Christian boundary and WWJD

Many say that law is still necessary to learn the boundary of Christianity, so as not to cross it. It is as if without the law we are deaf, dumb and blind to what is righteous living.

But is that so? Does grace not also teach us and in fact is the Teacher Himself, Jesus Christ, and not just a set of commands?

In Titus 2:11-12 it says, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,..." 

Grace is not just a blessing from God, it is even more the knowledge and power to lead a holy life, for it is Holiness Himself living in us when we completely yield to grace.

The popular acronym WWJD (What Would Jesus Do), from a book written by Charles Sheldon in the 1890s, is eagerly embraced by many Christian as a model for Christian living. But that is the essence of legalism to imitate Jesus instead of Him living through us by our faith in pure grace.

In the attached video, Mr. Len Baker of Growing in Grace Ministries suggested that we change it to "Watch What Jesus Does." So true! We don't need to learn more about ourselves in what we do, but just see Christ in the work He accomplished on the cross, and continues to work in us.

Only then can our faith grow for it is grace we entrust our lives in, and from grace our faith yields true fruits of the spirit.

Amen!

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Hope you enjoy this video and let the revelation of grace come into your heart. This is the last of a five-part sermon on "law and grace."

什麼是愛 / What is love

God is love.

神是愛。

What is love? God's spirit.

什麼是愛? 神的靈。


What is at the heart of God's spirit? Redemptive forgiveness.

什麼是神靈的心意? 救贖的赦免。

What is there to forgive? Disobedience to God's spirit.

什麼是需要被赦免的? 違背神的靈。

What is disobedience to God's spirit? Sin.

什麼是違背神的靈? 罪。

What is sin? Evil desires.

什麼是罪? 邪念。

What is the cause of evil desires? man's pride and shame.

什麼是邪念的來源? 人的驕傲與羞恥。

What is the source of man's pride and shame? Man's work.

什麼是人驕傲與羞恥的源頭? 人的行為。

What is man's work? Obedience to law.

什麼是人的行為? 律法的遵守。

What is wrong with obedience to law? It voids faith.

什麼是遵守律法的錯誤? 廢除信。

What is faith? Belief in redemption of righteousness only by His blood.

什麼是信? 相信耶穌寶血贖來的義。

What is righteousness? Seed of true spiritual fruit.

什麼是義? 屬靈之果的種子。

What is true spiritual fruit? Work of the spirit.

什麼是真正的屬靈之果? 靈的行為。

What is the work of the spirit? Grace.

什麼是靈的行為? 恩典。

What is the fruit of grace to us? A gift.

什麼是給予我們的恩典之果? 禮物。

What is the gift of grace? Unearned, unmerited favor.

什麼是恩典之禮? 沒有賺取，沒有值得的恩惠。

What is ours to do with this favor of grace? Receive by faith.

什麼是我們與恩典的份? 由信取得。

What is the receiving of grace? Living by grace and only in grace.

什麼是由信取得? 完全信靠與活在恩典。

What is living in grace? Believing we are righteous by the eternal forgiveness of His blood.

什麼是活在恩典? 相信我們已經由血的永久赦免稱義了。

What is believing we are eternally forgiven? Obedience to God's spirit.

什麼是相信我們已得永久的赦免? 遵守神的靈。

What is God's spirit? Love.

什麼是神的靈? 愛。

What is love? Love is God living in us; love is our living Godly, .

什麼是愛? 愛是神的靈活在我們裡面, 愛是我們活出神的心意。


Love is God.

愛是神。

Amen!

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

從時間的開始, 神就已經原諒我們了 / Forgiveness was already given since the beginning of time

Forgiveness is not given only when we believe in Christ, and neither just for confessing of our sins. Forgiveness was already given since the beginning of time.

從時間的開始, 神就已經原諒我們了. 赦免不是從我們相信基督是救主開始, 更不是只有當我們認罪.

God didn't change His mind from unforgiveness to forgiveness even with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Forgiveness is always in His heart.

