3 “What does man gain from all his labor
at which he toils under the sun?
4 Generations come and generations go,
but the earth remains forever.“
Ecclesiastes 1: 3-4 NIV
5min read
Over the past 21 days, part of our Church community have been engaging in a Daniel Fast. And what a great time to seek God for clarity, confirmation and new revelation. But during this time, there have been moments were I have indulged in food when I know I shouldn’t, opening my eyes to the burden we carry between legalism and rebellion. And I believe God asks us to come to Him so He can expose our hearts. God does not ask us for perfection…. but He does ask us to be holy as He is holy.
During this time I have been curious in understanding where my heart lies.
The times I have consumed food I am aware I should not, it is almost as though pride creeps in and speaks outwardly saying ‘His grace will cover your downfall.’ Causing me to indulge where I know I can allow for His discipline. And as a firm believer that it is God’s grace that sustains us, where is the line between indulging in my flesh and misusing the grace of God?
God does not ask for perfection. Legalism however says we need to perform to please God. That it is by our works that we maintain salvation. And we can beat ourselves down, condemning ourselves where we expect performance to shine through instead of the works of the cross. I believe this is not who God created us to be, self-sufficient, self-reliant and self-striving. He created us to need Him because it is His love that empowers change, and so all the glory returns back to Christ.
During times that I have indulged in food I shouldn’t, I have made a conscious choice not to condemn myself. To leave the past behind and look forward at the cross. However I believe God has been stirring my heart to ask myself, are you lacking discipline? Moving by worshiping your feelings and wearing a badge of honour because my grace is sufficient? Is this truly the gospel message? Or can we fall into the trap of misusing God’s grace in an attempt to honour ourselves.
In this beautiful song published in 1779, ‘Amazing Grace’ by John Newton, this verse struck me because of it’s relevance to the gospel.
“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved.”
God desires for us to have a healthy fear of Him. Where we stand in awe of His love and goodness and recognise the sinful nature that consumes us when we are apart from Him. And it is in the fear of God that He promises us His salvation so all outward fear can be diminished. It is in our desperation to need God that His grace is sufficient. It is setting your eyes on the finished work of the cross. This is His promise to us, today, tomorrow and the next. That when we draw near to Him, we will be satisfied with His salvation.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Pslam 91: 14-16 NIV
So when we fall, when we stumble, we can be reminded that it is in God’s grace that we can rise again and keep moving down the narrow road. This is why we need Him. Our dependence should be on God, because who are we apart from Him? It is such a reminder to me, that I can make myself the centre of the story, tearing down the righteous place of where Christ is the author and perfecter of my faith. And my heart is stirred because are we missing the heart of God? Are we so consumed by our works or our lack of works that we are missing the gospel message?
We all fall short of the glory of God. These last few weeks during fasting, I believe God has been offering me clarity that it is should not be about legalism or rebellion. Each of these move away from the heart of God. And so I believe He asks us to centre ourselves. And turn our hearts back to loving the LORD God with all our heart, with all our minds and all our strength. And when we position ourselves here, He will offer us clarity about where each of our hearts lie so that we can find freedom and rest in our LORD Jesus. Because where sin abounds, grace is given. And in our desperation we should cry out, who are we apart from you?
20 “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5: 20-21 NIV
Do not burden yourselves with pride, judgment and condemnation. But put on the garment of Christ, where grace, love, gratitude and humility are present. It is through seeking the heart of God that we find His rest. So seek first the kingdom of God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and all the rest will be given to you. Don’t miss the heart of God.
Nadia x
All for His Glory.