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20241023 [새벽묵상] 우리의 노력이 아닌 값없이 주어지는 약속을 믿으라 | Believe not in our efforts but in God's freely given promise (갈/Gal 3:10~18)



3:10 무릇 율법 행위에 속한 자들은 저주 아래에 있나니 기록된 바 누구든지 율법 책에 기록된 대로 모든 일을 항상 행하지 아니하는 자는 저주 아래에 있는 자라 하였음이라

3:11 또 하나님 앞에서 아무도 율법으로 말미암아 의롭게 되지 못할 것이 분명하니 이는 의인은 믿음으로 살리라 하였음이니라

3:12 율법은 믿음에서 난 것이 아니니 율법을 행하는 자는 그 가운데서 살리라 하였느니라

3:13 그리스도께서 우리를 위하여 저주를 받은 바 되사 율법의 저주에서 우리를 속량하셨으니 기록된 바 나무에 달린 자마다 저주 아래에 있는 자라 하였음이라

3:14 이는 그리스도 예수 안에서 아브라함의 복이 이방인에게 미치게 하고 또 우리로 하여금 믿음으로 말미암아 성령의 약속을 받게 하려 함이라

10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.


3:15 형제들아 내가 사람의 예대로 말하노니 사람의 언약이라도 정한 후에는 아무도 폐하거나 더하거나 하지 못하느니라

3:16 이 약속들은 아브라함과 그 자손에게 말씀하신 것인데 여럿을 가리켜 그 자손들이라 하지 아니하시고 오직 한 사람을 가리켜 네 자손이라 하셨으니 곧 그리스도라

3:17 내가 이것을 말하노니 하나님께서 미리 정하신 언약을 사백삼십 년 후에 생긴 율법이 폐기하지 못하고 그 약속을 헛되게 하지 못하리라

3:18 만일 그 유업이 율법에서 난 것이면 약속에서 난 것이 아니리라 그러나 하나님이 약속으로 말미암아 아브라함에게 주신 것이라

The Law and the Promise]

15 Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.


 

            지금은 많이 세속화 되었지만 그래도 이스라엘의 수도인 예루살렘에 가면 지금도 안식일을 철저히 지키는 유태인들을 많이 만나볼 수 있다고 합니다. 안식일에 대한 이들의 노력은 상상을 초월해서 일을 하지 않는 것은 물론이거니와  “안식일에 자기 처소에서 불을 피우지 말라”는 말씀 또한 철저히 지키는데요. 이 말씀을 지키기 위해 이들은 안식일에는 절대로 운전을 하지 않는다고 합니다. 이는 운전을 위해 자동차의 시동을 거는 행위 자체가 전기 스파크를 발생시키는, 즉 불을 피우는 행위에 해당하기 때문입니다. 안식일에는 당연히 요리도 할 수 없고 전깃불도 켤 수 없습니다. 그래서 이들은 안식일 전날에 미리 슬로우 쿠커로 음식을 해놓고 전깃불도 전날 켜놓고 끄지 않는다고 하지요. 또한 이스라엘의 호텔에는 ‘안식일 엘리베이터’라는 것이 있는데요. 이 엘리베이터는 안식일에 층수를 나타내는 버튼을 누름과 동시에 불이 켜지는 것을 막기위해서 아예 모든 층마다 멈춰서서 문이 열린다고 합니다. 이처럼 안식일을 열심으로 지키는 이들이지만 만약 냉장고 문을 열었을 때 불이 들어온다면 어떻게 해야 할까요? 아니 애초에 냉장고 문을 여는 것은 일일까요? 일이 아닐까요? 어디까지 지켜야 율법에서 말하는 대로 안식일을 지키는 것일까요?


Though Jerusalem has become quite secular nowadays, if you visit Israel's capital, you'll still find many Orthodox Jews who strictly observe the Sabbath. Their dedication to Sabbath observance goes beyond our imagination. Not only do they refrain from work, but they also strictly follow the command "You shall not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day." To observe this, they never drive on the Sabbath because the mere act of starting a car creates an electrical spark – essentially lighting a fire.

