Archive for June 2nd, 2009

Pagaré

Tuesday, June 02nd, 2009 | Author:

Así que, nosotros los que somos fuertes, debemos sobrellevar las flaquezas de los débiles y no agradarnos a nosotros mismos. Romanos 15:1

Pagaré

Debemos – Este versículo no es justo. Si mi caminar espiritual es más profundo y de más confianza que el tuyo, por qué tengo que modificar mi conducta para que no te sientas perturbado o molesto. A fin de cuentas, tú eres quién aun no ha crecido. ¿Por qué habría de cambiar yo solo porque tú no ves la luz? La “sugerencia” de Pablo apesta. Es la peor clase de tolerancia – aceptar los estándares del denominador común mínimo. ¿Para qué presionar hacia una relación más profunda y de mayor fiabilidad con Dios si al final tendremos que acomodarnos a las normas de los ignaros?

De hecho, es aun peor. Pablo coloca la palabra opheilo al inicio de la oración.  Eso quiere decir que toma el énfasis. ¿Qué significa ésta palabra? Bien, tiene que ver con deudas. Pablo no nos sugiere que nos llevemos bien. Dice que nosotros los fuertes tenemos que pagar una deuda a los débiles. ¡Les debemos! Es nuestra obligación comportarnos de manera en que no se ofendan.

¡¿Cómo?! ¿Acaso Pablo nos quiere decir que debemos ser “tolerantes” con personas que no ven la luz de Cristo? ¿Debo ser “amable” con los pecadores intencionales? ¿Acaso solo debo sonreír y fingir que todo está bien cuando confronto conducta que Dios considera aberrante? ¡Claro que no! Pecado es pecado. No puede ser condonado, aceptado o animado. Pero Pablo no le escribe a los paganos. Les escribe a creyentes sobre creyentes. Le escribe a aquellos dentro del Cuerpo que están en desacuerdo sobre cómo se debe vivir. En ese caso, dice Pablo, aquellos que comprenden la libertad que viene de una vida de gracia y una obediencia para el servicio pronto descubrirán que no todos lo vemos de la misma manera. Es la obligación de quienes ven profundamente dentro del carácter de Dios resistir presionar el tema. Es la obligación de aquellos más cerca de Su majestad cargar a cargar a sus hermanos y hermanas sin quejarse ni sermonearlos. No somos responsables del cambio de corazón de otros. Somos responsables de amarlos de tal manera que descubran el toque, la voz y cuidado del Mesías en nosotros. Dudo mucho que el tiempo que el Mesías dedicó  a los enfermos, los pobres y los abusados fue con el propósito de “educarlos.”

Piensa e

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I.O.U.

Tuesday, June 02nd, 2009 | Author:

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.  Romans 15:1

Ought – This verse isn’t fair.  If my spiritual walk is deeper and more trusting than yours, why should I have to modify my behavior just so that you aren’t disturbed or upset.  After all, you’re the one who hasn’t grown up yet.  Why should I have to change just because you don’t see the light?  Paul’s “suggestion” stinks.  It’s the worst kind of tolerance – accepting the standards of the lowest common denominator.  Why push toward greater trust and deeper relationship with God if in the end I have to accommodate to the norms of the unenlightened?

Actually, it’s worse that this.  Paul puts the Greek word opheilo at the beginning of the sentence.  That means it takes the emphasis.  What does this word mean?  Well, it’s all about debt!  Paul isn’t making a suggestion about getting along.  He is saying that we who are strong have a debt to pay to those who are weak.  We owe them!  It is our duty to act in such a way that they will not be offended.

What?!  Does Paul mean that I should be “tolerant” of people who don’t see the light of Christ?  Am I supposed to be “nice” to deliberate sinners?  Do I just smile and act as if everything is OK when I am confronted with behavior that God deems abhorrent?  Of course not!  Sin is sin.  It cannot be condoned, accepted or encouraged.  But Paul is not writing to pagans.  He is writing to believers about believers.  He is writing for those within the Body who have disagreements over how one should live.  In that case, says Paul, those who understand the freedom that comes with a life of grace and an obedience for usefulness will soon discover that not everyone sees it the same way.  It is the duty of those who see deeper into the character of God to resist pushing the point.  It is the duty of those who are closer to His majesty to carry their brothers and sisters without complaint and without preaching.  We are not responsible for changing another’s heart.  We are responsible to love them in such a way that they discover the touch, voice and care of the Messiah in us.  I doubt that Yeshua spent time with the sick, the poor and the abused just so that He could “educate” them.

Think about the presuppositions that must stand behind Paul’s proclamation of our duty.  First, Paul can only exhort us to such action if he believes that God is the sovereign Lord over all human beings.  Paul knows that it is not up to us to convince anyone of the truth.  That is the job of the Spirit – and He is perfectly capable of fulfilling that task.  When I attempt to usurp His role, bad things usually happen.

Second, Paul has to believe that all things work together for God’s good purposes.  So, if I have to modify my behavior in order that someone else may see God’s glory, that works toward God’s good purposes.  How I feel about it really doesn’t matter as long as God is glorified in what I do and in what my brother experiences. 

Third, notice that Paul limits this IOU.  It is not about carrying someone no matter what.  It’s about carrying someone instead of pleasing myself.  In other words, the test of the stronger believer is a test of self-denial on behalf of another.  I don’t carry someone else’s responsibilities.  I don’t enable their ignorance or rejection of the truth.  But if the question is pleasing me or putting aside my desires in order to bring them closer to God, then I find that the IOU is mine to pay.

Finally, my willingness to take on this debt is only a reflection of a debt paid by Yeshua on my behalf.  He did it for me when I was far, far away from the truth.  I guess I can do it too, can’t I?

Is there a weaker brother in your sphere of influence?  Are you carrying his load, or pushing his buttons?

Topical Index:  debt, stronger brother, opheilo, Romans 15:1