你在从事这事时，便在使自己和你在天上的父隔绝，用祂的爱来换取那不足取的东西。【2T.493.1】[9]
§20
You have not received and practiced the truth in its simplicity. You have, I fear, felt somewhat as though you were condescending to receive the unpopular truth as advocated by Sabbathkeeping Adventists. You have sought, to quite a degree, to retain the spirit of the world and yet adopt the truth. This cannot be. Christ will accept of nothing but the whole heart, the entire affections. The friendship of the world is enmity with God. When you desire to so live as to shun reproach, you are seeking a position above your suffering Lord; and while engaged in this, you are separating from your Father in heaven, exchanging His love for that which is not worth obtaining. {2T 493.1}[9]
§21
我的姐妹，我为你和你丈夫感到精神压抑。当我提笔写信时，你们的情形清楚地展现在我面前。我完全了解你们的危险，你们困惑怀疑的状态。U姐妹，自从你努力遵守上帝的律法以来，对你来说事事不利。但对于你们二人来说，再没有什么比骄傲更大的阻碍了。你们二人都喜欢炫耀，这在良善谦卑的宗教里是毫无所有的。我看到你们二人都有火炼的试验要经过，好使你们受试验被证明。在这场斗争中，撒但会尽力蒙蔽你们的眼睛，使你们看不到永恒的利益，且会将短暂无常的今生眼前的利益摆在你们面前。你们会看到今生的魅力，你们若不放弃爱炫耀和讨世人欢心的心，就不能保持对上帝的爱。我看到耶稣指着天国的优美，力图吸引你们的眼目离开世界，祂说：“你要选择谁，是我，还是这个世界？你无法既拥有我又爱世界。你要为了今生的骄傲和世上的财宝而牺牲为你舍己的主吗？要在我和世界之间作出选择；这世界在我里面是毫无所有。”【2T.493.2】[10]
§22
I have felt pressed in spirit in regard to you, my sister, and also your husband. As I have taken my pen to write, your cases have been clearly brought before me. I am fully aware of your dangers, of your state of perplexity and doubt. Everything has been unfavorable for you, Sister U, since you have sought to obey the law of God. But nothing has been as great a hindrance to you both as your pride. You are both fond of display; this has no part in good, humble religion. I saw that you both had a fiery ordeal to pass, that you would be tested and proved. In this conflict, Satan would strive hard to blind your eyes to your eternal interest, and would present the advantages of the present time, this little, short life which is so uncertain. You would see charms in this life, and unless you parted with your love of show and the favor of the world you could not retain the love of God. Jesus was presented to me, pointing to the charms of heaven, seeking to attract your eyes from the world, and saying: Which will ye choose, Me, or the world? You cannot have Me and the love of the world, too. Will you sacrifice Him who died for you for the pride of life, for the treasures of the world? Choose between Me and the world; the world has no part in Me. {2T 493.2}[10]
§23
我看到你的脚步蹒跚，你的信心动摇。怀疑和不信笼罩着你，耶稣的光在离开。虚荣是我们堕落本性中最强的一个动因，而且撒但会不断用成功呼吁人虚荣。一直不乏有人乐于帮助撒但作工——奉承你，提出你的能力和你能在社会中拥有的影响力，极力劝你说，你与一班具有卑微信仰的人利益与共，和一班据他们看社会地位不如你的人混在一起，会很令人感到遗憾。你似乎也觉得自己在为真理付出极大的牺牲。确实，大多数有势力的人不愿牺牲自己属世的野心，与世界意断情绝，掉转自己的脚步，踏上那位髑髅地受难的人子所行过的卑微狭窄的小路。他们认为自己的才能和影响力太宝贵了，不能奉献给上帝的圣工，太宝贵了，不愿将之归还以便荣耀赐与者，上帝将这些才干借给他们，原是要他们予以善用并连本带利归还给祂。他们为了得到希望得到的暂时的利益，竟然愿意牺牲永恒的事物。他们竟然为了得人的奉承而愿转离天地之创造主的嘉许，愿意丧失得到来自天上尊荣的一切权利。了解什么才有利于自己的最佳利益的人多么少啊！你不赏识这个。耶稣藉着无可比拟的苦难一生和可耻的死亡，已经开了一条路，使人可以跟从祂的脚踪，并且最终被提拔到祂的宝座，领受不朽和永生的奖赏。凡度顺从生活的人，必领受一份不朽的基业，一份没有玷污、永不衰残的财宝。【2T.494.1】[11]
§24
