Matthew 22:37-39 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
Jesus taught us to do unto others as we would like others to do unto us. This is especially true when it comes to loving someone. Our love must be sincere, consistent and impartial. If we are to love our neighbour as we love ourselves, we will speak the truth to them even though it might hurt them, because we would naturally want the best for them as we would for ourselves. Loving someone with sincerity and authenticity should begin at the church, because if we cannot love the family of believers, how can we show love to those in the world?
Romans 12:13,15-16 (Amplified) contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality…Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief]. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself.
The world has either consciously or subconsciously categorised people into different social strata. Therefore, we will seldom see a wealthy person taking someone from a different social class into their home to lodge or for meals, but Jesus is our best example of humility because He left the glory of heaven to dwell among us on earth. Those who think too highly of themselves and fail to view themselves as God’s stewards of their possessions will never help those in need and may even disassociate themselves from the lower strata of society.
One of the most renowned examples in the Bible illustrating such practices is the story of the good Samaritan. The victim was robbed, stripped, and left to die on the street. Both the priest and Levite passed by without helping him, but it was the good Samaritan who picked him up, put him on his donkey and brought him to the inn. He even chose to pay for all his expenses. The good Samaritan showed mercy, and God would like us to do likewise.
Galatians 6:10 (NKJV) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
When was the last time you helped someone in need? When we bless someone or sow into their lives, we should not expect any return if the Lord has impressed upon our heart to help them. Because we are a steward of everything that we own, we are also a conduit of God’s blessings to those whom God has placed in our midst, in particular the household of faith.
Sermon Series: You Can Do It (Part 2)
爱上帝的家人
马太福音22:37-39 耶稣对他说，“你要尽心，尽性，尽意的爱主你的神。”这是诫命中首要的也是最重要的。其次：‘你要爱人如己。 ’
耶稣教导我们要“己所欲则施予人”。当关乎爱一个人时，这一点尤其真确。我们付出的爱要真诚，持之以恒并且不带偏见。如果我们爱人如己，我们就会对他们实话实说尽管有时忠言逆耳，这样做是因为正如我们会为了自己的利益着想，自然而然就想为他们的最佳利益着想。真心诚意地爱他人应该从教会开始，因为倘若我们不能爱为信徒的家人，又怎能去爱俗世中的人呢？
罗马书 12:13，15-16 圣徒的需求要帮着补给，而且要热情好客。与喜乐的人同喜，与哀哭的人同哀哭。与他人和睦相处；不要目中无人（自负的，自大的，自我清高的），但要抱着谦虚的态度与人相处（实事求是的态度）。不要自以为是。
世间人时常有意无意的把人划分成不同的阶层。所以我们很少见到富有的人邀请其他社会阶层的人去家里小聚或是共进晚餐，但是主耶稣为我们展示了谦逊的最佳表率，因为祂离开了天上的荣耀降世住在我们中间。那些自视清高的人意识不到自己只是上帝的管家，不仅不愿去帮助穷乏人，有的甚至不屑理会不如自己的人。
圣经里最著名的一个相关的例子是好撒玛利亚人的故事。受害者被抢劫，又被抽打然后被丢到街上等死。祭司和利未人经过都视若无睹，只有那好撒玛利亚人扶起他，用自己的驴驮着他来到客栈。他甚至选择为受害者支付了全部的花销。这位好撒玛利亚人展示了何谓怜悯，上帝要我们效法他。
加拉太书 6:10 因此，如果有机会，就让我们向他人行善，尤其那向些信徒家庭。
你上一次帮助患难之人是在什么时候？当我们帮助别人或是播撒善种在他人的生命里，我们不应该期待任何回报因为那只是主在感动我们的心去帮助他们。因为我们是我们所拥有之一切的管家，同时也是上帝祝福的管道，导向那上帝安置在我们中间的人们，尤其是信仰之家。
讲章系列：你能做到 （第二部分）