第46章 不合圣经的婚姻
§1
第46章 不合圣经的婚姻
§2
Chap. 46 - Unscriptural Marriages
§3
我们正生活在末后的日子，婚姻的疯狂现象已成了基督快来的时兆之一。人在这些事上，并没有向上帝请教，反而牺牲了信仰，本分，和原则，随从不圣洁之心的冲动。这种结合是不应大事铺张和兴高采烈的。这种婚姻而能有美满快乐的结果，蒙上帝的嘉许，使上帝更得荣耀的，还不到百分之一。不良婚姻的恶果数不胜数。他们是由于冲动而结合，几乎没有冷静地进行考虑，还认为与有经验的人商量是过时了。{4T 503.3}[1]
§4
We are living in the last days, when the mania upon the subject of marriage constitutes one of the signs of the near coming of Christ. God is not consulted in these matters. Religion, duty, and principle are sacrificed to carry out the promptings of the unconsecrated heart. There should be no great display and rejoicing over the union of the parties. There is not one marriage in one hundred that results happily, that bears the sanction of God, and places the parties in a position better to glorify Him. The evil consequences of poor marriages are numberless. They are contracted from impulse. A candid review of the matter is scarcely thought of, and consultation with those of experience is considered old-fashioned. {4T 503.3}[1]
§5
感情冲动和不圣洁的情欲代替了纯洁的爱。许多人只求满足自己的幻想而结婚，结果，危害了自己的心灵，招来了上帝的咒诅。我蒙指示看到一些人的情形。他们虽自称相信真理，却因与不信的人结婚而铸下大错。他们抱着不信的一方会接受真理的希望；但不信的一方在达到目的之后，却比之前离真理更远了。然后仇敌就开始用狡猾的手段，持续的努力，吸引信主的一方离开真道。{4T 504.1}[2]
§6
Impulse and unsanctified passion exist in the place of pure love. Many imperil their own souls, and bring the curse of God upon them, by entering into the marriage relation merely to please the fancy. I have been shown the cases of some who profess to believe the truth, who have made a great mistake by marrying unbelievers. The hope was cherished by them that the unbelieving party would embrace the truth; but after his object is gained, he is further from the truth than before. And then begin the subtle workings, the continued efforts, of the enemy to draw away the believing one from the faith. {4T 504.1}[2]
§7
许多人因为与不信的人密切联合，现在正对真理失去兴趣和信心。他们呼吸怀疑、质问、不忠不信的空气。他们所见所闻，都是疑惑不信，终于心中存下不信之念。虽然有些人也许有勇气抗拒这些影响，但在许多情形下却是他们的信仰不知不觉被损害了，终至于败坏。于是撒但的计划就成功了。他借着他的使者暗暗地进行，在信徒想到自己漂流到何处之前，已把真理与信仰的栏栅拆除尽净了。{4T 504.2}[3]
§8
Many are now losing their interest and confidence in the truth because they have taken unbelief into close connection with themselves. They breathe the atmosphere of doubt, of questioning, of infidelity. They see and hear unbelief, and finally they cherish it. Some may have the courage to resist these influences, but in many cases their faith is imperceptibly undermined and finally destroyed. Satan has then succeeded in his plans. He has worked through his agents so silently that the barriers of faith and truth have been swept away before the believing ones have had any thought of where they were drifting. {4T 504.2}[3]
§9
与世俗结合是一件危险的事。撒但深知许多青年男女一旦结婚，就结束了他们的宗教经验和有为生涯。他们不再属于基督了。他们也许一时还要努力过基督徒的生活，但是他们的一切努力却被一种坚定的相反影响所抵消。他们曾一度有权且乐于述说自己的信心和希望，但不久他们就不愿意提到这个话题了，因为知道他们的终身伴侣对此不感兴趣。撒但就是这样阴险地在他们周围布下了怀疑的网罗。于是他们对宝贵真理的信心就从心中消失了。{4T 504.3}[4]
§10
It is a dangerous thing to form a worldly alliance. Satan well knows that the hour that witnesses the marriage of many young men and women closes the history of their religious experience and usefulness. They are lost to Christ. They may for a time make an effort to live a Christian life, but all their strivings are made against a steady influence in the opposite direction. Once it was a privilege and joy to them to speak of their faith and hope; but they become unwilling to mention the subject, knowing that the one with whom they have linked their destiny takes no interest in it. As the result, faith in the precious truth dies out of the heart, and Satan insidiously weaves about them a web of skepticism. {4T 504.3}[4]
