各位弟兄姊妹，平安。今天的讀經進度是申命記的第四章44節至第五章的第十節。
第五章直接開始談到了十誡，這也是最為人熟知的誡命。一開始，我們看到摩西告訴以色列人，這些誡命不僅僅是要聽，還要學習。在第三節中，他強調這不是與我們的列祖所立的約，而是在我們現在在這裡存活的人面前所立的。這十誡是以色列人所有律法的基礎，可以說是最重要、最基本的律法根源。我們可以看出，這十誡具有普世價值，但只有那些相信上帝的人才能真正理解這些誡命所帶來的價值和意義。讓我們仔細地探討這些誡命，並一一分析、討論、思考。
十誡可以分為上下兩半部分，前四條是關於對上帝的義務，而後六條則涉及人與人之間的關係。現在我們先討論前四條誡命，然後明天我們將繼續討論關於人際關係的六條誡命。
我們從基督徒的角度來看第一誡，也就是「除了我，你不可有別的神。」這是建立一個專一信仰的基石。在以色列當時所處的地區，信仰非常多元，有眾多的神祇崇拜。上帝告訴以色列人，除了祂以外，不可敬拜其他神明，這是建立一個唯一神論的基礎。在當時的環境中，許多地方也存在著多元宗教信仰，這使得第一誡尤其重要。
當我們將這條誡命應用到今天的基督徒生活中，我們會發現有時不僅僅是宗教上的神可以成為「神」。我們很容易將金錢、權力、世俗事物等視為神，並且將它們放在我們的生活中的至高地位。正如我們昨天所討論的，當我們將任何東西取代上帝的位置時，我們就把它變成偶像，並將它視為我們的「神」，這是危險的。
第一誡提醒我們建立價值觀的根基應該是專一信仰，將上帝置於最高的地位。當我們的價值觀建立在這個根基上，我們接下來所建立的生活架構才能夠穩固。
第二條也是非常重要的，不可以把神雕刻成偶像，也不可以有形象，無論是在天上、地下、水中的東西都是如此。你可能會說，這跟第一誡不是不是一樣嗎？我們在出埃及記32章看到，以色列人自作主張鑄造一個金牛犢，說這就是上帝，大大得罪神。因為當我們試圖將神限制在特定形象中時，這涉及兩個層面的含義。首先，我們將神降低，將祂從統治者和創造者的地位降為被造物的形象。其次，我們在潛意識中顯示出私心，當我們試圖將神限制在特定物體中時，這實際上是在嘗試操控神，好像我們可以隨心所欲地掌握祂，好像神被困在某個木頭或石頭中一樣。這樣的做法是在告訴我們的潛意識，我們要讓神聽從我們的話，而不是專心聽從神的話。信仰的旅程實際上是我們努力追尋神的話語，並讓祂的話語改變我們，而不是希望神按照我們的欲望和解釋來行動。我們必須順服神的話語，這是一個至關重要的原則。有時候，教會可能傾向於選擇講授一些容易接受的信息，而忽略了一些艱深或不那麼受歡迎的信息，比如說認罪悔改，比如說律法。但這是不正確的。因為信仰的過程是要將我們引導回到神的身邊，而不是將神納入人的範疇之中，我們應該仔細思考這一點。
所以，我們應該格外謹慎，教會強調上帝是愛，這當然是正確的，但這只是一部分。因為上帝也是絕對公義的，這一點同樣重要。上帝對罪的追究態度從未改變，他過去如此，今天仍然如此。我們之所以能夠擺脫罪的後果，並不是因為我們的功勞，而是因為耶穌基督的功勞。因此，在基督裡，我們得以解脫，但這並不意味著我們應該放任自己去犯罪。我們仍然生活在這個世界上，仍然處在軟弱的肉體中，因此仍然有可能犯罪。這是我們需要特別警惕的地方。因為有了耶穌基督，我們不再害怕上帝的懲罰，但我們必須警惕自己仍有犯罪的可能性。愛與公義並不衝突，而是完美共存的。
第三條是「不可妄稱耶和華你神的名」。這句話很多時候我們可能會以為只是指在英文罵人或者亂用上帝的名，但實際上，我們還有其他方式可能在亂用上帝的名。我們要小心，在不適當的時候、以不適當的心態使用上帝的名。我們知道上帝的名是大有能力的，但是當我們在使用耶穌的名時，我們必須謹慎。無論是在禱告中、為他人代求，或者是在做事情時，我們都應該謹慎地使用上帝的名。我們不應該將耶穌的名當作咒語，誤以為大聲念出來就會有更大的效果。這是不應該隨意亂用的。
