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| John 13:34~45 |
Surrounding of Love
Around the apartment that I reside, there about 10 Korean churches. But something unusual about it is that there are many churches that use the word ‘Love’. The most well known is “Southern California Church of Love”. There are also, “Church of True Love”, “First Love Church” and “New Love Church”. Perhaps those churches are in the influence of the mega church “Southern California Church of Love”, or could be that those other churches were formed to make a better group in love than the mega church.
Isn’t the word “love” such a sweet word? But we know how hard it is to practice love. To love is to give you away, lowering yourself than others, and getting attention for others, and the sacrifice involved. We are used to being in serving, being higher than others, and by getting attention through others as our old selves.
Christ said to his apostles to spread the Gospel, as the Great Commission and “love” as the Great Commandment. Of course, our worldly command is to disciple. But sometimes we emphasize the Great Commission and completely overlook the Great Commandment. Without the “great commandment” in action, there is no healthy “great commission”. Both of them are like the railroad for the train. We ask ourselves, is mission or spreading the gospel possible without the love to the neighbor or God? Apostle Paul said, “...For Christ’s love compels us, because…” (2 Corinthians 5:13~18) Apostle Paul was Great Commandment’s flag bearer and practiced it as well.
Jesus said to his disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34~35)
As we are the ministers, our love to those we share the gospel should be strong, ministers ourselves should also have mutual love to each other.
In my ardent prayer to the churches in our district, I pray that the great commission would be done, at the same time the history of love to come flowing out. From Son Ministry, the “Walking with Christ” has 6 most basic things for the foundation of church. Love is in the 2nd place. The author wrote the way to show love – have interest in that person, through words, act of volunteering, spending time together, and through listening, and learning to listen.
We wish our church members would gather well. As well as the gathering in regional pastor’s meeting, along with interest in extension developmental education, wouldn’t it be great through the surrounding of love, the great commission would be much more exciting?
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Companion and mobilize 
Surrounding of Love