第08章 试验的过程
§1
第08章 试验的过程
§2
Chap. 8 - The Testing Process
§3
亲爱的G弟兄：我很渴望你接受亮光出离黑暗。你一直大受撒但试探；他已利用你为工具阻碍上帝的工作。迄今他在你身上都是成功的；但这并不意味着你应该继续走在错误的道路上。我看到你的情形极其战兢。我知道上帝已赐给你大光。去年秋天你生病时，上帝的天意安排是要你可以结出果子荣耀祂。{4T 83.2}[1]
§4
Dear Brother G: I feel very anxious that you should accept light and come out of darkness. You have been greatly tempted of Satan; he has used you as his instrument to hinder the work of God. He has thus far succeeded with you; but it does not follow that you should continue in the path of error. I look upon your case with great trembling. I know that God has given you great light. In your sickness last fall the providence of God was dealing with you that you might bear fruit to His glory. {4T 83.2}[1]
§5
不信在占据你的心灵，主便让你受苦，好使你得到所需的经验。祂祝福了我们为你献上的祈祷，并在应允我们的祈祷时祝福了你。主的意思是要使我们在爱与信任里心连心。圣灵和你的心同作了见证。上帝的能力应允祷告临到了你身上；但撒但带着试探来了，你却没有向他关闭心门。他便进来，而且非常忙碌。那恶者的计划是先对付一个人的心思，然后再藉着他对付别人。他就这样谋求在我们的影响最能兴旺圣工的地方阻碍我们的道路和工作。{4T 83.3}[2]
§6
Unbelief was taking possession of your soul, and the Lord afflicted you that you might gain a needed experience. He blessed us in praying for you, and He blessed you in answer to our prayers. The Lord designed to unite our hearts in love and confidence. The Holy Spirit witnessed with your spirit. The power of God in answer to prayer came upon you; but Satan came with temptations, and you did not close the door upon him. He entered and has been very busy. It is the plan of the evil one to work first upon the mind of one, and then, through him, upon others. He has thus sought to hedge up our way and hinder our labors in the very place where our influence should be most felt for the prosperity of the cause. {4T 83.3}[2]
§7
上帝使你参加某地的圣工是为了一个明智的目的；祂原是要你发现你品格中的缺陷并且克服它们。你知道当事情没有按照你的心意进行时，你就立马烦躁起来。但愿你能明白这一切的不耐烦和易怒的情绪必须予以克服，否则你的人生就必完全失败，你就会失去天国，你就会从未生在世上倒好。{4T 84.1}[3]
§8
The Lord brought you into connection with His work at ----- for a wise purpose; He designed that you should discover the defects in your character and overcome them. You know how quickly your spirit chafes when things do not move according to your mind. Would that you could understand that all this impatience and irritability must be overcome, or your life will prove an utter failure, you will lose heaven, and it would have been better had you never been born. {4T 84.1}[3]
§9
我们的案件正在天上的法庭中待决。我们在那里每天都在交账。各人要照自己的行为受报应。古人所献的燔祭及赎罪祭，若非出于正确的精神，所献的礼物就不蒙上帝悦纳。撒母耳曾说：“耶和华喜悦燔祭和平安祭，岂如喜悦人听祂的话呢？听命胜于献祭，顺从胜于公羊的脂油”（撒上15:22）。地上一切的钱财，不能购买上帝的福气，也不能保证你得到一次胜利。{4T 84.2}[4]
§10
Our cases are pending in the court of heaven. We are rendering our accounts there day by day. Everyone will be rewarded according to his works. Burnt offerings and sacrifices were not acceptable to God in ancient times unless the spirit was right with which the gift was offered. Samuel said: Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. All the money on earth cannot buy the blessing of God nor ensure you a single victory. {4T 84.2}[4]
§11
许多人愿意作出任何牺牲，但却有一件是他们应当牺牲的，那就是降服自己，使自己的心意顺服上帝的旨意。基督对祂的门徒说道：“你们若不回转，变成小孩子的样式，断不得进天国”（太18:3）。这是一个谦卑的教训。我们都必须谦卑如小孩子，方可承受天国。{4T 84.3}[5]
§12
Many would make any and every sacrifice but the very one they should make, which is to yield themselves, to submit their wills to the will of God. Said Christ to His disciples: Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Here is a lesson in humility. We must all become humble as little children in order to inherit the kingdom. {4T 84.3}[5]
§13
