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Con un guiño y una sonrisa
Por Bart Bentley
¿Todavía odiamos el pecado? El tema no es cómodo. Como cristianos tendemos a gravitar hacia las enseñanzas acerca de la familia, el amor o el poder espiritual mucho más que sobre el pecado. Cuando el predicador anticuado comienza a hablar con valentía sobre el pecado, podemos blanquear internamente, esperando secretamente que pasará del tema. La predicación moderna tiende a pasar de puntillas alrededor del tema conforme a la preferencia tácita por parte de los oyentes.
Como personas caídas, tenemos una reticencia pecaminosa a enfrentar nuestra propia pecaminosidad. Esta renuencia sutilmente funciona en nuestra contra, haciéndonos extrañamente adversos ir a la oración o a participar en la adoración. Distrae la mente de enfocarse en cuestiones espirituales. Descontrolado durante un largo período de tiempo, los cristianos pueden fácilmente encontrarse pasando por los movimientos de proclamar que “Jesús salva” sin siquiera mencionar de qué nos salva.
Como cristianos, debemos estar dispuestos a forzar nuestra atención sobre la espantosidad del pecado si queremos apreciar plenamente lo que Jesús ha hecho por nosotros. El viejo escritor de himnos tenía razón: “Fue la gracia la que enseñó a mi corazón a temer, y la gracia mis miedos alivió”. Sin confrontar constantemente nuestra naturaleza pecaminosa, nuestra salvación se convierte en una cuestión de hecho en lugar de una cuestión de regocijo.
El pecado siempre lastima a alguien. No hay excepciones. Considere la historia de Christopher McCandless. Christopher, un joven bien educado, creció en una familia de clase media alta. También era altruista y tenía fuertes inclinaciones para estar solo y vivir de la tierra. Se aventuró con poco o ningún dinero, después de haber regalado sus considerables ahorros. Pasaría meses sin hablar con nadie. Eventualmente encontró su camino a Alaska. Allí, después de algunos pasos falsos de supervivencia en la tierra salvaje, Christopher murió de hambre. Su cuerpo fue encontrado alrededor de diecinueve días después por algunos cazadores estacionales.
La historia de Christopher es aleccionadora. Una vez que su cuerpo y su diario habían sido encontrados, se escribió un artículo para una revista sobre lo que le había sucedido. Ese artículo se transformó en un libro, y el libro en una película premiada, Into the Wild. Irónicamente, a pesar del esfuerzo de Christopher por vivir una vida completamente separada del mundo moderno, sus decisiones afectaron profundamente al mundo del que trató de separarse. Su historia ha influido en decenas de miles de personas; algunos incluso han pasado a emularlo. Sus decisiones tuvieron un impacto en las personas que ni siquiera conocía. Lo mismo ocurre con nuestras decisiones con respecto al pecado. La naturaleza conectada de la humanidad y el planeta hace imposible funcionar en el vacío. Nuestras decisiones afectarán a los demás, no importa lo duro que tratemos de protegerlos de ello. Nuestra única opción es cómo les afectará.
El pecado es omnipresente. Infecta nuestros pensamientos, nuestras motivaciones y nuestro ser más íntimo. Se nos recuerda esto cada vez que caemos en la tentación o incluso cuando pecamos sin pensar. Podemos arrepentirnos, es cierto, pero incluso nuestras motivaciones para el arrepentimiento a menudo son sospechosas. ¿Nos arrepentimos porque egoístamente queremos la bendición de Dios sobre nuestra vida? ¿Nos arrepentimos porque necesitamos la ayuda de Dios más tarde? ¿Realmente nos estamos apartando del tipo de comportamiento por el cual nos estamos arrepintiendo? Por lo tanto, el pecado infecta fácilmente incluso nuestro arrepentimiento. El viejo adagio es cierto: incluso nuestras lágrimas de arrepentimiento deben lavarse en la sangre de Jesús. El apóstol Pablo lo entendió. Al ver la omnipresencia del pecado en su propia vida, gritó: “¿Quién me rescatará de este cuerpo de muerte? Gracias a Dios, que me entrega por medio de Jesucristo nuestro Señor” (Romanos 7:24-25).
