第62章 实际的敬虔
§1
第62章 实际的敬虔
§2
Chap. 62—Practical Godliness
§3
(1887年3月1日写于瑞士巴塞尔)
§4
亲爱的奥克兰弟兄姐妹们：我倾心吐意地写信给你们。我觉得自己一再地在梦中和你们交谈，并且每次你们都是在困难中。但不论有何事临到，切不可削弱你们的道德勇气，而使你们的宗教退化成一种漠然的仪式。可爱的耶稣随时准备赐丰富的福气；但我们却需要在信心，在恳切祈祷，以及在上帝之爱的喜乐中获得经验。我们之中是否有人要被称在天平里显出亏欠来呢？我们必须留心自己，留心自己天性中之分毫污秽的邪念，免得对上帝所托作祂人间代表的重责，有背信不忠之虞。{5T532.2}[1]
§5
Dear Brethren and Sisters at Oakland,My mind is drawn out to write to you. Again and again I find myself talking to you in my dreams, and in every case you are in trouble. But whatever comes, let it not enfeeble your moral courage and cause your religion to degenerate into a heartless form. The loving Jesus is ready to bless abundantly; but we need to obtain an experience in faith, in earnest prayer, and in rejoicing in the love of God. Shall any of us be weighed in the balances and be found wanting? We must watch ourselves, watch the least unholy promptings of our nature, lest we become traitors to the high responsibilities God has bestowed upon us as His human agencies.?{5T 532.2}[1]
§6
我们必须研究祂历代以来给其子民的警告及矫正。我们并不缺少亮光。我们明白自己应当避免何种行为，以及祂要我们遵守何种条件；因此，我们若不设法明白及实行合理的善事，那就是因为错谬的行为较之正当的举动更适于肉欲之心的缘故。{5T532.3}[2]
§7
We must study the warnings and corrections He has given His people in past ages. We do not lack light. We know what works we should avoid and what requirements He has given?us to observe; so if we do not seek to know and do that which is right, it is because wrongdoing suits the carnal heart better than rightdoing.?{5T 532.3}[2]
§8
世上常有不信之徒，要靠别人的信心来提携前进。他们对真理既没有经验上的认识，结果就没有在自己的心灵上感到真理的圣化之能。教会的每个成员应当安静而殷勤地作省察己心的工作，查看自己的生活及品格是否与上帝伟大的公义标准相符合。{5T533.1}[3]
§9
There will always be faithless ones, who wait to be carried forward by the faith of others. They have not an experimental knowledge of the truth and consequently have not felt its sanctifying power on their own souls. It should be the work of every member of the church quietly and diligently to search his own heart and see if his life and character are in harmony with God’s great standard of righteousness.?{5T 533.1}[3]
§10
主已在加利福尼亚州，尤其是在奥克兰，为你们行了许多大事；但是你们若肯使自己的行为与信心相称，那祂所乐意行的事也必更多得多了。上帝从不将丰富的福气赐给不信的人。回顾上帝已行的事，然后就知道那不过是祂所愿行之事的开端罢了。{5T533.2}[4]
§11
The Lord has done great things for you in California, particularly in Oakland; but there is much more that He would be well pleased to do if you would make your works correspond with your faith. God never honors unbelief with rich blessings. Review what God has done, and then know that it is only the beginning of what He is willing to do.?{5T 533.2}[4]
§12
我们必须提高圣经的价值，过于我们现在所估计的，因为其中乃上帝向人类显明的旨意。单是同意圣经是真实的，这还不够，我们务必研究圣经，学习明白其内容。我们是否接受圣经作为“上帝的圣言”呢？它实在是神圣的信息，正如清晰可闻的话语一样。只因我们不顺从其教训，所以总不赏识其宝贵。{5T533.3}[5]
§13
We must place a higher value than we have upon the Scriptures, for therein is the revealed will of God to men. It is not enough merely to assent to the truthfulness of God’s word, but we must search the Scriptures to learn what they contain. Do we receive the Bible as the “oracle of God”? It is as really a divine communication as though its words came to us in an audible voice. We do not know its preciousness because we do not obey its instructions.?{5T 533.3}[5]
§14
恶使者在我们四围工作，只因我们凭着肉眼看不见他们，所以没有照着所应该的考虑他们的实际存在，犹如圣经上所说明的一样。如果圣经上没有什么难于明白的事，则人类在研究之下，便会骄傲自满起来了。人最好不要以为自己明白真理的每一方面，这原是不可能的。因此不可有人自鸣得意，说他是正确了解全部圣经，并觉得他有本分叫别的人个个都要照他的看法去了解它。当消除智力上的骄傲。我扬声警告各种各类属灵的骄傲。在今日的教会中正是充斥着这种现象。{5T533.4}[6]
§15
