※Law and Gospel Must Be Preached in Tandem※法律與福音必須同時傳講
When God opens our eyes to the condemnation of sin that binds us under the law, we can immediately grab hold of the good news that Jesus Christ saves sinners. This is possible because of the Holy Spirit’s presence within us.
我們的罪在法律的約束之下使我們瞎了眼,當上帝打開我們的心眼時,我們就可以立即聽信耶穌基督拯救罪人的好消息。這是能夠的,因為聖靈住在我們裡面使我們明白。
Many preachers don’t understand the distinction. Here’s what Luther says, “It is therefore a matter of utmost necessity that these two kinds of God’s Word be well and properly distinguished. Where this is not done, neither the law nor the gospel can be understood, and the consciences of men must perish with blindness and error.”
許多講道者不了解這種區別。這就是路德所說的:「因此,最恰當地區分這兩種上帝的話是非常必要的。如果不這樣做,法律和福音都無法被理解,人的心志必定因眼瞎和誤解而沉淪。」
If a pastor proclaims only the gospel, sinners do not realize their need for salvation. In that case, the seed of the gospel falls on the path and the birds of skepticism, doubt and disbelief devour it (Mark 4:4).
如果牧者只宣講福音,罪人就不會意識到自己需要救恩。
可4:4撒的時候,有落在路旁的,飛鳥來吃盡了;
Some people think only unbelievers need to hear the gospel. However, the saved thirst to hear what Christ has done for them. Believers languish under the weight of their sin and despair if they do not hear the Bible preached rightly divided and the sweetness of the gospel given to them. They become “bruised reeds” and “smoldering wicks” (Isaiah 42:3) and leave the church entirely. Often, they don’t understand why themselves.
有些人認為只有不信的人才需要聽福音。然而,信主被拯救的也渴望聽到基督為他們所做的。如果信徒們聽不到正確地宣講聖經,只聽到傳給他們的癢耳福音,他們就會在罪惡和絕望的重壓下枯萎。他們成為「壓傷的蘆葦」和「將殘的燈火」(以賽亞書42:3),並完全離開教會。通常,他們不了解自己為何會離開的原因。
3壓傷的蘆葦,他不折斷;將殘的燈火,他不吹滅。他憑真實將公理傳開。