第49章 属世的心思乃是网罗
§1
第49章 属世的心思乃是网罗
§2
Chap. 49—Worldly-Mindedness a Snare
§3
亲爱的P弟兄和姐妹：当我回顾你们的情况时，我的心极其伤痛。昨晚我的心情十分沉重。P弟兄，在梦中我在与你交谈。你与上帝隔绝是那么明显，而你是那么眼瞎，看不到自己的实况，要设法使你看清自己真实的立场，好似对一个盲人说“请看。”{5T430.1}[1]
§4
Dear Brother and Sister P,My soul is exceedingly sorrowful as I review your cases. Last night my mind was heavily burdened. In dreams I was conversing with you, Brother P. Your separation from God was so evident, and you were so blind in regard to your true condition, that it seemed like saying to a blind man, “See,” to try to make you discern your true standing.?{5T 430.1}[1]
§5
我三点钟以后就不能入睡了，便恳求上帝赐大量祂的灵。我再三询问：这些事谁能当得起呢？当上帝赐给我亮光时，我不敢闭口不说。我必须发言；可是却恐惧战兢，担心这信息会被拒绝，收到这信息的人会笼罩在比亮光临到他们之前更浓密的黑暗中。我必须就近耶稣。我已用这个恳切的祈祷把我的手放在祂的手里：“引我，导我；我没有智慧独自前往。”耶稣似乎很近；我深感祂即将为祂的子民行一件特别的事，特别是为那些劳苦传道教导人的人。祂乐于帮助你们两个，只要你们愿意按祂自己指定的方式接受帮助，但在你们还处在目前的状况时，我无法向你们说一句鼓励的话。基督对法利赛人说的话：“你们不肯到我这里来得生命”（约5:40）正适用于你们。{5T430.2}[2]
§6
I have not been able to sleep since three o’clock, and have been pleading with God for a larger measure of His Spirit. I inquire over and over again: Who is sufficient for these things? I dare not hold my peace when light has been given me of God. I must speak; and yet it is with trembling, fearing that the message will be rejected, and the souls to whom it is addressed will be enshrouded in darkness more dense than before the light came to them. I must come close to Jesus. I have laid my hand in His, with the earnest prayer: “Lead me, guide me; I have not wisdom to go alone.” Jesus seems very near; and I am deeply impressed that He is about to do a special work for His people, particularly for those that labor in word and doctrine. He is willing to help you both if you will receive help in His own appointed way, but I cannot speak one word of encouragement to you while you remain in your present position. The words of Christ to the Pharisees, “Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life,” are applicable to you.?{5T 430.2}[2]
§7
我希望我们能做些什么来帮助你们；但当你们还处在你们所置身的属世渠道时，能为你们做什么呢？你们爱世界，世人也爱你们，因为，就实际的敬虔来说，你们和俗人并无分别。在他们眼里，你们是令人愉快的，聪明的，良善的；他们发现你们两个都有讨他们喜欢的东西。他们赞美你们，恭维你们，因此对你们有平息安慰的影响；而你们反过来也安抚他们对上帝的要求漠不关心。你们鼓励了他们的骄傲和爱宴乐的心；因为你们的行为在对罪人说：“你要……事情顺利”（诗128:2）。你们既与属世的人厮混在一起，你们的判断力就扭曲了；上帝所憎恶的种种罪恶在你们看来也平淡无害了。{5T430.3}[3]
§8
I wish we could do something to help you; but while you remain in the worldly channel in which you have placed yourselves, what can be done for you? You love the world, and the world loves you, because, so far as practical godliness is concerned, there is no separation between yourselves and worldlings. In their eyes you are agreeable, smart, and good; they find in you both that which pleases them. They have praised you and spoken to you smooth things, and thus have had an influence to soothe and comfort you; and you, in your turn, have soothed and comforted them in their careless?indifference to the claims of God. You have encouraged them in their pride and love of pleasure; for your actions have said to the sinner: “It shall be well with thee.” By mingling with worldlings, your judgment has become perverted; and sins which God abhors are tame and harmless in your sight.?{5T 430.3}[3]
