第39章 平信徒要出来作工
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第39章 平信徒要出来作工
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Chap. 39—Lay Members to Go Forth
§3
教会的信徒个人尚未感到有委托给他们的更加重要的工作。他们并未醒悟上帝所要求于他们的。时候已到，应该计划各种方法，以便能帮助准备一班人好在上帝的日子站立得住。我们必须大大地警醒，切莫让这千载难逢的时机轻易过去而不加以利用。我们必须竭尽一切所能的，赢得人敬爱上帝，遵守祂的诫命。这就是耶稣向凡明白真理之人所发的要求。难道祂的请求不合理吗？难道我们没有基督的生活可作我们的榜样吗？我们本应为救主舍身要救的那些人作一番出乎爱心，热忱，与无私的努力，在这样的事上，我们不是欠祂一笔债吗？{8T 244.1}[1]
§4
There is a much greater work devolving upon the individual members of the church than they realize. They are not awake to the claims of God. The time has come when every means should be devised that can aid in preparing a people to stand in the day of God. We must be wide awake, refusing to let precious opportunities pass unimproved. We must do all that we possibly can to win souls to love God and keep His commandments. Jesus requires this of those who know the truth. Is His demand unreasonable? Have we not the life of Christ as our example? Do we not owe the Saviour a debt of love, of earnest, unselfish labor for the salvation of those for whom He gave His life??{8T 244.1}[1]
§5
我们各大教会的许多信徒，比较地说来，是无所事事。他们如果不再群居一处，而愿分散到真理尚未进入之地去，就可作成美好的工作。树木若种得太稠密了，就不会生长茂盛；需要经过园丁的移植，方能有余地以发育成长，而不致矮小多病。这同一常例也通用于大的教会。许多信徒就因为缺少这种工夫，以致灵性濒于死亡。他们逐渐变为多病无能的了。然而一经移植，他们就会有余地而发育健壮起来。{8T 244.2}[2]
§6
Many of the members of our large churches are doing comparatively nothing. They might accomplish a good work if, instead of crowding together, they would scatter into places that have not yet been entered by the truth. Trees that are planted too thickly do not flourish. They are transplanted by the gardener, that they may have room to grow and not become dwarfed and sickly. The same rule would work well for our large churches. Many of the members are dying spiritually for want of this very work. They are becoming sickly and inefficient. Transplanted, they would have room to grow strong and vigorous.?{8T 244.2}[2]
§7
上帝的旨意并非叫祂百姓成群聚居于大的地方，基督的门徒原是祂在地上的代表，上帝期望他们应遍布全国，散居于各城镇乡村之中，在黑暗中作世上的光。他们要作上帝的传道人，凭着信心与行为，证明那位要来的救主已近在目前了。{8T 244.3}[3]
§8
It is not the purpose of God that His people should colonize or settle together in large communities. The disciples of Christ are His representatives upon the earth, and God designs that they shall be scattered all over the country, in the towns, cities, and villages, as lights amidst the darkness of the world. They are to be missionaries for God, by their faith and works testifying to the near approach of the coming Saviour.?{8T 244.3}[3]
§9
我们各教会的平信徒能完成一种他们几乎尚未开始的工作。无论何人都不应单为属世的益处，而迁居于新的地方；但何处一有了谋生的门路，那已经在真理上有根有基的家庭就可迁入，一两家在一地，在该处从事布道的事工。他们应感觉到一种对生灵的爱，一种为他们工作的负担，并要研究如何领人进入真理。他们可以分送我们的印刷品，在自己的家中召集聚会，设法与邻居结交，邀请他们参加这些聚会。这样，他们就能在好行为上将他们的光照在人前了。{8T 245.1}[4]
§10
The lay members of our churches can accomplish a work which, as yet, they have scarcely begun. None should move into new places merely for the sake of worldly advantage; but where there is an opening to obtain a livelihood, let families that are well grounded in the truth enter, one or two families in a place, to work as missionaries. They should feel a love for souls, a burden of labor for them, and should make it a study how to bring them into the truth. They can distribute our publications, hold meetings in their homes, become acquainted with their neighbors, and invite them to come to these meetings. Thus they can let their light shine in good works.?{8T 245.1}[4]
§11
但愿工人们在上帝里自立自助，为着拯救自己的同胞而哭泣，祈求，劳碌地作工。要记得你们是在场上赛跑的。要争取那不能朽坏的永生冠冕。虽然有那么多的人贪爱世人的称赞，过于爱慕上帝的恩宠，但你们却要谦卑地劳力。要学习运用信心，将你们的邻舍呈交在施恩宝座之前，恳求上帝感化他们的心。如此就可作成有效的布道工作。甚至有些从来不肯听牧师或文字布道士之话的人，也会受到感动。凡在新地方这样作工的人，就必学得那与人接近之最有效的方法，也能为其他的工作人员预备道路。{8T 245.2}[5]
§12
