| 有趣的是，整本聖經中，神對罪的態度非常一致，祂的邀請也始終如一。祂絕不寬容罪，可是，卻隨時準備好赦免那些謙卑在祂面前、承認自己的罪、尋求祂寬恕的人。 事實是，不管聖經如何指斥人的罪，它也同時指出解決的方法。例如，聖經若用「罪債」來形容人的罪，神說，只要人肯接受，基督已為我們償還了罪債。又例如，若說犯罪就是違反律法，那麼基督已代替我們接受了刑罰。每次提到罪，記著我們在基督裡，就有赦罪之途。 在以賽亞書這段經文中，神發出一個非常慷慨的邀請。本章的頭幾節經文清楚描寫以色列人的罪。第2節描述神是父親，祂養大兒女，但兒女卻悖逆祂，令祂非常傷心。第3 節指出，即使是牲畜也認得主人，但以色列人卻不認識祂。罪已完全蒙蔽了他們。 神卻邀請這個充滿罪污的國家來與祂辯論，並向他們作出了一個寶貴的應許。罪已在他們身上留下極深的污漬，但神的應許操詞明確。罪已塗上了炫目的記號，紅如丹顏，深如朱紅。神說甚麼呢？祂形容祂的赦罪如雪、如洗淨的羊毛。白雪落下，遮蓋一切──不論是一條道路，還是一堆垃圾，全都被遮蓋了。但若神的應許僅止於此，有人會覺得還不足夠。 神繼續應許，祂會處理罪本身，把罪污徹底洗淨。並不是因為基督的工作把罪掩蓋了，我們因而被神悅納；而是神的兒子，基督的寶血洗淨了我們一切的不義。這豈不是既奇妙又全備的救恩嗎？何不現在就再次衷心感謝神，為著這有一天將帶領我們進天家，永遠與祂同在的全備的救恩計劃！ |
| It is interesting that throughout the Bible God's attitude toward sin is always the same. God's invitations are just as consistent. He never condones sin but He is always ready to forgive those who come humbly to Him, acknowledging their sin and seeking forgiveness. It is also true that no matter how sin is described in the Bible; the remedy is also stated in similar terms. For example if sin is spoken of as a debt, God says that debt is paid in Christ for those who will accept it. If it is described as the breaking of the law, Christ has paid the penalty for us. Each time sin is described, remember the remedy is there in Christ. Here in Isaiah God issues a very gracious invitation. In the first verses of the chapter, Israel's sin is clearly pictured. In verse 2 God is a father who has brought up children but they have proved rebellious and a sad disappointment. In verse 3 even animals acknowledge the hand which feeds them, but Israel does not. Sin has taken over completely. But God invites this sinning nation to come and talk the matter over and makes a wonderful promise. Here sin has left a deep stain but the words used in God's promise are so reassuring. Sin has left a glaring mark which is as red as scarlet and as dark as crimson. What does God say? He likens forgiveness to snow or the washing of wool. Snow covers whatever it falls on - whether it is a road or a garbage heap, it covers it all. But if God had left the promise there, some might think it was insufficient. God goes on. He will deal with the sin itself with a washing that cleanses it all away. It is not only covered by the work of Christ and we therefore are accepted before God. But the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Isn't that a remarkable, complete salvation? Why not take time now to thank God again for this total plan of salvation which one day will lead us on into heaven to be with Him forever? |
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