Not So Fast: Is Fasting Required Today? скачать в хорошем качестве

Not So Fast: Is Fasting Required Today?

Fasting In the Age of Grace: The presentation critiques the idea that fasting is a requirement for Christians today. It references a social media clip claiming fasting is not optional, but argues that such teaching takes scripture out of context. Before the cross, God used “carnal ordinances” like fasting to address the flesh, but after the cross, believers are forgiven all trespasses and are no longer under such ordinances. Fasting is practiced in all major religions, but the presentation suggests that, for Christians, self-effort (like fasting) cannot produce true spiritual growth. The Limits of Self-Effort: Using the analogy of training animals, it’s argued that attempts to suppress the flesh through self-imposed discipline only serve to satisfy self, not God. Colossians 2:16–23 is cited to show that religious ordinances have “a show of wisdom” but do not truly honor God or conquer the flesh. True victory over sin comes not from self-discipline but from reckoning oneself dead to sin through Christ. The believer’s identity is in what Christ has already accomplished, not in ongoing self-effort. The Danger of Religious Pride: The presentation warns against thinking one can stand against temptation or sin in their own strength, referencing 1 Corinthians 10:12–13. It’s suggested that those who believe they are above temptation will eventually realize their own weakness, just as Paul did. Sometimes, those who speak most about humility are themselves lacking it, as illustrated by a humorous Abraham Lincoln quote. Is Fasting Expected for Christians Today?: Bennett asserts that God’s specific instructions for the church today are found in Paul’s writings, not in the Old Testament the Gospels, or the Hebrew Epistles (James, Peter, John, Jude, and Revelation). Paul only mentions fasting as a voluntary act for married couples (1 Corinthians 7:5–6), never as a command for all believers. Even Paul’s statement about disciplining his body (1 Corinthians 9:27) is contextualized as being about reaching others with the gospel, not about earning favor with God through self-denial. The Role of Community and Grace: Spiritual growth is fostered through fellowship and mutual encouragement, not through legalistic practices. The conclusion is that Christians should not judge one another over practices like fasting or dietary choices. Instead, they should focus on unity, recognizing that Christ’s death and resurrection are sufficient for salvation and spiritual growth. As for the question regarding dying daily, today's presentation focused primarily on our STANDING before God as having died once, even as our Lord died only once (Rom 6:10-11). However, our STATE is like a roller coaster: up one day, down the next. But all of the curveballs life throws can work for good (Romans 8:28) if we keep in mind that anything we suffer, even temptations, are designed by God to help us, even if only in the slightest way, to remember the love of Christ, Who suffered for us, once for all. (Read 2Corinthians 4 and hide all of it in your heart). For more information or to contact us, please visit www.DenverGrace.org