July 26 - Knowing Jesus Christ 예수 그리스도를 아는 것

July 26 - Knowing Jesus Christ

 

“But the man who loves God is known by God.” - 1 Corinthians 8:3

 

 

First Corinthians 8:1–13 begins Paul's longer response to the question of attending functions in idol temples or eating food offered to idols. The Corinthians had previously written to Paul that they were not ''worshiping'' the idols. They know idols don't exist and that only God is real. Paul replies that the problem here is not lack of knowledge but lack of love. Some brothers and sisters in Christ cannot eat idol food with clear consciences. Those who are stronger risk leading those who are weaker into sin and, in that way, sinning themselves.

 

In their earlier letter to Paul (1 Corinthians 8:1), the Corinthians raised the issue of eating food offered to idols. Perhaps they are challenging his former teaching to them by saying that "all of us possess knowledge." Paul has pointed out two problems with knowledge. First, knowledge alone creates only pride, while love builds people up (1 Corinthians 8:1). Second, just because someone believes

 they know her does not mean they know (1 Corinthians 8:2).Paul adds again that love truly matters, especially when that love is directed toward God. Again, he uses the Greek root word agapao, referring to selfless and sacrificial love. Even better than knowing God is to be known by Him; He knows those who love Him. Being known by God, in turn, means that we belong to Him. Paul will eventually show that those who belong to God must completely separate themselves from demons, the real force behind the worship of idols and gods (1 Corinthians 10:20–21).

 

The New Testament expresses faith as the same thing as knowing Christ. Jesus, as the chief priest, in his prayer said, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). It means that people who know Christ have eternal life, whereas people who do not know Him do not possess eternal life. Then what is the meaning of ‘knowing Christ?’ This refers not to knowing the facts about Christ but to knowing Christ. 

 

We know many facts about many people. For example, we know about the president’s educational background, hobbies, family, advantages, and shortcomings. However, most people do not have a personal relationship with the president. Similarly, knowing Christ is not about knowing the facts about him. 

 

Knowing Christ refers to a deeper dimension. The Old Testament describes knowing as “yadda,” which means having a physical relationship of sleeping together. “Adam lay (yada) with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said ‘With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man’” (Genesis 4:1). Jesus says a person who has eternal life has a very deep spiritual relationship with him just as a person has a deep physical relationship. The tragedy of today’s church is that many religious people believe themselves to be Christians, yet they do not know Christ (Matthew 7:22-23). We have to ask ourselves these questions: Do I truly know Christ? Am I in Christ? Is Christ in me? Does Jesus know me? Do I have a deep fellowship with Christ?  The Bible tells us: “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Galatians 4:6). 

 

 

Today’s Prayer: Pray for anyone you know who is dying spiritually. Pray for opportunities to invite them to the sumptuous wedding banquet of the king (Matthew 22:2-10).  

Prayer Pointer: When you cannot sleep at night, talk to the Shepherd and stop counting sheep. – Author unknown

Bible Reading: Psalm 47-49; Acts 26

 

 

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7월 26일- 예수 그리스도를 아는 것

 

“또 누구든지 하나님을 사랑하면 이 사람은 하나님의 아시는 바 되었느니라” – 고전 8:3

 

바울은 고린도전서 8장에서 우상 신전 행사 참석과 우상의 제물을 먹는 문제에 대해 길게 설명합니다(고전 8:1-13). 고린도교회 교인들은 과거에 우상을 숭배하지 않는다고 바울에게 편지한 적이 있었습니다. 그들은 우상들은 존재하지 않으며 오직 하나님만이 살아 계신다고 믿고 있었습니다. 바울은 그의 서신에서 이 우상숭배의 문제는 지식의 부족이 아니라 사랑의 부족의 문제라고 답합니다. 어떤 형제 자매들은 깨끗한 양심 때문에 우상의 제물을 먹지 못합니다. 믿음이 강한 자들은 약한 자들을 죄짓게 만들고 스스로 죄짓은 위험이 있습니다.  

