罗马书生命读经 · 第57篇

义─福音的大能

Righteousness—the power of the gospel

1我们已经看过，罗马书乃是儿子名分的福音。然而，这卷书还论到另一件重要的事，就是义。保罗在一章十六至十七节说，这福音本是神的大能，要救一切信的人，因为神的义在这福音上显示出来。在本篇信息中，我们要来看为甚么义是福音的大能，以及为甚么神要藉著福音产生许多的儿子，就必须有义。基督在十字架上的死

1We have seen that the book of Romans is the gospel of sonship. However, in this book another important matter is covered, and that is the matter of righteousness. In 1:16 and 17 Paul says that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes, because the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. In this message we shall see why righteousness is the power of the gospel and why righteousness is necessary in order for God to produce many sons through the gospel. THE REQUIREMENTS OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS

满足神公义的要求

FULFILLED BY CHRIST’S DEATH ON THE CROSS

2在已过的永远里，神就豫定我们成为祂的儿子。但我们虽然是蒙了豫定的人，却堕落了，陷在罪里。这就产生神的义这问题。我们若没有堕落，就不需要担心义这件事。然而我们堕落了，神就必须照著祂的义来对待我们。神该如何对待那些祂豫定作祂儿子的人？有些人会说，因为神爱我们，祂就不会把我们都丢到火湖里。不错，神爱我们，但祂却恨恶罪。神不愿意放弃我们，也不愿意把我们丢到火湖里。不过，祂的义若不能得著满足，祂就不能赦免我们。神若轻易的赦免我们，祂就是把自己摆在不义的地位上。神是公义的神、公正的神，若是祂公义的要求不能得著满足，祂就不能赦免罪人。要使神能赦免我们，神的儿子基督就成为肉体。正如八章三节所说，神在罪之肉体的样式里，差来了自己的儿子。藉著成为肉体，主穿上了罪之肉体的样式，与肉体中的罪人联合。为著神的义的缘故，主耶稣在十字架上被治死。在十字架上，祂替我们成为罪，神也在肉体中定罪了罪。主替我们死，就成功了救赎，满足了神一切义的要求。如今神有地位，能彀公义的赦免我们。事实上，祂不仅能彀赦免我们，因著祂义的缘故，祂也必须赦免我们。神所以赦免我们，主要还不是因为祂爱我们，乃是因为祂的义限制祂必须这么作。

2In eternity past God predestinated us to be His sons. However, although we were the predestinated ones, we became fallen and involved with sin. This brings in the matter of God’s righteousness. If we had not fallen, we would not need to be concerned with righteousness. But because we are fallen, God must deal with us according to His righteousness. What should God do with those He has predestinated to become His sons? Some may say that because God loves us, He cannot cast us all into the lake of fire. Yes, God loves us, but He hates sin. God does not desire to give us up or to cast us into the lake of fire. However, He cannot forgive us unless His righteousness has been satisfied. If God would forgive us in a light manner, He would place Himself in a position of being unrighteous. As a righteous God and a just God, He cannot forgive sinful people without meeting the demands of His righteousness. In order that God might be able to forgive us, Christ, the Son of God, became flesh. As 8:3 says, God sent His own Son in the likeness of the flesh of sin. By incarnation, the Lord took upon Himself the likeness of the flesh of sin and became identified with sinners in the flesh. For the sake of God’s righteousness, the Lord Jesus was put to death on the cross. There, on the cross, He was made sin for us, and God condemned sin in the flesh. By dying on our behalf the Lord accomplished redemption and fulfilled all of God’s righteous requirements. Now God has the position righteously to forgive us. In fact, He not only can forgive us, but, for the sake of His righteousness, He must forgive us. God forgives not primarily because He loves us, but because He is bound by His righteousness to do so.

3约翰三章十六节说，神因著爱我们，就将祂的独生子赐给我们，叫一切信入祂的，不至灭亡，反得永远的生命。这节指明神救我们，是因为祂爱我们。不但如此，以弗所二章五节和八节告诉我们，我们得救是靠著恩典。但罗马书启示，我们得救不是靠著恩典，也不是因著爱，乃是因著义。爱和恩典都不是律法上的事。你不能根据律法要求人必须爱你或向你施恩。只有在那些和义有关的事上，我们才有地位循法律途径而有所要求。例如，你是房东，我是房客，我每个月必须付你一笔钱作房租。我如果两个月没有付房租，你就有地位可以公义的要求我付房租。我这一面必须付房租，不是出于爱，也不是出于恩典，乃是因著义。在法律上我有付房租的义务。我如果付房租，就是义的；我如果不付房租，就是不义的。

