(1895年3月8日)
我必须对我远近各处的弟兄们说话。我不能闭口不言。他们没有按正确的原则作工。处于负责地位的人不要以为自己的重要职位能使他们作出无误的判断。{SpTA09 3.1}
人们的一切工作都在主的管辖之下。人只有认为在至高者那里有知识，才是最安全的。那些信靠上帝和祂的智慧，不信赖自己智慧的人，正行走在安全的道路上。他们决不会觉得自己有权笼住踹谷之牛的口。人若想控制与上帝合作的人，这是多么得罪人啊。主耶稣对他们说：“凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。我心里柔和谦卑，你们当负我的轭，学我的样式;这样，你们心里就必得享安息。因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的”(太11:28-30)。“我们是与上帝同工的;你们是上帝所耕种的田地，所建造的房屋”(林前3:9)。{SpTA09 3.2}
主并没有让祂的机构受那些自己也会犯错的人所支配和控制。祂没有授权人说，你应该做这个，你不该做那个。但是在巴特尔克里克，却有人在行使上帝所没有授予的权利。他们所抱的精神，有点像导致乌撒用手去扶稳约柜的精神，似乎觉得上帝不能照顾祂神圣的事工。决不要对上帝的机构施行人的权柄和权威。弟兄们，让上帝来管理吧。{SpTA09 3.3}
当代的工作
当代的大工需要人到远近各处，到大路和篱笆那里，去传播亮光，宣扬生命之道。上帝难道让一个人或一班人掌握这项工作，好像工人们，就是上帝自己的产业，要受他们控制吗?{SpTA09 4.1}
任何部门与上帝的圣工有关的事情都需要人与上帝和谐同工，因为只有藉着人与神的合作，工作才能获得能力和成功。如果一个人未能最好地证明自己明白属天和永恒的事，就不该授权他参与拯救基督所为之死的生灵。未成圣的手与脑被授予太多的权力，作出了很不明智的举动，不符合上帝的旨意和道路。{SpTA09 4.2}
任何人都不适合判断他人的责任。人是向上帝负责的。当有限易错的人把管辖同胞的权力掌握在自己手中，好像是主委托他们提拔人或降人的职似的，全天庭就充满了愤慨。关于由人来判断和控制他人的思想和工作，已经确立了错误的原则，似乎把有限的人当作神。{SpTA09 4.3}
一些正在担负这些神圣职责的人如何呢?没有属灵心志的人，没有献身于上帝的人，并没有受权管束同胞的立志和行事。人如果不每天与上帝联络，全心全意地寻求从事圣工的资格，就会僭取控制别人良心的权柄。意识到上帝的临格会使人心敬畏驯服。他们却没有这种意识。既没有上帝的爱在心中燃烧，对人的爱就渐渐冷淡了。他们看见人类的祸患，心里不再难过。自私在生活和品格上留下了污秽的烙印。有些人永远不会失去这种形像和印记了。{SpTA09 5.1}
上帝的圣工会委托给这种人吗?基督所为之而死的人们要被那些拒绝了天赐亮光的人随意操纵吗?我们应该害怕人为的律法，害怕在人与同胞的关系上同上帝圣言的原则不一致的计划和方法。“你们都是弟兄”(太23:8)。{SpTA09 5.2}
目前的状态必须改变，否则上帝的忿怒就会临到那些不执行基督方针的部门。上帝岂是已经授权你们中的任何人去辖制祂的产业呢?这种做法已持续多年。上帝都全看见了。祂不喜悦这种做法。当人插在上帝和祂的机构中间时，他们就羞辱了上帝，亏待了那些真正需要鼓励、同情与仁爱的人。我不得不呼吁我们的工人们：不论你的职位是什么，都不要依赖人，也不要倚靠人血肉的膀臂。{SpTA09 5.3}
