国际聚会
Have you ever found yourself day dreaming:‘if everyone could just think the way I think – we would all be better off.’ But life doesn’t work that way, does it? I can daydream of being a loving, caring, supportive person; the best friend . . .the number one husband in the world . . . a top-shelf dad . . . the most caring pastor . . . but people mess up my dreams.
They think differently from me - and you. They hinder progress or they don't understand. For some reason, they can’t see it the way I see it. Before I know it, the sun sets and I am far from the person I was in my daydream. Society is far removed from the way I dream it could be – if everyone was just like me.
你们有没有白日做梦：“如果人人都和我思想的方式一样– 那么大家都会好过许多。” 但现实并不是那样的，对吗？我可以臆想我有爱心、关照并且支持他人；是最好的朋友、世上最好的模范丈夫、最棒的父亲、最关爱的牧师…但人们往往搞砸了我的白日梦。
他们的想法与我不同-跟你也不同。他们阻碍进步或者他们不理解。出于某种原因，他们无法以我的方式看待问题。不知不觉，日落西山，而我已经远离了那个白日梦中的那个我。如果每个人与我感同身受，那么就会认同社会与我臆想的运作方式相去甚远。
If it wasn’t for people who think differently from me, my dreams of being a loving, caring, supportive person, the best friend… the shelf dad … none of these things could ever be tested or measured or challenged. It’s our differences that actually test what’s most important to us. Right now, the pandemic is trying and testing all of us. It’s hard, isn't it?!
Diversity is a precious trait of Gracecity. 55 different countries represented within our church whānau. It’s brilliant. Like the Psalmist, we are declaring today: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!... For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” (Psalm 133)
But let’s be honest – Genuine unity amidst diversity is hard work. That’s true in ethnic diversity. It’s also true when it comes to political differences, economic pathways, differences in health approaches.
若没有那些看法与我不同的人，那么我梦想成为一个有爱心、有关爱、支持他人的我、最好的朋友、最棒的父亲.....这白日梦将永远不会面临考验、衡量或挑战。正是我们之间的不同检视何为我们最重要的东西。正如目前的疫情正在考验我们，不是吗？
多元化是恩典之城的宝贵财富。我们教会有来自55个国家的会众，精彩纷呈。正如诗篇的描述，今天我们宣告：”看啊，弟兄和睦相处，多么美好，多么快乐！……那里有耶和华所赐的福气,就是永远的生命。” (诗篇 133)
但说实话,这多元化真正走向合一是一项艰巨的工作。在种族多样性、不同政见、经济举措、养生之道等各方面也是如此。
We’re all seeing the strain going on in our communities right now as we grapple with competing ideas around how best to respond to the Pandemic. This pandemic is causing so much harm to every sector of society – schools, businesses, travel, lives and in-person church gatherings. Sometimes crises have a unifying effect. We saw that in the way people responded to the Christchurch earthquakes 10 years ago when a whole city and nation came together to assist. We felt that last year – the team of 5 Million rallying together.
我们看到我们在努力寻找应对疫情最佳策略时我们的社区面临着各种不同或者对立观点所带来的压力。这疫情对社会的各个环节- 学校、企业、旅行、生活和面对面的教堂聚会– 都造成了如此大的伤害。有时，危机具有联合的效果。 10 年前，基督城地震，当整个城市和国家联合起来援救时，从人们的反应中我们便看到了。去年我们也感受到了- 500 万的团队联合在一起。
What disturbs me right now is that there is a growing polarising occurring over very strong opinions.
Opinions about restrictions:
On one side, people that think tight restrictions might lead to a more painful impact on society.
On the other side - to lessen restrictions is irresponsible and reckless – we need to keep the virus from spreading.
There is an understandable tension between these two strong views.
Opinions about the role of government. Our political allegiances show their colours through whether we agree or disagree with particular approaches.
We all have different views – on a range of things. Many times differences lead to conflict.
We all have different views – on a range of things. Many times differences lead to conflict.
