Scripture Reading : 1 Corinthians 10
Theme : The Proper Use of Christian Liberty
After explaining how using our freedom affects others in chapter 8 and 9, Paul now shows how our use of freedom affects our own life.
- The abuse of liberty (10:1-13). Though all Israel had been graciously liberated and blessed by the Lord, most of them had failed the test of obedience and service by abusing their freedom and blessings. They had not brought their bodies under control, but had indulged their every desire, lust and craving by falling into idolatry (Ex. 32:6), immorality (Num. 25:1-2) and rebelliousness (Num. 16:41, 21:5). Therefore, they were disqualified in their spiritual life and lose their usefulness as their bodies scattered about the wilderness like pieces of broken vessels.
- The forbidden use of liberty (10:14-22). Christians have no liberty in regard to outright sins such as idolatry, immorality and complaining against God. It is not a moral issue to eat something offered to an idol, but it is a serious sin to engage in any form of idol worship. With strong words, Paul rebukes those who would take their liberty too far and became involve in the evils of idolatry, which is an abominable sin before God.
- The honorable use of liberty (10:23-11:1). The proper use of our liberty is to give glory to God. Though all things are lawful (i.e. gray areas of Christian living not specifically forbidden in the Bible), yet not all things contribute to our spiritual growth and to the good of others (cf. Phil. 2:3-4). Therefore, we are to use our liberty selflessly and carefully by imitating Christ, the supreme example of One who set aside His rights for the sake of others (Phil. 2:7-8).
Praying the Scripture
- One of the surest ways to fall into temptation and sin is to become overconfident (cf. Prov. 16:18). As some Christians may say today, “This is the age of grace. We are free and God is forgiving. We can’t lose our salvation so why not get everything out of life that we can?” When we push our liberty to the limits to see how much of the flesh we could indulge, we are trying God and risk severe discipline from Him. Let’s pray that we will seriously give thought to the warning “let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12), so that we will not be disqualified from effective service to Christ.
- The basic meaning of temptation is simply to test or prove. Whether it becomes a proof of righteousness or an inducement to evil depends on our response to it. God’s faithfulness promises us that He will not let us experience any test we are not able to meet and has provided the spiritual resources to help us endure through temptations. Let’s pray that we will be proven faithful by relying on God’s resources to endure temptations – prayer (Mark 14:38), trust (Prov. 3:5-6) and focus on our Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 12:3-4).
- The first question and answer in The Shorter Catechism are: “What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” This is the pinnacle of man’s being. There is no higher purpose for any individual than to be totally absorbed in the person of God and to view all of life through eyes filled with His wonder and glory. Anything and everything a Christian says and does should thus be to God’s glory. Let’s pray that this will be our life commitment even in the most mundane, routine and non-spiritual things of life such as eating or drinking (1 Cor. 10:31).
经文：哥林多前书10
主题：信徒自由的正确使用
保罗在第八和九章解释了我们的自由是如何影响他人后，他现在要阐明我们对自由的运用会如何影响我们自己的生活。
- 滥用的自由（10:1-13）。虽然主在祂的恩典中释放并祝福了全以色列，但多数人滥用了他们的自由与祝福，从而不遂顺服与事奉的考验。他们不控制自己的肉体，放纵每一个情欲、欲望及私瘾，陷入偶像敬拜（出32:6）、淫乱（数25:1-2）及叛逆（数16:41,21:5）中。因此，他们在属灵生活中被取消资格，失去了用处，因为他们的身体如破碎的瓦器一样，在旷野中分撒了。
- 禁用的自由（10:14-22）。基督徒在公然的罪孽上没有自由可言，如：拜偶像、淫乱及怨神。吃祭偶像之物不是一个道德问题，但参与任何形式的偶像敬拜是严重的罪。保罗以强烈的话斥责了滥用自由的信徒，因为他们竟然以自由的名义参与偶像敬拜；这在神面前是可憎的大罪。
- 自由可尊的用途（10:23-11:1）。信徒自由的正确用途是将荣耀归于神。虽然凡事都可行（即基督徒生活属灰色地带，圣经并没具体禁止的事），但这些不都能使我们在灵性增长，或对他人有益（参：腓2:3-4）。因此，我们当藉着基督的榜样，无私、小心地使用我们的自由，因为基督是为人的益处舍了自己权利的最大例子（腓2:7-8）。
用经文祷告
- 陷入试探及犯罪的必然途径是过于自信（参：箴16:18）。如今日的信徒或许会说：“这是恩典的世代。我们是自由的，神是宽容的。我们不能失去自己的救恩，所以何不尽情享受生活呢？”当我们挑战我们自由的极限，试看我们能放纵的程度时，我们是在试探神，并向自己引来严重的管教。让我们甚重考虑这警告：“自己以为站得稳的须要谨慎，免得跌倒”（林前10:12），叫我们不会从对基督的有效事奉中被取消资格。
- 试探的基本含义是察验或证明；不论它是成为公义的凭据，或是作罪的诱惑，都全凭我们的反应。神的信实应许我们，祂必不会让我们遇见我们所不能承受的试探，并已供应了属灵资源助我们承受这一切。让我们祷告我们会证明自己是信实的，并依赖神的资源胜过试探，即祷告（可14:38）、信靠（箴3:5-6），及对我们主耶稣基督的专注（来12:3-4）。
- 《较短教义问答》的首个问题与解答是：“人活着的主要目的是什么？人活着的主要目的是荣耀神，并永远享尽于祂。”这就是做人的巅峰了。人的最高宗旨就是要完全陶于醉神，并以祂的奇妙与荣耀看世界万物。基督徒所说所做的一切应当是为神的荣耀而行。让我们祈求这会是我们毕生的委身，即便在生活中最常规、最乏味、最不属灵的事物上，如吃、喝，也如此（林前10:31）。
