讀經： 哥林多後書六章3至13節 3我們凡事都不叫人有妨礙，免得這職分被人毀謗； 4反倒在各樣的事上表明自己是神的用人，就如在許多的忍耐、患難、窮乏、困苦、 5鞭打、監禁、擾亂、勤勞、儆醒、不食、 6廉潔、知識、恆忍、恩慈、聖靈的感化、無偽的愛心、 7真實的道理、神的大能；仁義的兵器在左在右； 8榮耀、羞辱，惡名、美名；似乎是誘惑人的，卻是誠實的； 9似乎不為人所知，卻是人所共知的；似乎要死，卻是活著的；似乎受責罰，卻是不至喪命的； 10似乎憂愁，卻是常常快樂的；似乎貧窮，卻是叫許多人富足的；似乎一無所有，卻是樣樣都有的。 11哥林多人哪，我們向你們，口是張開的，心是寬宏的。 12你們狹窄，原不在乎我們，是在乎自己的心腸狹窄。 13你們也要照樣用寬宏的心報答我。我這話正像對自己的孩子說的。 |
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:3-13 3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. |
| RELATIONSHIPS A telephone company had an excellent and meaningful theme in their advertising. It was the phrase "Reach out and touch someone". That can be the way to start or develop a meaningful relationship. It can restore a broken relationship. It is something we all ought to do more often. In our reading today you can see how anxious Paul was to restore relationships with the Corinthian believers. Something had come between them and himself and Paul was reaching out to them again. How many were actually against Paul in the Corinthian church? We do not know, but it doesn't take many to cause disruptions in a church, does it? One or two "stirrers" will do it. Paul's constant concern was that nothing would reflect on the name of Christ, on the testimony of the church or on his own testimony. It was obvious that he wanted the love of the Corinthian Christians and the fellowship to be restored. He could say he loved them all. Verse 11 says his heart was opened wide to them. He loved his friends. He loved those who were his enemies, those who opposed him, the difficult ones. He included them all. What an example it is for us! However, love and communication must be a two-way street. Paul's problem was that they were not loving him in return (vv.12-13). Relationships and fellowship cannot be built where there is no response. Free and open communication is the mark of trust. Love communicates. What is true fellowship? It is one heart openly responding to another heart. One of the greatest needs in most churches is greater emphasis on fellowship. We must do more than just sit, sing, listen and leave. There are lonely people everywhere, including in our church congregations. Why not "reach out and touch someone today"? It could be the beginning of a meaningful and helpful relationship for you both. It could bring great blessing into your life. Why not do it today? REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE - TODAY! |
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