El pecado no es sólo omnipresente; es poderoso. La Escritura nos enseña que la morada original de la humanidad era literalmente el paraíso. Nuestra condición actual, por supuesto, es muy diferente. Nadie usaría la palabra “paraíso” para describir nuestra existencia actual. La diferencia entre el paraíso para el que fuimos hechos y el mundo moribundo en el que vivimos ahora se debe a la aceptación del pecado. Una vez más, el pecado es poderoso. Es responsable de toda la muerte, miseria y dolor que el mundo haya conocido. Es fácil culpar a Adán y Eva por todo el problema. Después de todo, fue su decisión comer la fruta prohibida, no la nuestra. Sin embargo, el triste hecho es que afirmamos su elección con cada pecado que cometemos. Las consecuencias de nuestro pecado son las mismas que las de ellos: muerte, miseria y dolor.
Considere para un momento muy oscuro la naturaleza del pecado aparte de Jesús. El pecado está por todas partes, extendiendo el dolor y la miseria y la muerte cada vez más. No hay escapatoria; no hay cura. No hay amor desinteresado, nada bueno. La virtud sería principalmente útil sólo para servir al vicio. La existencia terrenal no sería más que un preludio momentáneo y sin sentido para el tormento eterno, hecho inevitable por el agarre de hierro del pecado en cada alma. Tal estado de ser es casi demasiado horrible para contemplarlo. Es un lugar de miedo y oscuridad.
Esto es de que nos salva Jesús: este lugar de absoluta oscuridad, desesperanza y miedo. Por medio de Él no somos salvos simplemente del infierno; somos salvos del poder del pecado. Con Jesús nuestra vida no es un preludio sin sentido de las consecuencias eternas del pecado. Más bien, nuestras vidas son un tiempo de experimentar y expresar el amor de Dios por nuestro mundo.
Dios odia el pecado, y no necesitamos mirar lejos para encontrar la razón. Trajo la muerte a sus hijos (nosotros), y mató a su Hijo único. Nuestra actitud hacia el pecado no debe ser menor que la suya. Debemos odiarlo. Debemos negarnos a entretenerlo o ignorarlo. Nunca debemos tratarlo con un guiño y una sonrisa.
Debemos resistir el pecado en todas sus formas, desde el hedonismo hasta el legalismo, desde las mentiras blancas hasta la rabia. Resistirlo no es ineficaz, a pesar de la omnipresencia del pecado. Al resistirnos al pecado, nos damos a nosotros mismos y a los que nos rodean una visión de la bondad de Dios. Experimentamos la libertad que estaba destinada a ir de la mano con nuestra salvación. Permite a aquellos con los que entramos en contacto ver a Jesús en nosotros. Nos ayuda a acercarnos más a Dios, a ser un mejor siervo de Él. Llegamos a ser más de lo que Dios nos creó para ser.
El arrepentimiento debe ser nuestra reacción al pecado. Juan nos dice: “Si confesamos nuestros pecados, él es fiel y justo y nos perdonará nuestros pecados y nos purificará de toda injusticia” (1 Juan 1:9). ¡Esto significa que le pedimos perdón a Dios (arrepentirse) y nos perdonará! Nos esforzamos por no repetir nuestro pecado, aunque a menudo fallamos. Cuando eso sucede, nos arrepentimos de nuevo. Esto es parte de lo que significa tener una relación con Dios, nos arrepentimos cuando no cumplimos con lo que Él ha logrado por nosotros y luego nos levantarnos de nuevo y hacemos los negocios de nuestro Padre.
Es vital que comprendamos la seriedad y gravedad del pecado. Es omnipresente y poderoso. Debemos resistir cualquier tentación de ignorarlo o minimizarlo dentro de nuestra propia vida. Pero también debemos entender que no enfrentamos nuestras tentaciones solos. Jesús venció el pecado en la cruz, y Su victoria es la nuestra. Entonces, como dice la Biblia, vamos a estar a la altura de lo que ya hemos alcanzado. Dios es más poderoso que el pecado, y somos redimidos por Su Hijo. Por lo tanto, no abaratamos nuestra redención asintiendo de forma coqueta al pecado con un guiño y una sonrisa.
Sobre el autor
Bart Bentley nació y creció en Tujunga, California. Ahora pastorea en Journey Church Ministries, una Iglesia de la Biblia Abierta en Loves Park, Illinois. Reside con su esposa, Erin, y sus tres hijos: Génesis, Kessa e Isaac.
*Información sobre Christopher tomada de “Muerte de un inocente” por Jon Krakauer.
Living and serving in a foreign land involves adjusting to new cultures, languages, and realities. Over my thirty years as a missionary, I’ve faced these challenges in multiple countries and languages. Yet, none of my experiences could have prepared me for the realities of war—its impact on life, ministry, and faith.
