經文: 「凡較力爭勝的,諸事都有節制。我是攻克己身,叫身服我。」— [聖經·哥林多前書 9章25a,27a節]
保羅提醒我們,在競賽場上較力爭勝的選手們凡事都有節制,任何會阻礙他們進步的都要放棄,為要得著那地上的冠冕。而我們這些基督徒,為要得著那不朽壞的冠冕,豈不更該諸事節制,棄絕一切會攔阻我們奔走天路的障礙?好讓我們得以專心一致的跟隨主。
保羅說:「我是攻克己身,叫身服我。」,他不讓任何事妨礙他緊緊跟隨主。他告訴我們:「我只有一件事,……就是……向著標竿直跑。」(腓立比書 3章13-14節錄),他不耽於飲宴也不貪圖逸樂,他像主耶穌一樣,時時刻刻流露出耶穌十字架上犧牲自我的精神。查考以下幾處經文:哥林多前書4章11-13節;哥林多後書 4章8-12節;6章4-10節;11章23-27節,將對保羅有更進一步的認識;知道十字架不僅是他講道的主題,更是他日常生活中行事為人的準則。
我們需要向上帝懇求,讓聖靈的大能運行在傳道人或平信徒的心中,將這種「主居首位,捨棄老我」的信念,深刻活化在他們內在的生命中;當傳道人身上帶著耶穌的死,信徒就會看到耶穌復活的生命活化在他們當中。讓我們切切懇求,讓「十字架」恢復其古老的地位,也就是說基督徒們都能夠「以基督耶穌的心為心」(腓立比書 2章4節)。耶穌虛己順服以致於死,且死在十字架上,所以「我們若在祂死的形狀上與祂聯合,也要在祂復活的形狀上與祂聯合。」(羅馬書 6章5節)。
—《 神 的 心 意 》
[每日靈修 6月25日]
作者:慕安德烈
編輯:榮華興
『 Temperate in All Things 』
Scripture: “Every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things.” “I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage.” — [1 Corinthians 9:25a,27a]
Paul here reminds us of the well-known principle that anyone competing for a prize in the public games is “temperate in all things.” Everything, however attractive, that might be a hindrance in the race is given up or set aside. And this in order to obtain an earthly prize. And shall we, who strive for an incorruptible crown, and that Christ may be Lord of all-shall we not be temperate in all things that could in the very least prevent our following the Lord Jesus with an undivided heart?
Paul says: “I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage.” He would allow nothing to hinder him. He tells us: “This one thing I do; I press towards the mark for the prize.” No self-pleasing in eating and drinking, no comfort or ease, should for a moment keep him from showing the spirit of the cross in his daily life, or from sacrificing all, like his Master. Read the following four passages which comprise his life-history: 2 Cor. iv. 11-13; 2 Cor. iv. 8-12, vi. 4-10, xi. 23-27. The cross was not only the theme of his preaching, but the rule of his life in all its details.
We need to pray God that this disposition may be found in all Christians and preachers of the Gospel, through the power of the Holy Spirit. When the death of Christ works with power in the preacher, then Christ’s life will be known among the people. Let us pray that the fellowship of the cross may regain its old place, and that God’s children may obey the injunction: “Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” He humbled Himself and became obedient unto the death of the cross. For, “if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:5).
— God’s Best Secrets by Andrew Murray
「 25 June 」