Why am I Philemon 2

한국어 버전: https://blog.naver.com/sokki77/223613036629

What kind of Philemon have I become? 

After my appointment, I thought my life would be a bed of roses. However, I soon found myself confronting various injustices. This land seemed to have become a world where the righteous are hard to find and opportunists who pursue only their own interests prevail. As a result, the phenomenon of the "Hell Joseon Exodus" continues to this day.

I began to question whether showing Philemon’s forgiveness and love to those who cunningly exploit the forgiveness and love of others truly serves the Kingdom of God. At that time, I resonated deeply with the warnings of theologians about cheap grace, cheap forgiveness, and cheap repentance.

There was once a discussion among international students about the movie Secret Sunshine. In the film, when the mother of a murdered child seeks to forgive the kidnapper and visits him in prison, he tells her that he has already been forgiven by the Lord, wounding her deeply once again. Is forgiveness possible when the wrongdoer has not truly repented?

The slave Onesimus sought forgiveness from his former master, Philemon. To bring about perfect repentance and forgiveness among Christians, Paul sent a letter to Philemon through Onesimus.

Philemon 1:17-19 "So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self."

I have had in-depth conversations with quiet, humble Christians about forgiveness. Beneath their tolerance of the world’s injustices and their call for forgiveness and love even toward wicked neighbors, I sensed a deeper concern—perhaps a fear of standing against these issues and facing personal harm. This sentiment was not rooted in a spirit of forgiveness and love but in fear. Could this be the consequence of the righteous on this earth losing ground so utterly?

When cheap grace abounds, it is opportunists who benefit the most. They have already enjoyed the sweetness of cheap grace and seek it again. As one psychologist described, they are like Puss in Boots from the movie Shrek—pleading for mercy with wide, innocent eyes but ready to stab you in the back when it serves their interests.

Which kind of society—a society led by the righteous or by opportunists—would be more pleasing in God’s eyes? The answer seems obvious. Over the past few years since my appointment, I have grappled with what kind of life I should live as a modern-day Philemon in this land.

According to the book WEIRD, the more Westernized and advanced a nation becomes, the more universal values are prioritized over individual ones, and guilt is given precedence over face-saving. For instance, in more developed societies, people are more likely to testify truthfully even if it incriminates a friend. While this may make them bad friends to the individuals involved, they become lights of truth and salt preventing societal corruption.

If South Korea, where security is paramount, regresses, it will eventually collapse. We must build a more advanced and resilient society. If blood ties and personal connections overshadow a society's systems, that society will inevitably falter. Those who are qualified and capable must lead.

The systems of highly developed nations are intricately designed. They are crafted to channel warm love through sharp reasoning. A country with a healthy system remains stable and progresses steadily. Isn’t this reflective of God’s intent when He created the world?

God guides us, believers, with both love and justice. Unconditional love can spoil children. Perhaps God is calling me, as a Philemon of this time, to establish justice and principles for the greater love of God to shine on this earth.

God has endowed us with abilities so that He may be glorified through us. He does not act in our stead. The faith of those called by Him should manifest in their actions.

To date, I have submitted 185 reports to the Safety e-Report system, 101 petitions to the National Petition platform, and 85 proposals to the National Suggestion system. I have also proposed numerous institutional improvements at Chonnam National University. Currently, I serve on the Research Ethics Integrity Committee and the Faculty Association at Chonnam National University.

The fundamental principle of my public activities is to uphold justice and principles. At times, I wonder whether an individual’s efforts can truly bring about change, but thankfully, I have seen visible results.

I do not impose or force my values on those who do not wish to accept them. I believe that living faithfully while respecting others is a life that pleases God.

Recently, one of my doctoral students began studying the Bible on his own. My public activities outside of research could be detrimental rather than beneficial to me. He mentioned that I seem to be pursuing the life of a steward.

While such remarks may deepen our personal bond, they have no influence on his professional sphere. In our lab, we are evaluated solely based on performance. He, having observed me for a long time, understands this well.

Currently, I prioritize universal values over individual ones and societal systems over personal relationships. I am confident that God will commend me for this. With a heart hoping for God's love to be more fully revealed at Chonnam National University and in South Korea, I will strive to be a steward Philemon who accomplishes God's righteousness in this land.

Let me conclude my testimony with a verse from the Psalms:

Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."