探索上帝律法的界限Exploring the Boundaries ofGod’s Law
[每日靈修] 11/26/2018,
駱鴻銘編譯
威斯敏斯特要理問答將罪定義為「凡不遵守或違背上帝律法的，都是罪。」（WSC 14）我們在此注意到，罪的定義既是消極的也是積極的。消極方面由「不遵守」一詞來表示。它指的是道德表現的缺失或失敗。用流行的術語來說，它被稱為疏忽的罪（sin of omission）。當我們不遵守上帝命令我們去做的事時，就會發生疏忽的罪。
要理問答對罪的定義的積極方面是指公然的，實際跨越上帝律法界限的罪。這是明知故犯的罪（sin of commission）。
有時上帝以消極的方式表達祂的律法（不可......），有時用積極的方式表達（要......）。十誡包含兩種形式（不可偷竊；孝敬你的父母）。
疏忽和明知故犯的罪都是真正的罪。它們會招來真正的罪咎。當我們做了上帝禁止的事時，我們就犯了明知故犯的罪；當我們沒有按照上帝的命令行事時，我們就犯了疏忽得罪。在這兩種情況下，上帝的律法都受到了侵犯。
活在神的面光中（在神面前禱告）：
虔誠地查驗你生活中疏忽或明知故犯的罪。
進一步研讀：
雅四17 人若知道行善，卻不去行，這就是他的罪了。
詩五一1～3 （大衛與拔示巴同室以後，先知拿單來見他；他作這詩，交與伶長。）神啊，求你按你的慈愛憐恤我！按你豐盛的慈悲塗抹我的過犯！ 求你將我的罪孽洗除淨盡，並潔除我的罪！ 因為，我知道我的過犯；我的罪常在我面前。
Exploring the Boundaries of
God’s Law
The
Westminster Catechism defines sin as “any want of conformity to or
transgression of the law of God.” We notice here that sin is defined both in
negative and positive terms. The negative aspect is indicated by the words
“want of conformity.” It points to a lack or failure in moral performance. In
popular terms it is called a sin of omission. A sin of omission occurs when we
fail to do what God commands us to do.
The
positive aspect of the catechetical definition of sin refers to overt, actual
stepping over the boundaries of God’s law. It is a sin of commission.
Sometimes
God expresses His laws in negative terms (do not …) and sometimes in positive
terms (do …). The Ten Commandments contain both forms (do not steal; honor your
father and mother).
Both
sins of omission and sins of commission are real sins. They incur real guilt.
When we do what God forbids, we are guilty of a sin of commission; when we fail
to do what God commands, we are guilty of a sin of omission. In both cases the
law of God is violated.
Coram
Deo
Prayerfully
examine your life for sins of omission or commission.
Passages
for Further Study
James
4:17
Psalm
51:1–3
