第49章 才能的改善
§1
第49章 才能的改善
§2
Chap. 49 - Improvement of Talents
§3
上帝要祂的信徒毕生在正确经验的指引和支配之下不断进步。真正的人是愿意牺牲自己的利益使别人得着好处，尽力使心碎的人得安慰的人。许多人几乎还没有开始明白人生的真谛，且因怀抱错误而牺牲了人生真实的和实质的东西。{4T 519.1}[1]
§4
God intends that improvement shall be the lifework of all His followers and that it shall be guided and controlled by correct experience. The true man is one who is willing to sacrifice his own interest for the good of others and who exercises himself in binding up the brokenhearted. The true object of life has scarcely begun to be understood by many, and that which is real and substantial in their life is sacrificed because of cherished errors. {4T 519.1}[1]
§5
尼禄和凯撒是世上公认的伟人，但上帝也这样看他们吗？不；他们没有凭活泼的信心与那伟大博爱的心联络。他们曾在世上，吃喝睡眠，与一般世人一样；但他们的残忍却如魔鬼。这些人性的怪物无论何往，他们的路径都留有血迹和毁坏。他们在世的时候虽受世人称赞；但他们一被埋葬，世人就欢喜快乐了。与这些人的生活形成对照的是路德的生活。他生来不是君王，也没有戴过王冠。他的声音从一个修道院的房间传出来，被人听到，他的影响也被人感受到了。他有仁慈的心肠，为人们的益处而尽心竭力。他勇敢地为真理和正义站立，对付世人的反对，以便使自己的同胞受益。{4T 519.2}[2]
§6
Nero and Caesar were acknowledged by the world as great men, but did God regard them as such? No; they were not connected by living faith to the great Heart of humanity. They were in the world, and ate, and drank, and slept, as men of the world; but they were satanic in their cruelty. Wherever these monsters of humanity went, bloodshed and destruction marked their pathway. They were lauded by the world while they were living; but when they were buried, the world rejoiced. In contrast with the lives of these men is that of Luther. He was not born a prince. He wore no royal crown. From a cloister cell his voice was heard and his influence felt. He had a humane heart, which was exercised for the good of men. He stood bravely for truth and right, and breasted the worlds opposition, that he might benefit his fellow men. {4T 519.2}[2]
§7
按照上帝的标准，仅有理智并不能造就人。理智如果由上帝的灵指导而成圣，就会产生一种力量。这种力量，比财富和身体的力量更为优越，可是它必须经过培养才能造就人。一个人所声称为人的权利，是由他对理智的使用决定的。拜伦拥有出色的智力和深邃的思想，但他按上帝的标准不算一个人。他是撒但的一个代理。他的情欲猛烈而不受控制。他一生都在撒播会开花结出败坏的种子。他人生的工作降低了德行的标准。这个人虽是世上著名的人，主却不会承认他是一个人，而不过是一个滥用了天赐才干者。怀疑论者吉本和其他曾蒙上帝赋予天才智力且被世人称作伟人的人，却集结在撒但的旗下，用上帝的恩赐曲解真理，毁灭人的灵魂。伟大的才智若用来服侍罪恶，就成了其拥有者和凡受其影响之人的咒诅。{4T 519.3}[3]
§8
Intellect alone does not make the man, according to the divine standard. There is a power in intellect if sanctified and controlled by the Spirit of God. It is superior to riches and to physical power, yet it must be cultivated in order to make the man. The right which one has to claim to be a man is determined by the use made of his intellect. Byron had intellectual conception and depth of thought, but he was not a man according to Gods standard. He was an agent of Satan. His passions were fierce and uncontrollable. Through his life he was sowing seed which blossomed into a harvest of corruption. His lifework lowered the standard of virtue. This man was one of the worlds distinguished men; still the Lord would not acknowledge him as a man, but only as one who had abused his God-given talents. Gibbon the skeptic, and many others whom God endowed with giant minds, and whom the world called great men, rallied under the banner of Satan and used the gifts of God for the perversion of truth and the destruction of the souls of men. Great intellect, when made a minister of vice, is a curse to the possessor and to all who come within the circle of its influence. {4T 519.3}[3]
§9
使人类蒙福的是属灵的生活。如果人与上帝协调一致，就会不断地倚靠祂取得力量。“所以你们要完全，象你们的天父完全一样”（太5:48）。我们毕生的工作乃是要向前达到基督徒品格的完全，力求不断遵行上帝的旨意。这种努力从地上开始，将继续下去直到永远。上帝对人的标准，提高到这个词的最高意义，如果人照上帝赐给人类的身份那样去做，就会促成今生的幸福，且会导致来生的荣耀和永恒的赏赐。{4T 520.1}[4]
