True Change and Genuine Devotion

Jesus initiates true change and inspires genuine devotion. In Matthew 9:14-17 the disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus: Why don’t your disciples fast like we do? Read between the lines: Why are they feasting (read committing sin) when they should be fasting (read committing themselves to God)? We deny ourselves food; therefore, we are closer to God. Why aren’t your followers as pious as we are? If you are so holy shouldn’t your followers be at least as holy as we are? Their complaint was that Jesus was failing to be properly devoted to God and teaching His disciples to do the same. Jesus would have none of it. His response: The gospel changes us from the inside out & man-made ways of relating to God won’t work in this new relationship. In essence Jesus says, “The reason why is because I am God and I’m in charge. Your understanding of fasting is tweaked and your understanding of who I am is faulty. Any more questions?” Fasting was seen as a sign of humility & repentance but their question showed spiritual pride. Calvin said these fasters were “gloom-ridden and turned in on themselves”.

The Old Testament only stipulated 1 fast per year, on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29-31), but Jewish tradition developed into an expectation of fasting two times a week. Everything was about being noticed. When they gave they blew trumpets, when they prayed they did it loudly in public, when they fasted they put on a gloomy face. Matthew and his friends were feasting, John’s disciples were fasting – and did not seem too happy about it. Jesus came to His own as a Bridegroom coming to His bride. You don’t fast at a wedding. Jesus was inaugurating something new. To illustrate He uses 2 examples from everyday life. Clothes & wine. No one puts unshrunk cloth on an old garment and no one puts new wine in old wineskins – or else they would be ruined. Jesus uses these to show what He has come to do.

Jesus initiates true change. Like adding unshrunk cloth to an old garment, you can’t just tack Jesus on to your old life. Jesus came to earth to transform life. They wanted Him to require His men to do things to gain favor with God. Jesus was instituting an entirely new approach to God; incompatible with rigid traditionalism, not based on outward conformity but inward transformation. Jesus’ Kingdom & life is a new garment and new wine. The only life that can contain true righteousness is the new life God gives when a person turns from their sin and trusts Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Doing away with the old and bringing in the new does not mean Jesus was setting aside the law and bringing in grace. Jesus made it clear He did not come to abolish the Law but fulfill it, reveal it’s true meaning. Any opponent of the law was an opponent of God (Matt. 5:17-19). God’s law and grace have always coexisted perfectly. The Old wineskins were not the Old Testament but the traditions of man that interfered with and became more important to them than God’s Word. Outward things do not make us right with God. Activity without inward heart change is empty and futile. When a form of praying, or not eating, or serving or any religious thing becomes the focus of our attention, it is a barrier to our relationship with God. All who have ever been saved were made right with God by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for God’s glory alone.

Jesus inspires genuine devotion. Genuine righteousness of a person who is forgiven and cleansed by Jesus cannot be supplemented by external religious works. You will do what you do not to gain standing with God but out of love and devotion to God and to please Him. What does genuine devotion to God look like?

We love the Lord (Matt. 22:37-38; John 14:15).
We follow Him Ps. 23 the Lord is my Shepherd, He leads me beside still waters. John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. His Word supersedes all others. 1 Jn 2:14 says when it abides in us it helps us overcome the evil one; so we become champions of a Biblical worldview. Others may be tossed to and fro by every wind and wave of teaching, but we are rock solid. Though times may change His Word never does and so we lash ourselves to the Mast of truth & ride out storms that come. When we sin & are convicted by the Holy Spirit who indwells believers we don’t find ways to cover sin but rather expose it to the light – confess (admit) it, forsake it, and turn to God; actively seek and welcome change.

We love the Lord’s people (John 15:12; 1 John 4:21). We have a heart for the church. Since we love our family in Christ, We reject jealousy, animosity, unkind thoughts and bitter words. Unlike those who took issue with Jesus who didn’t seem to care. Rom. 13:10 love does no wrong to a neighbor. 1 Pet. 4:8 love covers a multitude of sins we are willing to overlook more when we love. Don’t excuse sin, but don’t pile on either. We reject legalism and license. Legalism says people have to do exactly as I do if they want to be right with God – like John’s disciples regarding fasting; License says I can do whatever I want with no thought for the good of others. True believers know what was started by the Spirit cannot be completed in the flesh (Gal. 3:3).

We love all people (Matt. 22:39). We have compassion for and want to reach unbelievers. John 17:14-21. We don’t expect them to behave like believers. We accept them as they are. Work for their good and God’s glory. Do what you are called to do – live and share the Gospel – allow God to do the changing; without necessarily agreeing with their lifestyle or sin. A heart for mission because you are always on assignment for God, started by God, initiated by God, enable by God, empowered by God; Who as 2 Cor. 2:14 says "manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place we go." John Wooden said You can’t live a perfect day until you do something for someone who will never be able to repay you. Al Mohler says, "Serve, preach, teach, and tell the world about Jesus until they put you in a box or until Jesus comes. And all will be well. Start what you cannot finish, and trust that Christ will finish what He has started."

Soli Deo Gloria