第61章 贪爱世界
§1
第61章 贪爱世界
§2
Chap. 61 - Love of the World
§3
某地亲爱的弟兄姊妹们：你们在一个富裕美丽的乡村。上帝的天意在那里慷慨施恩；但这些福惠若是得不到聪明的使用，就会成为一个咒诅。你们有些人沉溺于今生的挂虑，有些人沉醉于世界的精神。你们的处境是危险的。你们中间的年轻人尤其如此。父母们没有与上帝密切联络以便能够聪明作工，靠着祂的圣灵和能力使自己的儿女悔改归正。喋喋不休不会使他们悔改。责备和约束常常是必要的；但往往做得过了头，特别是在那些发出责备的人没有在生活中体现至关重要的敬虔的时候。{4T 609.3}[1]
§4
Dear Brethren and Sisters at -----: You are in a rich, beautiful country, where the bounties of Gods providence have been scattered with a liberal hand; but unless they are wisely improved, these very blessings will prove a curse. Some of you are surfeited with the cares of this life, and some are becoming drunken with the spirit of the world. Your position is one of danger. Especially is this the case with the youth among you. Parents have not closely connected with God so that they could labor intelligently, in His Spirit and power, for the conversion of their children. Continual talk will not convert them. Reproof and restraint are frequently necessary; but these are often carried too far, especially when vital godliness is not exemplified in the life of those who administer the reproof. {4T 609.3}[1]
§5
我们的言语和行为构成我们结出的果子。一种分别为圣的生活天天都是活的证道。但是内在的虔诚和纯洁的献身正在迅速让位于外在的形式。纯洁而没有玷污的虔诚乃是某地教会的大需要。他们应当使亲近上帝成为个人的工作。谁也不能通过代理人得救，而是每一个人都要恐惧战兢作成自己得救的工夫。撒但在一些自称相信真理之人身上的能力大过许多人所认识到的。在心中作王的是自我而不是基督。自我的意愿，自私的利益，嫉妒和骄傲把上帝的临格关在心门之外。{4T 609.4}[2]
§6
Our words and actions constitute the fruit we bear. A consecrated life is a daily, living sermon. But inward piety and true devotion are fast giving place to outward forms. Pure and undefiled religion is the great need of the church at -----. They should make it an individual work to draw near to God. No one can be saved by proxy, but every man and woman must work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. Satan has much more power over some who profess the truth than many realize. Self reigns in the heart, instead of Christ. Self-will, self-interest, envy, and pride shut out the presence of God. {4T 609.4}[2]
§7
上帝的爱必须充满心灵，否则就不会显出公义的果子。沉湎于虚荣和骄傲，或爱权贪得，乃是不安全的。自私自利最恶劣的方面就是烦躁、责难和抱怨，因为你会这样做，而那些如此受你亏待的人却不能阻止你。在家庭和教会中引起分歧不和的，乃是自私自利。非基督化的心会以为自己能看出别人身上其实没有的大错，且会仔细研究小问题，直到小题大做。解决在某些人看来很大的小问题，上帝已留给信徒自己去做。不要保留不愉快的分歧，直到它们变成教会里的毒根，污秽许多人。当基督在心里时，人心就会被对上帝和对人的爱所软化和折服，烦躁、挑剔和争竞就不会留下了。基督的宗教若存在心里，就会使拥有者完全胜过那些正在谋求掌权的情欲。{4T 610.1}[3]
§8
The love of God must pervade the soul, or the fruits of righteousness will not appear. It is not safe to indulge in vanity and pride, or love of power or gain. It is the worst phase of selfishness to fret and censure and complain because you have the power to do this and those whom you abuse in this way cannot prevent you. It is selfishness that causes variance in the family circle and in the church. Unchristian hearts will think they can discern great wrongs in others where none exist and will dwell upon little matters until they appear greatly magnified. The work of adjusting these little matters, which seem so large to some, God has left for His followers themselves to do. Let not those unhappy differences remain till they become a root of bitterness in the church, whereby many will be defiled. When Christ is in the heart it will be so softened and subdued by love for God and man that fretting, faultfinding, and contention will not exist there. The religion of Christ in the heart will gain for its possessor a complete victory over those passions that are seeking for the mastery. {4T 610.1}[3]
§9
基督说过：“你们要先求祂的国和祂的义，这些（需要的）东西都要加给你们了”（太6:33）。这个应许决不会落空。我们若不遵照祂赐恩的条件，就不能享受上帝的恩惠。我们若遵守了祂的条件，就会有那种世界既给不了也夺不走的平安、满足和智慧临到我们。你们作为一个教会若是愿意得到上帝丰盛的福气，你们各人就必须在每一个想法、计划和工作上以祂为始为终为至善。顺从上帝是基督徒的第一个义务。谦卑的意念和感恩的心会使我们超脱小考验和真实的困难。我们在侍奉主上越不恳切、积极、警醒，我们的心思就会越专注于自我，把小困难夸大成天大的难事。我们会感到自己受了虐待，其实别人一点儿没有不尊重我们。{4T 610.2}[4]
§10
Said Christ: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these [needed] things shall be added unto you. This promise will never fail. We cannot enjoy the favor of God unless we comply with the conditions upon which His favor is bestowed. By so doing there will come to us that peace, contentment, and wisdom that the world can neither give nor take away. If you would, as a church, secure the rich blessing of God, you must individually make Him first and last and best in every thought, plan, and work. Obedience to God is the first duty of the Christian. A humble mind and a grateful heart will elevate us above petty trials and real difficulties. The less earnest, energetic, and vigilant we are in the service of the Master, the more will the mind dwell upon self, magnifying molehills into mountains of difficulty. We shall feel that we are abused, when no disrespect even was designed. {4T 610.2}[4]
§11
那托付给摩西的上帝圣工的重担，使他成为一个强有力的人。他在多年为叶忒罗看守羊群时，获得了教他为人真正谦卑的经验。但上帝的呼召临到时，摩西却软弱、犹豫、缺乏自信，就象我们那样。那解救以色列人的命令，似乎是无法执行，然而摩西却本着敬畏上帝的心接受了这一委托。请注意所产生的后果：摩西并没有将工作降低到他自己不完全的水准，反而凭着上帝的力量，竭尽最热诚的努力，为他所负的神圣使命而提高自己，使自己成圣。{4T 611.1}[5]
§12
The burden of Gods work, laid upon Moses, made him a man of power. While keeping, for so many years, the flocks of Jethro, he gained an experience that taught him true humility. But Gods call found Moses, as it will find us, inefficient, hesitating, and self-distrustful. The command to deliver Israel seemed overwhelming; but, in the fear of God, Moses accepted the trust. Mark the result: He did not bring the work down to his deficiency; but in the strength of God he put forth the most earnest efforts to elevate and sanctify himself for his sacred mission. {4T 611.1}[5]
§13
摩西若一心等候上帝来为他行事，就决不会为所受托的职分准备妥当了。凡自觉需要天来之光，并寻求它好像寻求隐藏的财宝一般的人，这光就必临到他们。但我们若陷入静止不动的状态，甘愿受撒但权势的管辖，上帝就必不将灵感赐予我们了。我们若不竭尽祂所赐给我们的一切能力，就必永远停留在软弱无能之中，我们若愿准备妥当从事上帝所要交托给我们的工作，就必须多方祈祷，并要极其有力地运用心智。许多人因为在等候上帝来为他们作那祂已赐给他们能力可以自行作成的事，以致永远达不到他们所能担任的职分。凡要在今生准备妥当作有用之人的人，就必须先接受最严格的心智与道德方面的训练，然后上帝就必以神能配合人的努力帮助他们。{4T 611.2}[6]
§14
Moses would never have been prepared for his position of trust had he waited for God to do the work for him. Light from heaven will come to those who feel the need of it, and who seek for it as for hidden treasures. But if we sink down into a state of inactivity, willing to be controlled by Satans power, God will not send His inspiration to us. Unless we exert to the utmost the powers which He has given us, we shall ever remain weak and inefficient. Much prayer and the most vigorous exercise of the mind are necessary if we would be prepared to do the work which God would entrust to us. Many never attain to the position which they might occupy, because they wait for God to do for them that which He has given them power to do for themselves. All who are fitted for usefulness in this life must be trained by the severest mental and moral discipline, and then God will assist them by combining divine power with human effort. {4T 611.2}[6]