3John 3:16 says that because God loved us, He gave His only begotten Son so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. This verse indicates that God saves us because He loves us. Furthermore, in Ephesians 2:5 and 8 we are told that we are saved by grace. The book of Romans, however, reveals that we are saved not by grace nor by love, but by righteousness. Neither love nor grace is a legal matter. You cannot claim that, according to law, a person is required to love you or to show grace to you. Only with those things which are related to righteousness do we have the position to claim something in a legal way. For example, suppose you are a landlord and I am one of your tenants. Each month I am required to pay you a certain amount of money as rent. If I fail to pay rent for two months, you have the position to righteously claim from me the payment of the rent. On my part, I must pay the rent, not out of love nor out of grace, but out of righteousness. I am legally obligated to pay the rent. If I pay it, I am righteous. But if I do not pay it, I am not righteous

4一面说，主耶稣是被犹太人和罗马人治死；但另一面说，祂乃是被神治死。主在十字架上长达六小时。在前三小时里，祂遭受人的逼迫，人向祂行了许多恶事。但在后三小时里，神将我们所有的罪都归到祂身上，然后审判祂、惩治祂、将祂治死。以赛亚五十三章可以证明这事。神将基督治死，是因为基督在十字架上的后三小时代替了我们。藉著基督的死，神公义的要求就得著满足。因此主能说，『成了！』（约十九30。）主说这话，指明救赎的工作已经完成。殿里的幔子从上到下裂为两半，（太二七51，）就是这事的证明。不仅如此，围绕在基督受死之地的整个景象都变得宁静、安详。有一位财主来把耶稣的身体领去，将祂安葬在坟墓里。（约十九38～42。）因此，主结束受苦后，就安息在坟墓里。基督的死满足了神公义的要求，神就满足了。三天后，神叫基督从死人中复活，这乃是神得著满足的证明。因此，基督的复活证明，祂为我们的代死使神得著满足。

4In one sense, the Lord Jesus was put to death by the Jews and Romans. But in another sense, He was put to death by God. The Lord was on the cross for six hours. During the first three hours, He suffered the persecution of men, who did many evil things to Him. But during the last three hours, God laid all our sins upon Him, and then He judged Him, punished Him, and put Him to death. This is proved by Isaiah 53. God put Christ to death because, during the last three hours on the cross, Christ took our place. Through Christ’s death, God’s righteous requirements were fulfilled. Therefore, the Lord could utter the words, “It is finished” (John 19:30). By saying this, the Lord was indicating that the work of redemption was accomplished. As proof of this, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51). Furthermore, the entire scene surrounding the place of Christ’s death became serene and peaceful. A wealthy man asked for the body of Jesus and buried Him in a tomb (John 19:38). Thus, with His suffering over, the Lord rested in the tomb. The requirements of God’s righteousness had been fulfilled by Christ’s death, and God was satisfied. Three days later, as proof of this satisfaction, God raised Christ from among the dead. Hence, the resurrection of Christ is the proof that God is satisfied with His death on our behalf.

5基督死在十字架上以前，神还有可能改变要赦免我们的罪的心意。祂可以公义的把我们全丢弃。但基督死在十字架上受了神的审判以后，神就不能这样作了。

5Before Christ died on the cross, it was still possible for God to change His mind about forgiving us of our sins. He could righteously have cast us all aside. But after Christ’s death on the cross under the judgment of God, God cannot do this.

神不可能改变祂的心意

IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO CHANGE HIS MIND

6现今基督已经死了，并且已经从死人中复活，神就不可能改变祂要赦免我们的心意。相反的，我们有立场对神说，『神阿，不论你爱不爱我，你都必须赦免我。基督死在十字架上以前，你还可以改变心意。但是祂已经死了，并且你已经叫祂从死人中复活，所以你没有合法的地位拒绝赦免我。神阿，现在你必须赦免我，因为在这件事上，你没有权利改变。你受了你义的限制。』这样，义就是神福音的大能。

6Now that Christ has died and has been raised from among the dead, it is impossible for God to change His mind about forgiving us. Rather, we have the ground to say to Him, “O God, whether You love me or not, You must forgive me. Before Christ died on the cross, You could have changed Your mind. But because He has died and because You have raised Him from among the dead, You have no legal standing to refuse to forgive me. O God, You must forgive me now, for You have no right to change in this matter. You are bound by Your righteousness.” In this way, righteousness is the power of the gospel

