종종 불과 같은 어려움을 허락하심

종종 불과 같은 어려움을 허락하심

하나님께서는 책임 있는 지위를 차지하도록 계획하시는  사람들에게 

자비로써 저희의 숨은 결점들을 드러내사 

저들이 속사람을 들여다보고 저희 속마음의 복잡한  정서와 정신 활동을 비판적으로 검토하여 

그릇된 것을  찾아내게 하시는 바 

이와 같이 함으로써 저들은 저희의  성질을 시정하고 저희의 태도를 고쳐나갈 수가 있는  것이다.  

주께서는 당신의 섭리로써 당신께서 그 도덕력을  시험하시고 

그 행위의 동기를 드러내실 수 있는 위치에  사람들을 데려다 놓으시는 바 

이는 저희가 자신 안에  있는 정당한 점은 향상시키고 그릇된 점은 내버리게  하시기 위함이다. 

하나님께서는 당신의 종들이 그  자신의 마음의 도덕적 장치에 대해서 잘 알게 되기를  원하신다. 

하나님께서는 이 일을 이루시기 위하여 종종  불과 같은 어려움을 허락하사 저들을 엄습하게 하시는데 

이는 저들이 정결함을 받게 하기 위함인 것이다.  

“그의 임하는 날을 누가 능히 당하며 그의 나타나는  때에 누가 능히 서리요 

그는 금을 연단하는 자의 불과  표백하는 자의 잿물과 같을 것이라 

그가 은을 연단하여  깨끗케 하는 자같이 앉아서 레위 자손을 깨끗케 하되  금은같이 그들을 연단하리니 

그들이 의로운 제물을 나  여호와께 드릴 것이라”(말 3:2, 3).  

― 교회증언 4, 85.

 

He often permits the fire of affliction 

To men whom God designs shall fill responsible positions, He in mercy reveals their hidden defects, that they may look within and examine critically the complicated emotions and exercises of their own hearts, and detect that which is wrong; thus they may modify their dispositions and refine their manners.  

The Lord in His providence brings men where He can test their moral powers and reveal their motives of action, that they may improve what is right in themselves and put away that which is wrong. 

God would have His servants become acquainted with the moral machinery of their own hearts. In order to bring this about, He often permits the fire of affliction to assail them that they may become purified.  

“But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:2, 3 4.  

― Testimonies for the Church 4, 85.