Lavish Love 丰盛的爱

[Dexu Xia]

If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty . . . allow him to live with you. Leviticus 25:35 nlt

Today's Scripture. Leviticus 25:35 nlt

Today's Insights  In his first letter, John carries forward many of the same themes that frequently appear in his gospel account. These include love (1 John 3:1-3, 11-18; 4:7-12; see John 3:16; 15:9-13) and light (1 John 1:5-7; 2:8-11; see John 1:9-13; 8:12; 9:5), both of which have been perfectly represented in the person of the Savior, Jesus Christ. John also mirrors his gospel by opening his letter with a statement of the incarnation of Jesus—the Son of God, who has come in the flesh (1 John 1:1-4; see John 1:1-5). While John’s writings contain many eternally important ideas, the concepts of love and light continually bubble to the surface as he seeks to describe both who Christ is and what He came to bring. He’s the Son of God, who came to penetrate the world’s darkness with His perfect light and to heal the brokenhearted with His perfect love. As we experience this la vish love, He helps us extend it to others.

Today's Devotion  It was my grandson’s eleventh birthday, and a group of family members gathered at a Mediterranean restaurant to celebrate. Before ordering, my son asked the birthday boy what he wanted. He reluctantly told his dad he’d like the salmon but knew it was too expensive. My son told him, “It’s your birthday. If that’s what you’d like, you can have it.” My grandson was thrilled, and his broad smile showed it.

My son’s love for his son reminds me in small part of God’s lavish love. First John 3 describes the “great love” God showers on us: He calls all who believe in Him His children (v. 1), the benefactors of His lavish love. This love is exemplified in Christ’s sacrifice, the greatest gift of all. Jesus “laid down his life for us” on the cross (v. 16). “We’re saved ‘by grace through faith’ in Christ” (Ephesians 2:8). This is God’s gracious gift to everyone who believes.

In response to God’s lavish love, let’s “lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16). We’re called to put our faith into action: to love and obey Him and to spread that love to others. Through the Holy Spirit, God enables us to extend lavish love to our family and beyond.

Reflect & Pray

When have you been the recipient of lavish love? How can you extend God’s lavish love to another?  Dear loving Savior, none of my gifts or sacrifices could ever compare to Your lavish love for me. Please help me find ways to live out that love to others.by Alyson Kieda

“你的兄弟在你那里若渐渐贫困，手中缺乏，你就要帮补他，使他与你同住。”（利未记 25:35）

 今日经文：利未记 25章35节

 今日洞见：在约翰的第一封书信中，他延续了许多在其福音书中常见的主题。这些主题包括“爱”（参阅约翰一书 3:1-3, 11-18; 4:7-12 与 约翰福音 3:16; 15:9-13）和“光”（参阅约翰一书 1:5-7; 2:8-11 与 约翰福音 1:9-13; 8:12; 9:5）。“爱” 和“光”这两者都在救主耶稣基督身上得到了完美的彰显。约翰在书信的开篇便宣告了耶稣的道成肉身，即那位降世为人的神的儿子（参阅约翰一书 1:1-4 与 约翰福音 1:1-5），这与他福音书的开篇遥相呼应。虽然约翰的著作包含了许多具有永恒意义的真理，但当他试着描述基督的身份以及祂降世带来的恩典时，“爱”与“光”这两个概念总是不断地浮现出来。祂是神的儿子，降世是为了用祂完美的光驱散世界的黑暗，并用祂完美的爱医治伤心的人。当我们亲身体验这份丰盛的爱时，祂也帮助我们将这份爱传递给他人。

 今日灵修：.我孙子十一岁生日一那天家人聚在一家地中海风味的餐厅庆祝。点餐前，我儿子问寿星想吃什么。孩子有些迟疑地告诉爸爸他想吃三文鱼，因为他知道这鱼很贵。我儿子对他说：“今天是你的生日。如果你想吃，就可以点。”孙子听后兴奋不已，脸上洋溢着灿烂的笑容。

  我儿子对他孩子的爱，让我联想到神那丰盛的爱。约翰一书3章描述了神倾注在我们身上的“极大的爱”：祂称所有信靠祂的人为儿女（1节），即祂那丰盛之爱的领受者。这种爱在基督的牺牲中得到了最完美的彰显，那是至高无上的恩赐。耶稣在十字架上“为我们舍命”（16节）。我们“因信得救……是本乎恩”（以弗所书2:8）。这是神赐给每一位信徒的恩典礼物。

  为了回应神这丰盛的爱，让我们也“为弟兄姊妹舍命”（约翰一书3:16）。我们蒙召要将信心付诸行动：爱祂、顺服祂，并将这份爱传递给他人。借着圣灵，神使我们有能力将这丰盛的爱延伸给家人以及更多的人。

 反思与祷告 你曾在何时领受过这丰盛的爱？你可以如何将神丰盛的爱传递给他人？亲爱且慈爱的救主啊，我所献上的任何礼物或牺牲，都无法与祢赐给我的丰盛之爱相比。求祢帮助我找到途径，向他人活出这份爱。