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1 Corinthians Chapter 15 - His Grace Toward Me Was Not In Vain

How have we responded to the grace of God? 

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When we think of Paul, we might think of someone capable and unafraid to do God’s work. In his missionary journeys, we see his resolve to preach the gospel and his readiness to even die for the Lord (Acts 21:13). In his epistle to the Corinthian church, we see him boldly rebuking the believers and correcting many of their erroneous ways of thinking and doing things. Even Elder Peter considered Paul to be a worker whom God had given wisdom to, to teach the believers (2 Pet 3:15-16).

Looking inwards

But what did Paul think of himself?

“For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1 Cor 15:9)

Though Paul did much and suffered much in his ministry, he still considered himself the least of the apostles, acknowledging his past identity as a persecutor of the church. During his missionary journeys, he personally testified of all the wrongs he did before his conversion – imprisoning men and women who believed, consenting to their executions, compelling them to blaspheme and persecuting them to foreign cities (Acts 22:4-5, 26:10-11). His acknowledgement of his sins against God made him all the more understand that God’s grace towards him was undeserved.

This reminds me of the incident in Luke 7 where a sinful woman came to Jesus and washed His feet with her tears, wiped His feet with her hair, then anointed His feet with fragrant oil (Luke 7:37-38). The Pharisee who witnessed it was skeptical, but Jesus was loving. He raised an analogy of 2 debtors who owed their creditor money, one owed a greater amount and the other a smaller amount. When the creditor let them both go, the one who owed a greater amount would have loved the creditor more. Similarly, it was precisely because the woman was full of sin, that she was also full of love for Jesus, and in His mercy, He forgave her.

“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” (Luke 7:47)

Just like the sinful woman, and just like Paul, we too were once sinners condemned to death, and nothing we do makes us deserving of God’s grace and calling. Yet where our sin abounded, God’s grace abounded much more (Rom 5:20), and by His abundant grace He saved us from death into life. What then is our response?

Looking outwards

Paul’s response towards receiving underserved mercy was to labour for God.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I laboured all the more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Cor 15:10)

Ever-present in Paul’s mind was the great debt of grace that he owed the Lord for forgiving him and choosing him, and he resolved to live his life for Christ by labouring for Him. Not just serving Him, or working for Him, but labouring for Christ. This entails a life of sacrifice, where he was prepared to suffer for the sake of Christ and the gospel.

Are we also willing to labour for Christ?

Looking upwards

As we labour and toil for Christ, let us hold on to the greatest hope we have in our lives as Christians – that just as Christ had resurrected, we too will resurrect on the final day (1 Cor 15:22-23), where our bodies will be raised as a spiritual body in incorruption, glory and power (1 Cor 15:42-43).

“Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor 15:58)

There will eventually come an end to our lives, an end to our suffering, an end to our labour. May God’s grace towards us not be in vain, and may we always find comfort in Paul’s encouragement that all our labour in the Lord is also never in vain.

相关内容

Should We Conduct Infant Baptism?

Should We Conduct Infant Baptism?

Some argue that as infants are unable to believe, they should not be baptised. They quote the incident of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, where Philip told him that if he believed with all his heart, he could get baptised (Acts 8:36-37). However, the True Jesus Church believes that we should, in fact, conduct infant baptism! While it is true that water baptism is an act of faith, it is more than just a confession of one’s faith, but also carries with it important spiritual implications. Let us look at it from a few angles. Firstly, water baptism is necessary for salvation. We can see this from Jesus’ command to the disciples to preach the gospel and baptise people. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16 NKJV Some argue that it is the faith that saves and not baptism. However, in 1 Pet 3:21, Peter mentions explicitly that baptism saves! “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” I Peter 3:21 NKJV Baptism saves, because through it we now have a good conscience before God. That means our sins are forgiven! And this is corroborated by Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16. “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 NKJV “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’” Acts 22:16 NKJV From these verses, we can see that water baptism is necessary for salvation, because our sins are washed away through baptism. The Bible tell us that death came into the world through the sin of Adam. And death spread to all man, because all sinned! Death is a result of sin, and all are condemned because of Adam’s offence. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—” Romans 5:12 NKJV “And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.” Romans 5:16 NKJV All humans, from the point of their birth, are subject to death. That is a reflection of the sin that is in us. We are, by default, because of Adam’s sin, sinners as well, and subject to eternal condemnation. That means that if an infant dies, he/she will also be condemned eternally! As such, water baptism should also be conducted for infants for the remission of their sins. Infants also need salvation! Secondly, it is through baptism that we become part of the body of Christ. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” I Corinthians 12:13 NKJV “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” I Corinthians 12:27 NKJV Paul also links the idea of the body of Christ to salvation, saying that Jesus Christ has reconciled both Jews and Greek, in one body, to God. “and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.” Ephesians 2:16 NKJV Without baptism, infants are not part of this body of Christ that is reconciled to God. How then, can they be saved without baptism? Thirdly, baptism in the new testament, is likened to circumcision in the old testament. “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:11-12 NKJV Interestingly, circumcision was also a requirement to be considered a part of God’s people! Even foreigners who want to be included as God’s people, and keep the Passover, also have to be circumcised. “And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”” Genesis 17:14 NKJV “And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it.” Exodus 12:48 NKJV We can see from the above verses that circumcision was very important, and was a requirement to be the people of God. But, what was the significance behind the action? Was it just a physical act, or a work of the law? “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.” Romans 4:11-12 NKJV Paul explains that circumcision was a sign given to Abraham of his righteousness, as a result of his faith in God! And that he might be a father of faith, to those who believe (but are uncircumcised), and those who are not only circumcised, but walk in faith! That is to say, circumcision is actually a sign that one is a descendant of Abraham, the father of faith, and likewise walks in faith in God. When then is circumcision performed on the Israelites? When they are merely 8 days old! “He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant.” Genesis 17:12 NKJV Even though it is a sign of faith, we can see that God commanded the Israelites to be circumcised when they were only eight days old, an age where it is basically impossible for these neonates to show any signs of faith. God wants these children to be part of His people as early as possible! Since baptism is likened to circumcision in various ways, namely an act required to be part of God’s people, and also a sign of faith in God, why should infants be denied baptism, the way of entry into the body of Christ, simply because they are too young to confess their faith? The Bible places an importance on parental faith. In the case of the Philippian jailer, by his faith, his whole household was saved. That would have included his children as well. “So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.” Acts 16:31-33 NKJV We can also see how Jesus saved the children of the nobleman and the Canaanite woman, because they both had faith in Jesus. “The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.” John 4:49-50 NKJV “Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Matthew 15:28 NKJV The Bible also tell us that it is the parent’s responsibility to train up children in fearing God. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 NKJV “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NKJV Therefore, children of believers, who are not old enough to understand the concept of faith, should still be baptised, if their parents have faith. In fact, they need to be baptised to be part of the body of Christ and to have their sins forgiven! The responsibility of teaching them how to fear God and walk in faith thereafter, lies with their parents. In conclusion, let us remember that Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God (Mk 10:13-16).” Let us not deny these children from being a part of His body and salvation.

