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Edificando una iglesia... Building a church... 

8/12/2016

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“de quien todo el cuerpo, bien concertado y unido entre sí por todas las coyunturas que se ayudan mutuamente, según la actividad propia de cada miembro, recibe su crecimiento para ir edificándose en amor.” (Efesios 4:16) 

IGLESIA es un regalo de la gracia.

Hoy en día, es difícil distinguir la naturaleza esencial de una iglesia del monstruo en que se ha convertido. Un hogar cristiano es más que la casa que habita, ¿no? Pues, es lo mismo para una iglesia. Tiene más que ver con familia sana y crecimiento saludable que con el espacio donde se reúne.

¿Cómo llegas de no iglesia a iglesia? ...de cero a madurez? La respuesta está aquí en Efesios 4:16. Hay tres fenómenos que se dan simultáneamente:

"bien concertado y unido entre sí”… Somos llamados de diversas vidas anteriores y encargados con la tarea de someternos a Dios y los unos a los otros para un bien mayor; una convergencia tan íntima que lo que comenzó como un manojo de individuos creyentes vino a ser un solo organismo.

“recibe su crecimiento”… Un cuerpo no puede crecer y mantenerse saludable alimentándose de sí mismo todo el tiempo. Cobra fuerza por buscar a ovejas nuevas que abrace el rebaño y que se incorporen como una parte funcional del todo.

Espérame… ¿hacer iglesia con gente? ¿Es broma? Nuestra naturaleza pecaminosa no concuerda con la razón de ser de una iglesia. No somos buenos para someternos, ni a Dios ni los unos a los otros. No somos buenos para compartir con extraños.

A veces nos parecemos a un deshuesadero: hay dos o tres coches que arrancan y se mueven, pero lo que más se ve es el tiradero de refacciones oxidadas. No es "iglesia" como la quiso Jesús.

Una iglesia saludable es prueba del trabajo de la gracia de Dios. Valen la pena nuestro sudor y nuestras lágrimas para ver que continúe. La próxima vez que digas, "ya no soporto más", mira el espejo y díselo a tu propio yo engreído. La causa de Dios es mayor que tu orgullo ofendido.

"según la actividad propia de cada miembro”… Cuentas con talentos que no estás usando para Dios. Baste ya de excusas y explicaciones. Estamos esperando que prediques, cantes, toques, enseñes, testifiques, animes y en general, que pongas a Dios y SU IGLESIA primero en tu lista semanal de prioridades.

¿La exhortación de hoy? Sométete. Aprende a compartir. Hazlo ahora.

"from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."  Ephesians 4:16

Church is a gift of grace.

These days, it is hard to distinguish the essential nature of a church from the monstrosity that it has become. A Christian home is more than the house that it inhabits, right? Well, it is the same for a church. It is more about healthy family and growth than about the spaces that it occupies.

How do we get from no church to church? ...from zero to maturity? The answer is here in Eph 4:16... There are a few simultaneously occurring phenomena:

"joined and held together"  We are called out of widely diverse former lives. Yet, our task is to submit ourselves to God -and to one another- for a greater good. It is such an intimate convergence that what begins as a handful of individuals turns into a single organism.

"makes the body grow" A church body cannot grow and stay healthy by constantly feeding on itself. It gains strength by seeking new sheep to be embraced by the flock and incorporated as functional parts of the whole.

Wait a minute... make a church out of people? Is this a joke? Our sinful nature does not coincide with a church's raison d'être. We don't do well at submitting, either to God or to one another. We are not great at sharing with strangers, either.

Sometimes we are like a classy junkyard: a few cars start and can be driven, but mostly the place is cluttered with useless spare parts... not exactly "church" as Jesus intended. 

A healthy church is proof of the grace of God at work. It is worth our sweat and tears to see that it continues. Next time you say, "I've had enough", look in the mirror and say it to your own conceited self. God's cause is greater than your offended pride.

"when each part is working properly" We have talents that we are not using for God. Enough already with the excuses and explanations. Others are waiting to see us preach, sing, play, teach, witness, encourage and just generally put God and His church first on your weekly list of priorities.

Today's exhortation? Submit. Learn to share. Start now!

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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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    Greg rejoices in his recent marriage to Carol Ahola-Smith. Both have been missionaries (Japan and Mexico); both watched their mates precede them in death.
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    Together, they have a heart for writing, mentoring and teaching.  They enjoy long walks and good coffee.

    CAROL'S BLOG
    LIVINGTHEJOY.NET

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