Doing good things the wrong way?!
Isaiah ministers as they cry out to the Lord about their fasting. They wonder why their fasting is not being seen or noticed by the Lord.
The Lord responds by asking whether they really believe their fast is acceptable. Even though they were fasting, justice seemed to be far from them. The Lord continues by asking a series of questions that expose the condition of their hearts.
""Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?" Isaiah 58:6-7
Can we do good things the wrong way?
They were obeying the Lord in fasting while ignoring clear commands of the Lord in how they treated others. They selflessly afflicted themselves while selfishly afflicting others.
We can do the same.
We can walk out religious activity and still miss the heart of the Lord in how we love and deal with others. The Lord isn't looking for pull-string soldiers who simply do what He asks. He is calling us to be heartfelt followers who honor Him by loving others.
If you find yourself being sacrificial toward the Lord but missing the call to love others well, take note.
Delight in the Lord, and choose to love others as Jesus did. That's the call of the Christian. That's the call of the disciple of Jesus!
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.