이번에 2025년 가을 부흥회는 참으로 의미있는 시간이었습니다. 볼티모어 교회 권사, 안수집사 임직을 앞두고 성도님들의 마음을 하나로 모으며 함께 은혜를 누리는 시간으로 준비했기 때문입니다. 그리고 특별히 담임목사로서 처음으로 부흥회를 직접 인도하면서, 목회적으로 교회의 나아갈 방향을 제시하고 함께 걸어가는 특별한 시간이었기 때문입니다.
부흥회의 주제를 놓고 오랫동안 기도했습니다. 그리고 '신앙의 본질로 돌아가자'라는 제목으로, 종교 개혁의 솔라 시리즈를 준비하였습니다. 이 주제를 놓고 부흥회를 인도한 이유는, 50여년의 역사를 가지고 있는 귀한 볼티모어교회가, 앞으로도 기독교 신앙의 본질에 근거해서 성장해 나가길 바랬기 때문입니다. 그리고 모든 성도님들이 성경적이고 바른 신앙을 가질 수 있기를 원했기 때문입니다.
신앙의 내용과 교회의 역사는 결코 떨어져서 생각할 수 없습니다. 그럼에도 불구하고, 기독교의 역사를 다루면서 동시에 우리가 무엇을 믿는가를 설명하는 일은 결코 쉽지가 않습니다. 자칫하면 지루해지기가 쉽고 그저 역사 강의처럼 들릴 수도 있기 때문입니다.
그런 면에서, 설교의 구조와 내용을 구성하는데 평소보다 더 많은 공을 들였습니다. 역사적인 맥락을 최대한 압축적으로 소개하면서도, 지금 우리가 서 있는 기독교 신앙을 설교의 형태로 잘 드러내기 위해 최선을 다해 노력했습니다.
특별히 제 개인적으로 정말 좋았던 것은, 루터의 저작들을 직접 살펴보면서 저 역시 많은 배움 속에서 은혜를 받았다는 것입니다. 언제나 그렇지만, 간접적으로 인용된 저작물 이전에 1차 저작들을 잘 읽고 공부하는 것이 신학 공부에 있어서 가장 중요하다는 것을 다시 한번 경험하였습니다.
어두운 시대 속에서, 오직 말씀을 붙들고 일어선 루터의 고뇌와 기쁨 그리고 도전을 간접적이나마 진지하게 경험하였습니다. 그리고 더 나아가서, 이 시대를 살아가는 개신교 목사로서, 무엇을 가지고 어떻게 교회를 섬길지에 대해 깊게 묵상하고 결단하는 참 좋은 시간을 보내었습니다.
이번에 성도님들께서 은혜를 많이 받으신 것 같아 감사한 마음입니다. 모든 것은 하나님의 은혜입니다. 신앙의 본질을 주제로 잡고 설교하게 하신 것도 하나님의 은혜이고, 모든 성도들이 감사한 마음 가운데 부흥회가 마친 것 역시 하나님의 은혜입니다. 부흥회 가운데 저와 성도님들의 신앙을 회복시키시고, 더욱 성경적으로 변화시키시며 성장하게 하신 아버지 하나님께 영광을 올려 드립니다.
아래 링크를 통해 부흥회 설교의 영문 원고를 보실 수 있습니다.
* 신앙의 본질로 돌아가자 부흥회 설교 (1) / 오직 성경 (Sola Scriptura) / 왕상 22장 3-13절
The 2025 Fall Revival Meeting was truly a meaningful time for our Baltimore Church. As we prepared for the ordination of deacons and elders, it became a precious opportunity to unite our congregation and share God’s grace together. It was also special to me personally, as it was the first revival I led as the senior pastor—setting the pastoral direction of our church and walking together in faith.
After much prayer, I chose the theme “Return to the Essence of Faith,” preaching through the Sola Series of the Reformation. I hoped that our church, with its 50-year history, would continue to grow upon the foundation of true biblical faith, and that every member would be strengthened in sound doctrine.
Preparing these messages was not easy, since combining church history and theology can easily feel like a lecture. So I devoted extra effort to make each sermon clear and inspiring—summarizing history concisely while proclaiming the gospel’s core truths.
Personally, I was deeply blessed while studying Luther’s original writings. It reminded me once again that reading primary sources is essential for true theological understanding. Through Luther’s struggle and faith, I could sense both his agony and joy as he stood firmly on the Word of God, and it helped me reflect on how I should serve the church today as a pastor.