上帝的灵催促我对你们参加主圣工的人说，决不要忘记你们是完全依赖上帝的。你如果片刻没有依赖祂的恩典，保守自己的心敞开领受属天的智慧，确信离了基督你就不能做什么，你就不能区分凡火和圣火。不可以说的话就会脱口而出，破坏盼望、勇气和信心。在天上的册子中会记着说：你的话不是上帝默示的，而是出于仇敌的，伤害了基督所买来的产业，也就是伤害了基督。具有无限价值的灵魂遭到漠视，离弃，被抛在试探下挣扎，被驱赶到撒但的战场上。{SpTA09 6.1}
自称为约伯朋友的人不是高明的安慰者，反而令他雪上加霜。约伯并不像他们想像的那样有罪。撒但正设法使那些因自己的错行而痛苦忧患的人绝望。他们正是最需要帮助的人。被撒但所胜的人心灵痛苦，沮丧无助，却很少得到那些应以温柔的同情对待犯错者的体谅!{SpTA09 6.2}
最可怜的情况是一个人在悔恨之下受苦，就像人被打晕了，摇摇晃晃，倒在尘土之中。许多自以为义的人，安慰人反倒惹人生气。他们苛刻地对待这些人。他们心肠刚硬，得罪人，使人烦恼，正在做撒但所高兴做的事情。正经受考验试探的人看不清任何情况。他的心困惑了，不知所措。我们决不可说任何加深他痛苦的话!{SpTA09 6.3}
如何对待犯错的人
我们的救主说：“凡使这信我的一个小子跌倒的，倒不如把大磨石拴在这人的颈项上，沉在深海里。这世界有祸了，因为将人绊倒;绊倒人的事是免不了的，但那绊倒人的有祸了!……你们要小心，不可轻看这小子里的一个;我告诉你们，他们的使者在天上，常见我天父的面。人子来，为要拯救失丧的人。一个人若有一百只羊，一只走迷了路，你们的意思如何?他岂不撇下这九十九只，往山里去找那只迷路的羊吗?若是找着了，我实在告诉你们，他为这一只羊欢喜，比为那没有迷路的九十九只欢喜还大呢!你们在天上的父也是这样，不愿意这小子里失丧一个”(太18:6,7,10-14)。{SpTA09 7.1}
基督说：“我来本不是召义人[你们不感到需要悔改的人]悔改，乃是召罪人悔改”(路5:32)。与上帝同工的人必须遵循基督的方针。有许多可怜的人遭到误解、未被赏识、满心忧伤和痛苦，乃是一只离群的迷羊。他的心被蒙蔽了，找不到上帝，几乎被绝望的不信所充满。可是他仍强烈希望得到饶恕和平安。{SpTA09 7.2}
当这幅画面展现在你面前时，你可能要问，他们难道不能向基督徒求助吗?上帝对这个问题的答复是：“然而有一件事我要责备你，就是你把起初的爱心离弃了。所以，应当回想你是从哪里坠落的，并要悔改，行起初所行的事。你若不悔改，我就临到你那里，把你的灯台从原处挪去”(启2:4,5)。心地刚硬而冷漠的法利赛主义控制了许多自称跟从基督的人。他们不再有爱耶稣的心。{SpTA09 8.1}
“你要写信给撒狄教会的使者，说：‘那有上帝的七灵和七星的，说：我知道你的行为，按名你是活的，其实是死的。你要警醒，坚固那剩下将要死的;因我见你的行为，在我上帝面前，没有一样是完全的”(启3:1,2)。这就是解决问题的方法。上面所说的人已拥有亮光。如果他们遵循亮光，并坚固那剩下将要死的，亮光原会促使他们表现出完全不同的行为。当耶稣对他们的心说“你的罪赦了”(太9:2)时，他们本来可以藉着帮助需要帮助的人，而保持在他们心中所发的亮光。{SpTA09 8.2}
需要做的工作已经说明了：“你要警醒，坚固那剩下将要死的;因我见你的行为，在我上帝面前，没有一样是完全的。所以要回想你是怎样领受、怎样听见的、又要遵守，并要悔改。若不警醒，我必临到你那里，如同贼一样。我几时临到，你也决不能知道”(启3:2,3)。许多人听见并领受了生命之道，也已被真理所大大感动，却自以为义、自尊自大、以认识真理而自豪却不实行，以致冷漠淡然，信心减弱。真理若不实行，就会丧失其能力，心门向上帝的感动关闭。那些应该为基督作工的人却闲着。他们可以帮助的人则被遗弃在沮丧、黑暗和绝望中。{SpTA09 8.3}
帮助沉沦的人