There are evil angels at work all around us, but because we do not discern their presence with our natural vision we do not consider as we should the reality of their existence as set forth in the word of God. If there was nothing in the Scriptures hard to be understood, man, in searching its pages, would become lifted up in pride and self-sufficiency. It is never best for one to think that he understands every phase of truth, for he does not. Then let no man flatter himself that he has a correct understanding of all portions of Scripture and feel it his duty to make everybody else understand them just?as he does. Let intellectual pride be banished. I lift my voice in warning against every species of spiritual pride. There is an abundance of it in the church today.?{5T 533.4}[6]
§16
我们今日所怀持的真理在初次被人看作圣经真理之时，是显得何等的奇怪，并且在初次把它传给人之时，我们也要应付何等强烈的反对；然而顺从真理及爱护真理的工人们，却是何等的恳切与诚心啊！那时我们确实是一班奇特的子民。我们的人数不多，既没有财富，又没有属世的智慧及属世的尊贵；但我们仍然信仰上帝，刚强而顺利，并使作恶的人生畏。我们彼此相爱的心是坚稳的；不易被摇动。于是上帝的能力在我们中间显现，病弱的人痊愈了，以致洋溢着恬静，甜蜜，圣洁之乐。然而亮光虽继续增加，但会众却没有相称地前进。精金逐渐暗淡无光，无生气与仪文虚套便传入会中，使会众的精力衰残。他们许多的特权及机会并没有使上帝的子民前进上进，达到纯洁神圣的地步。他们若忠心善用上帝所交托的才干，就必增加许多的才干。多给谁就向谁多要。只有那些忠心接受并珍视上帝所赐我们亮光的人，以及在克己牺牲上采取高贵立场的人，才可以成为向世界传光的媒介。那些没有前进的人，即使是在天上迦南的边境，也必退步。我蒙启示知道，我们的信心与行为，实无法与所赐的真理之光相应。我们决不可存一种无诚意的信心，只当存那完全的生发仁爱并洁净心灵的信心。上帝呼召你们住在加利福尼亚省的人，要与祂作亲密的联络。{5T534.1}[7]
§17
When the truth we now cherish was first seen to be Bible truth, how very strange it appeared, and how strong was the opposition we had to meet in presenting it to the people for the first time; but how earnest and sincere were the obedient, truth-loving laborers! We were indeed a peculiar people. We were few in numbers, without wealth, without worldly wisdom or worldly honors; and yet we believed God and were strong and successful, a terror to evildoers. Our love for one another was steadfast, it was not easily shaken. Then the power of God was manifested among us, the sick were healed, and there was much calm, sweet, holy joy. But while the light has continued to increase, the church has not advanced proportionately. The fine gold has gradually become dim, and deadness and formality have come in to cripple the energies of the church. Their abundant privileges and opportunities have not led God’s people onward and upward to purity and holiness. A faithful improvement of the talents God has entrusted to them would greatly increase those talents. Where much is given, much will be required. Those only who faithfully accept and appreciate the light God has given us, and who take a high, noble stand in self-denial and self-sacrifice, will be channels of light to the world. Those who do not advance will retrograde, even on the very borders of the heavenly Canaan. It has been revealed to me that our faith and our works in no way correspond to the light of truth bestowed. We must not have a halfhearted faith, but that perfect faith which works by love and purifies the soul. God calls upon you in California to come into close relationship with Him.?{5T 534.1}[7]
§18
有一点应当谨防的，那就是独立的个性。既然当基督的军兵，就当在各部门的工作上有协调的行动。不可有一个人有权擅自挺身而出，于明知我们中有别人对圣经要道持不同意见之时，在我们的书报上发表有关该道理的观念，那必会酿成纷争的。在“守第一日基督复临派”的信徒中，就有过此种情形。他们每人各持自己的独立见解，力传其新创的观念，以致彼此之间，也许除了在反对基督复临安息日会一事上尚能合作之外，都是互相矛盾的。我们切不可效法他们的榜样。每个工人在行动上应当顾及别人。跟从耶稣基督的人，不可各自采取独立的行动。我们的力量必须寄于上帝，也必须予以培养，使能发出高尚团结的行动。切不可在无谓的行动上浪费精力。{5T534.2}[8]
§19
