Religion vs. Relationship
Tough words... That some people claim to worship God when all they are is a shell of religious rituals with no true sense of whom they are serving. It is essentially important to cultivate a relationship with our Lord JC. This is his intention... Isaiah 1:11 says God has no use for our sacrifices, he has enough, what are they to him,,This is analogous to some of our situations today. While attending Church events, singing in the choir, or being an usher is our responsibility as Christians, if we know not personally whom we serve, it is nothing but a worthless ritual,, a mere form of pass-time and entertainment (if you will). God is challenging us to know him personally, immerse in his word, pray and meditate, be in constant fellowship with the Spirit of God and God will show himself strong and blow our minds. James says, draw nearer to me and I will draw nearer to you. I implore you to know God, not about him.
http://bible.us/68/isa.58.3-8.gnt
In Isaiah 58:3-8, God distinguishes for us the true meaning of fasting. He explains that fasting is not just about the deed of deprivation -- otherwise it would just be a meaningless ritual. But fasting [seeking God, like long-term worship] should be like a lifestyle where we keep both our prayer lives and actions in tune with God's will. God gives a few examples a few deeds that would demonstrate fasting like feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and freeing the slaves. Essentially, fasting is not some event we do for a week and then get on with our lives, It is the way we choose to live -- to live for Him. God says this pleases him more than the actual deprivation. Ultimately it is the heart God is after, not the physical condition of your body. By no means am I negating the physical aspect of fasting; I am merely saying what aspect God says he is interested in.
Created 6 months ago
