第04章 来自平信徒的工人
§1
第04章 来自平信徒的工人
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Chap. 4—Workers from the Ranks
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上帝正以强烈的兴趣观看这个世界。祂已经注意到了人类服务的能力。俯视历代,祂已经数算了祂的男女工人,在他们面前预备了道路,说:“我要差遣我的使者到他们那里。他们必看到大光照在黑暗之中。他们既得救而为基督服务,就必用他们的才干荣耀我的名。他们必带着热诚和献身的精神出去为我作工。通过他们的努力,真理必以最有说服力的方式吸引千万人,属灵盲目的人必得见光明,看到我的救恩。要使真理彰显出来,使读的人容易读(哈2:2)。要想方设法接触人心。在这项工作中使用的一些方法要有别于过去所使用的方法;但是不要让任何人因此发出批评,阻塞道路。”{7T 25.1}[1]
§4
With intense interest God is looking on this world. He has noted the capacity of human beings for service. Looking down the ages, He has counted His workers, both men and women, and has prepared the way before them, saying: “I will send My messengers to them, and they shall see great light shining amid the darkness. Won to the service of Christ, they will use their talents to the glory of My name. They will go forth to work for Me with zeal and devotion. Through their efforts the truth will appeal to thousands in a most forcible manner, and men spiritually blind will receive sight and will see of My salvation. Truth will be made so prominent that he who runs may read. Ways will be devised to reach hearts. Some of the methods used in this work will be different from the methods used in the past, but let no one, because of this, block the way by criticism.”?{7T 25.1}[1]
§5
上帝所选为工人的人,若按世俗来评价,未必是有才干的。有时候祂拣选没有学问的人。祂赐给这些人一种特殊的工作。他们能接近一等其他人无法接近的人。他们既敞开心扉接受真理,便在基督里并藉着基督而变得有智慧。他们的人生吸入也呼出敬虔的香气。他们慎重地考虑所当说的话,然后才说出来。他们力求增进他们同胞的幸福。他们将安慰与福乐传送给忧伤困苦的人。他们觉得自己需要时刻接受基督的教诲,好依照上帝的旨意从事工作。他们也研究怎样最好地效法他们救主背十字架与克己的榜样。他们是上帝的见证人,彰显祂的怜悯和慈爱,将一切荣耀归给他们所爱所侍奉的主。{7T 25.2}[2]
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Those whom God chooses as workers are not always talented, in the estimation of the world. Sometimes He selects unlearned men. To these He gives a special work. They reach a class to whom others could not obtain access. Opening the heart to the truth, they are made wise in and through Christ. Their lives inhale and exhale the fragrance of godliness. Their words are thoughtfully considered before they are spoken. They strive to promote the well-being of their fellow men. They take relief and happiness to the needy and distressed. They realize the necessity of ever remaining under Christ’s training, that they may work in harmony with God’s will. They study how best to follow the Saviour’s example of cross?bearing and self-denial. They are God’s witnesses, revealing His compassion and love, and ascribing all the glory to Him whom they love and serve.?{7T 25.2}[2]
§7
他们不住地向那位大教师学习,达到更加卓越的水准,但他们却始终感到自己软弱无能。他们因满心景仰强烈爱慕基督而被吸引向上。他们实践祂的德行,因为他们的人生与祂的人生已同化了。他们时刻向前向上,成为世界的福惠,和他们救赎主的荣耀。基督论到他们说:“温柔的人有福了,因为他们必承受地土”(太5:5)。{7T 26.1}[3]
§8
Constantly they are learning of the Great Teacher, and constantly they reach higher degrees of excellence, yet all the time feeling a sense of their weakness and inefficiency. They are drawn upward by their strong, loving admiration for Christ. They practice His virtues; for their life is assimilated to His. Ever they move onward and upward, a blessing to the world and an honor to their Redeemer. Of them Christ says: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”?Matthew 5:5.?{7T 26.1}[3]
§9
这样的工人当受到鼓励。他们所作之工,非为给人看见,乃要荣耀上帝;也必经得起祂的检查。主使这些工人与那些有较多才能的人接触,去填补他们留下的缺口。当他们受到赏识之时,祂就非常高兴,因为他们是祂服务链条上的环节。{7T 26.2}[4]
§10
Such workers are to be encouraged. Their work is done, not to be seen of men, but to glorify God. And it will bear His inspection. The Lord brings these workers into connection with those of more marked ability, to fill the gaps they leave. He is well pleased when they are appreciated, for they are links in His chain of service.?{7T 26.2}[4]
§11
妄自尊大之人,只觉得自己的能力出类拔萃。他们忽略那些谦卑痛悔的工人;但上帝却一刻也没有忘记他们。祂注意他们为帮助需要帮助之人所做的一切。在天庭里,当赎民被召聚归家时,他们将站在最靠近上帝儿子的位置。他们将在主的庭院中大放光芒,为祂所尊荣,因他们以为基督所舍命的人服务为荣。{7T 26.3}[5]
