你們要聖潔、因為我是聖潔的 / Be holy, for I am holy

1 Peter chapter 1 spells out the gospel clearly. It speaks of the prophecy of salvation, suffering and perseverance, good work and judgment, grace, faith, and lastly -- holiness.

彼得前書第一章很清楚的形容福音. 在這裡有提到先知的預言, 人類的救贖, 苦難與毅力, 善事與審判, 恩典, 信, 和最後 -- 聖潔.

Particularly, verse 16 is often quoted to encourage believers to "lead a holy life." It quotes, "Be holy, for I am holy." from Leviticus 11:44.

尤其第十六節, 是常常被用來提醒信徒要 "活出一個聖潔的生命". 這一節說, "你們要聖潔, 因為我是聖潔的."

What is holiness? The Biblical definition is "Set apart to God." But what does this mean? That holiness is only counted when it is a walk in (and not like) God's spirit, which is all grace. We are not set apart when we obey out of the flesh, which is only law.

什麼是聖潔? 聖經的定義是 "分別給神的". 但這又是什麼意思呢? 聖潔是只有我們走在 (不是走的像) 神的靈, 就是完全的恩典. 如果我們是靠遵守, 那是屬肉體的 "分別給神," 就是在於律法.

Even in verse 2 it says, "God the Father knew you and chose you from long ago, and His spirit has (already) made you holy,..." Therefore, holiness is not of any work of ours but only of the work of the spirit -- grace.

在第二節有說, "就是照父神的先見被揀選, 藉著聖靈 (已經) 得成聖潔 ,..." 因此, 聖潔不是從我們任何的行為, 而只有聖靈的工作 -- 恩典.

Verse 16 does not mean "you have to be holy like me." For holiness is the essence of God, it is who He is and how He is.

第一十六節的意思不是 "你要如我一樣的聖潔." 因為聖潔本是神的實質, 是祂的體, 也是祂的行.

There is only one definition and standard for holiness -- God. Can we really be holy like God is holy, even with the best of intentions and greatest of effort? 

只有一個聖潔的定義與標準 -- 神. 那我們真的能夠與神同樣的聖潔, 就算我們盡心盡力?

The answer is a definitive "No!" And that is the way God intended, for He is not interested in our becoming holy through our effort, but only by the grace of His son's sacrifice redeeming our holiness in Him.

這答案當然是一個鐵定的 "不能!" 而這也本是祂的旨意, 因為神不在意我們由自己的努力得聖潔, 乃是只有從祂獨生子的犧牲, 以恩典贖回在主裡面的聖潔.

He made us this way, and planned our salvation accordingly.

神造我們如此, 也是由此計劃著我們的拯救.

We are holy not because we make ourselves holy (not even with the "help" of grace!) We are already made holy only because of grace and entirely the great work of Christ.

我們聖潔, 全然不是由我們的竭力遵守誡律 (甚至不是靠恩典的 "幫助"!) 我們已經是聖潔了只是完全因為恩典和耶穌的偉大工作.

Therefore it is from holiness we live out our remaining days, and not in using the rest of our lives to become holy.

所以, 我們是從聖潔活在還有的日子, 而不是要用剩下的歲月活出聖潔.

By the blood of Christ, we are holy, for He is holy.

由耶穌基督的寶血, 我們是聖潔的, 因為祂是聖潔的.

Amen