§9
我非常担心你们正藉着自以为义建造的心灵围栅无人可以拆毁。你们并不比有名无实的众教会中自称信主的人更接近上帝，更多做祂的工作，更被祂的灵充满。你们没有真实地感觉到安息日的神圣性，上帝也不悦纳你们对祂圣日的遵守。你们没有真奉献，没有真诚的献身。你们两个都没有尊荣上帝；你们并没有在经验上认识祂。你们已离开祂很远，几乎视祂为陌生人。只有属灵的人才能看透属灵的事。但你们已长久培养了属世的品味和习惯，不容易使自己的心转向相反的方向。{5T431.1}[4]
§10
I greatly fear that by your self-righteousness you are building around your souls barriers that nothing can break down. You have been no nearer to God, no more working His works, no more imbued with His Spirit, than the professors in the nominal churches. You have had no real sense of the sacredness of the Sabbath, and God has not accepted your observance of His holy day. You have had no true consecration, no sincere devotion. God has not been honored by either of you; you have not known Him experimentally. You have walked apart from Him so long that He is nearly a stranger to you. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned; but you have so long cultivated worldly tastes and habits that it will not be easy for you to bend your mind in an opposite direction.?{5T 431.1}[4]
§11
你们会觉得：“这话甚难，谁能听呢？”但世人无法理解上帝的子民。在光明之子和黑暗之子之间并无和谐。保罗问道：“基督和彼列有什么相和呢？信主的和不信主的有什么相干呢？上帝的殿和偶像有什么相同呢？因为我们是永生上帝的殿，就如上帝曾说：我要在他们中间居住，在他们中间来往；我要作他们的上帝；他们要作我的子民。又说：你们务要从他们中间出来，与他们分别；不要沾不洁净的物，我就收纳你们。我要作你们的父；你们要作我的儿女。这是全能的主说的”（林后6:15-18）。约翰见证说：“亲爱的啊，我们现在是上帝的儿女，将来如何，还未显明；但我们知道，主若显现，我们必要象祂；因为必得见祂的真体。凡向祂有这指望的，就洁净自己，象祂洁净一样”（约壹3:2-3）。雅各问道：“岂不知与世俗为友就是与上帝为敌吗？所以凡想要与世俗为友的，就是与上帝为敌了”（雅4:4）。{5T431.2}[5]
§12
You will feel: “This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” But the world cannot understand the people of God. There is no harmony between the children of light and the children of darkness. Paul asks: “And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” John testifies: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?”?asks James. “Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”?{5T 431.2}[5]
§13
耶稣对祂的门徒说：“你们若爱我，就必遵守我的命令。我要求父，父就另外赐给你们一位保惠师，叫祂永远与你们同在[不是真理的表白，不是敬虔的形式]，就是真理的圣灵，乃世人不能接受的；因为不见祂，也不认识祂。你们却认识祂，因祂常与你们同在，也要在你们里面”（约14:15-17）。“有了我的命令又遵守的，这人就是爱我的；爱我的必蒙我父爱他，我也要爱他，并且要向他显现。犹大（不是加略人犹大）问耶稣说：‘主啊，为什么要向我们显现，不向世人显现呢？’耶稣回答说：‘人若爱我，就必遵守我的道；我父也必爱他，并且我们要到他那里去，与他同住。不爱我的人就不遵守我的道’”（约14:21-24）。{5T432.1}[6]
§14
Jesus said to His disciples: “If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever [not a profession of the truth, not a form of godliness, but]: even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” “He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. Judas saith unto Him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him. He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings.”?{5T 432.1}[6]
§15
基督的话在你们的心中得不到任何回应，因为你们已经瞎了眼硬了心。在天上的册子中，你们两个都被记为是属世界的。你们的心有时会不安，但不足以使你们悔改，改变你们的行径。你们的感情属于世界。对你们来说，效法世界的习俗比顺从天父更合意。{5T432.2}[7]
§16
The words of Christ find no response in your hearts, for you have blinded your eyes and hardened your hearts. In the books of heaven you are both accounted as of the world. Your hearts are sometimes troubled, but not enough to lead you to repent and change your course of action. The world holds your affections, and its customs are more agreeable to you than obedience to the heavenly Teacher.?{5T 432.2}[7]
