第31章 诚实交易
§1
第31章 诚实交易
§2
Chap. 31 - Uprightness in Deal
§3
G弟兄：我在最近的异象中，蒙指示看到了你的情况。我看到你爱你所信奉的真理，可是你没有因真理而成圣。你的感情在事奉上帝和玛门之间分配。这种感情的分配成为你担任上帝传道工作的障碍。你自称从事上帝的圣工，可你的自私自利却妨碍了你的工作，大大损害了你的影响。上帝不能与你同工，因为你的心在祂面前不正。{4T 350.1}[1]
§4
Brother G: In my last vision your case was shown me. I saw that you love the truth which you profess, but you are not sanctified through it. Your affections have been divided between the service of God and of mammon. This division of affection stands as a barrier in the way of your being a missionary for God. While professedly serving the cause of God, self-interest has marred your work and greatly injured your influence. God could not work with you, because your heart was not right with Him. {4T 350.1}[1]
§5
从言语而论，你一直对真理深感兴趣，可是在以行为表显信心方面，你却十分亏欠。你没有正确地表显我们的信仰。你因表现出贪得而损害了上帝的事业。你爱交易和争执，这对你和与你接触之人的灵性却没有好处。你在交易中十分刻薄，常常有欺诈行为。你特别精于讨价还价，关心自己的利益胜于别人的利益。如果一个人要做与自己不利的事，你又可以因此获益，你就让他这样做。这不符合黄金律，即你要人怎样待你，你也怎样待人。{4T 350.2}[2]
§6
So far as words go, you have been deeply interested in the truth; but when it comes to showing your faith by works, there has been a great lack. You have not correctly represented our faith. You have injured the cause of God by your manifest love of gain; and your love to trade and bicker has not been for your good, nor for the spiritual health of those with whom you are brought in contact. You are a sharp man in trade, and you often overreach. You have peculiar tact for looking out for the best end of the bargain, watching for your own good rather than that of others. If a man would cheat himself, and you were to be advantaged thereby, you have let him do it. This is not following the golden rule, doing unto others as you would wish them to do by you. {4T 350.2}[2]
§7
你一方面从事传道工作，一方面又表现自己精于买卖。这样的结合很不相称。你应当在两样中选一样，“若耶和华是上帝，就当顺从耶和华，若巴力是上帝，就当顺从巴力。”“今日就可以选择所要事奉的”（王上18:21;书24:15）。上帝决不会悦纳你一方面从事文字和布道工作，一方面又唯利是图。你正处在危险中，把得利算为敬虔。那试探者将向你提供迷人的诱惑，让你喜欢，诱使你放纵算计的精神，以击杀你的灵性。{4T 350.3}[3]
§8
While engaged in the missionary work, you have at the same time manifested your scheming propensities in buying and selling. This makes a poor combination. You should be one thing or the other. If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. Choose you this day whom ye will serve. God will not accept your labors in the tract and missionary work while you are scheming to advantage yourself. You are in danger of counting gain as godliness. The tempter will present flattering inducements before you to fascinate you and allure you on to indulge a spirit of scheming which will kill your spirituality. {4T 350.3}[3]
§9
世人和天使都看你为一个刻薄的人，唯利是图而不细心考虑你所接触之人的利益。在你的经营活动中，有一种不诚实的倾向败坏心灵，破坏宗教经验，影响在恩典里成长。你正以敏锐的生意眼光看着得利的最好机会。这种算计的倾向已成了你的第二本性。你没有看到和认识到放纵它的害处。{4T 351.1}[4]
§10
The world, angels, and men look upon you as a sharper, as a man who is studying his own interest and securing advantages to himself without looking carefully and conscientiously after the interest of those with whom he deals. In your business life there is a vein of dishonesty that tarnishes the soul and dwarfs religious experience and growth in grace. You are watching with keen business eye the best chance to secure a bargain. This scheming propensity has become second nature with you, and you do not see and realize the evil of encouraging it. {4T 351.1}[4]