§15
在某地的许多人会失败，因为他们没有跟上工作的进展，也没有在自己日常的生活中正确地表现真理使人成圣的能力。他们不象摩西一样提升自己的生活达到高尚的标准。他们若是这么做了，现在就会有许多人加入他们的行列，在真理中欢喜快乐。藉着我们不圣洁的生活使人远离基督是一件可怕的事。我们的宗教必须不仅仅是头脑的宗教。它必须感动内心，然后才会对生活有一种改正的影响。单凭一次的努力不能克服错误的习惯。只有藉着长久而严峻的斗争，才能征服自我。教会中的信徒个人必须开始从事这种自我的训练，必须清除累积在心门周围的垃圾，之后他们才能以单一心志侍奉上帝，藉着秩序井然的生活和敬虔的言谈为自己的信仰增光添彩。那时，直到那时，他们才能教导罪人真理和争取生灵归向基督。{4T 611.3}[7]
§16
Many in ----- will fail because they do not keep up with the advancement of the work, and do not properly represent in their daily life the sanctification of the truth. They do not, like Moses, bring their life up to meet the exalted standard. If they had done this, many more would now be added to their numbers, rejoicing in the truth. It is a fearful thing to lead souls away from Christ by our unsanctified life. Our religion must be something more than a head religion. It must affect the heart, and then it will have a correcting influence upon the life. Wrong habits are not overcome by a single effort. Only through long and severe struggles is self mastered. This self-training must be taken up by the individual members of the church, and the rubbish which has accumulated around the door of the heart must be removed, ere they can serve God with singleness of purpose, adorning their profession by a well-ordered life and a godly conversation. Then, and not till then, can they teach sinners the truth and win souls to Christ. {4T 611.3}[7]
§17
在这个教会里有些人以为自己应该教导别人真理，其时他们在自己家里却是烦躁、不耐、挑剔的。这种人需要有人教导他们，直到他们在家里成为耐心而敬畏上帝的人。他们需要学习真宗教的初步原则。他们应该用心灵的真诚寻求上帝，因为他们在自己家里成了一个苦难的根源，好像造成荒凉的冰雹压制和摧毁自己的弟兄们。丈夫是把家庭连结在一起的人，这些人不配称为丈夫，因为他们没有用基督徒的爱心、同情和敬虔生活与基督化品格的真正尊严把家人连结在一起。{4T 612.1}[8]
§18
There are men in this church who feel that they should teach the truth to others, while they are fretful, impatient, and faultfinding in their own families. Such need that one teach them, until they become patient, God-fearing men at home. They need to learn the first principles of true religion. They should seek God with earnestness of soul, for they have been a scourge in their families and as a desolating hail to depress and destroy their brethren. These men do not deserve the name of husband, house band; for they do not bind the family together with the Christian love, sympathy, and true dignity of a godly life and Christlike character. {4T 612.1}[8]
§19
严肃神圣的真理——上帝赐给我们要传给世人的考验人的信息——使我们每一个人都负有最严肃的责任，要改变我们每日的生活和品格，以便很好地表现真理的能力。我们应该不断感到时间短促，预言所宣布的可怕大事必定迅速发生。正是因为没有以这些真理为现实，我们的生活才与我们所自称信奉的真理如此不一致。许多人把银子藏在了地里，其实他们应该拿去投资，以便在祂说：“把你所经管的交代明白”（路16:2）时，可以加倍归还给祂。摩西变得伟大是因为他把自己的才干用在了上帝的工作上，于是就有更多的才干赐给他。他变得有口才，忍耐，自力更生且能胜任曾委托给凡人的最伟大的工作。这就是只要人们全心全意把自己献给上帝并且倾听祂的命令以便遵行时，就会对品格产生的作用。{4T 612.2}[9]
§20
The solemn, sacred truth--the testing message given us of God to communicate to the world--lays every one of us under the strongest obligation to so transform our daily life and character that the power of the truth may be well represented. We should have a continual sense of the shortness of time and of the fearful events which prophecy has declared must speedily take place. It is because these truths are not made a reality that the life is so inconsistent with the truth which we profess. Many hide in the earth talents which should be invested where they will be accumulating to be returned to God when He shall say: Give an account of thy stewardship. Moses became great because he used his talents to do the work of God, and an increase of talents was then given him. He became eloquent, patient, self-reliant, and competent to do the greatest work ever entrusted to mortal man. This is the effect upon character whenever men give themselves to God with the whole soul, and listen for His commands that they may obey them. {4T 612.2}[9]
§21
甘心乐意顺从上帝的要求使人有活力有能力。一项如太阳那样持久的工作为工人也为他所服务的人做成。从事这种工作之人的能力无论多么有限，他在自己卑微的范围内所做的工作都会蒙上帝悦纳。{4T 613.1}[10]
§22
Willing obedience to Gods requirements gives vital energy and power to the soul. A work enduring as the sun is done for the worker as well as for those for whom he labors. However limited the capacity of the one who engages in this work, the labor which he performs in his humble sphere will be acceptable to God. {4T 613.1}[10]
§23
“凡称呼我‘主啊，主啊’的人不能都进天国；惟独遵行我天父旨意的人才能进去。当那日必有许多人对我说：‘主啊，主啊，我们不是奉祢的名传道，奉祢的名赶鬼，奉祢的名行许多异能吗？’我就明明的告诉他们说：‘我从来不认识你们，你们这些作恶的人，离开我去吧！’所以，凡听见我这话就去行的，好比一个聪明人，把房子盖在磐石上；雨淋，水冲，风吹，撞着那房子，房子总不倒塌，因为根基立在磐石上。凡听见我这话不去行的，好比一个无知的人，把房子盖在沙土上；雨淋，水冲，风吹，撞着那房子，房子就倒塌了，并且倒塌得很大”（太7:21-27）。{4T 613.2}[11]
§24
Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And everyone that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. {4T 613.2}[11]
§25
我们的人之所以没有更多的能力，是因为他们自称相信真理，却不实行真理。他们对上帝没有多少信心和倚靠。只有很少的人对祂的工作有负担。上帝要求大脑、骨骼和肌肉的力量；但人们往往不给祂而给了世界。侍奉上帝成了次要的事，而属世的利益却立刻受到重视。这样，次要的事反成了重要的，而上帝的要求，属灵的事和永恒的事，却受到了冷遇，好像是可以随意拿起或撇下的东西。心思若驻留于上帝，真理也对内心发挥了使之成圣的影响，自我就会隐藏在基督里。我们若认识到我们所自称相信之真理的重要性，就应该感到我们有一个神圣的使命要完成，负有涉及永恒结果的责任。一切现世的利益都要让步。{4T 613.3}[12]
§26
The reason why our people have not more power is that they profess the truth, but do not practice it. They have but little faith and trust in God. There are but few who bear the burdens connected with His work. The Lord claims the strength of brain, bone, and muscle; but it is too often withheld from Him and given to the world. The service of God is made a secondary matter, while worldly interests receive prompt attention. Thus things of minor consequence are made important, while the requirements of God, things spiritual and eternal, are treated in an indifferent manner, as something which may be taken up at will and let alone at pleasure. If the mind were stayed upon God and the truth exerted a sanctifying influence upon the heart, self would be hid in Christ. If we realize the importance of the truth which we profess to believe we should feel that we have a sacred mission to fulfill, a responsibility involving eternal results. All temporal interests would yield to this. {4T 613.3}[12]
§27
某地的弟兄们，你们没有认识到自己对上帝的义务和祂所赐给你们个人要为祂去做的工作。你们有真理的理论，却没有感受到它在心灵里的能力。那不结果子的无花果树面对天国招摇着它自命不凡的枝条；然而当救赎主在它上面找果子时，却只有叶子没有果子。你们个人和教会全体若不下彻底的工夫，上帝的咒诅就必定会临到你们身上，象临到那不结果子的树一样。{4T 614.1}[13]
