July 23 - An Invitation to the Abundant Life 풍성한 삶으로의 초대

July 23 - An Invitation to the Abundant Life

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10

Jesus has made two analogies about His ministry using a topic very familiar to His listeners: shepherding. The first relied on the idea that sheep instinctively listened only to the voice of their particular shepherd and no other.

 

This, Jesus implies, is why His religious critics reject Him: they are part of another flock, ultimately owned by the Devil (John 10:1–6; 8:42–47).

 

In the second application, Jesus claims to be "the door," meaning the single narrow opening in sheep pens of that era. This was the sole means by which sheep could come and go. Jesus' detractors are like thieves and robbers trying to take sheep without using that door.

 

Here, Jesus begins His third and most detailed analogy. He has already compared the hypocritical, tradition-bound religious leaders to thieves. The purpose of a thief, so far as the flock is concerned, is only to wreak havoc; the robber causes mayhem for his selfish gain. In the same way, ungodly people who claim to be spiritual cause suffering in others for their pride and greed (Titus 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:5).

 

In contrast, Jesus seeks not just to preserve life for the sheep but to provide it. In the prior analogy, Jesus claimed that as the only door, He was how a person could "be saved." That Greek term, sōthēsetai, suggests rescue, protection, and healing. Here, Jesus deepens that claim by saying His purpose is tied to life and abundant life.That "abundant" life means something more meaningful than material wealth and prosperity (Colossians 3:2–3; Matthew 6:25–32).

 

It begins with salvation from an eternity of suffering the penalty of sin (Romans 6:23). An abundant life is, first and foremost, eternal life (John 17:3). The abundant life means gaining a heavenly perspective (Romans 12:2), leading to a growing trust and knowledge of God (2 Peter 3:18). It means blossoming into a life full of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). While false teachers and religions offer shallow, temporary relief, only Jesus brings everlasting life and spiritual abundance (John 14:6).

The Bible instructs God-fearing people to love their neighbors in this world (Leviticus 19:18). Remember that the LORD himself practiced and followed these commands because He is the truth, and therefore,

 

He practices the truth (John 8:31-32; 14:6, 10). And when we obey the Holy Spirit, He will lead and empower us to live according to the truth. God honors those who fear the LORD (Psalm 15:4).

 

We were all enemies of God, but through Christ’s redemptive work, we have become friends with God. God’s judgment will fall upon his enemies, but to those who believe in Him, the grace and blessings of God will fall upon them. 

We must live a life that is consistent with the character of God. We can live this holy life because the Holy Spirit is within us (Rom 8:14). Jesus was without sin and became our righteousness (1 Pet 2:22,24). 

 

Therefore, all in Christ can live abundantly through Christ now and forever. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) The LORD is inviting you and me to have an abundant life today. 

Today’s Prayer: Glorify the Almighty God, who has the power to defeat your accuser and deceiver, Satan (Revelation 12:7-10). Thank God his immeasurable power is at work within you (Ephesians 3:20). Confess those times when you have tried to battle against Satan in your strength. Commit yourself to living in God’s all-surpassing power (2 Corinthians 4:7). Ask God to help you see how his power can be perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Prayer Pointer: As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools. – Author unknown
Bible Reading: Psalm 38-40; Acts 23:12-35

 

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7월 23일 - 풍성한 삶으로의 초대

“내가 온 것은 양으로 생명을 얻게 하고 더 풍성히 얻게 하려는 것이라” - 요10:10

예수님은 자신의 사역을 양을 돌보는 두 가지 비유로 설명합니다. 첫째는 양은 본능적으로 자기 목자의 음성만 듣고 다른 목자의 음성은 듣지 않는다는 것입니다. 이것은 종교적으로 예수님을 비방하는 자들이 예수님을 거부하는 이유라고 말합니다. 예수님을 거부하는 자들은 다른 무리에 속해 있는 마귀에 속한 자들이라는 것 입니다(요 10:1-6; 8:42-47).

 

둘째는 예수님은 자신을 양의 문이라고 말씀하신 것입니다. 양의 문은 당시에 좁은 문을 의미하며 양들이 들어오고 나갈 수 있는 유일한 수단이었습니다. 예수님을 비방하는 자들은 양의 문을 사용하지 않고 양을 죽이는 도둑이나 강도와 같다고 말씀하신 것입니다.  