On the Sabbath, they naturally can't cook or turn on lights either. So they prepare their meals in slow cookers beforehand and leave necessary lights on from the previous day without turning them off. In Israeli hotels, you'll find 'Sabbath elevators' that automatically stop at every floor without requiring passengers to push buttons, as pressing a button would illuminate it. These elevators stop at every floor with doors opening automatically. While these people zealously keep the Sabbath, what should they do when opening a refrigerator triggers an interior light? Is opening a refrigerator door considered work in the first place? Where do we draw the line in properly observing the Sabbath according to the Law?



                  여러분 이처럼 우리가 우리의 노력으로 율법을 지킨다고 한다면 우리는 혼란에 빠질 수 밖에 없습니다. 우리는 아무리 노력한다고 해도 모든 율법을 이룰 수 없기 때문이지요. 그렇기 때문에 오늘의 말씀은 그 누구도 자신의 노력으로 구원을 얻을 수 없다고 말씀하십니다. 우리가 구원을 얻을 수 있는 길은 오직 우리에게 값없이 주어진 하나님의 약속을 믿는 것이라고 말씀하고 계십니다. 그렇습니다. 우리는 우리의 노력이 아닌 값없이 주어지는 약속을 믿어야 하는 것입니다.


                  오늘 말씀 10절부터 12절까지 사도바울께서는 10절, 율법에 속한 자들은 저주 아래에 있다. 11절, 아무도 율법으로 말미암아 의롭게 되지 못한다. 12절, 율법을 행하는 자는 율법 가운데서 살 것이다 라고 말씀하십니다. 그렇다면 왜 그런 것일까요? 율법이란 무엇입니까? 하나님께서 이스라엘 백성들에게 주신 계명입니다. 이 율법은 마치 계약과도 같아서 율법을 모두 지키면 복을 받고 율법을 모두 지키지 못하면 그에 따른 저주를 받습니다. 신명기 27:26에 “이 율법의 모든 말씀을 실행치 아니하는 자는 저주를 받을 것이라 할 것이요 모든 백성은 아멘 할찌니라.” 그러나 아까도 예를 들었듯이 이세상 그 누구도 이 모든 율법을 온전히 지킬 수는 없습니다. 애당초 모든 율법을 온전히 지킨다는 것이 무엇인지 아무도 알 수가 없지요. 그렇다면 이 율법을 지키고자 하는 행위 자체가 결국은 저주에 묶이는 행위가 되고 마는 것입니다. 그래서 12절에 율법을 행하는 자는 율법 가운데서 묶여 살게 된다. 11절, 아무도 율법으로 의롭게 되지 못할 것이 분명하다. 10절, 그러므로 율법에 속한 자들은 저주 아래에 있다고 말씀하시는 것입니다. 여러분 우리가 인간의 노력으로 하나님의 의에 이르려고 할 때 벌어지는 일이 바로 이것입니다. 우리가 끊임없이 우리의 노력으로 발버둥쳐도 오히려 우리가 노력을 하면 할 수록 우리는 저주 가운데서 벗어날 수가 없게 되는 것입니다.


Brothers and sisters, when we try to fulfill the Law through our own efforts, we inevitably fall into confusion. No matter how hard we try, we cannot fulfill all the Law's requirements. That's why today's message emphasizes that no one can achieve salvation through their own efforts. It tells us that the only path to salvation is through believing in God's freely given promise. Yes, we must believe in the promise that is given freely, not earned through our efforts.


Looking at verses 10 through 12, Paul makes three points: verse 10 - those who rely on the Law are under a curse; verse 11 - no one is justified before God by the Law; verse 12 - the person who does these things will live by them. Why is this so? What is the Law? It's God's commandments given to the Israelites. The Law functions like a contract – keep it all and receive blessings, break any part and receive curses. Deuteronomy 27:26 states, "Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out. Then all the people shall say, 'Amen!'" However, as we saw earlier, no one in this world can perfectly keep all these laws. In fact, no one can even fully comprehend what perfect observance means. Therefore, the very attempt to keep the Law becomes an act that binds us under its curse. That's why verse 12 says those who follow the Law must live by the Law, verse 11 declares clearly that no one will be justified by the Law, and verse 10 states that those who rely on the Law are under a curse. Brothers and sisters, this is what happens when we try to achieve God's righteousness through human effort. No matter how desperately we struggle through our own efforts, the more we try, the more we remain bound under the curse.



