One of my favorite churches started several years ago as a ministry to ex-prisoners who were transitioning back into society. Now the church flourishes with people from all walks of life. I love that church because it reminds me of what I picture heaven will be like—filled with different kinds of people, all redeemed sinners, all bound together by the love of Jesus.

有一间我很喜欢的教会，几年前他们只是服事前囚犯的一个事工团体，协助他们回归社会。如今这间教会十分兴旺，会友来自社会各个阶层。我喜爱那间教会，因为这让我联想到我想像中的天堂，充满各式各样的人，全都是蒙恩得赎的罪人，因为耶稣的爱而相聚在一起。

Sometimes, though, I wonder if church seems more like an exclusive club than a safe haven for forgiven sinners. As people naturally gravitate into groups of “a certain kind” and cluster around those they feel comfortable with, it leaves others feeling marginalized. But that’s not what Jesus had in mind when He told His disciples to “love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). His church was to be an extension of His love mutually shared with all.

有时我会觉得教会是否比较像专属俱乐部，而不是罪蒙赦免之人的避难所。因为人们总是自然会受到“与自己相似”的群体吸引，并与那些他们觉得好相处的人聚在一起，让其他人感到被排斥。但这并不是耶稣的心意，祂要门徒“彼此相爱，像我爱你们一样”（约翰福音15章12节），耶稣希望教会能将祂的爱与众人分享。

If hurting, rejected people can find loving refuge, comfort, and forgiveness in Jesus, they should expect no less from the church. So let’s exhibit the love of Jesus to everyone we encounter—especially those who are not like us. All around us are people Jesus wants to love through us. What a joy it is when people unite to worship together in love—a slice of heaven we can enjoy here on earth!

如果受伤害、被拒绝的人可以在耶稣里，得着安慰和宽恕，那么教会也应如此对待他们。所以，让我们向遇见的每个人，特别那些与我们不同的人展现耶稣的爱。在我们身边所有的人，都是耶稣要藉着我们去爱的人。当众人在爱中一同相聚敬拜上帝，这是多么令人欢喜快乐，就像在地上浅尝天堂的滋味一样！

Lord, remind me today that while I was a sinner You embraced me with Your deep and unconditional love and brought me into the fellowship of Your grace. Lead me to someone I can love as You loved me.

主啊，今日求祢提醒我，在我还做罪人的时候，
祢就以极深、无条件的爱拥我入怀，
领我进入祢恩典的团契。
求祢让我能爱周遭的人，如同祢爱我一般。