第64章 对上帝负责
§1
第64章 对上帝负责
§2
Chap. 64 - Accountability to God
§3
我们要对上帝负责，聪明地使用全部智力和体力。谁能权衡自己的责任呢？我们必须为自己所发挥的影响交账。在我们看来似乎是我们品格上的小缺陷，会在很大程度上再现于别人身上，这样，我们所发挥的为恶影响就会增加而且长存。{4T 654.1}[1]
§4
We are accountable to God for the wise improvement of every mental faculty and every physical power. Who can measure his responsibility? We must render an account for the influence which we exert. That which seems to us to be a small defect in our character will be reproduced in others in a greater degree, and thus the influence we have exerted for evil may be increased and perpetuated. {4T 654.1}[1]
§5
谁也不要轻蔑地说到那些负责保护他们道德和属灵福利之人的警告。言语可能看似无足轻重，只在听者心中产生片刻的印象。但并非仅此而已。在许多情况下，这些话在从未服从忠告或约束的年轻人未成圣的心中得到了响应。一句欠考虑的话可能影响一个人永远的命运。每一个人都在对别人的生活发挥着影响。我们必须作一盏明灯照亮鼓舞别人的道路，否则就会象造成荒凉的暴风毁灭人。我们要么带领我们所交往的人向上过幸福不朽的生活，要么向下过忧伤和永远灭亡的生活。没有一个人会独自在自己的罪孽中灭亡。一个人的影响面无论多么窄，都发挥着或善或恶的影响。一个人在临死前感叹：“收回我的影响，将之与我一同埋葬吧。”这能做到吗？不能。他的影响已象荆棘的种子撒到各处，扎下根，结出丰富的果实。{4T 654.2}[2]
§6
Let none venture to speak lightly of the cautions given by those whose duty it is to guard their moral and spiritual welfare. The words may seem to be of little consequence, producing only a momentary impression on the minds of the hearers. But this is not all. In many cases these words find a response in the unsanctified hearts of youth who have never submitted to caution or restraint. The influence of a thoughtless word may affect a souls eternal destiny. Every person is exerting an influence upon the lives of others. We must be either as a light to brighten and cheer their path, or as a desolating tempest to destroy. We are either leading our associates upward to happiness and immortal life, or downward to sorrow and eternal ruin. No man will perish alone in his iniquity. However contracted may be ones sphere of influence, it is exerted either for good or for evil. One man upon his deathbed exclaimed: Gather up my influence, and bury it with me. Could this be done? No, no; like the thistle seed it had been borne everywhere and had taken root and would yield an abundant harvest. {4T 654.2}[2]
§7
很少有人故意养成罪恶的习惯。但藉着经常重复错误的行为，习惯不知不觉就形成了，而且变得根深蒂固，需要最恒切的努力才能改变。我们在打破一个罪恶的习惯时决不可行动缓慢。坏习惯若不胜过，就会征服我们，摧毁我们的幸福。有许多可怜人悲惨、失望、堕落，成为周围人的一个祸害。他们如果善用自己的机会，原可成为快乐有为的人。许多年轻人把今生宝贵的时光用在想入非非上。这种人没有多少品格的魄力或原则的力量。许多人随波逐流，受每一环境的改变所影响。他们总是指望别人的同情，枉然依赖别人得快乐。凡这样做的人，今生和来生的希望都必落空。{4T 654.3}[3]
§8
There are few who form evil habits deliberately. By frequent repetition of wrong acts, habits are formed unconsciously and become so firmly established that the most persistent effort is required to effect a change. We should never be slow in breaking up a sinful habit. Unless evil habits are conquered, they will conquer us and destroy our happiness. There are many poor creatures, now miserable, disappointed, and degraded, a curse to all around them, who might have been useful and happy men had they but improved their opportunities. Many youth waste the precious hours of life in idle daydreaming. Such persons have not much force of character or strength of principle. Many drift about, the sport of every changing circumstance. They are ever looking to others for sympathy, vainly depending upon others for happiness. All who pursue this course will wreck their hopes, both for this life and for the life to come. {4T 654.3}[3]