有人渴望得到同情和生命的粮，却没有胆量说出自己的大需要。那些在上帝的圣工中担负责任的人应该明白，他们有极严肃的义务去帮助这些人。他们如果自己保持了基督之爱温柔折服的感化力，就会预备好去帮助他们。这些行将死亡的可怜人指望他们的帮助吗?不，他们曾经指望过，直到他们对这方面的帮助感到绝望。他们看不到有人伸手拯救他们。{SpTA09 9.1}
我所看到的情形是这样的：一个溺水的人，在波浪中徒劳地挣扎，发现了一只船，就用他剩下的气力游到船边抓住。他软弱得无力说话，但他脸上的痛苦会引起任何人的恻隐之心。船上的人有没有伸手把他拉上船呢?没有!全天庭都看到这些人扯开那双软弱执着的手。受苦的人沉没在波浪之下不再起来了。这种场面一再重演。那位舍命救赎这些人的主都亲眼看见了。主已伸手施行拯救。主自己做了祂交给人去做的事，为了显明基督对罪人的同情和怜悯。耶稣说：“我赐给你们一条新命令，乃是叫你们彼此相爱;我怎样爱你们，你们也要怎样相爱”(约13:34)。髑髅地向我们每一个人显明了那爱的深厚。{SpTA09 9.2}
有人在黑暗中充满了懊悔和痛苦。他们仍感到上帝是公义良善的。主在保持着他们心中希望的火花。那个在黑暗中的可怜人觉得，只要在上帝面前祈求，祂就会为基督的缘故怜悯我，解除这种可怕的恐惧和苦恼。他曾设法对人讲说，但他以为是朋友的人却粗暴地拒绝、责备和嘲笑他。有时落在他头上的责备几乎毁灭了他最后的一丝希望。有真诚愿望的人发现，上帝不像心肠刚硬的人那样可怕。人不能监察人心，却擅自审判同胞。在痛苦中挣扎的人离开了人的误会和指责，转向那丝毫不会有误解的主。祂知道人心中的一切愿望，熟悉所有试探的详情。上帝知道以往生活的每一行为。考虑到这一点，烦恼的心灵还是甘愿把自己的事托付上帝，因为知道祂是仁慈怜悯的上帝。{SpTA09 10.1}
让我们落在上帝的手里
当主让大卫选择他犯罪的惩罚时，他说：“我愿落在耶和华的手里，因为祂有丰盛的怜悯。我不愿落在人的手里”(撒下24:14)。他觉得上帝知道人心的挣扎和痛苦。当人瞥见上帝的品格时，就会看到祂丝毫没有人所表现的无情报复的精神。他看出苦难与试炼是上帝设立的方法，为要训练祂的儿女，教导他们祂的道，使他们能持住祂的恩典。“你们中间谁是敬畏耶和华、听从祂仆人之话的?这人行在暗中，没有亮光。当倚靠耶和华的名，仗赖自己的上帝”(赛51:10)。当可怜退后的人被领到上帝的爱河时，他会喊着说：祂试炼我之后，我必如精金。受苦的人在逆境中，在上帝里面，被塑造成忍耐、可靠、得胜的人。{SpTA09 11.1}
“所以，祂凡事该与祂的弟兄相同，为要在上帝的事上成为慈悲忠信的大祭司，为百姓的罪献上挽回祭。祂自己既然被试探而受苦，就能搭救被试探的人。”“我们既然有一位已经升入高天尊荣的大祭司，就是上帝的儿子耶稣，便当持定所承认的道。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。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。”“弟兄们，你们要谨慎，免得你们中间或有人存着不信的恶心，把永生上帝离弃了”(来2:17,18;4:14-16;3:12)。{SpTA09 11.2}
当有限犯错的人表明看自己比上帝更重要时，当他自以为义，没有表现我们主耶稣生命中柔和的精神时，我们就可以知道，他若不悔改，灯台就必很快从原处挪去。全天庭都对人们可怕的冷漠感到惊奇。受试探堕入罪中而需要赦免的人，竟充满了自足自负，对弟兄冷酷无情。弟兄被仇敌俘虏了。他的需要和危险应该唤起基督化的同情和努力，帮助他的脚站立在稳固的磐石上。{SpTA09 12.1}
一个致命的骗局
