在基督里分别为圣
哥林多前书一章1至9节
1奉神旨意，蒙召作耶稣基督使徒的保罗，同兄弟所提尼，
2写信给在哥林多神的教会，就是在基督耶稣里成圣、蒙召作圣徒的，以及所有在各处求告我主耶稣基督之名的人。基督是他们的主，也是我们的主。
3愿恩惠、平安从神我们的父并主耶稣基督归与你们。
4我常为你们感谢我的神，因神在基督耶稣里所赐给你们的恩惠；
5又因你们在他里面凡事富足，口才、知识都全备，
6正如我为基督作的见证，在你们心里得以坚固，
7以致你们在恩赐上没有一样不及人的，等候我们的主耶稣基督显现。
8他也必坚固你们到底，叫你们在我们主耶稣基督的日子无可责备。
9神是信实的，你们原是被他所召，好与他儿子─我们的主耶稣基督一同得份。
信息分享
我们可以从不同的角度去归纳哥林多前书的要旨，其中一个最好的概述，是「如何在日常生活中活出基督徒的生命」。
保罗为甚么要写这卷书信呢？因为哥林多教会的信徒忽略了一件事，就是他们应该在所处的城市活出自己的应有身份。神把他们放置在那里，有一个独特的目的；可是，他们却没有留意神的心意。他们没有在哥林多城活出美好的见证，他们亦忽略了本身灵命的成长。保罗提醒他们要留意：
第一，信徒的身份(2节)
保罗指出，信徒是在耶稣基督里「成圣」。这表示信徒是在基督里分别为圣，同时，亦是为着基督的缘故分别为圣。他们是分别出来归给神的，所以要学像神和被神使用。可惜，哥林多信徒却似乎忘记了这点。
第二，信徒的产业(3节)
保罗指出，信徒借着耶稣基督所得着的两个恩赐，就是恩典与平安。甚么是恩典？就是神不为别的，只因为了爱我们而愿意主动寻找我们。
当我们接受神的恩典，祂就会将平安赐给我们。除非我们获得神的恩典，否则我们难有平安。可惜，哥林多信徒本应拥有平安，但他们中间却出现纷争和结党。
第三，信徒的应许(7节)
等候基督再来的盼望，是支持我们作出一切事奉的背后动力。「等候」即「全心全意地期待」。当基督显现的时候，神给我们的一切应许便会完全兑现。
第四，信徒的伙伴(9节)
经文说我们与耶稣基督一同得份，换言之，我们与祂尤如伙伴──凡属祂的东西，都会与我分享；而我的东西，也跟祂分享。
你明白我们的身份了吗？我们有没有享用神赐给我们的恩典与平安？我们有没有念及祂的应许？我们有没有以主作为我们的伙伴？这些问题都是值得我们深思的。
SET APART IN CHRIST AND FOR CHRIST
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,
5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,
6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,
7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Message
The theme of the first epistle to the Corinthians can be stated in various ways. One of the best summaries is 'How our Christian life works out in daily life'.
Why did Paul write as he did? Because the church in Corinth was not recognising its position in the city of Corinth. God had placed it there for a distinctive purpose, but the church had lost sight of that purpose. They had no witness in the city and their spiritual growth was very little. Paul spoke of -
- The position of believers (v.2)
Paul said that believers are 'sanctified' in Christ Jesus. That means they were set apart in Christ and for Christ. They were set apart to belong to God, to become like him and to be used by him. The Corinthians seemed to have forgotten that.
- The possessions of a believer (v.3)
Paul mentions two gifts that come to us through Jesus Christ. They are grace and peace. What is grace? It is the movement of God toward us for no other reason than the fact he is a God of love.
When we accept God's grace, he gives us his peace. We can't have peace before we have God's grace. The church at Corinth had strife and division when it should have had peace.
- The promise for believers (v.7)
Behind all our service there should be an attitude of waiting for the day of Christ's coming. Waiting means 'fully expecting'. Then all that God has promised will be ours fully and completely.
- The partnership for believers (v.9)
The word 'fellowship' is our word 'partnership'. Isn't that wonderful? We are partners with Jesus Christ. Everything he has is available to me. Everything I have should be available to him.
Do we realise our position? Are we using our possessions God's grace and peace? Are we thinking of his promise? Are we counting on his partnership?