§9
青年人互相交往，可以成为一种福气，也可以成为一种咒诅。他们可以彼此造就，祝福和鼓励，在行为，性情和知识上得到进步，也可以放任自己而变得鲁莽失信，只能发挥败坏的影响。{4T 655.1}[4]
§10
Young persons who are thrown into one anothers society may make their association a blessing or a curse. They may edify, bless, and strengthen one another, improving in deportment, in disposition, in knowledge; or, by permitting themselves to become careless and unfaithful, they may exert only a demoralizing influence. {4T 655.1}[4]
§11
耶稣必定帮助一切信靠祂的人。凡与基督联合的人必有充足的快乐。他们行在救主所引导的路上，为祂的缘故已把自己的肉体及其邪情私欲钉在十字架上。他们的希望寄托与基督。地上的风暴决不能将他们从这稳固的根基上卷走。{4T 655.2}[5]
§12
Jesus will be the helper of all who put their trust in Him. Those who are connected with Christ have happiness at their command. They follow in the path where their Saviour leads, for His sake crucifying self with the affections and lusts. These persons have built their hopes on Christ, and the storms of earth are powerless to sweep them from the sure foundation. {4T 655.2}[5]
§13
男女青年们，你们是否愿意成为值得信任、正直和真正有用的人，乃在于你们自己。你们应该随时准备好，并决心在任何环境下都采取支持正义的立场。我们不能把错误的习惯带到天国，若不在今生克服这些恶习，它们就会把我们关闭在义人的居所之外。坏习惯若遇到反对，就会作出最顽强的抵抗；但若坚持不懈地与之作有力的斗争，就能战胜它们。{4T 655.3}[6]
§14
It rests with yourselves, young men and women, whether you will become persons of trust, of integrity and real usefulness. You should be ready and resolute to take your stand for the right, under all circumstances. Our wrong habits cannot be taken to heaven with us, and unless overcome here, they will shut us out of the abode of the righteous. Bad habits, when opposed, will offer the most vigorous resistance; but if the warfare is kept up with energy and perseverance, they may be conquered. {4T 655.3}[6]
§15
为了养成正确的习惯，我们必须寻求与具备完美品德和虔诚感化力的人作伴。我们应该始终谨记，我们可以预备好住在天国。宝贵的宽容时期已赐给我们，使我们可以消除品格的每一个缺点；我们应该努力这样做，不仅为了获得永生，还为了在今生有用。青年男女应该视良好的品格为比金银或股票更有价值的资本。它不会受经济恐慌和经营失败的影响，却会在属世的财产被扫除净尽时给我们带来丰厚的回报。青年人需要有更高尚的基督徒品格价值观。罪蒙蔽人的眼睛，污秽人的心灵。纯正、坚定和毅力乃是人人都应设法认真培养的品质；因为它们使拥有者具有不可抗拒的能力，使他能行善，抵挡罪恶，忍受逆境。正是在这里，真正优美的品格会发出最明亮的光彩。{4T 655.4}[7]
§16
In order to form correct habits, we should seek the company of persons of sound moral and religious influence. We should constantly bear in mind that we may be fitting to inhabit the heavenly courts. The precious hours of probation are granted that we may remove every defect from the character; and we should seek to do this, not only that we may obtain the future life, but that we may be useful here. Young men and women should regard a good character as a capital of more value than gold or silver or stocks. It will be unaffected by panics and failures, and will bring rich returns when earthly possessions shall be swept away. The youth need a higher, nobler view of the value of Christian character. Sin blinds the eyes and defiles the heart. Integrity, firmness, and perseverance are qualities which all should seek earnestly to cultivate; for they clothe the possessor with a power which is irresistible, a power which makes him strong to do good, strong to resist evil, strong to bear adversity. It is here that true excellence of character shines forth with the greatest luster. {4T 655.4}[7]
§17