§17
你们在儿女面前的榜样与你们自称要爱的真理根本不一致。真理并没有洁净你们或他们。你们喜爱自私的享乐；你们藉着言传身教给儿女的教训，并不具有培养他们谦卑温柔性情象基督的性质。你们是在照世界的标准塑造他们。当耶稣在你们面前展开天上的记录册时，你们每日的言行都如实地记录在上面，那时你们就会看到，你们二人的生活乃是可怕的失败。{5T432.3}[8]
§18
Your example before your children is not at all in accordance with the truth you profess to love. The truth does not sanctify you or them. You love selfish enjoyment; and the lessons taught your children, both by precept and example, have not been of a character to foster in them humility, meekness, and a Christlike disposition. You are molding them after the world’s standard. When Jesus shall open before you the book of records, where day by day your words and actions have been faithfully registered, you will see that with both of you life has been a terrible failure.?{5T 432.3}[8]
§19
你们最近的痛苦对你们起什么作用，我不能说；但如果它能开你们的眼睛，使你们的心知罪，你们就必采取行动要说明这事。你们若无彻底的转变，就决不能领受永生的冠冕；你们的儿女也决不能加入被宝血洗净的群众，除非他们先忘却你们所给他们的教训。那些教训已成了他们的生活和品格的一部分。你们的榜样已导致他们认为宗教就象一件外衣，可按场合的需要或方便与否穿上或脱下；除非所带给他们的影响有了完全的改变，他们就会坚持这种对上帝的要求松懈马虎的想法。他们并不知道构成基督徒生活的是什么；他们没有学到活出真理和背十字架是什么。{5T432.4}[9]
§20
What your recent affliction may have done for you, I am unable to say; but if it has had power to open your eyes and convict your souls, you will certainly take a course to make?this evident. Without a thorough conversion, you can never receive the crown of everlasting life; and your children will never have part with the blood-washed throng unless they first unlearn the lessons you have taught them, which have become a part of their life and character. Your example has led them to think that religion is like a garment that may be worn or laid off as occasion requires or convenience dictates; and unless there is an entire change in the influences brought to bear upon them, these lax ideas of the claims of God will cling to them. They do not know what constitutes the Christian life; they have not learned what it is to live the truth and bear the cross.?{5T 432.4}[9]
§21
基督说：“世人若恨你们，你们知道，恨你们以先已经恨我了”（约15:18）。你们已经接受了那种意见，认为世人如此反对我们的原因是我们这班人太不合群了，我们的服装太朴素了，我们对于娱乐太严格了，在言行上离开他们太远了。你们已认为如果我们少点孤高，多与世人混在一起，他们对我们的看法和印象就会大为改观了。但人心不会犯比这更大的错误了。基督说：“你们若属世界，世界必爱属自己的；只因你们不属世界，乃是我从世界中拣选了你们，所以世界就恨你们。你们要记念我从前对你们所说的话：‘仆人不能大于主人。’他们若逼迫了我，也要逼迫你们；若遵守了我的话，也要遵守你们的话。他们因我的名要向你们行这一切的事，因为他们不认识那差我来的”（约15:19-21）。{5T433.1}[10]
§22
“If the world hate you,” said Christ, “ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.” You have entertained the opinion that the reason why the world is so much opposed to us as a people is that we are too unsocial, too plain in our dress, and too strict in regard to amusements, withdrawing ourselves from them too much in practice as well as in precept. You have thought that if we would be less exclusive and would mingle more with the world, their opinions and impressions of us would be greatly modified. But no greater mistake could affect the human mind. Said Christ: “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for My name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent Me.”?{5T 433.1}[10]
