牧者心聲
愛鄰舍才能領人歸主
陳劍雲牧師
2024 年 7 月 13 日 / 14 日
Click here for English
關於愛上帝與愛人，聖經這樣說：「人若說『我愛上帝』，卻恨他的弟兄，就是說謊了；不愛他看得見的弟兄，就不能愛看不見的上帝。」（約壹四20，和修版）這番話同樣應用在愛鄰舍的誡命上。
親愛的弟兄姊妹，大誡命與大使命是一體的兩面，社會關懷是教會整全使命不可分割的部分。在某個創啟地區，人民通常很年輕就談婚論嫁，但是因為男人可以娶多個妻子、社會重男輕女，所以婚姻關係多數都不穩固。如果婦女產下的兒女是特殊孩子，他們便會因為這種遭遇被視為受神靈咒詛，是家族的羞恥，婦人很可能會連同孩子一同被離棄，也有不少孩子因此被遺棄作孤兒。當地有一組織得到基金支持，可以籌辦給特殊孩子的生活營，但不知道從那裡找來義工服事這些孩子。有宣教士夫婦知悉此事，便投入這服事中，奇妙的事就發生了。第一次營會需要50名義工，沒想到最後竟能如數達標。後來每次再辦營會，義工人數都不斷增加，甚至有義工是從別的鄉鎮來，而且每次辦營會都來。在義工當中有基督徒，但也有大量未信主的朋友。愛的實踐感動了人心，有年輕義工決志信主。在一個不能公開佈道的地方，福音的大能仍是不能被攔阻，實在感恩萬分。
愛的實踐是上帝國度降臨在人間的明證，福音必須首先被看見，然後才會被人聽見和接受。至於愛的實踐，必須建基於體會生命的需要和社群的狀況，而教會的社會關懷事工正是為帶動弟兄姊妹進入社群而生，旨在一同「看見」、「聽見」，以至在鄰舍中作服事、陪伴和同行。我們沒有解決社會問題的資源和方案，但我們可以在其中體會耶穌基督的心腸，並分享上帝供給我們分享的一切。有媽咪團契的姊妹投入家長同行小組中，與接受服務的婦女分享分擔作為照顧者的需要和感受，或在育兒的困難上交換心得，而教牧也在小組中引入親職教育的訓練，當然不少得的是一同吃喝和郊遊啦！在這個生活群體中，福音被看見了，也被聽見和接受了。
使徒保羅說：「凡我所做的，都是為福音的緣故，為要與人共享這福音的好處。」（林前九23）弟兄姊妹，願上帝的愛充滿我們的心，願上帝的靈更新我們的心志，讓我們在日常生活中定意活出愛與關懷，付代價去服事，成為上帝使人得救的使者。
Here is what the Bible says about loving God and man: "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen" (1 John 4:20). The same applies to the commandment on loving our neighbor.
Dear brothers and sisters, the Great Commandment and the Great Commission are two sides of the same coin. Social concern is an unalienable part of the church's integral mission. In a creative access region, people usually get married at a very young age. However, since men can each have a number of wives and society values men over women, marital relationships are mostly insecure. If a woman gives birth to a baby with special needs, they will be considered as being cursed by gods and be looked upon as a shame of the extended family. It is very likely that the woman will be abandoned along with the baby. Many children are also abandoned and have become orphans this way. With the support of some funds, one local organization was able to organize a life camp for children with special needs. Yet, they had no idea where their volunteers would come from. When a missionary couple knew this, they joined the service. Then, something amazing happened. They needed 50 volunteers for the first camp. Surprisingly, they finally got all the volunteers they needed. In subsequent camps, the number of volunteers kept increasing. Some volunteers even came from other towns and villages, and they kept coming every time. Among the volunteers, some were Christians, but there was also a large number of non-believing friends. The practice of love has moved human hearts. Some young volunteers committed their lives to Christ. The power of the gospel was unstoppable even in a place where public evangelism was prohibited. All thanks be to God indeed.
The practice of love is clear proof that the Kingdom of God has come to earth. The gospel must first be seen. Then, it will be heard and accepted. To put love into action, we must first understand people's needs in life and the condition of the community. It is exactly this that the church's social concern ministry is instituted for – to lead brothers and sisters into the community. It is aimed at helping all "see" and "hear" so as to serve, accompany, and walk with our neighbors. We do not have the resources nor solutions for social problems. However, we can perceive the heart of Jesus Christ in there and share what God has given us to share. We have sisters of a mothers' fellowship who joined a small group to walk with women served. They share the burdens, needs and feelings of carers and exchange tips on parenting. Pastoral staff are also in their midst to educate parents. For sure, they also eat together, drink together and have fun together touring the countryside! In that life community, the gospel is seen. It is also heard and accepted.
The apostle Paul said: "I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings" (1 Corinthians 9:23). Brothers and sisters, may the love of God fill our hearts. May His Spirit renew our determination to steadfastly live out love and care in our daily lives. May we pay the price to serve and become ambassadors of God's salvation of people.
| 返回頁首 Back to Top |