(Traducido por Carlos Enrique Espinosa)

 El título del estudio de esta semana me parece algo interesante: Jesús nunca usó el término "justificación" y la Biblia nunca usa el término "justificación por la fe sola".

I find the title for this week’s study somewhat interesting: Jesus never used the term “justification” and the Bible never used the term “justification by faith alone.”

But Jesus surely spoke plainly about how sinners become right with Him. How many times does Jesus emphasize: “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. . . . I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin. If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free” (John 8:31, 34-36, GNB)

(Traducido por Carlos Enrique Espinosa)

La mayoría de los grupos de cualquier tipo adoran o han adorado a "Dios" de alguna manera.  En declaraciones a los israelitas, después de describir el tipo de adoración por el que las naciones de Palestina eran conocidas, Moisés amonesta al "pueblo elegido": “¡No adoraréis al Señor vuestro Dios de esa manera!” 

Most every group of whatever kind has worshipped and is worshipping “God” in some fashion.  Speaking to the Israelites, after describing the kind of worship that the nations of Palestine were known for, Moses admonishes the “chosen people”:  “You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way!”

I am sure that God feels the same way today!    No need to catalogue all the various forms of worship services, just in the United States. Or perhaps even compare the various forms of worship in Adventist churches every Sabbath, as some say!

(Traducido por Carlos Enrique Espinosa)

La Guía de Estudio de la Biblia para adultos, de la Escuela Sabática, nos ha dado una galaxia a contemplar, no sólo una estrella –y todo centrado en la obra mediadora de nuestro Señor como el Dador de la Gracia.

The Adult SS Guide has given us a galaxy to contemplate, not only one star—all focusing on our Lord’s mediatorial work as the Grace Giver.

This week we look again at that sad, distraught victim of womanhood who had tried everything that medicine had suggested for at least 12 years. She had been living with that dread word, “incurable.” She had heard and seen the many who praised this remarkable Galilean who had been doing wonders for others, and the wild thought came to her: “Is there any hope for me?”

(Traducido por Carlos Enrique Espinosa)

Hay algo acerca de ser cristiano que me llama la atención todos los días, especialmente esta semana.  Estoy diciendo al mundo que estoy asociado con Jesucristo, que es mi Modelo, Ejemplo, Salvador, Sumo Sacerdote, y Dador de vida próximo a venir. 

Por supuesto, también importa si es un amigo a distancia o un compañero siempre presente.  Y también es importante si Él es mi constante proveedor de energía, esperanza y alegría, mi socio en cada momento del día y la noche. 

Something about being a CHRISTian gets my attention every day, especially this week.  I am telling the world that I am Partnering with Jesus Christ who is my Pattern, Example, Savior, High Priest, and Coming LifeGiver.

Of course it also matters if He is a Distant Friend or an Ever-present Companion. And it also matters if He is my Constant Supplier of energy, hope, and joy—my Partner every moment of the day and night.

How does this all work?

Estamos a mitad de camino a través del libro de Romanos. Espero que ahora todos nos estemos dando cuenta, quizá algunos por primera vez, de lo central y claro que es el mensaje de Pablo. Sin embargo, también hemos visto los aspectos en que el cristianismo se ha dividido, ¡incluso desde los días de Pablo hasta los nuestros! De alguna manera, Romanos pone de manifiesto lo peor y lo mejor en nosotros.

We are about half way through the Book of Romans. I hope by now we are all realizing again, maybe for the first time, how central and clear Paul’s message is. Yet, we have also seen those issues where Christianity has split itself, even in Paul’s day down to ours! Something about Romans brings out the worse and best in us.