A minor offense

 

오늘의 묵상 (롬3:21~24)

 

 

21. 그러나 이제는 율법 없이도 하나님께로부터 오는 의가 나타났습니다. 이것은 율법과 예언자들도 증언한 것입니다.

 

22. 하나님께로부터 오는 의는 예수 그리스도를 믿는 믿음을 통해 옵니다. 이 의는 믿는 사람이라면 누구에게나 주어지는 것이며, 사람을 차별하지 않습니다.

 

23. 모든 사람이 죄를 지어 하나님의 영광에 이를 수 없게 되었습니다.

 

24. 그런 사람이 그리스도 예수께서 주시는 속죄를 통해, 하나님의 은혜로 의롭다는 판단을 받습니다. 그것은 하나님께서 거저 주시는 선물입니다.

 

 

 

 

 

A MINOR OFFENSE

 

 

There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom.3:22–23)

 

IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA, two intoxicated men were caught trying to remove an automated teller machine with a stolen backhoe and a truck. Charged with felony theft, criminal damage, and auto theft, each man's bail was set at $750,000. “Why is bail set so high for such a minor offense?” one of the men asked when reporters were present.

 

To me, the question was so ludicrous it was funny, but the man was in no position to make a joke. If he thought the offense was minor, how would he describe a major offense? My contempt for the man grew.

 

In light of today's Scripture, though, I am in no position to look down on another's sin. In God's eyes, my sin is just as black as that of the vilest sinner. My sin crucified my Savior, and I deserved punishment by eternal death. You can't get any worse than that.

 

Fortunately for me and every other sinner, Jesus made a way of escape. When I repented of my sin and asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life, I turned from death to life. I now look at the two suspects with compassion and pray that they, too, will find freedom from sin.

 

—Esther M. Bailey

 

 

Extend God's grace from the palace to the prison.