第四條是關於守安息日為聖日的教導。我想多做一些解釋。在以色列中，守安息日是一個相當重要的問題。在民數記15章34節，記載了一個撿柴的人被帶到摩西那裡，整個會眾將他用石頭打死，這顯示了當時對違反安息日的嚴厲懲罰。在今天的以色列，仍然有守安息日的規矩。
然而，在新約時代，基督徒的觀點有所不同。安息日的重要性在於精神，而不僅僅是形式。在基督裡，我們認為安息日的真義是精神上的安息，而不是形式上的遵守。在馬太福音12章，記載了耶穌治癒了一位手枯乾的人，在這時，法利賽人控告耶穌在安息日施行工作。馬可福音2章也談到了類似的情況，耶穌強調安息日是為人設立的，而不是人為安息日而設立的。因此，我們應該明白安息日的真正意義是上帝為我們設立的休息時間，而不是一種強加的約束。
在十誡中，關於安息日的，它只教導我們在聖日不應當工作。然而，在耶穌來到的時代，數百年來猶太人已經添加了大量關於何謂工作的規定，包括走多遠、拿多重、做什麼事情被定義為工作。然而，上帝設立安息日的目的是讓我們學會休息，讓我們按照他的榜樣來安息，正如他在七天中創造後休息一樣。這不是因為上帝需要休息，而是為了告訴人類，你們也應該休息。這對於人類的生理和心理健康都非常重要，特別是在現代社會，24小時每週7天的工作和無窮無盡的娛樂選項讓人們忘記了休息的重要性。因此，過勞在現代社會變得越來越普遍，因為人們已經失去了休息的概念和機會。
在這個現代社會，我們無法改變這個世界的現況，但基督徒更應該關注安息日的精神意義，即放下一切，不再依賴自己的雙手拼命工作，否則我們就像把自己當作上帝一樣，違背了安息日的精神。雖然我們不會受到直接的懲罰，但我們的身體和心靈會受到自然規律的懲罰，我們會感到疲憊和憂鬱，因為我們沒有休息。
安息日的真正意義在於心理上的休息。當我們把一切都放下，將一天專門獻給上帝，我們在這一天尊崇他為神。這並不是說其他日子不應該尊崇上帝，但安息日是一個特別的日子，我們在這一天將一切放下，專心與所愛的人和上帝分享。如果我們連一天都抽不出來尊崇上帝，那麼我們是否已經過度勞累，將自己的慾望置於首位？
所以，我必須強調，參加主日聚會並不是律法。 身為一位牧師，我當然希望您能夠定期參加主日聚會和平日的小組聚會，因為這對您的靈命成長和心靈健康非常重要。 但您擁有自由選擇的權利，可以選擇是否參加，以及選擇何時參加，以及參加哪個聚會。 這都應該是個人的決定，教會不應該將這件事變成一種負擔，也不應該強加規定，例如說如果您不參加聚會就得不到神的喜悅等等。 這樣的言論實際上是在把人為的規則強加於人身上，而我們應該回歸安息日的精神，讓人們真正能夠休息，並鼓勵他們參加主日聚會，以在神面前得到靈性的安息。
好，這些都是我們可以從十誡中學到的教訓，讓我們思考有關上帝的本性，上帝對我們的要求以及上帝對我們的期望。 你會發現，每一個誡命的出發點都是保護和照顧，要我們抓住重要的原則，要我們有正確的價值觀。每一句都是為了幫助我們真誠地信仰，順服上帝，而不是期望上帝順服於我們。 這是信仰中非常關鍵的一點。所以當我們反思信仰時，我們應該明白稱上帝為主的含義，就是他的話語我們要聽從，我們不應該與主爭執。 在我們的信仰生活中，順服上帝並不簡單，因為我們常常有自己的主張，但信仰成熟的過程就是學會更多地順服上帝。 感謝大家的聆聽，明天我們將繼續討論關於十誡的另外六條誡命。
Dear brothers and sisters, peace be with you. Today's reading progress takes us from Deuteronomy 4:44 to Deuteronomy 5:10.