                  그런데 13절을 보십시오. “그리스도께서 우리를 위하여 저주를 받은 자 되사 율법의 저주에서 우리를 속량하셨으니 기록된바 나무에 달린 자마다 저주 아래에 있는 자라 하였음이라.” 여러분 그리스도께서 우리를 율법의 저주에서 속량하셨다고 하십니다. 어떻게 우리를 속량하셨습니까?

저주를 받은 자가 되어서. 사실 이 말씀은 “저주를 받은 자”가 아니라 “저주가 되셨다”는 말씀입니다. 이것은 무슨 뜻입니까? 고린도후서 5:21을 제가 읽겠습니다. “하나님이 죄를 알지도 못하신 자로 우리를 대신하여 죄를 삼으신 것은 우리로 하여금 저의 안에서 하나님의 의가 되게 하려 하심이니라” 주님이 우리를 대신하셔서 죄가 되셨습니다. 이것은 무엇 때문입니까? 우리로 예수님 안에서 하나님의 의가 되게하려고 그렇게 하셨다고 하십니다. 다른 말로 하면 예수님께서 우리를 대신하셨고 우리는 예수님을 대신하게 된 것입니다. 예수님께서 율법의 저주 아래에 죽어야만 하는 우리를 대신하셔서 하나님의 진노를 받으시고 죽으셨고 우리는 죄를 알지도 못하신 예수님과 자리를 바꾸었기 때문에 하나님께서 우리를 보실 때 우리가 아니라 예수님의 의를 보게 되시는 것입니다. 바로 이것을 믿는 것이 의를 얻게 되는 유일한 길인 것입니다. 11절에 의인은 믿음으로 말미암아 살리라는 말씀은 바로 이것을 말씀하는 것입니다. 그리고 14절에 보니 이것은 또한 아브라함을 통해 우리에게 주신 약속이기도 합니다.


But look at verse 13: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.'" Brothers and sisters, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law. How did He redeem us?

By becoming a curse. Actually, the text doesn't just say "became cursed" but rather "became a curse." What does this mean? Let me read 2 Corinthians 5:21: "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." The Lord became sin in our place. Why did He do this? The scripture says it was so that we might become God's righteousness in Him. In other words, Jesus took our place, and we took His place. Because Jesus took the place of us who deserved to die under the Law's curse and received God's wrath, when God looks at us, He sees Jesus' righteousness instead of us. Believing this is the only way to obtain righteousness. Verse 11's statement that "the righteous will live by faith" refers to exactly this. And as we see in verse 14, this was also the promise given through Abraham.