Let the workers stand alone in God, weeping, praying, laboring for the salvation of their fellow men. Remember that you are running a race, striving for a crown of immortality. While so many love the praise of men more than the favor of God, let it be yours to labor in humility. Learn to exercise faith in presenting your neighbors before the throne of grace and pleading with God to touch their hearts. In this way effectual missionary work may be done. Some may be reached who would not listen to a minister or a colporteur. And those who thus labor in new places will learn the best ways of approaching the people and can prepare the way for other laborers.?{8T 245.2}[5]
§13
参加这项工作的人，可能获得一种宝贵的经验。他既已将邻舍的灵性责任放在自己心上，就必须得到耶稣的帮助。他的行事为人该当如何地谨慎，以免自己的祈祷受到阻碍。更免得心里注重罪孽以致与上帝隔开。象这样的工人，在他帮助别人的时候，自己也得到了属灵的能力和悟性，并可能在这种谦卑的学校中造就合格，配进入更广大的园地从事工作。{8T 245.3}[6]
§14
A precious experience may be gained by one who engages in this work. He has upon his heart the burden of the souls of his neighbors. He must have the help of Jesus. How careful he will be to walk circumspectly, that his prayers may not be hindered, that no cherished sin may separate him from God. While helping others, such a worker is himself obtaining spiritual strength and understanding, and in this humble school he may become qualified to enter a wider field.?{8T 245.3}[6]
§15
基督说:“你们多结果子，我父就因此得荣耀”（约15:8）。上帝既将天资禀赐我们，又将才干交托我们，乃是要我们为祂而用。祂分派给各人所当作的工──并不是局限在自己的田园农地中，而是坚忍勤奋地救灵工作。上帝圣殿的每块石头，都必须是活石，就是将光反照世人的灿烂的活石。平信徒都当尽其所能为主作工；而且他们一运用自己已有的才干，上帝就必将更丰富的恩典和更大的才能赐给他们。目前我们布道事业之所以残弱无力的原因，就是有许多人拒绝进入那已向其洞开的效用之门。但愿一切相信真理的人都下手工作；去做那最贴近你身边的工作，不论怎样简陋，还是尽力而为，无论如何，总强似那班米罗斯人的无所事事。{8T 246.1}[7]
§16
Christ declares: “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.”?John 15:8. God has endowed us with faculties and has entrusted us with talents in order that we may use them for Him. To every man is given his work—not merely work in his fields of corn and wheat, but earnest, persevering work for the salvation of souls. Every stone in God’s temple must be a living stone, a stone that shines, reflecting light to the world. Let the laymen do all that they can; and as they use the talents they already have, God will give them more grace and increased ability. Many of our missionary enterprises are crippled because there are so many who refuse to enter the doors of usefulness that are opened before them. Let all who believe the truth begin to work. Do the work that lies nearest you; do anything, however humble, rather than be, like the men of Meroz, do-nothings.?{8T 246.1}[7]
§17
如果我们一心信靠上帝往前走，我们决不至遭受经济方面的限制。主愿为凡真心相信祂的人施行大事。如果教会中的平信徒都觉悟起来，去从事力所能及的工作，自备粮饷，参与战斗，各人看自己在救人皈依耶稣的事上能完成多少的工作。这样，我们就必看到许多人离开撒但的阵营，来站在基督的旌旗之下。如果我们的信徒都按这些教训上所赐的亮光而行，我们就必定看见上帝的救恩。奇妙的奋兴必随之而来。罪人必悔改，许多人必加入教会。何时我们的心一与基督联合，我们的生活一与祂的工作谐和，那在五旬节降在门徒身上的圣灵就必照样降在我们的身上了。{8T 246.2}[8]
§18
We shall not be stinted for means if we will only go forward trusting in God. The Lord is willing to do a great work for all who truly believe in Him. If the lay members of the church will arouse to do the work that they can do, going on a warfare at their own charges, each seeing how much he can accomplish in winning souls to Jesus, we shall see many leaving the ranks of Satan to stand under the banner of Christ. If our people will act upon the light that is given in these few words of instruction, we shall surely see of the salvation of God. Wonderful revivals will follow. Sinners will be converted, and many souls will be added to the church. When we bring our hearts into unity with Christ, and our lives into harmony with His work, the Spirit that fell on the disciples on the Day of Pentecost will fall on us.?{8T 246.2}[8]