神從未改變主意, 原先不赦免, 後來才願意, 由耶穌的死亡, 埋葬, 與復活. 赦免一直在神的心中.

All man -- believing and unbelieving -- are forgiven, but it is only in believing that the grace by which we are forgiven produce faith, hope and love.

所有的人 -- 相信的與不信的 -- 都已被原諒了. 但是只有相信這赦免的恩典我們才得有信, 有望, 有愛.

Christ planned to die for man because He forgave us already. It was not the sacrifice that forgave, but in the sacrifice is the foundation of forgiveness and washing away of sins. 

耶穌已經原諒了人, 才有以死救人的計劃. 赦免不是因祂的犧牲, 但是祂的犧牲就是赦免的磐石與洗罪的基礎.

The cross is divine evidence and our assurance that we are completely forgiven -- even for sins we have not yet committed. 

十字架是我們的罪已被赦免的證據與確保 -- 包括還未犯的罪.

Therefore it is not with our repentance as an unbeliever that we are forgiven, nor our confession of sins as a believer, but by the revelation and acceptance of grace; realizing the kind of love that forgives all sins we come to true repentance and sincere confessions. Such are not the conditions required to be forgiven.

所以, 還未信的人不是因為他的悔改才得赦免, 而已信的人也不是因他的認罪才得原諒. 我們是先由理解, 與接受恩典所體會到神那般完全赦免的愛, 才真心的願意悔改與認罪, 而這些不是得赦免的必須條件.

We never need again to ask for forgiveness, for our faith is in grace, the foundation of having been eternally forgiven of all sins, no matter how short of His holiness we fall; and not believing in this truth takes away our faith.

我們永遠不必要求神的原諒, 因為我們的信是建立在恩典, 就是已經, 也是永久被赦免了的磐石與基礎, 無論我們的敗壞; 如不相信就是將信從真理離開.

聖潔 -- 恩典與律法的共同指標 / Holiness -- the common goal of grace and law

As the debate goes on between those for the necessity of law even in having divine grace, and those who believe that in grace we already have the spirit of law toward holiness, a misunderstanding remains by those who deem proponents of pure grace as promoting a license to sin.

在律法與恩典的討論，認為律法還是必須作平衡的人，

他們對主張在恩典中信徒已經有了至聖潔的律法精神的，常懷有一個誤解，以為注重恩典的就是想要放縱罪。


If such is the view unchanged, there can never be found a common ground, let alone any possibility for conciliation between the dissenters under one truth.

如果這種想法不改變的話，那很可惜，我們將無法找到這個重要討論上的共同點，而減少讓兩方的爭議，在一個真理上，得到調解的可能性。


Let's underline the primary motive of either view, and the fear each camp holds of one another in consequence: those upholding the boundaries set by law fear rampant disregard of holiness and condolence of sin. Those promoting grace fear believers not resting in the eternal righteousness brought about by His divine forgiveness.

在觀念上，讓我們列出兩方的動機，和更重要的，在他們的憂慮, 如果沒有堅持所認為的想法會造成的後果: 相信律法是必須的平衡與界線認知, 他們怕的是罪的擴散，與容忍罪的信仰心態。而覺得恩典需要完全的被彰顯的人, 不想看到的是信徒得不到在完全赦免所賜的永久稱義，與感受不到神的寶血所建立的不變安息。


The assumption from the other side is that those under the grace camp do not want holiness, wants very much to sin, and are only using grace as an excuse to sin by doing away with God's justice (law). We see no such accusation from this side toward those of the law. We believe they are sincere in wanting to be holy for God.

強調律法的人對注重恩典的信者，有一個根深蒂固的想法，但是很少被質問。那就是，"喜歡" 恩典的人不想要聖潔，仍是愛好罪的生活，只是想要利用恩典廢去神的公義，而繼續犯罪。但是從純恩典說講的角度，並無對強調律法的信者有任何懷疑他們有沒有真心想要克服罪，向聖潔，遵從神的旨意。


But is this fair? The only way for two sides to come to an agreement is if there be a common goal. If the objective is different, then there is no way -- and no need, really -- to talk. If one side thinks the other side doesn't want the same thing in living a holy and Christ-like life, then there is no understanding possible for the grace perspective.