I’m thankful that many members were blessed through this revival. Everything was by God’s grace—from the theme itself to the spiritual renewal experienced by our congregation. To God be the glory, who restored and strengthened our faith through His Word. You can read the English manuscript of the revival sermons through the link above.
* By Faith Alone & In Christ Alone — Romans 1:16–17
* Introduction
Under the title “Sola Fide and Solus Christus,” I will deliver the third message of our fall revival. In this fall revival, we are learning the core declarations of the Reformation under the theme “Return to the essence of faith.” The key is this: when we trace our faith back to its source, we find a biblically firm and historically grounded root. In other words, our church was not suddenly established in this age; we are proud heirs of the Reformation.
Our root begins with “Scripture Alone.” When the church drifted away from God’s truth, the Reformers restored it by the Word of God alone. As they studied Scripture, they discovered that human salvation is entirely accomplished by God’s grace, and therefore believers can only praise Him with humble hearts before His presence. Tonight, we will reflect on what is perhaps the very heart of the Reformation—Faith Alone and Christ Alone—so that our faith may be strengthened and made firm.
* Luther’s Personal Experience
Perhaps you remember that on the first night of this revival, I briefly introduced Martin Luther. Luther originally majored in law but later decided to become a priest. Now, think about it—what caused such a drastic change in his life? It happened while he was returning home after finishing his law studies. As he was approaching his village, a violent storm broke out, and lightning struck near him.
Imagine how terrifying it must have been—rain pouring down, thunder crashing, and lightning flashing right beside him. Shocked, Luther fell to the ground, trembling in fear, and barely managed to stand again. Then, in desperation, he cried out to Saint Anne, who was revered as a patron saint at that time, saying, “Saint Anne, help me! I will become a monk!” That very moment became the decisive turning point that led Luther to enter the monastery.
* Overcoming the Fear of Death
From this event, we can see that there was already a deep fear of death in Luther’s heart. Yet this fear was not unique to him; it was shared by nearly everyone living in that era. You may have heard of the Black Death, one of the most devastating plagues in human history. About a hundred years before Luther was born, the plague had swept across Europe, killing almost forty percent of the population. Even after that, it reappeared intermittently, constantly reminding people of the terror of death.
In addition, Europe in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries—the period when Luther lived—was filled with political and economic upheaval, which made people anxious about death and judgment. Against this background, the dramatic lightning incident helped Luther realize something vital about himself: though he claimed to have faith, he was not at all ready to face death. Thus he resolved to enter a monastery, believing that through a life of devotion he might finally earn God’s approval.
* The Middle Ages and Luther’s Limitation
Why, then, did Luther choose to enter the monastery? It was because people in the Middle Ages believed that withdrawing from the world and living an isolated, religious life in a monastery was the best way to draw near to God. Monks were regarded as those who would receive the highest reward in heaven.
In that context, imagine Luther entering the monastery. He was a man with an exceptionally sensitive conscience, deeply honest before God about his sin. Therefore, he devoted himself to monastic life with such intensity that it began to harm his health. He believed that if he lived with enough discipline and religious zeal, God would eventually show him favor.
* How Much Is Enough?
However, a serious problem began to arise in Luther’s heart. He started to question: How much repentance, how much discipline, and how much effort are enough for God to accept me? At first, Luther believed that if he confessed his sins diligently and practiced self-denial, he would receive complete forgiveness. But soon he realized that his sins were countless—far too many to confess one by one.
In time, he came to understand that no matter how earnestly he examined himself, he was far more sinful than he had ever imagined. The more he sought to repent, the more aware he became of his own depravity. As a result, his heart grew weary and bitter. Without realizing it, Luther began to resent God, thinking of Him as a cruel judge who demanded perfection from a helpless sinner.
Moreover, the official teaching of the church in those days made things even worse. The church taught that salvation required not only grace but also one’s own good works added to that grace. For Luther, this left no hope—only despair. He concluded that no matter how hard he tried, he could never accumulate enough merit to be saved, and he sank deeper into discouragement.
* The Righteousness of God
Then how did Luther find a breakthrough in this dark and hopeless situation? After becoming a monk, he was later ordained as a priest, earned a doctorate, and began to serve as a professor of biblical studies. As he systematically studied and taught Scripture, he finally began to uncover the answer to the problem that had tormented him for so long.
In particular, while lecturing on the Book of Romans, Luther found the key in today’s text: “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:17, ESV). The crucial question was this—what does “the righteousness of God” mean?
