大使命13

不法

這週我們將繼續談到主對門訓最具挑戰性的陳述，在這裡我並不打算把門訓說得比原意更難，而是合乎原意。若沒有按原意來看，有可能會把我們置於最大的危險中。我的基本目標是在審判那日聽見：『主人說：好，你這又良善又忠心的僕人。』（馬太福音25：21）不單是為我自己，也為你們。

上週我們開始提到其中一個主所做具挑戰性的陳述；在馬太福音七章21-23節說：

凡稱呼我主啊，主啊的人不能都進天國；惟獨遵行我天父旨意的人才能進去。 
當那日必有許多人對我說：主啊，主啊，我們不是奉祢的名傳道，奉祢的名趕鬼，奉祢的名行許多異能嗎？ 

我就明明的告訴他們說：我從來不認識你們，你們這些作惡的人，離開我去吧！

上週我們討論到這段經文裡『認識』(know)這個字，現在我們要來討論『不法/作惡』(lawlessness)，它可能是讓我們無法進入天國最可怕的審判。在馬太福音廿四章12-13節，主說不法與末日的徵兆有關：

只因不法的事增多，許多人的愛心才漸漸冷淡了。
惟有忍耐到底的，必然得救。

顯然這裡主所指的不是未信者，因為他們並沒有對祂漸漸冷淡的愛。這將會在祂百姓中間發生，祂並不是說只會發生在一些人中間，而是發生在多數人中間。要按字面意思來詮釋此經文，這是唯一比較安全的詮釋，此意謂超過一半以上的基督徒很可能無法進天國。花一點時間想想，此會發生全因為一個事實─不法。

研究顯示在重生的基督徒與未信者之間，不再有品格與行為上的明顯區別。基督徒和非基督徒一樣會說謊、欺騙，也一樣會有不當的性關係。福音派教徒的離婚率和非基督徒一樣；真門徒不但會有不同的行為表現─他們就是與眾不同。

基督徒本應成為對抗黑暗的大光，就像座落在山上的城市。倘若黑暗佔優勢，那是因為光沒有發亮。這不單是在一些議題上改變人的想法，贏得人心；更是彰顯出一個充滿榮耀、與眾不同和更好的生活方式。

不法是基督肢體黯淡無光、基督徒失去起初的愛的主要原因。此發生在許多基督徒身上，很有可能是因為他們根本不知道聖經對不法的定義。聖經警告我們，許多人所做之事會在末世帶來神在地上的忿怒，他們甚至不知道這些事是錯的。

倘若我們有聖經，或可以取得聖經，我們便沒有藉口說自己從來沒有被教導這些事。倘若我們真的愛神超越一切，我們會竭盡所能知道祂所同意或反對的事。在每週一話中，我們將會檢視此，這週我將以加拉太書五章19-24節作為結束。

情慾的事都是顯而易見的，就如姦淫、污穢、邪蕩、
拜偶像、邪術、仇恨、爭競、忌恨、惱怒、結黨、紛爭、異端、
嫉妒（有古卷在此有：兇殺二字）、醉酒、荒宴等類。我從前告訴你們，現在又告訴你們，行這樣事的人必不能承受神的國。
聖靈所結的果子，就是仁愛、喜樂、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信實、
溫柔、節制。這樣的事沒有律法禁止。
凡屬基督耶穌的人，是已經把肉體連肉體的邪情私慾同釘在十字架上了。

(摘自喬納 word for the week, Week 13, 2013)


Lawlessness - The Great Commission, Part 13
Week 13, 2013 
Rick Joyner

This week we will continue with some of the most challenging statements of the Lord that involve our discipleship. This is not intended to make it harder than it is, but to make it as hard as it really is. Not to see it as it is can put us in the greatest jeopardy of all. A basic goal I have is to stand at the Judgment Day and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (see Matthew 25:21 NIV) not just for myself but for every one of you as well. 

Last week we began to address one of these challenging statements made by the Lord. Matthew 7:21-23 states:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 
“Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 
“And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’"

Last week we discussed the word for “know” in this text. Now we will discuss the “lawlessness” that can cause us to come to this most terrible judgment of not being allowed entry into the kingdom of heaven. In Matthew 24:12-13, the Lord says this in relation to the signs of the end of this age:

“And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. 
“But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.”

Obviously He is not saying this about unbelievers because they do not have a love for Him to grow cold. This will happen to His people. He does not say that it will happen to some, or even many, but most. To literally interpret this text, which is the only safe way to interpret it, means that more than half of all Christians we know are likely to be excluded from the kingdom of heaven. Take a moment to think about that. This will happen all because of this one factor—lawlessness.

Studies now show that there is no longer a distinguishable difference in the character and behavior of those who claim to be born-again Christians and unbelievers. Christians are just as likely to lie, cheat, and have illicit sexual relationships as non-believers. The divorce rate for evangelical Christians is now about the same as for non-believers. True disciples not only behave different—they are different.

Christians are supposed to stand out as bright lights against the increasing darkness, even like a city set on a hill. If the darkness is prevailing, it is because the light is not shining. This is more than just changing minds and winning the hearts of people on issues; it is about demonstrating a gloriously different and better way to live.

Lawlessness is the main reason for the dimming light in the body of Christ and for Christians losing their love for the Lord. It is probable that this is happening to many Christians because they do not even know the biblical definition for lawlessness. Many are practicing things that we are warned will bring the wrath of God upon the earth at the end, and they do not even know these things are wrong.

If we have a Bible, or access to one, we cannot use the excuse that we were never taught these things. If we truly love God above all else, we will do what it takes to find out what He approves or disapproves. We will examine this in our study. This week I will leave you with Galatians 5:19-24:

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery,
enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 
envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned
you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control; against such things there is no law. 
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."