One point will have to be guarded, and that is individual independence. As soldiers in Christ’s army, there should be concert of action in the various departments of the work. No?one has the right to start out on his own responsibility and advance ideas in our papers on Bible doctrines when it is known that others among us hold different opinions on the subject and that it will create controversy. The first-day Adventists have done this. Each has followed his own independent judgment and sought to present original ideas, until there is no concerted action among them, except, perhaps, in opposing Seventh-day Adventists. We should not follow their example. Each laborer should act with reference to the others. Followers of Jesus Christ will not act independently one of another. Our strength must be in God, and it must be husbanded, to be put forth in noble, concentrated action. It must not be wasted in meaningless movements.?{5T 534.2}[8]
§20
团结之中有力量。我们的出版社和我们的其他机构之间应当团结。若有这种团结，就必发出一种能力。在工人之间不可有纷争或区别。工作原为一，也是在一位“领袖”的监督之下。临时性及间歇性的努力，足贻祸害。不论其是如何活泼有力，收效仍然甚微！因为反应一定会来的。我们应当培养一种稳健的恒心，时刻寻求明白及实行上帝的旨意。{5T535.1}[9]
§21
In union there is strength. There should be union between our publishing houses and our other institutions. If this unity existed, they would be a power. No strife or variance should exist among the workers. The work is one, superintended by one Leader. Occasional and spasmodic efforts have done harm. However energetic they may be, they are of little value; for the reaction will surely come. We must cultivate a steady perseverance, continually searching to know and do God’s will.?{5T 535.1}[9]
§22
我们应当知道自己当怎样行才可以得救。我的弟兄姐妹啊，我们不可随着世俗的潮流而飘浮。我们现今的工作是要从世人中出来，与他们有别。只有这一条路能使我们象以诺一样与上帝同行。神圣的感化力常常与他的努力配合。我们也是象他一样，必须有一种刚强，活泼，实践的信心，惟有如此，我们才能与上帝同工。我们必须符合圣经所定下的条件，否则必定死在自己的罪中。我们必须明白应当藉基督的恩典，在我们的品格上作何种必要的道德改革，才配承受天上的住处。我本着敬畏上帝之心向你们说：我们有象犹太人那样生活的危险──当真理灿烂的光辉照耀我们四周之时，竟缺乏上帝之爱，也不明白祂的大能。{5T535.2}[10]
§23
We should know what we must do to be saved. We should not, my brethren and sisters, float along with the popular current. Our present work is to come out from the world and be separate. This is the only way we can walk with God, as did Enoch. Divine influences were constantly working with his human efforts. Like him, we are called upon to have a strong, living, working faith, and this is the only way we can be laborers together with God. We must meet the conditions laid down in the word of God or die in our sins. We must know what moral changes are essential to be made in our characters, through the grace of Christ, in order to be fitted for the mansions above. I tell you in the fear of God: We are in danger of?living like the Jews—destitute of the love of God and ignorant of His power, while the blazing light of truth is shining all around us.?{5T 535.2}[10]
§24
可能有千千万万的人口称顺从律法与福音，而仍然生活在罪恶之中。人们也许会以明朗的态度向别人传扬真理的要求，而自己的心却仍是属乎情欲的，暗地里爱恋而且惯犯罪恶。因为他们的心未曾被真理所圣化，所以上帝的真理对于他们也不成其为真理。救主的爱在他们卑贱的情欲上不能发挥约束的能力。我们从以往的历史上得知，人们也许会站在圣洁的地位上，而仍以欺诈妄用上帝的真理。他们不能向上帝“无忿怒，无疑惑，举起圣洁的手。”这是因为他们的心思未受上帝的管束，真理也始终没有印刻在他们的心上。“人心里相信，就可以称义”（罗10:10）。“你要尽心、尽性、尽意、尽力、爱主你的上帝”（可12:30）。你们是否这样行呢？许多人并未这样行，也始终没有这样行过。他们的悔改只是表面的。{5T536.1}[11]
§25
