帮助在上帝里
“当时，耶稣被圣灵引到旷野，受魔鬼的试探”(太4:1)。{PH105 1.1}
“因我们的大祭司并非不能体恤我们的软弱。祂也曾凡事受过试探与我们一样，只是祂没有犯罪”(来4:15)。{PH105 1.2}
“祂自己既然被试探而受苦，就能搭救被试探的人”(来2:18)。{PH105 1.3}
“因为凡从上帝生的，就胜过世界;使我们胜了世界的，就是我们的信心”(约壹5:4)。{PH105 1.4}
当我们的主耶稣基督来到这个世界时，食欲和情欲实行着几乎无限的控制。由于自私地沉溺于邪恶的有害影响，人们变得堕落、病态、矮小、残废，似乎这个世界即将被它灾难性的力量扫荡了。在基督在旷野受试探和长期禁食的意义被人理解之前，虽有当时世上的一切罪恶与痛苦和我们现在看到的一切，食欲的力量也决不能得到充分的了解。“祂禁食四十昼夜，后来就饿了”(太4:2)。就在那时，当基督正因饥饿而昏倒时，撒但来到祂跟前，想用试探胜过祂。{PH105 1.5}
撒但并没有以他经常被误表的样子——一个长着蝙蝠翅膀和偶蹄的小恶魔——出现在基督面前。圣经明说他“装作光明的天使”(林后11:14)。撒但如同一位天使上前跟上帝的儿子搭话。他告诉救赎主，祂不再需要禁食了;祂的长期禁欲已为父所悦纳;祂已经走得够远了;祂有自由为自己行一个神迹。那试探人的说：“祢若是上帝的儿子，可以吩咐这些石头变成食物”(太4:3)。耶稣回答他说：“经上记着说：人活着，不是单靠食物，乃是靠上帝口里所出的一切话”(4节)。要是人始终听从了这个伟大的真理，人类原不会堕落。{PH105 2.1}
“魔鬼就带祂进了圣城，叫祂站在殿顶(顶原文作翅)上，对祂说：‘祢若是上帝的儿子，可以跳下去，因为经上记着说：主要为祢吩咐祂的使者用手托着祢，免得祢的脚碰在石头上。’”(5,6节) 然而耶稣又用圣经对付了他，说：“经上又记着说：‘不可试探主你的上帝。’”(7节)){PH105 2.2}
“魔鬼又带祂上了一座最高的山，将世上的万国与万国的荣华都指给祂看，对祂说：“祢若俯伏拜我，我就把这一切都赐给祢。”(8,9节)他并没有将世上的万国照现在的样子呈现，而是呈现出它们所有的荣耀和吸引力。他希望基督承认他是祂的上级，并在这个条件下承诺把世界交在祂的手中。但耶稣能承认这个世界属于撒但吗?既然只有一位值得祂尊敬，祂岂能承认这个篡位者是祂的上级吗?“耶稣说：‘撒但，退去吧!因为经上记着说：当拜主你的上帝，单要事奉祂。”(10节){PH105 3.1}
这个世界上有许多人愿意为了一些世俗的利益而放弃正义的原则。有许多人会为了金钱、地位或权力而丧失他们的正直。但是为了尘世的财富和尊荣而牺牲你对天堂的希望又有什么好处呢?你不能带着你的财宝进坟墓。顶多不过片时，生命就会过去，“人就是赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有什么益处呢”(可8:36)?我们应该注目于更持久的东西。圣徒的家更值得我们的辛劳和关爱;因为它是“不能朽坏、不能玷污、不能衰残、为你们存留在天上的基业”(彼前1:4)。{PH105 3.2}
食欲在世界上发挥着控制性影响。对食欲和情欲的非法放纵使脑力瘫痪，并使所有的道德敏感性和知觉麻木不仁。但我们都是用重价买来的，就是用上帝儿子的宝血买来的，我们没有权利滥用我们的能力，自私地满足私欲。“知道你们得赎，脱去你们祖宗所传流虚妄的行为，不是凭着能坏的金银等物，乃是凭着基督的宝血，如同无瑕疵、无玷污的羔羊之血”(彼前1:18,19)。“因为你们是重价买来的。所以要在你们的身子上荣耀上帝”(林前6:20)。我们应该使自己保持一种状态，尽可能地为上帝献上最完美的服务。我们应该单单注目祂的荣耀，追求过与我们的生命律和谐一致的生活。“所以，你们或吃或喝，无论做什么，都要为荣耀上帝而行”(林前10:31)。{PH105 4.1}
但以理拒绝吃王的膳，饮王的酒(但1:8)。他为什么这么做呢?——因为他知道沉溺于饮酒和奢侈的食物会削弱心灵和身体的力量。他希望保持自己的头脑处在能赏识上帝的灵感之言的状态。那些沉溺于违禁事物的人，直接违背了自己的利益和希望。自私的动机导致自我放纵，兽性的食欲和情欲掌权，支配了思想和灵魂。那些被这样控制的人无法理解神圣起源的真理，也无法欣赏天上事物的价值。脑力麻木迟钝了;肉身生命的基础被破坏了。我们无权毁坏上帝赐给我们的这个居所;因为我们是主用无限的代价买来的。{PH105 4.2}
正是由于没能抗拒食欲的倾向，亚当才在伊甸园堕落了。然而基督来为人争战。祂遇见并与黑暗的力量斗争，在亚当跌倒的每一个地方，基督都赢得了宝贵的胜利。祂开辟一条我们藉以得救的道路。无论多么堕落，无论多么有罪，当人们寻求自己的罪过得饶恕时，他们都会藉着基督的功劳得到宽恕与平安。神性与人性在提升和净化品格的工作中相互配合。当上帝使人归正的能力控制了心灵时，它就会产生根本的变化。那些曾经虐待过他们的家人和朋友的人，将开始认真地为拯救他们而操劳。耶稣来拯救失丧的人，把他们从堕落的状态中解救出来，使他们得胜有余，让他们坐上祂的宝座。甚愿心灵的殿能清除每一污秽!甚愿我们不要把病态的、污秽的供物献给上帝!为使我们与基督联络，已经付上了无限的代价。自我放纵必须停止。我们必须与上帝建立正确的关系，我们必须得到洁净，脱离所有罪孽，行事为人与我们蒙召的恩相称。{PH105 5.1}
雅各往拉班家去时，在旷野躺下休息，拿一块石头作枕头。他是一个灰心失望的人。在他看来，他被朋友抛弃，被上帝遗忘了。他的亲兄弟正在找他，想要他的命。他睡着的时候，见了一个异象。在他面前出现了一个梯子，它的底座在地上，顶端延伸到最高的天空。上帝在梯子上方，祂的荣耀照耀着开阔的天空，照亮了梯子的每一级;天使们在梯子上上去下来。雅各醒了，就说：“耶和华真在这里，我竟不知道!”就惧怕，说：“这地方何等可畏!这不是别的，乃是上帝的殿，也是天的门。”见创世记28:10-17。{PH105 6.1}
在这个异梦中，救恩的计划向雅各敞开了。基督就是他所看到的梯子。基督是连接天地的纽带，把有限的人与无限的上帝连接起来。这个梯子从地球与人类堕落的最低处达到最高的诸天。我们要攀登雅各看见的这个梯子，但不是单凭我们自己的力量。是上帝的善良引导人悔改和改革。我们并没有被撇下去独自奋斗。{PH105 6.2}
那些已经因罪恶和罪孽而跌倒的人，可以领受上帝的赦免之爱。藉着悔改和信心，违犯祂律法的人可以藉着基督来到上帝面前。而当我们来到基督面前，已经采取了归正所需的步骤时，我们就“当求在上面的事;那里有基督坐在上帝的右边”(西3:1)。当我们背负着忧虑和悲伤时，为何不去找我们的救主，要求祂的应许，并发现祂是急难中随时的帮助呢?我们并没有被撇下去作撒但试探的玩物。上帝已赐给我们宝贵的应许，我们应当藉着这些应许变得与上帝的性情有分。彼后1:4。我们的帮助是在基督里。当我们带着悔改和信心前来的时候，无论我们是多么的污秽和罪恶，我们都会发现祂是罪人的救主。祂说过：“我来不是召义人，而是召罪人悔改。”罪人可以把他的重担带到髑髅地，放在十字架的脚下。每一个人都有特权离开罪恶和过犯，成为天上上帝的忠诚国民。我们可以穿上基督的义，但祂的义不能掩盖最小的罪孽。“你们要洗濯、自洁;”因为已为犹大和耶路撒冷开了一个泉源，可以洗净每一罪污。赛1:16-18。{PH105 7.1}
不要等着让自己变得更好。有多少人以为自己不够好，不能到基督面前来呀!难道你希望通过自己的努力变得更好吗?“古实人岂能改变皮肤呢?豹岂能改变斑点呢?若能，你们这习惯行恶的便能行善了”(耶13:23)。但我们在上帝里面是有帮助的。我们是“被囚而有指望的人”(亚9:12)。上帝已经为我们保留了力量。那些寻求帮助的人，运用对耶稣的信心，就会得到帮助。{PH105 7.2}
神能会与人的努力合作。亲爱的读者，天门敞开着，上帝的荣耀正照耀着每一个在考验和困惑的时期仰望天国的人。有多少人在遇到麻烦的时候去找人间的朋友啊!但是，人所能给予的帮助是多么的枉然啊!人的援助只是一根折断的芦苇。基督向世人显明祂是能医好伤心的人并安慰悲伤的人的那一位。天堂是通过上帝的儿子的牺牲向人敞开的。“你们知道我们主耶稣基督的恩典：祂本来富足，却为你们成了贫穷，叫你们因祂的贫穷，可以成为富足”(林后8:9)。祂进入世界，担当了人的忧患和悲伤，以便了解堕落人类的需要。祂藉着为人类所受的苦难得以成为完全的救主，我们可以藉着祂的恩典得以完全，成为上帝的后嗣，在永恒的国度里与基督同作后嗣。“所以，我们只管坦然无惧的来到施恩的宝座前，为要得怜恤，蒙恩惠，作随时的帮助”(来4:16)。{PH105 8.1}
