August 7 - Seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness 먼저 그의 나라와 그의 의를 구하라

August 7 - Seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness

 

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 14:17

 

 

Paul wrote in the previous verse to Christians of strong faith who were tempted to flaunt their freedom in Christ in front of others. This refers to those who boldly eat meat, drink wine, or choose not to observe the Sabbath in the presence of those of weaker faith who feel convictions about those issues. Such "weak in faith" (Romans 14:1–2) believers could be harmed by their example. By tempting them to violate their conscience, such actions become a "stumbling block" to brothers and sisters in Christ (Romans 14:13–15).Paul reminds us of the Christian belief that they didn't come to faith in Christ to eat meat and drink wine. Those freedoms from the law's restrictions are real and meaningful, but they are not the point of the kingdom of God.

 

There are other benefits: we receive God's declaration that we are righteous in His eyes because of our faith in Christ. We experience peace and joy because of God's Holy Spirit. In other words, our place with God is secure, bringing real spiritual stability and confidence.Compared to those benefits, the freedom to eat meat and drink wine on this side of eternity is not worth what it might cost those of weaker faith. Callously exercising those freedoms isn't justified compared to the risk of causing a weaker believer to violate his conscience. Paul asks a challenging question to those who insist on the unfettered expression of their Christian liberty: Why did you come to Christ first? For the food and drink or for the real benefits of participating in the kingdom?

 

Nowadays, it is easy for people to find their purpose by getting more money, power, and fame. They believe these desires will lead to a happy life. People who do not know God put their dependence on what they have. However, Christians put God’s kingdom and righteousness before our own needs.

 

The Bible says in the New Testament that God’s kingdom is not something you can see. Still, it is where you live by the Holy Spirit and under his control (Romans 14:17). And Apostle Paul said, “for the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). Therefore, the kingdom of God is where everything belongs to God, and He controls everything. People who live in His kingdom accept His authority and obey His words. When Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, “You must be born again,” it meant you were under God’s control and obeyed His Word. 

 

Therefore, we must obey God’s authority and submit ourselves to Him. Jesus taught us about God’s kingdom when he was on this earth. Acts says, “[Jesus] appeared to them for forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). The Bible says that the power of God conquers all evil and all the evil authorities and also says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). 

Therefore, we who live in the kingdom of God need to dedicate our time, body, and soul for expanding his kingdom, God will give us exactly what we need. 

 

 

Today’s Prayer: Pray that the practice of hospitality might be a significant factor in breakdown walls of misunderstanding and distrust that divide Christians today. 

Prayer Pointer: Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when the soul is on its knees, whatever the body's attitude. – Victor Hugo

Bible Reading: Psalm 79-81; Romans 8:1-18

 

 

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8월 7일 - 먼저 그의 나라와 그의 의를 구하라

 

“하나님의 나라는 먹는 것과 마시는 것이 아니요 오직 성령 안에서 의와 평강과 희락이라” – 롬 14:17

 

 

바울은 다른 성도들 앞에서 그리스도인의 자유를 과시하고 싶어하는 유혹을 받고 있는 믿음이 강한 자들에 관해 로마서 14:16에 언급합니다. 이러한 사람들은 고기를 먹고 포도주를 마시고 안식일을 지키지 않는 믿음이 강하다는 사람들로 믿음이 연약한 자들 앞에서 자기의 확신을 주장하는 사람들이었습니다. "믿음이 연약한"(로마서 14:1-2) 자들은 자기의 강한 믿음을 확신있게 행동으로 보여줄 때 상처를 받습니다. 이러한 확신있는 행동은 양심에 따라 행해도 좋다는 유혹이 되어 믿음이 연약한 형제 자매들에게 걸림돌이 되는 것입니다(로마서 14:13-15).

 

바울은 먼저 양심대로 행하는 자들에게 그들이 고기를 먹고 포도주를 마시기 위해 그리스도를 믿게 된 것이 아니라는 사실을 상기시킵니다. 율법의 언약에서 부터 자유하는 것은 중요한 것이지만 하나님 나라의 중요한 점은 아닙니다. 그리스도인에게는 다른 유익이 많이 있습니다. 즉,  그리스도를 믿으면 하나님 앞에서 의롭다는 선언을 받고 하나님의 성령이 우리와 함께하기 때문에 평안과 기쁨을 경험하며 우리로 영적인 안정과 확신을 갖도록 해 줍니다.   

 

이러한 영적 유익과 비해서 고기를 먹고 포도주를 마시는 자유가 믿음이 약한 자들에게  걸림돌이 되어서는 안됩니다. 믿음이 강한 자가 자유를 행사하는 것이 믿음이 약한자의 양심에 상처를 줄 만큼 위험이 된다면 정당화될 수 없습니다. 바울은 그리스도인의 자유로운 행동을 고집하는 자들에게 도전적인 질문을 합니다. 즉, 당신이 처음 그리스도에게 나온 이유가 무엇입니까? 음식과 포도주 때문입니까? 하나님 나라에 참여하는 진정한 유익을 위해서 입니까??

 

삶의 목적을 재물과 권세, 명성에 두고 살아가는 사람들이 많이 있습니다. 이러한 것들이  행복을 가져다 준다고 믿습니다. 하나님을 믿지 않는 자들은 자신이 소유한 것을 의지하고 살아갑니다. 그리스도인들은 자신들의 필요를 찾기전에  먼저 하나님의 나라와 그의 의를 구합니다. 

 

신약에서 말하는 하나님 나라는 성령 안에서 하나님의 통치를 받는 것을 의미합니다(롬14:17). 바울은 “하나님의 나라는 말에 있지 아니하고 오직 능력에 있다”(고전 4:20)고 말합니다. 하나님의 통치와 그의 백성이 있는 곳이면 어디서든지 하나님 나라가 이루어집니다. 하나님의 나라에 속한 성도들은 모두 하나님의 주권적 통치를 받고 그의 말씀에 순종합니다. 예수님께서 요한복음 3장에서 니고데모에게 “다시 거듭나야 한다”고 말씀하신 것은 하나님의 통치를 받으며 말씀에 순종하는 삶을 살아가는 자가 거듭난 자라는 의미입니다. 

 

그러므로 그리스도인은 언제 어디서나 하나님의 주권적 통치에 순종하는 삶을 살아가야 합니다. 예수님은 이 세상에 오셔서 하나님의 나라에 관해 가르치셨습니다. 사도행전에서 “해를 받으신 후에 또한 저희에게 보이시며 하나님 나라의 일을 말씀하시니라”행1:3)고 기록하고 있습니다. 또한 성경은 하나님의 능력이 모든 악의 권세들을 이기며 “너희는 먼저 그의 나라와 의를 구하라 그리하면 이 모든 것을 너희에게 더하시리라”(마6:33)고 가르칩니다. 하나님의 나라에 살고 있는 우리는 시간과 몸, 그리고 영혼 모든 것을 하나님 나라 확장을 위해 드려야 합니다. 그러면 하나님께서는 우리의 삶에 필요한 모든 것들을 공급해 주시는 것입니다. 

 

 

오늘의 기도: 손 대접의 실천이 오늘날 그리스도인들을 분리시키는 불신과 오해의 벽을 무너뜨리는 중요한 요인아 되도록 기도하십시오. 

기도 지침: 어떤 생각들은 기도이다. 몸과 영혼의 자세가 무릎을 꿇는 어떤 때와 어떤 장소가 있는 것이다 – 빅톨 유고 

성경 읽기: 시편 79-81편; 로마서 8:1-18