September 22 - God’s Servant Life 하나님의 종의 삶

September 22 - God’s Servant Life

 

“By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” – John 13:35

 

 

Jesus privately meets with a smaller group, possibly only the twelve disciples. Before eating a meal, Jesus performs the work of a lowly servant, washing the feet of the disciples. He explains that this is an object lesson. Their LORD will serve humbly, so they must do the same. Jesus also predicts His impending betrayal, subtly telling Judas to leave and complete His conspiracy. The disciples need to realize what's happened, however. Peter foolishly brags about his loyalty. Jesus responds with a cutting prediction: Peter will deny his relationship to Christ three times in the next few hours.

 

John 13:31-35 contains one of the most powerful commands given to Christians: that love for others is the defining sign of faith for ''all people,'' marking the life of a true believer. Jesus frames this as a new commandment, using His example as the standard. In giving this charge, Jesus again predicts His impending death and departure from Earth.

 

In his letter, the Apostle Peter explains in detail how we ought to live as God’s servants in the world (1 Peter 2:17). We ought to live fully as God’s servants when we are not welcomed in this world and have persecution and difficulties. What is the life of God’s servants in this world?

 

First, we ought to honor older adults. Christians should respect the elderly as they honor their parents. In the New Testament, Peter commands people outside the church to respect older adults regardless of high or low social standing. The people on this earth are all the same. There are only different nations, cultures, and skin colors. We should not have contempt for or despise unbelievers. We should never use people as objects and should love and respect everybody. 

 

Second, we should love our brothers. Christian brothers and sisters within the church ought to love each other. The church is the expansion of a family. The church, which is the family of God, should be tied with the rope of love. The true life of a Christian is naturally overflowed with Agape love. Loving each other is the sign of a Christian. Jesus said, “By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another” (John 13:35). 

 

Third, we should fear God. Fearing God is revering God, which means being terrified before the presence of Jesus (John 6:19). Today, the most urgent request of the church is to fear God. We often tend to think of God as a kind being. We need to think of Jesus as the one who is present amid all the authority and glory. We ought to learn how to worship God by bowing down in fear in the presence of God. 

 

Fourth, we ought to obey our kings. We naturally respect a wonderful king or a politician. However, Peter says we must honor a king like the emperor, Nero of Rome, who persecuted Christians. A true Christian is to love and honor a dictator who persecutes and torments Christians. The Apostle Paul said, “I urge, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”(1Timothy 2:1-2). In addition, he said that God had established the authorities that exist (Romans 13:1-3). 

 

 

Today’s Prayer: In the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is the LORD (Philippians 2:10-11). Pray that your unsaved friends will bend their knees to Jesus now and confess him as LORD. 

Prayer Pointer: Daily Prayers lessen daily cares. - Anonymous

Bible Reading: Song of Solomon 4-5; 2 Corinthians 13

 

 

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9월 22일 - 하나님의 종의 삶

 

“너희가 서로 사랑하면 이로써 모든 사람이 너희가 내 제자인 줄 알리라” - 요 13:35

 

 

예수님은 열 두 제자들과 특별한 장소에서 작은 모임에서 가르치시고 그들과 교제하셨습니다.  주님은 식사하기 전에는 비천한 종처럼 제자들의 발을 씻겨주시며 실물 교육도 하셨습니다. 예수님의 제자들을 예수님의 겸손히 섬기는 모습을 보고 그들도 섬기는 자세와 책임을 훈련을 통해 배운 것입니다. 제자중 하나가 배반할 것을 예수님은 아시고 유다에게 그의 음모의 계획을 실행하라고 하셨습니다. 제자들은 무슨 일인지 깨닫지 못하고 베드로는 자신의 충성을 맹세하고 자랑했지만 예수님은 몇시간 이내에 자신을 세 번 부인할 것이라고 날카롭게 예언하셨습니다.  