I saw your feet faltering, your faith wavering. Doubt and unbelief were enclosing you about, and the light of Jesus was departing. Vanity is one of the strongest principles of our depraved natures, and Satan will constantly appeal to it with success. Persons have not been wanting who were ready to aid Satan in his work--to flatter you, to present your ability and the influence you could have in society, to urge that it would be a great pity for you to unite your interests with a people of humble faith and mingle in a class of society, as they regard it, beneath you. It has seemed to you that you were making a great sacrifice for the truth. It is true that the masses who possess influence do not choose to sacrifice their worldly ambition, to separate their affections from the world, and turn their footsteps into the narrow, humble path traveled by the suffering Man of Calvary. They consider their talents and influence too precious to be devoted to the cause of God, too precious to be given back to glorify the Giver who lent them these talents to be improved upon and returned to Him, both principal and interest. For the temporal advantages they hope to gain they will sacrifice the eternal. For the flattery of men they will turn from the approval of the Lord, the Maker of the heavens and the earth, and will forfeit all right to the honor which cometh from above. How few know what is for their best interest! You do not appreciate this. Jesus, through a life of unexampled suffering and an ignominious death, has opened a way whereby man may follow in His footsteps, and finally be exalted to His throne, and receive the reward of immortality and eternal life. For a life of obedience he will receive an immortal inheritance, a treasure undefiled that fadeth not away. {2T 494.1}[11]
§25
在《哥林多前书》1:18-19；26-29中我们读到：“因为十字架的道理，在那灭亡的人为愚拙，在我们得救的人却为上帝的大能。就如经上所记：我要灭绝智慧人的智慧，废弃聪明人的聪明。”“弟兄们哪，可见你们蒙召的，按着肉体有智慧的不多，有能力的不多，有尊贵的也不多。上帝却拣选了世上愚拙的，叫有智慧的羞愧；又拣选了世上软弱的，叫那强壮的羞愧。上帝也拣选了世上卑贱的，被人厌恶的，以及那无有的，为要废掉那有的，使一切有血气的，在上帝面前一个也不能自夸。”你们有基督为榜样，祂的谦逊质朴的生活没有炫耀或张扬。仆人岂能大过他的主人呢？【2T.495.1】[12]
§26
In the First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians we read: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence. You have the example of Christ, His unpretending life without display or grandeur. Is the servant above his Lord? {2T 495.1}[12]
§27
亲爱的姐妹，你有一副好心肠，你可以行善。你可以作为你丈夫的锚，也可以成为许多人的力量。但你若心持两意，不甘心做上帝谦卑的工作，你和你丈夫就会在错误的方向发挥影响力。上帝的话怎么说呢？要转离人的意见，转向上帝的训诲和法度。要排除每一属世的考虑。为永恒作出你的决定。要在这个重要时期权衡证据。我们在跟从救主时务必不可指望逃脱考验和逼迫；因为这乃是那些跟从祂之人的工价。祂明白宣布我们要受逼迫。我们属世的利益必须屈从于永恒的利益。要听基督的话：“彼得就对祂说：‘看哪，我们已经撇下所有的跟从祢，将来我们要得什么呢？’耶稣说：‘我实在告诉你们：你们这跟从我的人，到复兴的时候，人子坐在祂荣耀的宝座上，你们也要坐在十二个宝座上，审判以色列十二个支派。凡为我的名撇下房屋或是弟兄、姐妹、父亲、母亲、儿女、田地的，必要得着百倍，并且承受永生”（太19:27-29）。这里涉及永恒的利益。【2T.495.2】[13]
§28
Dear sister, you have a good mind and can do good. You can be as an anchor to your husband and a strength to many others. But if you stand halting between two opinions, unreconciled to the humble work of God, your influence in connection with your husbands will be exerted in a wrong direction. How reads the word of God? Turn from the opinions of men to the law and to the testimony. Shut out every worldly consideration. Make your decision for eternity. Weigh evidence in this important time. We surely need not expect to escape trial and persecution in following our Saviour; for this is the salary of those who follow Him. He plainly declares that we shall suffer persecution. Our earthly interests must be subservient to the eternal. Listen to the words of Christ: Then Peter began to say unto Him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed Thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospels, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. Eternal interests are here involved. {2T 495.2}[13]
