91. 律法的三重功用 The Threefold Use Of The Law
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》243頁, 更新傳道會出版
每一個基督徒都會受到這個問題的困擾：舊約圣經到底與基督徒的生活有什么關系？舊約律法是不是已與基督徒無關？還是其中有一部分與我們有關？由于廢弛道德律主義的異端在我們的社會文化中普遍流行，因此回答這些問題也變得十分重要。
改革宗的教義建基于恩典，而不是建基于律法，但改革宗并不否定神的律法。例如，加爾文就曾論及“律法的三重功用”，表明律法對基督徒的重要性。
律法的第一個功能是作一面鏡子。一方面律法可反映出神完全的公義，讓我們知道神的性格。另一方面也許是更重要的，律法反映出人性的罪惡。奧古斯丁寫道：“律法發出命令，而我們在嘗試完成律法的命令時，律法使我們察覺到自己的軟弱，因此才學到要尋求恩典的幫助。”律法顯出我們的軟弱，使我們想要尋求在基督里的能力，在這一點上，律法好似一位嚴格的訓蒙師傅，引我們到基督那里。
律法的第二個功能是約束人的犯罪，抑制邪惡的發生。律法本身并不能改變人心，但它能保護義人。免受不公平的遭遇。加爾文論到律法的這個功能時，說：“律法宣告嚴厲的責備，及犯罪后可怕的刑罰，以此來約束那些若不執行律法，就不在乎自己是否正直、公義的人。”律法容許在世實行有限的公義，直到最后的審判來到。
律法的第三個功能是顯明什么是討神喜悅的事。律法啟示我們這些重生的兒女，何為我們所事奉之天父所喜悅的事。基督徒理當喜悅神的律法，因為這是神所喜悅的。耶穌說：“你們若愛我，就必遵守我的命令。”（約14:15）這也是律法的最大功效，幫助神子民將榮耀和尊榮歸給神。研讀或默想神的律法，就等于在公義的學校里進修，學習明白神喜悅什么，不喜悅什么。神在圣經中所啟示的道德律對我們永遠都有約束力。雖然我們從神律法的咒詛中被救贖出來，但不表示可以免除遵守律法的責任。我們稱義不是因為順服了律法，但神要求我們在稱義之后，要順服神的律法。愛基督的人必會遵守基督的誡命，愛神的人也必會順服神的律法。
總結
1.今天的教會正受到廢弛道德律主義的侵擾，把神的律法減弱、否定或歪曲了。
2.神的律法是反映神的聖潔和我們的不義的一面鏡子，使我們看見自己需要一位救主。
3.神的律法能約束人的犯罪。
4.神的律法反映出什麽是神所喜悅的，甚至是神所不喜悅的。
5.基督徒應當愛神的律法，並且順服神的道德律。
思考經文：
詩19：7-11；詩119：9-16；羅7：7-25；羅8：3-4；林前7：19加3：24
THE
THREEFOLD USE OF THE LAW
Every
Christian wrestles with the question, how does the Old Testament law relate to
my life? Is the Old Testament law irrelevant to Christians or is there some
sense in which we are still bound by portions of it? As the heresy of
antinomianism becomes ever more pervasive in our culture, the need to answer
these questions grows increasingly urgent.
The
Reformation was founded on grace and not upon law. Yet the law of God was not
repudiated by the Reformers. John Calvin, for example, wrote what has become known
as the “Threefold Use of the Law” in order to show the importance of the law
for the Christian life.1
The
first purpose of the law is to be a mirror. On the one hand, the law of God
reflects and mirrors the perfect righteousness of God. The law tells us much
about who God is. Perhaps more important, the law illumines human sinfulness.
Augustine wrote, “The law orders, that we, after attempting to do what is
ordered, and so feeling our weakness under the law, may learn to implore the
help of grace.”2 The law highlights our weakness so that we might seek the
strength found in Christ. Here the law acts as a severe schoolmaster who drives
us to Christ.
A
second purpose for the law is the restraint of evil. The law, in and of itself,
cannot change human hearts. It can, however, serve to protect the righteous
from the unjust. Calvin says this purpose is “by means of its fearful
denunciations and the consequent dread of punishment, to curb those who, unless
forced, have no regard for rectitude and justice.”3 The law allows for a
limited measure of justice on this earth, until the last judgment is realized.
The
third purpose of the law is to reveal what is pleasing to God. As born-again
children of God, the law enlightens us as to what is pleasing to our Father,
whom we seek to serve. The Christian delights in the law as God Himself
delights in it. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John
14:15). This is the highest function of the law, to serve as an instrument for
the people of God to give Him honor and glory.
By
studying or meditating on the law of God, we attend the school of
righteousness. We learn what pleases God and what offends Him. The moral law
that God reveals in Scripture is always binding upon us. Our redemption is from
the curse of God’s law, not from our duty to obey it. We are justified, not
because of our obedience to the law, but in order that we may become obedient
to God’s law. To love Christ is to keep His commandments. To love God is to
obey His law.
Summary
1.
The church today has been invaded by antinomianism, which weakens, rejects, or
distorts the law of God.
2.
The law of God is a mirror of God’s holiness and our unrighteousness. It serves
to reveal to us our need of a savior.
3.
The law of God is a restraint against sin.
4.
The law of God reveals what is pleasing and what is offensive to God.
5.
The Christian is to love the law of God and to obey the moral law of God.
Biblical
passages for reflection:
Psalm
19:7-11 Psalm
119:9-16 Romans
7:7-25 Romans
8:3-4 1
Corinthians 7:19 Galatians
3:24
1.
Calvin, Institutes, bk. II, 1:304-310.
2.
Calvin, Institutes, bk. II, 1:306.
3.
Calvin, Institutes, bk. II, 1:307.