第40章 弥补损失的时间
§1
第40章 弥补损失的时间
§2
Chap. 40—Redeeming the Time
§3
亲爱的J弟兄：我十二点就起来给你写信，因为我心情沉重。我为你感到不安；因为我知道我们正接近世界历史的结束，而你的人生记录却不是你在人人都要按照自己的行为受报的大日所高兴面对的。{5T349.1}[1]
§4
Dear Brother J,I have arisen at twelve o’clock to write to you because my mind is burdened. I am troubled on your account; for I know that we are near the close of earth’s history, and your life record is not such a one as you will be pleased to meet in the great day when every man will receive as his works have been.?{5T 349.1}[1]
§5
你也许会觉得别人作了错事，我也和你一样都知道在教会内没有表现出基督化的精神。但这对于你在受审判之日有何助益呢？难道两个错能变成一个对么？虽然教会内有二三人作了错事，但这却不能涂抹或原谅你的罪。不管别人怎么做，你的任务就是摆正自己的心态。上帝对你的要求是在任何环境下都不可忘记或忽略的，因为在祂看来，每一个人都是宝贵的。{5T349.2}[2]
§6
You may feel that others have done wrong, and I know as well as you do that a Christlike spirit has not been manifested in the church. But will this avail you in the judgment? Will two wrongs make one right? Though one, two, or three in the church have done wrong, this will not blot out or excuse your sin. Whatever course others may take, your work is to set your own heart in order. God has claims upon you which no circumstances should lead you to forget or neglect, for every soul is precious in His sight.?{5T 349.2}[2]
§7
我牵挂着那些在不信的黑山绊跌的人，我想要帮助他们。在某地的教会有好材料；但信徒们还没有被上帝的灵所改变，到达能光照世界的地步。有些人虽有最好的动机，也有极有用的才能，却在教会受考验的时期完全失败，因为他们缺乏基督心中常存的那么丰富的爱与怜悯。他们看到一个人犯错；不但不帮助他，反而远远地避开他。他们喜欢做出令人不愉快的暗示，并在原可避免时去触动敏感的地方。自我上来掌权，于是他们就使人痛苦并激起错误的感情。他们的动机无论多么纯洁，他们行善的努力几乎总是导致失败，要不就导致实际的伤害，因为他们缺少基督的温柔与同情。他们可以做很好的外科医生，但他们是拙劣的护士。他们没有出于爱心的机智。他们若有这种机智，就会知道如何在正确的时间、正确的地点、说正确的话、做正确的事。有些人可能没有更真诚的愿望要做正确的事，对上帝的圣工也没有更深的兴趣；他们可能不是更真实更忠诚的，他们的同情心并非更深切，他们的爱并非更温暖；可是因为他们的温柔与机智，他们在争取犯错的人上却远为成功。{5T349.3}[3]
§8
My heart is drawn out after those who have stumbled on the dark mountains of unbelief, and I want to help them. There is good material in the church in -----; but the members have not been transformed by the Spirit of God, and brought into a position where they can let their light shine to the world. Some, with the best of motives, and possessing capabilities for great usefulness, utterly fail in times of trial in the church, for want of the love and mercy that dwelt so richly in the heart of Christ. They see one in error; and instead of helping him they hold themselves aloof. They are inclined to make unpleasant allusions, and to touch sensitive spots when they might avoid them. Self comes up and bears sway, and they give pain and stir up wrong feelings. However pure their intentions, their efforts to do good nearly always result in failure, if not in actual harm, because the tenderness and compassion of Christ are wanting. They would make very good surgeons, but they are poor nurses. They have not the tact that is born of love. If they had this they would know how to speak the right word and do the right?thing at the right time and in the right place. Others may have no more sincere desires to do right, no deeper interest in the cause of God; they may be no more true and loyal, their sympathies no deeper, their love no warmer; yet because of their gentleness and tact they are far more successful in winning back the erring.?{5T 349.3}[3]
§9
主很希望祂的子民彼此之间比以往更加体谅，更加仁慈怜悯，更加关照。每一个人心中若有基督的爱，就会温柔体贴地关心他人的利益。在业务交易上，弟兄不会占弟兄的便宜。一个人不会因看到自己的弟兄急需帮助，就趁机向他收取过高的利息。那些乘人之危的人，证明自己不是受基督福音的原则所管理的。他们的行为在天上的册子中被记录为欺诈和不诚实。无论哪里，只要这些原则掌权，主的福惠就不会进入人心。这种人正在接受那大仇敌的印记，而非上帝之灵的印记。但那些最终承受天国的人，必须被上帝的恩典所改变。他们必须在内心和生活上都得到洁净，并具有匀称的品格。{5T350.1}[4]
§10