§29
不要自以为只要放弃真理，你得财的一切障碍就会消除。这是撒但告诉你的，是他的诡辩。若是上帝的祝福因你将一切降服于祂而降在你身上，你就会兴旺。你若转离上帝，祂也必转离你。祂的手能分散，快过你能聚敛的。“人若赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有什么益处呢？人还能拿什么换生命呢”（太16:26）？【2T.496.1】[14]
§30
Do not flatter yourselves that if you should yield the truth all obstacles to your acquiring property would be removed. Satan tells you this; it is his sophistry. If Gods blessing rests upon you because you surrender all to Him, you will prosper. If you turn from God, He will turn from you. His hand can scatter faster than you can gather. What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? {2T 496.1}[14]
§31
我亲爱的姐妹，你需要彻底转变，归向真理，真理会杀死自我。你无法信赖上帝吗，请读《马太福音》10:25-40。另外，请以祈祷的心阅读《马太福音》6:24-34。让这些话印在你的心上：“不要为生命忧虑吃什么，喝什么，为身体忧虑穿什么。生命不胜于饮食吗？身体不胜于衣裳吗”（太6:25）？这里指更美好的生命。“身体”指人内在的妆饰，使有罪的凡人拥有基督的温柔和公义，在祂眼中看为宝贵，像以诺一样，且使他们有资格领受进入永生的最后手续。我们的救主叫我们注意天上的飞鸟，它们也不种，也不收，也不积聚在仓里，然而它们的天父尚且养活它们。然后主说：“你们不比飞鸟贵重得多吗？……何必为衣裳忧虑呢？你想：野地里的百合花怎么长起来；它也不劳苦，也不纺线；然而我告诉你们：就是所罗门极荣华的时候，他所穿戴的，还不如这花一朵呢”（太6:26-29）！这些百合花以其纯朴和无辜，比所罗门极荣华却缺少天上装饰的服饰更合上帝的心意。“你们这小信的人哪！野地里的草今天还在，明天就丢在炉里，上帝还给它这样的妆饰，何况你们呢”（太6:30）？你怎能不信赖你的天父呢？你怎能不倚靠祂恩典的应许呢？“你们要先求祂的国和祂的义，这些东西都要加给你们了”（太6:33）。这是何等宝贵的应许啊！我们怎能不信赖它呢？我们既知道那应许我们的是信实的，怎能不绝对信赖祂呢？我恳劝你，用你颤抖的信心再次抓住上帝的应许。你要以毫无动摇的信心全然倚赖上帝的应许，因为这些应许决不会，也决不能落空。【2T.496.2】[15]
§32
You, my dear sister, need a thorough conversion to the truth, which shall slay self. Cannot you trust in God? Please read Matthew 10:25-40. Please read also, with a prayerful heart, Matthew 6:24-34. Let these words impress your heart: Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? The better life is here referred to. By the body is meant the inward adorning, which makes sinful mortals, possessing the meekness and righteousness of Christ, valuable in His sight, as was Enoch, and entitles them to receive the finishing touch of immortality. Our Saviour refers us to the fowls of the air, which sow not, neither reap, nor gather into barns, yet their heavenly Father feedeth them. Then He says: Are ye not much better than they? . . . And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. These lilies, in their simplicity and innocence, meet the mind of God better than Solomon in his costly decorations yet destitute of the heavenly adorning. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Can you not trust in your heavenly Father? Can you not rest upon His gracious promise? Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Precious promise! Can we not rely upon it? Can we not have implicit trust, knowing that He is faithful who hath promised? I entreat you to let your trembling faith again grasp the promises of God. Bear your whole weight upon them with unwavering faith; for they will not, they cannot, fail. {2T 496.2}[15]