“Why have we fasted… and You have not seen?”
When God’s people abstained from food, thinking that the Lord would give them their wishes and perceived needs, they wanted to know why He didn’t give it to them.
God answered,
“In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,
And exploit all your laborers.
Indeed you fast for strife and debate,
And to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You will not fast as you do this day to make your voice heard on high” (Is 58:3-4; Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved).
James warned early Christians similarly:
“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (Jas 4:1-4).
Calling ourselves children of God and going through the motions, but not dedicating our lives to Him, striving for purity in our motives and actions, has never been acceptable to Him. Jesus applied a teaching from Isaiah this way.
“Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’” (Matt 15:7-9).
God calls for us to be holy (1 Pet 1:15-16). That is, He wants us fully prepared and set apart for His service. He sanctifies by His Word (John 17:17), which teaches us how to obtain this cleansing and preparation that was paid for by the blood of His Son (1 Cor 6:9-11; Eph 5:25-26; Heb 10:29).
The fact is, somewhat sanctified is not sanctified at all. God teaches us that we are for Him or against Him, invested or indifferent, serving sin or serving God (Matt 12:30; Rev 3:15, 16; Matt 6:24; Rom 6:15-23).
God promises no spiritual blessings to those who have not committed themselves to Him.
Van
