今日真道聖言/2013年6月3日

威斯敏斯特大要理問答

78問：信徒在今生不能完全成聖，原因從何而來？

答：信徒在今生不能完全成聖，原因來自他們生命中餘留的罪，埋伏作祟，並且肉體情慾持續的與聖靈相爭；他們常受試探攻擊而犯罪跌倒。所以，他們一切的屬靈事奉，都受到阻礙；即使是最佳的善行，在神眼中仍是不完全而且是污損的。

Q. 78. Whence ariseth the imperfection of sanctification in believers?

A. The imperfection of sanctification in believers ariseth from the remnants of sin abiding in every part of them, and the perpetual lustings of the flesh against the spirit; whereby they are often foiled with temptations, and fall into many sins, are hindered in all their spiritual services, and their best works are imperfect and defiled in the sight of God.

79問：因為真信徒既不完全，又被許多試探罪惡所勝，他們是不是會從蒙恩的狀態中失落？

答：因為神永不改變的愛，祂的旨意和聖約賜給他們恆久忍耐的能力，他們與基督的連合是無法分開的，基督持續地為他們代求，聖靈與神的道種住在他們心裡；所以真信徒，最終不會也完全不會從蒙恩的狀態中墮落，乃是蒙神的能力保守，借著信心而得救到底。

Q. 79. May not true believers, by reason of their imperfections, and the many temptations and sins they are overtaken with, fall away from the state of grace?

A. True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God, and his decree and covenant to give them perseverance, their inseparable union with Christ, his continual intercession for them, and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

80問：真信徒是否能無誤的確信自己有蒙恩的身分，並且在其中能堅忍到底而至終得救？

答：是的。凡是真心相信基督，並且竭力以全然清潔的良心行在祂面前的人，可以毫無疑問的確信：他們有蒙恩的身分，並且必能在其中堅忍到底而至終得救。他們有此確據，並非是借著超常的啟示，乃是：

（1）借著信心，此信是根據神所應許的真理；並且

（2）借著聖靈 ，使他們能分辨自己裡面所得到的諸般恩典，即所賜的生命應許；聖靈與他們的心同證他們是神的兒女。

Q. 80. Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and that they shall persevere therein unto salvation?

A. Such as truly believe in Christ, and endeavor to walk in all good conscience before him, may, without extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded upon the truth of God's promises, and by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of life are made, and bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God, be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and shall persevere therein unto salvation.

81問：所有真信徒，是否每時刻都確知，自己正在蒙恩的景況中，而且至終必得救？

答：因為蒙恩得救的確據，並非信心的本質，所以真信徒可能要等一段長時間，才會得著確據。他們在享受此確據之後，由於遭到各種身心疾病、罪惡、試探、離棄，可能使他們對此確據的感受，減少或中斷。然而，他們絕不會失去神的靈之同在與扶持，祂必保守他們免於陷入徹底絕望之中。

Q. 81. Are all true believers at all times assured of their present being in the estate of grace, and that they shall be saved?

A. Assurance of grace and salvation not being of the essence of faith, true believers may wait long before they obtain it; and, after the enjoyment thereof, may have it weakened and intermitted, through manifold distempers, sins, temptations, and desertions; yet are they never left without such a presence and support of the Spirit of God as keeps them from sinking into utter despair.