In his day, most people understood that phrase to refer to God’s righteous character in judgment—that God, as the just Judge, reveals His righteousness by punishing sinners. In other words, they saw it as the terrifying standard of divine justice that condemned humanity.
* God Gives Us Righteousness as a Gift
But as Luther meditated on this verse, he came to a completely different understanding. He realized that the righteousness of God is not the righteousness by which God judges, but the righteousness by which God makes us righteous when we believe in Him—it is a passive righteousness given to us by grace. In other words, God is so merciful that He grants His own righteousness as a gift to those who believe.
Furthermore, Luther recognized that the phrase “The righteous shall live by faith” originates from the prophet Habakkuk in the Old Testament. Through this discovery, he saw that the Old and New Testaments are connected by one central truth: salvation comes through faith—trusting in God alone.
In his commentary on Romans, Luther wrote, “The righteousness of God is the cause of our salvation. It is not the righteousness by which God Himself is righteous, but the righteousness by which He declares us righteous through faith in the gospel. It is called the righteousness of God in contrast to the righteousness of man, which comes from works.”
* We Go Through the Same Process
From this, we clearly see that Luther’s personal journey—his struggle, his discovery, and his transformation—is the very path that every believer must also walk. How do most people today live? Many no longer see sin as sin. When they think of God, they often imagine Him as a kind, gentle grandfather next door. People have set their own low standard for God, and because their moral standards are also low, they hardly ever think about His holiness.
Yet the Bible clearly tells us that God is not as we imagine. Even when we do not sense our sin, He searches the deepest parts of our hearts. As Leviticus 11:45 says, “For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (ESV).
God has declared that He is holy, righteous, and perfect—without even the slightest flaw—and He demands that same holiness from us. Therefore, when we stand honestly before Him, we must confess that we are sinners and cannot call ourselves righteous. Then comes the question: how can a sinner stand righteous before a holy God? Scripture tells us there are only two possible answers.
* Losing Speech Before God
How did the medieval church answer that question? It taught that people must perform good works, confess their sins to a priest, or purchase indulgences to gain forgiveness. Yet even those who followed all these rules still could not be sure that their sins were forgiven, and so they lived in constant fear and anxiety before death.
When we read Scripture carefully, we realize that such fear was inevitable. The Bible clearly teaches that the more a person tries to approach God through his own good works, the more he will realize his own misery. Romans 3:19 says, “Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God” (ESV).
The law here represents all the commands of God revealed in Scripture—indeed, all moral standards given to humanity. What does this mean? When a person stands before the law of God with honesty, he becomes speechless. The more we try to obey God’s commandments, the more we see how completely corrupted we are.
To be totally depraved means that our very souls are so damaged by sin that it is impossible for us to perfectly keep God’s Word. James 2:10–11 also declares, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.”
In other words, even if we manage to keep one commandment throughout our whole lives, if we fail to keep all of them, we cannot be called righteous. We stand before the judgment seat of God with nothing to say, completely silenced by the weight of our guilt.
* Jesus Is Perfectly Righteous
So then, how does God work for people like us who are utterly incapable of keeping His law? What the medieval church failed to teach was that there is another way—a way that God Himself has provided apart from the law and human merit. Romans 3:21–22 declares, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction” (ESV).
The crucial point here is this: Jesus Christ Himself is the righteousness of God. What does this mean? God the Father sent His Son into the world, taking on full humanity so that He might live in perfect obedience in our place. During His earthly life, Jesus never once broke any of God’s commands. He fulfilled every demand of the law with complete perfection.
And ultimately, He obeyed His Father’s will even to the point of death—suffering on the cross and being crucified in pain and shame. Therefore, Jesus became the only person in all of human history who was entirely without sin—the one and only perfectly righteous man.
* Jesus Becomes Our Righteousness
Now think about this: what does such perfect righteousness have to do with us? Scripture tells us that this same Jesus Christ, the only righteous One, has become our righteousness. In other words, He stands in our place as sinners so that we may be counted righteous in Him.
Second Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (ESV). This verse means that the sinless Christ was treated as if He were sin itself, bearing our guilt and punishment, so that through Him we might be regarded as righteous before God.
In the end, the Bible makes it unmistakably clear: only Jesus is perfect and righteous, yet He willingly became our righteousness. He took what was ours—sin—and gave us what was His—righteousness. That is the heart of the gospel.
* How Do We Receive That Righteousness?