§11
合法的事，行之过度便会酿成大罪。那些自称信仰真理的人，因与不信的人结婚，践踏了上帝的旨意，就失去了祂的眷爱，而难以悔改。不信的一方也许具有极好的道德品质，但他或她没有回应上帝的要求，并忽略这么伟大的救恩，这就足以作为不进行这种结合的理由了。不信一方的品格，可能象圣经上所提到的那个少年人一样，耶稣对他说：“你还缺少一件”（可10:21）；这一件却是必需的。{4T 505.1}[5]
§12
It is carrying that which is lawful to excess that makes it a grievous sin. Those who profess the truth trample on the will of God in marrying unbelievers; they lose His favor and make bitter work for repentance. The unbelieving may possess an excellent moral character; but the fact that he or she has not answered to the claims of God, and has neglected so great salvation, is sufficient reason why such a union should not be consummated. The character of the unbelieving may be similar to that of the young man to whom Jesus addressed the words, One thing thou lackest; that was the one thing needful. {4T 505.1}[5]
§13
往往有人为不信者辩护，说他对宗教素具好感，只差这一点——他不是基督徒，在其他各方面他都是一个理想的配偶。虽然信徒的更佳判断力可能提出与不信之人终身结合是不适宜的，但十之八九爱情会占上风。在坛旁宣誓的那一刻，属灵的堕落便开始了；宗教的热忱冷淡了，保障一个接一个地倾倒了，终于双方并肩立于撒但的黑旗之下。即使在婚宴之中，属世的精神也胜过了良知、信心和真理。在新家庭内，祈祷的时辰也不受重视了。新娘与新郎均已择定了对方，而将耶稣排挤出去了。{4T 505.2}[6]
§14
The plea is sometimes made that the unbeliever is favorable to religion and is all that could be desired in a companion except in one thing--he is not a Christian. Although the better judgment of the believer may suggest the impropriety of a union for life with an unbeliever, yet, in nine cases out of ten, inclination triumphs. Spiritual declension commences the moment the vow is made at the altar; religious fervor is dampened, and one stronghold after another is broken down, until both stand side by side under the black banner of Satan. Even in the festivities of the wedding, the spirit of the world triumphs against conscience, faith, and truth. In the new home the hour of prayer is not respected. The bride and bridegroom have chosen each other and dismissed Jesus. {4T 505.2}[6]
§15
起初，不信的一方或许在这新的关系中不会表现出反对的态度，可是当圣经的真理被提出来作为注意和思考的题旨时，立刻就会出现这样的情绪：“你在和我结婚的时候，已经知道我是怎样的人，我不愿意受到搅扰。从今以后，你要明白，一切有关这种奇特见解的谈论，都请你免开尊口。”如果信的一方对于自己的信仰要表现特殊的热忱，在那对基督徒经验毫无兴趣的一方看来，就似乎是一种不体谅之举。{4T 505.3}[7]
§16
At first the unbelieving one may make no show of opposition in the new relation; but when the subject of Bible truth is presented for attention and consideration, the feeling at once arises: You married me, knowing that I was what I am; I do not wish to be disturbed. From henceforth let it be understood that conversation upon your peculiar views is to be interdicted. If the believer should manifest any special earnestness in regard to his faith, it might seem like unkindness toward the one who has no interest in the Christian experience. {4T 505.3}[7]
§17
那信的一方声辩说，自己现在既与人有了新的关系，便应该对自己所选的配偶让步几分。于是就屈尊俯就交际及世俗的娱乐。在开始之时，或许觉得行这些事很是勉强，但到了后来，对于真理的兴趣就越变越少，不信及疑惑之念也就取代信心了。谁也不会猜想到，这位一度很坚固很忠直的信徒，虔诚的基督徒，竟会变成象现在那样疑惑摇动的人。唉，这就是不明智的婚姻所引起的改变啊！{4T 506.1}[8]
§18