The Lord would be pleased to have His people more considerate than they now are, more merciful and more helpful to one another. When the love of Christ is in the heart, each will be tenderly regardful of the interests of others. Brother will not take advantage of brother in business transactions. One will not charge exorbitant interest because he sees his brother in a close place where he must have help. Those who will take advantage of the necessities of another prove conclusively that they are not governed by the principles of the gospel of Christ. Their course is recorded in the books of heaven as fraud and dishonesty; and wherever these principles rule, the blessing of the Lord will not come into the heart. Such persons are receiving the impress of the great adversary rather than that of the Spirit of God. But those who shall finally inherit the heavenly kingdom must be transformed by divine grace. They must be pure in heart and life and possess symmetrical characters.?{5T 350.1}[4]
§11
我的弟兄啊，我看到你处在极大的危险中。你的财宝积在地上。你的心也在你的财宝上。但你所能积聚的一切钱财，即使达到数百万，也不够支付你灵魂的赎价。因而不要留在不悔改和不信的状态中。你的情况使上帝仁厚的目的受挫。不要迫使祂勉强地伸手毁灭你的财产或使你受苦。{5T350.2}[5]
§12
I regard you, my brother, as in great peril. Your treasure is laid up on the earth, and your heart is upon your treasure. But all the means you may accumulate, even though it should be millions, will not be sufficient to pay a ransom for your soul. Then do not remain in impenitence and unbelief, and in your case defeat the gracious purposes of God; do not force from His reluctant hand destruction of your property or affliction of your person.?{5T 350.2}[5]
§13
多少人现在所采取的行动不久必导致这种惩罚。他们日复一日，周复一周，年复一年为他们自私的利益生活。他们藉着天赐的技能与机智所积聚的影响力和钱财，用在自己和自己的家庭中，而没有考虑他们仁厚的恩主。什么都没有归还给他们的赐予者。他们确实开始把生命及托付他们的才干都看成是他们自己的了。他们若是把上帝应得的那部分交还祂，就以为创造主欠他们的债了。祂对这些不忠心仆人的耐心终于到了尽头。祂就使他们一切自私属世的计划戛然终止，表明他们既是为自己的荣耀收聚的，祂就能分散。他们是无力抵抗祂的能力的。{5T350.3}[6]
§14
How many there are who are now taking a course which must erelong lead to just such visitations of judgment. They live on day by day, week by week, year by year, for their own selfish interest. Their influence and means, accumulated through God-given skill and tact, are used upon themselves and their families without thought of their gracious Benefactor.?Nothing is allowed to flow back to the Giver. Indeed, they come to regard life and its entrusted talents as their own; and if they render back to God that portion which He justly claims, they think that they have placed their Creator under obligation to them. At last His patience with these unfaithful stewards is exhausted; and He brings all their selfish, worldly schemes to an abrupt termination, showing them that as they have gathered for their own glory, He can scatter; and they are helpless to resist His power.?{5T 350.3}[6]
§15
J弟兄，今天我称你为“被囚而有指望的人”（亚9:12）。但你想到你的日头不久前已过中天，现在正迅速下落吗？傍晚已来到了。你没有看到影子变长了吗？你只有一点点时间为自己，为人类，为你的主作工了。你若要终归被算在得胜者中，就有一项特别的工作要为你自己的心灵作成。你的人生记录如何能站立得住呢？耶稣为你辩护是徒然的吗？祂要对你失望吗？与你并肩站立的同伴，有些已经被召走了。来生必显明他们是不是在信心上失败了，没能获得永生，或者他们是不是在上帝面前富足，并且承受那“极重无比、永远的荣耀”（林后4:17）。你不愿想想上帝对你的长久忍耐是要你悔改并在祂面前谦卑己心吗？{5T351.1}[7]
§16
Brother J, I address you today as a prisoner of hope. But will you consider that your sun passed its meridian some time ago and is now rapidly declining? The evening has come. Do you not discern the lengthening shadows? You have but a little time left in which to work for yourself, for humanity, and for your Master. There is a special work to be done for your own soul if you are ever to be numbered with the overcomers. How stands your life record? Is Jesus pleading in your behalf in vain? Shall He be disappointed in you? Some of your companions, who stood side by side with you, have already been summoned away. Eternity will reveal whether they were bankrupt in faith and failed to secure eternal life, or whether they were rich toward God and heirs of the “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Will you not consider that the long forbearance of God toward you calls for repentance and humiliation of soul before Him??{5T 351.1}[7]