§28
Brethren in -----, you do not realize your obligation to God and the individual work He has given you to perform for Him. You have the theory of the truth, but do not feel its power in the soul. The barren fig tree flaunted its pretentious branches in the face of heaven; but when the search for fruit was made by the Redeemer, lo, there was nothing but leaves. Unless there is a thorough work wrought for you as individuals and as a church, the curse of God will as surely come upon you as it fell upon that fruitless tree. {4T 614.1}[13]
§29
某地教会的成员们拥有的才干若予正确的使用，就会颇有价值。软弱的人可以变为强壮，胆怯的人可以变为勇敢，犹豫不决的人可以变得当机立断，只要他们认识到上帝认为他们足够重要，会悦纳他们的工作。{4T 614.2}[14]
§30
The members of the ----- church possess talents which would be valuable if put to a right use. The weak man may become strong, the timid may become brave, and the irresolute and undecided may become men of quick and firm decision, when they feel that God considers them of sufficient consequence to accept their labors. {4T 614.2}[14]
§31
在这个教会里的人必须认识到，上帝希望他们成为祂圣工中的工人，无论他们的能力如何。他们若不改变自己的行为，就会发现有些人与那些法利赛人处在类似的景况，基督论到他们说：“税吏和娼妓倒比你们先进上帝的国”（太21:31）。许多人觉得安全，因为他们自称相信真理，然而他们却没有感受到真理在他们心上成圣的感化力，也没有在宗教生活上长进。{4T 614.3}[15]
§32
Men in this church must feel that God wishes them to become laborers in His cause in any capacity. Unless they change their course, some will be found in a position similar to that of the Pharisees when Christ addressed them: The publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. Many feel secure because they profess the truth, while they do not feel its sanctifying influence upon their hearts and do not advance in the divine life. {4T 614.3}[15]
§33
弟兄们，你们作为一班子民虽自称比其它教派拥有远为先进的亮光，你们的行为却与你们所表白的信仰不相称。许多一直处在错谬黑暗中的人在明白真理时就接受了。虽然他们的生活曾在罪恶里度过，但当他们以痛悔的心和负疚感来到上帝面前时，便蒙祂悦纳。这样的人在达到基督徒品格的完全上，比那些虽然拥有大光却没能利用的人，处于更加有利的位置。那把男男女女撇在黑暗中的，是他们疏于利用所赐给他们的亮光和机会。基督憎恶一切虚妄的藉口。祂在地上时，总是以温柔对待悔罪的人，即使对曾是罪魁的人也是如此；但祂却重重地谴责一切伪善。{4T 614.4}[16]
§34
Brethren, while you as a people profess to have light far in advance of other denominations, your works do not correspond with your profession. Many who have been in the darkness of error gladly accept the truth when it is opened to their understanding. Although they have spent their life in sin, yet when they come to God in penitence and with a sense of their sinfulness they are accepted of Him. Such persons are in a more favorable position for the perfection of Christian character than are those who have had great light and have failed to improve upon it. That which leaves men and women in darkness is their neglect to improve the light and opportunities granted them. Christ hates all vain pretense. When on earth, He ever treated with tenderness the penitent, even though they had been the chief of sinners; but His denunciations fell heavily upon all hypocrisy. {4T 614.4}[16]
§35
上帝已赐给每一个人工作，是谁也不能替他做的。但愿你们个人都敷上眼药，好看明自己品格的缺陷，认识到上帝如何看待你爱世界的心，这排挤了对上帝的爱。那使你有非常的能力，特别真实的自力更生和心灵高贵的，莫过于意识到你工作的尊严，确信你是与上帝同工行善救人了。{4T 615.1}[17]
§36
God has given to every man his work, and no one else can do that work for him. Oh, that you individually would apply the eyesalve, that you might see your defects of character and realize how God regards your love of the world, which is crowding out the love of God. Nothing can give you such power, such true self-reliance and nobility of soul, as a sense of the dignity of your work, an assurance that you are co-laborers with God in doing good and saving souls. {4T 615.1}[17]
§37
上帝的儿子来到这世界要留下一个完全人生的榜样。祂因那摆在面前的喜乐牺牲了自己，就是见到生灵得救脱离撒但的魔掌而进入上帝之国的喜乐。“跟从我来”乃是基督的命令。那些随从祂榜样的人，必分担行善的圣工，最终得享主的喜乐。{4T 615.2}[18]
§38
The Son of God came to this world to leave an example of a perfect life. He sacrificed Himself for the joy that was set before Him, the joy of seeing souls rescued from Satans grasp and saved in the kingdom of God. Follow Me was Christs command. Those who follow His example will share in the divine work of doing good and will finally enter into the joy of their Lord. {4T 615.2}[18]
§39
今日在人生的卑微行业中，有许多人可以被主称为“上帝的朋友”（雅2:23），象祂称呼亚伯拉罕一样。这样的人赞成上帝所赞成的，谴责上帝所谴责的。就连罪人在他们面前都感到敬畏和约束；因为上帝与他们同在，他们是活的荐信，为众人所知道，所念诵。他们的举止中有一种温柔，一中尊严，一种神圣的礼貌，使他们有能力感动同胞的心。{4T 615.3}[19]
§40
There is many a man in the humble walks of life today whom the Lord might designate as He did Abraham: The friend of God. Such men approve that which God approves and condemn that which He condemns. In their presence even the sinner feels a sense of awe, a restraint; for God is with them, and they are living epistles, known and read of all men. There is a softened tenderness, a dignity, a divine propriety, in their deportment, which gives them power over the hearts of their fellow men. {4T 615.3}[19]
§41
你们在跟随基督，仰望那为你们信心创始成终的主时，就会认识到自己是在祂的慧眼之下工作，是受祂的临格影响的，祂知道你们一切的动机。你们就会每一步都谦卑地询问：这会令耶稣喜悦吗？这会荣耀上帝吗？你们早晚的恳切祈祷应该升达上帝，求祂祝福和引导。真正的祷告持住全能者并且使我们得到胜利。跪下的基督徒才得到力量抵挡试探。{4T 615.4}[20]
§42
In following Christ, looking unto Him who is the Author and Finisher of your faith, you will feel that you are working under His eye, that you are influenced by His presence, and that He knows your motives. At every step you will humbly inquire: Will this please Jesus? Will it glorify God? Morning and evening your earnest prayers should ascend to God for His blessing and guidance. True prayer takes hold upon Omnipotence and gives us the victory. Upon his knees the Christian obtains strength to resist temptation. {4T 615.4}[20]
§43
父亲作为家庭的“纽带”，当藉着活泼的信心，将他的儿女与上帝的宝座系结起来。他既不信赖自己的能力，就将他无助的心灵寄托于耶稣，并且握住至高者的能力。弟兄们，要在家中晨夕与家人一同祷告；也要在你们的内室中恳切祈求；当你们从事日常工作时，要在祷告中将心灵升华达于上帝。以诺就是这样与上帝同行。心灵中那默默无声而热切的祈祷，必如圣洁的香气上达施恩宝座，得蒙上帝悦纳，犹如在圣所中献上的祈祷一样。对于凡如此寻求祂的人，基督就成了他们患难中随时的帮助。他们在受试炼之日仍必坚强。{4T 616.1}[21]
§44
The father who is the house band of the family will bind his children to the throne of God by living faith. Distrusting his own strength, he hangs his helpless soul on Jesus and takes hold of the strength of the Most High. Brethren, pray at home, in your family, night and morning; pray earnestly in your closet; and while engaged in your daily labor, lift up the soul to God in prayer. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. The silent, fervent prayer of the soul will rise like holy incense to the throne of grace and will be as acceptable to God as if offered in the sanctuary. To all who thus seek Him, Christ becomes a present help in time of need. They will be strong in the day of trial. {4T 616.1}[21]