PH105 - There Is Help in God
“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil.”?Matthew 4:1.?{PH105 1.1}[1]
“For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”?Hebrews 4:15.?{PH105 1.2}[2]
“For in that He Himself hath suffered, being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted.”?Hebrews 2:18.?{PH105 1.3}[3]
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”?1 John 5:4.?{PH105 1.4}[4]
When our Lord Jesus Christ came to this world, appetite and passion exercised almost unlimited control. Men were debased, diseased, dwarfed, and crippled through the baneful effects of selfish indulgence in evil, and it seemed as if the world was about to be swept away under its disastrous power. But with all the sin and misery that were in the world then, and that we see about us now never can the power of appetite be fully understood until the significance of Christ’s temptation and long fast in the wilderness is comprehended. “When He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungered.”?Matthew 4:2. And it was then, when Christ was fainting for food, that Satan came to Him, and sought to overpower Him with temptation.?{PH105 1.5}[5]
Satan did not appear to Christ as he is often falsely represented, as an imp with bats’ wings and cloven hoofs. The Scriptures plainly declare that he “is transformed into an angel of light.”—2 Corinthians 11:14. It was as a heavenly angel that Satan accosted the Son of God. He told the Redeemer that He need fast no longer; that His long abstinence was accepted by the Father; that He had gone far enough; and that He was at liberty to work a miracle in His own behalf. The tempter said, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.”?Matthew 4:3. And Jesus answered him, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”?Verse 4. If man had always heeded this great truth, the race would never have fallen.?{PH105 2.1}[6]
“Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto Him, If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down; for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee; and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone.”?Verses 5, 6. But again Jesus met him with Scripture, saying, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”?Verse 7.?{PH105 2.2}[7]
“Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto Him, All these things will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me.”?Verses 8, 9. He did not present the kingdoms of the world as they now appear, but in all the glory and attraction in which it is possible to present them. He desired that Christ should acknowledge him as His superior, and on this condition promised to give the world into His hands. But could Jesus admit that the world belonged to Satan? Could He acknowledge the usurper as His superior, when there was but One to whom he owed homage? “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”?Verse 10.?{PH105 3.1}[8]
There are many in this world who would concede the principles of right for some worldly advantage. There are many who would forfeit their rectitude for gold, or position, or power. But of what advantage is it to sacrifice your hopes of heaven for earthly wealth and honor? You can not take your treasure with you to the grave. Only a little while at the longest, and life will be past, and “what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” We should fix our eyes on something more enduring. The home of the saints is more worthy of our toil and affection; for it is “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.”?1 Peter 1:3, 4.?{PH105 3.2}[9]
