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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.
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.
As we approach another election season, we find ourselves once again in an environment bringing tension, division, and uncertainty to people, including those within the Church. It is during times like this, however, that we as the Church can shine brightly. In the face of debates, advertisements, and news that may stir anxiety, we have a divine opportunity to anchor people to the unchanging hope of Christ.
The apostle Paul instructs us that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20 NIV), and as followers of Christ, our ultimate allegiance is to God and His kingdom. While politics does have its importance and influence, it is reassuring to know our hope is not based upon human leaders or systems but in the Lord who reigns over all.
In the face of debates, advertisements, and news that may stir anxiety, we have a divine opportunity to anchor people to the unchanging hope of Christ.
There is no question that, as followers of Christ, we should engage in our civic duties with a kingdom-minded perspective and a biblical worldview. We vote, we pray for our leaders, we seek the welfare of our communities (Jer. 29:7), and we engage others with love. And as we do all of this, we hold to the truth that God’s sovereignty transcends the outcomes of elections.
In times that seem unstable or fragile, God’s Word tells us “we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Heb.12:28). We serve an “unshakable kingdom.” Governments change, leaders come and go, and through it all, God’s kingdom remains. It is unshakable, eternal, and built upon His righteousness and justice. No election can alter the reality of God’s sovereignty nor shake the foundation of His authority. It is His church that holds the keys to unlock heaven on earth and bring light to the darkness.
Here is the reality we stand upon: It is God who “controls the course of world events; He removes kings and sets up other kings” (Dan. 2:21 NLT), and “the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord” (Prov. 21:1 KJV).
Because of this truth, we can embrace Paul’s word to the Philippians: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7 NLT). Based on this passage, if we are a people of prayer who walk in faith, seek God’s wisdom, and are grateful, THEN we know we will experience a peace that goes beyond natural understanding. I am reminded, comforted, and convinced of this truth, and it is an anchor to my soul.
No election can alter the reality of God’s sovereignty nor shake the foundation of His authority.
This November’s election will be followed in December by the celebration of Christ’s birth. What a perfect time to remember that Jesus is Emmanuel – God with us. This name, given to Jesus, is more than just a title; it is a promise that no matter what happens around us, God’s presence is constant and unchanging.
Whether the outcome of the election brings joy or disappointment, whether policies align with your hopes or create concerns, remember Emmanuel – God is with us. He is present in our churches, in our communities, in our families, and in our lives. He is not distant or disconnected; He is personally and actively involved in the lives of His people. Whoever is elected and however people respond – God still sits on the throne, His Kingdom is unshakable, and His plans are unstoppable. GOD IS WITH US.
Some practical steps for consideration:
- Pray for our leaders, regardless of who they are: Pray for their wisdom, discernment, and a spirit of humility.
- Stay united as the body of Christ: Let a heart of unity, love, and the bond of peace be what others see.
- Keep an eternal perspective: Engage in the political process, but keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
- Live out the things that will remain: faith, hope and love.
About the Author
Michael Nortune
Michael Nortune serves as president of Open Bible Churches. He has ministered in the local church faithfully for 35 years. From his start as a janitor and groundskeeper to lead pastor of Life Church in Concord, California, Michael has had the opportunity to gain experience in every capacity within the church throughout his ministry. Not only does he have hands-on experience on the local level, but Michael has also led at the district, regional, and national levels within Open Bible Churches. Michael and his wife Julie currently reside in Colorado and love living near five of their six children and their spouses. They also treasure the time they spend with their other daughter who lives in Alabama with their first (but not the last) grandson!
