新视域的力量
其他人也曾受苦
经文
彼得后书二4-10
4就是天使犯了罪，神也没有宽容，曾把他们丢在地狱，交在黑暗坑中，等候审判。
5神也没有宽容上古的世代，曾叫洪水临到那不敬虔的世代，却保护了传义道的挪亚一家八口。
6又判定所多玛、蛾摩拉，将二城倾覆，焚烧成灰，作为后世不敬虔人的鉴戒；
7只搭救了那常为恶人淫行忧伤的义人罗得。
8因为那义人住在他们中间，看见听见他们不法的事，他的义心就天天伤痛。
9主知道搭救敬虔的人脱离试探，把不义的人留在刑罚之下，等候审判的日子。
10那些随肉身、纵污秽的情欲、轻慢主治之人的，更是如此。他们胆大任性，毁谤在尊位的，也不知惧怕。
信息分享
今天，我们要继续建立一个想法──与弟兄姊妹见面可以为我们原来的观点带来重大的改变。你曾否试过在去教会前感到有点不开心或沮丧，然后发现其他人曾经历过比你更大的挣扎，这时你的心奇怪地得到了鼓舞，你的担子似乎轻省了许多？
也许你遇到一个在独力抚养几个孩子的寡妇，当你看到她认真地唱诗赞美神的时候，不期然就用不同的眼光来回想自己的问题。又或你注意到某一个人，你知道他曾有过非常可怕的经历，但他那诚心敬拜和称颂神的态度，也让你自己的看法得到了改变。
保罗在哥林多前书十章13节提醒我们：「你们所遇见的试探，无非是人所能受的，神是信实的，必不叫你们受试探过于所能受的；在受试探的时候，总要给你们开一条出路，叫你们能忍受得住。」撒旦所喜欢做的其中一件事是令我们相信自己经历的考验是少有的，但是当你接触神的家庭其他成员的时候，你就会开始看到事实并非如你想像的那样。你遇到一些人，你知道他们有过很痛苦的经验，比你所要面对过的经验更痛苦，但他们仍然继续在高歌赞美神。你明白吗？只有在教会我们才有机会清楚地领会哥林多前书十章13节的应许；我们才能够体会这个真理的最高境界。其他人同样的经历往往能够成为我们受苦时的鼓励。
「其他人也经历过我们的经历」
进深研究
诗十1-7；王上十九10，十九14，十九18；提后四16
1. 以利亚想甚么？
2. 神告诉他甚么？
祈祷
天父，我越想到基督徒团契的好处，就越察觉您的目的是多么充满智慧和完善。求您帮助我不要忽略这奇妙和恩典的管道。奉耶稣的名祈求，阿们。
The Power of a New Perspective
Others have suffered too
Bible reading:
2 Peter 2:4-10
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,[a] putting them in chains of darkness[b] to be held for judgment;
5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;
6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;
7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless
8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—
9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh[c] and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;
Message
We continue developing the thought that meeting together with our brothers and sisters can bring about a radical change in our perspective. Tell me, have you ever gone to church feeling a little disconsolate or depressed and found, as you have looked round and seen people who have gone through much greater struggles than you, that your heart has been strangely lifted and your burdens have seemed lighter?
You see a widow, perhaps, who has been left with several children, and as you watch her singing praises to God you see your problem in a different light. You notice a man whom you know has gone through the most horrifying experiences, but he is still there worshipping and magnifying God. This again works to change your perspective.
Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." One of the things the devil delights to do is to persuade us that the trial we are going through is unique. When you come in contact with others in the family of God you begin to see that is just not true. You rub shoulders with people you know suffered extremely painful experiences - experiences more distressing than you have ever faced. Yet they still continue to sing God's praises. You see, in the church we have an opportunity to evaluate 1 Corinthians 10:13 in a clear light. The truth is seen in its highest form. Others have gone through what we have gone through, and the knowledge of this helps us in our suffering.
"Others have gone through what we have gone through"
Prayer
Father, the more I dwell on the benefits of Christian fellowship, the more I see how wise and considerate are Your purposes. Help me not to neglect this most marvellous and helpful means of grace. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.
Further study
Psalm 10:1-7
1 Kings 19:10; 19:14; 19:18
2 Timothy 4:16
1. What did Elijah think?
2. What did God say to him?
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