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Men who are self-important, who are filled with the thought of their own superior abilities, overlook these humble, contrite workers; but not for one moment does God lose sight of them. He marks all that they do to help those in need of help. In the heavenly courts, when the redeemed are gathered home, they will stand nearest the Son of God. They will shine brightly in the courts of the Lord, honored by Him because they have felt it an honor to minister to those for whom He gave His life.?{7T 26.3}[5]
§13
上帝要感动那些地位卑微的人去传扬现代真理。许多这样的人要来往奔忙,在圣灵的驱策下,把光亮带给黑暗中的人。真理就象他们骨中的火焰,使他们满怀热望去照亮坐在黑暗中的人。许多人,甚至有些未受教育的人,将要传扬主的道。圣灵也要促使孩子去传天国的信息。顺服圣灵激励的人,圣灵要沛降在他们身上。他们要摆脱人束缚的规条,放弃过分小心的行动,加入主的军队。{7T 26.4}[6]
§14
God will move upon men in humble positions to declare the message of present truth. Many such will be seen hastening hither and thither, constrained by the Spirit of God to give the light to those in darkness. The?truth is as a fire in their bones, filling them with a burning desire to enlighten those who sit in darkness. Many, even among the uneducated, will proclaim the word of the Lord. Children will be impelled by the Holy Spirit to go forth to declare the message of heaven. The Spirit will be poured out upon those who yield to His promptings. Casting off man’s binding rules and cautious movements, they will join the army of the Lord.?{7T 26.4}[6]
§15
将来,从事普通职业的人们将被主的灵所感动,离开他们平常的工作,四处传扬怜悯的最后信息。他们要尽快地预备作工,好使他们的努力达到成功。他们与天上的生灵同心协力,因为他们愿意尽心竭力为主服务。任何人都无权阻挡这些工人。当他们出发执行伟大的使命时,应得到人的祝福。他们在艰难的地方播撒福音的种子,不应受人嘲笑。{7T 27.1}[7]
§16
In the future, men in the common walks of life will be impressed by the Spirit of the Lord to leave their ordinary employment and go forth to proclaim the last message of mercy. As rapidly as possible they are to be prepared for labor, that success may crown their efforts. They co-operate with heavenly agencies, for they are willing to spend and be spent in the service of the Master. No one is authorized to hinder these workers. They are to be bidden Godspeed as they go forth to fulfill the great commission. No taunting word is to be spoken of them as in the rough places of the earth they sow the gospel seed.?{7T 27.1}[7]
§17
生命中最美好的品质——简朴、诚实、真实、纯洁、没有污点的正直——都是不能买卖的,而是白白赐给没有知识的人和受过教育的人,黑人和白人,卑微的农民和宝座上的国王。凡不依靠自己的力量,始终单纯地信靠上帝的谦卑工人,将分享救主的喜乐。他们恒切的祷告将带人来到十字架跟前。耶稣将配合他们自我牺牲的努力,感动人心,施行神迹使人悔改。将有男男女女被聚集加入教会。教堂和学校将兴建起来。当工人们见到上帝的救恩时,他们的内心必充满喜乐。{7T 27.2}[8]
§18
Life’s best things—simplicity, honesty, truthfulness, purity, unsullied integrity—cannot be bought or sold; they are as free to the ignorant as to the educated, to the black man as to the white man, to the humble peasant as to the king upon his throne. Humble workers, who do not trust in their own strength, but who labor in simplicity, trusting always in God, will share in the joy of the Saviour. Their persevering prayers will bring souls to the cross. In co-operation with their self-sacrificing efforts Jesus will move upon hearts, working miracles in the conversion of souls. Men and women will be gathered?into church fellowship. Meetinghouses will be built and schools established. The hearts of the workers will be filled with joy as they see the salvation of God.?{7T 27.2}[8]
§19
当赎民站在上帝面前时,他们将看出自己为天国所记录的成功所下的结论是多么目光短浅啊。他们回顾自己为取得成功所付出的努力,就看出自己的计划是多么的愚蠢,自己所想象的试炼是多么微不足道,自己的疑惑是多么的不合情理。他们将看出因自己没有相信上帝的话,是多么经常地给工作带来失败。一个真理必清晰地显明出来:地位并不能预备人进入天庭。他们也将看出,给人的荣耀应该单单归给上帝,一切的荣耀都属于祂。天使合唱团和赎民大军将齐声歌唱:“主上帝,全能者啊!祢的作为大哉!奇哉!万世之主啊!祢的道途义哉!诚哉!主啊!谁敢不敬畏祢,不将荣耀归与祢的名呢?因为独有祢是圣的”(启15:3,4)。{7T 28.1}[9]
§20
When the redeemed stand in the presence of God, they will see how shortsighted were their conclusions as to what heaven records as success. As they review their efforts to achieve success they will see how foolish were their plans, how petty their supposed trials, how unreasonable their doubts. They will see how often they brought failure to their work by not taking God at His word. And one truth will stand out in clear lines: that position does not prepare a man for entrance into the heavenly courts. They will see, too, that the honor given to man is due to God alone, that to Him belongs all the glory. From the lips of the angelic choir and the redeemed host will peal forth the chorus: “Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy.”?Revelation 15:3, 4.?{7T 28.1}[9]