The believing one reasons that in his new relation he must concede somewhat to the companion of his choice. Social, worldly amusements are patronized. At first there is great reluctance of feeling in doing this, but the interest in the truth becomes less and less, and faith is exchanged for doubt and unbelief. No one would have suspected that the once firm, conscientious believer and devoted follower of Christ could ever become the doubting, vacillating person that he now is. Oh, the change wrought by that unwise marriage! {4T 506.1}[8]
§19
每一位基督徒在临到这种试炼的地步，要验明其宗教原则是否坚定之时，该如何行呢？他应当用值得效法的坚决态度坦白地说明：“我是一个有良心的基督徒。我相信每周的第七日是圣经的安息日。我们的信仰及原则是引导人走向相反方向的。我们在一起是不会幸福的，因为我若继续追求更完全地明白上帝的旨意，我就会变得越来越不象世界。如果你仍是看不出在基督里有什么可爱之处，在真理中有什么动人之点，那么，你就会爱我所不能爱的世界，同时我却会爱你所不能爱的属上帝的事。属灵的人才能看透属灵的事。没有属灵的眼光，你就看不出上帝对我的要求，也不明白我对于所事奉之主的义务；因此你必觉得我因宗教的本分而把你轻忽了。你不会快乐；你会妒忌，因为我把爱情献给上帝；同时我在宗教信仰上也会孤单。何时你改变眼光，何时你的心响应上帝的要求，并学会爱我的救主，然后我们的关系就可以重新开始。”{4T 506.2}[9]
§20
What ought every Christian to do when brought into the trying position which tests the soundness of religious principle? With a firmness worthy of imitation he should say frankly: I am a conscientious Christian. I believe the seventh day of the week to be the Sabbath of the Bible. Our faith and principles are such that they lead in opposite directions. We cannot be happy together, for if I follow on to gain a more perfect knowledge of the will of God, I shall become more and more unlike the world, and assimilated to the likeness of Christ. If you continue to see no loveliness in Christ, no attractions in the truth, you will love the world, which I cannot love, while I shall love the things of God, which you cannot love. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. Without spiritual discernment you will be unable to see the claims of God upon me, or to realize my obligations to the Master whom I serve; therefore you will feel that I neglect you for religious duties. You will not be happy; you will be jealous on account of the affections which I give to God; and I shall be alone in my religious belief. When your views shall change, when your heart shall respond to the claims of God, and you shall learn to love my Saviour, then our relationship may be renewed. {4T 506.2}[9]
§21
信徒这样为基督牺牲，就必得到自己良心的嘉许，并要显明他是重看永生，而不愿冒丧失它的危险。他觉得宁可不结婚，也比将自己终生的福利与一位选择世界而不选择耶稣且会引他离开基督十字架的人相结合还好。可惜人们还不明白与不信之人恋爱的危险。在青年人的心目中，婚姻披上浪漫的外衣，坠入情网之后，就想入非非，很难解脱，也难使他们明白婚约所包含的重大责任。婚约把二人的命运拴系在一起，非经死亡之手是不应分离的。{4T 506.3}[10]
§22
The believer thus makes a sacrifice for Christ which his conscience approves, and which shows that he values eternal life too highly to run the risk of losing it. He feels that it would be better to remain unmarried than to link his interest for life with one who chooses the world rather than Jesus and who would lead away from the cross of Christ. But the danger of giving the affections to unbelievers is not realized. In the youthful mind, marriage is clothed with romance, and it is difficult to divest it of this feature, with which imagination covers it, and to impress the mind with a sense of the weighty responsibilities involved in the marriage vow. This vow links the destinies of the two individuals with bonds which nought but the hand of death should sever. {4T 506.3}[10]
§23
一个寻求荣耀，尊贵，不朽，永生之人，岂可跟一个不肯与基督十字架的精兵为伍的人结合呢？你既自称是选择基督为你的主，并要在凡事上顺从祂，难道愿将自己的福利与那受黑暗权势之君所辖制的人联合吗？“二人若不同心，岂能同行呢”（摩3:3）？“若是你们中间有两个人在地上，同心合意地求什么事，我在天上的父，必为他们成全”（太18:19）。这两位关系如此亲密的人，当其中一位正专心灵修时，另一位却漠不关心；当其中一位正寻求永生之道时，另一位却走在通往死亡的宽路上。这是多么奇怪的现象啊！{4T 507.1}[11]
§24
