在今天的经文中,保罗举了以色列历史中的例子,来提醒我们要忠诚,因为神是信实的。这些都是严峻的警告。
尽管以色列人享有神子民的特权,但还是犯了许多罪。今天的教会需要类似的提醒吗?对我们来说,犯罪很容易,扪心自问:“我有多少时候表现得就像没有神的爱在我里面?”
保罗给哥林多教会写了一封语气强烈的信。我们知道(哥林多)教会的挑战和婚姻中的挣扎,因为人们不能和谐生活。(第1,3,7章)我们注意到圣餐被误用(10,11章)。保罗还需要处理性关系方面的罪(5,6章),以及敬拜的问题中(11,14章)。但我们也看到了一些鼓舞人心的教导,在基督的身体里各样属灵恩赐,以及基督徒彼此相爱的美好画面(13章)。这是一封真正的牧函!
多特信经与圣经的教导相呼应。我们知道自己常常失败。但藉着祂的灵,我们永远信实的神再次使我们确信,靠着祂的力量我们经受得住试探。祂会保守我们平安度过。
保罗指出,我们不是唯一受试探的人。无论今天我们经历什么试探,都是人们一直在经历的。况且,“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。”感谢神!
信实的父,感谢你的忍耐和慈爱。求你引导我们忠诚于你。奉基督的名祷告。阿们。
哥林多前书 10:1-13
1弟兄们,我不愿意你们不晓得:我们的祖宗从前都在云下,都从海中经过,
2都在云里、海里受洗归了摩西,
3并且都吃了一样的灵食,
4也都喝了一样的灵水;所喝的是出于随着他们的灵磐石,那磐石就是基督。
5但他们中间多半是神不喜欢的人,所以在旷野倒毙。
6这些事都是我们的鉴戒,叫我们不要贪恋恶事,像他们那样贪恋的。
7也不要拜偶像,像他们有人拜的,如经上所记:“百姓坐下吃喝,起来玩耍。”
8我们也不要行奸淫,像他们有人行的,一天就倒毙了二万三千人。
9也不要试探主,像他们有人试探的,就被蛇所灭。
10你们也不要发怨言,像他们有发怨言的,就被灭命的所灭。
11他们遭遇这些事都要作为鉴戒,并且写在经上正是警戒我们这末世的人。
12所以,自己以为站得稳的须要谨慎,免得跌倒。
13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。
“God is faithful: he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13
In our Bible reading for today, Paul gives examples from Israel’s history to remind us to be faithful as God is faithful. These are grim warnings.
The people of Israel committed many sins, despite their privileged position as God’s people. Does the church today need similar reminders? It certainly is easy for us to sin. Ask yourself, “How often do I act as if I don’t have God’s love in me?”
Paul wrote a strong letter to the Corinthian church. We know about church challenges and marriage struggles because of the people’s failure to live in harmony (chap. 1, 3, 7). We learn about observing the Lord’s Supper because it was misused (chap. 10, 11). Paul also deals with sexual sin (chap. 5, 6) and with problems that came up in worship (chap. 11, 14). But we also find inspiring teaching on spiritual gifts in the body of Christ (chap. 12) and a beautiful picture of Christian love (chap. 13). Truly a pastoral letter!
The Canons of Dort echo the Bible’s teaching. We know that we often fail. But through his Spirit, our forever faithful God reassures us that in his strength we will endure. We will persevere. He holds us safe.
Paul points out that we are not unique. Whatever might tempt us today has tempted people always. What’s more, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” And “when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Thanks be to God!
Faithful Father, thank you for your patience and love. Guide us to be faithful. In Christ we pray. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