2008年8月5日 星期二

2008-08-05 Devotionals Today

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愛我的弟兄姊妹

粵語 國語

第5天


讀經:   哥林多前書第八章
有關基督徒生活的其中一個最重要真理,就是我們在接受基督的時候,就進入了主內肢體的相交生活。「信徒在基督裡合而為一」這個寶貴的事實,使我們連結起來。世人喜歡參加各式的團體,來擴闊自己的社交生活,然而,基督徒以愛相連的團契生活,卻是無可取代的。

信徒之間的關係既然是出於互愛,就必然會帶來彼此的責任。因此,我必須時刻緊記,我在基督裡的其他弟兄姊妹,可能正留意我的言行舉止,也許還會效法我呢!我做的事情若然令他們軟弱跌倒,那怎麼辦呢?

保羅在這裡正是談論這個重點,請特別留意第9節。保羅正回答哥林多教會的一個詢問,是關係到信徒可否吃祭偶像的肉的問題。在信奉異教的哥林多城,幾乎所有肉類都先在廟裡祭祀偶像,然後才在市面發售。當時的基督徒為此事而深感困擾。

保羅在第13節釐定了一個原則,對今天信徒的行事為人仍然適用,那就是:「食物若叫我弟兄跌倒,我就永遠不吃肉,免得叫我弟兄跌倒了。」

我們今天同樣面對類似的問題,就是該如何決定去做還是不做某件事。我若私下做某件事,不會影響別人,是否就表示我可以隨意去做呢?答案很簡單:當我知道我做某件事,可能會對我的屬靈生命有負面影響,或妨礙別人的屬靈生命,那我就絕對不要去做了。

無論是甚麼情形,若會影響我對神話語的渴慕、妨礙我的禱告或事奉、令我犯錯跌倒、使我的見證大打折扣,或傷害神的家;那麼,我就絕對不要去做了。

反思:

我若愛我的弟兄姊妹,就要做一些建立或幫助他們的事,絕不可故意絆倒他們。

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LOVE FOR MY BROTHER
Day 5


Bible Reading:   1 Corinthians 8
One of the greatest truths of the Christian life is the fellowship into which we enter when we accept Christ. It draws us together in the precious fact that we are all one in Christ. The outside world tries to substitute all kinds of clubs and groups. But none can replace the bond of Christian love.

At the same time, this also brings great responsibility. I must remember I have brothers and sisters in Christ who may be watching what I do and even following me. What if I do something that would cause them to stumble or fall?

This is what Paul is talking about, particularly in verse 9. Paul is answering a question sent to him by the Church at Corinth. It concerned meat offered to idols. Should Christians eat it? In Corinth almost all meat was offered first to a heathen god in a temple. Christians were finding this a major problem.

Paul laid down a principle in verse 13 which still holds good, 'If by eating meat I make my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again'.

Our real problem today is where to draw the line? What can we do that won't be a stumbling block to someone else? The answer is simple. When I know that what I am doing is hurting my own spiritual life or hindering someone else's spiritual life, then I must stop doing that thing.

Anything that takes away my appetite for the Word of God, the house of God, prayer or service for Christ, is wrong for me and will hinder my example to others.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

If I love my brother, I will always help and never consciously hinder him.

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