§23
这些话是主说的，就连祂的仇敌都被迫承认说：“从来没有象祂这样说话的”（约7:46）。人的话表达他们自己的人意；但基督的话乃是灵，是生命。祂说：“你们若常常遵守我的道，就真是我的门徒”（约8:31）。“出于上帝的，必听上帝的话”（约8:47），但这些圣言在一颗属世界爱世界的享乐的心里是没有落足之地的。{5T433.2}[11]
§24
These are the words of One of whom even His enemies were forced to admit: “Never man spake like this Man.” The words of men express their own human thoughts; but those of Christ are spirit and life. “If ye continue in My word,” He says, “then are ye My disciples indeed.” “He that is of God heareth God’s words,” but these divine utterances find no place in the heart of one who is of the world and loves its pleasures.?{5T 433.2}[11]
§25
上帝已赐给我们明确的指示，谁也不必犯错。祂说：“人活着，不是单靠食物，乃是靠上帝口里所出的一切话”（太4:4）。上帝所默示的真理“于教训、督责、使人归正、教导人学义都是有益的”（提后3:16）。人活着，不是靠上帝口里所说的一句话，许多句话，而是一切话。你若漠视祂所赐下的一句话，一个命令，无论它对你来说似乎多么不重要，都不可能是安全的。“无论何人废掉这诫命中最小的一条，又教训人这样做，他在天国要称为最小的。但无论何人遵行这诫命，又教训人遵行，他在天国要称为大的”（太5:19）。无论何人若蓄意违背一个命令，就不能用心灵和真理持守任何命令。他可以声称，除了他能认为是轻微的偏离之外，他遵守了所有命令；可是他若自愿违反一点，就有了违反全部的罪。{5T434.1}[12]
§26
God has given us specific directions so that no one need err. “Man shall not live by bread alone,” He says, “but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” The truth given by inspiration “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Not by one word, not by many words, but by?every word?that God has spoken, shall man live. You cannot disregard one word, a single injunction that He has given, however trifling it may seem to you, and be safe. “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Whosoever will willfully break one command cannot in spirit and in truth keep any of them. He may claim that, with the exception of what he may regard as slight deviations, he keeps them all; yet if he willingly offends in one point he is guilty of all.?{5T 434.1}[12]
§27
P弟兄和姐妹啊，你们虽然自称信奉基督教，却隐瞒了部分的价值。你们在思想和献身上抢夺了上帝；你们也在你们的才干和感化力上抢夺了祂。你们的爱好已成了你们的一个网罗。你们没有跟从上帝在证言中仁厚地赐给你们的亮光；你们做了若不洗心革面就会把你们排斥在天国之外的事。要是你们听从了圣灵发给你们的责备，你们现在就会在上帝里刚强，并在基督徒的经验上远为进步了，你们在天上的册子中也会有完全不同的记录。{5T434.2}[13]
§28
Brother and Sister P, while you have been making a profession of Christianity you have been keeping back part of the price. You have robbed God of thought and devotion; you have robbed Him of your talents and influence. Your inclinations have been a snare to you. You have not followed the light that God has graciously given you in testimonies; and you have done things that without repentance and reformation on your part will exclude you from heaven. Had you heeded the reproofs sent to you by the Holy Spirit you would now be strong in God and far advanced in Christian experience, and you would have had an entirely different record in the books of heaven.?{5T 434.2}[13]
§29
基督说：“弃绝我、不领受我话的人，有审判他的，就是我所讲的道在末日要审判他”（约12:48）。当那日，那些拥有这种亮光和特权，因上帝儿子的无限牺牲而使他们可以得到救恩，却没有利用这些宝贵恩赐的人，脸上将何等抱愧蒙羞啊。藉着祂的话，上帝在不断向我们指出正路，就是崇高而光荣的义路。这条路上的旅行者并非行在黑暗中，因为这条道路是被那公义的日头照亮的；但你们已弃绝了这条路，因为它离世界太远了。自爱和自私的野心无法经过窄门，行走向上的窄路。{5T434.3}[14]
§30