I had lived in Ukraine full time for thirteen years when the initial invasion occurred in 2014. The conflict was terrifying but distant from me; over time, I learned to navigate the stress of the threat of violence and the uncertainty that seemed to linger everywhere. But everything changed on February 23, 2022, with the full-scale invasion. Ukraine entered a dark chapter with an unknowable future, and so did I.
… everything changed on February 23, 2022, with the full-scale invasion. Ukraine entered a dark chapter with an unknowable future, and so did I
I spent the first few months of war in the United States. While physically “safe,” my heart remained with Ukraine. I wanted to be with the INSTE community, neighbors, and other loved ones who had become my family, not just because of my love and concern for them but because there is power in presence; there is a powerful ministry of simply being with others in their suffering. Just as God promises in Psalm 91:15 (NIV), “I will be with him in trouble,” I felt compelled to personify that presence for Ukrainians.
Returning to Ukraine in October 2022 meant facing new unsettling realities. Air raid sirens, missile strikes, and weaponized drones are part of daily life. Psalm 91:5 promises, “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,” yet living this truth is challenging. In 2024, attack drones or missiles filled Ukrainian skies every single day and night. Fear is a natural response to danger, yet courage is trusting God despite fear. For me, each step forward, even with a lump in my throat, is an act of faith.
Psalm 91’s promise that God is “with us in trouble” anchors me, helping reconcile the tension between “not fearing” and “doing things afraid.” Fear doesn’t disqualify us from obedience; it’s often the very place where we find God’s will and experience His presence in profound ways.
My main ministry has always been equipping leaders through INSTE Global Bible College, but my focus has shifted during the war. In this season the Lord has allowed me to minister to humanitarian needs of Ukrainians with the help of Open Bible sponsors and a wide network of friends and ministry partners. For independent teen orphans, we’ve provided power banks and lamps for long nights without electricity.
Other times, we’ve purchased medicine for sick neighbors and helped seniors pay for medical procedures. For those along the frontlines, we’ve sent financial aid, clothing, and prayers. We have also translated, printed, and distributed thousands of booklets that teach how to deal with PTSD.
While others deliver large-scale humanitarian aid, my role is one of smaller, personal acts of kindness. In the market, I look for “Holy Spirit nudges” and find struggling grandmothers to bless with money for food, blessing them and reminding them that God sees their need. Each of these actions, though small, serves as a tangible reminder of God’s love and light in dark times.
The human cost of war is staggering. Food insecurity, disrupted education systems, and loss of electricity are all daily problems. Families have been displaced and torn apart, some with children attending school in other countries, others with family members on the frontlines, missing in action, prisoners of war, or buried in a grave. Communities have been shattered and the trajectory of so many lives forever altered. Over the years we have had thousands of INSTE students throughout Ukraine; many of their lives have been dramatically changed by this war.
I witness incredible resilience in the defenders who are outnumbered and outgunned on the front lines, the mothers holding families together, and the children navigating unimaginable loss
Despite this, I witness incredible resilience in the defenders who are outnumbered and outgunned on the front lines, the mothers holding families together, and the children navigating unimaginable loss, including a normal childhood. Their resilience reflects the truth that God has not abandoned them. In their stories, I see glimmers of hope – reminders that even in the darkest times, Light shines. Their resilience inspires me.
It has been difficult to deal with the capture of my godson, Max, a nineteen-year-old soldier, by enemy forces. The pain of not knowing his fate is immense. We pray for his soul. Every Ukrainian has their “Max,” someone whose unknown future brings unbearable heartache.
As I reflect on these years of war, I’m reminded of how deeply it has reshaped my life, my understanding of compassion, and my faith. War has tested me in ways I never expected, but it has also deepened my faith.
Psalm 91 continues to be a comfort: not a promise of an easy way, but of God’s presence. It is in His refuge that I find strength to minister and to believe for His promises. And it is there, even in wartime, that I have found God’s refuge.
About the Author
Tammy Swailes
Tammy Swailes is passionate about cross-cultural Christian education, so working with INSTE Bible College to disciple and equip leaders throughout Europe and beyond is a great fit! Tammy has lived in Europe since 1999 – first in Hungary and now Ukraine. Before that, she was in Japan, as well as Spokane, Washington. She now serves as INSTE regional director in Europe, assisting INSTE programs in five languages. Tammy has her undergraduate degrees in both Missions and Christian Education, and a MA in Intercultural Studies. Photography, good coffee, multi-cultural experiences, and the family’s Yorkie are some of Tammy’s favorite things.