Ten thousand times ten thousand may profess to obey the law and the gospel, and yet be living in transgression. Men may present in a clear manner the claims of truth upon others and yet their own hearts be carnal. Sin may be loved and practiced in secret. The truth of God may be no truth to them, because their hearts have not been sanctified by it. The love of the Saviour may exercise no constraining power over their base passions. We know by the history of the past that men may stand in sacred positions and yet handle the truth of God deceitfully. They cannot lift up holy hands to God, “without wrath and doubting.” This is because God has no control over their minds. The truth was never stamped upon their hearts. “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.” “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” Are you doing this? Many are not, and never have done it. Their conversion has been only superficial.?{5T 536.1}[11]
§26
使徒说：“所以你们若真与基督一同复活，就当求在上面的事，那里有基督坐在上帝的右边。你们要思念上面的事，不要思念地上的事”（西3:1,2）。人的心就是人的城堡，生死的果效由此发出。人除非心地纯洁，就不配与圣徒相交。鉴察人心的主岂不知谁是留恋罪恶不顾自己性命的人么？难道没有一位见证各人生活上最秘密之事的么？我曾被勉强听到一些男人对妇女和女孩说的话──谄媚的，会迷人骗人的话。撒但利用这一切方法来毁灭生灵。你们有些人也许已这样充其工具；若真如此，你们在受审判时就要应付这些事了。天使论这等人说：“他们从未将心献给上帝。基督不在他们里面。真理也不在那里。其地位已被罪恶，欺骗，及虚伪所占住。不信上帝的话，也没有照着行。”{5T536.2}[12]
§27
“If ye then,” says the apostle, “be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” The heart is the citadel of the man. From it are the issues of life or death. Until the heart is purified, a person is unfit to have any part in the fellowship of the saints. Does not the Heart Searcher know who are lingering in sin, regardless of their souls? Has there not been a witness to the most secret things in the life of everyone? I was compelled to hear the words spoken by some men to women and girls—words of flattery, words that would deceive and infatuate. Satan uses all these means to destroy souls. Some of you may thus have been his agents; and if so, you will have to meet these things in the judgment. The angel said of this class: “Their hearts?have never been given to God. Christ is not in them. Truth is not there. Its place is occupied by sin, deception, and falsehood. The word of God is not believed and acted upon.”?{5T 536.2}[12]
§28
撒但现今在人心，在教会，以及在各国的活动情形，是每个研究预言者应当震惊的。末日近了。但愿我们的各教会兴起，并愿上帝使人悔改的能力体验在每位信徒的心上，然后我们就要看出上帝之灵的深刻运行。罪的得蒙赦免并非耶稣代死的唯一效果。祂无穷的牺牲，不但可以除去罪孽，也可以从灭亡中恢复人性，再予美化，重加建造，以便配站在上帝面前。{5T537.1}[13]
§29
The present activity of Satan in working upon hearts, and upon churches and nations, should startle every student of prophecy. The end is near. Let our churches arise. Let the converting power of God be experienced in the hearts of the individual members, and then we shall see the deep movings of the Spirit of God. The forgiveness of sins is not the sole result of the death of Jesus. He made the infinite sacrifice, not only that sin might be removed, but that human nature might be restored, rebeautified, reconstructed from its ruins, and made fit for the presence of God.?{5T 537.1}[13]
§30
我们应当用行为来表现我们的信心。应当显出更大的渴望，为要更丰盛地得着基督之灵；因为教会的力量即在乎此。撒但竭力要离间上帝的子民。唉，我们是多么缺少爱上帝及彼此相爱的心啊！圣言及真理之灵若在我们的心中，就必使我们与世界分开。真理及爱的不变原理要使人心心相联，这种团结的力量也必按所享有之恩典及真理的程度而定。最好我们各人能拿起镜子，亦即上帝至尊的律法，从其中看祂自己品格的反映。我们应当小心，不要忽略圣经上所发的警告及危险的信号。除非听从这些警告，克服品格上的瑕疵，那些有瑕疵的人就要被其瑕疵所克服，以致陷入错误，背道，及公开的罪恶之中。人的心思若非提高到最高的标准上，久而久之就要失去能力，不能保持以前所有的。“所以，自己以为站得稳的，须要谨慎，免得跌倒”（林前10:12）。“亲爱的弟兄啊，你们既然预先知道这事，就当防备，恐怕被恶人的错谬诱惑，就从自己坚固的地步上坠落。你们却要在我们主救主耶稣基督的恩典和知识上有长进”（彼后3:17,18）。{5T537.2}[14]
§31