现在让我感到不安的是，民众非常强烈的意见，两极分化越来越严重。
关于封城限制的意见:
一方面，有人认为严格的限制可能会给社会带来更痛苦的影响。
另一方面，有人认为减少封城的限制是不负责任和鲁莽的-我们需要防止病毒传播。
这两种强烈观点之间的对立关系是可以理解的。
关于政府职能的意见-我们支持或反对某些特措显出我们对某个政党的支持与否。
对于一系列的事情，我们所持有的观点都会有所不同 。许多时候分歧会引发冲突。
These differences can be from the country of origin, language differences, political viewpoints, or approaches to health. The presence of conflict is not bad. Conflict is not unspiritual. In fact, a lot of research shows that good conflict can actually lead to healthier relationships and healthier teams. In other words, difference or conflict is not the problem. The problem arises in how we handle the conflict; how we respond to the differences we see and hear around us.
No one needs to teach us what bad conflict resolution looks like. That seems to come naturally to us.
No child was ever taught to pull their sibling’s hair or yell and scream when they didn't get their way. But this is what all kids do at some time.
Adults do it too. We may not pull hair but we know which buttons to press.
We know what words to use to pull down, the body language that excludes, taking sides without even checking on the accuracy of what we heard.
这些分歧可能来自原籍国、语言分歧、不同政见或养生之道。冲突的存在并不是坏事。冲突并非不属灵。事实上，大量研究表明，良性冲突实际上可以带来更健康的关系和更契合的团队。换言之，分歧或者冲突本身并非有问题，问题本身在于我们如何处理冲突、如何回应我们所闻所见的分歧。
无需说教什么是糟糕的冲突解决方式。这对我们来说似乎是与生俱来的。
没人教孩子扯他们兄弟姐妹的头发或在他们不顺心时大喊大叫。但这就是所有孩子在某个时候都会做的事情。
成年人也这样做。我们可能不会拉头发，但我们知道怎样挑拨对方。
我们知道使用什么诋毁语言、排斥的肢体语言，甚至在没有确认听清时就偏向一边。
The issue is that most of us handle conflict poorly. That’s why most times those differences ultimately lead to division/disunity. But differences and conflict don’t have to result in division.
真正问题在于我们多数人不会好好处理冲突。如此便引发了分裂、不团结。然而分歧和冲突不需要导致分裂。
One of the things I love about the Bible is that it is real about life. It shows that this formula often plays out in the experiences of life. But, it paints a picture of a different way forward that doesn’t result in division. So, I want to take us to one of these stories today in the very beginning of a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to a church in the Mediterranean city of Corinth. “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)
我喜欢圣经的一个原因是它是真实的写照。它记载人们常会因为分歧跟冲突而分裂。但圣经也描绘了另一种处理冲突的方式是不导致分裂的。所以，我想用使徒保罗写给地中海城市哥林多教会的一封信的开头，把我们带入其中的一个故事。“亲爱的弟兄姊妹，我奉主耶稣基督的名劝你们，要同心合意，不可结党纷争，要团结一致” (哥林多前书 1:10)
Do you hear his plea? He’s not holding back. “I’m speaking right now with the authority that Jesus has given me”, he says. “I want to make an appeal to you.” “Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) In other words, the differences and conflict you experience – these things don’t have to lead to division!
你听到他的恳求了吗？他没有退缩。他说：“我现在是带着耶稣给我的权柄说话”。“我想向你提出请求。” “不可结党纷争，要团结一致” (哥林多前书 1:10) 换言之，你所经历的分歧和冲突– 那些事并不需要引发分裂。
The original word here for ‘divisions’ has the idea of schism, a split, a ripping or tearing apart. Ripping apart certainly describes what this feels when division happens in relationships of any kind. Paul is calling followers of Jesus to ensure our differences are never elevated to the point where they rip us apart. At the time of writing, the church at Corinth was facing the risk of relationships being torn apart.
这里“分裂”的原始词有分裂、分开、撕开或撕裂之意。撕裂自然描述了任何关系中发生分裂时的感受。保罗呼召耶稣的追随者，以确保我们的分歧永远不会升级到将我们撕裂的地步。在他撰写书信时，哥林多教会正面临关系破裂的风险。
Paul says: “For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:11-12) *subtly says ‘brothers and sisters’ = we’re part of this whānau together – so we need to talk about this.
保罗说：”因为革来家的人把各位弟兄姊妹的事情告诉了我，说你们中间有纷争。 我的意思是你们有人说：“我是跟随保罗的”，有人说：“我是跟随亚波罗的”，有人说：“我是跟随彼得的”，有人说：“我是跟随基督的”(哥林多前书 1:11-12)。巧妙地使用“弟兄姐妹”的称谓= 我们是这个家庭组成的一部分-因此我们需要探讨这个问题。
Paul notes there are four tribes that were forming.