有一个非常可怕而致命的骗局正临到人心。人因从事上帝的圣工，身居要职，就高估自己，看不见其他在上帝眼中与他们的一样宝贵的人受到了忽略，被粗暴对待，遭到伤害、被遗弃至死。{SpTA09 12.2}
上帝改变人心的能力必须临到那些从事圣工，却因上帝所最了解的某种原因，不能区分上帝自己点燃的圣火和他们所献上凡火的人。这种凡火像拿答和亚比户所献上的凡火一样，是羞辱上帝的。上帝之爱的圣火会使人对处在危险中的人温柔，仁慈，有同情心。那些放纵尖刻专横言辞的人，实际上是在说：我比你圣洁。你没看见我尊贵的职位吗?{SpTA09 12.3}
但职位并不造就人。只有正直的品格和基督的精神，才能使人感恩、无私、没有偏见、没有假冒，在上帝面前有价值。对于那些生命与基督一同藏在上帝里面的人，主说：“看哪，我将你铭刻在我掌上;你的墙垣常在我眼前”(赛49:16)。{SpTA09 13.1}
对于一切身居负责岗位的人，我有一道耶和华亲口所说的信息，那就是《以赛亚书》第五十五章。要研究这章经文。任何人都不要以为，因自己在工作部门中负有更重大的职责，就居于同工之上。他如果像但以理那样，寻求唯独来自上帝的能力，好使他不表现自己，不在自私和欺诈的习惯上表现自己的不完全，而是表现公义中的真理，就不会有丝毫的骄傲或自大，而会被上帝智慧的灵所充满。{SpTA09 13.2}
圣火和凡火
他会表现这项工作的神圣性，宣扬真理，始终在人和天使面前彰显基督品格的圣洁馨香。这是上帝亲自点燃的圣火。此外都是凡火，为上帝所憎恶，而且人在圣工中越是位高权重，就越得罪上帝。{SpTA09 13.3}
我有一个上帝的信息要传给锡安的罪人。基督对他们说：“你要警醒，坚固那剩下将要死的;因我见你的行为，在我上帝面前，没有一样是完全的”(启3:2)。你必须始终呈献圣火。只有这样，基督的行为，慈爱，怜悯和公义，才会像圣洁馨香的烟云，升到上帝面前，全然蒙悦纳。{SpTA09 14.1}
但你们献上了凡火，说苛刻的话，妄自尊大，自高，自以为义，独断专权，作威作福，压制别人，限制上帝子民的自由，用你们的计划和规条束缚他们。上帝并没有制定这些规条，也从未考虑过。这一切都是凡火，不为上帝所承认，不断地误表祂的品格。{SpTA09 14.2}
我有一个信息给你们：“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。耶和华说：我的意念非同你们的意念;我的道路非同你们的道路。天怎样高过地，照样，我的道路高过你们的道路;我的意念高过你们的意念。雨雪从天而降，并不返回，却滋润地土，使地上发芽结实，使撒种的有种，使要吃的有粮。我口所出的话也必如此，决不徒然返回，却要成就我所喜悦的，在我发他去成就的事上必然亨通”(赛55:6-11)。{SpTA09 14.3}
“公平转而退后，公义站在远处;诚实在街上仆倒，正直也不得进入。诚实少见;离恶的人反成掠物。那时，耶和华看见没有公平，甚不喜悦。祂见无人拯救，无人代求，甚为诧异，就用自己的膀臂施行拯救，以公义扶持自己。祂以公义为护心镜，以拯救为头盔，以报仇为衣服，以热心为外袍。……如此，人从日落之处必敬畏耶和华的名，从日出之地也必敬畏祂的荣耀;因为仇敌好象急流的河水冲来，是耶和华之气所驱逐的。必有一位救赎主来到锡安雅各族中转离过犯的人那里。这是耶和华说的”(赛59:14-17,19,20)。{SpTA09 15.1}
怀爱伦夫人
SpTA09-《SPECIAL TESTIMONIES FOR MINISTERS AND WORKERS—NO. 9》
《--Chapter 1—All Ye are Brethren--》
March 8, 1895.
