ARE YOU A PHARISEE OR A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST?

• Pharisees- they try not to sin or do evil works while fasting; instead of seeking more of God and opening the heart to be ministered by Him. “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:4).

• Disciples while fasting– (Romans 14:17) – ^“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost”.

NOTE:

• Trying not to sin or not to fail is not fasting. What is the purpose of fasting if one day you are trying not to fail or not to eat, or not to drink; if every other day you are in two waters?

•    How can you seek more of God if you are trying not to fail or do something wrong? We are humans. We are not robots. Fasting is less of me, and more of Him. Is not paying attention to the world, and paying attention to Him.

• If one is in two waters, one cannot get to the fullness of Christ (The high calling of God). Philippians 3:14– “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”.

• God wants obedience, not sacrifice- “The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?” (Proverbs 21:27)

True Fasts and Sabbaths:

Isaiah 58

…3Why have we fasted and You do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?’ Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire, And drive hard all your workers. 4“Behold,you fastfor contentionand strifeand to strikewith a wickedfist.You do not fastlike you do todayto makeyour voiceheardon high.5″Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one’s head like a reed And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the LORD?…

Matthew Henry Commentary

A fast is a day to afflict the soul; if it does not express true sorrow for sin, and does not promote the putting away of sin, it is not a fast. These professors had shown sorrow on stated or occasioned fasts. But they indulged pride, covetousness, and malignant passions. To be liberal and merciful is more acceptable to God than mere fasting, which, without them, is vain and hypocritical. Many who seem humble in God’s house, are hard at home, and harass their families. But no man’s faith justifies, which does not work by love. Yet persons, families, neighborhoods, churches, or nations, show repentance and sorrow for sin, by keeping a fast sincerely, and, from right motives, repenting, and doing good works. The heavy yoke of sin and oppression must be removed. As sin and sorrow dry the bones and weaken the strongest human constitution; so the duties of kindness and charity strengthen and refresh both body and mind. Those who do justly and love mercy, shall have the comfort, even in this world. Good works will bring the blessing of God, provided they are done from love to God and man, and wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit.

Joel 2:12

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning;