安息日下午 5月16日
Memory Text:
“信就是所望之事的实底，是未见之事的确据。”（希伯来书 11:1，和合本）
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” KJV — Hebrews 11:1
“若将因信称义视为信心的功德，那就很危险了。当你接受基督的义作为白白赐予的礼物时，你就藉着基督的救赎白白地称义了。什么是信心？“就是所盼望之事的实底，是未见之事的确据”（希伯来书 11:1）。信心是理智对上帝话语的认同，它使人心甘情愿地献身事奉上帝。上帝赐予我们理智，感动我们的心，首先引领我们仰望加略山十字架上的基督。信心是将理智的能力献给上帝，将思想和意志完全交托给上帝，并使基督成为进入天国的唯一途径。（《信仰守则》25.2）
“当人们明白自己无法靠行为的功德赢得义，并坚定不移地完全信靠耶稣基督，视其为唯一的盼望时，他们就不会那么自私，那么疏远耶稣。灵魂和肉体都被罪玷污，人心与神疏远，然而许多人却仍在竭力依靠自身有限的力量，试图靠善行赢得救恩。他们认为耶稣会完成一部分救赎，其余的则必须由他们自己完成。他们需要凭着信心，认识到基督的义才是他们今生和永生的唯一盼望。”（《信仰观察》25.3）
“There is danger in regarding justification by faith as placing merit on faith. When you take the righteousness of Christ as a free gift you are justified freely through the redemption of Christ. What is faith? “The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). It is an assent of the understanding to God’s words which binds the heart in willing consecration and service to God, Who gave the understanding, Who moved on the heart, Who first drew the mind to view Christ on the cross of Calvary. Faith is rendering to God the intellectual powers, abandonment of the mind and will to God, and making Christ the only door to enter into the kingdom of heaven. FW 25.2
“When men learn they cannot earn righteousness by their own merit of works, and they look with firm and entire reliance upon Jesus Christ as their only hope, there will not be so much of self and so little of Jesus. Souls and bodies are defiled and polluted by sin, the heart is estranged from God, yet many are struggling in their own finite strength to win salvation by good works. Jesus, they think, will do some of the saving; they must do the rest. They need to see by faith the righteousness of Christ as their only hope for time and for eternity. FW 25.3
5月17日，星期日
给我一个神迹
即使在耶稣的时代，人们仍然渴望得到一个神迹，证明耶稣真的是上帝的儿子，尽管他们已经得到了许多神迹。耶稣是如何回应的呢？（参见马可福音8:11-12。）
People even in Jesus’ time wanted a sign that Jesus was really God’s Son, even though they had received many signs. How did Jesus respond? (See Mark 8:11, 12.)
基督所行的每一个神迹都是祂神性的标志。祂所做的正是预言中弥赛亚将要成就的事；然而，在法利赛人看来，这些怜悯之举却是一种冒犯。犹太领袖们对人类的苦难冷漠无情。在许多情况下，正是他们的自私和压迫造成了基督所解救的苦难。因此，祂的神迹在他们眼中成了耻辱。《历代志下》406.4
“导致犹太人拒绝救主工作的，恰恰是祂神性的最高明证。祂所行神迹的最大意义在于，这些神迹是为了造福人类。祂来自神的最高明证，在于祂的生命彰显了神的品格。祂行了神的作为，说了神的话语。这样的生命是所有神迹中最伟大的。”（《使徒行传》406.5）
“在当今时代，当真理的信息被传扬时，许多人如同犹太人一般高喊：给我们看个神迹！给我们行个奇迹！基督并没有应法利赛人的要求行神迹，也没有在旷野中应撒但的挑衅而行神迹。他没有赐给我们能力去为自己辩护，也没有让我们满足不信和骄傲的需求。然而，福音并非没有神圣起源的标志。我们能够挣脱撒但的捆绑，这难道不是一个奇迹吗？与撒但为敌并非人性的本性，而是上帝的恩典所赋予的。当一个被顽固任性的意志所控制的人获得自由，并全心全意地顺服于上帝天上机构的引导时，奇迹就发生了；同样，当一个被深深迷惑的人最终明白道德真理时，奇迹也发生了……在基督里持守生命本身就是一个伟大的奇迹。在宣讲上帝的道时，如今和将来都应该彰显的标志，就是基督的同在……”圣灵使圣言成为聆听者重生的力量。这是神在世人面前见证祂儿子的神圣使命。（DA 407.1）
“那些渴望从耶稣那里得到神迹的人，因着不信而心肠刚硬，以致无法从祂的品格中辨认出神的形象。他们不愿明白祂的使命正是应验了圣经的预言。在财主和拉撒路的比喻中，耶稣对法利赛人说：‘如果他们不听从摩西和先知的话，即使有一个人从死里复活，他们也是不信的。’”（路加福音 16:31）“无论在天上还是地上，任何神迹都对他们没有益处。”（《历代志下》407.2）