§10
That which will bless humanity is spiritual life. If the man is in harmony with God, he will depend continually upon Him for strength. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. It is our lifework to be reaching forward to the perfection of Christian character, striving continually for conformity to the will of God. The efforts begun upon earth will continue through eternity. Gods standard of man is elevated to the highest meaning of the term, and if he acts up to his God-given manhood he will promote happiness in this life, which will lead to glory and an eternal reward in the life to come. {4T 520.1}[4]
§11
人类家庭的成员，只有在应用他们的才能，尽一切可能为他人谋福的时候才有资格被称为男人和女人。基督的生活是我们面前的榜样。当人象善良的天使那样服务他人的需要时，就与上帝有了亲密的联络。基督教的本质就是要造就快乐的家庭和快乐的社会。凡是具有真正基督精神的男女，都必摒弃不和、自私与纷争。{4T 520.2}[5]
§12
The members of the human family are entitled to the name of men and women only when they employ their talents, in every possible way, for the good of others. The life of Christ is before us as a pattern, and it is when ministering, like angels of mercy, to the wants of others that man is closely allied to God. It is the nature of Christianity to make happy families and happy society. Discord, selfishness, and strife will be put away from every man and woman who possesses the true spirit of Christ. {4T 520.2}[5]
§13
那些分享基督之爱的人，没有权利以为他们设法造福人类的工作和影响是有限度的。基督可曾对祂为拯救堕落人类所作的努力感到厌倦？我们的工作应当继续并且坚定不移。我们要一直工作到主吩咐我们脱掉盔甲放在祂脚前为止。上帝是一位明辨是非的统治者，我们必须等待，顺从祂的旨意，随时作好准备，在需要工作的时候，立即欣然去尽我们的责任。{4T 520.3}[6]
§14
Those who are partakers of Christs love have no right to think that there is a limit to their influence and work in trying to benefit humanity. Did Christ become weary in His efforts to save fallen man? Our work is to be continuous and persevering. We shall find work to do until the Master shall bid us lay our armor at His feet. God is a moral governor, and we must wait, submissive to His will, ready and willing to spring to our duty whenever work needs to be done. {4T 520.3}[6]
§15
众天使夜以继日忙着侍奉上帝，为要依照救恩的计划提拔人类。人必需爱上帝为至上，就是尽心尽意尽力爱上帝，并且爱人如己。人若不舍己，就不可能这样做。基督说过：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我”（太16:24）。{4T 521.1}[7]
§16
Angels are engaged night and day in the service of God for the uplifting of man in accordance with the plan of salvation. Man is required to love God supremely, that is, with all his might, mind, and strength, and his neighbor as himself. This he cannot possibly do unless he shall deny himself. Said Christ: Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. {4T 521.1}[7]
§17
舍己意味着当情欲谋求作主时，要管制自己的精神；抵制要责难人和说挑剔话的试探；对迟钝和行为令人忧伤厌烦的孩子有耐心；无论何时何地只要可以就负起责任，不是为了得人称赞，也不是为了权谋，而是为了主的缘故，祂已赐给你一项工作，要你以毫不动摇的忠诚去做；当你可以称赞自己时，要保持沉默，而让别人的口称赞你。舍己是在爱好引你侍奉自己和取悦自己时去向别人行善。虽然你的同胞可能决不会赏识你的努力或因你的努力使你得荣誉，但你仍继续工作。{4T 521.2}[8]
§18
Self-denial means to rule the spirit when passion is seeking for the mastery; to resist the temptation to censure and to speak faultfinding words; to have patience with the child that is dull and whose conduct is grievous and trying; to stand at the post of duty when others may fail; to lift responsibilities wherever and whenever you can, not for the purpose of applause, not for policy, but for the sake of the Master, who has given you a work to be done with unwavering fidelity; when you might praise yourself, to keep silent and let other lips praise you. Self-denial is to do good to others where inclination would lead you to serve and please yourself. Although your fellow men may never appreciate your efforts or give you credit for them, yet you are to work on. {4T 521.2}[8]
