Here are a couple of verses from the New Testament that touch on the themes of love, joy, and life.
- Love: "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)
- Joy: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)
- Life: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)
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In the New Testament, is there any verse that combines these three themes in one sentence?
While there isn't a specific verse in the New Testament that directly combines all these themes of love, joy, and life in one sentence, several passages do mention them in close proximity. One such example is:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (= patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (= humility), and self-control. Against such things, there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)
[Note: The nine qualities mentioned above can be translated into Chinese as 仁愛 (or 愛心), 喜樂, 和平, 忍耐, 恩慈, 良善, 信實 (or 忠信), 溫柔, 節制 (or 自制).]
This verse speaks about the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love and joy, and implies a life filled with these virtues as a result of the Spirit's work in a believer's life. It doesn't explicitly mention life, but it does highlight the qualities that contribute to a fulfilling and fruitful life in Christ.
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Talking about "life," I was wondering what the phrase "everlasting life" really means. And one of the best answers I got was as follows:
In the context of Christianity, the phrase "everlasting life" refers to the concept of eternal life, a life that lasts forever, beyond the boundaries of time and the limitations of this earthly existence. It is a central theme in the New Testament and is often associated with the promise of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
The belief in everlasting life is based on the teachings of Jesus, who spoke about this concept throughout the Gospels. It is emphasized that those who believe in Him, repent of their sins, and accept Him as their Lord and Savior will have eternal life, and they will be reconciled with God, enjoying an unending relationship with Him.
The assurance of everlasting life provides comfort and hope to believers, knowing that death is not the end, but rather a transition to an eternal existence with God in heaven. It is a fundamental aspect of Christian faith, reflecting the promise of God's love, grace, and mercy to all who trust in Him.
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Now, in this context, what does the earthly life mean? (I was eager to know the difference between the eternal life and the earthly life!)
In the context of the concept of everlasting life, the earthly life refers to the finite and temporary existence we experience on this Earth. It is the life we live from the moment of birth to the moment of physical death. This earthly life is characterized by its impermanence, subject to the passage of time, and filled with various experiences, challenges, joys, and sorrows.
For Christians, the earthly life is seen as an opportunity to make choices, to grow spiritually, and to develop a relationship with God. It is a time to seek and follow God's will, to show love and kindness to others, and to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The belief in everlasting life gives profound meaning to the earthly life. It serves as a reminder that our actions, decisions, and attitudes in this life can have eternal consequences. It encourages believers to live purposefully, striving to honor God and serve others, knowing that their actions in this life can have an impact on their eternal destiny.
While the earthly life is limited and temporary, the hope of everlasting life offers Christians the assurance of an eternal future with God, free from pain, suffering, and sin, where they can experience His love and glory for all eternity. This perspective on the earthly life shapes the way believers approach challenges and trials, seeking to live with faith, hope, and love in anticipation of the greater, everlasting life to come.
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相關文章 (See also)：
1) Easter Day at St. Luke's Church (2023)
2) Prayers Taken from BCP (寢前禱文二則) (2021)
3) 英文公禱書「日課」精美禮文賞析舉隅 (2018)
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