§45
上帝的话是我们脚前的灯和我们路上的光。“我将祢的话藏在心里，免得我得罪祢”（诗119:11）。先被上帝的话占据的心，就得到加强抵挡魔鬼。那些以耶稣为日常的伴侣和密友的人，会认识到不可见之世界的权能在他们周围；而藉着仰望耶稣，他们就会变得与祂的形像相似。他们藉着仰望而变成那神圣的形像；他们的品格得以软化、精练和高贵，适合天上的国度。{4T 616.2}[22]
§46
The word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. The heart preoccupied with the word of God is fortified against Satan. Those who make Christ their daily companion and familiar friend will feel that the powers of an unseen world are all around them; and by looking unto Jesus they will become assimilated to His image. By beholding they become changed to the divine pattern; their character is softened, refined, and ennobled for the heavenly kingdom. {4T 616.2}[22]
§47
某地教会的弟兄们，当你们的品格和工作中表现出一种真实恳切的热心时，不信的人若和你们同在，就会因你们的行为举止而看到和感受到你们有一种他们所不知道的平安，一种他们所没有经验过的平静。他们就会相信你们是在为上帝工作，因为你们的工作将会在祂里面做成。我蒙指示看到这是基督徒的特征。撒但藉着引人置身于试探之途，已经毁灭了许多人。他来到这些人面前，象昔日到基督那里一样，引诱他们爱世界。他向他们说：投资这种或那种事业都可获利，于是他们很有诚意地听从了他的指示。为了要尽量盈利，这些人很快就被引诱，背离了廉正的作风。他们的做法依照世俗的标准虽然可能完全合法，但却经不起上帝律法的考验。他们的动机引起了弟兄们的质疑，他们被怀疑用狡诈手段来餍饱私囊，因而牺牲了本应为上帝圣工的利益而受到庄严保护的珍贵的影响力。为世俗的利益而愿意出卖正直的骗子，他手上的生意，可能是经济上的一项成就，但是对跟从基督的人来说，却是完全不相宜的。{4T 616.3}[23]
§48
When a true, earnest zeal is manifested in your character and works, brethren of the ----- church, unbelievers will see by your deportment, and feel in your presence, that you have a peace of which they have no knowledge, a serenity to which they are strangers. They will believe that you are working for God, for your works will be wrought in Him. I was shown that this is the characteristic of a Christian. Satan has destroyed many souls by leading them to place themselves in the way of temptation. He comes to them as he came to Christ, tempting them to love the world. He tells them that they may invest with profit in this or that enterprise, and in good faith they follow his dictation. Soon they are tempted to swerve from their integrity in order to make as good bargains for themselves as possible. Their course may be perfectly lawful according to the worlds standard of right and yet not bear the test of the law of God. Their motives are called in question by their brethren, and they are suspected of over-reaching to serve themselves and thus is sacrificed that precious influence which should have been sacredly guarded for the benefit of the cause of God. That business which might be a financial success in the hands of a sharper who will sell his integrity for worldly gain would be entirely inappropriate for a follower of Christ. {4T 616.3}[23]
§49
凡是这样的投机都伴随着种种眼不能见的困难与磨炼，对参与者是可怕的考验。各种的境遇会出现，很自然地令人指责这些弟兄的动机；然而，虽然有些事看上去显然是错误的，也不该总被视作品格的真正考验。但它们常是一个人的经验和命运的转折点。个人身处之环境的力量使其品格发生改变。{4T 617.1}[24]
§50
All such speculations are attended with unseen trials and difficulties, and are a fearful ordeal for those who engage in them. Circumstances often occur which naturally cause reflections to be cast upon the motives of these brethren; but although some things may look decidedly wrong, these should not always be considered a true test of character. Yet they often prove to be the turning point in ones experience and destiny. The character becomes transformed by the force of circumstances under which the individual has placed himself. {4T 617.1}[24]
§51
我蒙指示看到，我们的人参与投机是一项危险的实验。他们因此而置身敌人的阵地里，遭受极大的试探、失望、考验和损失。于是他们便狂热不安起来，渴望比现况所允许的更快地获取金钱。他们周围的事物也按照挣更多金钱的指望而被改变。但他们的期望常常不会实现，于是变得气馁灰心，退后而不前进了。某地有些人的情形就是这样。他们正在倒退离弃上帝。上帝如果让我们一些亲爱的弟兄在投机买卖上昌盛，就会使他们永远灭亡。上帝爱祂的子民，也爱那些不幸的人。他们若愿学习祂想要教导他们的教训，他们的失败最终就会成为宝贵的胜利。爱世界的心挤出了爱基督的心。何时消除了心门前的垃圾，并且敞开心门响应基督的邀请，祂就会进来，占有这心灵的殿。要是人们更加谨慎地重视了使徒下述的话语，许多考验原可避免：{4T 617.2}[25]
§52
I was shown that it is a dangerous experiment for our people to engage in speculation. They thereby place themselves on the enemys ground, subject to great temptations, disappointments, trials, and losses. Then comes a feverish unrest, a longing desire to obtain means more rapidly than present circumstances will admit. Their surroundings are accordingly changed in hope of making more money. But frequently their expectations are not realized, and they become discouraged and go backward rather than forward. This has been the case with some in -----. They are backsliding from God. Had the Lord prospered some of our dear brethren in their speculations, it would have proved their eternal ruin. God loves His people, and He loves those who have been unfortunate. If they will learn the lessons which He intends to teach them, their defeat will in the end prove a precious victory. The love of the world has crowded out the love of Christ. When the rubbish is cleared away from the door of the heart, and it is thrown open in response to the invitation of Christ, He will come in and take possession of the soul-temple. Had these words of the apostle been more carefully regarded, much trial would have been saved: {4T 617.2}[25]
§53
“你们存心不可贪爱钱财，要以自己所有的为足；因为主曾说：‘我总不撇下你，也不丢弃你。’”“然而，敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了；因为我们没有带什么到世上来，也不能带什么去。只要有衣有食，就当知足。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”（来13:5; 提前6:6-12）。{4T 618.1}[26]
§54
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But 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. {4T 618.1}[26]
§55
目前正是托付给我们的日子。每一个人都受托某种特殊的恩赐或才干，要用来推进救赎主的国度。从最卑微无名的到那些在教会中身居高位的人，都受托了主的货财。并非只有传道人才能为救灵工作。那些恩赐最少的人也没有藉口不充分利用所拥有的恩赐，他们的恩赐若尽量利用就会增加。轻慢道德责任和藐视这日的事为小（亚4:10）乃是不安全的。上帝的天意已按人们不同的接受力给了各人相应的委托。谁也不应该因为自己无法用从未拥有和不必负责的才干荣耀上帝而悲哀。{4T 618.2}[27]
§56
The present is our day of trust. To every person is committed some peculiar gift or talent which is to be used to advance the Redeemers kingdom. All Gods responsible agents, from the lowliest and most obscure to those in high positions in the church, are entrusted with the Lords goods. It is not the minister alone who can work for the salvation of souls. Those who have the smallest gifts are not excused from using the very best gifts they have, and in so doing their talents will be increased. It is not safe to trifle with moral responsibilities nor to despise the day of small things. Gods providence proportions His trusts according to the varied capabilities of the people. None should mourn because they cannot glorify God with talents which they never possessed and for which they are not responsible. {4T 618.2}[27]
§57
