2016年2月10日
耶穌為首 Jesus Over Everything
读经: 歌羅西書1章15-20節
Reading: Colossians 1:15-20
祂在萬有之先。-歌羅西書1章17節
He is before all things.- Colossians 1:17
全年读经: 利未記8-10章;馬太福音25章31-46節
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 8–10; Matthew 25:31-46
有一天，朋友的兒子決定在上學的衣服外面，套上一件球隊的運動衫，因為當晚他最喜愛的球隊有一場重要的比賽，他想表示支持。在出門之前，他又戴了一條項鍊，項鍊上有個墜子，上面有「耶穌」的字樣。這看似簡單的行動，卻表達了更深的原則：在我們生活的每件事上，耶穌當居首位。
耶穌是在萬有之先，也在萬物之上，正如聖經上說：「祂在萬有之先，萬有也靠祂而立」 （歌羅西書1章17節） ；耶穌是「首生的，在一切被造的以先」 （15節） ；「祂也是教會全體之首」 （18節） 。因此，祂應該在凡事上居首位。
當我們在生活中的所有層面，都給予耶穌最高榮耀的地位，我們周遭的人便能看見這個原則。在工作時，我們是從心裡做，像是給主做的，還是只為了取悅老闆？ （3章23節） 我們是否以上帝的標準待人？ （12-14節） 無論是日常生活或是從事休閒活動，我們是否將主擺在第一位呢？
當耶穌成為我們生活中最大的影響力時，祂在我們的內心就佔有正確的位置──祂居首位。
親愛的耶穌，祢配得我獻上最好的，
無論是時間、精力與情感。
我要尊祢為我心靈的君王，我行事的主宰。
讓耶穌居首位。
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My friend's son decided to wear a sports jersey over his school clothing one day. He wanted to show support for his favorite team that would be playing an important game later that night. Before leaving home, he put something on over his sports jersey—it was a chain with a pendant that read, "Jesus." His simple action illustrated a deeper truth: Jesus deserves first place over everything in our lives.
Jesus is above and over all. "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (Col. 1:17). Jesus is supreme over all creation (vv. 15-16). He is "the head of the body, the church" (v. 18). Because of this, He should have first place in all things.
Jesus deserves the best of our time, energy, and affection.
When we give Jesus the highest place of honor in each area of our lives, this truth becomes visible to those around us. At work, are we laboring first for God or only to please our employer? (3:23). How do God's standards show up in the way we treat others? (vv. 12-14). Do we put Him first as we live our lives and pursue our favorite pastimes?
When Jesus is our greatest influence in all of life, He will have His rightful place in our hearts.
Dear Jesus, You deserve the best of my time, energy, and affection. I crown You King of my heart and Lord over everything I do.
Put Jesus first.