但這樣講公平嗎? 只有在一個共同指標的存在，兩方面的討論才有可能得到協議。如果目的不合，那再多的討論都是無用，也是無謂的。在一方面的先定性結論上認為，只要是要求完全的恩典信息, 就是不與他們同樣的想要活出如耶穌生命的聖潔. 這樣他們也就不可能會理解到 (也不會給機會) 從恩典的觀點看如何克服罪，與達聖潔。


Can we accept that all sincere Christians of all beliefs want very much to lead a righteous and holy life as our natural and loving response to the Lord?

我們可不可以接受，只要是虔誠的基督徒，每一個人都希望活出神的義，與聖潔的生命，作為信徒對神愛最為自然的回應?


Let us not forget that one can be holy without the law. The law was given to show those who think they are holy (and those who are not aware) how sinful they are. Holiness is a law unto itself, and needs not the law to remain holy. We love our children and obey our parents even not knowing the law, and so it is that by our willing invitation of Christ into our hearts we also live out the love and not just the perfunctory requirement of the law.

讓我們不要忘記，不是只有在律法裏才可能有聖潔。律法的目的是指出那些自以為聖潔的信徒 (與還未有認知罪的人) 他們有多麼的罪惡。聖潔本身就是一律，並不需要律法才能維持。我們雖無律法的規定，但還是愛子女和遵守父母，所以並不是從一個必須遵守律法的才能夠近聖潔，而是由信的邀請耶穌在我們心中，讓祂的愛 (律法的最高境界) 活出神的生命。


We are holy not because of the law but the spirit of Christ living inside. When we love we don't need the law, for the love of Christ constrains us to obey (law) and compels us to serve (command). (2 Corinthians 5:14)

我們的聖潔不是因為遵守律法，而是耶穌的靈魂活在裡面。我們只要有愛就不需要律法的督促，因為耶穌的愛是我們的拘束 (遵守律法)，也促使我們服事(祂的使命)。 (哥林多後書 5:14)


If so, the argument for necessity of law to curb sin falls by the wayside. Those who desire not to sin will not sin more for the gift of grace, and the ones not concerned with the gravity of sin will not, by the teaching of law, come to repentance of the heart, nor continue in obedience. Such faith is based on the threat of punishment, and not from receiving of forgiveness a love that moves the heart.

如果是這樣, 那主張必須要教導律法才能克服犯罪的問題就不成立. 本來就不願犯罪的人不會因為得到恩典而變為喜愛犯罪. 再來, 本來就不覺得罪是有多大關係的, 也不會因為律法的限制而得由心的悔改, 或會有持續的遵守. 這種信仰是從懲罰的威脅, 而不是感受到赦免的愛那時的真心感動.


Only in our constant inspiration by, and response to grace, can the obedience truly come from the transformation by the holy spirit, so that the flesh cannot boast. The teaching of law does not eliminate sin, but will only increase sinful desires and behaviors. (Romans 5:20, Romans 7:8)

唯有建立在恩典, 和繼續在恩典的感動與回應裏, 我們的遵守才是屬聖靈的改造, 讓肉體不得自誇. 但是如繼續在律法的教導中, 這只會增加罪的慾望與/或行為. (羅馬書 5:20, 羅馬書 7:8)


Not fearing the punishment of disobeying law will not lead to more sin, but to have the true rest in the grace of total forgiveness that is His divine purpose.

當我們沒有了畏懼違背律法的懲罰, 這不單不會導致更多罪, 而是會給予信徒真正的安息在恩典, 活出耶穌的榮耀 -- 神賜給我們完全赦免的神聖宗旨.


And this is the truth of the gospel -- all grace, no law.

這是福音的真理 -- 完全恩典, 沒有律法.