Isaiah 58 - Can We Hurt the Grace of God?

 

Isaiah 58 – Can We Hurt the Grace of God?

 

Can wicked ways and outward religious forms delay the grace of God and hurt the cause of Christ? Men and women who are religious and church members and yet curse like a pagan block the grace and glory of God. Men and women who are dishonest in business, immoral in their social lives yet talk about being good enough to meet God’s standards also block the grace and glory of God. This is why God’s glory was withheld from the Israelites and is being withheld from people of today.

 

God told Isaiah to cry aloud and tell these people of their sins. It takes a very brave man to do this because not everyone likes to hear the truth. Isaiah made some enemies, but God tells it like it is and He wants His servants to tell it like it is and warn them that their sin could lead to eternal separation from God.

 

The Israelites asked what the purpose is of fasting if God didn’t take note of it. Fasting was to be an outward expression of the soul, but they made it a form which ministered to their pride and ego. Fasting is to be private between man and God. They boasted about fasting and God rebuked them.

 

If we are worshiping God to please man then we are not having a pure relationship with God. We must demonstrate our faith by our conduct. Start being honest in our dealings, be truthful in all ways.

 

The Israelites turned their back on the poor and needy. They even refused to show love and kindness to their own flesh and blood. When a person has a heart for God, they also have a heart for other people. You will want to be helpful to them and a blessing to them.

Isaiah was not popular with the people, they thought they were doing right and deserved some credit. If we want blessing and grace and glory from God we must build a relationship with Him. God wanted to give them blessings, as He does us, but if our worship is not for the right reason, we are only getting in God’s way. We must seek God’s forgiveness if we are doing what we do to seek compliments from man, thinking God will be pleased. Anything we do in the name of Christ should be done for Him and Him alone. We must put our pride and ego aside and humble ourselves before God.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.