基督徒的失望 The Disappointment of Christians

【失望/希望系列（三）】
基督徒的失望（瑪5:17-19）

保祿宗徒教訓我們說：「今後為那些在基督耶穌內的人，已無罪可定，因為在基督耶穌內賜與生命之神的法律，已使我獲得自由，脫離了罪惡與死亡的法律」（羅8:1-2）。如果我們沒有理解錯，基督徒，即保祿在《羅馬書》所說的「在基督耶穌內的人」，不用再遵守「罪惡與死亡的法律」，祇要奉行耶穌基督所賜予的彼此相愛的新誡命（若13:34）—這彼此相愛的新誡命，就是「基督耶穌內賜與生命之神的法律」。這法律使我們獲得自由，脫離了罪惡與死亡的法律；即梅瑟的法律，舊約的法律。簡而言之，基督徒祇要履行彼此相愛的誡命，就不用再死守舊約的法律了，就「無罪可定」了！但耶穌基督卻在今天的福音，告訴祂的門徒，天主並沒有廢除梅瑟的法律和先知的教訓，（瑪5:17a），真令基督徒大失所望！我們滿以為祗要遵守耶穌基督所教導的最大誡命（22:37-40），再不用死守其餘的611條舊約的規條，諸如守安息日、十一奉獻和繁瑣的取潔規矩等。我們是否理解錯了保祿的教訓呢？還是理解錯了耶穌基督的教訓，以至出現了守法律又不守法律的矛盾呢？

其實，耶穌基督來不是為廢除法律和先知，而是來肯定它、應驗它。即是說，人按《法律Torah》和《先知書》的指導來生活，已經足以獲得救恩。天主在西乃山頒布「十誡」，十句指導性的說話；梅瑟再按現實生活演繹成《梅瑟五書》；後世的法利塞人和法學士，更進一步梳理出613條法律規條，供以色列人遵守，從而獲得救贖。天主子耶穌基督肯定了梅瑟、眾先知和法利塞人的貢獻，正如祂自己說：「我來不是為廢除，而是為成全」（5:17b），祂來是為履行祂在這些文獻中所應許的諾言。所以祂指出613條法律中最大的誡命，並且在最後晚餐，再三叮囑祂的門徒要彼此相愛，以愛德的精神，履行令人獲得自由的法律，而不是令人死亡的法律！因為按愛德的精神履行法律，令人自由，令人無罪。缺乏了愛德的精神死守規條，祇會步向死亡！

親愛的讀者，在彼此相愛之中，沒有矛盾，反而充滿希望，朝著天主的許諾邁進。亞孟。
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝： ideogram.ai

Disappointment & Hope Series (III)
The Disappointment of Christians (Matthew 5:17-19)

St. Paul teaches us that, “Hence, now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed you from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2). If we understand correctly, Christians, whom Paul refers to as “those who are in Christ Jesus”, do not need to observe “the law of sin and death”. We only need to practise the “love one another” commandment given by Jesus Christ (John 13:34). This “love one another” commandment is the “law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus”. The law of sin and death is the Mosaic Law, the Torah of the Old Testament. Christ’s commandment frees us from the law of sin and death. Simply put, Christians only need to practise the love one another commandment and do not need to observe the laws of the Old Testament. Thus, there is no condemnation! However, Jesus Christ tells us in today’s gospel that God has not abolished the Mosaic Law and the teachings of the prophets (Matthew 5:17a). How disappointing it is for Christians! We think that we only need to observe the greatest commandment taught by Jesus Christ (22:37-40), then we don’t need to practise the remaining 611 Old Testament regulations and precepts such as Sabbath observance, tithe offering and meticulous cleansing rituals etc. Have we misunderstood Paul’ teachings? Or Jesus’ so that a contradiction arises as to observe or not to observe?

In fact, Jesus Christ does not come to abolish the Torah and the teachings of the prophets but to affirm them and fulfil them. That is to say, leading our lives according to the guidance of the Torah and the Prophets suffice our salvation. The Ten Commandments God gave on Mount Sinai were ten guiding instructions for us to lead our lives. Moses concretized them into the Torah. Pharisees and scribes in latter ages distilled 613 regulations and precepts for the ease of observance for the Jews in order to attain redemption. The Son of God Jesus Christ affirms the contributions of Moses and Pharisees. Just as what He Himself says, “I do not come to abolish but to fulfill” (5:17b). He came to honour the pledges God made in the Scriptures. Thus, He points out which among the 613 regulations is the greatest commandment. Moreover, during the Last Super, He commands His disciples to love one another, to observe the law in the spirit of charity, not to practise the law of death. It is because practising the law with charity frees us from condemnation. Observe the law to the letters without love will only lead to death!

Beloved readers! There is no contradiction in loving one another. On the contrary, we are moving towards God’s pledges in full-fledged hope. Amen.
God bless!