§17
在你自己个人的得救问题之外，还有其它重要的考虑事项是要你注意的。现在确实是晚了，你即将日薄西山了，你仍有一项大工要为你的儿女作成，他们得到许可爱世界，与上帝隔绝了。你还有未得救的亲戚、邻居和朋友。要是你行事为人与所赐给你的亮光一致；要是你象积聚地上的财宝一样殷勤地拯救这些宝贵的灵魂；要是你用自己的钱财与感化力，你的智慧和机智，努力收聚这些迷路的人进入基督的羊栏——要是这成为你毕生的工作，你原会争取许多的人得救，并在上帝的日子得到丰厚的奖赏。你原可这样在真实的根基上用有价值不朽坏的材料建造。但你没有这样做，反而用草木禾秸建造，要在每个人的工程受检验时被烧毁。{5T351.2}[8]
§18
There are other weighty considerations aside from your own personal salvation which demand your attention. Late as it now is, with your sun about to sink behind the western hills, you have still a great work to do for your children, who have allowed the love of the world to separate them from God. You have also unsaved relatives, neighbors, and friends. Had your example been consistent with the light given you; had you been as diligent to save these precious souls as you have been to gather earthly treasure; had you used your means and influence, your wisdom and tact, in an effort to gather these straying ones into the fold of Christ—had this?been your lifework, you would have secured a harvest of souls and would have ensured a rich reward in the day of God. You would thus have been building upon the true foundation valuable and imperishable material; but instead of this you have been building wood, hay, and stubble, to be consumed when every man’s work shall be tried, of what sort it is.?{5T 351.2}[8]
§19
你的人生是失败的。你已成了罪人的绊脚石。他们论到你说：“如果这人所信奉的宗教确实是真的，为什么他那么急迫地追求世界呢？为什么他不在自己的行为上表现基督的精神呢？”我的弟兄啊，在为时永远太晚之前，要赶紧从罪人的路上除掉这块绊脚石。你能快乐地看着自己的人生或你所发挥的影响吗？现在你愿意考虑你的道路吗？现在你愿意做出努力与上帝进入正当的关系吗？我不相信你的心是不易受感动的，我也知道上帝的慈爱和温柔的怜悯是不可思议的。你还有一点点宽容时期；你愿意趁现在耶稣正用祂的血在父面前代求时善用它吗？祂已仁厚地保留了你的性命；但它象那棵不结果的无花果树一样，年复一年没有结出果子，不过有叶子。你继续令主失望要到几时呢？你要迫使祂说：“从今以后，你永不结果子；”或“把它砍了吧，何必白占地土呢”（太21:19;路13:7）吗？不要等着主伸手攻击你，分散你所积聚的财产。要记得你一切的财富在你临终时都不会给你片刻的甜美保证和平安。{5T352.1}[9]
§20
Your life has been a failure. You have been a stumbling block to sinners. They have said of you: “If the religion which this man professes is indeed genuine, why is he so eager after this world? Why does he not in his own conduct show the spirit of Christ?” Hasten, my brother, before it is forever too late, to remove this stumbling block from the way of sinners. Can you look with pleasure upon your life or upon the influence you have exerted? Will you now consider your ways? Will you now make efforts to come into right relations with God? I do not believe your heart is unimpressible, and I know that the loving-kindness and tender mercy of God are marvelous. You have a little time of probation; will you improve it now while Jesus is pleading His blood before the Father? He has graciously spared your life; but it has been like the barren fig tree upon which year after year there appeared no fruit, nothing but leaves. How long will you continue to disappoint the Master? Will you compel Him to say: “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever;” or, “Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground”? Oh, wait not for the Lord to put His hand against you and scatter the property which you have accumulated. Remember that all your wealth will not give you one moment of sweet assurance and peace upon your dying bed.?{5T 352.1}[9]
§21
我恳劝你必须立刻归回主。我劝你令仇敌失望。要挣脱他残酷的权势。在你的余生追求在天上做出完全不同的记录，一份你不会蒙羞的记录，那时案卷要展开，审判者要宣布临到那些忽略这伟大救恩之人的判决。{5T352.2}[10]
§22
I earnestly urge upon you the necessity of returning to the Lord at once. I entreat you to disappoint the enemy. Break from off you his cruel power. Seek, during the remainder of your life, to make an entirely different record in heaven, one of which you will not be ashamed when the books shall be opened and the Judge shall pronounce sentence upon those who have neglected this great salvation.?{5T 352.2}[10]