某地教会软弱的一个大原因，就是他们不但没有善用自己的才干荣耀上帝，反而将之包在布里埋没在世界里。虽然有些人可能只有一种才干，但他们若予运用，就会增加。上帝评价一个人的服务是按照他所有的，而不是按照他所无的。我们若以爱心和忠诚履行我们每日的责任，就会得到主的赞许，好像我们做了更大的工作似的。我们在只需为很少的才干负责和履行卑微的责任时，必须停止渴望去做更大的服务和拿更多的银子去做买卖。我们若忽视日常的小本分而渴望更高尚的责任，就在做上帝所赐给我们的工作上完全失败了。{4T 618.3}[28]
§58
One great cause of weakness in the ----- church has been that, instead of improving their talents to the glory of God, they have wrapped them in a napkin and buried them in the world. Although some may be restricted to one talent, yet if they will exercise that one, it will increase. God values the service according to what a man has and not according to what he has not. If we perform our daily duties with fidelity and love we shall receive the approval of the Master as if we had performed a greater work. We must cease longing to do great service and to trade on large talents, while we have been made accountable only for small talents and the performance of humble duties. In overlooking the small daily duties, and reaching for higher responsibilities, we utterly fail to do the very work which God has given us. {4T 618.3}[28]
§59
但愿我能使这个教会铭记基督要求他们服务的事实！我的弟兄姐妹们，你们成为基督的仆人了吗？你们若是把光阴大多用来侍奉自己，当主吩咐你们把所经管的交代明白时，你们要怎么回答祂呢？所委托给我们的才干并不是我们的，无论这些才干是财产、体力还是心智的能力。我们若滥用这些才干，无论是一种还是多种，就该因不配作管家而被定罪。我们身上负有多么大的责任啊，要把上帝的物归还上帝。{4T 619.1}[29]
§60
Oh, that I might impress upon this church the fact that Christ has claims upon their service! My brethren and sisters, have you become servants of Christ? Then if you devote the most of your time to serving yourselves, what answer will you give the Master when He shall bid you render an account of your stewardship? The talents entrusted to us are not ours, be they talents of property, of strength, or of mental ability. If we abuse any or all of these, we shall be justly condemned for our unworthy stewardship. How great are the obligations resting upon us to render to God the things that are His. {4T 619.1}[29]
§61
这个教会若不从昏睡中醒来并且摆脱世界的精神，及至为时太晚地发现自己的机会和特权已经永远失去时，就会悲哀。上帝有时用在现世的事上兴旺来试验自己的子民。但祂的意思是要他们正确地使用祂的恩赐。他们的财产、光阴、力量和机会都是上帝的。他们必须为这一切的福气向赐予者交账。我们见到弟兄们中间有需要和缺乏，若是在我们自己的需要得到供应时不救济他们，就忽视了上帝的圣言中所明示的本分。祂慷慨地赐给我们是要我们可以给别人。仁心善举才能克服自私自利且使心灵高贵纯净。有些人滥用上帝赐给他们的才干；他们闭眼不看，以免看到祂圣工的需要，又转耳不听，以免听到祂说明他们有义务给饥饿的人食物吃给赤身的人衣服穿的声音。有些自称是上帝儿女的人似乎渴望把自己的钱财投到世界上，免得作为礼物和供物归还给上帝。他们忘了自己的神圣使命，而他们若继续随从自己私心的指示，把宝贵的光阴和钱财花在满足自己的骄傲上，上帝就会打发逆境临到他们，他们就会由于忘恩负义而感到痛苦的缺乏。祂会把自己的银子托付给更加忠心的管家，他们会承认祂对他们的要求。{4T 619.2}[30]
§62
Unless this church shall arouse from their lethargy and shake off the spirit of the world, they will mourn when, too late, they find their opportunities and privileges lost, lost forever. The Lord sometimes tests His people with prosperity in temporal things. But He intends that they shall make a right use of His gifts. Their property, their time, their strength, and their opportunities are all of God. For all these blessings they must account to the Giver. While want and destitution are seen among our brethren, and we withhold relief from them when our own necessities are supplied, we neglect a plain duty revealed in the word of God. He gives to us liberally that we may give to others. It is beneficence that overcomes selfishness and ennobles and purifies the soul. Some abuse the talents given them of God; they close their eyes that they may not see the necessities of His cause and turn away their ears that they may not hear His voice showing them their duty to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. Some who profess to be children of God seem anxious to invest their means in the world lest it shall return to the Giver in gifts and offerings. They forget their divine mission, and if they continue to follow the dictates of their selfish hearts, and expend precious time and means to gratify their pride, God will send reverses, and they will feel pinching want because of their ingratitude. He will entrust His talents to more faithful stewards, who will acknowledge His claims upon them. {4T 619.2}[30]
§63
财富是一种用来行善或行恶的力量。若是得到正确使用，它就成为一个不断感恩之源，因为上帝的恩赐得到了赏识，且因按照上帝的意思使用而承认了赐恩的主。那些因向上帝的圣工和受苦的穷人缩手而抢夺了上帝之物的人，必要受到祂公义的报应。赐给我们各样美善恩赐的天父怜悯我们的无知，脆弱，无助的状况。为了拯救我们脱离死亡，祂白白地舍了祂的爱子。祂要求我们自称属我们的一切。忽视祂受苦的穷人就是忽视基督，因为祂告诉我们，穷人是祂在地上的代表。向他们表示同情和仁爱就蒙基督悦纳，如同做在祂身上一样。{4T 620.1}[31]
§64
Wealth is a power with which to do good or to do evil. If it is rightly used it becomes a source of continual gratitude, because the gifts of God are appreciated and the Giver acknowledged by using them as God intended they should be used. Those who rob God by withholding from His cause and from the suffering poor will meet His retributive justice. Our heavenly Father, who has given us in trust every good gift, pities our ignorance, our frailty, and our hopeless condition. In order to save us from death, He freely gave His beloved Son. He claims from us all that we claim as our own. A neglect of His suffering poor is a neglect of Christ, for He tells us that the poor are His representatives on earth. Pity and benevolence shown to them are accepted of Christ as if shown to Him. {4T 620.1}[31]
§65
当主的穷人受到忽视和遗忘或冷遇和疾言厉色时，那犯有过错的人务要记住，他正在基督的圣徒身上忽视基督。我们的救主视自己与受苦的人类利益与共。母亲的心怎样慈怜地挂念她儿女中受苦的小孩，我们救赎主的心也照样同情祂地上儿女中最贫穷最卑微的人。祂把他们安置在我们中间，是要唤醒我们心中那种爱，就是祂所感到对受苦和受压迫之人的爱，祂也必报应凡错待、轻视或虐待他们的人。{4T 620.2}[32]
§66
When the Lords poor are neglected and forgotten or greeted with cold looks and cruel words, let the guilty one bear in mind that he is neglecting Christ in the person of His saints. Our Saviour identifies His interest with that of suffering humanity. As the heart of the parent yearns with pitying tenderness over the suffering one of her little flock, so the heart of our Redeemer sympathizes with the poorest and lowliest of His earthly children. He has placed them among us to awaken in our hearts that love which He feels toward the suffering and oppressed, and He will let His judgments fall upon anyone who wrongs, slights, or abuses them. {4T 620.2}[32]
§67
我们要想想，耶稣把人类所有的祸患和忧伤，贫穷和苦难都接受到了自己心里，并且使之成了自己经验的一部分。祂虽是生命之君，却没有取伟大尊荣之人的社会地位，反而取了卑微、受压迫的和受苦之人的地位。祂曾是被人藐视的拿撒勒人，连枕头的地方都没有。祂为我们的缘故成了贫穷，好叫我们因祂的贫穷可以成为富足。祂现在是荣耀之君，要是祂带着王权而来，千万的人就要向祂表示敬意。大家都会竞相向祂表示尊敬；人人都要恳求在祂面前。现在有一个机会赐给我们，要我们在基督的圣徒身上接待基督。上帝希望你们赏识祂的恩赐，并且用来荣耀祂。我恳劝你们向真实无私的慈善敞开心门。{4T 620.3}[33]
§68