品格的力量在于意志的能力和自制的能力。许多青年人误认为放荡不羁是品格坚强的表现，但实际上被自己的情感所控制的人乃是弱者。人真正的伟大和高尚，在于他能控制自己的感情，而不是被感情所控制。最刚强的人，是在受到屈辱时仍能控制自己的情感而赦免仇敌的人。这样的人才是真英雄。{4T 656.1}[8]
§18
Strength of character consists of two things--power of will and power of self-control. Many youth mistake strong, uncontrolled passion for strength of character; but the truth is that he who is mastered by his passions is a weak man. The real greatness and nobility of the man is measured by the power of the feelings that he subdues, not by the power of the feelings that subdue him. The strongest man is he, who, while sensitive to abuse, will yet restrain passion and forgive his enemies. Such men are true heroes. {4T 656.1}[8]
§19
许多人对于自己的前途所知甚少，宁愿留在发育不良的狭隘状态中。然而他们若能善用上帝所赐的能力，就可形成高尚的品格，发出一种引人归向基督的感化力。知识就是力量；然而智力若无善良的心，就变成行恶的能力了。{4T 656.2}[9]
§20
Many have such meager ideas of what they may become that they will ever remain dwarfed and narrow, when, if they would improve the powers which God has given them, they might develop a noble character and exert an influence that would win souls to Christ. Knowledge is power; but intellectual ability, without goodness of heart, is a power for evil. {4T 656.2}[9]
§21
上帝赐给我们智力和道德力，但在很大的程度上，各人是自己品格的建筑师。这个建筑正在日趋完成。圣经警告我们要注意我们如何建造，看看我们的建筑物是否立足于永久磐石上。时候将到，我们的工程将显出其本相。现在正是个人培养上帝所赐才能的时候，应当为今生有用并度今后更高的人生，塑造品格。{4T 656.3}[10]
§22
God has given us our intellectual and moral powers, but to a great extent every person is the architect of his own character. Every day the structure is going up. The word of God warns us to take heed how we build, to see that our building is founded upon the eternal Rock. The time is coming when our work will stand revealed just as it is. Now is the time for all to cultivate the powers which God has given them, that they may form characters for usefulness here and for a higher life hereafter. {4T 656.3}[10]
§23
人生的每一个行为，不论是多么无足轻重，对于品格的形成都是有影响的。良好的品格比世上的财产更宝贵，而塑造品格的工作，乃是人所能从事的最高尚的工作。{4T 657.1}[11]
§24
Every act of life, however unimportant, has its influence in forming the character. A good character is more precious than worldly possessions, and the work of forming it is the noblest in which men can engage. {4T 657.1}[11]
§25
环境所形成的品格是易变，不和谐与矛盾的。拥有这等品格的人，人生上没有高尚的目标或志向，不能发挥提高别人品格的感化力。他们既无目的也无能力。{4T 657.2}[12]
§26
Characters formed by circumstance are changeable and discordant--a mass of contraries. Their possessors have no high aim or purpose in life. They have no ennobling influence upon the characters of others. They are purposeless and powerless. {4T 657.2}[12]
§27
分配给我们的短暂生命，应予以聪明地利用。上帝希望祂的教会成为活泼，虔诚，作工的教会。但我们的人就整体而论，现今还是离此甚远。上帝呼召刚强英勇的人，呼召积极活泼的基督徒。他们要效法那真正的模范，为上帝和正义发挥一种坚定的影响力。主已交给我们一项神圣的委托，就是最重要最严肃的真理，我们应当在自己的生活和品格中显示其影响力。{4T 657.3}[13]
§28
The little span of life allotted us here should be wisely improved. God would have His church a living, devoted, working church. But our people, as a body, are far from this now. God calls for strong, brave souls, for active, living Christians, who are following the true Pattern, and who will exert a decided influence for God and the right. The Lord has committed to us, as a sacred trust, most important and solemn truths, and we should show their influence upon our lives and characters. {4T 657.3}[13]