“He that rejecteth Me,” says Christ, “and receiveth not My words, hath One that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” In that day what shame and confusion of face will cover those who have had such light and privileges, who have had salvation brought within their reach by the infinite sacrifice of the Son of God, and yet have not availed themselves of these precious?gifts. Through His word God is constantly pointing out to us the right path, even the high and glorious path of the just. The travelers in this path do not walk in darkness, for it is illuminated by the Sun of Righteousness; but you have rejected it because it was too far separated from the world. Self-love and selfish ambition cannot pass the strait gate and walk the narrow, upward way.?{5T 434.3}[14]
§31
在最后结账之日，将要显明上帝是按名熟悉每个人的。人生的每一行动，冥冥中都有一位见证者在鉴察着。“那右手拿着七星，在七个金灯台中间行走的说：我知道你的行为”（启2:1,2）。多少良机已被人轻忽损失了，那位好牧人何等殷勤不倦地要寻找那些迷亡在崎岖之途的，带它们回到平安稳妥的道路上。上帝曾一再招呼那些贪爱欢乐的人；祂也一再用圣经上的亮光照明他们的道路，使他们能看出危险而逃避之。但他们一直前进，嬉笑戏谑地行在宽路上，直到最后他们的恩典宽容时期结束为止。上帝的作为是公正平等的；在那向凡显出亏欠的人宣判之时，各人的口都必塞住。{5T435.1}[15]
§32
It will be found in the day of final settlement that God was acquainted with everyone by name. There is an unseen witness to every action of the life. “I know thy works,” says He that “walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.” It is known what opportunities have been slighted, how untiring have been the efforts of the Good Shepherd to search out those who were wandering in crooked ways, and to bring them back to the path of safety and peace. Again and again God has called after the pleasure lovers; again and again He has flashed the light of His word across their path, that they might see their peril, and escape. But on and on they go, jesting and joking as they travel the broad road, until at length their probation is ended. God’s ways are just and equal; and when sentence is pronounced against those who are found wanting, every mouth will be stopped.?{5T 435.1}[15]
§33
你们两个若看出世人的赞美与尊荣的真相，现在的景况就会多么不同啊。你们两个都更渴求世人的赞美而不是生命之水。被世人重视的愿望已使你们迷醉了；他们尊敬的话语欺骗了你们。何时你们正确地估量了永恒的事，富有及饱学之人的友谊和尊重对你们就不会有任何影响了。无论以何种形式表现的骄傲，也不会再住在你们心里了。但你们已那么久就饮于世俗的浊流，看不到更好的生活方式。{5T435.2}[16]
§34
How different it would now be with you both had you regarded in their true light the praise and honor that come from men. You both thirst more for the praise of the world than for the waters of life. The idea of being thought of importance among men of the world has intoxicated you; their words of esteem have deceived you. When you place a right estimate on eternal things, the friendship and esteem of the rich and the learned will have no influence over you. Pride, in whatever form it may manifest itself, will no longer live in your heart. But you have so long drunk of the turbid stream of worldliness that you see no better way to live.?{5T 435.2}[16]
§35
上帝再三伸手要救你们，向你们显明你们的责任和义务。随着亮光的增加，这些责任的性质也在改变。当亮光照耀，显明并责备从前没有发现的错误时，在生活和品格上就必须有相应的改变。心眼盲目的自然结果就是犯错。当这些错误被指出来时，它们就不再是无知的罪或判断失误了。若不按照所赐的亮光予以坚决的改革，它们就会变成自以为是的罪。包围着你们的道德黑暗就会变得更加浓厚；你们的心就会变得越来越刚硬，你们在上帝看来也就越发讨厌无礼。你们没有认识到自己所处的大危险，你们的情况所有的危险是，亮光会变得全然昏暗，完全被黑暗遮蔽。何时你们接受了亮光并遵行之，你们就会向罪被钉死，确实向世界死，而向上帝活。你们的偶像就会被抛弃，你们的榜样也会在舍己这边而不是在自我放纵那边。{5T435.3}[17]
§36