我们救恩的根基

THE FOUNDATION OF OUR SALVATION

7爱与恩典都可以改变，但义是坚实而稳固的。神可以爱我们，也可以不爱我们，但祂一定要受祂义的限制。现今基督既然死了，满足了神公义的要求，神就将自己摆在一个地位上，使祂必须受律法的限制。不论祂爱不爱我们，祂自己的义都要求祂非赦免我们不可。因此，我们救恩的根基不是爱，也不是恩典，乃是义。诗篇八十九篇十四节说，『公义和公平，是你宝座的根基。』神宝座的根基，也就是我们救恩的根基。神宝座的根基会动摇么？当然不会！照样，我们救恩的根基也是不能动摇的，因为这根基不是爱，也不是恩典，乃是义。圣经并没有说爱是福音的大能，也没有说恩典是福音的大能。但圣经的确启示，神的义乃是福音的大能。我们看看自己，就知道我们不可爱，也不配得神的恩典。我们完全不配从神得著甚么。但神是公义的；祂治死基督，为要作我们的代替；祂也承认基督的死完全偿还了我们的罪债。不仅如此，坐在神右边那复活的基督，乃是付债的收据。神既然发出了这张收据，祂怎能再公义的向我们要求偿付罪债？祂若这样作，我们就可以指著基督给祂看，题醒祂一定要顾到祂公义的地位，就是祂宝座的根基。

7Both love and grace may change, but righteousness is solid and steadfast. God is free either to love us or not to love us. However, He is bound by His righteousness. Now that Christ has died to fulfill God’s righteous requirements, God has put Himself into a position where He is legally bound. Whether He loves us or not, He is bound by His own righteousness to forgive us. Thus, the foundation of our salvation is righteousness, not love or grace. Psalm 89:14 says, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne” (Heb.). The very foundation of God’s throne is also the foundation of our salvation. Can the foundation of God’s throne be shaken? Certainly not. Likewise, the foundation of our salvation cannot be shaken, for this foundation is not love nor grace, but righteousness. The Bible does not say that love is the power of the gospel; neither does it say that grace is the power of the gospel. But it does reveal that the righteousness of God is the power of the gospel. If we consider ourselves, we shall realize that we are not lovable nor worthy of God’s grace. We simply do not deserve anything from God. But God is righteous. He put Christ to death on our behalf, and He has recognized the death of Christ as the full payment of our debt. Furthermore, the resurrected Christ sitting at God’sr ight hand is the receipt of payment. Since God has already issued this receipt, how could He righteously claim payment again from us? If He would do so, we could point Him to Christ and remind Him that He must take care of His righteous position, even the foundation of His throne.

8我们可以放胆的告诉神：『你若不照著你的义来对待我，你的宝座就会动摇。重要的不是我得救或灭亡，而是你会不会容许你宝座的根基动摇。神阿，我灭亡还在其次，你宝座的根基才是主要的。神阿，我题醒你注意你的义。基督已经为我的罪死了，祂现今在你的右边，证明你已经接受祂为我一切的罪债所偿还的。照著你的义，你除了拯救我之外，别无选择。基督已经死了，你已经悦纳祂的死，并且已经叫祂从死人中复活；现今你受律法的限制，不能不赦免我。你使基督复活，指明你满意于祂偿还的罪债，并且你还发出收据。神阿，你若不满意基督，你该让祂留在坟墓里。父神阿，我珍赏你的爱和你的恩典。但我现今站立在你面前，不是那么在爱或恩典里，乃是在你的义里。现在不论我的情形如何，你都必须赦免我。』你曾这样向神祷告过么？每当有人这样祷告，总是令神喜悦。这是根据神的义向神祷告。因著神的义在基督的福音上显示出来，所以基督的福音是神的大能。