The diaspora of the Tai Dam refugees in 1975 to Des Moines, Iowa, fueled a first generation of Tai Dam Americans adapting to new ways of life, blending language, culture, and embracing the numerous opportunities in the US. I was part of that first generation. Three years after my parents’ settlement in Iowa, I was born and became the first in my family to acquire an American education and step into a church. We were blessed to have Christian sponsors who helped us transition from our homeland to America.
Every Sunday, our sponsors would take me, my sister, and several of my cousins to church service at the First Church of the Open Bible. Naomi Young was one of the many people who was significant in my life; she gave me my first Bible. Through the faithfulness of Naomi and others at the church, seeds of faith were planted as I was told about a man named Jesus who died on the cross for me. I was curious, but I did not understand and did not accept Him into my life at that time. Attending church was short-lived, coming to a halt when I was eight years old. The seed that was planted in me could not grow because it was never nourished with Truth at home. My parents and grandmother believed and practiced animism and ancestral worship, which is the veneration and honoring of the dead. Confusion infiltrated my mind, and my desire to attend church ceased. While I abandoned everything that was taught to me in Sunday school, I always kept my Bible in a special place underneath my pillow because something in my heart could not throw it away.
The seed that was planted in me could not grow because it was never nourished with Truth at home.
When I was twenty-two years old, my cousin took me to a Buddhist temple to have my fortune read. There, sitting in front of me, were three monks. One monk opened his notebook, wrote in it, then read to me my childhood, present life, and future life story up to the time I would turn thirty years old. He then shut his notebook and told me, “I am done.” When I asked him, “Why?” he told me only, “I cannot read you anymore.” That same week I went to a card reader and had my fortune read. Again, he read my childhood, present life, and up to the age I would be thirty, then stopped. I told him, “You are the second person that could not read me past thirty; tell me – do I die?” He quickly gathered his cards, saying only, “I cannot tell you.”
Throughout my adult life in my twenties, I was in an unhealthy, abusive relationship, which led to an alcohol addiction. When I was twenty-six, I became pregnant and had my daughter, Kaylee, on January 31, 2005. God was already working in my life, and I did not know it; He was molding me and reminding me of who He was through the darkest moments of my life. Around that time, I came upon a childhood friend who worked as a cashier at Hy-Vee; she would tell me, “Soukham, God is so good.” Though I resisted, the words she spoke over me resonated in my heart. Not long after, I found myself attending her funeral. Worship and praise were included in the Christian service. I was confused, but a part of me had the desire to know more about the God they said was so good and how through Him there would be no more pain and suffering. When I left the funeral, the Lord continued to reveal Himself to me through divine encounters. In July of 2008, I took a position at Nationwide Insurance where I reconnected with an old high school friend. She invited me to a Thanksgiving potluck at her church, and my walk with the Lord began soon after.
From the Tai Dam little girl who was born in America and met Jesus in an Iowan church, to the woman who is now taking the hope of Christ back to Southeast Asia, His hand has been in every chapter of my story.
I was thirty years old when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. The verse that will remain with me forever is 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (NIV).
Now I understand why the monk and card reader could not read my life past the age of thirty. At that age, I became a new creation because of Jesus Christ, and the enemy no longer had a hold on me! Jesus continued to bless me and my daughter. Amid my pain and struggles, God brought a man into my life, my husband Othone (Pong), who became a father to Kaylee. We got married on September 15, 2010. Together the Lord blessed us with two more children, Isaac and Silas. In 2017, the Lord called us to serve in Iowa at Kingdom Life Church (now Kingdom City Church).
In November 2021, the Lord instilled in Pong’s heart a dream to build a charitable foundation to address needs in the vulnerable communities of Southeast Asia. The foundation would have a Christ-centered vision: to make and equip future disciples, providing them with sustainable resources and empowering them to advance beyond their current situation. Through continuous prayer and the Lord’s guidance, the foundation was born in April 2023 and officially named Nations in Need (NIN). Recently in 2023 and 2024, the Lord took Pong, Kaylee, and three of our brothers, Ap, Peng, and Bay, on trips to Southeast Asia where they built relationships, served the communities, ministered to the people, and spread the good news about Jesus Christ. Today, NIN has branched into multiple communities in Southeast Asia. Through the work of a future center in Southeast Asia, we will expand NIN’s mission and go wherever the Lord leads.
Throughout my whole life God has carried me, even when I didn’t know it. From the Tai Dam little girl who was born in America and met Jesus in an Iowan church, to the woman who is now taking the hope of Christ back to Southeast Asia, His hand has been in every chapter of my story. Whether the next chapter is in America, Southeast Asia, or somewhere else, I will follow Christ, forever His new creation.
