2008年8月7日 星期四

2008-08-07 Devotionals Today

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目標只有一個

粵語 國語

第7天


讀經:   哥林多前書九章19至27節
這是保羅向讀者見證自己的另一段重要經文,我們不單藉此認識保羅的為人,更因而深受激勵。

我們從經文得知,保羅不僅是願意傳福音,他的傳福音心志更是非常的熱切,他渴望在任何時間,任何地點,並向每個人傳揚福音。為此,他總是尋找機會去向人傳講耶穌。這是他的人生使命,也是他最渴望完成的工作。他之所以對傳福音的工作抱有如此強烈的使命感,皆因他熱切愛慕耶穌基督,只想討祂的喜悅。

保羅願意與任何人交往,為的是尋找機會向他們傳講基督。每人都有不同的生活習慣和生活方式,但保羅為了傳福音給別人,便甘願作出遷就。當我們反觀自己,便不難發現我們會劃定一個傳福音的範圍,不願意走到不同階層、不同背景或不同生活方式的人中間傳福音。保羅卻願意為了向人傳福音,為了贏取他們歸向基督,而甘願做任何事情。

在這裡的最後幾節,保羅將自己的一項「祕密」告訴我們:他原來不會讓肉體的需要來操控他做任何事。他要確保他的身體就像他的心靈一樣,是用來服事基督的。他並非害怕失去救恩,他只是不想自己在傳福給別人之後,卻做出失見證的行為。

換言之,我們今天成了基督徒和獲得聖靈內住之後,仍可能受肉體的慾望所操控。然而,我們卻可以學像保羅,接受聖靈的掌管,每天都過得勝的生活。

保羅願意將一生奉獻給基督。回顧他的一生,他為信仰付出了高昂的代價,最終甚至付上了性命。但是,他卻認為他一生能夠認識和服事基督,乃是無上的光榮與特權,因此,付上任何代價也是值得的。他這種對信仰的態度,究竟對我們有甚麼提醒呢?

反思:

人的一生始終會過去;為主而作的工卻永存。

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ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN
Day 7


Bible Reading:   1 Corinthians 9:19-27
Here is another of Paul's great written statements which tell us so much about the man himself, as well as being a tremendous challenge to us.

Paul was willing, even eager, to preach the gospel anywhere, at any time, to anyone. He looked on every contact as an opportunity to tell someone else about Christ. This was his life work and the great desire of his heart. He had a deep sense of dedication to the work of Christ because he was so devoted to the person of Christ.

Paul was willing to get alongside people in order to speak to them of Christ. If the person lived in a certain way Paul was willing to share that way of life with him so that he could speak of Christ. Too often we are not in touch with people who really need Christ because we do not want to share their circumstances. Paul was willing to be all things to all men so that he might win some to Christ.

In the last few verses of our reading Paul tells us something we would never have known had he not told us. Paul never let his body or his physical needs rule his life. He made sure that his body served Christ as much as his soul and spirit. He was never afraid of being lost, but he was afraid that after he had pointed others to Christ, he might fail to be the Christian he ought to be.

It is possible today to be a Christian and to be indwelt by the Spirit of God and yet to be controlled by the flesh and its appetites. It is just as possible to live under the control of the Spirit of God and to know victory in these things day by day.

Paul was willing for his whole life to be dedicated to Christ. It cost him a great deal throughout his life and finally life itself. But he thought it worthwhile, for the privilege of knowing Christ and serving him. What does that say to us today?

'Only one life, 'twill soon be past.

Only what's done for Christ will last.'

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