8We can boldly tell God, “If You don’t deal with me according to Your righteousness, Your throne will be shaken. The important issue is not whether I shall be saved or perish; it is whether or not You will allow the foundation of Your throne to be shaken. God, for me to perish is a secondary matter. The primary matter is the righteous foundation of Your throne. God, I remind You of Your righteousness. Christ has died for my sins, and He is now at Your right hand as proof that You have received His payment of all my debts. According to Your righteousness, You have no choice except to save me. Christ has died, You have accepted His death and have resurrected Him from among the dead, and now You are legally bound to forgive me. By resurrecting Christ You indicated that You were satisfied with His payment and You issued a receipt of payment. O God, if You were not satisfied with Christ, then You should have allowed Him to remain in the tomb. O Father God, I appreciate Your love and Your grace. But now I stand before You not so much in love or in grace, but in Your righteousness. Now, no matter what my condition is, You must forgive me.” Have you ever prayed to God in such a way? It pleases Him whenever someone prays like this. This is a prayer that appeals to God according to His righteousness. The gospel of Christ is the power of God because the righteousness of God is revealed in it

神的义显明

GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS MANIFESTED

并显示出来

AND SHOWN FORTH

9保罗在罗马三章二十一节进一步说到义：『但如今神的义在律法以外已经显明出来，有律法和申言者为证。』说神的义在律法以外已经显明出来，就是说神的义不是基于我们的行为；也就是说，神的义不是基于我们的守律法。

9In 3 : 2 1 Paul speaks a further word about righteousness: “But now without law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.” To say that the righteousness of God has been manifested without the law means that the righteousness of God is not based on our doing; that is, it is not based upon our keeping the law

10神的义显示出来，是在祂以宽容越过人先时所犯的罪上。（三。）这就是说，神有鉴于要来之基督的救赎，就宽容许多旧约圣徒（如亚伯、挪亚、亚伯拉罕、雅各和大卫）的罪。在旧约时代，神既没有判定这些人到火湖里去，也没有赦免他们的罪。神乃是越过他们的罪。他们的罪仍旧存在，却被豫表所遮盖，就是被表征基督这祭的祭牲之血所遮盖。在这件事上，旧约的豫表可以比作约定的期票。豫表不是实际的偿债，乃是债务必会完全偿付的确定应许。因为那时基督还没有来死在十字架上，所以神就给旧约的罪人一张期票。豫表基督的遮罪祭物，满足了神一切义的要求；因此，祂能彀越过在旧约时代百姓所犯的罪。不仅如此，为了显示祂的义，祂也不得不这么作。

10God’s righteousness is shown forth, in the forbearance of God, in His passing by of the sins that occurred before (3:2 5). This means that in view of the 25 redemption of Christ that was to come, God passed by the sins of many saints in the Old Testament, such as Abel, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and David. During the Old Testament age, God neither condemned ones such as these to the lake of fire, nor did He forgive their sins. Rather, He passed by their sins. Their sins still existed, but they were covered by the type, by the blood of the sacrifices which typified the sacrifice of Christ. The Old Testament type in this matter may be likened to a promissory note. The type was not the actual payment of debt, but a sure promise that full payment would be made. Because Christ had not yet come to die on the cross, God gave sinners in the Old Testament a promissory note. The propitiatory or expiatory sacrifice, which foreshadowed Christ, satisfied all the requirements of God’s righteousness. Hence, He could pass by the people’ss in that occurred in the Old Testament age. Furthermore, in order to show forth His righteousness, He had to do this.

11这就是三章二十五节所指的。这节经文启示，主耶稣是平息处，是平息盖；神摆出基督，为要在越过旧约圣徒所犯的罪上，显示神的义，因为主耶稣是平息的祭物，祂在十字架上为他们的罪，成就了完全的平息，彻底满足了神公义的要求。主耶稣死在十字架上时，应验了祂献祭之死并救赎之死的一切豫表。那时，实际的偿付就取代了那应许的期票。神赦免我们，就显示出祂的义来。祂向全宇宙宣告：因著祂是义的，祂就必须赦免我们的罪。因为祂的儿子主耶稣基督代替了我们，在十字架上被祂治死，就律法而言，祂就有义务赦免我们。不论祂对我们满意或不满意，祂都必须根据祂的义赦免我们。神知道每当有人指出复活、升天的基督是偿付罪债的收据时，祂就必须赦免那个人。在这件事上，神别无选择。

