双语灵修（葛培理牧师）：7月27日 给予与索取

7月 27日

给予与索取

并愿所有诚心爱我们主耶稣基督的人都蒙恩惠。

——以弗所书 6:24

生活中的某些关系需要来自双方适度的奉献和委身，在这样的一种关系里，一定程度地保持距离似乎是合适的。 但是生活中还有其它的一种关系，就是当友谊转化成爱情的时候，这一切都改变了。两颗心交给彼此，它们不再是两颗，而是一颗。他们的兴趣和步伐不再分离，而是紧紧相连。适合于友情的含蓄和距离，对于真正的爱情却是致命的伤害。爱给予一切，也要得到完全的回报。对方的意愿成为与你 紧密结合的义务，你内心最深的渴望是了解对方的每一个隐秘的愿望和梦想，从而竭尽所能来满足这些渴望。这也是你对基督的爱和顺服吗？

今日祷告:

耶稣，我说我爱祢其实很多时候都是出于我的自私，是索取的爱。求祢让我能够以祢的意念为意念这样的方式来爱祢。祷告奉耶稣的名，阿们。

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July 27

Give and Take

Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
——Ephesians 6:24

Certain relationships in life require from the parties involved only moderate degrees of devotion. A certain degree of reserve and distance seems to be suitable in such relations as these. But there are other relationships in life where all this is changed when friendship becomes love. Two hearts give themselves to each other to be no longer two, but one. Instead of being separated, their interest and paths are now together. The reserve and the distance suitable to mere friendships is fatal in real love. Love gives all and must have all in return. The wishes of the other party become binding obligations; and the deepest desire of each heart is to know every secret wish and longing of the other, in order that it may do all in its power to gratify those desires. Is that the kind of love, affection, and obedience you have for Christ?

Prayer for the day:

Jesus, I say I love You and yet so often it is a selfish, “taking” love. Let me love You in such a way that Your desires will be mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.