“Every miracle that Christ performed was a sign of His divinity. He was doing the very work that had been foretold of the Messiah; but to the Pharisees these works of mercy were a positive offense. The Jewish leaders looked with heartless indifference on human suffering. In many cases their selfishness and oppression had caused the affliction that Christ relieved. Thus His miracles were to them a reproach. DA 406.4
“That which led the Jews to reject the Saviour's work was the highest evidence of His divine character. The greatest significance of His miracles is seen in the fact that they were for the blessing of humanity. The highest evidence that He came from God is that His life revealed the character of God. He did the works and spoke the words of God. Such a life is the greatest of all miracles. DA 406.5
“When the message of truth is presented in our day, there are many who, like the Jews, cry, Show us a sign. Work us a miracle. Christ wrought no miracle at the demand of the Pharisees. He wrought no miracle in the wilderness in answer to Satan's insinuations. He does not impart to us power to vindicate ourselves or to satisfy the demands of unbelief and pride. But the gospel is not without a sign of its divine origin. Is it not a miracle that we can break from the bondage of Satan? Enmity against Satan is not natural to the human heart; it is implanted by the grace of God. When one who has been controlled by a stubborn, wayward will is set free, and yields himself wholeheartedly to the drawing of God's heavenly agencies, a miracle is wrought; so also when a man who has been under strong delusion comes to understand moral truth…A consistent life in Christ is a great miracle. In the preaching of the word of God, the sign that should be manifest now and always is the presence of the Holy Spirit, to make the word a regenerating power to those that hear. This is God's witness before the world to the divine mission of His Son. DA 407.1
“Those who desired a sign from Jesus had so hardened their hearts in unbelief that they did not discern in His character the likeness of God. They would not see that His mission was in fulfillment of the Scriptures. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus said to the Pharisees, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Luke 16:31. No sign that could be given in heaven or earth would benefit them.” DA 407.2
5月18日，星期一
耶稣看见我们的信心
比较耶稣在马可福音4:40中对门徒信心的描述，与马太福音15:21-28中那位妇人的信心的描述。
Compare how Jesus describes His disciples’ faith in Mark 4:40 with the faith of the woman in Matthew 15:21–28
“正如耶稣因信靠天父的眷顾而安息，我们也当安息在救主的眷顾中。如果门徒们信靠祂，他们就会平安无事。他们在危难之时所表现出的恐惧，暴露了他们的不信。他们一心求救，却忘记了耶稣；只有当他们对依靠自己感到绝望，转向祂时，祂才能帮助他们。”（《历代志下》336.2）
救主很满意。祂已经考验了她对祂的信心。祂以自己的方式表明，这位曾被视为以色列弃儿的妇人，如今已不再是外人，而是神家中的孩子。作为孩子，她有幸分享天父的恩赐。基督应允了她的请求，并结束了对门徒的教导。祂转向她，满怀怜悯和慈爱地看着她，说：“妇人，你的信心真大！照你所愿的，给你成全吧。”从那时起，她的女儿痊愈了。魔鬼不再骚扰她。妇人离去时，承认了救主的身份，并为祷告蒙应允而欢欣鼓舞。”（《历代志下》401.3）
阅读路加福音 7:1-10。我们从这段记载中学到关于信心的什么知识？
Read Luke 7:1–10. What do we learn about faith from this account?