We should show our faith by our works. A greater anxiety should be manifested to have a large measure of the spirit of Christ; for in this will be the strength of the church. It is Satan who is striving to have God’s children draw apart. Love, oh, how little love we have—love for God and for one another! The word and spirit of truth, dwelling in our hearts, will separate us from the world. The immutable principles of truth and love will bind heart to heart, and the strength of the union will be according to the measure of grace and truth enjoyed. Well would it be for us each to hold up the mirror, God’s royal law, and see in it the reflection of His own character. Let us be careful not to neglect the danger signals and the warnings given in His word. Unless heed is given to these warnings, and defects of character are overcome, these defects will overcome those who possess them, and they will fall into error, apostasy, and open sin. The mind that is not elevated to the highest standard will in time lose its power to retain that which it had once gained. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But?grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”?{5T 537.2}[14]
§32
在这末后的日子中，上帝已选召了一班子民，作祂律法的保管人，这班人必常有许多令人厌烦的工作要作。“我知道你的行为，劳碌，忍耐，也知道你不能容忍恶人，你也曾试验那自称为使徒却不是使徒的，看出他们是假的来。你也能忍耐，曾为我的名劳苦，并不乏倦”（启2:2,3）。要保守我们的教会不让邪恶侵入，是需要愈加殷勤及不断奋斗的。必须维持严格而公平的纪律；因为有些人徒具宗教的虚表，设法败坏别人的信仰，并在暗中行事抬高自己。{5T538.1}[15]
§33
God has selected a people in these last days whom He has made the depositaries of His law, and this people will ever have disagreeable tasks to perform. “I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.” It will require much diligence and a continual struggle to keep evil out of our churches. There must be rigid, impartial discipline exercised; for some who have a semblance of religion will seek to undermine the faith of others and will privily work to exalt themselves.?{5T 538.1}[15]
§34
主耶稣在橄榄山上明白地提到“只因不法的事增多，许多人的爱心才渐渐冷淡了”（太24:12）。祂说到有一班人已从很高的属灵地步坠落。但愿这些话能在我们的心上发出严肃，省察的能力。那与我们口称相信之伟大真理相配的热心及虔诚在哪里呢？那爱世俗的心，及爱恋难舍的罪，已将爱祈祷及爱默想之念断送了。一套仪式上的崇祀固然是奉行了；但爱耶稣的心在哪里呢？灵性垂危。难道这种麻木可悲的退化情形，将如此继续下去么？是否真理之灯要因没有补充恩典之油，以致摇闪而熄灭呢？{5T538.2}[16]
§35
The Lord Jesus, on the Mount of Olives, plainly stated that “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” He speaks of a class who have fallen from a high state of spirituality. Let such utterances as these come home with solemn, searching power to our hearts. Where is the fervor, the devotion to God, that corresponds to the greatness of the truth which we claim to believe? The love of the world, the love of some darling sin, has weaned the heart from the love of prayer and of meditation on sacred things. A formal round of religious services is kept up; but where is the love of Jesus? Spirituality is dying. Is this torpor, this mournful deterioration, to be perpetuated? Is the lamp of truth to flicker and go out in darkness because it is not replenished by the oil of grace??{5T 538.2}[16]
§36
我诚愿每位传道人及我们每位职工能看明这种情形，象我所蒙的指示一样。自高自满的精神正在戕杀属灵的生命。高举自己，阔论自己。唉，这自我应予治死！使徒保罗说道：“我是天天死”（林前15:31）。当这种骄傲，夸大的自满，及这种矜恃自义的精神渗透心灵之时，就没有耶稣插足的余地了。在自我增大到占满全部灵性之殿时，就只留下一个低劣的地位给祂了。这就是为什么主只能给我们成就很少的事的原因。因祂若与我们通力合作，则作为工具的人，就会将一切荣耀归功于其自己的聪明，巧妙，及才干，并会自庆自贺，好像法利赛人所行的：“我一个礼拜禁食两次，凡我所得的，都捐上十分之一”（路18:12）。自我若隐藏在基督之内，就不致常是如此地被显露到表面上来。我们要不要迎合上帝之灵的心意呢？我们要不要多思想实际的敬虔，而少思想机械式的安排呢？{5T538.3}[17]
§37
I wish that every minister and every one of our workers could see this matter as it has been presented to me. Self-esteem and self-sufficiency are killing spiritual life. Self is lifted up; self is talked about. Oh, that self might die! “I die daily,” said the apostle Paul. When this proud, boasting self-sufficiency and this complacent self-righteousness permeate the soul, there?is no room for Jesus. He is given an inferior place, while self swells into importance and fills the whole temple of the soul. This is the reason why the Lord can do so little for us. Should He work with our efforts, the instrument would appropriate all the glory to his own smartness, his wisdom, his ability, and he would congratulate himself, as did the Pharisee: “I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” When self shall be hidden in Christ, it will not be brought to the surface so frequently. Shall we meet the mind of the Spirit of God? Shall we dwell more upon practical godliness, and far less upon mechanical arrangements??