圣经所说的成圣涉及整个人，包括灵、魂和体。这是真正意义上的完全献身。保罗曾祈求让帖撒罗尼迦教会享受这个大福气。“愿赐平安的上帝，亲自使你们全然成圣，又愿你们的灵、与魂、与身子，得蒙保守，在我主耶稣基督降临的时候，完全无可指摘”(帖前5:23)。{SL 7.1}
在宗教界有一种成圣的理论，其本质是虚假的，其影响力也是危险的。许多自称成圣的人并没有真正成圣。他们的成圣只是口头和意愿上的崇拜。凡真正致力于完善基督徒品格的人，绝不会认为自己是无罪的。他们的生活也许无可指责，他们也许是他们所接受之真理的活代表，但他们越造就自己的思想思考基督的品德，越接近衪神圣的形像，就越清楚地看见主的完美无瑕，越深刻地认识到自己的缺点。{SL 7.2}
人何时称自己成圣了，就足以证明他们离圣洁还很遥远。他们看不到自己的弱点和缺欠，却认为自己反映了基督的形像，这是因为他们还没有真正认识衪。他们与他们救主之间的距离越大，在他们自己的眼中就越显为公义。{SL 8.1}
当我们以痛悔之心和谦卑的信赖，默想那位被我们的罪所刺伤，又为我们的忧患而身负重担的耶稣时，我们就能学习追随衪的脚踪。藉着仰望衪，我们得以变成衪神圣的形像。当这项工作在我们心中进行的时候，我们不会自称为义，而要高举耶稣基督，将我们无助的心灵投靠衪的功劳。{SL 8.2}
谴责自以为义
我们的救主时常谴责自以为义。衪教训衪的门徒：最高的宗教表现在安静和不张扬上。衪告诫他们更要在暗中行善事，不为炫耀，不为世人的称赞和尊敬，而为荣耀上帝，并指望将来的赏赐。他们行善若是为了世人的称赞，他们的天父就不会报答他们。{SL 8.3}
基督还教导衪的门徒，祈祷不是为了让人听见。“你祷告的时候，要进你的内屋，关上门，祷告你在暗中的父。你父在暗中察看，必然报答你”(太6:6)。基督所说的这些话，表明衪不认同法利赛人中所流行的那种虔诚。衪在山上的教训说明，若是本着诚实无伪的方式和谦卑痛悔的精神进行，善行就是高尚的，宗教礼拜就会散发出最宝贵的馨香。纯洁的动机使行为成圣。{SL 8.4}
真正的成圣完全符合上帝的旨意。叛逆的思想和情绪克服了。耶稣的声音唤醒了充满整个人的新生命。真正成圣的人绝不会以自己的主张作为是非的标准。他们不会顽梗不化或自以为义，而是警戒自己，唯恐虽有应许赐给他们，他们却未能履行应许所依据的条件。(参 来4:1){SL 9.1}
以情感代替理智
许多自称成圣的人根本不知道恩典在人内心的工作。在遇见试炼和考验时，他们表现得象自以为义的法利赛人。他们受不了反对。他们将理智和判断搁置一边，完全依赖自己的情感，以自己所经历过的情绪作为他们自称成圣的依据。他们顽固刚愎，强调自己的圣洁，夸夸其谈，却没有结出珍贵的果实为证。这些自称成圣的人，不仅自命不凡，自欺欺人，更发挥一种影响，误导许多真心遵行上帝旨意的人。他们可能一再地说：“有上帝引导我!有上帝教导我!我生活在无罪之中!”许多人与怀着这种精神的人发生接触，就遭遇了一种他们所不能理解的黑暗神秘的权势。这与那惟一真正的榜样基督是迥然不同的。{SL 9.2}
圣经的成圣不在于强烈的情绪。许多人在这一点上受到引诱而犯错。他们以情绪为准则。何时他们感到高兴快乐了，就自称已经成圣。快乐的情绪或不愉快的心情，都不足以证明人是否成圣。成圣不是一时一刻的事。真正的成圣乃是每天的工作，要延续到生命的结束。凡每日与试探作战，克服自己犯罪的倾向，寻求内心和生活圣洁的人，绝不会自夸圣洁。他们会饥渴慕义。在他们看来，罪恶极其可憎。{SL 10.1}
一些自称成圣的人，口头上与弟兄们一样，自称相信真理。区别这两等人可能很困难。但是区别还是存在的。这些自称享有如此高超经验者的见证，必使基督甘美的灵离开会场，并在会众心中留下冷漠的影响。然而如果他们真过着无罪的生活，他们的在场就会把圣洁的天使带进聚会。他们所说的话，就会确实“如金苹果在银网子里”(箴25:11)。{SL 10.2}
考验的时期
夏天，我们遥望远处森林中的树木披上美丽的绿色外衣时，看不出常青树和其他树木的区别。但当冬天来临，风霜将树木抱在他冰冷的怀中，除去其他树木美丽的叶子时，就很容易看见常青树了。凡谦卑行事，不信任自己，只战战兢兢地握住基督恩手的人，也会这样。凡过度自信，依赖自己品格完全的人，在考验的风暴袭来时，就失去了他们虚假的义袍。但是真正公义，诚心敬爱上帝的人，无论在顺境或逆境中都披着基督的义袍。{SL 11.1}
克己、自我牺牲、宽容、仁慈、仁爱、忍耐、坚强和基督化的信靠，是真正与上帝联合的人每天所结的果子。他们的作为也许不为世人所知，但他们自己却日复一日与罪恶搏斗，对试探和罪恶获得珍贵的胜利。他们重新订立庄严的誓约，藉着诚恳的祷告和不断的儆醒所获得的力量而履行誓约。狂热的人不了解这些静默工人的挣扎。然而那能看透心中秘密之主的眼睛，却注意到并称赞出于谦卑温柔的每一努力。要到考验的时候才能显示出品格中纯金般的爱心与信心。何时试炼和困难临到教会，何时基督真门徒的坚定和热情就会充分表现出来。{SL 11.2}
我们看到自称为基督徒的人，因迷惑性的虚假理论而迷了路，认为自己已经完全了，心里就十分忧伤，因为很难使他们摆脱骗局，回归正路。他们追求外表的美丽悦人，却缺乏内在的装饰，就是基督的柔和与谦卑。试验的时期即将临到众人。那时许多历年来认为自己安全的人，必发现他们的指望没有基础。一些原来被视为上帝家中柱石的人，在新的位置和不同的环境下，会暴露出油彩底下的朽木。但那些心里谦卑，天天意识到必须将心灵固定在万古磐石上的人，因为没有依靠自我，就会在考验的暴风雨中坚定不动。“上帝坚固的根基立住了，上面有这印记说，主认识谁是祂的人”(提后2:19)。{SL 12.1}
正常地结果子
那些竭力让人关注他们的善行，时常谈论自己的无罪状态，试图张扬自己宗教造诣的人，无非是在欺骗自己的心灵。一个健康的人，能应付人生的各种需求。他天天以饱满的精神和健全的血液循环出去工作。他并不叫他所接触的人关注他身体的健康。健康和活力是他生命的自然状态，因此他几乎感觉不到自己是在享受这么丰盛的恩惠。{SL 12.2}
真正的义人也是如此。他没有意识到自己的良善与虔诚。宗教的原则已成为他生活与行为的源泉，以致他自然结出圣灵的果子，犹如无花果树结出无花果，或攻瑰丛长出攻瑰花那样。他的性情完全充满对上帝和同胞的爱，所以甘心情愿做基督所做的工作。{SL 13.1}
凡在他影响范围之内的人，都会感受到他基督化人生的优美与芬芳。他自己却浑然不知，因为这是他的习惯和自然倾向。他为神圣的亮光而祈求，喜爱行在那光中。他以遵行他天父的旨意为日常的饮食。他的生命与基督一同藏在上帝里面;然而他不以此夸口，也不想这么做。上帝微笑着观看这些紧跟主脚踪而行的谦虚卑微的人。众天使也被他们所吸引，喜欢停留在他们的路径旁。那些自称造诣高深，喜欢宣扬自己善行的人，也许认为他们不屑一顾。然而天使却深情地护庇他们，如同火墙围绕着他们。{SL 13.2}
基督遭到拒绝的原因
我们的救主是世界的光，世人却不认识衪。衪经常做善事，将光照在众人的道路上。但衪没有叫衪所交往的人注意衪的无比美德，衪的克己、自我牺牲和仁慈。犹太人不钦佩这样的人生。他们认为衪的宗教毫无价值，因它不符合他们虔诚的标准。他们认为基督的精神或品德是不虔诚的，因为他们的宗教在于外表的炫耀，在于当众祷告，在于做给人看的善行。他们与自称成圣的人一样，鼓吹自己的善行。他们希望大家都知道他们是无罪的。但基督的整个人生与此完全相反。衪不谋私利或尊荣。衪奇妙的医治工作尽可能地静默而为，但衪却无法抑制那些享受衪大恩之人的热情。谦卑与柔和是衪的生活特征。法利赛人因衪谦虚的举止和温柔的仪态与他们迥然不同，就不接受衪。{SL 14.1}
温柔是圣灵的果子
