5月9日
标 题：把弟兄放置我们自己之前
经 节：无论何人，不要求自己的益处，乃要求别人的益处。（哥林多前书十章24节）
作为一个基督徒，我们有义务检视自己的行为对其他基督徒的影响。当你考量神在其他人身上的作为时，你会发现神在你身上的旨意。这种想法与世人的想法，是完全相反的。世人鼓励你要掌控自己的生活，优先考虑自己的需要和欲求。罪鼓吹独立。它孤立你，隔开了你与那些你能够帮助的人，或是那些能够鼓励你的人。神的本意是要你们彼此相顾。
每当你遇见其他基督徒，你就是与基督面对面相遇（约翰福音十三：20）。当你遇见那些被圣灵指引的人时，你应该怀有很深的敬意。不要过著与弟兄姊妹毫不相干的日子，神认为你对弟兄姊妹有责任。不要滥用你在“基督里的自由”，而忽视你对他人的责任（罗马书十四：15）。保罗颂赞自己在基督里的自由，但也敏锐地注意那些可能造成他人伤害的事（哥林多前书八：13）。他了解一己之罪，会带给众人痛苦（哥林多前书五：6）。
你有责任让自己的生活不伤害其他人。你一定要自制，让圣灵治死你自我中心的天然人倾向。你若只埋首于自己的身上，就不会注意到他人的需要。求神把你从自私中释放出来，好叫你的生命能够自由地成为众人的祝福。
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.