 

바울에게 보낸 이전의 서신(고전 8:1)에서 고린도교회 교인들은 우상의 제물을 먹는 문제를 질문한 것 같습니다. 그들은 "우리가 지식이 있는 줄 아나”라고 말함으로 바울이 전에 가르친 우상 제물에 관해 이의를 제기하고 있습니다. 바울은 지식과 관련된 두 가지 문제점을 지적합니다. 첫째, 지식은 교만을 낳고 사랑은 사람을 세워주다는 것(고전 8:1), 둘째, 자신이 안다고 믿는다고 해서 실제로 아는 것이 아니라고 지적합니다(고전 8:2).

 

사랑이 가장 중요고 특별히 하나님을 향한 사랑이 가장 중요한 것이라고 바울은 강조하여 말합니다. 그는 여기서 헬라어 “아가파오” 를 사용하는데, 이것은 이타적이고 희생적인 사랑을 의미합니다. 하나님을 아는 지식보다 더 귀한 것은 하나님의 아시는 바가 되는 것입니다. 하나님을 사랑하는 자는 하나님의 아시는 바가 됩니다 하나님의 아신바가 된다는 것은 하나님께 속해 있다는 뜻입니다. 하나님께 속한 자는 우상의 배후의 마귀의 힘으로부터 완전히 떠나 있음을 보여 주어야 한다고 바울은 말합니다(고전 10:20-21). 

 

신약에서 그리스도를 아는 것으로 믿음이라고 표현합니다. 예수님의 대제사장적인 기도에서  “영생은 곧 유일하신 참 하나님과 그가 보내신자 예수 그리스도를 아는 것이니이다”(요 17:3) 라고 기도하십니다. 그리스도를 아는 자는 영생을 얻고, 예수님을  알지 못하는 자는 영생이 없다는 의미입니다. 그러면 '그리스도를 안다'는 것은 무슨 뜻입니까? 이것은 그리스도에 대한 사실을 아는 것이 아니라 실제로 그리스도를 아는 것을 의미합니다. 우리는 많은 사람들에 대해 많은 사실을 알고 있습니다. 예를 들어, 대통령의 교육 배경, 취미, 가족, 장점 및 단점에 대해 알고 있습니다. 그러나 대다수의 사람들은 대통령과 개인적인 관계가 없습니다. 마찬가지로, 그리스도를 아는 것은 그분에 관한 사실을 아는 것이 아닙니다.

 

실제로 그리스도를 아는 것은 더 깊은 차원의 관계를 의미합니다. 구약에서는 안다는 것을 히브리어 "야다"로 표현하는데 부부가 함께 동침하는 육체적 관계를 의미합니다. "아담이 그의 아내 하와와 동침 하매 하와가 임신하여 가인을 낳고 이르되 내가 여호와로 말미암아 득남하였다 하니라”(창 4:1). 영생을 가진 자는 부부가 깊은 육체적인 관계를 가지는 것처럼 예수님과 깊은 영적 관계를 가지는 것 입니다. 오늘날 교회의 비극은 많은 사람들이 자신이 기독교인이라고 자처하지만 그리스도를 알지 못하는 종교인들이라는 것입니다 (마 7:22-23). 우리는 다음의 질문들을 해야 합니다. 나는 진정으로 그리스도를 알고 있는가? 나는 그리스도 안에 있고 그리스도가 내 안에 있는가? 예수님은 나를 알고 있는가? 나는 그리스도와 깊은 교제를 나누고 있는가? 성경은 우리에게 분명히 말합니다: "너희가 아들이므로 하나님이 그 아들의 영을 우리 마음 가운데 보내사 아빠 아버지라 부르게 하셨느니라”(갈 4:6). 

 

 

성경 읽기: 시편 47-49편; 사도행전 26장

오늘의 기도: 당신이 알고 있는 영적으로 죽어가고 있는 사람을 위해 기도하고, 호화로운 왕의 혼인 잔치에 그들이 초청받을 수 있는 기회를 위해 기도하십시오. 

기도 지침: “밤에 잠이 오지 않으면 목자이신 주님께 기도하고 양의 수를 세지 말라” – 작자미상