我们的天父鉴察人心，祂知道人的品性，比他们自己更加清楚。祂见到一些人有感情，有能力，若是引入正轨，就可用来荣耀祂，帮助推进祂的工作。祂使这些人受磨练，且在祂智慧天意的安排下，使他们进入不同的位置，经受各种各样的环境，试炼他们，好显明他们的内心如何，和他们自己所不知道的品格上的弱点。祂赐他们机会去纠正这些弱点，磨光其天性中的粗糙棱角，使他们配为祂服务，及至祂召呼他们行动时，他们就会欣然应命，而天上的使者也可与人类协力同工，进行那在地上必须完成的工作。上帝对于自己所将降以大任的人，必本其慈悲，揭露他们隐匿的缺点，使他们可以内省，严格审查自己心中复杂的情感与思绪，并察觉自己在哪些方面有过错，这样，他们就可调整自己的性情，使自己举止文雅。主本着其美意安置人于某种境地，以便试验他们的道德能力，揭示他们行为的动机，使他们可以增进正确的东西，除去错误的东西。上帝希望祂的仆人熟悉自己心中的道德机能。为达此目的起见，祂常容许苦难之火临到他们，好使他们成为纯净。“祂来的日子，谁能当得起呢？祂显现的时候，谁能立得住呢？因为祂如炼金之人的火，如漂布之人的碱。祂必坐下如炼银子的，必洁净利未人，熬炼他们象金银一样，他们就凭公义献供物给耶和华”（玛3:2,3）。{4T 84.4}[6]
§14
Our heavenly Father sees the hearts of men, and He knows their characters better than they themselves know them. He sees that some have susceptibilities and powers, which, directed in the right channel, might be used to His glory to aid in the advancement of His work. He puts these persons on trial and in His wise providence brings them into different positions and under a variety of circumstances, testing them that they may reveal what is in their hearts and the weak points in their characters which have been concealed from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunities to correct these weaknesses, to polish off the rough corners of their natures, and to fit themselves for His service, that when He calls them to action they will be ready, and that angels of heaven may unite their labor with human effort in the work that must be done upon the earth. To men whom God designs shall fill responsible positions, He in mercy reveals their hidden defects, that they may look within and examine critically the complicated emotions and exercises of their own hearts, and detect that which is wrong; thus they may modify their dispositions and refine their manners. The Lord in His providence brings men where He can test their moral powers and reveal their motives of action, that they may improve what is right in themselves and put away that which is wrong. God would have His servants become acquainted with the moral machinery of their own hearts. In order to bring this about, He often permits the fire of affliction to assail them that they may become purified. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiners fire, and like fullers soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. {4T 84.4}[6]
§15
上帝子民的炼净工作，非经过苦难不得成功。上帝让苦难之火烧化渣滓，将废物从宝贵之物中分出，而使纯净的金属发出光来。祂使我们经过一场又一场的火炼，试验我们的真正价值。我们若受不住这些磨练，在大艰难之日又将怎么办呢？如果顺境或逆境可揭发我们心中的虚伪，骄傲或自私自利，那么，在上帝要用火试炼各人的行为，及使人心中的一切隐情暴露之时，我们又该如何行呢？{4T 85.1}[7]
§16
The purification of the people of God cannot be accomplished without their suffering. God permits the fires of affliction to consume the dross, to separate the worthless from the valuable, that the pure metal may shine forth. He passes us from one fire to another, testing our true worth. If we cannot bear these trials, what will we do in the time of trouble? If prosperity or adversity discover falseness, pride, or selfishness in our hearts, what shall we do when God tries every mans work as by fire, and lays bare the secrets of all hearts? {4T 85.1}[7]
§17
真正的美德是乐于接受考验的；如果我们讨厌被主检查，我们的情形就实在是严重的。上帝是洁净和炼净人心的；在洪炉烈焰之中，渣滓就要从基督徒品格的真金真银中永远分别出来。耶稣监视着这种试炼。祂知道需要什么来炼净这宝贵的金属，使之可以返照出祂神圣之爱的光芒来。{4T 85.2}[8]
§18
True grace is willing to be tried; if we are loath to be searched by the Lord, our condition is serious indeed. God is the refiner and purifier of souls; in the heat of the furnace the dross is separated forever from the true silver and gold of the Christian character. Jesus watches the test. He knows what is needed to purify the precious metal that it may reflect the radiance of His divine love. {4T 85.2}[8]
§19
上帝藉着严密的，试验人的磨练，藉着向祂的子民显明他们的软弱与无能，也藉着教导他们依靠祂，以祂为唯一的帮助和保障，使祂的子民亲近祂。于是祂的目的就达到了。他们已预备好，可应付每一急需，担任重要的职位，并得主所赐的能力去完成上帝伟大的旨意。上帝使人受磨练，左试验，右试验，这样就叫人受了教育，训练，及管教。人类的代表及元首，我们的救赎主耶稣，也曾忍受这种试验的过程。祂所受的苦，过于所能叫我们受的。祂担当我们的软弱，并象我们一样凡事受过试探。祂并不是因为自己的缘故，而是为我们的罪受这样的苦；现今我们靠赖我们的得胜者的功劳，也可奉祂的名成为得胜者。{4T 86.1}[9]
§20
