聖徒們成功的原因

全體聖徒日

哥林多後書12:9
他對我說:「我的恩典夠你用的,因為我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。」所以,我更喜歡誇自己的軟弱,好叫基督的能力覆庇我。


當我看到聖徒們的軟弱之處時,我就甚為高興。這對我們大家也是十分有益的。因為對比他們英雄事蹟、不同尋常的堅韌和其他美德,他們的軟弱榜樣對我們更是必要,又帶給我們許多安慰。
譬如,大衛殺死巨人歌利亞、一頭熊、獅子等等,並沒有教導我甚麼。因為我無法效法這些事情。它們遠超我的力量和意志。雖然這些偉業體現他們的能力和英雄氣概,卻與我們無關,因為對我們來說,這些事太過崇高,我們無力匹敵,無法仿效。
但是,當這些聖徒遭遇軟弱、罪孽、不安、和試煉時,當我讀到大衛的埋怨、哭泣、恐懼、和絕望的感受時,我就十分振作,大得安慰。
因為,我看到:即使他們受到如此驚嚇,惶恐萬分,他們不但沒有滅亡,反而因為得到上帝的應許,身心得鼓舞。於是,我得到這樣的結論:雖然,聖徒們也曾與地獄搏鬥,良心受驚恐,掙扎不安,他們的言語透露內心真實的感受,就如同他們根本就沒有上帝的承諾一般,但是,無一例外,上帝的道最終保守了他們,維繫了他們。——馬丁路德(AW 5:254)《創世記》講義(1541-1542年間)

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, 「My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.」 Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.


Why The Saints Succeeded

It pleases me greatly and is salutary for us to hear of the weaknesses of the saints, for these examples of weakness are more necessary for us and bring more consolation than the examples of that heroic and very great fortitude and other virtues. Thus the fact that David killed Goliath, a bear, a lion, etc., does not edify me much. For I cannot imitate such things, since they surpass my strength and all my thinking. Although they commend the saints in their strength and heroic fortitude, they do not concern us; for they are too sublime for us to be able to match or imitate them. But when examples of weakness, sins, trepidation, and trials are set forth in the saints—as when I read David’s complaints, sobs, fears, and feelings of despair—they buoy me up in a wonderful manner and give great consolation. For I see how they, fearful and terrified though they were, did not perish but buoyed themselves up with the promises they had received; and from this I conclude that there is no need for me to despair either. For in this struggle with hell, in fears and struggles of conscience, they feel and speak as if they had no promises at all. Nevertheless, they are finally preserved and sustained by the Word. (AW 5:254) (Lectures On Genesis, Year of 1541-1542)