February 8, 2002

WHEN YOU FAST

"When you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:16-18, NKJV).

"The object of the fast which God calls upon us to keep is not to afflict the body for the sin of the soul, but to aid us in perceiving the grievous character of sin, in humbling the heart before God and receiving His pardoning grace. His command to Israel was, 'Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God' " (Joel 2:13).

"It will avail nothing for us to do penance or to flatter ourselves that by our own works we shall merit or purchase an inheritance among the saints. When the question was asked Christ, 'What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?' He answered, 'This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He has sent" (John 6:28, 29). Repentance is turning from self to Christ; and when we receive Christ so that through faith He can live His life in us, good works will be manifest.

"Jesus said, 'when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place' (Matthew 6:17, 18). Whatever is done to the glory of God is to be done with cheerfulness, not with sadness and gloom...

"Christ desires us to make His service appear attractive, as it really is. Let the self-denials and the secret heart trials be revealed to the compassionate Saviour. Let the burdens be left at the foot of the cross, and go on your way rejoicing in His love who first loved you. Men may never know of the work going on secretly between the soul and God, but the result of the Spirit's work upon the heart will be manifest to all, for He 'who sees in secret will reward you openly."--Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessing, pp., 87, 88.