We've learned previously that there are many different types and reasons for fasting. God has and does honor all of them, with exception of a self-righteous fast that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 6:6 (Amplified), "And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy and sour and dreary like the hypocrites, for they put on a dismal countenance, that their fasting may be apparent to and seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full already."
Jesus was preaching from His Father's template of a "Chosen" fast, in Isaiah 58:5. This is God's chosen was of fasting and is done His way, for Him to see, and is not done for the praises of men. Jesus continues to teach about walking in love with God and man. He says that we can, and should, set aside times of prayer and fasting for personal reasons in our lives. Sometimes, we do so simply to seek God for our own private times or things occurring in our lives. Sometimes we fast in order to discipline our flesh and bring it under subjection to the Holy Spirit and the Word.
God might call you to do something and you're fasting to be quiet before Him, seeking both His instruction and direction in the matter. These are all acceptable and honored by God, but Jesus quoted from Isaiah 58 about God's way of living in fellowship and blessing by the Lord.
Jesus was speaking to the people about how the Kingdom was to be judged in Matthew 25:30-46 (Amplified) saying, "All nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate (the people) from one another as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats. And He will cause the sheep to stand at His tight hand; but the goats at His left." Jesus expounded on this in Verse 45 saying, "And He will reply to them, solemnly I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least (in the estimation of men) of these, you failed to do for Me."
He had been teaching nearly exactly from Isaiah 58, concerning the treatment of others when He spoke this. Through Jesus, the Father was directing the people how to live and love others. We are God's Ambassadors on this earth, according to 2Corinthians 5:20 (Amplified) which says, "So, we are Christ's Ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We (as Christ's personal representatives) be you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor (now offered you) and be reconciled to God."
As we walk the Isaiah 58 fast, we are "revealing God's love" in a way that even the unsaved can see God's heart towards mankind. As this becomes our lifestyle, the world will not see a religious organization, but will see a Living Love that doesn't discriminate or turn away. In his natural form, man will distinguish between rich or poor, black or white, male or female, but God does not, nor ever will. John 3:16-17 (Amplified) says, "For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He (even) gave up His Only begotten (Unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him."
When God spoke through His Prophet Isaiah, He was speaking to those who were presently alive and to all who read His Word for all time. This is the very way that God desires for His Body, the Church, to walk. Jesus is the Head of the Church and we are His Body on this earth. The only hands God has to touch, hold and comfort the people with, are the hands on His Body, us. We are the "Light of the world," like Jesus was on earth. Even if many of us seem not to notice, it's getting very dark in the world today. The Only Way to repel the dark, is by bringing the Light against it.
Isaiah 58:8 (Amplified) gives us the results for walking this fast, saying, "Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; (your righteousness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you (conducting you to peace and prosperity) and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard."
2Corinthians 4:4 (Amplified) tells us the reason why more people haven't accepted our Lord and the Gospel, saying, "For the god of this world has blinded the unbeliever's minds (that they should not discern the truth) preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah) Who is the Image and Likeness of God."
When the god of this world brings in and operates in darkness, then we have God's promise that He shall "cause light to break forth like the morning," in Isaiah 58:8. It doesn't matter how dark the night might have been, the darkness passes when morning breaks and we can see all things clearly. God's promise to bring His very heart and Spirit into our walk with Him and witness of the Lord Jesus, is made to each person and congregation in God's family.
God made personal promises for the one who will walk His lifestyle fast. And, we have the honor of representing our God in His true self of Love, when we walk His chosen fast. Even the unsaved people get hungry. We're not only called to love the brethren, but to "so love the world." We are sharing God's Son through deed and Word and therefore, loving the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment