太太和我决定要买一部家用的汽车。然而，究竟我们要一部新的，还是一部“较新的二手车”？又或者，我们是否应该修理一下我们那部可靠又老爷的轿车呢？对我们这些上了年纪的退休人士，是否应选择一部较容易上车下车的款式呢？我们也在考虑其他的装置，例如加热座垫、导航系统，和很多其他需要另外收费的附加装置。款式、装置、价格高低——我们真是进退两难了！
同样，让我们这些跟随耶稣基督的人，也思想一下我们生活中的各种选择。在基督徒生活中，有没有一些虽然美好、但却不一定是必需的东西呢？又有什么是不可缺少的，比如汽车的驾驶盘？我们住在加州时，空调十分重要。难道遵从神的诫命，也需要按地域和文化来调整吗？当基督与祂的门徒吃最后晚餐时，祂清楚地吩咐他们说： “你们彼此相爱；我怎样爱你们，你们也要怎样相爱。”
在哥林多前书13章，使徒保罗详尽地描述耶稣所说的爱，说： “爱是恒久忍耐，又有恩慈；爱是不嫉妒，爱是不自夸，不张狂，......凡事包容，凡事相信，凡事盼望，凡事忍耐。”
在这个月，让我们一起研读耶稣 “彼此相爱” 这条命令中更多的细节吧。
主耶稣，求祢的灵赐能力给我们，叫我们在与人交往时，能活出爱，并归荣耀与神。惟愿我们每一天都尊崇祢。奉祢的名求，阿们。
约翰福音 13:34-35
34我赐给你们一条新命令，乃是叫你们彼此相爱；我怎样爱你们，你们也要怎样相爱。
35你们若有彼此相爱的心，众人因此就认出你们是我的门徒了。”
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." — Romans 13:8
My wife and I had a decision to make about our family car. Did we need a new one or a "gently used" one, or should we repair our faithful but tired sedan? For us as aging pensioners, was it time for a model that would be easier to get in and out of? We also considered options such as heated seats, a navigation system, and a host of add-ons with price tags attached. Models, options, and whopping prices—what a dilemma!
In comparison, let's consider what options we have for living as followers of Jesus Christ. In the Christian life, what is nice to include but not really necessary? And what, like the steering wheel on a car, is absolutely essential? When we lived in California, air conditioning was necessary. Could following God's commands be similarly regionalized and culturally adapted? Christ's command to his disciples the last time he ate with them is clear: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
The apostle Paul describes that love in some detail in 1 Corinthians 13, where we read, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud... Love ... always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
This month let's look into some more specifics of Jesus' command to "love one another."
Lord Jesus, empower us by your Spirit to live with love in all our relationships, to the glory of God. May we honor you each day. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