Then we must ask, how can this righteousness of Jesus Christ truly become ours? The answer is simple yet profound: by faith alone. Romans 3:22 says, “The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction” (ESV). Through faith—and faith alone—we receive the righteousness of Christ.
This truth is the foundation of the gospel. Through the long history of the church, we see two entirely different ways of understanding salvation. One depends on human effort—trying to earn God’s favor by good works, just as Luther once did in the monastery, and as countless people around the world still do today. The other way, taught by Scripture, is to confess that we can never be accepted by God on our own and to be justified by faith in Jesus Christ alone.
* What Is Faith?
At this point, we need to pause and consider what faith really means. Many people misunderstand faith, thinking of it as something they do—as if believing were another kind of work. They say, “I believed, and that’s why I was saved,” as though faith were a human achievement.
But the faith described in Scripture is the exact opposite. Faith is not an action we perform to earn something; it is the open hand that simply receives what God has already accomplished for us. In contrast to works—which strive to obtain something—faith accepts with trust what God has freely given.
In other words, faith means acknowledging and trusting in what God has already done for us through Jesus Christ. That is why Scripture repeatedly says, “by faith.” This phrase does not mean that faith itself has power, but rather that faith is the means—the channel—through which we receive God’s grace.
What truly matters, then, is not the strength of our faith but the object of our faith—Jesus Christ, who has become our righteousness.
* The Great Exchange
Another crucial truth is that when we believe in Jesus Christ, something extraordinary happens within us—a spiritual exchange takes place. Second Corinthians 5:21 declares, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (ESV).
What does this mean? God placed all our sins upon Jesus, making Him bear the punishment that we deserved. At the same time, God transferred Jesus’ perfect righteousness to us, crediting it to our account as though it were our own. In this divine exchange, Christ took our sin, and we received His righteousness.
Because of this, when God looks at us, He no longer sees guilty sinners but those clothed in the perfect righteousness of His Son. And this happens not because of anything we do—it is entirely God’s work. Even though we remain sinners in our nature, God now regards us as if we had never sinned and as if we had obeyed His law perfectly.
This is what the Reformers called justification—being declared righteous before God by faith alone, through Christ alone.
* Why Is Christ Alone So Important?
Then think about this: why is Christ alone so important to us who live in this age?A long time ago, one church member came to visit the church. She was not a member of the church I served, but she came to seek spiritual counseling. She said to me,“Pastor, I came because I have one thing that really troubles me. In my church, there are several pastors. One pastor teaches that we are saved by grace alone. But another pastor teaches that we must receive the gift of tongues to be saved. I really don’t know which one is right.”
She asked me this question with great seriousness. I still cannot forget the look on her face, because there was sadness in it. She truly wanted to understand the matter of salvation and had a sincere desire to enter heaven. But the more she listened to the sermons, the more confused she became. Some said we are saved by grace alone, but others made it seem like there were additional conditions.
* We Must Have a Biblical Faith
What we must remember is that this was exactly what made Luther angry. It is certainly true according to the Bible that we are saved by faith, but the church at that time did not teach it. Because of that, the believers were controlled by the priests. They believed that their destiny depended on the priests and the pope. They thought they had to go and confess their sins to the priests and that they had to buy indulgences sold by the church.
At that time, the church officially excommunicated Luther. The Catholic priests burned every piece of Luther’s writing they could find. Then we must ask, is the Catholic Church any different today? The answer is no—it still holds the same position. They also say that we must believe in Jesus Christ, but they do not teach it in the biblical way. The same goes for their doctrine of salvation. They claim that we must complete our salvation throughout our whole lifetime. In other words, they insist that we must continually build up our merit through good works to be saved in the end.
So, on the outside, Protestantism and Catholicism may seem similar, but what they believe inside is completely different. And this is not just a matter of being Catholic or Protestant—it is a matter of whether we truly have biblical faith in our salvation, or whether we merely believe according to our own thoughts and desires.
* People Without Assurance of Salvation
A long time ago, I attended the funeral service of a church member’s relative. The deceased was a Catholic. It was my first time attending a Catholic funeral. From the viewpoint of a Protestant pastor, that service left a deep impression on me. The priest led the ceremony very politely, and incense—which we normally do not use in Protestant services—was burned throughout. The funeral lasted much longer than I expected.
But what struck me most as a Protestant pastor was this: during the entire service, the priest never once said with confidence that the deceased had gone to heaven. He only kept repeating prayers like, “Saint so-and-so, please allow this person to enter heaven.” At first, I thought he would mention it just once or twice, but he kept repeating it again and again until the end of the funeral.
