第19章 教会中的世俗化
§1
第19章 教会中的世俗化
§2
Chap. 19—Worldliness in the Church
§3
圣经记载说明上帝被称为古代圣贤的上帝，并不以为耻（见来11:16）。因为他们不但没有贪爱属世的财物，或本着属世的计划与志向寻求幸福快乐，反而将自己一切所有的完全奉献在上帝的祭坛上，用以建立祂的国度。他们专为上帝的荣耀而生活为人，并且坦白地承认自己在地上是客旅，是寄居的，要寻求那更美的家乡，就是天国的家乡。他们的行为宣露了他们的信仰。上帝可以将祂的真理交托他们，也可以使世人从他们而获得有关祂旨意的知识。{5T188.1}[1]
§4
It is recorded of the holy men of old that God was not ashamed to be called their God. The reason assigned is that instead of coveting earthly possessions or seeking happiness in worldly plans or aspirations they placed their all upon the altar of God and made disposition of it to build up His kingdom. They lived only for God’s glory and declared plainly that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth, seeking a better country, that is, an heavenly. Their conduct proclaimed their faith. God could entrust to them His truth and could leave the world to receive from them a knowledge of His will.?{5T 188.1}[1]
§5
然而今日自称为上帝子民的人，究竟是怎样维持祂圣名的荣誉呢？世人怎能推断出他们是特选的子民呢？他们显明了什么身为天国公民的凭证呢？他们自我放纵、贪爱安逸的行径误表了基督的品格。祂若不认可他们对祂品格的误表，就不能以任何显著的方式在世人面前尊荣他们。{5T188.2}[2]
§6
But how are the professed people of God today maintaining the honor of His name? How could the world infer that they are a peculiar people? What evidence do they give of citizenship in heaven? Their self-indulgent, ease-loving course falsifies the character of Christ. He could not honor them in any marked manner before the world without endorsing their false representation of His character.?{5T 188.2}[2]
§7
我对巴特尔克里克教会说：你们在向世人做什么见证呢？当你们的行径被呈现在我面前时，我蒙指示看到我们的人最近在那个城市建造的住所。这些楼房乃是你们不信自称所持有之道理的纪念碑。它们讲的道比任何讲台上的讲的道都更有效。我看到世俗的人指着这些楼房打趣嘲笑，看它们是对我们信仰的否认。它们表明业主在心里说：“我主人必来得迟”（太24:48）。{5T188.3}[3]
§8
I speak to the church at Battle Creek: What testimony are you bearing to the world? As your course was presented before me, I was pointed to the dwellings recently erected by our people in that city. These buildings are so many monuments of your unbelief of the doctrines which you profess to hold. They are preaching sermons more effective than any delivered from the pulpit. I saw worldlings point to them with jesting and ridicule, as a denial of our faith. They proclaimed that which the owners have been saying in their hearts: “My Lord delayeth His coming.”?{5T 188.3}[3]
§9
我观看许多自称相信真理之人服装，倾听他们的谈话，所见所闻都是反对真理原则的。服装和谈话暴露那些自称在地上是客旅是寄居者的人最珍爱的是什么。“他们是属世界的，所以论世界的事，世人也听从他们”（约壹4:5）。{5T188.4}[4]
§10
I looked upon the dress and listened to the conversation of many who profess the truth. Both were opposed to the principles of truth. Dress and conversation reveal that which is most treasured by those who claim to be pilgrims and strangers on?the earth. “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.”?{5T 188.4}[4]
§11
清教徒的朴素简单，应作为凡相信今日严肃真理之人住处与服装的特征。在穿戴和房屋的装饰方面一切不必需的开支，都是浪费我们主的钱财。这乃是诈取上帝圣工的利益以满足骄傲。我们的机构负有债务，如果我们不尽我们所能救济这些机构脱离困境，还怎么能指望主应允使他们兴旺的祷告呢？{5T189.1}[5]
§12
Puritan plainness and simplicity should mark the dwellings and apparel of all who believe the solemn truths for this time. All means needlessly expended in dress or in the adorning of our houses is a waste of our Lord’s money. It is defrauding the cause of God for the gratification of pride. Our institutions are burdened with debt, and how can we expect the Lord to answer our prayers for their prosperity when we are not doing what we can do to relieve them from embarrassment??{5T 189.1}[5]
§13
我愿象基督对尼哥底母那样对你们说：“你们必须重生。”那些有基督在心里作王的人，不会觉得想要效法世人的炫耀。他们无论何往都会带着十字架的旌旗，总是为比那些吸引世人的东西更高尚的目标更高贵的主题作见证。我们的衣服，我们的住处，我们的言行，都当证明我们已归上帝为圣。凡如此证明自己已为基督舍弃一切的人，该有何等的能力随着他们呢。上帝承认他们为祂的儿女不会感到羞耻。祂愿意祝福祂献身的子民，不信的世人也会敬畏祂。{5T189.2}[6]
§14
I would address you as Christ addressed Nicodemus: “Ye must be born again.” Those who have Christ ruling within will feel no desire to imitate the world’s display. They will carry everywhere the standard of the cross, ever bearing witness of higher aims and nobler themes than those in which worldlings are absorbed. Our dress, our dwellings, our conversation, should testify of our consecration to God. What power would attend those who thus evinced that they had given up all for Christ. God would not be ashamed to acknowledge them as His children. He would bless His devoted people, and the unbelieving world would fear Him.?{5T 189.2}[6]
