【双语灵修】爱、尊重与神的形像LOVE, RESPECT, AND THE IMAGE OF GOD

创世记 1:26-31

神说：「我们要照着我们的形象，按着我们的样式造人，使他们管理海里的鱼、空中的鸟、地上的牲畜和全地，并地上所爬的一切昆虫。」神就照着自己的形象造人，乃是照着他的形象，造男造女。神就赐福给他们，又对他们说：「要生养众多，遍满地面，治理这地，也要管理海里的鱼、空中的鸟和地上各样行动的活物。」神说：「看哪，我将遍地上一切结种子的菜蔬和一切树上所结有核的果子，全赐给你们做食物。至于地上的走兽和空中的飞鸟，并各样爬在地上有生命的物，我将青草赐给它们做食物。」事就这样成了。神看着一切所造的都甚好。有晚上，有早晨，是第六日。

2月14日

「诫命，都包在『爱人如己』这一句话之内了。」 -罗 13:9

感谢神让我有机会探访许多国家，并在其中几个国家生活了很长时间。这一切让我对文化差异产生了浓厚的兴趣。

单是食物的不同就已经让人味蕾愉悦（有时也会让人肠胃不适）。有些社会是平等的，有些则是阶级性的。有些社会鼓励相互依赖，强调社区；有些社会鼓励独立和个人主义。在婚姻角色、性别角色、家庭、工作和财务方面，也存在差异——这样的例子不胜枚举。

不过，给我留下深刻印象的是，在所有的社会中，人们都希望感受到被重视和有成就，人们希望以别人欣赏的方式，发挥自己的才能。所有社会都爱自己的孩子；所有人都想要爱与被爱——不仅想活着，而且想活得更丰盛。

之所以如此，其中一个原因是，神创造我们每个人都在某些方面像祂一样。我们是按照神的形像被造的（创 1:27）。因此，尽管有罪恶的伤害，我们仍然可以在每个人身上看到神的形像。人际关系和跨文化关系的底线是彼此尊重，将每个人视为神形像的承载者去尊重。

这样，我们就能做到爱人如己。这些基本原则为我们奠定了基础，好使我们去搭建跨越障碍的桥梁。在你遇到的每个人身上，你都能看到神的形像吗？

祷告

主啊，祢按照祢的形像造了我们所有人。因耶稣的缘故，请帮助我们去爱身边的每个人。阿们。

LOVE, RESPECT, AND THE IMAGE OF GOD

The commandments . . . are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”                                                  —Romans 13:9

I thank God for the opportunities I’ve had to visit many countries and to live in several of them for a long while. All of this has given me a fascination for cultural differences.

The differences in food alone can delight the palate (or sometimes unsettle the stomach). Some societies are egalitarian; others are hierarchical. Some encourage dependence on one another, emphasizing community; others encourage independence and individualism. There are also differences in marriage roles, gender roles, family, work, and finance—the list goes on and on.

What has impressed me, though, is that in all societies people want to experience significance and fulfillment. They want to use their talents in ways that others appreciate. All societies love their children. All want to love and be loved—and not only to survive but also to thrive.

One reason for this is that God has made each of us like himself in some special ways. We are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). So, in spite of sin’s damage, we can still detect in good ways the image of God in every person. A bottom line in both interpersonal and intercultural relationships is to respect each person as an imagebearer of God.

This can then lead us to love everyone as ourselves. These basic principles give us a foundation for bridge building that overcomes barriers. Do you see God’s likeness in every person you meet?

Lord, you have made us all in your image. Help us to love everyone, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.