Chapter 5 begins with the Ten Commandments, which are also the most well-known commandments. Right from the start, we see Moses telling the Israelites that these commandments are not just meant to be heard but also to be learned. In verse 3, he emphasizes that these commandments are not part of the covenant with their ancestors but are established before the people living here today. These Ten Commandments form the foundation of all the laws for the Israelites and can be considered the cornerstone of their legal system. We can see that these commandments hold universal values, but true understanding of their value and significance comes to those who believe in God. Let's examine these commandments carefully and discuss, analyze, and contemplate each one.
The Ten Commandments can be divided into two parts: the first four commandments are about our duties toward God, and the remaining six involve our relationships with others. Today, we'll focus on the first four commandments, and tomorrow, we'll continue discussing the remaining six related to interpersonal relationships.
Looking at the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me," from a Christian perspective, it serves as the cornerstone of a monotheistic faith. In the context of ancient Israel, there was a wide variety of belief systems with numerous deities being worshipped. God instructed the Israelites not to worship any other gods besides Him, establishing the foundation of monotheistic belief. In the environment of that time, many regions practiced diverse religious beliefs, making the first commandment particularly crucial.
When we apply this commandment to the lives of modern-day Christians, we realize that it's not limited to religious gods alone. We can easily make idols out of money, power, worldly possessions, and other aspects of our lives, placing them at the forefront of our existence. As we discussed yesterday, when we replace God with anything else, we turn it into an idol and treat it as our "god," which is dangerous.
The first commandment reminds us that the foundation of our values should be a monotheistic faith, placing God in the highest position. When our values are built on this foundation, the life structures we build upon it can remain solid.
The second commandment is also of utmost importance. It states that we should not make carved images or any likeness of God, whether in heaven, on earth, or in the water. When we try to confine God within specific images, this carries two layers of meaning. Firstly, we diminish God by reducing Him from the position of ruler and creator to the image of a created being. Secondly, it reveals our subconscious selfishness. When we attempt to limit God to a particular object, we are essentially trying to control Him, as if we can manipulate Him as we wish, as if God is trapped within some piece of wood or stone. Such an approach indicates to our subconscious that we want God to obey our commands rather than us wholeheartedly obeying His commands.
The journey of faith is about diligently seeking God's Word and allowing His Word to transform us, rather than hoping that God will act according to our desires and interpretations. We must obey God's Word, and this is a crucial principle. Sometimes, churches may lean towards teaching more readily accepted messages and overlook some challenging or less popular messages, such as repentance and the law. However, this is incorrect because the process of faith is about guiding us back to God, rather than incorporating God into the realm of human desires. We should reflect on this carefully.
Therefore, we must be particularly cautious. While the church emphasizes that God is love, which is correct, it's only one aspect of God's nature. God is also absolutely just, and this is equally important. God's attitude towards sin has never changed; it remains the same today as it was in the past. The reason we can escape the consequences of sin is not due to our efforts but because of the work of Jesus Christ. In Christ, we find liberation, but it doesn't mean we should indulge in sin. We still live in this world, in our weak flesh, and thus, we still have the potential to sin. This is an area where we need to be particularly vigilant. With Jesus Christ, we no longer fear God's punishment, but we must be watchful of our own potential for sin. Love and justice are not in conflict; they coexist perfectly.