成圣最珍贵的果子乃是温柔的美德。当这种美德在心中作主时，人的性情就会受其感化力所塑造。他愿意继续等候上帝，让使自己的意志顺服衪的旨意。他以悟性领会每一项上帝的真理，凭意志接受每一条神圣的原则，毫无怀疑或抱怨。真正的温柔会使人心软化顺服，使人的思想适应所灌输的道，使人的心思意念顺服耶稣基督。它将心门开启接受上帝的圣言，就象开了吕底亚的心那样。它使我们与马利亚一同坐在耶稣的脚前学习。“衪必按公义引领谦卑的人，将衪的道教训他们”(诗25:9)。{SL 14.2}
温柔谦卑的人说话丝毫不自夸。他们象童子撒母耳那样祈祷说：“耶和华啊!请说，仆人敬听”(撒上3:9)!约书亚被任命为以色列统帅最尊贵的职务时，就向上帝的一切仇敌挑战。他的心充满了自己伟大使命的高尚念头。但他一旦获得了天上信息的暗示，就将自己摆在听命孩子的位置上说：“我主有什么话吩咐仆人”(书5:14)? 保罗在得见基督显现之后的第一句话是：“主啊，祢要我做什么”(徒9:6 钦定本)?{SL 15.1}
基督学校里的温柔是圣灵的果子之一，是使人成圣的圣灵所成就的一种美德，能让拥有的人时时控制急躁冲动的脾气。生性孤僻或急躁的人，若能珍视谦卑的美德，就会以最诚挚的努力，克服他们不快乐的性情。他们就会天天实施自制，直到克服不可爱和不象耶稣的脾气。他们与神圣的榜样相象，以致能顺从出于灵感的吩咐：“你们各人要快快地听，慢慢地说，慢慢地动怒”(雅1:19)。{SL 15.2}
人如果自称已经成圣了，却在言语和行为上象涌出苦水的不洁泉源，我们就可以放心地说：他受了欺骗。他需要学习基督徒人生最基本的功课。有些自称为基督仆人的人长期抱着冷漠的恶习，似乎喜欢不圣洁的成分，爱说令人难堪和烦恼的话。这些人需要悔改，基督才能承认他们为衪的儿女。{SL 16.1}
温柔是上帝所视为极有价值的内在妆饰。使徒说它比金子、珍珠或昂贵的服装更有价值。外表的妆饰只能美化必死的身躯，而温柔的妆饰却会美化心灵，把有限的人与无限的上帝连在一起。这是上帝亲自选择的妆饰。那位以发光体装饰穹苍的主，藉着同一位圣灵应许说：“祂要用救恩当作谦卑人的妆饰”(诗149:4)。天上的使者必将那些披戴主耶稣基督，存谦卑温柔的心与衪同行的人，登记为妆饰最美丽的人。{SL 16.2}
基督徒能达到崇高的造诣。他的成就可以越来越高。约翰高度评价基督徒的特权说：“你看父赐给我们是何等的慈爱，使我们得称为上帝的儿女”(约壹3:1)。人类不可能达到比这里所暗示更高的尊荣了。他竟获得权利成为上帝的后嗣，与基督同作后嗣。凡这样被提拔的人，得蒙启示基督那测不透的丰富，其价值比世界的财富高过千万倍。有限的世人就这样靠着耶稣基督的功劳，得以提升与上帝和衪的爱子为友。{SL 16.3}
The sanctification set forth in the Sacred Scriptures has to do with the entire being--spirit, soul, and body. Here is the true idea of entire consecration. Paul prays that the church at Thessalonica may enjoy this great blessing. "The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). {SL 7.1}[1]
There is in the religious world a theory of sanctification which is false in itself and dangerous in its influence. In many cases those who profess sanctification do not possess the genuine article. Their sanctification consists in talk and will worship. Those who are really seeking to perfect Christian character will never indulge the thought that they are sinless. Their lives may be irreproachable, they may be living representatives of the truth which they have accepted; but the more they discipline their minds to dwell upon the character of Christ, and the nearer they approach to His divine image, the more clearly will they discern its spotless perfection, and the more deeply will they feel their own defects. {SL 7.2}[2]
When persons claim that they are sanctified, they give sufficient evidence that they are far from being holy. They fail to see their own weakness and destitution. They look upon themselves as reflecting the image of Christ, because they have no true knowledge of Him. The greater the distance between them and their Saviour, the more righteous they appear in their own eyes. {SL 8.1}[3]
While with penitence and humble trust we meditate upon Jesus, whom our sins have pierced and our sorrows have burdened, we may learn to walk in His footsteps. By beholding Him we become changed into His divine likeness. And when this work is wrought in us, we shall claim no righteousness of our own, but shall exalt Jesus Christ, while we hang our helpless souls upon His merits. {SL 8.2}[4]
【Self-righteousness Condemned】
Our Saviour ever condemned self-righteousness. He taught His disciples that the highest type of religion is that which manifests itself in a quiet, unobtrusive manner. He cautioned them to perform their deeds of charity quietly; not for display, not to be praised or honored of men, but for the glory of God, expecting their reward hereafter. If they should perform good deeds to be lauded by men, no reward would be given them by their Father in heaven. {SL 8.3}[5]