Appetite exerts a controlling influence in the world. Unlawful indulgence in appetite and passion paralyzes the brain power, and deadens all the moral sensibilities and perceptions. But we have all been bought with a price, even with the precious blood of the Son of God, and we have no right to abuse our powers by the selfish gratification of lust. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”?1 Peter 1:18, 19. “For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”?1 Corinthians 6:20. We should keep ourselves in a condition to render to God the most perfect service possible. With an eye single to His glory, we should seek to live in harmony with the laws of our being. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”?1 Corinthians 10:31.?{PH105 4.1}[10]
Daniel refused to eat at the king’s table, or to drink of the king’s wine.?Daniel 1:8. Why did he do this?—Because he knew that indulgence in wine-drinking and luxurious food would enfeeble the powers of mind and body. He desired to keep his mind in a condition to appreciate the inspired Word of God. Those who indulge in forbidden things work directly against their own interests and hopes. Selfish motives lead to self-indulgence, and animal appetites and passions bear sway, and dominate over mind and soul. Those who are thus controlled can not comprehend the truth of divine origin, or appreciate the value of heavenly things. The brain power is benumbed; the very foundation of the physical being is undermined. We have no right to destroy the habitation that God has given us; for we have been purchased at an infinite cost.?{PH105 4.2}[11]
It was by a failure to resist the inclinations of appetite that Adam fell in the Garden of Eden. But Christ came to take up the battle in behalf of man. He met and contended with the powers of darkness, and at every point where Adam fell, Christ won precious victories. He wrought out a way by which we may be saved. However depraved, however sinful, as men seek for forgiveness of their transgressions, they will find pardon and peace through the merit of Christ. Divinity cooperates with humanity in the work of elevating and purifying the character. When the converting power of God takes hold of the soul, it will work a radical change. Those who have formerly abused their families and friends, will begin to labor earnestly for their salvation. Jesus came to save the lost, to take them out of their fallen condition, to make them more than conquerors, and to give them a seat upon His throne. Oh, that the soul temple might be cleansed of every defilement! Oh, that we might not offer to God a diseased, defiled offering! An infinite price has been paid to bring us into connection with Christ. Self-indulgence must cease. We must come into right relations with God, and we must be cleansed from all iniquity, and walk worthy of the vocation whereunto we are called.?{PH105 5.1}[12]
When Jacob journeyed to the house of Laban, he lay down to rest in the wilderness, with a stone for a pillow. He was a discouraged, disappointed man. It seemed to him that he was forsaken of friends and forgotten of God. His own brother was seeking him, that he might take his life. While he slept, he had a vision. There appeared before him a ladder, whose base rested on the earth, and whose top reached into the highest heavens. God was above the ladder, and His glory shone through the open heaven, lighting up every round of the ladder; and angels were ascending and descending upon it. When Jacob awoke, he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” See?Genesis 28:10-17.?{PH105 6.1}[13]
