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El galardón completo... A full reward...

5/12/2017

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"Mirad por vosotros mismos, para que no perdáis el fruto de vuestro trabajo, sino que recibáis galardón completo." (2 Juan 1:8)

El Apóstol Pablo anticipaba con gozo su recompensa eterna. 

"me está guardada la corona de justicia, la cual me dará el Señor, juez justo, en aquel día;"  (2Tim 4:8)

La perfecta voluntad de Dios es exigente. ¿Por qué siempre se trata de todo o nada? ¿Por qué no puede ser mitad y mitad? Ni una vez me preguntaron qué quería yo. Nunca hubiera escogido el dolor, el duelo, o las tribulaciones… el ministerio tampoco.

Una vez que estamos en Cristo, nos comenzamos a dar cuenta: con cada demanda divina a que nos sometemos, cada prueba, en el abismo del dolor, en el valle de la muerte… hay recompensa, tanto temporal como eterna.

Dios nos inscribió en un plan todo-incluido... no porque es sádico, sino porque quiere que todos tengamos oportunidad de alcanzar ese galardón completo. No se lo pedimos. Pero algún día entenderemos. Nos regocijaremos por lo que ha hecho.

Por fin, nos encontramos en una situación en que el querer todo no es codicia. Juan lo quería. Pablo también.

“prosigo, por ver si logro asir aquello para lo cual fui también asido por Cristo Jesús.” (Fil 3:12)

Como en los juegos greco-romanos a que alude Pablo (1Cor 9:24-25), es una competencia que requiere dedicación, disciplina y perseverancia. Nos costará todo lo que tengamos para ganar la corona. Y, valdrá la pena, ¿no? Luchamos por una corona ante la cual el trofeo de la Copa Mundial se ve como una lata oxidada en la basura.

Y sorpresa… aunque nos ganamos la corona, no le quitamos nada a la competencia. La entrada de todo el mundo al reino eterno podría ser amplia y generosa. (2Pe 1:11). A todo el mundo le podría tocar corona.

Así es Dios de rico. Así es Dios de generoso.

¿Qué tal si estuvieras encarcelado y esperando el momento de tu ejecución? Pablo no sentía remordimiento. Solo tenía su ojo en el premio.

​"Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward."  (2 John 1:8)

The Apostle Paul eagerly awaited his eternal reward.

"there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day,"  (2 Tim 4:8)

God's perfect will is demanding. Why is it always about all or nothing? Why can't we go halves? Not once was I ever asked what I wanted. I would never have picked pain, bereavement or tribulations... not the ministry, either.

Once we are in Christ, it starts to dawn on us though: with every demand that we submit to, with every trial, in the abyss of pain, in the valley of death... there is reward, both temporal and eternal.

God signed us up for an all-inclusive plan... not because He is sadistic, but because He wants us to have a shot at that full reward. We didn't ask for it. But one day, we will understand. We will rejoice over what he has done.

For once, we find ourselves in a situation where it is not greedy to want it all. John did. Paul did, too.

​"but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." (Php 3:12)

Like the Greco-Roman games that Paul alludes to (1Cor 9:24-25), it is a competition that requires dedication, discipline and perseverance. It will take everything we've got to win the crown. And it will be worth it, won't it? We strive for a crown that makes the World Cup trophy look like a rusty tin can in the trash.

And surprise... even if we do win the crown, we take nothing away from the competition. Everybody's entrance into the everlasting kingdom could be richly abundant (2Pe 1:10-11). Everybody could get a crown.

God is that wealthy. God is that generous. 

What if you were incarcerated and awaiting execution? Paul had no regrets. He just had his eye on the prize.

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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 enjoys being married to Carol Ahola-Smith. Both have been missionaries (Japan and Mexico); both watched their first spouses 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.

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