§11
你本可以公正地经营，使自己和别人都得到好处，让你的业务有良好的信誉。你若因着真理而成圣，主就会接受你的服务，使用你的才能和敏锐的观察力，从事救灵的工作。贪图利益的欲望是与圣灵作对的。多年的习惯和教养已在你的品格中留下不良的痕迹，使你无法胜任上帝的圣工。你常有一种做交易的欲望，若奉献事奉上帝，这会使你成为一个真诚而坚持不懈的主的工人。可是由于滥用了这种能力，以致危害了你自己的心灵，令别人也处在因你的影响而丧亡的危险之中。{4T 351.2}[5]
§12
Business which you may engage in fairly and squarely, advantaging others as well as yourself, would be all right so far as dealing honorably is concerned; but the Lord would have accepted your service and used your powers, your keen perceptions, in securing the salvation of souls, had you been sanctified through the truth. The desire of the eye in the love of gain has warred against the Spirit. The habits and culture of years have left their deforming impress upon your character, and have been disqualifying you for Gods work. You have a constant, longing desire to traffic. If sanctified to the service of God, this would make you an earnest, persevering laborer for the Master; but, abused as it has been, it has endangered your own soul, and others also are in danger of being lost through your influence. {4T 351.2}[5]
§13
有时你的理智和良心抗议，你也觉得因自己的行为受了责备；你的心灵渴望圣洁和天国的保证；世界的喧嚣在你看来是可厌的，你便把它弃置一旁而珍爱上帝的灵。然后，你属世的爱好又来了，而且支配了一切。你必定要对付撒但的袭击，你应藉着坚定地抑制自己的倾向爱好来为这些袭击作好准备。{4T 351.3}[6]
§14
At times reason and conscience remonstrate, and you feel rebuked because of your course; your soul longs after holiness and the surety of heaven; the din of the world looks repulsive to you, and you put it aside and cherish the Spirit of God. Then, again, your worldly propensity comes in, and overrules everything. You will surely have to meet the assaults of Satan, and you should prepare for them by firmly resisting your inclination. {4T 351.3}[6]
§15
使徒保罗被监禁在散发着潮气的狱墙里，遭受着疾病之苦。他很想见到他在福音里的儿子提摩太，给他留下了临终的嘱托。他没有脱离捆锁的指望，直到他牺牲性命为止。恶王尼禄的心是十足邪恶的，他说一句话或点一下头，使徒的性命就保不住了。保罗敦促提摩太马上就来，却又担心他会来得不够快，不能亲耳听到他口中所说最后的证言。所以他就向一个蒙允许与他同坐监的同工重述了要对提摩太讲的话。这个忠实的陪伴写下了保罗临终的嘱托，我们在这里引用其中的一小部门：{4T 352.1}[7]
§16
While the apostle Paul was immured in prison walls that were reeking with dampness, himself a sufferer from infirmities, he greatly desired to see Timothy, his son in the gospel, and leave him his dying charge. He had no hope of release from his bondage until his life should be yielded up. The wicked Neros heart was thoroughly satanic, and at a word or a nod from him the apostles life would be cut short. Paul urged the immediate presence of Timothy, and yet feared he would not come soon enough to receive the last testimony from his lips. He therefore repeated the words he would speak to Timothy, to one of his fellow laborers, who was allowed to be his companion in bonds. This faithful attendant wrote the dying charge of Paul, a small portion of which we here quote: {4T 352.1}[7]
§17
“但那些想要发财的人，就陷在迷惑、落在网罗和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。贪财是万恶之根。有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。但你这属上帝的人要逃避这些事，追求公义、敬虔、信心、爱心、忍耐、温柔。你要为真道打那美好的仗，持定永生。你为此被召，也在许多见证人面前，已经作了那美好的见证。”“你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，也不要倚靠无定的钱财；只要倚靠那厚赐百物给我们享受的上帝。又要嘱咐他们行善，在好事上富足，甘心施舍，乐意供给人，为自己积成美好的根基，预备将来，叫他们持定那真正的生命。”“你在许多见证人面前听见我所教训的，也要交托那忠心能教导别人的人。你要和我同受苦难，好像基督耶稣的精兵。凡在军中当兵的，不将世务缠身，好叫那招他当兵的人喜悦。人若在场上比武，非按规矩，就不能得冠冕”（提前6:9-12；17-19；提后2:2-5）。一个人可能是贪财的，却藉口说自己是在从事上帝的圣工。不过他是得不到奖赏的，因为上帝不需要巧取豪夺或欺蒙拐骗得来的钱财。{4T 352.2}[8]