Let us consider that Jesus took all the woes and griefs, the poverty and suffering, of man into His own heart and made them a part of His own experience. Although He was the Prince of life, He did not take His position with the great and honorable, but with the lowly, the oppressed, and the suffering. He was the despised Nazarene. He had not where to lay His head. He became poor for our sakes, that we through His poverty might be made rich. He is now the King of glory, and should He come crowned with majesty, millions would do Him homage. All would vie with one another in bestowing honors upon Him; all would plead to be found in His presence. An opportunity is now granted us to receive Christ in the person of His saints. God wants you to appreciate His gifts and use them to His glory. I entreat you to open your hearts to true and disinterested benevolence. {4T 620.3}[33]
§69
亲爱的弟兄们！就整个教会而论，你们已可悲地忽略了自己对于儿童和青年的责任。你们既立了些规则来约束他们，就当非常谨慎地将自己的品格中象基督的那一面，不是象撒但的那一面，显示给他们看。儿童们需要经常地照顾和亲切地疼爱。要将他们系结在你们的心上，并且使他们保持对上帝的敬爱。作父母的没有控制自己的情绪，所以不适合管理别人。你们所需要的不仅是约束，警戒你们的子女而已；还要学习行公义，好怜悯，存谦卑的心与上帝同行。每一件事都会在幼稚的脑筋中留下印象。他们会辨识人的容貌，会受声音的影响，也会密切效法人的行为。烦躁易怒的父母，是在给儿女不良的教训，将来在生活的某些时候，他们若是拥有世界，情愿用全世界为代价，也不能消除这些教训了。儿女们必在父母的生活中看出与其信仰相符的前后一致性。父母们可以藉着带头实行前后一致的生活及发挥克己自制的精神，来模铸儿女的品格。{4T 621.1}[34]
§70
Dear brethren, as a church you have sadly neglected your duty toward the children and youth. While rules and restrictions are laid upon them, great care should be taken to show them the Christlike side of your character and not the satanic side. Children need constant watchcare and tender love. Bind them to your hearts, and keep the love as well as the fear of God before them. Fathers and mothers do not control their own spirit and therefore are not fit to govern others. To restrain and caution your children is not all that is required. You have yet to learn to do justly and love mercy, as well as to walk humbly with God. Everything leaves its impress upon the youthful mind. The countenance is studied, the voice has its influence, and the deportment is closely imitated by them. Fretful and peevish fathers and mothers are giving their children lessons which at some period in their lives they would give all the world, were it theirs, could they unlearn. Children must see in the lives of their parents that consistency which is in accordance with their faith. By leading a consistent life and exercising self-control, parents may mold the characters of their children. {4T 621.1}[34]
§71
太多的忧虑和烦累被带入我们的家庭之中，却极少人珍视自然的单纯、安宁与幸福。应该少在意外界会说什么，多用心体贴自己家庭范围内的人。应该少表现世俗礼仪中的炫耀与虚情，而在家人亲属之间多以温柔与仁爱，愉快及基督化的礼貌相待。很多人都必需学习如何使家庭成为一个可爱而充满福乐的所在。感恩的心意与和蔼的表情，比财富和奢华更有价值，而且只要家中有爱，对简单事物的知足之心，就能使家庭充满快乐。{4T 621.2}[35]
§72
Too many cares and burdens are brought into our families, and too little of natural simplicity and peace and happiness is cherished. There should be less care for what the outside world will say and more thoughtful attention to the members of the family circle. There should be less display and affectation of worldly politeness, and much more tenderness and love, cheerfulness and Christian courtesy, among the members of the household. Many need to learn how to make home attractive, a place of enjoyment. Thankful hearts and kind looks are more valuable than wealth and luxury, and contentment with simple things will make home happy if love be there. {4T 621.2}[35]
§73
我们的救赎主耶稣虽以王者之尊在人间往来；然而祂的心却是柔和谦卑的。祂对于每一个家庭都是光明与福惠，因为祂携带着欢乐、希望和勇气。但愿我们不要过多满足心中的欲望，为装饰家庭而寻找难以得到的东西，同时却没有上帝所视为比宝石更可贵的长久温柔安静的心。简朴，温柔和真情，能使最贫寒的家庭成为乐园。欣然忍受一切困难，胜过失去平安与满足。{4T 622.1}[36]
§74
Jesus, our Redeemer, walked the earth with the dignity of a king; yet He was meek and lowly of heart. He was a light and blessing in every home because He carried cheerfulness, hope, and courage with Him. Oh, that we could be satisfied with less heart longings, less striving for things difficult to obtain wherewith to beautify our homes, while that which God values above jewels, the meek and quiet spirit, is not cherished. The grace of simplicity, meekness, and true affection would make a paradise of the humblest home. It is better to endure cheerfully every inconvenience than to part with peace and contentment. {4T 622.1}[36]
§75
当你们看到自己的儿女在世上没有上帝没有指望的可悲状况时，你们非常需要在上帝面前谦卑你们的心。他们不赏识不敬畏神圣的事，是因为凡俗的事务与永恒的利益被置于了同等的水平。你们中间的年轻人若是象但以理和他的同伴那样，将自己的心献给上帝并与祂联络，他们的侍奉就会蒙上帝悦纳。然而很少有人真知道包围着当代青年的危险。需要大量的道德勇气和不断地抵挡试探，才能达到高尚的人性。在上帝面前清白的品格是罕见的。许多人不敬畏上帝，他们的脚踏在通向死亡的宽路上，他们正等着要与你们的儿女为伴。惟愿我能使青年们看明并觉察他们的危险，尤其是造成不幸婚姻的危险。{4T 622.2}[37]
§76
You greatly need to humble your hearts before God as you see the sad condition of your children, without God and without hope in the world. They do not appreciate and reverence sacred things because common, worldly affairs have been placed on a level with eternal interests. There are youth among you whose service God will accept if they will yield their hearts to Him and connect with Him, as did Daniel and his fellows. But few have a true idea of the peril surrounding the youth of today. It requires a great amount of moral courage, and a constant resistance of temptation, to reach a noble manhood. A character unsullied before God is rare. Many who have not the fear of God before them, and whose feet are in the broad road to death, are waiting to be the companions of your children. I wish I could make the youth see and feel their danger, especially the danger of making unhappy marriages. {4T 622.2}[37]
§77
亲爱的青年朋友啊，只用一点点时间撒播稗子，就会结出终身痛苦的收获；一时轻率不慎，一次屈从试探，就可能使你一生转向错误的方向。你们只有一次青春，务要使之有益。一旦你行完了这一段路程，决不可能再回过头来纠正你的错误。凡拒绝与上帝联合，而置身于试探之途的人，是必然会跌倒的。上帝正在考验每一位青年。许多人因阅历较深的信徒所留下的错误榜样，而原谅自己疏忽和不敬虔。但是这不应妨碍任何一个人行义。在最后交账的日子，你不可能再提出现在这样的理由了。你将受到公正的裁决，因为你明知正路，而却不选择行在其中。{4T 622.3}[38]
§78
A little time spent in sowing your wild oats, dear young friends, will produce a crop that will embitter your whole life; an hour of thoughtlessness, once yielding to temptation, may turn the whole current of your life in the wrong direction. You can have but one youth; make that useful. When once you have passed over the ground you can never return to rectify your mistakes. He who refuses to connect with God, and puts himself in the way of temptation, will surely fall. God is testing every youth. Many have excused their carelessness and irreverence because of the wrong example given them by more experienced professors. But this should not deter any from rightdoing. In the day of final accounts you will plead no such excuses as you plead now. You will be justly condemned because you knew the way but did not choose to walk in it. {4T 622.3}[38]
