Loving God 爱上帝
Dexu Xia
We know and rely on the love God has for us. 1 John 4:16
The professor ended his online class in one of two ways each time. He’d say, “See you next time” or “Have a good weekend.” Some students would respond with “Thank you. You too!” But one day a student responded, “I love you.” Surprised, he replied, “I love you too!” That evening the classmates agreed to create an “I love you chain” for the next class time in appreciation for their professor who had to teach to a screen on his computer, not in-person teaching as he preferred. A few days later when he finished teaching, the professor said, “See you next time,” and one by one the students replied, “I love you.” They continued this practice for months. The teacher said this created a strong bond with his students, and he now feels they’re “family.”
In 1 John 4:10–21, we, as part of God’s family, find several reasons to say “I love you” to Him: He sent His Son as a sacrifice for our sin (v. 10). He gave us His Spirit to live in us (vv. 13, 15). His love is always reliable (v. 16), and we never need to fear judgment (v. 17). He enables us to love Him and others “because he first loved us” (v. 19).
The next time you gather with God’s people, take time to share your reasons for loving Him. Making an “I love you” chain for God will bring Him praise and bring you closer together.
Why do you love God? How can you show others His love?
I’m grateful to know Your love and to be a part of Your family, Father. Show me ways to creatively express that love.
上帝爱我们的心，我们也知道、也信。—约翰一书4章16节
在每次线上课程结束前，这位教授总是会对学生说：“下次见！”或“周末愉快！”有些学生会回应说：“谢谢，你也是喔！”但某一天，有位学生回应说：“我爱你！”教授在惊讶之余回答说：“我也爱你！”那天晚上，同学们同意在下一堂课结束时，大家轮流对教授说：“我爱你！”以表达对教授的谢意，因教授每次都需要对着电脑荧幕授课，而不是他所喜爱的当面讲课。几天后，当这位教授准备下课时，说：“下次见！”学生们一个一个地回答说：“我爱你！”接下来好几个月，他们都这么做。教授说这让他与学生们有牢固的情感连结，使他觉得他们就像“一家人”。
约翰一书4章10-21节指出，我们是上帝家中的一员，有许多理由可以对上帝说：“我爱祢！”祂差派爱子来为我们的罪死在十字架上（10节）；衪赐圣灵住在我们里面（13、15节）；祂的爱永远可靠（16节）；我们永远不必惧怕审判（17节）；祂使我们能爱祂并且爱人，“因为上帝先爱我们”（19节）。
下次当你与上帝的儿女们相聚时，不妨花些时间与大家轮流分享爱上帝的理由。让大家都有机会对上帝说：“我爱祢！”这能使上帝得着赞美，也会使大家更亲密。
你为何爱上帝？你如何向别人表达上帝的爱？
亲爱的天父，感谢祢使我明白祢的爱，
并让我成为祢家中的一员。求祢教导我，
能以创意的方式向人表达祢的爱。