§18
They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. A man may be avaricious, and yet excuse himself by saying that he is working for the cause of God; but he obtains no reward, for God does not want money that is obtained by overreaching or by any semblance of dishonesty. {4T 352.2}[8]
§19
保罗进一步敦促提摩太：“你要赶紧的到我这里来。因为底马贪爱现今的世界，就离弃我往帖撒罗尼迦去了”（提后4:9,10）。这些话是保罗去世之前口述，由路加写下来的，为要叫我们得到益处和警告。{4T 353.1}[9]
§20
Paul further urges Timothy: Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica. These words, dictated by Paul just prior to his death, were written by Luke [THE SUBSTITUTION OF THE NAME OF MARK FOR THAT OF LUKE IN THE FIRST EDITION WAS AN ERROR OF THE PRINTER, AND NOT OF THE MANUSCRIPT. A FEW SIMILAR ERRORS HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED AND CORRECTED IN THIS REVISION.] for our profit and warning. {4T 353.1}[9]
§21
基督教训祂的门徒说：“我是真葡萄树，我父是栽培的人。凡属我不结果子的枝子，祂就剪去；凡结果子的，祂就修理干净（修剪），使枝子结果子更多”（约15:1-2）。人若与基督联合，吸收葡萄树的汁液和滋养，就必行基督所行的。基督之爱必须在他里面，否则他便不能在葡萄树里面。爱上帝超过一切，并且爱人如己，乃是真信仰的基础。{4T 353.2}[10]
§22
Christ, in teaching His disciples, said: I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it [pruneth it], that it may bring forth more fruit. He who is united to Christ, partaking of the sap and nourishment of the Vine, will work the works of Christ. The love of Christ must be in him or he cannot be in the Vine. Supreme love to God, and love to your neighbor equal to that which you bear to yourself, is the basis of true religion. {4T 353.2}[10]
§23
基督对每一位信奉祂名的人发问说：“你爱我吗？”如果你爱耶稣，也必爱祂为之舍命的人。一个人外表可能不是很令人愉快，或许在许多方面有缺憾，但他若有正直诚实的名誉，就会得到别人的信任。爱真理的心和别人对他的依赖信任的心，就会消除或压服他品格中讨厌的特色。忠实于你的职守和恩召，甘心克己以造福他人，就会使你心思安宁且蒙上帝眷爱。{4T 353.3}[11]
§24
Christ inquires of everyone professing His name: Lovest thou Me? If you love Jesus you will love the souls for whom He died. A man may not bear the most pleasant exterior, he may be deficient in many respects; but if he has a reputation for straightforward honesty, he will gain the confidence of others. The love of truth, the dependence and confidence which men can place in him, will remove or overbear objectionable features in his character. Trustworthiness in your place and calling, a willingness to deny self for the purpose of benefiting others, will bring peace of mind and the favor of God. {4T 353.3}[11]
§25
凡紧跟他们克己牺牲之救赎主脚踪的人，必拥有基督的心志，并在日常生活和品格上发出纯洁和基督之爱的光辉，同时必有温柔和真理指引他们的道路。凡结果子的枝子，祂就修理干净，使枝子结果子更多。即使是结果子的枝子，也可能因过分炫耀而掩盖了其真实的状况。基督徒可能为主做了一点工，但还没有达到应做的一半！于是祂就修理他们，因为世俗，自我放纵和骄傲在他们的生活中出现了。栽培的人要从树枝上剪去多余的，吸收地上脏物的茎须。这样就使它们结出更多的果子来。这些障碍都必须清除，有瑕疵的生长过度的部分也必须剪净，使公义日头医治的光线能够照射进来。{4T 354.1}[12]
§26
Those who will walk closely in the footsteps of their self-sacrificing, self-denying Redeemer will have the mind of Christ reflected in their minds. Purity and the love of Christ will shine forth in their daily lives and characters, while meekness and truth will guide their way. Every fruitful branch is pruned, that it may bring forth more fruit. Even fruitful branches may display too much foliage and appear what they really are not. The followers of Christ may be doing some work for the Master and yet not be doing half what they might do. He then prunes them, because worldliness, self-indulgence, and pride are cropping out in their lives. Husbandmen clip off the surplus tendrils of the vines that are grasping the rubbish of earth, thus making them more fruitful. These hindering causes must be removed and the defective overgrowth cut away, to give room for the healing beams of the Sun of Righteousness. {4T 354.1}[12]
