十一月十九日

要遠避無知的辯論。（多3：9）

我們的年日不多，故應用以多作善工；因爲所爭辯的事，充其量不過是次要的事。古時的哲人學者不斷地辯論一些實際上幷不重要的題目，真是危害世人不淺；我們的教會也常爲一些深奧難明的道理或是無關緊要的問題花很多時間作一些無謂的小論戰。所能說的話都說完了之後，證明兩造都不見得怎樣高明；因此辯論幷不能增進知識和彼此相愛的心，在這樣一塊磽薄的地撒種，真是一件愚蠢的事。

辯論聖經上所未提到的問題——只有神知道的奧秘的事、兩種解釋的預言、守禮的儀式等都是無知的，聰明的人要遠避這些。詢問或答覆無知的問題幷不是我們的事，我們乃要完全遠避；我們若仔細看使徒的意思（多3：8）是叫我們留心作正經事業，我們就發現我們行善事的時間都被無價值、起紛爭和不必需的爭論占了去。但也有一些與無知相反的問題，我們却不當逃避，而應用誠懇的態度對待，例如：我相信主耶穌基督嗎？我的心意已經在聖靈裏更新了嗎？我在恩典中不斷地長進嗎？我談話時是否常提說救主我神的道呢？我盼望主再來，像一個僕人等待主人回來嗎？我能爲耶穌多作一些什麽工作呢？這些問題是我們急待詢問的。

若我們常吹毛求疵，無理非難，就當一反批評的常態，多作服侍主和人的工作，這是有益無損的。願我們作和事老，藉我們的話語和榜樣領導別人，“遠避無知的辯論。”

November 19

"Avoid foolish questions."--Titus 3:9

Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our Churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow in so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials, are all foolish, and wise men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle's precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.

There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which we must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet, such as these: Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Am I growing in grace? Does my conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour? Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do who expects his master? What more can I do for Jesus? Such enquiries as these urgently demand our attention; and if we have been at all given to cavilling, let us now turn our critical abilities to a service so much more profitable. Let us be peace-makers, and endeavour to lead others both by our precept and example, to "avoid foolish questions."