2008-07-02 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 在基督裡分別為聖 粵語國語 第2天 讀經：哥林多前書一章1至9節 　　我們可以從不同的角度去歸納哥林多前書的要旨，其中一個最好的概述，是「如何在日常生活中活出基督徒的生命」。 　　保羅為甚麼要寫這卷書信呢？因為哥林多教會的信徒忽略了一件事，就是他們應該在所處的城市活出自己的應有身分。神把他們放置在那裡，是有一個獨特的目的；可是，他們卻沒有留意神的心意。他們沒有在哥林多城活出美好的見證，他們亦忽略了本身靈命的成長。保羅提醒他們要留意： 信徒的身分(2節) 　　保羅指出，信徒是在耶穌基督裡「成聖」。這表示信徒是在基督裡分別為聖，同時，亦是為著基督的緣故分別為聖。他們是分別出來歸給神的，所以要學像神和被神使用。可惜，哥林多信徒卻似乎忘記了這點。 信徒的產業(3節) 　　保羅指出，信徒藉著耶穌基督所得著的兩個恩賜，就是恩典與平安。甚麼是恩典？就是神不為別的，只因為了愛我們而願意主動尋找我們。 　　當我們接受神的恩典，祂就會將平安賜給我們。除非我們獲得神的恩典，否則我們難有平安。可惜，哥林多信徒本應擁有平安，但他們中間卻出現紛爭和分黨。 信徒的應許(7節) 　　等候基督再來的盼望，是支持我們作出一切事奉的背後動力。「等候」示「全心全意地期待」。當基督顯現的時候，神給我們的一切應許便會完全兌現。 信徒的夥伴(9節) 　　經文說我們與耶穌基督一同得分，換言之，我們與祂尤如夥伴──凡屬祂的東西，都會與我分享；而我的東西，也跟祂分享。 　　你明白我們的身分了嗎？我們有否享用神賜給我們的恩典與平安？我們有否念及祂的應許？我們有否以主作為我們的夥伴？這些問題都是值得我們深思的。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SET APART IN CHRIST AND FOR CHRIST DAY 2 BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 The theme of the first epistle to the Corinthians can be stated in various ways. One of the best summaries is 'How our Christian life works out in daily life'. Why did Paul write as he did? Because the church in Corinth was not recognising its position in the city of Corinth. God had placed it there for a distinctive purpose, but the church had lost sight of that purpose. They had no witness in the city and their spiritual growth was very little. Paul spoke of - The position of believers (v.2) Paul said that believers are 'sanctified' in Christ Jesus. That means they were set apart in Christ and for Christ. They were set apart to belong to God, to become like him and to be used by him. The Corinthians seemed to have forgotten that. The possessions of a believer (v.3) Paul mentions two gifts that come to us through Jesus Christ. They are grace and peace. What is grace? It is the movement of God toward us for no other reason than the fact he is a God of love. When we accept God's grace, he gives us his peace. We can't have peace before we have God's grace. The church at Corinth had strife and division when it should have had peace. The promise for believers (v.7) Behind all our service there should be an attitude of waiting for the day of Christ's coming. Waiting means 'fully expecting'. Then all that God has promised will be ours fully and completely. The partnership for believers (v.9) The word 'fellowship' is our word 'partnership'. Isn't that wonderful? We are partners with Jesus Christ. Everything he has is available to me. Everything I have should be available to him. Do we realise our position? Are we using our possessions God's grace and peace? Are we thinking of his promise? Are we counting on his partnership?