【使不可能的爱成为可能】

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使不可能的爱成为可能

圣灵所结的果子，就是仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制。这样的事，没有律法禁止（加拉太5:22-23）

  

当一个律法师问主耶稣什么是最大诫命时，主耶稣回答：“你要尽心、尽性、尽意爱主你的 神。其次也相仿，就是要爱人如己”（马太福音22:37, 39）。这是一项难以完成的艰巨任务！

靠我们的力量，没有人能够尽到这个职分，但是上帝给予真基督徒一个能够做到的方法，就是靠着住在我们里面的圣灵运作，使我们结出圣灵的果实，而居首的果实就是爱（加拉太5:22圣灵所结的果子，就是仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制）。其实，其他八种圣灵的果实是爱的表达方式。

每当我们彰显出恩慈、忍耐或温柔，尤其在有些无仁慈之心的人不值得以仁慈相待时，我们就能看到上帝的爱透过我们来运作。结出圣灵的果实，不是靠我们自己更努力地用善意对待那些令人愤慨或难以相处的人，想象葡萄树的树液贯穿树枝结出果实的过程：树枝不能结出葡萄，但树液可以；同样的，靠我们自己结不出圣灵的果实，但圣灵流经我们，使我们由内结出上帝的爱，所以我们能够爱上帝，并且将上帝的爱传递给其他人。

之所以我们能够关爱敌对我们的人，根源是上帝的爱，我们能这样做并不是出自我们，而是上帝的作为。甚至我们向上帝献上敬拜，若没有上帝的帮助，我们也不能自己由心而生去这样做。尽管爱的诫命难以做到，但是上帝的恩典能够使之成为可能。

Impossible Love Made Possible

Galatians 5: 22 But the fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

When a lawyer asked JESUS which commandment was the greatest, HE said, “You shall love the LORD your GOD with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’” (Matt. 22: 37 JESUS replied: “‘Love the LORD your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’, 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’). What an overwhelming assignment!

In our own strength, none of us can live up to this obligation, but the LORD has provided a way for true followers to do the impossible. The indwelling HOLY SPIRIT works to produce HIS fruit in us, and first on the list is love (Gal. 5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,). In fact, the other eight qualities are really just descriptions of its expression.

Whenever we demonstrate kindness, patience, or gentleness, we see the LORD’s love at work through us, especially when the other person has been unkind and doesn’t deserve such pleasant treatment. This fruit is not produced by trying harder to muster good will toward someone who is irritating or hard to get along with. Instead, think of the process more like sap running through a branch on a grape-vine. The branch doesn’t make grapes; the sap does. In the same way, the SPIRIT flows through us, producing GOD’s love in us, so that we can pass it on to HIM and others.

Agape love is the reason we are able to care for someone who mistreats us—it’s GOD’s doing, not ours. Even the adoration we offer the LORD is not something that we can produce in our own heart apart from HIS assistance. Though the command to love is enormous, GOD’s grace makes it possible.

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爱超越一切权利

你们听见有话说“以眼还眼、以牙还牙”，只是我告诉你们，不要与恶人作对。有人打你的右脸，连左脸也转过来由他打；有人想要告你要拿你的里衣，连外衣也由他拿去；有人强逼你走一里路，你就同他走二里；有求你的，就给他；有向你借贷的，不可推辞。你们听见有话说“当爱你的邻舍，、恨你的仇敌”，只是我告诉你们，要爱你们的仇敌，为那逼迫你们的祷告。这样，就可以作你们天父的儿子。因为祂叫日头照好人、也照歹人，降雨给义人、也给不义的人。你们若单爱那爱你们的人，有甚么赏赐呢？就是税吏不也是这样行么？你们若单请你弟兄的安，比人有甚么长处呢？就是外邦人不也是这样行么？所以你们要完全，像你们的天父完全一样（马太福音5:38-48）

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，最近社会上谈到很多关于权利的问题。然而，即便如此重视人权，却没有给团体或个人带来更好的权利自由，反而让很多人成了嫉妒（你比我的权柄大）、贪婪（我应该得到更多）或怨恨（你们所谓的人权我没有得到，现在我连最基本的权利都被侵犯）的阶下囚。

