*** 잘못을 경책하는 지혜

잘못을 경책하는 지혜

하나님께서는 당신의 백성들이, 비록 그것이 정당한 책망일지라도 

잘못을 책하는 대신에 다른 방법을 모색하기를 바라신다. 

또, 그분은 우리가 반대자들에게 비난을 가함으로 

그들로 진리로부터 더 멀리 떠나가 버리게 하는 결과를 초래케 하는 대신에 

보다 나은 다른어떤 일을 하기를 원하신다. 

그리스도께서 이 땅에 오셔서 하신 일은 장벽을 쌓거나 항상사람들의 잘못을 찔러 주는 일이 아니었다. 

그러므로, 기만 당한 백성들을 깨우쳐 주고자하는 자는 그들에게 가까이 가서 

사랑으로 그들을 가르쳐 줘야 한다. 또, 그는 거룩한 감화의 중심이 되어야 한다.

진리를 주장할 때에, 강력한 반대자들에게 대해서는 존경과 경의로 대해 주어야 한다. 

어떤 자들은 우리의 노력에 호응하지는 않을지라도 복음의 초청을 빛나게 할 것이며, 

또 어떤 이들 곧 우리 생각에 하나님의 사랑을 받지 못할 자들이라고 생각되는 자들일지라도

그리스도께로 나오게 될 것이다. 

이 논쟁에 있어서 가장 어려운 일은 

암흑 속에 있는 사람들과, 아무것도 모르고 무작정 진리를 방해하는 자들보다도 

아직 빛과 증거를 거절하지않은 자들을 확신시켜 주는 일이다. 

그러므로, 누구에게든지 성실하게 대하여, 

불신의 씨를 심어 줄 어떤 말이나 행동을 하지 않도록 하라. 

– 복음교역자, 373-4.

 

Wisdom in Condemning Wrong

The Lord wants His people to follow other methods than that of condemning wrong, even though the condemnation is just. 

He wants us to do something more than to hurl at our adversaries charges that only drive them farther from the truth. 

The work which Christ came to do in our world was not to erect barriers, and constantly thrust upon the people the fact that they were wrong. He who expects to enlighten a deceived people must come near to them and labor for them in love. He must become a center of holy influence.

In the advocacy of truth the bitterest opponents should be treated with respect and deference. Some will not respond to our efforts, but will make light of the gospel invitation. Others, even those whom we suppose to have passed the boundary of God’s mercy, will be won to Christ. 

The very last work in the controversy may be the enlightenment of those who have not rejected light and evidence, but who have been in midnight darkness, and have in ignorance worked against the truth. Therefore treat every man as honest. Speak no word, do no deed, that will confirm any in unbelief. 

– Gospel Workers, 373-4.