The followers of Christ were instructed not to pray for the purpose of being heard of men. "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (Matthew 6:6). Such expressions as this from the lips of Christ show that He did not regard with approval that kind of piety so prevalent among the Pharisees. His teachings upon the mount show that deeds of benevolence assume a noble form and acts of religious worship shed a most precious fragrance when performed in an unpretending manner, in penitence and humility. The pure motive sanctifies the act. {SL 8.4}[6]
True sanctification is an entire conformity to the will of God. Rebellious thoughts and feelings are overcome, and the voice of Jesus awakens a new life, which pervades the entire being. Those who are truly sanctified will not set up their own opinion as a standard of right and wrong. They are not bigoted or self-righteousness; but they are jealous of self, ever fearing lest, a promise being left them, they should come short of complying with the conditions upon which the promises are based. {SL 9.1}[7]
【Substituting Feeling for Reason】
Many who profess sanctification are entirely ignorant of the work of grace upon the heart. When proved and tested, they are found to be like the self-righteous Pharisee. They will bear no contradiction. They lay aside reason and judgment, and depend wholly upon their feelings, basing their claims to sanctification upon emotions which they have at some time experienced. They are stubborn and perverse in urging their tenacious claims of holiness, giving many words, but bearing no precious fruit as proof. These professedly sanctified persons are not only deluding their own souls by their pretensions, but are exerting an influence to lead astray many who earnestly desire to conform to the will of God. They may be heard to reiterate again and again, "God leads me! God teaches me! I am living without sin!" Many who come in contact with this spirit encounter a dark, mysterious something which they cannot comprehend. But it is that which is altogether unlike Christ, the only true pattern. {SL 9.2}[8]
Bible sanctification does not consist in strong emotion. Here is where many are led into error. They make feelings their criterion. When they feel elated or happy, they claim that they are sanctified. Happy feelings or the absence of joy is no evidence that a person is or is not sanctified. There is no such thing as instantaneous sanctification. True sanctification is a daily work, continuing as long as life shall last. Those who are battling with daily temptations, overcoming their own sinful tendencies, and seeking for holiness of heart and life, make no boastful claims of holiness. They are hungering and thirsting for righteousness. Sin appears to them exceedingly sinful. {SL 10.1}[9]
There are those claiming sanctification who make a profession of the truth, like their brethren, and it may be difficult to make a distinction between them; but the difference exists, nevertheless. The testimony of those claiming such an exalted experience will cause the sweet Spirit of Christ to withdraw from a meeting, and will leave a chilling influence upon those present, while if they were truly living without sin, their very presence would bring holy angels into the assembly, and their words would indeed be "like apples of gold in pictures of silver" (Proverbs 25:11). {SL 10.2}[10]