God brings His people near Him by close, testing trials, by showing them their own weakness and inability, and by teaching them to lean upon Him as their only help and safeguard. Then His object is accomplished. They are prepared to be used in every emergency, to fill important positions of trust, and to accomplish the grand purposes for which their powers were given them. God takes men upon trial; He proves them on the right hand and on the left, and thus they are educated, trained, disciplined. Jesus, our Redeemer, mans representative and head, endured this testing process. He suffered more than we can be called upon to suffer. He bore our infirmities and was in all points tempted as we are. He did not suffer thus on His own account, but because of our sins; and now, relying on the merits of our Overcomer, we may become victors in His name. {4T 86.1}[9]
§21
上帝的炼化洁净工作必须进行，直到祂仆人成为非常谦卑、向自我死去的人，以致在奉命积极服务之时，他们只举目专注于主的荣耀。那时祂就要悦纳他们的努力；他们必不由于冲动而行动轻率，他们必不作试探及情欲的奴隶，也不作撒但所燃欲火之心的门徒，以致唐突冒失，害及主的圣工。唉，上帝的圣工被人执拗的心意和顽强的脾气所玷污，这是何其可怕啊！人随从自己刚愎的情欲而行，为自己招致何等多的苦难啊！上帝使人一再经过这一境遇，并加增压力，直到人完全谦卑及使品格变化，以致与基督及天庭的精神相符合，他们也就成了胜过自己的得胜者了。{4T 86.2}[10]
§22
Gods work of refining and purifying must go on until His servants are so humbled, so dead to self, that, when called into active service, their eye will be single to His glory. He will then accept their efforts; they will not move rashly, from impulse; they will not rush on and imperil the Lords cause, being slaves to temptations and passions and followers of their own carnal minds set on fire by Satan. Oh, how fearfully is the cause of God marred by mans perverse will and unsubdued temper! How much suffering he brings upon himself by following his own headstrong passions! God brings men over the ground again and again, increasing the pressure until perfect humility and a transformation of character bring them into harmony with Christ and the spirit of heaven, and they are victors over themselves. {4T 86.2}[10]
§23
上帝已从各种境遇中召呼人来，加之以磨练试验，看他们要发展何等的品格，看他们是否可靠，能坚守某地的堡垒，并看他们是否愿意补足该处的人所已有的缺欠，是否能以这些人的失败为前车之鉴，避免仿效那不配参加上帝至圣工作之人的榜样。主曾以不断的警告，督责和劝勉追随某地的人。祂曾倾降大光给那些在教会中任职的人，使他们看明前途。但他们若是情愿照自己的聪明行事，讥诮主的光，象扫罗所行的一样，他们就必趋入歧途，并牵连教会遭遇困难了。光明与黑暗已摆在他们面前，但他们却往往选取黑暗。{4T 86.3}[11]
§24
God has called men from different states, and has been testing and proving them to see what characters they would develop, to see if they could be trusted to keep the fort at -----, and to see whether or not they would supply the deficiencies of the men already there, and, seeing the failures that these men have made, would shun the example of those who are not fit to engage in the most sacred work of God. He has followed men at ----- with continual warnings, reproof, and counsel. He has poured great light about those who officiate in His cause there, that the way may be plain before them. But if they prefer to follow after their own wisdom, scorning the light, as did Saul, they will surely go astray and involve the cause in perplexity. Light and darkness have been set before them, but they have too often chosen the darkness. {4T 86.3}[11]
§25
致老底嘉的信息适用于自称相信现代真理的上帝子民，他们大部分人是不冷不热、徒有其名却无热心的信徒。上帝表示祂要那些在此工作大中心的人们，纠正其现在的情形，并在他们责任的岗位上作忠心的哨兵。祂已把各方面的光都赐给他们，并按情形的需要教导，鼓励和坚固他们。虽然这样，但那些本该忠诚真实、在基督徒的热心中火热、脾气温良、切心认识和爱护耶稣的人，却显出是在帮助仇敌削弱上帝正用来增进圣工的人，使他们灰心。这种“温水”的说法正适用于这等人。他们口称爱护真理，但在基督徒的热诚与献身上却有缺欠。他们不敢全然放弃真理而冒不信之徒的危险，但也不愿向自己死去，严格实行他们信仰的原则。{4T 87.1}[12]
§26