§23
保罗劝他在以弗所的弟兄们要爱惜光阴，因为现今的世代邪恶。这个劝勉十分适用于你。在某种意义上，时间是不可能赎回的；因为一旦逝去，它就永不复返了。但你蒙召要改革，你既已疏忽本分，就要以同等的程度热心善工。要改弦更张。付出双倍的殷勤使你所蒙的恩召和拣选坚定不移。要守上帝的诫命而存活，祂的律法要做你眼中的瞳仁。用尽每一时刻为你永恒的利益和你周围之人的得救劳苦作工。藉着如此行，你既可以救自己也可以救那些或多或少受你的榜样支配的人。这些乃是应适时考虑的动机。{5T353.1}[11]
§24
Paul exhorts his Ephesian brethren to redeem the time because the days are evil. This exhortation is very applicable to you. In one sense it is impossible to redeem the time; for once gone, it is gone forever. But you are called upon to reform, to be zealous of good works in the same degree that you have been negligent of duty. Turn square about. Double your diligence to make your calling and election sure. Keep God’s commandments, and live, and His law as the apple of your eye. Tax every moment to the utmost in laboring for your own eternal interest and for the salvation of souls around you. By so doing you may save both yourself and those who are more or less controlled by your example. These are motives which should be duly considered.?{5T 353.1}[11]
§25
要醒来！要醒来！你有工作要做，你的日头正在迅速下落。你的能力在变弱；但你的一切，你的每一分才干，都属于上帝，应该恳切无私地用在祂的服务上。要趁太阳还在天上的时候作工；因为“黑夜将到，就没有人能做工了”（约9:4）。{5T353.2}[12]
§26
Wake up! wake up! You have work to do, and your sun is fast hastening to its setting. Your powers are becoming enfeebled; but all there is of you, every particle of your ability, belongs to God, and should be used earnestly and disinterestedly in His service. Work while the sun still lingers in the heavens; for the “night cometh, when no man can work.”?{5T 353.2}[12]
§27
请来，我的弟兄，就照你现在有罪玷污的样子来。把你的罪担卸给耶稣，并本着信心要求祂的功劳。现在请来，趁着怜悯还在；要带着认罪来，带着痛悔的心来，上帝必广行赦免。不要再冒险轻视另一个机会。要倾听那为你恳求的怜悯之声，要从死里复活，好使基督可以光照你。现在的每一刻似乎都直接关乎那未见世界的命运。因而不要让你的骄傲和不信使你进一步拒绝所提供的怜悯。你若这样行，就必最终被丢下哀哭：“麦秋已过，夏令已完，我们还未得救”（耶8:20）。{5T353.3}[13]
§28
Come, my brother, come just as you are, sinful and polluted. Lay your burden of guilt on Jesus, and by faith claim His merits. Come now, while mercy lingers; come with confession, come with contrition of soul, and God will abundantly pardon. Do not dare to slight another opportunity. Listen to the voice of mercy that now pleads with you to arise from the dead that Christ may give you light. Every moment now seems to connect itself directly with the destinies of the unseen world. Then let not your pride and unbelief lead you to still further reject offered mercy. If you do you will be left to lament at the last: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”?{5T 353.3}[13]
§29
要以深切的谦卑在上帝面前等候。从此时起就决心成为主的人，尽你全部的本分，绝对信靠那伟大的赎罪。你这样行就必毫无所惧。你的余下的生命旅程就必是安静快乐的，你自己也必获得那只要上帝活着就必持续的生命。{5T353.4}[14]
§30
Wait in deep humiliation before God. From this hour resolve to be the Lord’s, doing your whole duty, trusting implicitly in the great atonement. Do this and you will have nothing to fear. The remainder of your life journey will be tranquil and happy, and you will secure to yourself?that life which shall continue as long as God shall live.?{5T 353.4}[14]
§31
我写上面的内容是因为受到上帝之灵的敦促，也是因为我对你深感关怀。不要有片刻对我产生反感；因为我深深地爱你的灵魂。我们在敬拜上帝时享受了许多宝贵的时光，那时我们的心因祂甜美的祝福而欢喜快乐。难道这些时光永远过去了吗？在今生我们或许永不会再相见了，但我们岂不要在赎民聚集在白色的大宝座周围时相见吗？{5T354.1}[15]
§32
I have written this because I felt urged to do so by the Spirit of God, and because I have a deep interest for you. Do not for one moment let your feelings rise against me; for I have been influenced by love for your soul. We have enjoyed many precious seasons in worshiping God, when our hearts were made joyful by His sweet blessing. Are these seasons forever past? We may never meet again in this life, but shall we not meet when the ransomed are gathered around the great white throne??{5T 354.1}[15]