我们并不喜欢时常提到罪这个话题,然而,在我们的信心生活中,我们需要面对我们这个极为严重的困境。遗憾的是,我们中间没有人能以应有的言行对待上帝、别人、自己、和上帝创造的世界。我们持续不断地选择不理会我们的造物主、算计别人、欺骗和伤害自己、也不爱惜受造之物。我们的罪不单带来烦恼和痛苦,它更表明我们应当受到惩罚。
因此,我们在使徒信经中以宽慰的心喜乐地宣告:“我信罪得赦免。”信经教导的核心,就是强调我们需要救主耶稣基督。藉着祂的赎罪牺牲,耶稣洗净我们的罪。尽管我们仍然继续在罪中挣扎,然而耶稣向我们保证,上帝不会按我们配受的刑罚来审判我们,因为我们的罪已得赦免了。
罪得赦免是跟随耶稣的关键要点。我们的罪既已被赦免,藉着圣灵的能力和帮助,我们便能够天天竭力忠心服侍耶稣了。
祂已经为我们舍弃自己,我们也当怀着感恩的心为祂而活。
主耶稣,你舍弃自己,好叫我们的罪得赦免。现今求你帮助我们也把自己献给你、怀着爱心和感恩的心,去服侍别人。奉你的名祈求,阿们。
诗篇 103:1-5
1我的心哪,你要称颂耶和华;凡在我里面的,也要称颂他的圣名!
2我的心哪,你要称颂耶和华,不可忘记他的一切恩惠。
3他赦免你的一切罪孽,医治你的一切疾病。
4他救赎你的命脱离死亡,以仁爱和慈悲为你的冠冕。
5他用美物使你所愿的得以知足,以致你如鹰返老还童。
“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. . . .” - Psalm 103:2-3
We don’t always like to bring up the topic of sin. But in our life of faith it’s necessary to face up to our desperate predicament. Sadly, none of us acts the way we should toward God, others, ourselves, and God’s creation. We persistently choose to disregard our maker, contend with others, deceive and harm ourselves, and mistreat creation. Our sin not only leads to trouble and misery but also shows that we rightfully deserve punishment.
So with great relief and joy we confess, with the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in . . . the forgiveness of sins.” The heart of the creed’s teaching emphasizes our need for the Savior, Jesus Christ. Through his atoning sacrifice, Jesus washed away our sin. Even though we still continue to struggle with sin, Jesus assures us that God will not judge us as we deserve because we have been forgiven.
The forgiveness of sins stands at the core of following Jesus. Because we have been forgiven, we can, through the power and help of the Holy Spirit, strive each day to faithfully serve Jesus.
As he gave himself for us, out of thanksgiving we can live for him.
Lord Jesus, you gave yourself so that we can be forgiven. Now help us to give ourselves to you in loving gratitude and service to others. In your name we pray. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