Fastidious Fasting
In this week’s message, we find ourselves delving into the subject of fasting. While this is the second part of a message on legalism, I choose to dive deeper into this one act that was a badge of righteousness for the hypocritical religionists of Jesus’ day. You might assume by my negative attitude towards it that I do not recommend it. My exact point and stated position are that it is a personal conviction for each believer to decide. It is not my business to criticize those who do. However, the announcement of a fast and to appear fasting is against Jesus’ teachings. The temptation to legalism is born out of it. This is true of any markers we purposely use to display an attitude of superiority over other Christians.
In my studies, I find certain authors I respect more than others and consider them my trusted companions as I search the scriptures. I notice a difference in how my companions handle this subject. On one hand, there are those who insist we recover the discipline of fasting in the modern church. By way of example, one wrote: “…fasting has enormous benefits for the Christian’s soul.” Another wrote: “In my own life, I have not practiced regular fasting.” According to author one, author two misses a major (enormous) opportunity to be closer to Christ and obedient to Him than author one. Keep in mind that benefits of the Christian life are always primarily to make us closer to Him. Author two also wrote: “Whether fasting is a mandated spiritual activity for every Christian in the New Testament is up for debate.” We do not know if author one believes fasting is “a mandated spiritual activity for every Christian.” This is the point I seek to make. If there is a spiritual activity that has enormous benefits for the soul, yet not mandated in the scriptures, we are at loss to explain the reason.
I cannot think of anything taught in scripture that has these implications for the soul without a mandate. It simply becomes a natural part of the Christian disposition. You may find fasting comes naturally in times of troubling decisions, or in grief or loss. I can identify with fasting this way. Author one claims that a growling stomach is a reminder to pray. For me, an alarm set on a particular schedule does the same thing.
I do not mean to discourage anyone from the practice of fasting. I only want us to be mindful of the danger as well as the benefits. Criticism of those who do not and the claim they would be better Christians (enormously so) if they did, appeals too much to knowledge only the Holy Spirit has of the individual. When I first became pastor of Berean, I found some of the members wanted me to be their conscience. I refused to inject myself into their personal lives at this level. It makes me have God-like power over them. I cannot and will not declare a fast for you or for Berean Baptist Church in general. If you must, do it in the quietness of your spirit.
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. (Romans 14:5-8)
Pastor V. Mark Smith