                  그렇다면 이 약속은 아브라함에게 어떻게 주어진 것입니까? 16절 말씀입니다. “이 약속들은 아브라함과 그 자손에게 말씀하신 것인데 여럿을 가리켜 그 자손들이라 하지 아니하시고 오직 한 사람을 가리켜 네 자손이라 하셨으니 곧 그리스도라.” 이 약속은 무엇입니까? 창세기 22:18 “또 네 씨로 말미암아 천하 만민이 복을 얻으리니” 바로 그리스도를 통하여 천하 만민이 복을 받으리라는 약속입니다. 여러분, 앞에서 율법은 계약과 같다고 이야기 했습니다. 계약에는 조건이 있지요. 지키면 복을 받고 어기면 저주를 받습니다. 그렇다면 이 약속은 어떨까요? 하나님께서 아브라함과 약속을 하신다고 하실때에 창세기 5장에 보니 아브라함이 약속의 징표를 달라고 합니다. 그러자 하나님께서는 아브라함에게 언약을 맺을 제물을 가져오라 하시지요. 아브라함은 이 말을 듣자 하나님께서 무슨 말씀을 하시는지 대번에 알았습니다. 그래서 그 제물들을 취하여 반으로 갈라 놓았습니다. 반으로 가른 짐승들 사이를 약속의 당사자들이 지나감으로써 약속을 지키지 않으면 이렇게 반으로 쪼개짐을 당하겠다는 언약을 맺는 것이지요. 그러나 그 쌍방의 언약에 아브라함은 깊이 잠이 들고 오직 하나님만이 그 가운데를 지나가십니다. 바로 하나님만이 그 약속을 지키겠다 맹세하신 것입니다. 아브라함은 약속을 지켜야 할 아무런 의무가 없습니다. 하나님의 무조건적인 약속이지요. 이것은 값없는 약속인 것입니다. 마치 그리스도께서 우리를 대신하여 우리를 위하여 죽으셨던 것 처럼 우리는 아무것도 노력해야 할 필요가 없는 것입니다. 우리는 그저 하나님께서 우리에게 주신 약속을 믿기만 하면 되는 것입니다. 하나님의 전적인 은혜인 것입니다. 그렇기 때문에 우리는 이처럼 우리의 노력이 아닌 값없이 주어지는 하나님의 약속을 믿기만 하면 되는 것입니다.


So how was this promise given to Abraham? Look at verse 16: "The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say 'and to seeds,' meaning many people, but 'and to your seed,' meaning one person, who is Christ." What was this promise? Genesis 22:18 says, "Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed" – it's the promise that all nations would be blessed through Christ. Brothers and sisters, earlier we said the Law was like a contract. Contracts have conditions, right? Keep them and receive blessings, break them and receive curses. Then what about this promise? In Genesis 15, when Abraham asks for a sign of the covenant, God tells him to bring animals for the covenant ceremony. Abraham immediately understood what God meant. He took the animals and cut them in half. The covenant parties would walk between the split animals, symbolically saying they would accept being torn in half like these animals if they broke the covenant. However, Abraham falls into a deep sleep, and only God passes between the pieces. This means God alone took the oath to keep this promise. Abraham had no obligation to keep the promise. It was God's unconditional promise. This was a free promise. Just as Christ died in our place for us, we don't need to strive for anything. We simply need to believe in the promise God has given us. It is God's complete grace. Therefore, we must believe not in our efforts but in God's freely given promise.



                  말씀을 맺습니다. 여러분 구원은 그저 죄사함을 받은 것이 아닌 것입니다. 예수님께서 우리의 자리를 대신하여 죽으셨을 때 우리는 하나님 앞에서 예수님의 완전한 의를 입는 것입니다. 그리고 우리가 입은 예수님의 의로우심은 우리가 회심한 그 순간 만이 아니라 영원히 하나님 앞에서 지속되는 것입니다. 그렇기 때문에 우리는 우리의 노력으로 하나님의 축복을 얻으려 할 필요가 없는 것입니다. 바로 그것이 예수님께서 저주 받은 우리의 자리를 대신하여 죽으신 구원이 가진 의미인 것입니다. 그리고 그 구원을 하나님께서는 우리에게 값없이 주시겠다고 창세전부터 약속하신 것입니다. 그러므로 우리는 우리의 노력이 아닌 값없이 주어지는 구원의 약속을, 예수님의 대속의 약속을 믿어야 하는 것입니다. 기도하시겠습니다.


Let me conclude. Brothers and sisters, salvation is more than just receiving forgiveness of sins. When Jesus died in our place, we receive His perfect righteousness before God. And the righteousness of Jesus that we've received continues eternally before God, not just at the moment of our conversion. Therefore, we don't need to strive through our own efforts to earn God's blessings. This is the meaning of salvation – that Jesus died in place of us who were cursed. And God promised this to us freely before the foundation of the world. Therefore, we must believe not in our efforts, but in this freely given promise of salvation, the promise of Christ's substitutionary atonement. Let us pray.

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