【The Testing Time】
In summer, as we look upon the trees of the distant forest, all clothed with a beautiful mantle of green, we may not be able to distinguish between the evergreens and the other trees. But as winter approaches, and the frost king encloses them in his icy embrace, stripping the other trees of their beautiful foliage, the evergreens are readily discerned. Thus it will be with all who are walking in humility, distrustful of self, but clinging tremblingly to the hand of Christ. While those who are self-confident, and trust in their own perfection of character, lose their false robe of righteousness when subjected to the storms of trial, the truly righteous, who sincerely love and fear God, wear the robe of Christ's righteousness in prosperity and adversity alike. {SL 11.1}[11]
Self-denial, self-sacrifice, benevolence, kindness, love, patience, fortitude, and Christian trust are the daily fruits borne by those who are truly connected with God. Their acts may not be published to the world, but they themselves are daily wrestling with evil, and gaining precious victories over temptation and wrong. Solemn vows are renewed, and kept through the strength gained by earnest prayer and constant watching thereunto. The ardent enthusiast does not discern the struggles of these silent workers; but the eye of Him who seeth the secrets of the heart, notices and regards with approval every effort put forth in lowliness and meekness. It requires the testing time to reveal the pure gold of love and faith in the character. When trials and perplexities come upon the church, then the steadfast zeal and warm affections of Christ's true followers are developed. {SL 11.2}[12]
We feel sad to see professed Christians led astray by the false and bewitching theory that they are perfect, because it is so difficult to undeceive them and lead them into the right path. They have sought to make the exterior fair and pleasing, while the inward adorning, the meekness and lowliness of Christ, is wanting. The testing time will come to all, when the hopes of many who have for years thought themselves secure, will be seen to be without foundation. When in new positions, under varied circumstances, some who have seemed to be pillars in the house of God reveal only rotten timber beneath the paint and varnish. But the humble in heart, who have daily felt the importance of riveting their souls to the eternal Rock, will stand unmoved amid the tempests of trial, because they trusted not to themselves. "The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his" (2 Timothy 2:19). {SL 12.1}[13]
【Normal Fruit Bearing】
Those who take pains to call attention to their good works, constantly talking of their sinless state and endeavoring to make their religious attainments prominent, are only deceiving their own souls by so doing. A healthy man, who is able to attend to the vocations of life and who goes forth day after day to his labor with buoyant spirits and with a healthy current of blood flowing through his veins, does not call the attention of every one he meets to his soundness of body. Health and vigor are the natural conditions of his life, and therefore he is scarcely conscious that he is in the enjoyment of so rich a boon. {SL 12.2}[14]
