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Loving One Another to Bless the Nations ♥ 彼此相愛，祝福萬民

Pastor Ka-Tong Lim 林加东牧师

We are a called community of Christ. In His glorious calling we derive the purpose of our existence. We are to be so infused with Christ’s love that we will be a blessing to those both near and far. This vision of CCCFC, “loving one another to bless the nations,” is derived from the New Commandment as well as the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Shortly before His earthly death, Jesus charged His disciples to love another as He loved them. Loving one another sacrificially thus become a Christian trademark even to outsiders. Jesus said, “a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34–35 ESV).

Yet, the church is also charged by the resurrected Christ to go make disciples of all nations. Not long before His ascension, Christ commissioned the disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20 ESV).

These twin commands provide purpose to the church of Jesus Christ. The community of love modeled after Christ’s example is also called to be always outward-looking so that it will be a blessing to others. These commands are like two wheels that propel the church forward. The axis connecting the two are Christ-followers that celebrate the Lord’s existence in and through them, always for the benefits of others.

We pray that CCCFC will become a church rooted in the Word of God as members aspire to live out the gospel in authentic communities. This will be a place where lives are transformed and equipped to serve in the Body of Christ. In a multigenerational setting, we also pray that we will continue to multiply in numbers of Christ-followers committed to reach the nations. Lord willing, we will continue to engage in church planting processes both locally and globally.

Let us remind ourselves that these are non-negotiable commands given by our Lord. We will do well in keeping them faithfully. In His hand and according to His purpose, let us dare to march forward in bold humility. Glory to His name!

科林郡恩友堂是一个蒙召的团体，在这荣耀的呼召中，我们找到教会存在的目的。神的心意是要我们活出基督的爱，使我们成为远近人们的祝福。「彼此相愛，祝福萬民」的异象是來自我們的主耶穌基督所颁布的新命令和大使命。

面对十字架的主耶稣嘱咐祂的门徒，要效法祂的榜样，像祂爱他们一样地彼此相爱。舍己相爱，因此成为基督徒的明显标志，即使在外人看来也是如此。耶稣说："我赐给你们一条新命令，乃是叫你们彼此相爱；我怎样爱你们，你们也要怎样相爱。你们若有彼此相爱的心，众人因此就认出你们是我的门徒了。"（约翰福音13:34-35）

不但如此，复活的基督还命令教会出去，使万民作他的门徒。主耶稣升天前不久，命令门徒说："所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。凡我所吩咐你们的，都教训他们遵守，我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了。"（马太福音28:19-20）

前一个主耶稣赐予门徒的新命令；后一个是复活的基督颁布的大使命。这两个主所看重的命令，成为基督的教会存在的目的。以基督的榜样彼此相爱的团体，同时也被召成为一个祝福他人、“外向型”的共同体。这双重命令就像两个轮子，推动教会前进。连接这两个轮子的轴心是效法基督的门徒，他们欢庆主的同在，也把这蒙福的同在带到更多的群体。

我們求主使科林郡恩友堂成為一個扎根於神的話語的教會，弟兄姐妹都渴望在真實的共同体中把福音真义活出来。在这里，生命将被翻转改变，并被装备在基督的身体里服事众人。在一个代代相传的生命体中，我们也祈求神帮助，让我们继续成长，且致力于向万民传福音。我们也将继续在本地和万民中，参与推动植堂计划。

我们当知道，「彼此相愛，祝福萬民」是主所赐不容推卸的命令，必须忠心遵守。在祂的手中，按照祂的旨意，让我们放胆谦卑地前行。愿荣耀都归于祂的名!

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