LIVE JUSTLY AND IN THE LIGHT (ISAIAH 58:6-11)

True and false fasting. REFLECTION The theme for our reflection is live justly and in the light. To live justly means doing what is regarded as morally right and fair. To live in the light means doing what is righteousness and pleasing to God. God admonished Israel through the Prophet Isaiah that there is a…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Jan 10, 2022

2–3 minutes

True and false fasting.

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is live justly and in the light. To live justly means doing what is regarded as morally right and fair. To live in the light means doing what is righteousness and pleasing to God. God admonished Israel through the Prophet Isaiah that there is a strong connection between faith and righteousness and living justly.

Our faith and righteousness which are symbols of living in the light cannot be said to be complete or pleasing to God if we believers continue to be the source of people’s oppression and suffering. In other words, you represent darkness when your actions and inactions contribute to the suffering and oppression of the vulnerable and defenseless people in society. Indeed, fasting, prayer and church attendance which are some of your outward signs of faith and righteousness is rejected by God until you “… loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? … to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh…” (Isaiah 58:6-7).

When you live justly then God will be pleased with you and acknowledgement your light of righteousness and faith. “Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’… the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” (Isaiah 58:9,11). A life of hypocrisy does not please God, living justly pleases God and makes Him acknowledge our righteousness thereby making us genuine beneficiaries of His blessings and grace. Shalom.

PRAYER

Almighty God strengthen us to live justly and be a source of hope for those who are victims of injustice in our society. May the Church be ever visible and loud in the fight for justice for the less privileged and oppressed in the World. Amen.

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)