Thus it is with the truly righteous man. He is unconscious of his goodness and piety. Religious principle has become the spring of his life and conduct, and it is just as natural for him to bear the fruits of the Spirit as for the fig tree to bear figs or for the rosebush to yield roses. His nature is so thoroughly imbued with love for God and his fellow men that he works the works of Christ with a willing heart. {SL 13.1}[15]
All who come within the sphere of his influence perceive the beauty and fragrance of his Christian life, while he himself is unconscious of it, for it is in harmony with his habits and inclinations. He prays for divine light, and loves to walk in that light. It is his meat and drink to do the will of his heavenly Father. His life is hid with Christ in God; yet he does not boast of this, nor seem conscious of it. God smiles upon the humble and lowly ones who follow closely in the footsteps of the Master. Angels are attracted to them, and love to linger about their path. They may be passed by as unworthy of notice by those who claim exalted attainments and who delight in making prominent their good works, but heavenly angels bend lovingly over them and are as a wall of fire round about them. {SL 13.2}[16]
【Why Christ Was Rejected】
Our Saviour was the light of the world, but the world knew Him not. He was constantly employed in works of mercy, shedding light upon the pathway of all; yet He did not call upon those with whom He mingled to behold His unexampled virtue, His self-denial, self-sacrifice, and benevolence. The Jews did not admire such a life. They considered His religion worthless, because it did not accord with their standard of piety. They decided that Christ was not religious in spirit or character; for their religion consisted in display, in praying publicly, and in doing works of charity for effect. They trumpeted their good deeds, as do those who claim sanctification. They would have all understand that they are without sin. But the whole life of Christ was in direct contrast to this. He sought neither gain nor honor. His wonderful acts of healing were performed in as quiet a manner as possible, although He could not restrain the enthusiasm of those who were the recipients of His great blessings. Humility and meekness characterized His life. And it was because of His lowly walk and unassuming manners, which were in such marked contrast to their own, that the Pharisees would not accept Him. {SL 14.1}[17]
【Meekness a Fruit of the Spirit】
The most precious fruit of sanctification is the grace of meekness. When this grace presides in the soul, the disposition is molded by its influence. There is a continual waiting upon God and a submission of the will to His. The understanding grasps every divine truth, and the will bows to every divine precept, without doubting or murmuring. True meekness softens and subdues the heart and gives the mind a fitness for the engrafted word. It brings the thoughts into obedience to Jesus Christ. It opens the heart to the word of God, as Lydia's was opened. It places us with Mary, as learners at the feet of Jesus. "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way" (Psalm 25:9). {SL 14.2}[18]