11This is what 3:25 refers to. This verse reveals that the Lord Jesus is the propitiation place, the propitiation- cover, whom God set forth for showing forth His righteousness in passing by the sins of the Old Testament saints; for, as the propitiatory sacrifice, He has made the full propitiation on the cross for their sins and has fully satisfied the requirements of God’s righteousness. When the Lord Jesus died on the cross, He fulfilled all the types of His sacrificial and redemptive death. At that time, the promissory note was replaced by the actual payment. By forgiving us God shows forth His righteousness. He makes a declaration to the whole universe that because He is righteous, He must forgive us of our sins. Because His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, was put to death by Him on the cross on our behalf, He is legally obligated to forgive us. Whether He is happy with us or not, He must forgive us according to His righteousness. God knows that whenever a person points to the resurrected and ascended Christ as the receipt for the payment for sin, God must forgive that one. In this matter, God has no choice

注视升天的基督

LOOKING AT THE ASCENDED CHRIST

12我们不该看自己，乃该注视升天的基督。希伯来一章三节说，基督成就了洗罪的事，就坐在高处至尊至大者的右边。那坐在神右边之升天的基督，乃是我们罪债清偿、可得赦免的收据。这件事有重大的意义，因为这是我们救恩的根基。每当我们的良心因著我们的失败而定罪我们时，我们必须记住，要站立在神义的根基上。你今天可能为主大发热心，但将来你也许会在祂面前失败，因而对自己很失望，无法相信神会赦免你。你若一直留在这种定罪和失望的感觉之下，你就无法站起来，反而上了仇敌的当，受了他的欺骗。这时，你需要为著神的义赞美祂。要告诉神，不论你多失败，基督仍然在神的右边，作为你一切罪债已经清偿的收据。我们的经历也许会起伏不定，但神仍旧是义的。每当我们宣告耶稣的血并诉诸于神的义时，神除了赦免我们之外，别无选择。（约壹一9。）

12We should not look at ourselves, but look at the ascended Christ. Hebrews 1:3 says that after Christ made purification for sins, He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. The ascended Christ seated at the right hand of God is the receipt for the payment for our forgiveness. This is a matter of tremendous significance, for it is the foundation of our salvation. Whenever our conscience condemns us because of our failures, we need to remember to stand upon the foundation of God’s righteousness. You may be fervent for the Lord today. But in the future, you may fail Him and therefore become very disappointed with yourself, unable to believe that God could ever forgive you. If you remain under this feeling of condemnation and disappointment, you will not be able to rise up. Instead, you may become subject to the subtlety and deception of the enemy. At such a time you need to praise God for His righteousness. Tell Him that no matter how much you have failed, Christ is still at His right hand as the receipt for payment for all your debts. Our experience may fluctuate, but God remains righteous. Whenever we claim the blood of Jesus and appeal to God’s righteousness, God has no choice except to forgive us (1 John 1:9

13我们经历基督的根基我们对基督的经历，乃在于神义的根基。我们绝不该对自己有信心，认为我们不会退后，不会在主面前失败。不要像彼得那样，说尽管别人都否认主，他还要向主忠心。我们的热心或得胜不是根基；神的义，就是神宝座不可动摇的根基，才是根基。神越过旧约圣徒的罪，又在新约时代赦免我们的罪，因而显示了祂的义。神作了这些事，证明祂是义的。如今这个义就是我们的根基。标出为神儿子的工作，是建立在这根基上。但我们必须清楚，标出的过程并不是根基，神的义才是根基。

13THE FOUNDATION OF OUR EXPERIENCE OF CHRIST Our experience of Christ rests upon the foundation of God’s righteousness. We should never have confidence in ourselves, thinking that we cannot backslide or fail the Lord. Do not be like Peter who said that he would be faithful to the Lord, even though everyone else might deny Him. The foundation is not our fervency or victory; it is God’s righteousness, the unshakable foundation of God’s throne. God has shown forth His righteousness by passing over the sins of the Old Testament saints and by forgiving us of our sins in the New Testament age. By doing these things God has proved that He is righteous. Now this very righteousness is our foundation. The work of being designated sons of God is built upon this foundation. However, we must be clear that the foundation is not the process of designation; it is the righteousness of God

基督─律法的总结，

CHRIST, THE END OF THE LAW

使人得著义

UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS

14罗马十章三至四节说，『因为不知道神的义，又想要建立自己的义，就不服神的义了。原来律法的总结就是基督，使凡信的都得著义。』这里给我们看见，以色列人犯了想要建立他们自己的义的错误。我们今天若这样作，我们也就错了。基督乃是律法的总结，使人得著义。祂是律法的总结，使我们能得著神的义。

14Romans 10:3 and 4 say, “For they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, did not submit to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to every one who believes.” Here we see that the Israelites made the mistake of seeking to establish their own righteousness. If we do this today, we also are wrong. Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness. He is the end of the law so that we may gain the righteousness of God