 

요한복음 13장 31-35절은 예수님께서 그리스도인들에게 명하신 강력한 계명 중 하나입니다.  다른 사람들을 사랑한다는 것은 하나님을 의지하는 믿음의 결정적인 증거이며, 진정한 신자의 삶인 것입니다. 예수님은 이 명령을 새 계명으로 말씀하시며 자신이 보여준 사랑이 표준인 새 계명을 주시고 임박한 자신의 죽음과 세상을 떠나실 것을 예언합니다.

 

사도 베드로는 그의 서신에서 그리스도인이 하나님의 종으로 어떻게 살아야 하는지 설명합니다 (벧전 2:17). 우리가 이 세상에서 대우 받지 못하고 박해와 어려움을 겪는 때가 있더라도 온전히 하나님의 종으로의 삶을 살아가야 합니다. 하나님의 종의 삶은 어떤 삶일까요?

 

첫째, 연로하신 어른들을 공경하는 삶입니다. 그리스도인들은 부모를 공경하듯이 연로한 노인들을 존대해야 합니다. 베드로는 사회적 지위가 높든 낮든 관계없이 교회 밖의 사람들과  노인들을 존대하라고 명령합니다. 이 세상의 사람들은 모두 동일한 인간이며 국가와 민족, 문화 및 피부색만 다를 뿐입니다. 우리는 불신자들을 멸시하거나 경멸해서는 안 되며 사람을 물건과 같이 대하지 않아야 하고 반드시 모든 사람들을 사랑하고 존중해야 합니다.

 

둘째, 그리스도안의 형제 자매들을 사랑하는 삶입니다. 교회안의 형제 자매들은 서로 서로 사랑해야 합니다. 교회는 크게 확장된 하나님의 가족으로 사랑의 줄로 함께 묶여 있어야 합니다.  그리스도인의 참된 삶의 모습은 아가페 사랑으로 자연스럽게 넘쳐나야 합니다. 서로 사랑한다는 것이 그리스도인이 되었다는 표시입니다. 예수님은 "너희가 서로 사랑하면 이로써 모든 사람이 너희가 내 제자인 줄 알리라" (요 13:35) 라고 말씀하셨습니다.

 

셋째, 하나님을 두려워하는 삶입니다. 하나님을 두려워 하는 것은 하나님을 경외한다는 뜻이며  예수님의 임재 앞에서 두려워한다는 의미합니다(요 6:19). 오늘날 교회의 가장 절박한 필요와 요구는 하나님을 두려워하고 경외해야 하는 일입니다. 우리는 종종 하나님을 관용이 많은 친절한 분으로 생각합니다. 예수님은 하늘과 땅의 모든 권세를 가지시고 영광 가운데 계신 분입니다 우리는 하나님의 앞에서 두려움과 경외함으로 예배하는 것을 배워야 합니다.

 

넷째, 세상의 임금과 왕들에게 순복하는 삶입니다. 우리는 훌륭한 왕이나 정치인을 자연스럽게 존경합니다. 그러나 베드로는 신자들을 박해하는 로마의 네로같은 황제와 왕들에게도 순복해야 한다고 말합니다. 진정으로 거듭난 그리스도인은 핍박하고 괴롭히는 독재자를 사랑하고 존경합니다. 바울은 “그러므로 내가 첫째로 권하노니 모든 사람을 위하여 간구와 기도와 도고와 감사를 하되 임금들과 높은 지위에 있는 모든 사람을 위하여 하라 이는 우리가 모든 경건과 단정한 중에 고요하고 평안한 생활을 하려 함이니라” (딤전 2:1-2) 고 권합니다, 또한 그는 하나님께서 이 세상에 존재하는 모든 권세를 세우셨다고 말합니다(롬 13:1-3).

 

 

오늘의 기도: 예수의 이름에 모든 무릎을 끓고 모든 입으로 주를 시인합니다 (빌 2:10-11). 구원받지 못한 친구들을 지금 무릎을 꿇고 예수를 주님으로 고백하도록 기도하십시오. 

기도 지침: 매일 기도는 매일의 염려를 줄여준다. – 작자미상

성경 읽기: 아가 4-5장; 고린도후서 13장