our daily bread
Dexu Xia
It Isn’t Me
I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20
As one of the most celebrated orchestral conductors of the twentieth century, Arturo Toscanini is remembered for his desire to give credit to whom credit is due. In David Ewen’s Dictators of the Baton, the author describes how members of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra rose to their feet and cheered Toscanini at the end of a rehearsal of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. When there was a lull in the ovation, and with tears in his eyes, Arturo’s broken voice could be heard exclaiming as he spoke: “It isn’t me . . . it’s Beethoven! . . . Toscanini is nothing.”
In the apostle Paul’s New Testament letters, he also refused to take credit for his spiritual insight and influence. He knew he was like a spiritual father and mother to many who had put their faith in Christ. He admitted he had worked hard and suffered much to encourage the faith, hope, and love of so many (1 Cor. 15:10). But he could not, in good conscience, accept the applause of those who were inspired by his faith, love, and insight.
Father in heaven, without You we would have nothing.
So for his readers’ sake, and for ours, Paul said, in effect, “It isn’t me, brothers and sisters. It’s Christ . . . Paul is nothing.” We are only messengers of the One who deserves our cheers.
Father in heaven, without You we would have nothing. Without Your grace we would be hopeless. Without the Spirit of Your Son we would be helpless. Please show us how to give You the honor You deserve.
Wise is the person who would rather give honor than receive it.
不是我
现在活着的不再是我，乃是基督在我里面活着。-加拉太书2章20节
阿图罗·托斯卡尼尼（Arturo Toscanini）是二十世纪最享负盛名的乐团指挥之一。许多人都知道，他总是愿意把荣誉归给应得的人。作家大卫·艾文（David Ewen）就曾在他的书中提及，纽约爱乐乐团在某次排练贝多芬第九号交响曲之后，团员们都站起来为托斯卡尼尼鼓掌。当掌声渐息时，他含着泪，声音沙哑地说：“不是我⋯⋯是贝多芬！⋯⋯托斯卡尼尼并不算什么！”
在新约书信里，使徒保罗也拒绝别人夸耀他的属灵眼光和影响力。他知道对许多愿意信靠基督的信徒而言，自己就像是他们的属灵父亲、母亲。他承认自己格外劳苦，并多受苦楚，为的是鼓励信徒能持守信、望、爱（哥林多前书15章10节）。纵然很多人因他的信心、爱心和洞见得着激励，但他却无法坦然地接受他们的称赞。
因此，我们可以说，保罗对这些书信的读者，也对我们说：“不是我⋯⋯弟兄姐妹们，是基督！⋯⋯保罗并不算什么。”只有上帝配得我们的称颂，而我们不过是祂的使者而已。
天父，没有祢，我们就算不得什么。
没有祢的恩典，我们会何等绝望。
没有基督的灵，我们会何等无助。
求祢教导我们，如何把祢当得的荣耀归给祢。