About the Author
Soukham Khanthavixay
Soukham Khanthavixay and her husband, Pong, are active members of Kingdom City Church in Des Moines, Iowa. They reside in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, with their three children and two dogs. Soukham is a registered nurse at a local county hospital and also works for Nations in Need (NIN), the ministry her husband founded. Her family and ministry team work together to expand the mission of NIN and spread the gospel. To learn more about Nations in Need, follow them on Facebook or Instagram: @nationsinneed.
Spirit and Truth Church began as a dream amidst the stormy backdrop of January 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges that the world faced, we found ourselves thriving, anchored by the belief that God’s plans always prevail. As we say on our website, we are passionate about helping people “find freedom in the fullness” of both the Spirit and the Word. This foundational vision has carried us through times of uncertainty and propelled us forward.
Yet, for all our successes, we reached a point where we felt like we were on an island—thriving, yes, but lacking the covering, coaching, counsel, and care that every church needs to flourish long term. In 2022, at the first MOVEMENT conference, God spoke directly to my heart, telling me that Spirit and Truth Church was meant to be part of the Open Bible Church family. This call was a turning point for our ministry. In 2023, I was credentialed through Open Bible Churches, and in February of this year (2024), we became officially affiliated with Open Bible Churches’ Mountain Plains region. Since then, the blessings have been immense.
For all our successes, we reached a point where we felt like we were on an island.
Being part of Open Bible has been transformative for us. We have received so much investment, training, and support. Open Bible has helped us shore up essential aspects of our ministry: leadership, organization, staffing, budget, facilities, and more. Our growth has been remarkable—we’ve doubled in size, growing from 60 to 120 regular attendees in the past year. This growth, I believe, is a testament to both the godly covering of Open Bible and the Spirit-led outreaches we engage in. Our church has a culture of lifestyle evangelism and hospitality where all our members are witnesses and welcomers. In addition, we have forged strategic partnerships with other ministries.
One of the most exciting partnerships we have is with Every Heart Tours, a ministry led by fiery, Jesus-loving college students from Michigan. These students come to stay with us for a week at a time, engaging in outdoor worship outreaches and “prophetic treasure hunts.” If you’re unfamiliar with this term, a prophetic treasure hunt is an evangelistic practice where participants ask the Holy Spirit to reveal specific details about people they will meet, and then they go into the community to find these “treasures.” It’s a beautiful, Spirit-led adventure allowing us to partner with God and minister to people in our city in a unique way. We’ve seen so many lives touched and transformed through these treasure hunts.
What started as a small church plant in Northern Colorado has since grown into a vibrant community reflecting the heart of God for His people.
One of the most powerful testimonies from these outreaches happened this summer (2024). We had a team of prophetic ministers giving specific words to people as we worshipped in Fort Collins Old Town square. We preached the gospel boldly, and by the end of the night eleven people made the decision to be baptized! We walked down to the Poudre River and witnessed the supernatural power of God as they went under the water and came up renewed. It was a moment that felt like the early church, where “the Lord added to their number daily” (Acts 2:47 NIV).
Of course, ministry isn’t always easy. We’ve faced rejection and opposition. But we hold firm to the truth of Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” The harvest is plentiful, and we’ve seen this reality unfold before our eyes. As we continue to partner with ministries, step out in faith, and preach the gospel, we trust that God will continue to bring more people into His kingdom.
Our journey with Open Bible has been a testimony to God’s faithfulness. What started as a small church plant in Northern Colorado has since grown into a vibrant community reflecting the heart of God for His people. We remain committed to spreading the good news and making sure outreach and evangelism are at the heart of our ministry. The harvest is ready, Open Bible fam – let’s go bring it in!
About the Author
Rob Bray
Rob Bray is a marketplace and ministry leader with over a decade of experience in both business and church contexts. He is the founder and lead pastor of Spirit + Truth Church, an Open Bible Church in the Mountain Plains Region. Rob has catalyzed successful companies, grown healthy ministries, and spoken at influential conferences, workshops, and events. Rob’s expertise and passion have made him a trusted advisor and coach for leaders and entrepreneurs seeking breakthroughs in multiple areas including life, marriage, and business. Rob and his wife Bethany live on their homestead in Fort Collins, CO, with their six children: Nehemiah, Nora, Noelle, Neely, Nayla, and Nicholas. In their spare time, they enjoy hiking, paddle boarding, and snowboarding.