§15
基督渴望藉祂的灵大力作工，使罪人信服，悔改归正。但是，按照祂神圣的计划，这工作必须借助于祂的教会来完成；而信徒们已离开祂那么远，以致祂不能藉着他们完成祂的旨意。祂选择用钱财作工，但所使用的钱财必须与祂的品格和谐一致。{5T189.3}[7]
§16
Christ longs to work mightily by His Spirit for the conviction and conversion of sinners. But, according to His divine plan, the work must be performed through the instrumentality of His church; and her members have so far departed from Him that He cannot accomplish His will through them. He chooses to work by means, yet the means employed must be in harmony with His character.?{5T 189.3}[7]
§17
在巴特尔克里克的人中，谁是忠心真实的呢？就让他们过来主这边吧。我们如果愿意处在上帝可以使用我们的位置，就必须有一种个人的信心和经验。而今只有那些全然信靠上帝的人才是安全的。我们不可随从任何一个人的榜样或倚靠任何一个人的支持。许多人不断在采取错误的立场和行动；我们如果信任他们的指导，就会被误导。{5T189.4}[8]
§18
Who are there in Battle Creek that are faithful and true? Let them come over on the Lord’s side. If we would be in a position where God can use us, we must have an individual faith and an individual experience. Only those who trust wholly in God are safe now. We must not follow any human example or lean upon any human support. Many are?constantly taking wrong positions and making wrong moves; if we trust to their guidance we shall be misled.?{5T 189.4}[8]
§19
有些自称是上帝的代言人的人，却在他们的生活中否认真理。他们把真理呈现在人们面前；但是谁受这些真理感动呢？谁知罪了呢？听众们知道那些今天在讲道的人明天将是第一个参加娱乐、欢笑和轻浮活动的人。他们在讲台外的影响安抚了不悔悟之人的良心，使传道事工受了藐视。他们自己正在永恒世界的边缘沉睡。他们的衣服上有他人的血。{5T190.1}[9]
§20
Some who profess to be spokesmen for God are in their daily life denying the faith. They present to the people important truths; but who are impressed by these truths? who are convicted of sin? The hearers know that those who are preaching today will tomorrow be the first to join in pleasure, mirth, and frivolity. Their influence out of the pulpit soothes the conscience of the impenitent and causes the ministry to be despised. They are themselves asleep upon the very verge of the eternal world. The blood of souls is upon their garments.?{5T 190.1}[9]
§21
基督的忠仆们是怎么工作的呢？“靠着圣灵，随时多方祷告祈求，”在密室祈求，在家里祈求，在教会中祈求，在哪里都祈求；“并要在此警醒不倦”（弗6:18）。他们感到人们在危险中，并以恳切、谦卑的信心为他们恳求上帝的应许。已由基督付上的赎价——在十字架上的赎罪——始终在他们面前。必有得救的人作他们传道工作的印证。{5T190.2}[10]
§22
How are the faithful servants of Christ employed? “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,” praying in the closet, in the family, in the congregation, everywhere; “and watching thereunto with all perseverance.” They feel that souls are in peril, and with earnest, humble faith they plead the promises of God in their behalf. The ransom paid by Christ—the atonement on the cross—is ever before them. They will have souls as seals of their ministry.?{5T 190.2}[10]
§23
因上帝子民的骄傲和不信，主的责备正临到他们。当他们正远离祂圣言和圣灵的指示时，祂不愿使他们重得救恩之乐。祂必施恩典给那些敬畏祂并行在真理中的人，祂也必从凡与世界同化的人收回祂的福惠。仁慈与真理是应许给谦卑痛悔之人的，而惩罚和谴责却是给反叛之人的。{5T190.3}[11]
§24
The rebuke of the Lord is upon His people for their pride and unbelief. He will not restore unto them the joys of His salvation while they are departing from the instructions of His word and His Spirit. He will give grace to those who fear Him and walk in the truth, and He will withdraw His blessing from all that assimilate to the world. Mercy and truth are promised to the humble and penitent, and judgments are denounced against the rebellious.?{5T 190.3}[11]
§25
在巴特尔克里克的教会原可以脱离偶像而屹立，她的信实原可以成为其它教会的榜样。但她更愿离弃上帝的诫命，而不愿断绝与世界的友谊。她是与自己所选择的偶像结合的；而且她既拥有暂时的兴旺和邪恶世界的宠爱，就相信自己向上帝是富足的。这对许多人来说将证明是一个致命的欺骗。她神圣的品格和属灵的力量已经离开了她。{5T190.4}[12]
§26
The church at Battle Creek might have stood free from idolatry, and her faithfulness would have been an example to other churches. But she is more willing to depart from God’s commandments than to renounce the friendship of the world. She is joined to the idols which she has chosen; and because temporal prosperity and the favor of a wicked world are hers,?she believes herself to be rich toward God. This will prove to many a fatal delusion. Her divine character and spiritual strength have departed from her.?{5T 190.4}[12]
§27
我劝勉这个教会听从救主的警告：“所以，应当回想你是从哪里坠落的，并要悔改，行起初所行的事。你若不悔改，我就临到你那里，把你的灯台从原处挪去”（启2:5）。{5T191.1}[13]
§28
I counsel this church to give heed to the Saviour’s admonition: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”?{5T 191.1}[13]