God never allows formal religion observances to take the place of practical. everyday godliness. As He pointed out through the Prophet Zechariah, spiritual disciplines such as fasting as important as they can be, make little impression on God if  at the same time our lifestyle lack justice. mercy and compassion. {Zechariah 7 verse 5 and 9}

All through scripture is the same theme: Isaiah 1 Verse 17 “Do Good, Seek justice, Help the oppressed, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.”,

This a reflection of how we should live, Do Good, Seek  Justice, Help the oppressed.

But enmity and hostility have away of turning good, kind and compassionate people into vicious and vindictive people. The scripture warn us against allowing bitterness and hatred to remain in our hearts.

Galatians 5 verse 13: Message Bible:

“It is absolutely clear that God has call you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows”.

Then a couple of verse later, Paul advice on how to overcome is:

Galatians 5 Verses 16 and 17: Message Bible:

“My {Paul’s} is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsion of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness.”

The challenge for us all, if we are to be continually effective in our ‘Faith In Action’ is to examine ourselves afresh. What does our attitudes towards others, reveal about our values. Have we inadvertently allowed ourselves to become ‘upside-down’ in our concerns for people.

It is always good to reflect on our walk, and perhaps reorient our lives so that it reflects more of Our Lord and Our Friend.

The Fields are white with harvest, we all need to be free of the things that might hold us back in being effective for His Kingdom.

God Bless.

O F J.