Paul tribe”: Paul was the planter/ founder; Apostle.
But we have quotes later in his letters that tell us that people from other tribes - were saying - “in person Paul is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.”(cf; 2 Cor 10:10)
“Apollos tribe” – they would put their man out in front. He was an educated, eloquent man (Acts 18:24). He was smart. He could sell snow to an Eskimo. I can hear them say “I’ve downloaded every message he’s delivered. I’ve got every one of his books.”
“Peter tribe” I imagine people in this tribe highlighting the way Peter was part of the inner 12 who walked with Jesus. And he knows his Jewish stuff. He’s sensitive around issues of Jewish identity. If only Paul could be more sensitive on those issues.
Then, there was one other tribe – “I follow only Christ.” It sounds good but reading between the lines, these are the people who said, ‘We don’t need anyone to lead us.’ They pull out the spiritual trump card. ‘We’re for Jesus only.’
些人所表达的是：“我们并不需要任何人带领我们。”他们拿出属灵的王牌“我们只支持并跟随耶稣”
保罗指出当时形成的四个支派。
“保罗支派”：保罗是播种者/创始人； 使徒
然而我们看到信的后面提到其他支派的对保罗的说法 -因为有人说：-“他本人却软弱无能，言语粗俗。” (哥林多后书 10:10)
“亚波罗支派“ – 他们推崇他们的亚波罗。他博学善辩，熟悉圣经。(使徒行传18：24)，他既聪明又拥有突出的说服力。
“彼得支派“ 想象一下这个支派中的人强调彼得是与耶稣贴身同行的12 门徒中的一员。 他懂得他的犹太人的那套。他对犹太身份问题很敏感。要是保罗能对这些问题更敏感就好了。
然后，还有另外一个支派 – “我只跟从耶稣基督”。这听起来不错，但是字里行间这
These tribes squabbled over a range of issues: favourite teachers; meat offered to idols; Sabbath days; circumcision; the role of the law, issues to do with freedoms. There is a huge list of debates they were having – which we read throughout this letter Paul writes to them. Before Paul weighs in to talk about the issues – he addresses what is most important. What’s most important is unity.
他们有个巨长的辩论话题清单–我们从保罗写给他们的信中可以看到。 这些支派在一系列问题上争论不休：最喜欢的导师；献给偶像的肉；安息日；割礼; 律法的作用，与自由有关的问题。保罗在谈论问题之前，首先告诉人们什么是最重要的。首要的是合一。
To repeat his words: “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) Nothing is more important than unity. The gospel is what bind us together. The same idea is seen in the heartbeat of Jesus.
Q: Do you know what Jesus prayed for the night he was arrested and then killed? Unity. It matters that much to him.
复述他的话: “亲爱的弟兄姊妹，我奉主耶稣基督的名劝你们，要同心合意，不可结党纷争，要团结一致 (哥林多前书 1:10) 没有比合一更重要的了。是福音把我们联结在一起
从耶稣跳动的脉搏中也能感受到同样的讯息
问题：你知道耶稣在祂被捕并且杀害的那晚所祷告的是什么吗？
合一。这对祂如此紧要
I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. (In case we missed it) Jesus continues: “May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” (John 17:21-23)
如父你在我里面，我在你里面一样，并且使他们也在我们里面，好让世人相信是你差我来的。使他们都合而为一，正如父你在我里面，我在你里面一样，并且使他们也在我们里面，好让世人相信是你差我来的。 使他们像我们一样合而为一。 好使他们也完完全全地合而为一。这样，世人便知道我是你差来的，而且知道你爱他们，就像爱我一样。(约翰福音 17:21-23)
There are many good things Jesus could have prayed for. Unity is the one that is close to his heart. As you read through the NT, there is this repeated idea: Unity is the church’s greatest display of the love of God.
“…may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”/ Jesus
“…may they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”/ Jesus
耶稣可以为许多事祷告但合一是祂心中最看重的事。当你读新约时，会看到这个重复的讯息：合一是教会对上帝之爱的最大呈现
“…使他们也在我们里面，好让世人相信是你差我来的”/耶稣说
“…使他们像我们一样合而为一。 好使他们也完完全全地合而为一。这样，世人便知道我是你差来的，而且知道你爱他们，就像爱我一样。”/耶稣说
Cityserve events. English classes. Rest-home visits. Evangelism. All these are good and right. But, unity is the churches greatest display of the love of God in action. When churches express unity and love across a diversity of any kind - there is the love of God in glorious action. When we are united, and when we stand together in unity of mission – we are unstoppable. Conversely… Division is the enemy’s greatest weapon against the church and our witness.