Shall one who is seeking for glory, honor, immortality, eternal life, form a union with another who refuses to rank with the soldiers of the cross of Christ? Will you who profess to choose Christ for your master and to be obedient to Him in all things, unite your interests with one who is ruled by the prince of the powers of darkness? Can two walk together, except they be agreed? If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven. But how strange the sight! While one of those so closely united is engaged in devotion, the other is indifferent and careless; while one is seeking the way to everlasting life, the other is in the broad road to death. {4T 507.1}[11]
§25
有成千成百的人因为与未悔改的人结婚，而牺牲了基督和天国。他们怎能把基督的爱与友谊看得那么轻，宁愿与可怜必死的世人结伴呢？难道天国是那样的没有价值，以致他们情愿失去其福乐，而与一个不爱宝贵救主的人结合吗？{4T 507.2}[12]
§26
Hundreds have sacrificed Christ and heaven in consequence of marrying unconverted persons. Can it be that the love and fellowship of Christ are of so little value to them that they prefer the companionship of poor mortals? Is heaven so little esteemed that they are willing to risk its enjoyments for one who has no love for the precious Saviour? {4T 507.2}[12]
§27
婚姻生活的幸福与亨通，依赖于双方的团结一致。具有属肉体之心的人怎能与那以基督之心为心的人相和谐呢？一个是向情欲撒种，所想所行，都是依照自己心中的冲动；另一个是向圣灵撒种，设法抑制自私，战胜嗜好，并要度顺从主的生活，作他的仆人。这样，双方在兴趣，爱好和宗旨上，都永远难以相容的。除非信主的一方坚持原则，锲而不舍，战胜那不悔改的一方，他就不免会随波逐流，成为灰心的人，为一个与天国毫无连络的可怜配偶出卖了自己的宗教原则。{4T 507.3}[13]
§28
The happiness and prosperity of the married life depend upon the unity of the parties. How can the carnal mind harmonize with the mind that is assimilated to the mind of Christ? One is sowing to the flesh, thinking and acting in accordance with the promptings of his own heart; the other is sowing to the Spirit, seeking to repress selfishness, to overcome inclination, and to live in obedience to the Master, whose servant he professes to be. Thus there is a perpetual difference of taste, of inclination, and of purpose. Unless the believer shall, through his steadfast adherence to principle, win the impenitent, he will, as is much more common, become discouraged and sell his religious principles for the poor companionship of one who has no connection with heaven. {4T 507.3}[13]
§29
上帝严禁祂古代的子民与别国的人通婚。现今有人辩称，上帝那时所定的禁例，是为了预防希伯来人与拜偶像的人结婚，免得与外邦人的家族有关系。然而那时外邦人的境况却比现代不知悔悟的人还好，因为现今的人是虽有真理之光，却坚持不肯接受。今日的罪人远比外邦人更有罪，因为他四围已有福音之光清楚地照耀着。他违背良心，而且故意与上帝为敌。上帝禁止这些婚姻的理由乃是：“因为她必使你儿子转离不跟从主”（申7:4）。古代以色列人中，那些胆敢漠视上帝禁令的人，都曾牺牲了自己的宗教原则。所罗门就是一个例子，他的妻子们使他的心离开了上帝。{4T 508.1}[14]
§30
God strictly forbade the intermarrying of His ancient people with other nations. The plea is now offered that this prohibition was made in order to prevent the Hebrews from marrying idolaters and forming connections with heathen families. But the heathen were in a more favorable condition than are the impenitent in this age, who, having the light of truth, yet persistently refuse to accept it. The sinner of today is far more guilty than the heathen, because the light of the gospel shines clearly all around him. He violates conscience and is a deliberate enemy of God. The reason which God assigned for forbidding these marriages was: For they will turn away thy son from following Me. Those among ancient Israel who ventured to disregard the prohibition of God did it at the sacrifice of religious principle. Take the case of Solomon for example. His wives turned away his heart from his God. {4T 508.1}[14]