Again and again God has stretched out His hand to save you by showing you your duties and obligations. These duties change in character with the increase of light. When the light?shines, making manifest and reproving the errors that were undiscovered, there must be a corresponding change in the life and character. The mistakes that are the natural result of blindness of mind are, when pointed out, no longer sins of ignorance or errors of judgment; but unless there are decided reforms in accordance with the light given, they then become presumptuous sins. The moral darkness that surrounds you will become more dense; your heart will become harder and harder, and you will be more offensive in the sight of God. You do not realize the great peril you are in, the danger there is that in your case the light will become entirely obscured, veiled in complete darkness. When the light is received and acted upon, you will be crucified to sin, being dead indeed unto the world, but alive to God. Your idols will be abandoned, and your example will be on the side of self-denial rather than that of self-indulgence.?{5T 435.3}[17]
§37
P弟兄和姐妹啊，要是你们听从了上帝之灵的证言，你们现在就会行在光中，与上帝的子民和谐一致；但你们的不信已使你们远离极大的好处。P姐妹虽没有起来反对证言，但也没有藉着顺从证言来相信它们是来自主的。她喜爱自己的丈夫受世人的赞美和尊荣。那满足了她的骄傲，她的骄傲可不小。你们两个都很可以自问：“为什么我这么迟于从世界出来并与基督有份呢？为什么我竟喜爱并尊重那些我明知不爱上帝也不尊重祂要求的人呢？为什么我想要保留我主之仇敌们的友谊呢？为什么我竟随从世俗，或受他们的意见影响呢？”我亲爱的朋友们，你们无法既侍奉上帝又侍奉玛门。你们必须做出毫无保留的投诚，否则在不久的将来，那照在你们道路上的亮光就会熄灭在绝望的黑暗中了。你们是在仇敌的阵地上。你们已自愿置身于那里，而主不会保护你们免受他的袭击。{5T436.1}[18]
§38
Brother and Sister P, had you heeded the?Testimonies?of the Spirit of God, you would now be walking in the light, in harmony with the people of God; but your unbelief has shut you away from great good. Sister P has not risen up against the?Testimonies, neither has she shown confidence in them as from the Lord by obeying them. She loves to have her husband praised and honored by the world; it gratifies her pride, which is by no means small. You may each appropriately inquire: “Why am I so slow to come out from the world and take Christ for my portion? Why should I love and honor those whom I know do not love God nor respect His claims? Why should I wish to retain the friendship of my Lord’s enemies? Why should I follow their customs or be influenced by their opinions?” You cannot, my dear friends, serve both God and mammon. You must make an unreserved surrender, or in the near future the light that shines upon your pathway will go out in the darkness of despair. You are on the enemy’s ground. You have voluntarily placed yourselves there, and the Lord will not protect you against his assaults.?{5T 436.1}[18]
§39
在你们目前的景况中，你们正在做的事害多益少；因为你们有敬虔的形式，自称相信真理，但你们的言行却在说：引到永生，“那门是宽的，路是大的，进去的人也多。”你们的生活若是承认基督的，那我们就真可以说世界已经追随祂了。你们的信仰表白可能是正确的；但你们有谦卑和爱心，温柔和献身吗？藉着圣洁的生活和虔诚的为人，“凡在人面前认我的，人子在上帝的使者面前也必认他”（路12:8）。没有人能认基督，除非他有基督的心和基督的精神；他无法传达自己所没有的。每日的生活必须表现出真理使人成圣的能力，证明基督因信住在心里。凡与圣灵的果子相反的，或与上帝将祂的子民从世界分别出来的工作相背的，都是否认基督；而祂的话是：“在人面前不认我的，人子在上帝的使者面前也必不认他”（路12:9）。{5T436.2}[19]
§40