{5T 538.3}[17]
§38
基督的仆人应当过一种如在基督眼前及在众天使眼前的生活。他们应追求明白当代的需要，及准备去应付。撒但不断用新奇及从未试过的方法来攻击我们，在上帝军中的官长们岂可无效能呢？他们岂可容许自己任何的天赋才能不予发展呢？有一番伟大的工作要作，如果缺少任何作工的协调行动，那就是因为自爱及自高所致。惟有在我们谨慎执行主人的命令，而在工作上丝毫不留下自己的印象及记号之时，我们才能工作得和谐而有效。天使说：“团结吧，团结吧。”{5T539.1}[18]
§39
The servants of Christ should live as in His sight and as in the sight of angels. They should seek to understand the requirements of our time and prepare to meet them. Satan is constantly attacking us in new and untried ways, and why should the officers in God’s army be inefficient? Why should they leave any faculty of their nature uncultivated? There is a great work to be done, and if there is any want of harmonious action in doing it, it is because of self-love and self-esteem. It is only when we are careful to carry out the Master’s orders without leaving our stamp and identity upon the work that we work efficiently and harmoniously. “Press together,” said the angel, “press together.”?{5T 539.1}[18]
§40
我恳劝你们这服务圣事的人多思念实际的宗教。真是何等难得见到柔软的良心，真实由衷的心灵的忧伤，及对于罪恶的警觉啊！这是因为上帝的灵没有在我们之中深切运行之故。我们的救主就是雅各所见的梯子，梯脚在地，梯顶升入最高的诸天之上。这是表明上帝所定的救赎方法。我们任何人若终于得救，必是紧靠着耶稣，象靠一架梯子一样。基督对于信的人乃为智慧与公义，成圣与救赎。切不可有人以为战胜仇敌是容易的事，及自己可以不必出力而高升到不败坏的基业之中。向后看就要头晕；一撒手就要灭亡。很少人珍视这不断奋斗争取胜利的重要。他们疏懈了殷勤之心，结果变成了自私及放纵，不想到属灵的警醒是必需的，在基督徒的生活上也没有诚恳地竭尽人力。{5T539.2}[19]
§41
I urge upon you who minister in sacred things to dwell more upon practical religion. How rarely are seen the tender conscience, and true, heartfelt sorrow of soul and conviction of sin! It is because there are no deep movings of the Spirit of God among us. Our Saviour is the ladder which Jacob saw, whose base rested on the earth and whose topmost rounds reached the highest heavens. This shows the appointed method of salvation. If any of us are finally saved, it will be by clinging to Jesus as to the rounds of a ladder. To the believer, Christ is made wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Let no one imagine that it is an easy thing to?overcome the enemy and that he can be borne aloft to an incorruptible inheritance without effort on his part. To look back is to grow dizzy; to let go the hold is to perish. Few appreciate the importance of striving constantly to overcome. They relax their diligence and, as a result, become selfish and self-indulgent. Spiritual vigilance is not thought to be essential. Earnestness in human effort is not brought into the Christian life.?{5T 539.2}[19]
§42
那些自以为站稳了的人，将有可怕的绊跌，因为他们有真理，但他们所有的不是在耶稣里面的真理。顷刻的粗心也许会将一个生灵投入不能挽回的灭亡中。第一个罪引人到第二个罪，第二个罪又为第三个罪开路，并要长此演进下去。我们作上帝忠实使者的人，必须时常祈求祂施展大能来保守我们。我们若偏离本分一寸，就有随从那引入灭亡的罪恶之路的危险。我们每个人都有希望，但也只有一个方法，那就是把我们自己与基督连在一起，并运用每一分的力量去取得祂完全的品格。{5T540.1}[20]
§43
