John 13:34-35 (NKJV) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The Agape love that is found in the church should be the envy of the world. Unfortunately, we have all seen strife and division among the body of Christ whether within churches, families, or Christian businesses. Churches dividing over theological differences or dissension caused by those with personal agendas, Christians suing one another over financial or management differences, and Christian families fighting over inheritances are but a few examples that we see, but none of these is what Jesus wants us to be known for! We would have been a clanging cymbal if we have all the spiritual gifts and talents but have not love for the church and the body of Christ. If anyone has been involved in any of these activities, we have brought shame to Jesus and the body of Christ by misrepresenting Christ to the world, as we have been walking in darkness rather than the light, or in Agape love. Instead, Jesus wants the world to know that the church is full of Agape love for one another, so that all men will know that we are His disciples.
1 John 2:9-11 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
The opposite of love is hatred. If we cannot even love those brothers and sisters in Christ whom we can see and touch, how are we to love God who is invisible?
For example, none of us should be involved in domestic violence or abuse, whether it is emotional, verbal, or physical abuse, for that is hostility and hatred—walking in darkness and being blinded in our eyes. We have our conscience seared when we are abusive towards our children, spouse, or parents. Instead, the Christian home should be full of love and warmth; we should be loving those whom God has placed under our care with Agape love.
Domestic violence can be removed in believers’ lives if they practise abiding in Christ by choosing to exercise His love using Agape love. When we meditate on Agape love instead of how others have wronged or disappointed us, the anger, frustration, disappointment, and rage will subside.
Sermon Series: How to love? (Part 2)
你是否行在黑暗里
约翰福音13:34-35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。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。
在教会里所见的AGAPE无条件之爱，应该为世人所羡慕。不幸的是，无论是在教会内部、家庭内部还是在基督徒商业伙伴之间，我们都看到许多的冲突和分裂。教会分裂的缘由可能是神学分歧, 或某些人因个人目的而分裂，基督徒因财务或管理上的差异而相互起诉，以及基督徒家庭为遗产而争，诸如此类的例子不胜枚举，但耶稣绝对不期望世人看到的我们是这样的！我们若有一切属灵的恩赐和才能，却没有对教会和基督肢体的爱，就必成为响的钹了。 我们中间若有人作这些事，就是叫主耶稣和基督肢体蒙羞了。我们是向世界错误地代表了基督。我们行在黑暗里，而不是行在光明中，行在Agape之爱。耶稣想让全世界都知道教会充满了对彼此的Agape 之爱。祂的心愿乃是要我们展示神的爱，这样世人就会认出我们是祂的门徒。
约翰1书2:9-11人若说自己在光明中。却恨他的弟兄，他到如今还是在黑暗里。爱弟兄的就是住在光明中，在他并没有绊跌的缘由。 惟独恨弟兄的是在黑暗里，且在黑暗里行，也不知道往哪里去，因为黑暗叫他眼睛瞎了。
爱的反面是恨。如果我们连在基督里那些我们能看见和触及的姊妹弟兄都无法去爱，那我们又怎能爱那看不见的神呢？
例如: 我们中间任何人都不应该卷入家庭暴力或虐待，无论是在情感上的、言语上的或身体上的虐待。这就是敌意和仇恨。它是行在黑暗里，我们的双眼是被蒙蔽了的。当我们虐待自己的孩子、配偶或父母时，我们就是将自己的良知放在火上烤。基督徒的家应该充满爱和温暖。我们应该以爱加倍之爱去爱那些神安置在我们关怀之中的人。
如果信徒以爱加倍之爱选择操练神的爱，践行常在基督里，家暴就能从他们的生命中除去了。当我们默想Agape Love，而不是耿耿于怀他人如何冤枉我们或让我们失望, 那么愤怒，沮丧，失望和暴躁就会平息!
讲章系列：如何去爱（第二部分）
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