§19
要仔细省察，看看你所接受的真理对你来说是否成了坚定的原则。你在离开祷告的密室时带有基督与你同在吗？你的宗教在把守你的口吗？你的心同情关爱你自己的家庭以外的人吗？你在殷勤追求更加清楚地明白圣经的真理，好使你的光照在人前吗？你可以对你自己的心灵回答这些问题。你的言语要有恩典调和，你的举止也要表明基督徒的高尚。{4T 521.3}[9]
§20
Search carefully and see whether the truth which you have accepted has become a firm principle with you. Do you take Christ with you when you leave the closet of prayer? Does your religion stand guard at the door of your lips? Is your heart drawn out in sympathy and love for others outside of your own family? Are you diligently seeking a clearer understanding of Scriptural truth, that you may let your light shine forth to others? These questions you may answer to your own souls. Let your speech be seasoned with grace and your demeanor show Christian elevation. {4T 521.3}[9]
§21
新的一年已经开始。你们的基督徒生活去年的记录怎样呢？你们在天上的记录怎样呢？我恳劝你们向上帝做出毫无保留的降服。你们一直分心吗？现在要将你们的心全然献给主。要使今年的生活史与往年的不同。要在上帝面前谦卑你们的心。“忍受试探的人是有福的，因为他经过试验以后，必得生命的冠冕，这是主应许给那些爱祂之人的”（雅1:12）。要抛弃一切虚情假意。行出你们简朴自然的我。在每一个思想和言语行为上都要诚实，并且“存心谦卑，各人看别人比自己强”（腓2:3）。总要记得：道德本性需要用不断的警醒和祷告来支撑。只要你们信仰基督，你们就是安全的；但你们一旦想到自己的牺牲和困难，并且开始同情和宠爱自己，就会丧失对上帝的倚靠，处在极大的危险中。{4T 521.4}[10]
§22
A new year has commenced. What has been the record of the past year in your Christian life? How stands your record in heaven? I entreat you to make an unreserved surrender to God. Have your hearts been divided? Give them wholly to the Lord now. Make a different life history the coming year from that of the past. Humble your souls before God. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. Put away all pretense and affectation. Act your simple, natural self. Be truthful in every thought and word and deed, and in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Ever remember that the moral nature needs to be braced with constant watchfulness and prayer. As long as you look to Christ, you are safe; but the moment you think of your sacrifices and difficulties, and begin to sympathize with and pet yourself, you lose your trust in God and are in great peril. {4T 521.4}[10]
§23
许多人限制了上帝的天意，且使怜悯和仁爱与祂的品格分离。他们极力主张上帝的伟大和威严使祂不能关怀祂最软弱的受造物。“两个麻雀不是卖一分银子吗？若是你们的父不许，一个也不能掉在地上；就是你们的头发也都被数过了。所以，不要惧怕，你们比许多麻雀还贵重”（太10:29-31）！{4T 522.1}[11]
§24
Many limit divine Providence and divorce mercy and love from His character. They urge that the greatness and majesty of God would forbid His interesting Himself in the concerns of the weakest of His creatures. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. {4T 522.1}[11]
§25
人心在思考重大事务的时候，难以注意生活中的小事。但是大事和小事的结合难道不存在吗？按照造物主的形像受造的人，应该将较大的责任和较小的责任结合起来。他可能全神贯注于极其重要的事而忽略了儿女所需要的指教。这些责任可能会被视为次要的人生义务，实际上却是社会的真实根基。家庭和教会的幸福有赖于家庭的影响。永恒的利益有赖于正确履行今生的义务。世界对伟人的需要，不及对能够造福自己家庭的义人的需要。{4T 522.2}[12]
§26
It is difficult for human beings to give attention to the lesser matters of life while the mind is engaged in business of vast importance. But should not this union exist? Man formed in the image of his Maker should unite the larger responsibilities with the smaller. He may be engrossed with occupations of overwhelming importance and neglect the instruction which his children need. These duties may be looked upon as the lesser duties of life, when in reality they lie at the very foundation of society. The happiness of families and churches depends upon home influences. Eternal interests depend upon the proper discharge of the duties of this life. The world is not so much in need of great minds as of good men who will be a blessing in their homes. {4T 522.2}[12]