§79
大骗子撒但把自己装扮成光明的天使，带着似是而非的试探来到青年身旁，一步一步地引诱他们离开责任的道路。圣经说撒但是控告者，欺骗者，说谎的，迫害人的和杀人的。“犯罪的是属魔鬼”（约壹3:8）。每一件罪行都会使人被定罪，并招惹上帝的忿怒。上帝鉴察人的心思意念。人们如果怀有不洁的念头，不需要用言行把罪恶表达出来，就会被定罪。心灵既遭到了污损，试探者就获得胜利了。{4T 623.1}[39]
§80
Satan, that archdeceiver, transforms himself into an angel of light and comes to the youth with his specious temptations and succeeds in winning them, step by step, from the path of duty. He is described as an accuser, a deceiver, a liar, a tormentor, and a murderer. He that committeth sin is of the devil. Every transgression brings the soul into condemnation and provokes the divine displeasure. The thoughts of the heart are discerned of God. When impure thoughts are cherished, they need not be expressed by word or act to consummate the sin and bring the soul into condemnation. Its purity is defiled, and the tempter has triumphed. {4T 623.1}[39]
§81
每一个人遭遇试探，是在他被自己的私欲牵引诱惑之时。他因随从自己的爱好而偏离了美德和真实的良善。青年若具有纯正的品德，即使是最强烈的试探也对他无效。撒但只能试探你，而屈从试探却是你自己的行为。撒但全军的力量都无法强迫受试探的人犯罪。所以犯罪是没有理由原谅的。{4T 623.2}[40]
§82
Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts and enticed. He is turned away from the course of virtue and real good by following his own inclinations. If the youth possessed moral integrity, the strongest temptations might be presented in vain. It is Satans act to tempt you, but your own act to yield. It is not in the power of all the host of Satan to force the tempted to transgress. There is no excuse for sin. {4T 623.2}[40]
§83
有些青年人把精力浪费在空虚荒唐的事上。还有一些青年人则培养自己的心智，积累知识，披上盔甲投入人生的战斗，并决心获取胜利。然而他们若不将自己的爱集中于上帝，就不能成功地攀登任何的高峰。但他们如果愿意全心全意地归向上帝，并拒绝那些会在最轻微的程度上削弱他们行义意志之人的奉承，就必在上帝里获得力量和信心。{4T 623.3}[41]
§84
While some of the youth are wasting their powers in vanity and folly, others are disciplining their minds, storing up knowledge, girding on the armor to engage in lifes warfare, determined to make it a success. But they cannot make life a success, however high they may attempt to climb, unless they center their affections upon God. If they will turn to the Lord with all the heart, rejecting the flatteries of those who would in the slightest degree weaken their purpose to do right, they will have strength and confidence in God. {4T 623.3}[41]
§85
爱好社交的人，往往放纵这种特性，直到它成了一种支配性欲望。他们人生的目的就是打扮，去娱乐场所，嬉笑闲聊一些最荒唐的话题。他们不耐烦阅读圣经和默想天上的事物，如果没有足够的刺激，就非常难过。他们本身没有快乐的动力，所以必须求欢于结交同他们一样放荡愚妄的青年人。那原可用于高尚宗旨的能力，却用在了愚妄的事和心智放荡上。{4T 624.1}[42]
§86
Those who love society frequently indulge this trait until it becomes an overruling passion. To dress, to visit places of amusement, to laugh and chat upon subjects altogether lighter than vanity--this is the object of their lives. They cannot endure to read the Bible and contemplate heavenly things. They are miserable unless there is something to excite. They have not within them the power to be happy, but they depend for happiness upon the company of other youth as thoughtless and reckless as themselves. The powers which might be turned to noble purposes they give to folly and mental dissipation. {4T 624.1}[42]
§87
从读经和祷告的时辰得到幸福快乐的青年，必因吸取生命的泉水而不断获得振奋。他必达到别人所无法想象的道德境界和思想宽度。与上帝交通能激发人善良的意念和高尚的愿望，使人对真理有清楚的认识，并产生崇高的动机。凡如此与上帝联络的人，必蒙祂承认为自己的儿女。他们要越攀越高，对上帝和永生有更清楚的认识，直到上帝使他们成为向世人传递亮光与智慧的通道。{4T 624.2}[43]
§88
The youth who finds joy and happiness in reading the word of God and in the hour of prayer is constantly refreshed by drafts from the Fountain of life. He will attain a height of moral excellence and a breadth of thought of which others cannot conceive. Communion with God encourages good thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, and lofty purposes of action. Those who thus connect their souls with God are acknowledged by Him as His sons and daughters. They are constantly reaching higher and still higher, obtaining clearer views of God and of eternity, until the Lord makes them channels of light and wisdom to the world. {4T 624.2}[43]
§89
某地有些年轻人处在一种罪恶的刚硬状态，他们低俗，无礼，粗暴，悖逆。他们得到了真光却又拒绝了。他们现在若是选择平安的道路，就必须根据原则行事而不是凭感觉行事。罪恶和圣洁一点不能妥协。圣经不认可不敬虔，对执迷不悟的人也没有宽容慈爱的甜言蜜语。耶稣来吸引众人归向祂自己，跟从祂的人必须行在祂光辉榜样的光中，无论要怎样牺牲安逸或名誉，也无论财产或生命遭受怎样的危险。只有这样，他们才能打信心美好的仗。{4T 624.3}[44]
§90
Some of the youth in-----are in a hardened state of sin; they are coarse, uncourteous, rough, and rebellious. They have had great light, and have rejected it. If they now choose the way of peace, they must do so from principle rather than from feeling. Sin and holiness can make no compromise. The Bible contains no sanction of ungodliness, no sweet words of forbearance and charity for the persistently impenitent. Jesus came to draw all men unto Himself, and His followers must walk in the light of His glorious example, at whatever sacrifice of ease or reputation, at whatever peril of property or life. In this way only can they fight the good fight of faith. {4T 624.3}[44]
§91
一颗重价的珠子提供给青年们。他们可以变卖一切去买这颗珠子，也可以拒绝它以致遭受无限的损失。凡愿意遵守圣经中所定条件的人，都可以达到天国。我们的救赎主是存心顺服以至于死的；祂献上自己作了赎罪祭。你们是用基督的宝血买来的，如同无瑕疵无玷污的羔羊之血（彼前1:18,19）。“祂儿子耶稣的血也洗净我们一切的罪”（约壹1:7）。年轻的朋友们，你们可以靠自己的力量认真地立定志向，你们也可以自以为能走正路而不必将自己心屈服于上帝之灵的控制性影响；但这样不能使你们快乐。你们不安的精神想要变化，渴望在娱乐欢闹及青年友伴中寻求快乐。你们是在为自己凿出破裂不能存水的池子。一种欺骗性能力控制着你们的心智和行动。只有在向上帝悔改和对我们主耶稣基督的信心中才能得到快乐；因为你们的心充满了反叛；这在你们的言语中吐露了出来。你们自私的祈祷和宗教形式可能会安抚良心，但这只不过增加了你们的危险。你们的本性没有更新。{4T 625.1}[45]
§92
A pearl of great price is offered to the youth. They may sell all and buy this pearl, or they may refuse it to their own infinite loss. Heaven may be attained by all who will comply with the conditions laid down in the word of God. Our Redeemer was obedient unto death; He gave Himself an offering for sin. Ye are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish. The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. Young friends, you may form earnest purposes in your own strength, you may flatter yourselves that you can pursue a straightforward course without yielding the heart to the controlling influence of the Spirit of God; but you are not thus made happy. Your restless spirit needs change and thirsts for pleasure in amusement and hilarity and the society of your young associates. You are hewing out to yourselves broken cisterns which contain no water. A deceptive power controls your mind and actions. Happiness is to be found only in repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ; for your heart is filled with rebellion; it breathes forth in your words. Your selfish prayers and religious forms may soothe the conscience, but they only increase your peril. Your nature is unrenewed. {4T 625.1}[45]