The language of the meek is never that of boasting. Like the child Samuel, they pray, "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth" (1 Samuel 3:9). When Joshua was placed in the highest position of honor, as commander of Israel, he bade defiance to all the enemies of God. His heart was filled with noble thoughts of his great mission. Yet upon the intimation of a message from Heaven he placed himself in the position of a little child to be directed. "What saith my lord unto his servant?" (Joshua 5:14), was his response. The first words of Paul after Christ was revealed to him were, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6). {SL 15.1}[19]
Meekness in the school of Christ is one of the marked fruits of the Spirit. It is a grace wrought by the Holy Spirit as a sanctifier, and enables its possessor at all times to control a rash and impetuous temper. When the grace of meekness is cherished by those who are naturally sour or hasty in disposition, they will put forth the most earnest efforts to subdue their unhappy temper. Every day they will gain self-control, until that which is unlovely and unlike Jesus is conquered. They become assimilated to the Divine Pattern, until they can obey the inspired injunction, "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19). {SL 15.2}[20]
When a man professes to be sanctified, and yet in words and works may be represented by the impure fountain sending forth its bitter waters, we may safely say, That man is deceived. He needs to learn the very alphabet of what constitutes the life of a Christian. Some who profess to be servants of Christ have so long cherished the demon of unkindness that they seem to love the unhallowed element and to take pleasure in speaking words that displease and irritate. These men must be converted before Christ will acknowledge them as His children. {SL 16.1}[21]
Meekness is the inward adorning, which God estimates as of great price. The apostle speaks of this as more excellent and valuable than gold or pearls or costly array. While the outward adorning beautifies only the mortal body, the ornament of meekness adorns the soul and connects finite man with the infinite God. This is the ornament of God's own choice. He who garnished the heavens with the orbs of light has by the same Spirit promised that "he will beautify the meek with salvation" (Psalm 149:4). Angels of heaven will register as best adorned those who put on the Lord Jesus Christ and walk with Him in meekness and lowliness of mind. {SL 16.2}[22]
There are high attainments for the Christian. He may ever be rising to higher attainments. John had an elevated idea of the privilege of a Christian. He says, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1 John 3:1). It is not possible for humanity to rise to a higher dignity than is here implied. To man is granted the privilege of becoming an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. To those who have been thus exalted, are unfolded the unsearchable riches of Christ, which are of a thousandfold more value than the wealth of the world. Thus, through the merits of Jesus Christ, finite man is elevated to fellowship with God and with His dear Son. {SL 16.3}[23]
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