The plan of salvation was opened to Jacob’s mind in this dream. Christ was the ladder that he saw. Christ is the link that binds earth to heaven, and connects finite man with the infinite God. This ladder reaches from the lowest degradation of earth and humanity to the highest heavens. We are to ascend the ladder that Jacob saw, but not by our own strength alone. It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance and reformation. We are not left to struggle on alone.?{PH105 6.2}[14]
Those who have fallen by sin and iniquity may receive the pardoning love of God. By repentance and faith, the transgressors of His law may come to God through Christ. And when we have come to Christ, and have taken the steps requisite in conversion, we are to “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”?Colossians 3:1. When we are burdened with care and sorrow, why do we not go to our Saviour, and claim His promises, and find Him a very present help in every time of trouble? We are not left to be the sport of Satan’s temptations. God has given us precious promises, by which we are to become partakers of the divine nature.?2 Peter 1:4. In Christ is our help. When we come with repentance and faith, however polluted and sinful we may be, we shall find Him the sinner’s Saviour. He has said, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The sinner may carry his load to Calvary, and lay it down at the foot of the cross. It is the privilege of every one to leave sin and transgression, and to become a loyal subject of the God of heaven. We may be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, but His righteousness will not be a covering for the least iniquity. “Wash you, make you clean;” for there has been a fountain opened for Judah and Jerusalem, and every stain may be cleansed away.?Isaiah 1:16-18.?{PH105 7.1}[15]
Do not wait to make yourselves better. How many there are who think that they are not good enough to come to Christ! Do you expect to become better through your own efforts? “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.”?Jeremiah 13:23. But there is help for us in God. We are “prisoners of hope.”?Zechariah 9:12. God has power in reserve for us. Those who are reaching out for help, exercising faith in Jesus, will receive it.?{PH105 7.2}[16]
Divine power will cooperate with human effort. Dear reader, the gates are open, and the glory of God is shining for every soul who looks to Heaven in times of trial and perplexity. How many go to human friends when they are in trouble! But how vain is the help that man can give! Human aid is only as a broken reed. Christ has been manifested to the world as the One who can bind up the broken in heart, and comfort those that mourn. Heaven was opened to man through the sacrifice of the Son of God. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”?2 Corinthians 8:9. He came into the world and bore the griefs and sorrows of men, that He might understand all the needs of fallen humanity. He was made a perfect Saviour through the sufferings that He bore in man’s behalf, and we through His grace may become perfected, and be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ in the everlasting kingdom. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”?Hebrews 4:16.?{PH105 8.1}[17]
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