Giving up things makes us more acceptable unto God.
Really?
Certainly, there are some things God expects us to cast aside when we follow after him. We must make a change in our lifestyle, and we must endeavor to follow the examples given to us in the Word.
The key word here is true and lasting change. If Lent comes along, and we forgo chocolate for a month, we’ve done nothing that will please the Lord if we begin eating chocolate once more.
Jeremiah 6:20 gives us God’s viewpoint:
“To what purpose comes there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.”
This verse comes at a time when Israel stood on ceremony rather than true devotion to God. If they acted out the part of religious supplication before the almighty Father, then they felt free to go about their daily lives, ignoring the precepts of God’s written word.
So, then, why do we fast and pray? Giving up food for a day, a week, or a month is certainly a trial, whether we do it for God or any other reason. Fasting hurts. We’re hungry, and we can barely think of anything else. It’s a sacrifice of penultimate degree. Surely that makes a difference to God.
It’s the opportunity for change that impresses God. He wishes us to take our eyes off food and turn them to God.
Does giving up chocolate do that for us? Are we more focused on God because we’re not eating chocolate?
Was Israel more focused on God because they burned incense and offered sweet cane to the Lord?
Does our fasting bring us closer to the God we serve, or is it something we do simply because the Bible says it needs to be done?
When our sacrifices are in order, giving up things will make us more acceptable to God. Why? When the things are gone, we will replace them with God, and that’s his desire, to live in our hearts and lives, and to make us more like him every day.
What we sacrifice for God allows room in our hearts for him to expand his presence in us.
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Code: FGO.i.20.15b.vp.kjv