The Laodicean message applies to the people of God who profess to believe present truth. The greater part are lukewarm professors, having a name but no zeal. God signified that He wanted men at the great heart of the work to correct the state of things existing there and to stand like faithful sentinels at their post of duty. He has given them light at every point, to instruct, encourage, and confirm them, as the case required. But notwithstanding all this, those who should be faithful and true, fervent in Christian zeal, of gracious temper, knowing and loving Jesus earnestly, are found aiding the enemy to weaken and discourage those whom God is using to build up the work. The term lukewarm is applicable to this class. They profess to love the truth, yet are deficient in Christian fervor and devotion. They dare not give up wholly and run the risk of the unbeliever, yet they are unwilling to die to self and follow out closely the principles of their faith. {4T 87.1}[12]
§27
老底嘉教会信徒的唯一希望就是看清自己在上帝面前的真实状况，认识到自己病情的性质。他们既不冷也不热，处于中间状态，同时却自以为一无所缺。那位诚信真实见证者憎恨这种如温水的情形。祂厌恶这等人的漠不关心。祂说道：“我巴不得你或冷或热”（启3:15）。他们如同温水，很是叫祂倒胃。他们既非全不关心，又非自私顽梗。他们没有全然热心参加上帝的工作，与教会利益与共，反而冷淡漠视，并在私人世俗利益需要之时，便放弃其职守岗位。他们心中缺乏恩典的内在工作；圣经提到这种情形说：“你说，我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺；却不知道你是那困苦，可怜，贫穷，瞎眼，赤身的”（启3:17）。{4T 87.2}[13]
§28
The only hope for the Laodiceans is a clear view of their standing before God, a knowledge of the nature of their disease. They are neither cold nor hot; they occupy a neutral position, and at the same time flatter themselves that they are in need of nothing. The True Witness hates this lukewarmness. He loathes the indifference of this class of persons. Said He: I would thou wert cold or hot. Like lukewarm water, they are nauseous to His taste. They are neither unconcerned nor selfishly stubborn. They do not engage thoroughly and heartily in the work of God, identifying themselves with its interests; but they hold aloof and are ready to leave their posts when their worldly personal interests demand it. The internal work of grace is wanting in their hearts; of such it is said: Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. {4T 87.2}[13]
§29
信心和爱心才是真正的财富，也就是诚信真实见证者忠告那似温水之人要去买的纯金。我们无论在世俗的财利上如何富足，我们的一切财富都买不到那救治“如温水”这种心病的良方。智力和属世的财富，不能除去老底嘉教会的缺点，或治好他们悲惨的境况。他们是瞎眼的，却觉得是富裕。上帝的灵没有照亮他们的心思，他们看不出自己的罪孽；因此便不觉得自己需要帮助。{4T 88.1}[14]
§30
Faith and love are the true riches, the pure gold which the True Witness counsels the lukewarm to buy. However rich we may be in earthly treasure, all our wealth will not enable us to buy the precious remedies that cure the disease of the soul called lukewarmness. Intellect and earthly riches were powerless to remove the defects of the Laodicean church, or to remedy their deplorable condition. They were blind, yet felt that they were well off. The Spirit of God did not illumine their minds, and they did not perceive their sinfulness; therefore they did not feel the necessity of help. {4T 88.1}[14]
§31
没有上帝之灵的美德，实是悲惨的；但若如此缺乏基督和灵性，而又自以为义地告诉那些警告我们的人，说我们不需要他们的担心和怜悯，这种情形就更加可怕了。自欺在人心上的魔力，是多么可怕啊！这是何等的盲目！以光为暗，以暗为光！那诚信真实见证者劝我们向祂买火炼的金子，白衣和眼药。这里所推荐的火炼的金子就是信心和爱心。它使人的心富足，因为它曾被熬炼直到炼净。它越经磨练，其光华就越发灿烂。白衣是指品格的纯洁，基督赐给罪人之义。这真是天庭所织就的衣袍，只能向基督买到的甘心顺从的一生。眼药就是智慧和恩典，能使我们分辨善恶，发现各式伪装的罪恶。上帝已赐教会眼目，祂要他们以智慧来涂润眼目，使他们能看得清楚；然而许多人若是能行，竟情愿剜出教会的眼睛来；因为他们不愿自己的行为敞露在光明之下，免得他们受责备。这种神圣的眼药会使人悟性清晰。基督是一切美德的宝库。祂说：“向我买。”{4T 88.2}[15]
§32
To be without the graces of the Spirit of God is sad indeed; but it is a more terrible condition to be thus destitute of spirituality and of Christ, and yet try to justify ourselves by telling those who are alarmed for us that we need not their fears and pity. Fearful is the power of self-deception on the human mind! What blindness! setting light for darkness and darkness for light! The True Witness counsels us to buy of Him gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and eyesalve. The gold here recommended as having been tried in the fire is faith and love. It makes the heart rich; for it has been purged until it is pure, and the more it is tested