§27
上帝有意藉着基督使堕落的人类经过另一场考验。许多人误解了自己受造的目的。那就是造福同胞，荣耀上帝，而不是为了自己的享受和荣耀。上帝经常修理祂的子民，剪除多余的密茂枝条，使它们结出荣耀祂的果子来，不至于只长叶子。上帝利用忧伤、失望和痛苦来修剪我们，为要削弱品格上顽固的性情，使优美的品质有机会发展。偶像必须抛弃，良心必须变得更加容易受到感动，心中的意念必须属灵，整个品格必须均衡。凡真心渴望荣耀上帝的人，必要感谢每一偶像及每一罪恶的揭发，使他们可以看明这些罪恶而清除之；但是那些分心不专的人，却会求放纵而不求舍己。{4T 354.2}[13]
§28
God purposed through Christ that fallen man should have another trial. Many misunderstand the object for which they were created. It was to bless humanity and glorify God, rather than to enjoy and glorify self. God is constantly pruning His people, cutting off profuse, spreading branches, that they may bear fruit to His glory and not produce leaves only. God prunes us with sorrow, with disappointment and affliction, that the outgrowth of strong, perverse traits of character may be weakened and that the better traits may have a chance to develop. Idols must be given up, the conscience must become more tender, the meditations of the heart must be spiritual, and the entire character must become symmetrical. Those who really desire to glorify God will be thankful for the exposure of every idol and every sin, that they may see these evils and put them away; but the divided heart will plead for indulgence rather than denial. {4T 354.2}[13]
§29
那似乎枯干的枝子，如果与活葡萄树相联，就成为树的一部分。纤维接纤维，脉胳接脉胳，紧连在葡萄树上，直到它从母干上吸收生命和滋养。那接种的枝条就发芽，开花，结果。那死在罪孽过犯中的人，若要与上帝和好，与基督的生命和喜乐有分，也必须经过类似的过程。嫁接的枝子与葡萄树相联之后，就吸收葡萄树的生命；照样，罪人一旦与基督联合，就与上帝的性情有分。有限的人类与无穷的上帝联合起来。有了这样的联合，基督的道就常存我们的心中。我们不再受制于变幻不定的情感，而是受活泼常存的原则所支配。我们要思念基督的道，珍藏宝爱于心，而不应如鹦鹉般重述，不存记在心，也不在内心和生活上受其感化。{4T 354.3}[14]
§30
The apparently dry branch, by being connected with the living vine, becomes a part of it. Fiber by fiber, and vein by vein, it adheres to the vine till it derives its life and nourishment from the parent stock. The graft buds, blossoms, and produces fruit. The soul, dead in trespasses and sins, must experience a similar process in order to be reconciled to God and to become a partaker of Christs life and joy. As the graft receives life when united to the vine, so the sinner partakes of the divine nature when connected with Christ. Finite man is united with the infinite God. When thus united, the words of Christ abide in us, and we are not actuated by a spasmodic feeling, but by a living, abiding principle. The words of Christ must be meditated upon and cherished and enshrined in the heart. They should not be repeated, parrot-like, finding no place in the memory and having no influence over the heart and life. {4T 354.3}[14]
§31
枝子须生存于树上，取得养生所需的汁液，才能发长，照样，凡爱上帝和守祂一切话的人，也必须住在祂的爱中。离开了基督，我们就不能克服任何罪恶，也不能胜过最小的试探。许多人需要基督之灵与其能力来开导他们的悟性，正如瞎子巴底买需要重见光明一样。“枝子若不常在葡萄树上，自己就不能结果子；你们若不常在我里面，也是这样”（约15:4）。凡真正在基督里面的人，就必体验到这种联合之益。天父在祂爱子里接纳他们，他们就成为祂关心，爱护，怜惜的对象了。人与基督这样结合，会导致心地纯洁，生活庄重，品格无疵。基督徒树上所结的果子，就是“仁爱，喜乐，和平，忍耐，恩慈，良善，信实，温柔，节制”（加5:22-23）。{4T 355.1}[15]