I must speak to my brethren nigh and afar off. I cannot hold my peace. They are not working on correct principles. Those who stand in responsible positions must not feel that their position of importance makes them men of infallible judgment.{SpTA09 3.1}[1]
All the works of men are under the Lord’s jurisdiction. It will be altogether safe for men to consider that there is knowledge with the Most High. Those who trust in God and his wisdom, and not in their own, are walking in safe paths. They will never feel that they are authorized to muzzle even the ox that treads out the grain; and how offensive it is for men to control the human agent who is in partnership with God, and whom the Lord Jesus has invited, “Come unto me, all ye that labor?and are heavy?laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” “We are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.”{SpTA09 3.2}[2]
The Lord has not placed any one of his human agencies under the dictation and control of those who are themselves but erring mortals. He has not placed upon men the power to say, You shall do this, and you shall not do that. But there is a power exercised in Battle Creek that God has not given, and he will judge those who assume this authority. They have somewhat of the same spirit that led Uzzah to lay his hand on the ark to steady it, as though God was not able to care for his sacred symbols. Far less of man’s power and authority should be exercised toward God’s human agencies. Brethren, leave God to rule.{SpTA09 3.3}[3]
【The Work for This Time】
The great work for this time demands that men shall go everywhere, nigh and afar off, into the highways and hedges, to diffuse light, holding forth the words of life. Has God laid upon one man or a council of men to take this work into their hands, as though the workers, God’s own property, were to be under their control?{SpTA09 4.1}[4]
The business connected with the work of God in any and every branch, requires men who are working in harmony with God; for power and success in the work can be attained only through the co-operation of the human and the divine. Without the best of evidence that one understands heavenly and eternal things, he should not be authorized to minister in matters connected with the work that concerns the salvation of souls for whom Christ has died. Unsanctified hands and brains have had altogether too much power entrusted to them, and very unwise moves have been made, that are not in accordance with the will and ways of God.{SpTA09 4.2}[5]
No man is a proper judge of another man’s duty. Man is responsible to God; and as finite, erring men take in their hands the jurisdiction of their fellow men, as if the Lord commissioned them to lift up and cast down, all heaven is filled with indignation. There are strange principles being established in regard to the control of the minds and works of men, by human judges, as though these finite men were gods.{SpTA09 4.3}[6]
And how is it with some who are bearing these sacred responsibilities? Men who are not spiritually minded, who are not consecrated to God, have no commission to perform, nor authority to exercise, in regard to the willing or doing of their fellow men. But unless men are daily in communion with God, instead of seeking him with all their heart for a fitness for the work, they will assume the power of dictation over the conscience of others. A sense of the divine presence would awe and subdue the soul, but this they have not. Without the love of God burning in the soul, love to men grows cold. Their hearts are not touched at the sight of human woe. Selfishness has left its defiling imprint on life and character, and some will never lose this image and superscription.{SpTA09 5.1}[7]
Is the working of the cause of God to be entrusted to such hands? Are souls for whom Christ has died, to be manipulated at the will of men who have refused the light given them of heaven? We should be afraid of man-made laws, and of plans and methods that are not in accordance with the principles of the word of God concerning man’s relation to his fellow. “All ye are brethren.”{SpTA09 5.2}[8]
The Present Order of Things Must Change, or the wrath of God will fall upon his instrumentalities that are not working in Christ’s lines. Has God given any one of you a commission to lord it over his heritage? This kind of work has been coming in for years. God sees it all, and he is displeased with it. When men come in between God and his human agents, they dishonor?God, and wrong the souls of those who need true encouragement and sympathy and love. I am constrained to appeal to our workers: Whatever your position, do not depend on men, or make flesh your arm.{SpTA09 5.3}[9]
I am urged by the Spirit of God to say to you who have a connection with the Lord’s work, Never forget that you are wholly dependent upon God; and if you pass one hour or one moment without relying upon his grace, without keeping the heart open to receive the wisdom that is not earth-born, being sure that without Christ ye can do nothing, you will be unable to distinguish between the common and the sacred fire. Words of a very forbidden character will flash from your lips to destroy hope and courage and faith. Thus it is written in the books of heaven: Your words were not inspired of God, but of the enemy that wounded and bruised Christ in the person of his purchased possession. Souls of infinite value were treated indifferently, turned from, left to struggle under temptation, and forced on Satan’s battle-ground.{SpTA09 6.1}[10]