In your present state you are doing far more harm than good; for you have a form of godliness and profess to believe?the truth, while your words and actions say: “Wide is the gate, and broad is the way” that leads to life, “and many there be which go in thereat.” If your life is a confession of Christ, then we may truly say that the world has gone after Him. Your profession may be right; but have you humility and love, meekness and devotion? “Whosoever shall confess Me before men,” by a holy life and godly conversation, “him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.” No one can confess Christ unless he has the mind and spirit of Christ; he cannot communicate that which he does not possess. The daily life must be an expression of the sanctifying power of the truth, and evidence that Christ is abiding in the soul by faith. Whatever is opposed to the fruits of the Spirit, or to the work of God in separating His people from the world, is a denial of Christ; and His words are: “He that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.”?{5T 436.2}[19]
§41
我们可能藉着我们属世的言行和服装的骄傲否认基督。你们有一个朋友圈，他们对你们和儿女来说乃是一个网罗。你们喜爱他们的陪伴。藉着与他们交往，你们使自己和儿女的着装打扮效法了那些眼中不敬畏上帝之人的时尚。你们因而就表明自己是与世俗为友的。“多言多语难免有过”（箴10:19）。你们与这些朋友的交往会使你们到密室祈求上帝的爱与恩典，还是使你们的心与上帝疏远呢？你们的榜样已鼓励他们心不在焉自以为是或盲目自信地赶赴人生的行程，没有固定的宗教原则指导他们。他们不本着良心尊重安息日，也不尊重上帝任何方面的要求；他们不喜爱基督徒的责任，越来越远离亮光、平安和喜乐之源。{5T437.1}[20]
§42
We may deny Christ by our worldly conversation and by our pride of apparel. You have a circle of friends who are a snare to you and to your children. You love their companionship. Through association with them, you are led to dress yourselves and your children after the fashions followed by those who have no fear of God before their eyes. You thus show that you have friendship with the world. “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin.” Does your intercourse with these friends incline you to visit the closet and ask divine love and grace, or does it estrange your mind from God? And your dear children—what is your neglect of their eternal interests doing for them? Your example has encouraged them to hurry on the life journey with heedless presumption or with blind self-confidence, having no fixed religious principles to guide them. They have no conscientious regard for the Sabbath, or for the claims of God in any respect; they do not love Christian duties, and are straying further and further from the Source of light, peace, and joy.?{5T 437.1}[20]
§43
人非有信就不能得上帝的喜悦；因为“凡不出于信心的都是罪”（罗14:23）。所要的信心，不单是与道理表示同意而已；所要的是那使人生发爱心及洁净心灵的信心。谦卑，温柔，及顺从都不是信心；它们只是信心的成效或结果。你们还应当在基督的门下受教，以便取得这些美德。你们不明白天庭的原理及情意；天庭的言语对于你们差不多是陌生的。上帝的灵还在为你们代求；但我却有严肃而痛苦的疑虑，不知你们是否肯听从这多年向你们请求的声音。我希望你们要听从，以便转回而得存活。{5T437.2}[21]
§44
Without faith it is impossible to please God; “for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” The faith that is required is not a?mere assent to doctrines; it is the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Humility, meekness, and obedience are not faith; but they are the effects, or fruit, of faith. These graces you have yet to attain by learning in the school of Christ. You do not know the sentiments and principles of heaven; its language is almost a strange language to you both. The Spirit of God still pleads in your behalf; but I have serious, painful doubts whether you will heed that voice that has been appealing to you for years. I hope you will, and that you will turn and live.?{5T 437.2}[21]