As I listened, my heart felt heavy and sorrowful. Though the ceremony was solemn and beautifully conducted, there was no assurance—only repeated petitions to the saints. It made me realize once again how vast the difference is between believing in Jesus Christ biblically and believing in Him in a non-biblical way.
* Focus on the Book of Hebrews
In that same context, the Book of Hebrews gives us the clearest answer to the question of why Christ alone. Perhaps you, too, are someone who reads the Bible on your own. I went to church from a young age, but because I did not read the Bible personally, my faith remained very immature. When I look back, I can say that the turning point of my life came when, as a young adult, I began to read the Bible for myself.
The same was true for Luther. It was only when he began to read and study Scripture seriously that he finally came to understand the gospel correctly. In my own life, I was deeply moved when I read the Book of Hebrews. That is because I realized so clearly that the entire message of Hebrews reveals one central truth—only Jesus Christ.
As I speak with our church members, I feel more and more that nearly every spiritual question they have can be answered through the Book of Hebrews. It was the same for Luther. Through the Psalms, Romans, Galatians, and especially Hebrews, he came to understand the gospel more deeply. And as that understanding grew and was strengthened, he gained the unshakable truth that enabled him to reform a corrupt church.
* Jesus Who Came as a Man
Then how does the Book of Hebrews reveal Jesus Christ so excellently? Let us first look at Hebrews 1:1–2, which says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (ESV).
What does this mean? In the past, God revealed His will through the prophets and by various means, but in these last days, He has spoken to us through His Son. In other words, in the time we now live, we come to know God’s will only through Christ.
Then what did Christ do? Hebrews 2:14–15 tells us, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (ESV).
This passage shows us that Jesus became fully human, just like us. But why did He do so? The verse makes it clear—He became man to destroy the devil, the one who holds the power of death. From the beginning, the devil deceived mankind, and through him death entered the world. Yet Jesus came to conquer death and to defeat Satan through His resurrection.
Furthermore, Jesus came to set free all who live in fear of death. In Him, we find true freedom and deliverance.
* Jesus Who Makes Atonement in the Heavenly Sanctuary
Furthermore, Hebrews 9:11–12 says, “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (ESV).
This is truly an astonishing passage. What does it mean? Jesus Christ came as the High Priest—not one who enters an earthly tabernacle, but one who entered the heavenly sanctuary itself. And unlike the priests of the Old Testament, who offered the blood of animals again and again, Christ offered His own blood once for all to accomplish eternal redemption.
In other words, only Jesus is the true High Priest who atones for our sins, and only Jesus is the sacrifice who was offered for our forgiveness.
So we must ask: why do so many people today still live without assurance of forgiveness? Why do so many continue to live in fear of death? It is because they do not yet believe firmly in “Christ alone.” But Scripture continually testifies that we are saved only through Jesus Christ.
Because He is the glorious Son of God, the blood He shed for us carries infinite worth and power. Therefore, whoever believes that Jesus died for them will be fully forgiven by God.
* Jesus Who Helps Us
Furthermore, how does God now command us to live? Hebrews 10:19 and 22 say, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus... let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (ESV).
Which part of this passage touches your heart the most? As I meditated on this text, the phrase “let us draw near to God” deeply moved me. It means that we can approach God—not because of any priest, pastor, or saint standing between us, nor because of someone who prays on our behalf—but only through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ.
By believing and relying on Jesus, we can come boldly before God at any time.
Moreover, Hebrews 7:25 tells us, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (ESV).
What does this mean? It means that Jesus Christ is not someone who helped us only once when we first believed. He is the One who lives forever, seated at the right hand of God, continually interceding for us, helping us, and ensuring our complete salvation.
* Draw Near Boldly
Therefore, as we reflect on the core of the Christian faith—Faith Alone and Christ Alone—the conclusion is this: “Draw near to God with boldness.” When the church lost the gospel and people were deceived into thinking that the pope, priests, and saints possessed divine authority, no one could approach God with confidence.
But through Luther and the Reformers, the truths of Faith Alone and Christ Alone were restored according to Scripture. As a result, every believer was granted unshakable boldness before God.
So I encourage you: rely on Jesus Christ alone and draw near to God with confidence in every moment of your life. Call upon our Father with all your heart. Ask boldly for every spiritual and material need you have, and live each day in the overflowing joy, courage, and peace that come from Him.
May all of you, beloved brothers and sisters, live in that boldness and blessing, in the name of our Lord.