Job’s professed friends were miserable comforters, making his case more bitter and unbearable, and Job was not guilty as they supposed. Those who are under the pain and distress of their own wrong-doing, while Satan is seeking to drive them to despair, are the very ones who need help the most. The intense agony of the soul that has been overcome by Satan and is feeling worsted and helpless—how little is it comprehended by those who should meet the erring one with tender compassion!{SpTA09 6.2}[11]
Most pitiable is the condition of one who is suffering under remorse; he is as one stunned, staggering, sinking into the dust. And many?who suppose themselves to be righteous, become exasperating comforters; they deal harshly with these souls. In manifesting this hardness of heart in offending and oppressing, they are doing the very same work which Satan delights in doing. The tried, tempted soul cannot see anything clearly. The mind is confused; he knows not just what steps to take. O, then, let no word be spoken to cause deeper pain!{SpTA09 6.3}[12]
【How to Deal With the Erring】
Our Saviour said: “Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come but woe to that man?by whom the offense cometh! ... Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save?that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”{SpTA09 7.1}[13]
“I came not,” said Christ, “to call the righteous [you who feel no need of repentance], but sinners to repentance.” Those who are laborers together with God will work in Christ’s lines. There is many a poor soul who is misunderstood,unappreciated, full of distress and agony,—a lost, straying sheep. His mind is beclouded, he cannot find God, and almost hopeless unbelief takes possession of him. Yet he has an intense, longing desire for pardon and peace.{SpTA09 7.2}[14]
As this picture is opened before you, the inquiry may be made, Are there no Christians to whom such a one can go for relief? This question God answers, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” A cold, hard-hearted pharisaism has taken possession of many of the professed followers of Christ, and the love of Jesus is dead.{SpTA09 8.1}[15]
“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” Here the problem is solved. The persons here described have had light that would have prompted them to altogether different works, if they had followed the light, and had strengthened the things that remained that were ready to die. The light which was glowing in their own hearts when Jesus spoke to their souls, “Thy sins be forgiven thee,” they might have kept alive by helping those who needed help.{SpTA09 8.2}[16]
The work to be done is plainly specified: “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore?how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Many have heard and received the word of life, and have been strongly moved by the truth, but have allowed their souls to become cold, their faith dim, through self-righteousness, self-importance, and pride in the possession of a knowledge of truth which they fail to practise. The truth which is not put in practise, loses its power. The heart is closed to its divine influence, and those who should be workers for Christ are idle, and souls whom they might help are left in discouragement and darkness and despair.{SpTA09 8.3}[17]
【Help the Sinking Souls】
There are souls who are starving for sympathy, starving for the bread of life; but they have no confidence to make known their great need. Those who bear the responsibilities in connection with the work of God should understand that they are under the most solemn obligation to help these souls; and they would be prepared to help them, if they themselves had retained the soft, subduing influence of the love of Christ. Do these poor souls, ready to die, look to them for help?—No; they did this until they could have no hope of help from that quarter. They see not a hand stretched out to save.{SpTA09 9.1}[18]
The matter has been presented to me thus: A drowning man, vainly struggling with the waves, discovers a boat, and with his last remaining strength succeeds in reaching it, and lays hold upon its side. In his weakness he cannot speak, but the agony upon his face would excite pity in any heart that was touched with?human tenderness. But do the occupants of the boat stretch out their hands to lift him in?—No! All heaven looks on as these men beat off the feeble, clinging hands, and a suffering fellow being sinks beneath the waves, to rise no more. This scene has been enacted over and over again. It has been witnessed by One who gave his life for the ransom of just such souls. The Lord has reached down his own hand to save. The Lord himself has done the work which he left for man to do, in revealing the pity and compassion of Christ toward sinners. Jesus says, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” Calvary reveals to every one of us the depths of that love.{SpTA09 9.2}[19]
There are souls in their darkness, full of remorse and pain and anguish, who still feel that God is just and good. The Lord is keeping alive the spark of hope in their hearts. The poor, darkened soul feels, If I could only appear before God, and plead my case, he would pity for Christ’s sake, and this horrible fear and agony would be relieved. He has tried to speak to men, and has been rudely repulsed, reproved, taunted, by his supposed friends. Sometimes the reproaches heaped upon his head have well-nigh destroyed the last spark of hope. The soul that is conscious of sincere and honest intentions finds he has less to fear from God than from men who have hearts of steel. The soul wrenched with human agony turns away from the misjudgment and condemnation of men who cannot read the heart, yet have taken it upon them to judge their fellow men. He turns to One who is without a shadow of misapprehension, One who knows all the impulses of the heart, who is?acquainted with all the circumstances of temptation. God knows every deed of the past life, and yet in consideration of all this, the troubled soul is ready to trust his case with God, knowing that he is a God of mercy and compassion.{SpTA09 10.1}[20]
