《评论与通讯》
THE REVIEW AND HERALD
1853年2月17日
至四散的圣徒
亲爱的弟兄姐妹们：
我们真是全心全意相信基督快要复临，我们现在真拥有上帝所传给一个有罪世界的最后怜悯信息吗?我们给人所立的榜样是合宜的吗?我们有没有藉我们的生活和圣洁的言行，向我们四围的人说明我们在等候我们的主和救主耶稣基督荣耀的显现，等祂将我们这些卑贱的身体改变形状，和祂自己荣耀的身体相似呢?我恐怕我们还没有照我们所应该的相信并体会到这些事。凡相信我们所自称相信的重要真理的人应当把他们对基督即将降临的信仰实践出来。现在信徒们太多追求娱乐消遣和世界上需要费心思的事;他们太注意着装的骄傲，他们口中充满太多轻浮和无谓的闲谈，这一切都使我们的信仰表白显为虚谎，因为我们不是在谈论天上的事，不是在等候救主从天上降临。{RH February 17, 1853, par. 1}
众天使在看守并保护我们;我们时常因沉湎于无谓的闲谈、说笑话、开玩笑而使这些天使忧伤，有时还因陷于一种粗心轻率、愚蠢麻木的状态中而使他们伤心。虽然我们有时力争胜利，结果也能获胜，但如果我们不保持这胜利，却陷于疏忽大意漠不关心的状态中，而不能经受试探，抵抗仇敌，我们就不能使自己的信心受试验，比能坏的金子更显宝贵了。我们就不是为基督的缘故受苦，不是在患难中夸耀。{RH February 17, 1853, par. 2}
我们太缺少基督的毅力和本着原则事奉上帝的心。我们不应设法取悦并满足自我，却要尊重和荣耀上帝，并在我们一切的言行上单单注目于祂的荣耀。如果我们能让下述重要的话深入我们的心，并且总是留在我们的记忆之中，我们就不会很容易地陷入试探了，同时我们的言语就会寡少而且审慎检点。{RH February 17, 1853, par. 3}
“祂为我们的过犯受害，为我们的罪孽压伤，因祂受的刑罚，我们得平安;因祂受的鞭伤，我们得医治。”“凡人所说的闲话，当审判的日子，必要句句供出来。”“看顾人的上帝”(赛53:5;太12:36;创16:13)。{RH February 17, 1853, par. 4}
当我们思念这些重要的圣言，并默想耶稣为我们罪人所受的苦难，为要使我们可以承受赦罪之恩并因祂的宝血而蒙救赎归于上帝时，我们就不能不感到一种神圣的约束，以及一种愿意为那曾为我们遭受并经受了那么多苦难的主受苦的热切愿望。{RH February 17, 1853, par. 5}
如果我们常思念这些事，我们本来所珍爱的自我和自我的尊严就必降卑，同时必有一种小孩子般的纯朴的心情代替之，这种心情是能忍受别人的责骂而不轻易动怒的，决不让任性的精神进来支配心灵。真基督徒的喜乐、娱乐和安慰必是在天上的。{RH February 17, 1853, par. 6}
“心中仰慕上帝，救恩清泉涌流不息。” {RH February 17, 1853, par. 7}
凡“尝过上帝善道的滋味，觉悟来世权能”并且已经享受过天上喜乐的人决不会满足或愉悦于地上的事物。这等人一定能在他们空余的时间从事有用的活动。他们必倾心寻求与上帝联络。他们的财宝在哪里，他们的心也就在那里，同他们所敬爱所崇拜的上帝进行甜蜜的交通。他们的娱乐在于思念他们的财宝——圣城、新天新地，就是他们永久的家乡。当他们凝思默想这些高尚、纯正和圣洁的事物时，天国就要临近他们，他们便要感觉到圣灵的能力，这就必使他们越来越远离世俗，而在天上——就是他们甜美家乡的事上找到他们的安慰和主要的喜乐。这时那吸引他们归向上帝和天国的能力必非常强大，甚至任何事物都不足以引诱他们的思想转离灵魂得救和尊荣上帝的伟大目标。{RH February 17, 1853, par. 8}
“远胜尘世的喜乐，引我离开，永生的快乐——使我不能停留。” {RH February 17, 1853, par. 9}
当我认识到上帝为要保守我们正确，竟为我们做了那么多的事，我就不由得感叹道，哦，上帝的儿子向我们这些可怜的罪人竟表现何等的爱，何等奇妙的爱!当上帝正在为拯救我们而尽最大的努力时，我们还可以麻痹大意吗?全天庭都对我们表示深切的关怀。我们应该活跃起来，振作精神来将尊贵、荣耀和崇拜归给那至高至上的主。我们的心应该向那如此怜爱我们的主涌出敬爱和感谢。我们应该用我们的生活尊荣祂，并藉纯正圣洁的言行显明我们是从上头生的，这世界不是我们的家，我们在世上无非是客旅，是寄居的，要旅行到更美的家乡去。{RH February 17, 1853, par. 10}
许多自称信奉基督的名并等候祂很快降临的人还不知道什么是为基督受苦。他们的内心还没有被恩典征服，他们也没有向自我死。这可以在很多的事上看出来。同时他们还说自己在受考验。其实他们受考验的主要原因在于一颗未被征服的心，这就使自我非常敏感，以致常常遭人反对。如果这一等人能认识到作为一个谦卑的真实的基督徒的意义，他们就必认真努力，开始归正了。他们的第一步就要向自我死，然后时刻祈祷，并遏制内心的所有情欲。要放弃你自恃和自足的心理而跟随那谦卑的榜样。要常保守耶稣在你心里，祂乃是你的榜样，你必须追随祂的脚踪。要仰望那为我们的信心创始成终的耶稣，祂因那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦难。祂曾亲自忍受罪人的顶撞。{RH February 17, 1853, par. 11}
难道比赛结束时的赏赐不够大不够丰富吗?比起已经高举在我们面前的，还有什么更大的诱因能鼓励我们作英勇的精兵，战胜世界、肉体和魔鬼呢?我们若是经受住信心的考验，永生就是我们的。这还不够吗?还有什么人要抱怨道路崎岖吗?耶稣为我们遭受了那么多，祂的可爱和荣耀是言语无法形容的。为了我们的罪，祂曾经作一个温柔、被杀的羔羊，受害，被压伤，被击打、饱受痛苦折磨。难道你要不受苦难就进入天国，住在耶稣面前吗?那样天国就不是适合你的地方了。任何别的地方都会好得多。你就会觉得自己没有权利在那里。 {RH February 17, 1853, par. 12}
既然如此，我们就应该欣然为耶稣受苦，每日将自己钉在十字架上，在今生与基督的苦难有分，使我们能在祂的荣耀上有分，承受荣耀、尊贵、不朽和永生的冠冕。{RH February 17, 1853, par. 13}
怀爱伦
February 17, 1853
To the Saints Scattered Abroad
Dear Brethren and Sisters,
Do we believe with all the heart that Christ is soon coming? And that we are now having the last message of mercy that is ever to be given to a guilty world? Is our example what it should be? And do we show to those around us, by our lives and holy conversation, that we are looking for the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to change these vile bodies and fashion them like his most glorious body? I fear that we do not believe, and realize these things as we should. Those who believe the important truths that we profess to believe, should act out their faith, in the immediate coming of Christ. There is too much seeking amusements, and things to take up the mind here in this world; the mind is left too much to run upon pride of dress; and the tongue is engaged too often in light and trifling conversation, which gives the lie to our profession, for the conversation is not in heaven from whence we look for the Saviour.?{RH February 17, 1853, par. 1}