“那些向基督推荐百夫长的犹太长老们，恰恰暴露了他们对福音精神的理解有多么匮乏。他们没有意识到，我们最大的需要才是我们获得上帝怜悯的唯一理由。他们自以为义地称赞百夫长，仅仅因为他曾恩待过“我们国家”。但百夫长却说：“我不配。”他的心已被基督的恩典所触动。他看到了自己的不配，却不惧求助。他不倚靠自己的良善，而是以自己的极大需要为论据。他的信心扎根于基督的真实品格。他相信基督不仅仅是行神迹的人，更是人类的朋友和救主。（《使徒行传》316.4）
“这样，每个罪人都可以来到基督面前。“他救了我们，并不是因我们自己所行的义，乃是照他的怜悯。”（提多书 3:5）当撒但告诉你你是罪人，无法指望得到神的祝福时，告诉他基督来到世上就是为了拯救罪人。我们没有什么可以向神证明的；但我们现在和永远都可以恳求的，是我们完全无助的境况，正是这种境况使得祂的救赎大能成为必需。放弃一切自恃，我们可以仰望髑髅地的十字架，并说——《历代志下》317.1
“‘我手中没有带来任何代价；
我只是紧紧抓住你的十字架。’ DA 317.2
“犹太人自幼便被教导有关弥赛亚的事工。先祖和先知的受圣灵感动的话语，以及献祭仪式的象征性教导，都曾是他们的。但他们却忽视了这光；如今，他们视耶稣为毫无可取之处。然而，这位百夫长，生于异教，在罗马帝国的偶像崇拜中受教育，接受过士兵训练，似乎因其所受的教育和所处的环境而与属灵生活隔绝，又因犹太人的偏执和同胞对以色列人的蔑视而更加与世隔绝——这个人却洞察了亚伯拉罕的子孙所蒙蔽的真理。他没有等待犹太人自己是否会接受那位自称是他们弥赛亚的人。正如“那照亮一切生在世上之人的光”（约翰福音 1:9）照耀着他一样，他虽远隔千里，却也认出了神子的荣耀。”（DA 317.3）
“The Jewish elders who recommended the centurion to Christ had shown how far they were from possessing the spirit of the gospel. They did not recognize that our great need is our only claim on God's mercy. In their self-righteousness they commended the centurion because of the favor he had shown to “our nation.” But the centurion said of himself, “I am not worthy.” His heart had been touched by the grace of Christ. He saw his own unworthiness; yet he feared not to ask help. He trusted not to his own goodness; his argument was his great need. His faith took hold upon Christ in His true character. He did not believe in Him merely as a worker of miracles, but as the friend and Saviour of mankind. DA 316.4
“It is thus that every sinner may come to Christ. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Titus 3:5. When Satan tells you that you are a sinner, and cannot hope to receive blessing from God, tell him that Christ came into the world to save sinners. We have nothing to recommend us to God; but the plea that we may urge now and ever is our utterly helpless condition that makes His redeeming power a necessity. Renouncing all self-dependence, we may look to the cross of Calvary and say,— DA 317.1
“‘In my hand no price I bring;
Simply to Thy cross I cling.’ DA 317.2
“The Jews had been instructed from childhood concerning the work of the Messiah. The inspired utterances of patriarchs and prophets and the symbolic teaching of the sacrificial service had been theirs. But they had disregarded the light; and now they saw in Jesus nothing to be desired. But the centurion, born in heathenism, educated in the idolatry of imperial Rome, trained as a soldier, seemingly cut off from spiritual life by his education and surroundings, and still further shut out by the bigotry of the Jews, and by the contempt of his own countrymen for the people of Israel,—this man perceived the truth to which the children of Abraham were blinded. He did not wait to see whether the Jews themselves would receive the One who claimed to be their Messiah. As the “light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9) had shone upon him, he had, though afar off, discerned the glory of the Son of God.” DA 317.3
5月19日，星期二
信仰不是一种感觉
以弗所书2章8节告诉我们，信仰在得救中扮演着怎样的角色？为什么一个人不能理直气壮地说：“我没有信仰，因为上帝没有赐给我信仰”？
What does Ephesians 2:8 tell us about the role of faith in being saved? Why can’t a person justly say, “I don’t have faith because God hasn’t given me any”?