【Let Us Fall Into the Hand of God】
When David was bidden to choose the punishment for his sin, he said, “Let us fall now into the hand of the Lord; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.” He felt that God knew the struggle and anguish of the soul. When one is enabled to catch a glimpse of the character of God, he sees not in him the heartless, vindictive spirit manifested by human agents; he sees that affliction and trial are God’s appointed means of disciplining his children, and teaching them his way, that they may lay hold of his grace. “Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.” As the poor backsliding one is led to the river of God’s love, he exclaims, When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold purified. The suffering soul is made patient, trustful, triumphant in God under adverse circumstances.{SpTA09 11.1}[21]
“Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our?profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”{SpTA09 11.2}[22]
When finite, erring man gives evidence that he regards himself as of greater importance than God, when he thinks himself righteous, yet does not manifest the tenderness of spirit that characterized the life of our Lord Jesus, we may know that unless he repents, the candlestick will quickly be removed out of its place. All heaven is astonished at the terrible indifference of the human agents. Men who are themselves tempted to fall into sin, and need pardon, are yet full of self-sufficiency, and are unfeeling toward a brother who is ensnared by the enemy, and whose need and peril should call out Christlike sympathy and effort to plant his feet on the solid Rock.{SpTA09 12.1}[23]
【A Fatal Deception】
There is a most fearful, fatal deception upon human minds. Because men are in positions of trust, connected with the work of God, they are exalted in their own estimation, and do not discern that other souls, fully as precious in the sight of God as their own, are neglected, and handled roughly, and bruised, and wounded, and left to die.{SpTA09 12.2}[24]
The converting power of God must come upon men who handle sacred things, yet who are unable, through some cause best known to God, to distinguish between the sacred fire of God’s own kindling, and the strange fire which they offer. That strange fire is as dishonoring to God as was that presented by Nadab and Abihu. The sacred fire of God’s love would make men tender and kind and sympathetic toward those in peril. Those who indulge in sharp, overbearing words, are really saying, I am, holier than thou. Do you not see my exalted position?{SpTA09 12.3}[25]
But the position does not make the man. It is the integrity of character, the Spirit of Christ, that makes him thankful, unselfish, without partiality and without hypocrisy,—it is this that is of value with God. To those whose life is hid with Christ in God, the Lord says, “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”{SpTA09 13.1}[26]
For all in responsible positions I have a message spoken by the mouth of the Lord,—the fifty-fifth chapter of Isaiah. Study this chapter, and let not any human being consider that he is above his fellow workers because greater responsibilities are involved in his branch of the work. If he is like Daniel, seeking for the power that comes alone from God, that he may represent, not himself, not his imperfections in selfish and fraudulent practises, but the truth in righteousness, he will not possess a vestige of pride or self-importance; but will be weighted with the spirit of wisdom from God.{SpTA09 13.2}[27]
【The Sacred and the Strange Fire】
He will represent the sacredness of the work, he will magnify the truth, and will ever present before men and angels the holy perfume of the character of Christ. This is the sacred fire of God’s own kindling. Anything aside from this?is strange fire, abhorrent to God, and the more offensive as one’s position in the work involves larger responsibilities.{SpTA09 13.3}[28]
I have a message from God to the sinners in Zion, the ones whom Christ addressed: “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” You need to offer always the sacred fire; for then Christ’s works, his love, his mercy, his righteousness, will ascend before God, as a cloud of holy, fragrant incense, wholly acceptable.{SpTA09 14.1}[29]
But strange fire has been offered in the use of harsh words, in self-importance, in self-exaltation, in self-righteousness, in arbitrary authority, in domineering, in oppression, in restricting the liberty of God’s people, binding them about by your plans and rules, which God has not framed, neither have they come into his mind. All these things are strange fire, unacknowledged by God, and are a continual misrepresentation of his character.{SpTA09 14.2}[30]
I have a message for you: “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. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”{SpTA09 14.3}[31]
“Judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.... So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.”---Mrs. E. G. White---{SpTA09 15.1}[32]
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