Lent is fast approaching, and many will be fasting. But will many be doing real fasting that is pleasing in the sight of God? Nader contrasts the Muslim fast with the Christian fast and shows what a real fast should be as he delves into the Word of God.
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Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. But if a person does not fast these days, will that person be punished and have to make an atonement? I remember when I was a Muslim, all Muslims were required to fast 30 days a year in a certain month and abstain from food, drinking, smoking and sexual activity from dawn to dusk. The Qur'an states that if humans cannot prevent themselves from having their desires, then they cannot achieve salvation. But if someone breaks a fast without a valid exemption, this entails a punishment of atonement. Atonement provides an opportunity for individuals who deliberately break a fast to give compensation. For example, if a person breaks a day of fasting unnecessarily, that person could either fast for 60 consecutive days or feed 60 poor people. So, when I was a Muslim, I was usually anxious and worried in such situations, because I usually did not fast and I could not atone for it, and I usually thought to myself what would happen to me on the Day of Judgment. On the other hand, this fast was useless, and the persons who fasted only became more arrogant and selfish, and they were proud of their act and expected a reward from their god. And in general, it had no effect on the dead souls of humans. As Paul pointed out, such worship is useless.
“These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” Colossians 2:22-23
Yes, in the religions of this world, everything is based on a deal with the god of that religion. That means, they will say, “Oh god, because I did this, you must help me too.” But when I came to know the true God, He freed me from all the shackles and bondages of idolatry. As JESUS told those Jews, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
So now in Christ, I can understand the true meaning of fasting. But what exactly is the true meaning of fasting? We can better understand the true fast in Isaiah 58: 1-8. In these verses, God first declares the sins of the people of Israel, but the people do not listen and consider themselves righteous and innocent. God, however, describes the appearance of their spiritual life. On the surface, it seemed that God’s people loved Him and were devoted to Him. They had the reputation of a nation that was righteous, and they seemed like people who would take delight in approaching God. With this spiritual veneer, they felt God was unfair to them. It was as if they said, “LORD, we have fasted, but You still don’t answer our prayer. Don’t you know that we seek you daily, delight to know Your ways, do righteousness, and take delight in approaching You? Yet You do not answer our prayers!”
But God exposes the reality. The reality was that His people didn’t fast with the right heart and did it only as an empty ritual. The reality was that even on a day when they fasted, they still exploited their workers. They fasted to satisfy their selfish desires. Their intention of fasting was wrong, so their fast was unspiritual and caused their spirits to be resentful and bitter. They thought God owed them. They acted like idolatrous people and wanted to pressure God to DO what they wanted. But God didn’t accept their fasting when it wasn’t connected with a sincere heart of obedience. Therefore, in that situation God would not hear the prayer accompanying such a fast.
The people of Isaiah’s day had the same problem as the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. The Pharisees who fasted laid heavy burdens on men’s shoulders. They trusted in empty rituals, that was far removed from spiritual reality. Jesus rebuked them for hypocrisy in carrying out God's commandments.
”But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners… (You) have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness…. So you too, outwardly appear righteous to people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness”. Matthew 9:13, 23:23 and 28
Real fasting is partnered with real repentance. If it does not express true sorrow for sin, and does not promote the putting away of sin, it is not a fast. And it isn’t only about the outward actions as the person bows down his head like a reed and spreads out sackcloth and ashes and/or picks up the Bible and takes it with him in his hands everywhere he goes to show off. But rather to be generous 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. The true faith of the believer works with love.
Individuals, families, neighborhoods, and churches can show repentance and sorrow for sin, by keeping a fast sincerely, and, with right motives, while repenting, and doing good works. Then the heavy yoke of sin and wickedness and oppression can be removed. As sin and sorrow dry the bones and weaken the strongest human constitution, the acts of kindness and charity strengthen and refresh both body and mind. Those who do justly and love mercy, shall have the comfort of soul and body even in this world. Good works will bring the blessing of God, on condition that they are done from love for God and man and shaped in the soul by the Holy Spirit.
And finally, we must know that the God of the Bible is not a needy God and has no need for us and our prayers, fasting and good deeds. But we need Him forever. As Paul said:
“Nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things.” Acts 17:25
Now if we want to fast and expect our voice to be heard on high let us be united with Paul in these verses, “… do all things for the glory of God… Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus… Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17,23) AMEN
Nader your little brother in CHRIST
GOD BLESS YOU. AMEN
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