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Gracia o libertinaje... Grace or license...

11/11/2016

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"que convierten en libertinaje la gracia de nuestro Dios"  (Judas 1:4)

La advertencia de Judas es respecto a personas falsas que se entrometen con doctrina ajena sobre el significado y el uso apropiados de la gracia. Este error es antiguo y ha sido persistente. Alega:
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“que por el evangelio fueron liberados de las obligaciones de la ley, y que podían gratificar sus pasiones carnales con el fin de que abundara la gracia.”
Las Nota de Albert Barnes Judas 1:4

​Es algo que la Biblia refuta en términos claros y concisos. "Porque vosotros, hermanos, a libertad fuisteis llamados; solamente que no uséis la libertad como ocasión para la carne,..."  (Gal 5:13)
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La advertencia es fuerte porque la propensión al libertinaje está presente en cada uno de nosotros. Mientras censuramos lo raro de nuestros tiempos, tiempos en que cada vez más oimos llamar malo lo que es bueno, y bueno lo que es malo, recordemos que tendemos a hacer lo mismo cuando se trata de nuestro propio pecado. Mientras el otro, sí, debe arrepentirse postrado en tierra, nosotros estaremos bien con un poco de terapia, pastillas, apapachos y una manita de ayuda para limpiar el desastre que hicimos.

De repente, puede haber la incongruencia de una aparente gracia, pero que no viene acompañada de arrepentimiento, sumisión, restitución y obediencia completa… o sea: libertinaje.

“Libertinaje” traduce una palabra griega que denota flojera o falta de control sobre las pasiones de la carne. Su antónimo podría ser la palabra “continencia” (1Cor 7:9) que significa, “poder sobre sí mismo”… el dominio propio… la disciplina de contenerse.

Fui criado en el Catolicismo Romano. Ahí creces entrenado a “trabajar el sistema” para tu propia conveniencia. Te confiesas el sábado para comulgar el domingo. Repites el proceso cada ocho días, pero con poca pasión por alcanzar una vida verdaderamente transformada.

Preocupa ver a creyentes en Jesucristo que de manera parecida “trabajen el sistema” en lugar de someterse con estricto apego a los pasos divinamente establecidos para una corrección cuando corresponde.

¿Quiere decir que estamos fritos si fallamos en algo? No. Sin embargo, saltar pasos en nuestra supuesta restauración, no cuidar de obedecer y reparar los daños hechos, solo nos preparará el siguiente desastre.

Los de tránsito advierten que la velocidad mata. La Biblia advierte que es la soberbia que mata.

"Antes del quebrantamiento es la soberbia, Y antes de la caída la altivez de espíritu."  (Pro 16:18)

No seamos soberbios. No convirtamos la gracia en libertinaje.

"turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness"  (Jude 1:4)

Jude’s warning is about certain people creeping in who introduce strange doctrine about the meaning and use of grace. This error is ancient and it has persisted. It alleges:

that by the gospel they were released from the obligations of the law, and might give indulgence to their sinful passions in order that grace might abound.”
Albert Barnes Notes  Jude 1:4

​This is something that the Bible refutes in clear and concise terms. "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh,..."  (Gal 5:13)

The warning is harsh because the propensity toward sensuality (lasciviousness) is present in each one of us. While we decry the weirdness of our times, times in which we more and more hear the bad called good and the good bad, we should remember that we tend to do the same when it’s about our own sin. While the other guy should repent in sackcloth and ashes, we will be ok with therapy, pills, hugs and little help cleaning up the mess that we made.

Suddenly, the inconsistency creeps in of something that looks like grace, but that comes unaccompanied by true repentance, submission, restitution and full obedience… in other words: lasciviousness.

“Lasciviousness” translates a Greek word that denotes laziness or lack of control over the passions of the flesh. Its antonym could be ἐγκρατεύομαι -egkrateuomai- (1Cor 7:9) which means, power over oneself… self-control… to contain oneself.

I was raised in Roman Catholicism. There, you unintentionally end up learning to “work the system” for your own benefit… confession on Saturday so that you can take communion on Sunday. You repeat the process every week, but with little passion for arriving at a truly transformed life.

It is worrisome seeing believers in Jesus Christ who in a similar fashion appear to be working the system instead of submitting with strict adherence to the divinely appointed steps established for their correction.

Does that mean that we are fried if we fail in something? No. However… skipping steps in our supposed restauration, not being careful to obey and repair the damages done, will only prepare the next disaster for us.

Traffic signs warn us that speed kills. The Bible warns us that it is pride that kills.

"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."  (Proverbs 16:18)

Let’s not be haughty. Let’s not turn grace into lasciviousness.

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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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