One area that stood out was the second spiritual discipline of fasting. In the post,
it is stated that fasting would be considered if “God calls me to it.” This writer
struggles with fasting as well. However, the reasons are somewhat different. This
writer struggles because God does call His followers to do it. However, the
struggle is that it is not a high priority because it is uncomfortable and throws off
daily routines.
a a a a a a a a a a This change can be a blessing. It is important to note the times in
Scripture that reveal fasting as a command, not simply a choice. Christ says,
“When you fast, do not look somber . . . when you fast, put oil on your head . . .
your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matt. 6:16-18,
NIV).” Notice that Christ says “when you fast,” not if you fast. It is a command. He
calls all Christians to it. As Donald Whitney writes, “Jesus expected His followers
would fast.”[1] Mark 2:18-20 gives an example of Jesus explaining to the
Pharisees that once He is gone, His disciples will fast. Jesus is pointing out that
the Pharisees do it for the wrong reasons. Joel 2:12 also provides an example of
the Lord asking His children to return to Him with fasting. This writer struggles
with prioritizing fasting, but if you have yet to undertake fasting to connect with
God, please try it! Some of the greatest breakthroughs are found through fasting
(Matt. 17:21, KJV). Great post, Amanda!
It makes sense that things should be taken to God through fasting and prayer
before difficult situations rather than as a result of one. I really need to focus on
fasting as well. The way I was introduced to it many years ago caused me to shy
away from it. The experience was unpleasant, and I really did not understand the
purpose. It felt as though we were fasting “just because” and the rationale was
never explained to me.
Whitney asserts that, “Believers should fast according to biblical teaching and
with purposes that are God-centered. It is voluntary in that fasting should not be
coerced. And fasting is more than just the ultimate crash diet for the body; it is
abstinence from food for spiritual purposes.”[1] Had that been explained to me
long ago, my attitude towards fasting may have been different. Instead, I was
taken through an unpleasant experience that impacted me for many years. a You
have a way with words that it seems as if I am in the same room talking to you. It
makes for easy and enjoyable reading. I would agree with your discussion of fasting. As
a full time firefighter myself, I can say that shift work makes for difficult fasting times.
The unknowns of the job make me leery to make a decision to go without food. That is
the day when we run all day with no breaks and I am about to pass out from lack of
food. What has helped me, is to do traditional Jewish fasting. 2000-2000. That way I can
either start a fast at work or end it at work or do them on the off days. I also do not
attempt to go multiple days without food due to the job. If I intend to do a multiple day
fast, I try to choose something that takes my time and attention away from God. So, for
example, I intentionally go to the firehouse without my iPad so I cannot watch movies. I
will instead take my Bible and an early Church Father to read and spend my time on that
instead. Not that everyday is the same but those are some of the things that have
helped me with fasting while on shift. Your wife shames me when it comes to
journaling. I have attempted many times to try journaling and I can admit that the only
time I was any good at it was during my deployment to Iraq. God’s richest blessing on
you as you continue to serve not only God but your community. My original post
probably comes across as though I am opposed to the “disciplines,” like journaling, but
that is not the case. a I have found many great benefits from journaling and other
disciplines. a My problem is when one makes the disciplines necessary for the Christian
life when God has already declared that He has given us everything necessary for
salvation through the faithful proclamation of His Word and the hearing of His Word.
You wrote, “God wants us to experience spiritual growth by getting closer to Him
through His Word. I believe this is what Whitney is saying, and he outlines specific
disciplines that we need to develop in order to achieve the growth that God intends for
us.” I believe that Whitney adds to the Christian life by adding “disciplines” as a
necessary tool for that growth, which I noted in my prior post poses problems to the
Christians throughout the centuries who have never heard to such a novel approach to
Christianity. a Now, I would be lying that I believe that God has given us a great privilege
to be able to read the Scriptures in our own language. a A privilege that only the
Christians in the last five hundred centuries have had. a As I noted above, there are great
benefits from journaling, memorizing Scripture, and others. a Much of which is biblical. a
But to make it a prerequisite for one to be “holy” is overreaching. Thank you again for
your post, and may the Lord bless your studies at Liberty. As the body of Christ, we
tend to ignore the fact, there are those who claim Christianity for cultural
purposes and accept them into the fold simply because of their words. We ignore
the fact that Christianity is more than just proclaiming Jesus to be Lord and
savior.” a Really hit me, I agree that we do not challenge professing Christians on
how they behave and live. I just taught the kids in my Sunday school class 1
Timothy 4:12, How we should not let others look down on our youthfulness, but
should live in example of Christ in love, conduct, word, faith and purity, and spirit.
It would be through these examples that we are showing we are indeed Christians
and not just through lip service or attendance occasionally or even every Sunday.
As an introvert I enjoy silence and down time, and do not always put God at the
focus either, however that is a great time to do so, I think the fasting and solitude
would be great together if we are intentional with it, the meditating on God’s word
with greater intentionality. [1]
a Although I believe that there is a more historically accurate and biblically faithful way
that God disciplines His people in a formative way, I can sympathize with your struggle
in evangelism. a I have found that I am passive in evangelism and definitely am not the
outgoing street evangelist type. a Yet, God has always put me in situations where I meet
people allowing me to proclaim the gospel in those situations. a I do not believe that
evangelism requires an elaborate programmatic approach. a Sometimes just being where
God has us serving is God’s evangelism plan. a I am reminded of the verse, “and to
aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we
instructed you” (1 Thess. 4:11 ESV). a Not all men are called to be evangelists in the
strictest sense of the word. a Paul’s exhortation to do the work of an evangelist (2 Tim.
4.5) was particular to His calling as an elder and minister of the Word of God. a The
Great Commission is usually invoked to proclaim that it is the job of every Christian to
fulfill this calling, yet are all called to baptize? a Are all called to teach? a We know that is
not the case because we have ordained ministers to baptize and to teach. So, the Great
Commission is the church's mission as a whole, and each member has their unique gift
to accomplish it. a Thank you again for your post, and may the Lord bless your studies at
Liberty. What you describe and lay out is a daunting if not impossible task. Can
we, as finite humanity, even grasp or place into view his worthiness? I would
imagine that an entire lifetime of worship would fail to even scratch the surface
of the topic. I am not belittling worship but your definition made it quite daunting
in how you worded it. In my estimation, one could spend their whole life
considering and praising the worthiness of God and that person would life a
worthwhile life.
I can certainly sympathize with the way that the mundane or humdrum of
everyday life can seem to sap away the time to contemplate God in his
incomprehensibleness. I can certainly say that I do not spend the amount of time
that I should contemplating that very idea. Could you imagine if the Church and
its leaders took the time to consider just how awesome and amazing that God
truly is? We would look very different I would imagine. We would begin to look
only on God and not ourselves and the people around us. I would imagine that the
Church would begin to look how we should from the very beginning. It becomes
very hard to look down on others when I am too busy looking up at the splendor
of God.
[1] Donald S. Whitney,
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
, revised and
updated. ed. (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2014), 224.
[1] Donald S Whitney (2020). (p. 192). Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life,
Revised and Updated Edition. Retrieved from
https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com
[1] Donald S. Whitney,
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
(Colorado Springs:
NavPress, 2014), 195.
Bibliography
Whitney, Donald S.
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
. Colorado Springs:
NavPress, 2014.
