基督在你生命中佔甚麼位置？
哥林多前書一章10至17節
10弟兄們，我藉我們主耶穌基督的名勸你們都說一樣的話。你們中間也不可分黨，只要一心一意，彼此相合。
11因為革來氏家裡的人曾對我題起弟兄們來，說你們中間有分爭。
12我的意思就是你們各人說：我是屬保羅的；我是屬亞波羅的；我是屬磯法的；我是屬基督的。
13基督是分開的麼？保羅為你們釘了十字架麼？你們是奉保羅的名受了洗麼？
14我感謝神，除了基利司布並該猶以外，我沒有給你們一個人施洗；
15免得有人說，你們是奉我的名受洗。
16我也給司提反家施過洗，此外給別人施洗沒有，我卻記不清。
17基督差遣我，原不是為施洗，乃是為傳福音，並不用智慧的言語，免得基督的十字架落了空。
信息分享
今天的經文提醒我們，即使是分別為聖的信徒，也會像普通人一樣遇到各種問題。基督徒也會有健康問題、經濟問題、家庭問題或屬靈問題。如今，哥林多教會正面對教會出現紛爭的問題，保羅教導他們如何處理呢？
第一，保羅的態度(10節)
保羅把哥林多教會的信徒，視作在基督裡的弟兄姊妹，他便是以弟兄的身分來規勸他們。他沒有指斥他們是「罪人」或「頑梗之輩」；反而，他以神的慈愛和對待家人的態度來提醒和勸告──神豈不是也以這種態度來對我們這些罪人嗎？
保羅以真理和愛心並行的態度，來處理哥林多信徒的問題。他指出哥林多教會之所以出現紛爭，乃因信徒追捧不同的領袖。有些喜歡保羅；有的喜歡亞波羅；亦有些喜歡追隨漁夫出身的彼得。還有另一些人則強調自己只跟隨基督。問題在於，當我們效法人的時候，我們就不單學了他們的優點，亦同樣學了他的缺點。
第二，保羅的答案(13-17節)
保羅提出了嚴厲的質問：「是誰人為你們受死的？是保羅還是基督？你們奉誰人的名受洗？是我還是基督？」
只有基督才配得作我們的領袖和主。當基督在我們的人生佔著一個正確的位置，其他一切的事情就能各就各位。無論對個人或教會而言，這都是同樣適用的真理。當基督在我們的心中作王，當祂作為我們的生命之主，我們整個人生就會有清晰的方向和明確的目標，我們的行事為人將會以「榮耀神」為一切的準則。
我們願意邀請基督進入我們的心中作王嗎？我們願意讓基督作為我們的生命之主嗎？我們若然想過蒙福的一生，這就是祕訣的所在。
GIVING CHRIST HIS RIGHTFUL PLACE
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.
16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
Message
Today's reading reminds us that saints can have problems just like anyone else. Saints (Christians) may have health problems, financial problems, family problems or spiritual problems. How did Paul approach this first problem division in the church at Corinth?
- Paul's approach (v. 10)
He spoke to them as brothers and sisters in Christ. He didn't call them 'wrongdoers' or any other harsh name. He dealt with them in the same way God deals with us - in love, as members of his family.
Paul dealt with the Corinthian Christians in truth as well as in love. He set out the problem fairly. He mentioned the groups that were following human leadership. Some liked Paul's style. Others favoured Apollos. Still others wanted to follow Peter, the rugged fisherman. And one group said they only followed Christ. The problem is that when we follow men, we follow their bad points as well as their good points.
- Paul's answer (v. 13-17)
Paul asks some strong questions, 'Who died for you? Paul or Christ? In whose name were you baptised? Mine or Christ's?'
Christ is the only one who has the right to be our leader and Lord. When he is given his rightful place, everything else falls into its proper place. This is true on the personal level as well as on the church level. If Christ is allowed to be the Lord of our hearts and lives he will bring our whole life together so that it will all work out for his glory.
Can we ask him again today to take his rightful place in our hearts and lives? Can we do what the hymn says 'Crown Him Lord of all!'
That is always the real secret of blessing!