§32
As the branch must abide in the vine to obtain the vital sap which causes it to flourish, so those who love God and keep all His sayings must abide in His love. Without Christ we cannot subdue a single sin or overcome the smallest temptation. Many need the Spirit of Christ and His power to enlighten their understanding, as much as blind Bartimaeus needed his natural sight. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. All who are really in Christ will experience the benefit of this union. The Father accepts them in the Beloved, and they become objects of His solicitude and tender, loving care. This connection with Christ will result in the purification of the heart and in a circumspect life and faultless character. The fruit borne upon the Christian tree is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. {4T 355.1}[15]
§33
我的弟兄，你需要密切与上帝联络。你有一些品格特性是你要负责任的。你的能力用在了错误的用途上。上帝无法赞同你的做法。你的标准是属世的，并不是基督在祂的生活中所赐给我们的标准。你用世人的眼光看问题，用他们不圣洁的判断辨别是非。你的心灵必须得以洁净，脱离世人的污染影响。你再三背离了严格的纯正，你虽自诩做到了严格的纯正，实际却没有做到。你在交易上的每一个巧取豪夺的行为，都会减损你在天国的赏赐，因为你已在地上得了你的赏赐。每一个人都要照他所行的受报。{4T 355.2}[16]
§34
My brother, you need a close connection with God. You have traits of character for which you are responsible. Your powers have been put to a wrong use. God cannot approve your course. Your standard is that of the worldling, and not that which Christ has given us in His life. You have looked through the eyes of the world and discerned with their unsanctified judgment. Your soul must be cleansed from the polluting influence of the world. You have repeatedly deviated from strict integrity for that which you flattered yourself was gain, but which was really loss. Every act of overreaching in deal will detract from your reward in heaven, should you gain that home. Every man will receive his reward as his works have been. {4T 355.2}[16]
§35
你没有时间可以浪费，而应做出殷勤的努力，去克服你明显的品格特性，这些品性若是得到纵容，就会使你不能进入荣耀之门。你担不起丧失天国。你现在需要在自己的言行上做出坚决的改变，克服你贪财的精神，将你的思想转入成圣真理的渠道。简而言之，你应该成为一个非常坚定诚实的人，以致爱财的心不会引诱你，试探不会胜过你。上帝要求凡自称在祂名下的人都要严格地忠于真理。这样的人就象没有失味的盐，象一盏明灯照耀在道德的黑暗和世界的欺骗中。{4T 356.1}[17]
§36
You have no time to lose, but should make diligent efforts to overcome the marked traits in your character, which, if indulged, will close the doors of glory against you. You cannot afford to lose heaven. You now need to make a decided change in your words and deeds, to overcome your avaricious spirit, and to turn your thoughts into the channel of sanctified truth. In short, you need to be transformed. Then God will accept your labors in His cause. You should be a man of such undeviating veracity that the love of gain will not seduce you and no temptation overcome you. The Lord requires of all who profess His name a strict adherence to truth. This will be as salt which has not lost its savor, as a light amid the moral darkness and deception of the world. {4T 356.1}[17]
§37
基督说：“你们是世上的光”（太5:14）。那些确实与上帝联络的人，藉着反照天上的亮光，会在教会里和世界上拥有一种拯救的能力；因为好行为和诚实举动的香气会使他们有好名声，甚至在那些与我们信仰不同的人中间有好名声。那些敬畏上帝的人会敬重和尊荣有这种品格的人；甚至敌对我们信仰的人，在看到他们的日常作为中展现的基督的精神和生活时，也会归荣耀于上帝，因为上帝乃是他们的力量和荣誉之源。{4T 356.2}[18]
§38
