Test of Our Faith 信心的考验
Dexu Xia
We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. 1 Corinthians 4:9
Today's Scripture 1 Corinthians 4:9-13
Today's Insights Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to address specific problems that had arisen in the Corinthian church: criticism of his ministry (chs. 1-4); sexual immorality (ch. 5); lawsuits (ch. 6); marriage, divorce, and singleness (ch. 7); food offered to idols (chs. 8-10); women in ministry and the Lord’s Supper (ch. 11); use of spiritual gifts (chs. 12-14); resurrection (ch. 15); and offerings (ch. 16). In chapter 4, he deals with the root cause of these problems. The Corinthians’ arrogance, self-importance, and self-sufficiency (vv. 6-13) had caused division in the church. Paul deliberately and confidently uses himself as an example to show how they could live a Christlike life of simplicity, transparency, integrity, and humility. And our ultimate example is the humility that Jesus showed even in suffering (see 1 Peter 2:23). He’s also our true defense when we suffer for Him
Today's Devotional
In ad 304, the Roman emperor Maximian victoriously entered the city of Nicomedia. Parades were ordered as the city gathered to thank pagan gods for the victory—everyone except for a church full of people who worshiped only the one true God. Maximian entered the church with an ultimatum: Escape punishment by renouncing faith in Christ. They refused. All were killed when Maximian ordered the church set on fire with the believers inside.
The apostle Paul understood the cost of following Christ. In 1 Corinthians 4, he confronted the believers living in the Greek city of Corinth with his testimony. Paul stated that the apostles had suffered for Jesus and for their sake. They had been “made a spectacle to the whole universe” (v. 9) as they served Christ.
Similarly, the apostle Peter reminded us how Jesus suffered on our behalf. “When they hurled their insults at [Jesus], he did not retaliate,” wrote Peter. “When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23).
Still today, believers in Jesus suffer for their faith. Like the Nicomedian believers who willingly chose to suffer for the gospel, may any opposition we face serve to reveal the strength of our faith in Christ. We can entrust our lives to the one “who judges justly”.
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt like retaliating because of unfair treatment for your faith? How will you trust God to be your defense?
Dear Father, whatever I may face today—please help me entrust my life to You, as Jesus did. By Matt Lucas
“我们成了一台戏，给世人和天使观看。”(哥林多前书 4:9 )
今日经文：哥林多前书 4章9-13 节
今日心得：保罗写哥林多前书是为了解决哥林多教会中出现的具体问题：对他事工的批评（1-4章）；性不道德（5章）；诉讼（6章）；结婚、离婚和单身（7章）；祭偶像的食物（8-10章）；妇女的事工和圣餐（11章）；属灵恩赐的运用（12-14章）；复活（15章）；以及献祭（16章）。在第4章中，他探讨了这些问题的根源：哥林多人的傲慢、自负和自满（6-13节）导致了教会的分裂。保罗特意用自己作为榜样，很有把握地向他们展示，如何活出像基督那样的生命，即简朴、透明、正直和谦卑。我们最终的榜样是耶稣，他即使在苦难中仍旧活出谦卑的生命（见彼得前书2:23）。他也是我们为他受苦时真正的保障。
今日灵修 公元304年，罗马皇帝马克西米安凯旋进入尼科米底亚城，下令举行游行，除了一座挤满敬拜独一真神的人的教堂外，全城人都聚集起来，感谢异教诸神赐下的胜利。马克西米安进入教堂，发出最后通牒：若要逃避惩罚，就必须放弃对基督的信仰。教堂里的人拒绝了。马克西米安下令纵火焚烧挤满信徒的教堂，所有信徒都被烧死了。
使徒保罗深知跟随基督的代价。在哥林多前书第四章，他向居住在希腊哥林多城的信徒们作见证。保罗说，使徒们为耶稣受苦，也为他们自己受苦。他们服事基督，成了“一台戏被世人观看”（第9节）。同样，使徒彼得也提醒我们，耶稣是如何为我们受苦的。彼得写道：“耶稣被人辱骂，他不还口；受害也不说威吓的话，只将自己交托那按公义审判人的主”（彼得前书2:23）。
时至今日，耶稣的信徒仍在为他们的信仰受苦。就像尼各米底亚城的信徒那样，甘愿为福音受苦，但愿我们所面临的任何反对都能彰显我们对基督的信心。我们可以将生命交托给那位“按公义审判人的主”。
反思与祷告 你何时曾因信仰遭受不公平对待而想要报复？你会如何信靠上帝成为你的保障？
亲爱的天父，无论我今天面临怎样的境况，请帮助我将生命交托给你，就像耶稣一样。作者：马特·卢卡斯