September 26 - The Religion of Life생명의 종교

September 26 - The Religion of Life

 

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” – James 2:26

 

James drives the point home here with one last illustration. James makes a clever word play here, similar to one Jesus uses in John chapter 3. James claims faith without works is just as dead as a body without the spirit. This Greek term can mean "wind," which is a euphemism for breathing, or it can mean "spirit," or even capital-S-"Spirit," meaning the Holy Spirit. The wordplay is key to seeing how serious James is about the implications of this teaching. A body without breath is dead. A person without "the Spirit" is spiritually dead. James ties together a lack of breath, a lack of spirit, and the presence of death with the concept of a works-less faith.Bodies that don't breathe are dead. In the same way, a so-called "faith"—whether in the form of religion, family identity, or intellectual knowledge—that is not accompanied by good works is not a living thing. It's dead. The spiritual implications are clear; works-less faith is not saving faith. Good works can take many forms. James emphasized the good works of Christians loving each other as we love ourselves in this chapter. He specifically emphasized meeting each other's physical needs. He has also stressed obedience to God. For all the debate it generates, James's teaching can be summarized: We are saved by faith, and saving faith produces good works. Those who lack work prove that they lack saving faith.

 

Christianity distinguishes itself from other religions: it emphasizes both belief and action. Other religions say humans can reach god or a certain goal by living a good life. However, Christianity says one is saved and forgiven when believing in Christ. In other words, Christianity says salvation is by Christ alone, but others say salvation is through human deeds. James wrote about three kinds of people.

 

First, some claim to have faith but have no deeds. “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” (James 2:14). Our faith should manifest into good deeds. Saving faith naturally produces fruit. Jesus said, “By their fruits, you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:16). If a man plants apple seeds, the seed produces apples, not pears. As an apple tree produces an apple, a man of faith should produce fruits of action and deeds.

 

Second, some have mere intellectual faith. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder” (James 2:19). The devil knows and recognizes God but can never be saved because the devil knows God only intellectually. Many have the faith of the devil—a mere intellectual faith. Even if they have intellectual faith, they do not submit to God and have no good deeds. As a result, they cannot have joy and peace.

 

Third, others actively live by faith. James introduced two men with an active faith (James 2:23-26). James says Abraham’s faith was proved genuine when he offered Isaac as the sacrifice to God. His faith was completed in his action. “You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did” (James 2:22). When we live by our faith and produce good fruits, God fills us with His peace.

 

 

Today’s Prayer: Pray that the power of money may not tempt government officials. Ask God that those who have fallen to the temptation may be changed or removed from their position. 

Prayer Pointer: What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use--men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. – E.M. Bounds

Bible Reading: Isaiah 7-9; Galatians 4

 

 

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9월 26일 - 생명의 종교

 

“영혼 없는 몸이 죽은 것 같이 행함이 없는 믿음은 죽은 것이니라” - 약 2:26.

 

 

야고보는 믿음과 행함의 관계에 대한 예를 들면서 결론의 말씀을 하고 있습니다. 여기서 야고보는 요한복음 3장의 예수님의 말씀과 유사한 말을 사용하며 행함이 없는 믿음은 영혼이 없는 몸과 같이 죽은 것이라고 주장합니다. 여기의 영혼은 헬라어의 바람이나 영, 그리고 성령을 의미할 수도 있습니다. 이 말씀은 야고보의 가르침의 의미가 얼마나 중요하고 진지한지를 알 수 있는 중요한 말씀입니다. 호흡이 없는 몸은 죽은 것이고 영혼이 없는 사람은 영적으로 죽은 사람입니다. 야고보는 호흡의 부족, 영혼의 부족, 죽음의 존재를 행위가 없는 믿음의 개념과 함께 연관시켜 말합니다. 

