2008-07-09 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 為神建造 粵語國語 第9天 讀經：哥林多前書三章10至15節 　　保羅正在從事的工作，便是我們稱之為的「植堂計劃」。他來到哥林多這個地方的時候，哥林多教會方才成立不久，當中的信徒都是初信者。因此，保羅特別留意信徒要建立在正確的根基上──那根基就是耶穌基督。保羅對他們說：「神讓我有此殊榮，得以開創這項工作，以致別人可以在它上面建造。所以，我們務必要謹慎自己的工程。」 　　保羅很喜歡用「建造房屋」的觀念來闡釋真理。事實上，除了保羅書信之外，新約的其他書信，用此觀念的僅有一至兩次。 　　保羅在第12節指出，每個信徒都有分去參與這建造工程。根基雖然只有一個，但各人卻可以採用不同的物料去建造自己的工程。選擇用甚麼物料，完全是個人的決定。 　　物料可以分為兩類：一種是經得起時間考驗，歷久不衰的貴重物料；一種是輕易被摧毀的廉價物料。這些物料對我們有何含意呢？ 　　信徒建造的工程，代表著神的工作；建造完成的建築物，是要讓神得著榮耀，而非榮耀我們自己。金銀是指到神的救恩──這是整部聖經的核心要旨，也是神的旨意所在。當我們參與神的救贖工作，將神的救恩信息傳開，我們就是用金銀來建造工程。 　　當我們靠著聖靈的能力，而非自己的力量去建造工程，我們就是採用寶石來建造了。聖靈的工作必能經得起考驗；但我們的工作卻不能。 　　另三種物料是指到人的一切努力。用木建成的建築物可以很美觀，可惜卻經不起火燒。用草和禾楷建成的建築物，更是輕易倒塌，全無價值。 　　保羅最希望我們將來站在基督面前的時候，可以向祂展示具有恆久價值的工程。那一刻，我們會驚訝地發現，有哪些工作會得到基督的賞賜，有哪些工程卻已蕩然無存。 反思： 只有為基督而作的工，才會永遠長存。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BUILDING FOR GOD DAY 9 BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 Paul had what we would call a 'church planting ministry'. He was there in Corinth when the first members of the church were converted. He made sure that they were standing on the right foundation, Christ himself. Paul was able to say 'God gave me the privilege of starting the work-others are building on it. Please be careful how you build'. Building was a favourite concept of Paul's. In fact it is only found once or twice elsewhere in the New Testament other than in Paul's writings. Paul says in v.12 that every Christian has an opportunity to build. There may be only one foundation, but there is an astonishing variety of materials to choose from. The builder is the one who chooses which material he will use. There are two classes of materials-those that last forever and those which do not. The one is valuable and the other is not. What do these materials mean for us? Gold stands for the kind of service in which God is glorified, not ourselves. Silver speaks of redemption-the great theme of the Bible and the great desire of the heart of God. When we share in this work and give out this message, we are building with silver. Precious stones - does that speak of work done in the power of the Spirit of God and not in our own strength? His work can stand the test. Ours will not. The other three materials speak of human effort. Wood can be made into something beautiful, but it cannot stand the fire. Hay is of less value than wood. Stubble is useless and worthless. Paul's great concern was that on the day we all stand before Christ we would have something to show which will last for eternity. We will be amazed at the work Christ will reward. We may be amazed at the work which will vanish. A THOUGHT: Only what's done for Christ will last.