上帝之愛 (1)

上帝之愛 (1)
聖經閱讀：約翰福音13:31-35 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年9月11日(三)

今天經文的第34節，耶穌說：「我給你們一條新命令：要彼此相愛。我怎樣愛你們，你們也要怎樣彼此相愛。」如果我們想要遵守這個命令，就必須知道耶穌是如何愛人的。 　希臘文中有四個字用來表示「愛」，而耶穌在第34節中所用的希臘字是「agape」（上帝之愛）。「上帝之愛」是什麼樣的愛呢？這種愛是無止盡的；如果我用上帝之愛來愛人，這意味著我永遠希望對方得到的是最好的。這種愛不是一時的感動或感覺，而是我們所做的一個決定。 　認識越多上帝之愛可以幫助我們了解耶穌要我們如何彼此相愛。耶穌又說，我們應該要用上帝之愛來愛我們的仇敵；如果我們真的對朋友和仇敵有無止盡的愛，我們就是遵守了耶穌的命令。 　我鼓勵你今天就去愛人，讓他們看見耶穌這種特別的愛。 —JS* 「你們又聽過這樣的教訓說：『愛你的朋友，恨你的仇敵。』但是我告訴你們，要愛你們的仇敵，並且為迫害你們的人禱告。」 馬太福音5:43-44 禱告：天父，我願像耶穌一樣愛人。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (林煜茹譯)

Agape Love (1)
Bible Reading: John 13:31-35
Wednesday, September 11, 2013

In verse 34 of our Bible Reading, Jesus said, “I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you.” If we want to obey this command, we need to find out how Jesus loved. 　In the Greek language, there are four words for love. The Greek word that Jesus used in verse 34 is “agape.” What is agape love? This kind of love is unlimited. If I love someone with agape love, it means that I always want the best for that person. This kind of love is not an emotion or a feeling, but it is a choice that I make. 　Knowing more about agape love helps us understand how Jesus wants us to love each other. Jesus also said that we should love our enemies with agape love. If we truly have unlimited love for our friends and our enemies, we will be obeying Jesus’ command. 　I encourage you to love people today. Show them Jesus’ special kind of love. —JS* “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly.” Matthew 5:43-44 PRAYER: Father, I want to love people like Jesus did. In His name. Amen.