Fasting Without Forsaking
Up until recently, whenever I read the story of the young rich ruler I never saw myself. Society would say I'm not so young anymore and compared to some of the people that are close to me, I have never been rich. I have discovered through the Scriptures, however, that I in fact have been Biblically diagnosed with having the same taxing ailment as the young rich ruler.
We see in the Scriptures that this was a man that had no problem with observing some of the commandments. He had no issue when it came to holding on to a form of religion. Yet, despite having everything he could ever want with a little form of religion to go on top, there was a question that still troubled his soul:
What must I do to inherit eternal life?
The story paints a picture of a man that has everything one could ever desire but still lacks the one thing that everyone truly needs: Salvation. At first glance, I see the differences between him and I. As the layers of introspective understanding of the Scriptures are peeled back like onions in my heart, my eyes can't help but water. I ,too, have been plagued with the idea of wanting everything the world has to offer and a little bit of Jesus.
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Matthew 16:19-22 KJV
When we look at the men and women who wanted Jesus dead, they were not criminals at first. These were simple men and women who longed for quick convenience and comfort over commitment to God. On the surface, this doesn't seem so bad. However, if we take a quick look at the charges of most individuals sentenced to life in prison, we will see that those were also their driving factors.
At the sentencing of Jesus, we see people who wanted the things of the world and, simultaneously, the things of God. Ultimately, we see this truly manifested when they asked for the release of Barabas and the crucifixion of Jesus.
31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. John 19:31-32 KJV
We see people who had forms of Godliness but were not in desperate search of a Savior -- men who cherished the Sabbath but had no desire for the Man who had a part to play in its establishment.
Growing up, I had no problem giving God all of Sunday but serious problems arose on Monday morning. When it was time for my feet to hit the pavement, I could see in my life that it was fear and logic that controlled my decisions and not the faith that I spent the previous day professing.
16 They profess to know God [to recognize, perceive, and be acquainted with Him], but deny and disown and renounce Him by what they do; they are detestable and loathsome, unbelieving and disobedient and disloyal and rebellious, and [they are] unfit and worthless for good work (deed or enterprise) of any kind. Titus 1:16 AMPC
Unfortunately, we too have become identical in heart to the Pharisees. We're willing to spend some of our days in fasting, prayer and scanning over Scripture.
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. John 5:39-40 KJV
We even practice honouring the Sabbath. Yet, the question remains: Is Jesus Lord of our lives? Are our minds being renewed by night so that we are led by the Spirt of God and our faith by day?
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14 KJV
The harsh reality is that the men and women of faith in the Bible are not known by their religious observances, but rather by their acts of faith that brought validity to their professions.
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: Hebrews 11:1-39 KJV
When we think of Jesus, one would argue that the sermon on the cross, not the sermon on the mount, was indeed His greatest sermon.
14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: Isaiah 52:14 KJV
The truth is that following Jesus has a cost. In most countries, that cost is required upfront and each person must be willing to walk away from family, from careers, and from the status quo of society perhaps within the first moment of their profession of faith. However, the cost does not change from country to country as I previously thought. The old rugged Cross is still the same, still built on self-denial, sacrifice and the forsaking of everything that we have ever had and known.
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 KJV
Much similar to my ethnicity never changing regardless of which country God leads me to, the cost of following Jesus doesn't change based on the place we are in. The young rich ruler ran towards the thought of speaking to Jesus but walked away sad when he found out it would indeed cost him everything he ever had to gain Him. If we have a faith that hasn't required us to forsake all, then we simply do not have a faith only a religion.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:8-10 KJV
Question of the day: Have you chose fasting over forsaking?
