Legalism or Obedience?
Jody and Cammie Shelatz taught on fasting this week at The Summit. They brought some fresh insight to the subject that really hit home for me. They concluded with a challenge to fast for one day during the week. (Listen here)
I have been challenged or “invited” to fast in the past and I always have this great excuse. God didn’t invite me, you did. If God didn’t invite me, I’m not going to do it, and if you tell me I have to, that’s legalism.
Here’s the deal. God did invite me, in fact, He told me to fast. Scripture is full of fasting. There is almost an assumption that when you pray, it is accompanied by fasting.
- Fast is used 78 times in scripture.
- Moses, David, Elijah, Daniel, Anna, Paul, Barnabas, Esther, Jesus, and others all fasted.
- Jesus assumed His followers would fast. In Matthew 6:16, He says, “When you fast…”
He doesn’t say, “If you fast…” He doesn’t say, “If you decide this fasting thing is for you…” He expects us to fast. That was the realization for me. This isn’t legalism, its obedience. The fact is He told me to fast and I haven’t done it. I am waiting for His engraved, supernatural invitation to fast. The truth is I have more than that. He has told us to fast. Until I get His engraved, supernatural exemption, I must practice the discipline of fasting. I am confident that if I stick to this, He will turn it from a discipline to a desire.
God, I have used legalism as an excuse for disobedience. Please forgive me. Amen.
I fasted yesterday. I am processing today. My next blog will have my insights on the day.
Mark, thank you so much for your transparency. I absolutely love it. I am truly looking forward to hearing what the Lord may have revealed to you!! Love you, brother!
It was tough and I have a lot to learn, but it really helped reading Mark and Cammie’s blog today.
I kept thinking that if this was so hard, how about being persecuted like that Gao man in China (we watched the VOM DVD on him earlier this week…)
Doug and I did a day together and I did the day before with the Summit… but I have a hard time being OK with telling people that if we are supposed to do it in secret… where do you go with that to get better and receive encouragement?
I was meditating (chewing) on the whole Ritual series and it occurred to me that these rituals all have one thing in common. They are each designed to help us take our eyes off of ourselves and our abilities to provide for ourselves and to see God as our Provider. When we fast He is the one who gives us physical strength (not our legalistic super organic diet). When we tithe He is the one who Provides for us financially (not our daily grind, nor the company we work for, nor the government we think owes it to us.) When we keep the Sabbath we see that serving Him is our purpose (not serving ourselves). When we worship we take our eyes completely off of ourselves and our own inadequacies and focus on His glory. We honor Him instead of putting perishable wreaths on ourselves. He will provide us with rewards – we don’t have to. In the old testament the blood of sacrifice reminded them they were incapable of of perfecting themselves and it help them look to the coming Messiah whom He would provide. The ceremonial washings reminded them that only God could throughly (yes throughly) cleanse them. He provides our righteousness. Circumcision was a reminder of God’s covenant and how we are to circumcise our hearts. He provides his promises and is far more faithful than any one of us. They all help us point our focus on Him, rely on Him and recognize that without Him we are nothing – literally!
It reminds me of a favorite old hymn…”Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and things of earth will go strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
Beautifully said, Dannielle!!! I love your heart!!
Leave your response!
Upcoming Events
Join us in the auditorium at Madison County High School for our weekly worship gathering. at 10:00 am
Students in grades 6-12 meet at The Summit office (125 N. Main St., Madison). Bring a friend and give it a try! at 6:00 pm
——–Blogging——–
Recent Blog Posts
Blog Comments
Blog Archives
——–Sermons——–
Listen Now!
Most Popular
Sermons | Series
Links
Most Commented
Check Email