§93
耶稣的宝血是预备好洁净心灵脱离罪恶污染的源泉。你决定接受祂为你的朋友时，一种又新又持久的亮光就会从基督的十字架照耀出来。真的认识到亲爱救主的牺牲和代求就会破碎已在罪里刚硬的心；而仁爱、感激和谦卑就会进入心灵中。内心对耶稣的降服使悖逆的人折服为痛悔的人，于是那顺服之人的心声就是：“旧事已过，都变成新的了”（林后5:17）。这才是圣经的真宗教。凡不及于此的，都是欺骗。{4T 625.2}[46]
§94
The precious blood of Jesus is the fountain prepared to cleanse the soul from the defilement of sin. When you determine to take Him as your friend, a new and enduring light will shine from the cross of Christ. A true sense of the sacrifice and intercession of the dear Saviour will break the heart that has become hardened in sin; and love, thankfulness, and humility will come into the soul. The surrender of the heart to Jesus subdues the rebel into a penitent, and then the language of the obedient soul is: Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. This is the true religion of the Bible. Everything short of this is a deception. {4T 625.2}[46]
§95
青年们还没有意识到：只有藉着舍己和不住的警醒祷告，始终依赖基督宝血的功劳，才能保持自由和亮光。当圣灵默示人心时，人的意愿和能力必须响应其影响。那些住在耶稣里的人，会在上帝里幸福、愉快、喜乐。他们的声音会柔和亲切，他们的行动会显出尊重属灵的事和永恒的事，他们的口中会回响着喜乐的乐音；因为那是从上帝的宝座传来的。这是敬虔的奥秘，虽不容易解释，却感受到和享受到了。一颗顽梗悖逆的心能向上帝恩典诸般甘美的感化和圣灵里一切的喜乐关闭心门；但智慧的道是安乐；他的路全是平安（箴3:17）。我们越密切地与基督联络，我们的言语和行为就会越显出祂的恩典折服人改变人的能力。{4T 625.3}[47]
§96
The youth have not realized that freedom and light can be retained only through self-denial and constant watchfulness and prayer, with a continual reliance upon the merits of the blood of Christ. When the Holy Spirit is breathing upon the soul, the will and the powers of the man must respond to Its influence. Those who abide in Jesus will be happy, cheerful, and joyful in God. A subdued gentleness will mark the voice, reverence for spiritual and eternal things will be expressed in the actions, and music, joyful music, will echo from the lips; for it is wafted from the throne of God. This is the mystery of godliness, not easily explained, but nonetheless felt and enjoyed. A stubborn and rebellious heart can close its doors to all the sweet influences of the grace of God and all the joy in the Holy Ghost; but the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. The more closely we are connected with Christ, the more will our words and actions show the subduing, transforming power of His grace. {4T 625.3}[47]
§97
我呼吁某地的青年在在为时太晚之前考虑他们的道路，改变他们的作风。你们中有些人以自己的能力自豪；然而你们受托保管的才干越有价值，这些属天的恩赐若被用来侍奉撒但，你们被定的罪也就越重。上帝没有你们也能行，你们没有上帝却不行。如果没有基督，遭受损失的将是你们。对某地的一些青年来说，上帝的命令就象荆棘和蒺藜。他们对真理的认识使他们难以沉湎于罪中之乐，因为他们无法完全从心中消除上帝对他们的要求。他们对这种约束感到不耐烦，设法逃离这种劝告的声音；但他们发现自己是在用脚踢刺，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。在他们最后一次使上帝的灵忧伤离开之前，巴不得他们愿意来就那活水的泉源！{4T 626.1}[48]
§98
I appeal to the youth at ----- to consider their ways and change their course of action before it shall be too late. Some of you pride yourselves on your capabilities; but the more valuable the talents entrusted to your keeping, the greater will be your condemnation if these gifts of heaven are employed in the service of Satan. God can do without you, but you cannot do without God. It is you who will suffer without Jesus. The commands of God are as briers and thorns to some of the youth in -----. Their knowledge of the truth makes it hard for them to indulge in sinful pleasures, for they cannot altogether put out of the mind the claims of God upon them. There is a feeling of impatience at the restraint which is thus imposed. They try to get away from this admonitory voice; but they find themselves kicking against the pricks, piercing themselves through with many sorrows. Oh, that they would come to the Fountain of living waters before they shall have grieved away the Spirit of God for the last time! {4T 626.1}[48]
§99
还有几句话要对教会的成员们说。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）。我们不要藉着穿麻衣，苦待己身，或不吃健康有营养的食物来自己制造十字架。我们不要把自己关在修道院里，远离世人，不向我们的同胞行任何善事，以为这就是基督的十字架；上帝也不要我们不必要地损害自己的健康和生命，或悲哀地过基督徒的生活，以为愉快、满足、幸福和喜乐乃是罪恶。这些都是自造的十字架，而不是基督的十字架。{4T 626.2}[49]
§100
A few words more to the church members. Said Christ: If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. We are not to make crosses for ourselves, by wearing sackcloth, by pinching our bodies, or by denying ourselves wholesome, nourishing food. We are not to shut ourselves in monasteries, away from the world, and do no good to our fellow beings, thinking this is the cross of Christ; neither are we required to expose health and life unnecessarily, nor to go mourning up the hill of Christian life, feeling it a sin to be cheerful, contented, happy, and joyful. These are all self-made crosses, but not the cross of Christ. {4T 626.2}[49]
§101
背基督的十字架就是控制我们有罪的情欲，实行基督化的礼貌，甚至是在不方便这么做的时候，看到贫穷受苦之人的需要并且舍己以便救济他们，并且敞开心门和家门接纳无家可归的孤儿，尽管这样做可能会耗费我们的钱财和耐心。这种儿童是上帝家中年幼的成员，应受到爱护和照顾，要按照主的警戒和教训养育他们。若是愉快地为基督背起这个十字架，它就会成为上帝国中一顶荣耀的冠冕。{4T 627.1}[50]
§102
To bear the cross of Christ is to control our sinful passions, to practice Christian courtesy even when it is inconvenient to do so, to see the wants of the needy and distressed and deny ourselves in order to relieve them, and to open our hearts and our doors to the homeless orphan, although to do this may tax our means and our patience. Such children are younger members of Gods family and are to receive love and care, and to be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This is a cross which, if lifted and cheerfully borne for Christ, will prove a diadem of glory in the kingdom of God. {4T 627.1}[50]
§103
弟兄们，要为基督的缘故使你们的人生充满善行，即使世人既不赏识你们的努力，也不给你们荣誉。这是舍己。自私自利是曾放在教会成员们项上的最难堪的轭，但那些自称跟从基督的人却多多珍爱这种轭。你们所拥有的一切都是属于上帝的。你们要谨慎，免得自私地储藏了上帝为孤儿寡妇赐给你们的恩惠。基督撇下了祂的荣耀，尊贵和最高统帅权，为我们的缘故成了贫穷，好叫我们因祂的贫穷可以成为富足。现在根本的问题是：我们个人要为耶稣做什么呢？祂为一个败坏的世界舍了自己的生命。{4T 627.2}[51]
§104
Brethren, for Christs sake fill up your lives with good works, even though the world does not appreciate your efforts and gives you no credit. This is self-denial. Selfishness is the most galling yoke the members of the church ever placed upon their necks, but there is much of it cherished by those who profess to be Christs followers. All you have belongs to God. Be guarded, lest you selfishly hoard the bounties He has given you for the widow and the fatherless. Christ left His glory, His honor, His high command, and for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. Now the question comes home: What will we individually do for Jesus, who gave His life for a ruined world? {4T 627.2}[51]