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Más cosas que no se mezclan... More things that don't mix...

9/2/2016

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El Agua y el aceite // Water and oil.

Las obras & la gracia…. la superación personal & el discipulado.

Si no le atinas en cuanto a la salvación, tampoco en cuanto al discipulado.

Los gurús de "cómo-sacarte-adelante" atraen a mucha gente en Cancun y bien se venden sus libros. Tratan algunas cosas prácticas: cómo jugar bien con los demás, principios gerenciales, cómo formular una visión e implementarla.

¿Quieres seguir a Jesús? Estos no te pueden ayudar. El gran fin del discipulado no es que te sientas cómodo contigo mismo y que tengas dinero en el bolsillo. Sus métodos no producirán un discípulo.

Así también, cualquiera de ustedes que no renuncia a todo lo que tiene, no puede ser mi discípulo. Lucas 14:33

Si quieres que Jesús te use, tienes que hacerte a un lado. Tienes que querer lo que El quiere más que lo que tú quieres. Siempre. No importa qué.

Es más difícil de lo que parece. A veces, lo que Dios quiere no te parece lógico. Tu "yo" no muere ni fácil ni rápidamente. Das explicaciones de tus acciones mientras Dios demanda que las deseches y cambies.

"Crucificado con Cristo" (Ga 2:20)... la imágen mental incluye quebrantamiento, sumisión, sufrimiento, negación del yo...  cosas que no soportarás a menos que quieras darte a él...  

...como lo hizo él por tí.

Works & grace… self-improvement & discipleship.

If you don't get salvation right, you won't get discipleship right either.

The "how-to-get-ahead" gurus draw crowds and sell books in Cancun. They deal with some practical things: how to play nice with others, managerial principles, the formulation of a vision and its implementation.

Do you want to follow Jesus? These people can't help you. The be-all end-all of discipleship is not that you feel comfortable with yourself and have money in your pocket. Their methods will not produce a disciple.

"So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."  (Luke 14:33)

If you want Jesus to use you, you have to get out of the way. You have to want what He wants more than what you want. Always. No matter what. 

It is more difficult than it appears. Sometimes, what God wants does not seem logical to you. Your "self" does not die easily or quickly. You give explanations for your actions while God demands that you shuck them and change.

"Crucified with Christ" (Ga. 2:20)... the mental image includes breaking, submission, suffering, denial of self... things that you will not bear unless you want to give yourself to Him...

...like He did for you.


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    ​Yes...! As of July 5, 2020, my book is now available on Amazon.com.
       It's a new book about an old problem: the cross and the crown… the Gospel and politics… do they mix? Should they mix?
       If my words generate some reflection and healthy conversation—as in more light and less heat—I will be satisfied.
       For feedback or questions, feel free to use the email link below.

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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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