作为基督徒，我们却不应该把注意力放在该得到什么特权上，而应该以圣经的角度来爱我们的敌人、宽恕逼迫我们的人（马太福音5:44 只是我告诉你们，要爱你们的仇敌，为那逼迫你们的祷告）。真基督徒应该放弃自己的权利，这样才能全力以赴地促建上帝圣洁的国度。但是，这并不意味着我们要受人的随意践踏，而是我们应该以圣经的真理原则来回应和感动那些敌对我们的人。简单地说就是，真基督徒应该更看重将上帝的爱彰显给犯错的人，而不是你争我夺地争取自己的权利。

可能你会想，他不知道我受了怎样地逼迫。是的，我确实不知道，但是我知道主耶稣作为我们的榜样，祂是怎样回应那些惨痛逼迫的。祂被自己的朋友出卖、被自己的子民迫害、被自己的同僚定罪，并且为我们的罪被钉十字架，然而祂却说：“父阿，赦免他们”（路加福音23:34当下耶稣说：“父阿，赦免他们。因为他们所作的，他们不晓得”）。

不要总说“耶稣的爱和宽恕的能力是人类无法达到的”，请记住：主耶稣的灵是住在真基督徒里面的！如果我们是真基督徒，那么我们就完全有能力选择放弃个人属世的权利，让上帝的爱透过我们来运作。

路加福音6:29说，要转过那边的脸也由他打、要放弃人强夺的（路加福音6:29有人打你这边的脸，连那边的脸也由他打；有人夺你的外衣，连里衣也由他拿去），因为行出爱比运用我们的权利更重要。当你对别人彰显上帝的无限关爱时，你不会失去任何东西，只会蒙上帝的祝福，并且因为你的神性榜样，大有希望能影响和带领更多的人悔改而蒙拯救。

Choosing Love over Rights

Matthew 5:38-48

Eye for Eye 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’  39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who pers

ecute you, 45 that you may be children of your FATHER in heaven. HE causes HIS sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly FATHER is perfect.

   

Dear Brothers and Sisters.

We talk a lot about rights these days. Yet the attention given to human entitlements hasn’t brought about corporate or personal freedom. Instead, most people are prisoners of jealousy (you have greater rights than I do!), greed (I deserve more!), or bitterness (my rights have been violated!).

Instead of focusing on the privileges due us, we should take the biblical perspective of loving enemies and forgiving persecutors (Matt. 5: 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you). True believers lay down their rights so they can take up the cause of a holy kingdom. That doesn’t mean that we let people trample on us. Rather, we offer a proper response according to biblical principles. In short, true believers should be more concerned about showing GOD’s love to those who do wrong than about demanding their rights.

Maybe you’re thinking, But he doesn’t know how I’ve been mistreated. Indeed I do not. But what I do know is how JESUS CHRIST, our example, reacted to terrible abuse. HE was betrayed by HIS friends, persecuted by HIS people, condemned by HIS peers, and crucified for our sins. Yet HE said, “FATHER, forgive them” (Luke 23: 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” . . . . . . . ).

Before assuming that JESUS’ capacity for forgiveness and love is out of reach for mere human beings, remember: HIS SPIRIT dwells in all true believers. We can choose to give away our earthly rights and let GOD’s love work through us.

Luke 6:29 says to turn the other cheek and give up more than is asked (Luke 6: 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.) because expressing love outweighs exerting our rights. You can’t lose when you show others the boundless care of the LORD our GOD. You gain HIS blessing, and, hopefully, someone will be saved because of your godly examples.

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宽大又有功效之门，为所有真基督徒敞开

但我要仍旧住在以弗所，直等到五旬节。因为有宽大又有功效的门为我开了，并且反对的人也多（哥林多前书16:8-9）

使徒保罗满腹热情和愿景地要将救恩的福音传遍世界，正因为他跟从圣灵的带领，所以他的决心显出了果效。虽然圣经没有告诉我们，上帝透过保罗转变了多少人的生命，但是我们知道，保罗的事工乃至现今仍影响着众多的人。

保罗深知，主耶稣吩咐祂的跟从者要“使万民作主的门徒”，并将主所有的命令都教训万民遵守（马太福音28:19-20所以你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父子圣灵的名给他们施洗。凡我所吩咐你们的，都教训他们遵守，我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了）。上帝带领着保罗，使他能够胜任这神圣的使命