the more brilliant is its luster. The white raiment is purity of character, the righteousness of Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of heavenly texture, that can be bought only of Christ for a life of willing obedience. The eyesalve is that wisdom and grace which enables us to discern between the evil and the good, and to detect sin under any guise. God has given His church eyes which He requires them to anoint with wisdom, that they may see clearly; but many would put out the eyes of the church if they could; for they would not have their deeds come to the light, lest they should be reproved. The divine eyesalve will impart clearness to the understanding. Christ is the depositary of all graces. He says: Buy of Me. {4T 88.2}[15]
§33
有人也许说，这是藉着我们的善行，抬举自己的功劳，以期得到上帝的悦纳。诚然，我们不能用自己的善行买到一次的胜利，然而我们若没有这些善行，就不能成为得胜的人。基督所推荐给我们的买，只是遵照祂所给我们的条件去行而已。那有无法估计的价值，能经得起各种苦难的逆境考验的真正文雅，只有藉着信心，谦卑和常常祈祷的顺从，才可得到。那些能经得起苦难逼迫的试炼及能证明其纯正忠诚的恩典，乃是历经火炼终显精纯的金子。基督向人售卖这种宝贵的财宝：“我劝你向我买火炼的金子”（启3:18）。麻木无心地执行责任，并不能使我们成为基督徒。我们应当离开如温水的情况，经验真正的悔改，否则我们便不得进天国。{4T 89.1}[16]
§34
Some may say it is exalting our own merits to expect favor from God through our good works. True, we cannot buy one victory with our good works; yet we cannot be victors without them. The purchase which Christ recommends to us is only complying with the conditions He has given us. True grace, which is of inestimable value, and which will endure the test of trial and adversity, is only obtained through faith and humble, prayerful obedience. Graces that endure the proofs of affliction and persecution, and evidence their soundness and sincerity, are the gold which is tried in the fire and found genuine. Christ offers to sell this precious treasure to man: Buy of Me gold tried in the fire. The dead, heartless performance of duty does not make us Christians. We must get out of a lukewarm condition and experience a true conversion, or we shall fail of heaven. {4T 89.1}[16]
§35
我蒙指示，知道上帝在祂子民之中的美意，且蒙指示看到每一场加于自称基督徒者身上的试炼，净炼的过程，总要验出有些人是渣滓。真金未必总是显露出来。在每一次宗教危机中，总有些人在试探之下跌倒。在上帝的筛动之下，许多人便被筛掉象枯干的树叶一样。顺境可增加大批的挂名者，逆境却把他们从教会中清除。这一等人都没有为上帝坚立的精神。他们离开我们，是因为他们不是属于我们的，及至为道经受逼迫苦难之时，许多人就会跌倒。{4T 89.2}[17]
§36
I was pointed to the providence of God among His people and was shown that every trial made by the refining, purifying process upon professed Christians proves some to be dross. The fine gold does not always appear. In every religious crisis some fall under temptation. The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves. Prosperity multiplies a mass of professors. Adversity purges them out of the church. As a class, their spirits are not steadfast with God. They go out from us because they are not of us; for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, many are offended. {4T 89.2}[17]
§37
且让这些人回想一下，在数月之前他们判断别人的情形；其实那些人的处境，也正如他们现在的处境一样。再让他们细细地回忆一下，当时自己的心思是怎样思想那些被试探的人。如果那时有人对他们说，不管你们现在怎样热心努力帮助别人行正道，最后你们自己也要落在这同样的黑暗光景之中，他们便要象古时哈薛对先知所说的话一样，说：“你仆人算什么，不过是一条狗；焉能行这大事呢”（王下8:13）？{4T 89.3}[18]
§38
Let these look back a few months to the time when they were sitting on the cases of others who were in a condition similar to that which they now occupy. Let them carefully call to mind the exercise of their minds in regard to those tempted ones. Had anyone told them then that notwithstanding their zeal and labor to set others right, they would at length be found in a similar position of darkness, they would have said, as did Hazael to the prophet: Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? {4T 89.3}[18]
§39
他们是在自欺。在平静之日，他们显得何等坚决！何等勇敢的水手！及至试探磨炼的暴风大作，看哪！他们的心灵之舟失事了！人们虽有优越的恩赐，美好的才干，杰出的资格，但若有一个缺点，纵容一项秘密的罪，结果必向其品格显出好似虫蛀之板对船只的影响一样，那就是灭顶之灾！{4T 90.1}[19]
§40