“基督的义归算给我们，并非出于我们自身的任何功德，而是上帝白白赐予的礼物，这种想法弥足珍贵。上帝和人的仇敌不愿这真理被清晰地阐明；因为他知道，如果人们完全接受这真理，他的权势就会瓦解。如果他能控制人的心思，使那些自称是上帝儿女的人，他们的生命中充满怀疑、不信和黑暗，他就能用试探战胜他们。”（GW 161.1）
“那种相信上帝话语的单纯信心应当受到鼓励。上帝的子民必须拥有这种信心，才能抓住神圣的力量；‘你们得救是本乎恩，也因着信；这并不是出于自己，乃是上帝所赐的。’【以弗所书 2:8】那些相信上帝因基督的缘故赦免了他们罪的人，不应因试探而放弃，继续打那美好的仗。他们的信心应当更加坚固，直到他们的基督徒生活和言语都宣告：“耶稣基督的血……洗净我们一切的罪。”（约翰一书 1:7） GW 161.2
人们常常会问：为什么有那么多自称信奉上帝话语的人，在言语、灵性和品格上却看不到丝毫改变？为什么有那么多人无法容忍他人反对他们的计划和目的，表现出不圣洁的脾气，言语尖刻、专横、充满激情？在他们的生命中，我们看到了与世俗之人一样的自私自利、放纵私欲、脾气暴躁和言辞草率。他们同样有着敏感的骄傲，同样屈服于人的本性，同样性格乖戾，仿佛真理对他们而言全然陌生。原因在于他们尚未悔改。他们没有将真理的酵藏在心中，真理的酵还没有机会发挥作用。他们与生俱来的和后天培养的邪恶倾向，都没有被真理的转化力量所改变。他们的生命显露出基督恩典的缺失，以及对基督改变人品能力的怀疑。（歌罗西书 99.1）
“‘信道是从听道来的，听道是从基督的话来的。’罗马书 10:17。圣经是改变人品格的强大工具。基督祷告说：‘求你用真理使他们成圣；你的道就是真理。’约翰福音 17:17。若研读并遵行神的话语，神的话语就会在人心中动工，制服一切不圣洁的属性。圣灵来使我们知罪，心中生起的信心藉着对基督的爱而运行，使我们在身、魂、灵上都效法基督的形象。如此，神就能使用我们来遵行祂的旨意。这赐给我们的能力从内而外地运行，引领我们将所领受的真理传递给他人。”（歌罗西书 100.1）
“The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought. The enemy of God and man is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his power will be broken. If he can control minds so that doubt and unbelief and darkness shall compose the experience of those who claim to be the children of God, he can overcome them with temptation. GW 161.1
“That simple faith which takes God at His word should be encouraged. God’s people must have that faith which will lay hold of divine power; “for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” [Ephesians 2:8.] Those who believe that God for Christ’s sake has forgiven their sins, should not, through temptation, fail to press on to fight the good fight of faith. Their faith should grow stronger until their Christian life, as well as their words, shall declare, “The blood of Jesus Christ ... cleanseth us from all sin.” [1 John 1:7.]” GW 161.2
“Often the question arises, Why, then, are there so many, claiming to believe God's word, in whom there is not seen a reformation in words, in spirit, and in character? Why are there so many who cannot bear opposition to their purposes and plans, who manifest an unholy temper, and whose words are harsh, overbearing, and passionate? There is seen in their lives the same love of self, the same selfish indulgence, the same temper and hasty speech, that is seen in the life of the worldling. There is the same sensitive pride, the same yielding to natural inclination, the same perversity of character, as if the truth were