Angels are watching over us, to guard us; and we often grieve these angels by indulging in trifling conversation, jesting and joking, and also by sinking down in a careless, stupid state. And although we may make an effort now and then for the victory, and obtain it, yet if we do not keep it, but sink down in the same careless, indifferent state, unable to endure temptations, and to resist the enemy, it is not enduring the trial of our faith, that is more precious than gold. It is not suffering for Christ’s sake, and glorifying in tribulation.?{RH February 17, 1853, par. 2}
There is a great lack of christian fortitude, and serving God from principle. We should not seek to please and gratify self; but to honor and glorify God, and in all we do and say, have a single eye to his glory.—If we would let our hearts be impressed with the following important words, and ever bear them in mind, we should not so easily fall into temptation; but our words would be few, and well chosen.?{RH February 17, 1853, par. 3}
“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”—“Thou God seest me.”?{RH February 17, 1853, par. 4}
We could not think of these important words, and call to mind the sufferings of Jesus for us sinners, that we might receive pardon from our sins, and be redeemed unto God by his most precious blood, without feeling a holy restraint upon us, and an earnest desire to suffer for him, who suffered and endured so much for us.?{RH February 17, 1853, par. 5}
If we dwell on these things, dear self, with its dignity, will be humbled; a child-like simplicity will take its place, which will bear reproof from others, and will not be easily provoked, and suffer a?self-willed?spirit to come in and rule the soul. The true christian’s joys,?amusements?and consolation, must and will be in heaven.?{RH February 17, 1853, par. 6}
“Upward to God be the heart’s adoration, Where ever is flowing pure streams of salvation.”?{RH February 17, 1853, par. 7}
The longing souls of those who have tasted of the powers of the world to come, and have feasted on heavenly joys, will not be satisfied, or amused, with things of earth. Such will find enough to do in their leisure moments. Their souls will be drawn out after God. Where the treasure is, there will be their heart, holding sweet communion with the God they love and worship. Their amusements will be in contemplating their treasure—the holy city—the earth made new—their eternal home. And while they dwell upon these things, which are lofty, pure and holy, heaven will be brought near, and they will feel the power of the Holy Spirit, which will tend to wean them from the world more and more, and cause their consolation and chief joy to be in the things of heaven, their sweet home.—The power of attraction to God and heaven will be so great, that nothing can draw their mind from the great object of securing their soul’s salvation, and honoring and glorifying God.?{RH February 17, 1853, par. 8}
