基督在你生命中占甚么位置？
哥林多前书一章10至17节
10弟兄们，我藉我们主耶稣基督的名劝你们都说一样的话。你们中间也不可分党，只要一心一意，彼此相合。
11因为革来氏家里的人曾对我题起弟兄们来，说你们中间有分争。
12我的意思就是你们各人说：我是属保罗的；我是属亚波罗的；我是属矶法的；我是属基督的。
13基督是分开的么？保罗为你们钉了十字架么？你们是奉保罗的名受了洗么？
14我感谢神，除了基利司布并该犹以外，我没有给你们一个人施洗；
15免得有人说，你们是奉我的名受洗。
16我也给司提反家施过洗，此外给别人施洗没有，我却记不清。
17基督差遣我，原不是为施洗，乃是为传福音，并不用智慧的言语，免得基督的十字架落了空。
信息分享
今天的经文提醒我们，即使是分别为圣的信徒，也会像普通人一样遇到各种问题。基督徒也会有健康问题、经济问题、家庭问题或属灵问题。如今，哥林多教会正面对教会出现纷争的问题，保罗教导他们如何处理呢？
第一，保罗的态度(10节)
保罗把哥林多教会的信徒，视作在基督里的弟兄姊妹，他便是以弟兄的身分来规劝他们。他没有指斥他们是「罪人」或「顽梗之辈」；反而，他以神的慈爱和对待家人的态度来提醒和劝告──神岂不是也以这种态度来对我们这些罪人吗？
保罗以真理和爱心并行的态度，来处理哥林多信徒的问题。他指出哥林多教会之所以出现纷争，乃因信徒追捧不同的领袖。有些喜欢保罗；有的喜欢亚波罗；亦有些喜欢追随渔夫出身的彼得。还有另一些人则强调自己只跟随基督。问题在于，当我们效法人的时候，我们就不单学了他们的优点，亦同样学了他的缺点。
第二，保罗的答案(13-17节)
保罗提出了严厉的质问：「是谁人为你们受死的？是保罗还是基督？你们奉谁人的名受洗？是我还是基督？」
只有基督才配得作我们的领袖和主。当基督在我们的人生占着一个正确的位置，其他一切的事情就能各就各位。无论对个人或教会而言，这都是同样适用的真理。当基督在我们的心中作王，当祂作为我们的生命之主，我们整个人生就会有清晰的方向和明确的目标，我们的行事为人将会以「荣耀神」为一切的准则。
我们愿意邀请基督进入我们的心中作王吗？我们愿意让基督作为我们的生命之主吗？我们若然想过蒙福的一生，这就是秘诀的所在。
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!