wholly unknown to them. The reason is that they are not converted. They have not hidden the leaven of truth in the heart. It has not had opportunity to do its work. Their natural and cultivated tendencies to evil have not been submitted to its transforming power. Their lives reveal the absence of the grace of Christ, an unbelief in His power to transform the character. COL 99.1
“‘Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ Romans 10:17. The Scriptures are the great agency in the transformation of character. Christ prayed, “Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth.” John 17:17. If studied and obeyed, the word of God works in the heart, subduing every unholy attribute. The Holy Spirit comes to convict of sin, and the faith that springs up in the heart works by love to Christ, conforming us in body, soul, and spirit to His own image. Then God can use us to do His will. The power given us works from within outwardly, leading us to communicate to others the truth that has been communicated to us.” COL 100.1
5月20日，星期三
信心的榜样
今天花些时间研读希伯来书11章，这章讲述了信心的伟大篇章。首先，请一口气朗读一遍。然后，再读一遍，并写下你对以下问题的思考：
Spend some time today studying Hebrews 11, the great faith chapter. Read it aloud first, without stopping. Then read it a second time, and write down your thoughts to the following questions:
谁进入了应许之地？——除了那些抱怨的人。你们以为你们可以怀着同样的抱怨和牢骚，还能得到印记吗？——这想法多么荒谬！一位公正的神，怎能毁灭当时的悖逆者，却拯救今日的悖逆者呢？
是什么使一部分人有资格过约旦河？——是他们对神的信赖，他们知道神是他们的领袖。他们认出摩西和约书亚是神与他们沟通的使者。他们没有把他们看作是别人，而是认出了他们本来的样子。他们安于现状，服从神的命令。因此，只有他们进入了应许之地。
有了这些榜样，有了这幅图景作为参照，我便能自信地分辨自己是走向天国，还是走向地底深处（启示录 12:16）。我相信你们也能分辨出自己正走向何方。主对我们的要求，与祂对我们同类的要求并无二致。因此，我们该做什么、不该做什么才能领受神的印记，这其中并无奥秘。
我们无需进入一个充满奇迹的国度，无需抱有神秘莫测、激动人心的幻想，无需沉溺于尘埃或欣喜若狂。不，我们无需出丑。我们只需做我们自己。保持平静、端庄、受人尊敬，成为如同天国之人，努力在地上遵行神的旨意，如同在天上一样。我们无需炫耀自己，只需做好神赋予我们的事，不要多管闲事。
只有当我们竭尽所能地遵行今日而非昨日的信息要求时，我们才能受印记，与羔羊一同站在锡安山上。
我们岂不应当欢喜，在我们蒙召进入天国的同时，也被告知如何到达那里？看到这一切，我们绝不可动摇对神的信心。我们应当稳固，在一切事上坚定不移，一无所缺。启示告诉我们，神在末世的仆人要成为“大而强盛的民族，前所未有，后也必没有。”（约珥书 2:2）他们知道自己所信的，也相信自己所知道的。最重要的是，他们知道自己是受神引领，而非受人引领。
他们不像法利赛人那样，一边为已故的先知建造纪念碑（太23:29-31），一边却杀害活着的先知！有了这道光照耀我们的道路，希伯来书第3、4、10和11章就变得不言自明了。
Who went into the promised land? – All but the murmurers. Do you suppose that you can entertain the same spirit of murmuring and complaining, and in spite of it receive the seal? – How absurd the very thought! How unfair it would be for a just God to destroy the disobedient of that day, but to save the disobedient of this day.