Ye are the light of the world, says Christ. Those who are truly connected with God, by reflecting the light of heaven will have a saving power in the church and also in the world; for the perfume of good deeds and truthful acts will make them of good repute, even among those who are not of our faith. Those who fear God will respect and honor such a character; and even the enemies of our faith, as they see the spirit and life of Christ exhibited in their daily works, will glorify God, the source of their strength and honor. {4T 356.2}[18]
§39
我的弟兄啊，你原应该在多年前就真实地悔改归向真理，全然献身于上帝的工作。原应用来丰富你在属上帝的事和在祂圣工中的实际工作经验的宝贵年月已经浪费了。你现在虽应该能教导别人，但你自己却没能充分认识真理。你现在应该对真理有经验上的认识，有资格向世人传警告的信息。你几乎一直不能服务上帝的圣工，因为你一直心不专诚；你一直在计划算计，又买又卖，伺候饭食。{4T 356.3}[19]
§40
You, my brother, should have been truly converted to the truth and wholly given to the work of God years ago. Precious years, which should have been rich with experience in the things of God and in practical labor in His cause, have been lost. Whereas you should now be able to teach others, you have failed to come to the full knowledge of the truth yourself. You ought now to have an experimental knowledge of the truth and be qualified to bear the message of warning to the world. Your services have been nearly lost to the cause of God because your mind has been divided; you have been planning and scheming, buying and selling, serving tables. {4T 356.3}[19]
§41
世界的霉菌蒙蔽了你的悟性，败坏了你的智力，以致你微薄的努力一直不蒙上帝悦纳。要你是断绝了自己投机的嗜好，在相反的方向努力，现在就会富有神圣的知识，且在一般的属灵事物上进步，但你却一直在丧失属灵的能力，在宗教经验上发育不全。{4T 357.1}[20]
§42
The mildew of the world has clouded your perception and perverted your intellect, so that your feeble efforts have not been acceptable offerings to God. Had you divorced yourself from your speculating propensities, and worked in the opposite direction, you would now be enriched with divine knowledge and would be a gainer in spiritual things generally, whereas you have been losing spiritual power and dwarfing your religious experience. {4T 357.1}[20]
§43
我们与天父和祂的儿子耶稣基督相交，会提高我们的身份，使我们享受莫可言喻、充满荣耀的喜乐。食物、衣服、地位和财富，固然有其价值；但与上帝交往和与祂神圣的性情有分的价值却是无可估量的。我们的生命应该和基督一起藏在上帝里面；虽然“将来如何，还未显明”，但“基督是我们的生命，祂显现的时候”，“我们必要像祂”（约壹3:2；西3:4）。基督化品格君王式的尊严必象太阳照耀出来，从基督脸上发出的光辉，也必反射在那些洁净自己象祂洁净一样的人身上。作上帝儿女的特权，即使花上我们所拥有的一切，甚至是生命本身来购买，也是太便宜了。{4T 357.2}[21]
§44
To have fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ is to be ennobled and elevated, and made a partaker of joys unspeakable and full of glory. Food, clothing, station, and wealth may have their value; but to have a connection with God and to be a partaker of His divine nature is of priceless value. Our lives should be hid with Christ in God; and although it doth not yet appear what we shall be, when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. The princely dignity of the Christian character will shine forth as the sun, and the beams of light from the face of Christ will be reflected upon those who have purified themselves even as He is pure. The privilege of becoming sons of God is cheaply purchased, even at the sacrifice of everything we possess, be it life itself. {4T 357.2}[21]
§45
我亲爱的弟兄，你应该定意作一个合上帝心意的人。别人冒险去做去说的任何不严格符合基督徒标准的事，都不应作为你的藉口。你必须站在全地的审判者面前，不必为别人作交待，而是要为你自己作交待。我们都有个人的责任，任何一个人的品格缺陷都一点儿不能为我们的罪过开脱；因为基督已在祂的品格中给了我们一个完美的模范，没有瑕疵的人生。{4T 357.3}[22]
§46