罗马书第10章: 你将在哪里传福音?

罗马书第10章: 你将在哪里传福音?

当保罗写罗马书10章时,很可能心中挂念着许多的人。 一些研究估计,保罗是在第三次宣教旅程中写的这卷书。他是写给住在罗马的基督徒,希望最终能亲自拜访他们。 第三次宣教旅程自然意味着他之前也经历过第一次和第二次。事实上,确实如此。 不像我们教会今天的宣教旅程通常只限于一个国家,保罗的旅程遍布小亚细亚地区。所以,他访问了许多城市,牧养了数百甚至可能上千的信徒。 保罗对这些相识过的基督徒心怀真诚,也为他们采取了许多实际行动。 保罗曾写道,他切切地想念着腓立比的弟兄姊妹(腓立比书1:8-9)。他也写信给帖撒罗尼迦教会说:“我们即是这样爱你们,不但愿意将 神的福音给你们,连自己的性命也愿意给你们,因你们是我们所疼爱的。弟兄们,你们记念我们的辛苦劳碌,昼夜做工。。。”(帖前 2:8-9) 此外,他明确提到自己为哥林多、腓立比、歌罗西、帖撒罗尼迦的教会祷告(林后13:7;腓1:9;歌1:9;帖后1:11)。 保罗知道神呼召他作“外邦人的使徒”(罗11:13),他也以身作则,成为我们效法的好牧者。 但这还不是全部。 他心中的渴望,仍然是让更多人认识我们的神。 在罗马书10:1,保罗写道:“弟兄们,我心里所愿的,向神所求的,是要以色列人得救。” 这实在令人感动,尤其是因为之前保罗曾尝试向犹太人传福音,但被神引导转向外邦人。 他所做的远超许多人在传福音时可能会考虑的努力。 然而,看到犹太人得救的热情,依然驱使着他。 这让我想到我们的会众对传福音的心。我们有多常将神对人类的爱转化为行动,传扬祂的话语?我们有多渴望看到更多的灵魂得救? 还是说,我们一开始就对自己的得救感到漠不关心? 对于那些渴望传福音,但觉得他人反应不佳而感到无助的人,我们可以用保罗的眼光重新振奋信心。他看到了主的能力和祂的个人努力。 “又有以赛亚放胆说: “至于以色列人,他说: 在神的救赎计划中,祂希望拯救全人类(约3:16)。 保罗看到了通过信仰那唯一真神——耶稣基督,种族和民族都能合而为一的团结。他也看到并被跟随基督、顺服神的义的祝福所激励(罗10:3)。 我们的文化偏见是否渗透到我们的福音工作中,以至于只愿与某些族裔、民族、部落或国家的人分享福音? 我们是否忘记了神的良善、祂呼召的盼望,以及祂在福音中所赐的救恩大能? 在基督里,没有中国人、新加坡人、印度人、缅甸人、伊拉克人、奥地利人、芬兰人、阿尔冈金人、毛利人、加纳人等的区别。。。 今年,你的福音工作将从哪里开始呢?

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