What made one group eligible to cross the Jordan? – It was their trust in God, knowing that He was their Chief Leader. They recognized Moses and Joshua as the ones through whom God was communicating with them. They did not look upon them as being anyone other than who they actually were. They were satisfied with their lot. They took orders as the orders were given. So it was that they were the only ones who entered into the land.
Having these ensamples before us, this picture to go by, I can confidently tell whether I am headed for the Kingdom or whether I am headed for the bowels of the earth (Rev. 12:16). And I am sure that you, too, can tell which way you are headed. The Lord does not require more or less of us than He required of our types. There is therefore no mystery as to what we must do, and what we must not do to receive the seal of God.
We need not go into a land of wonderment, need not entertain the idea that we must have a mysterious feeling, exciting emotion, need not wallow in the dust or jump to the ceiling. No, we need not make fools of ourselves. All we need to do is be ourselves. Be calm, decent, respectable, heaven-like beings, endeavoring to do God’s will on earth as it is done in heaven. We need not make a display of ourselves, but we need to mind our God-given business and to keep our noses out of other people’s business.
Only when we have done all we can to comply with the requirements of the message for today, not of yesterday, shall we be sealed and stand with the Lamb on Mt. Zion.
Should we not be glad that while we are being invited to the Kingdom, we are also being told how to get there? Seeing all these, we must never let our confidence in God wane. We ought to be stable, firm in everything, lacking nothing. God’s eleventh-hour servants, says Inspiration, are to be “a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it.” Joel 2:2. They know what they believe, and believe what they know. Most important of all, they know that they are led by God, not by man.
They are not like the Pharisees who were building monuments in memory of the dead prophets (Matt. 23:29-31) and at the same time were slaying the living ones! With this light shining on our pathway, Hebrews, chapters 3, 4, 10 and 11 become self-interpreting.
5月21日，星期四
耶稣的信仰
阅读启示录14:12。“耶稣的信仰”是什么意思？
Read Revelation 14:12. What does “the faith of Jesus” mean?
“如果我们想要拥有第三位天使所传达的信息的灵和能力，就必须将律法和福音一起传讲，因为它们是相辅相成的。正如一股来自地下的力量正在煽动悖逆之子，使他们废弃神的律法，践踏基督是我们的义这一真理；同样，一股来自上天的力量正在感动忠信之人的心，使他们高举律法，并尊崇耶稣为完全的救主。除非神的子民经历神圣的能力，否则错误的理论和观念就会俘虏他们的思想，基督和祂的义就会从许多人的经历中消失，他们的信仰就会失去能力和生命。”（GW 161.3）
“If we would have the spirit and power of the third angel’s message, we must present the law and the gospel together, for they go hand in hand. As a power from beneath is stirring up the children of disobedience to make void the law of God, and to trample upon the truth that Christ is our righteousness, a power from above is moving upon the hearts of those who are loyal, to exalt the law, and to lift up Jesus as a complete Saviour. Unless divine power is brought into the experience of the people of God, false theories and ideas will take minds captive, Christ and His righteousness will be dropped out of the experience of many, and their faith will be without power or life.” GW 161.3
阅读马太福音 26:36-42。这段经文告诉我们，耶稣在这一关键时刻的信心是什么？
Read Matthew 26:36–42. What does this tell us about the faith of Jesus at this crucial moment?