My dear brother, you should set your face to be a man after Gods own heart. What others may venture to do or say that is not strictly in accordance with the Christian standard should be no excuse for you. You must stand before the Judge of all the earth, not to answer for another, but for yourself. We have an individual responsibility, and no mans defects of character will be the least excuse for our guilt; for Christ has given us in His character a perfect pattern, a faultless life. {4T 357.3}[22]
§47
众生之敌非常顽固地攻击我们所信奉的真理，任何偏离正义的行为都给真理带来羞辱。我们主要的危险在于转意离开基督。耶稣的名有能力驱退撒但的试探，并且为我们竖起旌旗抵挡他。心灵只要安稳信靠赎罪的功效和能力，就会坚持原则稳如泰山，撒但及其使者的一切权势都不能动摇其纯正。那在耶稣里的真理象一道火墙，围绕着依靠耶稣的心灵。试探会不断向我们涌来，因为我们在世上的宽容时期要受到各种试探的考验。这是上帝的检验，显明我们心内如何。受到试探并不是罪；但我们若屈服于试探，罪就来了。{4T 357.4}[23]
§48
The most persistent attacks of the enemy of souls are made upon the truth we profess, and any deviation from the right reflects dishonor upon it. Our chief danger is in having the mind diverted from Christ. The name of Jesus has power to drive back the temptations of Satan and lift up for us a standard against him. So long as the soul rests with unshaken confidence in the virtue and power of the atonement, it will stand firm as a rock to principle, and all the powers of Satan and his angels cannot sway it from its integrity. The truth as it is in Jesus is a wall of fire around the soul that clings to Him. Temptations will pour in upon us, for by them we are to be tried during our probation upon earth. This is the proving of God, a revelation of our own hearts. There is no sin in having temptations; but sin comes in when temptation is yielded to. {4T 357.4}[23]
§49
你的才能和技巧若是象你用来获得和增加属世财产那样，多多用于拯救生灵和向那些处在黑暗中的人散布真理，你在荣耀之国中的喜乐冠冕上原会有许多星星。只有很少的人侍奉上帝象侍奉他们现世的利益一样忠心。要有坚定的意志才有把握完成想达到的目标。许多人没有意识到，在上帝的工作中，象在他们自己现世的业务中一样，辨识力、灵巧和熟练都是必不可少的。那些自称相信真理之人的心思意念应当得到提升、精练，使之高贵而属灵。为这件重大的事训练自己心智的工作被严重忽略了。上帝的工作以很糟糕的方式办得疏忽懈怠，因为人们往往随从了心血来潮，而不是成圣的原则和圣洁的目标。{4T 358.1}[24]
§50
If your aptness and skill had been as much exercised in saving souls, and in disseminating the truth to those who are in darkness, as it has been to get gain and to increase your earthly possessions, you would have many stars in the crown of your rejoicing in the kingdom of glory. There are but few who are as faithful in the service of God as they are in serving their own temporal interests. A resolute purpose is sure to accomplish the desired end. Many do not feel that it is essential to be as discriminating, apt, and accomplished in the work of God as in their own temporal business. The mind and heart of those who profess to believe the truth should be elevated, refined, ennobled, and spiritualized. The work of educating the mind for this great and important matter is fearfully neglected. The work of God is done negligently, slothfully, and in a most bungling manner, because so often left to the caprice of feeling, rather than to sanctified principle and holy purpose. {4T 358.1}[24]
§51
凡明白上帝旨意的人，非常需要学习在祂的圣工中作成功的工人。他们应当是富有涵养，善解人意，没有俗人装腔作势的虚情假意，却表显出属天的修养和真正的礼貌。这种礼貌是每一个与上帝性情有分的基督徒所必有的。遵守安息日的人若缺乏真正的尊严和基督化的文雅，是对我们教会不利的，且会使我们所宣扬的真理失去香气。心胸和举止的涵养会使人日臻完善。相信真理的人如果不充分利用一切机会和特权在基督耶稣里长大成人，就不能尊荣真理的事业和基督。{4T 358.2}[25]
§52
