January 7th, 2023
Day 6 – January 7, 2023
"Sincere or Showy"
Luke 18:10-14 – Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Many times, the struggle in fasting is deciding how to fast in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. I think we all want to please God and see results, but we subsequently question... What do I fast? How long do I fast? With whom do I share that I’m fasting? How do I not mess up my fast?
In this Scripture, there is more insight into the heart of fasting and I think it can help us with our approach to this spiritual discipline.
Note there are two different people having a conversation with God: a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee who prayed in the temple boasted how he fasted twice a week and gave tithes of everything he had. The tax collector in contrast simply cried out to God, “Be merciful to me, the sinner.” The verdict is in! Jesus says this religious leader is not justified before God but rather the tax collector who has repented and humbled himself.
So, the Pharisee’s religious fasting, tithing and boasting were ALL FOR SHOW in this Biblical story. (And by the way, God knows if we are fasting in SINCERITY OR BEING SHOWY.) But on the other hand, the tax collector simply cried out to God. He knew that he had no power or righteousness on his own and needed God’s mercy.
With all the questions that may pop up when we commit to a fast, remember that fasting is not about being self-sufficient or completing a perfect performance. It's about coming before God with a HUMBLE heart that is open and ready to receive from Him. So don’t stress over the flawless accomplishment; instead, set your heart on being sincere.
Sincerely,
Pastor Brian Rabon
"Sincere or Showy"
Luke 18:10-14 – Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Many times, the struggle in fasting is deciding how to fast in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. I think we all want to please God and see results, but we subsequently question... What do I fast? How long do I fast? With whom do I share that I’m fasting? How do I not mess up my fast?
In this Scripture, there is more insight into the heart of fasting and I think it can help us with our approach to this spiritual discipline.
Note there are two different people having a conversation with God: a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee who prayed in the temple boasted how he fasted twice a week and gave tithes of everything he had. The tax collector in contrast simply cried out to God, “Be merciful to me, the sinner.” The verdict is in! Jesus says this religious leader is not justified before God but rather the tax collector who has repented and humbled himself.
So, the Pharisee’s religious fasting, tithing and boasting were ALL FOR SHOW in this Biblical story. (And by the way, God knows if we are fasting in SINCERITY OR BEING SHOWY.) But on the other hand, the tax collector simply cried out to God. He knew that he had no power or righteousness on his own and needed God’s mercy.
With all the questions that may pop up when we commit to a fast, remember that fasting is not about being self-sufficient or completing a perfect performance. It's about coming before God with a HUMBLE heart that is open and ready to receive from Him. So don’t stress over the flawless accomplishment; instead, set your heart on being sincere.
Sincerely,
Pastor Brian Rabon
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