Self-deception is upon them. During the calm, what firmness they manifest! what courageous sailors they make! But when the furious tempests of trial and temptation come, lo! their souls are shipwrecked. Men may have excellent gifts, good ability, splendid qualifications; but one defect, one secret sin indulged, will prove to the character what the worm-eaten plank does to the ship--utter disaster and ruin! {4T 90.1}[19]
§41
亲爱的弟兄啊，上帝按祂的天意安排把你从你的农场带到某地，要使你经受你在原来的地方遇不到的考验和试炼。祂已赐给你一些督责的证言，你虽自称接受了，在情绪上却一直因受责备而生气。你就象那些不再与耶稣同行的人，因为耶稣将严格实际的真理加在了他们身上。你没有持定信心以纠正品格中显露出来的缺陷。你没有在上帝面前谦卑自己骄傲的精神。你已与在督责中显现的上帝之灵开战。你未被征服的属肉体的心不服控制。你没有自律。你未受控制的脾气、你不顺从的精神已一次又一次地完全控制了你。这样一个冲动不驯的人怎能生活在纯洁的天使中间呢？你自己也知道，这样的人是不能进入天国的。既然这样，你就要尽快纠正自己本性的邪恶。要悔改，变成小孩子的样式。{4T 90.2}[20]
§42
Dear brother, God in His providence brought you from your farm to ----- to bear the tests and trials which you could not have where you were. He has given you some testimonies of reproof, which you professedly accepted; but your spirit was continually chafed under rebuke. You are like those who walked no more with Jesus after He brought close, practical truths to bear upon them. You have not taken hold in faith to correct the defects marked out in your character. You have not humbled your proud spirit before God. You have stood at warfare against the Spirit of God as revealed in reproof. Your carnal, unsubdued heart is not subject to control. You have not disciplined yourself. Time and again your uncontrolled temper, your spirit of insubordination, has gained complete mastery over you. How can such an impulsive, unsubdued soul live among the pure angels? It cannot be admitted into heaven, as you yourself know. If so, you cannot begin too soon to correct the evil in your nature. Be converted, and become as a little child. {4T 90.2}[20]
§43
弟兄啊，你有妄自尊大的精神，自视甚高。这一切都必须抛弃。你的亲友们已经学会害怕你这些脾气的爆发。你慈爱虔诚的母亲已经尽力安慰你，纵容你，设法消除每一个会引发你这种自我冒头，不受控制之性情的缘由。但是诱哄、恳求和寻求安慰已使你认为这种冲动的脾气是无药可救的，你的朋友们有责任容忍这种脾气。这一切的宠爱和原谅不但没有治好你的坏脾气，反而纵容了它。{4T 90.3}[21]
§44
Brother, you are proud-spirited, lofty in your thoughts and ideas of yourself. All this must be put away. Your relatives have learned to fear these outbreaks of temper. Your tender, God-fearing mother has done her best to soothe and indulge you, and has tried to remove every cause that would produce this self-rising, this uncontrollable disposition in her son. But coaxing, pleading, and seeking to pacify have led you to consider that this impulsive temper is incurable and that it is the duty of your friends to bear with it. All this petting and excusing has not remedied the evil, but rather given it license. {4T 90.3}[21]
§45
你没有与这种邪恶的精神作战并且胜过它。你一遇到反对，就被激怒，足以使你忘记自己按照上帝的形像和样式受造的男子气概。你已可悲的污损了那个形像。你没有自制，也没有力量控制自己的意志。你向来刚愎任性，屈服于撒但的势力。你每一次放纵情欲和让自己作王，使你的感情和判断失控，都加强了你顽固不受控制的意志。主看到你没有自知之明，你若不本着真光看到自己和自己行为的罪恶，你若不看到你每次因爆发而增强的脾气在上帝眼中多么可恼，就必定不能在髑髅地受苦的人子旁边得到一席之地。{4T 91.1}[22]
§46
You have not fought with this wicked spirit and conquered it. When your way has been crossed you have felt the provocation sufficiently to forget your manhood and that you were created in the image of God and after His likeness. You have sadly defaced and marred that image. You have not had self-control nor power over your will. You have been headstrong, and have yielded to the power of Satan. Every time that you have given up to passion and self-rule, and let your feelings run away with your judgment, it has strengthened that set, uncontrolled will. The Lord saw that you did not know yourself, and that unless you saw yourself and the sinfulness of your course in the true light; unless you saw how aggravating in the sight of God were these outbreaks of temper which strengthened at every exhibition, you would surely fail of gaining a seat by the side of the suffering Man of Calvary. {4T 91.1}[22]
