‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
• Romans 8:38-39
We are just about to enter the season of Advent. As we reflect upon the hope of God through the incarnation of Christ. Let’s take a moment to ponder upon the profound truth and grace which this season calls us to meditate on. In Romans, Paul describes the great sin which is found in humanity (Romans 2) and because of it we are rightly under the eternal judgement of a holy God. In Romans 3 we see that this dysfunction of sin has totally enveloped humanity, as it is in everyone and it is found in the depths of our being. This sin has not only caused us to be under judgement, but it has also alienated us from the one who can save us from this sin.
The resulting state of the world because of our rebellion to God is that human society - despite our advancements - is ultimately a pessimistic pursuit. There is no solution to the greed and ambition which causes humans to oppress each other, to hurt the ones we love and no redemption for our lust, pride and depravity. No education can make us moral, no political system cause inequality to cease, no philosophy can curb our twistedness. How can humanity be saved from this condition?
Christians know the hope of Christmas is that while we cannot reach the transcendent God of creation, He has come down to us through His son Jesus. While we could not ascent the steps to Heaven to plead for mercy, the Prince of Peace condescended to us to intercede on our behalf. The hope of advent is not in our discovery of God’s truth but in His revelation of His love (John 1). Through the life, death and resurrection of Christ, sinners are now able to know and worship our Creator, not through religion but faith. Peace and hope have been given to us as we put our faith in Christ (Romans 5:1-5).
Take a moment as you contemplate this season of Advent, place your hope for redemption from the troubles of this year upon Him and rest your hopes for the coming year within His loving kindness towards His people. Praise be to God.
「因為我深信，無論是死，是活，是天使，是掌權的，是有權能的，是現在的事，是將來的事，是高處的，是深處的，是別的受造之物，都不能使我們與神的愛隔絕，這愛是在我們的主基督耶穌裏的。」
— 羅馬書 8:38-39
我們即將進入將臨期。在這段時間裡，當我們思考因基督道成肉身而來的盼望時，讓我們稍作停留，默想這個季節所呼召我們思考的深刻真理與恩典。在《羅馬書》中，保羅描述了人類當中極大的罪惡（羅馬書第 2 章），因為這罪，我們理當在聖潔的神面前承受永恆的審判。在羅馬書第 3 章中，我們看見這罪性的敗壞已完全籠罩人類，因為它存在於每一個人裡面，深植於我們存在的深處。這罪不僅使我們落在審判之下，也使我們與那位能拯救我們脫離罪惡的主隔離了。
由於我們悖逆神，世界所呈現的狀態就是：即使人類社會不斷進步，最終仍是一場充滿悲觀的追求。沒有任何解決之道能醫治那使人彼此壓迫、傷害所愛之人的貪婪與野心；也沒有任何救赎能洗淨我們的情慾、驕傲與敗壞。沒有教育能使我們成為真正有道德的人，沒有政治制度能使不平等停止，沒有哲學能遏制我們扭曲的本性。人類又怎能從這樣的處境中得拯救呢？
基督徒深知聖誕節的盼望在於：當我們無法觸及那超越萬有、創造宇宙的神時，祂卻藉著祂的兒子耶穌降臨到我們中間。當我們無法登上天上的階梯為自己求憐憫時，和平之君卻降卑親自來到我們這裡，為我們代求。將臨期的盼望不在於我們發現了神的真理，而在於祂向我們啟示了祂的愛（約翰福音第 1 章）。藉著基督的生命、死亡與復活，罪人如今能夠認識並敬拜我們的創造主，不是靠宗教，而是靠信心。當我們把信心放在基督裡，和平與盼望就賜給了我們（羅馬書 5:1-5）。
在你默想這將臨期的時候，花一點時間將對今年困難的救贖盼望放在祂身上，並將對來年的期盼安放在祂對祂子民的慈愛裡。讚美歸於神。