여호와 하나님께서 처음으로 인간의 모습으로 아브라함에게 나타나십니다. 그런면에서 이 방문은 매우 중요합니다. 아마도 두 사람은 천사인 것으로 보입니다. 세 사람이 나타나서 이삭의 탄생을 분명하게 예고했기 때문에, 스터디 바이블은 이 내용을 예수님의 탄생을 알리는 누가복음에서 천사들의 찬양과 연결합니다.
이제 노인이 된 아브라함이, 뛰어다니면서 정성을 다해서 손님을 대접합니다. 귀한 고기와 풍성한 밀가루를 동원해서 친절을 배풉니다. 저는 풍성한 친절이야 말로 하나님의 성품에 속한 것이라는 생각을 자주합니다. 하나님의 사람은 베풀기를 좋아하는 사람입니다. 필립 얀시는, 놀라운 하나님의 은혜에서 "바베트의 만찬" 이야기를 통해 풍성함을 하나님의 은혜와 연결합니다.
하나님의 약속의 성취가 점점 구체화되어서 시기까지 알려주십니다. 하지만 사라는 그 이야기를 듣고 웃음을 터트리고 맙니다. 사라는 아브라함과 자신의 현실을 끝까지 쳐다봅니다. 그리고 자신들의 현재의 모습과 상황이 자신들의 운명을 결정한다고 계속 생각합니다.
하지만 하나님께서는, 여호와께는 어려운 일이 없다라고 말씀합니다. 사라에게 화 내지 않으시는 것이 너무 인상적입니다. 마치 지금의 우리의 모습을 보는 것 같습니다. 나의 상황과 나의 모습만을 쳐다볼 때에, 우리는 여호와의 일하심에 대한 감각을 상실합니다. 그러나 하나님께서는 포기하시지 않고 우리를 설득하시며 여호와 자신을 바라보라고 하십니다.
저는 늘 창세기 18장의 맥락에서 소돔과 고모라에 대한 이야기가 연결되는 것이 문맥적으로 매끄럽지 않다고 느낍니다. 특히, 여전히 말씀에 대해서 확고하지 못한 사라의 웃음 뒤에 연결되는, 아브라함에 대한 하나님의 인정과 그의 미래에 대한 확신이 대조가 됩니다.
여호와께서는 아브라함을 하나님의 일하심 가운데 동참시키십니다. 스스로 모든 것을 하실 수 있는 분이 아브라함이 그 심판의 과정 속에서 역할을 담당하도록 허락하십니다.
심판의 이야기를 듣고, 아브라함이 얼마나 빠르게 계산하는지 놀랍습니다. 아브라함은 어떻게든 소돔과 고모라를 보전하고 싶어합니다. 그런데 더 놀라운 것은, 여호와 하나님 역시 어떻게든 소돔과 고모라를 보전하고 싶어 하십니다. 의인이 열명만 있어도 남겨 두겠다고 약속하십니다. 구약의 하나님은 심판과 진노의 하나님이라는 보통 사람들의 편견이 언제나 아쉽습니다.
큰 도시에 단 열명의 의인이라는 비율이 참으로 낯설게 느껴집니다. 상상해 보았습니다. 설령 의인 열명이 남아 있더라도 핍박받고 비웃음 당하며 살아가고 있을 가능성이 매우 큽니다. 사회적인 영향력을 발휘하기 보다는 마지 못해서 거기서 견디고 있을 가능성도 매우 큽니다. 당장 그 도시의 사람들은, 그 열명에 대해서 전혀 눈여겨 보지 않았을 것입니다.
그러나 하나님의 모든 관심은, 의인에게 있습니다. 그리고 아브라함은 그것을 알고 있습니다. 그리고 스터디 바이블은 18장의 이해를 마무리하면서, 로마서 5장에 등장하는, 한 의인으로 인하여 세상을 구원하실 하나님을 연결합니다.
행위적으로 그리고 내면적으로 단 하나의 흠도 없이 완벽한 온전한 의인은, 역사 가운데 단 한명만 존재합니다. 죄 없으신 예수 그리스도, 오직 그분의 희생과 성부 하나님을 향한 온전한 순종을 통하여 온 세상이 구원 받을 수 있게 되었습니다.
죄인은 오직 믿음으로 그리스도의 의를 덧 입게 됩니다. 죄인을 긍휼히 여기시는 하나님의 측량할 수 없는 자비가, 오직 그리스도 안에 나타났습니다.