 

사람의 몸이 호흡이 없으면 죽은 몸이 됩니다. 마찬가지로 소위 믿음(종교의 형태이든, 가족의 정체성이든, 지적 지식의 형태이든)은 선행이 동반되지 않으면 생명있는 믿음이 아니고 죽은 믿음입니다. 여기의 영적인 의미는 분명합니다. 행함이 없는 믿음은 구원받는 믿음이 아닙니다. 선행에는  다양한 형태가 있습니다. 야고보는 2장에서 그리스도인들은 자신을 사랑하듯 서로 사랑하는 선행을 강조합니다. 특히 야고보는 서로의 물질적이고 육신적인 필요를 채우는 일과 하나님께 순종할 것을 강조합니다. 야고보의 가르침과 논쟁을 간략하게 요약한다면 우리는 믿음으로 구원을 받고, 구원 받는 믿음에는 반드시 선행이 나타나야 하며 행함이 없는 사람들은 구원의 믿음이 부족하다는 것을 증거하는 것입니다. 

 

기독교가 다른 종교와 다른 것은 기독교는 믿음과 행위를 동시에 강조합니다. 다른 종교에서는 인간이 착하게 살면 신이나 어떤 특정한 경지에 도달 할 수 있다고 가르칩니다. 그러나 기독교는 사람이 그리스도를 믿을 때 구원받고 용서받는다고 믿습니다. 그리고 기독교는 오직 그리스도를 믿음으로 구원받는다는 것을 믿지만 타종교에서는 인간의 행위로 구원을 이룰수 있다고 주장합니다. 야고보는 믿음과 행위에 관해 세 종류의 사람들이 있다고 기록합니다.  

 

첫째, 믿음이 있다고 주장하지만 행함이 없는 사람입니다. "내 형제들아 만일 어떤 사람이 믿음이 있노라 하고 행함이 없으면 무슨 유익이 있으리요 그 믿음이 능히 자기를 구원하겠느냐"(약 2:14). 우리의 믿음은 반드시 자연스러운 선행의 열매를 맺어야 합니다.  예수님은 "그들의 열매로 그들을 알지니 가시나무에서 포도를, 또는 엉겅퀴에서 무화과를 따겠느냐"(마 7:16) 사람이 사과 씨앗을 심으면 그 씨앗은 배가 아니기 때문에 사과열매를 맺습니다.  사과나무가 사과를 맺듯이 믿음의 사람도 행위의 열매를 맺는 것입니다.  

 

둘째, 단순한 지적 믿음을 가진 사람이 있습니다. "네가 하나님은 한 분이신 줄을 믿느냐 잘하는도다 귀신들도 믿고 떠느니라”(약 2:19). 마귀는 하나님을 알지만 결코 구원받지 못합니다. 많은 사람들이 귀신의 믿음, 즉 단순한 지적 믿음을 가지고 살아갑니다. 설령 지적인 믿음이 있어도 하나님께 순종하지 않고, 선행이 없다면 결과적으로 그들은 기쁨과 평화를 누리지 못합니다. 

 

셋째, 순종하는 적극적인 믿음으로 살아가는 사람이 있습니다. 야고보는 적극적인 믿음을 가진 두 이름을 소개합니다(약 2:23-26). 그는 아브라함이 이삭을 하나님께 제물로 바쳤을 때 그의 믿음이 참된 것임을 증거하였다고 말합니다. 아브라함의 믿음은 행함으로 온전케되었습니다. "그의 믿음이 그의 행함과 함께 일하고 행함으로 믿음이 온전하게 되었느니라”(약 2:22). 믿음으로 살고 행위의 열매를 맺을 때, 하나님은 우리의 삶을 그의 평화로 채워 주십니다.

 

 

오늘의 기도: 정부관리들이 재력의 시험에 들지 않도록 기도하고 하나님께서 시험에 든 자들이 변화되거나 그 위치에서 떠나게 하도록 기도하십시오. 

기도 지침: 오늘날 교회가 필요한 것은 더 많고 좋은 기계가 아니고, 새로운 조직도 아니고, 더 고상한 방법이 아니라, 성령께서 사용하시는 기도의 사람의 기도의 능력이 있는 사람들이다. – 이엠 바운드

성경 읽기: 이사야 7-9장; 갈라디아서 4장