§47
G弟兄啊，上帝要求你悔改归正，变成小孩子的样式。真理若不对你的生活发挥成圣的影响以塑造你的品格，你就不能承受上帝的国。主本着祂的美意让你更直接地参加祂的事业和工作。祂接受你，象接受一个未经训练的士兵，刚到部队，且使你受管制负责任，经历训练的过程。开始的时候你行事高尚，努力在自己的岗位上尽忠。那时你前所未有地经受了考验。但撒但带着他似是而非的试探来了，你就成了那些试探的掠物。主可怜了你，伸手要救你。祂给了你丰富的经验，你却没有照着所应该的受益。你象以色列人一样，很快就忘记了上帝的作为和祂的大怜悯。G弟兄，上帝应允了祈祷使你起来了，延长了你的寿命；你却让嫉妒和猜忌入了自己的心，大大使祂不悦。祂定意把你带到你可以发展品格的地方，在那里你可以看到和纠正自己的缺点。{4T 91.2}[23]
§48
God calls upon you, Brother G, to repent and be converted, and become as a little child. Unless the truth has a sanctifying influence upon your life to mold your character, you will fail of an inheritance in the kingdom of God. The Lord in His providence selected you to be more directly connected with His cause and work. He took you, like an undisciplined soldier, new to the army, and brought you under rules, regulations, and responsibilities, and through the drilling process. At first you did nobly and tried to be faithful at your post. You bore trial better than ever before in your life. But Satan came with his specious temptations, and you fell a prey to them. The Lord pitied you and laid His hand upon you to save you. He gave you a rich experience, which you have not profited by as you should have done. Like the children of Israel, you soon forgot the dealings of God and His great mercies. Brother G, you were raised up in answer to prayer, and God gave you a new lease of life; but you have let jealousy and envy into your soul, and have greatly displeased Him. He designed to bring you where you would develop character, where you would see and correct your defects. {4T 91.2}[23]
§49
你儿童和青少年时期的教育和训练有一个显然的失败。你现在不得不学习自制的重要功课，这是你早该学会的。上帝把你带到了环境会改变，祂的圣灵能训练你的地方，以便你获得道德力和自制力，好使你成为得胜者。需要最坚强的努力，最坚韧稳定的决心和最强壮的精力，才能控制自我。长久以来，你的精神受到约束就恼火，你的意志一受到反对，就象困狮一样脾气大发。你父母本应帮助你受到的教育，你现在必须完全独自获得。嫩枝尚幼小时，原本容易弯折；但是现在它已长得粗糙弯曲强壮，工作就难做多了！你的父母容许它这样不成形；现在只有靠上帝的恩典，结合你自己坚持不懈的努力，才能战胜你的意志。藉着基督的功劳，你可以去掉那些给心灵留下丑陋和疤痕，使品格畸形的东西。你必须抛弃旧人和旧人的错误，并且披上新人——基督耶稣。要接受祂的生活为你的向导，这样，你的才干和理智才会专诚侍奉上帝。{4T 92.1}[24]
§50
There was a decided failure in your education and discipline during childhood and youth. You now have to learn the great lessons of self-control which ought to have been mastered in earlier days. God brought you where your surroundings would be changed and where you could be disciplined by His Holy Spirit, that you might acquire moral power and self-control to make you a conqueror. It will require the strongest effort, the most persevering and unfaltering determination, and the strongest energy to control self. Your spirit has long chafed under restraint, and your temper has raged like a caged lion when your will has been crossed. The education which your parents should have assisted you to obtain must now be gained wholly by yourself. When young and small the twig might have been easily bent; but now, after it has grown gnarled and crooked and strong, how difficult the task! Your parents permitted it to be thus deformed; and now only by the grace of God, united with your own persistent efforts, can you become conqueror over your will. Through the merits of Christ you may part with that which scars and deforms the soul, and which develops a misshapen character. You must put away the old man with his errors and take the new man, Christ Jesus. Adopt His life as your guide then your talents and intellect will be devoted to Gods service. {4T 92.1}[24]
§51
只要母亲们以智慧、从容和决心行事，训练和折服自己儿女属肉体的脾气，就有多少罪恶会防于未然，给教会省却多少麻烦啊！多少现在悲惨不幸的家庭就会快乐幸福啊！由于父母忽视适当地训练自己的儿女，教导他们在幼年就顺服权威，许多生灵会永远沦丧。宠爱犯错的人和安慰发脾气的人并不是把斧子放在恶根上，而是证明了成千上万人的毁灭。父母们为这样可怕地忽视自己的职责要向上帝作怎样的交代啊！{4T 92.2}[25]
§52