예수님은 세째로 가장 상세한 비유로 말씀합니다. 예수님은 위선적이고 전통을 주장하는 종교 지도자들을 도둑으로 비유하신 것입니디. 도둑의 목적은 양떼를 혼란시키고 훝틀어 뜨리는 것입니다. 강도는 자기의 이기적인 수익을 위해 강도 대상에 상해를 줍니다. 마찬가지로, 영적인 사람이라고 주장하는 경건치 못한 자들이 그들의 교만과 탐욕 때문에 사람들에게 고통을 주고 상해를 입히는 것입니다(딛 1:11; 딤전 6:5). 

 

반대로 예수님은 양의 생명을 보호할 뿐만 아니라 자기의 생명을 주시기 까지 사랑합니다. 예수님은 앞의 비유의 말씀에서 유일한 양의 문이 구원받을 수 있는 유일한 수단이라고 말씀하셨습니다. 헬라어의 “소테세타이”는 구원, 보호, 치유를 암시합니다. 예수님은 생명만 아니라 풍성한 삶을 주시는 분으로 말씀하고 있습니다. 

예수님께서 말씀하신 "풍성한" 삶은 물질적 부요와 번영보다 더 중요한 것을 의미합니다(골 3:2-3; 마 6:25-32). 그것은 죄의 형벌의 영원한 고통으로부터의 구원 받는 것을  의미 합니다(롬 6:23). 풍성한 삶은 무엇보다도 영생과(요 17:3). 하늘의 관점과(롬 12:2), 

 

하나님을 의지하고 신뢰하며 하나님에 대한 지식이 풍성해 지는 것을 의미합니다(벧후 3:18). 풍성한 삶에는 성령의 열매로 가득하고, 꽃을 피우고 열매를 맺는 삶을 의미합니다(갈 5:22-23). 거짓 교사들과 거짓 종교는 얕고 임시적인 것들을 주지만 오직 예수님만이 영원한 생명과 영적 풍요를 주시는 것입니다(요 14:6).

성경은 하나님을 경외하는 자들은 세상에서 이웃을 사랑해야 한다고 말씀합니다(레 19:18). 주님 자신이 이 명령대로 행하고 따랐던 것은 예수님 자신이 진리이시기 때문입니다. 예수님께서  진리를 행하셨다는 것을 기억해야 합니다(요 8:31-32; 14:6, 10). 

 

그리고 우리가 성령에 순종할 때, 성령은 우리가 진리에 따라 살아도록 인도하시고 능력을 주십니다. 하나님은 주님을 경외하는 자들을 귀하게 보십니다(시편 15:4). 우리는 하나님의 원수였으나, 그의 은혜로 그리스도의 구속 사역을 통해 하나님과 가까운 친구가 되었습니다. 하나님의 원수들에게는 심판이 기다리고 있으면 하나님을 믿는 자들에게는 넘치는 은혜와 축복이 있습니다.   

우리는 하나님의 성품과 일치하는 삶을 살아야 합니다. 우리가 거룩한 삶을 살 수 있는 것은 성령께서 우리 안에 계시기 때문입니다(롬 8,14). 예수님은 죄가 없으신 분으로 우리의 의가 되셨고(벧전 2:22,24) 그리스도 안에 있는 자는 예수님으로 말미암아 지금부터 영원토록 풍성한 삶을 살 수 있습니다. 

 

예수님은 "나는 부활이요 생명이니 나를 믿는 자는 죽어도 살겠고, 무릇 살아서 나를 믿는 자는 영원히 죽지 아니 하리니 이것을 네가 믿느냐?"(요 11:25-26)라고  말씀하십니다. 그렇습니다. 주님은 우리 모두를 오늘 풍성한 삶으로 초대하고 있습니다.  

오늘의 기도: 고소하고 속이는 자, 사탄을 멸하는 능력을 가지신 전능하신 하나님께 영광을 돌리고( 계 12:7-10), 당신 안에서 모든 것에 넘치도록 역사하시는 하나님께 감사하십시오(엡 3:20). 당신 자신의 힘으로 사탄을 대항하려고 했던 때를 고백하고,  하나님의 큰 능력으로 살기로 헌신하십시오(고후 4:7). 당신이 연약할 때 온전게 하시는 능력을 볼 수 있도록 하나님께 간구하십시오 (고후 12:9).
기도 지침: 학교에 시험제도가 존속하는 한, 학교에는 기도가 계속 있을 것이다. – 작자 미상
성경 읽기: 시편 38-40; 사도행전 23:12-35

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