5月9日

標　　題：把弟兄放置我們自己之前

經　　節：無論何人，不要求自己的益處，乃要求別人的益處。（哥林多前書十章24節）

作為一個基督徒，我們有義務檢視自己的行為對其他基督徒的影響。當你考量神在其他人身上的作為時，你會發現神在你身上的旨意。這種想法與世人的想法，是完全相反的。世人鼓勵你要掌控自己的生活，優先考慮自己的需要和欲求。罪鼓吹獨立。它孤立你，隔開了你與那些你能夠幫助的人，或是那些能夠鼓勵你的人。神的本意是要你們彼此相顧。

每當你遇見其他基督徒，你就是與基督面對面相遇（約翰福音十三：20）。當你遇見那些被聖靈指引的人時，你應該懷有很深的敬意。不要過著與弟兄姊妹毫不相干的日子，神認為你對弟兄姊妹有責任。不要濫用你在「基督裡的自由」，而忽視你對他人的責任（羅馬書十四：15）。保羅頌贊自己在基督裡的自由，但也敏銳地注意那些可能造成他人傷害的事（哥林多前書八：13）。他瞭解一己之罪，會帶給眾人痛苦（哥林多前書五：6）。

你有責任讓自己的生活不傷害其他人。你一定要自製，讓聖靈治死你自我中心的天然人傾向。你若只埋首於自己的身上，就不會注意到他人的需要。求神把你從自私中釋放出來，好叫你的生命能夠自由地成為眾人的祝福。

Putting Your Brother First

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. (1 Corinthians 10:24)

As a Christian you are obliged to view your actions in light of how they will affect other Christians. You will discover God’s will for your life when you consider His activity in the lives of others. This goes contrary to worldly thinking. The world encourages you to live your own life, taking care of your own needs and wants first. Sin promotes independence. It isolates you from others and separates you from those you could help or who could encourage you. God designed you for interdependence.

Whenever you meet another Christian, you come face to face with Christ (John 13:20). There ought to be a deep respect within you as you encounter other lives guided by the Holy Spirit. Do not live as if you have no responsibility toward your Christian brothers or sisters. God holds you accountable for how you relate to them. Don’t revel in your “freedom in Christ” to the point that you neglect your responsibility toward others (Rom. 14:15). Paul celebrated his freedom in Christ, but he was keenly sensitive to what might cause other Christians harm (1 Cor. 8:13). He was aware that his sin could not take place in isolation but could bring pain to many others (1 Cor. 5:6).

You have a responsibility to live in such a way that you do not hurt others. You must deny yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to put to death your natural inclination to be self-centered. As long as you focus on yourself, you will be oblivious to the needs of others. Ask God to free you from selfishness so that your life is free to bless others.