城市义工服务、英语课、养老院探访、传福音。所有这些都是好的和对的事，然而，合一才是教会在践行上帝之爱的最大的彰显。当教会在各种多元性中表达合一和爱时 - 上帝的爱在荣耀中行动。我们合一时，当我们为宣教使命站在一起时– 我们便是势不可挡的。反地，分裂是敌人攻击教会和诋毁我们的见证的最好武器
When we are divided, we quickly become weak and ineffective. Paul knew from first-hand experience that one of the prime strategies that our arch-enemy uses against the church is disunity. He knew the words of Jesus who said that our enemy comes to steal and kill and destroy while Jesus comes that we might have life. Satan is the father of lies, the great deceiver. He seeks to steal our unity. To destroy our witness, and to kill our lives.
当我们分裂时，我们很快变得软弱无力. 反地，分裂是敌人攻击教会和诋毁我们的见证的最好武器. 当我们分裂时，我们很快变得软弱无力. 保罗从亲身经力中得知，我们的死敌用来对付教会的主要策略之一就是造成不合一。他知道耶稣的话，他说我们的仇敌来偷窃、杀害和毁坏，而耶稣来是要我们得生命。
Satan is the father of lies, the great deceiver. He seeks to steal our unity. To destroy our witness, and to kill our lives. He will use this pandemic and a whole range of things around it to place a wedge between friends and families and churches. It seems like that’s occurring in many places. This week the Atlantic published this article: “the evangelical church is breaking apart“
撒旦是谎言之父，是大骗子。他伺机偷窃我们的合一果效。诋毁我们的见证，并且残害我们的生命。他会利用这个疫情和围绕疫情引发的事情在朋友、家庭和教会之间制造隔阂。 看起来好像许多地方都在发生这样的隔阂。本周《大西洋》杂志发表了这篇文章：“福音派教会正在分裂”。
“When the Christian faith is politicized, churches become repositories not of grace but of grievances, places where tribal identities are reinforced, where fears are nurtured, and where aggression and nastiness are sacralized. The result is not only wounding the nation; it’s having a devastating impact on the Christian faith.” (Atlantic)
That’s an article about our brothers and sisters in the USA. It’s very sad to read. Our priority right now must be to ensure this never occurs at Gracecity. This is too important to the heart of God and the mission of God.
“当基督教信仰被政治化时，教堂就变成了积怨的栈房，而不再是恩典的宝库，是强化支派身份、培育恐惧、将攻击和卑鄙化为神圣的地方。结果不仅伤害了国家；它对基督教信仰产生了毁灭性的影响。”《大西洋》
这是一篇关于我们远在美国弟兄姐妹的文章。读起来令人非常难过。我们现在的首要任务必须是确保恩典之城（Gracecity）永远不会发生这种情况。这对神的心意和神的道来说太重要了。
How does this tribalism happen? 这种派系主义如何产生？
When we come back to these verses in 1 Corinthians 1, we see a particular little word that is the core problem of division. In the original Greek language, a verb automatically has an included subject attached without the need for another pronoun or subject. So, when Paul uses the word “am” or “follow” – there is already the word ‘I’ built into it.
但我们回到哥林多前书1：1，我们读到揭示分裂的核心问题的一个细微之处的特别用词。在原始希腊语中，动词自动附加一个包含的主语，而不需要另一个代词或主语。因此，当保罗使用“是”或“跟随”这个词时- 里面原本已经包含了“我”这个词的意思在里面。
”For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:11-12)
因为革来家的人把各位弟兄姊妹的事情告诉了我，说你们中间有纷争。我的意思是你们有人说：“我是跟随保罗的”，有人说：“我是跟随亚波罗的”，有人说：“我是跟随彼得的”，有人说：“我是跟随基督的”。(哥林多前书 1:11-12)
But when an author wants to emphasise something, he adds in the particular Greek word for “I” which ironically is the Greek word Ego = “I” It’s most appropriate, isn’t it? Paul is highlighting that the problem is that each individual, and each of these tribes, are digging in their heels in a form of tribalism. It’s all about them. They’re not listening outside of their camp. They’re allowing their differences to separate them.
