不懼刑罰的兒子的靈
唯有那些從「行善避惡」的律法下得解放出來的人,不怕律法的威脅和律法的承諾的人。他們既不害怕懲罰,也不期盼獎賞。
「不在律法以下」不是說:我們有自由可以按照我們罪惡本性,自由行惡,罔顧善行了。
「不在律法以下」的意思是:我們在行善避惡的時候,並非因為害怕,並非因為律法的限制和要求,而是完全因為純粹的愛和自願的靈。
不在律法之下的自由,是因為自願行善的靈,如同沒有律法,如同我們的本性就是要行善一般。
唯有那些從「行善避惡」的律法下得解放出來的人,不怕律法的威脅和律法的承諾的人。他們既不害怕懲罰,也不期盼獎賞。他們是自願的。自願在愛中,追求良善,恨惡邪惡,因為他們喜悅上帝的律法。甚至在沒有律法的情況下,他們也不會做不一樣的事情。他們只會在同一個靈的驅動下,行善避惡。這樣的人真是(上帝的)孩子。人類的本性不能創造這樣的靈。這樣的人根源來自亞伯拉罕的子孫。
基督的祝福賜予這樣自願的性情。自願是祂的恩典的結果,是聖靈的影響。——馬丁路德
摘自《1522年的講道》
Therefore, “not under the Law” does not mean liberty to do evil and to neglect good as we feel inclined. It means doing good and avoiding evil, not in consequence of fear, not from the restraints and requirements of the Law, but from pure love and a willing spirit. Freedom from the Law involves a spirit which would voluntarily do only good, as if the Law did not exist and our nature were prone to do good.
But they who are liberated from the Law do good and avoid evil, regardless of the threats and promises of the Law–not from fear of punishment or expectation of reward. They act voluntarily, from love for the good and hatred of the evil, because they delight in the Law of God. Even were there no Law, they would not have it otherwise, and be prompted by the same spirit to do good and abstain from evil. Such are really children. Human nature cannot create that spirit; it has origin with the seed of Abraham.
The blessing of Christ gives the willing disposition. Willingness is the result of his grace and of the influence of the Holy Spirit.—-Martin Luther
來源 http://www.martinluthersermons.com/sermons17.html
A Sermon by Martin Luther; taken from his Church Postil of 1522.