68. 悔改 Repentance
作者: 史鮑爾 (R.C. Sproul) 譯者: 姚錦榮
摘自《神學入門》《Essential Truths of the
Christian Faith》p.184 , 更新傳道會出版
身為耶穌開路先鋒的施洗約翰，一開始就宣告說：「天國近了，你們應當悔改。」這個呼召是對罪人迫切的呼喚，人若不肯悔改便不能進天國。悔改是先決的條件，是得救不可或缺的條件。
在聖經中，悔改乃「心意改變」之意。這種心意的改變不單是小部分意見的轉變，而是整個人生方向的改變，包括轉離罪惡、歸向基督。
悔改不是重生的因，而是重生的果。雖然悔改是由重生開始，但悔改更是一種態度和行動，必須在基督徒一生中不斷地重覆。由於我們會不斷地犯罪，因此當聖靈指責我們有罪時，我們就當悔改。
神學家將悔改分為兩類。一類他們稱之為懺悔或不徹底的悔改（attrition），它不是真悔改，而是因怕受懲罰和怕失去祝福而生的懊惱。每個身為父母者都能體會，當孩子犯錯被抓住時，所謂不徹底的悔改是什麽樣子。孩子恐怕受罰，會哭訴說：「我錯了，請不要罰我！」但一味求饒，再加上淚如泉湧，並不表示他對所犯的錯誤真誠悔改。這也是以掃的悔改方式（創27：30-46）。以掃懺悔不是因為自己犯了罪，而是因為失去了長子的名分。這種懺悔是因希望逃離地獄或刑罰而生的。
另一種悔改是痛悔或稱完全悔悟（contrition）,它是出於真誠的悔改。犯罪的人會因得罪神而產生深刻的痛悔。痛悔者會公開和全心地承認自己的罪，不是為了求寬恕，也不是為了給自己找借口。這樣認罪的結果會使他在可行的情況下願意賠罪，並且肯決定脫離罪。這是大衛在詩篇五十一篇所表現的悔改：「神啊，求你為我造清潔的心，使我裏面重新有正直的靈----神所要的祭，就是憂傷的靈；神啊，憂傷痛悔的心，你必不輕看。」（詩51：10，17）
當人真誠痛悔地向神表達悔改時，神便應許赦免我們，並恢復我們與他的關系；「我們若認自己的罪，神是信實的、是公義的，必要赦免我們的最，洗凈我們一切的不義。」（約壹1：9）
總結
1. 悔改是救恩的必要條件。
2 . 悔改是重生所結的果子。
3. 懺悔是基於恐懼所產生的假悔改。
4. 痛悔是出自敬虔的真悔改。
5.真悔改包含全心全意的認罪和賠償，以及離開罪的決心。
6. 神應許赦免所有真誠悔改之人的罪，並與他們恢覆交通。
思考經文
結18：30–32；路24：46–47；徒20：17–21；羅2：4；林後7：8–12
68. REPENTANCE
The
opening message of John the Baptist, who served as a herald for Jesus, was,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This call to repentance was an
urgent appeal to sinners. No one who refuses to repent can ever enter the
kingdom of God. Repentance is a prerequisite, a necessary condition for
salvation.
In
Scripture, repentance means “to undergo a change of one’s mind.” This change of
mind is not a mere switching of minor opinions, but of the entire direction of
one’s life. It involves a radical turning from sin and to Christ.
Repentance
is not the cause of new birth or regeneration; it is the result or fruit of
regeneration. Though repentance begins with regeneration, it is an attitude and
action that must be repeated throughout the Christian life. As we continue to
sin, we are called upon to repent as we are convicted of our sin by the Holy
Spirit.
Theologians
make a distinction between two kinds of repentance. The first is called
attrition. Attrition is a false or spurious kind of repentance. It involves
remorse caused by a fear of punishment or a loss of blessing.
Every
parent has witnessed attrition in a child when he is caught with his hand in
the cookie jar. The child, fearing the paddle, cries, “I’m sorry, please don’t
spank me!” These pleas coupled with crocodile tears are usually not signs of genuine
remorse for wrongdoing. This was the kind of repentance Esau exhibited (Genesis
27:30-46). He was sorry not because he had sinned, but because he had lost his
birthright. Attrition, then, is repentance motivated by an attempt to get a
ticket out of hell or to otherwise avoid punishment.
Contrition,
on the other hand, is true and godly repentance. It is genuine. It includes a
deep remorse for having offended God. The contrite person openly and fully
confesses his sin with no attempt to excuse it or justify it. This
acknowledgment of sin is coupled with a willingness to make restitution
whenever possible and a resolve to turn away from sin. This is the spirit of
repentance that David exhibited in Psalm 51. “Create in me a clean heart, O
God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. . . . The sacrifices of God are a
broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not
despise” (Psalm 51:10, 17).
When
repentance is offered to God in a spirit of true contrition, He promises to
forgive us and to restore us to fellowship with Him: “If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Summary
1. Repentance is a necessary condition for
salvation. 2. Repentance is the fruit of regeneration. 3. Attrition is false
repentance motivated by fear. 4. Contrition is true repentance motivated by
godly remorse. 5. True repentance includes full confession, restitution, and
resolve to turn from sin. 6. God promises forgiveness and restoration to all
who truly repent.
Biblical
passages for reflection:
Ezekiel 18:30-32 Luke 24:46-47 Acts 20:17-21
Romans 2:4 2 Corinthians 7:8-12