构成神的义

CONSTITUTED THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD

15保罗在林后五章二十一节说，『神使那不知罪的，替我们成为罪，好叫我们在祂里面成为神的义。』根据这一节，我们不仅在神眼中是义的，我们乃是逐渐被构成为义。在基督里，我们逐渐成为神的义。这个经历是主观的，也相当的深。哥林多前书有客观的义，但哥林多后书有主观的义。这意思是说，我们不仅在神面前是义的，我们就是神的义。

15In 2 Corinthians 5:21 Paul says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be constituted the righteousness of God in him” (Gk.). According to this verse, we are not only righteous in God’se yes, but we are being constituted righteousness. In Christ, we are becoming the very righteousness of God. This experience is subjective and rather deep. In 1 Corinthians we have the matter of objective righteousness, but in 2 Corinthians, subjective righteousness. This means that we are not only righteous before God, but that we are God’s very righteousness.

16我们成为神的义，乃是藉著变化的工作。神正以基督来变化我们。我们越这样被神变化，就越成为神的义。我们这些亚当的子孙原本乃是罪。但我们如今是基督的肢体；基督正作到我们里面，使我们逐渐的从罪变化成为义。义就是在每一面与神都是对的，也就是说，在神的眼中，你没有一件事是错的，或是不正当的。你全人的每一部分，从神看来都是对的。你就像神一样是公义的、公正的、正当的。首先，义不是在于外面的行为、性格或举止；义乃是在于我们里面的人。在别人眼中，你也许相当不错。但是当你站在神面前的时候，就领悟你一无是处。你可能比别人好，但你必定不像神那样好。蒙神称义乃是和祂一样。我们得救的时候，基督是我们的义袍遮盖了我们。这是客观的义。但是神现今一直在作工，将我们这个人、我们的所是作成神的义。这不仅是一件袍子客观的披在我们身上，乃是基督的成分主观的作到我们里面。这样，我们就不仅有根基，也有建造。内在且主观的成为神的义，也和标出有关。我们越标出为神的儿子，我们就越成为神的义。这乃是基督作到我们的性情、成分、所是、本质里。这不是把甚么东西客观的归给我们，乃是一种主观的变化。赞美主，我们这些在基督里的信徒，乃是在神义的根基上。如今这义正作到我们里面，将我们构成神的义。说到义，哥林多前书与后书有所不同。林前一章三十节告诉我们，在客观一面，基督是我们的义；而林5:21后五章二十一节说，基督作到我们里面，使我们主观的成为神的义。就客观的义而言，从我们得救的时候开始，我们就都已经是义的。但就主观的义而言，我们乃是在一个过程中。换句话说，就地位而言，我们在神眼中是义的；但就性情而言，我们还不是神的义。

16This takes place through the work of transformation. God is in the process of transforming us with Christ. The more we are transformed by God in this way, the more we become the righteousness of God. As sons of Adam, we were sin. But as the members of Christ, Christ is being wrought into us to transform us gradually from sin into righteousness. Righteousness means to be right with God in every way. It means that in no matter are you wrong or unfair in the eyes of God. Every part of your being is right according to God. You are as righteous, just, and fair as God is. This is not firstly a matter of outward behavior, character, or conduct, but a matter of our inward being. In the eyes of others, you may be quite good. But as you stand before God, you will realize that you are not good at all. You may be better than others, but certainly you are not as good as God is. To be justified by God means to be the same as He is. When we were saved, we were covered by Christ as our garment of righteousness. This is objective righteousness. But now God is working to make our person, our being, the righteousness of God. This is not merely a garment put upon us objectively; it is the very element of Christ wrought into us subjectively. In this way we have not only the foundation, but also the building. Becoming the righteousness of God inwardly and subjectively is also related to designation. The more we are designated the sons of God, the more we become the righteousness of God. This is a matter of Christ wrought into our nature, our element, our being, our substance. This is not a matter of something imputed to us objectively, but a matter of subjective transformation. Praise the Lord that we, the believers in Christ, are on the foundation of God’s righteousness. Now this righteousness is being wrought into us to constitute us the very righteousness of God. Concerning righteousness, there is a difference between 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians. First Corinthians 1:3 0 tells us that Christ is our righteousness objectively, whereas 2 Corinthians tells us that Christ is being wrought into us to make us the righteousness of God subjectively. Concerning objective righteousness, from the time of our salvation we all are righteous already. But concerning subjective righteousness, we are under a process. In other words, positionally we are righteous in the eyes of God, but dispositionally we are not yet the righteousness of God.