然而当作者想要强调某个事情，他便加入那个特别的具有讽刺意味的希腊语“自我”，即希腊词Ego = 自我 这再恰当不过了，对吗？保罗强调，问题在于每个人及每个派系都在固执地坚持他们自己的立场。一切都以他们自己为中心。他们没有倾听自己派系以外的声音。他们允许分歧孤立他们。
I think we can all understand how this comes to be. Let’s face it: We all like to be right. We all want to be thought of as right. But there is one thing more important than being right. It’s being right with each other. Corinth was allowing the differences to be more important than being right with each other. They were more focused on what separated them than what actually them. Think about these two words for a moment: UNTIED 分解 // UNITED合一
我想我们都明白其中的由来让我们面对它吧：我们都希望自己是对的。我们都希望被看成是对的。但是，最重要的不是坚持自己多么正确，乃是与彼此有正确的关系。（彼此和睦）哥林多那时却允许分歧大过人们彼此间所应持的正确关系。停下来默想一下这两个词：UNTIED 分解 // UNITED合一
There is a big difference between the meaning of the two words. Untied is the opposite of united. We often say ‘United we stand. Divided we fall.’ There is no strength or power in being untied. The strength and power are in unity. Did you realise both of these words have the same six letters? The only difference is in one letter. When you move that ‘I’ to the wrong place, it moves the word from united to untied. Isn’t that the way unity is harmed as well? It’s harmed when “I” gets in the way. It’s harmed when I push for my rights and my desires as more important than anybody else. The only way through is this is for me to move the “I” and focus more on you – and unity. There is something more important than being right. It’s being right with each other. The formula doesn’t have to be this way: Differences and conflict don’t have to lead to division. Instead, as we make the gospel the main thing, and we practice the way of the cross – we can actually lead to greater unity.
这两个词意思大有不同. 分解是合一的反义词. 我们常说“合则存，分则亡” 分裂是软弱无力，而优势和力量却蕴藏在团结合一中. 你是否注意到这两个词都有6个字母？‘I’唯一不同之处就在于那个“I/我”的字母。当你错置那个“I/我”的位置，那个词就会从团结合一变成分解。这岂不正是破坏合一的关键之处？当“I/我”挡在前面，就有害。当我把我的权力和欲望摆放在他人之前，便为有害。唯有把那个“我”字移走并且转而去关注你– 且与你合一才能解决问题。比正确更重要的事是，要彼此和睦. 这个公式不一定要这样运用. 分歧合冲突不必要引发分裂. 相反，当我们以福音为首，并背起十字架时，我们实际上可以带来更大意义的合一。
How does this happen? 这如何形成呢？
Immediately after making his plea for unity and showing how tribal they are becoming, he highlights the work of Jesus and the way of the cross. Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! (1 Corinthians 1:13) Jesus brings us together in one family. The way he did this was by surrendering his rights, giving up his own life for the sake of others, doing everything he did completely out of love for the other – not for himself. There is no ego in what he did. He says: “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) The way of the cross is the glue in our relationships. It’s what renews people and places everywhere. This is the pathway towards genuine unity.
在保罗恳求合一并表明他们正在分裂派系之后，他立即强调了耶稣的工作和十字架的道路。难道基督是分成几派的吗？替你们钉十字架的是保罗吗？你们是奉保罗的名受洗的吗？断然不是！(哥林多前书 1:13) 耶稣使我们联合成为一个家庭。祂这样做是放弃自己的权利，为了他人而放弃自己的生命，祂所做的一切完全是出于对他人的爱——而不是为了自己。祂的所作所为没有自我。祂说：因为十字架之道在将要灭亡的人看来是愚昧的，但对我们这些得救的人来说却是上帝的大能 (哥林多前书 1:18) 十字架之道是我们关系中的粘合剂。它使各地的人和地方得以更新。这是通往真正合一的道路。
Two questions I want us to reflect on: 我想让大家思考两个问题：
#1: Do you value being right as more important than being right with each other?
Often when we think strongly about something we get emotionally charged around it. I think we can all understand this. But, it’s easy to have a righteous crusade around our cause. And rally people to our opinion. But, all that typically does is place strain on relationships. It’s not enough to talk about unity as a way to rally people to your cause/fight that in the big scheme of things is not as important as the proclamation of Jesus. If you come across someone this week who has a different viewpoint than yours, rather than argue, why not ask this question – as a way of understanding and showing that relationship matters more to you than being right:
ACTION: Ask someone this week: What it’s like to be in your shoes at the moment? Many of us are exhausted, frayed, frustrated. Let’s acknowledge that the ties that unite us are stronger than anything that has the potential to place a wedge between us.
