https://odb.org/MY/2023/01/16/be-filled
Isiah 58:6-12 speaks of a common but misconceived idea that some of us may have that God will accept our fasting and answer our prayers despite us not having a kind and compassionate heart. It is as though there is a set of rituals or practices we can adopt to bring in the blessings and power of God while side-stepping the issue of our character and personal traits. Our faith is, however, not something only personal to us with our deeds and actions only in relation to our religious obligations done in isolation to the people around us. We can not worship God in church and yet not have a transformed heart, a heart that is kind and compassionate.
For example, we can not claim to be a Christian and thus be in a relationship with God, and yet scam others contending that this is how we earn our living. Or if our tenant needs to terminate our tenancy due to a family emergency, we should be considerate not to forfeit the deposit, although we may be fully entitled to do so under the contract. Of course, if at the end of a tenancy, we find excuses not to return the deposit with the intention to oppress the tenant, then we are probably not genuine in our faith. This is because our faith is not only in terms of our religious obligations but encompasses all areas of our lives. If we oppress the poor and needy, then we are clearly off-track as we are to help them whenever we can.
Jesus gave the example of the Scribes and Pharisees praying loudly for all to hear, to show off their prowess, and to let people know they are doing their religious duty. But our worship of God and our public prayers are never meant as a way to boast, and neither are even our involvement in social causes. Do things sincerely and for God, but at the same time have a transformed heart that emulates the heart of the Father. Don’t do things to show off to boast, and when we serve God, make sure our hearts are likewise transformed. In the end, God is more interested in our transformed hearts than our service or ministry for Him. The Lord will be truly happy seeing us being kind and compassionate to the poor and weak, rather than receiving our prayers and fasting when our hearts are still evil and conniving, selfish and calculative.
Our faith can never be superficial or lip service. It must be real and reaching deep within us. Not everyone can be transformed overnight. It is a journey, and we may still be “work in progress”; but we must at least be on the journey. We can not say we are but are not really so within us!
Ronnie's Thoughts 