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"Cerca" no lo mismo que "en"...  "Close" not the same as "in"...

2/18/2016

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Mi abuelo era carpintero. Mientras le ayudabas a construir una casa, decía, "cerca solo cuenta en las Herraduras". En cada ronda, él que tira más cerca del poste, es él que se lleva los puntos.

O sea: en la construcción no querías ni una milésima de error. Y su dicho aplicaba a muchas otras cosas en la vida: un "casi golazo" significa cero puntos en el marcador; pararte junto a la regadera no tiene el mismo efecto que pararte en la regadera; como el jazz cuando es como una clase de matemáticas...sin alma, mecánico, académico, sin pasión.

Se requiere precision en el campo espiritual. "Cerca" de Cristo no es lo mismo que "en" Cristo. Muchos están cerca, muy cerca, pero siguen afuera. Hablan el idioma, captan el concepto de la pasion y resurrección de Cristo, se someten a rituales, someten a sus bebés a rituales, participan en domingos litúrgicos, rezan y hacen votos.

Mientras tanto, al llamado de Jesús no han respondido: “Arrepiéntanse, y crean en el evangelio…” (Mar 1:15b). No aceptan que "...todos pecaron y están destituidos de la gloria de Dios,” (Rom 3:23). Aun no tocan fondo. No voltean a ver en Jesús su única esperanza de perdón y aceptación eterna. 

"Cerca" solo cuenta en el juego de herraduras. Quieres estar "en" Cristo. 

Grandpa was a carpenter. When you were helping him build something, he would say, "close only counts in Horseshoes". In each round, the one that throws closest to the post gets the points.

In other words, in construction, you didn't want even a fraction of error. And his saying applied to many things in life: a spectacular "almost a touchdown" means zero points on the scoreboard; standing next to the shower doesn't have the same effect as standing in the shower; riffs without the groove...music that is like a math class: without soul, mechanical, academic, without passion.

Precision is required in spiritual matters. "Close" to Christ is not the same as "in Christ". Many are close, very close, but still outside. They speak the language, they understand the concept of the passion and resurrection of Christ, they submit to rituals, they submit their babies to rituals, they participate in liturgical Sundays, say their prayers and make vows.

Meanwhile, to the call of Jesus they have not responded: “...repent and believe the gospel.” (Mr 1:15b). They do not accept that “...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Ro 3:23). They have yet to touch bottom. They have not turned to see in Jesus Christ their only hope of forgiveness and eternal life.

Close only counts in horseshoes. You want to be "in" Christ.

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    Greg Smith

    Greg grew up in Menomonee Falls, WI. His ministry began in 1976: 5 years in Central America, 36 in Mexico. His passion is church planting and discipleship.
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