#1：你是否看重自身正确多过彼此正确相互对待？
通常，当我们对某事持强烈观点时，容易情绪激动。我想我们都可以理解。但是，这很容易让我们兴起所谓为义而做的征战。我们呼召人们接受我们的意见，但是，这样做通常只是给关系带来紧张。仅仅谈论合一，把它作为一种将人们联合到你的观念/征战中的策略是不够的，因为这在那个大计划中并不比传扬主耶稣更重要。如果你本周遇到与你有分歧的人，与其争论，我鼓励你如此问对方（因为这样问能表达你的理解，也表达你看重你们之间的关系胜过于坚持你自己是对的）
采取行动：这周去问一个人：你目前面对什么难题或挑战？
我们中的许多人都筋疲力尽，疲惫不堪，沮丧。让我们看到，将我们联接在一起的纽带比任何有可能在我们之间产生嫌隙的东西都要牢固。
#2: Is your posture and tone fostering unity or division?
The cross doesn’t just bring us into a relationship with Jesus where we are now whānau. It also serves as the way we are meant to live. Paul sums up this way of life so well: “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.” (Ephesians 4:2-4)
Many at the moment feel that everything they value is under assault and that they need to fight to protect it. We can understand that – because we are grieving the loss of so much. However, I also know that the early Christians transformed the Roman empire not by demanding but by loving, not by angrily shouting about their rights in the public square but by serving even the people who persecuted them, which is why Christianity grew so quickly. The way forward is the way of Jesus. That’s the way of the cross. It’s the way of humility. It’s the way of love. It’s the way of serving. It’s the way of focusing on the good of the other – even at the expense of myself.
#2：你的姿态是否促进合一还是引发分裂？
十字架不单单让我们与耶稣建立关系并使我们联接成为主里的一家人，我们也应该活出十字架的道路。保罗如此完整地总结了这种行出生命的方式：”凡事要谦虚、温柔、忍耐，用爱心互相宽容， 以和平彼此联结，竭力持守圣灵所赐的合一。 正如你们蒙召后有同一个盼望，你们同属一个身体，有同一位圣灵” (以弗所书 4:2-4)
许多人现在觉得他们所珍视的一切都受到了攻击，所以他们需要为保护这些而战。我们可以理解——因为我们都因失去了太多而承受着许多苦痛。但是，我也知道，早期的基督徒不是通过抗争，而是通过爱；不是通过在公共广场上愤怒为他们的权力大喊，而是通过甚至为迫害他们的人服务，来改变了罗马帝国。这就是基督教发展如此迅速的原因。前进的道路是耶稣的道。这就是十字架的道路。这是谦卑之道。这是爱的方式。这是服事他人的方式。这是一种专注于他人利益的方式- 甚至以牺牲自己为代价。
ACTION: Review the comments you place on social media. Do they reflect these traits?
Think about the jibe you made to that person? Were you listening to them? Seeking to understand before trying to be understood? At the end of the day, we’re going to have a range of views about lockdowns, medical approaches, politics. We can disagree about the issues we’re facing. What I’m most concerned about is that when we disagree we do so with the posture and tone that reflects the way of the cross, the way of Jesus. The way of Jesus is grace, patience, forbearance. Imagine people saying - did you see the community of Gracecity? They have such different views on a range of things – yet look at the way they love each other. They come from 55 different countries – yet look at the way they learn and celebrate the cultures of others. They come from such different vantage points yet they do not allow their political views to overshadow their primary allegiance to Jesus as the one who leads and guides them. They come from such different social backgrounds yet there is no favouritism or assumptions – but genuine love and affection for each other. They forbear with each other. There is extreme patience. They go out of their way to look after the needs of others – and move out of their comfort zone to welcome the other, and sacrifice their own freedoms for the well-being of others.
