2015年11月28日
看見自己Seeing Ourselves
读经: 哥林多前書11章23-34節
Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34
人應當自己省察。-哥林多前書11章28節
Everyone ought to examine themselves. - 1 Corinthians 11:28
全年读经: 以西結書33-34章;彼得前書5章
Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 33–34; 1 Peter 5
在還沒有鏡子或銅鏡的年代，人們除了從水面的倒影之外，難得看清楚自己的模樣，而鏡子的發明帶來了極大的改變。隨著相機的發明，人們比以往更加重視外表的打扮。現代人不但可以用手機的照相功能，隨時看見自己，更能在任何時刻為自己留下永久的影像。這樣的演進對於製作相簿，或收集家庭照片，的確相當便利，但卻可能妨礙我們的靈命成長。當我們盯著手機螢幕而顧影弄姿，就容易將心思花費於外表的打扮，因而忽視自我的內在檢視。
自我省察對於靈命成長是至關重要的。上帝要我們時時檢視自己，才能避免犯罪而承受罪的後果。所以，聖經說我們應當自己省察，然後才吃主的餅、喝主的杯（哥林多前書11章28節） 。在這裡，自我省察的目的是要確定自己是否得罪上帝，是否得罪人。主的聖餐是要我們紀念基督的身體為我們而捨，如果不能與其他信徒和諧共處，就無法真正地領會聖餐的意義。
看清自己的罪與承認過錯，能使我們與他人和睦相處，並與上帝維持良好的關係。
親愛的主，求祢幫助我看重內心的自我反省，
勝過外在的千姿百態，
求祢透過聖靈的大能來改變我。
以聖經為鏡，可以更清楚地檢視自己。
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Long ago, before the invention of mirrors or polished surfaces, people rarely saw themselves. Puddles of water, streams, and rivers were one of the few ways they could see their own reflection. But mirrors changed that. And the invention of cameras took fascination with our looks to a whole new level. We now have lasting images of ourselves from any given time throughout our entire life. This is good for making scrapbooks and keeping family histories, but it can be detrimental to our spiritual well-being. The fun of seeing ourselves on camera can keep us focused on outward appearance and leave us with little interest in examining our inner selves.
Self-examination is crucial for a healthy spiritual life. God wants us to see ourselves so that we can be spared the consequences of sinful choices. This is so important that Scripture says we are not to participate in the Lord's Supper without first examining ourselves (1 Cor. 11:28). The point of this self-examination is not only to make things right with God but also to make sure we are right with one another. The Lord's Supper is a remembrance of Christ's body, and we can't celebrate it properly if we're not living in harmony with other believers.
Seeing and confessing our sin promotes unity with others and a healthy relationship with God.
Dear Lord, help me to be more concerned with the reflection of my heart than with my physical reflection. Change me through the power of Your Spirit.
When we look into the mirror of God's Word, we see ourselves more clearly.