但是让我们先回想一下以前的生活，那个时代还没有大众传播工具，所以传道是一个艰巨的任务。保罗只能通过亲自教授和书写来传道，或是培训门徒，使他们能够传扬真理。尽管传道条件有限，但是保罗仍能热切又有效地服从主耶稣的吩咐。

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，上帝的命令时至今日仍与我们有重大关系。上帝赐使命给我们，让我们告诉万民，透过基督的宝血和复活而得蒙救赎。与保罗相比，我们传道的媒介有许多种，就如广播电台、电视、互联网和手机，很容易就能与世界各国的人民沟通交流。我们可以更好地利用这些科技，使更多的人成为主的门徒。可是，如果我们只是忙于生活而没有服从上帝的命令，那就太可悲了！

作为基督的肢体（教会），我们正站在历史的关键时刻。机遇之门为我们敞开，我们可以通过多种方法来有力有效地传扬福音。作为真基督徒，我们有责任完成基督的大使命。但是要警惕，不要让忙于生活或对上帝的事工漠不关心，而使你越来越远离服从上帝的命令。

A Great Door for Effective Work has Open to all True Christians.

1 Corinthians 16: 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

The apostle Paul had passion and vision to reach the world with the good news about salvation. As he followed the Spirit’s leading, his determination proved effective. There’s no telling how many lives the Lord transformed through this man. And his influence is still impacting people today.

Paul knew that JESUS had instructed HIS followers to “make disciples of all the nations,” teaching them to observe everything He had commanded (Matt. 28: 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”). GOD led and enabled the apostle to do HIS part in carrying out this divine mission.

But think about life back then—that was a big task for a time when there was no mass communication. Paul could only teach, write, or train others to share the truth. In spite of limited means, however, he obeyed fervently and effectively.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

GOD’s command is still relevant for us today. HE has given us the work of telling all nations about redemption through CHRIST’s blood and resurrection. Compared to Paul, we have abundance of communication capabilities—including radio, television, Internet, and cell phones—which provide easy access into countries all over the world. We could make more disciples by better utilizing these technologies. But how tragic if we get busy and fail to obey GOD’s command.

We stand at a critical moment in history for the church (the body of CHRIST). The door of opportunity is wide open for us to share the gospel through a variety of methods. As true believers, we are obligated to carry out CHRIST’s Great Commission. Be careful that neither busyness nor apathy keeps you from obedience.

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上帝是至高无上的

平安弟兄姊妹们！

我们不仅要承认上帝至高无上的位格（那可称颂、独有权能的万王之王、万主之主---提摩太前书6:15），也要接受并且服从祂每一个神圣的旨意（愿你的国降临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上---马太福音6:10），不管经受什么样的患难（不但如此，就是在患难中也是欢欢喜喜的，因为知道患难生忍耐---罗马书5:3）、艰难（在世上你们有苦难，但你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界---约翰福音16:33；神既是公义的，就必将患难报应那加患难给你们的人---帖撒罗尼迦后书1:6）和迫害（你将要受的苦你不用怕。魔鬼要你们中间几个人下在监里，叫你们被试炼。你们必受患难十日。你务要至死忠心，我就赐给你那生命的冠冕---启示录2:10）都要如此。

作为上帝真正的跟从者，我们必须懂得，无论何种事情来临都有上帝在掌管，并且我们要为了上帝的荣耀，而把逆境作为祂对我们的旨意而欣然接受（我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱 神的人得益处，就是按祂旨意被召的人---罗马书8:28）。

GOD is sovereign

Shalom Brothers n Sisters,

We must not only allow the LORD to take HIS place (GOD, the blessed and only RULER, the KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS - 1 Tim. 6:15), but also accept HIS will in every providence ( - . . . Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven - Matt. 6:10). And whatever  the sufferings ( . . . but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance - Rom. 5:3), the trouble (" . . . . In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" - John 16:33 ; GOD is just: HE will pay back trouble to those who trouble you - 2 Thess 1:6), the suffer and persecution (do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown - Rev. 2:10).

As true followers of our LORD we must know whatever that comes, we must see GOD in it, and accept it as GOD's will to us (And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM, who been called according to HIS purpose - Rom. 8:28), for HIS glory and honor.