June 28

WORKING IN THE SPIRIT

Romans 8: 1-

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Romans 8:14 (NIV)

In the conversation with Nicodemus, that important Pharisee, Jesus tells him that which is born of the flesh, is flesh, but that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit. In the same way Paul differentiated what he called the carnal believer from the spiritual believer. In his first letter to the Corinthians he devotes part of the second chapter to this distinction, based on his experience working in the Spirit of God, and not according to the human traditions that had never led him to live a full life like the one he experienced after meeting Jesus Christ.

The teachings of the New Testament insist that the early church was a “pneumatic” type, of the Spirit, because the experience of receiving the Holy Spirit, regardless of the manifestations it may have had, was what gave their leaders the ability and the strength to proclaim the gospel, without looking at obstacles, or dangers, or threats.

Working in the Spirit, not according to our carnal nature, is what should really distinguish us as followers of Christ Jesus, witnesses of his resurrection and collaborators in the endeavor to establish his Kingdom.

 

Prayer: We ask you, good Lord, to continue to strengthen your Church with the gift of your Spirit, in order for us to work according to your will and to be your faithful servants. Through Jesus, Amen.

 

Translation by Susan Metcalf Smith

Junio 28

OBRAR EN EL ESPÍRITU

Romanos 8: 1-6

Porque los hijos de Dios son todos aquellos que son guiados por el Espíritu de Dios

Romanos 8:14

En la conversación con Nicodemo, aquel importante fariseo, Jesús le dice que lo que es nacido de la carne, carne es, pero lo que es nacido del Espíritu, espíritu es. De igual manera Pablo diferenciaba lo que el llamaba creyente carnal del creyente espiritual. En su primera carta a los corintios dedica parte del capítulo dos a esta distinción, basado en su experiencia de obrar en el Espíritu de Dios, y no conforme a las tradiciones humanas que nunca le habían llevado a vivir una vida plena como la que experimentaba luego de conocer a Jesucristo.

La enseñanza del Nuevo Testamento insiste en que la iglesia primitiva era una de tipo “pneumática”, del Espíritu, porque la experiencia de recibir el Espíritu santo, independientemente de las manifestaciones que haya podido tener, fue la que capacitó y fortaleció a sus líderes para la proclamación del evangelio, sin mirar obstáculos, o peligros, o amenazas.

Obrar en el Espíritu, no conforme a nuestra naturaleza carnal, es lo que realmente nos debe distinguir como seguidores de Cristo Jesús, testigos de su resurrección y colaboradores en el empeño de establecer el Reino.

 

Oración: Queremos pedirte, buen Dios, que sigas fortaleciendo a tu iglesia con el don de tu Espíritu, para obrar conforme a tu voluntad y serte fieles servidores. Por Jesús, amén.