采取行动：去检视一下你的媒体评论。那是否映射出你的特质？
想想你对那人的嘲讽？你是否真的听到他们的想法？主动去理解他人而不是让他人理解你？归根结底，我们将对封城、医疗方案和政治发表有种种不同的看法。我们对这些问题可以有不同的意见。但我最看重的是，当我们表达我们的不同意见时，我们的心态与语气必须反映出十字架之道、耶稣之道。耶稣的道路是恩典、耐心、忍耐。想象人们说– 你有没有看到恩典之城的社区？他们在一系列的事情上抱有不同意见– 然而看看他们是如何做到彼此相爱的。他们来自55个不同国家 - 可是看看他们是如何学习并且为其他弟兄姐妹国家的文化传统而欢庆。他们都有着如此不同的制高点，但他们不允许他们的政治观点遮盖了他们对耶稣的忠诚，因为耶稣是带领和训导他们的主。他们来自如此不同的社会背景，但没有偏见或臆测- 而是彼此真正相爱动情。他们互相隐忍。有极大的耐心。他们不遗余力地关照他人的需要- 走出自己的舒适区去欢迎他人，为了他人的福利而牺牲自己的自由。
When this happens, there is the love of God seen in action. A love that welcomes people just as we are. A love that transforms us to be who God calls us to be. There is so much at stake right now. But I’m not talking about freedoms. I’m not even talking about our health. I’m talking about the name of Jesus being upheld. Divided, the world does not see the love of God in action. There is so much at stake. United, we can actually show people the radically inclusive love of Jesus.
若如此，就看见了神的爱行在地上. 一种爱，迎接他人如同我们受到欢迎一样. 一种爱，转化我们成为神所期许的样式. 现在这个关键的时候，我们若不小心，我们会失去太多。 我不是说失去自由或健康。我说的是我们若不小心我们会使主耶稣的名失去该得的尊荣。（换句话说，最重要的是我们必须确保主耶稣的名被高举，得着尊荣）分裂的世界看不到上帝的爱在行动。此事确是事关重大。合一联接，从而我们可以向人们展示出耶稣完全包容的爱。
Conclusion / 结语
This is the famous tennis court in New York place where the last of the four main tennis tournaments – the US Open – is held every year. It’s called the Arthur Ashe stadium. It’s named after a brilliant African American tennis player who sadly died a number of years ago from HIV from a blood transfusion during heart surgery. He was a great tennis player. He is the only male player of African descent that has won Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open. The stadium is named after him because he was known to be a gentleman on the court. There is a story about Arthur Ash that captures this. One day, while playing tennis, his opponent was simply being nasty. Engaging in what we would call today sledging – calling out comments that were horrendous. Towards the end of the game, Ashe had had enough. At the end of a particular point, he walked over to where his gear was and put his tennis racket in the bag, packed up his stuff. It was apparent he was about to stop playing. He had enough of it all. The ref leaned over on his chair and said ‘Mr ash – do you realise that if you walk off this court, you will forfeit this match?’ This is how Ashe responded: “I’m close to losing my temper. I’d rather forfeit the match than my dignity.”
这是纽约著名的网球场，每年都会举办四项主要网球赛事中的最后一项——美网公开赛。它被称为亚瑟阿什体育场。它以一位才华横溢的非洲裔美国网球运动员的名字命名，他在几年前因心脏手术输入带有艾滋病毒的血液而去世。他是一位伟大的网球运动员。他是唯一一位赢得温网、美网和澳网冠军的非洲裔男选手。体育场以他的名字命名，因为他在球场上是一位绅士。一个关于亚瑟阿什的故事捕捉到了这一点。有一天，在比赛时，他的对手很讨厌。故意不停地发起令人极为不悦的评论来惹恼亚瑟。在比赛中的莫个阶段，亚瑟已经受够了。最终他不得不停下比赛，走到放装备的地方，把他的网球拍放进包里，收拾他的东西。很明显他受够了。裁判靠在他的椅子上说：“亚瑟先生- 你知道如果你离开这个球场，你将失去这场比赛吗？”亚瑟是这样回应的：'“我快要发脾气了。我宁愿放弃比赛也不愿失去尊严。”
At a time like we’re experiencing when we are all frustrated, it’s actually not my dignity/your dignity that is at stake. It is the name of Jesus. Let’s be prepared to lose the argument and step away from the discussion – rather than operate in a way that doesn’t bring honour to the name of Jesus. Because what’s more important than being right is being right with each other – that the world would see the love of God in action.
在我们都感到沮丧的时候，实际上我们必须竭力护卫的不是你/我的尊严，而是耶稣的名。让我们宁可停止争论，不强求对方降服于我们，也不要用不荣耀耶稣的名的方式来操作。因为比起自身正确，与彼此保持和睦更为重要– 要让世人见证神的爱在地上行。