The third commandment is "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God." This statement is often interpreted as referring to swearing or using God's name in vain in English, but there are other ways in which we might misuse God's name. We should be cautious about using God's name at inappropriate times or with inappropriate attitudes. We know that God's name is powerful, and when using the name of Jesus, we should do so with care. Whether in prayer, intercession for others, or in our actions, we should use God's name responsibly. We should not treat the name of Jesus as a mere exclamation, thinking that loudly uttering it will have a greater effect. This is something we should not use casually.
The fourth commandment deals with the instruction to keep the Sabbath day holy. I'd like to provide some additional explanation on this matter. In Israel, observing the Sabbath day was a matter of great significance. In Numbers 15:34, there is an account of a man caught gathering wood on the Sabbath day, and the entire assembly stoned him to death, demonstrating the severe punishment for breaking the Sabbath at that time.
However, in the New Testament era, the perspective of Christians shifted. The significance of the Sabbath lies in its spiritual aspect, not just the formal observance. In Christ, we understand that the true essence of the Sabbath is spiritual rest, not just a formal adherence to rules. In Matthew 12, it is recorded that Jesus healed a man with a withered hand, and the Pharisees accused Him of working on the Sabbath. Mark 2 also describes a similar situation where Jesus emphasized that the Sabbath was made for man and not the other way around. Therefore, we should understand that the true meaning of the Sabbath is the rest that God has set aside for us, rather than a rigid imposition of rules.
In the Ten Commandments, the instruction regarding the Sabbath simply teaches us not to work on the Sabbath day. However, by the time of Jesus, Jewish tradition had added many regulations about what constitutes work, including how far one can walk, how much weight one can carry, and what activities are defined as work. Nevertheless, the purpose of God in establishing the Sabbath is to teach us to rest, to follow His example of resting after creating for six days. It's not because God needs rest but to tell humanity that they should also rest. This is crucial for human physical and psychological well-being, especially in modern society where 24/7 work and endless entertainment options have caused people to forget the importance of rest. Therefore, the issue of overwork has become increasingly common in modern society because people have lost the concept and opportunity for rest.
In this modern society, we may not be able to change the current state of the world, but as Christians, we should pay special attention to the spiritual significance of the Sabbath or the concept of resting. This means setting aside our own efforts and not relying solely on our own work. Otherwise, we risk placing ourselves in a position similar to that of God, which goes against the spirit of the Sabbath. While we may not face direct punishment for this, our bodies and minds can suffer the consequences of disregarding the natural order. We may become tired and experience feelings of depression because we fail to rest.
The true meaning of the Sabbath lies in psychological rest. When we set aside everything and dedicate a day exclusively to God, we honor Him as our Lord. This doesn't mean we shouldn't honor God on other days, but the Sabbath is a special day where we set everything aside and focus on sharing it with our loved ones and God. If we cannot spare even a single day to honor God in this way, it may indicate that we have become overly consumed by our desires and neglected the importance of rest.
Therefore, I must emphasize that attending Sunday worship is not a matter of law. As a pastor, I certainly hope that you will regularly participate in Sunday worship and weekday small group meetings because they are essential for your spiritual growth and well-being. However, you have the freedom to choose whether to attend, when to attend, and which gatherings to join. These decisions should be personal, and the church should not turn this into a burden or impose rules, such as suggesting that you won't receive God's favor if you don't attend. Such statements are essentially imposing human-made regulations on individuals, and we should return to the spirit of the Sabbath, allowing people to truly rest and encouraging them to participate in Sunday worship to find spiritual rest in God's presence.
These are the lessons we can learn from the Ten Commandments. Let us reflect on the nature of God, His requirements, and His expectations for us. You will find that each commandment is rooted in protection and care, guiding us to grasp essential principles and develop the right values. Each commandment is designed to help us genuinely believe and obey God, rather than expecting God to obey us. This is a crucial aspect of faith. So when we contemplate our faith, we should understand that calling God "Lord" means His Word should be heeded, and we should not contend with the Lord. In our life of faith, obedience to God is not always easy, as we often have our own convictions. However, the process of mature faith is learning to submit more to God. Thank you all for listening, and tomorrow we will continue discussing the other six commandments of the Ten Commandments.
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