My sense is that some have pulled back from radical commitments they made to the Lord in previous years. Some said they would be “forerunners” or “nazarites” who would live holy lives, fast & pray, and lay their lives down as living sacrifices for Jesus. Some had specific convictions around things they should do or not do, and they have slowly slipped back into a more “normal” American Christianity.
I feel like God is saying… sign up again.
A Fasted Lifestyle
You don’t have to use terms like “forerunner” or “nazarite”, but the Holy Spirit is inviting us as Christians to walk in purity, be wholehearted in our devotion to God, be extravagant in our worship and prepare the earth for the return of Jesus. If the Holy Spirit is leading us and convicting us, we must stay sensitive to that leading. And when we start to slip away from what He’s saying, we need to repent and give God a “yes” again.
Some of us felt called to live “fasted lifestyles”, and it’s more than just regular days of not eating. It was saying no to legitimate pleasures of this world in order to taste more deeply of the superior pleasures of the presence and kingdom of God. It’s not about getting God to love us, saving ourselves or earning our righteousness. But it is about obeying God and doing whatever it takes to cultivate an intimate relationship with Him. It’s not about being a “super Christian” but it’s about letting the One who designed us lead us into a unique lifestyle that’s best for us.
Avoiding Both Legalism and Compromise
‘“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.’
I Corinthians 10:23
We don’t want people’s personal convictions to put a legalistic pressure on us. Someone may not use certain words, or engage in certain media, or participate in certain activities, or eat certain foods, and that’s ok.
At the same time, don’t let someone’s freedom cause you to abandon your convictions and compromise what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do or not do (John 16:8). From my perspective, the church in America does not lean towards legalistic avoidance of activities but towards compromise and worldliness. At one point in American culture (not long ago) a Christian might be judged for drinking alcohol. Nowadays, you’re more likely to be judged as “legalistic” or “religious” if you refrain from alcohol. America is no longer culturally Christian. It’s no longer taboo to use dirty language, be sexually immoral, watch perverted films and live blatantly sinful lifestyles.
We must welcome the conviction of the Lord in regards to the media and art that we consume, the activities in which we participate, the way we use our time and the relationships in which we engage. If God is saying don’t do it, then we don’t do it. Even if it seems weird or excessive or legalistic or overly sensitive. Who cares?! Obey the voice of the Lord.
Whatever is Pure
If we’re doing things, watching things or listening to things that fuel fear, anxiety, anger, lust and pride, we need to abandon those things. If we don’t have peace about something, it’s ok to say no. Even if it’s “not bad” it may not be good for us. It’s not just about avoiding things that are bad for our souls, it’s about leaning into that which is virtuous and makes us more like Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
And it’s not just what we don’t do, it’s what we do. How is God leading us in spiritual disciplines like worship, prayer, fasting, evangelizing, giving offerings and discipleship? We have been called and consecrated by God. Consecrated means “set apart.” But we are not just set apart from sin, but we are set apart to God.
The boundaries God puts in our lives are to propel us into deeper satisfaction, joy, meaning and fulfillment in Him. To know Him, love Him and walk in sync with His Spirit is what we were created to do. The boundary lines may create a narrow road for our lives, but they are the path of true life. Let’s sign up again. And again. And again. It’s worth it. He’s worth it.
“How far will you let me go? How abandoned will you let me be?”
Misty Edwards