There is the greatest necessity that men and women who have a knowledge of the will of God should learn to become successful workers in His cause. They should be persons of polish, of understanding, not having the deceptive outside gloss and simpering affectation of the worldling, but that refinement and true courteousness which savors of heaven, and which every Christian will have if he is a partaker of the divine nature. The lack of true dignity and Christian refinement in the ranks of Sabbathkeepers is against us as a people and makes the truth which we profess unsavory. The work of educating the mind and manners may be carried forward to perfection. If those who profess the truth do not now improve their privileges and opportunities to grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus, they will be no honor to the cause of truth, no honor to Christ. {4T 358.2}[25]
§53
我的弟兄啊，要是你象关注得利那样忠诚地研究了圣经，你现在原会在上帝的道上成为有才能的人，也能教导别人。你没有资格教导别人真理是你自己的过错。你没有培养那些会使你能为主聪明、成功、属灵工作的才能。你在属世的交易上贪得和精明的品性，在买和卖、及在讨价还价上占便宜方面大大得到了发展。你不但没有坚固自己，使弟兄姐妹和朋友们信任你是一个确实有高尚品格的人，超脱一切吝啬和贪婪，反而使他们害怕你。你的宗教信仰一直被用来获得弟兄们的信任，好实行你精明的交易和给自己省钱。你常做这事，以致成了你的第二天性，而你却没有意识到自己的做法在别人看来如何。你若要抵消已经发挥的同基督和真理分散的影响，就必须以真敬虔为你今后生活的明显标志。{4T 359.1}[26]
§54
If you, my brother, had studied the Holy Scriptures as faithfully as you have watched to get gain, you would now be an able man in the word of God and able also to teach others. It is your own fault that you are not qualified to teach the truth to others. You have not been cultivating that set of faculties which will make you an intelligent, successful, spiritual worker for your Master. Such traits of character as acquisitiveness and shrewdness in worldly dealing have been exercised so much that your mind has been largely developed in the direction of buying and selling, and getting the best end of the bargain. Instead of establishing yourself in the confidence of your brethren and sisters and friends as a man who possesses true nobility of character, elevating you above all smallness and avariciousness, you make them afraid of you. Your religious faith has been used to secure the confidence of your brethren that you might practice your sharp dealing and make a saving. This has been done so much by you that it has become second nature, and you do not realize how your course appears to others. True godliness must mark all your future life and course of action if you would counteract the influence you have exerted to scatter from Christ and the truth. {4T 359.1}[26]
§55
你和上帝及同胞的关系要求你在自己的生活中作出一番改变。世界的救赎主在山边宝训中指示：“无论何事，你们愿意人怎样待你们，你们也要怎样待人，因为这就是律法和先知的道理”（太7:12）。这句话对我们有最高的价值，是用来衡量我们行为的一条黄金律。这是诚实的真正准则。这句话意义深远，要求我们要象若是处在邻舍的境况就会希望他们对待我们那样去对待他们。{4T 359.2}[27]
§56
Your relation to God and your fellow men demands a change in your life. In the Sermon on the Mount the injunction of the worlds redeemer was: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. These words are of the highest value to us, a golden rule given us by which to measure our conduct. This is the true rule of honesty. Very much is comprehended in these words. We are here required to deal with our neighbors as we would wish them to deal with us were we in their circumstances. {4T 359.2}[27]
§57
1878年11月24日写于得克萨斯州普莱诺。{4T 359.3}[28]
§58
Plano, Texas, Nov. 24, 1878. {4T 359.3}[28]