站在神的义上

STANDING ON GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS

17不过，我们必须为著我们义的地位赞美主。无论我们的性情多么卑下，我们仍然有义的地位。因为我们拥有这个地位和根基，我们就能放胆的告诉神说，祂没有权利弃绝我们。我们能说，『父神，就算你不喜欢我，你仍然必须悦纳我。你将主耶稣钉十字架，代替我受了审判。不仅如此，你还叫祂从死人中复活，叫祂坐在你的右边，证明你已经接受祂的死，作为我罪的赎价。我相信你爱我；但即使你不爱我，你仍然必须根据你的义来接纳我。』

17Nevertheless, we must praise the Lord for our righteous position. No matter how poor our disposition may be, we still have the position of righteousness. Because we have this position and foundation, we have the boldness to tell God that He has no right to forsake us. We can say, “Father God, even if You don’t like me, You must still accept me. You put the Lord Jesus on the cross and judged Him on my behalf. Furthermore, You have raised Him from the dead and caused Him to sit at Your right hand as proof that You have received His death as payment for my sins. I believe that You love me, but even if You don’t love me, You still must receive me according to Your righteousness

18我们已经因著神的爱和神的恩典得救，但我们更是因著神的义得救。神的恩典和爱可能会因著我们而改变，但神的义不可能改变。基督死在十字架上以前，神还可以改变祂对我们的心意。在最后一刻，祂可以决定叫我们都灭亡，并再创造出新的人类，来完成祂的定旨。但我们已经指出，如今基督既然已经为我们的罪死了，并为使我们称义而复活，神就不能再改变祂的心意。神已经签了遗嘱，所以祂在法律上受了约束。因此，就我们的救恩而言，我们不是站在神的爱或神的恩典上，乃是站在神的义上。罗马书说到神的爱，也说到神的恩典，但罗马书并没有说，爱或恩典是福音的大能。反而，保罗在这卷书里清楚的宣告：福音的大能乃是神的义。为著神的爱和恩典，我深深的感谢祂。但我的立场是在祂的义上，也就是祂宝座的根基上。祂的义是不能动摇的。我们若要标出为神的儿子，以完成神永远的定旨，我们就都必须认识这不可摇动的根基，并且稳固的站在这根基上。

18We have been saved by God’s love and by His grace, but especially we have been saved by God’s righteousness. God’s love and grace may change in relation to us, but it is impossible for God’s righteousness to change. Before Christ died on the cross, God could have changed His mind about us. At the last minute, He could have decided to let us all perish and to create a new human race for the fulfillment of His purpose. But as we have pointed out, now that Christ has died for our sins and has been resurrected for our justification, God cannot change His mind. God has signed the will, and He is legally bound by it. Therefore, for our salvation, we stand not on God’s love nor on God’s grace, but on God’s righteousness. The book of Romans speaks both of God’s love and of His grace. However, Romans does not say that either love or grace is the power of the gospel. Rather, in this book Paul clearly declares that the power of the gospel is the righteousness of God. I am deeply grateful to God for His love and grace. But my standing is upon His righteousness, the foundation of His throne. His righteousness cannot be shaken. If we would be designated the sons of God for the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose, we all must know this unshakable foundation and stand firmly upon it.

19许多基督徒为神的爱和恩典赞美祂，但少有人为著祂的义赞美祂。赞美神，我们救恩的根基乃是祂的义！我们也赞美祂，因祂正在基督里将我们变化成为祂的义。至终，神能彀说，『撒但，看看我的儿女。他们不仅在我面前是义的，他们更成为我的义。』我们一旦照著神的义蒙拯救，就不会再失落。我们若清楚福音里的神的义，就会安息，因为我们知道，神的义乃是我们永远的保证。

19Many Christians praise God for His love and grace, but not many praise Him for His righteousness. Praise Him that the foundation of our salvation is His righteousness! We also praise Him that He is transforming us in Christ into His very righteousness. Eventually, God will be able to say, “Satan, look at My children. They are not only righteous before Me, but they have become My righteousness.” Once we have been saved according to God’s righteousness, we cannot be lost. If we are clear concerning God’s righteousness in the gospel, we shall be at rest knowing that the righteousness of God is our eternal security.