“Brighter joys than earth can give, win me away,?Pleasures that for ever live—I cannot stay.”?{RH February 17, 1853, par. 9}
As I realize how much has been done for us, to keep us right, I am led to exclaim, O, what love! What wondrous love hath the Son of God for us poor sinners! Should we be stupid and careless, while every thing is being done for our salvation that can be done? All heaven is interested for us. We should be alive and awake, to honor, glorify and adore the High and Lofty One. Our hearts should flow out in love and gratitude to him who has been so full of love and compassion to us. With our lives we should honor him, and with pure and holy conversation show that we are born from above; that this world is not our home, but that we are pilgrims and strangers here, traveling to a better country.?{RH February 17, 1853, par. 10}
Many who profess the name of Christ, and profess to be looking for his speedy coming, know not what it is to suffer for Christ’s sake. Their hearts are not subdued by grace, and they are not dead to self; but it often appears in various ways; and, at the same time, they are talking of having trials. But the principal cause of their trials, is an unsubdued heart, which makes self so sensitive, that it is often crossed. If such could realize what it is to be an humble follower of Christ, a true christian, they would begin to work in good earnest, and begin right. They would first die to self, then be instant in prayer, and check every passion of the heart. Give up your self-confidency, and self-sufficiency, and follow the meek pattern.—Ever keep Jesus in your mind, that he is your example, and you must tread in his footsteps. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despised the shame. He endured the contradiction of sinners against himself.?{RH February 17, 1853, par. 11}
Is not the reward, at the end of the race, great and rich enough? What greater inducements could be held up before us, than has been held up to encourage us to be bold and valiant soldiers, to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil? Eternal life is ours, if we endure the trial of our faith. Is it not enough? Will any complain of the roughness of the way?—Would you enter heaven if you could without suffering, and dwell in the presence of that Jesus, who suffered so much for us, whose loveliness and glory is unspeakable? He for your sins, was once the meek slain lamb, wounded, bruised, smitten and afflicted. O, it would be no place for you. Any other place would be far preferable. You would feel that you had no right there.?{RH February 17, 1853, par. 12}
Let us, then, cheerfully suffer something for Jesus’ sake, crucify self daily, be a partaker of Christ’s sufferings here, that we may be made partakers with him of his glory, and be crowned with glory, honor, immortality and eternal life.?{RH February 17, 1853, par. 13}
Ellen G. White.
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