Oh, if mothers would only work with wisdom, with calmness and determination, to train and subdue the carnal tempers of their children, what an amount of sin would be nipped in the bud, and what a host of church trials would be saved! How many families that are now miserable would be happy! Many souls will be eternally lost because of the neglect of parents to properly discipline their children and to teach them submission to authority in their youth. Petting faults and soothing outbreaks is not laying the ax at the root of the evil, but proves the ruin of thousands of souls. Oh, how will parents answer to God for this fearful neglect of their duty! {4T 92.2}[25]
§53
G弟兄，你喜爱居首指挥别人，但你自己不愿受人指挥。你的骄傲如火一点就着。专爱自己和傲慢的精神是你品格中不受控制的成分，妨碍属灵的进步。那些有这种性情的人必须热心地把握这工作并且向自我死，否则他们就必丧失天国。上帝一点不与这些成分妥协，象宠爱、犯错的父母那样。{4T 92.3}[26]
§54
Brother G, you are willing to stand at the head and dictate to others, but you will not be dictated to yourself. Your pride fires in a moment at the attempt. Self-love and a haughty spirit are unruly elements in your character, hindering spiritual advancement. Those who have this temperament must take hold of the work zealously and die to self, or they will lose heaven. God makes no compromise with this element, as do fond, mistaken parents. {4T 92.3}[26]
§55
在我最近的异象中，我蒙指示看到，你若拒绝责备和纠正，偏行己路，不愿受训练，上帝就不会在祂的圣工中更多使用你。你若曾开始下工夫摆正自己的心灵与主的关系，原会看到有一项大工要为你自己做成，你就不会花那么多时间去注意H弟兄假想的错误，在他背后仔细研究那些错误了。最近三十年的工作应该使你对H弟兄的正直有信心。“当恭敬的，恭敬他”（罗13:7）。{4T 93.1}[27]
§56
In my last vision I was shown that if you refuse reproof and correction, choose your own way, and will not be disciplined, God has no further use for you in connection with His holy work. If you had commenced the work of setting your own soul right with the Lord you would have seen so great a work to be done for yourself that you would not have spent so much time over the supposed wrongs of Brother H, dwelling upon them behind his back. The work of the last thirty years should inspire confidence in the integrity of Brother H. Honor to whom honor is due. {4T 93.1}[27]
§57
凡负重责的人应当不断进步。他们不应专靠以往的经验，觉得不必成为科学的工人。人在初生于世之时，是上帝造物之中最无力而又有最倔强之本性的，虽然这样，人仍是能够不断进步的。他也许可受科学的开导，因美德而成为高贵，在智力和道德的尊严上进步，直到智慧美满，品格纯全，仅次于天使的美满纯全。真理之光照耀在人的脑中，上帝之爱充分显明在他们的心上，他们要变成何等的人物，可从事何等大的工作，我们无法想象。{4T 93.2}[28]
§58
Men in responsible positions should improve continually. They must not anchor upon an old experience and feel that it is not necessary to become scientific workers. Man, although the most helpless of Gods creatures when he comes into the world, and the most perverse in his nature, is nevertheless capable of constant advancement. He may be enlightened by science, ennobled by virtue, and may progress in mental and moral dignity, until he reaches a perfection of intelligence and a purity of character but little lower than the perfection and purity of angels. With the light of truth shining upon the minds of men, and the love of God shed abroad in their hearts, we cannot conceive what they may become nor what great work they may do. {4T 93.2}[28]
§59
我知道人心盲目，不知自己的真实情况；但我却不能撇下你而不努力帮助你。我们爱你，并愿意见你前进达于胜利。耶稣爱你。祂为你舍命；祂希望你得救。我们无意把你留在某地；但我们却愿意你用心作一番彻底的工作，矫正每一错行，并使出每一分的力量去管制自己，免得你失了天国；这是你担不起的。为基督的缘故，务要抵挡魔鬼，魔鬼就必离开你逃跑了。{4T 93.3}[29]
§60
I know that the human heart is blind to its own true condition, but I cannot leave you without making an effort to help you. We love you, and we want to see you pressing on to victory. Jesus loves you. He died for you, and He wants you to be saved. We have no disposition to hold you in -----; but we do want you to make thorough work with your own soul, to right every wrong there, and make every effort to master self, lest you miss heaven. This you cannot afford to do. For Christs sake, resist the devil, and he will flee from you. {4T 93.3}[29]