“看哪，祂正在默想拯救人类灵魂所要付出的代价。祂在极度痛苦中紧紧抓住冰冷的地面，仿佛要阻止自己离神越来越远。夜里冰冷的露水落在祂俯伏的身体上，但祂毫不在意。祂苍白的嘴唇发出痛苦的呼喊：‘我父啊，倘若可行，求你叫这杯离开我。’然而，即便在此时，祂又说：‘然而，不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。’” DA 687.2
祂曾三次发出这样的祷告。人类三次在祂最后一次、也是最重要的牺牲面前退缩。但如今，人类的历史呈现在世界的救赎主面前。祂看到，若任由违背律法的人自生自灭，他们必将灭亡。祂看到人类的无助。祂看到罪恶的力量。一个注定毁灭的世界的苦难和哀号涌上心头。祂预见了这世界的末日，祂已做出决定。祂要不惜一切代价拯救人类。祂接受了血的洗礼，使无数即将灭亡的人藉着祂获得永生。祂离开了纯洁、幸福和荣耀的天堂，来拯救那只迷失的羊，拯救那因罪堕落的世界。祂不会背弃祂的使命。祂将成为这甘愿犯罪的人类的赎罪祭。祂的祷告中只有顺服：“如果这杯不能离开我，除非我喝，愿你的旨意成全。” DA 690.3
“Behold Him contemplating the price to be paid for the human soul. In His agony He clings to the cold ground, as if to prevent Himself from being drawn farther from God. The chilling dew of night falls upon His prostrate form, but He heeds it not. From His pale lips comes the bitter cry, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me.” Yet even now He adds, ‘Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.’” DA 687.2
“Three times has He uttered that prayer. Three times has humanity shrunk from the last, crowning sacrifice. But now the history of the human race comes up before the world's Redeemer. He sees that the transgressors of the law, if left to themselves, must perish. He sees the helplessness of man. He sees the power of sin. The woes and lamentations of a doomed world rise before Him. He beholds its impending fate, and His decision is made. He will save man at any cost to Himself. He accepts His baptism of blood, that through Him perishing millions may gain everlasting life. He has left the courts of heaven, where all is purity, happiness, and glory, to save the one lost sheep, the one world that has fallen by transgression. And He will not turn from His mission. He will become the propitiation of a race that has willed to sin. His prayer now breathes only submission: ‘If this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.’” DA 690.3
5月22日，星期五
进一步思考
“神要求我们认罪，谦卑己心；但与此同时，我们也应当信赖祂，视祂为慈爱的父亲，祂必不离弃那些信靠祂的人。我们许多人凭眼见行事，而非凭信心。我们相信眼见之事，却不珍惜神话语中赐予我们的宝贵应许；然而，若我们不信祂所说的话，质疑祂是否真心实意地对待我们，还是在欺骗我们，这便是对神最大的羞辱。”（《信仰观察》35.2）
“神不会因我们的罪而弃绝我们。我们或许会犯错，令祂的灵担忧，但当我们悔改，以痛悔的心来到祂面前时，祂不会离弃我们。有些障碍需要被清除。错误的念头一直萦绕在我们心头，骄傲、自满、急躁和抱怨也让我们与神隔绝。这一切都使我们与神隔绝。我们必须认罪；我们必须让恩典在我们心中动工。那些感到软弱和沮丧的人，可以成为刚强的属神之人，为主做美好的事工。但他们必须立志行事，绝不能受任何私心的驱使。”（《信仰守则》35.3）
“God requires that we confess our sins and humble our hearts before Him; but at the same time we should have confidence in Him as a tender Father, who will not forsake those who put their trust in Him. Many of us walk by sight and not by faith. We believe the things that are seen but do not appreciate the precious promises given us in God’s Word; and yet we cannot dishonor God more decidedly than by showing that we distrust what He says and question whether the Lord is in earnest with us or is deceiving us. FW 35.2
“God does not give us up because of our sins. We may make mistakes and grieve His Spirit, but when we repent and come to Him with contrite hearts, He will not turn us away. There are hindrances to be removed. Wrong feelings have been cherished, and there have been pride, self-sufficiency, impatience, and murmurings. All these separate us from God. Sins must be confessed; there must be a deeper work of grace in the heart. Those who feel weak and discouraged may become strong men of God and do noble work for the Master. But they must work from a high standpoint; they must be influenced by no selfish motives.” FW 35.3