There will be some terrible falls by those who think they stand firm because they have the truth, but they have it not as it is in Jesus. A moment’s carelessness may plunge a soul into irretrievable ruin. One sin leads to the second, and the second prepares the way for the third, and so on. We must, as faithful messengers of God, plead with Him constantly to be kept by His power. If we swerve a single inch from duty, we are in danger of following on in a course of sin that will end in perdition. There is hope for every one of us, but only in one way, and that is by binding ourselves to Christ, and exerting every energy to attain to the perfection of His character.?{5T 540.1}[20]
§44
那使人看罪为轻微的事，想念上帝爱罪人而不问其行为的宗教，只能鼓动罪人相信当他在继续犯其明知之罪时，上帝也会接纳他。这就是有些自称信仰现代真理的人所行的。真理已与生活脱节，因此之故，真理就无力使人觉悟及悔改了。{5T540.2}[21]
§45
That religion which makes of sin a light matter, dwelling upon the love of God to the sinner regardless of his actions, only encourages the sinner to believe that God will receive him while he continues in that which he knows to be sin. This is what some are doing who profess to believe present truth. The truth is kept apart from the life, and that is the reason it has no power to convict and convert the soul.?{5T 540.2}[21]
§46
上帝已指示我，有些住在加利福尼亚州的人，始终没有把在耶稣里面的真理引入他们的生活中。他们并没有圣经的信仰。他们从来没有悔改过；除非他们的心被所接受的真理所圣化，他们必被捆在稗子之中；因为他们没有结出累累的宝贵果子，表明他们是活葡萄树的枝条。{5T540.3}[22]
§47
God has shown me that the truth as it is in Jesus has never been brought into the lives of some in California. They do not have the religion of the Bible. They have never been converted; and unless their hearts are sanctified through the truth which they have accepted, they will be bound up with the tares; for they bear no clusters of precious fruit to show that they are branches of the living Vine.?{5T 540.3}[22]
§48
“当趁耶和华可寻找的时候寻找祂，相近的时候求告祂。恶人当离弃自己的道路，不义的人当除掉自己的意念，归向耶和华，耶和华就必怜恤他；当归向我们的上帝，因为上帝必广行赦免”（赛55:6,7）。可惜许多人的生活显明他们与上帝没有活泼的联络。他们飘流到属世的沟渠中。他们实际上与基督无关无份。他们爱好娱乐，并且充满自私的观念，计划，希望，及野心。他们在假装事奉上帝之下事奉仇敌。他们受督工的约束，而这种约束是他们自取的，使自己作撒但的顺命奴仆。{5T540.4}[23]
§49
“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and?the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” The lives of many show that they have no living connection with God. They are drifting into the channel of the world. They have, in reality, no part or lot with Christ. They love amusement and are filled with selfish ideas, plans, hopes, and ambitions. They serve the enemy under the pretense of serving God. They are in bondage to a taskmaster, and this bondage they choose, making themselves willing slaves of Satan.?{5T 540.4}[23]
§50
许多人存着虚伪的观念，以为管束儿女是有害的事，这种情形正在败坏成千成万的人。如果你们不留心管教自己的儿女，撒但就一定会把他们夺去。切不可鼓励他们与不信上帝的人来往。应当把他们引开。你们自己也应当从那等人中出来，并向他们表明你们是站在主这一边。{5T541.1}[24]
§51
The false idea entertained by many, that the restraining of children is an injury, is ruining thousands upon thousands. Satan will surely take possession of the children if you are not on your guard. Do not encourage their association with the ungodly. Draw them away. Come out from among such yourselves, and show them that you are on the Lord’s side.?{5T 541.1}[24]
§52
凡自称为至高者之子民的人，是否愿意高举标准，不单在聚会之时如此，乃在有生之日一直如此呢？你们愿否站在主这一边，诚心诚意地事奉祂呢？你们若效法以色列民所行的，拒绝上帝明显的要求，你们就一定会受祂的报应；但你们若除掉罪恶，运用活泼的信心，则天庭最丰富的福惠必属于你们了。{5T541.2}[25]
§53
Will those who claim to be the children of the Most High elevate the standard, not simply while assembled in your meeting, but as long as time shall last? Will you not be on the Lord’s side and serve Him with full purpose of heart? If you do as did the children of Israel in forsaking God’s express requirements you will surely receive of His judgments; but if you put away sin and exercise living faith, the richest of heaven’s blessings will be yours.?{5T 541.2}[25]