效法主耶稣_12月7日罪人悔改时，天上就有快乐

12月7日罪人悔改时，天上就有快乐

When Sinners Repent, Heaven Rejoices, December 7

“祢怎样差我到世上，我也照样差他们到世上。我为他们的缘故，自己分别为圣，叫他们也因真理成圣”（约17:18、19）。{BLJ359.1}[1]

As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.John 17:18, 19, NKJV.{BLJ 359.1}[1]

基督在失羊的比喻中教导说：救恩的临到不是因我们寻求上帝，而是因上帝寻找我们。“没有明白的，没有寻求上帝的，都是偏离正路”（罗3:11，12）。我们悔改，不是为了让上帝爱我们。祂向我们显示祂的慈爱，是为了使我们悔改。{BLJ359.2}[2]

In the parable of the lost sheep, Christ teaches that salvation does not come through our seeking after God but through God’s seeking after us. “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way” (Romans 3:11, 12). We do not repent in order that God may love us, but He reveals to us His love in order that we may repent....{BLJ 359.2}[2]

拉比们曾说，当一个得罪上帝的人灭亡时，天上就有快乐。耶稣却教导说：毁灭在上帝乃是一件奇异的事。诸天所高兴的，是在上帝所创造的人身上恢复祂的形象。{BLJ359.3}[3]

The rabbis had a saying that there is rejoicing in heaven when one who has sinned against God is destroyed; but Jesus taught that to God the work of destruction is a strange work. That in which all heaven delights is the restoration of God’s own image in the souls whom He has made.{BLJ 359.3}[3]

当一个远离上帝的罪人想要回归祂的时候，必要遭受批评和不信任。总有人怀疑他的悔改是否出于真心，或悄悄地说：“他并不稳定。我不相信他会坚持到底。”{BLJ359.4}[4]

When some who have wandered far in sin seek to return to God, they will encounter criticism and distrust. There are those who will doubt whether their repentance is genuine, or will whisper, “They have no stability; I do not believe that they will hold out.”{BLJ 359.4}[4]

这些人所作的不是上帝的工作，而是那控告弟兄的撒但的工作。恶者希望藉着这种人的批评而使人灰心，更加失望，更加远离上帝。悔改的罪人应当想到，当一个失丧的人回归时，天上要为他快乐。他应当依靠上帝的慈爱，绝不可因法利赛人的藐视和猜疑而灰心。{BLJ359.5}[5]

These persons are doing not the work of God but the work of Satan, who is the accuser of the brethren. Through their criticisms the wicked one hopes to discourage those souls, and to drive them still farther from hope and from God. Let the repenting sinners contemplate the rejoicing in heaven over the return of the one that was lost. Let them rest in the love of God and in no case be disheartened by the scorn and suspicion of the Pharisees.{BLJ 359.5}[5]

拉比们知道基督的比喻指的是税吏和罪人。但它还有更广泛的意义。基督不仅用迷羊来代表有罪的个人，也代表这个悖逆而被罪恶败坏的世界。在上帝所统治的浩大宇宙中，这个世界就像一粒微尘。但是这个堕落的小小世界——一只迷羊——在祂看来，要比九十九只安卧羊房的羊更加宝贵。{BLJ359.6}[6]

The rabbis understood Christ’s parable as applying to the publicans and sinners; but it has also a wider meaning. By the lost sheep Christ represents not only the individual sinner but the one world that has apostatized and has been ruined by sin. This world is but an atom in the vast dominions over which God presides, yet this little fallen world—the one lost sheep—is more precious in His sight than are the ninety and nine that went not astray from the fold.{BLJ 359.6}[6]

全天庭所爱戴的元帅基督，为了拯救这个失丧的世界，竟屈尊舍弃祂与天父所共享的尊荣，离开天上无罪的诸世界，就是那爱祂的九十九只羊，来到地上，“为我们的过犯受害，为我们的罪孽压伤”（赛53:5）。上帝在祂儿子身上舍弃了自己，以便能得享寻回迷羊的喜乐。{BLJ359.7}[7]

Christ, the loved Commander in the heavenly courts, stooped from His high estate, laid aside the glory that He had with the Father, in order to save the one lost world. For this He left the sinless worlds on high, the ninety and nine that loved Him, and came to this earth, to be “wounded for our transgressions” and “bruised for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5). God gave Himself in His Son that He might have the joy of receiving back the sheep that was lost....{BLJ 359.7}[7]

基督所拯救的每一个人都蒙召要奉祂的名，参加拯救失丧者的工作。以色列人曾疏忽了这项工作。今日自称为基督徒的人是不是也疏忽了呢？（COL.189-191）{BLJ359.8}[8]

Every soul whom Christ has rescued is called to work in His name for the saving of the lost. This work had been neglected in Israel. Is it not neglected today by those who profess to be Christ’s followers?—Christ’s Object Lessons, 189-191.{BLJ 359.8}[8]