§45
你们把可怜而无价值的自身献给耶稣，是否觉得牺牲太大呢？你们是否宁愿受罪及死亡的绝望捆绑，而不愿自己的生命与世俗隔绝，用爱之绳索来与基督联系呢？耶稣仍然活着为我们代求。这事应当每日使我们的心发出感谢之念。那明白自己有罪的而无助的人，可以照他本来的状况来接受上帝的福气。他若本着信心握住那应许，那应许就属于他。但那自以为是富足的，尊贵的，公义的，他的看法既象世人所看的一样，称恶为善，称善为恶，他就不能请求及接受那应许，因为他觉得并无缺少。他觉得自己很充足；因此他必空无所有地走开。{5T438.1}[22]
§46
Do you feel that it is too great a sacrifice to give your poor unworthy selves to Jesus? Will you choose the hopeless bondage of sin and death rather than to have your life severed from the world and united to Christ by bonds of love? Jesus still lives to intercede for us. This should daily call out the gratitude of our hearts. He that realizes his guilt and helplessness may come just as he is and receive the blessing of God. The promise belongs to him if he will grasp it by faith. But he that in his own eyes is rich, and honorable, and righteous, who sees as the world sees, and calls evil good and good evil, cannot ask and receive, because he feels no need. He feels that he is full; therefore he must go away empty.?{5T 438.1}[22]
§47
你们若为自己的灵魂担心，你们若殷勤寻求上帝，祂就要被你们寻见；但祂决不接受无诚意的悔改。你们若丢弃自己的罪，祂是随时要赦免的。你们肯立刻就归顺祂么？你们肯向髑髅地仰望并且问道：“耶稣的这种牺牲是为我么？祂忍受侮辱，羞耻，责骂，以及十字架惨酷的死亡，是因为切望救我脱离罪的痛苦及绝望的悲惨，而使我在祂的国中有说不出的快乐么？”当仰望那位被你们的罪所扎伤的主，并立志说：“我愿终身事奉主。我不再与祂的仇敌为伍；我不再以我的感化力去襄助那反抗上帝政权的叛徒。祂这样爱我，为我舍己──祂整个神圣的自己为一个这样多罪恶及错误的我而死，我和我一切所有的都献给祂，也是太微小了。”应当与世俗分开，完全站在主这一边，向敌人加紧进攻，这样，你们就必得到光荣的胜利。{5T438.2}[23]
§48
Should you become alarmed for your own souls, should you seek God diligently, He will be found of you; but He will accept no halfhearted repentance. If you will forsake your sins, He is ever ready to forgive. Will you just now surrender to Him? Will you look to Calvary and inquire: “Did Jesus make this sacrifice for me? Did He endure humiliation, shame, and reproach, and suffer the cruel death of the cross because He desired to save me from the sufferings of guilt and the horror of despair, and make me unspeakably happy in His kingdom?” Look upon Him whom your sins have pierced, and resolve: “The Lord shall have the service of my life. I will no longer unite with His enemies; I will no longer lend my influence to the rebels against His government. All I have and am is too little to devote to Him who so loved me that He gave His life for me—His whole divine self for one?so sinful and erring.” Separate from the world, be wholly on the Lord’s side, press the battle to the gates, and you will win glorious victories.?{5T 438.2}[23]
§49
那听从永生之道的人有福了。那蒙“真理的圣灵”引导的人，必被引进全部真理之中。他虽不受世俗的敬爱，尊重及称赞，但在上天看来却是宝贵的。“你看父赐给我们是何等的慈爱，使我们得称为上帝的儿女；我们也真是祂的儿女；世人所以不认识我们，是因未曾认识祂”（约壹3:1）。{5T439.1}[24]
§50
Blessed is he who heeds the words of eternal life. Guided by “the Spirit of truth,” he will be led into all truth. He will not be loved, honored, and praised by the world; but he will be precious in the sight of heaven. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.”?{5T 439.1}[24]